Predictors of Cryptococcus gattii clinical presentation and outcome: An international study.

Background: Infection by Cryptococcus gattii can lead to pulmonary or central nervous system (CNS) disease, or both. Whether site of infection and disease severity are associated with C. gattii species and lineages or with certain underlying medical conditions, or both is unclear.

Photochemical Control of Network Topology in PEG Hydrogels.

Hydrogels are often synthesized through photoinitiated step-, chain-, and mixed-mode polymerizations, generating diverse network topologies and resultant material properties that depend on the underlying network connectivity. While many photocrosslinking reactions are available, few afford controllable connectivity of the hydrogel network. Herein, a versatile photochemical strategy is introduced for tuning the structure of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels using macromolecular monomers functionalized with maleimide and styrene moieties.

Fully synthetic hydrogels promote robust crypt formation in intestinal organoids.

Initial landmark studies in the design of synthetic hydrogels for intestinal organoid culture identified precise matrix requirements for differentiation, namely decompression of matrix-imposed forces and supplementation of laminin. But beyond stating the necessity of laminin, organoid-laminin interactions have gone largely unstudied, as this ubiquitous requirement of exogenous laminin hinders investigation. In this work, we exploit a fast stress relaxing, boronate ester based synthetic hydrogel for the culture of intestinal organoids, and fortuitously discover that unlike all other synthetic hydrogels to date, laminin does not need to be supplemented for crypt formation.

Changing the liver transplant assessment process from inpatient to a day-case and outpatient approach to reduce inpatient bed utlisation.

The liver transplant assessment process involves a complex set of tests and clinical reviews to determine suitability for liver transplantation. We had an assessment process involving a 3-day inpatient stay and often experienced difficulties admitting patients to the prebooked bed due to a lack of inpatient bed availability.We aimed to change the process from a 3-day and 2-night inpatient stay to a 1-day day-case stay to reduce the demand for inpatient beds.

Reversible Intracellular Gelation of MCF10A Cells Enables Programmable Control Over 3D Spheroid Growth.

In nature, some organisms survive extreme environments by inducing a biostatic state wherein cellular contents are effectively vitrified. Recently, a synthetic biostatic state in mammalian cells is achieved via intracellular network formation using bio-orthogonal strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) reactions between functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) macromers. In this work, the effects of intracellular network formation on a 3D epithelial MCF10A spheroid model are explored.

Using linked data to identify pathways of reporting overdose events in British Columbia, 2015-2017.

Introduction: Overdose events related to illicit opioids and other substances are a public health crisis in Canada. The BC Provincial Overdose Cohort is a collection of linked datasets identifying drug-related toxicity events, including death, ambulance, emergency room, hospital, and physician records. The datasets were brought together to understand factors associated with drug-related overdose and can also provide information on pathways of care among people who experience an overdose.

Photo-expansion microscopy enables super-resolution imaging of cells embedded in 3D hydrogels.

Hydrogels are extensively used as tunable, biomimetic three-dimensional cell culture matrices, but optically deep, high-resolution images are often difficult to obtain, limiting nanoscale quantification of cell-matrix interactions and outside-in signalling. Here we present photopolymerized hydrogels for expansion microscopy that enable optical clearance and tunable ×4.6-6.

Extracellular matrix stiffness controls cardiac valve myofibroblast activation through epigenetic remodeling.

Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is a progressive fibrotic disease that is caused by thickening and stiffening of valve leaflets. At the cellular level, quiescent valve interstitial cells (qVICs) activate to myofibroblasts (aVICs) that persist within the valve tissue. Given the persistence of myofibroblasts in AVS, epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated.

The presence of psychological distress in healthcare workers across different care settings in Windsor, Ontario, during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Few studies have examined psychological distress in healthcare workers (HCWs) across the care continuum. This study describes distress levels reported by HCWs across care settings and factors associated with distress.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of HCWs from Windsor, Ontario, was conducted between May 30th, 2020, and June 30th, 2020.

Intracellular Crowding by Bio-Orthogonal Hydrogel Formation Induces Reversible Molecular Stasis.

To survive extreme conditions, certain animals enter a reversible protective stasis through vitrification of the cytosol by polymeric molecules such as proteins and polysaccharides. In this work, synthetic gelation of the cytosol in living cells is used to induce reversible molecular stasis. Through the sequential lipofectamine-mediated transfection of complementary poly(ethylene glycol) macromers into mammalian cells, intracellular crosslinking occurs through bio-orthogonal strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reactions.

Ocular mycobacterial lesions in cats.

Ocular mycobacterial infections are an under-recognized cause of morbidity in the domestic cat. This study aimed to explore the distribution, histopathological appearance, and severity of feline ocular mycobacterial lesions, and to characterize the immune cell population with immunohistochemistry. Routine histological staining with hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson's trichrome, was performed to identify ocular lesions and assign an inflammation score based on the number of cells present.

Stakeholder engagement and participation in the design, delivery, and dissemination of the ostomy self-management telehealth (OSMT) program.

Purpose: Stakeholder engagement is increasingly integrated into clinical research processes. We conducted a mixed methods analysis to describe stakeholders' (peer ostomates, ostomy nurses, telehealth engineers) perceptions of their engagement and participation in a multisite, randomized trial of a telehealth-delivered curriculum for cancer survivors with ostomies.

Methods: Stakeholder notes were analyzed using narrative analysis.

Elucidation of the protein composition of mouse seminal vesicle fluid.

The seminal vesicles are male accessory sex glands that contribute the major portion of the seminal plasma in which mammalian spermatozoa are bathed during ejaculation. In addition to conveying sperm through the ejaculatory duct, seminal vesicle secretions support sperm survival after ejaculation, and influence the female reproductive tract to promote receptivity to pregnancy. Analysis of seminal vesicle fluid (SVF) composition by proteomics has proven challenging, due to its highly biased protein signature with a small subset of dominant proteins and the difficulty of solubilizing this viscous fluid.

Implementation of a care bundle improves the management of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common and is associated with liver-related and cardiovascular-related morbidity. Our aims were: (1) to review the current management of patients with NAFLD attending hospital clinics in North East England (NEE) and assess the variability in care; (2) develop a NAFLD 'care bundle' to standardise care; (3) to assess the impact of implementation of the NAFLD care bundle.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to determine baseline management of patients with NAFLD attending seven hospitals in NEE.

Using Stereochemistry to Control Mechanical Properties in Thiol-Yne Click-Hydrogels.

The stereochemistry of polymers has a profound impact on their mechanical properties. While this has been observed in thermoplastics, studies on how stereochemistry affects the bulk properties of swollen networks, such as hydrogels, are limited. Typically, changing the stiffness of a hydrogel is achieved at the cost of changing another parameter, that in turn affects the physical properties of the material and ultimately influences the cellular response.

Using Stereochemistry to Control Mechanical Properties in Thiol-Yne Click-Hydrogels.

The stereochemistry of polymers has a profound impact on their mechanical properties. While this has been observed in thermoplastics, studies on how stereochemistry affects the bulk properties of swollen networks, such as hydrogels, are limited. Typically, changing the stiffness of a hydrogel is achieved at the cost of changing another parameter, that in turn affects the physical properties of the material and ultimately influences the cellular response.

Cancer survivors' greatest challenges of living with an ostomy: findings from the Ostomy Self-Management Telehealth (OSMT) randomized trial.

Objectives: An ostomy results in lifelong quality of life changes for a cancer survivor. We describe the greatest challenges reported from a randomized trial of cancer survivors with stomas (ostomies).

Methods: Cancer survivors with ostomies participating in a multi-site randomized prospective trial of an Ostomy Self-Management Telehealth (OSMT) program versus usual care (UC) were surveyed at six months post accrual.

Twitchy, the Drosophila orthologue of the ciliary gating protein FBF1/dyf-19, is required for coordinated locomotion and male fertility.

Primary cilia are compartmentalised from the rest of the cell by a ciliary gate comprising transition fibres and a transition zone. The ciliary gate allows the selective import and export of molecules such as transmembrane receptors and transport proteins. These are required for the assembly of the cilium, its function as a sensory and signalling centre and to maintain its distinctive composition.

Proteomic Dissection of the Impact of Environmental Exposures on Mouse Seminal Vesicle Function.

Seminal vesicles are an integral part of the male reproductive accessory gland system. They produce a complex array of secretions containing bioactive constituents that support gamete function and promote reproductive success, with emerging evidence suggesting these secretions are influenced by our environment. Despite their significance, the biology of seminal vesicles remains poorly defined.

Photoclick Chemistry: A Bright Idea.

At its basic conceptualization, photoclick chemistry embodies a collection of click reactions that are performed via the application of light. The emergence of this concept has had diverse impact over a broad range of chemical and biological research due to the spatiotemporal control, high selectivity, and excellent product yields afforded by the combination of light and click chemistry. While the reactions designated as "photoclick" have many important features in common, each has its own particular combination of advantages and shortcomings.

MSG07: An International Cohort Study Comparing Epidemiology and Outcomes of Patients With Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii Infections.

Background: Cryptococcosis due to Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii varies with geographic region, populations affected, disease manifestations, and severity of infection, which impact treatment.

Methods: We developed a retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with culture-proven cryptococcosis during 1995-2013 from 5 centers in North America and Australia. We compared underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes in patients with C.

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Stroke Care and IV Thrombolysis.

Objective: To measure the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of IV thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with 2 control 4-month periods.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases.

Charged Poly(-isopropylacrylamide) Nanogels for the Stabilization of High Isoelectric Point Proteins.

Storage and transportation of protein therapeutics using refrigeration is a costly process; a reliable electrical supply is vital, expensive equipment is needed, and unique transportation is required. Reducing the reliance on the cold chain would enable low-cost transportation and storage of biologics, ultimately improving accessibility of this class of therapeutics to patients in remote locations. Herein, we report on the synthesis of charged poly(-isopropylacrylamide) nanogels that efficiently adsorb a range of different proteins of varying isoelectric points and molecular weights (e.

Cystic Fibrosis: A Pocket Guide.

In 2010, an iPad app titled ''' was developed for use by Cystic Fibrosis (CF) clinical nurse specialists during a patient's annual review. Feedback from pseudo-CF patients and NHS staff including CF clinical nurse specialists and respiratory consultants about the appearance, usability and content of the app and iPad interface, and the appropriateness of the app for CF patients was positive. The visual images, animations and interactive elements of the app were sufficient in providing an engaging experience for the user.