Publications by authors named "McKenney K"

Purpose Of Review: We reviewed a wide body of emerging research highlighting the possibility for premenstrual exacerbations of mood symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Recent Findings: Neuroendocrine dysregulation, sensitivity to ovarian hormone fluctuations as well as higher levels and types of adverse childhood experiences and demographic factors are emerging factors explaining high rates of psychiatric disorders in PCOS. Ovulatory dysfunction, common in PCOS, significantly interferes with one's identity and quality of life.

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A key barrier to the development of vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other viruses of high antigenic diversity is the design of priming immunogens that induce rare bnAb-precursor B cells. The high neutralization breadth of the HIV bnAb 10E8 makes elicitation of 10E8-class bnAbs desirable; however, the recessed epitope within gp41 makes envelope trimers poor priming immunogens and requires that 10E8-class bnAbs possess a long heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (HCDR3) with a specific binding motif. We developed germline-targeting epitope scaffolds with affinity for 10E8-class precursors and engineered nanoparticles for multivalent display.

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A protective HIV vaccine will likely need to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Vaccination with the germline-targeting immunogen eOD-GT8 60mer adjuvanted with AS01 was found to induce VRC01-class bnAb precursors in 97% of vaccine recipients in the IAVI G001 phase 1 clinical trial; however, heterologous boost immunizations with antigens more similar to the native glycoprotein will be required to induce bnAbs. Therefore, we designed core-g28v2 60mer, a nanoparticle immunogen to be used as a first boost after eOD-GT8 60mer priming.

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a lifelong chronic condition that affects one in ten females and can be diagnosed in adolescence. As adolescents with PCOS transition to adulthood, counselling for lifestyle management and mental health concerns often transition from involving the family unit to increasingly individual-focused approaches. PCOS is associated with a large range of comorbidities affecting reproductive, metabolic, dermatological, and psychological health.

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This report describes a chemiluminescence-based detection method for RNAs on northern blots, designated Chemi-Northern. This approach builds on the simplicity and versatility of northern blotting, while dispensing of the need for expensive and cumbersome radioactivity. RNAs are first separated by denaturing gel electrophoresis, transferred to a nylon membrane, and then hybridized to a biotinylated RNA or DNA antisense probe.

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This report describes a chemiluminescence-based detection method for RNAs on northern blots, designated Chemi-Northern. This approach builds on the simplicity and versatility of northern blotting, while dispensing of the need for expensive and cumbersome radioactivity. RNAs are first separated on denaturing gel electrophoresis, transferred to a nylon membrane, and then hybridized to a biotinylated RNA or DNA antisense probe.

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Coercive and disruptive behaviors commonly interfere with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) trials among youths with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although evidence supports parent management training (PMT) for reducing disruptive behavior, no group-based PMT interventions exist for OCD-related disruptive behaviors. We studied feasibility and effectiveness of group-based adjunctive PMT among non-randomized, OCD-affected families receiving family-based group CBT.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the incidence of new-onset abnormal uterine bleeding in women aged 18 to 55 who are prescribed various anticoagulants, highlighting a gap in guidelines for managing this side effect.
  • A retrospective chart review of 2,479 female patients revealed that 645 were diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding after starting anticoagulation therapy.
  • Results showed that patients on all anticoagulant classes had a higher risk (adjusted odds ratio of 2.63) for abnormal bleeding compared to those only on direct oral anticoagulants, who had lower odds (adjusted odds ratio of 0.70).
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  • The study aimed to evaluate how the timing of routine prenatal testing was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on second trimester ultrasounds and gestational diabetes testing.
  • Analysis of data from three institutions revealed that while the average gestational age for second trimester ultrasounds increased, timely testing continued overall despite some patients experiencing delays.
  • A significant decrease in first trimester ultrasounds was noted at two academic institutions, but overall, prenatal care remained a priority for both patients and healthcare providers throughout the pandemic.
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: Stroke represents a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant and postpartum people. While pregnancy-related stroke has drawn increased attention in certain domains of health research (e.g.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The early pandemic phase led to a swift integration of telemedicine into obstetric care at two different institutions, which previously had no telemedicine practices in place.
  • - Telemedicine users experienced earlier initiation of prenatal care, increased visit frequency, and timely screenings compared to those who did not use telemedicine.
  • - Despite the differences in implementation between the institutions, telemedicine proved effective in maintaining adequate prenatal care without significantly affecting delivery outcomes or stillbirth rates.
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Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality in the trauma population. Accurate prognosis remains a challenge. Two common Computed Tomography (CT)-based prognostic models include the Marshall Classification and the Rotterdam CT Score.

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Protection from immunodeficiency virus challenge in nonhuman primates (NHPs) by a first-generation HIV broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) b12 has previously been shown to benefit from interaction between the bnAb and Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) on immune cells. To investigate the mechanism of protection for a more potent second-generation bnAb currently in clinical trials, PGT121, we carried out a series of NHP studies. These studies included treating with PGT121 at a concentration at which only half of the animals were protected to avoid potential masking of FcγR effector function benefits by dominant neutralization and using a new variant that more completely eliminated all rhesus FcγR binding than earlier variants.

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Background: To compare the setting, quality, and utility of nutritional education received by general surgery residents and faculty surgeons and their perceptions and challenges in managing patient nutritional needs.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis utilizing anonymous survey data distributed by the Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) to its affiliated general surgery residency programs.

Results: 90.

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Several HIV-1 and SIV vaccine candidates have shown partial protection against viral challenges in rhesus macaques. However, the protective efficacy of vaccine-elicited polyclonal antibodies has not previously been demonstrated in adoptive transfer studies in nonhuman primates. In this study, we show that passive transfer of purified antibodies from vaccinated macaques can protect naive animals against SIVmac251 challenges.

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Introduction: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) are high priority injuries. Traumatic brain bleeds can be categorized as traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) versus non-SAH-ICH. Non-SAH-ICH includes subdural, epidural, and intraventricular hematomas and brain contusions.

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Objective: We evaluated the Runge card, a near-vision eye chart designed for ease of use, by testing agreement in visual acuity results between it and the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart. As a clinical reference point, we compared the Runge card and an electronic Snellen chart with respect to agreement with ETDRS results.

Methods: Participants consisted of adult eye clinic patient volunteers who underwent a protocol refraction, followed by testing with a Runge card, ETDRS chart, and Snellen chart.

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Darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) is an oral once-daily single-tablet regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection. Different administration modalities for the D/C/F/TAF fixed-dose combination tablet were explored in this phase 1 randomized, open-label, 3-period, 3-treatment crossover study enrolling 30 healthy adults. The primary objective was to assess the relative bioavailability of each component after a single dose of D/C/F/TAF (800/150/200/10 mg) administered as a split or crushed tablet (tests) versus swallowed whole (reference).

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Mammalian Pumilio proteins, PUM1 and PUM2, are members of the PUF family of sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins. In this review, we explore their mechanisms, regulatory networks, biological functions, and relevance to diseases. Pumilio proteins bind an extensive network of mRNAs and repress protein expression by inhibiting translation and promoting mRNA decay.

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Ribosome biosynthesis, best studied in opisthokonts, is a highly complex process involving numerous protein and RNA factors. Yet, very little is known about the early stages of pre-18S rRNA processing even in these model organisms, let alone the conservation of this mechanism in other eukaryotes. Here we extend our knowledge of this process by identifying and characterizing the essential protein TbUTP10, a homolog of yeast U3 small nucleolar RNA-associated protein 10 - UTP10 (HEATR1 in human), in the excavate parasitic protist Trypanosoma brucei.

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