Publications by authors named "Natalie Collins"

Disorders affecting the neurological and musculoskeletal systems represent international health priorities. A significant impediment to progress in trials of new therapies is the absence of responsive, objective, and valid outcome measures sensitive to early disease changes. A key finding in individuals with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders is the compositional changes to muscles, evinced by the expression of fatty infiltrates.

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  • The study aimed to assess the exposure levels of the Lassa virus (LASV) in two urban areas of Nigeria to inform preventive measures against Lassa fever outbreaks.* -
  • Conducted from February to July 2022, the research involved collecting and analyzing serum samples from 628 participants in Abuja and Lagos for LASV antibodies while gathering sociodemographic data through questionnaires.* -
  • Results showed a 27% overall seroprevalence of LASV antibodies, with higher rates in Abuja (33%) compared to Lagos (18%), and identified factors like the dry season, inconsistent washing of produce, and positive malaria tests as linked to higher seropositivity in Abuja.*
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The rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoC) and the threat of future zoonotic sarbecovirus spillover emphasizes the need for broadly protective next-generation vaccines and therapeutics. We utilized SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle (SpFN), and SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain ferritin nanoparticle (RFN) immunogens, in an equine model to elicit hyperimmune sera and evaluated its sarbecovirus neutralization and protection capacity. Immunized animals rapidly elicited sera with the potent neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 VoC, and SARS-CoV-1 pseudoviruses, and potent binding against receptor binding domains from sarbecovirus clades 1b, 1a, 2, 3, and 4.

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  • Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) lacks specific management guidelines, and studies typically focus on education, weight loss, and exercise for OA across different body regions.
  • The objective of the study was to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing physiotherapist-led education and exercise to general advice for ankle OA management.
  • Results showed high feasibility, with a 97% consent rate, 71% adherence to interventions, 94% intervention fidelity, and 87% completion of follow-up measures, indicating potential for a larger RCT in the future.
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  • The study focuses on early detection of peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST) associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) using a cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomic approach, which can improve clinical decision-making and treatment outcomes.
  • Researchers isolated cfDNA from plasma samples of 101 NF1 patients and 21 healthy controls, employing whole-genome sequencing and analyzing various fragmentomic signatures to differentiate between benign, premalignant, and malignant tumors.
  • Results showed that fragmentomic methods successfully distinguished atypical neurofibromas (premalignant) from benign forms and malignant PNST, offering potential for non-invasive diagnostics and better management of NF1-related tumors.*
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  • A study conducted at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center focused on classifying pediatric solid tumor diagnoses and analyzing genomic mutations to improve clinical trial design and treatment options.
  • Over 6.5 years, the research included 888 pediatric cancer patients, revealing that 33% had genomic variants that aligned with precision oncology trials, while 14% received targeted therapies.
  • The findings stress the significance of using genomic data for enhancing treatment strategies and the necessity for data sharing, particularly for addressing rare pediatric cancers in clinical settings.
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This study aimed to develop an insertion technique for intramuscular EMG recording of the oblique head of adductor hallucis (AddH) and first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscles in humans via the dorsum of the foot, and report feasibility of intramuscular EMG data acquisition during walking in shoes. In eight individuals without musculoskeletal pain or injury (5 males; 32 ± 8 years), intramuscular electrodes were inserted into AddH (oblique head) and FDI through the right foot's dorsum (between metatarsals I-II) with ultrasound guidance. The ultrasound transducer was positioned on the plantar surface.

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Background: A self-assembling SARS-CoV-2 WA-1 recombinant spike ferritin nanoparticle (SpFN) vaccine co-formulated with Army Liposomal Formulation (ALFQ) adjuvant containing monophosphoryl lipid A and QS-21 (SpFN/ALFQ) has shown protective efficacy in animal challenge models. This trial aims to assess the safety and immunogenicity of SpFN/ALFQ in a first-in-human clinical trial.

Methods: In this phase 1, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, first-in-human clinical trial, adults were randomly assigned (5:5:2) to receive 25 μg or 50 μg of SpFN/ALFQ or saline placebo intramuscularly at day 1 and day 29, with an optional open-label third vaccination at day 181.

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Background: Literature reporting positive outcomes from the Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) program in Australia mainly involves patients attending private physiotherapy services.

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility of implementing GLA:D® in Australian public hospitals.

Design: Implementation study in three metropolitan tertiary public hospitals over six months.

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Background: Previous literature has reported the successful implementation of the Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) program into predominantly private practice settings. There may be unique challenges present within the public hospital setting that influence GLA:D® implementation in public health.

Objective: Explore the attitudes and experiences of service providers directly involved in implementing GLA:D® in Australian public tertiary hospitals.

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Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have improved outcomes in a variety of adult cancers and are prescribed with increasing frequency across oncology. However, patterns of off-label use of ICI in pediatrics remain unclear.

Methods: This is a single-institution, retrospective cohort study evaluating off-label ICI use in pediatric and young adult patients with cancer treated at our institution from 2014 to 2022.

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Background: Although footwear can improve pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA), perspectives about footwear in this population have not been explored.

Objectives: This qualitative study explored preferences, attitudes and beliefs about footwear in adults with knee OA.

Methods: Twenty individuals with a clinical diagnosis of knee OA (aged 45-79 years, 65% women) participated in semi-structured interviews about factors which influence footwear selection, the effect of footwear on knee symptoms, and footwear modifications.

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  • Early detection of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) associated tumors can improve clinical decision-making and potentially reduce severe outcomes.
  • A new study employed a cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomic method, successfully differentiating between benign, pre-malignant, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST) in NF1 patients.
  • This innovative approach allows non-invasive diagnosis and could significantly enhance the management of NF1-associated tumors, helping to differentiate conditions like atypical neurofibromas from more severe malignancies.
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  • Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that affects kids and comes from certain developing nerve cells, and it can be really complicated with different types of cells in each tumor.
  • Researchers studied 55 tumors from kids with neuroblastoma using advanced techniques to learn more about how these cancer cells work and act in the body.
  • They discovered that the tumors have different groups of cells that can affect how serious the cancer is and how well kids can respond to treatment, and all their findings are shared online for other scientists to use.
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  • The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with reduced vaccine effectiveness shows the need for new vaccine designs that provide wider protection.
  • This study evaluates the antibody response from a novel vaccine, the Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN), in non-human primates, particularly focusing on the antibodies that target different regions of the virus's Spike protein.
  • Six potent neutralizing antibodies were identified, demonstrating broad effectiveness against various sarbecovirus variants, including Delta and Omicron, with one antibody showing strong protection in murine studies.
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  • Identifying various animal hosts involved in spill-over events of infectious diseases is essential for understanding how viruses like Lassa virus (LASV) are transmitted to humans and pose public health risks.
  • Researchers conducted a study in southern Nigeria, screening domestic and non-domestic animals, including birds and lizards, to assess their potential as LASV reservoirs.
  • Results showed lizards had the highest positivity rates for LASV, while cattle showed significant seropositivity, pointing to the need for further analysis of these animal hosts to inform strategies for managing Lassa fever transmission.
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We thank the reader for their interest and response to our study investigating the association between clinical measures of hip strength in multiple directions and physical function (including dynamic balance) in people with knee osteoarthritis. Below, we provide a response to their questions, in turn.

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Background: Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious problem with high associated pain and disability. While education and exercise are recommended for the initial management of OA, this has not been investigated in ankle OA. The primary aim of this study is to establish the feasibility of running a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating a combined education and exercise program compared to a general advice program for people with ankle OA.

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Background: Foot orthoses and footwear interventions are advocated for the management of lower limb musculoskeletal conditions including the hip, but much of the research is focused on knee disorders. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the literature that investigates the use of foot orthoses or footwear in people with hip-related pain.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to March 2023.

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Adenoviruses (AdVs) cause infections in humans that range from mild to severe, and can cause outbreaks particularly in close contact settings. Several human AdV types have been identified, which can cause a wide array of clinical manifestations. AdV types 4 and 7 (AdV-4 and AdV-7), which are among the most commonly circulating types in the United States, are known to cause acute respiratory disease that can result in hospitalization and rarely, death.

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The FDA-approved Adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7 Vaccine, Live, Oral is highly effective and essential in preventing acute respiratory diseases (ARDs) in U.S. military recruits.

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Background: An alteration in the force distribution among quadriceps heads is one possible underlying mechanism of patellofemoral pain. However, this hypothesis cannot be directly tested as there are currently no noninvasive experimental techniques to measure individual muscle force or torque in vivo in humans. In this study, the authors considered a combination of biomechanical and muscle activation measures, which enabled us to estimate the mechanical impact of the vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) on the patella.

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