The processing of swabs for respiratory virus detection involves vortexing while still in the viral transport medium (VTM). The effect of not vortexing swabs prior to analysis has not been studied extensively for SARS-CoV-2 detection, and presents an opportunity to improve pre-analytic laboratory workflow. We aimed to assess the impact of not vortexing nasopharyngeal/throat swabs submitted in VTM for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Assoc Med Microbiol Infect Dis Can
March 2021
Background: The recent emergence and rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demonstrates the urgent need for laboratory-developed assays for clinical diagnosis and public health interventions in the absence of commercial assays.
Methods: We outline the progression of reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays that were developed and validated at the Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Alberta, Canada, to respond to this pandemic. Initially, testing was performed using SARS-CoV-2-specific and pan-coronavirus gel-based assays that were soon superseded by real-time RT-PCR assays targeting the envelope and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes to accommodate the high anticipated volumes of samples.
In the current pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses during the upcoming fall and winter seasons may present an unprecedented burden of respiratory disease in the population. Important respiratory viruses that will need to be closely monitored during this time include SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and influenza B. The epidemiology of these viruses is very similar in terms of susceptible populations, mode of transmission, and the clinical syndromes, thus the etiological agent will be difficult to differentiate without target specific assays.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMammalian taste buds are comprised of specialized neuroepithelial cells that act as sensors for molecules that provide nutrition (e.g., carbohydrates, amino acids, and salts) and those that are potentially harmful (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) began in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019 and spread rapidly worldwide. The response by the Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab), AB, Canada, included the development and implementation of nucleic acid detection-based assays and dynamic changes in testing protocols for the identification of cases as the epidemic curve increased exponentially. This rapid response was essential to slow down and contain transmission and provide valuable time to the local health authorities to prepare appropriate response strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDescribed herein is a design for a user-constructed electronic lickometer, intended to allow users to conduct relatively simple behavioral experiments with rodents while avoiding several common stumbling blocks. Primarily, this system does not require the purchase of specialized scientific equipment or software. Additionally, it is possible for users to construct and operate this lickometer without the prerequisite of advanced knowledge of electronics or programming.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContemp Clin Trials Commun
December 2018
Introduction: Filipino Americans are at higher risk for obesity and related Type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to other Asian subgroups and non-Hispanic whites. Yet, there are limited research studies to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for Filipinos. Weight loss lifestyle intervention trials such as the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can reduce obesity and T2D risks through physical activity and healthy eating.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Although the global incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing, there is little information on southern Chinese population available.
Methods: We analyzed 207 patients which constituted 63.5% of all newly diagnosed OPSCC in Hong Kong during a 5-year period from 2005 to 2009.
Despite significant mental health needs among sexual assault (SA) victims in the military, little is known about treatment-seeking patterns or factors associated with service use. This study examined service use behavior, barriers, and facilitators of mental health treatment-seeking in an active duty sample of 927 U.S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment area has been monitored simultaneously for sediment and nutrient exports from 10 priority catchments discharging into the GBR lagoon between 2006 and 2009. This allows GBR catchment-wide exports to be estimated and spatially compared within a discrete time-frame. Elevated levels of sediment and nutrient exports were recorded in all monitored catchments as compared to pre-European estimates, but vary around previous estimates of mean annual loads.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe apoptotic program incorporates a paracrine component of importance in fostering tissue repair at sites of apoptotic cell deletion. As this paracrine pathway likely bears special importance in maladaptive intercellular communication leading to vascular remodeling, we aimed at further defining the mediators produced by apoptotic endothelial cells (EC), using comparative and functional proteomics. Apoptotic EC were found to release nanovesicles displaying ultrastructural characteristics, protein markers and functional activity that differed from apoptotic blebs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStem Cells
April 2010
Mounting evidence indicates that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are pivotal to vascular repair and neointima formation in various forms of vascular disease. Yet, the mechanisms that allow MSC to resist apoptosis at sites where other cell types, such as endothelial cells (EC), are dying are not well defined. In the present work, we demonstrate that apoptotic EC actively release paracrine mediators which, in turn, inhibit apoptosis of MSC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFApoptosis of endothelial cells (ECs) is an early pathogenic event in various fibrotic diseases. In this study, we evaluated whether paracrine mediators produced by apoptotic ECs play direct roles in fibrogenesis. C3H mice injected subcutaneously with serum-free medium conditioned by apoptotic ECs (SSC) showed increased skin thickness and heightened protein levels of alpha-smooth-muscle actin (alphaSMA), vimentin and collagen I as compared with mice injected with medium conditioned by non-apoptotic ECs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProteolysis of extracellular matrix components and the production of cryptic bioactive factors play key roles in vascular remodeling. We showed previously that extracellular matrix proteolysis is triggered by the apoptosis of endothelial cells (EC), resulting in the release of an anti-apoptotic C-terminal fragment of endorepellin (LG3). Here, we characterize the endorepellin-cleaving proteases released by apoptotic EC using a multifaceted proteomics strategy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComplications following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are related to deficient healing around the stent-graft (SG). New generations of SG with surface properties that foster vascular repair could overcome this limitation. Our goal was to evaluate the potential of a new nitrogen-rich plasma-polymerised biomaterial, designated PPE:N, as an external coating for polyethylene terephtalate (PET)- or polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE)-based SGs, to promote healing around the implant.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Uraemia is associated with endothelial dysfunction, but the effect of uraemic plasma on the gene expression pattern of human coronary arterial endothelial cells (HCAEC) has never been defined.
Methods: HCAECs were exposed for 48 h to a culture medium supplemented with 20% uraemic vs normal plasma. We extracted mRNA and hybridized it onto Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus2 microarrays.
Imexon, a novel pro-oxidant, thiol-binding agent, is currently in phase I/II clinical trials in patients with advanced solid tumors. The aim of this study was to characterize the preclinical pharmacology of imexon in vivo. We investigated the anticancer activity of imexon in several cancer cell lines grown as xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDysregulation of apoptosis in endothelial cells (EC) and fibroblasts contributes to fibrosis. We have shown previously that apoptosis of EC triggers the proteolysis of extracellular matrix components and the release of a C-terminal fragment of perlecan, which in turn inhibits apoptosis of fibroblasts. Here we have defined the receptors and pathways implicated in this anti-apoptotic response in fibroblasts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochem Biophys Res Commun
December 2005
Endothelial cells (EC) under stress release paracrine mediators that facilitate accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSCM) at sites of vascular injury. We found that medium conditioned by serum-starved EC increase proliferation and migration of VSCM in vitro. Fractionation of the conditioned medium followed by mass spectral analysis identified one bioactive component as vitamin D-binding protein (DBP).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Gastrointest Cancer
January 2006
Imexon is an aziridine-containing small molecule currently in Phase I clinical trials. This agent has been shown to bind to thiols and increase intracellular oxidants, inducing apoptosis in hematologic cancer cells. Pancreatic cancers are known to be sensitive to oxidation, suggesting this disease may be an appropriate target for this agent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFApoptosis of endothelial cells (EC) is appreciated as a primary pathogenic event in systemic sclerosis. Yet, how apoptosis of EC leads to fibrosis remains to be determined. We report that apoptosis of EC triggers the release of novel fibrogenic mediators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe teen birthrate in the United States is twice that of other industrialized nations. Adolescents in the U.S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA single-center cohort study of kidney and kidney-pancreas recipients was conducted to evaluate the association between new immunosuppressive regimens and risk of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). From January 1st,1996 to December 31, 2002, 368 patients received a kidney or kidney-pancreas transplant at our center. Four immunosuppressive regimens were evaluated as potential risk factors of TMA: cyclosporin + mycophenolate mofetil (CsA + MMF), cyclosporin + sirolimus (CsA + SRL), tacrolimus + myophenolate mofetil (FK + MMF), and tacrolimus + sirolimus (FK + SRL).
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