Publications by authors named "SIMPSON K"

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately impact populations with higher social vulnerability. Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), which allows the treatment of partners without requiring a medical visit, reduces STI reinfection rates and expands treatment access for underserved groups. However, EPT remains underutilized, particularly in the electronic prescription era, which introduces logistical complexities.

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The E. coli strains harboring the polyketide synthase (pks) island encode the genotoxin colibactin, a secondary metabolite reported to have severe implications for human health and for the progression of colorectal cancer. The present study involves whole-genome-wide comparison and phylogenetic analysis of pks harboring E.

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Background And Aims: Quantifying niche similarity among closely related species offers myriad insights into evolutionary history and ecology. In this study, our aim was to explore the interplay of geographic and niche space for rare, endemic plant species and determine if endemic habitats were environmentally similar or unique.

Methods: We characterized the niche of all Leavenworthia species, a genus of rare plants endemic to rocky glades in the eastern United States, using WorldClim data, surface geology, elevation, and slope.

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Background: Venous thromboembolism after colorectal cancer resection is common and highly morbid. Extended pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after cancer surgery lowers venous thromboembolism risk and is recommended by major professional societies. Adherence is low in contemporary local and regional studies.

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As the Fontan population grows, understanding successful strategies for ventricular assist device (VAD) support of the failing Fontan circulation is needed. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with Fontan circulation and systemic VAD support in the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) registry. Competing outcomes and Kaplan-Meier estimated survival methods were used.

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The maintenance of stable allograft status in the absence of immunosuppression (IS), known as operational tolerance, can be achieved in a small proportion of liver transplant recipients, but we lack reliable tools to predict its spontaneous development. We conducted a prospective, multicenter, biomarker-strategy design, IS withdrawal clinical trial to determine the utility of a predictive biomarker of operational tolerance. The biomarker test, originally identified in a patient cohort with high operational tolerance prevalence, consisted of a 5-gene transcriptional signature measured in liver tissue collected before initiating IS weaning.

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Introduction: Mental health and well-being is a relatively under-researched area in rugby, especially outside the elite men's game. Evidence suggests that physical activity and sports benefit mental health and well-being, and rugby provides health-enhancing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Objective: This cross-sectional study used an online approach and engaged national rugby governing bodies to understand adult rugby players' mental health and well-being and increase the diversity of the current evidence base.

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Background: The higher cost of balanced fluids has historically contributed to preferential normal saline (NS) use. Recent clinical trials demonstrated that balanced fluids reduced the incidence of major adverse kidney events among hospitalized patients and also reduced mortality among critically ill patients. This study sought to conduct an economic evaluation of a recently published quality improvement (QI) intervention to increase preferential balanced fluid prescribing, which significantly increased the relative proportion of balanced fluid orders.

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Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) by ADAR1 is an essential modifier of the immunogenicity of cellular dsRNA. The role of MDA5 in sensing unedited cellular dsRNA and the downstream activation of type I interferon (IFN) signaling are well established. However, we have an incomplete understanding of pathways that modify the response to unedited dsRNA.

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Background: Acute on Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) complicates chronic liver disease (CLD) combining rapidly progressive hepatic with extra-hepatic multiple organ failure and high short-term mortality. Effective therapeutic options are very limited, and liver transplantation (LT) seldom utilised through concerns of high recipient mortality and resource use. Retrospective reports suggest recent outcomes may have improved, but use of LT for ACLF has not been prospectively assessed.

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Eastern North Carolina (ENC) residents have higher rates of type 2 diabetes, lower life expectancy, less physical activity (PA), and higher food insecurity than the rest of North Carolina. Black individuals in ENC may face health disparities due to systemic and societal barriers to PA and a nutritious diet; modifiable behaviors that may improve overall health. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of rural Black women who live in ENC and who meet the criteria for overweight and obesity in the context of PA and healthful diet promotion.

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Background: High treatment burden can adversely impact health outcomes in people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). There is a continued need for medication adherence education and further research to evaluate impact of CF pharmacist interventions in an ambulatory care setting.

Objective(s): To evaluate whether pharmacist integration into an outpatient adult CF clinic can positively impact patient satisfaction and medication adherence through various pharmacist-based interventions.

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Background: Although long-acting, injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven efficacious for HIV prevention in clinical trials, research is needed to guide effective implementation in real-world settings. Formative work with community members and health care providers (HCPs) is important to provide insight into the needs and contexts of specific populations and reveal potential barriers and facilitators for implementation projects.

Objective: We aimed to describe the results from formative work to develop an implementation package for CAB-LA PrEP within the ImPrEP CAB Brasil study.

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Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common after heart transplantation (HT). There are scarce studies looking at longitudinal changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after repeat HT (RT) and risk factors for the presence of CKD3 post-RT.

Methods: First-time HT recipients (FT) were matched with RT, based on age at transplant, sex, race, and transplant era.

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Article Synopsis
  • Spatial neglect affects 20-80% of stroke survivors and can significantly lower their quality of life, with many experiencing long-term issues.
  • Occupational therapists are well-suited to address this condition, but access to such therapy is limited, impacting patient care.
  • A study found that only 4.9% of stroke survivors had a diagnostic code for spatial neglect, and among those diagnosed, just 2.3% received outpatient occupational therapy after leaving the hospital.
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Androgen deprivation is the standard treatment for prostate cancer (PCa) patients. However, the disease eventually progresses as castration-resistant PCa (CRPC). Enzalutamide, an AR inhibitor, is a typical drug to treating CRPC and due to continuous reliance on the drug, can lead to Enzalutamide-resistance (ENZ-r).

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Article Synopsis
  • Therapeutic strategies focusing on disrupting dysregulated transcription have shown promise for treating cancers like leukaemias using small molecule inhibitors that target key proteins involved in gene expression.* -
  • Research indicates that the effectiveness of these inhibitors is influenced not just by their ability to stop mRNA production, but also by how quickly mRNA is produced and degraded.* -
  • Findings suggest that modifying post-transcriptional processes, such as targeting specific proteins, can enhance the effects of transcriptional inhibitors, offering potential new combination therapies for leukaemia.*
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Background & Aims: Therapeutic plasma exchange (PEX) has emerged as a potential treatment option for patients with acute liver failure (ALF). The effect of PEX on survival outcomes outside of clinical trials is not yet well established. In this study we aimed to evaluate the real-world use and outcomes of PEX for the treatment of ALF.

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Article Synopsis
  • Scientists studied why some grass plants have bigger genomes than others and how that affects their growth!
  • They found that having a larger genome might help grasses grow better in certain conditions, especially when there is lots of nitrogen in the soil!
  • The research also showed that things like a grass's life cycle and how it makes food (photosynthesis) play a big role in whether it has a small or large genome!
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