Association of social vulnerability index and masking adherence among children enrolled in COVID-19 community research partnership study.

Background: Individuals with high social vulnerability index (SVI) have poorer outcomes with COVID-19. Masking reduces transmission of COVID-19 among children, but how SVI plays a role in masking behavior is unknown. We aimed to measure the association of SVI with masking adherence among children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Characterisation of infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence amongst children and adolescents in North Carolina.

Few prospective studies have documented the seropositivity among those children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. From 2 April 2021 to 24 June 2021, we prospectively enrolled children between the ages of 2 and 17 years at three North Carolina healthcare systems. Participants received at least four at-home serological tests detecting the presence of antibodies against, but not differentiating between, the nucleocapsid or spike antigen.

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Infections after Vaccination in North Carolina.

We characterize the overall incidence and risk factors for breakthrough infection among fully vaccinated participants in the North Carolina COVID-19 Community Research Partnership cohort. Among 15,808 eligible participants, 638 reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 test after vaccination. Factors associated with a lower risk of breakthrough in the time-to-event analysis included older age, prior SARS-CovV-2 infection, higher rates of face mask use, and receipt of a booster vaccination.

Feasibility of At-Home Virological and Serological Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Children.

Longitudinal virological and serological surveillance is essential for understanding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) transmission among children but requires increased test capacity. We assessed the uptake of serial at-home testing in children (2-17 years) via mailed SARS-CoV-2 antibody and molecular tests. Completion rates demonstrated the feasibility and sustainability of at-home testing across age groups.

Analysis of accumulated SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion in North Carolina: The COVID-19 Community Research Partnership.

Introduction: The COVID-19 Community Research Partnership is a population-based longitudinal syndromic and sero-surveillance study. The study includes over 17,000 participants from six healthcare systems in North Carolina who submitted over 49,000 serology results. The purpose of this study is to use these serology data to estimate the cumulative proportion of the North Carolina population that has either been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or developed a measurable humoral response to vaccination.

Changing Attitudes toward the COVID-19 Vaccine among North Carolina Participants in the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership.

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance is variable. We surveyed participants in the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership from 17 December 2020 to 13 January 2021 to assess vaccine receptiveness. Vaccine uptake was then monitored until 15 May 2021; 20,232 participants responded to the receptiveness survey with vaccination status accessed in 18,874 participants via daily follow-up surveys (participants not completing daily surveys ≥30 days to 15 May 2021, were excluded).

Survey of Adherence with COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors During the 2020 Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays Among Members of the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership.

Prevention behaviors represent important public health tools to limit spread of SARS-CoV-2. Adherence with recommended public health prevention behaviors among 20000 + members of a COVID-19 syndromic surveillance cohort from the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States was assessed via electronic survey following the 2020 Thanksgiving and winter holiday (WH) seasons. Respondents were predominantly non-Hispanic Whites (90%), female (60%), and ≥ 50 years old (59%).

Human plasma-derived alpha -proteinase inhibitor in patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study.

Background: While circulating levels of alpha -proteinase inhibitor (alpha -PI) are typically normal, antiprotease activity appears to be compromised in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Because alpha -PI [human] (alpha -PI[h]) therapy can inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators associated with β-cell destruction and reduced insulin production, it has been proposed for T1DM disease prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy of intravenous (IV) alpha -PI[h] in preserving C-peptide production in newly diagnosed T1DM patients.

Androgen receptor exon 1 mutation causes androgen insensitivity by creating phosphorylation site and inhibiting melanoma antigen-A11 activation of NH2- and carboxyl-terminal interaction-dependent transactivation.

Naturally occurring germ line mutations in the X-linked human androgen receptor (AR) gene cause incomplete masculinization of the external genitalia by disrupting AR function in males with androgen insensitivity syndrome. Almost all AR missense mutations that cause androgen insensitivity syndrome are located in the highly structured DNA and ligand binding domains. In this report we investigate the functional defect associated with an AR exon 1 missense mutation, R405S, that caused partial androgen insensitivity.

A non-transformed oligodendrocyte precursor cell line, OL-1, facilitates studies of insulin-like growth factor-I signaling during oligodendrocyte development.

The process by which oligodendrocyte progenitors differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes is complex and incompletely understood in part because of the paucity of oligodendrocyte precursors cell lines that can be studied in culture. We have developed a non-immortalized rat oligodendrocyte precursor line, called OL-1, which behaves in a fashion consistent with developing oligodendrocytes in vivo. This OL-1 line provides a model for the study of oligodendrocyte development and offers an alternative to the CG-4 cell line.

Continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Tight glycemic control delays the long-term complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) but increases the risk for hypoglycemia. The continuous glucose-monitoring system (CGMS) provides blood glucose (BG) readings every 5 min, and its accuracy and reliability has been established in adults. However, there are limited data on its efficacy and safety in children.

Novel mutation in the SLC19A2 gene in an African-American female with thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome.

Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia (TRMA) syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by diabetes mellitus (DM), progressive sensorineural deafness, and thiamine-responsive anemia. Mutations in the SLC19A2 gene encoding a high-affinity thiamine transporter protein THTR-1 are responsible for the clinical features associated with TRMA syndrome. We report an African-American female with TRMA-syndrome associated with thyroid disease and retinitis pigmentosa caused by a novel mutation in the SLC19A2 gene.