Life Sciences Commons^™

Modest De Novo Reactivation Of Single Hiv-1 Proviruses In Peripheral Cd4+ T Cells By Romidepsin, Anne Sofie Kjaer, Steffen Leth, Christina V. Konrad, Jesper D. Gunst, Rasmus Nymann, Lars Østergaard, Ole S. Søgaard, Mariane H. Schleimann, Martin Tolstrup, Paul Denton

Biology Faculty Publications

A cure for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is restricted by the continued presence of a latent reservoir of memory CD4+ T cells with proviruses integrated into their DNA despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). A predominant strategy currently pursued in HIV-1 cure-related research is the “kick and kill” approach, where latency reversal agents (LRAs) are used to reactivate transcription from integrated proviruses. The premise of this approach is that “kicking” latent virus out of hiding allows the host immune system to recognize and kill infected cells. Clinical trials investigating the efficacy of LRAs, such as romidepsin, have shown that these interventions …

The Size And Culturability Of Patient-Generated Sars-Cov-2 Aerosol, Joshua L. Santarpia, Vicki L. Herrera, Danielle N. Rivera, Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate, St. Patrick Reid, Daniel N. Ackerman, Paul Denton, Jacob W.S. Martens, Ying Fan, Nicholas Conoan, Michael V. Callahan, James V. Lawler, David M. Brett-Major, John J. Lowe

Biology Faculty Publications

Background

Aerosol transmission of COVID-19 is the subject of ongoing policy debate. Characterizing aerosol produced by people with COVID-19 is critical to understanding the role of aerosols in transmission.

Objective

We investigated the presence of virus in size-fractioned aerosols from six COVID-19 patients admitted into mixed acuity wards in April of 2020.

Methods

Size-fractionated aerosol samples and aerosol size distributions were collected from COVID-19 positive patients. Aerosol samples were analyzed for viral RNA, positive samples were cultured in Vero E6 cells. Serial RT-PCR of cells indicated samples where viral replication was likely occurring. Viral presence was also investigated by western …

Predicting Cognitive Rehabilitation Needs In Patients With Central Nervous System Infections Using Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Matilde Ørum, Merete Storgaard, Paul Denton, Trine Hyrup Mogensen, Christina Kjærgaard Højbjerg, Mathilde Pedersen, Jesper Damsgaard Gunst

Biology Faculty Publications

Cognitive impairments are reported in some patients with central nervous system (CNS) infections after discharge. Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of CNS patients in need of rehabilitation after discharge and to assess whether the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) could be used as a screening tool to identify these patients. CNS patients admitted during a 2-year study period were included. The need for rehabilitation was assessed by physicians with the aid of an occupational therapy assessment, after which a MoCA was performed. The prevalence of needing rehabilitation was 58% among CNS patients. An abnormal MoCA score < 26 was the only variable strongly associated with higher odds of needing rehabilitation. In 42% of the CNS patients in need of rehabilitation, the MoCA score was ≥ 26, and most of these patients were aged 16 to 43 years (young adults). There is a need for rehabilitation among CNS patients after discharge. As a screening tool, MoCA was able to identify patients in need of rehabilitation. In young adults, MoCA scores were often normal despite a need for rehabilitation. Thus, MoCA cannot stand alone as a screening tool for identifying young adults in need of rehabilitation following CNS infection.

Poor Compliance With An Antibiotic Directive—A Call For Intensified Monitoring, Frederik Novak, Jens T. Hørlück, Jacob D. Redder, Paul Denton, Merete Storgaard

Biology Faculty Publications

Background

In April 2017, the Central Denmark Region Antibiotic Stewardship Committee issued a directive to reduce the general use of piperacillin-tazobactam and prescribe narrow-spectrum antibiotics for mild and moderate pneumonia. The directive was distributed to all regional hospital clinicians.

Methods

Electronic medical records were used to obtain de-identified details of all antibiotics administered (together with diagnosis codes) to all in-hospital patients (pre-directive and post-directive) in the nine regional hospitals. Average moving range statistical process control charts were used to analyze pre-directive and post-directive variation in antibiotic usage patterns.

Results

Upon the distribution of the directive, a period of decline of …