Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Leveraging Mhealth To Mitigate The Impact Of Covid-19 In Black American Communities: Qualitative Analysis, Kelly M Harris, Tilicia Mayo Gamble, Madelyn G Yoo, Lindsay A Spell, Timira N Minor, Holly Jones, Donald Lynch

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 remains an ongoing public health crisis. Black Americans remain underrepresented among those vaccinated and overrepresented in both COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Medical misinformation, specifically related to COVID-19, has exacerbated the impact of the disease in Black American communities. Communication tools and strategies to build relationships and disseminate credible and trustworthy diagnostic and preventative health information are necessary to improve outcomes and equity for historically oppressed populations.

OBJECTIVE: As the initial phase of a larger mixed methods project to develop, pilot, and evaluate a mobile health (mHealth) intervention among a population at high risk for COVID-19 and cardiovascular comorbidities, …

A Broadly Reactive Antibody Targeting The N-Terminal Domain Of Sars-Cov-2 Spike Confers Fc-Mediated Protection, Lucas J Adams, Laura A Vanblargan, Zhuoming Liu, Pavlo Gilchuk, Haiyan Zhao, Rita E Chen, Saravanan Raju, Zhenlu Chong, Bradley M Whitener, Swathi Shrihari, Prashant N Jethva, Michael L Gross, James E Crowe Jr., Sean P J Whelan, Michael S Diamond, Daved H Fremont

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Most neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) target the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein. Here, we characterize a panel of mAbs targeting the N-terminal domain (NTD) or other non-RBD epitopes of S. A subset of NTD mAbs inhibits SARS-CoV-2 entry at a post-attachment step and avidly binds the surface of infected cells. One neutralizing NTD mAb, SARS2-57, protects K18-hACE2 mice against SARS-CoV-2 infection in an Fc-dependent manner. Structural analysis demonstrates that SARS2-57 engages an antigenic supersite that is remodeled by deletions common to emerging variants. In neutralization escape studies with SARS2-57, this NTD site accumulates mutations, including …

A Single C-Terminal Residue Controls Sars-Cov-2 Spike Trafficking And Incorporation Into Vlps, Debajit Dey, Enya Qing, Yanan He, Yihong Chen, Benjamin Jennings, Whitaker Cohn, Suruchi Singh, Lokesh Gakhar, Nicholas J Schnicker, Brian G Pierce, Julian P Whitelegge, Balraj Doray, John Orban, Tom Gallagher, S Saif Hasan

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is delivered to the virion assembly site in the ER-Golgi Intermediate Compartment (ERGIC) from both the ER and cis-Golgi in infected cells. However, the relevance and modulatory mechanism of this bidirectional trafficking are unclear. Here, using structure-function analyses, we show that S incorporation into virus-like particles (VLP) and VLP fusogenicity are determined by coatomer-dependent S delivery from the cis-Golgi and restricted by S-coatomer dissociation. Although S mimicry of the host coatomer-binding dibasic motif ensures retrograde trafficking to the ERGIC, avoidance of the host-like C-terminal acidic residue is critical for S-coatomer dissociation and therefore incorporation …

Core Warming Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation: A Pilot Study, Nathaniel P Bonfanti, Nicholas M Mohr, David C Willms, Roger J Bedimo, Emily Gundert, Kristina L Goff, Erik B Kulstad, Anne M Drewry

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Fever is a recognized protective factor in patients with sepsis, and growing data suggest beneficial effects on outcomes in sepsis with elevated temperature, with a recent pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) showing lower mortality by warming afebrile sepsis patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this prospective single-site RCT was to determine if core warming improves respiratory physiology of mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), allowing earlier weaning from ventilation, and greater overall survival. A total of 19 patients with mean age of 60.5 (±12.5) years, 37% female, mean weight 95.1 (±18.6) kg, and mean …

Obesity And Outcomes Of Kawasaki Disease And Covid-19-Related Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children, Michael Khoury, William B Orr, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

IMPORTANCE: Obesity may affect the clinical course of Kawasaki disease (KD) in children and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of obesity and associations with clinical outcomes in patients with KD or MIS-C.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cohort study, analysis of International Kawasaki Disease Registry (IKDR) data on contemporaneous patients was conducted between January 1, 2020, and July 31, 2022 (42 sites, 8 countries). Patients with MIS-C (defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria) and patients with KD (defined by American Heart Association criteria) were included. Patients with …

Comparison Of Joint Mobilization And Movement Pattern Training For Patients With Hip-Related Groin Pain: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial, Marcie Harris-Hayes, Patricia Zorn, Karen Steger-May, Megan M Burgess, Rebecca D Demargel, Suzanne Kuebler, John Clohisy, Simon Haroutounian

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of completing a randomized clinical trial (RCT) and examine the preliminary effects of 2 interventions for hip-related groin pain (HRGP).

METHODS: In this pilot RCT, patients with HRGP, who were 18 to 40 years old, were randomized (1:1 ratio) to a joint mobilization (JtMob) group or a movement pattern training (MoveTrain) group. Both treatments included 10 supervised sessions and a home exercise program. The goal of JtMob was to reduce pain and improve mobility through peripherally and centrally mediated pain mechanisms. The key element was physical therapist-provided JtMob. The …

Humoral Immune Response To Covid-19 Mrna Vaccines In Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Ofatumumab, Amit Bar-Or, Rany Aburashed, Angel R Chinea, Barry A Hendin, Elisabeth Lucassen, Xiangyi Meng, James Stankiewicz, Mark J Tullman, Anne H Cross

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: There are limited data available regarding the impact of ofatumumab, an anti-CD20 B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibody for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), on vaccination response. The study objective was to assess humoral immune response (HIR) to non-live coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination in patients with RMS treated with ofatumumab.

METHODS: This was an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, prospective pilot study of patients with RMS aged 18-55 years who received 2 or 3 doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine after ≥1 month of subcutaneous ofatumumab (20 mg/month) treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving HIR, as defined …

Elevated Level Of Circulating But Not Urine S100a8/A9 Identifies Poor Covid-19 Outcomes, Leah Mellett, Gaya Amarasinghe, Christopher W Farnsworth, Shabaana A Khader

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The alarmin calprotectin (S100A8/A9) is thought to drive a cytokine storm, a hallmark of severe COVID-19. Recent studies report circulating S100A8/A9 levels can distinguish COVID-19 severity but have only been conducted in non-U.S. cohorts and mainly focus on serum S100A8/A9 levels. Thus, we quantified S100A8/A9 in serum and urine samples from a hospital cohort in St. Louis, Missouri, to expand the understanding of S100A8/A9 as a prognostic biomarker for COVID-19. Elevated S100A8/A9 serum levels were observed in ICU patients (

The Impact Of Helminth-Induced Immunity On Infection With Bacteria Or Viruses, Hong Chen, Zengguo Cao, Mingyuan Liu, Michael S Diamond, Xuemin Jin

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Different human and animal pathogens trigger distinct immune responses in their hosts. The infection of bacteria or viruses can trigger type I pro-inflammatory immune responses (e.g., IFN-γ, TNF-α, T

Was Covid-19 Associated With Worsening Inequities In Stroke Treatment And Outcomes?, Laurent G Glance, Curtis G Benesch, Karen E Joynt Maddox, Matthew T Bender, Jingjing Shang, Patricia W Stone, Stewart J Lustik, Jacob W Nadler, Christopher Galton, Andrew W Dick

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Background COVID-19 stressed hospitals and may have disproportionately affected the stroke outcomes and treatment of Black and Hispanic individuals. Methods and Results This retrospective study used 100% Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file data from between 2016 and 2020. We used interrupted time series analyses to examine whether the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated disparities in stroke outcomes and reperfusion therapy. Among 1 142 560 hospitalizations for acute ischemic strokes, 90 912 (8.0%) were Hispanic individuals; 162 752 (14.2%) were non-Hispanic Black individuals; and 888 896 (77.8%) were non-Hispanic White individuals. The adjusted odds of mortality increased by 51% (adjusted odds ratio …

The Impact Of Adding Cost Information To A Conversation Aid To Support Shared Decision Making About Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Treatment: Results Of A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomised Trial, Mary C Politi, Rachel C Forcino, Katelyn Parrish, Marie-Anne Durand, A James O'Malley, Rachel Moses, Krista Cooksey, Glyn Elwyn

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Decision aids help patients consider the benefits and drawbacks of care options but rarely include cost information. We assessed the impact of a conversation-based decision aid containing information about low-risk prostate cancer management options and their relative costs.

METHODS: We conducted a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial in outpatient urology practices within a US-based academic medical center. We randomised five clinicians to four intervention sequences and enroled patients newly diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer. Primary patient-reported outcomes collected postvisit included the frequency of cost conversations and referrals to address costs. Other patient-reported outcomes included: decisional conflict postvisit and at 3 …

Introduction To A Compendium Of Strategies To Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections In Acute-Care Hospitals: 2022 Updates, Deborah S Yokoe, Hilary M Babcock, Erik R Dubberke, Jonas Marschall, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Since the initial publication of

Knowledge, Beliefs, And Practices Related To Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Infection And Vaccination In Healthcare Personnel Working At Nonacute Care Facilities, Armaghan-E-Rehman Mansoor, Caroline A O'Neil, David Mcdonald, Victoria J Fraser, Hilary M Babcock, Jennie H Kwon, Cdc Prevention Epicenters Program

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: To characterize experiences, beliefs, and perceptions of risk related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), infection prevention practices, and COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare personnel (HCP) at nonacute care facilities.

DESIGN: Anonymous survey.

SETTING: Three non-acute-care facilities in St. Louis, Missouri.

PARTICIPANTS: In total, 156 HCP responded to the survey, for a 25.6% participation rate). Among them, 32% had direct patient-care roles.

METHODS: Anonymous surveys were distributed between April-May 2021. Data were collected on demographics, work experience, COVID-19 exposure, knowledge, and beliefs about infection prevention, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, COVID-19 vaccination, and the impact of COVID-19.

RESULTS: Nearly all respondents …

Antibody Response To Sars-Cov-2 Vaccines In Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Evobrutinib: A Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Amit Bar-Or, Anne H Cross, Anthony L Cunningham, Yann Hyvert, Andrea Seitzinger, Hans Gühring, Elise E Drouin, Nektaria Alexandri, Davorka Tomic, Xavier Montalban

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Evobrutinib is an oral, central nervous system (CNS)-penetrant and highly selective covalent Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor under clinical development for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of evobrutinib on immune responses in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinated patients with RMS from a Phase II trial (NCT02975349).

METHODS: A

RESULTS: In the vaccinated subgroup, mean/minimum evobrutinib exposure pre-vaccination was 105.2/88.7 weeks. In total, 43 of 45 patients developed/increased S1/S2 IgG antibody levels post-vaccination; one patient's antibody response remained negative post-vaccination and the other had antibody levels above the upper limit of detection, …

Molecular Imaging Of Ace2 Expression In Infectious Disease And Cancer, Zhiyao Li, Abbie Hasson, Lasya Daggumati, Hanwen Zhang, Daniel L J Thorek

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a cell-surface receptor that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Through the use of ligands engineered for the receptor, ACE2 imaging has emerged as a valuable tool for preclinical and clinical research. These can be used to visualize the expression and distribution of ACE2 in tissues and cells. A variety of techniques including optical, magnetic resonance, and nuclear medicine contrast agents have been developed and employed in the preclinical setting. Positron-emitting radiotracers for highly sensitive and quantitative tomography have also been translated in the context of SARS-CoV-2-infected and control patients. Together …

Adding Pharmacist-Led Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring To Usual Care For Blood Pressure Control: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Nischit Baral, Annabelle Santos Volgman, Amith Seri, Vijaya Chelikani, Sakiru Isa, Sri L P Javvadi, Timir K Paul, Joshua D Mitchell

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Health systems have been quickly adopting telemedicine throughout the United States, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are limited data on whether adding pharmacist-led home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring to office-based usual care improves BP. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase for randomized controlled trials from January 2000 until April 2022, comparing studies on pharmacist-led home BP telemonitoring with usual care. Six randomized controlled trials, including 1,550 participants, satisfied the inclusion criteria. There were 774 participants in the pharmacist-led telemonitoring group and 776 in the usual care group. The addition of pharmacist-led telemonitoring to usual care was …

Comparison Of Bivalent And Monovalent Sars-Cov-2 Variant Vaccines: The Phase 2 Randomized Open-Label Covail Trial, Angela R Branche, Rachel M Presti, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Vaccine protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection wanes over time, requiring updated boosters. In a phase 2, open-label, randomized clinical trial with sequentially enrolled stages at 22 US sites, we assessed safety and immunogenicity of a second boost with monovalent or bivalent variant vaccines from mRNA and protein-based platforms targeting wild-type, Beta, Delta and Omicron BA.1 spike antigens. The primary outcome was pseudovirus neutralization titers at 50% inhibitory dilution (ID

Fidelity And Adherence To A Liquefied Petroleum Gas Stove And Fuel Intervention: The Multi-Country Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (Hapin) Trial, Kendra N Williams, Lindsay J Underhill, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Reducing household air pollution (HAP) to levels associated with health benefits requires nearly exclusive use of clean cooking fuels and abandonment of traditional biomass fuels.

METHODS: The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial randomized 3,195 pregnant women in Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda to receive a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove intervention (n = 1,590), with controls expected to continue cooking with biomass fuels (n = 1,605). We assessed fidelity to intervention implementation and participant adherence to the intervention starting in pregnancy through the infant's first birthday using fuel delivery and repair records, surveys, observations, and temperature-logging stove …

Safety And Efficacy Of Riluzole In Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (Riscis): A Multi-Center, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded Trial, Michael G Fehlings, Wilson Z Ray, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Riluzole is a sodium-glutamate antagonist that attenuates neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It has shown favorable results in promoting recovery in pre-clinical models of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) and in early phase clinical trials. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of riluzole in acute cervical tSCI. An international, multi-center, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, adaptive, Phase III trial (NCT01597518) was undertaken. Patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A-C, cervical (C4-C8) tSCI, and <12 h from injury were randomized to receive either riluzole, at an oral dose of 100 mg twice per day (BID) for the first 24 h followed by 50 mg BID for the following 13 days, or placebo. The primary efficacy end-point was change in Upper Extremity Motor (UEM) scores at 180 days. The primary efficacy analyses were conducted on an intention to treat (ITT) and completed cases (CC) basis. The study was powered at a planned enrolment of 351 patients. The trial began in October 2013 and was halted by the sponsor on May 2020 (and terminated in April 2021) in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred ninety-three patients (54.9% of the pre-planned enrolment) were randomized with a follow-up rate of 82.7% at 180 days. At 180 days, in the CC population the riluzole-treated patients compared with placebo had a mean gain of 1.76 UEM scores (95% confidence interval: -2.54-6.06) and 2.86 total motor scores (CI: -6.79-12.52). No drug-related serious adverse events were associated with the use of riluzole. Additional pre-planned sensitivity analyses revealed that in the AIS C population, riluzole was associated with significant improvement in total motor scores (estimate: standard error [SE] 8.0; CI 1.5-14.4) and upper extremity motor scores (SE 13.8; CI 3.1-24.5) at 6 months. AIS B patients had higher reported independence, measured by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure score (45.3 vs. 27.3; d: 18.0 CI: -1.7-38.0) and change in mental health scores, measured by the Short Form 36 mental health domain (2.01 vs. -11.58; d: 13.2 CI: 1.2-24.8) at 180 days. AIS A patients who received riluzole had a higher average gain in neurological levels at 6 months compared with placebo (mean 0.50 levels gained vs. 0.12 in placebo; d: 0.38, CI: -0.2-0.9). The primary analysis did not achieve the predetermined end-point of efficacy for riluzole, likely related to insufficient power. However, on pre-planned secondary analyses, all subgroups of cervical SCI subjects (AIS grades A, B and C) treated with riluzole showed significant gains in functional recovery. The results of this trial may warrant further investigation to extend these findings. Moreover, guideline development groups may wish to assess the possible clinical relevance of the secondary outcome analyses, in light of the fact that SCI is an uncommon orphan disorder without an accepted neuroprotective treatment.

Neutralization, Effector Function And Immune Imprinting Of Omicron Variants, Amin Addetia, James Brett Case, Suzanne M Scheaffer, Bradley Whitener, Michael S Diamond, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants have acquired convergent mutations at hot spots in the receptor-binding domain

Postacute Sequelae Of Covid-19 At 2 Years, Benjamin Bowe, Yan Xie, Ziyad Al-Aly

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can lead to postacute sequelae in multiple organ systems, but evidence is mostly limited to the first year postinfection. We built a cohort of 138,818 individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 5,985,227 noninfected control group from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and followed them for 2 years to estimate the risks of death and 80 prespecified postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) according to care setting during the acute phase of infection. The increased risk of death was not significant beyond 6 months after infection among nonhospitalized but remained significantly elevated through the …

Evaluation Of Plasma Biomarkers To Predict Major Adverse Kidney Events In Hospitalized Patients With Covid-19, Steven Menez, Madhurima Kaushal, Sanjay Jain, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are at increased risk for major adverse kidney events (MAKE). We sought to identify plasma biomarkers predictive of MAKE in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: A total of 576 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2021 across 3 academic medical centers.

EXPOSURE: Twenty-six plasma biomarkers of injury, inflammation, and repair from first available blood samples collected during hospitalization.

OUTCOME: MAKE, defined as KDIGO stage 3 acute kidney injury (AKI), dialysis-requiring AKI, or mortality up to 60 days.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Cox proportional hazards regression …

Understanding Disruptions In Cancer Care To Reduce Increased Cancer Burden, Kia L Davis, Nicole Ackermann, Lisa M Klesges, Nora Leahy, Callie Walsh-Bailey, Sarah Humble, Bettina Drake, Vetta L Sanders Thompson

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: This study seeks to understand how and for whom COVID-19 disrupted cancer care to understand the potential for cancer health disparities across the cancer prevention and control continuum.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, participants age 30+residing in an 82-county region in Missouri and Illinois completed an online survey from June-August 2020. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables separately and by care disruption status. Logistic regression modeling was conducted to determine the correlates of care disruption.

RESULTS: Participants (N=680) reported 21% to 57% of cancer screening or treatment appointments were canceled/postponed from March 2020 through the end of 2020. …

The Covid-19 Pandemic And Associated Inequities In Acute Myocardial Infarction Treatment And Outcomes, Laurent G Glance, Karen E Joynt Maddox, Jingjing Shang, Patricia W Stone, Stewart J Lustik, Peter W Knight, Andrew W Dick

2020-Current year OA Pubs

IMPORTANCE: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted usual care for emergent conditions, such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Understanding whether Black and Hispanic individuals experiencing AMI had greater increases in poor outcomes compared with White individuals during the pandemic has important equity implications.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased disparities in treatment and outcomes among Medicare patients hospitalized with AMI.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study used Medicare data for patients hospitalized with AMI between January 2016 and November 2020. Patients were categorized as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White. The association between race and ethnicity …

Sars-Cov-2 Uses Cd4 To Infect T Helper Lymphocytes, Natalia S Brunetti, Louis-Marie Bloyet, Spencer Stumpf, Marjorie C Pontelli, Sean Whelan, Alessandro S Farias, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the agent of a major global outbreak of respiratory tract disease known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 infects mainly lungs and may cause several immune-related complications, such as lymphocytopenia and cytokine storm, which are associated with the severity of the disease and predict mortality. The mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 infection may result in immune system dysfunction is still not fully understood. Here, we show that SARS-CoV-2 infects human CD4

Management Of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Primer, John C Grotberg, Daniel Reynolds, Bryan D Kraft

2020-Current year OA Pubs

This narrative review explores the physiology and evidence-based management of patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and refractory hypoxemia, with a focus on mechanical ventilation, adjunctive therapies, and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO). Severe ARDS cases increased dramatically worldwide during the Covid-19 pandemic and carry a high mortality. The mainstay of treatment to improve survival and ventilator-free days is proning, conservative fluid management, and lung protective ventilation. Ventilator settings should be individualized when possible to improve patient-ventilator synchrony and reduce ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Positive end-expiratory pressure can be individualized by titrating to best respiratory system compliance, …

Real-Time Environmental Surveillance Of Sars-Cov-2 Aerosols, Joseph V Puthussery, Kevin R Mcbrearty, Brookelyn M Doherty, Woodrow D Gardiner, Jordan P Magrecki, Traci L Bricker, Adrianus C M Boon, Carla M Yuede, John R Cirrito, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Real-time surveillance of airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus is a technological gap that has eluded the scientific community since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Offline air sampling techniques for SARS-CoV-2 detection suffer from longer turnaround times and require skilled labor. Here, we present a proof-of-concept pathogen Air Quality (pAQ) monitor for real-time (5 min time resolution) direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols. The system synergistically integrates a high flow (~1000 lpm) wet cyclone air sampler and a nanobody-based ultrasensitive micro-immunoelectrode biosensor. The wet cyclone showed comparable or better virus sampling performance than commercially available samplers. Laboratory experiments demonstrate a device sensitivity of …

An Immunostimulatory Glycolipid That Blocks Sars-Cov-2, Rsv, And Influenza Infections In Vivo, Moriya Tsuji, Zhenlu Chong, Tamarand L Darling, Kuljeet Seehra, Adrianus C M Boon, Michael S Diamond, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Prophylactic vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have lowered the incidence of severe COVID-19, but emergence of viral variants that are antigenically distinct from the vaccine strains are of concern and additional, broadly acting preventive approaches are desirable. Here, we report on a glycolipid termed 7DW8-5 that exploits the host innate immune system to enable rapid control of viral infections in vivo. This glycolipid binds to CD1d on antigen-presenting cells and thereby stimulates NKT cells to release a cascade of cytokines and chemokines. The intranasal administration of 7DW8-5 prior to virus exposure significantly blocked infection by three different authentic variants of SARS-CoV-2, as …

Comparison Of Electronic Health Record Messages To Mental Health Care Professionals Before Vs After Covid-19 Pandemic, Simone A Bernstein, Alison L Huckenpahler, Ginger E Nicol, Jessica A Gold

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

A Rapid Cell-Free Expression And Screening Platform For Antibody Discovery, Andrew C Hunt, Bastian Vögeli, Ahmed O Hassan, Laura Guerrero, Weston Kightlinger, Danielle J Yoesep, Antje Krüger, Madison Dewinter, Michael S Diamond, Ashty S Karim, Michael C Jewett

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Antibody discovery is bottlenecked by the individual expression and evaluation of antigen-specific hits. Here, we address this bottleneck by developing a workflow combining cell-free DNA template generation, cell-free protein synthesis, and binding measurements of antibody fragments in a process that takes hours rather than weeks. We apply this workflow to evaluate 135 previously published antibodies targeting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including all 8 antibodies previously granted emergency use authorization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and demonstrate identification of the most potent antibodies. We also evaluate 119 anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from a mouse immunized with the SARS-CoV-2 spike …