The goal of this work was to investigate the use of MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cells as a possible tool for assessing the membrane permeability properties of early drug discovery compounds. Apparent permeability (Papp) values of 55 compounds with known human absorption values were determined using MDCK cell monolayers. For comparison, Papp values of the same compounds were also determined using Caco-2 cells, a well-characterized in vitro model of intestinal drug absorption. Monolayers were grown on 0. 4-microm Transwell-COL membrane culture inserts. MDCK cells were seeded at high density and cultured for 3 days, and Caco-2 cells were cultured under standard conditions for 21 to 25 days. Compounds were tested using 100 microM donor solutions in transport medium (pH 7.4) containing 1% DMSO. The Papp values in MDCK cells correlated well with those in Caco-2 cells (r2 = 0.79). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for MDCK Papp and human absorption was 0.58 compared with 0.54 for Caco-2 Papp and human absorption. These results indicate that MDCK cells may be a useful tool for rapid membrane permeability screening.

Notwithstanding the bio-psycho-social nature of LBP, and complexities of studying this area, sufficient evidence exists of a causal relationship between nursing tasks and back disorders to warrant new policies.

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The mothers (n = 100) of consecutive infants admitted to a mothercraft residential facility were asked to complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Only one of the women had been identified prior to the infant's admission as having postnatal depression, but 39% scored above the cut-off point for likely major depressive disorder. No specific infant problem correlated significantly with a higher depression score. The extent of serious mood disorders in the post-partum population has remained generally unacknowledged despite an upsurge of recent research activity in the field. Nevertheless, this problem has considerable public health significance, impinging as it does on the health of all members of the family. Possible screening and intervention strategies are discussed.

Background We evaluated measures to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) in Vancouver, Canada, where variants of concern (VOC) went from <1% VOC in February 2021 to >92% in mid-May. Canada has amongst the longest periods between vaccine doses worldwide, despite Vancouver having the highest P.1 variant rate outside Brazil. Methods With surveillance data since the pandemic began, we tracked laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, positivity rates, and vaccine uptake in all 25,558 HCWs in Vancouver Coastal Health, by occupation and subsector, and compared to the general population. Cox regression modelling adjusted for age and calendar-time calculated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 in fully vaccinated (≥ 7 days post-second dose), partially vaccinated infection (after 14 days) and unvaccinated HCWs; we also compared with unvaccinated community members of the same age-range. Findings Only 3.3% of our HCWs became infected, mirroring community rates, with peak positivity of 9.1%, compared to 11.8% in the community. As vaccine coverage increased, SARS-CoV-2 infections declined significantly in HCWs, despite a surge with predominantly VOC; unvaccinated HCWs had an infection rate of 1.3/10,000 person-days compared to 0.89 for HCWs post first dose, and 0.30 for fully vaccinated HCWs. VE compared to unvaccinated HCWs was 37.2% (95% CI: 16.6–52.7%) 14 days post-first dose, 79.2% (CI: 64.6–87.8%) 7 days post-second dose; one dose provided significant protection against infection until at least day 42. Compared with community infection rates, VE after one dose was 54.7% (CI: 44.8–62.9%); and 84.8% (CI: 75.2–90.7%) when fully vaccinated. Interpretation Rigorous droplet-contact precautions with N95s for aerosol-generating procedures are effective in preventing occupational infection in HCWs, with one dose of mRNA vaccination further reducing infection risk despite VOC and transmissibility concerns. Delaying second doses to allow more widespread vaccination against severe disease, with strict public health, occupational health and infection control measures, has been effective in protecting the healthcare workforce.