Retroviral vectors for gene therapy are designed to minimize the occurrence of replication-competent retrovirus (RCR); nonetheless, it is possible that a vector-derived RCR could establish an infection in a patient. Since the efficacy of antiretroviral agents can be impacted by interactions between virus, host cell, and drug, five commonly used antiretroviral drugs were evaluated for their abil...

The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays an anticoagulant role by improving protein C activation. Although low levels of activated protein C (APC) constitute a thrombosis risk factor, the relationship between modulating EPCR function and thrombosis has not been addressed so far. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against murine EPCR were raised, and their ability to block protein C/APC binding ...

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) contributes greatly to the plasticity and evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. The main carriers of foreign DNA in HGT are mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that have extremely diverse genetic structures and properties. Various strategies are used for the maintenance and spread of MGEs, including (i) vegetative replication, (ii) transposition (and other t...

In this work we introduce a relaxed version of the constant positive linear dependence constraint qualification (CPLD) that we call RCPLD. This development is inspired by a recent generalization of the constant rank constraint qualification from Minchenko and Stakhovski that was called RCR. We show that RCPLD is enough to ensure the convergence of an augmented Lagrangian algorithm and asserts t...

This Perspective addresses the value of, and realistic approaches to, incorporating formal evaluation processes in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training. It comes from the experiences of a career that has combined: leading research teams and directing Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. training; teaching RCR since it was first required by NIH; teaching evaluation methods to directors of RCR and rese...

BACKGROUND Rhodiola species have been used for asthenia, depression, fatigue, poor work performance and cardiovascular diseases, all of which may be associated with insulin resistance. To disclose the underlying mechanisms of action, the effect of Rhodiola crenulata root (RCR) on insulin resistance was investigated. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with liquid fructose in their d...

Replication-competent retrovirus (RCR) vectors are intrinsically incapable of infecting quiescent cells and have been shown to achieve highly efficient and tumor-restricted replicative spread and gene transfer in vivo after direct intratumoral injection in a variety of primary cancer models. However, i.v. delivery of RCR vectors expressing therapeutic genes has never previously been tested, par...

This project evaluates the impact of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) policy to promote education in the responsible conduct of research (RCR). To determine whether this policy resulted in meaningful RCR educational experiences, our study examined the instructional plans developed by individual universities in response to the mandate. Using a sample of 108 U.S. institutions classified as...

Although Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is common in the sciences, the effectiveness of RCR training is open to question. Three key factors appear to be particularly important in ensuring the effectiveness of ethics education programs: (1) educational efforts should be tied to day-to-day practices in the field, (2) educational efforts should provide strategies for working throug...

Rotator cuff repair (RCR) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in orthopaedic surgery. The reported incidence of deep soft-tissue infections after RCR ranges between 0.3% and 1.9%. Deep shoulder infection after RCR appears uncommon, but the actual incidence may be higher as many cases may go unreported. Clinical presentation may include increasing shoulder pain and stiffnes...