Indirect Recruitment Research Articles

Successes and Challenges in Clinical Trial Recruitment: The Experience of a New Study Team.

Participant recruitment is one of the most challenging aspects of a clinical trial, directly impacting both the study's duration and the quality of its results. Therefore, reporting successful recruitment strategies is crucial. This study aimed to document the recruitment tactics and experiences of a research team during a university-based randomized clinical trial, conducted as part of a clinical research immersion program. Recruitment took place from October 2021 to October 2022. Before the study commenced, study team members received formal training in clinical trial participant recruitment from the Principal Investigator. The recruitment strategies were integrated into initial study design, which was approved by the Institutional Review Board. A multimodal approach was employed, incorporating both direct and indirect recruitment methods. These strategies successfully met the enrollment target within the twelve-month period. Throughout the process, team members acquired valuable knowledge in recruitment design and implementation, along with transferable interpersonal and networking skills. In-person recruitment was the most efficient and cost-effective strategy, followed by personal referrals. The primary challenge was accommodating participants' availability. Other study teams should consider these recruitment strategies during their study designs. Additionally, the knowledge and skills gained by this study team underscore the value of experiential learning in research education.

Experiences in Recruitment for Hispanic, Non-Hispanic Black, and Other Non-White Cancer Survivors Through Community Outreach and Other Targeted Approaches

ObjectivesRecruitment of racial/ethnic underserved populations in oncology research is essential to address health disparities. This article presents strategies and lessons learned from community outreach and other approaches for recruiting non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other non-White survivors of cancer into a pilot study that investigated biopsychosocial determinants of health behaviors. MethodsWe critically examined the participant recruitment approaches to explore challenges and successful strategies and develop recommendations for future studies. Direct recruitment strategies included engaging with research staff members’ personal community contacts/liaisons and participating in community outreach events (eg, farmers’ markets, block parties, library events, cancer awareness events). Indirect recruitment strategies included posting and distribution of study flyers in community centers (eg, LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, churches, libraries), online platforms (eg, FORCE, Survivor Journey website), and invitation letters sent to individuals identified as eligible through a single state cancer registry. ResultsBetween April 2022 and May 2023, among the 64 individuals recruited, 36 were non-Hispanic Black, 25 were Hispanic, and three were American Indian/Alaska Native people. The use of a state cancer registry (64.1%), snowballing/word of mouth (7.8%), and advertisement through an established cancer support organization (ie, FORCE) website (7.8%) were the most effective strategies in this study. ConclusionRecruitment of non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other non-White people into biobehavioral studies through community-engaged research is challenging and requires long-term commitment and engagement with partners from target communities and affiliated organizations. Implication for Nursing PracticeRegistries and community outreach events can build trust for successful enrollment. Using multiple strategies can provide the best opportunities to reach diverse populations and enroll them in cancer-related research studies.

Unveiling the Digital Underworld – Exploring Cyberbanging and Recruitment of Canadian Street Gang Members on Social Media

This study explores the online behavior of Canadian street gang members on X (formerly known as “Twitter”), Facebook, and YouTube. As scholarly Western inquiries have predominantly focused on American and British street gangs, their presentation of online recruitment often differs. Law enforcement and journalists claim that street gangs have begun using social media platforms explicitly to search for and recruit new members. Certain scholarly publications have also suggested that a small minority of street gangs utilize social media to recruit new participants; however, they do not provide ample context to describe what this looks like online. Others argue that while cyberbanging – online gang content and propaganda – can be found online, some of this content can act as indirect recruitment, as it promotes gang lifestyles to the outside observer. To examine the use of cyberbanging and the indirect recruitment it inspires, the present study examines 59 social media user profiles linked to Canadian street gang members (23 Twitter users and 36 Facebook users), along with 10 YouTube rap videos produced by street gang members, to assess the online behavior of these particular social media users. The results suggest that the most prominent type of cyberbanging content is the promotion of gang ideologies, with a clear presence of indirect recruitment techniques observed, such as displaying drugs, weapons, money, and illegal gains, boasting of facets of gang lifestyles, and other propaganda. This content, while considered cyberbanging, blurs the line between content defined as cyberbanging and that of online recruitment.

장애인고용기업체의 고용경로가 장애인 고용의 질에 미치는 영향

This study aimed to investigate the influence of hiring paths of businesses employing the disabled on the employment quality of workers with disabilities. For this purpose, multiple and logit regression analysis was conducted utilizing 2021 Survey on the Employment Status of the Disabled in Business. In terms of employment stability, compensation, potential for development, and relationships, it was found that the quality of companies that directly recruited workers with disabilities was higher than companies that indirectly recruited through job agencies. In terms of working conditions, awareness and understanding of persons with disabilities, it was found that the quality of employment of companies with indirect recruitment was higher than companies with direct recruitment. This study is meaningful in that it identifies the quality of employment that companies provide to workers with disabilities. In addition, various implications were suggested by analyzing the effect of the hiring paths of companies with disabled employees on each dependent variable that evaluates the quality of employment.

ANALISIS PENGARUH REKRUTMEN DAN PENEMPATAN KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN MELALUI KOMPETENSI PADA PT. ALBEA RIGID PACKAGING SURABAYA

This study aims to examine and analyze the effect of recruitment and job placement on employee performance through competence at PT. Albea Rigid Packaging Surabaya. The unit of analysis in this study were all employees of PT. Albea Rigid Packaging Surabaya, totaling 120 respondents. Samples were taken using a saturated or census sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using statistics with SPSS 22.00 software. Based on the results of validity and reliability, it was found that each variable was declared valid and reliable and had fulfilled the classical assumption test. This study uses the Path Analysis method (path analysis). Based on the results of data analysis using the T test, the results obtained are that recruitment directly has a positive and significant effect on competence; job placement directly has a positive and significant effect on competence; recruitment directly has a positive and significant effect on employee performance; job placement directly has a positive and significant effect on employee performance; competence directly has a positive and significant effect on employee performance; indirect recruitment through competence has a positive and significant effect on employee performance; and work placement indirectly through competence has a positive and significant effect on employee performance at PT. Albea Rigid Packaging Surabaya.

SIRT1 activation promotes energy homeostasis and reprograms liver cancer metabolism

BackgroundCancer cells are characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and impaired bioenergetics. Sirtuins are a family of highly conserved enzymes that play a fundamental role in energy metabolism regulation. SIRT1, in particular, drives many physiological stress responses and metabolic pathways following nutrient deprivation. We previously showed that SIRT1 activation using SCIC2.1 was able to attenuate genotoxic response and senescence. Here, we report that in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells under glucose-deprived conditions, SCIC2.1 treatment induced overexpression of SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT6, modulating metabolic response.MethodsFlow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle. The MTT assay and xCELLigence system were used to measure cell viability and proliferation. In vitro enzymatic assays were carried out as directed by the manufacturer, and the absorbance was measured with an automated Infinite M1000 reader. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation were used to evaluate the expression of various proteins described in this study. The relative expression of genes was studied using real-time PCR. We employed a Seahorse XF24 Analyzer to determine the metabolic state of the cells. Oil Red O staining was used to measure lipid accumulation.ResultsSCIC2.1 significantly promoted mitochondrial biogenesis via the AMPK-p53-PGC1α pathway and enhanced mitochondrial ATP production under glucose deprivation. SIRT1 inhibition by Ex-527 further supported our hypothesis that metabolic effects are dependent on SIRT1 activation. Interestingly, SCIC2.1 reprogrammed glucose metabolism and fatty acid oxidation for bioenergetic circuits by repressing de novo lipogenesis. In addition, SCIC2.1-mediated SIRT1 activation strongly modulated antioxidant response through SIRT3 activation, and p53-dependent stress response via indirect recruitment of SIRT6.ConclusionOur results show that SCIC2.1 is able to promote energy homeostasis, attenuating metabolic stress under glucose deprivation via activation of SIRT1. These findings shed light on the metabolic action of SIRT1 in the pathogenesis of HCC and may help determine future therapies for this and, possibly, other metabolic diseases.

Ghrelin’s orexigenic action in the lateral hypothalamic area involves indirect recruitment of orexin neurons and arcuate nucleus activation

ObjectiveGhrelin is a potent orexigenic hormone, and the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) has been suggested as a putative target mediating ghrelin’s effects on food intake. Here, we aimed to investigate the presence of neurons expressing ghrelin receptor (a.k.a. growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHSR) in the mouse LHA (LHAGHSR neurons), its physiological implications and the neuronal circuit recruited by local ghrelin action. MethodsWe investigated the distribution of LHAGHSR neurons using different histologic strategies, including the use of a reporter mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the GHSR promoter. Also, we investigated the physiological implications of local injections of ghrelin within the LHA, and the extent to which the orexigenic effect of intra-LHA-injected ghrelin involves the arcuate nucleus (ARH) and orexin neurons of the LHA (LHAorexin neurons) ResultsWe found that: 1) LHAGHSR neurons are homogeneously distributed throughout the entire LHA; 2) intra-LHA injections of ghrelin transiently increase food intake and locomotor activity; 3) ghrelin’s orexigenic effect in the LHA involves the indirect recruitment of LHAorexin neurons and the activation of ARH neurons; and 4) LHAGHSR neurons are not targeted by plasma ghrelin. ConclusionsWe provide a compelling neuroanatomical and functional characterization of LHAGHSR neurons in male mice that indicates that LHAGHSR cells are part of a hypothalamic neuronal circuit that potently induces food intake.

Main Street, USA Enrollment: Community Hospital Recruitment Strategies for Diverse and Equitable Selection of Pregnant Participants in a Prospective Cohort Study [ID: 1377833

INTRODUCTION: The same factors contributing to disproportionately worse health outcomes are also barriers to inclusion in research for Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous patients. In this subanalysis of a large, multisite prospective cohort study of maternal plasma mRNA signatures and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), we sought to determine whether equitable representation was aided by the inclusion of a large community hospital as an enrollment site. METHODS: Pregnant persons between 18 and 45 year old with a singleton pregnancy eligible to enroll in this IRB-approved prospective cohort study at Woman’s Hospital (Baton Rouge, Louisiana). A hybrid of indirect and direct recruitment strategies, bolstered by text message communication and gift card compensation, were deployed to facilitate enrollment that mirrored the community’s diversity. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred twenty-two participants have been enrolled over 22 months (18% of the hospital’s eligible patient population): 41% of participants are Black, 9% are of Hispanic origin, 50% are White, and 9% Other race. This identically mirrors the demographics of the hospital obstetric patient population (38% Black, 7% Hispanic, 49% White, and 13% Other). CONCLUSION: Participants overall mirrored the diverse population served. Inclusion of study sites outside of the traditional academic setting is an effective strategy for promoting equitable access to clinical research, combating barriers to inclusion in research faced by the populations that are disproportionately affected by APOs.

Knowledge and attitude about drug pollution in pharmacy students: A questionnaire-based cross sectional study

IntroductionThe environmental impact of drugs or pharmaceuticals is an issue of growing concern. Healthcare professionals, and pharmacists in particular, are used to managing medicines, yet aspects about drug pollution are generally neglected in schools of pharmacy worldwide. Formation in this issue is essential to tackle the problem. In this study, we aimed to find out the degree of knowledge about the problem of pharmaceuticals in the environment and the attitude about the matter of pharmacy students at the University of the Basque Country. MethodsWe conducted a pilot study (186 students) using an online questionnaire available in two languages (Basque and Spanish). The attitude scale was validated for Spanish. To improve participation, a combination of indirect and direct recruitment was applied in the final study. ResultsFour hundred eighty-seven students participated in the final study (response rate: 65.8%). The final questionnaire contained a total of 25 questions: 13 (knowledge), eight (attitude), and three (opinion). The results showed that knowledge can be considered relatively poor, whereas attitude was generally positive, and students considered drug pollution to be a relevant issue in general and in pharmacy practice. ConclusionsWe believe there is an urgent need to include aspects about pharmaceuticals in the environment in pharmacy studies worldwide.

RNA-binding proteins that lack canonical RNA-binding domains are rarely sequence-specific

Thousands of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) crosslink to cellular mRNA. Among these are numerous unconventional RBPs (ucRBPs)—proteins that associate with RNA but lack known RNA-binding domains (RBDs). The vast majority of ucRBPs have uncharacterized RNA-binding specificities. We analyzed 492 human ucRBPs for intrinsic RNA-binding in vitro and identified 23 that bind specific RNA sequences. Most (17/23), including 8 ribosomal proteins, were previously associated with RNA-related function. We identified the RBDs responsible for sequence-specific RNA-binding for several of these 23 ucRBPs and surveyed whether corresponding domains from homologous proteins also display RNA sequence specificity. CCHC-zf domains from seven human proteins recognized specific RNA motifs, indicating that this is a major class of RBD. For Nudix, HABP4, TPR, RanBP2-zf, and L7Ae domains, however, only isolated members or closely related homologs yielded motifs, consistent with RNA-binding as a derived function. The lack of sequence specificity for most ucRBPs is striking, and we suggest that many may function analogously to chromatin factors, which often crosslink efficiently to cellular DNA, presumably via indirect recruitment. Finally, we show that ucRBPs tend to be highly abundant proteins and suggest their identification in RNA interactome capture studies could also result from weak nonspecific interactions with RNA.

Recurrent Excitatory Feedback From Mossy Cells Enhances Sparsity and Pattern Separation in the Dentate Gyrus via Indirect Feedback Inhibition.

It is generally appreciated that storing memories of specific events in the mammalian brain, and associating features of the environment with behavioral outcomes requires fine-tuning of the strengths of connections between neurons through synaptic plasticity. It is less understood whether the organization of neuronal circuits comprised of multiple distinct neuronal cell types provides an architectural prior that facilitates learning and memory by generating unique patterns of neuronal activity in response to different stimuli in the environment, even before plasticity and learning occur. Here we simulated a neuronal network responding to sensory stimuli, and systematically determined the effects of specific neuronal cell types and connections on three key metrics of neuronal sensory representations: sparsity, selectivity, and discriminability. We found that when the total amount of input varied considerably across stimuli, standard feedforward and feedback inhibitory circuit motifs failed to discriminate all stimuli without sacrificing sparsity or selectivity. Interestingly, networks that included dedicated excitatory feedback interneurons based on the mossy cells of the hippocampal dentate gyrus exhibited improved pattern separation, a result that depended on the indirect recruitment of feedback inhibition. These results elucidate the roles of cellular diversity and neural circuit architecture on generating neuronal representations with properties advantageous for memory storage and recall.

Sequence logic at enhancers governs a dual mechanism of endodermal organ fate induction by FOXA pioneer factors

FOXA pioneer transcription factors (TFs) associate with primed enhancers in endodermal organ precursors. Using a human stem cell model of pancreas differentiation, we here discover that only a subset of pancreatic enhancers is FOXA-primed, whereas the majority is unprimed and engages FOXA upon lineage induction. Primed enhancers are enriched for signal-dependent TF motifs and harbor abundant and strong FOXA motifs. Unprimed enhancers harbor fewer, more degenerate FOXA motifs, and FOXA recruitment to unprimed but not primed enhancers requires pancreatic TFs. Strengthening FOXA motifs at an unprimed enhancer near NKX6.1 renders FOXA recruitment pancreatic TF-independent, induces priming, and broadens the NKX6.1 expression domain. We make analogous observations about FOXA binding during hepatic and lung development. Our findings suggest a dual role for FOXA in endodermal organ development: first, FOXA facilitates signal-dependent lineage initiation via enhancer priming, and second, FOXA enforces organ cell type-specific gene expression via indirect recruitment by lineage-specific TFs.

Abstract PO-102: Fibroblast-derived interleukin-33 promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma as a result of tumor cell KRASG12D

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a deadly disease that is difficult to detect early and limited in its therapeutic options. As a result, the five-year survival rate of PDA is only 10%. Expression of the oncogene KRAS is present in over 94% of PDA cases, with the most common KRAS mutation being KRASG12D. Another hallmark of PDA is its reactive, fibroinflammatory tumor microenvironment, which is established in tandem with the earliest stages of tumorigenesis and is essential to the growth and maintenance of the tumor. In this work, we have endeavored to uncover the ways by which tumor cell KRASG12D expression influences extracellular signals that shape the tumor microenvironment to the benefit of the disease, with the overall goal of identifying new potential therapeutic vulnerabilities downstream of KRAS signaling. Importantly, using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and in vitro assays by which tumor cell expression of KrasG12D can be turned on and off, we have found that tumor cell KRASG12D activity stimulates the expression of Interleukin-33 (IL33) in pancreatic fibroblasts through a mechanism requiring both JAK/STAT3 and Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) signaling. Through immunohistochemical staining and single cell RNA sequencing of patient tumor samples, we have also confirmed the expression of IL33 in the cancer-associated fibroblast compartment of human PDA. IL33 is a dual function cytokine - it is sequestered in the nucleus where it can impact the cellular transcriptome, and it can also be released to signal to cells expressing its receptor, ST2L. Across the cancer biology field, IL33 expression has been reported to be regulated by different signaling factors, and its impact can be either tumor promoting or tumor restricting depending on the tissue context. In PDA, the role of IL33 is currently unclear, with recent publications alternatively describing it as anti- or pro-tumor. While previous studies have focused on epithelial IL33, we have used a Pdgfra-CreERT2/+;Il33f/f GEMM to knock out Il33 in fibroblasts prior to orthotopic implantation of syngeneic PDA cells. Tumor growth in Il33-deficient mice was reduced, and we observed fewer infiltrating immune cells, including macrophages. As our group and others have previously shown that macrophages are a significant driver of immunosuppression required for the maintenance of PDA, we hypothesized that fibroblast-derived Il33 promotes pancreatic tumorigenesis through either direct or indirect recruitment of immunosuppressive macrophages. As we continue to dissect the role of IL33 in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, we aim to fully understand the biological role of IL33 during the onset of carcinogenesis and in advanced disease. Overall, this work will shed new light on the ways by which fibroblasts and macrophages are co-opted by tumor cells as a result of KRASG12D, further elucidating prospective therapeutic avenues that may be exploited in the future. Citation Format: Katelyn Donahue, Wenting Du, Carlos Espinoza, Eileen Carpenter, Kristee Brown, Nina Steele, Marina Pasca di Magliano. Fibroblast-derived interleukin-33 promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma as a result of tumor cell KRASG12D [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2021 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(22 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-102.

Effect of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotype on yield: Evidence from recruiting spatially consistent rhizosphere microbiome

The rhizosphere microbiome facilitates a range of beneficial functions for its host plant. Thus, exploring the functionality of the rhizosphere microbiome and its underlying driving factors are fundamental for understanding how host plants benefit from their microbial symbionts. Herein, we utilized deep metagenomics sequencing to explore the rhizosphere microbiome in three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (hybrid rice and two japonica cultivars) that were planted in three spatially distant locations. Although rhizosphere prokaryotic communities were primarily affected by planting location, rice genotype signs were still detected. After the effect of planting location was ruled out, the top 24 genotype-discriminatory taxa were found to contribute 85.2% of the diagnostic accuracy for rice cultivars. The significant associations between the measured enzyme activities and the relative abundances of their coding genes validated that the recruitment of different rhizosphere microbes by hybrid rice and japonica cultivars further resulted in divergences in microbe-mediated functions. Compared with that in japonica, the rhizosphere in hybrid rice more efficiently mineralized N and P from organic matter, while mitigated N and K losses. The structural equation model depicted that the rice cultivars imposed direct (host-genotype-associated feature) and indirect (recruitment of specific rhizosphere microbiomes) effects on yield. Collectively, a conceptual model was constructed to infer the collective interplay among rice cultivars, rhizosphere microbiomes, and yield. Our findings provided novel insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the associations among rice cultivars, rhizosphere microbiomes, and yield.

Predictors of recruitment and retention in randomized controlled trials of behavioural smoking cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis.

To investigate predictors of participant eligibility, recruitment and retention in behavioural randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for smoking cessation. Systematic review and pre-specified meta-regression analysis of behavioural RCTs for smoking cessation including adult (≥18-year-old) smokers. The pre-specified predictors were identified through a literature review and experts' consultation and included participant, trial and intervention characteristics and recruitment and retention strategies. Outcome measures included eligibility rates (proportion of people eligible for the trials), recruitment rates, retention rates and differential retention rates. A total of 172 RCTs with 89 639 participants. Eligibility [median 57.6%; interquartile range (IQR)=34.7-83.7], recruitment (median 66.4%; IQR=42.7-85.2) and retention rates (median 80.5%; IQR=68.5-89.5) varied considerably across studies. For eligibility rates, the recruitment strategy appeared not to be associated with eligibility rates. For recruitment rates, use of indirect recruitment strategies (e.g. public announcements) [odds ratio (OR)=0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.11-0.82] and self-help interventions (OR=0.14, 95% CI=0.03-0.67) were associated with lower recruitment rates. For retention rates, higher retention was seen if the sample had ongoing physical health condition/s (OR=1.66, 95% CI=1.04-2.63), whereas lower retention was seen amongst primarily female samples (OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.71-0.98) and those motivated to quit smoking (OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.55-0.99) when indirect recruitment methods were used (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.38-0.97) and at longer follow-up assessments (OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.79-0.87). For differential retention, higher retention in the intervention group occurred when the intervention but not comparator group received financial incentives for smoking cessation (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.02-1.77). In randomized controlled trials of behavioural smoking cessation interventions, recruitment and retention rates appear to be higher for smoking cessation interventions that include a person-to-person rather than at-a-distance contact; male participants, smokers with chronic conditions, smokers not initially motivated to quit and shorter follow-up assessments seems to be associated with improved retention; financial incentive interventions improve retention in groups receiving them relative to comparison groups.

Attenuated Interferon-α Targeted to CD38 Expressing Multiple Myeloma Tumor Cells Induces Robust and Durable Anti-Tumor Responses through Direct Anti-Proliferative Activity in Addition to Indirect Recruitment and Activation of M1 Macrophages

Despite recent advances in treatment, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease. We previously reported that targeting an attenuated form of interferon-alpha (IFNα) directly to MM tumor cells via an anti-CD38 antibody induces robust and durable responses in murine xenograft MM models, eliminating large established human tumors in mice. We demonstrated that this attenuated immunocytokine, or Attenukine™, exhibits 10,000-fold increased specificity for CD38-positive cells in vitro compared to native IFNα and, importantly, is less toxic than native IFNα to normal bone marrow cells in vitro. Application of this therapy is predicted to significantly expand the therapeutic index of IFNα therapy beyond that of an immunocytokine, providing a rationale for clinical testing in MM.In this study, we explored potential mechanisms mediating the robust anti-MM tumor activity of the CD38-Attenukine™. In MM xenograft models, immunohistochemistry analysis of ex vivo tumors taken from treated and untreated mice revealed rapid and robust infiltration of M1 (iNOS positive) macrophages in treated MM tumors (shown in figure). Targeted depletion of macrophages in tumor bearing mice prior to treatment demonstrated the importance of macrophages for the robust and durable activity. Follow-on experiments compared the anti-tumor activity of the CD38-Attenukine™ in different mouse strains with varied degrees of immune competence. While treatment of SCID mice bearing NCI-H929 tumors with 5 mg/kg CD38-Attenukine™ eliminated tumors in all mice, tumors in only 2 of 10 mice were eliminated in the NOD-SCID background, and no tumors were eliminated in the NSG mouse strain. The NOD-SCID and NSG strains, which have defective macrophage populations, showed significantly less macrophage infiltration than was observed in the SCID mouse strain. Both the macrophage infiltration and antitumor activity of the CD38-Attenukine™ could be fully restored in NOD-SCID mice when co-treated with an anti-human CD47 antibody. Blocking CD47 signaling is thought to correct the defect in the NOD-SCID macrophage compartment. Interestingly, tumor sections from CD38-Attenukine™ treated mice were caspase-3 negative, suggesting that apoptosis may not be the major mechanism of tumor cell death in these models. In fact, based on the requirement for a glycosylated IgG Fc for robust and durable response, we predict that antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) is a major mechanism for the observed tumor regression. Additional findings suggest that IFNα-induced chemokine production from tumor cells may signal M1 macrophage infiltration and activation following treatment. In conclusion, the potent anti-tumor response observed in CD38-Attenukine™ treated mice is the result of at least two complementary mechanisms, direct anti-proliferative activity of IFNα on tumor cells and indirect recruitment and activation of tumoricidal macrophages potentially through a chemokine gradient. These findings provide a solid framework supporting clinical evaluation of a CD38-Attenukine™ immunotherapy in MM patients. [Display omitted] DisclosuresPogue:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Bi:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Armanini:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Fatholahi:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Taura:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Valencia:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Yun:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Sho:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Jamin:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Nock:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Wilson:Teva Pharmaceuticals: Employment.

Research Recruitment: A Case Study on Women with Substance Use Disorder

Women with substance use disorder may evade research participation because of individual and societal factors. Limited information exists on recruitment of women with substance use disorder. The purpose of this study was to delineate recruitment challenges among women with substance use disorder and identify successful recruitment strategies. An exploratory case study was used to examine recruitment of women with substance use disorder. This case study was informed by a pilot study in 2017-2018, where data were generated from 25 direct observations and three key informants from a drug rehabilitation treatment agency. Analysis took an explanation-building approach, which incorporated chronological field notes from direct observations, memos from key informant conversations, and the extant literature to revise our initial proposition. Macro-level contextual factors influencing recruitment were: (a) establishment of a triage system, (b) reactivation of agency ethics committee, (c) scheduled accreditation site visits, (d) varied guidelines, and (e) required treatment regimen. Recruitment may benefit from multiple sites, staff training in protocol, increased researcher presence, and the opportunity for women’s voices to be heard. This study advances knowledge of macro-level challenges faced during recruitment of women with substance use disorder in southeast USA. Indirect and direct recruitment, when combined, could maximize participation.

Strategies and Challenges in Recruiting Pregnant Women with Elevated Body Mass Index for a Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention.

Purpose: Pregnant women with elevated body mass index (BMI) are difficult to recruit into lifestyle studies. This article (1) summarized strategies to recruit pregnant women into a randomized trial, and (2) reported recruitment statistics and their correlates.Materials and Methods: African American and white women with BMI ≥25 and gestational age <16 weeks were recruited primarily through obstetric clinics into the Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum study. Women completed a brief screening form, and if initially eligible, a phone screening. We compared characteristics of those randomized versus not randomized.Results: Initially eligible pregnant women (N = 1578) were identified through direct recruitment by research staff, indirect recruitment by clinic staff at obstetric clinics, and self-referrals through advertisements. Of these women, 54.0% (850) were reached for further screening, and 43.5% (685) were fully eligible. Among eligible women, 58.8% (403) were scheduled for a baseline visit, and 33.3% (228) were randomized. The overall recruitment yield was 14.4%. Recruited participants were diverse (44% African Americans) and averaged 12.6 weeks gestation at baseline. Randomized (vs. nonrandomized) women were more likely to own a cell phone, have access to a computer with internet at home or work, and have downloaded a podcast.Conclusions: Although this study did not reach the recruitment goal, a relatively large and diverse sample of pregnant women were recruited early in pregnancy. Recruiting women with elevated BMI for a behavioral lifestyle intervention is challenging, particularly among women with characteristics, including less phone and internet access and limited experience in using podcasts.This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02260518.

Faith, Family, and Social Networks: Effective Strategies for Recruiting Brazilian Immigrants in Maternal and Child Health Research.

Participation of racial/ethnic minority and immigrant populations in research studies is essential to understand and address health disparities. Nonetheless, these populations are often underrepresented in research because of limited participation that may be due to barriers to participation such as fear and mistrust of research, lack of or limited access to healthcare and social services, time and employment constraints, participation-associated costs (e.g., travel costs), language barriers, undocumented status, and cultural differences. Brazilians comprise a rapidly growing immigrant population group in the United States (US), and there is a need to identify and understand factors affecting the health status of Brazilian immigrants that are amenable to intervention. Therefore, this paper presents effective strategies and lessons learned from outreach and recruiting Brazilian immigrants living in the US to enroll in maternal and child health research studies. Using a data recruitment log, we collected quantitative and qualitative data on recruitment strategies that were employed to recruit pregnant women and parents into six health research studies. Direct recruitment strategies included personal contacts of research staff and recruiting partners, and on-site, in-person outreach and recruitment at faith- and community-based events (e.g., meeting participants after church services, at faith-based community events), and private and social events (e.g., household parties) conducted by bilingual, bicultural research assistants who were members of the priority population. We also used snowball sampling as a recruitment strategy by asking enrolled participants to share information about our studies and encourage their family and friends to participate. Indirect recruitment methods included posting flyers at local businesses, social service agencies, faith-based and healthcare organizations, and posting announcements on social media (Facebook). Direct recruitment methods in combination with snowball sampling were the most successful strategies for recruiting Brazilian immigrant parents, while social media was an effective indirect method for recruiting first-time pregnant women. In addition, analyses of qualitative data found that research staff's understanding of the sociocultural context of the target population combined with the use of linguistically and culturally sensitive recruitment strategies tailored to meet the needs of Brazilian immigrants was important for overcoming barriers to participation and facilitating successful recruitment and enrollment of participants. Study findings provide information on a suite of effective strategies and lessons learned for reaching, recruiting, and enrolling Brazilian immigrants in maternal and child health research. Future studies should continue to purposefully collect information on recruitment strategies and disseminate the findings, which will be instrumental in researchers' efforts to increase participation of ethnic minority and immigrant populations such as Brazilians in health research.

Scale-dependent spatial and temporal patterns of abundance and population structure of the xanthid crab Leptodius exaratus on rocky shores in Kuwait

Rocky shore habitats are common in the Arabian Gulf region, however, there is little knowledge of the patterns of spatial and temporal distribution of key intertidal organisms. The spatial and seasonal distribution of Leptodius exaratus, a keystone species rocky shores on the Kuwait coast, were investigated to better understand the ecology of the species and to gain a wider knowledge of the ecology of the rocky shore habitats in the northwest Arabian Gulf. Intensive sampling across six sites along Kuwait’s coastline over a 14 month period between November 2013 and December 2014 indicated seasonal patterns of crab abundance, increasing during the warm season and decreasing during winter and with a more large crabs observed during the summer. L. exaratus was more abundant in the mid intertidal zone on both sheltered and exposed shores. Their abundance increased towards the lower shore in sheltered sites, whereas abundance was greater towards the higher shore in exposed sites. Males and females inhabit the same habitat, with similar spatial and seasonal distributions. There was high seasonal recruitment of juveniles during summer between July and September, with some low levels of recruitment later in October and November. Moreover, juveniles follow a similar pattern of distribution as adult crabs, with abundance of juveniles being directly related to the abundance of the adult crabs and ovigerous females present on each shore. This indicates direct or indirect recruitment to the adult intertidal habitat. Significant differences in crab abundance were seen between specific sampling sites, but not at a regional level between sheltered and exposed shorelines. This suggests that abundance is influenced by localised differences between rocky shore habitat, such as habitat complexity. L. exaratus is also exploited by intertidal gleaning, which may indirectly influence patterns of crab abundance through localised differences in habitat damage.