Using behavioural science in public health settings during the COVID-19 pandemic: The experience of public health practitioners and behavioural scientists.

INTRODUCTION: The emergence of COVID-19 and the importance of behaviour change to limit its spread created an urgent need to apply behavioural science to public health. Knowledge mobilisation, the processes whereby research leads to useful findings that are implemented to affect positive outcomes, is a goal for researchers, policy makers and practitioners alike. This study aimed to explores the experience of using behavioural science in public health during COVID-19, to discover barriers and facilitators and whether the rapidly changing context of COVID-19 influenced knowledge mobilisation. METHODS: We conducted a semi-structured interview study, with ten behavioural scientists and seven public health professionals in England, Scotland, Wales, The Netherlands and Canada. We conducted an inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: We report three key themes and 10 sub-themes: 1.Challenges and facilitators of translation of behavioural science into public health (Methods and frameworks supported translation, Lack of supportive infrastructure, Conviction and sourcing of evidence and Embracing behavioural science) 2. The unique context of translation (Rapid change in context, the multi-disciplinary team and the emotional toll). 3. Recommendations to support future behavioural science translation (Embedding experts into teams, Importance of a collaborative network and showcasing the role of behavioural science). DISCUSSION: Barriers and facilitators included factors related to relationships between people, such as networks and teams; the expertise of individual people; and those related to materials, such as the use of frameworks and an overwhelming amount of evidence and literature. CONCLUSION: People and frameworks were seen as important in facilitating behavioural science in practice. Future research could explore how different frameworks are used. We recommend a stepped competency framework for behavioural science in public health and more focus on nurturing networks to facilitate knowledge mobilisation in future emergencies.

Replication of human endothelial cells in culture.

Investigative studies dealing with the properties and functions of endothelial cells have been hampered because there has been little or no success in the isolation, growth, and passage of individual cells in large numbers. We have developed a system whereby pure cultures of endothelial cells derived from umbilical veins can be subcultured for at least five serial passages. Many facets of endothelial function and interaction can be evaluated with the use of this new adaptive system of isolation and culture.

Equation of state, phonons, and lattice stability of ultrafast warm dense matter.

Using the two-temperature model for ultrafast matter (UFM), we compare the equation of state, pair-distribution functions g(r), and phonons using the neutral pseudoatom (NPA) model with results from density functional theory (DFT) codes and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for Al, Li, and Na. The NPA approach uses state-dependent first-principles pseudopotentials from an "all-electron" DFT calculation with finite-T exchange-correlation functional (XCF). It provides pair potentials, structure factors, the "bound" and "free" states, as well as a mean ionization Z[over ¯] unambiguously. These are not easily accessible via DFT+MD calculations which become prohibitive for T/T_{F} exceeding ∼0.6, where T_{F} is the Fermi temperature. Hence, both DFT+MD and NPA methods can be compared up to ∼8eV, while higher T can be addressed via the NPA. The high-T_{e} phonon calculations raise the question of UFM lattice stability and surface ablation in thin UFM samples. The ablation forces in a UFM slab are used to define an "ablation time" competing with phonon formation times in thin UFM samples. Excellent agreement for all properties is found between NPA and standard DFT codes, even for Li where a strongly nonlocal pseudopotential is used in DFT codes. The need to use pseudopotentials appropriate to the ionization state Z[over ¯] is emphasized. The effect of finite-T XCF is illustrated via its effect on the pressure and the electron-density distribution at a nucleus.

Finite-element analysis of geometrical factors in micro-indentation of pollen tubes.

Micro-indentation is a new experimental approach to assess physical cellular properties. Here we attempt to quantify the contribution of geometrical parameters to a cylindrical plant cell's resistance to lateral deformation. This information is important to correctly interpret data obtained from experiments using the device, such as the local cellular stiffness in pollen tubes. We built a simple finite-element model of the micro-indentation interacting partners - micro-indenter, cell (pollen tube), and underlying substratum, that allowed us to manipulate geometric variables, such as geometry of the cell, cell radius, thickness of the cell wall and radius of the indenting stylus. Performing indentation experiments on this theoretical model demonstrates that all four parameters influence stiffness measurement and can therefore not be neglected in the interpretation of micro-indentation data.

Pair potentials for warm dense matter and their application to x-ray Thomson scattering in aluminum and beryllium.

Ultrafast laser experiments yield increasingly reliable data on warm dense matter, but their interpretation requires theoretical models. We employ an efficient density functional neutral-pseudoatom hypernetted-chain (NPA-HNC) model with accuracy comparable to ab initio simulations and which provides first-principles pseudopotentials and pair potentials for warm-dense matter. It avoids the use of (i) ad hoc core-repulsion models and (ii) "Yukawa screening" and (iii) need not assume ion-electron thermal equilibrium. Computations of the x-ray Thomson scattering (XRTS) spectra of aluminum and beryllium are compared with recent experiments and with density-functional-theory molecular-dynamics (DFT-MD) simulations. The NPA-HNC structure factors, compressibilities, phonons, and conductivities agree closely with DFT-MD results, while Yukawa screening gives misleading results. The analysis of the XRTS data for two of the experiments, using two-temperature quasi-equilibrium models, is supported by calculations of their temperature relaxation times.

Two forms of glycosylated human prolactin have different pigeon crop sac-stimulating activities.

Two forms of glycosylated PRL (G-PRL) which differed in their binding properties to Concanavalin-A (Con-A) were isolated from human pituitary glands. One form, G1-hPRL, was only slightly retarded by Con-A; the other, G2-hPRL, was adsorbed by Con-A and could be eluted with methyl-D-manno-pyranoside, an indication of differing carbohydrate units in the two G-PRLs. Differences in type of glycosylation were also indicated by HPLC peptide mapping of tryptic digests of the two forms. The elution time for the tryptic peptide carrying the asparagine-linked carbohydrate unit varied for the two G-PRLs. The results point to the asparagine at position 31 as being the site of attachment of the carbohydrate. The carbohydrate structure influenced the crop sac-stimulating activity of the G-hPRLs. G1-hPRL had only about one fourth the activity of the reference standard (nonglycosylated ovine PRL, 35 IU/mg). The form that bound to Con-A, G2-hPRL, was equipotent to the reference standard. Because glycosylated forms have varying biological activities and are major components of circulating PRL, the physiological significance of serum concentrations of PRL measured by RIA will have to be reevaluated.

Somatomedin generating activity of the 20,000-dalton variant of human growth hormone.

The 20,000-dalton variant of human growth hormone stimulated production of somatomedins in the hypophysectomized rat. Somatomedin activity was measured by a radioreceptor assay. The results indicate that the insulin--like activities of human growth hormone that are greatly diminished in the variant are not prerequisites for somatomedin production.

Plasminogen activator (urokinase) from cultured cells.

Secretion of large quantities of urokinase by cultured renal cells suggested tissue culture as a means of production to meet demand for the material and to obtain guidelines for optimization of production. Rates of secretion and overall yields of urokinase from confluent cultures of renal cells have been studied in relation to species differences, effects of passage of cells, inoculum density, and volume of maintenance media. Added in part by an advantage gained through addition of glycine to maintenance media, it is now possible to harvest urokinase at concentrations of the order of 800 CTA units per ml. Such concentrations are of the order of 10(2) times that occurring in human male urine.

A recombinant-DNA-derived modification of human growth hormone (hGH44-191) with enhanced diabetogenic activity.

A modified human growth hormone (hGH) that lacks the first 43 residues of the intact hormone was prepared by recombinant-DNA technology. For preparative purposes an additional alanine was made the amino terminal residue. Sequence analysis and tryptic peptide mapping combined with amino acid analyses confirmed the structure of the polypeptide. Less than 2% N-terminal methionine was detected. The hGH44-191 was estimated to be at least 10 times more active than hGH in producing glucose intolerance in obese yellow mice (Avy/A) and was equipotent to hGH in increasing serum free fatty acids in fasted, hypophysectomized rats. The peptide did not promote growth in hypophysectomized rats nor did it exhibit early (1h) insulin-like activity in fasted, hypophysectomized rats, as indicated by its failure to lower blood glucose and fatty acids. The modified hGH was inactive in the Nb-2 cell assay but was about one-third as active as hGH in stimulating the pigeon crop sac. In radioimmunoassays using 125I-labeled hGH and polyclonal antibodies to intact hGH, cross-reactivity of hGH44-191 was less than 1%. We conclude that removal of the amino terminal portion of hGH enhances its diabetogenic properties, and that this activity does not depend upon the ability to promote growth. Furthermore, the insulin-like activity can be separated from its diabetogenic action by deletion of the first 43 amino terminal residues. This is the first report of a modified hGH that has anti-insulin effects greater than hGH itself.

A consumer perspective of diagnosis and treatment of chronic major depression.

The National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (National DMDA) is a nonprofit, mission-driven, consumer advocacy organization that was founded to educate patients, their families, and the public about the nature and management of depressive and manic depressive illness. Although treatments for mood disorders have been available for decades, individuals with chronic major depression are often misdiagnosed or inappropriately treated. Serious gaps in the translation of research findings into clinical management exist and are attributable to patient, provider, and health care system factors. This article discusses the barriers to diagnosis and the ways to improve recognition and treatment of chronic major depression from the consumer perspective.

Electroconvulsive shock increases tachykinin NK(1) receptors, but not the encoding mRNA, in rat cortex.

Recent studies have suggested that the substance P (tachykinin NK(1)) receptor may be a pharmacological target for the treatment of mood disorders. Here, the effects of electroconvulsive shock on tachykinin NK(1) receptor gene expression in the rat brain was investigated. Rats received either a single electroconvulsive shock or five shocks on alternate days. Quantitative autoradiography with [(125)I]Bolton Hunter-substance P, and in situ hybridisation histochemistry, were used to measure tachykinin NK(1) receptor-binding site densities and mRNA abundance, respectively. Densities of tachykinin NK(1) receptor-binding sites were significantly increased in the cerebral cortex following repeated electroconvulsive shock compared to sham treated animals. Densities remained unchanged in the hippocampus, striatum and amygdala. Neither single nor repeated electroconvulsive shock altered tachykinin NK(1) receptor mRNA in the brain regions examined. Hence, repeated electroconvulsive shock increases tachykinin NK(1) receptors in the rat brain in a regionally specific way. Upregulation of receptor-binding sites without a change in mRNA indicates that translational or post-translational mechanisms underlie this process.

The determination of nicotine and cotinine by ion pair reversed-phase chromatography.

An ion chromatographic method is described for the determination of nicotine and cotinine in aqueous solutions. This method is based on a type of reversed-phase chromatography involving ion pair formation of protonated nicotine, cotinine, pyridine, and pyridine derivatives. Detection is accomplished by measuring the UV absorption at 262 nm. Detection limits for nicotine and cotinine are 8 ng/mL and 2 ng/mL, respectively. Analyses of environmental samples and spiked environmental samples by both this ion chromatographic method and a previously reported gas chromatographic method have been used to demonstrate the accuracy and precision of this technique. The results of the analyses of both sets of samples by the two methods are in excellent agreement with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.97.

Properties of Escherichia coli expressing bacteriophage P22 Abc (anti-RecBCD) proteins, including inhibition of Chi activity.

Escherichia coli strains bearing plasmids expressing phage P22 anti-RecBCD functions abc1 and abc2 were tested for the presence of recBC-like phenotypes. Abc2 induces moderate sensitivity to UV light in wild-type and recD mutant strains but severely sensitizes both recF and recJ mutants. Abc1 has little effect on UV sensitivity in wild-type or recF or recJ mutant hosts but increases the sensitivity of recD mutants to a UV dose of 20 J/m2 about 10-fold. Abc2 induces E. coli to segregate inviable cells during growth, interferes with the growth of lambda red gam chi+ and chi 0 phage (the effect is greater with chi+ phage), inhibits Chi and Chi-like activity as measured by lambda red gam crosses, and prevents SOS induction in response to nalidixic acid; Abc1 has no effect in these tests. Abc2, alone or with Abc1, does not allow the growth of lambda red gam in the presence of a P2 prophage but does not kill the P2 lysogenic host (as lambda Gam does). Finally, Abc2 inhibits conjugational recombination in wild-type cells to the level seen in recBC mutants. These data suggest that Abc2 inhibits the recombination-promoting ability of RecBCD but leaves the exonuclease functions intact.

Angiotensin increases Na+ entry and Na+/K+ pump activity in cultures of smooth muscle from rat aorta.

Angiotensin markedly altered the Na+ permeability of smooth muscle cells cultured from explants of rat aorta. The rate of net Na+ uptake was followed in the presence of ouabain in order to block Na+ efflux via the Na+/K+ pump. Angiotensin II (AII) or angiotensin III (AIII) increased net Na+ uptake by about 3-fold. Maximal stimulation of Na+ uptake was produced by about 10 nM AII. Bradykinin and the angiotensin antagonist [Sar1, Ileu5, Ala8]AII had no significant effect on net Na+ uptake. Angiotensin also enhanced the activity of the Na+/K+ pump, which was assayed by following the rate of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake by the cells. AII and AIII nearly doubled ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake, but bradykinin, norepinephrine, and [Sar1, Ileu5, Ala8]AII had no effect. In the presence of ouabain, 86Rb+ uptake was not significantly affected by AII or AIII, indicating that angiotensin did not alter passive permeability to Rb+. Loading the cells with Na+, either by incubation in K+-free medium or exposure to the Na+-selective ionophore monensin, markedly increased ouabain-sensitive 86RB+ uptake. This result indicates that the activity of the Na+/K+ pump is limited by the low level of Na+ that is normally in the cells. AII had no effect on the activity of the Na+/K+ pump in Na+-loaded cells. These results suggest that AII or AIII stimulates the Na+/K+ pump in cultured aortic muscle cells by increasing its Na+ supply.