Computerized Tailored Interventions to Enhance Prevention and Screening for Hepatitis C Virus Among People Who Inject Drugs: Protocol for a Randomized Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a growing problem among people who inject drugs. Strategies to reduce disease transmission (eg, syringe exchange programs) and facilitate HCV screening and linkage are available but are under-utilized in many communities affected by injection drug use. Novel approaches to increasing the use of these strategies are needed. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this project are to (1) develop and pilot test a computerized tailored intervention for increasing HCV screening and decreasing risky drug use behavior among people who inject drugs and (2) determine the feasibility of disseminating such an intervention using peer-based referrals in the setting of a community-based syringe exchange program. METHODS: This 2-arm, randomized pilot study is being conducted in a large-volume, multisite syringe exchange program in southern Wisconsin. A social network-based strategy was used to recruit a total of 235 adults who reported past-month injection of opioids, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Network recruiters were identified among clients requesting services from the syringe exchange program and were enlisted to refer eligible peers to the study. All participants completed a computer-adapted questionnaire eliciting information about risk behaviors and their knowledge, attitudes, and prior experiences related to HCV screening. Subjects were then randomly assigned to receive usual care, consisting of standard counseling by syringe exchange staff, or the Hep-Net intervention, which provides algorithm-based, real-time tailored feedback and recommendations for behavior change in the style of motivational interviewing. Changes in drug use behaviors and attitudes will be assessed during a second session between 90 and 180 days after the baseline visit. Frequency of repeat HCV testing and HCV incidence will be assessed through a database search 1 year after study completion. RESULTS: Recruitment for this study was completed in April 2015. Follow-up of enrolled participants is expected to continue until March 2016. Network recruiters were enrolled who referred a total of 195 eligible peers (overall N=235). At baseline, the median age was 34 years; 41.3% (97/235) were non-white; and 86.4% (203/235) reported predominantly injecting heroin. Most participants (161/234, 68.8%) reported sharing injection equipment in the past and of these, 30.4% (49/161) had never been tested for HCV. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide preliminary evidence to determine whether incorporating computerized behavioral interventions into existing prevention services at syringe exchange programs can lead to adoption of healthier behaviors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02474043; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02474043 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6dbjUQG7J)

The removal of thermally aged films of triacylglycerides by surfactant solutions

Thermal ageing of triacylglycerides (TAG) at high temperatures produces films which resist removal using aqueous surfactant solutions. We used a mass loss method to investigate the removal of thermally aged TAG films from hard surfaces using aqueous solutions of surfactants of different charge types. It was found that cationic surfactants are most effective at high pH, whereas anionics are most effective at low pH and a non-ionic surfactant is most effective at intermediate pH. We showed that the TAG film removal process occurs in several stages. In the first ‘‘lag phase’’ no TAG removal occurs; the surfactant first partitions into the thermally aged film. In the second stage, the TAG film containing surfactant was removed by solubilisation into micelles in the aqueous solution. The effects of pH and surfactant charge on the TAG removal process correlate with the effects of these variables on the extent of surfactant partitioning to the TAG film and on the maximum extent of TAG solubilisation within the micelles. Additionally, we showed how the TAG removal is enhanced by the addition of amphiphilic additives such as alcohols which act as co-surfactants. The study demonstrates that aqueous surfactant solutions provide a viable and more benign alternative to current methods for the removal of thermally aged TAG films

1997 Wild Blueberry Progress Reports

The 1997 edition of the Wild Blueberry Progress Reports was prepared for the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Investigation of processing damage of IQF blueberries 2. Use of sorter rejects and wild blueberry puree to prevent warmed over flavor in processed beef patties 3. Factors affecting the quality of IQF wild blueberries 4. Determination of pesticide residue levels in fresh and processed wild blueberries 5. Pollination ecology of wild blueberries in Maine 6. Control tactics for wild blueberry pest insects 7. IPM Strategies 8. Pest Biology 9. Effect of antidessication treatments on wild blueberry cold temperature tolerance 10. Phosphorus/nitrogen fertilizer ratio 11. Effect of boron application methods on boron uptake in wild blueberries 12. Effect of foliar zinc application on growth and yield of wild blueberries 13. Effect of soil pH on nutrient uptake 14. Crop year fertilization of wild blueberry 15. Effect of Photomag® on growth and yield of wild blueberries 16. Evaluation of Pronone MG® spot treatments for control of St. Johnswort, dogbane, bracken fern, witch grass/fall panicum and bunchberry 17. Effect of hexazinone formulation on movement through the soil profile 18. Effect of time of fall pruning on wild blueberry fruit set and yield 19. Effect of pre and postemergence herbicide applications on control of grasses 20. Hexazinone groundwater survey 21. Effect of plant source and density on spread of wild blueberry 22. Effect of surfactant and ammonium sulfate on glyphosate activity 23. Effect of crop year application of hexazinone on weed control, yield and hexazinone residue. 24. Long term effects of tribenuron methyl on wild blueberries and weed species composition 25. Effect of Velpar® DF/MAP on wild blueberry fruit set and yield. 26. Effect of reduced volume lmidan® 2.5 EC UL V applications on wild blueberry residue and efficacy 27. Wild blueberry extension education progra

1998 CSREES Wild Blueberry Project Results

The 1998 edition of the CSREES Wild Blueberry Project Results was prepared for the Maine Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Separation of Maggot Infested Blueberries in the IQF Processing Line 2. Assessment of Preharvest Treatments on Wild blueberry Fruit Quality 3. Blueberries as a Natural Colorant for Breakfast Cereals 4. Factors Affecting Quality of IQF Wild Blueberries 5. Control Tactics for Wild blueberry Pest Insects 6. Biology and Ecology of Wild blueberry Pest Insects 7. Sustainable Pollination of Wild blueberry 8. Evaluation of Foliar Fungicides for Control of Mummy Berry 9. Phosphorus/Nitrogen Fertilizer Ratio 10. Effect of Boron Application Methods on Boron Uptake in Wild Blueberries 11. Effect of Zinc Application on Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberries 12. Effect of Soil pH of Nutrient Uptake 13. Crop Year Fertilization of Wild blueberry 14. Effect of Fertilizer Timing on Wild blueberry Growth and Productivity 15. Alternative Methods of Grass Control 16. Cultural Weed Management Using pH 17. Investigation of Hexazinone Alternatives for Weed Control 18. Evaluation of Hexazinone Applications in the Cropping Year 19. Effect of Surfactant and Ammonium Sulfate on Glyphosate Activity 20. Evaluation of Pronone MG® Spot Treatments for Control of St Jobnswort, Dogbane, Bracken Fem, Witch Grass/Fall Panicum and Bunchberry 21. Hexazinone Groundwater Surve

Wild Blueberries 1999 CSREES Progress Reports

The 1999 edition of the Wild Blueberries CSREES Progress Reports was prepared for the Maine Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Effects of QF Processing on Microbiological Quality of Maine Wild Blueberries 2. Separation of Maggot-Infested Blueberries in the IQF Processing Line 3. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Fresh and Processed Wild Blueberries 4. Control Tactics for Blueberry Pest Insects 5. IPM Strategies 6. Biology and Ecology of Blueberry Pest Insects 7. Survey of Stem Blight and Leaf Spot Diseases in Lowbush Blueberry Fields 8. Phosphorus/Nitrogen Fertilizer Ratio 9. Effect of Fertilizer Timing on Lowbush Blueberry Growth and Productivity 10. Effect of Soil pH on Nutrient Uptake 11. Effect of Boron Application Methods on Boron Uptake in Lowbush Blueberries 12. Effect of Nutri-Phite P+K on growth and yield of lowbush blueberry 13. Effect of Crop-Set on growth and yield of lowbush blueberry 14. Crop year fertilization of lowbush blueberry 15. Alternative Methods of Grass Control 16. Cultural Weed Management Using pH 17. Investigation of Hexazinone Alternatives for Weed Control 18. Comparison of Sulfosate and Glyphosate for Weed Control 19. Evaluation of VC1447 for Weed Control in Wild blueberries 20. Blueberry/ Cranberry Extension Education Program in 1999 21. Effect of Rate, Formulation and Application Method on Efficacy and Phytotoxicity of Granular Hexazinone in Wild Blueberry Fields 22. 1999 Fungicide Evaluation Field Trial 23. 1999 Hexazinone Groundwater Survey Pollination 24. Sustainable Pollination of Wild Blueberr

1995 CSREES Reports

The 1995 edition of the CSREES Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Factors Affecting the Quality of IQF Blueberries 2. Preventing the Bleeding of Blueberry Fruit in Bakery Products 3. Removing Water from Blueberries Before Freezing 4. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Freshly Harvested and Processed Lowbush Blueberries 5. Industrial Ingredients from Cull Blueberries 6. Application of Heat as a Method of Controlling Secondary Pest Insects on Lowbush Blueberries 7. The Phenology and Biology of Bumble Bees, Bombus, spp., that Pollinate Lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium spp., in Maine 8. Pollination Ecology of Lowbush Blueberry in Maine 9. Effects of Irrigation on Lowbush Blueberry Yield 10. Effect of Brief Warming Treatments on Late Winter Low-Temperature Tolerance of Native Lowbush Blueberry 11. Correlation of Late-winter/Early-spring Cold Hardiness with Date of Flowering 12. Evaluation of Cold Tolerance of Opening Flowers of Lowbush Blueberry 13. Influence of Flower Delaying Sprays on Seasonal Variation of Low Temperature Tolerance in Lowbush Blueberry 14. Effect of Various Levels of Disbudding on Yield of Lowbush Blueberry 15. Effect of Boron and the Polyamine Putrescine on Lowbush Blueberry Fruit Set and Yield 16. Effect of Boron and the Polyamine Putrescine on Extending the Receptivity of Lowbush Blueberry Blossoms 17. Effect of Soil pH on Nutrient Uptake 18. Correcting Boron Deficiency - missing 19. Phosphorus Uptake 20. Evaluation of Hexazinone Formulation on Soil Movement and Weed Control 21. Effect of Time of Fall Pruning on Growth and Productivity of Blueberries 22. Hexazinone Ground Water Survey 23. Effect of hexazinone formulation on movement through the soil profile 24. Evaluation of Tribenuron Methyl for Bunchberry Control 25. Evaluation of Tribenuron Methyl Commercial Applications for Bunchberry Control 26. Effectiveness of Resin-Exchange Columns to Determine Efficacy in Removing Hexazinone from Well Water 27. Effect of Clopyralid for Vetch Control 28. Evaluation of Tribenuron Methyl/Velpar® Tank Mix for Bunchberry Control 29. Blueberry Extension Education Progra

1996 Wild Blueberry CSREES Progress Reports/1996 Wild Blueberry Tax Reports

The 1996 edition of the Wild Blueberry CSREES Progress Reports/Wild Blueberry Tax Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: Wild Blueberry CSREES Progress Reports: 1. Factors affecting the quality of Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) wild blueberries 2. Factors affecting the physical and chemical properties of IQF wild blueberries 3. Preventing the bleeding of blueberry fruit in bakery products 4. Amylase test development 5. Determination of pesticide residue levels in freshly harvested and processed wild blueberries 6. Sustainable pollination of wild blueberry 7. Potential for biological control of insect pests of wild blueberry 8. Effect of desiccation on wild blueberry winter survival and cold temperature tolerance 9. Population variation in low-temperature tolerance of wild blueberry 10. Influence of flower delaying sprays on seasonal variation of low temperature tolerance in wild blueberry 11. Effect of various levels of disbudding on yield of wild blueberry 12. Effect of boron and the polyamine putrescine on wild blueberry fruit set and yield 13. Effect of soil pH on nutrient uptake 14. Phosphorus uptake 15. Correcting boron deficiency 16. Hexazinone groundwater survey 17. Effect of time of fall pruning on growth and productivity of wild blueberries 18. Evaluation of Pronone® spot treatments for control of St. Johnswort, dogbane, bracken fern, witch grass/fall panicum and bunchberry 19. Effect of hexazinone formulation on movement through the soil profile 20. Effect of plant source and density on spread of wild blueberry Wild Blueberry Tax Reports: 21. Control of wild blueberry diseases 22. Control of wild blueberry pest insects 23. Biology and action thresholds of secondary blueberry pest insects 24. Phosphorus/nitrogen fertilizer ratio 25. Effect of surfactant and ammonium sulfate on glyphosate activity 26. Blueberry Extension Education Program Bas

Low HDL Cholesterol is Associated with Lower Gray Matter Volume in Cognitively Healthy Adults

Dyslipidemia is common in adults and contributes to high rates of cardiovascular disease and may be linked to subsequent neurodegenerative and neurovascular diseases. This study examined whether lower brain volumes and cognition associated with dyslipidemia could be observed in cognitively healthy adults, and whether apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype or family history of Alzheimer's disease (FHAD) alters this effect. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine regional brain gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in 183 individuals (58.4 ± 8.0 years) using voxel-based morphometry. A non-parametric multiple linear regression model was used to assess the effect of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL cholesterol, APOE, and FHAD on regional GM and WM volume. A post hoc analysis was used to assess whether any significant correlations found within the volumetric analysis had an effect on cognition. HDL was positively correlated with GM volume in the bilateral temporal poles, middle temporal gyri, temporo-occipital gyri, and left superior temporal gyrus and parahippocampal region. This effect was independent of APOE and FHAD. A significant association between HDL and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test was found. Additionally, GM volume within the right middle temporal gyrus, the region most affected by HDL, was significantly associated with the Controlled Oral Word Association Test and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. These findings suggest that adults with decreased levels of HDL cholesterol may be experiencing cognitive changes and GM reductions in regions associated with neurodegenerative disease and therefore, may be at greater risk for future cognitive decline

2000 Wild Blueberry Project Reports

The 2000 edition of the Wild Blueberry Project Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Fresh and Processed Wild Blueberries 2. Factors Affecting the Microbiological Quality of IQF Blueberries 3. Effect of Processed Blueberry Products on Oxidation in Meat Based Food Systems 4. Separation of Maggot Infested Wild Blueberries in the IQF Processing Line 5. Water Use of Wild Blueberries 6. Control Tactics for Blueberry Pest Insects, 2000 7. IPM Strategies 8. Biology and Ecology of Blueberry Pest Insects 9. Survey of Stem Blight and Leaf Spot Diseases in Lowbush Blueberry Fields 10. Phosphorus/Nitrogen Fertilizer Ratio 11. Effect of Boron Application Methods on Boron Uptake in Lowbush Blueberries 12. Effect of Foliar Iron and Copper Application on Growth and Yield of Lowbush Blueberries 13. Effect of Soil pH on Nutrient Uptake 14. Effect of Nutri-Phite (tm) P+K on Growth and Yield of Lowbush Blueberry 15. Effect of Fertilizer Timing on Lowbush Blueberry Growth and Productivity 16. Assessment of Azafenidin for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 17. Assessment of Rimsulfuron for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 18. Assessment of Pendimethalin for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 19. Assessment of VC1447 for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 20. Cultural Management Using pH for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 21. Evaluation of Sprout-Less Weeder® for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 22. Evaluation of RoundUp Ultra® and Touchdown 5® for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 23. Evaluation and Demonstration of Techniques for Filling in Bare Spots in Wild Blueberry Fields 24. Evaluation of Fungicides Efficacy in Wild Blueberry Fields 25. Velpar® and Sinbar/Karmex® Demonstration Plot Comparison Trial 26. Blueberry Extension Education Program in 2000 27. 2000 Hexazinone Groundwater Surve