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Objectives/Goals: Research mistrust is well documented. So is community engagement’s potential to foster trust. We share the community engaged development and implementation of informational sessions on research and the protections for participants, aiming at enhancing community members’ knowledge of research. Methods/Study Population: Drawing from a pool of community members who had participated in research projects with a community engaged (CE) research center, we established a four-member Research Partner Committee (RPC) to work with the Center’s research team (CE Team) in the co-creation of materials for an informational session covering two main topics: the fundamentals of biomedical research and of protections for research participants.. The RPC and CE Team also co-developed two sets of pre- and post-tests to evaluate knowledge acquisition at session implementation. Community partners assisted in recruiting their constituents to participate in the sessions and provided convenient sites for the presentations. Results/Anticipated Results: The CE Team and RPC met 7 times to co-create the research and protections presentations (e.g., research definition, importance, inclusion of diverse populations, reasons we have protections, Institutional Review Boards, and informed consent). They also co-developed a 7- and a 9- item pre-post test, respectively. Five informational sessions, implemented by the CE Team with RPC members as observers drew 49 participants (96% African American, 73% female). 55.1% and 75.5% of participants showed a positive change in knowledge after the research and the protections presentations, respectively. 91% agreed to be notified about future research studies at the center. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Engaging community members in dialogue around research and the reasons for mistrust in research encourages relationship development. This engagement equips community members with knowledge to join in conversations around medical studies and make informed decisions about participation in research.

Background More than 3 million infections were attributed to Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the 2014–2016 outbreak in Mexico, Central and South America, with over 500 deaths directly or indirectly related to this viral disease. CHIKV outbreaks are recurrent and no vaccine nor approved therapeutics exist to prevent or treat CHIKV infection. Reliable and robust diagnostic methods are thus critical to control future CHIKV outbreaks. Direct CHIKV detection in serum samples via highly specific and high affinity anti-CHIKV antibodies has shown to be an early and effective clinical diagnosis. Methods To isolate highly specific and high affinity anti-CHIKV, Chikungunya virions were isolated from serum of a patient in Veracruz, México. After purification and characterization via electron microscopy, SDS-PAGE and binding to well-characterized anti-CHIKV antibodies, UV-inactivated particles were utilized as selector in a solid-phase panning in combination with ALTHEA Gold Libraries™, as source of antibodies. The screening was based on ELISA and Next-Generation Sequencing. Results The CHIKV isolate showed the typical morphology of the virus. Protein bands in the SDS-PAGE were consistent with the size of CHIKV capsid proteins. UV-inactivated CHIKV particles bound tightly the control antibodies. The lead antibodies here obtained, on the other hand, showed high expression yield, > 95% monomeric content after a single-step Protein A purification, and importantly, had a thermal stability above 75 °C. Most of the antibodies recognized linear epitopes on E2, including the highest affinity antibody called C7. A sandwich ELISA implemented with C7 and a potent neutralizing antibody isolated elsewhere, also specific for E2 but recognizing a discontinuous epitope, showed a dynamic range of 0.2–40.0 mg/mL of UV-inactivated CHIKV purified preparation. The number of CHIKV particles estimated based on the concentration of E2 in the extract suggested that the assay could detect clinically meaningful amounts of CHIKV in serum. Conclusions The newly discovered antibodies offer valuable tools for characterization of CHIKV isolates. Therefore, the strategy here followed using whole viral particles and ALTHEA Gold Libraries ™ could expedite the discovery and development of antibodies for detection and control of emergent and quickly spreading viral outbreaks.

Community engagement in research (CEnR) is fundamental to recruitment and retention in research studies. CEnR study closure, with a view to promote subsequent interactions with participants, can foster long-term relationships between research teams and participants. We detail the principles, procedures and outcomes of respectful closure in a study focused on scaling-up tools to measure DNA integrity in population samples. The study incorporated CEnR principles and practices, engaging a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to guide most study procedures. The CAB-designed closure protocol included 1) attempts at one-on-one contact via telephone, followed by a letter, if no contact was established; 2) provision of a study closure packet; 3) periodic mailing of study updates; and 4) a request for sustained interaction with the Community Engagement Team (CE Team), including participants' approval to receive invitations for future projects. Items 3 and 4 were framed as choices to further interaction and its extent. Among 191 participants enrolled, 119 were contacted at closure (62% retention rate). Most frequently (97.5%), contacted participants agreed to receive information about new research projects, while 90.8% agreed to receive ongoing information about the DNA integrity study. Subsequently, the CE Team implemented two study update mailings and two CEnR studies, enrolling 18 participants in a consultative role and four in a collaborative role. Respectful study closure offers avenues for sustained interaction between CEnR teams and study participants, beyond the discrete boundaries of specific research projects. It can support the long-term connections that enable the positive outcomes of CEnR.

The partnership between a research community engagement team (CE Team) and a community advisory board (CAB) formed the basis for bidirectional communication in developing resources for participant recruitment in a DNA integrity study. Engaging with a minoritized community, this partnership focused on respect, accessibility, and expanded engagement. A ten-member CAB, working in two groups defined by meeting time convenience, provided insight and feedback to the CE Team in the creation of recruitment and consent materials, via an iterative design process in which one CAB group reviewed and enhanced materials, and the second group tested and refined them further. The continuous analysis of CE Team notes from CAB meetings captured information needed both for materials refinement and implementation of CAB-suggested activities. The partnership resulted in the co-creation of recruitment and consent materials that facilitated the enrollment of 191 individuals into the study. The CAB encouraged and assisted in expanded engagement inclusive of community leaders. This broader engagement provided information about the DNA integrity study to community decision-makers as well as responded to questions and concerns about the research. The bidirectional communication between the CAB and the CE Team encouraged the researchers to consider topics and research interests related to the current study but also responsive to community concerns. The CAB helped the CE Team develop a better understanding of the language of partnership and respect. In this way, the partnership opened doors for expanded community engagement and effective communication with potential study participants.

Abstract The Comet or single-cell gel electrophoresis assay is a highly sensitive method to measure cellular, nuclear genome damage. However, low throughput can limit its application for large-scale studies. To overcome these limitations, a 96-well CometChip platform was recently developed that increases throughput and reduces variation due to simultaneous processing and automated analysis of 96 samples. To advance throughput further, we developed a 384-well CometChip platform that allows analysis of ∼100 cells per well. The 384-well CometChip extends the capacity by 4-fold as compared to the 96-well system, enhancing application for larger DNA damage analysis studies. The overall sensitivity of the 384-well CometChip is consistent with that of the 96-well system, sensitive to genotoxin exposure and to loss of DNA repair capacity. We then applied the 384-well platform to screen a library of protein kinase inhibitors to probe each as enhancers of etoposide induced DNA damage. Here, we found that 3-methyladenine significantly increased levels of etoposide-induced DNA damage. Our results suggest that a 384-well CometChip is useful for large-scale DNA damage analyses, which may have increased potential in the evaluation of chemotherapy efficacy, compound library screens, population-based analyses of genome damage and evaluating the impact of environmental genotoxins on genome integrity.

Going one step further in the use and impact measurement of new strategies to improve the teaching-learning process during lecturing General Physics courses, the current contribution reports the last results/observations obtained by the authors on the combination of simple classroom experiments with active methodologies and new technologies (media). Cross-checking the answers in multiple choice questions done online during the lectures and in exams at the end of the term shows that this strategy has, at least partly, a positive effect on clarifying misconceptions. The overall opinion of the students was assessed and it showed that this lecturing approach is useful and motivating, making the lectures more attractive and stimulating eagerness to understand Physics.

This study sought to elicit challenges and solutions in the provision of health care to those with chronic diseases after Hurricane Katrina in coastal Alabama and Mississippi. In-depth interviews with 30 health and social service providers (key informants) and 4 focus groups with patients with chronic diseases were conducted. Subsequently an advisory panel of key informants was convened. Findings were summarized and key informants submitted additional feedback. The chronic diseases identified as medical management priorities by key informants were mental health, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, respiratory illness, end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The most frequently mentioned barrier to providing care was maintaining continuity of medications. Contributing factors were inadequate information (inaccessible medical records, poor patient knowledge) and financial constraints. Implemented or suggested solutions included relaxation of insurance limitations preventing advance prescription refills; better predisaster patient education to improve medical knowledge; promotion of personal health records; support for information technology systems at community health centers, in particular electronic medical records; improved allocation of donated medications/medical supplies (centralized coordination, decentralized distribution); and networking between local responders and external aid. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:174–182)

The Mössbauer effect (ME) spectroscopy is a powerful tool to obtain information about magnetic nanoparticles (NP). Here we correlate parameters that can be obtained from a ME spectrum (relative fractions of magnetite and maghemite and the volume dependent parameter λ=KV/kBT ) with other relevant quantities, such as DC saturation magnetization and X-ray diffraction NP mean diameter, D XRD . The study was performed on the decanted pellets of six different batches of NP obtained using the same synthesis procedure. It was observed that λ1/3 presents a linear correlation with D XRD from which the effective anisotropy K for the entire ensemble of the batches could be calculated. The fraction of magnetite retrieved from ME spectra was well correlated to the saturation magnetization. In addition, it was observed that the magnetic response of the supernatant obtained after washing and centrifuging the synthesis product, decreases with λ , according to the fact that larger NP decant more easily during centrifugation.

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Our work is demonstrative of the value embedded in community engagement as a vehicle to facilitate and expand the focus of translational research. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To develop a community-informed recruitment process for a population-based DNA integrity longitudinal study aiming to document the average amount of DNA damage as well as DNA repair capacity in a cohort of community-dwelling individuals. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The three-member Community Engagement team (CE Team) partnered with a ten-person Community Advisory Board (CAB) to develop recruitment procedures and materials. Through an iterative process taking place over 13 meetings, CAB members answered questions about community context, appropriate recruitment approaches, and tone of communication with potential study participants. They also collaborated in the creation of outreach materials, informational booklets, and the informed consent document. The CAB’s input was recorded in meeting notes that informed successive versions of the materials. The CE Team held post-meeting debriefs to develop consensus on lessons learned and next steps. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: CAB input generated a five-step recruitment process. It informed approaches to communications with potential participants and resulted in a set of printed recruitment materials. Furthermore, the CAB pushed the CE Team and laboratory scientists to think beyond study participation to a comprehensive view of respectful engagement including notification of elected officials and other community institutions. By sharing personal anecdotes and asking how this study would reflect their lived experiences and/or contribute to their communities, CAB members inspired the university team to recognize the environmental context that may underlie DNA damage in residents of an underserved community. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: The CAB was very effective in generating tools for recruitment. Moreover, CAB members provided insights beyond those originally sought by the CE Team, regarding broader engagement and a focus of future research relevant to the needs of both the community and the university researchers.