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OBJECTIVE: Relatively few studies have tracked retention effects of stroke education in low- and high-risk groups. Such information is important to improve the design of stroke prevention programs. METHODS: The frequency of risk factors within the sample was defined as 'high' if 30% or more of participants in that group had that risk. Only one stroke risk factor was present at this level in the low-risk group (n=29; all less than 50 years old). The high-risk group was 44 individuals aged 50 years or over, with four stroke risk factors present at this level. Stroke knowledge was tested on three occasions: baseline, post-education, and retention. Education consisted of reading a published stroke brochure. RESULTS: Stroke knowledge improved over time, from baseline to post-education, but not from post-education to retention. The performance of both groups increased, but there was a differential learning effect: low-risk participants learned more than high-risk participants. Important information was learned and included details such when TIA symptoms dissipate. This particular issue was one about which both groups knew little at baseline (less than 15% of combined sample answered this item correctly), but post-education at least 75% of participants got this question correct. CONCLUSION: Both low- and high-risk individuals can learn information about stroke and retain it over the short term. The 'durable' effects in learning observed in this study are important because the benefit of brochure-only approaches to education have not yet been convincingly demonstrated. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Information about stroke from education brochures is retained by at-risk populations for at least 1 week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four-way pooling correctly identified SARS-CoV-2 in 94 % of positive samples (n = 30/32) tested. • Low viral loads, corresponding with late C T s, may be missed by the pooling process. • 1:4 pooling is associated with expected 2 C T loss in analytical sensitivity. • All individually negative samples (n = 128) were also negative by 4-way pooling. SARS-CoV-2 testing demand has outpaced its supply. Pooling samples for lower risk populations has the potential to accommodate increased demand for SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing. To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of 4-way pooling of SARS-CoV-2 specimens for high-throughput RT-PCR. Individual samples were pooled 1:4 through automated liquid handling, extracted, and assayed by our emergency use authorized CDC-based RT-PCR laboratory developed test. Positive samples were serially diluted and theoretical and empirical PCR cycle thresholds were evaluated. Thirty-two distinct positive samples were pooled into negative specimens and individual CTs were compared to pooled CTs. Low positive samples were repeated for reproducibility and 32 four-way pools of negative specimens were assayed to determine specificity. Four-way pooling was associated with a loss of sensitivity of 1.7 and 2.0 CTs for our N1 and N2 targets, respectively. Pooling correctly identified SARS-CoV-2 in 94 % (n = 30/32) of samples tested. The two low positive specimens (neat CT > 35) not detected by pooling were individually repeated and detected 75 % (n=6/8) and 37.5 % (n = 3/8) of the time, respectively. All specimens individually determined negative were also negative by pooling. We report that 1:4 pooling of samples is specific and associated with an expected 2 CT loss in analytical sensitivity. Instead of running each sample individually, pooling of four samples will allow for a greater throughput and conserve scarce reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Up to fifty percent of alcohol dependent individuals have alexithymia, a personality trait characterised by difficulties identifying and describing feelings, a lack of imagination and an externalised cognitive style. Although studies have examined alexithymia in relation to alcohol dependence, no research exists on mechanisms underlying this relationship. The present study examined the mediational effect of alcohol expectancies on alexithymia and alcohol dependence. METHODS: 230 outpatients completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire (DEQ) and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). RESULTS: Regression analysis showed that alexithymia and alcohol dependence was, in two of three cases, partially mediated through alcohol expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol expectancies of assertion and affective change show promise as mediators of alcohol dependence in individuals with alexithymia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]