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What is Subcontracting?

This video defines the various types of Subcontractors and how they are assessed and utilized in the performance of ADB projects.




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Long-acting, Injectable Buprenorphine: Great Promise, but Significant Barriers to Use

To the Editor—A 30-day injectable form of buprenorphine branded as SublocadeTM (Buprenorphine XR SQ) was approved by the FDA in 2017. This medication is administered by a health care professional subcutaneously in the abdomen to treat opioid use disorder. This long-acting delivery system holds great promise for many patients who have barriers to taking daily transmucosal buprenorphine-containing medications such as those with poor adherence to a daily medication. It is beneficial for those who have difficulty safely storing their medications, including patients who have children in the home, unstable housing, or live with others who have a use disorder. This product is also an option for patients who prefer mono-product buprenorphine. As Buprenorphine XR SQ is administered directly by a health care professional, it does not contain the abuse-deterrent naloxone that some patients feel causes side effects.

There are two ways to acquire Buprenorphine XR SQ: 1) order product from the distributor (buy and bill); or 2) dispensed from a specialty pharmacy for a specific patient (specialty pharmacy) [1]. For the buy and bill option, the health care setting must be certified through the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program and adhere to dispensing regulations [2]. We found this challenging to implement in the outpatient setting, thus we pursued the specialty pharmacy option. It ultimately took us nearly one year to complete the process.

The following are the barriers we faced with our first attempt. As a controlled substance, the medication must be stored in a refrigerated lockbox. Before...




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The Calcium Sensor CBL2 and Its Interacting Kinase CIPK6 Are Involved in Plant Sugar Homeostasis via Interacting with Tonoplast Sugar Transporter TST2

Calcineurin B-like protein (CBL) and CBL-interacting protein kinase (CIPK)-mediated calcium signaling has been widely reported to function in plant development and various stress responses, particularly in ion homeostasis. Sugars are the most important primary metabolites, and thus sugar homeostasis requires precise regulation. Here, we describe a CBL2-CIPK6-Tonoplast-Localized Sugar Transporter2 (TST2) molecular module in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) that regulates plant sugar homeostasis, in particular Glc homeostasis. GhCIPK6 is recruited to the tonoplast by GhCBL2 and interacts with the tonoplast-localized sugar transporter GhTST2. Overexpression of either GhCBL2, GhCIPK6, or GhTST2 was sufficient to promote sugar accumulation in transgenic cotton, whereas RNAi-mediated knockdown of GhCIPK6 expression or CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of GhTST2 resulted in significantly decreased Glc content. Moreover, mutation of GhCBL2 or GhTST2 in GhCIPK6-overexpressing cotton reinstated sugar contents comparable to wild-type plants. Heterologous expression of GhCIPK6 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) also promoted Glc accumulation, whereas mutation of AtTST1/2 in GhCIPK6-overexpressing Arabidopsis similarly reinstated wild-type sugar contents, thus indicating conservation of CBL2-CIPK6-TST2-mediated sugar homeostasis among different plant species. Our characterization of the molecular players behind plant sugar homeostasis may be exploited to improve sugar contents and abiotic stress resistance in plants.




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Porphyromonas gingivalis Cell Wall Components Induce Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Expression on Human Oral Carcinoma Cells by a Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase 2 (RIP2)-Dependent Mechanism [Cellular Microbiology: Pathogen-Host Cell Molecular Inte

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1/B7-H1) serves as a cosignaling molecule in cell-mediated immune responses and contributes to chronicity of inflammation and the escape of tumor cells from immunosurveillance. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms leading to PD-L1 upregulation in human oral carcinoma cells and in primary human gingival keratinocytes in response to infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a keystone pathogen for the development of periodontitis. The bacterial cell wall component peptidoglycan uses bacterial outer membrane vesicles to be taken up by cells. Internalized peptidoglycan triggers cytosolic receptors to induce PD-L1 expression in a myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (Myd88)-independent and receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIP2)-dependent fashion. Interference with the kinase activity of RIP2 or mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases interferes with inducible PD-L1 expression.




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Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein L Negatively Regulates Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Replication through Inhibition of Viral RNA Synthesis by Interacting with the Internal Ribosome Entry Site in the 5' Untranslated Region [Virus-Cell Interactio

Upon infection, the highly structured 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of picornavirus is involved in viral protein translation and RNA synthesis. As a critical element in the 5' UTR, the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) binds to various cellular proteins to function in the processes of picornavirus replication. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is an important member in the family Picornaviridae, and its 5' UTR contains a functional IRES element. In this study, the cellular heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L (hnRNP L) was identified as an IRES-binding protein for FMDV by biotinylated RNA pulldown assays, mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, and determination of hnRNP L-IRES interaction regions. Further, we found that hnRNP L inhibited the growth of FMDV through binding to the viral IRES and that the inhibitory effect of hnRNP L on FMDV growth was not due to FMDV IRES-mediated translation, but to influence on viral RNA synthesis. Finally, hnRNP L was demonstrated to coimmunoprecipitate with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol) in an FMDV RNA-dependent manner in the infected cells. Thus, our results suggest that hnRNP L, as a critical IRES-binding protein, negatively regulates FMDV replication by inhibiting viral RNA synthesis, possibly by remaining in the replication complex.

IMPORTANCE Picornaviruses, as a large family of human and animal pathogens, cause a bewildering array of disease syndromes. Many host factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of these viruses, and some proteins interact with the viral IRES elements to affect function. Here, we report for the first time that cellular hnRNP L specifically interacts with the IRES of the picornavirus FMDV and negatively regulates FMDV replication through inhibiting viral RNA synthesis. Further, our results showed that hnRNP L coimmunoprecipitates with FMDV 3Dpol in a viral RNA-dependent manner, suggesting that it may remain in the replication complex to function. The data presented here would facilitate further understanding of virus-host interactions and the pathogenesis of picornavirus infections.




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Long-Acting BMS-378806 Analogues Stabilize the State-1 Conformation of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoproteins [Vaccines and Antiviral Agents]

During human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into cells, the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer [(gp120/gp41)3] binds the receptors CD4 and CCR5 and fuses the viral and cell membranes. CD4 binding changes Env from a pretriggered (state-1) conformation to more open downstream conformations. BMS-378806 (here called BMS-806) blocks CD4-induced conformational changes in Env important for entry and is hypothesized to stabilize a state-1-like Env conformation, a key vaccine target. Here, we evaluated the effects of BMS-806 on the conformation of Env on the surface of cells and virus-like particles. BMS-806 strengthened the labile, noncovalent interaction of gp120 with the Env trimer, enhanced or maintained the binding of most broadly neutralizing antibodies, and decreased the binding of poorly neutralizing antibodies. Thus, in the presence of BMS-806, the cleaved Env on the surface of cells and virus-like particles exhibits an antigenic profile consistent with a state-1 conformation. We designed novel BMS-806 analogues that stabilized the Env conformation for several weeks after a single application. These long-acting BMS-806 analogues may facilitate enrichment of the metastable state-1 Env conformation for structural characterization and presentation to the immune system.

IMPORTANCE The envelope glycoprotein (Env) spike on the surface of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mediates the entry of the virus into host cells and is also the target for antibodies. During virus entry, Env needs to change shape. Env flexibility also contributes to the ability of HIV-1 to evade the host immune response; many shapes of Env raise antibodies that cannot recognize the functional Env and therefore do not block virus infection. We found that an HIV-1 entry inhibitor, BMS-806, stabilizes the functional shape of Env. We developed new variants of BMS-806 that stabilize Env in its natural state for long periods of time. The availability of such long-acting stabilizers of Env shape will allow the natural Env conformation to be characterized and tested for efficacy as a vaccine.




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Pharmacological Characterization of Apraglutide, a Novel Long-Acting Peptidic Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Agonist, for the Treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome [Drug Discovery and Translational Medicine]

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) agonists have therapeutic potential in clinical indications in which the integrity or absorptive function of the intestinal mucosa is compromised, such as in short bowel syndrome (SBS). Native hGLP-2, a 33–amino acid peptide secreted from the small intestine, contributes to nutritional absorption but has a very short half-life because of enzymatic cleavage and renal clearance and thus is of limited therapeutic value. The GLP-2 analog teduglutide (Revestive/Gattex; Shire Inc.) has been approved for use in SBS since 2012 but has a once-daily injection regimen. Pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic studies confirm that apraglutide, a novel GLP-2 analog, has very low clearance, long elimination half-life, and high plasma protein binding compared with GLP-2 analogs teduglutide and glepaglutide. Apraglutide and teduglutide retain potency and selectivity at the GLP-2 receptor comparable to native hGLP-2, whereas glepaglutide was less potent and less selective. In rat intravenous PK studies, hGLP-2, teduglutide, glepaglutide, and apraglutide had clearances of 25, 9.9, 2.8, and 0.27 ml/kg per minute, respectively, and elimination half-lives of 6.4, 19, 16, and 159 minutes, respectively. The unique PK profile of apraglutide administered via intravenous and subcutaneous routes was confirmed in monkey and minipig and translated into significantly greater in vivo pharmacodynamic activity, measured as small intestinal growth in rats. Apraglutide showed greater intestinotrophic activity than the other peptides when administered at less-frequent dosing intervals because of its prolonged half-life. We postulate that apraglutide offers several advantages over existing GLP-2 analogs and is an excellent candidate for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, such as SBS.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Apraglutide is a potent and selective GLP-2 agonist with an extremely low clearance and prolonged elimination half-life, which differentiates it from teduglutide (the only approved GLP-2 agonist). The enhanced pharmacokinetics of apraglutide will benefit patients by enabling a reduced dosing frequency and removing the need for daily injections.




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Low adherence to inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting {beta}2-agonists and biologic treatment in severe asthmatics

Eligibility criteria for a biologic treatment for severe asthma include poor disease control despite a full medication plan according to Global Initiative for Asthma steps 4–5 [1]. Adherence to inhaled therapy should be verified as part of that prescription requirement [2]. In fact, it has been demonstrated that poor adherence is a major cause of uncontrolled asthma, regardless of its severity [3]. Furthermore, biologics do not exert a disease-modifying effect [4]; in contrast to allergen immunotherapy, which is able to permanently modulate the way the immune system reacts to allergens beyond the immunotherapy treatment course [5], biologic therapy withdrawal usually leads to asthma relapse [4]. Thus, a low adherence rate to inhaled treatment in patients undergoing biologic therapy raises some issues related to sustainability.




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Serum PIWI-Interacting RNAs piR-020619 and piR-020450 Are Promising Novel Biomarkers for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Background:

Early diagnosis can significantly reduce colorectal cancer deaths. We sought to identify serum PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that could serve as sensitive and specific noninvasive biomarkers for early colorectal cancer detection.

Methods:

We screened the piRNA expression profile in sera from 7 patients with colorectal cancer and 7 normal controls using small RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed piRNAs were measured in a training cohort of 140 patients with colorectal cancer and 140 normal controls using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. The identified piRNAs were evaluated in two independent validation cohorts of 180 patients with colorectal cancer and 180 normal controls. Finally, the diagnostic value of the identified piRNAs for colorectal adenoma (CRA) was assessed, and their expression was measured in 50 patients with lung cancer, 50 with breast cancer, and 50 with gastric cancer.

Results:

The piRNAs piR-020619 and piR-020450 were consistently elevated in sera of patients with colorectal cancer as compared with controls. A predicative panel based on the two piRNAs was established that displayed high diagnostic accuracy for colorectal cancer detection. The two-piRNA panel could detect small-size and early-stage colorectal cancer with an area under the ROC curve of 0.863 and 0.839, respectively. Combined use of the two piRNAs could effectively distinguish CRA from controls. Aberrant elevation of the two piRNAs was not observed in sera of patients with lung, breast, and gastric cancer.

Conclusions:

Serum piR-020619 and piR-020450 show a strong potential as colorectal cancer-specific early detection biomarkers.

Impact:

The field of circulating piRNAs could allow for novel tumor biomarker development.




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Which type of real estate is attracting Hanoi investors?

According to Batdongsan.com.vn’s real estate market report for the third quarter (Q3) of 2019, besides the attraction of traditional markets, resort real estate segment is witnessing the rise of emerging markets. Notably, Hanoi investors overwhelmed in term of the number of searches for resort real estate on the website.




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Amazon Sued for Acting Like Users Own "Purchased" Movies (Spoiler Alert: You Don't)

Because Amazon movie purchases are really just long-term rentals that can disappear from your library at any time.




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Acting U.S. spy chief overhauls agency in defiance of congressional concerns

Defying congressional oversight concerns, U.S. President Donald Trump’s acting director of national intelligence on Friday unveiled organizational changes to his agency.




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Acting U.S. spy chief overhauls agency in defiance of congressional concerns

Defying congressional oversight concerns, U.S. President Donald Trump’s acting director of national intelligence on Friday unveiled organizational changes to his agency.




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Hackney doctor who warned PM about urgent need for PPE dies after contracting coronavirus

Coronavirus: the symptoms Read our LIVE updates on the coronavirus here




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Tributes to 'fabulous' and 'gifted' mother of four and NHS nurse Sara Trollope who died after contracting coronavirus

Follow our live updates HERE




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Tributes as retired police sergeant Richard Lloyd dies on Isle of Man after contracting Covid-19

Read our live coronavirus updates HERE




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Healthcare worker Donna Campbell among NHS employees to die after contracting coronavirus

Follow our live updates HERE




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'Hero' NHS nurse and mum dies at hospital she spent 12 years working in after contracting Covid-19

Follow our live Covid-19 updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




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US bishop who said 'God is larger than this dreaded virus' and ignored social distancing guidelines dies after contracting coronavirus

Coronavirus: the symptoms Read our LIVE updates on the coronavirus here




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'Gorgeous' couple who dedicated their lives to others die within a fortnight of each other after contracting Covid-19

Follow our LIVE updates about the coronavirus outbreak here Coronavirus: The symptoms




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Heroic Hillsborough survivor Dave Roland dies after contracting coronavirus

Follow our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: the symptoms




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Care home worker who refused to retire and 'gave her life to nursing' dies after contracting coronavirus

The family of a London care home worker who died with Covid-19 today described how she "gave her life to nursing".




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Sons of NHS specialist who died after contracting Covid-19 praise 'superhero' father

Read our live updates on coronavirus HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




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Family of boy, 13, who died alone after contracting Covid-19 'comforted' that others will get chance to say goodbye

Follow our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




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Minute's silence to be held for 20 London bus workers who have died after contracting coronavirus

Follow our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




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UK falls silent for London bus workers who have died after contracting coronavirus

Follow our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




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'Charismatic' British Transport Police officer, 53, dies after contracting coronavirus

A "kind and thoughtful" British Transport Police officer has died after contracting coronavirus.




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Tributes paid to Marie Curie nurse, 68, who died after contracting coronavirus

A 68-year-old Marie Curie nurse from south London who died after contracting coronavirus has been remembered as "a beautiful person".




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Nurse, 84, 'still working night shifts' dies after contracting Covid-19, heartbroken grand daughter confirms

An NHS nurse who continued to work night shifts into her 80s has died after contracting Covid-19, her devastated family have confirmed.




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Tribute to 'kind and generous' occupational therapist who died after contracting coronavirus

Vivek Sharma was described as a gentle soul who was kind and generous




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'Hugely respected' emergency consultant dies after contracting coronavirus

An emergency consultant, who worked at the Royal Derby Hospital, has died after contracting Covid-19.




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Boris Johnson to talk with Queen via video link in first conversation with monarch since contracting Covid-19

Boris Johnson is having an audience with the Queen by video link – his first conversation with the Monarch since he fell ill with coronavirus three weeks ago.




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'Well-loved' nurse, 53, dies after contracting coronavirus

A "well-loved" nurse has died after contracting coronavirus.




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Moment staff line up to pay respects to 'dearly loved' surgeon who died after contracting coronavirus

This emotional footage shows the moment hospital staff lined the streets to pay respects to a "devoted" orthopaedic surgeon who died after testing positive for coronavirus.




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Dominic Raab says 69 NHS workers have died after contracting virus amid claims toll is higher

Dominic Raab says a total of 69 NHS workers have died during the coronavirus pandemic amid claims the true toll is much higher.




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Consultant who died after contracting Covid-19 was 'a very special human being and a real NHS hero'

A consultant who died after contracting Covid-19 has been described as a "very special human being" and "a real NHS hero".




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'Superhero' doctor who died from Covid-19 'pleaded for PPE days before contracting disease'

An NHS doctor who died after contracting coronavirus had reportedly pleaded with his hospital to provide protective equipment (PPE) in the days before he caught the disease.




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Moment Matt Hancock is confronted by son of doctor who died after contracting Covid-19

"Openly acknowledging your mistake is not an admission of guilt, it is genuinely just making you seem more human."




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'Inseparable' East End couple die hours apart after contracting coronavirus

Tributes have been paid to Ken and Betty Hill, who were together for more than 40 years




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'Dedicated' health worker, 68, who devoted 20 years to NHS dies after contracting coronavirus

A hospital worker described as a "true gentleman" by colleagues has died after contracting coronavirus.




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Hundreds line streets to pay tribute to NHS doctor who died after contracting coronavirus

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets for the funeral of a local doctor who "gave everything for the local community" and died after being infected with coronavirus.




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Mourners line streets to pay tribute to 'much-loved' paramedic who died after contracting coronavirus

People have lined the streets to pay their respects to a "fantastic" paramedic and "great family man" who died after contracting coronavirus.




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More than 40 children treated in London for 'hyper inflammatory new disease after seemingly contracting coronavirus'

More than 40 children have been treated in a specialist London hospital for a "hyper inflammatory" new disease after apparently contracting coronavirus, the Standard has been told.




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Finsbury Park incident: Police officers attacked after group 'acting suspiciously became violent' in Blackstock Road

A number of police officers have been injured after responding to reports that men were "acting suspiciously" in Finsbury Park.




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Stars pay tribute to Mercury Prize-nominated rapper Ty who died after contracting coronavirus

Stars have paid tribute to Mercury Prize-nominated rapper Ty who has died aged 47 after contracting coronavirus.




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Roy Horn dead: Magician dies aged 75 after contracting coronavirus

Magician Roy Horn, best known as part of the Las Vegas performing duo of Siegfried & Roy, has died at the age of 75 after contracting coronavirus, a representative has said.




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Coronavirus: Timeline of pandemics and other viruses that humans caught by interacting with animals

Stop the Wildlife Trade: From 1918 to today, the deadly diseases that have become more frequent





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Family of PSW who died after contracting COVID-19 says he wasn’t properly protected at work

A personal support worker (PSW) who died Wednesday after contracting COVID-19 was not provided proper personal protective equipment at his workplace, his family alleges.




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Marvel actor Deborah Ann Woll 'struggling with self-doubt' following Daredevil cancellation: 'I haven't had an acting job since'

'If I'm not acting, I'm not sure who I am,' the True Blood star said