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Australia is a sink for the diversity of avian influenza viruses, wherein viruses circulating in Eurasia and North America are occasionally introduced to the continent, followed by long-term, isolated circulation [...]

1919-1922. Awhile back I happened upon a unique photograph. I came across what initially seemed to be an unassuming photo of an unnamed man in front of an airplane. Nothing [...]

Lloronas went onstage around 1 a.m., January 1, 2020, a loaded hour in retrospect, which at the time felt dizzying and full of promise; a new decade was upon us, […]

Jonathan J. Miner and Rennie Rhee were omitted from the author list. Dr. Miner designed, initiated, obtained funding for, and oversaw the clinical trial while serving at Washington University, and [...]

Norovirus is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis (1). Over past decades, variants of the predominant genotype, genotype 4 (GII.4), have continuously emerged to escape immunity (2-5). Since 2012, the [...]

Agriculture in the developed world has historically benefited from government support in the form of subsidies, price controls, trade protection, and other policies. These result from a political process that [...]

BACKGROUND. Neoantigens derived from [KRAS.sup.MUT] have been described, but the fine antigen specificity of T cell responses directed against these epitopes is poorly understood. Here, we explore [KRAS.sup.MUT] immunogenicity and the properties of 4 T cell receptors (TCRs) specific for [KRAS.sup.G12V] restricted to the HLA-A3 superfamily of class I alleles. METHODS. A phase 1 clinical vaccine trial targeting [KRAS.sup.MUT] was conducted. TCRs targeting [KRAS.sup.G12V] restricted to HLA-A*03:01 or HLA-A*11:01 were isolated from vaccinated patients or healthy individuals. A comprehensive analysis of TCR antigen specificity, affinity, crossreactivity, and CD8 coreceptor dependence was performed. TCR lytic activity was evaluated, and target antigen density was determined by quantitative immunopeptidomics. RESULTS. Vaccination against [KRAS.sup.MUT] resulted in the priming of [CD8.sup.+] and [CD4.sup.+] T cell responses. [KRAS.sup.G12V] -specific natural (not affinity enhanced) TCRs exhibited exquisite specificity to mutated protein with no discernible reactivity against [KRAS.sup.WT]. TCR-recognition motifs were determined and used to identify and exclude crossreactivity to noncognate peptides derived from the human proteome. Both HLA-A*03:01 and HLA-A*11:01-restricted TCR-redirected [CD8.sup.+] T cells exhibited potent lytic activity against [KRAS.sup.G12V] cancers, while only HLA-A*11:01-restricted TCR-T [CD4.sup.+] T cells exhibited antitumor effector functions consistent with partial coreceptor dependence. All [KRAS.sup.G12V]-specific TCRs displayed high sensitivity for antigen as demonstrated by their ability to eliminate tumor cell lines expressing low levels of peptide/HLA (4.4 to 242) complexes per cell. CONCLUSION. This study identifies [KRAS.sup.G12V]-specific TCRs with high therapeutic potential for the development of TCR-T cell therapies. TRIAL REGISTRATION. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03592888. FUNDING. AACR SU2C/Lustgarten Foundation, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and NIH., Introduction T cell recognition of cancer antigens represents the end effector mechanism of successful cancer immunotherapy (1). Advances in the areas of T cell biology, gene engineering, and antigen identification [...]

In 1972, I took a road trip from California to Belize and Guatemala, where I found myself mesmerized by the hot rains, flamboyant hammocks, brilliant colors of the forest, and [...]

THIS ESSAY EXPLORES THE CONTENTIOUS HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN paternalism in Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry during the late antebellum era as the movement repeatedly confronted skepticism and even [...]

Each year in the United States, >800 foodborne outbreaks are reported, causing >14,000 illnesses and >800 hospitalizations (1-3). Foodborne outbreaks range from small, localized outbreaks, such as those associated with [...]

Kazaam is a 5-year-old kindergarten Black male. He is a happy, energetic child. However, his teacher often has to tell him to sit down and stay on task to do [...]

The purpose of the age-old course syllabus remains the same--a crucial document that sets the foundation for a course by providing students with essential information, outlining expectations, and serving as [...]

Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Treponema pallidum, which has substantial short- and long-term health complications if untreated (1). The first line of treatment is [...]

This essay argues for Phillis Wheatley and Scipio Moorhead as early contributors to the tradition of Black Ekphrasis. This essay frames 'To S.M. [Scipio Moorhead], a Young African Painter, on Seeing his Works,' as both an instance and a theorization of Black Ekphrasis. Wheatley's commentary leads to a consideration of the painter and poet's bond under the tyranny of slavery. By way of the Damon-Pythias myth, Wheatley links Black Ekphrasis to the collective pursuit of freedom. KEYWORDS: Black Ekphrasis, Phillis Wheatley, African American poetry, early American poetry, classical receptions, I Once you've seen it, you can't not see it ... Such a colloquialism belongs to conversations among friends. Yet it highlights the moment when a sight--not just what one [...]

Millennials are the burnout generation. To understand the multiple components connected to burnout in the millennial generation, specifically those working in a helping field, and how to combat burnout symptoms, the researcher interviewed eight participants in various careers. A qualitative, phenomenological research design was utilized through a Zoom interview of ten questions. The interviews were employed to gather data regarding the millennials' perception of their experience with burnout, how they felt generation plays a role in the onset, and the self-care techniques they utilize to decrease symptoms. The study found that each participant felt they had experienced burnout and connected the experience to the pressure of growing up as a millennial and the high demands of their respective careers. Multiple resources for combatting burnout symptoms were identified, including decreased work demands, more flexibility, and the ability to change schedules., Author(s): DeAvila S. Ford [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Ask DeAvila Sadé LLC, , 3750 Hacks Cross Road, STE 102-115, 38125, Memphis, TN, USA Burnout is prevalent among millennials due to [...]

BACKGROUND. Retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy and systemic manifestations (RVCL-S) is a rare, autosomal dominant, universally fatal disease without effective treatment options. This study explores the safety and preliminary efficacy of crizanlizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against P-selectin approved for the prevention of sickle cell crises, in slowing retinal nonperfusion and preserving vision in patients with RVCL-S. METHODS. Eleven patients with RVCL-S with confirmed exonuclease 3 prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) mutations received monthly crizanlizumab infusions over 2 years. The study measured the nonperfusion index within 3 retinal zones and the total retina with fluorescein angiography, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and optical coherence tomography central subfield thickness (CST) at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years. A mixed repeated- measures analysis was performed to assess the progression rates and changes from baseline. RESULTS. Eleven participants received crizanlizumab infusions. All of the participants tolerated crizanlizumab well, with 8 of 11 (72.7%) reporting mild adverse effects such as nausea, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The change in total retinal nonperfusion was 7.22% [4.47, 9.97] in year 1 and -0.69% [-4.06, 2.68] in year 2 (P < 0.001). In the mid periphery, the change in nonperfusion was 10.6% [5.1, 16.1] in year 1 and -0.68% [-3.98, 5.35] in year 2 (P < 0.01), demonstrating a reduction in progression of nonperfusion in the second year of treatment. Visual acuity, IOP, and CST remained stable. CONCLUSION. Crizanlizumab has an acceptable safety profile. These results show promising potential for examining crizanlizumab in larger studies of RVCL-S and similar small-vessel diseases and for using the retina as a biomarker for systemic disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04611880. FUNDING. The Clayco Foundation; DeNardo Education and Research Foundation Grant; Jeffrey T. Fort Innovation Fund; Siteman Retina Research Fund; unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness Inc.; National Heart,Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH (R01HL129241); National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), NIH (RF1NS116565)., Introduction Retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy and systemic manifestations (RVCL-S) is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a spectrum of genetic and pathophysiological features (1). Identified in fewer than [...]

Things are changing at Poets & Writers. If you are a subscriber to this magazine or a frequent visitor to our website, perhaps you've already noticed that some things are [...]

Female Phenotype Theory (FPT) suggests that autistic women often present with less obvious social impairments than autistic men. We examined the possibility of an exaggerated female phenotype among undiagnosed but probably autistic women. In two nationwide online surveys, we compared self-reported social functioning and mental health between diagnosed autistic women and women without diagnosis who scored [greater than or equal to] 32 on the Autism Quotient. Compared to diagnosed autistic women, probably autistic women had higher empathy and general social functioning, and were more likely to have received a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. Autistic women had typically received more mental health diagnoses prior to their ASC diagnosis than autistic men. These findings shed light on the history of misdiagnosis experienced by many autistic women., Author(s): Hannah L. Belcher [sup.1] , Sharon Morein-Zamir [sup.2] , Steven D. Stagg [sup.2] , Ruth M. Ford [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.13097.3c, 0000 0001 2322 6764, IOPPN, King's College [...]

Two studies tested the hypothesis that disparagement humor increases the acceptability of prejudice against groups that occupy a position in society of 'normative ambiguity'; prejudice against them is shifting from being completely acceptable to being completely unacceptable. In Study 1 we found that residents of Santiago, Chile perceive the group, gay men, as occupying this position of normative ambiguity. In contrast, they perceive prejudice against politicians as completely acceptable. Supporting our hypothesis, Study 2 showed that participants viewed an prejudice against gay men as more acceptable after reading jokes disparaging gay men in comparison to serious disparaging comments or no disparagement. Jokes disparaging politicians, however, did not make participants view prejudice against them as more acceptable compared to serious disparaging comments or no disparagement. Study 2 also revealed that jokes disparaging gay men increased the acceptability of prejudice against other normative ambiguity groups not targeted by the humor., Author(s): Andrés Mendiburo-Seguel [sup.1] , Thomas E. Ford [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.412848.3, 0000 0001 2156 804X, Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Andrés Bello University, , Santiago, Chile (2) [...]

This research note presents research into nearly forty letters contained in the private diaries of Souvanna Phouma held at the Library of Congress. The newly uncovered letters, covering 1964-70, offer unprecedented insight into a divisive and volatile chapter in relations between princely half-brothers Souvanna Phouma and Souphanouvong, leading figures on opposing sides in Cold War Laos. As the largest bombing campaign per capita in history unfolded, these letters show how the fraternal link between the two leaders did not ameliorate the conflict, as in the past, but contributed to a breakdown in their correspondence. To the degree that they had influence over events, the squabbling half-brothers, each entrenched in his own ideological belief, prolonged the Second Indochina War in Laos by failing to negotiate. More broadly, this note argues that the Royal Lao Government (RLG) played a major role in the US bombing of Laos. Souvanna, as RLG prime minister and minister of defence, was a central figure in this collaboration, which also contributed to the interruption of the correspondence between the two princes. Keywords: Laos, Second Indochina War, US bombing of Laos, Lao agency, New Cold War Studies., This research note presents correspondence between Royal Lao Government (RLG) prime minister and minister of defence Prince Souvanna Phouma and Pathet Lao leader Prince Souphanouvong. Exchanged at the height of [...]

Mindfulness has been consistently linked with greater life satisfaction, but it is unclear what accounts for this association. Potentially, mindfulness may promote greater self-esteem and reduce stress, which may cultivate positive attitudes toward one's life. Across a series of three studies, we investigated the extent to which self-esteem and perceived stress uniquely accounted for the relation between mindfulness and life satisfaction. In Studies 1 and 2 (Ns = 278 and 260, respectively), both self-esteem and perceived stress statistically accounted for the positive relation between mindfulness and life satisfaction in U.S. college student samples. In Study 3 (N = 419), the model was replicated in a more diverse, non-college student sample. These findings provide support for the generalizability of the robust associations among mindfulness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived stress. Furthermore, self-esteem and perceived stress may represent two potential pathways through which mindfulness enhances evaluations of one's life., Author(s): Jerin Lee [sup.1] , Audrey Weiss [sup.2] , Cameron G. Ford [sup.3] , Dandre Conyers [sup.4] , Natalie J. Shook [sup.1] [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.63054.34, 0000 0001 0860 [...]

As Black History Month comes to a close, we want to recognize Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who began what is now an historical yet monumental event. Woodson discussed how we [...]

The current context of education is riddled with anti-Blackness that continues to find systemic ways to harm Black children and adolescents, ranging from the persistent surveillance and pushout from educational [...]