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The influenza neuraminidase (NA) is a promising target for next-generation vaccines. Protection induced by vaccination with the computationally optimized broadly reactive NA antigen (N1-I COBRA NA) was characterized in both influenza serologically naive and pre-immune ferret models following H1N1 (A/California/07/2009, CA/09) or H5N1 (A/Vietnam/1203/2004, Viet/04) influenza challenges. The N1-I COBRA NA vaccine elicited antibodies with neutralizing ELLA activity against both seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza, as well as the H5N1 influenza virus. In both models, N1-I COBRA NA-vaccinated ferrets that were challenged with CA/09 virus had similar morbidity (weight loss and clinical symptoms) as ferrets vaccinated with the CA/09 HA control vaccine. There were significantly reduced viral titers compared to the mock-vaccinated control animals. Ferrets vaccinated with N1-I COBRA NA or Viet/04 NA vaccines were protected against the H5N1 virus infection with minimal clinical symptoms and negligible weight loss. In contrast, ferrets vaccinated with the CA/09 NA vaccine lost ~10% of their original body weight with 25% mortality. Vaccination with either HA or NA vaccines did not inhibit contact transmission of CA/09 virus to naïve cage mates. Overall, the N1-I COBRA vaccine elicited protective immune responses against both H1N1 and H5N1 infections and partially mitigated disease in contact-transmission receiving ferrets. These results indicate that the N1-I COBRA NA performed similarly to the CA/09 HA and NA positive controls. Therefore, the N1-I COBRA NA alone induces protection against viruses from both H5N1 and H1N1 subtypes, indicating its value as a vaccine component in broadly protective influenza vaccines.

Heather Waterman,1 Lisa Brunton,1 Cecilia Fenerty,2 Jane Mottershead,2 Cliff Richardson,1 Fiona Spencer21School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; 2Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester, UKBackground: In this study the authors sought both to understand the health education needs of patients with glaucoma, with particular regard to adherence to glaucoma treatment, and to examine these patients' views of group education.Methods: Using a health promotion approach to health education, 27 qualitative interviews with new and established patients receiving glaucoma treatment were conducted. Health promotion is defined as a way of strengthening people's capacities to control and optimize their own health. The interviews were transcribed and were then analyzed thematically.Results: Nine categories of health education needs were identified from the transcripts: (1) to understand glaucoma; (2) to understand their diagnosis or understand the difficulties in giving a diagnosis; (3) to understand the implications of eye drops, their side effects, and how to renew the eye drops; (4) to feel confident to put in eye drops; (5) to put the condition into perspective – to know how to manage their risk; (6) to be able to ask questions of clinicians; (7) to be able to navigate the health care system; (8) to understand and be able to manage own adherence behavior; and (9) to know where to access other sources of information. The majority of patients had something positive to say about group education, and about half of the patients said they would attend group education if they were offered the opportunity.Conclusion: A health promotion approach identified a wide range of patient-centered health education needs regarding adherence to glaucoma treatment. Group education will be attractive to some patients. Clinicians could use the health education needs identified in this study to guide the development of either individual or group-based educational intervention to improve adherence to glaucoma treatment. However, clinicians need to be aware that when developing a group intervention, attention will need to be given to making the education relevant to the circumstances of each patient.Keywords: glaucoma, patient compliance, treatment compliance, therapy adherence, action research

At least 38 states have created service areas or "districts" for each of their community colleges. However, little is known about the geographic boundaries of community college districts and the policymaking process that defines them. We studied state policy documents nationally and the actual district boundaries of Texas community colleges to investigate the larger policymaking processes of determining boundaries. We found significant variation across the United States, including in who determines the boundaries and whether the districts have associated tuition reductions. In our case study, we also found evidence that the majority of Texas's community college districts appear to reflect their larger local environments, although a small number may exhibit evidence of racial imbalance.

Abstract Background Sepsis is a common cause of death in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Treatment requires careful fluid management and hemodynamic support. This study compares patients with or without PAH presenting with sepsis with a focus on initial fluid resuscitation. Methods This retrospective analysis compared adults with and without PAH admitted for sepsis at two academic hospitals between 2013 and 2022. Prior PAH diagnosis was verified by review of right heart catheterization data and sepsis present on admission was verified by chart review. Demographics, vital signs, laboratory values, imaging results, treatment approaches, and all-cause mortality data were obtained. Controls were propensity score weighted by age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity index. Logistic regression models controlling for age and Charlson comorbidity indices were used to examine factors associated with survival. Results Thirty patients admitted for sepsis with pre-existing PAH were compared to 96 matched controls. Controls received significantly more fluids at 24 h compared to PAH patients (median 0 mL v. 1216 mL, p

This article undertakes an intertextual reading of Acts's story of the Ethiopian eunuch with Song of Songs, focusing on similar and distinctive aspects of multifaceted characterizations related to sexual identity, social-political status, environmental setting, and religious orientation. This reading highlights two parts of the biblical canon that create limited space for borderline, unconventional persons and practices, particularly pushing normative boundaries pertaining to gender, sexuality, and hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Studying human fetal lungs can inform how developmental defects and disease states alter the function of the lungs. Here, we sequenced >150,000 single cells from 19 healthy human pseudoglandular fetal lung tissues ranging between gestational weeks 10–19. We capture dynamic developmental trajectories from progenitor cells that express abundant levels of the cystic fibrosis conductance transmembrane regulator (CFTR). These cells give rise to multiple specialized epithelial cell types. Combined with spatial transcriptomics, we show temporal regulation of key signalling pathways that may drive the temporal and spatial emergence of specialized epithelial cells including ciliated and pulmonary neuroendocrine cells. Finally, we show that human pluripotent stem cell-derived fetal lung models contain CFTR-expressing progenitor cells that capture similar lineage developmental trajectories as identified in the native tissue. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive single-cell atlas of the developing human lung, outlining the temporal and spatial complexities of cell lineage development and benchmarks fetal lung cultures from human pluripotent stem cell differentiations to similar developmental window.

Introduction: In many low-income countries, basic prehospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) remain under-developed, resulting in significant delays or the complete inability to access care. Study Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of a layperson EMS training targeting motorcycle taxi (boda) drivers in a rural region of Uganda. Methods: Fifty (50) adult boda drivers from Masindi, Uganda were selected for a one-day training course including lectures and simulation. Course content covered basic prehospital skills and transport. Participants were given a first responder kit at completion of the course. Understanding of material was assessed prior to training, immediately after course completion, and four months from the initial course using the same ten question test. Test means were analyzed using a standard linear regression model. At the four-month follow up, all 50 boda drivers participated in semi-structured small group qualitative interviews regarding their perception of the course and experiences implementing course skills in the community. Boda drivers were asked to complete a brief form on each patient transported during the study period. For patients transported to Masindi Kitara Medical Center (MKMC), hospital trauma registry data were analyzed. Results: Trainees showed both knowledge acquisition and retention with pre-test scores of 21.8% improving to 48.0% at course completion and 57.7% at the four-month follow up. Overall, participant's scores increased by an average of 35% from the pre-test to the second post-test (P <.001). A total of 69 patient forms were completed on transported patients over the initial four-month period. Ninety-five percent (95%) of these were injured patients, and motorcycle crash was the predominant mechanism of injury (48% of injuries). Eight patients were transported to MKMC, but none of these patients were recorded in the hospital trauma registry. Major barriers identified through semi-structured interviews included harassment by police, poor road conditions, and lack of basic resources for transport. Ninety-four percent (94%) of trainees strongly agreed that the training was useful. Total costs were estimated at $3,489 USD, or $69 per trainee. Conclusion: Motorcycle taxi drivers can be trained to provide basic prehospital care in a short time and at a low cost. While there is much enthusiasm for additional training and skill acquisition from this cohort, the sustainability and scalability of such programs is still in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on four consecutive quarters of the Introduction to Public Relations class at a university, which offers a public relations major for undergraduates and graduates. Sets out to assay the choices that students make, and analyze possible correlations between their decisions and factors such as choice of major, motivation and student involvement. (SG)

Abstract Durable interest in developing a framework for the detailed structure of glassy materials has produced numerous structural descriptors that trade off between general applicability and interpretability. However, none approach the combination of simplicity and wide-ranging predictive power of the lattice-grain-defect framework for crystalline materials. Working from the hypothesis that the local atomic environments of a glassy material are constrained by enthalpy minimization to a low-dimensional manifold in atomic coordinate space, we develop a generalized distance function, the Gaussian Integral Inner Product (GIIP) distance, in connection with agglomerative clustering and diffusion maps, to parameterize that manifold. Applying this approach to a two-dimensional model crystal and a three-dimensional binary model metallic glass results in parameters interpretable as coordination number, composition, volumetric strain, and local symmetry. In particular, we show that a more slowly quenched glass has a higher degree of local tetrahedral symmetry at the expense of cyclic symmetry. While these descriptors require post-hoc interpretation, they minimize bias rooted in crystalline materials science and illuminate a range of structural trends that might otherwise be missed.

Abstract The present study assessed the effective use of biochar for the adsorption of two potent HAB toxins namely, Microcystin-LR (MCLR) and Saxitoxin (STX) through a combination of dosage, kinetic, equilibrium, initial pH, and competitive adsorption experiments. The adsorption results suggest that biochar has excellent capabilities for removing MCLR and STX, with STX reporting higher adsorption capacities (622.53–3507.46 µg/g). STX removal required a minimal dosage of 0.02 g/L, while MCLR removal needed 0.4 g/L for > 90%. Similarly, a shorter contact time was required for STX removal compared to MCLR for > 90% of toxin removed from water. Initial pH study revealed that for MCLR acidic conditions favored higher uptake while STX favored basic conditions. Kinetic studies revealed that the Elovich model to be most suitable for both toxins, while STX also showed suitable fittings for Pseudo-First Order and Pseudo-Second Order in individual toxin systems. Similarly, for the Elovich model the most suited kinetic model for both toxins in presence of each other. Isotherm studies confirmed the Langmuir–Freundlich model as the best fit for both toxins. These results suggest adsorption mechanisms including pore filling, hydrogen bonding, π–π interactions, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic attraction, and dispersive interactions.

Abstract Purpose: Huntington's Disease (HD) is a fully penetrant neurodegenerative disease leading to cognitive and motor disturbances. The retina may serve as a structural and functional extension of the central nervous system to identify biomarkers of HD using noninvasive imaging technology such as optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and dark adaptometry. Methods: This case–control study included 12 HD participants (24 eyes) recruited from the Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence at Washington University in St. Louis along with 16 control participants (31 eyes). Disease-positive participants underwent imaging testing of retinal capillary density and foveal avascular zone utilizing OCTA along with dark adaptometry testing. Data were collected from November 2020 to February 2022. Results: Individuals with HD had a lower mean age-adjusted superficial foveal capillary density and a higher mean deep foveal capillary density compared to control subjects. There was no significant difference in the mean foveal avascular zone or in dark adaptometry testing between the two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that changes in retinal biomarkers may exist in patients with HD and that additional investigations using multimodal techniques are warranted.

The influenza neuraminidase (NA) is a promising target for next-generation vaccines. Protection induced by vaccination with the computationally optimized broadly reactive NA antigen (N1-I COBRA NA) was characterized in both influenza serologically naive and pre-immune ferret models following H1N1 (A/California/07/2009, CA/09) or H5N1 (A/Vietnam/1203/2004, Viet/04) influenza challenges. The N1-I COBRA NA vaccine elicited antibodies with neutralizing ELLA activity against both seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza, as well as the H5N1 influenza virus. In both models, N1-I COBRA NA-vaccinated ferrets that were challenged with CA/09 virus had similar morbidity (weight loss and clinical symptoms) as ferrets vaccinated with the CA/09 HA control vaccine. There were significantly reduced viral titers compared to the mock-vaccinated control animals. Ferrets vaccinated with N1-I COBRA NA or Viet/04 NA vaccines were protected against the H5N1 virus infection with minimal clinical symptoms and negligible weight loss. In contrast, ferrets vaccinated with the CA/09 NA vaccine lost ~10% of their original body weight with 25% mortality. Vaccination with either HA or NA vaccines did not inhibit contact transmission of CA/09 virus to naïve cage mates. Overall, the N1-I COBRA vaccine elicited protective immune responses against both H1N1 and H5N1 infections and partially mitigated disease in contact-transmission receiving ferrets. These results indicate that the N1-I COBRA NA performed similarly to the CA/09 HA and NA positive controls. Therefore, the N1-I COBRA NA alone induces protection against viruses from both H5N1 and H1N1 subtypes, indicating its value as a vaccine component in broadly protective influenza vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the effectiveness and safety of nicergoline in patients with epithelial corneal defect or corneal ulcer due to neurotrophic keratitis (NK). A prospective case series review was performed in 14 patients with NK who started treatment with nicergoline as an off-label prescription from January to November 2020. Patients with a epithelial defect or corneal ulcer due to NK were treated with oral nicergoline. Complete corneal healing was observed in 10 (71.4%) of the 14 patients after 25.6 ± 26.60 days (range 7–90) with nicergoline. In three (21.5%) patients wound healing was not achieved, and one patient (7.1%) was lost to follow-up. The mean time between diagnosis and the starting of nicergoline was 10.92 ± 8.85 days (0–28). No adverse effects of nicergoline were observed. Nicergoline as an adjunctive treatment for NK showed a potential use in the healing of epithelial defect in real-life clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

by John T. Carroll New Testament Library. Westminster John Knox, Louisville, 2012. 554 pp. $50.00 (cloth). ISBN 978-0-664-22106-5. LIKE MANY BUSY PASTORS, PARISHIONERS, and (I suspect) most scholars, I do [...]