Broadly cross-reactive antibodies dominate the human B cell response against 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus infection

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza pandemic demonstrated the global health threat of reassortant influenza strains. Herein, we report a detailed analysis of plasmablast and monoclonal antibody responses induced by pandemic H1N1 infection in humans. Unlike antibodies elicited by annual influenza vaccinations, most neutralizing antibodies induced by pandemic H1N1 infection were broadly cross-reactive against epitopes in the hemagglutinin (HA) stalk and head domain of multiple influenza strains. The antibodies were from cells that had undergone extensive affinity maturation. Based on these observations, we postulate that the plasmablasts producing these broadly neutralizing antibodies were predominantly derived from activated memory B cells specific for epitopes conserved in several influenza strains. Consequently, most neutralizing antibodies were broadly reactive against divergent H1N1 and H5N1 influenza strains. This suggests that a pan-influenza vaccine may be possible, given the right immunogen. Antibodies generated potently protected and rescued mice from lethal challenge with pandemic H1N1 or antigenically distinct influenza strains, making them excellent therapeutic candidates.     

Combatting sexual harassment

According to one recent nursing survey, more than half of the female respondents said they'd been sexually harassed in the past. In light of such numbers, nurses must ask themselves: What can I do to minimize the chances that such harassment will affect me or my colleagues?     

Investigation of the benefits of HIV/AIDS caregiving and relations among caregiving adjustment, benefit finding, and stress and coping variables

The present study explored the nature of benefit finding in HIV/AIDS caregiving, and examined relations among caregiver adjustment, benefit finding, and stress and coping variables. A total of 64 HIV/AIDS caregivers and 46 care recipients completed interviews and questionnaires. First, the study aimed to explore the types of benefits associated with HIV/AIDS caregiving. Content analyses of caregiver responses to an interview question inquiring about gains from caregiving revealed eight benefit themes. Second, the study aimed to examine relations between caregiver adjustment and both benefit finding and stress and coping variables. We hypothesized that number of caregiver reported benefits, social support, challenge and control appraisals, and problem focused coping would be inversely related to poorer adjustment, whereas care recipient reported global distress and illness, caregiver threat appraisal and passive-avoidant emotion-focused coping would be positively associated with poorer adjustment. Correlations indicated that poorer adjustment (measured by global distress, depression, caregiving impact, social adjustment and health status) was positively correlated with care-recipient distress, threat appraisals and passive avoidant coping and inversely correlated with social support, and number of reported benefits. Unexpectedly, problem-focused coping, controllability and challenge appraisals, and care recipient illness were unrelated to adjustment. Third, the study aimed to examine relations between benefit finding and stress and coping variables. Correlations indicated that benefit finding was related to social support use, seeking social support coping and problem-solving coping. Findings indicate that the benefit finding and stress/coping frameworks have utility in guiding research into adaptation to HIV/AIDS caregiving. Results also indicate targets for intervention in the provision of services for HIV/AIDS caregivers.     

Deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill: oversimplification of complex issues

Deinstitutionalization is the predominant public mental health policy in most states. An analysis of this policy in one state from a political-economic perspective gives support to the hypothesis that deinstitutionalization results in a two-class system of mental health care based upon the client's ability to pay. Inequalities exist in opportunities for care that are appropriate for the pathology suffered by the chronically mentally ill, and patients' basic needs are often unmet. Corporate actors involved in developing mental health policy overpower clients as well as nurses in the distributive process. The impact of this policy on quality of care and nursing is significant.     

Angiotensin receptors and development: the kidney

1. This brief review examines the evidence that angiotensin II (AngII) is essential for kidney development. 2. Several components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are detected in the foetal kidney early in development. 3. Angiotensin II is essential for normal foetal and neonatal renal function. 4. Angiotensin II receptors transduce important signals leading to growth and development. 5. Angiotensin receptor subtypes show spatial and temporal specificity of localization throughout renal development. 6. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition or AngII receptor blockade (specifically AT(1) subtype blockade) results in functional and structural abnormalities of the developing kidney in both experimental and clinical situations. 7. While chronic postnatal RAS blockade in rats is associated with structural damage to tubules and blood vessels of the kidney, reports differ on whether treatment also affects glomerular induction and growth. 8. In metanephric organ culture, glomerular induction proceeds despite AngII receptor blockade. 9. In summary, the evidence suggests that AngII is not essential for nephron induction and glomerular development in the rat kidney. However, AngII is essential for normal growth and development of renal tubules and vasculature.