The ability of pandemic influenza virus hemagglutinins to induce lower respiratory pathology is associated with decreased surfactant protein D binding

AbstractPandemic influenza viral infections have been associated with viral pneumonia. Chimeric influenza viruses with the hemagglutinin segment of the 1918, 1957, 1968, or 2009 pandemic influenza viruses in the context of a seasonal H1N1 influenza genome were constructed to analyze the role of hemagglutinin (HA) in pathogenesis and cell tropism in a mouse model. We also explored whether there was an association between the ability of lung surfactant protein D (SP-D) to bind to the HA and the ability of the corresponding chimeric virus to infect bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial cells of the lower respiratory tract. Viruses expressing the hemagglutinin of pandemic viruses were associated with significant pathology in the lower respiratory tract, including acute inflammation, and showed low binding activity for SP-D. In contrast, the virus expressing the HA of a seasonal influenza strain induced only mild disease with little lung pathology in infected mice and exhibited strong in vitro binding to SP-D

Systems thinking assessments in engineering: A systematic literature review

Engineers, facing increasingly complex problems, need to understand the technical and contextual aspects of their work to develop effective solutions. Assessments of comprehensive systems thinking skills are needed to support the development of these skills and to inform professional placement. Thus, our study investigated current systems thinking assessments in engineering by systematically reviewing existing assessments. We analyzed which systems thinking skills were emphasized, how they were evaluated, how data were collected and in what content areas assessments were based. The results revealed a range of assessments, in terms of type, format, and content area, but a lack of assessments that equally prioritized accounting for technical and contextual considerations. This overview of assessments can be used by employers and educators to select assessments appropriate for their contexts and goals. Overall, this study demonstrates a need for comprehensive systems thinking assessments that evaluate performance.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/173117/1/sres2808_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/173117/2/sres2808.pd

To exercise, or, not to exercise, during menopause and beyond

Menopausal symptoms in women can be severe and disruptive to overall quality of life. Hormone replacement therapy, is known to be effective in ameliorating symptoms, however, reporting of side effects has resulted in alternative treatment options. Exercise has been assessed as an alternative treatment option for alleviating menopausal symptoms, including, psychological, vasomotor, somatic and sexual symptoms. Here we report the effects of physical activity and exercise on menopause symptoms in menopausal women