Universities at Shady Grove

This study considers a practice-based learning project in which 173 undergraduates enrolled in a journalism class reported on oral health issues in marginalized communities. Health fairs at local libraries provided a starting place for students to cover oral healthcare, an underreported topic in the media. Three nonprofit journalism organizations partnered with the effort to publish student-produced content. Through written responses from all students and 30 in-depth interviews with professional journalists, librarians, health professionals, and students, this qualitative case study presents a replicable community-centered intervention based on a journalism teaching hospital model that connects students with professionals and community stakeholders.

Genetic diseases are often caused by nonsense mutations, but only one TRID (translation readthrough inducing drug), ataluren, has been approved for clinical use. Ataluren inhibits release factor complex (RFC) termination activity, while not affecting productive binding of near-cognate ternary complex (TC, aa-tRNA.eEF1A.GTP). Here we use photoaffinity labeling to identify two sites of ataluren binding within rRNA, proximal to the decoding center (DC) and the peptidyl transfer center (PTC) of the ribosome, which are directly responsible for ataluren inhibition of termination activity. A third site, within the RFC, has as yet unclear functional consequences. Using single molecule and ensemble fluorescence assays we also demonstrate that termination proceeds via rapid RFC-dependent hydrolysis of peptidyl-tRNA followed by slow release of peptide and tRNA from the ribosome. Ataluren is an apparent competitive inhibitor of productive RFC binding, acting at or before the hydrolysis step. We propose that designing more potent TRIDs which retain ataluren’s low toxicity should target areas of the RFC binding site proximal to the DC and PTC which do not overlap the TC binding site.

BackgroundThis ongoing follow-up study evaluated the persistence of efficacy and immune responses for 6 additional years in adults vaccinated with the glycoprotein E (gE)-based adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) at age ≥50 years in 2 pivotal efficacy trials (ZOE-50 and ZOE-70). The present interim analysis was performed after ≥2 additional years of follow-up (between 5.1 and 7.1 years [mean] post-vaccination) and includes partial data for year (Y) 8 post-vaccination.MethodsAnnual assessments were performed for efficacy against herpes zoster (HZ) from Y6 post-vaccination and for anti-gE antibody concentrations and gE-specific CD4[2+] T-cell (expressing ≥2 of 4 assessed activation markers) frequencies from Y5 post-vaccination.ResultsOf 7413 participants enrolled for the long-term efficacy assessment, 7277 (mean age at vaccination, 67.2 years), 813, and 108 were included in the cohorts evaluating efficacy, humoral immune responses, and cell-mediated immune responses, respectively. Efficacy of RZV against HZ through this interim analysis was 84.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75.9–89.8) from the start of this follow-up study and 90.9% (95% CI, 88.2–93.2) from vaccination in ZOE-50/70. Annual vaccine efficacy estimates were >84% for each year since vaccination and remained stable through this interim analysis. Anti-gE antibody geometric mean concentrations and median frequencies of gE-specific CD4[2+] T cells reached a plateau at approximately 6-fold above pre-vaccination levels.ConclusionsEfficacy against HZ and immune responses to RZV remained high, suggesting that the clinical benefit of RZV in older adults is sustained for at least 7 years post-vaccination. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02723773.

As science and technology libraries continue to evolve, specialized research support services are developed and offered at academic institutions or research organizations. Making sense of this changing landscape and determining the best programs for an institution can be a daunting task, especially for early-career librarians. This article aims to provide an overview of various small to medium size non-traditional or specialized research support services in academic and special libraries serving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. A systematic search of five databases was conducted for articles that described the development and implementation of research support services. Non-traditional or specialized research support services identified in this scoping review fall in the following areas: bibliometrics/altmetrics, data management services, geographic information systems, patents, and systematic reviews. The paper provides a detailed foundation for novice and experienced STEM librarians to offer innovative library services or enhance existing research support services.

ABSTRACT In the late nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century, Jewish immigrants took, when possible, from the Russian empire to their new destinations their dearest possessions. One of these was their books. Religious and prayer books represented the knowledge sages and rabbis had passed from generation to generation to their people. Belle lettres and political books in different languages were an important part of their education, upbringing, and ideology. These collections were the start of the libraries at the Jewish settlements in Argentina. Based on published memoirs of these first settlers this article presents how these libraries were created and notes a pattern of similarities on how they became a space to share books, to socialize, to enjoy cultural events, including readings and discussions of Yiddish and European masterpieces as well as musical and theatrical evenings, and to promote political beliefs.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading viral cause of birth defects and organ transplant rejection. The HCMV gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A complex (Pentamer) is the main target of humoral responses and thus a key vaccine candidate. We report two structures of Pentamer bound to human neutralizing antibodies, 8I21 and 9I6, at 3.0 and 5.9 Å resolution, respectively. The HCMV gH/gL architecture is similar to that of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) except for amino-terminal extensions on both subunits. The extension of gL forms a subdomain composed of a three-helix bundle and a β hairpin that acts as a docking site for UL128/UL130/UL131A. Structural analysis reveals that Pentamer is a flexible molecule, and suggests sites for engineering stabilizing mutations. We also identify immunogenic surfaces important for cellular interactions by epitope mapping and functional assays. These results can guide the development of effective vaccines and immunotherapeutics against HCMV.

As funding continues to diminish in libraries, partnerships become even more important as a way to survive. Academic libraries often collaborate cross-departmentally within the university to enhance their impact on users. Expanding these collaborations to outside institutions makes libraries efficient, effective and responsive to changing needs of users. They extend the scope of resources and real-life experiences to participants, as well as increase awareness of library services. This paper will describe collaborations the Priddy Library engaged in not only within academia, but also innovative programs with national and local government agencies, while highlighting the pitfalls and promises of these partnerships.

BackgroundH7 influenza strains have pandemic potential. AS03-adjuvanted H7N1 A/mallard/Netherlands/12/2000 split-virion vaccine formulations were evaluated as model H7-subtype vaccine and tested after H7N9 emerged in China, and caused severe human disease with high mortality. MethodsIn this phase I/II, observer-blind, randomized trial in US and Canada, 420 healthy adults (21–64years) were randomized to receive 1 of 4 H7N1 vaccine formulations (3.75 or 7.5μg hemagglutinin adjuvanted with either AS03A or AS03B), 15μg unadjuvanted H7N1 hemagglutinin, or saline placebo, given as 2-dose series. Immunogenicity was assessed using hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (MN) assays, at day 42 (21days post-dose 2), month 6, and month 12 (HI only) for the per-protocol cohorts (398, 379 and 368 participants, respectively). Safety is reported up to month 12. ResultsBeneficial AS03 adjuvant effect was demonstrated. Committee for Medical Products for Human Use, and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) criteria were met for all adjuvanted formulations at day 42 (H7N1 HI assay); seroprotection (SPR) and seroconversion rates (SCR) were 88.5–94.8%, mean geometric increase (MGI) 19.2–34.9, and geometric mean titers (GMT) 98.3–180.7. Unadjuvanted H7N1 vaccine did not meet CBER criteria. In adjuvanted groups, antibody titers decreased over time; month 12 SPRs and GMTs were low (2.0–18.8% and 8.1–12.2). MN antibodies showed similar kinetics, with titers persisting at higher range than HI at month 6. All adjuvanted groups showed cross-reactivity against H7N9, with HI responses similar to H7N1.The most frequent solicited symptom in adjuvanted groups was injection site pain (71.2–86.7%); grade 3 solicited symptoms were infrequent. Nine participants reported 17 serious adverse events; none were considered causally related to vaccination. ConclusionsAdjuvanted H7N1 vaccine formulations had an acceptable safety profile and induced an antibody response after 2 doses with cross-reactivity to H7N9.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01934127