ABSTRACT
The minimal virus requirements for the generation of influenza virus-like particle (VLP) assembly and budding were reassessed. Using neuraminidase (NA) from the H5N1 and H1N1 subtypes, it was found that the expression of NA alone was sufficient to generate and release VLPs. Biochemical and functional characterization of the NA-containing VLPs demonstrated that they were morphologically similar to influenza virions. The NA oligomerization was comparable to that of the live virus, and the enzymic activity, whilst not required for the release of NA-VLPs, was preserved. Together, these findings indicate that NA plays a key role in virus budding and morphogenesis, and demonstrate that NA-VLPs represent a useful tool in influenza research.
Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/physiology , Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/physiology , Neuraminidase/physiology , Viral Proteins/physiology , Virus Assembly/physiology , Virus Release/physiology , Cell Line , Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics , Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/physiology , Humans , Inclusion Bodies, Viral/genetics , Inclusion Bodies, Viral/physiology , Inclusion Bodies, Viral/ultrastructure , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/ultrastructure , Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Neuraminidase/genetics , Transfection , Viral Matrix Proteins/genetics , Viral Matrix Proteins/physiology , Viral Proteins/genetics , Virus Assembly/genetics , Virus Release/geneticsABSTRACT
We tested the hypothesis that an education program addressing breast cancer screening schedules and modalities coupled with a breast cancer risk assessment provided by community pharmacists can increase women's confidence in performing screening practices endorsed by the American Cancer Society (ACS). This randomized, paired, pre-post study was conducted in six community pharmacies and two health-screening fairs; subjects were 140 women over 18 years of age. The pharmacist-administered program used the Breast Cancer Risk-Assessment Tool (Gail model) software provided by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. In addition, pharmacists provided education and training on breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammography. Adherence to ACS guidelines for monthly BSE increased from 31% to 56% (p<0.001) for all women 6 months after the program. Performance of monthly BSE by women considered at high risk for developing breast cancer increased from 20% to 60% (p<0.005). The mean number of BSEs performed over 6 months increased from 2.69 to 4.09 (p<0.001). Women's confidence performing correct BSE improved from 6.41 to 7.04 (p<0.001) on a scale of 0-10. Adherence to ACS guidelines for CBE and mammography did not reveal statistically significant improvements except for better adherence to CBE in women aged 40-49 years (81% to 97%, p<0.025). The strength of the pharmacists' intervention may not appear as manipulation of high-risk patients' behavior but as improvement of self-directed behaviors, such as BSE, across all age groups.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Breast Self-Examination , Community Pharmacy Services/organization & administration , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Breast Self-Examination/methods , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Logistic Models , Middle Aged , Pharmacists , Risk Assessment , Statistics, NonparametricABSTRACT
A single-subject reversal design was used to test the hypothesis that aerobic conditioning would elevate mood in seven clinically depressed persons. The hypothesis was confirmed for two subjects but not for the group as a whole. A reversal design does not appear suitable for this area of investigation.
