Viral Protein VP1 Virus-like Particles (VLP) of CVB4 Induces Protective Immunity against Lethal Challenges with Diabetogenic E2 and Wild Type JBV Strains in Mice Model.

Several epidemiological studies demonstrated that coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) causes viral pancreatitis and can ultimately result in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Prevention of CVB4 infection is therefore highly desirable. There is currently no vaccine or antiviral therapeutic reagent in clinical use. VLP are structurally similar to native virus particles and therefore are far better immunogens than any other subunit vaccines. Many studies have shown the potential of capsid protein VP1 on providing protective effects from different viral strains. In this study, we contributed towards the development of a CVB4 VLP-based vaccine from the total protein VP1 of the diabetogenic CVB4E2 strain and assessed whether it could induce a protective immunity against both the wild-type CVB4JBV and the diabetogenic CVB4E2 strains in mice model. Serum samples, taken from mice immunized with VLP, were assayed in vitro for their anti-CVB4 neutralizing activity and in vivo for protective activity. We show that VLP vaccine generates robust immune responses that protect mice from lethal challenges. Results demonstrate that CVB4 VP1 capsid proteins expressed in insect cells have the intrinsic capacity to assemble into non-infectious VLP, which afforded protection from CVB4 infection to mice when used as a vaccine.

Road safety status during COVID-19 pandemic: exploring public and road safety expert's opinions.

The main objective of this study is to investigate the status of traffic safety and the public perception of traffic safety during the during COVID-19 pandemic. Three different data sets are used in this study: road crash and traffic violation data from Qatar, and two separate questionnaire surveys (from general public and road safety experts). Results showed that during COVID-19 period, the total number of crashes in Qatar significantly reduced during the pandemic compared with the previous 5 years. However, the rates of serious and fatal injuries significantly increased. Regarding the general public perceptions, more than 80% reported that roads became safer while driving behaviours improved during the pandemic. On the other hand, more than 50% of the experts disagreed that roads became safer, 55% disagreed that driving behaviours improved and 70% agreed that less attention from governments was directed toward road safety during the pandemic. The findings from this study could help policy makers to understand the road safety status during the pandemic to make appropriate adjustments in the traffic laws and regulations on a temporary basis. This could help in reducing crash-related injuries and as a result reduce pressure on health and other emergency services.

Development of undergraduate nursing entrustable professional activities through using a participatory design approach.

BACKGROUND: Competencies represent sets of general abilities and attributes that graduating nurses must acquire. Most nursing programs adopt competency based assessment and training approaches to prepare their students to enter the clinical environment. However, some concern has been raised regarding their interpretation and implementation in everyday clinical training. To operationalize competencies for better use in clinical practice, the Entrustable Professional Activities framework (EPAs) was introduced in 2005 by ten Cate. AIM: The aim of this study is to develop a framework of EPAs for an Undergraduate Nursing Program. METHOD: Through using a participatory action design approach, the participants developed a set of EPAs linked with competencies for an Undergraduate Nursing Program. Thematic analysis was performed, and EPAs framework validity was constructed. RESULT: A total of eight core EPAs were developed and each one was operationalized by a brief description and nested within the related core competency domains. Supervision levels and entrustment decisions were determined. CONCLUSION: The development of EPAs specific to undergraduate nursing programs may offer the opportunity to have standardized language to evaluate students' progress toward competency in nursing. It is recommended to conduct further research to improve the developed EPAs.

The Experiences of People with Diabetes during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown.

Little is known about the theoretical foundation underling the response of people with diabetes managing their everyday routines during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. AIM: To explore the experience of people with diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in light of the risk perception, response and behavioral change theories. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive design was employed, and Braun and Clark's six step analysis were used for thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online using Zoom Videos Communication. RESULT: Five themes were defined as follows: (1) perceived the threat and faced their fears, (2) appraised the damage, (3) identified the challenges, (4) modified their routine, and (5) identified the strengths that facilitate the efficacy of their response. There were eight sub-themes within the themes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may provide an opportunity for nurses to reflect on issues highlighted by the patients regarding more effective communication, knowledge and skill development for people to support self-care during national emergencies.