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Safety and Efficacy of Repurposed Smallpox Vaccines Against Mpox: A Critical Review of ACAM2000, JYNNEOS, and LC16
Full text linkSince 2022, outbreaks of monkeypox (Mpox), which is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), have been documented in more than 116 nations, making it a serious danger to world health. Despite being self-limiting in most cases, Mpox can lead to severe illness and even death, especially among high-risk populations like the LGBTQI + community. Hence, there is an urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies, with vaccination playing a crucial role. This paper explores the safety and efficacy of three key vaccines; ACAM2000, JYNNEOS, and LC16 that are repurposed from smallpox vaccines to combat Mpox. ACAM2000, a replication-competent vaccinia virus vaccine, has shown high effectiveness but is associated with serious adverse reactions, including myocarditis and progressive vaccinia. JYNNEOS, a modified vaccinia Ankara vaccine, offers a more favorable safety profile with fewer severe side effects, demonstrating 82% vaccine effectiveness in preventing Mpox. LC16, another smallpox vaccine, shows strong protective efficacy in animal models and excellent safety outcomes in human trials. Our assessment of the available primary data suggests that amongst the three candidates, JYNNEOS emerges as the most promising candidate for widespread use due to its strong effectiveness and superior safety profile. However, while Mpox vaccines provide robust protection, their varying safety profiles highlight the need for tailored vaccination strategies based on individual health factors. The authors therefore emphasize balancing vaccine efficacy with safety risks, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further research and surveillance are essential to optimize vaccination strategies and control Mpox outbreaks worldwide
Thermally tunable mid-infrared nanocavity resonance of coupled surface plasmon-phonon polaritons
Full text linkPhase-change materials (PCMs) are essential for achieving tunability of metasurfaces. However, they frequently face limitations in the long-wave infrared range because of their lossy behavior. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a thermally tunable mid-infrared nanocavity resonance from coupled surface plasmon-phonon polaritons that are supported within a trilayer structure of metal-PCM layer-polar dielectric (Au-VO2-SiC). The top metal structures configure the Fabry-Perot cavity resonance near 840 cm−1 (11.9 µm), which is sensitively tunable and reversible with small changes in the VO2 refractive index ∆n near below its insulator-to-metal phase transition temperature where the loss is small. The maximum resonance shift of 7.7 cm−1 is induced by a small ∆n = 0.3 over a temperature change of 3°C. The tuning figure of merit is comparable to the current standard in photonic modulator applications
Fish Assemblages and Flow Regimes Upstream and Downstream of Falcon Reservoir
Full text linkThe lower Rio Grande is regulated by Falcon and Amistad dams, as well as series of smaller dams and rock weirs. Several native fish species that rely on a natural flow regime for habitat and spawning are imperiled in the region. We analyzed streamflow discharge above and below Falcon Reservoir to assess potential impacts of dam impoundment on the fishes and flow regime. Fish collections were conducted by seine, and river discharge data was provided by the International Boundaries and Water Commission. We found significant differences in fish assemblages above vs below Falcon Reservoir, and the flow regime was significantly more altered downstream of the reservoir. We also identified two Species of Greatest Conservation Need for Texas above Falcon Reservoir (Notropis braytoni and Macrhybopsis aestivalis). Although the entire river below the upstream-most dam (Amistad) has had considerable hydrologic alteration, the reach between Amistad and Falcon reservoirs retains important biodiversity in need of protection. Further research on the ecology and conservation of the lower river is warranted to aid management and conservation efforts in maintaining populations of remaining native fish species.
- La parte baja del Río Grande está regulada por las presas Falcón y Amistad. Las especies de peces nativas dependen del régimen de flujo natural para su hábitat y desove. Analicé la descarga de corriente de los arroyos y las concentraciones de peces por arriba y por debajo del embalse Falcon para evaluar los impactos potenciales del embalse de la presa. Las recolecciones de peces se realizaron con redes de cerco y la Comisión Internacional de Límites y Aguas proporcionó los datos sobre la descarga del río. Encontré diferencias significativas en las concentraciones de peces arriba y debajo del embalse Falcon, y el régimen de flujo se alteró significativamente más en aguas abajo del embalse Falcon. También identifiqué dos especies de mayor preocupación para Texas sobre el embalse Falcon (Notropis braytoni y Macrhybopsis aestivalis). Aunque todo el río debajo de la presa más arriba (Amistad) tuvo una alteración hidrológica considerable, el tramo entre los embalses Amistad y Falcón conserva una biodiversidad importante que necesita protección. Se justifica realizar más investigaciones sobre las implicaciones ecológicas y de conservación de estos hallazgos para informar los esfuerzos de manejo y conservación en el Río Grande
Assessing the effects of design modifications on the use of wildlife exits designed for endangered Texas ocelots
Full text linkRoadside exclusionary fencing is commonly used on highways to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. Although it can mitigate wildlife road mortality by limiting their access to the road, it can also create a barrier for wildlife stranded within the right-of-way. On State Highway 100 in Texas, the Texas Department of Transportation installed 10 wildlife exits (WEs) to allow endangered ocelots and other wildlife to escape the fenced roadway and minimize wildlife-vehicle collisions. Our study compared three types of WE designs within the same area from 2019 to 2024 to assess their effectiveness. The first design (Design A) was without a door and berm, and the second design (Design B) had a raised berm (10 WE sites) with a door (six WE sites) and no door (four WE sites). Lastly, a third design (Design C) had all the structural features of Design B, except for the raised berm removed from all ten WE sites. We used the approaches of four meso-carnivore target species (coyote, bobcat, northern raccoon, and striped skunk) as a metric and binomial generalized linear model as a statistical method to evaluate the effectiveness between three designs. The statistical analysis showed that the raised berm in Design B was the major cause for a decline in the approaches of meso-carnivore communities toward the WE sites. With the berm removal in Design C, the approaches of target species from road to habitat increased significantly in the sites without a door. Our study indicates that the WE door design might be another structural cause for limiting its effectiveness, where significantly lower approaches were recorded for meso-carnivores in the sites with a door compared to those without a door in Design C
Harnessing Natural Product Compounds to Target Dormancy Survival Regulator (DosR) in Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI): An In Silico Strategy Against Dormancy
Full text linkDormancy occurs when Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) enters a non-replicating and metabolically inactive state in response to hostile environment. During this state, it is highly resistant to conventional antibiotics, which increase the urgency to develop new potential drugs against dormant bacilli. In view of this, the dormancy survival regulator (DosR) protein is thought to be an essential component that plays a key role in bacterial adaptation to dormancy during hypoxic conditions. Herein, the NP-lib database containing natural product compounds was screened virtually against the binding site of the DosR protein using the MTiopen screen web server. A series of computational analyses were performed, including redocking, intermolecular interaction analysis, and MDS, followed by binding free energy analysis. Through screening, 1000 natural product compounds were obtained with docking energy ranging from −8.5 to −4.1 kcal/mol. The top four lead compounds were then selected for further investigation. On comparative analysis of intermolecular interaction, dynamics simulation and MM/GBSA calculation revealed that M3 docked with the DosR protein (docking score = −8.1 kcal/mol, RMSD = ~7 Å and ΔG Bind = −53.51 kcal/mol) exhibited stronger stability than reference compound Ursolic acid (docking score = −6.2 kcal/mol, RMSD = ~13.5 Å and ΔG Bind = −44.51 kcal/mol). Hence, M3 is recommended for further validation through in vitro and in vivo studies against latent tuberculosis infection
Behavioral Neuroscience of Drug Addiction And Mental Disorder
Full text linkThis book explores the molecular, cellular, and neurocircuitry systems in the brain that are responsible for drug addiction. Common neurobiological elements are emphasized that provide novel insights into how the brain mediates the acute rewarding effects of drugs of abuse and how it changes during the transition from initial drug use to compulsive drug use and addiction. The book provides a detailed overview of the pathophysiology of the disease. The information provided will be useful for neuroscientists in the field of addiction, drug abuse treatment providers, and undergraduate and postgraduate students who are interested in learning the diverse effects of drugs of abuse on the brain.
With more than one in five people over the age of 14 addicted, drug abuse has been called the most formidable health problem worldwide. This book will point out what is different about the brains of addicts even before they first pick up a drink or drug, and it highlights the changes that take place in the brain and behavior because of chronic use and shares the surprising hidden gifts of personality that addiction can expose
Synthesis and Characterization of Composite Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering: An Investigation on Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility
No full textThis study investigates the fabrication and characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/agar double-network (DN) hydrogels for biomedical applications, focusing on mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and tissue engineering potential. Techniques like swelling ratio analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), alongside antibacterial and cytotoxicity assays, were employed to evaluate the hydrogels\u27 properties. Results show that increasing agar content enhances mechanical and physical properties, with swelling ratios increasing by 300% when agar makes up 6% of the hydrogel, compared to 140% without agar. A positive correlation was observed between agar concentration and compressive and tensile moduli. Load-relaxation rates, essential for viscoelastic properties, also improved with higher agar content. Antibacterial tests confirmed the effectiveness of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) for drug release, while limitations were present for cell viability testing, MTS assay results showed some success 48 hours. This research lays the foundation for advancing artificial organs, cancer therapies, and regenerative medicine by optimizing these hydrogels
Translanguaging as a cultural Bridge: Entretejiendo voces bilingües en la frontera [Translanguaging as a Cultural Bridge: Interweaving Bilingual Voices at the Border]
No full textEl presente estudio cualitativo explora las autohistorias de cuatro maestras bilingües que viven y enseñan en el Valle del Sur de Texas, una región fronteriza entre Estados Unidos y México. A través de pláticas íntimas, tejimos juntas narrativas que revelan la complejidad de ser mujer, ser educadora, ser transnacional, y ser bilingüe en un espacio donde las lenguas, culturas e identidades se cruzan, se fracturan y se reconstruyen. “Pláticas can provide a space of healing as the platicadoras release past trauma and current struggles rigged with sexism, racism, classism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism” (Morales et al., 2023). Utilizando un marco metodológico basado Critical consciousness and social transformation, esta investigación da voz a experiencias frecuentemente silenciadas en el discurso educativo tradicional. “Women of color write not only about abstract ideas but also bring in their personal history as well as the history of their community,” (Anzaldua, 2000, p. 242) Las áreas que guiaron esta investigación son, (1) vivir y trabajar como maestra bilingüe en el Rio Grande Valley, (2) el bilingüismo en la vida social y laboral, y (3) factores socioculturales, ideológicos y experiencias personales que influyen en radicar en el Rio Grande Valley.
Se usó el análisis temático para analizar las transcripciones de las pláticas. Las revelaciones principales destacan cinco temas centrales: la evaluación degradante del lenguaje, la identidad en tránsito, las prácticas transfronterizas, la familia como raíz, y la profesión docente como acto de resistencia. Estas historias no solo dialogan con teorías socioculturales, sino que también retan las estructuras educativas actuales que aún ven el bilingüismo como una carga y no como un canto de vida. Esta disertación evidencia cómo las maestras bilingües navegan la frontera no solo geográfica, sino también emocional, cultural y lingüística. Las implicaciones de este trabajo llaman a una transformación en la preparación de maestras y en las políticas educativas, urgiendo el reconocimiento del bilingüismo y la biculturalidad como fuentes de poder y no de déficit. Además, este estudio abre caminos para futuras investigaciones que sigan hilando la memoria, la resistencia y la identidad de comunidades históricamente marginalizadas.
Esta investigación fue realizada con profundo respeto por la privacidad y consentimiento de las participantes, quienes compartieron sus autohistorias en un espacio seguro y colaborativo. Las voces aquí plasmadas son testimonio de que, mientras existan maestras que enseñen desde la herida y el amor, el tejido de nuestras lenguas, memorias y luchas seguirá bordándose, resistiendo y floreciendo.
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This qualitative study explores the self-stories of four bilingual teachers who live and teach in the South Texas Valley, a border region between the United States and Mexico. Through intimate conversations, we wove together narratives that reveal the complexity of being a woman, an educator, a transnational being, and a bilingual in a space where languages, cultures, and identities intersect, fracture, and are reconstructed. “Conversations can provide a space of healing as the conversationalists release past trauma and current struggles rigged with sexism, racism, classism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism” (Morales et al., 2023). Using a methodological framework based on Critical Consciousness and Social Transformation, this research gives voice to experiences frequently silenced in traditional educational discourse. “Women of color write not only about abstract ideas but also bring them into their personal history as well as the history of their community” (Anzaldua, 2000, p. 242). The areas that guided this research are: (1) living and working as a bilingual teacher in the Rio Grande Valley, (2) bilingualism in social and professional life, and (3) sociocultural, ideological, and personal experience factors that influence living in the Rio Grande Valley.
Thematic analysis was used to analyze the conversation transcripts. The main insights highlight five central themes: the degrading evaluation of language, identity in transit, cross-border practices, family as a root, and the teaching profession as an act of resistance. These stories not only engage with sociocultural theories but also challenge current educational structures that still view bilingualism as a burden rather than a lifeline. This dissertation demonstrates how bilingual teachers navigate borders that are not only geographical but also emotional, cultural, and linguistic. The implications of this work call for a transformation in teacher preparation and educational policies, urging the recognition of bilingualism and biculturalism as sources of power, not of deficit. Furthermore, this study paves the way for future research that continues to weave together the memory, resistance, and identity of historically marginalized communities.
This research was conducted with profound respect for the privacy and consent of the participants, who shared their self-stories in a safe and collaborative space. The voices captured here are testimony to the fact that, as long as there are teachers who teach from wounds and love, the fabric of our languages, memories, and struggles will continue to be woven, resist, and flourish