Attention has been paid to H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) because of its heavy burden on the poultry industry and human mortality. Since an influenza A virus carrying N6 neuraminidase (NA) has never spread in humans, the potential for H5N6 HPAIV to cause disease in humans and the efficacy of antiviral drugs against the virus need to be urgently assessed. We used non-human primates to elucidate the pathogenesis of H5N6 HPAIV as well as to determine the efficacy of antiviral drugs against the virus. H5N6 HPAIV infection led to high fever in cynomolgus macaques. The lung injury caused by the virus was severe with diffuse alveolar damage and neutrophil infiltration. In addition, an increase in IFN-α showed an inverse correlation with virus titers during the infection process. Oseltamivir was effective for reducing H5N6 HPAIV propagation, and continuous treatment with peramivir reduced virus propagation and severity of symptoms in the early stage. This study also showed the pathologically severe lung injury states in the cynomolgus macaques infected with H5N6 HPAIV, even in those that received early antiviral drug treatments, indicating the need for close monitoring and the need for further studies on the virus pathogenicity and new antiviral therapies.

Baloxavir marboxil, a prodrug of cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor, baloxavir acid, reduces the time to improvement of influenza symptoms in patients infected with type A or B influenza virus. To characterize its pharmacokinetics, a population pharmacokinetic model for baloxavir acid was developed using 11846 plasma concentration data items from 1827 subjects including 2341 plasma concentration data items from 664 patients at high risk of influenza complications. A three-compartment model with first-order elimination and first-order absorption with lag time well described the plasma concentration data. Body weight and race were found to be the most important factors influencing clearance and volume of distribution. The exposures in high-risk patients were similar to those in otherwise healthy patients, and no pharmacokinetic difference was identified regarding any risk factors for influenza complications.

Exposure-response analyses were performed regarding the time to improvement of symptoms and the reduction in the influenza virus titer in high-risk patients. The analyses suggested that body weight-based dosage, 40 mg for patients weighing < 80 kg and 80 mg for patients weighing ≥ 80 kg, can shorten the time to improvement of influenza symptoms and reduce virus titer for both type A and B influenza virus regardless of the exposure levels of the high-risk patients as well as for the otherwise healthy influenza patients.

The results of our population pharmacokinetic and exposure-response analyses in patients with risk factors of influenza complications should provide useful information on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of baloxavir marboxil and also for the optimization of dose regimens.

Treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) is challenging partly due to high efflux pump expression. Thioridazine might block these efflux pumps. We explore thioridazine's efficacy against M. avium using minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), time-kill combination assays, ex vivo macrophage infection assays and efflux assays. Thioridazine is bactericidal against M. avium, inhibits intracellular growth at 2x MIC and blocks ethidium bromide efflux. However, its toxicity and low plasma concentrations, make it unlikely to add efficacy to MAC-PD therapy.

Avast is harvesting users' browser histories on the pretext that the data has been 'de-identified,' thus protecting your privacy. But the data, which is being sold to third parties, can be linked back to people's real identities, exposing every click and search they've made.

The password-fatigued masses will be pleased to find Keeper's new 30 percent off deal, which brings it down to $20.99 per year from its typical $29.99.

On Tuesday, Avast responded to a PCMag-Motherboard investigation into the company's browser history collection practices, saying it was entirely legal. Avast users should expect to see a prompt from the antivirus products, asking them to consent to the data harvesting.

'As CEO of Avast, I feel personally responsible and I would like to apologize to all concerned,' wrote Ondrej Vlcek following a PCMag-Motherboard investigation into the privacy risks around the data harvesting.

The hackers have been using files and emails that warn about a new coronavirus strain to trick users into opening them. Doing so can secretly deliver malware to the victim's machine.

The precious metal eased for a third day after US equities hit the highest in almost seven weeks as states including Florida took steps toward easing restrictions.

Swiss refiner Valcambi SA tried for five straight days last month to move a shipment of gold out of Hong Kong. Twice the metal was packed carefully onto a plane, only to be offloaded again.

Funders have been both fast and thoughtful about how to work with national and local partners to listen to needs from the field, identify best practices, and deploy resources quickly, says Celine Coggins.

"This pandemic has given us an opportunity to think boldly about students' educational needs and how to creatively respond to them," says Katherine Haley.

"Folks in some foundations are quietly expressing frustration that they've been cautioned to stay in their lane and only fund things aligned with their pre-COVID strategy," says Stacey Childress.

Need help with what to buy? On Twitter, reach out to @PCMag using the #PCMagPicks hashtag, and we'll track down an answer for you.

In an effort to help mitigate the disruptive effects of the deadly COVID-19 virus, an interdisciplinary team of Penn State researchers are developing a novel methodology to analyze its spread and the impacts on policy to create better-prepared and more-resilient health care systems.

Reducing indebtedness and improving savings in South Africa is a major socio-economic challenge, warns an industry expert.

Student Sandisiwe Msomi saved R23 400 in small change over a year, which she will now use to pay for the registration fees of her second academic year.

The Garmin Forerunner 935, which sits at the top of the Forerunner hierarchy thanks to highly customizable running and triathlon features, is $128 off on Amazon today.

Russell B. Toomey
Oct 1, 2018; 142:e20174218-e20174218
ARTICLES

A winner of the European Women's Under-17 Championship with Poland in 2013, Ewa Pajor urges the players taking part in this year's final tournament in Bulgaria to seize the moment.

When starting your savings journey, contribute the maximum tax-free allocation and then explore further options that suit your risk appetite and profile, says an expert.

Instability in local and international stock markets – mainly due to concerns over the impact of the coronavirus – might have you concerned about preserving your retirement savings.

The "scare" reaction in the markets due to the coronavirus pandemic, has removed "froth" and returned risk markets to much fairer valuations, says an investment expert.

Community and university leaders collaborate to help students and parents residing in the McKeesport Area School District.

Social distancing is forcing school business to be conducted virtually, putting school boards in the difficult spot of making crucial decisions on spending and other issues without the same level of public input.

It's vital that school boards make it clear that leaving students without access to meaningful instruction for 4-6 months is unacceptable, says national school board guru AJ Crabill.

India, this magical land, has irresistibly captivated crowds of visitors because of definite motives: incredible Indian charms, numerous residues of past ages, and various sacred points for pilgrimage. Tourism in India has always been among the most full-blown spheres of the state's politics. India tourism allows traveling to all the most famous places, you may wish to visit. Among them, there are illustrious palaces and groves, forts built in both oriental and English colonial manners, and...

It's not a particularly good value, but the HP Pavilion Desktop PC is well-built, with an attractive chassis, plenty of USB ports, and a speedy SSD instead of a hard drive.

Google removes the free WireGuard app from the Play Store for having a donation button, reigniting a debate over whether its policy hurts the open-source community.

Use the coupon code below to snag the 55-inch model for just $1,249 (down from $1,999.99) or the 65-inch model for $1,549 (down from $2,799.99).

In our review, we called this TV 'among the brightest we've tested.' It comes in five different sizes, all of which are currently between 18 and 39 percent off at Amazon.

Before inviting everyone over to watch, make sure your TV setup is Super Bowl ready. After all, there's no excuse with sales like these.

Don't watch the Super Bowl on your old, grainy TV. Head over to the PCMag Shop to score a big discount on the 65-Inch LG OLED B9 Series 4K smart OLED TV.

Research firm IHS Markit expects the display panel factories in Wuhan, China, to struggle to resume full production when the Chinese New Year holiday ends on Feb. 2. As a result, supplies for panels for TVs and PCs are expected to be tight in the ensuing months.

The march of Marvel off of Netflix continues and this month a few DC films join in, too.

Very carefully, experts say, while understanding that federal laws governing special education were not written with online education in mind.

The two national teachers' unions and other prominent groups are seeking $175 billion for state K-12 budgets, $13 billion in dedicated aid for special education, and more to help schools deal with the coronavirus.

991 people in the US were asked about their mastery of three common tech tasks; the results aren't too encouraging.

Usually priced at $79.99, it's available now for just $51.99.

I was just sitting down to write this week's column when the Red Arrows flew right over my head.

SEVEN weeks into lockdown it’s natural that we’re all looking for the dove with the olive branch signifying this virus is receding. I fear, though, that a generation will pass before we encounter anything resembling normality. I’d be wary too of those eagerly plotting road-maps out of uncertainty and consider first what might lie behind their enthusiasm.

People travelling to the UK will be quarantined for two weeks upon arrival as part of measures to prevent a second peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff from NHS England have been asked to travel hundreds of miles to Scotland to be tested for coronavirus, according to reports.

A sixth resident has died from coronavirus in a care home on Skye.

The Herald is bringing you the latest coronavirus news and updates from Scotland, the UK and the world.

A survey of educators around the country found that many reported looking up interventions on their own, when they really wanted more formal training, a survey found.

The world's largest education research group said it will work to convert much of the annual meeting into a virtual experience for attendees and presenters.

Alejandro Hoberman
Jul 1, 1999; 104:79-86
ARTICLES

Student-teachers are grappling with uncertainty over housing, graduation requirements, and their ability to meet requirements for the edTPA licensing test.

Designed to work primarily with mobile devices, the Tango is one of the first printers to feature voice control. The portable Sprocket, meanwhile, lets you print photos from your phone.