Elevating competency-based education in baccalaureate nursing: A simulation integration project.

Simulation offers a mechanism for scaffolded learning in a safe environment and affords opportunities for students to integrate nursing knowledge, skills, and behaviors into patient care activities. Faculty applied a structured change model and utilized simulation theory and the AACN Essentials framework for competency-based education to integrate simulation across the pre-licensure curriculum at a large school of nursing. A series of clinical learning activities were implemented including one revised scenario, a computer-based simulation adapted from an existing manikin-based activity, and a multi-patient simulation developed by modifying three textbook publisher simulation resources.

Soluble Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Protein Improves Survival and Lowers Viral Titers in Lethal Mouse Model of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2 Infection with the Delta Variant.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) utilizes angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as its main receptor for cell entry. We bioengineered a soluble ACE2 protein termed ACE2 618-DDC-ABD that has increased binding to SARS-CoV-2 and prolonged duration of action. Here, we investigated the protective effect of this protein when administered intranasally to k18-hACE2 mice infected with the aggressive SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.

Intranasal soluble ACE2 improves survival and prevents brain SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A soluble ACE2 protein bioengineered for long duration of action and high affinity to SARS-CoV-2 was administered either intranasally (IN) or intraperitoneally (IP) to SARS-CoV-2-inoculated k18hACE2 mice. This decoy protein (ACE2 618-DDC-ABD) was given either IN or IP, pre- and post-inoculation, or IN, IP, or IN + IP but only post-inoculation. Survival by day 5 was 0% in untreated mice, 40% in the IP-pre, and 90% in the IN-pre group.

Superiority of intranasal over systemic administration of bioengineered soluble ACE2 for survival and brain protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of a soluble ACE2 protein termed ACE2 618-DDC-ABD, bioengineered to have long duration of action and high binding affinity to SARS-CoV-2, when administered either intranasally (IN) or intraperitoneally (IP) and before or after SARS-CoV-2 inoculation. K18hACE2 mice permissive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were inoculated with 2Ã-10 PFU wildtype SARS-CoV-2. In one protocol, ACE2 618-DDC-ABD was given either IN or IP, pre- and post-viral inoculation.

A Bayesian Implementation of Quality-by-Design for the Development of Cationic Nano-Lipid for siRNA Transfection.

Unlike Quality by Testing approach, where products were tested only after drug manufacturing, Quality by Design (QbD) is a proactive control quality paradigm, which handles risks from the early development steps. In QbD, regression models built from experimental data are used to predict a risk mapping called Design Space in which the developers can identify values of critical input factors leading to acceptable probabilities to meet the efficacy and safety specifications for the expected product. These empirical models are often limited to quantitative responses.

mRNA-LNP vaccines tuned for systemic immunization induce strong antitumor immunity by engaging splenic immune cells.

mRNA vaccines have recently proved to be highly effective against SARS-CoV-2. Key to their success is the lipid-based nanoparticle (LNP), which enables efficient mRNA expression and endows the vaccine with adjuvant properties that drive potent antibody responses. Effective cancer vaccines require long-lived, qualitative CD8 T cell responses instead of antibody responses.

A Novel Soluble ACE2 Protein Provides Lung and Kidney Protection in Mice Susceptible to Lethal SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses full-length angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a main receptor to enter target cells. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the preclinical efficacy of a novel soluble ACE2 protein with increased duration of action and binding capacity in a lethal mouse model of COVID-19.

Methods: A human soluble ACE2 variant fused with an albumin binding domain (ABD) was linked a dimerization motif hinge-like 4-cysteine dodecapeptide (DDC) to improve binding capacity to SARS-CoV-2.

Flipped Clinical Teaching: Battling COVID-19 With Creative and Active Pedagogy.

Background: During the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 global pandemic, Schools of Nursing transitioned from the traditional clinical teaching and learning experiences to synchronous online learning.

Method: As part of the Capstone experience in the second-degree, final semester course, students selected one clinical specialty area. Four full-time clinical faculty and five adjunct clinical instructors collaborated in flipped clinical lesson plans 3 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Evidence For and Against Direct Kidney Infection by SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with COVID-19.

Despite evidence of multiorgan tropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), direct viral kidney invasion has been difficult to demonstrate. The question of whether SARS-CoV2 can directly infect the kidney is relevant to the understanding of pathogenesis of AKI and collapsing glomerulopathy in patients with COVID-19. Methodologies to document SARS-CoV-2 infection that have been used include immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, hybridization, and electron microscopy.

A novel soluble ACE2 protein totally protects from lethal disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses full-length angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is membrane bound, as its initial cell contact receptor preceding viral entry. Here we report a human soluble ACE2 variant fused with a 5kD albumin binding domain (ABD) and bridged via a dimerization motif hinge-like 4-cysteine dodecapeptide, which we term ACE2 1-618-DDC-ABD. This protein is enzymatically active, has increased duration of action in vivo conferred by the ABD-tag, and displays 20-30-fold higher binding affinity to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain than its des-DDC monomeric form (ACE2 1-618-ABD) due to DDC-linked dimerization.

A Novel Soluble ACE2 Variant with Prolonged Duration of Action Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Human Kidney Organoids.

Background: There is an urgent need for approaches to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. Administration of soluble ACE2 protein acting as a decoy to bind to SARS-CoV-2 should limit viral uptake mediated by binding to membrane-bound full-length ACE2, and further therapeutic benefit should result from ensuring enzymatic ACE2 activity to affected organs in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: A short variant of human soluble ACE2 protein consisting of 618 amino acids (hACE2 1-618) was generated and fused with an albumin binding domain (ABD) using an artificial gene encoding ABDCon, with improved albumin binding affinity.

A 61% lighter cell culture dish to reduce plastic waste.

Cell culture is a ubiquitous and flexible research method. However, it heavily relies on plastic consumables generating millions of tonnes of plastic waste yearly. Plastic waste is a major and growing global concern.

Long-Term Care Nurse Residency Program: Evaluation of New Nurse Experiences and Lessons Learned.

Transitioning to long-term care environments presents a significant challenge for new nurses and their directors of nursing. The complexity of this environment, instability of the workforce, and the lack of support structures frequently affect a new nurse's decision not to apply to long-term care, but to look for positions in acute care hospitals. To address these issues, a long-term care new nurse residency program was developed, implemented, and evaluated in New Jersey through the work of the New Jersey Action Coalition.

Creating a Long-Term Care New Nurse Residency Model.

As the impact of health care reform continues to evolve, the movement of patients from acute to post-acute settings will continue to expand. Currently, the turnover and retention of RNs nationally in long-term care is at an all-time high, with a median turnover rate of 50% for RNs. Workforce instability is a prime contributor to poor patient outcomes, increased costs, and a dissatisfied nursing workforce.