Researchers at the University of Georgia and Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, have announced the development of a vaccine that protects against multiple strains of both seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza in mouse models. They published their findings recently in the Journal of Virology.

Researchers from UGA and Sanofi Pasteur, which has a research and development collaboration agreement with UGA, will present their data tomorrow, March 30, at the World Vaccine Congress US 2016 in Washington, D.C.

"One of the problems with current influenza vaccines is that we have to make predictions about which virus strains will be most prevalent every year and build our vaccines around those predictions," said Ted Ross, director of UGA's Center for Vaccines and Immunology and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Infectious Diseases in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "What we have developed is a vaccine that protects against multiple different strains of H1N1 virus at once, so we might be able to one day replace the current standard of care with this more broadly cross-protective vaccine."

The H1N1 influenza virus caused a worldwide pandemic in 2009. When it was first detected, it was called swine flu because the virus was similar to those found in pigs, but the virus now circulates as a seasonal form of influenza.

Using a technique called Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen, or COBRA, UGA researchers Donald Carter, Christopher Darby and Bradford Lefoley, along with Ross, created nine prototype synthetic compound vaccines constructed using genetic sequences from multiple influenza virus strains.

The COBRA vaccines were designed to recognize H1N1 viruses isolated within the last 100 years, but many of the experimental vaccines produced immunity against influenza strains not included in the design.

Treatment

The best treatment for claudication depends on the underlying cause and the severity or extent of symptoms.

Resting by standing still for a few minutes will normally stop the pain and discomfort that mild to moderate claudication causes.

People with mild claudication may also benefit from lifestyle changes to lessen factors that can worsen the condition. These lifestyle changes include:

Frequent, moderate exercise

In people who can exercise, undertaking frequent, moderate exercise may increase how far they can walk and reduce their pain.

Exercise also helps underlying problems that can worsen symptoms, such as:

• inactivity
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• obesity

Some authorities recommend 30 minutes of brisk walking daily, walking until symptoms occur, then resting and returning to exercise.

The recommendation is then for a person to slowly aim to trigger symptoms in the first 5–7 minutes of walking. They can do this by increasing walking speed or gradient over time.

Stop smoking

Smoking damages the lining of blood vessels, reduces levels of good fats, or high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in blood vessels, and increases the levels of bad fats, or low-density lipoproteins (LDP).

Smoking also promotes harmful blood clotting. Nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco, increases blood pressure.

Quitting smoking may slow disease progression and increase walking distance in people with conditions that cause claudication, such as PAD.

Eat a healthful diet

Saturated and trans fats can increase cholesterol levels and the risk of developing plaque in blood vessels.

Sodium can dehydrate the body and cause high blood pressure. Alcohol can also increase blood pressure.

Eating a diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and unsaturated fats from low fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, and fish can usually improve cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Manage stress

Chronic or severe stress can alter the blood and nervous system.

What is a burn evaluation?

A burn is a type of injury to the skin and/or other tissues. The skin is the largest organ in your body. It is essential for