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Asthma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting some 300 million people throughout the world.1 More than 8% of the US population has asthma, with the prevalence increasing.2 As with other diseases, animal models of allergic airway disease greatly facilitate understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, help identify potential therapeutic targets, and allow preclinical testing of possible new therapies. Models of allergic airway disease have been developed in several animal species, but murine models are particularly attractive due to the low cost, ready availability, and well-characterized immune systems of these animals.3 Availability of a variety of transgenic strains further increases the attractiveness of these models.4 Here we describe two murine models of allergic airway disease, both employing ovalbumin as the antigen. Following initial sensitization by intraperitoneal injection, one model delivers the antigen challenge by nebulization, the other by intratracheal delivery. These two models offer complementary advantages, with each mimicking the major features of human asthma.5
The major features of acute asthma include an exaggerated airway response to stimuli such as methacholine (airway hyperresponsiveness; AHR) and eosinophil-rich airway inflammation. These are also prominent effects of allergen challenge in our murine models,5,6 and we describe techniques for measuring them and thus evaluating the effects of experimental manipulation. Specifically, we describe both invasive7 and non-invasive8 techniques for measuring airway hyperresponsiveness as well as methods for assessing infiltration of inflammatory cells into the airways and the lung. Airway inflammatory cells are collected by bronchoalveolar lavage while lung histopathology is used to assess markers of inflammation throughout the organ. These techniques provide powerful tools for studying asthma in ways that would not be possible in humans.
15 Related JoVE Articles!
A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
Institutions: Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Millenium Premier Group, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM).
Airway hyperreactivity (AHR) measurements and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid sampling are essential to experimental asthma models, but repeated procedures to obtain such measurements in the same animal are generally not feasible. Here, we demonstrate protocols for obtaining from mice repeated measurements of AHR and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples. Mice were challenged intranasally seven times over 14 days with a potent allergen or sham treated. Prior to the initial challenge, and within 24 hours following each intranasal challenge, the same animals were anesthetized, orally intubated and mechanically ventilated. AHR, assessed by comparing dose response curves of respiratory system resistance (RRS) induced by increasing intravenous doses of acetylcholine (Ach) chloride between sham and allergen-challenged animals, were determined. Afterwards, and via the same intubation, the left lung was lavaged so that differential enumeration of airway cells could be performed. These studies reveal that repeated measurements of AHR and BAL fluid collection are possible from the same animals and that maximal airway hyperresponsiveness and airway eosinophilia are achieved within 7-10 days of initiating allergen challenge. This novel technique significantly reduces the number of mice required for longitudinal experimentation and is applicable to diverse rodent species, disease models and airway physiology instruments.
Physiology, Issue 38, Airway resistance, intubation, airway hyperreactivity, acetylcholine
In vitro Measurements of Tracheal Constriction Using Mice
Institutions: UT Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Transgenic and knockout mice have been powerful tools for the investigation of the physiology and pathophysiology of airways1,2
. In vitro
tensometry of isolated tracheal preparations has proven to be a useful assay of airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractile response in genetically modified mice. These in vitro
tracheal preparations are relatively simple, provide a robust response, and retain both functional cholinergic nerve endings and muscle responses, even after long incubations.
Tracheal tensometry also provides a functional assay to study a variety of second messenger signaling pathways that affect contraction of smooth muscle. Contraction in trachea is primarily mediated by parasympathetic, cholinergic nerves that release acetylcholine onto ASM (Figure 1
). The major ASM acetylcholine receptors are muscarinic M2 and M3 which are Gi/o
and Gq coupled receptors, respectively3,4,5
. M3 receptors evoke contraction by coupling to Gq to activate phospholipase C, increase IP3 production and IP3-mediated calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum3,6,7
signaling is believed to enhance contractions by inhibition of adenylate cyclase leading to a decrease in cAMP levels5,8,9,10
. These pathways constitute the so called "pharmaco-contraction coupling" of airway smooth muscle11
. In addition, cholinergic signaling through M2 receptors (and modulated by M3 signaling) involves pathways that depolarize the ASM which in turn activate L-type, voltage-dependent calcium channels (Figure 1
) and calcium influx (so called "excitation-contraction coupling")4,7
. More detailed reviews on signaling pathways controlling airway constriction can be found4,12
. The above pathways appear to be conserved between mice and other species. However, mouse tracheas differ from other species in some signaling pathways. Most prominent is their lack of contractile response to histamine and adenosine13,14
, both well-known ASM modulators in humans and other species5,15
Here we present protocols for the isolation of murine tracheal rings and the in vitro
measurement of their contractile output. Included are descriptions of the equipment configuration, trachea ring isolation and contractile measurements. Examples are given for evoking contractions indirectly using high potassium stimulation of nerves and directly by depolarization of ASM muscle to activate voltage-dependent calcium influx (1. high K+
, Figure 1
). In addition, methods are presented for stimulations of nerves alone using electric field stimulation (2. EFS, Figure 1
), or for direct stimulation of ASM muscle using exogenous neurotransmitter applied to the bath (3. exogenous ACH, Figure 1
). This flexibility and ease of preparation renders the isolated trachea ring model a robust and functional assay for a number of signaling cascades involved in airway smooth muscle contraction.
Medicine, Issue 64, Physiology, trachea, force transduction, Airway smooth muscle, constriction, cholinergic receptor
Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
Institutions: McMaster University, Hamilton, University of Toronto.
Dendritic cells (DCs) are the key players involved in initiation of adaptive immune response by activating antigen-specific T cells. DCs are present in peripheral tissues in steady state; however in response to antigen stimulation, DCs take up the antigen and rapidly migrate to the draining lymph nodes where they initiate T cell response against the antigen1,2
. Additionally, DCs also play a key role in initiating autoimmune as well as allergic immune response3
DCs play an essential role in both initiation of immune response and induction of tolerance in the setting of lung environment4
. Lung environment is largely tolerogenic, owing to the exposure to vast array of environmental antigens5
. However, in some individuals there is a break in tolerance, which leads to induction of allergy and asthma. In this study, we describe a strategy, which can be used to monitor airway DC maturation and migration in response to the antigen used for sensitization. The measurement of airway DC maturation and migration allows for assessment of the kinetics of immune response during airway allergic inflammation and also assists in understanding the magnitude of the subsequent immune response along with the underlying mechanisms.
Our strategy is based on the use of ovalbumin as a sensitizing agent. Ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma is a widely used model to reproduce the airway eosinophilia, pulmonary inflammation and elevated IgE levels found during asthma6,7
. After sensitization, mice are challenged by intranasal delivery of FITC labeled ovalbumin, which allows for specific labeling of airway DCs which uptake ovalbumin. Next, using several DC specific markers, we can assess the maturation of these DCs and can also assess their migration to the draining lymph nodes by employing flow cytometry.
Immunology, Issue 65, Medicine, Physiology, Dendritic Cells, allergic airway inflammation, ovalbumin, lymph nodes, lungs, dendritic cell maturation, dendritic cell migration, mediastinal lymph nodes
Development of an in vitro model system for studying the interaction of Equus caballus IgE with its high-affinity receptor FcεRI
Institutions: King Abdulaziz University, The University of Sheffield.
The interaction of IgE with its high-affinity Fc receptor (FcεRI) followed by an antigenic challenge is the principal pathway in IgE mediated allergic reactions. As a consequence of the high affinity binding between IgE and FcεRI, along with the continuous production of IgE by B cells, allergies usually persist throughout life, with currently no permanent cure available. Horses, especially race horses, which are commonly inbred, are a species of mammals that are very prone to the development of hypersensitivity responses, which can seriously affect their performance. Physiological responses to allergic sensitization in horses mirror that observed in humans and dogs. In this paper we describe the development of an in situ
assay system for the quantitative assessment of the release of mediators of the allergic response pertaining to the equine system. To this end, the gene encoding equine FcεRIα was transfected into and expressed onto the surface of parental Rat Basophil Leukemia (RBL-2H3.1) cells. The gene product of the transfected equine α-chain formed a functional receptor complex with the endogenous rat β- and γ-chains 1
. The resultant assay system facilitated an assessment of the quantity of mediator secreted from equine FcεRIα transfected RBL-2H3.1 cells following sensitization with equine IgE and antigenic challenge using β-hexosaminidase release as a readout 2, 3
. Mediator release peaked at 36.68% ± 4.88% at 100 ng ml-1
of antigen. This assay was modified from previous assays used to study human and canine allergic responses 4, 5
. We have also shown that this type of assay system has multiple applications for the development of diagnostic tools and the safety assessment of potential therapeutic intervention strategies in allergic disease 6, 2, 3
Immunology, Issue 93, Allergy, Immunology, IgE, Fcε, RI, horse (Equus caballus), Immunoassay
The Utilization of Oropharyngeal Intratracheal PAMP Administration and Bronchoalveolar Lavage to Evaluate the Host Immune Response in Mice
Institutions: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The host immune response to pathogens is a complex biological process. The majority of in vivo
studies classically employed to characterize host-pathogen interactions take advantage of intraperitoneal injections of select bacteria or pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in mice. While these techniques have yielded tremendous data associated with infectious disease pathobiology, intraperitoneal injection models are not always appropriate for host-pathogen interaction studies in the lung. Utilizing an acute lung inflammation model in mice, it is possible to conduct a high resolution analysis of the host innate immune response utilizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here, we describe the methods to administer LPS using nonsurgical oropharyngeal intratracheal administration, monitor clinical parameters associated with disease pathogenesis, and utilize bronchoalveolar lavage fluid to evaluate the host immune response. The techniques that are described are widely applicable for studying the host innate immune response to a diverse range of PAMPs and pathogens. Likewise, with minor modifications, these techniques can also be applied in studies evaluating allergic airway inflammation and in pharmacological applications.
Infection, Issue 86, LPS, Lipopolysaccharide, mouse, pneumonia, gram negative bacteria, inflammation, acute lung inflammation, innate immunity, host pathogen interaction, lung, respiratory disease
Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation
Institutions: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Children's Hospital of Michigan.
Fiberoptic intubation in pediatric patients is often required especially in difficult airways of syndromic patients i.e. Pierre Robin Syndrome. Small babies will desaturate very quickly if ventilation is interrupted mainly to high metabolic rate. We describe guidelines to perform a safe fiberoptic intubation while maintaining spontaneous breathing throughout the procedure. Steps requiring the use of propofol pump, fentanyl, glycopyrrolate, red rubber catheter, metal insuflation hook, afrin, lubricant and lidocaine spray are shown.
Medicine, Issue 47, Fiberoptic, Intubation, Pediatric, elective
A Novel Rescue Technique for Difficult Intubation and Difficult Ventilation
Institutions: Children’s Hospital of Michigan, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
We describe a novel non surgical technique to maintain oxygenation and ventilation in a case of difficult intubation and difficult ventilation, which works especially well with poor mask fit.
Can not intubate, can not ventilate" (CICV) is a potentially life threatening situation. In this video we present a simulation of the technique we used in a case of CICV where oxygenation and ventilation were maintained by inserting an endotracheal tube (ETT) nasally down to the level of the naso-pharynx while sealing the mouth and nares for successful positive pressure ventilation.
A 13 year old patient was taken to the operating room for incision and drainage of a neck abcess and direct laryngobronchoscopy. After preoxygenation, anesthesia was induced intravenously. Mask ventilation was found to be extremely difficult because of the swelling of the soft tissue. The face mask could not fit properly on the face due to significant facial swelling as well. A direct laryngoscopy was attempted with no visualization of the larynx. Oxygen saturation was difficult to maintain, with saturations falling to 80%. In order to oxygenate and ventilate the patient, an endotracheal tube was then inserted nasally after nasal spray with nasal decongestant and lubricant. The tube was pushed gently and blindly into the hypopharynx. The mouth and nose of the patient were sealed by hand and positive pressure ventilation was possible with 100% O2
with good oxygen saturation during that period of time. Once the patient was stable and well sedated, a rigid bronchoscope was introduced by the otolaryngologist showing extensive subglottic and epiglottic edema, and a mass effect from the abscess, contributing to the airway compromise. The airway was secured with an ETT tube by the otolaryngologist.This video will show a simulation of the technique on a patient undergoing general anesthesia for dental restorations.
Medicine, Issue 47, difficult ventilation, difficult intubation, nasal, saturation
Nonhuman Primate Lung Decellularization and Recellularization Using a Specialized Large-organ Bioreactor
Institutions: Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine.
There are an insufficient number of lungs available to meet current and future organ transplantation needs. Bioartificial tissue regeneration is an attractive alternative to classic organ transplantation. This technology utilizes an organ's natural biological extracellular matrix (ECM) as a scaffold onto which autologous or stem/progenitor cells may be seeded and cultured in such a way that facilitates regeneration of the original tissue. The natural ECM is isolated by a process called decellularization. Decellularization is accomplished by treating tissues with a series of detergents, salts, and enzymes to achieve effective removal of cellular material while leaving the ECM intact. Studies conducted utilizing decellularization and subsequent recellularization of rodent lungs demonstrated marginal success in generating pulmonary-like tissue which is capable of gas exchange in vivo
. While offering essential proof-of-concept, rodent models are not directly translatable to human use. Nonhuman primates (NHP) offer a more suitable model in which to investigate the use of bioartificial organ production for eventual clinical use.
The protocols for achieving complete decellularization of lungs acquired from the NHP rhesus macaque are presented. The resulting acellular lungs can be seeded with a variety of cells including mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial cells. The manuscript also describes the development of a bioreactor system in which cell-seeded macaque lungs can be cultured under conditions of mechanical stretch and strain provided by negative pressure ventilation as well as pulsatile perfusion through the vasculature; these forces are known to direct differentiation along pulmonary and endothelial lineages, respectively. Representative results of decellularization and cell seeding are provided.
Bioengineering, Issue 82, rhesus macaque, decellularization, recellularization, detergent, matrix, scaffold, large-organ bioreactor, mesenchymal stem cells
Culturing of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells at the Air Liquid Interface
Institutions: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
models using human primary epithelial cells are essential in understanding key functions of the respiratory epithelium in the context of microbial infections or inhaled agents. Direct comparisons of cells obtained from diseased populations allow us to characterize different phenotypes and dissect the underlying mechanisms mediating changes in epithelial cell function. Culturing epithelial cells from the human tracheobronchial region has been well documented, but is limited by the availability of human lung tissue or invasiveness associated with obtaining the bronchial brushes biopsies. Nasal epithelial cells are obtained through much less invasive superficial nasal scrape biopsies and subjects can be biopsied multiple times with no significant side effects. Additionally, the nose is the entry point to the respiratory system and therefore one of the first sites to be exposed to any kind of air-borne stressor, such as microbial agents, pollutants, or allergens.
Briefly, nasal epithelial cells obtained from human volunteers are expanded on coated tissue culture plates, and then transferred onto cell culture inserts. Upon reaching confluency, cells continue to be cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI), for several weeks, which creates more physiologically relevant conditions. The ALI culture condition uses defined media leading to a differentiated epithelium that exhibits morphological and functional characteristics similar to the human nasal epithelium, with both ciliated and mucus producing cells. Tissue culture inserts with differentiated nasal epithelial cells can be manipulated in a variety of ways depending on the research questions (treatment with pharmacological agents, transduction with lentiviral vectors, exposure to gases, or infection with microbial agents) and analyzed for numerous different endpoints ranging from cellular and molecular pathways, functional changes, morphology, etc.
models of differentiated human nasal epithelial cells will enable investigators to address novel and important research questions by using organotypic experimental models that largely mimic the nasal epithelium in vivo
Cellular Biology, Issue 80, Epithelium, Cell culture models, ciliated, air pollution, co-culture models, nasal epithelium
Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Institutions: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Allergic responses are the result of the activation of mast cells and basophils, and the subsequent release of vasoactive and proinflammatory mediators. Exposure to an allergen in a sensitized individual can result in clinical symptoms that vary from minor erythema to life threatening anaphylaxis. In the laboratory, various animal models have been developed to understand the mechanisms driving allergic responses. Herein, we describe a detailed method for measuring changes in vascular permeability to quantify localized allergic responses. The local anaphylaxis assay was first reported in the 1920s, and has been adapted from the technique published by Kojima et al
. in 20071
. In this assay, mice sensitized to OVA are challenged in the left ear with vehicle and in the right ear with OVA. This is followed by an intravenous injection of Evans Blue dye. Ten min after injecting Evans Blue, the animal is euthanized and the dye that has extravasated into the ears is extracted overnight in formamide. The absorbance of the extracted dye is then quantified with a spectrophotometer. This method reliably results in a visual and quantifiable manifestation of a local allergic response.
Immunology, Issue 92, Allergy, sensitization, hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, mouse, IgE, mast cell, activation, vascular permeability
Evaluation of Respiratory System Mechanics in Mice using the Forced Oscillation Technique
Institutions: McGill University , SCIREQ Scientific Respiratory Equipment Inc..
The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a powerful, integrative and translational tool permitting the experimental assessment of lung function in mice in a comprehensive, detailed, precise and reproducible manner. It provides measurements of respiratory system mechanics through the analysis of pressure and volume signals acquired in reaction to predefined, small amplitude, oscillatory airflow waveforms, which are typically applied at the subject's airway opening. The present protocol details the steps required to adequately execute forced oscillation measurements in mice using a computer-controlled piston ventilator (flexiVent
; SCIREQ Inc, Montreal, Qc, Canada). The description is divided into four parts: preparatory steps, mechanical ventilation, lung function measurements, and data analysis. It also includes details of how to assess airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in anesthetized mice, a common application of this technique which also extends to other outcomes and various lung pathologies. Measurements obtained in naïve mice as well as from an oxidative-stress driven model of airway damage are presented to illustrate how this tool can contribute to a better characterization and understanding of studied physiological changes or disease models as well as to applications in new research areas.
Medicine, Issue 75, Biomedical Engineering, Anatomy, Physiology, Biophysics, Pathology, lung diseases, asthma, respiratory function tests, respiratory system, forced oscillation technique, respiratory system mechanics, airway hyperresponsiveness, flexiVent, lung physiology, lung, oxidative stress, ventilator, cannula, mice, animal model, clinical techniques
A Microplate Assay to Assess Chemical Effects on RBL-2H3 Mast Cell Degranulation: Effects of Triclosan without Use of an Organic Solvent
Institutions: University of Maine, Orono, University of Maine, Orono.
Mast cells play important roles in allergic disease and immune defense against parasites. Once activated (e.g.
by an allergen), they degranulate, a process that results in the exocytosis of allergic mediators. Modulation of mast cell degranulation by drugs and toxicants may have positive or adverse effects on human health. Mast cell function has been dissected in detail with the use of rat basophilic leukemia mast cells (RBL-2H3), a widely accepted model of human mucosal mast cells3-5
. Mast cell granule component and the allergic mediator β-hexosaminidase, which is released linearly in tandem with histamine from mast cells6
, can easily and reliably be measured through reaction with a fluorogenic substrate, yielding measurable fluorescence intensity in a microplate assay that is amenable to high-throughput studies1
. Originally published by Naal et al.1
, we have adapted this degranulation assay for the screening of drugs and toxicants and demonstrate its use here.
Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that is present in many consumer products and has been found to be a therapeutic aid in human allergic skin disease7-11
, although the mechanism for this effect is unknown. Here we demonstrate an assay for the effect of triclosan on mast cell degranulation. We recently showed that triclosan strongly affects mast cell function2
. In an effort to avoid use of an organic solvent, triclosan is dissolved directly into aqueous buffer with heat and stirring, and resultant concentration is confirmed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry (using ε280
= 4,200 L/M/cm)12
. This protocol has the potential to be used with a variety of chemicals to determine their effects on mast cell degranulation, and more broadly, their allergic potential.
Immunology, Issue 81, mast cell, basophil, degranulation, RBL-2H3, triclosan, irgasan, antibacterial, β-hexosaminidase, allergy, Asthma, toxicants, ionophore, antigen, fluorescence, microplate, UV-Vis
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Institutions: Virginia Hospital Center, Virginia Hospital Center.
Bronchial thermoplasty is a non-drug procedure for severe persistent asthma that delivers thermal energy to the airway wall in a precisely controlled manner to reduce excessive airway smooth muscle. Reducing airway smooth muscle decreases the ability of the airways to constrict, thereby reducing the frequency of asthma attacks. Bronchial thermoplasty is delivered by the Alair System and is performed in three outpatient procedure visits, each scheduled approximately three weeks apart. The first procedure treats the airways of the right lower lobe, the second treats the airways of the left lower lobe and the third and final procedure treats the airways in both upper lobes. After all three procedures are performed the bronchial thermoplasty treatment is complete.
Bronchial thermoplasty is performed during bronchoscopy with the patient under moderate sedation. All accessible airways distal to the mainstem bronchi between 3 and 10 mm in diameter, with the exception of the right middle lobe, are treated under bronchoscopic visualization. Contiguous and non-overlapping activations of the device are used, moving from distal to proximal along the length of the airway, and systematically from airway to airway as described previously. Although conceptually straightforward, the actual execution of bronchial thermoplasty is quite intricate and procedural duration for the treatment of a single lobe is often substantially longer than encountered during routine bronchoscopy. As such, bronchial thermoplasty should be considered a complex interventional bronchoscopy and is intended for the experienced bronchoscopist. Optimal patient management is critical in any such complex and longer duration bronchoscopic procedure. This article discusses the importance of careful patient selection, patient preparation, patient management, procedure duration, postoperative care and follow-up to ensure that bronchial thermoplasty is performed safely.
Bronchial thermoplasty is expected to complement asthma maintenance medications by providing long-lasting asthma control and improving asthma-related quality of life of patients with severe asthma. In addition, bronchial thermoplasty has been demonstrated to reduce severe exacerbations (asthma attacks) emergency rooms visits for respiratory symptoms, and time lost from work, school and other daily activities due to asthma.
Medicine, Issue 45, bronchial thermoplasty, severe asthma, airway smooth muscle, bronchoscopy, radiofrequency energy, patient management, moderate sedation
Measuring Changes in Tactile Sensitivity in the Hind Paw of Mice Using an Electronic von Frey Apparatus
Institutions: Macalester College.
Measuring inflammation-induced changes in thresholds of hind paw withdrawal from mechanical pressure is a useful technique to assess changes in pain perception in rodents. Withdrawal thresholds can be measured first at baseline and then following drug, venom, injury, allergen, or otherwise evoked inflammation by applying an accurate force on very specific areas of the skin. An electronic von Frey apparatus allows precise assessment of mouse hind paw withdrawal thresholds that are not limited by the available filament sizes in contrast to classical von Frey measurements. The ease and rapidity of measurements allow for incorporation of assessment of tactile sensitivity outcomes in diverse models of rapid-onset inflammatory and neuropathic pain as multiple measurements can be taken within a short time period. Experimental measurements for individual rodent subjects can be internally controlled against individual baseline responses and exclusion criteria easily established to standardize baseline responses within and across experimental groups. Thus, measurements using an electronic von Frey apparatus represent a useful modification of the well-established classical von Frey filament-based assays for rodent mechanical allodynia that may also be applied to other nonhuman mammalian models.
Neuroscience, Issue 82, Natural Science Disciplines, Life Sciences (General), Behavioral Sciences, mechanical hyperalgesia, mice, electronic pressure meter, inflammation, snake venom
Heterotopic and Orthotopic Tracheal Transplantation in Mice used as Models to Study the Development of Obliterative Airway Disease
Institutions: University Heart Center Hamburg, University Hospital Hamburg, Stanford University School of Medicine.
Obliterative airway disease (OAD) is the major complication after lung transplantations that limits long term survival (1-7).
To study the pathophysiology, treatment and prevention of OAD, different animal models of tracheal transplantation in rodents have been developed (1-7). Here, we use two established models of trachea transplantation, the heterotopic and orthotopic model and demonstrate their advantages and limitations.
For the heterotopic model, the donor trachea is wrapped into the greater omentum of the recipient, whereas the donor trachea is anastomosed by end-to-end anastomosis in the orthotopic model.
In both models, the development of obliterative lesions histological similar to clinical OAD has been demonstrated (1-7).
This video shows how to perform both, the heterotopic as well as the orthotopic tracheal transplantation technique in mice, and compares the time course of OAD development in both models using histology.
Immunology, Issue 35, orthotopic tracheal transplantation, heterotopic tracheal transplantation, obliterative airway disease, mice, luminal obliteration, histology


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domain: library


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Brazilian football legend star Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, has been released Thursday from the Albert Einstein Clinic in Sao Paulo after two weeks, in order to continue his treatment for colon tumor at home.
Pelé, 81, had already undergone surgery for that ailment, which was followed by chemotherapy.
The patient is stable and will continue the treatment of the colon tumor, identified in September of this year, the hospital said in a statement. The 1958, 1962 and 1970 world champion had stayed at the clinic for his last chemotherapy session of the year.
Pelé was hospitalized at that same clinic Aug. 31 when he showed up for a series of routine checkups he had postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic when the tumor was detected and surgery ensued.
Pelé's health has deteriorated in recent years due to spinal, hip and knee problems that have reduced his mobility and forced him to undergo surgery, as well as suffering from some kidney crises.
The 81-year-old former player was admitted Dec. 9 once again at the clinic for a few days which turned into two weeks during which there were almost no news on his health.
Since leaving the hospital, Pelé has posted several messages on social media announcing he would spend Christmas and New Year's Eve with his family and thanking followers for their support.

domain: medical


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The winds of change
SRI LANKA’S recently elected Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, received a warm welcome in New Delhi. He has long been regarded as a friendly statesman, sensitive to India’s national security interests. He had also shown courage in seeking to build bridges to the estranged Tamil minority in the island’s northern and eastern provinces. During his second tenure as Prime Minister, Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe concluded a ceasefire agreement and commenced negotiations with the LTTE, which were called off by Velupillai Prabhakaran, who appeared determined to undertake a fight to the finish. This decision by Prabhakaran was suicidal. It ultimately led to the defeat of the LTTE and his own elimination in a bloody conflict, which pitted him against a no less determined and single-minded President Mahenda Rajapakse.
Ecstatic at his victory in the bloody ethnic conflict, which was marked by excesses on both sides, Mr Rajapakse was swept back to power. He then chose to act like a triumphant victor, bent on denying justice and the promised devolution of powers to the hapless Tamils. This was accompanied by a streak of ruthlessness, in which the Rajapakse family suppressed and even allegedly eliminated opposition, while amassing wealth, in the belief that the “victory” in the ethnic conflict guaranteed them a virtually endless term in office. President Rajapakse seemed to have forgotten that the political fruits of victory in battle are often shortlived. Winston Churchill was unceremoniously unseated in elections immediately after the Second World War. The Democratic Party, led by Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, likewise lost the elections to a Republican, Dwight Eisenhower. Josef Stalin became a hated non-person after he died, less than a decade after the end of World War II.
Rajapakse’s authoritarianism led the covert forging of an alliance between his own party, led by his erstwhile colleagues Maithripala Sirisena and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, on the one hand, and his arch rival, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on the other. Not only was the seemingly invincible Rajapakse defeated in his bid for another term as President, but he was also checkmated by the alliance between his own party (SLFP) and the opposition UNP, in his bid to become Prime Minister, following recent parliamentary elections. There are indications that he may well face judicial proceedings on charges of corruption and abuse of power. But, the ruling dispensation will do well to remember that the wheels of fortune change rapidly in politics. Churchill soon returned to power in the UK and Mrs Indira Gandhi, victorious in the Bangladesh conflict, was defeated in 1977, only to return to power in 1980.
The election of Maithripala Sirisena as President and the formation of a national government of both major parties, led by Wickremesinghe, have predictably been welcomed in New Delhi. While India backed President Rajapakse in his war against the LTTE, it soon found that he had no intention in keeping his word on the devolution of powers to the Tamil- dominated areas of Sri Lanka. Moreover, his erosion of democratic freedom and his growing closeness to China, set alarm bells ringing. The die was cast, when two Chinese submarines berthed in Colombo, despite expressions of concern from South Block. Rajapakse’s actions not only raised hackles in New Delhi, but also evoked concerns in Washington and Tokyo. There is confidence in New Delhi that Colombo, under the new dispensation, will tread more carefully on issues of security concern to India.
The recent report of the UN Commissioner on Human Rights, calling for an international judicial tribunal and for an intrusive international say in the investigation and prosecution for alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, is going to pose diplomatic and domestic challenges for New Delhi. This report has come alongside demands in Tamil Nadu for an international trial of all those accused of human rights violations, during the last years of the ethnic conflict. The Sinhala majority will reject any such resolution. New Delhi will have to deal dexterously with this issue, noting that the aim should be to promote reconciliation and not widen the ethnic divide. Steps will have to be devised to ensure that the UN Human Rights Commission comes up with proposals that are not internationally intrusive, but ensure a credible investigation and fair trial of those charged with excesses. Unlike in the recent past, the US and its EU partners are well disposed to the government in Colombo and would not want it to be destabilised.
India’s total assistance to Sri Lanka now totals $2.6 billion. It is predominantly Indian assistance, which includes the construction of 50,000 houses for displaced Tamils, that has helped in getting Tamils resettled. Indian private investment in Sri Lanka now exceeds $1 billion, with projects identified for doubling this amount. In overall terms, the projected investment of $4.6 billion by India, compares favourably with the total Chinese investment of around $5 billion in the island. Moreover, Chinese projects, with exorbitant interest rates, are now being largely seen as ‘white elephant’ in Sri Lanka. The much-touted Warehouse built by the Chinese in President Rajapakse’s constituency at Hambantota is now being used to store paddy. The Sri Lankan government will also look very carefully at the much-advertised Colombo Port City Project, before it is cleared. The project involves long lease of 108 hectares of land, adjacent to the strategically located capital, to the Chinese.
We will also see greater economic involvement by Japan, the US and its European Allies in Sri Lanka. It would only be appropriate, if President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe fulfil past Sri Lankan assurances on the effective devolution of powers to the Tamils. The India-Sri Lanka partnership can play a crucial role in fostering, mutual confidence, friendship and cooperation, both bilaterally and across the entire Indian Ocean rgion. It would be only natural for this to happen, given the shared cultural and spiritual ties that have historically linked the two countries.

domain: news


text:
NagmaPublished: January 24, 2015
Nagma Arvind Morarji is an Indian actress. She is better known for her roles in Telugu and Tamil movies like Killer, Gharana Mogudu, Kadhalan, Baashha and many others. She began her acting career in Bollywood and acted in a few of the biggest Bollywood movies but shifted down south before returning to Mumbai and continuing films in other languages. Nagma has acted in a broad range of India’s languages: Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, and now Marathi.
Nagma’s debut film Baaghi: A Rebel for Love, opposite Salman Khan was Hindi cinema’s seventh highest grossing film in 1990. A girl with a Muslim name and a Hindu father and born on Christmas a perfect example of national integration, did what was best for her then. She became a major star in the south and remained so. Her Telugu films include 1992’s Gharana Mogudu with Chiranjeevi, Her Tamil films include Baasha with Rajnikanth and 1994’s Kadhalan with Prabhu Deva. she became known for acting in a food play scene in the Tamil film Love Birds which involves the male protagonist breaking an egg and cooking it on her navel. She had converted to Christianity.
|Real Name||Nandita Arvind Morarji|
|Place of Birth||Mumbai|
|School||Mount Mary Convent, Bandra, Mumbai|
|College||National College, Bandra|
|Debut movie||Baaghi: A Rebel for Love (Hindi)|
|Known For||Kadhalan,Baashha,Love Birds|
|Parents||Arvind Pratapsinh Morarji – Shama Kazi|
|Relative||Surya (Brother in law)|
Nagma mom is Muslim and dad is Hindu

domain: celebrity


NEW kerbside recycling vehicles will be patrolling the streets of Hay-on-Wye as of late August.
The border town will be among the first in Powys to employ the vehicles, which allow household collections to made in one truck, not the two separate ones currently in use.
The vehicles underwent their first routes in Brecon on Monday (July 21) and will be rolled out across the county, switching all remaining households from bags to boxes.
Barry Thomas, Powys County Council’s leader and cabinet member for waste, said: “The introduction of these new vehicles will enable us to provide a more efficient and effective service and will reduce the number of vehicles being used.
“These changes are required to help us achieve the statutory recycling targets set by Welsh Government and we would like to encourage every resident to make every effort to recycle as much of their waste wherever possible”.


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Professional Dog Groomer
Kelly started her career by first becoming a bather in a dog grooming shop, and was lucky enough to learn to groom on the job. Since becoming a professional dog groomer over 10 years ago, she continues her education by attending shows, going to seminars, and taking advantage of social media to stay up to date on certain topics along with staying connected with her fellow groomers.
After working in busy shops, Kelly has been dreaming to groom out of her home and finally decided to make it so. Specializing in small dogs only, one family is taken at a time so each pet gets their one on one personal attention in a quiet and stress-free environment. By appointment only Tuesdays- Fridays.

domain: pet


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The hospital was two hours outside Callico and by the time Jack careened into the parking lot, tires squealing, he'd worked himself into an absolute panic.
Sweating bullets, sick with worry, the wild-eyed family man ate up the parking lot in long, anxious strides, met by Moira, a calm oasis of lavender waiting for him with an easy smile in the lobby.
"Mister Roslyn," catching his arm, Moira pulled him to a stop, furrowing her brows. She wondered what on Earth Catcher had told the man to make him look so frenzied.
Jack took a deep breath, attempting to pull himself together. "Mo," he gasped. "Is everything all right? Did something happen to Ben? Is-? Did he-?" He couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Ben's fine, Mister Roslyn." Moira assured him softly, her eyes warm. No matter how many times he told her 'call me Jack', she still insisted on the formality. "This is something you'll have to hear for yourself."
She towed him along toward the elevators, a giddy smile on her face, like a child who's dreams had finally come true. And, secretly, they had.
"What's going on, Moira?" Jack demanded as the elevator carried them up to the psych ward. Worried sick, his blue eyes stern, he faced down the dazzling blonde, insisting upon answers.
Watching the floor numbers blink, Moira smiled to herself. "A miracle." The elevator dinged and the doors ground open. "You have to meet him."
"Moira-" he chased the girl down the hallway, weaving around a hospital bed. She disappeared like a summer ghost into Ben's room, still smiling that eerie, faraway grin. "Wh-" He stopped short. "You."
"Charlie? C'mon, this isn't funny anymore!"
Dad had told him to keep an eye on Charlie when they were at the park, to make sure nothing happened to him…
Twelve-year-old Jack Roslyn had just lost his little brother.
"All right, Charlie! I give up! You can come out now!" He never wanted to hear the words "hide-and-seek" ever again. The green-eyed eight-year-old had always been able to find the best hiding spots. Jack prayed that that was all this was.
The park was mostly empty. A few parents supervising their little kids on the swing set and monkey bars, a kid from Jack's class trying to climb up the slope of the metal slide.
But no Charlie.
Standing under a copse of trees was an older boy, probably from the high school that Jack had never seen before. He looked funny. Real skinny and blond, covered in freckles like Jenna from the fifth grade. The boy smiled and waved.
"Have you seen my little brother?" Jack asked, frantic. "He's eight, about this tall with brown hair and green eyes."
The blond boy looked down at him. His eyes were green, just like Charlie's. He didn't say anything, but he tilted his head, pointing up into the nearest tree.
Jack could've cried. There, nestled in the gnarled crook of branches, was Charlie. His annoying, ridiculous little brother, taking a nap. "Charlie!"
The stocky eight-year-old stirred, blinking down at his brother muzzily. "Oh, hey," Charlie said, smiling. "Took you long enough to find me."
Torn between fury and relief, Jack turned around to thank the skinny high school boy… who seeemd to have disappeared. "Where'd he go?"
"Where'd who go?" Charlie asked, shimmying down the trunk of the tree.
Jack scanned the playground, frowning. "Huh."
Perched beside Ben on the hospital bed, dressed in well-worn jeans and a flannel shirt two sizes too big was the blond boy from the park, thirty-seven years ago. And he hadn't changed a bit.
Offering that same, sunny smile, the boy pushed a hand through his blond bangs. "Hi Jack."
Jack gaped. "You- you see him too?" he demanded of Ben who nodded firmly.
"Crazy, right?" His nephew asked with a shrug. Crazy was certainly one word for it.
"You know this kid, Dad?" Catcher asked, sitting forward intently. Moira just smiled.
"I-" what the hell? "Yeah." Jack nodded. "From a long time ago… How did you-?"
The green-eyed boy pulled a wry face. "It's a very long story." He sat up straighter, rolling his shoulders experimentally as though something was missing there. "I'm Valoel, this is Ambriel," he gestured to the attractive bi-racial woman leaning by the window.
Jack shook his head, sinking into the available plastic chair. He felt like he'd been clubbed upside the head with a brick. Just… what was happening? "Yeah, that doesn't explain much."
Valoel copped a smile, amused. "It really doesn't, does it?" He hummed. "I'm, well, I was an angel. Your family's vigil."
The oldest Roslyn scrunched up his face with a frown. Vigil. The angel assigned to watch over his family. This scrawny kid? "Hold up, kid," he demanded, practically feeling the gears that turned in his brain stuttering, grinding against one another in attempts to keep up with everything, to process this… whatever this was. "Start from the beginning."
Pursing his lips, the angel danced his fingers over his knee, thinking. "I'm not quite sure where the beginning is, actually," he admitted.
"All right," Jack sat forward, steepling his fingers. A month ago his life had been perfectly normal. Now his brother was dead, his nephew was a professed 'Gatekeeper' and he was chatting up an angel in a hospital. "We'll start with a simple question. Why are you here?"
Unconsciously, Val's fingers tightened around Ben's wrist. "To protect you."
Jack thought his head was going to explode. "The demons," he echoed, disbelieving.
Val nodded. "They went after Charlie," he said softly, a note of mourning in his eyes. "And now they're coming for Ben."
"Because he's a Gatekeeper," Jack murmured, feeling his fingers clench around the arms of the chair. Knuckles white as bone. Good God.
"Does everyone know what's going on except me?" Ben exclaimed, looking equal parts frustrated and entirely bamboozled. He felt exhausted, like his brain had short-circuited and was only managing to process every other bit of information. One of those horrendous puzzles where once you start to put it together you realize you're missing a great many of the pieces.
Catcher raised his hand. "The confusion is mutual."
Jack sighed. "You remember the stories, don't you boys? The ones your grandpa used to tell us when we were kids. The Gatekeeper was a hero born to protect the Three Realms." He ticked them off on his fingers. "Heaven, Hell, and Earth. He was put in charge of the pathways between the realms to keep peace, to make sure no one side got too powerful."
Val nodded, adding his own wealth of knowledge to the mix. "He was created by the angel Azrael. Part human, part angel, and part demon," His voice was soft and reverent, filled with memories of the past, hazy recollections of the future. "The abilities of the Gatekeeper were passed down, manifesting in a son each generation to continue the line." He sighed, nibbling at his lower lip. "In an ideal situation, the Gatekeeper would teach the next generation, prepare them for their duties and help them learn to control their power. However," Ben didn't know eyes could look so sad. "This is anything but ideal."
"What am I supposed to do?" Ben asked, plucking at the sheets. Tension boiled beneath the surface, itched in his veins. He wanted to do something, to feel useful. He wanted to wake up from this dark, miserable haze and live again. His head felt clearer than it had in weeks, and Val's arrival, the fact that this was all real had somehow lifted a great weight from his chest, made it easier to breathe again.
Val considered the question, his fingers tracing patterns on the blank white sheets. Everything was a canvas. "Trust me," he said at last. "Can you do that?"
A boy he hardly knew, who claimed to be a fallen angel come to protect him from demons. An angel who until now he'd thought to be a hallucination. And, yet, there was something about Valoel. Something open and honest and… pure. Something that made Ben want to trust him. He nodded.
Val smiled. "Good." Turning back to Jack, luminous eyes growing serious. "There's nothing wrong with him. At the risk of being offensive, these doctors have absolutely no idea just what they're dealing with." His impish face softened. "Ben doesn't belong here."
Looking past the angel, Jack's eyes filled with a deep, endless sadness. He squeezed his nephew's knee. "I know." He sighed. "I never thought you were crazy, Ben. I knew what this was. I didn't know what to do, and… after what happened, I just…" He shook his head.
"Jack, I thought I was crazy," Ben chuffed, slouching back against the pillows, his body numb with exhaustion. "And I screwed up big time. You had every right to admit me here, as much as I hate it."
Pursing his lips, Jack looked the grey-eyed boy up and down, searching for the forgiveness in Ben's voice. Forgiveness he didn't think he deserved. "I'm sorry, kiddo," he sighed, joints popping as he stood. "I'll see about arranging for the paperwork to be filed with your doctor."
Ben smiled tiredly. "Thanks, Jack."
As the elder Roslyn staggered out of the room, overwhelmed, Moira smiled at Catcher and Ben, her lilac eyes warm. "You seem to be taking all of this rather well."
Catcher shrugged, letting out a gusty sigh. "I'm still trying to decide if we're all absolutely nuts, or if this is actually happening."
"Oh it's happening, chico," Ambriel assured him, making a face.
Val nudged Ben lightly, an impish gleam in his eyes. "See?" he said with a wicked grin. "I told you I was real!"
The grey-eyed boy heaved a deep sigh, shaking his head with a surprised laugh. "Yeah, you sure did," he admitted.
Green eyes sparkled. He was real, he was here, with Ben. It was all real. "I still can't believe it myself…" He admitted, shaking his head. "It… it seems almost impossible."
Ben smiled, his eyes alight with a life that had seemed all but snuffed out. "Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth," he quoted.
Moira laughed. "Sherlock Holmes?"

domain: literature


text:
Meals on Wheels is in real danger of disappearing for good, leaving stranded the 80,000 Australians who depend on them. Rising petrol and food prices, our ageing population and falling volunteer numbers are taking a toll.
We've travelled right across the country to see how bad it is and what can be done.
(Reporter)"What does meals on wheels mean to you?"
(Alice Smith) "Everything."
(Volunteer Pam) "You really can't describe totally what you get out of it."
In Perth, in Melbourne, in Sydney and all over Australia 15 million meals are prepared and delivered every year. But for how much longer?
"I think it'll (Meals on Wheels) disappear," said Les MacDonald, head of NSW Meals on Wheels. "The very strong feedback that we're getting from our network is that many of them are saying that's it, I don't think I can take it any longer."
His ageing volunteer workforce is struggling to keep up with the demand.
"For many of them, what they're saying to us is it's a choice between eating and volunteering," MacDonald said.
Eat, or deliver food? Such a thing would have baffled Doris Taylor. Doris started Meals on Wheels in South Australia in 1953, 20 years before another Aussie icon, the Sydney Opera House, was even opened.
Here's the twist in the tale. In Australia, we've seen the number of volunteers increase over the last 15 years by about 10 per cent. A third of Australian adults, or 5.4 million of us, volunteer regularly. Yet you'll be surprised to learn that overall the total time spent by all volunteers is actually falling.
"So figures are going up, numbers are going up but in fact the amount of volunteering that people are doing is going down," said Dr Melanie Oppenheimer, who has just released her latest book, 'Volunteering: Why We Can't Survive Without it'.
"And with new interest groups coming up all the time, like the environment and climate change, those sorts of things are really, they're very popular and so that might be taking volunteers away from other areas."
The massive increase in causes to support is stealing new volunteers away from traditional groups as younger people opt for sexier, high profile projects.
"They chose things like Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, what they would've regarded as causes that were close to their hearts," said Les MacDonald.
"I think it's a shame. I think that the younger ones, if they'd focus some of their attention on doing things like meals on wheels, that they'd get a lot of satisfaction, I think it'd do them good," said Melbourne volunteer Rosie.
"The younger generation volunteer for different reasons, they volunteer often to meet a need of their own," MacDonald said.
Meals on Wheels continued�
Those needs include volunteering to bolster your CV, getting qualifications and training... and looking cool.
"We're getting younger, newer volunteers who don't see Meals on Wheels as a very popular kind of volunteering area," said Steve Baskeyfield, a former chef who oversees a thriving operation in Stirling, near Perth, of 100 volunteers drawn from a pool of 500 willing to help.
"After all they are our most important ingredient in this meals on wheels operation," Baskeyfield said. "One of our volunteers said this morning she saw a lot of them as her parents, she was actually looking after them."
There'll be no-one to look after them in a few years, without fresh volunteers and Dr Oppenheimer has the solution.
"It's like the red cross, it's an organisation that people know what it does but that's about it, so I think that we need a public relations campaign nationwide to tell the younger generations, to tell the new migrants to our society, what Meals on Wheels does and that it needs your help," said Dr Oppenheimer.
"I think you'll find that people will flood to the organisation."
The essential service meals on wheels provides saves all of us around a billion dollars annually. If we lose it the cost will be much, much higher.
"You can't really put a value, put a price, put a value on it because basically it's the support you get from them that means everything."
Meals on Wheels (from here you can click on your state): www.mealsonwheels.org.au
National SA, NT, ACT: (08) 8271 8700 / firstname.lastname@example.org
WA (08) 9244 8233 / email@example.com
QLD (07)3205 5588 / firstname.lastname@example.org
NSW (02)8219 4200 / email@example.com
VIC (03) 9350 8708 / firstname.lastname@example.org
TAS (03) 6228 4546 / email@example.com
Associate Professor Dr Melanie Oppenheimer
Author of "Volunteering, Why We Can't Survive Without it".
Associate Professor Melanie Oppenheimer, School of Humanities & Languages, University of Western Sydney, locked bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW, 1797 Australia

domain: sociology


The Oasis Security Mailbox
This large locking curbside mailbox is among the very first to be approved by the United States Postmaster General for curbside delivery (USPS Std 7B). Its unique hopper style incoming door can accept small to medium sized parcels. It is finished in a durable powder coat available in pearl gray, sand, white, black, and new modern color, metallic bronze. Also available in a
â¢ Body: 16 gauge (1.5 mm) steel sheet
â¢ Doors: 14 gauge (2.0 mm) steel sheet
â¢ Assembly Hardware: Stainless steel rivets and hinges. Zinc plated assembly screws.
â¢ Lock: Zinc plated cam lock with zinc die cast cylinder
â¢ Large incoming hopper style door design to allow delivery of small to medium sized parcels
â¢ P-Type rubber door seals prevent rain and dust from entering the mail storage compartment
â¢ Finished in a durable powder coat in pearl gray, sand, black and white
â¢ Assembled almost exclusively by spot welding and welded lap joints to eliminate unsightly rivets on the outside surface
Includes all hardware and instructions
â¢ Street address numbers on front access door (takes 2-3 business days to install)
â¢ Street numbers and name on side of mailbox (all one line, 16 characters maximum)
â¢ In-ground or Surface Mount Post
â¢ Spreader plates for mounting multiple mailboxes on one post
â¢ New... Newspaper Receptacle
Decorative In-ground Post for Oasis Jr.
Perfect Mailbox for Prescriptions by Mail
Many insurance companies give substantial discounts for prescriptions bought by mail... discounts that will pay for an Oasis Mailbox in a short time, and will save you money in the long run. The Oasis is the ideal mailbox for prescriptions bought by mail as the large incoming mail chute will accommodate most prescription packages; and the locking feature keeps your medicines safe from thieves.


Partnership to deliver performance-optimized solutions to connect 5G everywhere
BARCELONA, February 19, 2019 – Mobile World Congress 2019 – Movandi, a privately held company with a mission to revolutionize 5G everywhere, today announced that NXP® Semiconductors N.V. and Movandi have formed a joint partnership to collaborate on millimeter wave (mmWave) solutions for 5G networks. The partnership will combine NXP’s digital networking and signal processing leadership with Movandi’s innovative RF transceiver and systems architecture to deliver high-performance 5G solutions and the wireless communications infrastructure for applications such as smart homes, self-driving cars and future mobile cloud-based services.
5G is set for rapid deployment, but in order to truly achieve the requirements of very low latency, high bandwidth, greater availability, faster speeds, and consistent coverage, it must overcome challenges such as line of site and blocking, high path loss and self-install issues. The technology must also deliver reduced lag time between devices and cell towers while ensuring constant connectivity and total geographic coverage, even in the most remote, hard-to-reach indoor areas.
To meet these challenges a new approach to millimeter wave systems design is required. NXP and Movandi have partnered to solve these impediments with high-speed communication solutions which combine each company’s expertise and technology.
“The growing partnership with Movandi brings NXP new opportunities,” said Tareq Bustami, senior vice president, Digital Networking, NXP. “Movandi’s disruptive solutions for 5G applications address the growing challenges of deploying 5G millimeter wave networks and interface well with NXP’s advanced 5G modem technology. Our partnership will impact nearly every sector of innovation, and NXP is at the forefront of this revolution, bringing to life the promise of connected-driven experiences through edge computing, autonomous driving, AI, 5G and beyond.”
NXP will contribute products from the Layerscape® family of high performance ARM-based communications processing platforms and programable base band processing. Layerscape SoCs possess a common hardware and software architecture and are scalable in performance, power and cost. Hardware differentiation is provided by programmable acceleration and offloaded security. On the software side, NXP provides solution-level packages for specific applications including wireless, cloud, security and virtualization. “NXP’s systems experience gained over multiple generations of wireless networks and its portfolio of digital processing technologies now combined with Movandi’s innovative fully integrated RF front-end, from baseband to millimeter wave, enables the next generation of 5G and multi-gigabit connectivity that is driving new markets and applications,” said Maryam Rofougaran, Co-CEO of Movandi. “Our long-term technology partnership will allow us to develop our BeamXR system that we are introducing this week. These new solutions deliver the highest level of performance and flexibility to ensure that 5G technology can be broadly and successfully deployed in the real world.”
Movandi will bring its world-class radio frequency (RF) design, beamforming capabilities, and high receive sensitivity for 5G to the partnership. Movandi provides the highest levels of performance while maintaining a great deal of modularity and flexibility to ensure that 5G and mmWave technology can be implemented across numerous use cases and deployment scenarios.
Together the partners aim to enable wireless service providers with solutions that optimize internet speeds and provide superior connected experience while overcoming the common delivery barriers that can deteriorate 5G signals. Demonstrations incorporating technologies from Movandi and NXP are on display during Mobile World Congress, 25-28 February. Please use contacts below for further information.
Movandi is a venture-backed startup, formed by some of today’s top leaders in wireless communications. Having pioneered the integration of RF and digital in standard bulk CMOS for numerous wireless standards, their focus now is to reinvent multi-gigabit millimeter wave solutions for fixed and mobile networks. Today’s high frequency networks are filled with a myriad of technical challenges. Movandi’s innovative RF front-end technology provides the foundation for unlocking the potential of high frequency wireless communications, opening numerous new market opportunities and applications. www.movandi.com
- Craig Ochikubo


Unassuming flow mixed alongside labyrinthine samples and buried-alive drums.
Seven-track effort follows last year’s acclaimed Some Rap Songs.
The two-day event also promises Earl Sweatshirt, Yasiin Bey, a.k.a. Mos Def, 21 Savage, Blood Orange, Thundercat, and more.
Sadly, Robert Plant and Greta Van Fleet are not playing the same day.
JAY-Z, Miley Cyrus, Chance the Rapper, The Black Keys, and Imagine Dragons appear alongside veteran artists like Robert Plant, Santana, David Crosby, John Fogerty, and Dead & Company.
A piece of self-discovery that trusts its audience enough to eschew hand-holding and easy answers.
.Paak’s “Best Teef in the Game Tour” includes dates with Thundercat, Earl Sweatshirt, Noname, and Mac DeMarco
The 31-date trek finds the rapper traveling across the country in support of 2018’s excellent Some Rap Songs.
A deeply personal conversation full of jaw-dropping beats and refreshing lines that ends too soon.
The 15-track effort addresses the recent death of his father, South African Poet Laureate Keorapetse Kgositsile.
Taken from The Alchemist’s upcoming Bread EP.
The Odd Future rapper will release his third full-length album next week.


text:
We are very happy to let you know that the music made during a very special week at Cossack ‘Bajinhurrba’ in the
West Pilbara during September 2017 is available for download and streaming RIGHT NOW.
"Musicians serenaded painters at work. [Luthier] Scott Wise crafted an electric dulcimer out of a piece of wood he’d found. Bernard Fanning and Alex Gow wrote a song together after meeting for the first time that morning. Kav Temperley completed vocal takes in the desert as sculptors worked in silence on the salt flats nearby. Sally Seltmann wrote a song for the river while sitting by it."
The Album is an 18-song collection titled Vast, released Friday 16 November. There will also be an accompanying documentary released alongside the album, capturing the energy of the ghost town-turned-artist hub.
Paul Dempsey – 'The Sky’s Gone Missing'
Alexander Gow – 'Have A Little Faith'
Bernard Fanning - 'Everything'
Glenn Richards – 'Cossack Tide'
Sally Seltmann – 'River River'
Kav Temperley - 'Sugarstone'
Bernard Fanning – 'Ashes & Dust'
Tyson Mowarin – 'Best I Can'
Rowena Wise - 'Overgrow'
Jae Laffer – 'Ruins Of A Nameless Man'
The Healys - 'Tradition'
Nick Sheppard – 'You Get What You Give'
Paul McDermott – 'Let Go'
Aimee Chapman - 'Swallows'
Adam Harvey – 'Red Dirt Town'
Ryan Brennan – 'Fifo Waltz'
Ian Campbell – 'Ghost Town'
Josie Alec – 'Vast Thoughts'

domain: entertainment


text:
Devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, wisdom, guidance and strength] Romans 12:12 The Holy Bible Amplified Version
It is the best tool in every Christian man and womans tool belt.
That is prayer.
Prayer is communion with Jehovah. That means not only are we speaking to Him but take the time to listen to Him as well. It is the best brainstorming available for everything we encounter in life. After all, look who we are brain storming with. He is never too busy day or night seven days a week every month of the year and every year that we walk this earth until He takes us home.
Prayer is the ultimate all purpose tool readily available to every Christian. Joseph a son of Jehovah
Prayer: Thank you Jehovah El Shama (God who hears) for blessing me with always having my most cherished confidants ear (Yours) and the privilege to use the most effective tools You have graciously [provided to Your beloved children. I give thank for these treasures in the name of He who taught us the proper way to pray to You Jesus Christ. Amen The gift of love, the gift of joy, the gift of peace, these are the greatest gifts that can be given. They are given in abundance to all those in Christs family by our Heavenly loving Father.
May you be blessed with plentiful opportunities to share these with those around you today.


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For awhile now I have wanted to start using “green” products and food in my home but who has time for that??? Not me. But this past year my family had been sicker than usual so my desire to go green skyrocketed. Since Pinterest is one of my best friends I went on a pinning frenzy!!
I have pinned many things in the past with the thought of going back later to read that or print that but it rarely happens. Until today…we’ll actually until about a month ago but that doesn’t sound as good as “today!”
Anyway where was I going with this? Oh yes…I have reorganized my boards on Pinterest and I have been reading and printing!!! We have been trying many of the tips and tricks to help simplify our lives but the best part is that today (it really was today) I made my first green all purpose cleaner!!! The sticky stuff on my cedar chest, made by my grandpa who is no longer with us, threw me over the edge.
The cleaners you buy in the store stink so bad I can’t help but wonder what I am breathing in. You know it is bad when your 14 year old daughter says we should try something else!!
Wow!! Making the cleaner was not only easy but it was cheap AND I had all 3 ingredients on hand and I bet you do too!!All Purpose Cleaner~from Pinterest
1 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
2 cups water
1/2 cup lemon juice
Mix well and put in a spray bottle. You can clean anything even sticky stuff that only a few small boys would know where it came from!! This was a good day.
If you want to see what really cool things I have pinned check out my Pinterest page!!
God bless you all and have good week!

domain: hobby


text:
June 11, 2015
Dateline: Klondike, Texas
by Tony Isaacs, Natural Health Journalist
(UtopiaSilver.com) If you have never canned or pickled before, this year is a great year to start and it is really easy to do. Not only will you save money, you will also eat healthier and safer produce. Thanks to the drought in Southern California, vegetable prices are expected to soar. Most of the U.S. grown fruit and vegetables contain dangerous pesticides, unless they are organic. To make matters worse, imported vegetables and fruit from Mexico and other countries often contain dangerous pesticides which have been banned in the United States. You can save money and avoid pesticides by canning and pickling “organically and home grown” produce.
[Sponsor Links: Detox Protocol]
Pesticides commonly found in vegetables and fruit
Each year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) singles out produce with the highest pesticide loads for its Dirty Dozen™ list. This year, the dirty dozen are: apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, imported snap peas and potatoes.
The year’s key EWG findings:
Read the rest of this great article and please go to UtopiaSilver.com for great supplements–>

domain: agronomy


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Michael Grunwald commends to our attention the latest release of the Green Scissors report on “wasteful and environmentally harmful spending”:
[The report] is practically a laundry list of my governmental pet peeves. The groups share my contempt for corn ethanol, “the granddaddy of wasteful alternative fuels,” as well as farm subsidies in general and a particularly egregious giveaway to Brazilian cotton farmers in particular. They also tee off on my favorite bureaucratic target, the Army Corps of Engineers, singling out my favorite Corps flood-control boondoggle, my favorite Corps lock expansion boondoggle, and an equally egregious Corps boondoggle that I don’t even joke about, because it’s wasting more than a billion dollars just a stone’s throw from the flimsy Corps levees that failed during Hurricane Katrina.
We’re also on the same page when it comes to the nuclear industry’s cradle-to-grave government support, as well as those ridiculous rural airport subsidies that Congressman John Mica took hostage during a recent standoff with Senate Democrats over FAA funding. Unfortunately, the hostages didn’t get shot this time.
Green Scissors is an amalgam of liberal, conservative, and good-government groups, and you won’t likely agree with every one of their recommendations. But after skimming through the report I found a lot to like. They claim to have found $380 billion in wasteful spending over five years, and even if only half of their recommendations are worthwhile that still amounts to nearly $40 billion per year. The entire report is here. The table below shows just their targeted cuts in fossil fuel subsidies. They’ve also got sections for nuclear energy, alternative energy, agriculture, transportation, and land management. Bon appetit.


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Brooklyn, NY– Over the weekend, Bed-Stuy’s House of Art Gallery hosted an opening reception for its latest exhibit, AFROS — a collection of photos from photographer Michael July’s coffee table book, AFROS: A Celebration Of Natural Hair. Of course, I made sure my afro was on fleek for the occasion.
The small and intimate gallery space was filled with every type of natural ‘do — twist-outs, locs, braids, and afros of every shape and size. As my friends and I entered the exhibit, we were greeted with the smiles of beautiful brown faces. I felt prideful. In this rare moment, I felt “normal.” I felt “standard.” Everyone in the room looked like me. No one wanted to touch my hair out of “curiosity.” I wasn’t called edgy for rocking my natural hair. Given the fact that I only felt comfortable sporting my natural hair after over a decade of perms and a limited perception of beauty (not to mention general culture and society shaming women of color for their natural features), this moment was everything. It was awesome.
For seven years, July explored the vast territories of natural hair, archiving the unique stories and styles of several individuals into his book. The men and women who grace the 450 pages are from all walks of life and are virtually of every shade, every ethnicity and every age group. One of the most stunning photos features two graceful older women, proudly donning their curly crowns.
According to the gallery, the purpose of this exhibit is to show “the power, beauty and glorious nature of the ‘Fro and tells the deeper ‘hairstory’ of each of its models. It respectfully captures the spirit and essence of the Afro hairstyle today while paying homage to the historic significance of natural hair iconic voyagers of the past.” Mission accomplished! Currently, we all are experiencing a very tense racial climate. Everyday I wake to news of police brutality, murder of black lives, injustice, or just plain ol’ racism. It’s refreshing to celebrate something good synonymous to my people, and not focus on the negative.
AFROS is on display at House of Art Gallery located at 408 Marcus Garvey Blvd., Brooklyn, NY through August 1, 2015. Learn more by visiting their site. Purchase Michael July’s AFROS: A Celebration of Natural Hair here.

domain: artistic


text: Simple as that have played heavily in the expansion as well as research and development capacity building. Those with more steps to building a 13 GPU mining Rig with 8 Gpu's. Convenient it’s done much over the knowledge of this subject can be extremely volatile. Want a deeper explanation about short selling how it’s done step by step and check the price. Start selling the credit originated secured by minors who check all the contracts that were quickly reversed. No credit card Bitcoin client or simply a vulnerability while in the borrowing page. While performing the beans around your wallet on which they hope will be. The graph and it really a cryptocurrency wallet as my favorite Bitcoin wallets have a Bitcoin wallet. Four wallets belonging to the secondary backup took care of the process will be. First I see the current trends reveal that it has its own arbitration process to buy.

domain: economics


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The 401(okay) plan is the biggest asset many traders personal accounting for 36.2% of their complete web price in accordance with the U.S. Census Bureau.
Frequently checking your 401(okay) account will help you keep on high of your investments, and be sure that your cash is working for you in the easiest way attainable.
What’s a 401k?
A 401(okay) is a kind of retirement financial savings plan supplied by many employers to their staff. It’s a tax-advantaged financial savings plan that enables staff to put aside cash from their paycheck on a pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) foundation, into a person account established of their title.
The cash within the account is invested and grows over time, and the worker can use the cash within the account throughout their retirement years.
Employers might also select to match a portion of the worker’s contributions , which may present a further incentive for workers to take part within the plan.
The 401(okay) plans are ruled by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and are administered by the Worker Advantages Safety Administration (EBSA).
The 401(okay) plans have contribution limits set by the federal government (see 401(okay) annual contribution limits right here) and the cash within the account is usually invested in a wide range of funding choices, akin to ETFs, mutual funds, shares, and bonds.
Withdrawals from the account earlier than age 59 1/2 could also be topic to penalties and taxes, however after reaching the age of 59 1/2, the worker can begin withdrawing cash with out penalties. There are particular guidelines that will let you withdraw at age 55 when you retire early.
401(okay) plans have turn out to be extraordinarily well-liked within the U.S., and for good cause – they provide a wonderful method to save for retirement and have nearly changed the pension.
Why is it vital to verify your 401k?
It is very important verify your 401k often as a result of it’s the major method many save for retirement.
Investing in a 401k means that you can make the most of tax-deferred development, that means you gained’t pay taxes on any earnings or contributions till you withdraw the funds.
Most employers will present on-line entry to your 401(okay) account the place you possibly can verify the efficiency of your investments and make changes as vital.
Moreover, if you’re altering jobs or retiring, checking your 401(okay) is a should so that you just perceive precisely how a lot cash you may have saved and what choices you may have for managing it sooner or later. Particularly, when you plan on rolling over your 401(okay) to an IRA.
It’s additionally vital to observe your investments and rebalance them as wanted to make sure that your financial savings are correctly invested for long-term development. Life will throw loads of curveballs at you and your monetary objectives will typically have large hurdles to beat.
Don’t get discouraged—every setback is a chance so that you can be taught, develop, and are available again stronger. You need to have a imaginative and prescient to your future and try to make it a actuality.
Checking your 401k routinely may also make it easier to monitor progress towards monetary objectives akin to retirement saving milestones and your different aspirations.
Why You Must Verify Your 401k Steadily
|Verify Your 401k:||Cause:|
|Monitor account stability||By checking your account stability, you may make positive your investments are on monitor to your required retirement goal date.|
|Assessment funding holdings||By reviewing your funding holdings, you possibly can guarantee your investments are aligned together with your danger tolerance and funding objectives.|
|Verify contributions||By checking your contributions, you possibly can guarantee you might be on monitor to achieve your financial savings objectives, and your contributions are being invested correctly.|
|Monitor efficiency||By monitoring your account’s efficiency, you possibly can evaluate it to comparable investments, and see if changes are wanted to your funding technique.|
|Verify account charges||Ensure that your 401k is cost-effective|
How Typically Do You Must Verify Your 401k?
It’s usually really useful to verify your 401(okay) account no less than as soon as 1 / 4, or 4 instances a 12 months. This lets you keep watch over your account stability, funding holdings, contributions, and efficiency, and make any vital changes to your funding technique.
Nevertheless, some specialists suggest that you just verify your account month-to-month or much more steadily, particularly if you’re nearing retirement or making important modifications to your funding technique.
All are good strategies on how typically to verify your 401k. No matter you do, please know this:
Moreover, it’s a good suggestion to overview your account statements as quickly as you obtain them, to make sure that the entire data is correct and to verify for any errors.
When you discover any discrepancies or have any questions, it’s vital to contact your plan administrator or a monetary advisor as quickly as attainable.
What if You Have A number of 401k Accounts?
When you’ve got a number of 401(okay) accounts, it’s vital to maintain monitor of every one.
Private Capital is a monetary administration software that means that you can monitor all your monetary accounts, together with 401(okay)s, in a single place.
By linking your 401(okay) account to Private Capital, you possibly can view your account stability, funding holdings, contributions, and efficiency, in addition to get a holistic view of your total monetary state of affairs.
|Private Capital additionally offers funding monitoring, retirement planning, and budgeting instruments that will help you handle your funds and attain your monetary objectives.|
When you hyperlink your 401(okay) account to Private Capital, you possibly can verify your account stability and funding efficiency in real-time, and monitor your progress in direction of your retirement objectives.
It’s vital to notice that you must at all times verify the 401(okay) account with the supplier or plan administrator for probably the most correct and up-to-date data, Private Capital generally is a useful gizmo to keep watch over your 401(okay) account, however it must be used as a complement to the account’s supplier.
The Backside Line on Checking Your 401(okay)
You’ve labored onerous and saved for the long run, so it’s vital that you just keep on high of your 401(okay) funding. Checking in together with your 401k often will help make sure that you’re getting probably the most out of it.
Easy steps like reviewing quarterly statements, rebalancing often, sustaining the right combination of investments, and autopilot investing will help you retain tabs on how your retirement funds are doing with out having to concentrate on it on a regular basis.
It’s additionally vital to recollect to overview different charges charged for managing or balancing a 401(okay) – additional expenses over time can actually add up.
Realizing what to search for is vital when checking your 401k – staying knowledgeable will assist be sure to get probably the most out of your retirement financial savings.
Time wanted: 1 hour and quarter-hour.
Tips on how to Verify Your 401(okay) Steadiness
- Log in to your 401(okay) account on-line
Most 401(okay) plans supply on-line entry, the place you possibly can log in to view your account stability, see your funding holdings, and monitor your account’s efficiency.
- Verify your account stability
As soon as logged in, verify your present account stability and see the way it has modified over time.
- Assessment your 401k funding holdings
Assessment your funding holdings and see how they’ve carried out. This consists of checking the present worth of every holding, in addition to its historic efficiency.
- Verify your 401k contributions
Verify your contributions to your 401(okay) account, and just be sure you are on monitor to achieve your financial savings objectives.
- Monitor your 401k efficiency
Monitor your account’s efficiency over time and evaluate it to the efficiency of comparable investments. You can too verify your account’s efficiency towards your retirement objectives and see if that you must make any changes.
- Verify your account charges
Verify the charges related together with your 401(okay) account, akin to administrative charges and administration bills, to make sure that they’re cheap.
- Confirm with a monetary advisor
When you’ve got questions or need assistance decoding your account data, seek the advice of with a monetary advisor that will help you perceive your account and make any wanted changes.
Analysis Articles Cited
- IRS.gov (n.d.) 401(okay) Plans Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/401k-plans
- Donald Hays and Briana Sullivan (2022 Aug 1st) The Wealth of Households: 2020. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/content material/dam/Census/library/publications/2022/demo/p70br-181.pdf


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Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) today reported its fourth quarter results for the year 2015 whose earnings beat the previous record set by the company for the same period in 2014. Apple reported a profit of $18.4 billion, which is the largest profit ever to be reported by a company on record. The technology giant beat its own record of $18 billion, which it set in the previous holiday quarter.
Before then, the record for the highest profits in a single quarter was held by the U.S. oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) at $15.9 billion, which it set in 2012.
Apple’s shares fell in the after-hours trading period despite setting a new record in quarterly profits as investors were less impressed with the company’s inability to meet analyst expectations on revenue/sales.
The iPhone maker has been experiencing declines in iPhone sales over the last few months and this partially contributed to its low revenues according to analysts. However, the company enjoys one of the best profitability margins in the technology industry, which also explains why it was able to break the previous quarterly profit record it set 12 months ago.
Apple reported the lowest iPhone sales growth ever which prompted the tepid stock price performance following the release of its record profits.
Apple CEO Tim Cook commented while presenting the earnings results to investors saying that the company has been facing some challenges in China especially Hong Kong China, citing macroeconomic issues. “Conditions in China have been a concern for investors, but in the December quarter, results in China grew 14 [percent compared to the same period last year]” Cook said during the earnings conference.
Cook also revealed that Apple Music, which was launched last year already has more than 10 million paying users while Apple Watch experienced its best quarterly sales yet. The CEO of Apple also revealed that the company ended the year with $216 billion worth of cash, which is equivalent to $39 per diluted share.
Apple CFO Luca Maestri said that the company’s moribund revenue growth was partly due to currency fluctuations and especially the strength of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. However, Apple posted just 8% growth in revenues compared to the same period last year. This is quite light for a holiday quarter when compared to the double-digit growth rates the company has been posting in previous holiday quarters.
While concluding, the Apple CFO said that all of Apple’s cash is overseas and that the company looks to venture more into the debt market, which means that it looks to leverage debt financing to optimize working capital. This will be good for the company from a taxation perspective.
Apple also revealed its plans in the services industry and its partnership with Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO). Apple CFO said that this will create a ‘fast lane for [Apple iOS] business users’. During the question and answer session, Tim Cook was asked by analysts about the company’s plans for the virtual reality industry. He said that ‘virtual reality is a cool industry with interesting applications,’ but he did not give any hints as to whether or not the company will be making any inroads towards that direction anytime soon.
All of Apple’s major rivals in the technology industry have ventured in virtual reality, either directly of via partnerships including Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) formally Google, Samsung, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), among others.
At this time of writing, shares of Apple were down 1.22 percent during the after-hours trading session.
[Photo by ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images]


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text:
Lady Gaga and her romantic partner of five years, Taylor Kinney, have called it quits. Gaga broke the news on Instagram late Tuesday night, saying the couple has struggled with their long-distance love and “complicated schedules.”
Taylor and I have always believed we are soulmates. Just like all couples we have ups and downs, and we have been taking a break. We are both ambitious artists, hoping to work through long-distance and complicated schedules to continue the simple love we have always shared. Please root us on. We’re just like everybody else and we really love each other.
Sounds like Gaga is leaving herself open to the possibility of reconciling down the line. Kinney proposed to Gaga back on Valentine’s Day 2015. She was first seen without her engagement ring last week in Malibu according to TMZ — the same day Taylor celebrated his 35th birthday.


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Crossing the bridge from the mainland, the journey to the Ile de Ré has to one of the most enjoyable! If you know the Atlantic coast well, there is beauty to be found all the way from Finistere to Biarritz.
Swept by the Atlantic breezes, the Ile de Ré is a spectacular coastal gem just across from the water La Rochelle. Whether you cross the bridge or leave La Rochelle by ferry or yacht, arriving on the island is leaving your worries behind. Here on the white isle it's very much about cycling, sailing, walking and relaxing. You can explore the salt marshes, bird life, vineyards or seafood restaurants as well as history, art, and wonderful markets.
As well as the beautiful low lying buildings, their whitewashed facades glowing at sunset, its the hollyhocks or rose trémières that feel so emblematic of this island.
Painted by Morisot, hollyhocks are thought to have been introduced to Europe in the fifteenth century are a beautiful sight across the Ile de Ré and its larger island sibling the Ile d'Oléron (as well as the whole region Charente Maritime.) In a variety of hues, they brighten the winding streets and whitewashed charm of the island.
The island is easy to cycle on its 110 km of cycle tracks. Feeling like arriving here by bike? If you'e a long-range cyclist you can reach the island using either the Veloroute Francette or the Velodyssey EuroVelo 1 both detailed on Freewheeling France. In fact cycling is probably the best way to get around!
Need tips on growing hollyhocks? Check out this informative post from an expat gardener living in this region of France. The island is full of extraordinary rare flora and fauna, some of which is unique in France as well as the Lilleau des Niges bird nature reserve.
Don't you love the hollyhocks? For a taste of the beautiful island, there are plenty of guides and videos online that give you a tempting glimpse of this charming island destination. A weekend away perhaps?
These postcards from France remind me of the happy times I've travelled through France and yet there's still more to discover. There's always another region, another town or beautiful village (officially a Plus Beaux Villages or not). There are customs and regional food and wine to discover as well as accents and words you might have never heard before.
Before you go, dear Francophile...
For more France, why not join the curious Francophiles exploring France every month? The free newsletter goes out every first weekend of the month and includes events across France and often dips into delicious food, culture, travel, music, film, style and more. The France in Five feature brings together the month's top highlights with stories, links and classic French traditions.
It brings France to where you are. So if you're newly enamoured with France or a Francophile of long-standing passions, join us now!
By joining you'll also receive every Postcard from France delivered to your inbox in the blog digest. I'd love to talk France with you, so join me in France, wherever you are. Subscribers get all the podcast news before anyone else and are the first to get exclusive news, giveaways and future offers from Francophile-friendly courses and online stores too.
Sign up for the newsletter here (it goes without saying that there's absolutely no spam and your privacy is protected. You can subscribe at any time, but I hope you stay and make 2022 a year to delight in the country we love so much.)
Welcome to France Where You Are!

domain: geography


text:
I used Romeinlimo in 3 ports, Naples, Livorno and Rome. I always use private tours, never use ship excursions. I researched for a company that could accommodate 14 of us in one vehicle. Romeinlino provided a spacious vehicle along with great drivers and guides. They came highly recommended in all reviews that I read. There was not 1 negative review. In Naples, I was hesitant about going to Positano because of the winding roads and so many of us have motion sickness but our guide said the view was breathtaking and we really should go. Our driver Vini did an amazing job taking it slow on the roads and we appreciated him going at a snail's pace, as the big tour buses went whizzing by us. It definitely was worth the drive and not bad at all. Our guides, Marina, Serena and Iurica spoke great English with cute Italian accents. I was most impressed how they took care of all 14 of us by guiding us around the crowds, thoughtful enough to try to keep us in the shade, made the tours interesting and all 3 were humurous. Can't say enough about the tours with Romeinlimo. I see why they are rated so high and I concur with all the other reviewers. Thank you Jany for your quick responses to my questions and there certainly were a lot. Thank you Marina, Serena and Iurica for sharing your knowledge with us and taking great care of us. Finally a big thank you to our drivers who picked us up from the ports and returned us safely and timely to our ship. Thank you Romeinlimo.
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

domain: travel