Baculovirus-mediated production and purification of ferritin nanoparticles for rift valley fever vaccine development.

Background: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a WHO-prioritized zoonotic, vector-borne disease with no licensed prophylaxis available for humans, highlighting the need for effective vaccine strategies. Nanoparticle-based platforms for antigen presentation offer a promising approach for vaccine development.

Results: In this work, we engineered ferritin (Ft) nanoparticles to display the immunogenic Gn domain of RVF virus (GnFt) and systematically assessed the production, purification, and physico-chemical properties of the purified nanoparticles.

Astrocytic RNA editing regulates the host immune response to alpha-synuclein.

RNA editing is a posttranscriptional mechanism that targets changes in RNA transcripts to modulate innate immune responses. We report the role of astrocyte-specific, ADAR1-mediated RNA editing in neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD). We generated human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes, neurons and cocultures and exposed them to small soluble alpha-synuclein aggregates.

Optimizing the commercial manufacturing of tisagenlecleucel for patients in Japan: A 4-year experiential journey.

Background: Tisagenlecleucel, an autologous CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, was approved in Japan, in March 2019 for patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukamia and r/r diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and in August 2022 for patients with r/r follicular lymphoma. Post-approval, a key goal has been to upscale and continuously improve manufacturing and shipment success rates (MSR and SSR, respectively) in the commercial setting to meet the needs of patients worldwide, including in Japan. Herein, we report accrued experience from a 4-year journey of commercial tisagenlecleucel manufacturing process optimization for patients in Japan.

Tyrosinase-Mediated Conjugation for Antigen Display on Ferritin Nanoparticles.

Ferritin (Ft) nanoparticles have become versatile platforms for displaying antigens, being a promising technology for vaccine development. While genetic fusion has traditionally been the preferred method for antigen display, concerns about improper folding and steric hindrance that may compromise vaccine efficacy or stability have prompted alternative approaches. Bioconjugation offers the advantage of preserving native protein structure and function, with recent advancements improving efficiency and specificity.

Framework for a Research-Based and Interdisciplinary Use of Sensors in Elementary Teacher Education.

Sensors should be integrated into teacher education, as they are essential tools in the digital practices needed for full participation in society. Electronic sensors can be used as laboratory/scientific tools, as everyday mobile learning tools, and as epistemic mediators in several scientific fields, as well as in interdisciplinary approaches. In this way, electronic sensors can play multiple roles in the main dimensions of teacher education.

The role and needs of family doctors in sexual medicine: contributions of a preliminary Portuguese qualitative study for a global action.

Sexual health is fundamental for overall well-being and quality of life, making it the focus of intervention in Sexual Medicine (SM). Within the National Health Services, Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) guarantee comprehensive care in a biopsychosocial action, including in sexual health. This exploratory study aimed to investigate PCPs' perceptions about their role in SM and how to improve it.

Inpatient Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation in Adult Spinal Cord Injury Without Neuroimaging Abnormality (SCIWNA): A Case Report.

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality is a condition primarily observed in the pediatric population. However, its occurrence in adults remains underreported. This case report aims to describe a rare instance of adult spinal cord injury without neuroimaging abnormality (SCIWNA) following a road accident in a 52-year-old woman, emphasizing the clinical nuances and management challenges associated with this condition.

Pain Management Strategies for Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections in Children: A Comprehensive National Survey and Procedural Protocol.

Introduction: Botulinum toxin type A injections are a first-line treatment for spasticity in children. Our purpose is to delineate the national landscape concerning pain management for botulinum toxin type A injections in pediatric patients and to formulate a protocol grounded in current scientific evidence.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey targeting physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists performing botulinum toxin type A injections for focal spasticity in children in Portugal.

Clinical Validation of a Size-Based Microfluidic Device for Circulating Tumor Cell Isolation and Analysis in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presents as metastatic disease in one third of cases. Research on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and liquid biopsies is improving the understanding of RCC biology and metastases formation. However, a standardized, sensitive, specific, and cost-effective CTC detection technique is lacking.

COVID-19: Financial Stress and Well-Being in Families.

In all areas of knowledge, research has shown the devastating effects of COVID-19, and the impact on families' financial stress and well-being is one of them. Crises are predictors of families' financial stress as they produce changes in their income and negative feelings, such as fear and demotivation, which affect well-being. This study analyses the financial and social impact of COVID-19 on families, supported by the ABCE-WB model, with data collection being the result of snowball sampling.

Post-intensive Care Unit COVID-19 Survivors: Functional Status and Respiratory Function Three Months After an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program.

Introduction and objectives Long-term coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) sequelae have become an increasing concern, with persistent dyspnoea and fatigue being the most common and long-lasting symptoms reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional status and respiratory function three months after discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation program. Materials and methods This was a prospective study including post-ICU COVID-19 survivors consecutively admitted to an inpatient and multimodal rehabilitation program in a rehabilitation center.

What exists in academia on work stress in accounting professionals: a bibliometric analysis.

This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by conducting the scientific and bibliometric mapping of work stress in accounting professionals, using a methodological trilogy that contributes to this topic, namely the application of the ROC curve, Prisma and R bibliometric tools. Through the analysis of a sample of 103 articles, it was found that, in order to avoid and/or overcome the levels of stress in accountants, the following factors should be taken into account: (1) a high engagement with work, (2) reduced self-efficacy perception in the decision-making process, (3) adverse consequences in the management process, and (4) high-stress levels embedded in the individual's personality. Thus, it will be necessary for the accountant to apply strategies and change the way he/she works and perceives the work, avoiding stress levels and irreversible health damage.

Leukapheresis guidance and best practices for optimal chimeric antigen receptor T-cell manufacturing.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an individualized immunotherapy that genetically reprograms a patient's T cells to target and eliminate cancer cells. Tisagenlecleucel is a US Food and Drug Administration-approved CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and r/r diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Manufacturing CAR T cells is an intricate process that begins with leukapheresis to obtain T cells from the patient's peripheral blood.

The Communicative Effectiveness of Branding at Sports Press Conferences.

This scientific work studies brand placement in the press conferences of soccer coaches and evaluates their communicative effectiveness through the measurement of their cognitive and affective effects on the viewers. In this research, we established the following objectives: (1) to examine the characteristics of the practice of brand placement in football press conferences: the diffusion times of brands, space occupied on the screen, and categories of brands placed; (2) to evaluate the behaviour of the human eye when viewing press conferences, in terms of continuous movements (saccades) and fixations (fixations) on brands; (3) to gauge the spontaneous and assisted recall of brands by subjects; (4) to verify the correlation between the persistence of visual fixations and recall/recognition; (5) to investigate the changes in subjects' attitudes towards brands viewed in the experimental context. An exploratory observation was made that enabled a more in-depth knowledge and implementation of brand placement at sports conferences.

Inpatient rehabilitation can improve functional outcomes of post-intensive care unit COVID-19 patients-a prospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of an inpatient multimodal and intensive rehabilitation program on neuromuscular, respiratory, and functional impairments of post-ICU COVID-19 patients.

Materials And Methods: Prospective study including post-ICU COVID-19 survivors consecutively admitted to a rehabilitation centre. Rehabilitation was conducted by an interdisciplinary team.

Bibliometric review about eco-cites and urban sustainable development: trend topics.

The world is undergoing exponential urbanization, with consequences for society in general, both for cities and people, with serious economic, social and environmental implications. Therefore, it is crucial to reconsider urban models of cities, to ensure global, long-term sustainability. Numerous researchers have argued that one of these models involves eco-city projects, and this study aims to carry out a systematic review of the literature on this topic, through bibliometrics.

Open to MOOCs? Evidence of their impact on labour market outcomes.

This paper investigates the effect that participation in massive open online courses (MOOCs) ecosystem can have on workers' labour market outcomes, mainly employment retaining. We use primary data collected between 2015 and 2017 and obtained from two surveys (pre-course and follow-up questionnaires) sent to participants in six MOOCs. The treatment group is composed of individuals participating in MOOCs in 2015 and the control group is composed of individuals who enrolled in MOOCs for the first time in 2017.

Functionalizing Ferritin Nanoparticles for Vaccine Development.

In the last decade, the interest in ferritin-based vaccines has been increasing due to their safety and immunogenicity. Candidates against a wide range of pathogens are now on Phase I clinical trials namely for influenza, Epstein-Barr, and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Manufacturing challenges related to particle heterogeneity, improper folding of fused antigens, and antigen interference with intersubunit interactions still need to be overcome.

Mapping the binding site topology of amyloid protein aggregates using multivalent ligands.

A key process in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases is the aggregation of proteins to produce fibrillary aggregates with a cross β-sheet structure, amyloid. The development of reagents that can bind these aggregates with high affinity and selectivity has potential for early disease diagnosis. By linking two benzothiazole aniline (BTA) head groups with different length polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacers, fluorescent probes that bind amyloid fibrils with low nanomolar affinity have been obtained.

Theragnostics in Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-targeted imaging for diagnosis, staging, evaluating the possibility of treatment with cold somatostatin analogs, as well peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), and evaluation of treatment response. PET with Ga-labeled somatostatin analogs provides excellent sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing and staging neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Metabolic imaging with PET with fludeoxyglucose F/computed tomography (CT) complements the molecular imaging with Ga-SSTR PET/CT toward a personalized therapy in NET patients.