Evaluation of immune responses induced by a novel candidate vaccine against whooping cough in a human pre-clinical model

New vaccines against pertussis are needed to evoke full protection and long-lasting immunological memory starting from the first administration in neonates—the major target of the life-threatening pertussis infection. A novel live attenuated Bordetella pertussis vaccine strain, BPZE1, has been developed by eliminating or detoxifying three important B. pertussis virulence factors: pertussis toxin, dermonecrotic toxin, and tracheal cytotoxin. We used a human preclinical ex vivo model based on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) to evaluate BPZE1 immunogenicity. We studied the effects of BPZE1 on MDDC functions, focusing on the impact of Bordetella-primed dendritic cells in the regulation of Th and suppressor T cells (Ts). BPZE1 is able to activate human MDDCs and to promote the production of a broad spectrum of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines. Moreover, conversely to its parental wild-type counterpart BPSM, BPZE1-primed MDDCs very efficiently migrate in vitro in response to the lymphatic chemokine CCL21, due to the inactivation of pertussis toxin enzymatic activity. BPZE1-primed MDDCs drove a mixed Th1/Th17 polarization and also induced functional Ts. Experiments performed in a Transwell system showed that cell contact rather than the production of soluble factors was required for suppression activity. Overall, our findings support the potential of BPZE1 as a novel live attenuated pertussis vaccine, as BPZE1-challenged dendritic cells might migrate from the site of infection to the lymph nodes, prime Th cells, mount an adaptive immune response, and orchestrate Th1/Th17 and Ts responses

Tools and strategies for engaging the supervisor in technology-supported work-based learning : evaluation research

This study reports the results of the formative evaluations of two computer-supported tools and the associated strategies for their use. Tools and strategies embedded in web-based courses can increase a supervisor’s involvement in helping employees transfer learning onto the workplace. Issues relating to characteristics of the tools and strategies as well as factors influencing their likelihood of use are identified via summaries of the two evaluation studies

An uncommon case of inferior vena cava injury during atrial fibrillation ablation

A 64-year-old man underwent catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) assistance. As the probe was advanced toward the right atrium, sudden abdominal pain was felt by the patient with hypotension and tachycardia requiring fluids and vasopressors for hemodynamic stabilization. The inferior vena cava (IVC) was injured by the passing probe and open repair was then performed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of symptomatic IVC laceration by the probe used for ICE during CA

Environmental concerns of borehole heat exchangers (BHE): the role of heat-carrier fluid and grouting

Green renewable technology,  chemical riskiness, propylene glycol,  Po Plai

Distinct Expression of Inflammatory Features in T Helper 17 Cells from Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). T helper (Th) 17 lymphocytes play a role in the pathogenesis of MS. Indeed, Th17 cells are abundant in the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood of MS patients and promote pathogenesis in the mouse model of MS. To gain insight into the function of Th17 cells in MS, we tested whether Th17 cells polarized from naïve CD4 T cells of healthy donors and MS patients display different features. To this end, we analysed several parameters that typify the Th17 profile during the differentiation process of naïve CD4 T cells obtained from relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS patients (n = 31) and healthy donors (HD) (n = 28). Analysis of an array of cytokines produced by Th17 cells revealed that expression of interleukin (IL)-21, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-β, IL-2 and IL-1R1 is significantly increased in Th17 cells derived from MS patients compared to healthy donor-derived cells. Interestingly, IL-1R1 expression is also increased in Th17 cells circulating in the blood of MS patients compared to healthy donors. Since IL-2, IL-21, TNF-β, and IL-1R1 play a crucial role in the activation of immune cells, our data indicate that high expression of these molecules in Th17 cells from MS patients could be related to their high inflammatory status

Estado del arte de la educación jurídica: a diez años del Congreso Nacional de Sociología Jurídica

Revisamos 148 ponencias de 260 autores de la comisión de Enseñanza del Derecho, presentadas en once Congresos Nacionales de Sociología Jurídica. Indagamos: 1. Los elementos que contribuyen a la conformación de un campo, tomando como indicadores quiénes son los productores de las ponencias, qué papel han tenido los equipos de investigación de las universidades y cuáles trabajos son interdisciplinarios. 2. Nos preguntamos sobre los temas y problemas de los cuales partieron los autores, qué objetivos explicitaron y qué opciones metodológicas tomaron. Esperamos contribuir a mostrar el trabajo de la comisión sobre el conocimiento acumulado y realizar una metalectura sobre las preocupaciones de los participantes.A collection of one hundred and forty eight (148) papers presented by two hundred and sixty (260) authors, members of the Teaching of Law Groups, at eleven National Legal Sociology Congresses were analyzed. The following questions were made: 1. Which are the elements which contribute to define the field? The writers themselves, their performance at the University Research Groups and the appraisal of their interdisciplinary work. 2. Which has been the authors’ starting point? Their themes, problems, declared aims, assumptions and methodological choices. Summing up, the goal is showing an updated picture of available knowledge in the field and throwing a new light into the participant’s concerns.Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y SocialesFacultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

La formación de los abogados y la educación jurídica en Argentina

En este capítulo analizamos los contenidos de las ponencias presentadas y discutidas en las sucesivas comisiones dedicadas a la educación jurídica, organizadas de los Congresos Nacionales de Sociología Jurídica realizados entre 2000 y 2010. En términos estrictos, la mayoría de ellas incluyen en su denominación los términos “enseñanza jurídica”; sin embargo, los trabajos presentados exceden el significado de dichos términos, que se refiere a una actividad específica (práctica docente en una situación educativa formalizada) y remiten a la “educación jurídica”, que comprende un complejo de prácticas sociales con sentido formativo, las que pueden adoptar diferentes tipos y modalidades y desarrollarse en distintos contextos, tanto formales como no formales.Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociale