The International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce (INPST) and the power of Twitter networking exemplified through #INPST hashtag analysis

Background: The development of digital technologies and the evolution of open innovation approaches have enabled the creation of diverse virtual organizations and enterprises coordinating their activities primarily online. The open innovation platform titled "International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce" (INPST) was established in 2018, to bring together in collaborative environment individuals and organizations interested in natural product scientific research, and to empower their interactions by using digital communication tools. Methods: In this work, we present a general overview of INPST activities and showcase the specific use of Twitter as a powerful networking tool that was used to host a one-week "2021 INPST Twitter Networking Event" (spanning from 31st May 2021 to 6th June 2021) based on the application of the Twitter hashtag #INPST. Results and Conclusion: The use of this hashtag during the networking event period was analyzed with Symplur Signals (https://www.symplur.com/), revealing a total of 6,036 tweets, shared by 686 users, which generated a total of 65,004,773 impressions (views of the respective tweets). This networking event's achieved high visibility and participation rate showcases a convincing example of how this social media platform can be used as a highly effective tool to host virtual Twitter-based international biomedical research events

Mechanisms regulating excitability of primary afferent nociceptors

The perception of pain - burning, aching and soreness - acts as a physiological warning that protects us from real or potential injury by employing both behavioural and reflex avoidance responses. Unfortunately, this sensory modality can outlive its usefulness and become chronic and debilitating. Indeed, inflammatory mediators released following tissue trauma can sensitise pain fibres (primary afferent nociceptors) to a diverse range of mechanical, chemical and thermal stimuli. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating the excitability of primary afferent nociceptors.;The present study has demonstrated that cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) was constitutively expressed in a subpopulation of putatively defined nociceptors in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG), using immunocytochemical techniques. Consistent with these immunocytochemical findings, sharp-electrode recordings revealed that depolarisations evoked by the inflammatory mediator, bradykinin on cultured rat DRG neurons, were significantly attenuated by selective COX-1 inhibition. These findings suggest that activation of bradykinin receptors in nociceptors, may in addition to activating phospholipase C, also release arachidonic acid, which is then specifically metabolised by COX-1 to synthesise pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.;There is increasing evidence to suggest that inflammatory mediators can regulate neuronal excitability by phosphorylating ion channels expressed on primary afferent nociceptors. However, the identities of the ion channels underlying these effects have not been fully elucidated. The present studies demonstrated the expression and distribution of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Kir2.3 and tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) sodium channel NaV1.8, in a sub-population of putatively defined nociceptors. Using the whole-cell patch clamp technique, it was demonstrated that the inflammatory mediator, bradykinin could modulate the functions of the Kir and TTX-R sodium currents in cultured rat DRG neurons.;Taken together, the results from the present studies have increased our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating nociceptor excitability, and as such, may also contribute to the development of more efficacious analgesic therapies

Gene therapy in rare diseases: the benefits and challenges of developing a patient-centric registry for Strimvelis in ADA-SCID

Abstract Background Strimvelis (autologous CD34+ cells transduced to express adenosine deaminase [ADA]) is the first ex vivo stem cell gene therapy approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), indicated as a single treatment for patients with ADA-severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) who lack a suitable matched related bone marrow donor. Existing primary immunodeficiency registries are tailored to transplantation outcomes and do not capture the breadth of safety and efficacy endpoints required by the EMA for the long-term monitoring of gene therapies. Furthermore, for extended monitoring of Strimvelis, the young age of children treated, small patient numbers, and broad geographic distribution of patients all increase the risk of loss to follow-up before sufficient data have been collected. Establishing individual investigator sites would be impractical and uneconomical owing to the small number of patients from each location receiving Strimvelis. Results An observational registry has been established to monitor the safety and effectiveness of Strimvelis in up to 50 patients over a minimum of 15 years. To address the potential challenges highlighted above, data will be collected by a single investigator site at Ospedale San Raffaele (OSR), Milan, Italy, and entered into the registry via a central electronic platform. Patients/families and the patient’s local physician will also be able to submit healthcare information directly to the registry using a uniquely designed electronic platform. Data entry will be monitored by a Gene Therapy Registry Centre (funded by GlaxoSmithKline) who will ensure that necessary information is collected and flows between OSR, the patient/family and the patient’s local healthcare provider. Conclusion The Strimvelis registry sets a precedent for the safety monitoring of future gene therapies. A unique, patient-focused design has been implemented to address the challenges of long-term follow-up of patients treated with gene therapy for a rare disease. Strategies to ensure data completeness and patient retention in the registry will help fulfil pharmacovigilance requirements. Collaboration with partners is being sought to expand from a treatment registry into a disease registry. Using practical and cost-efficient approaches, the Strimvelis registry is hoped to encourage further innovation in registry design within orphan drug development

The International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce (INPST) and the power of Twitter networking exemplified through #INPST hashtag analysis

International audienceBackground: The development of digital technologies and the evolution of open innovation approaches have enabled the creation of diverse virtual organizations and enterprises coordinating their activities primarily online. The open innovation platform titled "International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce" (INPST) was established in 2018, to bring together in collaborative environment individuals and organizations interested in natural product scientific research, and to empower their interactions by using digital communication tools. Methods: In this work, we present a general overview of INPST activities and showcase the specific use of Twitter as a powerful networking tool that was used to host a one-week "2021 INPST Twitter Networking Event" (spanning from 31st May 2021 to 6th June 2021) based on the application of the Twitter hashtag #INPST. Results and Conclusion: The use of this hashtag during the networking event period was analyzed with Symplur Signals (https://www.symplur.com/), revealing a total of 6,036 tweets, shared by 686 users, which generated a total of 65,004,773 impressions (views of the respective tweets). This networking event's achieved high visibility and participation rate showcases a convincing example of how this social media platform can be used as a highly effective tool to host virtual Twitter-based international biomedical research events