A spatial panel data version of the knowledge capital model

This paper attempts to analyze the impact of knowledge and knowledge spillovers on regional total factor productivity (TFP) in Europe. Regional patent stocks are used as a proxy for knowledge, and TFP is measured in terms of a superlative index. We follow Fischer et. al (2008) by using a spatial-spillover model and a data set covering 203 regions for six time periods. In order to estimate the impact of knowledge stocks we use a spatial autoregressive model with random effects, which allows for three kinds of spatial dependence: Spatial correlation in the innovations, the exogenous and the endogenous variables. The results suggest that there is a significant positive impact of knowledge on regional TFP levels, and that knowledge spills over to neighboring regions. These spillovers decay exponentially with distance at a rate of 8%. Using Monte Carlo simulations we calculate the distribution of direct and indirect effects. The average elasticity of a region's TFP with respect to its own knowledge stock is 0.2 and highly significant. The average effect of all other regions' TFP is about 50% higher, which confirms that the cross-country externalities are important in the measuring of the impact.

Genotype of CHO host cell line has higher impact on mAb production and quality than process strategy or cell culture medium

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells comprise a variety of lineages, including CHO-DXB11, CHO-K1, CHO-DG44 and CHO-S. Despite the fact that CHO cell lines share a common ancestor, extensive mutagenesis and clonal selection have resulted in substantial genetic heterogeneity among them. Data from sequencing shows that different genes are lacking from individual CHO cell lines and that each cell line harbors a unique set of mutations that are relevant to the bioprocess. However, literature outlining how the observed genetic differences affect CHO cell performance during bioprocess operations remains scarce. In this study, we examined host cell-specific differences among three widely used CHO cell lines (CHO-K1, CHO-S and CHO-DG44) and recombinantly expressed the same monoclonal antibody (mAb) in an isogenic format in all cell lines by using bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) as transfer vector. Cell-specific growth, product formation and heavy and light chain mRNA levels were studied in batch, fed-batch and perfusion cultures. Furthermore, two different cell culture media were investigated. Product quality was studied through glycoprofiling, and the thermal denaturation was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We found CHO cell line-specific preferences for mAb production or biomass synthesis that were determined by the host cell line rather than product-specific mRNA levels. Additionally, quality attributes of the expressed mAb were influenced by the host cell line and medium used

Application of the Bradford Assay for Cell Lysis Quantification : Residual Protein Content in Cell Culture Supernatants

Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft. Grant Number: 849725Bilfinger Industrietechnik Salzburg. Grant Number: 849725(VLID)384558

DEL-FINE: a new tool for assessing the delirogenic properties of drugs of relevance for European pharmacotherapy

This article presents a list of potentially delirogenic properties of drugs that are currently of relevance to drug therapy in Europe, which was created through a Delphi process including experts from professions relevant to diagnosis and treatment of delirium. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM 5) defines delirium as a disturbance in attention, awareness and cognition that develops over a short period of time and fluctuates. Possible causes of delirium are manifold: usually delirium is considered to develop in a multifactorial way, caused by inalterable parameters, such as advanced age and pre-existing cognitive impairment and precipitated by modifiable parameters, such as the use of certain drugs or substance withdrawal. Delirium is a serious condition with a pronounced impact on morbidity, mortality and costs to the healthcare system. Circumstances and drugs that might precipitate or worsen delirium should therefore be avoided whenever possible. A list of drugs that might have a detrimental influence on the emergence and duration of delirium has been created using the terms “delirogenity” and “delirogenic” to describe the potential of a drug or withdrawal to cause or worsen delirium. The results are novel and noteworthy, as their focus is on substances relevant to European pharmacotherapy. Furthermore, they represent a methodical consensus from a group of experts of a wide variety of professions relevant to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of delirium, such as nursing, pharmacy, pharmacology, surgical and internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, intensive care and medicine, with working, teaching and scientific experience in several European countries practicing both in primary and secondary care