Protective Efficacy of BCG Overexpressing an L,D-Transpeptidase against M. tuberculosis Infection

Background: M. bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), currently the only available vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), fails to adequately protect individuals from active and latent TB infection. New vaccines are desperately needed to decrease the worldwide burden of TB. Methods and Findings: We created a recombinant strain of BCG that overproduces an L,D-transpeptidase in order to alter the bacterial peptidoglycan layer and consequently increase the ability of this immunogen to protect against virulent M. tuberculosis (Mtb). We demonstrate that this novel recombinant BCG protects mice against virulent Mtb at least as well as control BCG, as measured by its ability to reduce bacterial burden in lungs and spleen, reduce lung histopathology, and prolong survival. A nutrient starved recombinant BCG preparation, while offering comparable protection, elicited a response characterized by elevated levels of select Th1 cytokines. Conclusions: Recombinant BCG overexpressing a L,D-transpeptidase that is nutrient starved elicits a stronger Th1 type response and is at least as protective as parent BCG. Results from this study suggest that nutrient starvation treatment of live BCG vaccines should be further investigated as a way to increase host induction of Th-1 related cytokines in the development of experimental anti-TB vaccines

Sustainable Career Cards Sort (SCCS): Linking Career Choices to the World Needs

Recently, there has been a call for career counseling interventions that promote the construction of a more humane sustainable world. In fact, contemporary world is facing collateral crises at various levels, and career counselors should be able to help their clients to make career choices that are in accordance with ethical principles and tackle these emergencies. This is likely to contribute both to help solving these crises and to allow career clients to find meaning in their work. The aim of this chapter is to propose a career counseling intervention that help counselees to design their career pathway in ways that can contribute to a fair and sustainable human and global development. The chapter presents the development and the initial validation of the Sustainable Career Cards Sort (SCCS), an innovative cards sort tool aiming at connecting the clients’ current career concerns with those of the world. The suggested intervention comprises reflective activities on pictures representing the most important world’s crises. Implications for research and practice are discussed