Enhancing the Reliability and Throughput of Neurosphere Culture on Hydrogel Microwell Arrays

The neurosphere assay is the standard retrospective assay to test the self-renewal capability and multipotency of neural stem cells (NSC) in vitro. However, it has recently become clear that not all neurospheres are derived from a NSC and that on conventional cell culture substrates, neurosphere motility may cause frequent neurosphere 'merging' (Singec et al., Nature Methods, 2006; Jessberger et al., Stem Cells, 2007). Combining biomimetic hydrogel matrix technology with microengineering, we developed a microwell array platform on which NSC fate and neurosphere formation can be unequivocally attributed to a single founding cell. Using time-lapse microscopy and retrospective immunostaining, the fate of several hundred single NSCs was quantified. Compared to conventional neurosphere culture methods on plastic dishes, we detected a more than 100% increase in single NSC viability on soft hydrogels. Effective confinement of single proliferating cells to microwells led to neurosphere formation of vastly different sizes, a high percentage of which showed stem cell phenotypes after one week in culture. The reliability and increased throughput of this platform should help to elucidate better the function of sphere-forming stem/progenitor cells independent of their proliferation dynamics

Redefining Disease Severity with Special Area Involvement and Reflecting on Treatment Patterns in a Real-World Psoriasis Population

Abstract Background The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) recommends an approach that considers body surface area (BSA), involvement in special areas, and treatment history for classifying patients as candidates for topical or systemic treatment. This study aimed to quantify the burden of psoriasis by describing BSA distribution, special area involvement, and treatments in a real-world population. Methods This retrospective cohort study included patients with psoriasis from the Optum® deidentified Electronic Health Records database with a BSA value ( 10%) recorded between 1 March 2014 and 1 September 2020. Treatments and special area involvement (face, scalp, palms/soles, nails, genitals) were identified within 90 days of the BSA value and stratified by BSA category. Results Among eligible patients (N = 5120), mean age was 51.4 years and 49.3% were women. The majority of patients (78.9%) were treated with any topical. Proportions of patients with BSA  10% were 23.4%, 41.9%, and 34.6%, respectively; proportions with 0, 1, and 2+ special areas were 21.6%, 31.6%, and 45.7%, respectively; and 44.4%, 45.7%, and 45.9% of patients with BSA  10%, respectively, had 2+ special areas. Conclusion The IPC classification can likely identify many more patients who may benefit from systemic therapy than BSA alone. Graphical Abstrac

Apremilast Use in Severe Psoriasis: Real-World Data from Central and Eastern Europe

Introduction: The broad and sustained efficacy of apremilast for psoriasis has been demonstrated in randomized and real-world observational studies. Data from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are lacking. Moreover, apremilast use in this region is limited by country-specific reimbursement criteria. This is the first study to report data on the real-world use of apremilast in the region. Methods: APPRECIATE (NCT02740218) was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study assessing psoriasis patients 6 (± 1) months after apremilast treatment initiation. The study aimed to describe the characteristics of patients with psoriasis receiving apremilast, estimate treatment outcomes, including Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Body Surface Area (BSA), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and assess dermatologists' and patients' perspectives on treatment using questionnaires including the Patient Benefit Index (PBI). Adverse event reports were taken from the medical records. Results: Fifty patients (Croatia: 25; Czech Republic: 20; Slovenia: 5) were enrolled. In patients continuing apremilast at 6 (± 1) months, mean (± SD) PASI score was reduced from 16.2 ± 8.7 points at treatment initiation to 3.1 ± 5.2 at 6 (± 1) months; BSA from 11.9% ± 10.3% to 0.8% ± 0.9%; DLQI from 13.7 ± 7.4 points to 1.6 ± 3.2. PASI 75 was reached by 81% of patients. Physicians reported that the overall treatment success fulfilled their expectations in more than two thirds of patients (68%). At least three-quarters of patients reported apremilast had a quite or very high benefit on the needs they identified as being most important. Apremilast was well tolerated; no serious or fatal adverse events were identified. Conclusion: Apremilast was effective in reducing skin involvement and improving quality of life in CEE patients having severe disease. Treatment satisfaction among physicians and patients was very high. These data add to the growing body of evidence showing consistent effectiveness of apremilast across the continuum of psoriasis disease severity and manifestations

Cyber Security Politics: Socio-Technological Transformations and Political Fragmentation

This edited volume by CSS' Myriam Dunn Cavelty and CSS director Andreas Wenger, examines new and challenging political aspects of cyber security and presents it as an issue defined by socio-technological uncertainty and political fragmentation. The first part looks at the current use of cyber space in conflictual settings, while the second focuses on political responses by state and non-state actors in an environment defined by uncertainties. Within this, it highlights four key debates that encapsulate the complexities and paradoxes of cyber security politics from a Western perspective. This book will be of much interest to students of cyber security, global governance, technology studies, and international relations.Dieser Sammelband, herausgegeben von CSS Forscherin Myriam Dunn Cavelty und CSS Direktor Andreas Wenger, untersucht neue und herausfordernde politische Aspekte der Cybersicherheit und präsentiert sie als eine Problematik, welche durch sozio-technologische Unsicherheit und politische Fragmentierung definiert ist. Der erste Teil befasst sich mit der aktuellen Nutzung des Cyberraums in Konfliktsituationen, während sich der zweite Teil auf politische Reaktionen staatlicher und nichtstaatlicher Akteure in einem von Unsicherheiten geprägten Umfeld konzentriert. Darin werden vier Schlüsseldebatten hervorgehoben, welche die Komplexität und Paradoxa der Cybersicherheitspolitik aus westlicher Perspektive zusammenfassen. Dieses Buch wird von grossem Interesse für Studierende der Cybersicherheit, Global Governance, Technologiestudien und internationalen Beziehungen sein