Design and immunological evaluation of anti-CD205-tailored PLGA-based nanoparticulate cancer vaccine

Sheikh Tasnim Jahan, Sams MA Sadat, Azita Haddadi Division of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada Abstract: The aim of this research was to develop a targeted antigen–adjuvant assembled delivery system that will enable dendritic cells (DCs) to efficiently mature to recognize antigens released from tumor cells. It is important to target the DCs with greater efficiency to prime T cell immune responses. In brief, model antigen, ovalbumin (OV), and monophosphoryl lipid A adjuvant were encapsulated within the nanoparticle (NP) by double emulsification solvent evaporation method. Targeted NPs were obtained through ligand incorporation via physical adsorption or chemical conjugation process. Intracellular uptake of the NPs and the maturation of DCs were evaluated with flow cytometry. Remarkably, the developed delivery system had suitable physicochemical properties, such as particle size, surface charge, OV encapsulation efficiency, biphasic OV release pattern, and safety profile. The ligand modified formulations had higher targeting efficiency than the non-tailored NPs. This was also evident when the targeted formulations expressed comparatively higher fold increase in surface activation markers such as CD40, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. The maturation of DCs was further confirmed through secretion of extracellular cytokines compared to control cells in the DC microenvironment. Physicochemical characterization of NPs was performed based on the polymer end groups, their viscosities, and ligand-NP bonding type. In conclusion, the DC stimulatory response was integrated to develop a relationship between the NP structure and desired immune response. Therefore, the present study narrates a comparative evaluation of some selected parameters to choose a suitable formulation useful for in vivo cancer immunotherapy. Keywords: nanoparticle, immunotherapy, ovalbumin, monophosphoryl lipid A, dendritic cells&nbsp

Conceptualizing Peace: A Qualitative Study Among Afghan Adolescents Living in Intractable Conflict

Silu Shrestha,1 Nian Zhong,1 Sayed Mohammad Anwar Sadat,2 Siqun Zhan1 1Department of Psychology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Business Administration, Jahan University, Kabul, AfghanistanCorrespondence: Silu Shrestha; Siqun Zhan, Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Wuhan University, Bayi Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430072, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8618627015179, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Adolescents living in protracted conflict areas have mostly been perceived as passive recipients of the impact of events in their surroundings who are rarely considered agents of social transformation. But a growing body of research on adolescents’ psychological development indicates that adolescents actively perceive concepts like peace and their roles and responsibilities toward creating conditions for peace. Applying the Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory, this study focuses on understanding how adolescents from Afghanistan with lifelong exposure to intractable conflict conceptualize peace.Methods: The study was conducted in the Bagrami, Paghman and Dih Sabz districts of Kabul City in Afghanistan. A semi-structured open-ended questionnaire was used to interview 63 male and female adolescents aged 13– 19. The participants belonged to different ethnic groups, such as Pashtun, Hazara and Tajik. An inductive approach was applied to analyze the data using thematic analysis.Results: Three distinct themes about peace emerged from the data: peace based on individual emotions, social relations, and larger societal structures. Peace for adolescents had both personal and inner and social or outer dimensions. Afghan adolescents’ conceptualization of peace is primarily based on their interaction with the micro-system. Home and family provided perceived calmness and normalcy, which characterized peace as individual emotion. Social relations, often determined by good communication, community cohesiveness, and social support between family members, neighbours, and ethnic groups, constituted adolescents’ concepts about peace. Adolescents also demonstrated awareness of larger societal structures, such as the role of community leaders and government in ensuring perceived safety and security, forming their concepts of peace.Conclusion: Adolescents have meaningful voices capable of forming perceptions about peace. The microsystem of an adolescent’s environment has a significant influence in the conceptualization of peace. This study contributes to expanding the knowledge on the underpinnings of peace by relating to developmental and peace psychology.Keywords: perception of peace, thematic analysis, emotion, social relations, phenomenological variant of ecological systems theor

Burden of serious fungal infections in Bangladesh

Purpose In Bangladesh there are several published papers on superficial mycoses. Deep mycoses are also recognized as an important emerging problem. Here, we estimate the annual incidence and prevalence of serious fungal infections in Bangladesh. Method Demographic data were obtained from world population reports and the data on TB and HIV extracted from the online publications on tuberculosis in Bangladesh and Asia Pacific research statistical data information resources AIDS Data HUB. All the published papers on fungal infections in Bangladesh were identified through extensive search of literature. We estimated the number of affected people from populations at risk and local epidemiological data. Results Bangladesh has a population of ~162.6 million, 31% children and only 6% over the age of 60 years. The pulmonary TB caseload reported in 2014 was 119,520, and we estimate a prevalence of 30,178 people with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, 80% attributable to TB. An anticipated 90,262 and 119,146 patients have allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or severe asthma with fungal sensitization. Only 8,000 people are estimated to be HIV-infected, of whom 2900 are not on ART with a CD4 count <350µL, Pneumocystis pneumonia and cryptococcal meningitis being rare. Superficial mycoses are very common with Trichophyton rubrum as the predominant etiological agent (80.6%). Numerous cases of mycotic keratitis have been reported from several parts of Bangladesh. Candida bloodstream infection was estimated based on a 5 per 100, 0000 rate (8,100 cases) and invasive aspergillosis based primarily on leukemia and COPD rates, at 5,166 cases. Histoplasmosis was documented in 16 cases mostly with disseminated disease and presumed in 21 with HIV infection. Conclusion This study constitutes the first attempt to estimate the burden of several types of serious fungal infections in Bangladesh