From process understanding to process control: application of PAT on the cultivation of Bordetella pertussis for a whole cell vaccine

De kwaliteit van farmaceutische producten wordt geborgd door een op Good Manufacturing Practice gebaseerd kwaliteits systeem, waarbij kwaliteitscontrole van het eindproduct een belangrijke rol vervult. Recentelijk is hierin verandering gekomen en vragen regelgevers bij overheden steeds meer om een kwaliteitssysteem dat al tijdens het proces operationeel is. Voor chemische farmaca wordt dit al steeds meer door de industrie toegepast, maar voor biologische producten blijkt die nog steeds moeilijk. In dit proefschrift wordt een methode beschreven die on line monitoring en kwaliteitscontrole voor een complex biologisch product (een cellulair vaccin) mogelijk maakt. Door te identificeren welke procesparameters invloed hebben op de kritieke eigenschappen van het product, kan een controle systeem worden ingericht dat deze kritische parameters tijdens het proces monitort en beheerst. Hiermee verschuift de kwaliteitscontrole van achteraf naar tijdens het proces. Dit maakt de productie van vaccins flexibeler, goedkoper en bovenal veiliger voor de patient

Centre for Biobased Economy : businessplan

Dit businessplan beschrijft hoe het Centre for Biobased economy (CBBE) zich wil richten op kennistransitie tussen de ‘groene’ onderwijsinstellingen, het bedrijfsleven en andere kennisinstellingen. Hierin is treedt Wageningen Universiteit op als Centre of Excellence en HAS Den Bosch, CAH Dronten, InHolland Delft en Van Hall Larenstein als Centres of expertise. Het CBBE zal een knooppunt van onderwijs, onderzoek en innovatie worden. Het CBBE onderscheidt zich van overige initiatieven op het gebied van de biobased economy doordat het zich richt op kennistransitie en –disseminatie, waar de overige initiatieven zich richten op kennisontwikkeling. Het CBBE is complementair aan deze initiatieven en wil hierbij steeds aansluiting zoeken. De kennistransitie en -disseminatie binnen het CBBE vindt plaats langs drie pijlers: 1. Kennisoverdracht en onderwijsontwikkeling; 2. Versterking toepassingsgericht onderzoek; 3. Stimulering van innovatieprojecten

Abordagem aos números decimais e suas operações: a importância de uma “eficaz navegação” entre representações

Este artigo foca alguns aspectos e ideias de tarefas a serem exploradas com os alunos relativamente à multiplicação de números decimais, discutindo o conhecimento matemático para o ensino subjacente à preparação e à aplicação de tais tarefas. Discutem-se algumas representações dessa multiplicação e a importância de um rico e fundamentado conhecimento matemático para o ensino como promotor de um conhecimento matemático com significado, por parte dos alunos, por via de uma eficaz navegação entre representações. A escolha das representações pretende, aqui, tornar também evidente o motivo pelo qual, ao multiplicar dois números decimais, o número de casas decimais do produto é a soma dos factores. O texto tem por base um trabalho colaborativo desenvolvido ao longo dos últimos anos com professores do 1º ciclo do ensino básico (alunos com idade entre seis e nove anos), tendo como ponto de partida as discussões ocorridas ali, as reflexões subjacentes e as maiores dificuldades sentidas tanto pelos alunos, como pelos próprios professores. É de salientar que o facto de se abordarem conjuntamente representações dos números em decimais e fraccionários possibilita que os alunos se consciencializem de diferentes representações para um mesmo valor, o mesmo ocorrendo quando se utilizam diversas quantidades como unidades discretas, ou distintos tipos de unidades. Apenas se o professor for detentor de um sustentado conhecimento matemático para o ensino ele poderá recorrer a essas distintas representações de maneira construtiva e de modo a que tenham significado para os alunos

One size does not fit all: local determinants of measles vaccination in four districts of Pakistan

Common factors are associated with vaccination. However, despite common factors the pattern of variables related to measles vaccination differs between and within districts. In this study children were more likely to receive measles vaccination if their mother had any formal education, if she knew at least one vaccine preventable disease, and if she had not heard of any bad effects of vaccination. In rural areas, living within 5 km of a vaccination facility or in a community visited by a vaccination team were factors associated with vaccination, as was the mother receiving information about vaccinations

Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in the South Coast and Busia regions of Kenya

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children younger than 5 years in Kenya. Within the context of planning for a vaccine to be used alongside existing malaria control methods, this study explores sociocultural and health communications issues among individuals who are responsible for or influence decisions on childhood vaccination at the community level.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This qualitative study was conducted in two malaria-endemic regions of Kenya--South Coast and Busia. Participant selection was purposive and criterion based. A total of 20 focus group discussions, 22 in-depth interviews, and 18 exit interviews were conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Participants understand that malaria is a serious problem that no single tool can defeat. Communities would welcome a malaria vaccine, although they would have questions and concerns about the intervention. While support for local child immunization programs exists, limited understanding about vaccines and what they do is evident among younger and older people, particularly men. Even as health care providers are frustrated when parents do not have their children vaccinated, some parents have concerns about access to and the quality of vaccination services. Some women, including older mothers and those less economically privileged, see themselves as the focus of health workers' negative comments associated with either their parenting choices or their children's appearance. In general, parents and caregivers weigh several factors--such as personal opportunity costs, resource constraints, and perceived benefits--when deciding whether or not to have their children vaccinated, and the decision often is influenced by a network of people, including community leaders and health workers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study raises issues that should inform a communications strategy and guide policy decisions within Kenya on eventual malaria vaccine introduction. Unlike the current practice, where health education on child welfare and immunization focuses on women, the communications strategy should equally target men and women in ways that are appropriate for each gender. It should involve influential community members and provide needed information and reassurances about immunization. Efforts also should be made to address concerns about the quality of immunization services--including health workers' interpersonal communication skills.</p

A homozygous variant in growth and differentiation factor 2(GDF2)may cause lymphatic dysplasia with hydrothorax and nonimmune hydrops fetalis

The etiology of nonimmune hydrops fetalis is extensive and includes genetic disorders. We describe a term-born female neonate with late onset extensive nonimmune hydrops, that is, polyhydramnios, edema, and congenital bilateral chylothorax. This newborn was successfully treated with repetitive thoracocentesis, total parenteral feeding, octreotide intravenously and finally surgical pleurodesis and corticosteroids. A genetic cause seemed plausible as the maternal history revealed a fatal nonimmune hydrops fetalis. A homozygous truncating variant inGDF2(c.451C>T, p.(Arg151*)) was detected with exome sequencing. Genetic analysis of tissue obtained from the deceased fetal sibling revealed the same homozygous variant. The parents and two healthy siblings were heterozygous for theGDF2variant. Skin and lung biopsies in the index patient, as well as the revised lung biopsy of the deceased fetal sibling, showed lymphatic dysplasia and lymphangiectasia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between a homozygous variant inGDF2with lymphatic dysplasia, hydrothorax and nonimmune hydrops fetalis

Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharides Modulate Gut Microbiota, Increase Fecal Bile Acid Excretion, and Decrease Plasma Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis Development

Functional Genomics of Systemic Disorder

Determinants of parents' reticence toward vaccination in urban areas in Benin (West Africa)

Analysis of the data reveals those who are vaccination-reticent say it goes against the will of God, that it is a poison from the “white witch doctor,” and a sin. Members of the control group argued against this, but without conviction. They adhere to the principle of obedience to authority, a biblical precept invoked when the vaccinators oblige them to vaccinate their children. To limit the spread of this phenomenon among the religious population of the cities like Parakou and Cotonou in Benin, more detailed information and negotiation between health authorities and pastors of the churches are essential