Intranasal Delivery of Influenza Subunit Vaccine Formulated with GEM Particles as an Adjuvant

Nasal administration of influenza vaccine has the potential to facilitate influenza control and prevention. However, when administered intranasally (i.n.), commercially available inactivated vaccines only generate systemic and mucosal immune responses if strong adjuvants are used, which are often associated with safety problems. We describe the successful use of a safe adjuvant Gram-positive enhancer matrix (GEM) particles derived from the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis for i.n. vaccination with subunit influenza vaccine in mice. It is shown that simple admixing of the vaccine with the GEM particles results in a strongly enhanced immune response. Already after one booster, the i.n. delivered GEM subunit vaccine resulted in hemagglutination inhibition titers in serum at a level equal to the conventional intramuscular (i.m.) route. Moreover, i.n. immunization with GEM subunit vaccine elicited superior mucosal and Th1 skewed immune responses compared to those induced by i.m. and i.n. administered subunit vaccine alone. In conclusion, GEM particles act as a potent adjuvant for i.n. influenza immunization

Os adolescentes infratores e o empobrecimento da rede social quando do retorno à comunidade Adolescent transgressors and the weakening of their social network when they return to the community

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender o sucesso ou não do cumprimento da medida de ICPAE (Interno com Possibilidade de Atividade Externa) na Fase-RS (Fundação de Atendimento Sócio-Educativo do Rio Grande do Sul), à luz das características da rede social desses jovens infratores, bem como da percepção do funcionamento de sua família. Foram investigados quatro adolescentes, no começo e ao final do cumprimento desta medida, através da metodologia de estudo de caso. Utilizou-se o mapa da rede social e, para a avaliação do funcionamento familiar, foi utilizada a escala GARF (Global Assessment of Relational Functioning Scale). Houve uma tendência geral de empobrecimento da rede social desses jovens em relação ao primeiro mapa, bem como de centralização na família. A segunda avaliação do cumprimento da medida de ICPAE teve uma piora significativa em relação à primeira, excetuando-se o adolescente que teve a rede social mais completa, em ambos os momentos.<br>The goal of this case study was to understand the success (or failure) of the ICPAE initiative (from Portuguese: Intern with possibility of External Activity) of the Foundation for Social-Educative Services of Rio Grande do Sul in the light of the characteristics of the social network of these young transgressors and of their perception of the functioning of their family. Five adolescents were investigated in the beginning and in the end of the ICPAE experience. We used a social network map, and for evaluating the functioning of the family we used the GARF scale (Global Assessment of Relational Functioning Scale). It was observed that the social network of these youths tended to be poorer than in the first map and also that they were centered on the family. The second ICPAE assessment revealed significantly worse results in comparison to the first, except in the case of one adolescent who had the most complete social network in both moments

Emotional Separation, Autonomy in Decision-Making, and Psychosocial Adjustment in Adolescence: A Proposed Typology

Adolescence is critical for learning autonomous behavior; however, little research is available on the most appropriate balance of the emotional and behavioral dimensions of autonomy for psychosocial adjustment during this period. In this study we present a novel autonomy typology that combines both these aspects, which can be implemented as autonomy in decision-making and emotional separation. Specifically, examined age differences in emotional separation and autonomy in decision-making during adolescence. We also assessed differences in psychosocial adjustment associated with profiles of autonomy typology, sex, and age. The participants were 567 adolescents (296 males and 271 females), aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.48; SD = 1.69), recruited in Spanish high schools. Each participant filled out questionnaires on identity commitment, self-esteem, emotional separation and autonomy in decision-making. The results showed that the most advantageous autonomy profile is ‘autonomous in decisions’ (those showing low emotional separation combined with autonomous behavior in decisions) which was associated with higher levels of self-esteem and occupational and ideological identity commitment. In addition, we also concluded that the balance of autonomy affects adjustment throughout adolescence, although early adolescence may be an especially critical period