In situ delivery of nanoparticles formulated with micron-sized crystals protects from murine melanoma.

Introduction: Intratumoral injections of novel therapeutics can activate tumor antigen-specific T cells for locoregional tumor control and may even induce durable systemic protection (against distant metastases) via recirculating T cells. Here we explored the possibility of a universal immunotherapy that promotes T-cell responses in situ and beyond, upon intratumoral injection of nanoparticles formulated with micron-sized crystals.

Methods: Cucumber mosaic virus-like particles containing a tetanus toxin peptide (CuMV) were formulated with microcrystalline tyrosine (MCT) adjuvant and injected directly in B16F10 melanoma tumors.

Cross-reactivity in Grasses: Biochemical Attributes Define Exemplar Relevance.

Introduction: : Broad-spectrum grass pollen immunotherapies contain large numbers of allergenic proteins from multiple species. The principle of homologous grouping is used as a tool to assist in the standardization of allergen immunotherapy. This study reviews the principle of homologous grouping, questions what an exemplar grass should be, and queries whether a 1-way system of inferring homology is appropriate.

A proteomic style approach to characterize a grass mix product reveals potential immunotherapeutic benefit.

Background: Grass allergy immunotherapies often consist of a mix of different grass extracts, each containing several proteins of different physiochemical properties; however, the subtle contributions of each protein are difficult to elucidate. This study aimed to identify and characterize the group 1 and 5 allergens in a 13 grass extract and to standardize the extraction method.

Methods: The grass pollens were extracted in isolation and pooled and also in combination and analyzed using a variety of techniques including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, liquid chromatog-raphy-mass spectrometry, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylam-ide gel electrophoresis.

The implications of Project 2000 for nursing libraries.

Drawing on their experience as a demonstration district for Project 2000 the authors discuss the implications of the changes to nurse education for nursing libraries and the services which they provide. A survey of library usage patterns under the 'new' curriculum is also described.