The pre-exposure SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell repertoire determines the quality of the immune response to vaccination.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination generates enormous host-response heterogeneity and an age-dependent loss of immune-response quality. How the pre-exposure T cell repertoire contributes to this heterogeneity is poorly understood. We combined analysis of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 T cells pre- and post-vaccination with longitudinal T cell receptor tracking.

Genome-wide association analysis for chronic venous disease identifies EFEMP1 and KCNH8 as susceptibility loci.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a multifactorial condition representing one of the most common disorders among populations of Western countries. The heritability of about 17% suggests genetic risk factors in CVD etiology. However, so far the genetic causes are unknown.

Successful sublingual immunotherapy with birch pollen has limited effects on concomitant food allergy to apple and the immune response to the Bet v 1 homolog Mal d 1.

Background: Cross-reactivity between the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, and the apple protein, Mal d 1, frequently causes food allergy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of successful sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with birch pollen extract on apple allergy and the immune response to Bet v 1 and Mal d 1.

Methods: Before and after 1 year of SLIT, Bet v 1-sensitized patients with oral allergy syndrome to apple underwent nasal challenges with birch pollen and double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges with apple.

Uptake of antineoplastic agents in pharmacy personnel. Part II: study of work-related risk factors.

Objectives: This study aimed to find working conditions related to internal exposure of substances handled in centralised cytostatic drug preparation units in hospitals. Recommendations to avoid this uptake should be deduced from the results.

Method: In a longitudinal study over 3 years, 87 pharmacy technicians and pharmacists of 14 different hospitals in Germany provided 24-h urine samples separately up to three times (three sampling cycles: cycles 1-3) at the end of a working week.