Understanding pandemic resilience: a mixed-methods exploration of burdens, resources, and determinants of good or poor well-being among Austrian psychotherapists.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health burden on the general population, resulting in increased demands on mental healthcare professionals, including psychotherapists. This cross-sectional study assessed the challenges and resources encountered by 513 psychotherapists based on an online survey conducted between April and May 2022.

Methods: Qualitative methods content analysis of written reports was employed to investigate the emerging challenges and sources of support during the pandemic.

Optimization of the Alizarin Red S Assay by Enhancing Mineralization of Osteoblasts.

The alizarin red S assay is considered the gold standard for quantification of osteoblast mineralization and is thus widely used among scientists. However, there are several restrictions to this method, e.g.

Cystatin F is a biomarker of prion pathogenesis in mice.

Misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) results in progressive, fatal, transmissible neurodegenerative conditions termed prion diseases. Experimental and epidemiological evidence point toward a protracted, clinically silent phase in prion diseases, yet there is no diagnostic test capable of identifying asymptomatic individuals incubating prions. In an effort to identify early biomarkers of prion diseases, we have compared global transcriptional profiles in brains from pre-symptomatic prion-infected mice and controls.

Mining the human autoantibody repertoire: isolation of potent IL17A-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies from a patient with thymoma.

Anti-cytokine autoantibodies have been widely reported to be present in human plasma, both in healthy subjects and in patients with underlying autoimmune conditions, such as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) or thymic epithelial neoplasms. While often asymptomatic, they can cause or facilitate a wide range of diseases including opportunistic infections. The potential therapeutic value of specific neutralizing anti-cytokine autoantibodies has not been thoroughly investigated.

Metal fluoride-based transparent nanocomposites with low refractive indices.

The utilisation of magnesium and aluminium fluoride nanoparticles in the preparation of transparent composites leading to materials with superior properties was investigated. Nanoscopic magnesium and aluminium fluoride has been prepared by the fluorolytic sol-gel route from the alkoxides and was surface modified by the reaction with trifluoroacetic acid or perfluorobutyric acid. IR spectroscopic experiments of the xerogels and crystal structure analysis of a trinuclear [Mg3(μ3F)(μ-TFA)6(OCH3)2(py)](3-) cluster unit indicate that the carboxylate group is bound to the particle surface in a monodentate or bidentate bridging fashion.

Low-affinity B cells transport viral particles from the lung to the spleen to initiate antibody responses.

The lung is an important entry site for pathogens; its exposure to antigens results in systemic as well as local IgA and IgG antibodies. Here we show that intranasal administration of virus-like particles (VLPs) results in splenic B-cell responses with strong local germinal-center formation. Surprisingly, VLPs were not transported from the lung to the spleen in a free form but by B cells.

Universal vaccine against influenza virus: linking TLR signaling to anti-viral protection.

A vaccine protecting against all influenza strains is a long-sought goal, particularly for emerging pandemics. As previously shown, vaccines based on the highly conserved extracellular domain of M2 (M2e) may protect against all influenza A strains. Here, we demonstrate that M2e-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) protect mice from a lethal influenza infection.

Cuing consumerism: situational materialism undermines personal and social well-being.

Correlational evidence indicates that materialistic individuals experience relatively low levels of well-being. Across four experiments, we found that situational cuing can also trigger materialistic mind-sets, with similarly negative personal and social consequences. Merely viewing desirable consumer goods resulted in increases in materialistic concerns and led to heightened negative affect and reduced social involvement (Experiment 1).

Different binding modes of free and carrier-protein-coupled nicotine in a human monoclonal antibody.

Nicotine is the principal addictive component of tobacco. Blocking its passage from the lung to the brain with nicotine-specific antibodies is a promising approach for the treatment of smoking addiction. We have determined the crystal structure of nicotine bound to the Fab fragment of a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) at 1.

Inorganic-organic nanocomposites based on sol-gel derived magnesium fluoride.

Monodispersed magnesium fluoride nanoparticles are utilized for the first time to prepare transparent inorganic-organic nanocomposite materials with improved mechanical properties. The fluorolytic sol-gel synthesis route has been modified for the preparation of monodispersed magnesium fluoride nanoparticles with a size of 2-3 nm. MgF(2) particles are effectively stabilised against agglomeration by phosphonic acids, which strongly bind to the particles and lead to an increased compatibility of the inorganic particles with the organic polymers.

Mechanisms of allergen-specific desensitization.

Background: Allergen-specific desensitization (SIT) is the most effective therapy for allergies. Although allergen-specific antibodies have an important role in the process, mechanisms of IgG-mediated inhibition of allergic reactions are not well defined.

Objective: We investigated mechanisms by which SIT-induced allergen-specific IgGs inhibit allergic reactions.

Prophylactic and therapeutic activity of fully human monoclonal antibodies directed against influenza A M2 protein.

Influenza virus infection is a prevalent disease in humans. Antibodies against hemagglutinin have been shown to prevent infection and hence hemagglutinin is the major constituent of current vaccines. Antibodies directed against the highly conserved extracellular domain of M2 have also been shown to mediate protection against Influenza A infection in various animal models.

Cutting edge: limited specialization of dendritic cell subsets for MHC class II-associated presentation of viral particles.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important APC. It was recently reported that there is a dichotomy for Ag presentation by DC subsets; exogenous Ags reach the MHC class I pathway, but not the MHC class II pathway, in CD8(+) DCs, whereas CD8(-) DCs only process Ags for the MHC class II pathway. In this study, we used virus-like particles (VLPs) to show that CD8(+) and CD8(-) DCs efficiently capture and process VLPs for presentation in association with MHC class II in vivo.

Innate signaling regulates cross-priming at the level of DC licensing and not antigen presentation.

Innate stimuli, such as TLR ligands, are known to greatly facilitate cross-priming. Currently it is unclear whether innate stimuli enhance cross-priming at the level of cross-presentation or at the level of T-cell priming. In this study, we addressed this question by measuring cross-presentation as well as cross-priming by virus-like particles (VLP) displaying peptide p33 derived of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Displaying Fel d1 on virus-like particles prevents reactogenicity despite greatly enhanced immunogenicity: a novel therapy for cat allergy.

Allergen-specific desensitization is the only disease-modifying therapy currently available for the treatment of allergies. These therapies require application of allergen over several years and some may induce life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. An ideal vaccine for desensitization should be highly immunogenic and should alleviate allergic symptoms upon few injections while being nonreactogenic.

Secretory phospholipase A2-IID is an effector molecule of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells.

Suppression by natural CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) is one mechanism by which tolerance is maintained. However, the way in which Tregs mediate suppression is not well understood. Here, we show that secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2)-IID is selectively produced by Tregs.

Follicular and marginal zone B cells fail to cross-present MHC class I-restricted epitopes derived from viral particles.

Viruses and virus-like particles (VLPs) are known to be potent inducers of B cell as well as Th cell and CTL responses. It is well established that professional APCs such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages efficiently process viral particles for both MHC class I- and MHC class II-associated presentation, which is essential for induction of CTL and Th cell responses, respectively. Less is known, however, about the ability of B cells to present epitopes derived from viral particles to T cells.

Isolation of human monoclonal antibodies by mammalian cell display.

Due to their low immunogenicity in patients, humanized or fully human mAbs are becoming increasingly important for the treatment of a growing number of diseases, including cancer, infections, and immune disorders. Here, we describe a technology allowing for the rapid isolation of fully human mAbs. In contrast to previously described methods, B cells specific for an antigen of interest are directly isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of human donors.

Quantification of circulating endothelial and progenitor cells: comparison of quantitative PCR and four-channel flow cytometry.

Background: Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) and endothelial precursor cells (CEP) have been suggested as markers for angiogenesis in cancer. However, CEC/CEP represent a tiny and heterogeneous cell population, rendering a standardized monitoring in peripheral blood difficult. Thus, we investigated whether a PCR-based detection method of CEC/CEP might overcome the limitations of rare-event flow cytometry.

Nanoparticles target distinct dendritic cell populations according to their size.

The efficiency of a vaccine largely depends on the appropriate targeting of the innate immune system, mainly through prolonged delivery of antigens and immunomodulatory substances to professional antigen-presenting cells in the lymphoid environment. Particulate antigens, such as virus-like particles (VLP) induce potent immune responses. However, little is known about the relative importance of direct drainage of free antigen to lymph nodes (LN) versus cellular transport and the impact of particle size on the process.

Identification of Ly-6K as a novel marker for mouse plasma cells.

Plasma cells are the main producers of antibody and key effector cells of the immune system. Despite their importance, analytics of plasma cells still suffers from the limited availability of specific markers. Currently, plasma cell identification relies on the expression of a single marker, CD138/syndecan-1.

Alternative splicing of vasohibin-1 generates an inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and capillary tube formation.

Objective: In this study, the alternative splicing product of vasohibin 1 (VASH1B) was analyzed in direct comparison to the major isoform (VASH1A) for antiangiogenic effects on endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) from peripheral blood and on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods And Results: Expression studies in primary human endothelial cells revealed that both vasohibin proteins, hVASH1A and hVASH1B, localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Adenoviruses carrying the cDNA for VASH1A/B and purified recombinant proteins were used to study the function of both molecules in ECFCs and HUVECs.

A virus-like particle-based vaccine selectively targeting soluble TNF-alpha protects from arthritis without inducing reactivation of latent tuberculosis.

Neutralization of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha by mAbs or soluble receptors represents an effective treatment for chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or Crohn's disease. In this study, we describe a novel active immunization approach against TNF-alpha, which results in the induction of high titers of therapeutically active autoantibodies. Immunization of mice with virus-like particles of the bacteriophage Qbeta covalently linked to either the entire soluble TNF-alpha protein (Qbeta-C-TNF(1-156)) or a 20-aa peptide derived from its N terminus (Qbeta-C-TNF(4-23)) yielded specific Abs, which protected from clinical signs of inflammation in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Heterogeneous antibody repertoire of marginal zone B cells specific for virus-like particles.

Marginal zone (MZ) B cells differ from follicular (FO) B cells in their functional, phenotypic and localization properties. It is still unclear whether B cells from the MZ compartment also have distinct or biased BCR specificities, recognizing only a limited number of conserved antigenic structures. To address the complexity of the immune response mounted by marginal zone B cells, we compared the antibody repertoire of murine MZ and FO B cells induced by immunization with two different virus-like particles (VLPs).