BNT162b2 vaccine induces neutralizing antibodies and poly-specific T cells in humans.

BNT162b2, a nucleoside-modified mRNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles that encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S) stabilized in its prefusion conformation, has demonstrated 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19. Here we extend a previous phase-I/II trial report by presenting data on the immune response induced by BNT162b2 prime-boost vaccination from an additional phase-I/II trial in healthy adults (18-55 years old). BNT162b2 elicited strong antibody responses: at one week after the boost, SARS-CoV-2 serum geometric mean 50% neutralizing titres were up to 3.

COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b1 elicits human antibody and T1 T cell responses.

An effective vaccine is needed to halt the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Recently, we reported safety, tolerability and antibody response data from an ongoing placebo-controlled, observer-blinded phase I/II coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trial with BNT162b1, a lipid nanoparticle-formulated nucleoside-modified mRNA that encodes the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Here we present antibody and T cell responses after vaccination with BNT162b1 from a second, non-randomized open-label phase I/II trial in healthy adults, 18-55 years of age.

Personalized RNA mutanome vaccines mobilize poly-specific therapeutic immunity against cancer.

T cells directed against mutant neo-epitopes drive cancer immunity. However, spontaneous immune recognition of mutations is inefficient. We recently introduced the concept of individualized mutanome vaccines and implemented an RNA-based poly-neo-epitope approach to mobilize immunity against a spectrum of cancer mutations.

Intramuscular Artesunate for Severe Malaria in African Children: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Current artesunate (ARS) regimens for severe malaria are complex. Once daily intramuscular (i.m.

Direct venous inoculation of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites for controlled human malaria infection: a dose-finding trial in two centres.

Background: Controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) accelerates development of anti-malarial interventions. So far, CHMI is done by exposure of volunteers to bites of five mosquitoes carrying Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites (PfSPZ), a technique available in only a few centres worldwide. Mosquito-mediated CHMI is logistically complex, exact PfSPZ dosage is impossible and live mosquito-based interventions are not suitable for further clinical development.

Direct observation of a noncatalytic growth regime for GaAs nanowires.

We identify a new noncatalytic growth regime for molecular beam epitaxially grown GaAs nanowires (NWs) that may provide a route toward axial heterostructures with discrete material boundaries and atomically sharp doping profiles. Upon increase of the As/Ga flux ratio, the growth mode of self-induced GaAs NWs on SiO(2)-masked Si(111) is found to exhibit a surprising discontinuous transition in morphology and aspect ratio. For effective As/Ga ratios <1, in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction measurements reveal clear NW growth delay due to formation of liquid Ga droplets since the growth proceeds via the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism.

Alteration of the parasite plasma membrane and the parasitophorous vacuole membrane during exo-erythrocytic development of malaria parasites.

The rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei develops in hepatocytes within 48-52h from a single sporozoite into up to 20,000 daughter parasites, so-called merozoites. The cellular and molecular details of this extensive proliferation are still largely unknown. Here we have used a transgenic, RFP-expressing P.

Maintaining urine production and early allograft function during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Objectives: Intraoperative oliguria and its impact on early postoperative allograft function have been expressed as potential concerns of laparoscopic kidney donation. We evaluated our ability to maintain adequate diuresis during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and its potential impact on early graft function compared with open donation.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 98 laparoscopic and 80 open donor nephrectomies from 1999 to 2002.

Immunization with a circumsporozoite epitope fused to Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase in conjunction with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 blockade confers protection against Plasmodium berghei liver-stage malaria.

The adenylate cyclase toxoid (ACT) of Bordetella pertussis is capable of delivering its N-terminal catalytic domain into the cytosol of CD11b-expressing professional antigen-presenting cells such as myeloid dendritic cells. This allows delivery of CD8+ T-cell epitopes to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I presentation pathway. Recombinant detoxified ACT containing an epitope of the Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite protein (CSP), indeed, induced a specific CD8+ T-cell response in immunized mice after a single application, as detected by MHC multimer staining and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) ELISPOT assay.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings after laparoscopic renal cryoablation.

Objectives: To assess the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of renal masses after laparoscopic cryoablation.

Methods: Between October 2000 and June 2004, 33 patients underwent laparoscopic cryoablation of 34 renal masses, 24 of whom (25 renal masses, size range 1.5 to 3.

The liver stage of Plasmodium berghei inhibits host cell apoptosis.

Plasmodium berghei is the causative agent of rodent malaria and is widely used as a model system to study the liver stage of Plasmodium parasites. The entry of P. berghei sporozoites into hepatocytes has extensively been studied, but little is known about parasite-host interaction during later developmental stages of the intracellular parasite.