Lea Luketic

Antigen Presentation by Exosomes Released from Peptide-Pulsed Dendritic Cells Is not Suppressed by the Presence of Active CTL

Despite the potency of dendritic cells (DCs) as a vaccine carrier, they are short-lived and sensitive to CTL-mediated elimination. Thus, it is believed that the longevity of Ag presentation by peptide-pulsed DC is limited in vivo. Surprisingly, however, we found that although the majority of injected DCs disappeared from the draining lymph nodes within 7 days, Ag presentation persisted for at least 14 days following DC immunization. This prolonged Ag presentation was not mediated by the remaining injected DCs or through Ag transfer to endogenous APCs. We provide evidence that exosomes released by DCs might be responsible for the persistence of Ag presentation. Functional exosomes could be recovered from the draining lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice following DC vaccination and, in contrast to DCs, T cell stimulation by exosomes in vivo was not affected by the presence of CTL. Our findings demonstrate that Ag presentation following delivery of DC vaccines persists for longer than expected and indicate that the exosome may play a previously unrecognized role in Ag presentation following DC vaccination. Furthermore, our study reinforces the application of exosomes as a vaccination platform and suggests that exosome-based vaccines may be advantageous for booster immunizations due to their resistance to CTL.

Options to Evaluate Ureter Patency at Cystoscopy in a World Without Indigo Carmine

Intraoperative cystoscopy has been studied as a means to identify ureteral injuries at the time of gynecologic surgery. The majority of published studies investigating intraoperative cystoscopy have used indigo carmine to dye the urine to allow visualization of ureteral jets; unfortunately, however, this dye is currently not available in North America. The unavailability of indigo carmine may be a permanent reality that forces gynecologists to examine alternatives for the evaluation of ureteral integrity. Various alternative methods have been suggested, ranging from cystoscopy without dye to other commercially available products that dye the urine. Alternatives to cystoscopy for assessing ureteral integrity exist as well. This review provides an evidence-based review of the various methods available for evaluating ureteral patency, with specific information on dosing, adverse effects, and contraindications. This review will equip practicing gynecologists to choose an alternative method for assessing ureteral integrity that is tailored to their specific needs.

Psychosocial groupwork for older adults having substance use and mental health issues: The participants speak

Community Outreach Programs in Addictions (COPA) is a Canadian organization that assists older adults who live with substance misuse and mental health issues. COPA College, a psycho educational mutual aide support group consists of weekly group sessions. The program uses a Solution Focussed approach ( De Jong, Insoo Kimberg, 2008) which provides support to socially disadvantaged older adults with substance and mental health issues through a group format. This article sets out to evaluate participant reactions and determine if participants decrease substance use following completion of the group. One-on-one semi-structured interviews with ten participants were conducted. Participants were asked to rate the importance of different aspects of the program and discuss alcohol intake following involvement in the group. Aspects of the program rated highly by all the participants included learning new information, the breadth of topics discussed and the harm reduction approach taken by the program. Finally, the general atmosphere of the group was considered very important, especially being comfortable in the group and combining humour with learning, and an opportunity for refl ective, sharing peer support.

Psychosocial groupwork for older adults having substance use and mental health issues

Community Outreach Programs in Addictions (COPA) is a Canadian organization that assists older adults who live with substance misuse and mental health issues. COPA College, a psycho educational mutual aide support group consists of weekly group sessions. The program uses a Solution Focussed approach (De Jong, Insoo Kimberg, 2008) which provides support to socially disadvantaged older adults with substance and mental health issues through a group format. This article sets out to evaluate participant reactions and determine if participants decrease substance use following completion of the group. One-on-one semi-structured interviews with ten participants were conducted. Participants were asked to rate the importance of different aspects of the program and discuss alcohol intake following involvement in the group. Aspects of the program rated highly by all the participants included learning new information, the breadth of topics discussed and the harm reduction approach taken by the program. Finally, the general atmosphere of the group was considered very important, especially being comfortable in the group and combining humour with learning, and an opportunity for reflective, sharing peer support.