Computerized inhibitory control training reduces anxiety in preadolescent students.

The study examined the relationship between anxiety, inhibitory control (IC), and resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) in a critical age-range for social and emotional development (8-12-year-olds). The participants were assigned to 4 weeks of either an emotional IC training program, a neutral IC training program, or a waitlisted control, and were tested using cognitive, emotional, and EEG measures. The training was computerized and completed remotely. At baseline, IC accuracy scores were negatively related to both anxiety and depression levels (N = 42). Additionally, increased right lateral frontal alpha asymmetry was predictive of increased anxiety/depression scores. A series of multivariate analyses of covariance and post-hoc tests were conducted to compare effects in the participants that completed the full 16 sessions of training (N = 32). Overall the emotional and neutral training conditions showed similar improvements in IC accuracy, as well as reductions in anxiety compared to the waitlist condition. Minimal neurophysiological changes occurred from pre-to-post; however, lateral frontal asymmetry shifted leftward in the emotional training group. These findings highlight the potential of computerized IC training for mitigating negative emotional functioning in preadolescents. Future research is necessary to determine the long-term effects of IC training and whether longer training intervals facilitate persisting impacts.

Expression, purification and characterization of a recombinant fusion protein based on the human papillomavirus-16 E7 antigen.

A fusion protein comprising a cell penetrating and immunostimulatory peptide corresponding to residues 32 to 51 of the Limulus polyphemus protein linked to human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 E7 antigen (LALF32-51-E7) was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells. The recombinant protein in E. coli accounted for approximately 18% of the total cellular protein and purified with a single affinity chromatographic step. Yields of approximately 38 mg purified LALF32-51-E7 per liter of induced culture was obtained with an overall 52% recovery and constitutes a promising setting for the future production and scaling-up. Purified protein was characterized as soluble aggregates with molecular weight larger than 670 kDa, which is considered an important property to increase the immunogenicity of an antigen preparation. The recombinant fusion protein LALF32-51-E7 will be a promising vaccine candidate for the treatment of HPV-16 related malignancies.

A novel fusion protein-based vaccine comprising a cell penetrating and immunostimulatory peptide linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E7 antigen generates potent immunologic and anti-tumor responses in mice.

The ultimate success of cancer vaccination is dependent upon the generation of tumor-specific CTLs. In this study, we designed and evaluated a novel fusion protein comprising a cell penetrating and immunostimulatory peptide corresponding to residues 32-51 of the Limulus polyphemus protein (LALF(32-51)) linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E7 antigen (LALF(32-51)-E7). We demonstrated that LALF(32-51) penetrates the cell membrane and delivers E7 into cells. In a preclinical model of HPV16-induced cervical carcinoma we showed that vaccination with adjuvant-free LALF(32-51)-E7 fusion protein significantly improves the presentation of E7-derived peptides to T-cells in vitro and induces suppression of tumor growth.