Daily Archives: March 29, 2017

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Trump's Energy Progress Wall Street Journal (subscription) One area where President Trump is notching early victories is unleashing American energy, which for years has been held hostage to progressive climate obsessions. On Tuesday Mr. Trump signed an executive order to rescind many of the Obama ... Trump wants to roll back progress against climate change. He's going to fail.Washington Post Trump Executive Order Reverses American Climate Change Progress, LeadershipKTIC The end of climate progress: Trump administration plans to gut climate fundingSalon The Guardian all 1,712 news articles »

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Trump's Energy Progress - Wall Street Journal (subscription)

Using a new strategy that can rapidly generate customized RNA vaccines, MIT researchers have devised a new vaccine candidate for the Zika virus.

The vaccine consists of strands of genetic material known as messenger RNA, which are packaged into a nanoparticle that delivers the RNA into cells. Once inside cells, the RNA is translated into proteins that provoke an immune response from the host, but the RNA does not integrate itself into the host genome, making it potentially safer than a DNA vaccine or vaccinating with the virus itself.

It functions almost like a synthetic virus, except its not pathogenic and it doesnt spread, says Omar Khan, a postdoc at MITs Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and an author of the new study. We can control how long its expressed, and its RNA so it will never integrate into the host genome.

This research also yielded a new benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of other Zika vaccine candidates, which could help others who are working toward the same goal.

Jasdave Chahal, a postdoc at MITs Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, is the first author of the paper, which appears in Scientific Reports. The papers senior author is Hidde Ploegh, a former MIT biology professor and Whitehead Institute member who is now a senior investigator in the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at Boston Childrens Hospital.

Other authors of the paper are Tao Fang and Andrew Woodham, both former Whitehead Institute postdocs in the Ploegh lab; Jingjing Ling, an MIT graduate student; and Daniel Anderson, an associate professor in MITs Department of Chemical Engineering and a member of the Koch Institute and MITs Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES).

Programmable vaccines

The MIT team first reported its new approach to programmable RNA vaccines last year. RNA vaccines are appealing because they induce host cells to produce many copies of the proteins encoded by the RNA. This provokes a stronger immune reaction than if the proteins were administered on their own. However, finding a safe and effective way to deliver these vaccines has proven challenging.

The researchers devised an approach in which they package RNA sequences into a nanoparticle made from a branched molecule that is based on fractal-patterned dendrimers. This modified-dendrimer-RNA structure can be induced to fold over itself many times, producing a spherical particle about 150 nanometers in diameter. This is similar in size to a typical virus, allowing the particles to enter cells through the same viral entry mechanisms. In their 2016 paper, the researchers used this nanoparticle approach to generate experimental vaccines for Ebola, H1N1 influenza, and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

In the new study, the researchers tackled Zika virus, which emerged as an epidemic centered in Brazil in 2015 and has since spread around the world, causing serious birth defects in babies born to infected mothers. Since the MIT method does not require working with the virus itself, the researchers believe they might be able to explore potential vaccines more rapidly than scientists pursuing a more traditional approach.

Instead of using viral proteins or weakened forms of the virus as vaccines, which are the most common strategies, the researchers simply programmed their RNA nanoparticles with the sequences that encode Zika virus proteins. Once injected into the body, these molecules replicate themselves inside cells and instruct cells to produce the viral proteins.

The entire process of designing, producing, and testing the vaccine in mice took less time than it took for the researchers to obtain permission to work with samples of the Zika virus, which they eventually did get.

Thats the beauty of it, Chahal says. Once we decided to do it, in two weeks we were ready to vaccinate mice. Access to virus itself was not necessary.

Measuring response

When developing a vaccine, researchers usually aim to generate a response from both arms of the immune system the adaptive arm, mediated by T cells and antibodies, and the innate arm, which is necessary to amplify the adaptive response. To measure whether an experimental vaccine has generated a strong T cell response, researchers can remove T cells from the body and then measure how they respond to fragments of the viral protein.

Until now, researchers working on Zika vaccines have had to buy libraries of different protein fragments and then test T cells on them, which is an expensive and time-consuming process. Because the MIT researchers could generate so many T cells from their vaccinated mice, they were able to rapidly screen them against this library. They identified a sequence of eight amino acids that the activated T cells in the mouse respond to. Now that this sequence, also called an epitope, is known, other researchers can use it to test their own experimental Zika vaccines in the appropriate mouse models.

We can synthetically make these vaccines that are almost like infecting someone with the actual virus, and then generate an immune response and use the data from that response to help other people predict if their vaccines would work, if they bind to the same epitopes, Khan says. The researchers hope to eventually move their Zika vaccine into tests in humans.

The identification and characterization of CD8 T cell epitopes in mice immunized with a Zika RNA vaccine is a very useful reference for all those working in the field of Zika vaccine development, says Katja Fink, a principal investigator at the A*STAR Singapore Immunology Network. RNA vaccines have received much attention in the last few years, and while the big breakthrough in humans has not been achieved yet, the technology holds promise to become a flexible platform that could provide rapid solutions for emerging viruses.

Fink, who was not involved in the research, added that the initial data are promising but the Zika RNA vaccine approach described needs further testing to prove efficacy.

Another major area of focus for the researchers is cancer vaccines. Many scientists are working on vaccines that could program a patients immune system to attack tumor cells, but in order to do that, they need to know what the vaccine should target. The new MIT strategy could allow scientists to quickly generate personalized RNA vaccines based on the genetic sequence of an individual patients tumor cells.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, a Fujifilm/MediVector grant, the Lustgarten Foundation, a Koch Institute and Dana-Farber/Harvard Center Center Bridge Project award, the Department of Defense Office of Congressionally Directed Medical Researchs Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program, and the Cancer Center Support Grant from the National Cancer Institute.

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Progress toward a Zika vaccine | MIT News - MIT News

The Atlanta Hawksplay the Phoenix Sunson Tuesday night in an attempt to end two different losing streaks: one, their current seven game slide, and two, their winless 0-8 record without Paul Millsap in the lineup this season. As we found out Monday, Millsap will miss the Hawks next three games , including this contest against the Suns.

That was obviously a tough blow for the team, as they rely heavily on Millsap on both ends of the floor. Tuesday, however, brought some good news, as Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer noted that he feels positive about Millsaps recovery and believes the All-Star forward is making progress. Via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

I would actually say its positive, Budenholzer said Tuesday before the Hawks hosted the Suns. I think we are excited. We feel like he is making progress. I think we have what we feel is a good plan. I think the knee is going to get better and better. Assuming nothing happens between now and the weekend, Im actually upbeat. I think its a positive where we are.

With the Hawks in danger of sliding all the way down to the No. 8 spot in the East, its great to hear that the team doesnt believe this will turn into a long-term issue for Millsap. They are certainly going to need him at full strength come playoff time.

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Hawks feeling 'positive' about Millsap's progress but have yet to win without him - CBSSports.com

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In the latest CMPvideo, Taylor is heard explaining to the journalists that Nucatola trained her.

During a reception at a Planned Parenthood conference, Taylor describes to CMPs undercover journalistsposing as buyers from a biomedical companyhow she delivers intact fetuses during late-term abortions. In the video, aCMP journalist indicates that intact bodies will allow for the harvesting of organs and body parts that are more valuable for scientific research.

At one point in the footage, theabortionist explains the difficulties abortionists encounter when a baby comes through the procedure with signs of life: In Arizona, if the fetus comes out with any signs of life, were supposed to transport it. To the hospital.

When askedif there is any standard procedure for verifying signs of life? Taylor responds by saying, The key is, you need to pay attention to whos in the room, right?

Taylor chucklesand says, Its a mess. Its a mess.

She goes on to say, Arizona is so conservative, I just dont even want to send a full fetus to, for cremation or any of that.

The abortionist explains to the undercover journalists that she performs Dilation & Evacuation (D&E), also known asdismemberment abortions,and takes into consideration the feelings of her staff members who might be upset at the sight of a whole baby coming out during an abortion. Part of the issue is, its not a matter of how I feel about it coming out intact, she says, but I got to worry about my staff, and peoples feelings about it coming out looking like a baby.

Shealso tells the journalists that those handling fetal death certificates in the state refer to the fetus as a baby, andappears to say that she finds it creepy when fetal remains are repeatedly referred to as babies:We have the people who do our paperwork for the fetal death certificates. They email us calling them babies. Baby this, baby that, baby so-and-so. And Im like, thats creepy!

Also in the footage released by CMP, the abortionistsays that usingdigoxin (referred to as dig) as a feticidal agent makes the procedure less physically strenuous for her. My biceps appreciate it when the dig works, she says.I remember when I was a Fellow and I was training, she continues, I was like, oh, I have to hit the gym for this.

CMP project lead David Daleidenreleased the following statement about this investigation:

This footage shows a longtime Planned Parenthood abortion doctor willing to sell baby parts for profit, use criminal abortion methods to get more intact body parts, and even cover up infanticide. This doctor was trained by Planned Parenthoods senior director of medical services, and encouraged by her to participate in the fetal body parts market. This footage is just a preview of the damning and incriminating admissions of Planned Parenthood leaders on our further unreleased tapes, being censored by an unconstitutional gag order from a federal judge in San Francisco.

In the summer of 2015, Daleiden began the release of his video series that led to the allegations that Planned Parenthood and its counterparts in the biotech field have participated in the sale of the body parts of aborted babies for a profit.

Following a year of congressional investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Select Investigative Panel referred Planned Parenthood Federation of America, several of the largest Planned Parenthood affiliates in the country, and three of their business associates in the fetal tissue procurement industry to the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice for criminal prosecution.

The only difference between Planned Parenthoods barbaric abortion business, and that of the notorious Dr. Kermit Gosnell, is that Gosnell was not so careful as to pay attention to whos in the room, Daleiden says. Elected officials must stop forcing taxpayers to subsidize Planned Parenthoods criminal abortion business, and the Department of Justice must immediately open a full investigation and prosecute Planned Parenthood to the fullest extent of the law.

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Center for Medical Progress Video Investigation Planned Parenthood Abortionist: 'Pay Attention to Who's in the ... - Breitbart News

The United States says it is concerned at the inability of both the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and an opposition coalition to implement a political transition agreement they reached in December after months of unrest.

The State Department faulted both sides for failing to make the necessary compromises to carry out the agreed-upon steps, which include the appointment of a prime minister.

"Failure to move ahead with the accord clearly thwarts the will of the Congolese people and jeopardizes the progress achieved thus far," acting spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement.

President Joseph Kabila was due to leave office December 19 at the end of his second term, but elections to choose his successor were postponed and Kabila has remained in office.

The agreement between the government and the opposition was supposed to set up a transitional authority led by a prime minister until new elections could be held late this year.

But the two sides remained split on how to implement the agreement, and the country's largest opposition party has called for a large protest on April 10.

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US Concerned About Lack of DRC Political Agreement Progress - Voice of America

Today, on Facebook, Progress Wrestling co-owner Glen Joseph delivered some monumental news about their upcoming internet pay-per-view (iPPV) this Friday. Lets take a look, and then Ill transcribe the most important bit below

From the desk of NXT General Manager William Regal:

Good morning. It's been brought to my attention that there were certain liberties taken by British Strong Style in the Progress Championship match between Mark Andrews and Pete Dunne last Sunday at the Progress fifth anniversary show. Now Trent Seven's conduct is an internal matter for Progress management to deal with, but as WWE UK Champion, Tyler Bate must realize that he represents the WWE UK brand wherever he performs.

Therefore, due to Tyler Bate's interference in Mark Andrews' Progress title match, I deem it only fair that Mark should get an opportunity at Tyler's WWE UK Championship. So, on Friday, March 31st at Progress: Orlando, for the first time in history, a WWE title will be defended on a Progress show, as I'm ruling that Tyler Bate vs. Mark Andrews is now a WWE UK Championship match, and the winner of that match will go on to represent the WWE UK brand as champion at Axxess and beyond.

Kind regards, William Regal

Yes indeed, Mr. Regal has made us some history. Only the second WWE United Kingdom Championship title defense and its happening on independent wrestling soil, live on iPPV!

And, as Glen points out, its the first WWE title defense of any kind to happen in another promotion in over twenty years, the last being Bull Nakano defending her WWE Womens Championship against Kyoko Inoue at AJW Queendom 1995. (At least, if you dont count the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship, which was defended by Shinjiro Ohtani in New Japan as late as 1997, however it was part of the J-Crown at the time and not actually recognized by WWE.)

For convenience and ease of working the time and date in, I also present to you the full card for the show.

Progress is coming to the US for the first time on iPPV through WWNLive, and theyre bringing the WWE UK title with them. Excited?

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WWE United Kingdom Championship to be defended at Progress ... - Cageside Seats (blog)