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Introduction: Point-of-care (POC) manufacturing of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cell has expanded rapidly over the last decade. In addition to the use of CD19 CAR T cells for hematological diseases, there is a growing interest in targeting a variety of tumor-associated epitopes. Methods: Here, we report the manufacturing and characterization of autologous anti-CD20 CAR T cells from melanoma patients within phase I clinical trial (NCT03893019). Using a second-generation lentiviral vector for the production of the CD20 CAR T cells on the CliniMACS Prodigy®. Results: We demonstrated consistency in cell composition and functionality of the products manufactured at two different production sites. The T cell purity was >98.5%, a CD4/CD8 ratio between 2.5 and 5.5 and transduction rate between 34% and 61% on day 12 (harvest). Median expansion rate was 53-fold (range, 42-65-fold) with 1.7-3.8×109 CAR T cells at harvest, a sufficient number for the planned dose escalation steps (1×105/kg, 1×106/kg, 1×107/kg BW). Complementary research of some of the products pointed out that the CAR+ cells expressed mainly central memory T-cell phenotype. All tested CAR T cell products were capable to translate into T cell activation upon engagement of CAR target cells, indicated by the increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine release and by the increase in CAR T cell amplification. Notably, there were some interindividual, cell-intrinsic differences at the level of cytokine release and amplification. CAR-mediated T cell activation depended on the level of CAR cognate antigen. Discussion: In conclusion, the CliniMACS Prodigy® platform is well suited for decentralized POC manufacturing of anti-CD20 CAR T cells and may be likewise applicable for the rapid and automated manufacturing of CAR T cells directed against other targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study is to investigate student biology teachers' cognitive structures related to "diffusion" through the free word-association test and the drawing-writing technique. As the research design of the study, the qualitative research method was applied. The data were collected from 44 student biology teachers. The free word-association test and the drawing-writing technique were used as data collection instruments. The data were subject to content analysis and divided into categories through coding. In the analysis, the categories were formed and determined through the results of word-association test and drawing-writing test which were completed by the student biology teachers. With the help of these categories, the cognitive structures of student biology teachers were explained. The data collected through the study were divided into 8 categories ("defining diffusion," "diffusion environments," "diffusion-forms of substance transfer," "places and structures where diffusion occurs," "substances in diffusion and their characteristics," "importance of diffusion in plants," "examples of diffusion" and "factors influencing diffusion speed"). The common and dominant category in both assessment instruments is "defining diffusion". On the other hand, it was determined that student biology teachers had alternative concepts related to diffusion. At the end of the article, comprehensive suggestions are presented on the subject.

The purpose of the current study is to determine biology student teachers' cognitive structures on the concept of microscope. Qualitative research methodology has been applied in the study. The data were collected from biology student teachers. Free word association test and drawing-writing test were used to collect data. The data collected were subject to content analysis and divided into categories. According to the analyses conducted, while 6 categories were determined through the free word association test in biology student teachers' cognitive structures on the concept of microscope, in the drawing-writing technique, 5 categories were specified. Through both measurement tools, rich data were obtained, supporting, expanding on, and explaining one another. In this context, it was determined through both measurement tools that student teachers' cognitive structures focused on "microscope tools". Moreover, the data collected through these data collection instruments indicated that student teachers had alternative conceptions about the concept of microscope. Alternative conceptions were determined in almost all categories, which may be attributed to the fact that student teachers have naive experiences and/or the units that require the use of microscopes during the laboratory work included in biology curriculum which is provided in different teaching levels at university or pre-university education cannot be explored efficiently and appropriately.

The purpose of this study is to determine biology student teachers' cognitive structure with regard to "Blood". Qualitative research method has been used. The free word association test and the draw-write technique have been used in collection of data. The data obtained have been evaluated and divided into categories based on content analysis. According to the analysis results, in biology student teachers' conceptual structures with regard to blood, while nine categories have been determined for the free word association test, eight categories have been determined for the draw-write technique. Rich data supporting, dilating and explaining one another have been obtained through both measuring tools. In this context, it has been determined through two measuring tools that student teachers' cognitive structures are concentrated in the "blood cells" and blood "groups and determination of blood groups" categories. Furthermore, in the data collected through both measuring tools in the determined categories. It has been determined that student teachers have alternative concepts on blood concept.

After World War II, radical right parties in Europe experienced a decline, but over the last three decades, they have regained strength, becoming significant players in European politics. Since the early twenty-first century, they have secured representation at various levels, from local governments to national parliaments and the European Parliament. Nowadays, populist radical right parties rank among the top three most powerful political forces in one-third of European countries. In Austria, the FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs) emerged as the leading party in the 2024 elections, winning 28.9% of the vote. In Italy, the Fratelli d’Italia coalition came to power with 25.99% of the vote in 2022. In Hungary, Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party won its fourth consecutive election. In France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN – Rassemblement National) achieved major victories in both the European Parliament and national elections, becoming the country’s largest party. Though initially considered marginal, populist radical right parties have become a lasting and serious force in European politics. This special issue features six carefully selected articles, each offering empirical and theoretical insights into different aspects of the rise of radical right and right-wing populist parties in Europe, contributing to a broader understanding of this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The numerical investigation of the effects of the oscillatory primary flow field and the resulting steady second order acoustic streaming structures on the development of the thermal convection process in a nitrogen-filled shallow enclosure is discussed. An additional convective heat transfer mode is introduced in to the systems in zero-gravity environment due to acoustic streaming.