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Background Mosquitoes are hematophagous insects of major public health concern, serving as vectors of many diseases. Available products for personal protection against mosquitoes lack adequate efficacy and in most cases need to be reapplied or replaced frequently. In recent years, the encapsulation of the active repellents in various matrices has arisen as an alternative method for the development of new-generation repellent systems. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential of functional micro/nanofibrous matrices as systems for the sustained release of the highly volatile insect-repellent citronella oil. Results Micro/nanofibrous single- and triple-layer systems incorporating citronella oil as the active agent were developed via the electrospinning technique using the low-cost, non-toxic, biodegradable polymers cellulose acetate and polyvinylpyrrolidone. All the micro/nanofiber systems produced exhibited prolonged release of citronella oil and a high repellent activity in laboratory bioassays against the mosquito Aedes albopictus for at least 4 weeks. Conclusion Considering the high volatility of the embedded repellent, the present study demonstrates the strong potential of the micro/nanofibrous matrices to act as carriers of highly volatile repellents for an effective and sustained protection from mosquitoes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Clinicians working on first-in-human clinical studies need to be able to judge whether safety signals observed on an investigational drug were more likely to have occurred by chance or to have been caused by the drug. We retrospectively reviewed 84 Novartis studies including 1,234 healthy volunteers receiving placebo to determine the expected incidence of changes in commonly measured laboratory parameters and vital signs, in the absence of any active agent. We calculated the frequency of random incidence of safety signals, focusing on the liver, cardiovascular system, kidney, and pancreas. Using the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as an example, we illustrate how a predictive model can be used to determine the probability of a given subject to experience an elevation of ALT above the upper limit of the normal range under placebo, conditional on the characteristics of this subject and the study.

As the world's oldest and largest organization dedicated to the fisheries profession, the American Fisheries Society (AFS) has a unique opportunity to be an active agent of change for the fisheries...

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of ZM16 10 for all pigs. The additive is a preparation containing viable spores of a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens intended for use in feed at the proposed dose of 5 × 108 CFU/kg complete feedingstuffs and in water for drinking at 1.7 × 108 CFU/L. The additive exists in two forms, ZM16 and ZM16 10, and has been previously characterised by the FEEDAP Panel. B. amyloliquefaciens is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to establishing safety. The active agent fulfils the requirements and consequently, the additive was presumed safe for the target animals, consumers of products from treated animals and the environment. Given the proteinaceous nature of the active agent, the additive should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the irritancy potential of the additive to skin and eyes or its dermal sensitisation. The data made available by the applicant allowed the Panel to conclude that the additive, in either form, has a potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive when added to feed for piglets (suckling and weaned), pigs for fattening and sows at 5 × 108 CFU/kg (corresponding to 1.7 × 108 CFU/L). The conclusions on the efficacy were extrapolated to all Suidae species.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of EB15 10 for all pigs. The additive is a preparation containing viable spores of a strain of Bacillus subtilis intended for use in feed at the proposed dose of 5 × 108 CFU/kg complete feedingstuffs and in water for drinking at 1.7 × 108 CFU/L. The additive exists in two forms, EB15 and EB15 10, and has been previously characterised by the FEEDAP Panel. B. subtilis is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to establishing safety. The active agent fulfils the requirements, and consequently, the additive was presumed safe for the target animals, consumers of products from treated animals and the environment. Given the proteinaceous nature of the active agent, the additive should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the irritancy potential of the additive to skin and eyes or its dermal sensitisation. The data made available by the applicant allowed the Panel to conclude that the additive in either form has a potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive when added to feed for piglets (suckling and weaned), pigs for fattening and sows (excluding a benefit from sows to suckling piglets) at 5 × 108 CFU/kg (corresponding to 1.7 × 108 CFU/L water) The conclusions on the efficacy were extrapolated to all Suidae species.

The additive Calsporin® is a preparation of viable spores of Bacillus subtilis DSM 15544, at a minimum declared concentration of 1 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/g additive. The additive is authorised as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut flora stabiliser) for use in chickens for fattening, weaned piglets, chickens reared for laying, turkeys, minor avian species and other ornamental and game birds, laying hens and ornamental fish, dogs, in sows and in suckling piglets. This opinion concerns a request for a modification of the terms of the authorisation, reducing the minimum content in complete feed for chickens for fattening from the authorised concentration of 5 × 108 CFU/kg feed to a concentration of 3 × 108 CFU/kg feed and for an authorisation for the use of the additive for all poultry species. The active agent fulfils the requirements of the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to the assessment of safety and no concerns are expected from other components of the additive. Consequently, Calsporin® is considered safe for the target animals, the consumers and for the environment. The additive is not a dermal/eye irritant or a skin sensitiser but should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. The additive has the potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive in feedingstuffs for chickens for fattening at the level of 3 × 108 CFU/kg complete feed. Considering that efficacy at the same level has been shown in laying hens and turkeys, this conclusion is extrapolated to all poultry species and categories.

Dasatinib may be an active agent in assorted indolent sarcomas. The impact of endpoint selection, well‐defined cohorts, and responses (Choi criteria vs Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) are discussed. See also pages 90‐7.

The antiglaucoma agent travoprost, which is an analogue of the prostaglandin PGF2α, was synthesized by means of a three-component coupling utilizing chemoenzymatically generated building blocks in high enantiopurity.

The additive under assessment is a preparation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NCIMB 3022 intended for use as a technological additive in forages for all animal species at a proposed minimum dose of 5 × 107 CFU/kg fresh materials. The species B. amyloliquefaciens is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment. This approach requires the identification of the strain and evidence that it is not toxigenic and does not show acquired resistance to relevant antibiotics. In a previous assessment, the identity and susceptibility to clinically relevant antibiotics of the active agent was established but the lack of toxigenic potential could not be demonstrated. Therefore, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) could not conclude on the safety of the product for target animals, consumers, users or the environment. In the same opinion, the potential of the additive to improve aerobic stability of silages at the proposed dose was not convincingly demonstrated. A new cytotoxicity study was conducted using methanol extracts. The methanol extract was cytotoxic at the inclusion level of 5%, while no cytotoxicity was observed at lower concentrations. The current guidance on Bacillus requires absence of toxic effect using the non‐concentrated supernatant. Since the applicant was unable to determine the correlation between the methanol extracts and the Bacillus supernatant concentrations, the FEEDAP Panel is unable to conclude on the toxigenic potential of the strain based on the current data. An additional efficacy study with a similar protocol to the ones previously assessed was conducted. The study showed an improved aerobic stability when added to forage at the proposed dose. However, the FEEDAP Panel remains unable to conclude on the efficacy of the additive to improve the ensiling process on the basis of a single positive result.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the kinetic of inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes using peracetic acid, chlorhexidine, and organic acids as active agent, determining the respective D-, Z-, and F-values. From our knowledge, these important results from an industrial view point are not available in the current literature, mainly for organic acids, pointing out the main contribution of the present work. Lower D-values were obtained for peracetic acid and chlorhexidine, compared with the organic acids. For the reduction of 6 log10 of L. monocytogenes using peracetic acid, at 0.2, 0.1, and 0.05% are necessary 7.08, 31.08, and 130.44 min of contact, respectively. The mathematical models of F-values showed that at concentrations lower than 0.15% one can verify an exponential increase in F-values, for both de chlorhexidine and peracetic acid. The organic acids presented a linear behavior, showing slight variation in F-values, is even more effective in under dosage. The results obtained are of fundamental importance in terms of industrial strategy for sanitization procedure, permitting to choose the best relation product concentration/exposure time, aiming at reducing costs without compromising the disinfectant efficiency.

How can you carve out a museum space that’s less authoritative? And how you can make work that is smaller, more intimate in that same space? Kio Stark and Mark Allen discuss Machine Project, the Echo Park, Los Angeles exhibiting space that doubles as an interactive setting, an alternative performance venue, and an active agent in creating events around the local area, including in museums such as the Hammer.

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 462–467 Objectives: To assess the correlation between acoustic rhinometry and visual analogue scale endpoints in the context of nasal challenge with occupational agents. Design: Prospective controlled study. Setting: University teaching hospital. Participants: Sixty-seven subjects with a history of work-related rhinitis and asthma symptoms. Main outcomes measures: Subjects underwent nasal challenge with control and specific agent on consecutive days. Nasal congestive response to challenge was monitored by acoustic rhinometry and visual analogue scale. Results: Results showed no correlation between visual analogue scale and acoustic rhinometry measurements at baseline on the control (r = −0.13, P = 0.3) and active (r = 0.14, P = 0.2) challenge days. No correlation was found between acoustic rhinometry and visual analogue scale when analysing all measurements obtained at all times after challenge with the control and active agent (control: r = 0.09, P = 0.04; active: r = 0.001, P = 0.9). The correlation between acoustic rhinometry and visual analogue scale was good and significant (r = −0.62, P = 40% from baseline values. Conclusions: We showed that the correlation between acoustic rhinometry and subjective nasal patency was poor on steady conditions. However, a significant correlation was observed in those cases showing a greater nasal congestive response after challenge measured by acoustic rhinometry.

Dilute oil-in-water emulsions stabilised with anionic soaps were coagulated by the addition of salt. After a predetermined time coagulation was stopped by diluting with a solution of a nonionic surface active agent. The rate of coagulation was measured by counting, after varying times of coagulation, the number of oil drops under a microscope. The rate of coagulation increases with increasing salt concentration. An upper limit in the rate of coagulation, where “rapid” flocculation occurs, was observed when salts with polyvalent cations were used as the coagulating electrolyte. Increasing the concentration of Aerosol OT caused a higher rate of coagulation in dilute salt solutions and a lower rate at higher salt concentrations. Variation of the concentration of the more soluble soaps had little effect on the rate of coagulation. The influence of the valency of the coagulating cation was investigated in emulsions stabilised with a soap giving no insoluble compounds with the cations used. A behaviour as predicted by the rule of Schulze and Hardy was observed. Variation of the anion in the coagulating electrolyte had no effect on the rate of coagulation. The rate of coagulation decreases with increasing initial particle concentration. This is explained by considering coagulation as caused by flocculation followed by coalescence. From experiments in which the initial particle concentration was varied, estimations could be made of both the rate of flocculation and of coalescence. The rate of coalescence had a value of the order of 0.001 per second. For the rate of flocculation a higher value was found than that predicted by Von Smoluchowski's theory for “rapid” flocculation. Several effects are present which operate simultaneously to increase the measured rate of flocculation; the influence of these effects is discussed.

Macromolecular organic compounds with biologically active groups have received increasing interest as drugs, herbicides and pesticides, disinfectants as well as technical biocides possessing novel properties. From the organic chemist's point of view, the synthesis of these modified polymers involves several attractive problems: search for suitable polymeric carriers, the design of the enzyme-sensitive bond of the active agent and the optimum route of functionalization of synthetic or naturally occurring macromolecular materials. Of particular importance are biological and economic aspects derived from the special application, and any suggested solution must be checked in the same way. This review surveys structural concepts and selected sythetic methods which are of general importance in the attachment of biologically active agents to macromolecules.

An Prufkorpern aus Rotbuche, Robinie und Fichte wurde in den 3 Hauptschnittrichtungen langs, radial und tangential der Aufnahmekoeffizient von Flussigkeiten (Wasser und ein hydrophobierendes wassriges Impragniermittel mit einer Wirksubstanz aus cokondensierten nanoskaligen Silanen — Wirkstoffkonzentration 20 %) nach BS EN ISO 15148:2002 bestimmt. Es wurde eine wesentlich hohere Flussigkeitsaufnahme in Faserrichtung als senkrecht dazu ermittelt. Rotbuche hatte die grosten, Robinie die geringsten Flussigkeitsaufnahmekoeffizienten. Die Flussigkeitsaufnahme war bei dem hydrophobierenden Impragniermittel geringer als bei Wasser. Dies wirkt sich auf das Impragnierverhalten nach Druck- oder auch Streichimpragnierung aus. Investigations into the water absorption coefficients of timber with variations in timber and moisture type. The absorption coefficient of liquids (water and a hydrophobic watery impregnating agent with an active agent of co-condensed nanoscale silanes; active agent concentration 20 %) by test pieces of beech, robinia and spruce was determined in the three main cutting directions: longitudinal, radial and tangential, in accordance with BS EN ISO 15148:2002. A substantially higher moisture absorption rate was found with the grain than perpendicular to it. Beech showed the highest, robinia the lowest moisture absorption coefficients. The moisture absorption was lower for the hydrophobic impregnating agent than for water. This affects the impregnation performance both with pressure impregnation and surface-applied impregnation.

An anionic surface-active agent derived from wool proteins was developed as an alternative to the anionic surfactants extensively used in shampoo formulations. The physicochemical properties of this new surface-active agent prepared form wool proteins and its application for human hair treatments were studied. This new product could be considered a new mild anionic surface-active agent, as evidenced by the results found by the evaluation of its physicochemical properties. The new wool anionic surface-active agent was shown to be very substantive to hair, coating the fiber surface, giving rise to a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the hair fibers, and providing a certain damage-prevention effect on the hair. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010

Summary: A decreased general toxicity and a distinct increased skin compatibility with fully maintained antimycetic effectiveness can be reached by transformation of the antimycetically active agent 5-bromsalicyl-4′-chloranilide (BSCA) to the reversibly inactive carrier form 5-bromsalicyl-4′-chloranilide-O-s-D-xylopgranoside (ZIK 1392). The decreased general toxicity has been proved by a 6 to 7 times higher LD50- Biometrical and autoradiographical findings in the skin of the guinea pig ear demonstrate normal data of median epidermal thickness, size of the epidermal cells and regeneration rate of basal cells after contact with ZIK 1392 in contrast to BSCA. The antimycetic effectiveness of ZIK 1392 is the same as with BSCA also as with as Ancotil®, Amphotericin B® and Micornole®) and has been shown by means of plate diffusion tests and dilution tests with some dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds. The selective liberation of the active agent from the more tolerable carrier form by specific enzymes of the microorganisms induces a self-poisoning of the mycetes without a damage of the macroorganism. Zusammenfassung: Durch Ulberfuhrung des antimyzetischen Wirkstoffes 5-Bromsalizyl-4′-chloranilid (BSCA) in die reversibel inaktivierte Transportform 5-Bromsalizyl-4′-chloranilid-O-β-D-xylopyranosid (ZIK 1392) kann eine verminderte allgemeine Toxizitat und eine wesentlich bessere Hautvertraglichkeit bei voll erhaltener antimyzetischer Wirksamkeit erreicht werden. Die geringere allgemeine Toxizitat wurde durch eine 6- bis 7fach hohere LD50 nachgewiesen. Biometrische und autoradiographische Untersuchungen an der Meerschweinchenohrepidermis domonstrierten die im Gegensatz zum BSCA gegenuber der Norm unverhaerten Werte der mittleren Epidermisbreite, der Grose der Epidermiszellen und der Neubildungsrate der Basal-zellschicht nach Kontakt mit ZIK 1392. Die antimyzetische, dem BSCA (sowie den Praparaten Ancotil®, Amphotericin B® und Miconazol®) gleichwertige Wirksamkeit des ZIK 1392 wurde durch Plattendiffusions- und Reihenverdunnungstests mit Dermatophyten, Sprospilzen und Schimmelpilzen uberpruft. Die selektive Freisetzung der Wirksubstanz aus der vertraglicheren Transportform Wirkstoff-Xylosid durch spezifische Enzyme der Erreger fuhrt zu einer Selbstvergiftung der Myzeten ohne Schadigung des Wirtsorganismus.

(+)-Limonene is a renewable chemical with numerous and growing applications. Its traditional uses such as flavor, fragrance and green solvent are rapidly expanding to include its utilization as a platform chemical, extraction solvent for natural products and an active agent for functionalized products. We anticipate that the expansion in uses for limonene will translate into increasing production and use of this relevant natural product, especially for advanced applications.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is typical of the dementias that affect both animals and man; Scrapie in sheep, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in man. Global efforts have been made to determine the nature of the active agents in these diseases. At present the 'protein only hypothesis' of Prusiner holds. It was a surprise that a protein could per se be the active agent but other surprises for our traditional teaching of biochemistry arose. These are explained in a brief summary of our present understanding of the biochemistry of the active agents that cause the diseases. IUBMB Life, 57: 273-276, 2005

Background Calcipotriol and corticosteroids are commonly used treatments for psoriasis vulgaris, each with different mechanisms of action. The two agents have shown combined action, but current formulations do not permit simultaneous application. Daivobet® (LEO Pharma, Denmark) ointment contains calcipotriol and the corticosteroid, betamethasone dipropionate. Such a formulation may provide convenience and enhanced activity compared with separate applications, but it is essential that the biological activity and bioavailability of either active agent is not adversely affected by the other component. Objective his study was designed to determine whether the bioavailability of the corticosteroid component of Daivobet® was equivalent to that in a corticosteroid-only formulation (Diprosone®, Schering-Plough Laboratories, France). Method A vasoconstrictor assay measuring skin blanching was used to determine bioequivalence. Result Skin blanching measured either by objective chromametric measurement or visual assessment showed Daivobet® to be equivalent to Diprosone®. Conclusion The data indicate that the steroid component of Daivobet® is not unfavorably affected by the calcipotriol.

The liberation of several important active agents was studied from hydrogels produced from new macromolecular substances. Liberation was examined with an in vitro method, with a Hanson's vertical diffusion cell. Polymers were used in an increasing concentration, while the quantity of active agents was constant. Several quantitative relationships were established after the examination of liberation from 240 drug-containing gels. A power function was found between the concentration of the polymers and the quantity of the liberated active agents, while a logarithmic relationship existed between the viscosity of the gels and the extent of liberation. Interactions between the active agent and the vehicles can be inferred from the rheological functions as well as from the constants of the liberation versus concentration and liberation versus viscosity functions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ITELS is an intelligent system for foreign language terminology learning. It is aimed not only at assisting language learning focused on specific terminology but also at enhancing learner's conceptual knowledge in the subject area. The system could be tuned to aid learning in different terminological areas and supports three styles of tutoring: system-initiated, collaborative, and learner-initiated. Three agents take part in the instructional process supported by ITELS: the human teacher, the system, and the learner. Each of them is an active agent characterised by a set of specific roles with respect to the system functioning. In this paper we describe ITELS with emphasis on the roles of these agents.

The breakage process of single drops in RDC liquid-liquid extraction columns has been investigated. The breakage probability and daughter drop size distribution were the measured characteristics. Binary systems, non-equilibrated ternary systems with mass transfer in both directions (c d and d c) and systems with surface active agent added were used in the experiments. A model of the breakage probability was developed based on a modified Weber number, taking into account the applied shearing stress and the resisting interfacial tension force. It is shown that breakage probability can be estimated if interfacial tension is known as a function of interfacial conditions. On a etudie le processus de rupture de gouttes uniques dans des colonnes d'extraction liquide-liquide de type RDC. On a mesure comme caracteristiques la probabilite de rupture et la distribution de tailles de gouttes peripheriques. Des systemes binaires, des systemes ternaires non equilibres pour lesquels le transfert de matiere est bi-directionnel (c d et d c) et des systemes avec tensioactif, ont ete utilises dans les experiences. On a mis au point un modele de probabilite de rupture base sur le nombre de Weber modifie, en tenant compte de la contrainte de cisaillement appliquee et de la force de tension interfaciale. On montre que la probabilite de rupture peut ětre estimee si la tension interfaciale est connue en fonction des conditions a l'interface.

A series of (E)- and (Z)-2, 3-dihydro-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one oxime ethers have been synthesized and tested for antifungal activity. Most compounds showed moderate to potent in vitro antifungal activity. Among the tested compounds, compound (E)-3d was the most active agent against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, and compounds (Z)-(3a) and (E)-3a were the most potent compounds against Microsporum gypseum. Detailed stereoselective synthesis, spectroscopic, and biological data are reported.

A new anionic surfactant, sulfonated isoricinoleic acid, was prepared by sulfonation of isoricinoleic acid. Surface active properties, such as surface tension, interfacial tension, emulsifiability, dispersibility and foaming power of sulfonated isoricinoleic acid (SIRA), and sulfonated castor oil or turkey red oil (TRO) were studied and compared. The comparative studies showed that SIRA is a better surface active agent than TRO.

A series of N 1 -nicotinoyl-3- (4′-hydroxy-3′-methyl phenyl)-5-(substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolines were synthesized by the reaction between isoniazid (INH) and chalcones and were tested for their antimycobacterial activity in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) and INH-resistant M. tuberculosis (INHR-MTB) using the agar dilution method. Among the synthesized compounds, compound ( i ) N 1 -nicotinyl-3-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methyl phenyl)-5-(1″-chlorophenyl)-2-pyrazoline was found to be the most active agent against MTB and INHR-MTB, with minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.26 μm. When compared to INH-compound i was found to be 2.8- and 43.7-fold more active against MTB and INHR-MTB, respectively.

The vasoconstrictor assay, when properly performed, is a highly reliable method to determine bioequivalence of generic formulations. Recent research has resolved some of the remaining questions concerning the practical application of the assay. Significant vehicle-related differences have been observed between the potency of different, supposedly equivalent formulations now on the market. Large differences in concentrations of the active agent in similar vehicles usually have not resulted in corresponding differences in vasoconstrictor assay results. Finally, the time course of drug effects may differ among highly potent and less potent corticosteroids. In general, the higher the potency of the topical corticosteroid, the earlier the maximal effect is observed. This finding suggests that short application of highly potent agents might minimize systemic absorption without sacrificing efficacy.

Miya-Gold is an additive containing viable spores of a single strain of Clostridium butyricum as the active agent. It is presently authorised for use in diets for weaned piglets, minor weaned porcine species, chickens for fattening and minor avian species for fattening. The applicant is now seeking to reduce the minimum authorised dose from 5 x 108 CFU/kg feed to 2.5 x 108 CFU/kg feed when used with chickens for fattening and all minor avian species (except laying birds) and to extend this authorisation to chickens reared for laying. The safety for the consumers, users of the product and the environment has been previously assessed by EFSA and found that it did not raise concerns. In a previous opinion the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe for chickens for fattening when used at the then recommended dose. The Panel considers that this conclusion can be extended to chickens reared for laying. This conclusion can be taken to apply to the revised dose for all of species under application. The data from three trials made with chickens for fattening confirmed the effectiveness of the additive when used at the currently authorised dose of 5 x 108 CFU/kg feed. Effects with the reduced dose of 2.5 x 108 CFU/kg feed were less clear and showed significantly positive results in only two of the five trials in which this dose was tested. However, a meta-analysis made by pooling results from the five trials showed significant gains in final body weight and improved feed conversion indicating that the additive had some potential to improve performance of chickens for fattening at the lower dose. This conclusion can be extended to chickens reared for laying and extrapolated to minor avian species (other than those used for laying).

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety for the target animals, consumer, user and for the environment and on the efficacy of a product based on a specific strain of Lactobacillus buchneri, when used as a technological additive intended to improve the ensiling process at a dose of 1.0 x 108 CFU/kg fresh material. The bacterial species L. buchneri is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the Qualified Presumption of Safety approach. As the identity of the strain has been clearly established and as no antibiotic resistance was detected, the use of the strain in the production of silage is considered safe for livestock species, consumers of products from animals fed the treated silage and for the environment. Although users at the farm level are exposed to silage additives only for a short period of time when preparing the aqueous suspension, indicative data on particle size distribution and the proteinaceous nature of the active agent indicate a possible hazard for those handling the additive of exposure by a respiratory route with a consequent risk of sensitisation. Eight studies with laboratory-scale silos are described, each lasting at least 105 days, made using samples of cereals covering a range of dry matter content from 30 to 45 %. In each case, replicate silos containing treated forage were compared to identical silos containing the same untreated forage. Three inter-related parameters were measured to indicate the time to aerobic spoilage: increasing pH, increasing numbers of lactate-utilising yeasts and the consequent rise in temperature. All eight studies gave consistent and significant results showing that the additive containing the L. buchneri strain has the potential to improve the preservation of silage by increasing acetic acid production resulting in an extended aerobic stability of the treated silage.

Calsporin® is a feed additive based on a strain of Bacillus subtilis. The applicant is seeking authorisation for the use of the product in feeds for turkeys for fattening, ducks, geese, pigeons and other game birds for meat production, ducks, geese, pigeons, game birds, ornamental and sporting birds for rearing to point of lay, and turkeys reared for breeding at the dose of 3 x 108 CFU/kg feed, and for chickens reared for laying at the dose of 5 x 108 CFU/kg feed. EFSA has been requested to deliver an opinion on the safety of the product for target animals, consumers, users and the environment, and on its efficacy. The identity of the active agent was established in a previous assessment and belongs to a bacterial species whose safety EFSA considers can be assessed using the QPS approach. Thus, the product strain meets the qualifications of this group of bacilli and the additive can be presumed safe for the target species, consumers and environment. Three trials conducted with turkeys showed a significant increase in final body weight in birds given the additive at the proposed dose compared to control animals. Consequently, Calsporin® can be considered as efficacious for turkeys for fattening at the dose of 3 x 108 CFU/kg feed. Since the efficacy of Calsporin® for chickens and turkeys for fattening was established, it can be assumed to be efficacious with chickens reared for laying and turkeys reared for breeding at the proposed doses. As the mechanism of action of the additive can be reasonably assumed to be the same as in the major species, and as the proposed dose is the same, efficacy for the minor avian species can be presumed at the dose of 3 x 108 CFU/kg feed. The compatibility of Calsporin® was demonstrated with aut horised coccidiostats.

The release of microencapsulated active agents from amino resin microcapsules into water and air has been investigated with the example of methylparathion (0,0-dimethyl-0-p-nitrophenyl-thiophosphoric-ester). The release of the active agent has been proved to be strongly dependent on the conditions of capsule preparation. The release properties can also be influenced in a wide range by addition of salts during capsule preparation or by storage at room temperature. The release in air shows similar results as in water. Under artificial light (Xenotest) after 30 h exposure a loss of active agent between 20 and 40% has been found. Die Freisetzung von mikroverkapselten Wirkstoffen aus Aminoharz-Mikrokapseln in Wasser und Luft wurde am Beispiel von Methylparathion (0,0-Dimethyl-0-p-nitrophenyl-thiophosphorsaureester) untersucht. Die Freisetzungseigenschaften sind stark von den Herstellungsbedingungen der Kapseln abhangig und durch Salzzusatze wahrend der Herstellung sowie durch eine Lagerung bei Raumtemperatur zu verandern. Die Freisetzung des Wirkstoffs in Luft zeigt ahnliche Abhangigkeiten wie die in Wasser. Bei kunstlicher Belichtung (Xenotest) tritt nach 30 h ein Wirkstoffverlust von 20 bis 40% auf.

Observations on nine patients with occupational dermatitis from methylisothiocyanate (MITC) lead to the following conclusions: 1. MITC causes primarily a toxic dermatitis, but as a strong sensitizer it induces sensitization as well. 2. Cross reactions between MITC and benzylisothiocyanate, the active agent of Sulbentin antimycotics, were not seen. 3. In patient a MITC acid burn on one foot and leg caused systemic poisoning from absorption with reversible damage to the liver parenchyma.

One hundred and sixty-eight patients with unresectable primary liver cancer were prospectively studied by members of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. These patients were randomized to receive treatment with oral 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), oral 5-Fu plus Streptozotocin, oral 5-Fu plus MethylCCNU or Adriamycin. The single agent treatments (oral 5-Fu and Adriamycin) were associated with less gastrointestinal toxicity than were the oral 5-Fu treatment combinations. A total of 15 partial responses were reported. Adriamycin appears to be the most active agent and responsible for 9 of the 15 responses. No response was seen in any of the 48 patients randomized to oral 5-Fu alone. The survival associated with oral 5-Fu alone was significantly shorter than the survival time associated with the remaining 3 treatment programs among both North American and South African patients. A multivariate model of survival was formulated. Covariates of prognostic significance were treatment, initial performance status and sex. South African black patients had a shorter survival time than North American black patients. Excluding oral 5-Fu from consideration, prognostic variables appeared to dominate any differences between the remaining treatments under study. Cancer 42:2149–2156, 1978.

Reverse-flow washing of a 22-unit pipeline milking plant in a Turnstyle milking parlour was studied during a milking season. The quantity of detergent solution used/wash was 2701 which was preceded and followed by 4401 of rinse water. Two concentrations of nitric acid and surface active agent were used as the cleansing agent in hot and at one concentration in cold water for 5 consecutive 6-week periods. Bulk milk and cluster rinse samples taken at weekly intervals were tested for total colony and coliform count. It is concluded that nitric acid 0-3 per cent w/v plus a wetting agent in hot water is an effective detergent system for reverse-flow washing of large pipeline plants.

Actively growing HeLa monolayer cultures briefly exposed to the culture fluids (CF) from confluent HeLa cultures and labeled simultaneously or subsequently, incorporated less 3H-uridine (3H-UR) but more 3H-adenosine (3H-AR) than control cultures similarly exposed to fresh medium and labeled. Exposure to CF inhibited the uptake as well as the incorporation of 3H-UR by cultures. The inhibition of 3H-UR incorporation by CF-exposed cultures could be reduced by increasing the concentration of 3H-UR in the labeling medium. Both the inhibition of 3H-UR incorporation and the stimulation of 3H-AR incorporation were prevented by washing the CF-treated cultures with phosphate buffered saline before labeling. Similarly, both effects could be producted in HeLa cultures exposed to fresh medium containing 1 X 10(-5) M uridine instead of to CF. Therefore, the observed effects of CF on label incorporation were probably due to the presence of uridine or a related compound, and the inhibition of 3H-UR incorporation resulted from reduced uptake of 3H-UR rather than from reduced RNA synthesis by exposed cells. The active agent in the CF, formed only when cultures were incubated at physiological temperatures, was not a product of medium decay. It was a cellular product formed equally well by cultures incubated in medium containing dialysed or whole serum.

The chemical cleaning of glass constitutes an extremely complicated problem, since its exposure to chemical attack by either water, acid, alkali salt solutions or even gases in the atmosphere may result in corrosion. In reality, corrosion generally occurs in a combination of ways simultaneously. This is particularly true with respect to industrial chemical cleaning of glass lenses, in which the absolute cleanliness (and spotlessness) of the surface of the lenses is the primary condition for further processing and/or fitness to the ultimate use. This paper presents data of a selected industrial field study (in vivo conditions) in which an application, optimization, and assessment of the chemical cleaning process (and its results) of glass lenses involving various surfactant-based formulations has been carried out. With a high level content of polyphosphates (i.e., sodium tripolyphosphates), the phosphate ester-based formulations were found to perform better than formulations based on other classes of surfactants (i.e., anionics and nonionics). The best results were achieved with 2.5–3.5% solutions of the formulation that contained ca. 3% of surface active agent. The optimal ratio of alkali-phosphate in the formulations was found to be in the range of 1:1.7–1:2.4. The results are discussed and conclusions with regard to the “real world” of such industrial processes have been drawn.

A total of 905 unipolar polyurethane pacing leads have been implanted by the first author's group, between April 1978 and February 1982, with a mean implant of 1.4 years. Twelve leads were explanted and analyzed. Eleven of the explanted leads exhibited some degree of surface damage or "frosting." Of the 11, five atrial (Medtronic 6991 U) and one ventricular (Medtronic 6971) lead suffered complete insulation failure. One lead was completely free from surface damage. Clinically, insulation failure presented as muscle stimulation and/or battery depletion. Surface damage appears to be due to an environmental stress cracking (ESC) mechanism. ESC requires both a surface active agent from the hostile biological environment, and stress in excess of a threshold value. The minor surface damage or "frosting" of the eleven explanted leads was typically 10 to 15 microns deep on leads implanted about one year, although one device (15 months) had 30 micron cracks. No lead failures in this series were attributed to this shallow cracking mechanism. The severe cracking of the six Medtronic leads leading to insulin failure was thought to be due to the unusually high tensile stresses imposed by manufacturing processes and ligatures. The incidence of failure was 7% (5/74) for the Medtronic 6991 U and 0.2% (1/454) for the Medtronic 6971. Medtronic lead manufacturing processes have been modified to reduce the high residual tensile stresses and a fixation sleeve has been added to reduce ligature stress.

Extracts of 28 species of marine macroscopic algae collected from various coastal habitats of northern California were examined for antiviral activity against a broad spectrum of mammalian viruses. Ten members of Rhodophyta contained substance(s) which caused greater than a 2 log reduction in the infectivity of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. In addition, anti-Coxsackie Bs virus activity was detected in extracts of Constantinea simplex Setchell. The physical and chemical properties of the substance in extracts of Farlowia mollis (Harvey and Bailey) Farlow and Setchell and C. simplex indicated the active agent was a structural polysaccharide.

With the aim of studying pre-rinsing and cleaning of a milk storage tank, different representative samples are collected during the process and their components (protein, sugar and lipid) analysed. The main conclusions of this study may be summarized as follows: (1) The mean thickness of milk remaining in the tank ranges around 20 μm. It depends on the dropping time and on the possible presence of milk foam. (2) The different main milk components do not exhibit the same removal rate and sugar seems to be completely removable by rinsing only. (3) Prerinsing may be characterized by four periods of which one depends on a diffusion mechanism. (4) Pre-rinse is a very rapid process which mainly depends on the pre-rinse solution volume used per unit of soiled surface. (5) Hard water, osmosed water alone or admixed with a surface active agent or caustic soda (1%) lead to the same results.

14C- and 3H-Labelled psilocin (4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine), the principal, active agent of hallucinogenic mushrooms, was synthesized from 2-methyl-3-nitrophenol via 4-benzyloxyindole. 14C-Labelled potassium cyanide was reacted with 4-benzyloxygramine (obtained from 4-benzyloxyindole) to give 14C-4-benzyloxy-3-indole acetic acid, an intermediate for 14C-psilocin synthesis. 3H-Labelled lithium aluminium hydride was used to react with 4-benzyloxy-3-indole-N,N-dimethyl-glyoxylamide (obtained from 4-benzyloxyindole) to give 3H-4-benzyloxy-psilocin which was debenzylated to form 3H-psilocin.

The effectiveness of non-chemically modified pearl cornstarch as an encapsulating matrix for active agents such as herbicides is reported. Aqueous gelatinization of pearl cornstarch at high temperatures followed by active agent addition, drying and grinding yielded encapsulated products showing slow release of active agent. Efficiency of encapsulation and rate of release of the herbicide butylate varied with temperature and concentration of starch during steam-jet cooking, amount of butylate incorporated and method of drying. Retrogradation is the major factor influencing efficiency of encapsulation and rate of active agent release. Die Wirksamkeit von dusengekochter Perl-Maisstarke als kontrollierte Freigabematrix. Es wird uber die Wirksamkeit von nichtchemisch modifizierter Perl-Maisstarke als verkapselnde Matrix fur aktive Wirkstoffe wie Herbizide berichtet. Die wassrige Verkleisterung von Perl-Maisstarke bei hohen Temperaturen, gefolgt durch Zusatz des aktiven Wirkstoffes, Trocknung und Vermahlung fuhrte zu verkapselten Produkten, die den aktiven Wirkstoff nur langsam freigaben. Die Wirksamkeit der Verkapselung und die Geschwindigkeit der Freigabe des Herbizidbutylates variierte mit der Temperatur und der Konzentration der Starke wahrend der Dampfdusen-Verkochung, dem gebundenen Butylat und der Trocknungsmethode. Die Verkapselung und die Freigabe des aktiven Wirkstoffes wird hauptsachlich durch Retrogradation beeinflust.

The primary aim of the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council is to bring together those scientists of the country most competent to deal both with specific scientific problems and to survey the larger possibilities of science. The effectiveness of the organization depends on the willing participation of these scientists who give generously of their time and effort without financial compensation. Child Development is one of the many areas which has been explored in this way, and the Society for Research in Child Development (hereinafter designated SRCD) emerged from the National Research Council, the active agent of the National Academy of Sciences, through its Division of Anthropology and Psychology.3 This division was organized October 20, I919. One month after its organizational meeting the division chairman, Walter V. Bingham, received a letter from Dr. Henry S. Bernton, Director of the Child Welfare Association. Incorporated in 1914, this association was established in Washington, D.C. in 1goi as a private charity known as the Washington Diet Kitchen. Congress had appropriated $I5,ooo in support of the work of this association and in his letter Dr. Bernton suggested possible cooperation of the Research Council to organize some plans for the scientific investigation of children. While such research could not be wholly supported by the association, it offered the use of a small laboratory for use by interested researchers. It appears that Charles B. Davenport (then of the Eugenics Office of the Carnegie Institution of Washington) undertook some anthropometric studies of infants and children of pre-school age in this laboratory, and John B. Watson (then of The Johns Hopkins University) made some studies on the instincts of infants. So much for the background. At the second meeting of the division in April i92o a resolution was passed which recognized the pressing need of the scientific investigation of basic facts and principles in the field of child welfare and a committee on

In view of the discrepancy between the stability of pyrethrum-in-oil films in direct sunlight and in the dark, the persistence of such films under various conditions is reviewed, and the ultra-violet photolysis is found to be by far the most active agent in decomposing such films. The action of ultra-violet light on the insecticide is found to be independent of humidity or the presence of oxygen. Four processes are outlined by which the pyrethrins become inactivated. The prolonged residual effect of pyrethrum-in-oil films in the absence of light, established by earlier workers, is confirmed, and the decomposition is found to be independent of temperature, over the ordinary ambient range.

— The photovoltaic effect in ethanolic solutions of chlorophyll a with benzoquinone or hydroquinone has been measured as a function of pH. In acidic media, stable, fast-rising photovoltaic signals of positive sign are obtained. In neutral and basic media, less stable, slower rising photovoltaic signals of negative sign are found. The results in acid media are explained in terms of a photochemical interaction between chlorophyll and either the benzoquinone or hydroquinone producing protons which can then act as the electrode active agent. In basic media, negatively charged radical species, such as the benzoquinone radical-anion, are considered to be the most likely electrode-active species.

Summary. A gastric secretory factor predominantly localized in the pyloric region is present in mucosal extracts from cats, dogs, and pigs. The active agent is not histamine.

Summary. The action of viirious concentrations of the non-ionic surface active agent. Tween 20. on the surface tension of plasma was studied. It was observed that plasma contains a factor tending to suppress the action of the Surface active agents on the surface tension. The possible causes of the phenomenon are discussed.