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Aluminum salts have been successfully utilized as adjuvants to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccine antigens since the 1930s. However, the cellular mechanisms behind the immune adjuvanticity effect of these materials in antigen-presenting cells are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the uptake and trafficking of aluminum oxy-hydroxide (AlOOH), in RAW 264.7 murine and U-937 human macrophages-like cells. Furthermore, we determined the impact that the adsorption to AlOOH particulates has on the trafficking of a Bordetella pertussis vaccine candidate, the genetically detoxified pertussis toxin (gdPT). Our results indicate that macrophages internalize AlOOH by constitutive macropinocytosis assisted by the filopodial protrusions that capture the adjuvant particles. Moreover, we show that AlOOH has the capacity to nonspecifically adsorb IgG, engaging opsonic phagocytosis, which is a feature that may allow for more effective capture and uptake of adjuvant particles by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) at the site of vaccine administration. We found that AlOOH traffics to endolysosomal compartments that hold degradative properties. Importantly, while we show that gdPT escapes degradative endolysosomes and traffics toward the retrograde pathway, as reported for the wild-type pertussis toxin, the adsorption to AlOOH diverts gdPT to traffic to the adjuvant's lysosome-type compartments, which may be key for MHC-II-driven antigen presentation and activation of CD4

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is ongoing as a global epidemic and there is still a need to develop much safer and more effective new vaccines that can also be easily adapted to important variants of the pathogen. In the present study in this direction, we developed a new COVID-19 vaccine, composed of two critical antigenic fragments of the S1 and S2 region of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 as well as the whole nucleocapsid protein (N), which was formulated with either alum or alum plus monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) adjuvant combinations.From within the spike protein S1 region, a fragmented protein P1 (MW:33 kDa) which includes the receptor-binding domain (RBD), another fragment protein P2 (MW:17.6) which contains important antigenic epitopes within the spike protein S2 region, and N protein (MW:46 kDa) were obtained after recombinant expression of the corresponding gene regions in Escherichia coli BL21. For use in immunization studies, three proteins were adsorbed with aluminum hydroxide gel and with the combination of aluminum hydroxide gel plus MPLA.Each of the three protein antigens produced strong reactions in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blot analysis studies performed with convalescent COVID-19 patient sera. In mice, these combined protein vaccine candidates elicited high titer anti-P1, anti-P2, and anti-N IgG and IgG2a responses. These also induced highly neutralizing antibodies and elicited significant cell-mediated immunity as demonstrated by enhanced antigen-specific levels of interferon-γ (INF-γ) in the splenocytes of immunized mice.The results of this study showed that formulations of the three proteins with Alum or Alum + MPLA are effective in terms of humoral and cellular responses. However, since the Alum + MPLA formulation appears to be superior in Th1 response, this vaccine candidate may be recommended mainly for the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. We also believe that the alum-only formulation will provide great benefits for adults, young adolescents, and children.

Aluminium salts have been used in vaccines for decades. However, the mechanisms underlying their adjuvant effect are still unclear. Neutrophils, the first immune cells at the injection site, can release cellular DNA together with granular material, so‐called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). In mice, NETs apparently play a role in aluminium hydroxide (alum)‐adjuvant immune response to vaccines. Although no experimental data exist, this effect is assumed to be operative also in humans. As a first step to verify this knowledge in humans, we demonstrate that the injection of alum particles into human skin biopsies ex vivo leads to similar tissue infiltration of neutrophils and NET‐formation. Moreover, we characterized the mechanism leading to alum‐induced NET‐release in human neutrophils as rapid, NADPH oxidase‐independent process involving charge, phagocytosis, phagolysosomal rupture, Ca2+‐flux, hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and mitochondrial ROS. Extracellular flow and inhibition experiments suggested that no additional energy from oxidative phosphorylation or glycolysis is required for NET‐release. This study suggests a so far unappreciated role for neutrophils in the initial phase of immune responses to alum‐containing vaccines in humans and provides novel insights into bioenergetic requirements of NET‐formation.

We studied effectiveness of the AS04‐adjuvanted HPV‐16/18 (AS04‐HPV‐16/18) vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) oropharyngeal infections associated with the increase of head/neck cancers in western countries. All 38,631 resident adolescents from 1994 to 1995 birth cohorts of 33 Finnish communities were invited in this community‐randomized trial (NCT00534638). During 2008–2009, 11,275 girls and 6,129 boys were enrolled in three arms of 11 communities each. In Arm A, 90% of vaccinated girls/boys, and in Arm B, 90% of vaccinated girls received AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine. Other Arm A/B and all Arm C vaccinated participants received control vaccine. All Arm A participants and Arm B female participants were blinded to vaccine allocation. Oropharyngeal samples were analyzed from 4,871 18.5‐year‐old females who attended follow‐up visit 3–6 years postvaccination. HPV DNA prevalence was determined by SPF‐10 LiPA and Multiplex type‐specific PCR. Total vaccine effectiveness (VE) was defined as relative reduction of oropharyngeal HPV prevalence in pooled Arms A/B HPV‐vaccinated females vs. all Arm C females. VE against oropharyngeal HPV‐16/18, HPV‐31/45 and HPV‐31/33/45 infections were 82.4% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 47.3–94.1), 75.3% (95%CI: 12.7–93.0) and 69.9% (95% CI: 29.6–87.1), respectively. In conclusion, the AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine showed effectiveness against vaccine and nonvaccine HPV‐types oropharyngeal infections in adolescent females up to 6 years postvaccination., What's new? The incidence of oropharyngeal cancers due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is increasing in Western countries. However, the efficacy of HPV vaccines against oropharyngeal infection is not well documented. Based on a large community‐randomized trial in Finland, the authors report high effectiveness (82.4%) of Cervarix vaccine against oropharyngeal HPV‐16/18 infection and moderate effectiveness against non‐vaccine types HPV‐31/33/45 infection in female adolescents. The protective effects were observed up to 6 years after vaccination. These results provide further evidence that HPV vaccination holds the potential to reduce oral HPV infection, thereby offering protection against HPV‐related head and neck cancers.

Hair growth, a complex process, has long been the subject of intense research. Recent developments in material technology have revealed boehmite as a new therapeutic modality for use in wound healing and scar reduction, indicating its beneficial effects. Nonetheless, the biological bases of the beneficial effects of boehmite remain unknown. We investigated the hair growth properties of boehmite in vitro and in vivo and observed dose-dependent proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro and hair regrowth in a mouse model. To investigate the effects of boehmite on the promotion of cell transition to the anagen phase, we evaluated hDPC viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, protein expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in vitro and assessed the anagen-promoting effects of boehmite via gross observation and histological analysis in a mouse model. Boehmite increased hDPC viability, ALP activity, AKT/GSK3ß/ß-catenin pathway activity, anagen-related gene expression and VEGF secretion; moreover, it accelerated hair regrowth in a catagen-anagen transition model via upregulation of β-catenin signalling and follicular cell proliferation. Collectively, our results indicate that boehmite accelerates hair growth, partly via its effects on critical events in the active phase of the hair follicle cycle, including the promotion of the proliferation of hDPCs and their immediate progeny to the follicle base.

Although aluminum lakes are widely used in food industry for dyeing demands, there is still a dearth in the understanding of the colorant lake formation mechanism. In this study, indigo carmine (IC) lake (IC-aluminum hydroxide complex), a frequently used blue lake in the food industry, was investigated in terms of kinetics, isotherms, properties of colloidal particles, infrared (IR) spectra, and titration curves. Pseudo-second-order model presented the strongest correlation with the kinetic data at all pH levels (R2 ≥ 0.994). In pH range from 4 to 7, the colloidal particles of aluminum hydroxide were positively charged with zeta potential around 44 mV; a further pH increase induced to a decreased zeta potential, which reached negative levels at pH 10 and beyond. Diameter maximized at pH 10 (22.47 µm) and declined when the pH was reduced. Isotherm analysis showed that the adsorption followed monolayer adsorption patterns, as described by the Langmuir isotherm model. IR spectra indicated sulfonic acid groups participated in a chemical reaction during adsorption, and the titration assay further confirmed the formation of coordination bonds between sulfonic acid groups and aluminum atoms. This study profiled the reaction responsible for the formation of the blue lake and elucidated its reaction mechanism. Furthermore, the outcome could assist in improving the production efficiency of the lake through achieving higher reaction rate and adsorption capacity. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The study elucidated the mechanism of indigo carmine (IC)-aluminum hydroxide lake formation, including profile of the adsorption process and molecular interaction between the blue dye and the hydroxide. The outcome of this study would help to improve the production efficiency of IC-aluminum hydroxide lakes, and to decrease the content of aluminum required in the lake by optimizing the production parameters to enhance the adsorption capacity of aluminum hydroxide, which would facilitate the alleviation of the potential health hazards caused by excessive intake of aluminum through foods.

Background and aim Treatment options for functional dyspepsia (FD) refractory to pharmacological treatments are limited but the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) is uncertain. We assessed the effectiveness of EA combined with on-demand gastrocaine. Methods We conducted a single-center, assessor-blind, randomized parallel-group 2-arm trial on Helicobacter pylori negative FD patients of the postprandial distress syndrome subtype refractory to proton pump inhibitor, prokinetics, or H2 antagonists. Enrolled participants were block randomized in a 1:1 ratio, with concealed random sequence. The treatment and control groups both received on-demand gastrocaine for 12 weeks, but only those in treatment group were offered 20 sessions of EA over 10 weeks. The primary endpoint was the between-group difference in proportion of patients achieving adequate relief of symptoms at week 12. Results Of 132 participants randomly assigned to EA plus on-demand gastrocaine (n = 66) or on-demand gastrocaine alone (n = 66), 125 (94.7%) completed all follow-up at 12 weeks. The EA group had a compliance rate 97.7%. They had a significantly higher likelihood in achieving adequate symptom relief at 12 weeks, with a clinically relevant number needed to treat (NNT) value of 2.36 (95% CI: 1.74, 3.64). Among secondary outcomes, statistically and clinically significant improvements were observed among global symptom (NNT = 3.85 [95% CI: 2.63, 7.69]); postprandial fullness and early satiation (NNT = 5.00 [95% CI: 2.86, 25.00]); as well as epigastric pain, epigastric burning, and postprandial nausea (NNT = 4.17 [95% CI: 2.56, 11.11]). Adverse events were minimal and nonsignificant. Conclusion For refractory FD, EA provides significant, clinically relevant symptom relief when added to on-demand gastrocaine (ChiCTR-IPC-15007109).

Two clinical studies were performed in healthy volunteers to investigate food and antacid effects on lesinurad, a novel selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor approved for treatment of hyperuricemia associated with gout in combination with xanthine oxidase inhibitors. Study 1 evaluated a high-fat, high-calorie meal or high doses of antacids (3000 mg calcium carbonate or 1600 mg magnesium hydroxide/1600 mg aluminum hydroxide) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of 400 mg oral lesinurad. Study 2 evaluated low doses of antacids (1250 mg calcium carbonate or 800 mg magnesium hydroxide/800 mg aluminum hydroxide) on the PK and PD of 400 mg lesinurad. Food did not alter the plasma AUC of lesinurad and only reduced its Cmax by 18%. In the fasted conditions, high-dose calcium carbonate reduced the Cmax and AUC of lesinurad by 54% and 38%, respectively, whereas high-dose magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide reduced Cmax and AUC by 36% and 31%, respectively. Food enhanced the maximum serum urate (sUA)-lowering effect of lesinurad by approximately 20% despite reducing the Cmax of lesinurad. High-dose calcium carbonate decreased the urate-lowering effect approximately 20% in the first 6 hours, whereas high-dose magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide reduced the effect by 26%. Low-dose calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide in the presence of food did not significantly affect plasma lesinurad Cmax and AUC or the sUA lowering and renal handling of uric acid. In summary, study results suggest food did not meaningfully alter lesinurad PK and PD. High doses of antacids reduced lesinurad AUC up to 40% and reduced the lesinurad uric acid-lowering effect.

Boehmite (γ-AlOOH) has a wide range of applications in a variety of industrial and biological fields. However, little is known about its potential roles in skin diseases. The current study investigated its effect on atopic dermatitis (AD). Following characterization, cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory response and oxidative stress associated with boehmite were assessed, using TNF-α-induced keratinocytes and mast cells. In addition, therapeutic effects of boehmite, topically administered to Balb/c mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), were evaluated. Expression of cytokines (TLSP, IL-25 and IL-33) and the generation of ROS from keratinocytes induced by TNF-α were significantly inhibited by boehmite without affecting cell viability. MAPKs (ERK, JNK and p38) required for cytokine expression were suppressed by boehmite treatment. Up-regulation of cytokines (TSLP, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, RANTES) in human mast cells treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore was also suppressed by boehmite. Boehmite improved the AD severity score, epidermal hyperplasia and transepidermal water loss in DNCB-induced AD-like lesions. Moreover, Th2-mediated cytokine expression, mast cell hyperplasia and destruction of the skin barrier were improved by boehmite treatment. Overall, we demonstrated that boehmite may potentially protect against AD.

In spite of the widespread application of vaccine adjuvants in various preventive vaccines at present, the existing adjuvants are still hindered by weak cellular immunity responses in therapeutic cancer vaccines. Herein, a hollow silica nanoadjuvant containing aluminum hydroxide spikes on the surface (SiAl) is synthesized for the co-loading of chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (Dox) and tumor fragment (TF) as tumor antigens (SiAl@Dox@TF). The obtained nanovaccines show significantly elevated anti-tumor immunity responses thanks to silica and aluminum-based composite nanoadjuvant-mediated tumor antigen release and Dox-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD). In addition, the highest frequencies of dendritic cells (DCs), CD4

Approximately 5% of the healthy adult population respond inadequately to the commercial recombinant hepatitis B vaccines. As the recombinant vaccines all have an aluminium-based adjuvant, we tried to enhance the immune response by adding a cytokine-based adjuvant. This new adjuvant AI20, containing 20g recombinant human IL-2 attached to 20g aluminium hydroxide, was added to HBVaxPro (c)-10g (HBAI20). In a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT), 24 naive subjects were randomized to receive either HBAI20 or commercial HBVaxPro (c)-10g vaccine. In an open-label study, 10 nonresponders received HBAI20 vaccine. All participants received 3 vaccinations (0, 1 and 6months). In the RCT, the occurrence of any adverse events or severe events was similar between the trial arms. At month 7, all naive participants were seroprotected; moreover, 92% in the HBAI20 group had protective antibodies 10days after the second vaccination vs 58% in the HBVaxPro (c)-10g group, P=.16. In the open-label study, no serious adverse events were noted. The HBAI20 vaccine was able to elicit protective anti-HBs titres in 90% of nonresponders, 1month after the third vaccination. According to these results, the new HBAI20 vaccine seems safe, well-tolerated and may promote more rapid protection against hepatitis B infection.

A 4-year-old boy presented with erythematous vesicular plaques, ulceration, edema, and pruritus on the left foot and ankle 10 days after receiving the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio; measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; and hepatitis A/B vaccines. Biopsy showed eosinophilic infiltrates and flame figures, suggesting Wells syndrome. Patch testing showed a 1+ reaction to neomycin and aluminum hydroxide, with a recall reaction of Wells syndrome of the feet bilaterally. We report a rare case of pediatric Wells syndrome triggered by nonthimerosal vaccine components confirmed by patch testing.

The study aimed to determine the antibacterial/antibiofilm effect and mechanism of interaction of curcuminoids‐intercalated Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (curcuminoids‐LDH) against three different bacteria. Antimicrobial effect of curcuminoids‐LDH nanohybrid was investigated against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. faecalis (for both standard strains and clinical isolates), using agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of planktonic bacteria were determined using the broth microdilution method. MIC of biofilms (MBIC 50) and killing time for 48 hr matured biofilms were determined by MTT (3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine pre‐ and postexposure architecture of biofilms. The mechanism of the antibiofilm activity of curcuminoids‐LDH was determined using UV‐visible spectroscopy. All tested bacteria had given a zone of inhibition in the presence of curcuminoids‐LDH. The MIC values were 0.200 g/ml for P. aeruginosa, 0.025 g/ml for S. aureus, and 0.100 g/ml for E. faecalis. The 48 hr matured biofilms were reduced by curcuminoids‐LDH with an MBIC 50 of 0.100 g/ml. The minimum time to achieve MBIC 50 was 3 hr, and the reduction was constant until 48 hr. SEM images showed a significant reduction of biofilm cell density and exopolymer matrics for all biofilms in the presence of curcuminoids‐LDH. UV‐visible studies revealed the antibiofilm activity of curcuminoids‐LDH as due to the auto‐oxidation of curcuminoids. The oxidation products are more limited in both product concentration per unit time and the variety of products, compared to pure curcuminoids, resulting in sharper UV‐visible peaks than in the case of the latter. Curcuminoids‐LDH has a potential antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. faecalis. An antibiofilm activity has been achieved within 3 hr of the treatment. Curcuminoids released from the LDH showed the antibacterial activity due to oxidation products interfering with bacterial cell functions, and also encapsulation in the LDH causes curcuminoids to exhibit the activity in a persistent manner compared to pure curcuminoids.

peer-reviewed Carbon (C) losses from agricultural soils to surface waters can migrate through water treatment plants and result in the formation of disinfection by-products, which are potentially harmful to human health. This study aimed to quantify total organic carbon (TOC) and total inorganic C losses in runoff after application of dairy slurry, pig slurry, or milk house wash water (MWW) to land and to mitigate these losses through coamendment of the slurries with zeolite (2.36 3.35 mm clinoptilolite) and liquid polyaluminum chloride (PAC) (10% Al2O3) for dairy and pig slurries or liquid aluminum sulfate (alum) (8% Al2O3) for MWW. Four treatments under repeated 30-min simulated rainfall events (9.6 mm h-1) were examined in a laboratory study using grassed soil runoff boxes (0.225 m wide, 1 m long; 10% slope): control soil, unamended slurries, PAC-amended dairy and pig slurries (13.3 and 11.7 kg t-1, respectively), alum-amended MWW (3.2 kg t-1), combined zeolite and PAC-amended dairy (160 and 13.3 kg t-1 zeolite and PAC, respectively) and pig slurries (158 and 11.7 kg t-1 zeolite and PAC, respectively), and combined zeolite and alumamended MWW (72 and 3.2 kg t-1 zeolite and alum, respectively). The unamended and amended slurries were applied at net rates of 31, 34, and 50 t ha-1 for pig and dairy slurries and MWW, respectively. Significant reductions of TOC in runoff compared with unamended slurries were measured for PACamended dairy and pig slurries (52 and 56%, respectively) but not for alum-amended MWW. Dual zeolite and alum-amended MWW significantly reduced TOC in runoff compared with alum amendment only. We conclude that use of PAC-amended dairy and pig slurries and dual zeolite and alum-amended MWW, although effective, may not be economically viable to reduce TOC losses from organic slurries given the relatively low amounts of TOC measured in runoff from unamended slurries compared with the amounts applied. ACCEPTED peer-reviewed

A series of Ni-Cu hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxides have been synthesized and evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts for the dimerization of linear aliphatic alcohols to afford beta-branched Guerbet alcohols. The use of the hydrotalcite-structured catalyst precursor highly favors the catalyst stability. This Cu/Ni catalyst has an enhanced reducibility of Ni2+ species under reaction conditions, favoring the hydrogen transfer and hydrogenation capacity of the catalyst system. Catalytic results are reported for C-8, mixed C-8/C-10, and C-18 alcohol feeds, with full conversions and Guerbet product purities of 72.5-96 %.

Artificial special wetting surfaces have drawn much interest due to their important applications in many fields. Nevertheless, tremendous challenges still remain for the fabrication of wetting surfaces with durable and self-healing properties. Here, recent progress of durable, self-healing wetting surfaces is highlighted by discussing the fabrications of several typical wetting surfaces including superhydrophobic surfaces, superamphiphobic surfaces, underwater superoleophobic surfaces, and high hydrophilic antifouling surfaces based on expertise and related research experience. To conclude, some perspectives on the future research and development of these special wetting surfaces are presented.

Precious metal nanoparticles supported on magnesium-aluminum hydrotalcite (HT), TiO2 , and MgO were prepared by sol immobilization and assessed for the catalytic oxidation of octanol, which is a relatively unreactive aliphatic alcohol, with molecular oxygen as the oxidant under solvent- and base-free conditions. Compared with the TiO2 - and MgO-supported catalysts, platinum HT gave the highest activity and selectivity towards the aldehyde. The turnover number achieved for the platinum HT catalyst was3700 after 180 min under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the results for the oxidation of different substrates indicate that a specific interaction of octanal with the platinum HT catalyst could lead to deactivation of the catalyst.

Summary Background There is a paucity of large-scale studies evaluating the clinical benefit of the Gaviscon Double Action (DA) alginate-antacid formulation for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. Aim Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group study to evaluate efficacy and safety of Gaviscon DA in reducing heartburn, regurgitation and dyspepsia symptoms in individuals with mild-to-moderate GERD in China. Methods Participants with symptomatic GERD (n = 1107) were randomised to receive Gaviscon DA or placebo (two tablets four times daily) for seven consecutive days. The primary endpoint compared the change in Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) score for the GERD (heartburn + regurgitation) dimension between Gaviscon DA and placebo. Secondary endpoints compared the change in RDQ scores for individual heartburn, regurgitation and dyspepsia dimensions, overall treatment evaluation (OTE) scores and incidence of adverse events (AEs). Results Mean RDQ GERD scores: 2.51 for Gaviscon DA and 2.50 for placebo at baseline; 1.25 for Gaviscon DA and 1.46 for placebo post treatment. Gaviscon DA was statistically superior to placebo in reducing GERD and dyspepsia RDQ scores [least-squares mean (LSM) difference: GERD −0.21, P

Transition-metal-containing hydrotalcites (HTc) and V(acac)3 /Cu(NO3 )2 ⋅3 H2 O (acac=acetylacetonate) mixtures were tested for their catalytic activity in the cleavage of the lignin model compound erythro-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-l,3-propanediol (1) with molecular oxygen as oxidant. Both catalytic systems displayed high activity and good selectivity and afforded veratric acid as the main product. The catalyst behavior was studied by EPR spectroscopy, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. After the catalysts were established for the model system, lignin depolymerization studies were performed with various organsolv and kraft lignin sources. The oxidative depolymerization and lignin bond cleavage were monitored by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), MALDI MS, and 2D-NMR (HSQC). Irrespective of the lignin pretreatment, both HTc-Cu-V and V(acac)3 /Cu(NO3 )2 ⋅3 H2 O were able to cleave the β-O-4 linkages and the resinol structures to form dimeric and trimeric products.

Selective oxidation of 1,6-hexanediol into 6-hydroxycaproic acid was achieved over hydrotalcite-supported Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles as heterogeneous catalyst using aqueous H2 O2 . N,N-dimethyldodecylamine N-oxide (DDAO) was used as an efficient capping agent. Spectroscopic analyses by UV/Vis, TEM, XPS, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy suggested that interactions between gold and palladium atoms are responsible for the high activity of the reusable Au40 Pd60 -DDAO/HT catalyst.

Aqueous-phase reforming of ethylene glycol over alumina-supported Pt-based catalysts is reported. Performance of the catalysts is investigated by conducting kinetics and in situ attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-IR spectroscopic analysis. Pt/γ-Al2 O3 is unstable under APR conditions (270 °C, 90 bar) and undergoes phase transformation to boehmite [AlO(OH)]. This conversion of alumina is studied in situ by using ATR-IR spectroscopy; transition into boehmite proceeds even at milder conditions (210 °C, 40 bar). Pt/γ-Al2 O3 deactivates irreversibly because the Pt surface area decreases owing to an increasing metal particle size and coverage with boehmite. However, Pt supported on boehmite itself shows stable activity. Surprisingly, the rate of formation of hydrogen per Pt surface atom is significantly higher on boehmite compared to an alumina-supported catalyst. This observation seems correlated to both increased concentration of surface OH groups as well as to enhanced oxidation of Pt when comparing Pt/γ-Al2 O3 with Pt/AlO(OH).

Clean alcohol-alcohol cross-coupling: A clean and efficient one-pot direct C-C cross-coupling of equimolar amounts of primary and secondary alcohols by a facile hydrogen autotransfer pathway is achieved over a robust and easily recovered hydrotalcite-supported Au-Pd bimetallic catalyst system. A variety of primary and secondary alcohols have been selectively converted into the corresponding β-alkylated ketones in good yields.

Sediment particulates can be ingested by benthic animals, and the bioavailability of associated metals strongly depends on their speciation in the sediments. Different sedimentary components have distinct physiochemical characteristics and result in different biological responses from animals. Therefore, the bioaccumulation of particle-bound trace metals may be different. In the present study, bioaccumulation of cadmium adsorbed on various (hydr)oxide minerals, that is, ferric hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and manganese dioxide, in the clam Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus was studied. The results showed that the accumulation rate of cadmium varied for different mineral-adsorbed cadmium. The bioaccumulation of metal (hydr)oxide-adsorbed cadmium in M. meretrix followed the order Cd-MnO2 > Cd-Al(OH)3 > Cd-Fe(OH)3. The type of mineral determines both the assimilation efficiency and ingestion rate, and consequently controls the bioaccumulation of adsorbed cadmium. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:841–847. © 2013 SETAC

Nano-Fe2O3 (magnetic) and nano-Al2O3 are increasingly used in biomedical fields for cellular labeling and drug delivery, and in the industry as catalysts. However, they may also serve as carriers of toxic contaminants and negatively impact the environment and human health. In the present study, Ceriodaphnia dubia was used to assess the toxicity of these nanoparticles (NPs) with and without the presence of background arsenic(V) (As[V]). The results showed that although these NPs alone did not exhibit significant toxicity in the experimental concentration range, they could significantly enhance the toxicity of As(V). The accumulation of As(V) on nano-Fe2O3 (m) and nano-Al2O3, as well as the uptake of these NPs in C. dubia, were verified. An inverse relationship between the median lethal concentration (LC50) of the soluble As(V) and the accumulation of NPs in C. dubia was developed. Therefore, the uptake of As(V)-loaded NPs in C. dubia played a key role in enhancing As(V) toxicity. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2870–2876. © 2012 SETAC

Background Subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (SCIT) has proven sustained clinical efficacy against allergy. The recommended regimen for SCIT is a gradual updosing over a period of weeks. Commonly, in commercial products for SCIT, the specific allergen is formulated with an adjuvant, most often in the form of aluminium hydroxide (AlOH). It has been shown that allergen-specific IgG antibodies are induced as a result of successful SIT. Objective To investigate the possibility of optimizing the formulation of AlOH-based grass-pollen allergy vaccines for SCIT in a way that allows for shorter updosing regimens while maintaining the immunogenicity of the vaccine. Methods Mice were immunized with various concentrations of Phleum pratense (Phl p) allergen extract and AlOH or a fixed dilution of the maintenance doses of one conventional and one alternatively formulated vaccine. The kinetics of Phl p-specific IgG antibody responses in serum and spleen T cell responses were determined. Allergenicity, measured as the ability of the formulations to activate human basophils, was also determined. In addition, human T cell responses and the expression of dendritic cell surface markers after vaccine challenge in vitro were analysed. Results Specific IgG antibody responses were shown to depend on the AlOH concentration, but not on the allergen concentrations. The immunogenicity of the conventional formulation and the alternative formulation was shown to be similar with regard to the in vivo-induced IgG and T cell responses. In contrast, the allergenicity of the alternative formulation was significantly reduced compared with the conventional formulation. Conclusion The optimization of the formulation allows for administration of a lower dose of allergen while maintaining the immunogenicity of the product and at the same time reducing allergenicity. Clinical Relevance This study indicates that the optimization of the allergen and the adjuvant formulation could benefit the safety/efficacy profile and allow for shorter updosing.

International audience; Scope: Wheat gluten proteins such as gliadins constitute major food allergens. Gluten can be modified industrially by deamidation which increases its solubility and enhances its use as a food ingredient. Sensitization to deamidated gluten has been reported to cause severe allergic reactions with anaphylaxis. The aim of this study was therefore to compare the sensitization and elicitation potentials of native (NG) and deamidated (DG) gliadins. The reactivity pattern of mice IgE was also compared with that of DG-allergic patients. Methods and results: The ability of DG to sensitize Balb/c mice using intra-peritoneal administration with aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant, and to elicit an allergic response after a challenge, was tested in comparison with NG. Mice sensitized with DG secreted higher levels of total IgE, IL-4, gliadin-specific IgE and IgG1 than mice sensitized with NG. By contrast, mice sensitized with NG produced higher levels of gliadin-specific IgG2a and INF gamma. After a challenge, histamine levels were higher in mice sensitised with DG. Conclusions: DG can sensitize mice much more efficiently than NG. Moreover, this mouse model of allergy to DG revealed an IgE reactivity pattern against purified gliadins which was very similar to that of DG-allergic patients.

Elastomeric composites are prepared based on solution styrene butadiene elastomer and zinc-aluminium layered double hydroxides (LDH), using a conventional sulphur cure system. Up to 100 parts per hundred rubber of LDH are incorporated into the elastomer matrix. The composites exhibit an interesting phenomenon of thermoreversible transparency, i.e. the transparent sample becomes opaque at warm condition and restores the transparency at room temperature. The transparency is found to be increased as the amount of LDH was increased. The addition of LDH gradually improved the mechanical, dynamic mechanical performance and thermal stability of the base elastomer. These developped elastomers could be utilised as smart materials in different applications.

We present the design and synthesis of Ca-rich Ca-Al-O oxides, with Ca(2+)/Al(3+) ratios of 1:1, 3:1, 5:1, and 7:1, which were prepared by hydrothermal decomposition of coprecipitated hydrotalcite-like Ca-Al-CO(3) precursors, for high-temperature CO(2) adsorption at 500-700 °C. In situ X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the coprecipitated, Ca-rich, hydrotalcite-like powders with Ca(2+)/Al(3+) ratios of 5:1 and 7:1 contained Ca(OH)(2) and layered double hydroxide (LDH) phases. Upon annealing, LDH was first destroyed at approximately 200 °C to form an amorphous matrix, and then at 450-550 °C, the Ca(OH)(2) phase was converted into a CaO matrix with incorporated Al(3+) to form a homogeneous solid solution without a disrupted lattice structure. CaO nanocrystals were grown by thermal treatment of the weakly crystalline Ca-Al-O oxide matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that a CO(2) adsorption capacity of approximately 51 wt. % can be obtained from Ca-rich Ca-Al-O oxides prepared by calcination of 7:1 Ca-Al-CO(3) LDH phases at 600-700 °C. Furthermore, a relatively high CO(2) capture capability can be achieved, even with gas flows containing very low CO(2) concentrations (CO(2)/N(2) = 10 %). Approximately 95.6 % of the initial CO(2) adsorption capacity of the adsorbent is retained after 30 cycles of carbonation-calcination. TEM analysis indicates that carbonation-promoted CaCO(3) formation in the Ca-Al-O oxide matrix at 600 °C, but a subsequent desorption in N(2) at 700 °C, caused the formation CaO nanocrystals of approximately 10 nm. The CaO nanocrystals are widely distributed in the weakly crystalline Ca-Al-O oxide matrix and are present during the carbonation-calcination cycles. This demonstrates that Ca-Al-O sorbents that developed through the synthesis and calcination of Ca-rich Ca-Al LDH phases are suitable for long-term cyclic operation in severe temperature environments.

The use of recombinant proteins has increased greatly in recent years, as also have increased the number of techniques and materials used for their production and purification. Among the different types of bioreactors being studied, there is a general consensus among scientists that production in green plant tissues such as leaves is more feasible. However, the presence of chlorophyll and phenolic compounds in plant extracts, which can precipitate and denature the proteins besides damaging separation membranes and gels, makes this technology impracticable on a commercial scale. In the present work, the adsorption to electrochemically produced aluminum hydroxide gel was applied as a prepurification step for recombinant synthetic green fluorescent protein (sGFP), also referred to as enhanced green fluorescent protein, produced in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Removal efficiencies of 99.7% of chlorophyll, 88.5% of phenolic compounds, and 38.5% of native proteins from the N. benthamiana extracts were achieved without removing sGFP from the extracts. As electrochemical preparation of aluminum hydroxide gel is a cost-effective technique, its use can substantially contribute to the development of future production platforms for recombinant proteins produced in green plant tissues of pharmaceutical and industrial interest. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog.,, 2011

Gold on hydrotalcite nanoparticles with a diameter

A hydrotalcite-supported platinum (Pt/HT) catalyst was found to be a highly active and selective heterogeneous catalyst for glycerol oxidation in pure water under atmospheric oxygen pressure in a high glycerol/metal molar ratio up to 3125. High selectivity toward glyceric acid (78 %) was obtained even at room temperature under air atmosphere. The Pt/HT catalyst selectively oxidized the primary hydroxyl group of 1,2-propandiol to give the corresponding carboxylic acid (lactic acid) as well as glycerol. The activity of the catalyst was greatly influenced by the Mg/Al ratio of hydrotalcite. Glycerol conversion increased with increasing the Mg/Al ratio of hydrotalcite (from trace to 56 %). X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements indicated that the catalytic oxidation activity was proportional to the metallic platinum concentration, and more than 35 % of metallic platinum was necessary for this reaction. TEM measurements and titration analysis by using benzoic acid suggested that the solid basicity of hydrotalcite plays important roles in the precise control of platinum size and metal concentration as well as the initial promotion of alcohol oxidation.

Gastric fluid pH was measured in five adult horses following nasogastric administration of famotidine, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg bodyweight (bwt); ranitidine, 4.4 and 6.6 mg/kg bwt and an antacid containing magnesium hydroxide (40 mg/ml) and aluminium hydroxide (45 mg/ml), 120 and 180 ml. Fluid was aspirated through a 16 French nasogastric feeding tube at 15 min intervals, and pH was measured using a pH meter. Basal gastric fluid pH was measured at 20 min intervals for 6 h in each horse and, with the exception of two measurements of 4.66 and 4.17, ranged from 1.42 to 2.41, with a mean pH of 1.88 +/- 0.18. The response to both ranitidine and famotidine was variable between horses and between dosages. The mean gastric fluid pH values following administration of a single dose of famotidine or ranitidine were famotidine, 0.5 mg/kg bwt, 3.63 +/- 1.72; famotidine, 1.0 mg/kg bwt, 3.41 +/- 1.40; famotidine, 2.0 mg/kg bwt, 4.18 +/- 2.06; ranitidine, 4.4 mg/kg bwt, 4.07 +/- 1.25; ranitidine 6.6 mg/kg bwt, 5.34 +/- 1.12. Differences in mean gastric fluid pH between famotidine dose levels and between ranitidine dose levels were not significant (P > 0.10). Gastric fluid pH increased to greater than 6 in three horses receiving 0.5 mg/kg bwt, five horses receiving 1.0 mg/kg bwt and three horses receiving 2.0 mg/kg bwt famotidine. Gastric fluid pH increased to greater than 6 in each of the five horses receiving 6.6 mg/kg bwt ranitidine and in four of five horses receiving 4.4 mg/kg bwt ranitidine. During the 6 h post administration, ranitidine tended to increase gastric fluid pH greater than 6 longer (166 +/- 106 mins) than famotidine (98 +/- 110 mins) and this difference was nearly significant (P = 0.054). The response to antacid was variable and consistently short-lived. The mean gastric fluid pH values for 6 h after administration of 120 ml or 180 ml were 2.42 +/- 0.71 and 2.44 +/- 0.47, respectively. Gastric fluid pH increased to greater than 6 in only two horses, for 15 and 30 mins, respectively. The increase in gastric fluid pH was significantly greater for ranitidine (P < 0.001) and famotidine (P < 0.02) than for antacid. The duration of the effect was significantly longer for ranitidine doses (P < 0.001) and nearly so for famotidine doses (P < 0.055) than for antacid.

Summary To study the immunity afforded to cattle by a vaccine prepared with the Pasteur rabies virus strain grown in BHK cells and inactivated with binary-ethylenimine, two groups of cattle were inoculated subcutaneously with 5 ml of the vaccine, either supplemented with aluminum hydroxide (Al[OH]3) or without that adjuvant. The vaccine without Al(OH)3 elicited a quicker but less lasting response than did the vaccine supplemented with the adjuvant. The vaccine without adjuvant protected 67% of the animals one year after vaccination against a challenge that killed only 50% of the controls. The vaccine with Al(OH)3 protected all the animals one and two years after vaccination, and 92% after three years. Both vaccines fulfilled the minimal potency requirement by the NIH test after storage for 2 years at 4°C. The vaccine with Al(OH)3 met that requirement after 18-months storage at 22–25°C and for six months when kept at 37°C. The results confirm that a technology similar to that already available in the developing countries for the production of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine could be used to prepare a rabies vaccine for animals that is inexpensive, stable and efficient. Zusammenfassung Dauer der Immunitat nach Impfung von Rindern mit einer durch binares Athylenamin inaktivierten Tollwutvakzine Zur Untersuchung der Immunitat von Rindern nach Applikation einer Vakzine, die den in „BHK-Zellen” gezuchteten und mit binarem Athylenamin inaktivierten Tollwutvi-russtamm Pasteur enthielt, wurden zwei Gruppen von Tieren subkutan mit 5 ml-Dosen geimpft. Der Impfstoff einer Gruppe enthielt Aluminiumhydroxyd (Al[OH]3) als Adjuvans, der der zweiten Grupe wurde ohne Zusatze appliziert. Die Vakzine ohne Al(OH)3-Zusatz induzierte eine schnellere aber weniger lang andauernde Immunantwort verglichen mit der Adjuvans-Vakzine. Die Vakzine ohne Adjuvans schutzte 67% der Tiere ein Jahr nach der Impfung vor einer Testinfektion, bei der nur 50% der Kontrolltiere starben. Die mit Al(OH)3 versetzte Vakzine schutzte alle Tiere fur ein und zwei Jahre nach der Impfung und noch 92% fur 3 Jahre. Beide Vakzinen erfullten die Minimalanforderungen an Wirksamkeit nach dem NIH-Test nach 2 Jahren Lagerung bei 4°C. Die mit Al(OH)3 versetzte Vakzine erfullte diese Anforderungen auch nach 18 monatiger Lagerung bei 22–25 °C und nach 6 monatiger Lagerung bei 37°C. Die Ergebnisse bestatigen, das Technologien ahnlich denen, die fur die Produktion von Maul- und Klauenseuchevakzine in Entwicklungslandern schon vorhanden sind, fur die Herstellung einer Tollwutvakzine verwendet werden konnen, die billig, stabil und wirksam ist. Resume Duree de l'immunite apres une vaccination de bovins avec un vaccin antirabique inactive par une ethylamine binaire Deux groupes d'animaux ont ete vaccinees par voie sous-cutanee avec des doses de 5 ml pour rechercher l'immunite des bovins apres l'application d'un vaccin qui contenait la souche Pasteur du virus rabique cultive sur cellules BHK et inactive avec une ethylamine binaire. Le vaccin d'un groupe contenait de l'hydroxyde d'aluminium (Al[OH]3) comme adjuvant et le vaccin de l'autre groupe ne contenait aucun additif. Le vaccin avec adjuvant a induit une reponse immunitaire plus rapide mais moins durable que celui avec Al(OH)3. Le vaccin sans adjuvant protegea 67% des animaux une annee apres la vaccination avant une infection experimentale durant laquelle seulement 50% des animaux de controle perirent. Le vaccin avec Al(OH)3, protegea tous les animaux pour un ou deux ans apres la vaccination et le 92% pour trois ans. Les deux vaccins ont rempli les exigences minimales d'efficacite a la suite du test-NIH apres deux ans d'entreposage a 4°C. Le vaccin additionne d'Al(OH)3 a rempli ces exigences egalement apres 18 mois d'entreposage a 22–25°C et apres 6 mois d'entreposage a 37°C. Les resultats confirment que les techznologies deja en place dans les pays en voie de developpement pour la production du vaccin de la fievre aphteuse peuvent etre utilises pour la fabrication d'un vaccin antirabique bon marche, stable et efficace. Resumen Duracion de la inmunidad conferida a bovinos por una vacuna antirrabica inactivada con etilenimina binaria Para estudiar la inmunidad conferida a bovinos por una vacuna preparada con la cepa Pasteur, propagada en celulas BHK e inactivada con etilenimina binaria, se los inoculo por via subcutanea con 5 ml de esa vacuna suplementada o no con hidroxido de aluminio (Al[OH]3). La vacuna sin Al(OH)3 produjo una respuesta serologica mas rapida pero menos duradera que la que tenia ese adyuvante. La vacuna sin adyuvante protegio el 67% de los animales al ano de vacunados contra un desafio que solo mato al 50% de los testigos. La vacuna con Al(OH)3 protegio a todos los animales uno y dos anos despues de vacunados, y al 92% hasta transcurridos tres anos. Ambas vacunas cumplieron con el requisito minimo de potencia por el metodo de NIH hasta dos anos despues de haber sido mantenidas a 4°C. La vacuna con Al(OH)3 lo cumplio hasta transcurridos 18 meses de conservacion a 22–25°C y hasta 6 meses a 37°C. Estos resultados confirmarian que una tecnologia similar a la que ya disponen los paises en desarrollo para producir vacuna antiaftosa puede servir para producir una vacuna antirrabica para animales que es economica, estable y eficiente.

Vaccine adjuvants activate the innate immune system and thus influence subsequent adaptive T-cell responses. However, little is known about the initial immune mechanisms preceding the adjuvant-induced differentiation of T-helper (Th) cells. The effect of a T-helper 1 (Th1) adjuvant, dimethyldioctadecylammonium liposomes with monophosphoryl lipid-A (DDA/MPL), and a T-helper 2 adjuvant, aluminium hydroxide [Al(OH)(3)], on early, innate chemotactic signals and inflammatory cell influx at the site of injection was therefore investigated. Injection of the adjuvants into the peritoneal cavity of mice demonstrated distinct differences in the magnitude, quality and kinetics of the response. The inflammatory response to DDA/MPL was prominent, inducing high local levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and a pronounced inflammatory exudate consisting of neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages and activated natural killer cells. This was in contrast to the response induced by Al(OH)(3), which, although sharing some of the early chemokine signals, was more moderate and consisted almost exclusively of neutrophils and eosinophils. Notably, Al(OH)(3) specifically induced the release of a significant amount of interleukin (IL)-5, whereas DDA/MPL induced high amounts of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1alpha and IL-6. Finally, a microarray analysis confirmed that the effect of DDA/MPL was broader with more than five times as many genes being specifically up-regulated after injection of DDA/MPL compared with Al(OH)(3). Thus, the adjuvants induced qualitatively distinct local inflammatory signals early after injection.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of women are being vaccinated during child-bearing years, including vaccination with BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, or AVA). As only a limited number of studies exist in humans that have examined the effects of AVA on reproductive health, this study was conducted in order to evaluate the impact AVA vaccination may have on pregnant female rabbits and their offspring. METHODS: Two hundred female rabbits were vaccinated with saline, adjuvant, or AVA twice prior to mating and on one of two occasions during gestation, in order to have exposure to the antigen during organogenesis. Blood samples were collected from does and fetuses/kits to assess the development and in utero transfer of antibodies to Bacillus anthracisprotective antigen (anti-PA IgG). Half of the does underwent Caesarean-sectioning on gestation day 29 and a gross necropsy was performed on both the does and their fetuses. The other half were allowed to naturally deliver and gross necropsy of the does and their kits was performed on lactation day 29. RESULTS: ELISA results showed that anti-PA IgG was generated by the does and passed to the fetuses/kits at detectable levels. CONCLUSIONS: AVA directly, or indirectly through the production of anti-PA IgG, did not appear to have an adverse effect on the pregnant females or their offspring, as measured by mating and fertility indices, natural delivery observations, clinical signs, gross lesions, in utero growth and survival, morphological development, or kit viability. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 86:370–376, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Albuminglutamate (Alb. glut.), the salt of albumin and L-glutamic acid, is formed as a crystalline precipitate when a solution of albumin in half-saturated ammonium sulphate solution is acidified with L-glutamic acid lower than the isoelectrical point of albumin, pH 4.7. By acidification down to pH 4.1, the crystallization of albumin as Alb. glut. is quantitative.

Introduction The most widely used protocol for the induction of experimental allergic airway inflammation in mice involves sensitization by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of the antigen ovalbumin (OVA) used in conjunction with the adjuvant aluminium hydroxide (alum). Although adjuvants are frequently used, there are questions regarding the necessity of alum for murine asthma studies due to the non-physiological nature of this chemical. Objective The objective of this study was to compare experimental asthma phenotypes between adjuvant and adjuvant-free protocols of murine allergic airway inflammation in an attempt to develop a standardized alternative to adjuvant use. Method An adjuvant-free OVA model of experimental asthma was investigated in BALB/c mice using i.p. or subcutaneous (s.c.) sensitization routes. For the s.c. sensitization, β-galactosidase (β-gal) was also tested as an antigen. In addition, OVA adjuvant and adjuvant-free sensitization protocols were compared in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Open-field testing was performed to assess the effect of alum on mouse behaviour. Results Comparison of adjuvant vs. adjuvant-free and i.p. vs. s.c. protocols revealed that both adjuvant use and route of antigen application significantly influenced OVA-specific antibody production. Comparison of adjuvant and adjuvant-free protocols in this study clearly demonstrated the non-requirement of alum for the induction of acute allergic airway inflammation, as both protocols induce a similar disease phenotype. BALB/c mice were significantly more susceptible than C57BL/6 mice to sensitization. Using the improved s.c. adjuvant-free protocol, it was demonstrated that alternative antigens such as β-gal can also be utilized. Behavioural studies indicated severe distress in mice treated with alum. Conclusion The OVA s.c. adjuvant-free protocol used in this study generates a phenotype comparable to the benchmark adjuvant protocol widely used in the literature. The adjuvant-free alternative avoids the added complication of non-physiological adjuvants that may interfere with asthma treatment or prevention strategies.

Background In recent years, several avian influenza subtypes (H5, H7 and H9) have transmitted directly from birds to man, posing a pandemic threat. Objectives We have investigated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a cell based candidate pandemic influenza H7 vaccine in pre-clinical animal models. Methods Mice and ferrets were immunised with two doses of the split virus vaccine (12–24 μg haemagglutinin) with or without aluminium hydroxide adjuvant and challenged 3 weeks after second dose with the highly pathogenic A/chicken/Italy/13474/99 (H7N1) virus. The H7N1-specific serum antibody response was also measured. After challenge, viral shedding, weight loss, disease signs and death (only mice) were recorded. Results Low-to-modest serum antibody titres were detected after vaccination. Nevertheless, the vaccine induced significant protection from disease after challenge with the wild-type virus. In the murine lethal challenge model, vaccination effectively prevented death and, furthermore, formulation with adjuvant reduced excessive weight loss and viral shedding. In ferrets, vaccination reduced viral shedding and protected against systemic spread of the virus. Conclusions We have extended to the H7 subtype the finding that protective efficacy may not be directly correlated with the pre-challenge levels of serum antibodies, a finding which could be of great importance in assessing the potential effectiveness of pandemic influenza vaccines.

Exploiting effective sorbents for antibiotic adsorption is highly desirable for the elimination of ecological risks from antibiotic contamination. In this study, MgAl-CO(3)(2-) hydrotalcites with different Mg/Al molar ratios were prepared and tetracycline (TC) adsorption to the hydrotalcites and calcined hydrotalcites was investigated by batch experiments. Calcined hydrotalcites had higher adsorption capacities compared to MgAl-CO(3)(2-) hydrotalcites. At low TC equilibrium concentrations, calcined hydrotalcites with differing Mg/Al ratios showed approximately identical TC uptakes. However, at high tetracycline concentration, greater TC adsorption capacity was observed for calcined hydrotalcite having a high Mg/Al ratio (i.e., 4.4). X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization showed the presence of Mg-Al oxide solid solution in TC -loaded calcined hydrotalcite, suggesting that suspension of the calcined product in water and adsorption of TC had led to only partial reconstruction of the layered structure. We hypothesize that TC was adsorbed on the MgO surface at high equilibrium concentrations. The behavior of TC adsorption on the calcined hydrotalcite was well described by a dual adsorption model. Kinetic analysis suggested that at low adsorption levels, TC adsorption by calcined hydrotalcite could be modeled by both a pseudo second-order kinetics model and a nucleation-growth model. The present work demonstrates that calcined hydrotalcites may be promising adsorbents for effective removal of TC from water resources.

Becker U, Lindorff K, Andersen C, Ranlov PJ (Department of Internal Medicine B, Central Hospital, Hillerod, Denmark). Antacid treatment of duodenal ulcer. Acta Med Scand 1987; 221:95–101. Sixty-seven consecutive outpatients with endoscopically verified duodenal ulcer were randomised to a double-blind treatment with either 10 ml of an antacid suspension (buffering capacity 85 mmol/10 ml, packed in single dosage pads) 1 and 3 h after each meal and at bedtime or cimetidine 400 mg b.i.d. The double-dummy technique was employed. Endoscopy was performed after 4 weeks treatment and, if the ulcer had not healed, after 8 weeks treatment. When ulcer healing had occurred, the patient entered a 1 year follow-up study. The cumulative healing rates after 4 and 8 weeks treatment were 83 and 97% vs. 69 and 94% in the antacid and cimetidine groups respectively. No significant differences were observed between the treatment groups regarding ulcer healing, symptom relief or compliance. Adverse reactions were few and only 3 (9%) patients in the antacid group had to discontinue the treatment due to diarrhoea. Of the cimetidine treated patients, 61% had symptomatic relapse during the 1 year follow-up compared to 71% of the antacid treated patients. There were no significant differences in recurrence rate or time to relapse. The moderate dose antacid treatment used here is efficient, well tolerated, safe, convenient and is a good alternative treatment of the duodenal ulcer patient.

Top Cat! Cu(II)-hydrotalcite (HT) is used as a catalyst for the regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles by [3+2] cycloaddition of various azides and alkynes. The catalyst enjoys advantages such as faster reactivity, good stability, reusability, high catalytic activity without any additives at room temperature, and does not require a nitrogen atmosphere for this "click-chemistry" transformation.

Hyperphosphataemia is an inevitable consequence of end stage chronic kidney disease and is present in the majority of dialysis patients. Hyperphosphataemia is statistically associated with increased cardiovascular mortality among dialysis patients. Dietary restriction of phosphate and current dialysis modalities are not sufficiently effective to maintain serum phosphate levels within the recommended range so that the majority of dialysis patients require oral phosphate binders. However, benefits of achieving the recommended range have yet to be demonstrated prospectively. Unfortunately, conventional phosphate binders are not reliably effective and are associated with a range of limitations and side effects. Aluminium containing agents are highly efficient but no longer widely used because of well-established and proven toxicity. Calcium-based salts are inexpensive, effective and most widely used but there is now concern about their association with hypercalcaemia and vascular calcification. Sevelamer hydrochloride and lanthanum carbonate are non-aluminium, calcium-free phosphate binders. They are effective and reasonably well tolerated, but still do not control phosphate levels in all patients. Patient education programmes have been shown to be a useful and effective method of improving achievement of serum phosphate targets.