A synthetic conjugate polysaccharide vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b

Glycoconjugate vaccines provide effective prophylaxis against bacterial infections. To date, however, no commercial vaccine has been available in which the key carbohydrate antigens are produced synthetically. We describe the large-scale synthesis, pharmaceutical development, and clinical evaluation of a conjugate vaccine composed of a synthetic capsular polysaccharide antigen of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The vaccine was evaluated in clinical trials in Cuba and showed long-term protective antibody titers that compared favorably to licensed products prepared with the Hib polysaccharide extracted from bacteria. This demonstrates that access to synthetic complex carbohydrate-based vaccines is feasible and provides a basis for further development of similar approaches for other human pathogens.     

Operational Optimisation of Pilot Scale Biological Nutrient Removal at the Ciudad Real (Spain) Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant

The aim of this work is optimising operating conditions for a possibleimplementation of a Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) process in the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of Ciudad Real (Spain). Several factors (hydraulic retention times, anaerobic nitrate concentration, sludge age and wastewater biodegradability) were tested using a pilot scale VIP (Virginia Initiative Plant) activated sludge process and domestic wastewater from the full scale plant. Hydraulic retention times used did not cause changes in N and P removal. P removal was adversely affected by anaerobic NO₃ ^- and improved with higher BOD₅/COD ratios in wastewater. Influence of sludge age was very low in P removal, but N removal was mainly affected by this factor. Final operating conditions were selected taking into account their effects over one of both nutrients. COD and SS removal were always successful. N removal was also easily reached and the main difficulty was P removal. P sludge content was very low (2.5–4%) approximately and was also affected by the same factors tested. The main factor to improve P removal was supposed to be the organic wastewater composition. Wastewater characteristics were modified by using different sources from the WWTP. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) addition to the wastewater by using supernatant of the anaerobic sludge digesters seemed to be the best practical solution for a future BNR implementation in the WWTP.     

Composition of the water-soluble fraction of different cheeses

Volatile and nonvolatile compounds present in the water-soluble fraction (WSF) and water-soluble fraction with molecular weight lower than 1000 Da (WSF < 1000 Da) of six Spanish cheeses, Cabrales, Idiazábal, Mahón, Manchego, Roncal, and a goat's milk cheese, were analyzed. Different nitrogen fractions (determined by Kjeldahl method), caseins (by capillary electrophoresis), peptides and amino acids (by HPLC), and volatile components (by dynamic headspace coupled to GC-MS) as well as mineral content in the cheese fractions were analyzed and compared. The different nitrogen and volatile compounds identified in the WSF were characteristic of each cheese variety. Cabrales cheese displayed the highest content of free amino acids and the highest quantity and variety of volatile compounds. The WSF < 1000 Da fraction was less representative, especially for volatile compounds, as some of the components were lost in the ultrafiltration. Alcohols were better recovered than ketones and esters.     

Disposition of doramectin milk residues in lactating dairy sheep

Doramectin (DRM) is a broad spectrum macrocyclic lactone antiparasitic drug not approved for use in dairy animals. However, DRM and other endectocide compounds are widely used extra-label to control endo- and ectoparasites in dairy sheep. The plasma disposition kinetics and the pattern of DRM excretion in milk were characterized following its subcutaneous administration to lactating dairy sheep. DRM concentration profiles were measured in plasma and milk samples after validation of a specific HPLC-based methodology. DRM was detected between 1 h and 30 days post-treatment. DRM concentrations of 0.48 ng.mL(-1) (plasma) and 1.03 ng.mL(-1) (milk) were measured at 30 days post-treatment. DRM was extensively distributed from the bloodstream to the mammary gland, and large concentrations were excreted in milk. The peak concentrations and total amount of DRM recovered in milk (expressed as area under the concentration versus time curve) were 3-fold higher than those measured in plasma; 2.44% of the total DRM dose was excreted in milk. The long persistence of DRM milk residues should be seriously considered before its extra-label use in dairy animals is recommended.     

Assessment on Proximate Composition,Dietary Fiber,Phytic Acid and Protein Hydrolysis of Germinated Ecuatorian Brown Rice

Germinated brown rice (GBR) is considered healthier than brown rice (BR) but its nutritive value has been hardly studied. Since nutritive quality of GBR depends on genetic diversity and germination conditions, six Ecuadorian BR varieties were germinated at 28 and 34?ºC for 48 and 96 h in darkness and proximate composition, dietary fiber fractions, phytic acid content as well as degree of protein hydrolysis and peptide content were studied. Protein, lipids, ash and available carbohydrate ranged 7.3–10.4 %, 2.0–4.0 %, 0.8–1.5 % and 71.6 to 84.0 %, respectively, in GBR seedlings. Total dietary fiber increased during germination (6.1–13.6 %), with a large proportion of insoluble fraction, while phytic acid was reduced noticeably. In general, protein hydrolysis occurred during germination was more accused at 28?ºC for 48 h. These results suggest that GBR can be consumed directly as nutritive staple food for a large population worldwide contributing to their nutritional requirements.     

The Relationship of Laboratory Diagnosis to Treatment of Canine Otitis Externa*

Abstract— —A report of the findings of microbiological examination and antibiotic tests performed on otitis externa exudates from 15 Portuguese dogs. Résumé— —L'examen microbiologique de 15 exsudats d'otites externes de chiens portugais a permis isoler 11 fois des levures appartemant à l'espèce Pityrosporum canis, 6 fois en culture pure et 4 fois associées avec bactéries. Dans les autres 4 exsudats, on n'a trouvé que des bactéries des genres Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium and Pseudomonas, la plus importante et la seule isolée en culture pure (2 fois) étant Staphylococcus aureus. Les levures et une grande partie des bactéries isolées étant résistantes aux antibiotiques usuels, les praticiens doivent se contenter d'un traitement antisseptique local avant de connaître les résultats de l'examen microbiologique et de l'antibiogramme. Zusammenfassung— —Ein Bericht über die Befunde der mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen und Antibiotica-Tests, die an Otitis-externa-Exsudaten von 15 portugiesischen Hunden vorgenommen wurden.     

Carbohydrate differences in strawberry crowns and fruit (Fragaria x ananassa) during plant development

Carbohydrates accumulation and mobilization are highly relevant in plants because they have been related to yield and quality. Therefore, the aims of this work were to determine soluble carbohydrates and starch in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Camarosa) crown sections (basal, middle, and upper) at three different plant growth stages (vegetative, blooming, and fruiting), and in fruit varieties (cv. Camarosa, Seascape, and Oso Grande) grown on the same field and in a different geoclimate. The main soluble carbohydrates found were glucose, sucrose, and fructose. Concentration differences were found among crown sections and time. The lowest levels of glucose, fructose, and sucrose were present at the beginning of fruit formation (6.2, 1.8 mg/g, and trace, respectively). Starch increased in basal and middle sections at the same time (8.6 to 109.6 and 6.6 to 93.5 mg/g, respectively). There appears to be a relationship between crown and fruit soluble carbohydrates. The most abundant fruit monosaccharides in all varieties were glucose (160-190 mg/g), fructose (90-180 mg/g), and sucrose (30-120 mg/g), followed by myo-inositol (10-23 mg/g). Strawberry crowns are an important source of carbohydrates and they might play a role during plant development specifically related to fruit sweetness. Fruit quality is highly influenced by a combination of several factors such as genotype, geoclimate, and probably carbon partitioning.     

Effect of Glomus mosseae and Entrophospora colombiana on plant growth,production, and fruit quality of ‘Maradol’ papaya (Carica papaya L.)

The effect of inoculating ‘Maradol’ papaya plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae (GM) and Entrophospora colombiana (EC) was assessed. The results showed that both mycorrhizae species increased the number of fruits and yield in papaya plants by 41.9 and 105.2% for GM and 22.1 and 44.1% for EC, respectively, with respect to control plants. GM significantly increased plant height. Sugar content, firmness, color (°Hue), and ripening process of mycorrhized plant fruits were similar to those of the control. Weight loss of mycorrhized plant fruits was considerably less than that of the control. Inoculation of papaya with AMF is recommended, particularly with GM since it increases yield, and fruit weight (45.1%), furthermore, it reduced fruit weight loss during ripening.     

Synthesis of allylic trifluoromethyl ketones and their activity as inhibitors of the sex pheromone of the leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

BACKGROUND: Trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs), structurally related to the pheromones, are good inhibitors of pheromone communication in insects. To determine their activity on Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), a polyphagous pest, the authors have prepared two diunsaturated TFMK analogues of the major (3) and the minor (4) pheromone components, and two monounsaturated ones (5, 6). Their biological activity in electroantennogram (EAG), wind tunnel and field tests is presented. RESULTS: The synthetic strategy to obtain the allylic TFMKs 3 and 5 is based on the reactions of diene 10 and 1‐octadecene with trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal, followed by Dess–Martin oxidation of the resulting homoallylic trifluoromethyl alcohols. In EAG, topical application of analogues 3 and 4 on male antennae significantly reduced the pheromone response. In the wind tunnel, compound 4 reduced the number of contacts with the pheromone source. In the field, traps baited with mixtures of pheromone and inhibitors captured significantly fewer males than the pheromone alone. CONCLUSION: An efficient synthesis of allylic TFMKs is reported, with good overall yield, regiospecificity and diastereoselectivity. These compounds are good inhibitors of the pheromone in electrophysiology, wind tunnel and field tests. The results show the importance of two unsaturations at positions 2 and 13 of the trifluoroacyl group in the structure of the analogues, the latter being critical for inhibitory activity. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

EFFECTS OF CALCIUM ON LIGNIFICATION RELATED PARAMETERS IN SODIUM CHLORIDE-STRESSED SOYBEAN ROOTS

The effects of exogenous calcium (Ca²⁺) on root growth and lignification-related parameters – phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidases (POD) activities, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lignin contents – in roots of NaCl-stressed soybean seedlings were analyzed. Three-day-old seedlings were cultivated in half-strength Hoagland's solution (pH 6.0) with or without 5 mM calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂] and 50 to 200 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) in a growth chamber (25°C, 12/12 h light/dark photoperiod, irradiance of 280 μmol m^?2 s^?1) for 24 h. In general, results showed that the absence of Ca²⁺ reduced root growth and increased lignification of soybean seedlings grown in NaCl-free nutrient solution. NaCl reduced the root growth and all lignification-related parameters. Root growth, PAL and POD activities and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents were more affected after NaCl treatments without Ca²⁺ in the nutrient solution. At 5 mM, Ca²⁺ did not alleviate the deleterious effects of NaCl on lignification-related parameters.