470 research outputs found
Immunogenicity of a bivalent adjuvanted glycoconjugate vaccine against Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis
No full textSalmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis are the predominant causes of invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease. Considering the co-endemicity of S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis, a bivalent vaccine formulation against both pathogens is necessary for protection against iNTS disease, thus investigation of glycoconjugate combination is required. In the present work, we investigated the immune responses induced by S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis monovalent and bivalent glycoconjugate vaccines adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide (alum) only or in combination with cytosine-phosphorothioate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG). Humoral and cellular, systemic and local, immune responses were characterized in two different mouse strains. All conjugate vaccines elicited high levels of serum IgG against the respective O-antigens (OAg) with bactericidal activity. The bivalent conjugate vaccine induced systemic production of antibodies against both S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis OAg. The presence of alum or alum + CpG adjuvants in vaccine formulations significantly increased the serum antigen-specific antibody production. The alum + CpG bivalent vaccine formulation triggered the highest systemic anti-OAg antibodies and also a significant increase of anti-OAg IgG in intestinal washes and fecal samples, with a positive correlation with serum levels. These data demonstrate the ability of monovalent and bivalent conjugate vaccines against S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis to induce systemic and local immune responses in different mouse strains, and highlight the suitability of a bivalent glycoconjugate formulation, especially when adjuvanted with alum + CpG, as a promising candidate vaccine against iNTS disease. © 2017 Fiorino, Rondini, Micoli, Lanzilao, Alfini, Mancini, MacLennan and Medaglini
Exploring the variables influencing the immune response of traditional and innovative glycoconjugate vaccines
No full textVaccines are cost-effective tools for reducing morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases. The rapid evolution of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, the introduction of tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines, mass vaccination campaigns in Africa with a meningococcal A conjugate vaccine, and the recent licensure and introduction of glycoconjugates against S. Typhi underlie the continued importance of research on glycoconjugate vaccines. More innovative ways to produce carbohydrate-based vaccines have been developed over the years, including bioconjugation, Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV) and the Multiple antigen-presenting system (MAPS). Several variables in the design of these vaccines can affect the induced immune responses. We review immunogenicity studies comparing conjugate vaccines that differ in design variables, such as saccharide chain length and conjugation chemistry, as well as carrier protein and saccharide to protein ratio. We evaluate how a better understanding of the effects of these different parameters is key to designing improved glycoconjugate vaccines
Is the First Cut Always the Deepest?
No full textA wonderful song by the great British singer Cat Stevens suggests that when you face the problems of life and love “the first cut is the deepest,” but this is probably not always the same, particularly in cardiovascular medicine. Arterial hypertension is probably the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Its prevalence is still progressively increasing particularly in the low-income countries where almost two-third of the hypertensive population is currently living
Biohydrogen production by dark fermentation of Arundo donax for feeding fuel cells
No full textHydrogen may be considered as an alternative source of energy since it can be produced from several
thermochemical and biological processes. The hydrogen obtained can be feed to fuel cells, which are the
most promising devices to produce electric energy with high efficiency and very low environmental impact.
The present work studies the biological H2 production by dark fermentation of Arundo donax (AD) inoculated
with sewage sludge in mesophilic condition (38°C). The substrates used are AD without pretreatment
(AD),and AD treated from steam explosion (AD exp) both supplemented with a nutrient medium. A synthetic
medium was used as reference model. Fermentation process produce products. The liquid phase contains
mainly acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid and ethanol that. The biogas phase contains mainly of
hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Liquid and gaseous phases are analyzed by GC technique. The fermentation
process is monitored reducing sugars and microbial biomass by spectophotometric analysis.
Best results are obtained with AD sample as substrate that gives yield to hydrogen up to 1.34 mol H2/mol
glucose fed. Biogas produced has H2 concentration up to 74% by volume being CH4 present in traces
amount. It can be potentially feed directly to a PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell), since it does
not contain CO
A Semi-Automatic Modeling System for Quick Generation of Large Virtual Reality Models
No full textIn the last few years virtual reality applications have started to be introduced in the wide retail field, with immersive 3D models used as a tool for orienting strategic, logistic and marketing choices. However, in the aforementioned applications, the digitalization of the entire Point Of Sale (POS) has not yet been implemented as a standard process for the complexity related to the generation of thousands of texturized 3D models of single products. This work presents an original integrated system for the semi-automatic 3D modeling of simple 3D packages according to a pre-defined classification of shapes, and their management in a data base. Such approach allows to dramatically minimize the modeling time needed for each model and, therefore, of the whole shop, making economically sustainable the reverse modeling of commercial environments. A key advantage of the implemented process is that it can be used by operators non expert in 3D modeling and can be reapplied in several different fields
Performance Assessment of the Heat Recovery System of a 12 MW SOFC-Based Generator on Board a Cruise Ship through a 0D Model
No full textINTERDISCIPLINARY DATA FUSION FOR DIACHRONIC 3D RECONSTRUCTION OF HISTORIC SITES
No full textIn recent decades, 3D reconstruction has progressively become a tool to show archaeological and architectural monuments in their
current state, presumed past aspect and to predict their future evolution. The 3D representations trough time can be useful in order to
study and preserve the memory of Cultural Heritage and to plan maintenance and promotion of the historical sites. This paper represent
a case study, at architectonic and urbanistic scale, based on methodological approach for CH time-varying representations proposed
by JPI-CH European Project called Cultural Heritage Through Time (CHT2).
The work is focused on the area of Milan Roman circus, relatively to which was conducted both a thorough philological research based
on several sources and a 3D survey campaign of still accessible remains, aiming at obtaining the monumental representation of the
area in 3 different ages
A Case Study of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Plant on Board a Cruise Ship
No full textThe work is a case study of a cruise ship supplied by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and equipped with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). It is supposed that a 20 MW SOFC plant is installed on-board to supply hotel loads and assisting three dual-fuel (DF) diesel/LNG generator sets. LNG consumption and emissions are estimated both for the SOFC plant and DF generator sets. It results that the use of LNG-SOFC plant in comparison to DF generator sets allows to limit significantly the SOx, CO, NOx, PM emissions and to reduce the emission of CO2 by about 11%. A prediction of the weight and volume of the SOFC plant is conducted and a preliminary modification of the general arrangement of the cruise ship is suggested, according to the latest international rules. It results that the SOFC plant is heavier and occupies more volume on board than a DF gen-set; nevertheless, these features do not affect the floating and the stability of the cruise ship
Trans-affirming Policies and Educational Contexts Opinions, Experiences, and Attitudes of an Italian College Student Community
No full textTrans and nonbinary (TNB) individuals experience disproportionate health disparities compared to their cisgender counterparts. These disparities extend to the educational sphere, where TNB individuals may face lower academic performance and higher dropout rates due to discrimination and a lack of affirmative policies. The effectiveness of trans-affirming policies relies on long-term policy integration, alignment with anti-discrimination efforts, and continuous staff development to meet evolving community needs. This study aimed to understand the opinions, expectations, and experiences of a group of TNB students regarding various affirmative tools and policies within two Italian Universities. Fifteen trans students (Mage = 23,3; 6 trans men; 2 trans women; 7 nonbinary people) were involved in a semistructured interview aimed at investigating experiences and opinions concerning the following policies: Alias Career (i.e., the possibility of being affirmed in one’s chosen name and gender), Safe Zone training, and gender-neutral bathrooms. This study provided a platform for TNB youth to share their experiences within university settings, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the current Italian university system. We hope this research will guide improvements to existing policies and suggest new measures to be implemented
Click chemistry compared to thiol chemistry for the synthesis of site-selective glycoconjugate vaccines using CRM197 as carrier protein
No full text: Conjugation chemistry is one of the main parameters affecting immunogenicity of glycoconjugate vaccines and a rational approach toward a deeper understanding of their mechanism of action will greatly benefit from highly-defined and well-characterized structures. Herein, different conjugation methods were investigated with the aim of controlling glycosylation site and glycosylation density on the carrier protein. S. Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide O-Antigen and CRM197 carrier protein were used as models. In particular, thiol and click chemistry were examined, both involving the linkage of the terminal reducing sugar unit of the O-Antigen chain to different amino acids on the carrier protein. Thiol chemistry allowed O-Antigen conjugation only when the carrier protein was activated on the lysines and with a relative high number of linkers, while click chemistry allowed conjugate generation even when just one position on the protein was activated and to both lysine and tyrosine sites. The study highlights click chemistry as a leading approach for the synthesis of well-defined glycoconjugates, useful to investigate the relationship between conjugate design and immune response
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