Use of Hexyon/Hexacima/Hexaxim in preterm infants in Europe

Abstract Background Worldwide 13 million babies born prematurely every year have increased susceptibility to infection and require adequate immunization. Hexavalent vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b are standard of care in pediatric vaccination and are particularly important for preterm infants. Hexyon® is registered in Europe since April 2013. Methods Considering birth data from official national databases and only countries with periods of exclusive use of Hexyon from 2013-19, we estimated the total number of preterm infants (&amp;lt;37weeks GA) vaccinated with Hexyon. Results Since registration, Hexyon has been used in 23 European countries and exclusively used in the following: Austria, Feb-2017 to present; Belgium, Jul-2014 (Flanders)/Sep-2015 (Overall) to present; Bulgaria, Nov-2014 to Dec-2016; Croatia, Jan-2016 to present; Denmark, Feb-2016 to Apr-2017; Italy, Apr-2016 to present, exclusivity based on Regions; Macedonia, Oct-2015 to present; Norway, Feb-2017 to present; Romania, Apr-2015 to Dec-2017. The estimated total number of preterm infants during these periods of exclusive use is 183 000. Assuming 90% vaccination coverage, ∼164 700 preterm infants received at least 1 dose of this vaccine. From the analysis of the post-marketing safety data available to date, no new risk has been identified in preterm infants. Conclusions Hexyon has become a standard for hexavalent immunization in infants, regardless of the gestational age at birth. More than 90 million doses have been administered worldwide, including the estimated 164 000 preterm infants in the 9 European countries considered here. The EU Marketing Authorization granted in 2013 with no contraindication for use in preterm infants, was renewed in 2018 and the black triangle was removed confirming that the safety of Hexyon is well established. The marketing authorization holder continues to support evidence generation for use in preterm infants. Key messages Hexyon/Hexacima/Hexaxim has become a standard for hexavalent immunization in infants including for preterm infants (&amp;lt;37weeks GA); around 164 000 preterm infants in 9 European countries received it. The safety of Hexyon/Hexacima/Hexaxim is well established, no new risk has been identified in preterm infants from the analysis of the post-marketing safety data available to date. </jats:sec

Bioactive Compounds of Pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.)

Pili (Canarium ovatum) is a tropical tree that is indigenous to the Philippines where its center of genetic diversity is located in the Bicol Region. As a nut, Canarium ovatum is considered the priced commodity, and it is often used in the confectionery industry. The pulp, which is totally discarded as waste, contains considerable quantities of bioactive compounds present in the pulp meal as well as in the oil. This chapter describes the characterization of all the parts of Canarium ovatum fruit as source of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive compounds with high antioxidant functionality. The exploitation of this underutilized fruit presents a great potential source of phytochemicals with antioxidants functionalities

Obtaining Butter Oil Triacylglycerols Free from β-Carotene and α-Tocopherol via Activated Carbon Adsorption and Alumina-Column Chromatography Treatments

It is difficult to remove beta-carotene from oils with alumina-column chromatography, because beta-carotene is even less-polar than triacylglycerols (TAGs) are. The objective of this study was to obtain butter oil TAGs free from beta-carotene and antioxidants via sequential treatments with activated carbon (AC) adsorption and alumina column chromatography. The AC used was prepared from waste apricots. The effects of AC dosages, temperatures and time courses on beta-carotene adsorption were studied. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the adsorption of beta-carotene onto AC, and it was found to be more consistent with the Freundlich isotherm with a higher R-2 value (0.9784). Adsorption kinetics of beta-carotene was analyzed by pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models. The pseudo-second order model was found to explain the kinetics of beta-carotene adsorption more effectively (R-2 = 0.9882). The highest beta-carotene reduction was achieved (from 31.9 to 1.84 mg/kg) at an AC dosage of 10 wt%, temperature of 50 degrees C, and adsorption time of 240 min. A considerable amount of alpha-tocopherol was also adsorbed during the AC treatment. Remaining portions of alpha-tocopherol were completely removed with alumina adsorption chromatography. The method described may be used for purification of vegetable oil TAGs, which will be used as model compounds in model oxidation studies