Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine compared with a standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine in healthy people aged 60 years or older: a randomized Phase III trial

A quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4-HD) is licensed for adults 6565 y of age based on immunogenicity and efficacy studies. However, IIV4-HD has not been evaluated in adults aged 60\u201364 y. This study compared immunogenicity and safety of IIV4-HD with a standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4-SD) in adults aged 6560 y. This Phase III, randomized, modified double-blind, active-controlled study enrolled 1,528 participants aged 6560 y, randomized 1:1 to a single injection of IIV4-HD or IIV4-SD. Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) geometric mean titers (GMTs) were measured at baseline and D 28 and seroconversion assessed. Safety was described for 180 d after vaccination. The primary immunogenicity objective was superiority of IIV4-HD versus IIV4-SD, for all four influenza strains 28 d post vaccination in participants aged 60\u201364 and 6565 y. IIV4-HD induced a superior immune response versus IIV4-SD in terms of GMTs in participants aged 60\u201364 y and those aged 6565 y for all four influenza strains. IIV4-HD induced higher GMTs in those aged 60\u201364 y than those aged 6565 y. Seroconversion rates were higher for IIV4-HD versus IIV4-SD in each age-group for all influenza strains. Both vaccines were well tolerated in participants 6560 y of age, with no safety concerns identified. More solicited reactions were reported with IIV4-HD than with IIV4-SD. IIV4-HD provided superior immunogenicity versus IIV4-SD and was well tolerated in adults aged 6560 y. IIV4-HD is assumed to offer improved protection against influenza compared with IIV4-SD in adults aged 6560 y, as was previously assessed for adults aged 6565 y

Harmful Elements in Estuarine and Coastal Systems

Estuaries and coastal zones are dynamic transitional systems which provide many economic and ecological benefits to humans, but also are an ideal habitat for other organisms as well. These areas are becoming contaminated by various anthropogenic activities due to a quick economic growth and urbanization. This chapter explores the sources, chemical speciation, sediment accumulation and removal mechanisms of the harmful elements in estuarine and coastal seawaters. It also describes the effects of toxic elements on aquatic flora and fauna. Finally, the toxic element pollution of the Venice Lagoon, a transitional water body located in the northeastern part of Italy, is discussed as a case study, by presenting the procedures adopted to measure the extent of the pollution, the impacts on organisms and the restoration activities

Evaluation of pH in game meat of red deer hunted in autumn in the Western Italian Alps

The need for data on the organoleptic and safety qualities of wild game meat derives from the will to promote this food as a valid nutritional resource. Besides the microbiological parameters, the pH measurement represents a valid indicator of meat quality. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of animal age and sex and time after shooting on pH values in 262 free ranging red deer (126 females and 136 males) hunted in 2013-2015 in the hunting district VCO 2 - Ossola Nord (Verbania province, Central Western Italian Alps), during post-mating season. Our results show that in young and female individuals pH values decrease to ultimate values lower than 5.8; this leads to the proper maturation of game meat

Evaluation of pH in game meat of red deer hunted in autumn in the Western Italian Alps

The need for data on the organoleptic and safety qualities of wild game meat derives from the will to promote this food as a valid nutritional resource. Besides the microbiological parameters, the pH measurement represents a valid indicator of meat quality. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of animal age and sex and time after shooting on pH values in 262 free ranging red deer (126 females and 136 males) hunted in 2013-2015 in the Hunting District VCO 2 \u2013 Ossola Nord (Verbania province, Central Western Italian Alps), during post-mating season. Our results show that in young and female individuals pH values decrease to ultimate values lower than 5.8; this leads to the proper maturation of game meat