Innate immune cell activation after HIV-1 vaccine administration is associated with increased antibody production

The RV144 Thai phase III clinical trial’s canarypox–protein HIV vaccine regimen showed modest efficacy in reducing infection. We therefore sought to determine the effects of vaccine administration on innate cell activation and subsequent associations with vaccine-induced immune responses. RV306 was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in HIV-uninfected Thai adults that tested delayed boosting following the RV144 regimen. PBMC collected from RV306 participants prior to and 3 days after the last boost were used to investigate innate immune cell activation. Our analysis showed an increase in CD38+ mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, CD38+ invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, CD38+ γδ T cells, CD38+, CD69+ and HLA-DR+ NK cells 3 days after vaccine administration. An increase in CD14-CD16+ non-classical monocytes and CD14+CD16+ intermediate monocytes accompanied by a decrease in CD14+CD16- classical monocytes was also associated with vaccine administration. Inclusion of ALVAC-HIV in the boost did not further increase MAIT, iNKT, γδ T, and NK cell activation or increase the proportion of non-classical monocytes. Additionally, NK cell activation 3 days after vaccination was positively associated with antibody titers of HIV Env-specific total IgG and IgG1. Vδ1 T cell activation 3 days after vaccine administration was associated with HIV Env-specific IgG3 titers. Finally, we observed trending associations between MAIT cell activation and Env-specific IgG3 titers and between NK cell activation and TH023 pseudovirus neutralization titers. Our study identifies a potential role for innate cells, specifically NK, MAIT, and γδ T cells, in promoting antibody responses following HIV-1 vaccine administration

Safety and Reactogenicity of Canarypox ALVAC-HIV (vCP1521) and HIV-1 gp120 AIDSVAX B/E Vaccination in an Efficacy Trial in Thailand

A prime-boost vaccination regimen with ALVAC-HIV (vCP1521) administered intramuscularly at 0, 4, 12, and 24 weeks and gp120 AIDSVAX B/E at 12 and 24 weeks demonstrated modest efficacy of 31.2% for prevention of HIV acquisition in HIV-uninfected adults participating in a community-based efficacy trial in Thailand.Reactogenicity was recorded for 3 days following vaccination. Adverse events were monitored every 6 months for 3.5 years, during which pregnancy outcomes were recorded. Of the 16,402 volunteers, 69% of the participants reported an adverse event any time after the first dose. Only 32.9% experienced an AE within 30 days following any vaccination. Overall adverse event rates and attribution of relatedness did not differ between groups. The frequency of serious adverse events was similar in vaccine (14.3%) and placebo (14.9%) recipients (p = 0.33). None of the 160 deaths (85 in vaccine and 75 in placebo recipients, p = 0.43) was assessed as related to vaccine. The most common cause of death was trauma or traffic accident. Approximately 30% of female participants reported a pregnancy during the study. Abnormal pregnancy outcomes were experienced in 17.1% of vaccine and 14.6% (p = 0.13) of placebo recipients. When the conception occurred within 3 months (estimated) of a vaccination, the majority of these abnormal outcomes were spontaneous or elective abortions among 22.2% and 15.3% of vaccine and placebo pregnant recipients, respectively (p = 0.08). Local reactions occurred in 88.0% of vaccine and 61.0% of placebo recipients (p<0.001) and were more frequent after ALVAC-HIV than AIDSVAX B/E vaccination. Systemic reactions were more frequent in vaccine than placebo recipients (77.2% vs. 59.8%, p<0.001). Local and systemic reactions were mostly mild to moderate, resolving within 3 days.The ALVAC-HIV and AIDSVAX B/E vaccine regimen was found to be safe, well tolerated and suitable for potential large-scale use in Thailand.ClinicalTrials.govNCT00223080

Efficacy of Quasi Agro Binding Fibre on the Hybrid Composite Used in Advance Application

The choice for natural fibre obtained from agricultural products is on the rise due to its solution to eco-friendly, environmental and improved mechanical properties concerns. Its abundant availability, low cost, emission reduction and adaptability to base material for composite make it a prime material for selection. This review explores diverse perspectives to the future trend of agro fibre in terms of the thermo-mechanical properties as it applies to advanced application in building structures. It is important to investigate the ecofriendliness of the products of composites from fibres in agricultural wastes so as to achieve a green and sustainable environment. This will come to fore by the combined efforts of both researchers and feedback from building stakeholders

High rate capability and cyclic stability of hierarchically porous Tin oxide (IV)-carbon nanofibers as anode in lithium ion batteries

Tin oxide-carbon composite porous nanofibres exhibiting superior electrochemical performance as lithium ion battery (LIB) anode have been prepared using electrospinning technique. Surface morphology and structural characterizations of the composite material is carried out by techniques such as XRD, FESEM, HR-TEM, XPS, TGA and Raman spectroscopy. FESEM and TEM studies reveal that nanofibers have a uniform diameter of 150-180 nm and contain highly porous outer wall. The carbon content is limited to similar to 10% in the nanofibers as shown by the TGA and EDAX which does not fade the high capacity of SnO2. These nanofibers delivered a higher discharge capacity of 722 mAh/g even after 100 cycles at high rate of 1C. The excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the synergy effect of small amount of carbon in the composite and the hierarchically porous structure which accommodate large volume changes associated with Li-ion insertion-desertion. The porous nano- architecture would also provide a short diffusion path for Li ? ions in addition to facilitating high flux of electrolyte percolation through micropores. The electrochemical performance of composite material has also been tested at 60 degrees C at a higher rate of 2C and 5C. Post cycling FESEM analysis shows no volumetric and morphology changes in porous nanofibers after completing rate capability at high rate of 10C

Recent Advances in Conversion of Glycerol: A Byproduct of Biodiesel Production to Glycerol Carbonate

Owing to erupted ecological concerns and escalated energy consumption, biodiesel produced by transesterifying nonedible and used cooking oils has been acknowledged as a viable source of clean and sustainable energy, alternative to fossil fuels. This transesterification process led to an excessive supply of glycerol as the primary byproduct which can then be transformed into value-added derivatives, primarily glycerol carbonate (GC), thereby drawing attention to its potential use in industrial applications. Although several methods for synthesis of GC utilize glycerol as building block, the transesterification approach using dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is the most effective route implementing safer and greener reaction conditions. This review is focused on different types of heterogeneous catalysts and characterization techniques used for identifying and deactivating those catalysts, covering the literature from the last decade to till date on this topic. Potent applications of GC as a versatile compound are elucidated in brief. Finally, a conclusion, outlook, and author’s perspective have been provided in brief