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The proteoliposome (PL) ofNeisseria meningitidisserogroup B has been reported as a safe and potent vaccine adjuvant, inducing a TH1-skewed response. The present study describes a pre-clinical safety evaluation of an allergy therapeutic vaccine candidate based on purified allergens fromDermatophagoides siboneyhouse dust mite and PL as adjuvant, both components adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide gel. Two separate studies of acute toxicity evaluation were performed in mice and rabbits, and two repeat-dose studies were conducted in non-sensitized and allergen-sensitized Balb/c mice, respectively. The study in sensitized mice intends to model a therapeutic setting. Aerosolized allergen challenge was used in both settings to model natural respiratory exposure. In the therapeutic setting, mice were administered with three doses containing 2 μg allergen at weekly intervals [subcutaneous route] and subsequently challenged with aerosolized allergen for 6 consecutive days. Parameters of general toxicity effects were assessed via measures of behavior, body weight, food and water consumption, and macroscopic evaluation of organs. Histological examination of organs and the injection site was performed. Potential immunotoxicity effects at the systemic level were assessed by blood eosinophil counting and serum allergen specific IgE by ELISA The vaccine did not produce general or functional toxic effects of significance, at a dose up to 100 μg allergen per kg body weight. An expected local reaction at the injection site was observed, which could be attributed mostly to the immunological effect of aluminum hydroxide. The models implemented here suggest an acceptable safety profile of this vaccine for testing in clinical trials of allergy immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteoliposomes purified from the Outer Membrane of Neisseria meningitidis B, have been successfully used as core for adjuvants and vaccine formulations. We have tried to increase their structural definition and to conserve their efficacy and stability avoiding the addition of the aluminum hydroxide to the final formulation. Liposomal particle systems were prepared from components of defined molecular structure, such as a Neisseria meningitidis B protein complex, extracted and purified without forming vesicle structures. Liposomes were prepared from a mixture of dioleoyl phosphatidyl serine and cholesterol, using the classical dehydration-rehydration method. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the liposomes. BALB/c mice were used for animal testing procedures. Analysis of specific IgG response, serum bactericidal activity as well as DTH reaction was carried out. Isolation and purification of mRNA and real-time PCR, was performed to determine the dominating Th lymphokine pattern. The new antimeningococcal formulation without aluminum hydroxide prepared with components of defined molecular structure assembled itself into Neoproteoliposomes (NPL) ranging from 50 to 70 nm in diameter. The extraction and purification of selected membrane proteins to provide the antigen for this new formulation (PD-Tp), as well as the NPL-formulation favors a Th1 response pattern, suggested by the higher percentages of DTH, increased expression of proinflamatory lymphokine mRNAs when administered by intramuscular and intranasal routes. It stimulates a systemic bactericidal antibody response against Neisseria meningitidis B and immunologic memory similar to the Cuban VA-MENGOC-BC® vaccine, even at lower dosages and is less reactogenic at the injection site in comparison with the formulation with aluminum hydroxide. This new adjuvant formulation could be applicable to the development of new and improved vaccines against meningococcal disease, and eventually as modulators of the immune response against other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is an essential resource for life, which allows the development of plants, animals and men. However, all the functions it performs are not acknowledged yet, for which the general concept of fertile soil rather refers to its chemical properties, specifically to the availability of primary macroelements (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). In recent years new definitions have been proposed integrating the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils, as well as their capacity of being sustainable, producing healthy food and mitigating environmental pollution. However, there are no universal criteria yet to evaluate the changes in soil quality, and for such purpose indicators are used, sensitive to management and the edaphoclimatic conditions, among other characteristics, which allow appraising its status. This paper intends, in general, to contribute to the knowledge of the new conception of soil quality, from its functions; define the biological, physical and chemical indicators and the relation among them; as well as to describe some studies which have been conducted in Cuba about the topic of quality indicators, as a tool for decision-making in management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Surfacen, administered as aerosol, showed a bronchodilator effect comparable to salbutamol. • Surfacen show inhibition of Th2 inflammation (IgE, IL-5 and IL-13 reduction) • Surfacen show inclination towards a Th1 profile (INF-γ and IgG2a antibody responses increased) Airway obstruction with increased airway resistance in asthma, commonly caused by smooth muscle constriction, mucosal edema and fluid secretion into the airway lumen, may partly be due to a poor function of pulmonary surfactant. Surfacen®, a clinical pulmonary surfactant, has anti-inflammatory action, but its effect on asthma has not been studied. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of Surfacen® in a murine allergen-induced acute asthma model, using house dust mite allergens. In a therapeutic experimental setting, mice were first sensitized by being administered with two doses (sc) of Dermatophagoides siboney allergen in aluminum hydroxide followed by one intranasal administration of the allergen. Then, sensitized mice were administered with aerosol of hypertonic 3% NaCl, Salbutamol 0.15 mg/kg, or Surfacen® 16 mg in a whole-body chamber on days 22, 23, and 24. Further, mice were subjected to aerosol allergen challenge on day 25. Surfacen® showed bronchial dilation and inhibition of Th2 inflammation (lower levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in broncoalveolar lavage) which increased IFN-γ and unchanged IL-10 in BAL. Moreover, Sufacen® administration was associated with a marked inhibition of the serum specific IgE burst upon allergen exposure, as well as, IgG2a antibody increase, suggesting potential anti-allergy effects with inclination towards Th1. These results support also the effectiveness of the aerosol administration method to deliver the drug into lungs. Surfacen® induced a favorable pharmacological effect, with a bronchodilator outcome comparable to Salbutamol, consistent with its action as a lung surfactant, and with an advantageous anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic immunomodulatory effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A work of participatory strategic planning was conducted in 20 Basic Units of Cooperative Production of food crops and livestock production from Matanzas province, using participatory methods; the aspects related to the capacity of the entity to offer welfare to the partners through income and food. The main needs of the cooperative, the income and food sources of the families that belong to them were analyzed, as well as the situation of the natural resources that are patrimony of each agricultural entity, their strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities, and the processes developed in the action of UBPCs through the productive chain. UBPCs supply only 21% of the food required by their families and 40% of the income. The lack of autonomy and productive inputs, inefficiency of supplying enterprises; problems with commercialization of products in convertible currency and deficient management policies are among the main threats perceived by participants; the dissatisfaction of the workers was the main weakness; while their human and natural resources are perceived to be the main strengths. However, the availability of goods and services of the ecosystems has been decreasing as consequence of the action of man, who has caused the decrease of soil fertility and biodiversity. This group of problems is an important cause of the low productivity observed in these units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outer-membrane-derived proteoliposome (PL) of Neisseria meningitidis has been reported as a potent vaccine adjuvant, inducing a Th1-skewed response. This work aimed to assess the immunogenicity of a novel anti-allergic vaccine candidate based on allergens from Dermatophagoides siboney house dust mite and a combination adjuvant containing PL and Alum. In a preventative experimental setting, BALB/c mice were administered with three doses containing 2 µg of Der s1 and 0.4 µg Der s2 allergen, PL and Alum, at 7 days intervals, by subcutaneous route. Furthermore, mice were subjected to an allergen aerosol challenge for 6 consecutive days. Serum IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a allergen-specific antibodies were assessed by ELISA. Cytokine levels in supernatants of D. siboney stimulated lymphocyte cultures and in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were measured by ELISA. Lung tissues were subjected to histological examination. The vaccine prevented the development of both, systemic (IgE) and local allergic responses (featuring lower IL-4, and IL-5 levels in BAL) upon allergen exposure by the inhalant route. Histological examination showed also a diminished allergic inflammatory response in the lungs. After the allergen challenge, cytokine levels in stimulated lymphocyte cultures showed lower values of IL-13 and augmented IFN-γ and IL-10. The vaccine induced a mixed IgG2a/IgG1 antibody response; although only IgG2a was PL-dependent. Both, IgG1/IgE and IgG2a/IgE ratios, showed significantly greater values in vaccinated mice. The findings support a preventative anti-allergic effect associated with the induction of a Th1-like IFN-γ/IL-10 response. IgG1/IgE and IgG2a/IgE ratios could be useful biomarkers for translation into clinical trials., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2022 Ramirez, Torralba, Bourg, Lastre, Perez, Jacquet and Labrada.)

The development of effective vaccines against neglected diseases, especially those associated with poverty and social deprivation, is urgently needed. Modern vaccine technologies and a better understanding of the immune response have provided scientists with the tools for rational and safer design of subunit vaccines. Often, however, subunit vaccines do not elicit strong immune responses, highlighting the need to incorporate better adjuvants; this step therefore becomes a key factor for vaccine development. In this review we outline some key features of modern vaccinology that are linked with the development of better adjuvants. In line with the increased desire to obtain novel adjuvants for future vaccines, the Finlay Adjuvant Platform offers a novel approach for the development of new and effective adjuvants. The Finlay Adjuvants (AFs), AFPL (proteoliposome), and AFCo (cochleate), were initially designed for parenteral and mucosal applications, and constitute potent adjuvants for the induction of Th1 responses against several antigens. This review summarizes the status of the Finlay technology in producing promising adjuvants for unsolved-vaccine diseases including mucosal approaches and therapeutic vaccines. Ideas related to adjuvant classification, adjuvant selection, and their possible influence on innate recognition via multiple toll-like receptors are also discussed.