Molecular investigations into vaginal immunization with HIV gp41 antigenic construct H4A in a quick release solid dosage form

A robust vaginal immune response is considered essential for an effective prophylactic vaccine that prevents transmission of HIV and other sexually acquired diseases. Considerable attention has recently focused on the potential of vaginally administered vaccines as a means to induce such local immunity. However, the potential for vaccination at this site remains in doubt as the vaginal mucosa is generally considered to have low immune inductive potential. In the current study, we explored for the first time the use of a quick release, freeze-dried, solid dosage system for practical vaginal administration of a protein antigen. These solid dosage forms overcome the common problem associated with leakage and poor retention of vaginally administered antigen solutions. Mice were immunized vaginally with H4A, an HIV gp41 envelope based recombinant protein, using quick release, freeze-dried solid rods, and the immune responses compared to a control group immunized via subcutaneous H4A injection. Vaginally immunized mice failed to elicit robust immune responses. Our detailed investigations, involving cytokine analysis, the stability of H4A in mouse cervicovaginal lavage, and elucidation of the state of H4A protein in the immediate-release dosage form, revealed that antigen instability in vaginal fluid, the state of the antigen in the dosage form, and the cytokine profile induced are all likely to have contributed to the observed lack of immunogenicity. These are important factors affecting vaginal immunization and provide a rational basis for explaining the typically poor and variable elicitation of immunity at this site, despite the presence of immune responsive cells within the vaginal mucosae. In future mucosal vaccine studies, a more explicit focus on antigen stability in the dosage form and the immune potential of available antigen-responsive cells is recommended.

The influence of bird droppings on the growth of lichen fragments transplanted to slate and cement substrates

The influence of bird droppings on the growth and fragmentation of five lichen species transplanted to slate and cement substrates was studied over a period of 15 months in South Gwynedd, Wales. The results suggested that at 15 months (1) thallus areas of Parmelia conspersa (Ehrh. Ex Ach.)Ach. were greater on both substrates with the addition of bird droppings with a greater increase on cement; (2) In Parmelia saxatilis (L.)Ach. And Parmelia glabratula ssp. fuliginosa (Fr. ex Duby)Laund., thallus areas were greatest on slate alone and least on cement with bird droppings; (3) in Physcia orbicularis (Neck.)Poetsch, thallus area was significantly reduced on cement alone compared with slate and cement treated with bird droppings; and (4) in Xanthoria parietina (L.)Th.Fr., thallus area was significantly greater on cement with bird droppings compared with slate and cement alone. These responses were attributable to the effect of the substrate and bird droppings on radial growth and the degree of fragmentation of the thalli. The results suggested that nutrient enrichment was more important than the substrate in determining the distribution of P. conspersa and Ph. orbicularis. However, the substrate and bird droppings were important in the remaining species, the data suggesting that P. saxatilis and P. glabratula ssp. fuliginosa would prefer nutrient-poor, siliceous rocks and X. parietina calcareous, nutrient enriched rocks in South Gwynedd.

The influence of bird droppings and uric acid on the radial growth of five species of saxicolous lichens

Bird droppings were applied over 1 year as a thick paste and as a suspension in deionized water to five species of lichens with different distributions on and off bird perching stones. The paste and suspension increased the radial growth of Parmelia conspersa while the paste increased the growth of Xanthoria parietina and reduced the growth and caused loss of colour in Parmelia glabratula ssp. fuliginosa. There were no statistically significant effects of paste or suspension on the growth of Physcia grisea or Parmelia saxatilis. In P. conspersa and X. parietina the growth responses were similar through the year but in P. glabratula the inhibitory effect of the paste was significant after 8 months growth. Application of a suspension of uric acid over 1 year had no statistically significant effects on the growth of P. conspersa, P. glabratula or X. parietina and was unlikely to be responsible for the effects of bird droppings on growth. The growth responses of the five species agreed well with their distributions in the field.

A quick guide to surviving redundancy:your essential legal guide

What do you do if your boss calls you in to talk about job cuts? What are your rights? What are his or her rights? Do you know the procedures that should be followed? If redundancy looms, or you just want to be prepared for the worst,you need to know where you stand.Author Kathy Daniels is well placed to help. She writes and lectures extensively on human resources and employee rights, and as a member of the Employment Tribunal she regularly comes face-to-face with redundancy claims. In this easy-to-understand guide she answers all the important questions on redundancy and its aftermath, including: How are staff selected for redundancy? What is voluntary redundancy? Are full-time,part-time and agency staff treated differently? What is the consultation process bosses must adhere to? How much redundancy pay can you expect? How do you take a claim to the Employment Tribunal? As well as covering all the legal dos and don'ts, helpful guidance is provided on: Budgets and personal finances after redundancy Benefits you may be able to claim Coping with stress and strain Finding a new job or changing career The Quick Guide to Surviving Redundancy is full of real-life case studies and top tips on your employment rights. It also includes template letters for a range of redundancy situations.