GI.1 Norovirus Neutralizing Antibody Levels Are Correlated with GI.1 Histo-blood Group Antigen-Blocking Antibody Levels.

BACKGROUND: The in vitro cultivation of human noroviruses allows a comparison of antibody levels measured in neutralization and histoblood group antigen (HBGA)-blocking assays. METHODS: Serum samples collected during the evaluation of an investigational norovirus vaccine (HIL-214 [formerly TAK-214]) were assayed for neutralizing antibody levels against the vaccine's prototype Norwalk virus/GI.1 (P1) virus strain. Results were compared to those previously determined using HBGA-blocking assays. RESULTS: Neutralizing antibody seroresponses were observed in 83% of 24 vaccinated adults, and antibody levels were highly correlated (r=0.81, P<0.001) with those measured by HBGA-blocking. CONCLUSIONS: GI.1-specific HBGA-blocking antibodies are a surrogate for neutralization of GI.1 norovirus.

N,N-Dimethyl Formamide European Restriction Demands Solvent Substitution in Research and Development.

As of December 2023, the use of common solvent N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) will be restricted in the European Union because of its reproductive health hazard. Industrial facilities must comply with stricter exposure limits, and researchers are recommended to find alternative solvents. Here we explain the restrictions on DMF, which disciplines are affected, and how to substitute DMF to keep research and development commercially relevant.

A Bivalent Human Norovirus Vaccine Induces Homotypic and Heterotypic Neutralizing Antibodies.

A GII.2 outbreak in an efficacy study of a bivalent virus-like particle (VLP) norovirus vaccine, TAK-214, in healthy US adults provided an opportunity to examine GII.4 homotypic vs. GII.2 heterotypic responses to vaccination and infection. Three serological assays (VLP-binding, histoblood group antigen-blocking, and neutralizing) were performed for each genotype. Results were highly correlated within a genotype but not between genotypes. Although the vaccine provided protection from GII.2-associated disease, little GII.2-specific neutralization occurred after vaccination. Choice of antibody assay can affect assessments of human norovirus vaccine immunogenicity.

Immunogenicity and tolerability of a bivalent virus-like particle norovirus vaccine candidate in children from 6 months up to 4 years of age: A phase 2 randomized, double-blind trial.

We conducted a dose-finding phase 2 study of the HilleVax bivalent virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate (HIL-214) in two cohorts of children, 6-≤12 months and 1-≤4 years of age (N = 120 per cohort), in Panama and Colombia (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02153112). On Day 1, children randomized to one of the four equal groups received intramuscular injections of four different HIL-214 formulations containing 15/15, 15/50, 50/50, or 50/150 µg of GI.1/GII.4c genotype VLPs and 0.5 mg Al(OH)3. On Day 29, half the children in each group received a second vaccination (N = 60), while the other half received saline placebo injections to maintain the blind. VLP-specific ELISA Pan-Ig and histo-blood group binding antigen-blocking antibodies (HBGA) were measured on Days 1, 29, 57 and 210. On Day 29, after one dose, there were large Pan-Ig and HBGA responses in both age cohorts with some indication of dose-dependence, and higher geometric mean titers (GMT) in the older children. A further increase in titers was observed 28 days after a second dose in the 6-≤12-month-old groups, but less so in the 1-≤4-year-old groups; GMTs at Day 57 were broadly similar across doses and in both age groups. GMTs of Pan-Ig and HBGA persisted above baseline up to Day 210. All formulations were well tolerated with mostly mild-to-moderate transient solicited adverse events reported by parents/guardians, and no vaccine-related serious adverse events occurred. Further development of HIL-214 is warranted to protect the most susceptible young children against norovirus.

Application of hindered ether solvents for palladium catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira and cascade Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions.

Cross-coupling and cascade reactions typically rely on unsustainable and toxic volatile organic solvents. 2,2,5,5-Tetramethyloxolane (TMO) and 2,5-diethyl-2,5-dimethyloxolane (DEDMO) are both inherently non-peroxide forming ethers, and have been used in this work as effective, more sustainable, and potentially bio-based alternative solvents for Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira reactions. Suzuki-Miyaura reactions demonstrated good yields for a range of substrates, 71-89% in TMO and 63-92% in DEDMO. In addition, a Sonogashira reaction exhibited the excellent yields of 85-99% performed in TMO, which was significantly higher than traditional volatile organic solvents, THF or toluene, and higher than those reported for another non-peroxide forming ether, namely eucalyptol. Cascade Sonogashira reactions utilizing a simple annulation methodology were particularly effective in TMO. Furthermore, a green metric assessment confirmed that the methodology employing TMO was more sustainable and greener than the traditional solvents THF and toluene, thereby demonstrating the promise of TMO as an alternative solvent for Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Dichloromethane replacement: towards greener chromatography via Kirkwood-Buff integrals.

Dichloromethane (DCM) is a useful and advantageous solvent used in pharmaceutical development due to its low cost, miscibility with other organic solvents, high volatility, and ability to solubilize drug molecules of variable polarities and functionalities. Despite this favourable behaviour, efforts to identify safer and more sustainable alternatives to hazardous, halogenated solvents is imperative to the expansion of green chemistry. In this work, bio-derived esters tert-butyl acetate, sec-butyl acetate, ethyl isobutyrate, and methyl pivalate are experimentally identified as safe and sustainable alternatives to directly replace DCM within thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in the analysis of small, common drug molecules. To elucidate the intermolecular interactions influencing retardation factors (Rf) a statistical thermodynamic framework, which quantifies the driving molecular interactions that yield empirical TLC measurements, is presented. Within this framework, we are able to deduce Rf dependence on polar eluent concentration, in the presence of a low-polar mediating solvent, between the stationary and mobile phases. The strength of competitive analyte-eluent (and analyte-solvent interactions) are quantified through Kirkwood-Buff integrals (KBIs); resulting KBI terms at the dilute eluent limit provide a theoretical foundation for the observed suitability of alternative green solvents for the replacement of dichloromethane in TLC.

A survey of patient and medical professional perspectives on implementing osteoarthritis management programs for hip and knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Strategies are needed to improve referral into, and uptake of, osteoarthritis (OA) management programs. This survey investigated and compared patients' and medical professionals' views around hip and knee OA management and factors impacting implementation of an osteoarthritis management program. METHODS: As part of a mixed-methods program of research, patients with hip or knee OA and medical professionals routinely involved in the management of OA, were invited to complete a comprehensive online survey. All data were analysed descriptively or using chi squared tests. Survey findings for factors perceived to impact implementation of an OA management programme were triangulated with previously reported qualitative data. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (38 females, 15 males) and 32 medical professionals (orthopaedic surgeons, sports physicians, rehabilitation physicians, rheumatologists and general practitioners) completed the survey. Twenty-eight patients (53%) had prior participation in the OA management programme (GLA:D® ) and 19 medical professionals (59%) had previously referred patients to the programme. Of the participants with prior exposure, 21 patients (75%) and 15 medical professionals (79%) agreed the programme was beneficial. A higher proportion of medical professionals, compared to patients, believed weight loss (100% vs. 67%), injection therapy (50% vs. 21%), hip replacement (100% vs. 62%) and knee replacement (97% vs. 62%) were effective treatments, with no differences for all other treatments. The barriers and enablers identified for referral into, and participation in, an OA management programme mostly aligned to factors identified in previous related qualitative research. Divergent factors in the survey included patients concerns about doing exercise-therapy with 81% (higher than expected) not reporting any concerns about exercising, and 19% (lower than expected) concerned about their OA joint, such as making their pain worse. CONCLUSIONS: This study has extended our understanding of barriers and enablers for referral into, and participation in, an OA management programme with a lower than expected number of patients being concerned about exercising due to their OA joint. Patients and medical professionals had positive views relating to the quality of the programme delivery, patient satisfaction and programme effectiveness. Medical professionals were more likely than patients to consider weight loss, injections and joint replacement as effective treatment options.

Reaction Optimization for Greener Chemistry with a Comprehensive Spreadsheet Tool.

Green chemistry places an emphasis on safer chemicals, waste reduction, and efficiency. Processes should be optimized with green chemistry at the forefront of decision making, embedded into research at the earliest stage. To assist in this endeavor, we present a spreadsheet that can be used to interpret reaction kinetics via Variable Time Normalization Analysis (VTNA), understand solvent effects with linear solvation energy relationships (LSER), and calculate solvent greenness. With this information, new reaction conditions can be explored in silico, calculating product conversions and green chemistry metrics prior to experiments. The application of this tool was validated with literature case studies. Reaction performance was predicted and then confirmed experimentally for examples of aza-Michael addition, Michael addition, and an amidation. The combined analytical package presented herein permits a thorough examination of chemical reactions, so that the variables that control reaction chemistry can be understood, optimized, and made greener for research and education purposes.

Immunogenicity of a bivalent virus-like particle norovirus vaccine in children from 1 to 8 years of age: A phase 2 randomized, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Young children can suffer severe consequences of norovirus gastroenteritis. We performed a dose-finding study of a bivalent virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate (TAK-214) in healthy 1-8-year-old children. METHODS: In this phase 2 study two age cohorts (1-3 and 4-8 years of age inclusive, N = 120 per cohort) of children enrolled from Finland, Panama and Colombia were initially randomized 1:1:1:1 to four groups which were further split into two equal subgroups, to receive one or two intramuscular doses of four TAK-214 formulations containing 15/15, 15/50, 50/50 or 50/150 µg of GI.1/GII.4c genotype VLPs and 0.5 mg Al(OH)3 at 28 days interval. ELISA Pan-Ig and histoblood group antigen-blocking (HBGA) antibodies against each VLP were measured on days 1, 29, 57 and 210. Parents/guardians recorded solicited local and systemic adverse events (AE) and any unsolicited or serious AEs (SAE). RESULTS: All formulations were well-tolerated across both age cohorts and dosage groups with no vaccine-related SAEs reported. Solicited AEs were mostly mild-to-moderate, resolved quickly, and did not increase after the second dose. Pan-Ig and HBGA responses induced after one dose were only slightly increased by the second dose. Across dose groups at Day 29 after one dose GI.1 Pan Ig seroresponse rates (SRR) were 82-97% and 81-96% and GII.4c SRR were 79-97% and 80-91% in 1-3 and 4-8 year-olds, respectively. Respective rates were to 92-93% and 73-92% for GI.1, and 77-100% and 62-83% for GII.4c at Day 57 following two doses. HBGA responses had similar profiles. Both Pan Ig and HBGA geometric mean titers persisted above baseline up to Day 210. CONCLUSIONS: All dosages of TAK-214 displayed acceptable reactogenicity in 1-8-year-old children and induced robust, durable immune responses after one dose which are further increased after two doses.

Concomitant KRAS mutations attenuate sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells to KRAS G12C inhibition.

The development of covalent inhibitors against KRAS G12C represents a major milestone in treatment of RAS-driven cancers, especially in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where KRAS G12C is one of the most common oncogenic driver. Here we investigated if additional KRAS mutations co-occur with KRAS G12C (c.34G>T) in NSCLC tumours and if such mutation co-occurrence affects cellular response to G12C-specific inhibitors. Analysis of a large cohort of NSCLC patients whose tumours harboured KRAS mutations revealed co-occurring KRAS mutations in up to 8% of tumours with the KRAS c.34G>T mutation. KRAS c.35G>T was the most frequently co-occurring mutation, and could occur on the same allele (in cis) translating to a single mutant KRAS G12F protein, or on the other allele (in trans), translating to separate G12C and G12V mutant proteins. Introducing KRAS c.35G>T in trans in the KRAS G12C lung cancer model NCI-H358, as well as the co-occurrence in cis in the KRAS G12F lung cancer model NCI-H2291 led to cellular resistance to the G12C-specific inhibitor AZ'8037 due to continuing active MAPK and PI3K cascades in the presence of the inhibitor. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive assessment of co-occurring KRAS mutations in NSCLC and in vitro evidence of the negative impact of co-occurring KRAS mutations on cellular response to G12C inhibitors, highlighting the need for a comprehensive KRAS tumour genotyping for optimal patient selection for treatment with a KRAS G12C inhibitor.

A novel automated SARS-CoV-2 saliva PCR test protects a global asymptomatic workforce.

Regular PCR testing of nasopharyngeal swabs from symptomatic individuals for SARS-CoV-2 virus has become the established method by which health services are managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses such as AstraZeneca have also prioritised voluntary asymptomatic testing to keep workplaces safe and maintain supply of essential medicines to patients. We describe the development of an internal automated SARS-CoV-2 testing programme including the transformative introduction of saliva as an alternative sample type.

Exploring views of orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists and general practitioners about osteoarthritis management.

BACKGROUND: Delivery of recommended treatments for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) is known to be discordant with guideline recommendations. However, professional views related to OA management across medical and surgical disciplines are not well understood. The aim of this study was to explore the views of medical professionals about management of hip and knee OA. METHODS: Qualitative study. Semistructured individual interviews were conducted with orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists and general practitioners routinely involved in the management of OA. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, member-checked, coded and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Fifteen medical professionals were interviewed. Three main themes were: (i) recognition of the importance of nonsurgical management of hip and knee OA, focussed on self-management, exercise-therapy, weight management and analgesia; (ii) joint replacement being considered the 'last resort' for end stage disease not responding to nonsurgical management; and (iii) determination of management 'success' through patient perceptions was more common than the use of validated instruments. Views on management broadly converged across disciplines, except for the role of joint replacement, considered an adjunct in the overall management of OA by rheumatologists and as a definitive cure by orthopaedic surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Aligning with current guidelines, medical professionals recognised the importance of nonsurgical management focussed on exercise-therapy for hip and knee OA, and concurred that joint replacement surgery should be a last resort. A focus on patient education was less prominent, which along with implementation of validated outcome measures in routine medical practice, may require greater health system support.

3-Methoxybutan-2-one as a sustainable bio-based alternative to chlorinated solvents.

Methylation of acetoin with dimethyl carbonate was performed in a sustainable one-step process, with improved process mass intensity (PMI) and atom economy compared to previously published methods. The resulting product, 3-methoxybutan-2-one (MO) was successfully evaluated as a bio-based solvent, while both Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameters and Hansen solubility parameters demonstrate its potential viability in the substitution of chlorinated solvents. MO exhibited a low peroxide forming potential and a negative Ames mutagenicity test and was successfully used as a solvent in a Friedel-Crafts acylation (79% yield compared to 77% in dichloromethane) and for N-alkylations. MO is a renewable oxygenated solvent, with the potential ability to substitute carcinogenic halogenated solvents in some applications.

Serologic Survey of Mosquito-Borne Viruses in Hunter-Harvested White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), New York State.

Sera from white-tailed deer (WTD, Odocoileus virginianus) hunter-harvested throughout New York State (NYS), 2007-2015, were tested by plaque reduction neutralization for antibodies against nine mosquito-borne viruses from the families Peribunyaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Togaviridae. Overall, 76.1% (373/490) of sampled WTD were seropositive against at least one virus, and 38.8% were exposed to multiple viruses. The seropositivity rate in adult WTD (78.0%) was significantly greater (P < 0.0001) than that in fawns (47.7%). Neutralizing antibodies against California serogroup viruses were most common in WTD sampled across all regions (67.1%), followed by the Bunyamwera serogroup (BUN) (37.6%). Jamestown Canyon and Cache Valley orthobunyaviruses were responsible for most California and BUN infections, respectively. Seroprevalence rates to West Nile virus were higher in samples originating from Long Island (LI) (19.0%) than in those originating from the central (7.3%), western (5.0%), and Hudson Valley (4.4%) regions of NYS. Antibodies to Eastern equine encephalitis virus were seen primarily in WTD from central NYS (5.1%), where annual enzootic activity occurs, but low rates were documented in western NYS (1.4%) and LI (1.7%). Low rates of Potosi and LaCrosse orthobunyavirus, and Highlands J virus antibodies were detected over the course of this investigation. St. Louis encephalitis virus (or a closely related virus) antibodies were detected in samples collected from central and western NYS, suggesting local virus transmission despite a lack of evidence from routine mosquito surveillance. Serologic results demonstrate the value of WTD in NYS as an indicator of arbovirus distribution and recent transmission on a relatively fine spatial scale.

Editorial for the "Green Chemistry" Section in the Journal Molecules: Focus on Solvents.

It is a pleasure to write this editorial highlighting some of the recent papers discussing solvents in the Green Chemistry section of Molecules [...].

Efficacy of an intramuscular bivalent norovirus GI.1/GII.4 virus-like particle vaccine candidate in healthy US adults.

BACKGROUND: We performed this first-in-human efficacy trial of Takeda's bivalent norovirus vaccine candidate (TAK-214) against moderate or severe acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in healthy adults. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2b trial was conducted over two winter seasons in 18-49 year-old US Navy recruits. Participants were randomized (1:1) to receive intramuscular injections of saline placebo (N = 2,357) or TAK-214 [15 µg GI.1 and 50 µg GII.4c VLPs, 0.5 mg Al(OH)3] (N = 2,355), and monitored for 45 days post-vaccination for AGE. Norovirus genotypes were identified by RT-PCR and sequencing of stool/vomitus samples. Sera from AGE cases were used to assess immune responses as genotype-specific histo-blood group antigen (HBGA)-blocking antibodies. FINDINGS: With low rates of homotypic norovirus AGE detected the statistical analysis was proactively modified to account for AGE due to any norovirus genotype. Of the 48 norovirus AGE cases of "any severity", 29 in placebo and 19 in vaccinees, causative genotypes were GI.1 (n = 1), G1.7a (n = 1), GII.2 (n = 39) and GII.4 (n = 7). Applying predefined definitions of moderate or severe AGE gave 26 vs. 10 cases due to any norovirus genotype in placebo vs. vaccine groups, a vaccine efficacy (VE) of 61.8% (95.01% CI, 20.8 to 81.6; p = 0.0097). Five vs. one moderate or severe cases due to vaccine GI.1/GII.4 homotypic genotypes in placebo vs. vaccine arms gave a primary endpoint vaccine efficacy of 80.0% (99.99% CI, -1318.1 to 99.7; p = 0.142). Levels of GI.1 and GII.4 HBGA-blocking antibodies were increased in vaccinees and in some placebo AGE cases infected with GII.2, indicating cross-reactivity in the immune responses to different genotypes. INTERPRETATION: Despite limited cases of homotypic norovirus AGE meaning the primary endpoint was not fully evaluable, we showed TAK-214 provided statistically significant efficacy against "any moderate/severe norovirus AGE" principally caused by the heterotypic GII.2 genotype, demonstrating induction of cross-genotype protection.

Spatial and temporal expansions of Eastern equine encephalitis virus and phylogenetic groups isolated from mosquitoes and mammalian cases in New York State from 2013 to 2019.

Surveillance for the emerging infectious disease Eastern equine encephalitis, and its causative virus in mosquitoes, continued within New York State from 2013 to 2019. There were increases in geographic area and number of consecutive years, with cases in four mammalian species, and virus in 11 mosquito species. The first cases in a goat and in an emu were reported. The first detection of virus in Aedes cinereus was reported. Virus in phylogenetic group NY4 was isolated from a horse and from mosquitoes 6 kilometers and 13 days apart in 2013. Phylogenetic groups NY4 and NY5 were found 15 days apart in two towns 280 kilometers distant in 2013. Within four adjacent counties there was a pattern of overlap, where four had NY5, two adjacent counties had NY6, two adjacent counties had NY7, and one county had NY5, NY6, and NY7, reducible to a Euler diagram. Virus in phylogenetic group NY5, found within an 11-kilometer wide area in New York State, was related to FL4 found in Florida 1,398 kilometers distant. This was consistent with a phylogenetic group originating in Florida, then being moved to a specific location in New York State, by migratory birds in consecutive years 2013 and 2014.

Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling is not an informative reaction to demonstrate the performance of new solvents.

The development and study of new solvents has become important due to a proliferation of regulations preventing or limiting the use of many conventional solvents. In this work, the suitability of the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction to demonstrate the usefulness of new solvents was evaluated, including Cyrene™, dimethyl isosorbide, ethyl lactate, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF), propylene carbonate, and γ-valerolactone (GVL). It was found that the cross coupling is often unaffected by the choice of solvent, and therefore the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction provides limited information regarding the usefulness of any particular solvent for organic synthesis.

The significance of biomass in a circular economy.

A circular economy relies on the value of resources being maximised indefinitely, requiring that virtually no unrecoverable waste occurs. Biomass is highly significant in a circular economy in terms of material products and the provision of energy. To establish a circular bioeconomy, the practical implications of biomass use need to be appreciated by stakeholders throughout the value chain, from product design to waste management. This review addresses sustainable biomass production and its function as a feedstock from a European perspective. Anaerobic digestion of food waste is used as a case study to represent appropriate waste treatments. Crucial challenges are (1) Uncoupling the petrochemical industry and biomass production with renewable fertilisers; (2) Providing plentiful biomass for bio-based products by prioritising other renewable sources of energy; (3) Waste arising from food and agriculture must be minimised and returned to the economy; (4) Enhancing stakeholder cooperation across value chains.

Barriers and enablers to uptake of a contemporary guideline-based management program for hip and knee osteoarthritis: A qualitative study.

Objective: To explore barriers and enablers for referral to, and participation in, a contemporary guideline-based osteoarthritis management program - Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D Australia). Design: A qualitative design was used, involving semi-structured interviews with patients with osteoarthritis and medical professionals. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded and thematically analysed. Barrier and enabler themes were mapped to the theoretical domains framework and used to inform the development of recommendations for improving uptake of guideline-based osteoarthritis management programs. Results: Twenty patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis and 15 medical professionals (5 general practitioners, 4 rheumatologists, 6 orthopaedic surgeons) were included. Across both groups, three themes emerged as barriers (program access; misinformation about osteoarthritis; patient and program factors), one theme emerged as a barrier and enabler (health professional trust, feedback and advice), and two themes emerged as enablers (opportunity to achieve positive outcomes and potentially avoid joint replacement surgery; better program promotion, patient and health professional education, and efficient referral processes). Conclusions: Optimising uptake of guideline-based osteoarthritis management programs requires improved reimbursement models, and better promotion and educational initiatives for patients and medical professionals. A particular focus of education should include dispelling misinformation about osteoarthritis, and highlighting the safety and value of physiotherapist delivered exercise-therapy.