Complexation of Astatine(III) with Ketones: Roles of NO3- Counterion and Exploration of Possible Binding Modes.

Ketones have been proven effective in extracting astatine(III) from aqueous solvents. Previous theoretical studies suggested a mechanism where the "sp2" lone pair on the carbonyl oxygen donates electron density into the π system of the AtO+ molecular cation to form a dative-type bond. In this study, co-extraction of NO3- as AtO(NO3)·(O═CR1R2) species into the organic phase appears to be a key factor. Adjusting the electronic properties of the ketone, by having an aryl group instead of an alkyl group in the alpha position of the ketone, increased the electron density on C═O, increased the bond strength between the ketone and AtO+, and in turn increased the extraction of 211At into the organic phase. Extraction with diketones shows dependence on the bridging distance between the two carbonyl moieties, where a C3 or longer bridge results in a 10-fold increase in extraction into the organic phase. DFT calculations show the longer bridge allows for the chelation of AtO(NO3) by either the second carbonyl or the phenyl ring.

Letter to the Editor Re: Borschel M., et al. Comparison of Growth of Healthy Term Infants Fed Extensively Hydrolyzed Protein- and Amino Acid-Based Infant Formulas. Nutrients 2018, 10, 289.

We read with interest the recently published narrative review of seven growth studies in healthy infants fed extensively hydrolyzed protein-based formulas (eHF) and amino acid-based formulas (AAF) [...].

Mineral Intake and Status of Cow's Milk Allergic Infants Consuming an Amino Acid-based Formula.

Data on the mineral status of infants with cow's milk allergy (CMA) consuming an amino acid-based formula (AAF) have not been published. The present study aims to assess mineral status of term infants age 0 to 8 months diagnosed with CMA receiving an AAF for 16 weeks. Serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and ferritin were determined in 82 subjects at baseline and in 66 subjects after 16 weeks on AAF using standard methods and evaluated against age-specific reference ranges. In addition to this, individual estimated energy and mineral intakes were compared to Adequate Intakes defined by the European Food Safety Authority and the US Institute of Medicine. The results of this study show that the AAF was effective in providing an adequate mineral status in infants with CMA. The vast majority of infants aged 0 to 6 months (formula only) and aged 6 to 12 months (formula and complementary foods) had adequate mineral intakes.

Synbiotics-supplemented amino acid-based formula supports adequate growth in cow's milk allergic infants.

BACKGROUND: Children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) are at risk for inadequate nutritional intake and growth. Dietary management of CMA, therefore, requires diets that are not only hypoallergenic but also support adequate growth in this population. This study assessed growth of CMA infants when using a new amino acid-based formula (AAF) with prebiotics and probiotics (synbiotics) and evaluated its safety in the intended population. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled study, full-term infants with diagnosed CMA received either an AAF (control; n = 56) or AAF with synbiotics (oligofructose, long-chain inulin, acidic oligosaccharides, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V) (test; n = 54) for 16 wk. Primary outcome was growth, measured as weight, length and head circumference. Secondary outcomes included allergic symptoms and stool characteristics. RESULTS: Average age (±SD) of infants at inclusion was 4.5 ± 2.4 months. Both formulas equally supported growth according to WHO 2006 growth charts and resulted in similar increases of weight, length and head circumference. At week 16, differences (90% CI) in Z-scores (test-control) were as follows: weight 0.147 (-0.10; 0.39, p = 0.32), length -0.299 (-0.69; 0.09, p = 0.21) and head circumference 0.152 (-0.15; 0.45, p = 0.40). Weight-for-age and length-for-age Z-scores were not significantly different between the test and control groups. Both formulas were well tolerated and reduced allergic symptoms; the number of adverse events was not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that shows that an AAF with a specific synbiotic blend, suitable for CMA infants, supports normal growth and growth similar to the AAF without synbiotics. This clinical trial is registered as NCT00664768.

Effects on growth and tolerance and hypoallergenicity of an amino acid-based formula with synbiotics.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of an amino acid-based formula (AAF) with synbiotics on growth and tolerance in healthy infants. The hypoallergenicity of this AAF with synbiotics was evaluated in subjects with cow's milk allergy (CMA). METHODS: Study 1: 115 full-term, healthy infants randomly received an AAF with synbiotics or a commercially available AAF for 16 wk. Subjects' weight, length, and head circumference were primary outcome measures. Stool characteristics and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were secondary outcome measures. Clinical examinations, dietary intake, clinical laboratory results, and adverse events were recorded. Study 2: hypoallergenicity of the AAF with synbiotics was evaluated in 30 infants and children with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated CMA using a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge, and a 7-d feeding period. RESULTS: Study 1: comparable results in growth parameters and tolerance were observed for both groups. Minimal differences were observed in stool characteristics and GI symptoms throughout the study. Study 2: all 30 subjects with IgE-mediated CMA completed the study with no allergic reactions detected to challenges. CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrate that an AAF with synbiotics is safe and well tolerated and promotes normal growth when fed to healthy full-term infants as the sole source of nutrition and is hypoallergenic in subjects with CMA.

Immunogenicity and safety of human papillomavirus-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine coadministered with tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine and/or meningococcal conjugate vaccine to healthy girls 11 to 18 years of age: results from a randomized open trial.

BACKGROUND: A combined immunization strategy for administration of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine with other routine vaccines may lead to better compliance. Reactions and immunologic interference with concomitantly administered vaccines are unpredictable, necessitating clinical evaluation. METHODS: This was a randomized, open study conducted at 48 centers in the United States (NCT00369824). Healthy girls 11 to 18 years of age were randomized equally to 1 of 6 groups to receive 3 doses of HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine administered at 0, 1, and 6 or 1, 2, and 7 months, with or without 1 dose of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) and/or 1 dose of meningococcal polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine (MCV4) in different coadministration regimens (1283 girls vaccinated). Coadministered vaccines were injected at separate sites. Antibodies were measured for all vaccine components. Reactogenicity and safety were monitored. RESULTS: The prespecified criteria for noninferiority were met for all primary and secondary immunogenicity end points, demonstrating similar immunogenicity of Tdap and MCV4 when given alone or coadministered with the HPV vaccine. Immunogenicity of the HPV vaccine (in terms of seroconversion rates and geometric mean antibody titers to HPV antigens) was similar, regardless of whether it was given alone or coadministered with Tdap and/or MCV4. No differences were observed in the reactogenicity profile of the HPV vaccine administered alone or coadministered with either Tdap and/or MCV4 in different regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant administration of HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine with Tdap and/or MCV4 in different regimens did not interfere with the immune response to any of the vaccines and had an acceptable safety profile.