Loss-free shaping of few-cycle terawatt laser pulses

We demonstrate loss-free generation of 3 mJ, 1 kHz, few-cycle (5 fs at 750 nm central wavelength) double pulses with a pulse peak separation from 10 to 100 fs, using a helium-filled hollow core fiber (HCF) and chirped mirror compressor. Crucial to our scheme are simulation-based modifications to the spectral phase and amplitude of the oscillator seed pulse to eliminate the deleterious effects of self-focusing and nonlinear phase pickup in the chirped pulse amplifier. The shortest pulse separations are enabled by tunable nonlinear pulse splitting in the HCF compressor.

Report on 4 cases with decreased recovery due to neutralizing antibodies specific for PEGylated recombinant factor VIII

BACKGROUND

The immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy of recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) have gained increasing interest after the introduction of extended half-life products with various modifications of the rFVIII molecule, such as covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Anti-PEG antibodies may be associated with a temporary reduction of FVIII recovery, but according to previous studies, they usually disappear after continuous dosing. Anti-PEG antibodies with an inhibitory capacity have never been demonstrated in patients treated with PEGylated rFVIII products.

OBJECTIVES

To routinely switch from standard half-life to PEGylated extended half-life rFVIII products in patients with hemophilia A.

METHODS

From December 2022 until May 2023, 83 adults with hemophilia A attending Oslo Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre received a test dose with a PEGylated rFVIII product to switch treatment. Four patients presented with decreased recovery without the presence of an FVIII inhibitor. Accordingly, we performed a variant inhibitor test utilizing different rFVIII concentrates as a source of FVIII and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to search for anti-PEG antibodies.

RESULTS

We found inhibitory anti-PEG/anti-PEGylated rFVIII antibodies in 4 patients (5%), both persistent and transient, explaining the impaired recovery. The patients had neutralizing anti-PEG antibodies prior to the first dosing of PEGylated rFVIII. We demonstrated neutralizing antibodies (mainly immunoglobuline G) specific for PEG and all 3 commercially available PEGylated rFVIII products.

CONCLUSION

The number of patients with inhibitory anti-PEG antibodies was significant, and the presence of inhibitors against PEGylated rFVIII emphasizes the importance of individual monitoring when switching FVIII concentrates to ensure safety and efficacy of the treatment.

A novel approach to pathogen reduction in biosolids: the enzymic hydrolyser

Revision of the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations in the UK has resulted in the requirement of a final product standard in terms of E. coli per gram of dry solids. Conventional mesophilic digestion including 14-day secondary storage should normally provide adequate treatment to meet the Treated Sludge Standard. Any process capable of greater pathogen reduction would ensure more process security and compliance comfort. Such a process would be a welcome alternative to extra secondary storage where an existing works does not have sufficient capacity, particularly if the differences in costs between the options are small. Enzymic hydrolysis was found to be up to ten-fold more effective in E. coli reduction than conventional secondary digestion. A two-stage digestion process based on this technique has been developed by United Utilities and Montgomery Watson Harza (termed the enzymic hydrolyser, patent pending). Studies showed that the mean numbers of E. coli were significantly lower in the enzymic hydrolyser systems (P > 0.05; t = 13.19) compared to conventional digesters. Increased stability was a secondary benefit of the system (foam was eliminated or greatly reduced in the enzymic hydrolyser units). Another benefit of the system for retrofit to existing assets is the decreased tankage volumes required compared to secondary digestion to achieve more than twice the log kill of pathogens.

Selective left-lobe atrophy by nodularin treatment accompanied by reduced protein phosphatase 1/2A and increased peroxisome proliferation in rat liver

The effect of nodularin on selective atrophy of left lobes in the liver was investigated in F344 rats. Nodularin was injected for 10 weeks from the third week of initiation with saline or N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN), grouped as S/N and D/N, respectively. Nodularin significantly decreased weights of left (LL) and caudate (CL) lobes but increased right (RL) and middle (ML) lobes in S/N rats. Activity of protein phosphatases [types 1 (PPI) and 2A (PP2A)] was more severely reduced in S/N than D/N rats; moreover, in LL compared with RL of S/N rats, activity was significantly inhibited by nodularin treatment from week 4, which corresponded to 2 weeks after nodularin injection. However, nodularin significantly induced peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA oxidase and cytochrome P-450 4A1 expression in S/N compared with D/N rats. An effect of nodularin on apoptosis was evident since expression of Bcl-Xs was clearly induced in LL of S/N rats as opposed to various inductions of Bcl-XL. However, Bcl-XL in RL was persistently induced, with undetectable Bcl-Xs expression. These results demonstrate biochemical evidence of selective atrophy of LL by inhibition of PP1 and PP2A activity, increase of peroxisomal enzymes and induction of Bcl-Xs expression, in contrast to proliferation of RL in rats treated with nodularin alone. However, nodularin endowed DEN-altered hepatocytes with regenerating power and concomitant restoration of phosphatase activity as well as persistent expression of Bcl-XL in D/N rats.