Transformation of Al(NO3)3∙9H2O (upon heating in the range of 20-1200 °C) into blends of amorphous and crystalline boehmite (210-525 °C), amorphous alumina and crystalline γ-Al2O3 (850 °C), and crystalline α-Al2O3 (1100 °C) was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and low-temperature nitro...

In this study, a chemically modified homo zwitterionic polysaccharide (ZPS), sulfated chitosan, was used to examine its effects on murine immune response. The results showed that homoZPS could markedly promote the proliferation of both splenic T/B cells and adhesive cells. In particular, flow cytometry assay demonstrated that the sulfated chitosan could non-specifically activate CD3(+) and CD8(...

The need to develop a vaccine against schistosomiasis led several researches and our group to investigate proteins from Schistosoma mansoni as vaccine candidates. Sm22.6 is a protein from S. mansoni that shows high identity with Sj22.6 and Sh22.6 (79 and 91%, respectively). These proteins are associated with high levels of IgE and protection to reinfection. Previously, we have shown that Sm22.6...

Anthrax vaccine, adsorbed (AVA) is a vaccine containing aluminum hydroxide that is administered as six subcutaneous (s.q.) doses over 18 months. It is the only aluminum hydroxide licensed for s.q. administration. To optimize the vaccination schedule and route of administration, a prospective pilot study comparing the use of fewer doses administered intramuscularly (i.m.) as well as s.q. with th...

Airborne clay mineral particles have long atmospheric lifetimes due to their relatively small size. To assess their impact on trace atmospheric gases, we investigated heterogeneous reactions on prototype clay minerals. Diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy identified surface-adsorbed products formed from the uptake of gaseous nitric acid and nitrogen dioxide on kaolinite and pyrophyllite. F...

Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH(4)) is a promising compound for hydrogen storage, with a high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen density and a low decomposition temperature. Similar to other metastable hydrides, LiAlH(4) does not form by direct hydrogenation at reasonable hydrogen pressures; therefore, there is considerable interest in developing new routes to regenerate the material from the ...

A multi-nuclear solid-state NMR approach is employed to investigate the lithium-air battery, to monitor the evolution of the electrochemical products formed during cycling, and to gain insight into processes affecting capacity fading. While lithium peroxide is identified by 17O solid state NMR (ssNMR) as the predominant product in the first discharge in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) based electroly...

To evaluate the influence of citrate on the potential developmental toxicity of high doses of aluminum (133 mg/kg/day), three groups of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were given by gavage aluminum hydroxide (384 mg/kg/day), aluminum citrate (1064 mg/kg/day), or aluminum hydroxide (384 mg/kg/day) concurrent with citric acid (62 mg/kg/day) on gestational days 6 through 15. Control animals received ...

This study evaluated different dosage forms of aluminum adjuvant in generating allergic rhinitis animal models. Forty female BALB/c mice were assigned to four groups, including three dosage forms of aluminum adjuvant [powder, gel, and hydrosolvent of aluminum hydroxide, Al(OH)3] mixed with ovalbumin to simulate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and one control group. Although the aluminum adjuv...

The objective of this research was to determine whether variation in the presence of fimbrial protein SefD would impact efficacy of bacterins as measured by recovery of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) from the spleens of hens. Two bacterins were prepared that varied in SefD content. Also, two adjuvants were tested, namely, water-in-oil and aluminum hydroxide gel...