Variation in insect herbivory across an urbanization gradient: The role of abiotic factors and leaf secondary metabolites.

Urbanization impacts plant-herbivore interactions, which are crucial for ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. While some studies have reported reductions in insect herbivory in urban areas (relative to rural or natural forests), this trend is not consistent and the underlying causes for such variation remain unclear. We conducted a continental-scale study on insect herbivory along urbanization gradients for three European tree species: Quercus robur, Tilia cordata, and Fraxinus excelsior, and further investigated their biotic and abiotic correlates to get at mechanisms.

Effect of aluminium hydroxide and meningococcal serogroup C capsular polysaccharide on the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a group B Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane vesicle vaccine.

Three different formulations of an outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine against group B meningococcal disease have been prepared and tested for immunogenicity and reactogenicity in adult volunteers. The vaccines were prepared with or without aluminium hydroxide and serogroup C-polysaccharide (C-ps). Doses from 12.

Perforations in surgeons' gloves.

The frequency of unused surgeons' gloves with perforations was investigated by using a watertightness test. Lot-to-lot variations and inter-lot variation were found. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that the quality of the lot is in accordance with the stated Acceptable Quality Level.

Ultrafiltration as a means to eliminate inhibition of the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay.

Inhibition of the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay for the detection of endotoxin is often a problem when testing parenteral solutions with actual concentrations of chemical substances. Seven samples of sterile, pyrogen-free solutions widely used in Norwegian hospitals, with inhibiting effect on the LAL test, were spiked with endotoxin, and ultrafiltered with different volumes of diluent. For six of the seven samples the inhibition was reduced or eliminated.

The Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay for the detection of endotoxin in fat emulsions for total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Fat emulsions spiked with Escherichia coli endotoxin were tested with Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) reagent, using both the micro method and the tube method. The effect of vortexing, ultrasonication and addition of Pyrosperse on the dispersion of endotoxin in these emulsions was compared. The advantage of using the tube method, rather than the micro method, is shown.

Pyrogens from surgeons' sterile latex gloves.

Pyrogens have been detected in water extracts from surgeons' sterile latex gloves, using both the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test and the rabbit test. After the gloves were rinsed with pyrogen-free water, the amount of pyrogens in extracts was markedly reduced. Pyrogens could also be detected in extracts from an angiographic catheter after it had been handled with latex gloves, whereas an unused catheter was free from pyrogens.