An advanced in silico model of the oral mucosa reveals the impact of extracellular spaces on chemical permeation.

Accurately predicting the permeation of chemicals through human epithelial tissues is crucial for pharmaceutical therapeutic design and toxicology. Current mathematical models of multi-layered stratified squamous epithelium such as those in the oral cavity use simplistic 'bricks and mortar' geometries that do not fully account for the complex cellular architecture that may affect chemical permeation in these tissues. Here we aimed to develop a new, advanced mechanistic mathematical model of the human epithelium that more accurately represents chemical tissue permeation.

Controlled dual drug release from adhesive electrospun patches for prevention and treatment of alveolar osteitis.

Approximately one in five individuals experience alveolar osteitis (AO) following wisdom tooth extraction. AO is characterised by loss of the blood clot from the tooth extraction socket leading to infection and pain, resulting in repeated hospital visits that impose a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Current treatments are sub-optimal; to address this we developed a novel drug-loaded mucoadhesive patch composed of dual electrospun polyvinyl pyrrolidone/Eudragit RS100 (PVP/RS100) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) fibres protected by a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) backing layer.

Targeting the Complexity of In Vitro Skin Models: A Review of Cutting-Edge Developments.

Skin in vitro models offer much promise for research, testing drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices, reducing animal testing and extensive clinical trials. There are several in vitro approaches to mimicking human skin behavior, ranging from simple cell monolayer to complex organotypic and bioengineered 3-dimensional models. Some have been approved for preclinical studies in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

Identifying a Level of Neutralizing Antibody That Correlates With Protection From Clinical Mumps Disease During a 2017 Mumps Outbreak Among Military Service Members.

Background: In 2017, a mumps outbreak occurred in a US military barracks. Serum collected at service entry was used to compare pre-exposure with presumptive vaccine-induced antibody levels from persons who developed mumps (cases) and potentially exposed persons who did not develop mumps (non-cases). Sufficient information to determine levels of exposure during the outbreak was not available.