REBISTART: Adherence of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis to Treatment with Subcutaneous Interferon Beta in the Context of a Patient Support Program.

Introduction: Treatment adherence is a critical success factor in the disease-modifying therapy (DMT) of multiple sclerosis (MS). The REBISTART study prospectively evaluated adherence in patients using components of a patient support program (PSP).

Methods: The 12-month non-interventional multicenter study examined the real-world adherence to subcutaneously (sc) injected interferon beta-1a (Rebif).

Actively Driven Light-Addressable Sensor/Actuator System for Automated pH Control for the Integration in Lab-On-A-Chip (LoC) Platforms.

The miniaturization of microfluidic systems usually comes at the cost of more difficult integration of sensors and actuators inside the channel. As an alternative, this work demonstrates the embedding of semiconductor-based sensor and actuator technologies that can be spatially and temporally controlled from outside the channel using light. The first element is a light-addressable potentiometric sensor, consisting of an Al/Si/SiO/SiN structure, that can measure pH changes at the SiN/electrolyte interface.

Interferon beta-1a sc at 25 years: a mainstay in the treatment of multiple sclerosis over the period of one generation.

Introduction: Interferon beta (IFN beta) preparations are an established group of drugs used for immunomodulation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Subcutaneously (sc) applied interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a sc) has been in continuous clinical use for 25 years as a disease-modifying treatment.

Areas Covered: Based on data published since 2018, we discuss recent insights from analyses of the pivotal trial PRISMS and its long-term extension as well as from newer randomized studies with IFN beta-1a sc as the reference treatment, the use of IFN beta-1a sc across the patient life span and as a bridging therapy, recent data regarding the mechanisms of action, and potential benefits of IFN beta-1a sc regarding vaccine responses.

Adherence to Subcutaneous Interferon Beta-1a in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Receiving Periodic Feedback on Drug Use by Discussion of Readouts of Their Rebismart Injector: Results of the Prospective Cohort Study REBIFLECT.

Introduction: Consistent treatment adherence is an important determinant of durable response in multiple sclerosis (MS). Published data indicate that adherence to > 80% of prescribed doses may be considered optimal. Feedback of electronic application monitoring data to patients has been considered a promising means to support high adherence.

Electrochemical Cell-based Biosensors for Biomedical Applications.

Electrochemical cell-based biosensors have attracted increasing interest within the last 15 years, with a large number of reports generally dealing with the sensors' sensitivity, selectivity, stability, signal-to-noise ratio, spatiotemporal resolution, etc. However, only a few of them are now available as commercial products. In this review, technological advances, current challenges, and opportunities of electrochemical cell-based biosensors are presented.

Light-Addressable Actuator-Sensor Platform for Monitoring and Manipulation of pH Gradients in Microfluidics: A Case Study with the Enzyme Penicillinase.

The feasibility of light-addressed detection and manipulation of pH gradients inside an electrochemical microfluidic cell was studied. Local pH changes, induced by a light-addressable electrode (LAE), were detected using a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) with different measurement modes representing an actuator-sensor system. Biosensor functionality was examined depending on locally induced pH gradients with the help of the model enzyme penicillinase, which had been immobilized in the microfluidic channel.

Cryopreservation of a cell-based biosensor chip modified with elastic polymer fibers enabling ready-to-use on-site applications.

An efficient preservation of a cell-based biosensor chip to achieve a ready-to-use on-site system is still very challenging as the chip contains a living component such as adherent mammalian cells. Herein, we propose a strategy called on-sensor cryopreservation (OSC), which enables the adherent cells to be preserved by freezing (-80 °C) on a biosensor surface, such as the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). Adherent cells on rigid surfaces are prone to cryo-injury; thus, the surface was modified to enhance the cell recovery for OSC.

Synthesis of α-hydroxy ketones and vicinal (,)-diols by DSM 8716 butanediol dehydrogenase.

α-hydroxy ketones (HK) and 1,2-diols are important building blocks for fine chemical synthesis. Here, we describe the -selective 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase from DSM 8716 (BcBDH) that belongs to the metal-dependent medium chain dehydrogenases/reductases family (MDR) and catalyzes the selective asymmetric reduction of prochiral 1,2-diketones to the corresponding HK and, in some cases, the reduction of the same to the corresponding 1,2-diols. Aliphatic diketones, like 2,3-pentanedione, 2,3-hexanedione, 5-methyl-2,3-hexanedione, 3,4-hexanedione and 2,3-heptanedione are well transformed.

Light-Addressable Electrodes for Dynamic and Flexible Addressing of Biological Systems and Electrochemical Reactions.

In this review article, we are going to present an overview on possible applications of light-addressable electrodes (LAE) as actuator/manipulation devices besides classical electrode structures. For LAEs, the electrode material consists of a semiconductor. Illumination with a light source with the appropiate wavelength leads to the generation of electron-hole pairs which can be utilized for further photoelectrochemical reaction.

A LAPS-Based Differential Sensor for Parallelized Metabolism Monitoring of Various Bacteria.

Monitoring the cellular metabolism of bacteria in (bio)fermentation processes is crucial to control and steer them, and to prevent undesired disturbances linked to metabolically inactive microorganisms. In this context, cell-based biosensors can play an important role to improve the quality and increase the yield of such processes. This work describes the simultaneous analysis of the metabolic behavior of three different types of bacteria by means of a differential light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) set-up.

Combined calorimetric gas- and spore-based biosensor array for online monitoring and sterility assurance of gaseous hydrogen peroxide in aseptic filling machines.

A combined calorimetric gas- and spore-based biosensor array is presented in this work to monitor and evaluate the sterilization efficacy of gaseous hydrogen peroxide in aseptic filling machines. HO has been successfully measured under industrial conditions. Furthermore, the effect of HO on three different spore strains , namely Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus subtilis and Geobacillus stearothermophilus, has been investigated by means of SEM, AFM and impedimetric measurements.

Quantitative differential monitoring of the metabolic activity of Corynebacterium glutamicum cultures utilizing a light-addressable potentiometric sensor system.

Applying biosensors for evaluation of the extracellular acidification of microorganisms in various biotechnological fermentation processes is on demand. An early stage detection of disturbances in the production line would avoid costly interventions related to metabolically inactive microorganisms. Furthermore, the determination of the number of living cells through cell plating procedure after cultivations is known as time- and material-consuming.

Adherence to Subcutaneous IFN β-1a in Multiple Sclerosis: Final Analysis of the Non-Interventional Study READOUTsmart Using the Dosing Log and Readout Function of RebiSmart.

Introduction: Patient adherence is a key determinant of treatment success in multiple sclerosis (MS). The RebiSmart autoinjector facilitates patient self-injection of subcutaneous interferon β-1a (sc IFN β-1a) and allows quantitative measurement of adherence via its automated dosing log. We evaluated patient adherence and patient-reported cognitive and health-economic outcomes over 2 years in patients using RebiSmart.

Development and characterization of a field-effect biosensor for the detection of acetoin.

A capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) field-effect biosensor for acetoin detection has been presented for the first time. The EIS sensor consists of a layer structure of Al/p-Si/SiO/TaO/enzyme acetoin reductase. The enzyme, also referred to as butane-2,3-diol dehydrogenase from B.

Interferon β-1a and β-1b for patients with multiple sclerosis: updates to current knowledge.

Although multiple sclerosis (MS) remains incurable, interferon beta (IFNβ) has been at the forefront of treatment for many years. Different formulations of IFNβ allow for different levels of exposure: low-dose/frequency with some agents, and high-dose/frequency with others. Areas covered: This review article discusses existing and emerging efficacy and safety data for IFNβ in MS.

(R,R)-Butane-2,3-diol dehydrogenase from Bacillus clausii DSM 8716: Cloning and expression of the bdhA-gene, and initial characterization of enzyme.

The gene encoding a putative (R,R)-butane-2,3-diol dehydrogenase (bdhA) from Bacillus clausii DSM 8716 was isolated, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. The amino acid sequence of the encoded protein is only distantly related to previously studied enzymes (identity 33-43%) and exhibited some uncharted peculiarities. An N-terminally StrepII-tagged enzyme variant was purified and initially characterized.

Light-Addressable Potentiometric Sensors for Quantitative Spatial Imaging of Chemical Species.

A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is a semiconductor-based chemical sensor, in which a measurement site on the sensing surface is defined by illumination. This light addressability can be applied to visualize the spatial distribution of pH or the concentration of a specific chemical species, with potential applications in the fields of chemistry, materials science, biology, and medicine. In this review, the features of this chemical imaging sensor technology are compared with those of other technologies.

Novel poloxamer-based nanoemulsions to enhance the intestinal absorption of active compounds.

On the basis of Pluronic P104 as primary emulsifier and Lauroglycol 90 as amphiphilic oil phase, two nanoemulsion systems were developed with Pluronic((R)) L62 or L81 as secondary emulsifiers. The possible nanoemulsion region of combinations of these excipients was described in ternary phase diagrams. Three formulations were selected from the nanoemulsion region and their potential impact on oral absorption was examined in the Caco-2 monolayer model of the small intestine.

pH-independent drug release of an extremely poorly soluble weakly acidic drug from multiparticulate extended release formulations.

Extended release mini matrix tablets for 8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN), an extremely poorly soluble weakly acidic drug, were developed by using polyvinylacetate/polyvinylpyrrolidone as matrix former. Mini matrix tablets were manufactured by direct compression or wet granulation technique. With conventional modified release formulations, the drug demonstrated pH-dependent release due to pH-dependent solubility of the drug substance (i.

Comparison of permeation enhancing strategies for an oral factor Xa inhibitor using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model.

FXai, a direct inhibitor of the clotting factor Xa, provides high water solubility but poor membrane permeability due to multiple sites of ionization and a molecular weight exceeding 500 Da, making it a Class III drug according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. To overcome the ionization problem and increase the transcellular permeability, various ester and hydroxyamidine prodrugs exhibiting a reduced number of ionization sites were studied in the Caco-2 monolayer model for intestinal permeation. Alternatively, the potential transcellular permeation enhancement of Imwitor 742 and the potential paracellular enhancement of three chitosan formulations were investigated in the same model.