Post hoc analysis of reactogenicity trends between dose 1 and dose 2 of the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine in two parallel randomized trials.

In two large clinical trials (ZOE-50 [NCT01165177] and ZOE-70 [NCT01165229]), two doses of the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) demonstrated >90% efficacy against herpes zoster in adults ≥50 years of age. Solicited adverse events (AEs) were collected for 7 days post-each dose in a study sub-cohort. The incidence of reported solicited AEs was higher for RZV compared to placebo recipients.

Efficacy of the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) by sex, geographic region, and geographic ancestry/ethnicity: A post-hoc analysis of the ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 randomized trials.

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) risk appears to vary by sex and geographic ancestry/ethnicity.

Methods: In 2 randomized clinical trials, participants received 2 doses of adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) or placebo intramuscularly, 2 months apart. In this post-hoc analysis, we investigate efficacy of RZV against HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) by sex, geographic region, and geographic ancestry/ethnicity in ≥50-year-olds (ZOE-50: NCT01165177) and ≥70-year-olds (pooled data from ZOE-50 and ZOE-70: NCT01165229).

Diagnostic and therapeutic applications of iontophoresis.

Owing to the excellent barrier properties of the stratum corneum, transdermal delivery remains a challenge for a high number of molecules. Iontophoresis is a noninvasive technique which uses a low current to administer polar and charged species through the skin, thereby enlarging the range of drug candidates for transdermal administration. Unlike other techniques of transdermal delivery enhancement, iontophoresis acts on the molecule itself allowing a better control of the dose applied.

Targeting nanoparticles to M cells with non-peptidic ligands for oral vaccination.

The presence of RGD on nanoparticles allows the targeting of beta1 integrins at the apical surface of human M cells and the enhancement of an immune response after oral immunization. To check the hypothesis that non-peptidic ligands targeting intestinal M cells or APCs would be more efficient for oral immunization than RGD, novel non-peptidic and peptidic analogs (RGD peptidomimitic (RGDp), LDV derivative (LDVd) and LDV peptidomimetic (LDVp)) as well as mannose were grafted on the PEG chain of PCL-PEG and incorporated in PLGA-based nanoparticles. RGD and RGDp significantly increased the transport of nanoparticles across an in vitro model of human M cells as compared to enterocytes.

Non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring of chronic kidney disease by reverse iontophoresis of urea in vivo.

Background: Reverse iontophoresis uses a small current to extract molecules and ions through the skin. The aim of the study was to determine whether reverse iontophoresis of urea can be used (i) to diagnose and monitor non-invasively chronic kidney disease (CKD), and (ii) to track urea levels closely during a hemodialysis session.

Methods: A current of 0.

Assessment of the "skin reservoir" of urea by confocal Raman microspectroscopy and reverse iontophoresis in vivo.

Purpose: To demonstrate the "skin reservoir" of urea by confocal Raman microspectroscopy in vivo and to evaluate its impact on the non-invasive monitoring of the analyte by reverse iontophoresis.

Methods: Urea was extracted iontophoretically over a 2-h period across the skin of adult volunteers and patients with chronic kidney disease. Confocal Raman microspectroscopic profiles of skin were recorded before and after 30 min of current application.

Monitoring of urea and potassium by reverse iontophoresis in vitro.

Purpose: Reverse iontophoresis is an alternative to blood sampling for the monitoring of endogenous molecules. Here, the potential of the technique to measure urea and potassium levels non-invasively, and to track their concentrations during hemodialysis, has been examined.

Materials And Methods: In vitro experiments were performed to test (a) a series of subdermal urea and potassium concentrations typical of the pathophysiologic range, and (b) a decreasing profile of urea and potassium subdermal concentrations to mimic those which are observed during hemodialysis.

Reverse iontophoresis of lithium: electrode formulation using a thermoreversible polymer.

This work investigated the use of a thermoreversible gel as a collector vehicle in reverse iontophoresis applications. A 20% (w/w) aqueous gel of Pluronic F127 was a suitable receptor medium to be used at the cathodal chamber. In vitro iontophoresis experiments investigated the simultaneous extraction of lithium (analyte of interest) and sodium (used as an internal standard) into either a control buffer or a gelled receptor.