Publications by authors named "Vivian Kral"

The demand for skin models as alternatives to animal testing has grown due to ethical concerns and the need for accurate substance evaluation. These alternatives, known as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), are increasingly used for regulatory decisions. Current skin models from primary human cells often rely on bovine collagen, raising ethical issues.

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Article Synopsis
  • The establishment of initiatives centered on the Three Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) has been bolstered by the adoption of new protective regulations for animals in scientific research.
  • Recent articles have been published to review the growth and current activities of European Three Rs centres and platforms, detailing their financial structures, core functions, and ongoing projects.
  • These centres serve as crucial hubs for promoting the Three Rs principles, offering models for sustainability and facilitating information sharing in their countries.
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Article Synopsis
  • * Numerous Three Rs centres and platforms have been established to create new methods, share knowledge, and implement these principles in policies and education, encouraged by legislation aimed at protecting animals used in research.
  • * This article provides an overview of European Three Rs centres, their historical development, and previews subsequent articles discussing their current focuses, tasks, and future plans for enhancing non-animal research methods and practices.
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Nanoparticles can improve topical drug delivery: size, surface properties and flexibility of polymer nanoparticles are defining its interaction with the skin. Only few studies have explored skin penetration for one series of structurally related polymer particles with systematic alteration of material composition. Here, a series of rigid poly[acrylonitrile-co-(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)] model nanoparticles stably loaded with Nile Red or Rhodamin B, respectively, was comprehensively studied for biocompatibility and functionality.

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Drug loaded dendritic core-multishell (CMS) nanocarriers are of especial interest for the treatment of skin diseases, owing to their striking dermal delivery efficiencies following topical applications. CMS nanocarriers are composed of a polyglycerol core, connected by amide-bonds to an inner alkyl shell and an outer methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) shell. Since topically applied nanocarriers are subjected to biodegradation, the application of conventional amide-based CMS nanocarriers (10-A-18-350) has been limited by the potential production of toxic polyglycerol amines.

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Polyglycerol scaffolds and nanoparticles emerged as prominent material for various biomedical applications including topical drug delivery. The impact of slight structural modifications on the nanoparticles' properties, drug delivery potential, and biocompatibility, however, is still not fully understood.Hence, we explored the influence of structural modifications of five structurally related polyglycerol-based nanoparticles (PG-PEG, SK1-SK5) on dermal drug delivery efficiency and biocompatibility.

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