Automation of pharmaceutical dissolution testing by flow injection analysis

The different types of instruments used for monitoring pharmaceutical dissolution testing are presented. Their features and the need for automation are critically discussed. The advantages of flow injection analysis in this respect are illustrated by a variety of examples clearly showing its adaptability to the different problems posed by other automatic and non-automatic alternatives.     

Oxidative stress response involving induction of protective enzymes in Candida dubliniensis.

Candida dubliniensis is a yeast species closely related to Candida albicans, but in contrast to C. albicans, limited information is available on the virulence factors of this important fungal pathogen. The objective of the present study was to determine if this species was able to evoke an adaptive response to oxidants. C. dubliniensis, treated with a low concentration of either H(2)O(2) or methyl viologen (a superoxide generating agent), mounts an adaptive response that results in increased survival against lethal doses of both oxidants. This response was characterized by the induction of enzymes with known antioxidant function. C. dubliniensis strains were less resistant to oxidants than C. albicans, displaying higher susceptibility to their toxic effects. The adaptive response described here might be responsible, among other factors, for the ability of this pathogen to cause infections in individuals with impaired immunity.     

The C-terminal domain of the pVP2 precursor is essential for the interaction between VP2 and VP3, the capsid polypeptides of infectious bursal disease virus

The interaction between the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) capsid proteins VP2 and VP3 has been analyzed in vivo using baculovirus expression vectors. Data presented here demonstrate that the 71-amino acid C-terminal-specific domain of pVP2, the VP2 precursor, is essential for the establishment of the VP2-VP3 interaction. Additionally, we show that coexpression of the pVP2 and VP3 polypeptides from independent genes results in the assembly of virus-like particles (VLPs). This observation demonstrates that these two polypeptides contain the minimal information required for capsid assembly, and that this process does not require the presence of the precursor polyprotein.     

Time of Dietary Energy and Nutrient Intake and Body Mass Index in Children: Compositional Data Analysis from the Childhood Obesity Project (CHOP) Trial

Meal timing is suggested to influence the obesity risk in children. Our aim was to analyse the effect of energy and nutrient distributions at eating occasions (EO), including breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks, on the BMI z-score (zBMI) during childhood in 729 healthy children. BMI and three-day dietary protocols were obtained at 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 years of age, and dietary data were analysed as the percentage of the mean total energy intake (TEI; %E). Intakes at EOs were transformed via an isometric log–ratio transformation and added as exposure variables to linear mixed-effects models. Stratified analyses by country and recategorization of EOs by adding intake from snacks to respective meals for further analyses were performed. The exclusion of subjects with less than three observations and the exclusion of subjects who skipped one EO or consumed 5% energy or less at one EO were examined in sensitivity analyses. Around 23% of the children were overweight at a given time point. Overweight and normal-weight children showed different distributions of dietary intakes over the day; overweight children consumed higher intakes at lunch and lower intakes of snacks. However, no significant effects of timing of EOs on zBMI were found in regression analyses.     

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in comparison with age- and sex-matched controls: results of a claims data analysis

The aim of this study was to assess the vaccination status for influenza and pneumonia and the prevalence of hospitalised pneumonia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and population controls in Germany. Members of a large statutory health insurance fund in Germany who were continuously insured between 2009 and 2013 and had a diagnosis of RA in 2013 were age and sex matched 1:5 to members without RA. Pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations were evaluated with regard to age, sex and region of residence. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors for influenza vaccination in RA patients. Prevalences of pneumonia that required hospitalisation were compared to regional vaccination rates. The data of 111,482 RA patients and 557,410 matched controls were available for analysis. Compared to controls, RA patients were vaccinated more frequently against influenza (40.8 vs. 32.2 %) and pneumonia (15.0 vs. 10.0 %). Vaccination rates increased with older age and differed between the federal states (highest in East Germany, lowest in South Germany). The region of residence, comorbidities, rheumatologic care and biologic treatment was associated with a higher probability of an influenza vaccination. Prevalences of pneumonia that required hospitalisation were 2–3 times higher in patients compared to controls and tended to be higher in regions with low vaccination rates. The increased pneumonia prevalence in RA patients confirms their status as a risk group. RA patients are vaccinated more frequently than controls, but vaccination rates are still low. The lower pneumonia prevalence in East Germany indicates that vaccination may help to reduce pneumonia in RA.     

Breast cancer management in the elderly

The increase in life expectancy in the western world means that we are faced with patients diagnosed with breast cancer in old age with increasing frequency. The management of these cases is a challenge for the oncologist, who must take into account the conditions associated with advanced age and the lack of trials in this population. In this review, we addressed the incorporation of geriatric assessment methods that may be useful in making decisions, the particular biological characteristics of breast cancer in elderly patients and their treatment in both localized and advanced disease. Finally, we collected recommendations based on scientific evidence regarding the monitoring and life-style after finishing treatment.