Investigating the Effect of Aloe vera Gel on the Buccal Permeability of Didanosine.

The buccal mucosal route offers several advantages but the delivery of certain drugs can be limited by low membrane permeability. This study investigated the buccal permeability properties of didanosine (ddI) and assessed the potential of ALOE VERA gel (AVgel) as a novel buccal permeation enhancer. Permeation studies were performed using Franz diffusion cells, and the drug was quantified by UV spectroscopy. Histomorphological evaluations were undertaken using light and transmission electron microscopy. The permeability of ddI was concentration-dependent, and it did not have any adverse effects on the buccal mucosae. A linear relationship (R (2) = 0.9557) between the concentrations and flux indicated passive diffusion as the mechanism of drug transport. AVgel at concentrations of 0.25 to 2 %w/v enhanced ddI permeability with enhancement ratios from 5.09 (0.25 %w/v) to 11.78 (2 %w/v) but decreased permeability at 4 and 6 %w/v. Ultrastructural analysis of the buccal mucosae treated with phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4 (PBS), ddI/PBS, and ddI/PBS/AVgel 0.5 %w/v showed cells with normal plasmalemma, well-developed cristae, and nuclei with regular nuclear envelopes. However, cells from 1, 2, and 6 %w/v AVgel-treated mucosae showed irregular nuclear outlines, increased intercellular spacing, and plasmalemma crenulations. This study demonstrates the potential of AVgel as a buccal permeation enhancer for ddI to improve anti-HIV and AIDS therapy.

EPI Update, October 7 2005

Weekly newsletter for Center For Acute Disease Epidemiology of Iowa Department of Public Health.

EPI Update, October 7 2005

Weekly newsletter for Center For Acute Disease Epidemiology of Iowa Department of Public Health.

Five-Year Denosumab Treatment of Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis: Results from the first two Years of the Freedom Trial Extension

Objectives : The FREEDOM trial1 open-label extension is designed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of denosumab for up to 10 years. We report the results from the first 2 years of the extension, representing up to 5 years of denosumab exposure.Materials/Methods : Postmenopausal women enrolled in the extension previously completed FREEDOM. During the extension, all women receive denosumab (60 mg) every 6 months and calcium and vitamin D daily. For the FREEDOM denosumab group, the data reflect 5 years of denosumab treatment (long-term group). For the FREEDOM placebo group, the data reflect 2 years of denosumab treatment (de novo group). P-values are descriptive.Results : There were 4550 (70.2%) FREEDOM women enrolled in the extension (2343 long-term; 2207 de novo). During the 4th and 5th years of denosumab treatment, the long-term group had further 1.9% and 1.7% increases in lumbar spine BMD and further 0.7% and 0.6% increases in total hip BMD (all P<0.0001 compared with extension baseline). Total BMD increases with 5-year denosumab treatment were 13.7% (lumbar spine) and 7.0% (total hip). In the de novo group, BMD increased during the first 2 years of denosumab treatment by 7.9% (lumbar spine) and 4.1% (total hip) (all P<0.0001 compared with extension baseline). After denosumab administration, serum CTX was rapidly and maximally reduced in both groups with the characteristic attenuation observed at the end of the dosing interval, as previously reported.2 Incidences of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures were low and below rates observed in the FREEDOM placebo group. Adverse event reports were similar for both groups: in the long-term group, 83.4% reported AEs and 18.9% were serious. In the de novo group, the percentages were 82.8% and 19.4%, respectively. In FREEDOM, the respective percentages were 92.8% and 25.8% in the denosumab group and 93.1% and 25.1% in the placebo group. Two subjects in the de novo group had AEs adjudicated to ONJ which healed without further complications ; one resolved within the 6-month dosing interval and denosumab was continued. There were no atypical femoral fractures.Conclusions : Denosumab treatment for 5 years was well-tolerated and continued to significantly reduce CTX and significantly increase BMD. Reference: 1)Cummings;NEJM;2009;361:756, 2)Eastell;JBMR;2010; doi-10.1002/jbmr.251 Disclosure of Interest: This study was funded by Amgen; S Papapoulos: Consulting fees from Amgen, Merck, Novartis, Procter & Gamble, GSK, and Wyeth; R Chapurlat: Research grants and/or consulting fees from Amgen, Merck, Novartis, sanofi-aventis, Roche, Servier, and Warner Chilcott;ML Brandi: Research grants and/or consulting fees from Amgen, Eli Lily, GSK, MSD, NPS, Nycomed, Roche, Servier, and Stroder; JP Brown: Research grants and/or consulting or speaking fees from Abott, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, Merck, and Warner Chilcott; E Czerwinski: Research grants from Amgen, Astrazeneca, Danone Research, Eli Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, SantoSolve AS, and Servier; N Daizadeh, A Grauer, C Libanati: Employed by Amgen and own Amgen stocks or stock options; M-A Krieg, D Mellstrom, H Resch: None; S Radominski: Research grants from Amgen, Pfizer, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, and Aventis; Z Man: Lecture fees and/or consulting fees from Merck, Novartis, Roche, and sanofi-aventis. Novartis steering committee member; JA Roman: Research grants from Roche; J-Y Reginster: Research grants, consulting fees, and/or lecture fees from Amgen, Analis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Ebewee Pharma, Genevrier, GSK, IBSA, Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dhome, Negma, Novartis, Novo-Nordisk, Nycomed, NPS, Roche, Rottapharm, Servier, Teijin, Teva, Theramex, UCB, Wyeth, and Zodiac; C Roux: Research grants and/or consulting fees from Amgen, MSD, Novartis, Servier, and Roche; SR Cummings: Research grants and/or consulting fees from Amgen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Merck; HG Bone: Research grants and/or consulting or speaking fees from Amgen, Eli Lilly, Merck, Nordic Bioscience, Novartis, Takeda, and Zelos

The contribution of patch topology and demographic parameters to PVA predictions: the case of the European tree frog

Population viability analyses (PVA) are increasingly used in metapopulation conservation plans. Two major types of models are commonly used to assess vulnerability and to rank management options: population-based stochastic simulation models (PSM such as RAMAS or VORTEX) and stochastic patch occupancy models (SPOM). While the first set of models relies on explicit intrapatch dynamics and interpatch dispersal to predict population levels in space and time, the latter is based on spatially explicit metapopulation theory where the probability of patch occupation is predicted given the patch area and isolation (patch topology). We applied both approaches to a European tree frog (Hyla arborea) metapopulation in western Switzerland in order to evaluate the concordances of both models and their applications to conservation. Although some quantitative discrepancies appeared in terms of network occupancy and equilibrium population size, the two approaches were largely concordant regarding the ranking of patch values and sensitivities to parameters, which is encouraging given the differences in the underlying paradigms and input data.

Report of Recommendations to the State University of Iowa on the Review of Selected General and Application Controls over the University's Human Resources Information System, June 7, 2005-July 29, 2005

Other Audit Reports - Regent Institutions

Iowa Community Empowerment Newsletter, April 2006, Vol.7, no.2

Monthly newsletter for the Iowa Department of Public Health

KH-7

El trabajo que presentamos a continuación analiza la situación de la empresa KH Lloreda en el mercado de productos desengrasantes. Concretamente hemos profundizado en la estrategia de márketing utilizada en la empresa a la hora de lanzar su producto KH-7.Decidimos elegir la empresa KH Lloreda y más concretamente el producto KH-7 porque nos llamó la atención que un producto destinado al uso diario de la limpieza del hogar hubiera tenido tanto éxito. ¿Cuál es la característica innovadora que hace que la gente prefiera este producto? Otro factor que también ha sido decisivo a la hora de elegir la empresa es la evolución de la compañía. Una empresa catalana de origen familiar ha logrado hacerse un hueco en el mercado y, en determinados sectores, ha logrado superar a grandes multinacionales. por esto hemos aprovechado esta ocasión para estudiar las estrategias que ha utilizado la empresa y más importante aún cómo las ha implementado para llegar hasta donde está ahora.El trabajo está estructurado en cuatro grandes partes. La primera trata de analizar los factores que pueden tener un impacto en la actividad de la empresa, tanto a nivel externo como dentro de la compañía.En la segunda hemos estudiado la estrategia que ha seguido la empresa al lanzar su producto KH-7, qué decisiones ha tomado, qué factores ha resaltado, de qué cosas han prescindido...La tercera comprende el análisis del apartado de márketing. Cómo ha dado a conocer la empresa el producto y cómo ha conseguido que los clientes se decanten por su producto antes que el de la competencia.Y por último, la cuarta parte del trabajo consiste en las conclusiones, analiza los resultados que hemos obtenido al estudiar cada una de las partes anteriores.por último creemos que es importante explicar brevemente qué esperamos obtener nosotros de la realización de este proyecto. Creemos que lo más importante que podemos aprender de él es que no sólo triunfan las grandes marcas y las grandes multinacionales con presencia mundial. Si se encuentra una buena idea de negocio, que normalmente viene dada por un hueco en el mercado, y se desarrolla una política empresarial coherente con el nuevo producto, las posibilidades de tener éxito en el mercado son muy elevadas, y con este trabajo intentamos demostrarlo.

EPI Update, April 7, 2006

Weekly newsletter for Center For Acute Disease Epidemiology of Iowa Department of Public Health.

Motor Vehicle Accident Fatalities for the Week Ending, April 7, 2006

Record of the Fatalities for Motor Vehicle Accidents in Iowa per week.

ABD e-News, April 7, 2006

Weekly Newsletter

Iowa Department of Eldar Affairs Legislative Update, February 18, 2005, Vol. 1, no. 7

Iowa Department of Elder Affairs provides a brief summation of a Departmental program or other important Departmental information in each Legislative Update. The Legislative Update is produced for informational and educational purposes only.

Iowa Department of Elder Affairs Legislative Update, February 18, 2005, Vol. 1, no. 7

Iowa Department of Elder Affairs provides a brief summation of a Departmental program or other important Departmental information in each Legislative Update. The Legislative Update is produced for informational and educational purposes only.