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Irritant diaper dermatitis (IDD) is very common in infants and usually managed by the caregiver. Dexpanthenol-containing ointment (DCO) is a decades-long established product that has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability in the treatment and prevention of infant IDD in controlled clinical settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of DCO in the treatment of infant IDD from the perspective of the caregiver by collecting data not explored in clinical trials, such as infant quality of life and the speed of action.A retrospective observational real-world data (RWD) study was conducted with French adult caregivers who had used a DCO to treat IDD in their infants within the past 6 months and consented to participate to the study completed a web-based survey answering questions regarding the severity of their infants' symptoms (intensity/extent of redness and discomfort, rated using Likert scales) before and after DCO application. The speed of onset of symptom relief and product acceptability were also collected.A total of 500 caregivers of 564 infants completed the survey. Of these, 80% reported that DCO visibly treats IDD. In terms of speed of action, 83% declared that the first signs of symptom relief appeared after 1 day of application and 78% reported full symptom resolution within 2 days of application. Additionally, ≥77% of caregivers agreed that DCO provided overnight relief from the discomfort caused by IDD and reduced sleep disturbance in their children. Finally, 85% of caregivers declared being satisfied with the product overall and considered the product pleasant to use.This evidence from caregivers' experience confirms that DCO can be considered an adequate medication to self-manage IDD episode as it provides rapid relief of the signs and symptoms of inflammation, while by being pleasant to be use.

Gentle cleansing of the skin without further compromising its barrier function and moisture content and being simultaneously devoid of adverse effects on the skin microbiome are important features of body cleansers for atopic-prone skin sufferers. For this population, a new dexpanthenol-containing liquid cleanser (DCLC) was developed.Two prospective 4-week studies have been conducted. Study 1 investigated the effect of once-daily DCLC on stratum corneum (SC) hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pH, and skin microbiome (all on the volar forearm) in adult subjects with dry skin (N = 44). Study 2 explored the cutaneous tolerability of DCLC and its effect on the microbiome biodiversity of the volar forearm skin in infants/children with atopic-prone skin (N = 33, aged 6 months to 6 years). In the latter study, DCLC was applied 2-3 days/week in combination with an emollient applied at least twice daily.In Study 1, on Day 29, the mean change in skin surface capacitance from baseline was significantly greater in the forearm test area treated with DCLC than in the contralateral test area (control) treated with water only (5.16 vs. 3.65 a.u.; p = 0.011), suggesting long-term SC hydration. DCLC use was not associated with changes in TEWL, skin pH, or microbiome biodiversity if compared to control. In Study 2, the 4-week use of DCLC in combination with an emollient was well tolerated according to pediatrician skin assessment, and no flare-ups were recorded. The microbiome biodiversity did not shift during the study.These findings support the use of DCLC in subjects with atopic-prone skin.

Objectives: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is common in women, causing discomfort and negatively impacting quality of life. Canesten® is an established over-the-counter brand. Its clotrimazole/fluconazole-based products, available in a variety of different formulations, have demonstrated efficacy and safety in the treatment of women with thrush/vaginal yeast infection in randomized trials. This real-world evidence study, conducted in the United Kingdom and Canada, aimed to provide consumer-important information on the benefits of Canesten, collecting retrospective information from consumers about their recent experience with the product. Methods: Eligible participants were female, aged 18–60 years, and had experienced at least one episode of vaginal thrush (United Kingdom)/vaginal yeast infection (Canada) during the previous 6 months for which they had used at least one of the six Canesten products. Participants completed an online questionnaire eliciting information on the speed of onset of symptom relief, impact on quality of life, and product attributes/satisfaction. Results: Over 90% of respondents reported improvements in symptoms and quality of life after starting treatment with a Canesten product. Improvements in symptoms within 4 h of the first time of use were perceived by 42% of consumers; 76%–88% reported symptomatic relief within 1 day. The perceived general speed of onset of symptomatic relief with a Canesten oral product (1–2 days) was slightly longer than that with a Canesten topical/intra-vaginal product (⩽1 day). Most users of Canesten single (90%) and dual product treatments (95%) reported that the products started to work from the first application. Women experiencing both internal and external symptoms of thrush/vaginal yeast infection reported Canesten dual product formulations to provide faster symptomatic relief than single product treatments. Over 90% of respondents were satisfied with their use of a Canesten product. Conclusion: Canesten was found by consumers to offer rapid relief of the symptoms of thrush/vaginal yeast infection with improvements in quality of life. Consumer satisfaction was high.

Background: Dexpanthenol containing formula (BEPANTHEN®), formulated as a water in oil preparation, is currently widely marketed as a diaper care product aiming to protect baby’s buttocks and repair diaper dermatitis. Dexpanthenol is a well-known moisturizer with barrier-improving properties and the oily phase of the water in oil preparation forms a lipophilic film on the skin surface that isolates the skin from irritants (feces and urine). Prolonged contact with irritants triggers a local inflammation cascade responsible for the cutaneous erythema. To further investigate the protective properties of skin barrier preparations, we took advantage of an ex vivo model of healthy human skin discs especially designed to evaluate protective and/or repairing effects of topical preparations recommended for baby’s buttocks through the measurement of interleukin-1 alpha release (a cytokine considered as the Primum movens of the skin inflammatory reaction), following the application of different irritants. Methods: Healthy human skin discs have been incubated in the absence (control) or in the presence of two irritants, i.e. a “urine like + urease” preparation and sodium dodecyl sulfate, and in the presence of three ointments, one containing dexpanthenol, but not the other two. At the end of the incubation period, interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) was quantified in the explants culture media. Results: “Urine like + urease” preparation (ULU) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) both increased IL-1α production of skin explants by 181.1% (p α release by 67.42% (p α release by 45.94% (p α production regardless of the irritant applied. Moreover, the effect of the dexpanthenol containing formula on the ULU-induced IL-1α release was significantly higher than the effect of the other formula; a difference of 19.6 % (p ®) provides good protection of baby’s buttocks against irritants. Its protective effect seems to be superior compared with other products, which did not contain this ingredient. Moreover, the results obtained in the present study suggest that dexpanthenol displays per se a real IL-1α production inhibitory effect. This work, however, consists of preliminary studies and additional investigations involving more formulas and end-points such as the quantification of other pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines and/or resolvins for example, are needed to better understand the cutaneous protective effect of dexpanthenol.

Approximately 70 years ago, the first topical dexpanthenol-containing formulation (Bepanthen™ Ointment) has been developed. Nowadays, various topical dexpanthenol preparations exist, tailored according to individual requirements. Topical dexpanthenol has emerged as frequently used formulation in the field of dermatology and skin care. Various studies confirmed dexpanthenol's moisturizing and skin barrier enhancing potential. It prevents skin irritation, stimulates skin regeneration and promotes wound healing. Two main directions in the use of topical dexpanthenol-containing formulations have therefore been pursued: as skin moisturizer/skin barrier restorer and as facilitator of wound healing. This 70th anniversary paper reviews studies with topical dexpanthenol in skin conditions where it is most frequently used. Although discovered decades ago, the exact mechanisms of action of dexpanthenol have not been fully elucidated yet. With the adoption of new technologies, new light has been shed on dexpanthenol's mode of action at the molecular level. It appears that dexpanthenol increases the mobility of stratum corneum molecular components which are important for barrier function and modulates the expression of genes important for wound healing. This review will update readers on recent advances in this field.

The move to online and blended learning has brought many advantages for government public employees. Learning materials are now more readily available and can be accessed from a diverse range of devices and contexts. However, it is still the case that many resources used by educators, even though available to public administrators, are not easily usable and accessible. This is because the perception exists that creating learning materials that are accessible in some way detracts from the content or their appearance. This paper presents a Web-based EnhAnced Government Learning platform that has been developed to support and enhance the experience of local public administrators working in different municipalities. The results of phase 1 validations using user-personas are also presented. In addition the process of producing an open educational resource in a manner which is universally accessible within the EAGLE project is demonstrated. The paper further examines complex issue from two perspectives; namely that of the producer and the user of the resources produced. A review of open educational resources is also conducted and results presented.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a newly developed calcium carbonate-vitamin D₃ chewable tablet formulation (600 mg of calcium + 400 IU of vitamin D₃) on serum/urine calcium and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) as measures of intestinal calcium absorption compared to a placebo.This is a subject-blind, sequential study in 24 healthy postmenopausal women. Each subject received two placebo tablets once daily for 3 days (days -3 to -1) immediately followed by two calcium-vitamin D₃ tablets (test) during the subsequent 3 days (days 1-3). Serial blood sampling and 24-h urine collection took place on days -1 and 3. The subjects fasted until 6 h post-dosing. Total urinary calcium excretion (Ae(0-24 h)) and AUC(0-6 h) for serum calcium were the primary outcome variables and were compared between treatments using a paired sample t-test.Ae(0-24 h) increased by 42% (uncorrected, p = 0.0001) and 30% (creatinine-corrected, p = 0.0001), after intake, compared with the placebo; serum calcium exposure (AUC(0-6 h)) was also, statistically, significantly greater. PTH, in serum, decreased by 28% (AUC(0-6 h), p = 0.0001) and 14% (AUC(0-24 h), p = 0.0009) when compared with the placebo.Daily intake of 1200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D₃, with a new chewable tablet, resulted in increased intestinal calcium absorption compared to the results from the placebo as confirmed by direct and indirect pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic measures.

Lactoferrin, an innate defense iron-binding protein, possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Beneficial systemic effects on inflammatory diseases have been proposed. The aim of the present study was to explore the efficacy and tolerability of oral bovine lactoferrin supplementation in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris.In this open-label, single-arm study, 43 adolescents and young adults were enrolled to take a chewable tablet formulation of bovine lactoferrin twice daily for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the improvement in acne lesion counts compared with baseline. Tolerability was evaluated on the basis of adverse event frequencies.Thirty-nine subjects, aged 17.5 ± 3.8 years, completed the study per protocol. At the end of the study (week 8), a mean reduction in inflammatory lesion count of 20.2% (-2.2 ± 7.0, p = 0.054), in non-inflammatory lesion count of 23.5% (-6.2 ± 9.8, p 0.001), and in total lesion count of 22.5% (-8.4 ± 13.1, p 0.001) was observed as compared with baseline. At study conclusion, 76.9% (30 of 39) of subjects showed a reduction in total lesion count. The results for inflammatory acne lesions were variable over the study course. None of the subjects experienced a lactoferrin-related adverse event during the trial.Despite the limitations of an uncontrolled, open-label study, the results from this study indicate that lactoferrin in mild to moderate acne vulgaris is well tolerated and may lead to an overall improvement in acne lesion counts in the majority of affected adolescents and young adults when administered as a dietary supplement on a twice daily regimen. Further randomized, placebo-controlled trials of longer duration appear warranted.

In the EU-funded project Embed4Auto, we have developed an Integrated Learning Environment (ILE) to support UML/SysML training. The ILE combines independent distance learning with collaborative problem solving and social networking. The learning environment incorporates a set of learning resources on the modeling languages UML2 and SysML, an educational modeling tool supporting class and sequence diagrams and a tool for sharing and discussing solutions to modeling exercises. First evaluations of the ILE have shown promising results.

In the light of increasing resistance to antibiotics used for the treatment of acute urinary tract infections, nitrofurantoin currently experiences a renaissance. Nitrofurantoin shows good efficacy against most bacteria expected in urinary tract infection, and the development of resistance is low. A study on the antimicrobial and clinical efficacy of nitrofurantoin in the treatment of acute lower urinary tract infections was conducted in Mexico City, an area where resistance rates of uropathogens to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole) are high.In this open-label, single-arm study 20 adult patients (18 females, 2 males) with positive urine culture were treated orally with nitrofurantoin sustained release 100 mg twice daily for 7 days. Urinary nitrofurantoin concentrations were determined at baseline and day 4 of the study. Primary endpoint was the antimicrobial efficacy of nitrofurantoin at 12 to 16 days after baseline, assessed by changes in urine culture results.In the patient population treated per protocol, primary endpoint analysis revealed a microbial eradication rate of 92.3%. At 35 to 42 days, the eradication rate was 83.3%. At these times, all patients in the per protocol population were free of symptoms. In patients with complicating factors, e.g. diabetic polyneuropathy, both antimicrobial and clinical efficacy appeared to be reduced. Urinary nitrofurantoin concentrations were mostly above minimum inhibitory concentrations of the isolated uropathogens. The study drug was generally well tolerated. Most frequent drug-related adverse event was mild headache, occurring in 10.8% of patients. Two patients discontinued the study due to rash.The results of the present study indicate good antimicrobial and clinical efficacy of nitrofurantoin in the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections as well as acceptable tolerability in adults.

International audience; Pediatric drug formulations of artemisinin combination therapies are urgently needed for improving the treatment of children suffering from uncomplicated malaria. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a novel pediatric fixed-dose granule formulation of artesunate-mefloquine and a new co-blister tablet formulation. A total of 71 children aged 1-13 years suffering from uncomplicated falciparum malaria were stratified into two groups according to weight: 10-20 kg, pediatric group (n = 41); 20-40 kg, tablet group (n = 30). All the children were treated once daily for three days: the pediatric group received the novel granule formulation, the tablet group received the co-blister tablets. The PCR-corrected cure rate on day 28 was evaluated. There was no reappearance of parasitemia during the follow-up period and the day-28 cure rate was therefore 100% in per-protocol analysis. In intention-to-treat analysis the cure rates were 95% in the pediatric group and 97% in the tablet group. The most frequent adverse events were vomiting (17%), abdominal pain (11%) and headache (17%). This study confirms the excellent efficacy and favorable safety and tolerability profile of a novel pediatric artesunate-mefloquine formulation for treatment in African children.

In this paper, we reflect on our experiences of delivering professional software engineering (SE) education and training over the course of the last eight years. We begin the paper with a summary of current developments in SE education and training, followed by a brief description of the educational framework that has guided our work in this domain. We then move on to describe four case studies of SE education and training delivery together with a set of lessons learnt. We end the paper with a summary of the wider lessons learnt gained from our experiences in the domain - these consider how SE education should be delivered and facilitated -, as well as other considerations such as changes to organizational roles and responsibilities brought about by the introduction of technology-based learning.