Method of kinetic energy reconstruction from time-of-flight mass spectra

We present a method for the reconstruction of ion kinetic energy distributions from ion time-of-flight mass spectra through ion trajectory simulations. In particular, this method is applicable to complicated spectrometer geometries with largely anisotropic ion collection efficiencies. A calibration procedure using a single ion mass peak allows the accurate determination of parameters related to the spectrometer calibration, experimental alignment, and instrument response function, which improves the agreement between simulations and experiment. The calibrated simulation is used to generate a set of basis functions for the time-of-flight spectra, which are then used to transform from time-of-flight to kinetic-energy spectra. We demonstrate this reconstruction method on a recent pump-probe experiment by Asmussen et al. [Asmussen et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 23, 15138, (2021)] on helium nanodroplets and retrieve time-resolved kinetic-energy-release spectra for the ions from ion time-of-flight spectra.

Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of concomitant injections in separate locations of M-M-R II, VARIVAX and TETRAMUNE in healthy children vs. concomitant injections of M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE followed six weeks later by VARIVAX

OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN

The primary objectives of this study were to compare immunologic responses, antibody persistence, safety and varicella breakthrough rates when VARIVAX (varicella vaccine) is given at the same time as M-M-R II (measles, mumps, rubella vaccine) and TETRAMUNE (conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b, diphtheria, tetanus and whole cell pertussis vaccine) at separate injection sites (Group A) vs. VARIVAX given 6 weeks after M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE (Group B). Six hundred nine healthy children, 12 to 23 months of age, were randomized to one of two treatment (immunization) groups (Group A and Group B). Blood for antibody titers was drawn on the day of immunization, 6 weeks after each injection and 1 year later. Local and systemic adverse reactions were recorded. Exposure and cases of varicella were documented through a 1-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

Measles, mumps and rubella seroconversion rates and geometric mean titers (GMTs) were similar for both treatment groups. Varicella seroconversion rates were also similar between groups. However, varicella GMTs and percent with a varicella-protective level [> or =5.0 glycoprotein (gp) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) units] did not meet the prespecified criteria for similarity were lower for Group A (GMT 10.5; 82.8% > or =5.0 gp ELISA units) than for Group B (GMT 14.5; 91.2% > or =5.0 gp ELISA units). The GMTs between groups for other antibodies were similar. At the 1-year follow-up antibody titers were comparable in both groups and breakthrough varicella cases appeared generally similar. There were fewer local adverse events (AEs) at the VARIVAX injection sites (9.8% and 2.9%, Group A and B, respectively) than at the TETRAMUNE sites (27.9% and 24.0%). Systemic AEs were not statistically different when M-M-R II was administered alone (8.6%) or concomitantly with VARIVAX (8.9%). When VARIVAX was given alone AEs were 1.8%. The rate of fever > or =102 degrees F after M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE administered together was 10.7% on Days 0 to 3 and 23.7% on Days 7 to 21. When VARIVAX was administered alone, the rate of fever was 5.4% on Days 0 to 3 (P = 0.018) and 10.8% on Days 7 to 21 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Because the varicella titers were comparable and varicella breakthrough rates generally similar at 1 year in both groups, we expect that the concomitant administration of VARIVAX with M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE has clinical effectiveness similar to that with VARIVAX 6 weeks after the administration of these other two vaccines. VARIVAX appears to be less reactogenic than M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE.

Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella combination vaccine: safety and immunogenicity alone and in combination with other vaccines given to children. Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella Vaccine Study Group

Eight hundred and twelve children, 12 months to 3.5 years of age, were enrolled in two clinical studies to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a live, attenuated combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV). Children were enrolled in one of two randomized, multicenter studies, involving administration of (1) MMRV and placebo vs. measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (M-M-R(II)) and varicella-zoster virus vaccine (VARIVAX), given at separate anatomic sites at the same office visit; or (2) MMRV, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine) and OPV (oral polio vaccine) vs. M-M-R(II), DTaP, and OPV, with VARIVAX given 6 weeks later. All vaccine regimens were generally well tolerated. More than 95% of vaccinees seroconverted for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, regardless of the vaccine or regimen used. In each study, the level of antibody titer to varicella virus was significantly lower in vaccinees receiving MMRV than in those who received VARIVAX in a separate syringe.

Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of two regimens of Oka/Merck varicella vaccine (Varivax) in healthy adolescents and adults. Oka/Merck Varicella Vaccine Study Group

A multicenter clinical trial was conducted among 757 healthy adolescents and adults, 13-54 years, to compare two regimens of Oka/Merck varicella vaccine with respect to safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity. Participants were randomized to receive two injections of vaccine either four or eight weeks apart and were followed for clinical reactions and serologic response. The two vaccine regimens were equally well tolerated. The seroconversion rates (gpELISA) four weeks after injection 1 and 2 were 72 and 99%, respectively, for those who received vaccine four weeks apart and 78 and 99%, respectively, for those who received vaccine eight weeks apart. The differences in seroconversion rates were not statistically significant. However, delaying the second dose to eight weeks resulted in a higher antibody titer one month after the second injection. Administration of a two-dose regimen of varicella vaccine to susceptible adolescents and adults is well tolerated and highly immunogenic.

Low incidence of adverse experiences after measles or measles-rubella mass revaccination at a college campus

A postvaccination questionnaire and review of student and employee clinic visits were carried out at Notre Dame University in the spring of 1990 after mass campus revaccination with measles or measles-rubella vaccines in the autumn of 1989, in order to assess the incidence of adverse experiences after revaccination. Rates of adverse experiences (AE), which included chiefly local injection site discomfort and flu-like symptoms, among respondents were 6.6% and 13.4%, male and female students, respectively, and 9.3% and 25%, male and female employees, respectively. Rates of joint-related complaints (4%) were lower than reported after primary vaccination, particularly in young adult women. AEs in general, and joint reaction rates in particular, were generally mild and transient, and only 0.23% resulted in a clinic visit. Revaccination of prior vaccinees appears to be associated with relatively low AE rates.

Clinical survey of natural varicella compared with breakthrough varicella after immunization with live attenuated Oka/Merck varicella vaccine

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively characterize varicella occurring in children previously immunized with a live attenuated varicella vaccine (breakthrough varicella) through daily observation by medical personnel and to compare it with natural varicella followed in the same manner.

DESIGN

A blinded clinical survey.

SETTING

Four pediatric practices (two private; two hospital-based).

PARTICIPANTS

Healthy 12-month-old through 17-year-old children with chickenpox were studied; 92 had natural varicella and 58 had breakthrough varicella. SELECTION PROCEDURES AND INTERVENTIONS: Study personnel, unaware of vaccination status, documented the clinical characteristics of each patient in the office or at the patient's home each day from enrollment until the day after the total number of lesions increased less than 10%. A standard form documenting number and description of lesions, temperature, duration of illness, and associated clinical complaints was completed each day by the same study personnel. Acute and convalescent sera were obtained on breakthrough cases.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Antibody to varicella-zoster virus was measured by the glycoprotein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of those with sera available, 85% were serologically confirmed. Eighty-seven percent of enrollees had a known exposure to chickenpox, with at least two thirds of each group having a greater than 4-hour or a household exposure. The numbers of total and vesicular lesions were significantly higher in the natural varicella group, regardless of exposure status (P = .021 to < .001). The group with breakthrough varicella had a significantly lower incidence of fever (P < .001) and a significantly shorter duration of illness (P < .001). Other associated constitutional complaints and complications were not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSION

Varicella in vaccine recipients is clinically modified and significantly less severe than natural disease.

Multicenter phase II trial of mitoxantrone in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Southeast Asia: an Asian-Oceanian Clinical Oncology Association Group study

PURPOSE

Patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have a high incidence of recurrence and often develop distant metastases despite local control. This prospective multicenter phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Novantrone (mitoxantrone; Lederle Laboratories, Wayne, NJ) in the therapy of patients with advanced NPC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred eight patients with advanced NPC, namely, those with recurrent or persistent disease following primary radiotherapy, or newly diagnosed metastatic disease, were treated with mitoxantrone. Mitoxantrone was administered intravenously at an initial dose of 12 mg/m2 and repeated every 3 weeks, with dose escalation to a maximum of 14 mg/m2. The distribution of histologic subtypes was representative of NPC, with the majority being (61%) undifferentiated (or anaplastic) carcinoma.

RESULTS

The overall response rate (complete response [CR] and partial response [PR]) was 25% (95% confidence interval, 17% to 33%). The median response duration, time to treatment failure, and survival duration were 140, 82, and 394 days, respectively. Histology (poorly differentiated squamous cell) was found to be the only important factor in predicting response (P = .04) based on a multivariate analysis of nine pretreatment characteristics. The major dose-limiting toxicity was leukopenia. The incidences of nausea/vomiting, alopecia, and stomatitis/mucositis were 34%, 6%, and 3%, respectively. None were severe. Two patients had asymptomatic, moderate Alexander-grade cardiotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

This study represents a large, controlled multicenter trial of single-agent mitoxantrone in the treatment of advanced NPC. Mitoxantrone was well tolerated and produced an overall response rate comparable to that of other single-agent therapies used in the treatment of advanced head and neck cancer. Combination trials with mitoxantrone for advanced disease should be considered.

Modified cases of chickenpox after varicella vaccination: correlation of protection with antibody response

Four thousand forty-two healthy children and adolescents, ages 12 months to 17 years, were vaccinated with a single dose of live attenuated varicella vaccine (VARIVAX; Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories) containing approximately 1000 to 1625 plaque-forming units/dose during clinical trials conducted from 1987 to 1989. Clinical follow-up of vaccinees revealed that 2.1 and 2.4% of vaccinees developed modified cases of varicella in the first and second years, respectively, after vaccination. Most of those who developed varicella postvaccination had an attenuated illness, characterized by fewer lesions and a lower incidence of fever (greater than or equal to 100 degrees F, oral) than after natural infection. The likelihood of developing varicella postvaccination decreased (P less than 0.0001) as the 6-week postvaccination glycoprotein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titer increased. In addition the number of lesions in these cases tended to decrease (P = 0.07 for Year 1 and P = 0.02 for Year 2) as the 6-week glycoprotein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titer increased. Thus the 6-week postvaccination glycoprotein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titer can be used as a surrogate marker for protection from natural disease.