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See the Major Articles by Liu et al on pages 1129-35 and Chen et al on pages 1144-52.) Background. Vaginal rings (VR) containing antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can be utilized for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with potential for improved adherence compared to daily pills. Combination ARV VRs could improve efficacy. Methods. MTN-027, a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 48 women, evaluated VRs containing MK-2048 (30 mg) and vicriviroc (VCV, 182 mg), alone or in combination, and placebo used continuously for 28 days. Safety was assessed by recording adverse events. Drug concentrations were quantified in plasma, vaginal fluid, cervical tissue, and rectal fluid. Cervical tissue was utilized for ex vivo HIV inhibition analysis. Results. There was no difference in related genitourinary adverse events between treatment arms compared to placebo. VCV and MK-2048 released from single or combination VRs both achieved peak concentrations in vaginal fluids, which were substantially higher compared to plasma (200× for VCV, 30× for MK-2048) and rectal fluid. In an ex vivo challenge assay, the antiviral activity of VCV and/or MK-2048 was not correlated with tissue-associated drug concentrations. Most women (77%) were fully adherent to 28 days of continuous VR use and found the VR acceptable. Conclusions. VCV and/or MK-2048 containing VRs were safe and acceptable. Both VCV and MK-2048 were quantifiable in all matrixes tested with peak compartmental drug concentrations similar for single and combination drug VRs. Tissue-associated VCV and/or MK-2048 did not correlate with inhibition of HIV infection. These data highlight the need to assess adequacy of drug dosing in the VR and measuring genital tissue drug concentrations to develop more precise concentration-response relationships. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02356302.

See the Major Articles by Liu et al on pages 1129-35 and Hoesley et al on pages 1136-43.) Background. Postmenopausal women have unique sociobiological human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risks. We evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and acceptability of a microbicide dapivirine (DPV) vaginal ring (VR) versus placebo in postmenopausal women. Methods. We enrolled 96 HIV-negative postmenopausal US women in a phase 2a double-blind, randomized (3:1) trial of monthly VRs containing 25 mg DPV or placebo used continuously for 12 weeks. We assessed safety by adverse events (AEs). DPV concentrations were quantified in plasma and vaginal fluid. Steady-state concentrations were analyzed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks using repeated measures ANOVA. We assessed acceptability by self-report. Results. We found no differences in the proportion of women with related grade 2 or higher reproductive system AEs (DPV: 6/72 (8%), placebo: 3/24 (13%), P = .68) or grade 3 or higher AEs (DPV: 4/72 (6%), placebo: 0/24 (0%), P = .57). In the DPV arm, 2/72 (3%) declined to resume product use due to AEs. Median DPV concentrations in plasma (262.0 pg/mL at week 12) and vaginal fluid (40.6 ng/mg at week 12) were constant over 12 weeks and exceeded the in vitro 50% effective concentration by 5000-fold in vaginal fluid by week 4. VR acceptability was high; 84/93 (90%) "very much liked or liked" the VR. Conclusions. DPV VRs were safe, well tolerated, and acceptable in postmenopausal women. Plasma concentrations were comparable to published data on DPV use in reproductive-age women (median plasma concentration: 264 pg/mL). Given the reassuring safety and pharmacokinetic data, the DPV VR is promising for preexposure prophylaxis in postmenopausal women. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02010593.

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PurposeThis study was conducted to gain a better understanding of engineering students' perceptions of the meaning of employability and the activities that contribute to employability development.Design/methodology/approachA survey was used to take a cross-section of student perspectives at key stages in the degree, and was followed by a series of focus groups to further explore student opinions on employability. Responses to selected open-ended questions and relevant sections of focus group transcripts were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.FindingsIt was found that students have different perspectives on the meaning of employability, with the majority describing employability as having the right skills, attributes or competencies. Employability development activities were integrated into three broad categories: developing engineering knowledge, skills and industry experience; career building and industry awareness; and degree progression and completion. Participants also identified barriers to employability development and suggested areas for improvement.Practical implicationsThe study recommends university staff ensure there is a shared understanding of employability within the student cohort by explicitly reframing employability as being about becoming a professional and that students are repeatedly exposed to the relevant set of industry competencies or standards. The study also outlines a range of activities that students connect to their employability development.Originality/valueThe findings of this study will assist university staff across the sector to make decisions about how they can best support employability development in their undergraduate students.