Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The polysaccharide-rich composition of Aloe vera extracts (Aloe barbadensis Miller), often used in cosmetic formulations, may impart moisturizing properties to the product. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cosmetic formulations containing different concentrations of freeze-dried Aloe vera extract on skin hydration, after a single and a 1- and 2-week period of application, by using skin bioengineering techniques. METHODS: Stable formulations containing 5% (w/w) of a trilaureth-4 phosphate-based blend were supplemented with 0.10%, 0.25% or 0.50% (w/w) of freeze-dried Aloe vera extract and applied to the volar forearm of 20 female subjects. Skin conditions in terms of the water content of the stratum corneum and of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (Corneometer CM 825 and Tewameter TM 210) were analysed before and after a single and 1- and 2-week period of daily application. RESULTS: After a single application, only formulations supplemented with 0.25% and 0.50% (w/w) of Aloe vera extract increased the water content of the stratum corneum, while after the 2-week period application, all formulations containing the extract (0.10%, 0.25% and 0.50%) had the same effect, in both cases as compared with the vehicle. TEWL was not modified after a single and after 1- and 2-week period of application, when compared with the vehicle. CONCLUSION: Our results show that freeze-dried Aloe vera extract is a natural effective ingredient for improving skin hydration, possibly through a humectant mechanism. Consequently, it may be used in moisturizing cosmetic formulations and also as a complement in the treatment of dry skin.     

Sonography detection of small intra-abdominal fat variations.

The aim of this study was to check the reliability of sonography in measuring small variations in quantities of subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat. Twenty-six obese women (BMI 39 +/- 6) underwent a 15 day very low calorie diet. The study included, both before and after very low calorie diet, computed tomography measurements of total (AT), visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue areas, visceral/subcutaneous area ratio (V/S), waist/hip circumference ratio measurements (W/H), and ultrasound measurements of abdominal subcutaneous skin-muscle thickness, intra-abdominal muscle-aorta thickness and intra-abdominal/subcutaneous thickness ratio. Weight reduction was from 101 +/- 17 to 95 +/- 16 kg (P less than 0.001). W/H dropped from 0.83 +/- 0.06 to 0.82 +/- 0.07 (n.s.). VAT dropped from 158 +/- 72 to 134 +/- 61 cm2 (P less than 0.005), SAT from 572 +/- 151 to 566 +/- 164 cm2 (n.s.) and V/S from 0.29 +/- 0.15 to 0.25 +/- 0.11 (P less than 0.01). Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness decreased from 36 +/- 8 to 35 +/- 10 mm (n.s.), intra-abdominal thickness from 39 +/- 25 to 20 +/- 20 mm (P less than 0.001) and intra-abdominal/subcutaneous from 1.1 +/- 0.7 to 0.8 +/- 0.6 (P less than 0.005). VAT measurement accurately identified small intra-abdominal fat variations. W/H could not evaluate visceral fat loss, because of simultaneous decreases in waist and hip circumferences. Ultrasound was able to measure small reductions in intra-abdominal fat.     

Traumatology in hang-gliding accidents. Studies based on 100 cases

The number of paragliding accidents is growing up exponentially. We review in this study 39 paragliding accidents which occurred 1985-1987 in the Val d'Illiez (Switzerland). The REGA (Swiss air ambulance) rescued 1987 61 pilots, which are also included. Most of the accidents were related to a mistake of the pilot. None is due to a failure of the material. The most severe injuries occurred immediately after taking off. The most frequent injuries occurred during landing. There is a correlation between the altitude, the wind velocity and the severity of the injuries. The lower extremities and the backbone are often injured, which is explained through the axial trauma. The pilots need a better training programme, the performance of the material should be built up and the starting places should be equipped.     

Beta-blockade antagonism of tyramine-induced rise in blood pressure

Summary The effect -adrenoceptor blockade on the pressor response to tyramine has been investigated in 6 healthy volunteers, each submitted to an i.v. tyramine pressor test before and after 7 days of propranolol 40 mg b.d. or indenolol 60 mg o.d. Tyramine was given as i.v. boluses of 1–6 mg, alternating with saline, in a randomized, single blind fashion.Prior to treatment tyramine caused a temporary, dose-dependent increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, whilst the heart rate remained unaffected. Both propranolol and indenolol reduced the pressor response to tyramine, as shown by a significant increase in ED₁₅, i.e. the dose of tyramine required to increase systolic blood pressure by 15%.     

Human liver stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduce injury in a model of normothermic machine perfusion of rat livers previously exposed to a prolonged warm ischemia

Livers from donors after circulatory death (DCD) are a promising option to increase the donor pool, but their use is associated with higher complication rate and inferior graft survival. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) keeps the graft at 37°C, providing nutrients and oxygen supply. Human liver stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (HLSC-EVs) are able to reduce liver injury and promote regeneration. We investigated the efficacy of a reconditioning strategy with HLSC-EVs in an experimental model of NMP. Following total hepatectomy, rat livers were divided into 4 groups: (i) healthy livers, (ii) warm ischemic livers (60 min of warm ischemia), (iii) warm ischemic livers treated with 5 × 10⁸ HLSC-EVs/g-liver, and (iv) warm ischemic livers treated with a 25 × 10⁸ HLSC-EVs/g-liver. NMP lasted 6 h and HLSC-EVs (Unicyte AG, Germany) were administered within the first 15 min. Compared to controls, HLSC-EV treatment significantly reduced transaminases release. Moreover, HLSC-EVs enhanced liver metabolism by promoting phosphate utilization and pH self-regulation. As compared to controls, the higher dose of HLSC-EV was associated with significantly higher bile production and lower intrahepatic resistance. Histologically, this group showed reduced necrosis and enhanced proliferation. In conclusion, HLSC-EV treatment during NMP was feasible and effective in reducing injury in a DCD model with prolonged warm ischemia.     

The role of research--how much is enough?

A great deal of research is involved in bringing PARNUTs to the marketplace. Research often begins with identifying an unfilled nutritional need, determining if that need is great enough to warrant development of a new product, and then evaluating the efficacy and safety of the potential product in animal models and clinical trials. This approach tends to emphasize short-term outcomes, however, while neglecting the issues of whether a product offers long term benefit or holds long term risks. This article presents discussion centered around the need for selecting appropriate outcomes for nutritional intervention trials, designing trials with a follow-up time sufficient to allow for outcome measurement, and enrolling a patient population large enough to accurately gauge efficacy and tolerability.     

18FDG-PET for the assessment of primary head and neck tumors: Clinical,computed tomography,and histopathological correlation in 38 patients

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of FDG-PET (fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose-positron emission tomography) in the detection of lymph node involvement and recurrences in patients with head and neck cancer. Study Design: Retrospective review of 38 patients with biopsy-proven head and neck cancers who underwent clinical, computed tomography (CT), and FDG-PET examinations. Twenty-five patients were studied prior to therapy and 13 patients were evaluated for disease recurrence. Methods: All patients were operated and clinical data, CT, and FDG-PET results were correlated with histopathological findings. Results: All primary tumors in 25 patients were detected, with the exception of one small superficial localization of the epiglottis. Histopathological examination showed lymph node involvement in 10 patients; PET detected lymph node involvement in five. FDG-PET found one case of nodal disease not identified by clinical and CT examination. With so few cases, this could be anecdotal. Five false-negative results (microscopic lymph node involvement) and two false positives were noted. Twelve of 13 patients with recurrent disease were correctly identified with FDG-PET. FDG-PET was the only imaging technique to identify local recurrence in two patients and lymph node involvement in two others. One false-positive result occurred in a patient with a foreign body granuloma. Conclusions: FDG-PET is a useful diagnostic modality for the detection of recurrent tumors and, in selected cases, precise lymph node involvement. The best way to further investigate the utility of clinical FDG-PET is in the follow-up of treated patients. Key Words: FDG-PET, head and neck cancer, lymph node metastases, recurrent disease. Laryngoscope, 108:1578–1583, 1998     

Role of Coronary Flow Velocity in Predicting Adverse Outcome in Clinical Practice

There is a lack of information on the prognostic value of local high velocity in coronary arteries during echocardiography. The aim of the study described here was to define the prognostic value of local velocity >70?cm/s in the left main, anterior or circumflex artery during echocardiography. There were 412 patients in the prospective study. Death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, acute pulmonary edema, acute coronary syndrome and revascularization were defined as major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Over 10.5?mo, there were 207 patients with MACEs. Seventeen patients died, 10 had non-fatal acute cardiac events and 184 underwent revascularization. Deaths occurred in patients with high local velocity (6.4% vs. 0%, p?<0.009). Acute cardiac events occurred in 10% versus 0% (p?<0.003). MACEs were observed in 62% versus 0% (p?<0.0000001). Only maximal velocity was an independent prognostic predictor of death (odds ratio?=?1.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.03, p?<0.02) and MACEs (odds ratio?=?1.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.05, p?<0.0001). The success rate of coronary artery visualization for at least one segment was 91%.