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Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and... 2019To investigate the region-specific effects of painful trigeminal capsaicin stimulation in healthy participants.
AIMS
To investigate the region-specific effects of painful trigeminal capsaicin stimulation in healthy participants.
METHODS
Twenty healthy participants (10 men and 10 women) participated in four sessions in which they received application of 0.05 mL Vaseline (placebo) or capsaicin cream (0.1%) to a different area innervated by the three branches of the trigeminal nerve: the supraorbital area (V1), the nasal mucosa (V1/V2), and the maxillary (V2) and mandibular (V3) oral mucosa. The participants rated their perceived sensations on a 0-50-100 numeric rating scale (NRS). Thermal (5°C, 23°C, and 50°C) and mechanical (32 mN and 256 mN) sensitivities were assessed. The Schirmer tearing test was used to monitor the lacrimation level as a local measure of autonomic activity, and the Task Force Monitor was used to record systemic autonomic activity. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance.
RESULTS
Capsaicin application evoked significantly higher overall NRS scores (P < .001) and induced significantly higher ratings to the heat stimuli (P < .009) in all sessions compared to control. For lacrimation level, capsaicin stimulation resulted in a significant increase compared to control (P < .0002) only in the nasal mucosa session.
CONCLUSION
Topical application of capsaicin cream to the different branches of the trigeminal nerve caused higher NRS scores along with an altered somatosensory sensitivity. Furthermore, in the nasal mucosa session, a robust local and generalized parasympathetic activation appeared following capsaicin application.
Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Capsaicin; Female; Humans; Male; Mouth Mucosa; Nasal Mucosa; Petrolatum; Trigeminal Nerve
PubMed: 30978271
DOI: 10.11607/ofph.2303 -
Indian Journal of Pathology &... 2019Good paraffin sections are key to correct histopathological diagnosis. Xylene is hazardous to health, expensive, and difficult to dispose. Various substitutes have been...
Good paraffin sections are key to correct histopathological diagnosis. Xylene is hazardous to health, expensive, and difficult to dispose. Various substitutes have been tried without success. We aimed to examine if 1.7% dishwasher soap (DWS) aqueous solution and refined mineral oil (RMO) for deparaffinization can replace xylene. Fifty tissue blocks consisting of benign and malignant lesions were processed using xylene (A), 1.7% DWS (B), and RMO (C). Each section was evaluated, scored as 0 (inadequate) and 1 (adequate) by two independent pathologists who were blinded to agent used. Following criteria were considered: nuclear staining, cytoplasmic staining, clarity, crispness, and uniformity. Total score of <2 was graded as inadequate for diagnosis and 3-5 as adequate. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS software by applying chi-square test. Among three methods, B had the best scores in adequacy for cytoplasmic staining (P = 0.001), clarity (P = 0.004), and crispness (P = 0.003). About 1.7% DWS and RMO were found to be effective methods for deparaffinization and can replace xylene.
Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Gallbladder; Humans; Mineral Oil; Paraffin Embedding; Pathology; Skin; Soaps; Staining and Labeling; Stomach; Xylenes
PubMed: 30971554
DOI: 10.4103/IJPM.IJPM_39_18 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by parasites belonging to the genus for which there is no vaccine available for human use. Thus, the aims of...
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by parasites belonging to the genus for which there is no vaccine available for human use. Thus, the aims of this study are to evaluate the immunoprotective effect of a first-generation vaccine against and to identify its immunodominant antigens. BALB/c mice were inoculated with phosphate buffer sodium (PBS), total antigens (TLAs), or TLA with Poly (I:C) and Montanide ISA 763. The humoral and cellular immune response was evaluated before infection. IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a were measured on serum, and IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 cytokines as well as cell proliferation were measured on a splenocyte culture from vaccinated mice. Immunized mice were challenged with 10 infective parasites of on the footpad. After infection, the protection provided by the vaccine was analyzed by measuring lesion size, splenic index, and parasite load on the footpad and spleen. To identify immunodominant antigens, total proteins of were separated on 2D electrophoresis gel and transferred to a membrane that was incubated with serum from immunoprotected mice. The antigens recognized by the serum were analyzed through a mass spectrometric assay (LC-MS/MS-IT-TOF) to identify their protein sequence, which was subjected to bioinformatic analysis. The first-generation vaccine induced higher levels of antibodies, cytokines, and cell proliferation than the controls after the second dose. Mice vaccinated with TLA + Poly (I:C) + Montanide ISA 763 showed less footpad swelling, a lower splenic index, and a lower parasite load than the control groups (PBS and TLA). Four immunodominant proteins were identified by mass spectrometry: cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase, an uncharacterized protein, a kinetoplast-associated protein-like protein, and a putative heat-shock protein DNAJ. The identified proteins showed high levels of conserved sequence among species belonging to the genus and the Trypanosomatidae family. These proteins also proved to be phylogenetically divergent to human and canine proteins. TLA + Poly (I:C) + Montanide ISA 763 could be used as a first-generation vaccine against leishmaniasis. The four proteins identified from the whole-protein vaccine could be good antigen candidates to develop a new-generation vaccine against leishmaniasis.
Topics: Animals; Chromatography, Liquid; Cytokines; Dogs; Immunodominant Epitopes; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous; Mice; Mineral Oil; Poly I-C; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Vaccines
PubMed: 35634280
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.825007 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Feb 2020Key issues around the evaluation of risks to humans from mineral oils in food and feedstuffs are discussed. MOHs (MOAH and MOSH) occur in food due to intentional use,... (Review)
Review
Key issues around the evaluation of risks to humans from mineral oils in food and feedstuffs are discussed. MOHs (MOAH and MOSH) occur in food due to intentional use, contamination from environmental sources and during transport/processing, or through migration from food contact materials. Problems in setting and enforcing human health guidelines for MOH include uncertainty around MOH toxicity and the specialist expertise needed for analysis of complex food matrices. Currently, the method of choice for measuring mineral oils is LC-GC-FID, however some complex food matrices also require additional analytical techniques to differentiate between some naturally occurring hydrocarbons and those from other sources, including of petrogenic origin. This requires the skills of an experienced analyst. Significant toxicological gaps for MOHs prevent robust human health risk assessment and the derivation of guidance values. As food-grade mineral oils are virtually MOAH-free, the key issue explored here is the relevance to humans of liver (micro)granulomas observed in F344 rats following oral intake. Available data suggest that despite the ubiquitous nature of MOH in the human diet, the prevalence of liver lipogranulomas in the population is low. These are not associated with inflammation and based on current evidence are not considered of human health significance.
Topics: Animals; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Food Contamination; Food Packaging; Granuloma; Humans; Mineral Oil; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 31751646
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110966 -
BMC Pediatrics May 2023The skin is a major route of infection in the neonatal period, especially in low birthweight (LBW) infants. Appropriate and safe neonatal skin care practices are...
BACKGROUND
The skin is a major route of infection in the neonatal period, especially in low birthweight (LBW) infants. Appropriate and safe neonatal skin care practices are required to reduce this risk. The perceptions and beliefs of mothers and other caregivers towards various neonatal skin care practices in our setting have been documented. Data from Asia suggests that the application of emollient to the skin of LBW infants can promote growth, reduce serious neonatal infections, and potentially reduce mortality. This is the first study to explore the acceptability of emollients and massage as part of neonatal skin care in a low-resource setting in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that is representative of the majority of government health facilities in Uganda and many in SSA.
OBJECTIVE
To explore perceptions, beliefs, and current practices regarding neonatal skin care and emollient use in eastern Uganda.
METHODS
We conducted a qualitative study consisting of three focus group discussions (30 participants), eight in-depth interviews with mothers/caregivers of preterm and term neonates and 12 key informant interviews with midwives, doctors and community health workers involved in neonatal care, to explore the perceptions and practices surrounding neonatal skin care and emollient use. Data collected were transcribed and analyzed using thematic content analysis.
RESULTS
Mothers perceived that skin care began in utero. Skincare practices depended on the place of delivery; for deliveries in a health facility the skincare practices were mainly based on the health worker's advice. Vernix caseosa was often washed off due to its perceived undesirability and was attributed to sexual intercourse in the last trimester. Despite their deleterious attributes found in previous studies, petrolatum-based oils, petrolatum-based jellies and talcum baby powders were the most commonly reported items used in neonatal skin care. In our population, there was high acceptability of emollient therapy use; however, neonatal massage was treated with scepticism as mothers feared damaging the vulnerable neonate. Mothers suggested massage and emollient application be undertaken by health workers, if it becomes an intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
In eastern Uganda, the perceptions and beliefs of mothers/caregivers toward neonatal skincare influenced their practices of which some could potentially be beneficial, and others harmful. Emollient use would be easily accepted if adequate sensitisation is conducted and using the gatekeepers such as health workers.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Infant; Female; Humans; Emollients; Uganda; Skin; Skin Care; Qualitative Research; Petrolatum
PubMed: 37147698
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04040-y -
Analytica Chimica Acta Nov 2022Contamination of foods with mineral oil hydrocarbons, particularly mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), can potentially pose a health hazard to consumers. However,... (Review)
Review
Contamination of foods with mineral oil hydrocarbons, particularly mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), can potentially pose a health hazard to consumers. However, identifying toxic substances among the many thousands of compounds comprising mineral oils in food samples is a difficult analytical challenge. According to the European Food Safety Authority, there is a lack of concentration and structural data about mineral oil hydrocarbons in foods, and therefore it is not clear to what extent consumers in Europe might be exposed to toxic levels of MOAH. The current gold standard method for determination of mineral oil hydrocarbons is online high-performance liquid chromatography (LC)-gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection, which quantifies total saturated/aromatic content, but gives no qualitative information. The objective of this review is to explore the future prospects in mineral oil hydrocarbon determination and MOAH characterization in foods. To that end, peer reviewed literature was explored, particularly from the viewpoint of a methodology for detailed characterization of the MOAH fraction that can aid toxicological assessment. The literature clearly shows that there is much to be gained from the orthogonality power of multidimensional chromatographic separations and mass spectrometric (MS) detection. Comprehensive two-dimensional GC coupled to MS, preceded by pre-fractionations of MOAH by LC is suggested to be the most promising approach for further research. In addition, the strengths and weaknesses of a number of other, alternative approaches, both for qualitative and quantitative analysis, are discussed.
Topics: Mineral Oil; Food Contamination; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Hydrocarbons
PubMed: 36328715
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340098 -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Oct 2020Petrolatum is often used to suppress water evaporation from the skin surface. However, its stickiness, shininess, and other factors make it inconvenient for continuous... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
Petrolatum is often used to suppress water evaporation from the skin surface. However, its stickiness, shininess, and other factors make it inconvenient for continuous use.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness and usability between a newly developed petrolatum-based ointment (NOV II Moisture Balm) and white petrolatum.
METHODS
Twenty-nine subjects with atopic dermatitis or xeroderma with symptoms of dry skin applied NOV II Moisture Balm on the right sides of the face and white petrolatum on the left side, respectively, for 8-12 weeks. The skin conditions (erythema, exudate/crusting, dryness, and itch) were scored, stratum corneum water content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured, and the free amino acid and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels in the stratum corneum were analyzed before and end of the trial.
RESULTS
Dryness, exudate/crusting, and TEWL decreased significantly on both the white petrolatum and the NOV II Moisture Balm sides, while stratum corneum water content and the free amino acid levels in the stratum corneum increased significantly. On the NOV II Moisture Balm side, erythema and the TSLP levels decreased significantly. In a questionnaire on usability, the subjects felt NOV II Moisture Balm spread better and were less sticky and shiny than white petrolatum, and more subjects wanted to continue using NOV II Moisture Balm.
CONCLUSIONS
NOV II Moisture Balm was equivalent to white petrolatum in moisturizing and improving the physiologic functions of the skin, but had superior usability.
Topics: Dermatitis, Atopic; Epidermis; Humans; Ointments; Petrolatum; Skin
PubMed: 31990110
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.13300 -
Vaccine Jan 2022Pvs48/45 is a Plasmodium vivax gametocyte surface protein involved in the parasite fertilization process. Previous studies showed that Pvs48/45 proteins expressed in...
BACKGROUND
Pvs48/45 is a Plasmodium vivax gametocyte surface protein involved in the parasite fertilization process. Previous studies showed that Pvs48/45 proteins expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were highly immunoreactive with sera from malaria-endemic areas and highly immunogenic in animal models. Here the immunogenicity in mice of three different vaccine formulations was compared.
METHODS
Recombinant (r) Pvs48/45 proteins were expressed in E. coli and CHO, purified, formulated in Alhydrogel, GLA-SE and Montanide ISA-51 adjuvants and used to immunize BALB/c mice. Animals were immunized on days 0, 20 and 40, and serum samples were collected for serological analyses of specific antibody responses using ELISA and immunofluorescence (IFAT). Additionally, ex-vivo transmission-reducing activity (TRA) of sera on P. vivax gametocyte-infected human blood fed to Anopheles albimanus in direct membrane feeding assays (DMFA) was evaluated.
RESULTS
Most immunized animals seroconverted after the first immunization, and some developed antibody peaks of 10 with all adjuvants. However, the three adjuvant formulations induced different antibody responses and TRA efficacy. While GLA-SE formulations of both proteins induced similar antibody profiles, Montanide ISA-51 formulations resulted in higher and longer-lasting antibody titers with CHO-rPvs48/45 than with the E. coli formulation. Although the CHO protein formulated in Alhydrogel generated a high initial antibody peak, antibody responses to both proteins rapidly waned. Likewise, anti-Pvs48/45 antibodies displayed differential recognition of the parasite proteins in IFAT and ex vivo blockade of parasite transmission to mosquitoes. The CHO-rPvs48/45 formulated in Montanide ISA-51 induced the most effective ex vivo parasite blockage.
CONCLUSIONS
Three out of six vaccine formulations elicited antibodies with ex vivo TRA. The CHO-rPvs48/45 Montanide ISA-51 formulation induced the most stable antibody response, recognizing the native protein and the most robust ex vivo TRA. These results encourage further testing of the vaccine potential of this protein.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Antigens, Protozoan; CHO Cells; Cricetinae; Cricetulus; Escherichia coli; Malaria Vaccines; Malaria, Vivax; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mineral Oil; Plasmodium vivax; Protozoan Proteins
PubMed: 34802791
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.11.036 -
Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the... 2019In this symposium, we present a novel breathable protective ointment (BPO) formulation developed at the University of Shizuoka for the prevention of moisture-associated... (Review)
Review
In this symposium, we present a novel breathable protective ointment (BPO) formulation developed at the University of Shizuoka for the prevention of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) intended for use in healthcare settings. MASD occurs when moisture is in constant contact with the skin for prolonged periods of time, causing degradation of the skin barrier. Exposure to physical or chemical stimuli in addition to moisture may lead to different types of moisture-associated dermatitis such as incontinence-associated or periwound dermatitis. Another type of moisture-associated dermatitis, diaper dermatitis, is treated with protective ointments such as white petrolatum and zinc ointment. These ointments protect the skin from irritants but also block insensible dermal perspiration, which promotes further skin maceration. Therefore, we have developed a BPO formulation from white petrolatum and calcium carbonate, which serve as a protectant and pore-forming agent, respectively. In vitro water-proof tests confirmed the skin-protective properties of the BPO, and moisture-permeation tests indicated its breathability. Moreover, the BPO protected the skin from irritants without the loss of skin hydration in rats. Our next step involves the trial of BPO in infants with diaper dermatitis. In the future, this BPO could be used as an ointment base for active pharmaceutical ingredients used to prevent MASD.
Topics: Animals; Diaper Rash; Drug Compounding; Humans; Ointment Bases; Ointments; Permeability; Petrolatum; Pharmacy Service, Hospital; Rats; Skin; Water
PubMed: 31582613
DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.19-00121-3 -
Molecular Pharmaceutics Oct 2023Pharmaceutical cocrystals ( ; Food and Drug Administration, 2018) are crystalline solids produced through supramolecular chemistry to modulate the physicochemical...
Pharmaceutical cocrystals ( ; Food and Drug Administration, 2018) are crystalline solids produced through supramolecular chemistry to modulate the physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Despite their extensive development in interdisciplinary sciences, this is a pioneering study on the efficacy of pharmaceutical cocrystals in wound healing and scar reducing. Curcumin-pyrogallol cocrystal (CUR-PYR) was accordingly cherry-picked since its superior physicochemical properties adequately compensate for limitative drawbacks of curcumin (CUR). CUR-PYR has been synthesized by a liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) method and characterized via FT-IR, DSC, and PXRD analyses. antibacterial study indicated that CUR-PYR cocrystal, CUR+PYR physical mixture (PM), and PYR are more effective against both Gram-negative ( and ) and Gram-positive ( and ) bacteria in comparison with CUR. results also demonstrated that the viability of HDF and NIH-3T3 cells treated with CUR-PYR were improved more than those received CUR which is attributed to the effect of PYR in the form of cocrystal. The wound healing process has been monitored through a 15 day experiment on 75 male rats stratified into six groups: five groups treated by CUR-PYR+Vaseline (CUR-PYR.ung), CUR+PYR+Vaseline (CUR+PYR.ung), CUR+Vaseline (CUR.ung), PYR+Vaseline (PYR.ung), and Vaseline (VAS) ointments and a negative control group of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (NS). It was revealed that the wounds under CUR-PYR.ung treatment closed by day 12 postsurgery, while the wounds in other groups failed to reach the complete closure end point until the end of the experiment. Surprisingly, a diminutive scar (3.89 ± 0.97% of initial wound size) was observed in the CUR-PYR.ung treated wounds by day 15 after injury, followed by corresponding values for PYR.ung (12.08 ± 2.75%), CUR+PYR.ung (13.89 ± 5.02%), CUR.ung (16.24 ± 6.39%), VAS (18.97 ± 6.89%), and NS (20.33 ± 5.77%). Besides, investigating histopathological parameters including inflammation, granulation tissue, re-epithelialization, and collagen deposition signified outstandingly higher ability of CUR-PYR cocrystal in wound healing than either of its two constituents separately or their simple PM. It was concluded that desired solubility of the prepared cocrystal was essentially responsible for accelerating wound closure and promoting tissue regeneration which yielded minimal scarring. This prototype research suggests a promising application of pharmaceutical cocrystals for the purpose of wound healing.
Topics: Animals; Male; Mice; Rats; Cicatrix; Curcumin; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Wound Healing; Crystallization; Pyrogallol; Antioxidants; Petrolatum
PubMed: 37624646
DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00398