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The New England Journal of Medicine Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; HIV Infections
PubMed: 37486752
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMe2306782 -
JAMA Dermatology Mar 2022
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Psoriasis
PubMed: 35044422
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.4723 -
JTCVS Techniques Apr 2021
PubMed: 34318142
DOI: 10.1016/j.xjtc.2021.01.015 -
Cureus Aug 2021Disorders of skin hyperpigmentation have an appreciable impact on quality of life, carrying social and cultural importance that influences widespread consumer demand for...
Disorders of skin hyperpigmentation have an appreciable impact on quality of life, carrying social and cultural importance that influences widespread consumer demand for cosmetic lightening products. We sought to investigate product factors that may influence consumer preference when choosing an over-the-counter cream for skin-lightening purposes. The keyword "lightening cream" was searched in the "Beauty and Personal Care category" of online retailer Amazon.com. The top fifth percentile of products was determined by filtering the search results for a minimum of four out of five stars from customer reviews, and then further filtered by products with over 100 reviews. Number of reviews, rating, price per unit, vehicle, application instructions, ingredients, and review attributes were evaluated. Over 2,900 products were catalogued as "lightening cream" on Amazon.com. There were 40 products rated >4 stars and >100 reviews, constituting the top 1.34% of entries. Tocopheryl was present in 58% of the top 40 products, ascorbic acid in 40%, and niacinamide in 20%. Notably, 22.5% of the top 40 products contained no known skin-lightening ingredient. There was a moderate positive correlation (R=0.378) between price and consumer rating, with kojic acid being the most expensive per ounce ($24.89) and salicylic acid being the most highly rated (4.54 stars; $15.00/oz). This study provides insight on the factors influencing the choice, preferences, and satisfaction of consumer that sought Amazon for the purchase of lightening products.
PubMed: 34540471
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17245 -
Cureus Oct 2023Background In the field of aesthetic dermatology, there is currently very little data on affordability and cost analysis regarding cosmeceuticals as more demand from...
Background In the field of aesthetic dermatology, there is currently very little data on affordability and cost analysis regarding cosmeceuticals as more demand from patients showing interest in cosmeceutical products to reduce and prevent aging continues to grow. Photoaging, a form of extrinsic aging from sun exposure, can be ameliorated by applying sunscreen and retinol products. Topical ascorbic acid and niacinamide have been shown to target the oxidative stress process that contributes to photoaging. These four products have been identified as the cosmeceutical ingredients with the most evidence-based data on photoaging prevention and treatment. Objective Given the demand for effective skin care, the paucity of data on cost differentiation, and the availability of cosmeceutical products, we analyzed the unit cost of four anti-aging products from major online and physical retailers in the United States. Such a cost comparison may facilitate more economically appropriate recommendations on skin care to consumers. Methods and materials We analyzed sunscreen, topical vitamin C (ascorbic acid), topical vitamin B3 (niacinamide), and topical vitamin A (retinol) products sold by four major United States retailers: Walmart, Ulta, Walgreens, and Amazon. The average cost in dollars per ounce (dollar/oz) was calculated for each product category at each retailer. Statistical analyses were done to determine statistical significance for each product category between retailers as well as between each category of product. Results Between the four retailers, Walmart offered the lowest cost per ounce for every product. In contrast, Amazon offered the highest cost per ounce for every product except for sunscreen. We also found that sunscreen products are less expensive per ounce as compared to retinol, ascorbic acid, and niacinamide products. Conclusion Dermatologists should be knowledgeable of product costs when providing patients with anti-aging product recommendations. Our study provides data on the financial cost by retail location of evidence-based anti-aging cosmeceuticals to better guide physicians in patient consulting and economical resource sharing.
PubMed: 37933373
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46596 -
Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic... Aug 2022
Topics: Humans; Mitral Valve
PubMed: 35976129
DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivac216 -
The American Journal of Geriatric... Nov 2023
Topics: Humans; Palliative Care; Pneumonia; Dementia
PubMed: 37407383
DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.06.011 -
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral... Sep 2023Our goal was to quantify the pH and total acidity of human milk fortified with human milk fortifiers (HMFs), powder infant formulas, and protein additives.
BACKGROUND
Our goal was to quantify the pH and total acidity of human milk fortified with human milk fortifiers (HMFs), powder infant formulas, and protein additives.
METHODS
Commercial liquid HMFs and powder infant formulas were added to pasteurized pooled donor human milk in triplicate and stirred. The pH of unfortified and fortified human milk at 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, and 30 kcal/ounce (624, 680, 737, 765, 794, and 850 kcal/g, respectively) was determined using a pH meter. Phenolphthalein acidity at 24 and 30 kcal/ounce (680 and 850 kcal/g, respectively) was determined using diluted sodium hydroxide.
RESULTS
The pH of unfortified human milk increased within the first hour (6.52 ± 0.06 vs 6.62 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001). Changes in pH largely correlated with caloric density; however, directional changes varied considerably between HMFs and powder infant formulas. Two liquid HMFs demonstrated modest reductions in pH with increasing caloric density whereas one liquid HMF alkalinized human milk with increasing caloric density (analysis of variance P < 0.0001). Phenolphthalein acidity was significantly higher for five HMFs and lower for one HMF at 30 kcal/ounce (850 kcal/g) but not 24 kcal/ounce (680 kcal/g). Powder infant formulas generally increased pH with increasing caloric density (analysis of variance P < 0.0001), but no differences in phenolphthalein acidity were noted.
CONCLUSION
Changes in acid/base balancefor fortified human milk are variable and may be a consideration when selecting a fortifying agent for human milk.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Milk, Human; Powders; Food, Fortified; Dietary Supplements; Phenolphthaleins
PubMed: 37350060
DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2537 -
Journal of Cataract and Refractive... Apr 2022Postrefractive surgery ectasia is a serious, sight-threatening complication seen after the following procedures: laser in situ keratomileusis, photorefractive...
Postrefractive surgery ectasia is a serious, sight-threatening complication seen after the following procedures: laser in situ keratomileusis, photorefractive keratectomy, small-incision lenticule extraction, radial keratotomy, and/or arcuate keratotomy. Specific risk factors may include age, corneal thickness, degree of refractive error, corneal topographic changes including irregular astigmatism, percent tissue ablation, and residual stromal bed. Biomarkers may be a new option to help indicate who is at greatest risk for ectasia. Visual aids including spectacles or contacts lenses are often required to achieve optimal vision. Collagen crosslinking is the only treatment believed to stop progression of ectasia and prevent keratoplasty. Other surgical options may include topography-guided phototherapeutic keratectomy and intrastromal corneal ring segments. Ultimately, an "ounce of prevention is a pound of cure," so careful preoperative screening and ultimately offering the safest and most effective treatments for patients is arguably the most important job of the refractive surgeon.
Topics: Corneal Surgery, Laser; Corneal Topography; Dilatation, Pathologic; Humans; Lasers, Excimer
PubMed: 34486581
DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000808