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Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Mar 2021Phthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare eyelid infestation caused by (pubic lice) that is often confused with other causes of blepharoconjunctivitis. In this study, we report...
Phthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare eyelid infestation caused by (pubic lice) that is often confused with other causes of blepharoconjunctivitis. In this study, we report the case of a 49-year-old male patient with phthiriasis palpebrarum who presented with itching and eye irritation in the left eye and had undergone treatment for conjunctivitis in the past month. Biomicroscopic examination revealed a dense population of motile and translucent lice and eggs, more intensely on the upper lid. For treatment, the lice were first cleaned mechanically, eyelashes were cut from the bottom, and eggs and lice were removed from the eye, after which petrolatum jelly (vsaseline) was applied to the lids for 10 days. In the control examination, no lice and eggs were observed.
Topics: Animals; Blepharitis; Eyelashes; Humans; Lice Infestations; Male; Middle Aged; Petrolatum; Phthirus; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33685072
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2020.6937 -
Journal of Taibah University Medical... Jun 2022Facemask use is essential for managing the COVID-19 pandemic, but may cause facial dermopathy. Topical creams may minimise facemask complications. This clinical study...
OBJECTIVES
Facemask use is essential for managing the COVID-19 pandemic, but may cause facial dermopathy. Topical creams may minimise facemask complications. This clinical study explores the impact of different topical creams on facemask tolerability and complications.
METHODS
This was a prospective observational study involving 80 adults. Participants voluntarily chose and used topical creams during facemask use. Data were collected using validated scales before and after topical cream application.
RESULTS
About 23.8% of the participants used lidocaine gel, 17.5% used petrolatum, 16.2% used hydrocortisone cream, 16.2% used diphenhydramine cream, 13.8% used arnica cream, and 12.5% used zinc oxide cream. Duration of facemask use was 6 h amongst staff and 4 h amongst patients, and was similar both with and without topical cream. Facial temperature rise was lower with all creams ( = 0.033), as was facial redness ( = 0.037) and facial pain ( = 0.025). Facemask compliance was better for all creams ( = 0.015). The facial temperature rise was the lowest with topical lidocaine ( = 0.021). Early facial redness was lowest with topical hydrocortisone or diphenhydramine ( = 0.042). Severe redness was lowest with topical hydrocortisone or zinc oxide ( = 0.044). Facemask pain was lowest with topical lidocaine ( = 0.035), and facemask compliance was best with topical lidocaine ( = 0.001). Petrolatum had the best user satisfaction and odour ratings ( = 0.041).
CONCLUSION
Topical creams minimise facemask complications, thereby promoting compliance; topical lidocaine was the most effective in reducing pain and enabling facemask compliance. Topical hydrocortisone, diphenhydramine, and zinc oxide were effective in reducing facial redness, and topical petrolatum produced the best user satisfaction.
PubMed: 35250427
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2021.12.012 -
JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck... Jun 2020The fibula free flap donor site is associated with both short-term and long-term morbidity. Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) loss can lead to long delays in donor site...
IMPORTANCE
The fibula free flap donor site is associated with both short-term and long-term morbidity. Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) loss can lead to long delays in donor site healing and is associated with significant adverse sequelae. Patients may experience initial good STSG uptake after bolster removal but may have subsequent partial or total loss related to contact pressure or shearing.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if increased duration of bolster use is associated with increased STSG uptake rates following fibula free flap reconstruction.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cohort study included patients 18 years and older undergoing fibula free flap reconstruction following head and neck extirpative surgery at a tertiary care academic medical center from May 2013 to March 2019. The donor sites were photographed 4 weeks postoperatively, and areas of graft uptake were measured using image processing software. The baseline demographic, comorbidity, and operative characteristics were also collected.
INTERVENTIONS
A fine mesh gauze with 3% bismuth tribromophenate and petrolatum blend bolster was sutured over leg STSGs placed on fibula free flap donor sites intraoperatively, and the ankle and lower leg were immobilized for 5 days in a plaster splint. Bolsters were either removed on postoperative day 5 or 14. Thereafter, the STSGs were covered with a petroleum and bismuth gauze and a cotton dressing.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Rates of donor site infection and STSG percentage uptake at 4 weeks.
RESULTS
Of the 42 included patients, 31 (74%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 62.1 (13.1) years. A total of 20 patients were included in the 5-day group, and 22 were included in the 14-day group. The 14-day bolster group had a higher mean percentage skin graft uptake rate compared with the 5-day bolster duration group (77.5% vs 59.9%), with an effect size of -0.632 (95% CI, -1.260 to -0.004). Patients with Adult Comorbidity Evalution-27 scores of 3 had poorer rates of STSG uptake compared with patients with Adult Comorbidity Evalution-27 scores of 0 to 2 (65.9% vs 82.9%), with an effect size of 0.599 (95% CI, -0.191 to 1.389). No donor site infections were noted in either group.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Fourteen-day bolster application to the fibula free flap donor site was associated with better STSG uptake rates than 5-day bolster application.
Topics: Aged; Bandages; Female; Fibula; Free Tissue Flaps; Graft Survival; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ointment Bases; Petrolatum; Phenols; Postoperative Complications; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Retrospective Studies; Skin Transplantation; Splints; Time Factors; Transplant Donor Site; Wound Healing
PubMed: 32297916
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2020.0160 -
Central European Journal of Public... Sep 2022This study aimed to assess the predictors of allergic sensitisation to titanium and nickel in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to assess the predictors of allergic sensitisation to titanium and nickel in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.
METHODS
A total of 250 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were invited to participate, and 235 were analysed (67% females). A patch test was performed using nickel sulphate, titanium, titanium dioxide, titanium oxalate, titanium nitride, and petrolatum as control. In addition, clinical signs of the oral mucosa, gingiva, tongue, lips, and allergological history were assessed.
RESULTS
The predictors of metal allergic sensitisation in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were adult age (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2-5.5; p = 0.016), female sex (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.1-7.9; p = 0.025), exfoliative cheilitis (OR = 4.8; 95% CI: 1.9-12.4; p = 0.001), history of contact hypersensitivity (OR = 7.0; 95% CI: 1.3-35.4; p = 0.025), history of contact hypersensitivity to metals (OR = 8.3; 95% CI: 1.4-50.2; p = 0.021), and piercings (OR = 5.4; 95% CI: 2.1-13.9; p = 0.001). When predictors were analysed separately for these two metals, titanium sensitisation predictors were contact hypersensitivity to metals and piercing, whereas nickel sensitisation predictors were age and piercing.
CONCLUSION
A positive patch test alone cannot draw definite conclusions regarding allergy. However, metal allergies in patients with orthodontic appliances could be considered in cases of previous contact hypersensitivity, previous reactions to metals, exfoliative cheilitis, and piercing.
Topics: Adult; Cheilitis; Dermatitis, Contact; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Male; Nickel; Oxalates; Petrolatum; Titanium
PubMed: 36239365
DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7122 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... May 2023Estrogen is well-known for preparing uterine receptivity. However, its roles in regulating embryo development and implantation are unclear. Our objective was to...
PURPOSE
Estrogen is well-known for preparing uterine receptivity. However, its roles in regulating embryo development and implantation are unclear. Our objective was to characterize estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) in human and mouse embryos and determine the effect of estradiol (E) supplementation on pre- and peri-implantation blastocyst development.
METHODS
Mouse embryos, 8-cell through hatched blastocyst stages, and human embryonic days 5-7 blastocysts were stained for ESR1 and imaged using confocal microscopy. We then treated 8-cell mouse embryos with 8 nM E during in vitro culture (IVC) and examined embryo morphokinetics, blastocyst development, and cell allocation into the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE). Finally, we disrupted ESR1, using ICI 182,780, and evaluated peri-implantation development.
RESULTS
ESR1 exhibits nuclear localization in early blastocysts followed by aggregation, predominantly in the TE of hatching and hatched blastocysts, in human and mouse embryos. During IVC, most E was absorbed by the mineral oil, and no effect on embryo development was found. When IVC was performed without an oil overlay, embryos treated with E exhibited increased blastocyst development and ICM:TE ratio. Additionally, embryos treated with ICI 182,780 had significantly decreased trophoblast outgrowth during extended embryo culture.
CONCLUSION
Similar ESR1 localization in mouse and human blastocysts suggests a conserved role in blastocyst development. These mechanisms may be underappreciated due to the use of mineral oil during conventional IVC. This work provides important context for how estrogenic toxicants may impact reproductive health and offers an avenue to further optimize human-assisted reproductive technology (ART) to treat infertility.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Fulvestrant; Mineral Oil; Embryonic Development; Blastocyst; Estrogens
PubMed: 37017886
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02783-2 -
Journal of Oleo Science Mar 2022Transdermal administration represents a major advancement over traditional pharmaceutical dosing methods. However, a frequent issue is inadequate penetration of the...
Transdermal administration represents a major advancement over traditional pharmaceutical dosing methods. However, a frequent issue is inadequate penetration of the active medicinal component through the skin. As a result, in the current research, we assessed the utility of newly developed petrolatum-liquid crystal (LC) ointment formulations and characterized their biocompatibility and function in the transdermal drug delivery system. To begin, we made petrolatum-LC formulations using p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) as a hydrophilic model molecule. The viscosity, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), particle diameters, and z-potential were measured to assess the physicochemical properties of the formulations. A dialysis release technique was used to evaluate medication release from petrolatum-LC formulations. In vitro testing was performed to determine the potential to enhance skin penetration. The biocompatibility of the produced formulations was further tested using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and single-cell gel electrophoresis. According to the results, the novel petrolatum-LC formulations are biocompatible and effective in forming hexosomes. PABA skin penetration was significantly enhanced by the new petrolatum-LC formulations. According to this study, petroleum-LC formulations are more efficient than commercial petrolatum in terms of skin permeability improvement and PABA skin concentration.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Liquid Crystals; Petrolatum; Scattering, Small Angle; Skin; Skin Absorption; X-Ray Diffraction
PubMed: 35173089
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess21344 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... Apr 2022The study aims to summarize current knowledge on the use of oil in embryo culture systems, with a focus on proper management of different types of oil and possible... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The study aims to summarize current knowledge on the use of oil in embryo culture systems, with a focus on proper management of different types of oil and possible impact on culture systems.
METHODS
PubMed was used to search the MEDLINE database for peer-reviewed English-language original articles and reviews concerning the use of oil in embryo culture systems. Searches were performed by adopting "embryo," "culture media," "oil," and "contaminants" as main terms. The most relevant publications were assessed and discussed critically.
RESULTS
Oils used in IVF are complex mixtures of straight-chain hydrocarbons, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and unsaturated hydrocarbons, whose precise composition influences their chemical and physical properties. Possible presence of contaminants suggests their storage at 4 °C in the dark to prevent peroxidation. Washing, generally performed by manufacturers prior to commercialization, may remove trace chemical contaminants. Oils reduce evaporation from culture media at rates depending on their chemical physical properties, culture system parameters, and incubator atmosphere. Contaminants - mainly metal ion and plastic components derived from refinement processes and storage - can pass to the aqueous phase of culture systems and affect embryo development.
CONCLUSIONS
Oils are essential components of culture systems. Their original quality and composition, storage, handling, and use can affect embryo development with significant efficiency and safety implications.
Topics: Culture Media; Embryo Culture Techniques; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Mineral Oil; Oils
PubMed: 35445905
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02479-z -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Feb 2021Tattoos are a current trend, but their impact on skin homeostasis and epidermal barrier function is not well known. So, the aims of this study are (1) to investigate...
Tattoos are a current trend, but their impact on skin homeostasis and epidermal barrier function is not well known. So, the aims of this study are (1) to investigate epidermal barrier function and skin homeostasis in skin with permanent tattoos, adhesive temporary tattoos and non-tattooed skin, and (2) to analyze the effect of petrolatum on skin with permanent and adhesive tattoos. In total, 67 tattoos were enrolled (34 permanent tattoos and 33 adhesive tattoos). Temperature, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), erythema and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in skin with permanent tattoos, adhesive tattoos and non-tattooed skin before and after petrolatum application. The temperature was lower (30.47 °C vs. 31.01 °C; = 0.001) on skin with permanent tattoos than non-tattooed skin, while SCH (48.24 Arbitrary Units (AU) vs. 44.15 AU; = 0.008) was higher. Skin with adhesive tattoos showed lower temperature, SCH (21.19 AU vs. 41.31 AU; < 0.001) and TAC (1.27 microcoulombs (uC) vs. 3.48 uC; < 0.001), and higher TEWL (8.65 g/h/m vs. 6.99 g/h/m; = 0.003), than non-tattooed skin. After petrolatum application, the temperature decreased on skin with permanent tattoos, and TEWL and SCH decreased on skin with adhesive tattoos. Adhesive tattoos may affect skin barrier function, while permanent tattoos may have a lower impact. Tattooed and non-tattooed skin responds in different ways to moisturizers.
PubMed: 33671713
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040888 -
Journal of Chromatography. A Oct 2022Refined edible oils and fats are known to contain olefins resisting the typical epoxidation used for the sample preparation of mineral oil saturated and aromatic...
Automated workflow utilizing saponification and improved epoxidation for the sensitive determination of mineral oil saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in edible oils and fats.
Refined edible oils and fats are known to contain olefins resisting the typical epoxidation used for the sample preparation of mineral oil saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOSH and MOAH). These olefins can be misinterpreted as MOAH and are therefore an important reason for inconsistent results between laboratories. Collaborative trials confirm this assumption for low MOAH contents near the quantitation limits regularly. In the scope of this work, a new epoxidation approach was developed. Persistent olefins in refined oils could be successfully epoxidized with performic acid. The reaction kinetics was investigated using model substances for biogenic olefins and MOAH. It was rationalized why certain olefins resist epoxidation and which MOAH can potentially get lost. A prominent peak cluster in the MOAH fraction of refined palm oils could be identified by means of GC-MS and explained why it cannot be epoxidized. Based upon this, an automated and streamlined workflow for sample preparation and analysis was composed tackling major problems identified in previously published methods. Optimized and miniaturized saponification, extraction, epoxidation, and enrichment paired with online LC-GC-FID led to a robust method that was tested and validated for edible oils and fats (RSD < 7% for MOSH and MOAH at values of 14.9 and 2.1 mg/kg, respectively). Due to increased sample amount and minimized blank values, quantitation limits below 1 mg/kg for MOSH and MOAH were achieved. The trueness of the method was verified by analyzing collaborative trial samples.
Topics: Alkenes; Fats; Food Contamination; Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Mineral Oil; Plant Oils; Workflow
PubMed: 36179602
DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463523 -
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