-
JBRA Assisted Reproduction Mar 2023The objective of our study was to compare the osmolality in sequential and single step culture media, used for in vitro human embryo culture, covered with mineral oil... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to compare the osmolality in sequential and single step culture media, used for in vitro human embryo culture, covered with mineral oil and paraffin, in dry and humid incubators.
METHODS
We performed a prospective observational study. A total of 120 Petri dishes, with 960 droplets of culture media, were evaluated. Each dish was prepared with 4 droplets of single step medium and sequential medium. Sixty dishes were covered with mineral oil and 60 with paraffin oil. Half were incubated in a dry incubator and half in a humid. Osmolality was measured on days 1, 3, 5, 7. ANOVA test was performed for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
Osmolality results for single step and sequential medium, that were covered with both mineral and paraffin oil and placed in the dry incubator, significantly increased throughout the study time (D7>D5>D3). In the humid incubator, the results were similar for all periods. Osmolality was significantly lower in humid incubator, in all periods, when droplets were covered with both oils. When both culture media were placed in the humid incubator, no variation was detected, using both oils. However, when single step medium was placed in the dry incubator, covered with mineral oil, we observed a higher osmolality than the covered with paraffin oil.
CONCLUSIONS
TWe can conclude that humid incubator is better for maintaining osmolality and paraffin oil protect single step media from evaporation in dry incubator.
Topics: Humans; Mineral Oil; Embryo Culture Techniques; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Oils; Osmolar Concentration; Culture Media; Fertilization in Vitro
PubMed: 35389044
DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20210123 -
Journal of Primary Care & Community... 2022This study compares and contrasts a skin cream containing plant-based anionic polar phospholipid (APP) technology with a mineral oil hydrocarbon (petrolatum)-based (MHB)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
This study compares and contrasts a skin cream containing plant-based anionic polar phospholipid (APP) technology with a mineral oil hydrocarbon (petrolatum)-based (MHB) skin cream technology in the treatment of skin xerosis (dryness) in diabetic feet. Skin cream with APP technology promotes phospholipid absorption, reparation of intercellular lamellae, and organization of water promoting hydration; whereas skin cream with mineral hydrocarbon-based (MHB) technology principally covers skin, preventing dehydration.
METHODS
Subjects (n = 54) with diagnoses of diabetes mellitus and foot skin dryness were studied using a multicenter, double-blind, masked-study design. An emulsion cream containing 0.05% APP in triglycerides (APP preparation) was compared to MHB skin cream, Eucerin (MHB preparation) applied topically to skin of the feet. Graded measurements were recorded on 4 efficacy variables including dryness, erythema, fissures, and itching and neurovascular assessments. Implications of the plant-based and mineral-based skin creams in the context of skin xerosis are contrasted.
RESULTS
APP and MHB preparations were similar in effectiveness and safety. There was no significant difference among any of the 4 efficacy variables ( < .5) including neurovascular measurements. The APP preparation is absorbed into the skin, whereas the MHB skin cream leaves detectable residues after each application.
CONCLUSION
Although the APP and MHB preparations were not significantly different in effectiveness and safety, distinctively, application of the APP skin cream preparation absorbed into the skin leaving no discernible residue in contrast to the MHB preparation leaving residues potentiating textile damage. Both of these technologies function in the hydration of skin; however, they differ in their modes of action. The plant-based APP preparation functions actively by phospholipid and triglyceride absorption, reparation of skin lamellae, and in the consequent delivery and organization of waters of hydration in skin. The MHB preparation functions passively, hydrating the skin it covers by sealing the skin against dehydration.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Foot; Double-Blind Method; Emollients; Emulsions; Humans; Phospholipids
PubMed: 35354339
DOI: 10.1177/21501319211068653 -
Nature Communications Mar 2022A randomized, double-blind, controlled vaccine clinical trial was conducted to assess, as the primary outcome, the safety and protective efficacy of the Plasmodium vivax... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized, double-blind, controlled vaccine clinical trial was conducted to assess, as the primary outcome, the safety and protective efficacy of the Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite (CS) protein in healthy malaria-naïve (phase IIa) and semi-immune (phase IIb) volunteers. Participants (n = 35) were randomly selected from a larger group (n = 121) and further divided into naïve (n = 17) and semi-immune (n = 18) groups and were immunized at months 0, 2, and 6 with PvCS formulated in Montanide ISA-51 adjuvant or placebo (adjuvant alone). Specific antibodies and IFN-γ responses to PvCS were determined as secondary outcome; all experimental volunteers developed specific IgG and IFN-γ. Three months after the last immunization, all participants were subjected to controlled human malaria infection. All naive controls became infected and drastic parasitemia reduction, including sterile protection, developed in several experimental volunteers in phase IIa (6/11) (54%, 95% CI 0.25-0.84) and phase IIb (7/11) (64%, 95% CI 0.35-0.92). However, no difference in parasitemia was observed between the phase IIb experimental and control subgroups. In conclusion, this study demonstrates significant protection in both naïve and semi-immune volunteers, encouraging further PvCS vaccine clinical development. Trial registration number NCT02083068. This trial was funded by Colciencias (grant 529-2009), NHLBI (grant RHL086488 A), and MVDC/CIV Foundation (grant 2014-1206).
Topics: Antibodies, Protozoan; Humans; Malaria; Malaria Vaccines; Mineral Oil; Parasitemia; Plasmodium vivax; Protozoan Proteins; Vaccines, Synthetic
PubMed: 35338131
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29226-3 -
Indian Journal of Dermatology 2021Persulfate is an oxidizing agent used for multiple purposes, including bleaching hair, bleaching flour, and as pool/spa water disinfectant.
BACKGROUND
Persulfate is an oxidizing agent used for multiple purposes, including bleaching hair, bleaching flour, and as pool/spa water disinfectant.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients allergic to ammonium persulfate (APS) among patients who underwent patch testing in our clinic.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 2138 patients who underwent patch testing at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston between July 2015 to November 2019. All patients were tested to our standard series including APS 2.5% petrolatum. Given the irritant nature of APS, we included for analysis only patients with 2+ or 3+ reactions.
RESULTS
Among 2138 patients, 61 (2.85%) had 2+ or 3+ reactions to APS. In this study, 72% were female. 75% had an atopic diathesis; 56% had 2+ reactions, and 44% had 3+ reactions. Clinical relevance was definite in 11%, probable in 10%, and unknown/possible in 79%. In patients with definite clinical relevance, 6/7 had occupational allergic contact dermatitis: 4 hairdressers, 1 hair salon cleaner, and 1 aquarium worker; 1/7 was bleaching her hair.
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of 2+ or 3+ APS reactions in this single-center study was higher than that reported by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, 2015-2016, (0.75% vs. 2.85% in our study). APS is an important occupational allergen, and clinicians should be aware of this when treating patients with exposure to APS.
PubMed: 35283527
DOI: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_71_21 -
Veterinary Parasitology Apr 2022Ferritins are iron-binding proteins that play critical functions in iron metabolism. Tick ferritins are essential in blood feeding, reproduction, iron transport, and...
Ferritins are iron-binding proteins that play critical functions in iron metabolism. Tick ferritins are essential in blood feeding, reproduction, iron transport, and protection of ticks from the iron-mediated oxidative stress during blood feeding and digestion. In ixodids, ferritin 2 (Fer2) is responsible for iron transport into peripheral tissues, it is critically involved in tick reproduction and has been identified as a good candidate antigen to be included in anti-tick vaccines. In argasids, information on the molecular and functional characteristics of ferritins is almost nonexistent. Given the potential of ixodid Fer2 as a vaccine target, the aim of the current study was to characterise the Fer2 orthologues in Ornithodoros erraticus (OEFer2) and O. moubata (OMFer2), including functional analyses by RNAi gene knockdown and the assessment of the protective efficacy of recombinant Fer2 protein in an animal vaccination trials. Characterisation and analysis of the OMFer2 and OEFer2 amino acid sequences showed high similarity to each other, and high similarity to the Fer2 sequences of ixodid species as well, confirming that Fer2 is highly conserved between both tick families and suggesting a similar function in the physiology of both argasid and ixodid ticks. Fer2 gene knockdown in O. moubata reduced egg hatchability rate and the subsequent number of emerging nymphs-1 up to 71%. Conversely, Fer2 gene knockdown in O. erraticus did not affect the treated ticks even though the Fer2 mRNA expression level was reduced by 90%. The recombinant form of O. moubata Fer2 (tOMFer2) was highly immunogenic and induced strong humoral responses when administered to rabbits formulated with Montanide adjuvant. The protective effect of the anti-tOMFer2 response was limited. While in O. erraticus, we did not observe any protective effect, in O. moubata it induced a significant reduction in oviposition without affecting the other parameters analysed. Accordingly, Fer2 seems to be involved in O. moubata embryogenesis. This study provides the first data on the molecular and functional characterisation of Fer2 in soft tick species and paves the way for further studies aimed at unveiling the functional aspects of Fer2 in soft ticks and confirming its potential as a vaccine candidate antigen.
Topics: Animals; Antigens; Arthropod Proteins; Female; Ferritins; Humans; Iron; Mineral Oil; Ornithodoros; Rabbits; Recombinant Proteins; Vaccines
PubMed: 35259632
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109684 -
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 -
Planta Mar 2022Using petrolatum gel as an antitranspirant on the flowers of California poppy and giant bindweed, we show that transpiration provides a large contribution to floral...
Using petrolatum gel as an antitranspirant on the flowers of California poppy and giant bindweed, we show that transpiration provides a large contribution to floral humidity generation. Floral humidity, an area of elevated humidity in the headspace of flowers, is believed to be produced predominantly through a combination of evaporation of liquid nectar and transpirational water loss from the flower. However, the role of transpiration in floral humidity generation has not been directly tested and is largely inferred by continued humidity production when nectar is removed from flowers. We test whether transpiration contributes to the floral humidity generation of two species previously identified to produce elevated floral humidity, Calystegia silvatica and Eschscholzia californica. Floral humidity production of flowers that underwent an antitranspirant treatment, petrolatum gel which blocks transpiration from treated tissues, is compared to flowers that did not receive such treatments. Gel treatments reduced floral humidity production to approximately a third of that produced by untreated flowers in C. silvatica, and half of that in E. californica. This confirms the previously untested inferences that transpiration has a large contribution to floral humidity generation and that this contribution may vary between species.
Topics: Biological Transport; Flowers; Humidity; Plant Nectar; Pollination
PubMed: 35246754
DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03864-9 -
Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand... 2023Flap necrosis on random pattern skin flaps continues to be a challenge. In this study, we evaluated whether topical application of a vasodilator substance (the...
Flap necrosis on random pattern skin flaps continues to be a challenge. In this study, we evaluated whether topical application of a vasodilator substance (the prostaglandin PGI analogue, Iloprost, in cream form) as pre-treatment, would increase blood flow and improve flap viability. Wistar rats randomly allocated into four groups with 7 rats per group and two flaps 4cm × 2cm in the same rat i.e. 56 flaps were developed. Flaps on the wright side received pre-treatment with Cream in different drug concentrations, 2.5μgr/gr, 5 μgr/gr, and 10μgr/gr and 20 μgr/gr containing the active factor Iloprost ZK 36,374(M. W 360.5) prepared with white petrolatum as a base. Flaps on the left side received placebo cream (white petrolatum). After 10 days of flap pre-treatment, evaluation of blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) were recorded, then flap elevation and re suturing back were performed. After 7 days we estimated flap viability on digital imaging and the percentages of flap survival estimated. Means and standard deviations were used to describe blood flow measurements and survival percentages. The significance was set at 0.05 in all cases and the analysis were carried out with the use of the SPSS v23.0. Furthermore, we performed dynamic analyses of circulation using the radioisotope 99mTc which confirmed hyperaemia of the treated areas relative to that observed in control areas. These findings demonstrated that pretreatment of skin flaps with Iloprost cream for 10 days prior to elevation increased blood flow in the flap and improved their overall survival rate.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Iloprost; Surgical Flaps; Vasodilator Agents; Petrolatum; Graft Survival; Necrosis
PubMed: 35195490
DOI: 10.1080/2000656X.2022.2039679 -
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 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Jan 2022In order to obtain virus-like particles (VLPs) for prevention of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), the C-E-E1-E2 region was cloned into a pFastBacDaul vector for...
In order to obtain virus-like particles (VLPs) for prevention of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), the C-E-E1-E2 region was cloned into a pFastBacDaul vector for generating the recombinant Bacmid-BVDV-1 in DH10Bac . The recombinant baculovirus Baculo-BVDV-1 was produced by transfecting the Sf9 cells with Bacmid-BVDV-1. The expressed protein and the assembled VLPs were determined by immunofluorescence, Western blotting and electron microscopy. Guinea pigs were immunized with inactivated VLPs coupled with the Montanide ISA-201 adjuvant. The immunogenicity of VLPs was evaluated by monitoring the humoral immune response with neutralizing antibody titer determination, as well as by analyzing the cell-mediated immune response with lymphocyte proliferation assay. The protective efficacy of VLPs was evaluated by challenging with 10 TCID virulent BVDV-1 strain AV69. The results showed that the recombinant Baculo-BVDV-1 efficiently expressed BVDV structural protein and form VLPs in infected Sf9 cells. The immunization of guinea pigs with VLPs resulted in a high titer (1:144) of neutralizing antibody, indicating an activated cellular immunity. Significantly lower viral RNA in the blood of the post-challenged immunized guinea pigs was observed. The successful preparation of BVDV VLPs with insect cell expression system and the observation of the associated immunogenicity may facilitate further development of a VLPs-based vaccine against BVD.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Diarrhea; Diarrhea Virus 1, Bovine Viral; Guinea Pigs; Mineral Oil; Viral Envelope Proteins; Viral Vaccines
PubMed: 35142124
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.210196