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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 -
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 -
Case Reports in Medicine 2015Phthiriasis palpebrarum is an uncommon cause of blepharoconjunctivitis in which Pthirus pubis infest the eyelashes. We report a case of unilateral phthiriasis...
Phthiriasis palpebrarum is an uncommon cause of blepharoconjunctivitis in which Pthirus pubis infest the eyelashes. We report a case of unilateral phthiriasis palpebrarum with crab louse. A 45-year-old man presented with conjunctival hyperaemia and moderate itching associated with irritation, and crusty excretions of the eyelashes in the left eye. Careful slit-lamp examination revealed many lice and nits in left eye and mild conjunctival hyperaemia. No abnormality was found in the right eye. On dermatologic examination, only one louse was found at the pubic area. The patient was treated effectively with petrolatum jelly (Vaseline) and 1% permethrin shampoo (Kwellada 1% shampoo). At the end of the first week no louse or nit was present on eyelashes and pubic area.
PubMed: 26451147
DOI: 10.1155/2015/287906 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2020Quantification of anatomical and compositional features underpins both fundamental and applied studies of plant structure and function. Relatively few non-invasive...
Quantification of anatomical and compositional features underpins both fundamental and applied studies of plant structure and function. Relatively few non-invasive techniques are available for aquatic plants. Traditional methods such as sectioning are low-throughput and provide 2-dimensional information. X-ray Computed Microtomography (μCT) offers a non-destructive method of three dimensional (3D) imaging , but has not been widely used for aquatic species, due to the difficulties in sample preparation and handling. We present a novel sample handling protocol for aquatic plant material developed for μCT imaging, using duckweed plants and turions as exemplars, and compare the method against existing approaches. This technique allows for previously unseen 3D volume analysis of gaseous filled spaces, cell material, and sub-cellular features. The described embedding method, utilizing petrolatum gel for sample mounting, was shown to preserve sample quality during scanning, and to display sufficiently different X-ray attenuation to the plant material to be easily differentiated by image analysis pipelines. We present this technique as an improved method for anatomical structural analysis that provides novel cellular and developmental information.
PubMed: 33488660
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.617830 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2023Organogels are attractive formulations in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals. They exhibit characteristic frictional and mechanical responses during the collapse of a...
Organogels are attractive formulations in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals. They exhibit characteristic frictional and mechanical responses during the collapse of a mesostructure. In this study, the friction dynamics of organogels composed of five different waxes (paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, ceresin, candelilla wax, and carnauba wax) and liquid paraffin were evaluated using a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system. All organogels exhibited a velocity dependence of friction coefficient that increased with the acceleration of the contact probe. Depending on the ease of the crystal formation of the waxes in liquid paraffin, hydrocarbon-based waxes formed soft organogels with a low-friction coefficient, whereas ester-based, highly polar waxes formed organogels that were hard and had a high-friction coefficient.
Topics: Plant Oils; Friction; Mineral Oil; Skin, Artificial; Waxes
PubMed: 36990750
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess22427 -
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 -
Wound Management & Prevention May 2020Treating postoperative abdominal wound dehiscence following abdominal surgery using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has shown promising results.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Compared to Petrolatum Gauze and a Bogota Bag to Manage Postoperative Midline Abdominal Wound Dehiscence: A Pilot, Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.
UNLABELLED
Treating postoperative abdominal wound dehiscence following abdominal surgery using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has shown promising results.
PURPOSE
A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT for fascial closure/cutaneous cover compared to non-NPWT treatment using petrolatum gauze and a Bogota bag in patients with postoperative laparotomy wound dehiscence.
METHODS
A single center, prospective, nonrandomized pilot study was conducted. Using convenience sampling methods, consecutive patients on 6 different surgical units who were at least 18 years of age and who developed postoperative abdominal wound dehiscence following elective and emergency laparotomy from January 2017 to December 2018 were recruited. NPWT dressing with polyvinyl white foam sponge or loosely packed, saline-soaked petrolatum gauze followed by Bogota bag application were used and compared. Baseline patient demographics and history were collected, and patients were followed for an average of 6 months after surgery. Number of days until first signs of granulation tissue appearance, time until complete granulation tissue cover/fascial surgical closure, and hospital discharge were compared. Categorical variables (gender, comorbidities, presence or absence of stoma, exposure to prior radiotherapy) were expressed as proportions and analyzed using chi-squared test or Fischer's exact test. Continuous variables such as age, body mass index, albumin, postoperative hospital stay, and number of days required for decision for fascial closure were expressed as Mean ± standard deviation and analyzed using an independent t test or Mann Whitney U test based on whether the data followed normal distribution. Postoperative day of wound dehiscence, the number of days for the appearance of granulation tissue, and the number of NPWT placements required also were assessed using Mean ± standard deviation and analyzed using an independent t test. A P value <.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
Sixty (60) patients were included, but 4 in NPWT group and 10 in the non-NPWT group could not complete the study, leaving 26 patients in NPWT group and 20 patients in non-NPWT group. Demographic and surgical variables were not significantly different. Patients in both groups achieved complete wound coverage by surgical closure or healing by secondary intention. Days until first signs of granulation tissue (2.92 vs. 6.65; P <.001), number of days until fascial closure (15.50 vs. 29.50; P <.001), and length of postoperative hospital stay (24.30 vs. 37.90; P <.001) were significantly less in NPWT group. Two (2) patients (7.6%) in the NPWT developed a fistula during the 6-month follow-up period. No fistulas developed in the control group, and no intra-abdominal abscesses, ventral hernias, or wound dehiscence were reported in either group.
CONCLUSION
Time until first signs of granulation tissue appearance and complete granulation tissue coverage was significantly shorter in the NPWT group, but time until definitive closure was not evaluated. Randomized, controlled clinical studies to compare definitive time to wound closure and long-term follow up to evaluate long-term complication rates, including the risk of developing fistulas, are warranted.
Topics: Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques; Adult; Bandages; Female; Humans; India; Male; Middle Aged; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; Petrolatum; Pilot Projects; Postoperative Complications; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 32401733
DOI: No ID Found -
Acta Pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia) Jun 2018Bigels with antifungal substances, ciclopirox olamine and terbinafine hydrochloride, were made of hydrogel (poloxamer 407 gel) and oleogel (polyethylene and liquid... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Bigels with antifungal substances, ciclopirox olamine and terbinafine hydrochloride, were made of hydrogel (poloxamer 407 gel) and oleogel (polyethylene and liquid paraffin mixture). Prepared bigels were found physically stable at room temperature for six months and at least four months at 40 °C. Released amount of drug decreased when oleogel concentration in the formulation increased. Release test results depended on the insertion place of active substances. The amount of released substance was highest when ciclopirox olamine was incorporated in both phases in an equal quantity, and terbinafine hydrochloride in oleogel or in hydrogel. All formulations showed great inhibition of Microsporum canis. Thus, bigels with ciclopirox olamine and terbinafine hydrochloride are a promising dosage form for topical use.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Cats; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Ciclopirox; Dermatomycoses; Drug Liberation; Drug Stability; Drug Storage; Hydrogels; Microsporum; Mineral Oil; Naphthalenes; Organic Chemicals; Poloxamer; Polyethylene; Pyridones; Terbinafine
PubMed: 29702483
DOI: 10.2478/acph-2018-0014 -
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons... Aug 1974A relatively high incidence of cancer of the skin, especially of the scrotum, due to occupational contact with mineral oil has been observed among shale oil workers and...
A relatively high incidence of cancer of the skin, especially of the scrotum, due to occupational contact with mineral oil has been observed among shale oil workers and cotton mule spinners and, since the Second World War, among machine operators in the Birmingham region. A study has been made of the factors causing this high incidence and evidence is given that the respiratory and digestive tracts as well as the skin may be affected. The preventive measures are described and the suggestion made that they appear at the present time to be effective.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Animals; Child; Engineering; England; Female; France; Gossypium; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Mineral Oil; Neoplasms; Occupational Diseases; Scrotum; Skin Neoplasms; Textile Industry; Urogenital Neoplasms; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 4858528
DOI: No ID Found -
Viruses Jul 2022The Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne bunyavirus of the Narovirus genus, which is the causative agent of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever...
The Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne bunyavirus of the Narovirus genus, which is the causative agent of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). CCHF is endemic in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia, with a high case-fatality rate of up to 50% in humans. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or effective therapies available for CCHF. The GEM-PA is a safe, versatile and effective carrier system, which offers a cost-efficient, high-throughput platform for recovery and purification of subunit proteins for vaccines. In the present study, based on a GEM-PA surface display system, a GEM-PA based vaccine expressing three subunit vaccine candidates (G-GP, including G-eG, G-eG and G-NAb) of CCHFV was developed, displaying the ectodomains of the structural glycoproteins eG, eG and NAb, respectively. According to the immunological assays including indirect-ELISA, a micro-neutralization test of pseudo-virus and ELISpot, 5 μg GPBLP combined with Montanide ISA 201VG plus Poly (I:C) adjuvant (A-G-GP-5 μg) elicited GP-specific humoral and cellular immunity in BALB/c mice after three vaccinations via subcutaneous injection (s.c.). The consistent data between IgG subtype and cytokine detection, ELISpot and cytokine detection indicated balanced Th1 and Th2 responses, of which G-eG vaccines could elicit a stronger T-cell response post-vaccination, respectively. Moreover, all three vaccine candidates elicited high TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 cytokine levels in the supernatant of stimulated splenocytes in vitro. However, the neutralizing antibody (nAb) was only detected in A-G-eG and A-G-eG vaccination groups with the highest neutralizing titer of 128, suggesting that G-eG could elicit a stronger humoral immune response. In conclusion, the GEM-PA surface display system could provide an efficient and convenient purification method for CCHFV subunit antigens, and the G-GP subunit vaccine candidates will be promising against CCHFV infections with excellent immunogenicity.
Topics: Animals; Cytokines; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean; Humans; Immunity, Humoral; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mineral Oil; Vaccines, Subunit
PubMed: 36016285
DOI: 10.3390/v14081664