Nano-Leish-IL: A novel iron oxide-based nanocomposite drug platform for effective treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Kinetoplastids are infamous parasites that include trypanosomes and Leishmania species. Here, we developed an anti-Leishmania nano-drug using ultra-small functional maghemite (γ-FeO) nanoparticles (NPs) that were surface-doped by [CeL] to enable effective binding of the polycationic polyethylenebyimine (PEI) polymer by coordinative chemistry. This resulting nano-drug is cytolytic in-vitro to both Trypanosoma brucei parasites, the causative agent of sleeping sickness, as well as to three Leishmania species.

Moistened hands do not necessarily allude to high quality fingerprints: the relationship between palmar moisture and fingerprint donorship.

We explored the quality distribution of ninhydrin-developed prints on A4 bond paper in two groups of individuals, in Israel and in India. While the quality distributions of the developed marks in both countries had some dissimilarities, both groups showed the expected bell-shape distribution, with the majority of the donors belonging to the central zone, defined as "average" or "good." Attempt was made to correlate between a physiological feature, palmar moisture, and the fingerprint donorship.

Identification of firearms handling by the [Fe(PDT)(3)](2+) complex: Chemical and time-dependent factors.

Handling of a gun results in the formation of invisible impressions, caused by transfer of iron traces to the skin surface. Visualization of these impressions is possible by spraying the palms with a solution of 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (PDT), which forms a magenta complex with iron(II) residues. Hence, mark intensity is directly related to the amounts of iron transferred to the palm.

Identification of firearms holders by the [Fe(PDT)3](+2) complex. Quantitative determination of iron transfer to the hand and its dependence on palmar moisture levels.

Quantitative data are reported for the first time on the amounts of iron, which are transferred to the hand upon holding a firearm. Iron levels between 21-315 ng/cm2 were found on volunteers' palms after a single holding of a handgun. Determination of the iron traces was accomplished spectrophotometrically using 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (PDT) as a complexing agent.

The connection between in vitro water uptake and in vivo skin moisturization.

Background/purpose: Humectancy or hygroscopy is the water absorption tendency of a substance from the surroundings. Our interest, from the clinical point of view, consists of correlating this tendency in vitro and its effect in vivo for the development of drugs and formulations for the treatment of dry skin syndrome or diseases accompanied by dry skin.

Method: In vitro, water absorption was measured using the comparative isopiestic method.

A novel in vivo model in guinea pigs for dry skin syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The lack of a suitable, validated animal model for the comparison of the pharmacological effectiveness of known and potential moisturizers in the treatment of "dry skin syndrome" led us to develop such an in vivo model. METHODS: "Dry skin syndrome" was induced in guinea pigs by daily application of 2% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in deionized water on one of the two shaved flanks for three consecutive days. After ascertaining skin dryness, that side was treated with an agent for 6 days.