Centellicum® improves scarring of traumatic wounds with irregular edges (lacerations).

Background: Centellicum, a standardized Centella Asiatica extract, has been used orally for fibrosis and scar prevention. The main aim of this 2-month registry pilot study was the reduction of visible, significant scars and keloids after suturing traumatic wounds with irregular edges (lacerations), using Centellicum.

Methods: The effects of oral Centellicum (450 mg/day; 2 capsules) and a standard management (SM) on wound healing were compared with the effects of a control group that used only the standard management.

Pycnogenol® relieves chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in diabetics: a supplement registry study.

Background: The aim of this supplement registry study was to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol in controlling signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), diabetic microangiopathy and microcirculatory parameters - in diabetic patients with CVI and microangiopathy. These CVI patients are eligible for medical procedures as their incompetent superficial veins can be treated with repeated sclerotherapy and or local surgery according to needs.

Methods: During this registry study, only non-interventional managements were used.

Pycnogenol® + Centellicum® supplementation improves skin elasticity and microperfusion. Implication for surgical patients: a conceptual registry study.

Background: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol and Centellicum (PYCE) on skin perfusion and skin elasticity in healthy women over a period of 4 weeks.

Methods: The supplemented women used 150 mg of Pycnogenol and 450 mg of Centellicum daily. The supplemented group used the combination PYCE daily for 4 weeks and followed the standard management (SM) in addition.

Supplementary management of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis with Pycnogenol®.

Background: The aim of this 4-week pilot registry, supplement study was to assess the effects of Pycnogenol compared to a standard management on hand osteoarthritis associated with pain. As Pycnogenol decreases inflammation and pain, chronic use of drugs, causing side effects may be reduced.

Methods: The registry patients included suffered finger pain associated with hand osteoarthritis All subjects used a standard management (SM).

Improvements in edema and microcirculation in chronic venous insufficiency with Pycnogenol® or elastic compression.

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is the consequence of venous valve reflux and/or venous flow obstruction and resulting venous hypertension in the lower extremities. The aim of this prospective supplement registry study was to evaluate the efficacy of compression stockings or Pycnogenol in controlling symptoms and edema in CVI and their efficacy on microcirculatory parameters.

Methods: Two comparable groups of 30 subjects with CVI were observed for 4 months.

Pycnogenol® supplementation to relieve symptoms after hemorrhoidectomy.

Background: Hemorrhoids are a common problem associated with symptoms, like swelling, local thrombosis and generally with a decreased quality of life, often in otherwise healthy subjects. Hemorrhoids can be classified by grades (I to IV) according to their severity. In this registry study subjects treated with excisional hemorrhoidectomy (EH) for the first time, were included.

Pycnogenol® prevents skin hyperpigmentation following sclerotherapy.

Background: The aim of this registry supplement study was to evaluate the effects of the oral supplement Pycnogenol on possible skin discolorations or other minor skin changes after varicose vein sclerotherapy in comparison with a standard management (SM).

Methods: One hundred sixty-one subjects completed the study. 84 took Pycnogenol from the day before sclerotherapy for 12 weeks and followed SM.

Periostial and cartilage morphology in knee osteoarthritis: beneficial effects of supplementation with Pycnogenol® + Centellicum®.

Background: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate the progress of osteoarthrosis (OA) symptoms after the intake of a new standardized supplement combination (Pycnogenol + Centellicum, both Horphag Research) in a group of subjects with OA.

Methods: Supplemented subjects took daily 150 mg Pycnogenol + 450 mg Centellicum for 6 months. Another comparable group of subjects using only standard management (SM) was included as a reference.

Pycnogenol® improves cognitive function in post-stroke patients: a 6 month-study.

Background: This pilot study in post-stroke patients evaluated the effects of supplementation with Pycnogenol on alterations in cognitive functions (COFU) over a period of 6 months, starting 4 weeks after the stroke.

Methods: The effects of supplementation - possibly acting on residual brain edema, on global cognitive function, attention and on mental performance - were studied. A control group used standard management (SM) and the other group added Pycnogenol, 150 mg daily to SM.

Correction to: Intestinal fat absorption shifting: polyglucosamine biopolymer controls lipids and weight and reduces the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis.

This article was published in Volume 69, issue 1 of publishing year 2023, with a mistake in Table I. The correct Table I is the one included in this erratum.

Prevention and control of jet lag symptoms and temporary impairment of cognitive function with Pycnogenol® in healthy individuals and in hypertensives.

Background: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol in controlling signs/symptoms and temporary impairment of cognitive function (COFU) associated with jet lag. Previous flight studies have shown a decrease in the level of jet lag symptoms with Pycnogenol. The control of jet lag signs/symptoms appeared to be correlated with flight-related microangiopathy and peripheral edema.

Intestinal fat absorption shifting by polyglucosamine biopolymer: control of lipids and reduction of progression of early subclinical atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis progression is possible in subjects with limited alteration of body weight, lipid profile, and oxidative stress. The ultrasound carotid thickness (IMT) and arterial wall modification (granulation and bubbles) are evident signs of the disease. Intestinal fats absorption shifting (IFAS) is expected to prevent or reduce the arterial damage.

Borderline hyperlipidemia preventive management with Berberine PL in asymptomatic prevention of early atherosclerosis.

Background: The aim of this pilot, efficacy supplement registry was to use a supplementary management with berberine to control hyperlipidemia. The supplement Berberine (Berbevis™ as Sophy tablets) was used to control lipids and to evaluate (as a natural, preventive management) the early evolution of subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects (otherwise healthy, not using drugs) with borderline hyperlipidemia.

Methods: The registry involved two groups of subjects not using drugs for a total of 50 subjects and three months of supplementation.

Positive effects of Pycnogenol®-Centellicum® on venous elasticity: an ex-vivo concept study.

Background: The aim of this ex-vivo study was to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol-Centellicum oral supplementation on vein segments, retrieved from graft harvesting or from vein surgery. The parameters assessed were elasticity and recovery after dynamic tests: 1) an enlargement stress; 2) an elongation stress; and 3) elasticity after torsion. The tests were made in standardized conditions, less than 3 hours after explant, at 22 °C by the same operator with surgical and microsurgical experience.

Thoracic ultrasound combined with low-dose computed tomography may represent useful screening strategy in highly exposed population in the industrial city of Taranto (Italy).

Objectives: We validated a screening protocol in which thoracic ultrasound (TUS) acts as a first-line complementary imaging technique in selecting patients which may deserve a second-line low-dose high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan among a population of asymptomatic high-risk subjects for interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) and lung cancer. Due to heavy environmental pollution burden, the district Tamburi of Taranto has been chosen as "case study" for this purpose.

Methods: From July 2018 to October 2020, 677 patients aged between 45 and 65 year and who had been living in the Tamburi district of Taranto for at least 10 years were included in the study.

Intestinal fat absorption shifting: polyglucosamine biopolymer controls lipids and weight and reduces the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Background: Intestinal fat absorption shifting (IFAS) can be obtained in hyperlipidemic subjects with polyglucosamine biopolymer (BP) able to segregate most metabolic fats in the gut, making them unavailable for intestinal interaction (shift). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a SM (standard management) for hyperlipidemia in asymptomatic subjects for primary cardiovascular prevention focusing on arterial wall morphology (IMT thickness) in comparison to SM associated to the administration of the BP.

Methods: Two groups of comparable subjects (SM and SM+oral BP, 3 g/day) were considered; subjects were managed - in a supplement, pilot registry - for a year.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Distinguishing between Malignant and Benign Peripheral Pulmonary Consolidations: The Debated Utility of the Contrast Enhancement Arrival Time.

Limited studies and observations conducted on a too small number of patients prevent determining the actual clinical utility of pulmonary contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of contrast enhancement (CE) arrival time (AT) and other dynamic CEUS findings for differentiating between malignant and benign peripheral lung lesions. 317 inpatients and outpatients (215 men, 102 women; mean age: 52 years) with peripheral pulmonary lesions were included in the study and underwent pulmonary CEUS.