Considering the rates of growth in two taxa of coral across Pacific islands.

Reef-building coral taxa demonstrate considerable flexibility and diversity in reproduction and growth mechanisms. Corals take advantage of this flexibility to increase or decrease size through clonal expansion and loss of live tissue area (i.e.

Ellagic Acid Containing Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Topical Application: A Preliminary Study.

Ellagic acid (EA) is a potent antioxidant substance of natural origin characterized by poor biopharmaceutical properties and low solubility in water that limit its use. The aim of the present study was to develop lipid-based nanoparticle formulations able to encapsulate EA for dermal delivery. The EA-loaded nanoparticles were prepared using two different lipid compositions, namely tristearin/tricaprylin (NLC-EA1) and tristearin/labrasol (NLC-EA2).

L-dopa co-drugs in nanostructured lipid carriers: A comparative study.

This paper describes the production and characterization of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) containing four different levodopa (LD) co-drugs (PD), named PDA (3,4-diacetyloxy-LD-caffeic acid co-drug), PDB (lipoic acid-dopamine co-drug), PDC (lipoic acid-3,4-diacetoxy-dopamine co-drug), and PDD (dimeric LD co-drug containing an alkyl linker), with therapeutic potential in Parkinson's disease. These co-drugs were produced with the aim of prolonging the pharmacological activity of LD, enhancing its absorption and protecting it from metabolism. These compounds were characterized by very low water solubility that limits their systemic administration.

Ethosomes and organogels for cutaneous administration of crocin.

The present study describes the production and characterization of phosphatidylcholine based ethosomes and organogels, as percutaneous delivery systems for crocin. Crocin presence did not influence ethosome morphology, while the drug slightly increased ethosome mean diameter. Importantly, the poor chemical stability of crocin has been found to be long controlled by organogel.

Reliability of white blood cell scan in the follow-up of osteomyelitis.

Introduction: The question of whether antibiotic treatment does or does not affect reliability of white blood cell scan (WBCS) to detect disease activity in clinical practice is still unanswered. Our aim was to study the relationship between scintigraphic findings of WBCS and antibiotic therapy in a group of patients affected with osteomyelitis (OM).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 57 scans, performed in 18 patients affected by OM and who were on antibiotic treatment.