Influence of Mechanical Skin Treatments on Dermal Penetration Efficacy of Active Ingredients.

The effective dermal penetration of active ingredients (AI) is a major task in the formulation of topical products. Besides the vehicle, the mechanical skin treatments are also considered to impact the penetration efficacy of AI. In particular, professional skin treatments, i.

Assessing the Dermal Penetration Efficacy of Chemical Compounds with the Ex-Vivo Porcine Ear Model.

(1) Background: The ex vivo porcine ear model is often used for the determination of the dermal penetration efficacy of chemical compounds. This study investigated the influence of the post-slaughter storage time of porcine ears on the dermal penetration efficacy of chemical compounds. (2) Methods: Six different formulations (curcumin and different fluorescent dyes in different vehicles and/or nanocarriers) were tested on ears that were (i) freshly obtained, (ii) stored for 24 or 48 h at 4 °C after slaughter before use and (iii) freshly frozen and defrosted 12 h before use.

Key role of MIF-related neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine that promotes the production of other immune mediators. MIF is produced by most cell types in the brain including microglia, astrocytes and neurons. Enhanced expression of MIF might contribute to the persistent activation of glial, chronic neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Nanocrystals for improved dermal drug delivery.

Nanocrystals are composed of 100% active and possess an increased aqueous solubility and dissolution velocity when compared to larger sized materials. Nanocrystals can be used to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble actives not only for oral, but also for topical application. In this study nanocrystals of different sizes were produced and the influence of size on dermal penetration was investigated.

Association study of mitochondrial genetic polymorphisms in asthmatic children.

It has been suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. To test whether mitochondrial variants influence the risk of asthma, we analyzed 16,158 mtSNPs in a sample of 372 asthmatic children and 395 healthy children using the DNA pooling technique and genome wide association analysis. Stratified analysis by sex was performed to explain the differences observed between sexes in the etiology of asthma.

Exogenous supply of glutamine and active cytokinin to the roots reduces NO3- uptake rates in poplar.

The present study shows for the first time the influence of exogenously applied amino acids and cytokinin on the physiological and molecular aspects of N metabolism in poplar trees. In a short-term feeding experiment, glutamine or trans-zeatin riboside (tZR) was added directly to the nutrient solution. NO3- net uptake declined significantly in response to both treatments.

Multilocus haplotype analyses reveal association between 5 novel IL-15 polymorphisms and asthma.

Background: IL-15 is a T(H)1-related cytokine that is involved in the inflammatory response in various infectious and autoimmune diseases. IL-15 has recently been shown to be upregulated in T-cell-mediated inflammatory disorders. The observations suggest a potential role for this cytokine in a variety of pathologic conditions, including T(H)1-mediated and T(H)2-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Association of uteroglobulin-related protein 1 with bronchial asthma.

Background: Chromosomal region 5q31 harbours a number of genes associated with atopic phenotypes, for example the genes coding for interleukin (IL) 4, IL13 and the beta(2)-adrenoreceptor. A new gene within this region was identified only very recently. The encoded protein - uteroglobin-related protein 1 (UGRP1) - is thought to act as an anti-inflammatory agent and is mainly expressed in the lung and trachea.