Effects of petrolatum, a petrolatum depositing body wash and a regular body wash on biomarkers and biophysical properties of the stratum corneum.

Background: An important trend in the personal care industry involves the development of body wash products that not only clean the skin without damage but deposit conditioning ingredients to improve skin barrier function.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop skin biomarker measures to quantify the treatment effects of body wash products.

Methods: We employed analysis of structural proteins (keratin 1,10,11 and involucrin), a natural moisturizing factor (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) and an inflammatory mediator (IL-1ra/IL-1α) from adhesive discs with dry skin grading, TEWL and capacitance measurements to compare the effects of direct application of petrolatum, a high petrolatum depositing body wash, and a regular body wash on dry leg skin in a standard leg-wash treatment protocol.

Comparing Surfactant Penetration into Human Skin and Resulting Skin Dryness Using and Methods.

Numerous tests have been developed to estimate a surfactant's mildness in rinse-off formulations. In this study, mixed surfactant systems were examined for their impact on surfactant penetration into the skin and skin hydration using and methods. A forearm controlled application test (FCAT) was conducted, and skin hydration was evaluated using corneometry and visual dryness grading.

Effects of season stratum corneum barrier function and skin biomarkers.

The skin on the lower legs of 25 female subjects was evaluated first in the winter, and then again in the summer of the same subjects. Barrier function was determined by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin hydration and dryness were evaluated by electrical measurements (Corneometer ® CM825) and visual grading. Stratum corneum (SC) was sampled using 10 sequential D-Squame sampling discs and analyzed for 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid (PCA), keratin-1,10,11, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), selected ceramides, cholesterol, cholesterol sulfate, and selected free fatty acids.

A comparative clinical study of different hair removal procedures and their impact on axillary odor reduction in men.

Background: Axillary hair can influence the development of underarm odor in men.

Objective: To compare different hair removal procedures and their impact on the effectiveness of standard soap washing (SW) in reducing male axillary odor.

Methods: The axillae of healthy Caucasian males (N = 30; 18-48 years of age) were randomized in a non-crossover, split body design.

Thermoregulatory vs. event sweating--comparison of clinical methodologies, physiology and results.

Objectives: Although the mechanisms of sweating due to thermoregulation vs. stress are distinct, the antiperspirant industry focuses primarily on perspiration due to heat as their method of efficacy testing. To better understand the overall protection afforded by a 'Clinical Strength' over-the-counter antiperspirant product, we compare results from a standard hot-room study with results from two studies using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).

Visceral analgesic effect of 5-HT(4) receptor agonist in rats involves the rostroventral medulla (RVM).

The 5-HT(4) receptor agonist tegaserod (TEG) has been reported to modulate visceral pain. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to examine the analgesic mechanism and site of action of TEG.

Transcriptional profiling of epidermal barrier formation in vitro.

Background: Barrier function is integral to the health of epithelial tissues. Currently, there is a broad need to develop and improve our knowledge with regard to barrier function for reversal of mild skin irritation and dryness. However, there are few in vitro models that incorporate modulations of both lipids and epidermal differentiation programs for pre-clinical testing to aid in the understanding of barrier health.

The Y2 receptor mediates increases in collateral-dependent blood flow in a model of peripheral arterial insufficiency.

We have utilized a rat model of peripheral artery disease (PAD) to examine whether the known angiogenic activity of the Y(2) receptor would translate into a meaningful increase in collateral blood flow. The maximal increase in collateral blood flow capacity of approximately 60% (p<0.001) was obtained with a 10microg/kgday (IA infusion, 14 days) of either PYY or PYY(3-36) and did not differ from that obtained with a maximally angiogenic dose of VEGF(165).

Age-dependent effects on cisapride-induced QTc prolongation in the isolated guinea pig heart.

Introduction: The isolated guinea pig heart preparation has been suggested as a suitable small animal model for investigating potential for QTc prolongation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of age on electrophysiological parameters measured in the isolated guinea pig heart preparation. In addition, the effect of a compound known to prolong the QT interval (cisapride) was investigated in both young and adult guinea pigs.

Effects of fasting on evaluation of gastrointestinal transit with charcoal meal.

Introduction: At the present time, most studies investigating gastrointestinal transit time with charcoal are conducted in fasted rats. It seems reasonable to hypothesize that the fasting state of rats could influence the effect a compound had on gastrointestinal transit time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of food on the pharmacological effects on gastrointestinal transit.

Novel methods to evaluate controlled reperfusion techniques in cardiac surgery.

Background: This manuscript describes two novel techniques that may be useful for comparing methods to reperfuse the heart during cardiac operations. These techniques are based on measurements of intra-myocyte ion content and the analysis of reperfusion arrhythmias.

Methods: Myocyte ion content was measured in normal porcine hearts before and after ischemia (cardioplegic arrest, CP arrest) using atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Arrest duration influences postcardioplegia electrophysiologic recovery and reperfusion arrhythmias.

Background: This study tests the hypothesis that postcardioplegia electrophysiologic recovery is influenced by the duration of cardioplegic arrest.

Methods: Pigs were randomized to various durations of cardioplegic arrest (group I, 15 minutes; group II, 60 minutes; group III, 120 minutes). Electrophysiologic data included limb lead, atrial and ventricular epicardial, and ventricular endocardial electrocardiograms.

Ventricular assist devices as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. A prelude to destination therapy.

Objective And Background: Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been used for temporary circulatory support pending transplantation or recovery of the native heart. Outcome in 38 patients treated at the authors' institution with VADs pending transplantation was analyzed to provide information relevant to the future use of VADs as permanent implants.

Methods: Thoratec (Thoratec Laboratories, Pleasanton, CA) or HeartMate (Thermo Cardiosystems, Woburn, MA) VADs were used in all cases.

Coronary vascular regulation during postcardioplegia reperfusion.

Background: This study extends previous investigations of global and regional myocardial blood flow during early postcardioplegia reperfusion. The hypothesis tested is that coronary vascular regulation becomes abnormal within 3 minutes after the start of postcardioplegia reperfusion.

Methods: Pigs (n = 40) were supported by cardiopulmonary bypass and 38 degrees C blood cardioplegic solution was infused.

Measurement of percent oxyhemoglobin by optical densitometry in perfluorocarbon supplemented blood.

A new generation of perfluorocarbon emulsions is being clinically evaluated as erythrocyte substitutes. However, the effect of perfluorocarbon emulsions on optical densitometric measurements of percent oxyhemoglobin (%O2Hb) has not been fully characterized. The purpose of this study is to quantify the effect of blood perfluorochemical concentration and hematocrit (Hct) on %O2Hb measurements.

Tissue oxygenation with graded dissolved oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Intravascular perfluorochemical emulsions together with a high oxygen tension may increase the delivery of dissolved oxygen to useful levels. The hypothesis of this study is that increasing the dissolved oxygen content of blood with incremental doses of a perfluorochemical emulsion improves tissue oxygenation during cardiopulmonary bypass in a dose-related fashion.

Methods And Results: Oxygen utilization was studied in a profoundly anemic canine model of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Perfluorocarbons are effective oxygen carriers in cardiopulmonary bypass.

Intravascular perfluorochemical (PFC) emulsions together with a high oxygen (O2) tension may increase the delivery of dissolved O2 to useful levels. A severely anemic model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used to test the hypothesis that a novel PFC emulsion (PFCE; Oxygent [Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., San Diego, CA] 90% w/v perflubron) used at a high PO2 during bypass delivers sufficient O2 to ameliorate hypoxic myocardial contractile dysfunction.

Left atrial or ventricular cannulation beyond 30 days for a Thoratec ventricular assist device.

The authors used Thoratec left ventricular assist devices (VADs) for more than 30 days in eight patients. There were five left atrial (LA) (total, 513 days; range, 33-202 days) and three left ventricular (LV) cannulations (total, 484 days; range, 44-247 days). The flow provided by LA cannulation was less than that provided by LV cannulation.

Electrophysiological mechanisms for postcardioplegia reperfusion ventricular fibrillation.

Background: Reperfusion arrhythmias that follow regional ischemia at normothermia have been studied extensively and are considered to be a manifestation of ischemia-reperfusion injury. In contrast, reperfusion arrhythmias that occur following hypothermic cardioplegic arrest have received little attention from investigators. This study defines the electrophysiological mechanisms for postcardioplegia reperfusion ventricular fibrillation (RVF).

Effect of hemoglobin concentration on oxyhemoglobin dissociation during hypothermic blood cardioplegic arrest.

Background: This study compares oxyhemoglobin dissociation during the nonperfused periods of hypothermic cardioplegic arrest in two blood cardioplegic solutions with different hemoglobin concentrations. The hypothesis is that more oxygen will dissociate from hemoglobin in a blood cardioplegic solution with a higher hemoglobin content than from a cardioplegic solution with a lower hemoglobin content. However, the increment in the volume of oxygen that dissociates from hemoglobin will be less than anticipated by a ratio of hemoglobin concentrations in the cardioplegic solution.

Effect of postcardioplegia reperfusion rhythm on myocardial blood flow.

This study compared myocardial blood flow during postcardioplegia reperfusion asystole and ventricular fibrillation. Pigs (n = 20) were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and blood cardioplegic solution at 38 degrees C was then infused. A preischemia microsphere injection was given in asystolic hearts.

Perfluorocarbon oxygen transport. A comparative study of four oxygenator designs.

Improvements made in current generation perfluorocarbon emulsions (PFCEs) warrant renewed interest in PFCEs as an oxygen (O2) carrying substance during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Before embarking on in vivo studies of PFCEs during CPB, an in vitro study was designed to: 1) demonstrate increased O2 content attributable to PFCEs, and 2) compare O2 transfer to a PFCE crystalloid mixture by four oxygenator designs (one bubble oxygenator, two hollow fiber membrane oxygenators, and one silastic membrane oxygenator). A circuit was designed to circulate fluid between a deoxygenating device and a test oxygenator.

Anatomic definition of a vulnerable extranodal site in AV node reentry.

The success of methods that ablate atrioventricular (AV) node reentry demonstrates that extranodal tissue is part of the reentry circuit. The hypothesis of this study is that atrial tissue approaching the posterior AV node is part of the AV node reentry circuit and is especially suitable for complete division with sparing of AV conduction. This study measured AV node function after either an anterior or posterior perinodal incision.

Use of current generation perfluorocarbon emulsions in cardiac surgery.

The development of novel perfluorocarbon emulsions that contain higher concentrations of perfluorochemicals than previous emulsions has renewed interest in the use of this class of erythrocyte substitute in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Perfluorocarbons have the potential to increase the oxygen content of the perfusate and thus increase the capacity of the heart-lung machine to deliver oxygen to the body during CPB. Increasing the capacity of the heart-lung machine to deliver oxygen to the body has important implications for the conduct of cardiac operations.

Duration of asystolic reperfusion and reperfusate electrolyte composition influence postcardioplegia ventricular fibrillation.

The conditions of postcardioplegia reperfusion that influence cardiac electrophysiologic recovery have not yet been fully elucidated. Studies of postcardioplegia electrophysiologic recovery and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias, particularly reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation, are useful for improving our understanding of reperfusion injury since reperfusion-induced arrhythmias are sensitive indicators for reperfusion injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of asystolic reperfusion and reperfusate electrolyte composition on postcardioplegia electrophysiologic recovery of the heart.