Performance Equivalence and Validation of the Soleris Automated System for Quantitative Microbial Content Testing Using Pure Suspension Cultures.

Using United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-NF) general method <1223> guidance, the Soleris(®) automated system and reagents (Nonfermenting Total Viable Count for bacteria and Direct Yeast and Mold for yeast and mold) were validated, using a performance equivalence approach, as an alternative to plate counting for total microbial content analysis using five representative microbes: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus brasiliensis. Detection times (DTs) in the alternative automated system were linearly correlated to CFU/sample (R(2) = 0.94-0.

What women want - quantifying the perception of hair amount: an analysis of hair diameter and density changes with age in caucasian women.

Background: It has long been known that women lose satisfaction with their hair with ageing. Our data show that caucasian women perceive a decrease in hair amount in their mid 40s with a further decrease in the mid to late 50s, which leads to this dissatisfaction. Neither loss of density (hairs per cm(2) ) nor shaft diameter alone can fully account for this perception.

Scalp stratum corneum histamine levels: novel sampling method reveals association with itch resolution in dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis treatment.

Dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis are accompanied by bothersome itch. We have established a novel non-invasive methodology to sample histamine levels in the stratum corneum in order to facilitate an understanding of pruritogenesis in this condition. Histamine levels were assessed in two groups of subjects with dandruff before and after 3 weeks of treatment with a commercial potentiated zinc pyrithione shampoo.

Epidermal changes associated with symptomatic resolution of dandruff: biomarkers of scalp health.

Background: Dandruff is a common scalp condition characterized by flakes, pruritus and sometimes mild erythema. These symptoms reflect underlying histopathologic and biochemical events that must be reversed if treatment is to be effective.

Objectives: This study aimed to better characterize the state of the epidermis in dandruff and to determine how a defined set of skin surface biomarkers of this state change during a successful course of treatment with a potentiated zinc pyrithione (ZPT) shampoo.

Effect of pexelizumab on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction or undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery: a systematic overview.

Background: Recent trials evaluating the C5 complement inhibitor, pexelizumab, have shown that modulation of inflammation during ischemia/reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) or undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may improve clinical outcomes.

Methods: We performed a systematic overview of individual patient data from all completed randomized controlled trials of pexelizumab to evaluate the effect on all-cause mortality at 30 and 180 days after treatment. We used a random effects model and included all 5916 patients randomized in 4 clinical trials.