Changes in Skin Barrier Function after Repeated Exposition to Phospholipid-Based Surfactants and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate In Vivo and Corneocyte Surface Analysis by Atomic Force Microscopy.

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pure lecithins in comparison to a conventional surfactant on skin in vivo. (2) Methods: Physiological skin parameters were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the study (day 1 and day 4) ( = 8, healthy forearm skin) with an Aquaflux, skin-pH-Meter, Corneometer and an Epsilon sensor. Confocal Raman spectroscopy was employed to monitor natural moisturizing factor, urea and water content of the participants' skin.

Deep learning-based real-time detection of neurons in brain slices for in vitro physiology.

A common electrophysiology technique used in neuroscience is patch clamp: a method in which a glass pipette electrode facilitates single cell electrical recordings from neurons. Typically, patch clamp is done manually in which an electrophysiologist views a brain slice under a microscope, visually selects a neuron to patch, and moves the pipette into close proximity to the cell to break through and seal its membrane. While recent advances in the field of patch clamping have enabled partial automation, the task of detecting a healthy neuronal soma in acute brain tissue slices is still a critical step that is commonly done manually, often presenting challenges for novices in electrophysiology.

Effect of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in fluid and semi-solid submicron emulsions on physiological skin parameters during regular in vivo application.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) in cosmetic submicron emulsions and submicron emulsion gels on physiological skin parameters during regular application in a clinical set-up.

Methods: Formulation morphology was investigated using cryo-transmission electron microscopy. Stability of the employed formulations was determined by photon correlation spectroscopy, measurement of pH and rheological properties.

Review of Cases of E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) and Brief Review of the Literature.

Since the appearance of the E-Cigarette in the early 2000s, its industry, popularity, and prevalence have risen dramatically. In the past, E-Cigarette use with the vaping of nicotine or cannabis products had been associated with a few reported cases of lung injury. However, in 2019, thousands of cases of E-Cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) were reported in the United States.

Effects of lecithin-based nanoemulsions on skin: Short-time cytotoxicity MTT and BrdU studies, skin penetration of surfactants and additives and the delivery of curcumin.

Surfactants are important ingredients in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, as in creams, shampoos or shower gels. As conventional emulsifiers such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) have fallen into disrepute due to their skin irritation potential, the naturally occurring lecithins are being investigated as a potential alternative. Thus, lecithin-based nanoemulsions with and without the drug curcumin, known for its wound healing properties, were produced and characterised in terms of their particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential and compared to SDS-based formulations.

Topical application of highly concentrated water-in-oil emulsions: Physiological skin parameters and skin penetration in vivo - A pilot study.

Important aspects in the development of new dermal drug delivery systems are the formulations' physicochemical properties and stability. Moreover, their influence on skin physiology and their penetration performance in vivo are of crucial interest. We have recently developed novel concentrated water-in-oil emulsions based on a non-ionic silicone surfactant; the present study deals with the effect of these formulations on physiological skin parameters of healthy volunteers after repeated application.

Hair removal and bioavailability of chemicals: Effect of physicochemical properties of drugs and surfactants on skin permeation ex vivo.

Cosmetic hair removal procedures are everyday routines in our society. However, it is unclear if such routines lead to increased uptake of applied substances such as drugs or formulation compounds, potentially resulting in skin irritation or sensitization. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of common depilation and epilation methods on skin penetration of two surfactants and four model drugs of different physicochemical properties using the porcine ear model.

Cytotoxicity of lecithin-based nanoemulsions on human skin cells and ex vivo skin permeation: Comparison to conventional surfactant types.

As constituents of cellular membranes, lecithins feature high biocompatibility and great emulsifying properties due to their amphiphilicity. Additionally, there are expectations that these naturally occurring emulsifying agents can replace other skin damaging emulsifiers like sodium dodecyl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. However, cytotoxicity data of lecithin-based formulations on primary human skin cells are scarce.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Endocarditis of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Lead.

() is a nosocomial pathogen and a rare cause of infective endocarditis (IE). Given the intrinsic resistance to many classes of antibiotics, IE due to carries significant morbidity and mortality among the cases described. Prompt identification of risk factors, particularly the use of medical devices, is necessary for the timely identification of this organism and prompt medical management.

The role of viscosity on skin penetration from cellulose ether-based hydrogels.

Background: The rheological properties of dermal drug delivery systems are of importance when designing new formulations. Viscosity not only affects features such as spreadability and skin feel, but may also affect the skin penetration of incorporated actives. Data on the latter aspect are controversial.

PICU-Based Rehabilitation and Outcomes Assessment: A Survey of Pediatric Critical Care Physicians.

Objectives: Characterize current practices for PICU-based rehabilitation, and physician perceptions and attitudes, barriers, resources, and outcome assessment in contemporary PICU settings.

Design: International, self-administered, quantitative, cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Online survey distributed from March 2017 to April 2017.

Early Protocolized Versus Usual Care Rehabilitation for Pediatric Neurocritical Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: s: Few feasibility, safety, and efficacy data exist regarding ICU-based rehabilitative services for children. We hypothesized that early protocolized assessment and therapy would be feasible and safe versus usual care in pediatric neurocritical care patients.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Effect of Physical and Chemical Hair Removal Methods on Skin Barrier Function in vitro: Consequences for a Hydrophilic Model Permeant.

Background: Although very common in our society, the effect of hair removal on physiological skin parameters and on the ingress of applied chemicals has not been systematically investigated. Thus, as a first step, the aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of hair removal through epilation (electric epilation, waxing) and depilation (dry and wet shaving, depilatory cream) on skin properties in vitro using the porcine ear model.

Methods: Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, measurement of the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), visualization by capacitance-based contact imaging, confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS), diffusion cell studies and tape stripping experiments were employed.

Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis in a Patient Using Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring.

A case of 43-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with a new onset grand mal tonic-clonic seizure lasting at least two minutes with post-ictal confusion. Imaging was consistent with cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) associated with intracranial hemorrhage. After ruling out most common causes of thrombosis, the etiology was attributed to estrogen vaginal ring.

Simultaneous penetration monitoring of oil component and active drug from fluorinated nanoemulsions.

In the field of dermal drug delivery, determining the penetration depth of actives is a standard procedure for the development of novel formulations. Regarding the vehicle components, respective penetration studies are rather scarce due to their often challenging analytics. However, an understanding of the interactions between drugs and additives during skin penetrating could help to develop promising drug delivery systems.

NLC versus nanoemulsions: Effect on physiological skin parameters during regular in vivo application and impact on drug penetration.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and nano-sized emulsions based on monoacyl-phosphatidylcholine (MAPL) were tested for their effect on physiological skin parameters in vivo during daily application over four weeks. The influence of the basic formulations on transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, sebum content and pH was determined once per week and after a recovery period of three weeks. In addition, confocal Raman spectroscopy was employed to evaluate natural moisturising factor and urea content.

Penetration monitoring of drugs and additives by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy/tape stripping and confocal Raman spectroscopy - A comparative study.

Vibrational spectroscopy is a useful tool for analysis of skin properties and to confirm the penetration of drugs and other formulation compounds into the skin. In particular, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) have been optimised for skin analysis. Despite an impressive amount of data on these techniques, a comparative methodological assessment for skin penetration monitoring of model substances is still amiss.

Multiple Primary Malignant Neoplasms in an Elderly Patient.

Only a few case reports to date have described patients with three or more cancers. However, the incidence of multiple primary malignancies is increasing due to the improved survival of cancer patients, the prolonged lifespan of the general population, and better diagnostic techniques. This report describes a 73-year-old woman with primary breast, rectal squamous cell, and renal cell carcinomas.

A Case Report on Suspected Levamisole-Induced Pseudovasculitis.

Introduction: Levamisole-induced pseudovasculitis should be considered in patients with inconsistent anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) pattern and history of cocaine use.

Case Presentation: A 50-year-old man presented to the emergency department with symptoms of bilateral pulmonary emboli. His hospital course was complicated by multiple end organ failure, which improved dramatically with prednisone.

High-Value Care in the Evaluation of Stroke.

Value-based care emphasizes achieving the greatest overall health benefit for every dollar spent. We present an interesting case of stroke, which made us consider how frequently health care providers are utilizing value-based care. A 73-year-old Caucasian, who was initially admitted for a hypertensive emergency, was transferred to our facility for worsening slurring of speech and left-sided weakness.

Confocal Raman spectroscopy: In vivo measurement of physiological skin parameters - A pilot study.

Background: In vivo application of confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) allows non-invasive depth measurement of the skin. Thereby obtained knowledge of the skin composition is essential to reliably assess the actual skin state. Besides other components, the skin cholesterol concentration is of interest; however, little is known about its connection to the cholesterol concentration quantified in venous blood.

Novel concentrated water-in-oil emulsions based on a non-ionic silicone surfactant: Appealing application properties and tuneable viscoelasticity.

Silicone excipients are non-irritating ingredients that are extensively used in topical formulations. In the present study, innovative water-in-oil emulsions with a high water content stabilised by a non-ionic silicone surfactant were developed. Effects of formulation composition on its properties and stability were investigated.

Physical and occupational therapy utilization in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Purpose: To characterize the use of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) consultation in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Materials And Methods: We studied children aged 1week-18years admitted to a tertiary care PICU for ≥3days. Patient characteristics, details of PT and OT sessions and adverse events were collected.