Ointments

Clostridiopeptidase A, also called collagenase 1, is derived from fermen-tation of Clostridium histolyticum. Clostridiopeptidase A is a proteolytic enzyme capable of digesting collagen. Preparations containing clostridio-peptidase A are used topically for the debridement of dermal ulcers, ...

Locally recurrent prostate cancer can lead to significant morbidity, metastasis, and even death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an injectable polymeric paste formulation containing paclitaxel against orthotopic prostate tumor in rats. The Dunning R-3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma is experimental tumor model used to study tumor progression. The polymer loaded with paclitaxel was injected into the tumor bearing prostate glands of the rats 3 days after tumor cell inoculation. In control untreated rats, tumor volume reached 14 cm3 after 25 days, while in rats treated with intratumoral injection of polymer/paclitaxel formulation the prostate volume with the tumor was only 0.9 cm3, 35 days posttumor cells inoculation. In the group treated with intratumoral injection of paclitaxel suspension, the tumor volume was 6.6 cm3, and in the group treated with intraperitonial (IP) paclitaxel formulation, the tumor volume reached 13.9 cm3 25 days posttumor cells inoculation. No metastases were found in rats treated intratumorally with 200 µL of polymer/paclitaxel formulation, while rats in other treatment groups developed metastases in the lungs and lymph nodes. The results of this study indicated that a site-directed, injectable, controlled release formulation of paclitaxel is effective against localized prostate tumors and metastasis. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:1005–1014, 2009

We assessed the efficacy of commercial repellents available in Yucatan against Aedes aegypti, vector of dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. Protection time was determined based on WHO/CTD/ WHOPES/IC y la NOM-032-SSA2-20I4. Products with DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) at 25% met the recommended protection. Efficacy was directly proportional to the concentration of DEET; botanicals repellents resulted no protective. Repellents with DEET provided more protection against Ae. aegypti and botanical repellents, including impregnated wristbands, provided no protection.

Methods Thirty patients received three tubes of cream and were divided into two groups: group 1, one tube containing hydroquinone 4% cream and one tube containing placebo to be applied to opposite sides of the face at night, and standardized sunscreen [sun protection factor ( ...

The article describes the pharmacocodynamics of povidone-iodine, the release form under the brand name Betadine, pharmacological benefits, as well as evidence of its effectiveness in preventing infection in the field of surgical intervention. Povidone-iodine is indicated to be a depot of iodine, constantly releasing elemental iodine, which has strong oxidizing properties, and therefore most microorganisms are destroyed in vitro in less than a minute, and the main destructive effect of the drug occurs in the first 15–30 seconds. Povidone-iodine has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial and antiviral action.

The data on medications of povidone-iodine in the form of vaginal suppositories, antiseptic solution and ointment under the trade name Betadine are presented. Own data on the effective use of vaginal suppositories in symptomatic vaginal dysbiosis caused by mixed opportunistic bacterial flora (facultative and obligate anaerobes) with the presence of Atopobium vaginae in diagnostically significant amounts are presented.

In the presented comparative studies, the advantages of Betadine compared with other antiseptics in the spectrum of microbiological effects, resistance of microorganisms, effects on wound healing, dependence of the effect on the physico-chemical parameters of the environment, side effects, the purpose of application – prevention and/or treatment are shown.

The results of recent comparative studies on the treatment of the surgical area with chlohexidine-alcohol and povidone-iodine, according to which povidone-iodine should still be considered acceptable for the preoperative treatment of the caesarean section, are highlighted. It is indicated that the irrigation of the wound cavity with an aqueous solution of povidone-iodine during surgery and before suturing the surgical wound is one of the WHO recommendations for the prevention of infection in the field of surgical intervention.

The authors conclude that povidone-iodine, including Betadine, has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial and antiviral activity; high activity in the presence of organic compounds (blood, pus); ability to penetrate through biofilms, necrotic tissue, eschar; low incidence of antiseptic resistance; positive dynamics of wound healing by preventing the spread of inflammation and increasing the ability to heal; well tolerated by patients; low cost; ease of use.

The topical application of a mixture of sugar and povidone--iodine (PI) has been reported to accelerate the healing of cutaneous wounds and ulcers by promoting re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation as well as having an anti-microbial effect. To clarify the mechanisms accounting for the efficacy of a 70% sugar and 3% PI paste (U-PASTAtrade mark) (SP), various keratinocytes and fibroblasts functions, including proliferation, collagen synthesis, integrin expression, and cytokine and proteinase secretions in the presence of SP were investigated. Cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts were treated with various concentrations of SP, SU and PI. The secretion of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha and interleukin-1alpha from keratinocytes, was detected by ELISA. Collagen synthesis of fibroblasts was examined by means of detecting proline uptake. Furthermore, integrin expressions of these cells were analyzed using a flow cytometer. SP and PI increased intra-cellular u-PA of keratinocytes and stimulated the secretion of u-PA and TGF-alpha. Sugar accelerated the extra-cellular u-PA level only. Both SP and sugar increased the collagen synthesis of fibroblasts. SP and PI also remarkably induced the expressions of extra-cellular matrix receptor integrins, alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5 and beta1, on the surface of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. SP, the mixture of sugar and PI, is likely to act on wounds not only as an antibiotic agent, but also as a modulator for keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of topical Aloe vera extract 0.5% in a hydrophilic cream to cure patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Sixty patients (36M/24F) aged 18–50 years (mean 25.6) with slight to moderate chronic plaque-type psoriasis and PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) scores between 4.8 and 16.7 (mean 9.3) were enrolled and randomized to two parallel groups. The mean duration of the disease prior to enrolment was 8.5 years (range 1–21). Patients were provided with a precoded 100 g tube, placebo or active (with 0.5%Aloe vera extract), and they self-administered trial medication topically (without occlusion) at home 3 times daily for 5 consecutive days per week (maximum 4 weeks active treatment). Patients were examined on a weekly basis and those showing a progressive reduction of lesions, desquamation followed by decreased erythema, infiltration and lowered PASI score were considered healed. The study was scheduled for 16 weeks with 12 months of follow-up on a monthly basis. The treatment was well tolerated by all the patients, with no adverse drug-related symptoms and no dropouts. By the end of the study, the Aloe vera extract cream had cured 25/30 patients (83.3%) compared to the placebo cure rate of 2/30 (6.6%) (P<0.001) resulting in significant clearing of the psoriatic plaques (328/396 (82.8%) vs placebo 28/366 (7.7%), P<0.001) and a decreased PASI score to a mean of 2.2. The findings of this study suggest that topically applied Aloe vera extract 0.5% in a hydrophilic cream is more effective than placebo, and has not shown toxic or any other objective side-effects. Therefore, the regimen can be considered a safe and alternative treatment to cure patients suffering from psoriasis.

Effective use of rotary cutting burs and bonded, coated, and loose abrasives can greatly simplify and improve the effectiveness of finishing and polishing procedures. Fluted carbide finishing burs appear to be the optimal rotary contouring devices for posterior composite resins. Finishing diamonds are preferred for gross finishing of adjusted porcelain. Coated abrasive discs and strips provide unique interproximal and incisal access and are preferred for finishing and polishing of microfil resins. Rubberized bonded abrasives have evolved to provide a greater range of finishing and polishing action on composite resin and for polishing porcelain. A wide selection of aluminum oxide and diamond polishing pastes, together with highly effective felt and foam application devices, are now available to polish composite and porcelain to an enamel-like appearance. Aluminum oxide composite polishing pastes are highly effective and strongly recommended for use on highly filled hybrid composites ...

A combination of gas chromatographic (GC) and mass spectrometric (MS) techniques, including direct exposure-MS (DE-MS), high-temperature GC–MS (HTGC–MS) and GC–MS of neutral and acid fractions, was employed to study the composition and recognise origin of the ...

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is the most frequent extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; disease. In most instances it is mild and non-progressive, but in 3%-5% of cases it is severe. Non-severe TED requires only supportive measures, such as eye ointments, sunglasses and prisms. By contrast, severe TED requires aggressive treatment, either medical (high-dose glucocorticoids, orbital radiotherapy) or surgical (orbital decompression). The choice of treatment relies on the assessment of both TED severity and activity. Removal of controllable risk factors, especially cigarette smoking, is important to improve the course and the therapeutic outcome. A coordinated approach to the treatment of hyperthyroidism and TED is also required. Novel promising treatments, to be verified in large series of patients, include somatostatin analogues and cytokine antagonists.