Efficacious and safe management of thick scales, redness and flaky scalp condition using a specific shampoo containing urea, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, icthyol pale and laureth 9

Dandruff is a common condition, generally due to seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and occasionally to scalp psoriasis (SP), which is characterized by accumulation of scales, oily, red and flaky scalp, often accompanied by itch. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cleansing efficacy and tolerability of a new shampoo (Psorisdin Shampoo®) containing urea, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, ichthyol pale and laureth 9 compared to a nonspecific shampoo. A total of 10 subjects (4 males and 6 females, 18–60 years) with mild–moderate scalp inflammation with redness, itching and flaking, due to SP and/or SD, were included in this open clinical study. The treatment efficacy was assessed by comparison of global photography and trichoscopy pictures, evaluating the presence of scales and erythema on the scalp, the number and morphology of capillaries and verifying disease evolution, severity of symptoms and presence of scalp irritation/itch. The use of this medicated shampoo resulted in an important improvement of patient's scalp and hair clinical appearance and was well tolerated, with disappearance of scalp irritation and itching in almost all patients, showing higher cleansing and soothing property than a nonspecific shampoo. The effect of the tested shampoo was maintained over time, even after 5 days since the last wash

Alterations of Glucosylceramide-β-Glucosidase Levels in the Skin of Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris

Hydrolysis of glucosylceramides by the enzyme glucosylceramide-β-glucosidase (GlcCer'ase) results in ceramide, a critical component of the intercellular lamellae that mediates the epidermal permeability barrier. A disturbance of ceramide formation is supposed to influence the transepidermal water loss in common skin diseases like atopic eczema or psoriasis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GlcCer'ase levels were altered in the skin of subjects with psoriasis vulgaris. Skin punch biopsies were taken from lesional and non-lesional psoriatic skin and GlcCer'ase was evaluated both at the RNA and at the protein level. Normal skin from surgical patients provided the baseline GlcCer'ase expression in healthy subjects. Our results show that GlcCer'ase mRNA expression was decreased in psoriatic non-lesional skin compared to normal controls in all cases. Interestingly, in lesional psoriatic skin the level of GlcCer'ase was increased compared to non-lesional skin in all cases. For the immunohistochemical analysis, we used a newly synthesized monoclonal antibody anti-human GBC (GlcCer'ase-GST fusion protein). The results confirmed that GlcCer'ase, mainly present in the upper epidermis, was decreased in psoriatic skin compared to normal control and was increased in lesional compared to non-lesional psoriatic skin. Our findings support the concept that alteration in water permeability barrier in lesional psoriatic skin can serve as a trigger for the upregulation of the expression of enzymes like GlcCer'ase with consequent stimulation of ceramide generation

glioblastoma models driven by different mutations converge to the proneural subtype

Abstract The need of reliable syngeneic animal models for gliomas has been addressed in the last decades by reproducing genetic alterations typical of human glioblastoma in the mouse. Since different alterations underlie different molecular glioblastoma subtypes it is commonly expected that tumors induced by specific alterations represent models of the corresponding subtypes. We tested this assumption by a multilevel analysis ranging from a detailed histopathological analysis to a genome-wide expression profiling by microarray and RNA-seq on gliomas induced by two distinct molecular alterations: the overstimulation of the PDGF- and the EGF- pathways. These alterations are landmarks of proneural and classical glioblastoma subtypes respectively. However, our results consistently showed a strong similarity between the two glioma models. The expression profiles of both models converged toward a signature typical of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, regardless the wide differentiative potential of the cell of origin. A classification based on similarity with human gliomas profiles revealed that both models belong to the proneural subtype. Our results highlight that reproducing a molecular alteration specific of a glioblastoma subtype not necessarily generates a tumor model recapitulating such subtype

Clinical and Instrumental Objective Evidence of the Efficacy of a New Water-Based Nail-Strengthening Solution Containing Pistacia lentiscus and Hyaluronic Acid Applied for Up to 6 Months to Improve the Appearance of Weak, Brittle Nails

Introduction: Brittle nails are fragile or split nails; they affect 20% of the population and may be primary or secondary to different conditions. The aim of our studies was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a new water-based nail-strengthening treatment containing hyaluronic acid and Pistacia lentiscus with daily application for a period of 1-3 months for one study (n = 30) and up to 6 months for a second study (n = 30). Methods: In total, we enrolled 60 patients of both sexes with brittle and weak nails due to primary or secondary causes and evaluated the efficacy of this new product using subjective and objective methods: clinical evaluation, assessment of photographs, onychoscopy evaluation, investigator and patient global assessment, dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). Results: Studies subjects presented a statistically significant improvement in global assessment scale (GAS) scores at 14 days (GAS = 1.7 ± 0.6), 1 month (GAS = 1.4 ± 0.7) and at 3 months (GAS = 1±0.7) versus the GAS score obtained before treatment (1.9 ± 0.5) (p < 0.0001). From the Italian study at 6 months (n = 30) 76% of the patients had an improvement in their nail appearance. Reduction in nail plate roughness with improved nail resistance and decreased distal breakage were the most evident benefits, demonstrated on clinical and instrumental evaluations. No side effects were reported. All patients reported an improvement in nail appearance after using the product for 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, and had a positive opinion on the product. Conclusions: This new product is an effective, safe, and easy-to-use option for topical treatment of brittle nails and primary nail fragility and an adjuvant therapy in secondary nail fragility. Moreover, its ease of application and cosmetic qualities allow good compliance

An open clinical investigation on clinical dermatoscopy, OCT and RCM visible effects of application of a new topical product for 6 months on brittle nails and weak nails with rough surface and/or tendency to break

Introduction & Objectives Nail brittleness is a common complaint characterized by weak nails with rough surface and/or tendency to split, flake and crumble. This nail alteration can be a consequence of factors that alter the nail plate production or factors that damage the nail plate, such as cosmetics (permanent and non-permanent nail lacquers), psoriasis, lichen planus, ageing, chemotherapy, other drugs and anaemia. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability and patient’s compliance of a new water-soluble nail lacquer with silicon and keratin synthesis booster product for brittle and weak nails. Material & Methods 30 patients of both sexes, aged >18 years, affected by nail brittleness were prescribed a new topical therapy to be applied on the affected nails once a day for 6 months. The new product is dispensed by a pencil unit with a brush and has to be applied on the entire edge of the nail, cuticle included. Periodic evaluation of treatment efficacy was performed by standardized photography and dry video-dermoscopy of the target nail at baseline (V1), after 15 days (V2), 1 month (V3), 3 months (V4) and 6 months (V5). The treatment efficacy was evaluated by the experimentator through Global and Trichoscopy Assessment Scale and by patients through a patient global assessment and a specify questionnaire. 10 patients also underwent to Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in order to have a further objective parameter of efficacy evaluation. Results All patients concluded the study, with marked improvement of nail weakness and appearance. No side effects were recorded. All patients judged the treatment easy to apply and effective. Conclusions This new water-soluble nail lacquer with silicon and keratin synthesis booster is an effective and safe option for the treatment of nail brittleness and damages

Mechanical phenotyping of K562 cells by the Micropipette Aspiration Technique allows identifying mechanical changes induced by drugs

Mechanical properties of living cells can be used as reliable markers of their state, such as the presence of a pathological state or their differentiation phase. The mechanical behavior of cells depends on the organization of their cytoskeletal network and the main contribution typically comes from the actomyosin contractile system, in both suspended and adherent cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a pharmaceutical formulation (OTC - Ossitetraciclina liquida 20%) used as antibiotic, on the mechanical properties of K562 cells by using the Micropipette Aspiration Technique (MAT). This formulation has been shown to increase in a time dependent way the inflammation and toxicity in terms of apoptosis in in vitro experiments on K562 and other types of cells. Here we show that by measuring the mechanical properties of cells exposed to OTC for different incubation times, it is possible to infer modifications induced by the formulation to the actomyosin contractile system. We emphasize that this system is involved in the first stages of the apoptotic process where an increase of the cortical tension leads to the formation of blebs. We discuss the possible relation between the observed mechanical behavior of cells aspirated inside a micropipette and apoptosis

Effects of ultrafine particles-induced oxidative stress on Clara cells in allergic lung inflammation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clara cell protein (CC16), the main secretory product of bronchiolar Clara cells, plays an important protective role in the respiratory tract against oxidative stress and inflammation. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of elemental carbon ultrafine particles (EC-UFP)-induced oxidative stress on Clara cells and CC16 in a mouse model of allergic lung inflammation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice were exposed to EC-UFP (507 μg/m³for 24 h) or filtered air immediately prior to allergen challenge and systemically treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or vehicle prior and during EC-UFP inhalation. CC16 was measured up to one week after allergen challenge in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and in serum. The relative expression of CC16 and TNF-α mRNA were measured in lung homogenates. A morphometrical analysis of mucus hypersecretion and electron microscopy served to investigate goblet cell metaplasia and Clara cell morphological alterations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In non sensitized mice EC-UFP inhalation caused alterations in CC16 concentration, both at protein and mRNA level, and induced Clara cell hyperplasia. In sensitized mice, inhalation of EC-UFP prior to OVA challenge caused most significant alterations of BALF and serum CC16 concentration, BALF total protein and TNF-α relative expression compared to relevant controls; their Clara cells displayed the strongest morphological alterations and strongest goblet cell metaplasia occurred in the small airways. NAC strongly reduced both functional and morphological alterations of Clara cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings demonstrate that oxidative stress plays an important role in EC-UFP-induced augmentation of functional and morphological alterations of Clara cells in allergic lung inflammation.</p

Triggering CD40 on endothelial cells contributes to tumor growth

Inflammatory cells can either promote or inhibit tumor growth. Here we studied whether CD40, a key molecule for adaptive immune response, has any role in mammary carcinogenesis of BALB/NeuT transgenic tumor-prone mice. We transferred the HER2/neu oncogene into CD40-null background to obtain the CD40-KO/NeuT strain. CD40-KO/NeuT mice showed delayed tumor onset and reduced tumor multiplicity. BM (BM) transplantation experiments excluded a role of BM-derived cells in the reduced tumorigenicity associated with CD40 deficiency. Rather, CD40 expressed by endothelial cells (ECs) takes part to the angiogenic process. Accordingly, large vessels, well organized around the tumor lobular structures, characterize BALB/NeuT tumors, whereas tiny numerous vessels with scarce extracellular matrix are dispersed in the parenchyma of poorly organized CD40-KO/NeuT tumors