5 research outputs found
Human skin penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as a function of skin layer
We study a set of 28 GRB light-curves detected between 15 December
2002 and 9 June 2003 by the anti-coincidence shield of the
spectrometer (SPI) of INTEGRAL. During this period it has detected
50 bursts, that have been confirmed by other instruments, with a
time resolution of 50 ms. First, we derive the basic
characteristics of the bursts: various duration measures, the
count peak flux and the count fluence. Second, a sub-sample of 11 bursts with 12 individual, well-separated pulses is studied. We
fit the pulse shape with a model by Kocevski et al. (2003)
and find that the pulses are quite self-similar in shape. There is
also a weak tendency for the pulses with steep power-law decays to
be more asymmetric. Third, the variability of the complex
light-curves is studied by analyzing their power-density-spectra
(PDS) and their RMS variability.
The averaged PDS, of the whole sample, is a power-law with index
of and a break between 1–2 Hz. Fourth, we also
discuss the background and noise levels. We found that the
background noise has a Gaussian distribution and its power is
independent of frequency, i.e., it is white noise. However, it
does not follow a Poisson statistic since on average the variance
is ~1.6 larger than the mean. We discuss our results in
context of the current theoretical picture in which GRBs are
created in an anisotropic, highly relativistic outflow from
collapsing massive stars. Finally, we note that the exact
behaviour of the instrument is not yet known and therefore the
above results should be treated as preliminary.
Human skin penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as a function of skin layer
Objective and designSkin retention and penetration by copper applied as glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine cuprate diacetate was evaluated in vitro in order to assess its potential for its transdermal delivery as an anti-inflammatory agent.Materials and methodsFlow-through diffusion cells with 1 cm(2) exposure area were used under infinite dose conditions. 0.68% aq. copper tripeptide as permeant was applied on isolated stratum corneum, heat-separated epidermis and dermatomed skin and receptor fluid collected over 48 h in 4 h intervals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to analyze for copper in tissues and receptor fluid.ResultsThe permeability coefficient of the compound through dermatomed skin was 2.43 ± 0.51 × 10(-4) cm/h; 136.2 ± 17.5 μg/cm(2) copper permeated 1 cm(2) of that tissue over 48 h, while 97 ± 6.6 μg/cm(2) were retained as depot.ConclusionsCopper as tripeptide was delivered in potentially therapeutically effective amounts for inflammatory disease
Nutrition and cancer: A review of the evidence for an anti-cancer diet
It has been estimated that 30–40 percent of all cancers can be prevented by lifestyle and dietary measures alone. Obesity, nutrient sparse foods such as concentrated sugars and refined flour products that contribute to impaired glucose metabolism (which leads to diabetes), low fiber intake, consumption of red meat, and imbalance of omega 3 and omega 6 fats all contribute to excess cancer risk. Intake of flax seed, especially its lignan fraction, and abundant portions of fruits and vegetables will lower cancer risk. Allium and cruciferous vegetables are especially beneficial, with broccoli sprouts being the densest source of sulforophane. Protective elements in a cancer prevention diet include selenium, folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, chlorophyll, and antioxidants such as the carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin). Ascorbic acid has limited benefits orally, but could be very beneficial intravenously. Supplementary use of oral digestive enzymes and probiotics also has merit as anticancer dietary measures. When a diet is compiled according to the guidelines here it is likely that there would be at least a 60–70 percent decrease in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and even a 40–50 percent decrease in lung cancer, along with similar reductions in cancers at other sites. Such a diet would be conducive to preventing cancer and would favor recovery from cancer as well
Bioactive compounds in seaweed; functional food applications and legislation
Seaweed is more than the wrap that keeps rice together in sushi. Seaweed biomass is already used for a wide range of other products in food, including stabilising agents. Biorefineries with seaweed as feedstock are attracting worldwide interest and include low-volume, high value-added products and vice versa. Scientific research on bioactive compounds in seaweed usually takes place on just a few species and compounds. This paper reviews worldwide research on bioactive compounds, mainly of nine genera or species of seaweed, which are also available in European temperate Atlantic waters, i.e. Laminaria sp., Fucus sp., Ascophyllum nodosum, Chondrus crispus, Porphyra sp., Ulva sp., Sargassum sp., Gracilaria sp. and Palmaria palmata. In addition, Undaria pinnatifida is included in this review as this is globally one of the most commonly produced, investigated and available species. Fewer examples of other species abundant worldwide have also been included. This review will supply fundamental information for biorefineries in Atlantic Europe using seaweed as feedstock. Preliminary selection of one or several candidate seaweed species will be possible based on the summary tables and previous research described in this review. This applies either to the choice of high value-added bioactive products to be exploited in an available species or to the choice of seaweed species when a bioactive compound is desired. Data are presented in tables with species, effect and test organism (if present) with examples of uses to enhance comparisons. In addition, scientific experiments performed on seaweed used as animal feed are presented, and EU, US and Japanese legislation on functional foods is reviewed