Botulinum Toxin Adverse Events

Botulinum toxin acts at the neuromuscular junction (motor plaque) blocking the release and effects of acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter of both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (SNP). By inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, botulinum toxin interferes with the nervous impulse and causes a characteristic flaccid paralysis of the muscles. This effect is used to decrease wrinkles of the facial skin and chin providing a smooth appearance and for the treatment of a variety of human syndromes characterized by hyperfunction of selected nerve terminals. Side effects of this treatment are rare, but are essentially related to the active ingredient of the drug or to medical malpractice. These adverse events and their possible therapy are discussed in this chapter

A New Protocol to Evaluate Waterproof Effect of LipGloss

A new method to evaluate lip gloss and lipstick waterproof level according to the COLIPA Guidelines for Evaluating Sunscreen Product Water Resistance in 2006 is proposed, moreover the changes in color (L* value) by Skin Colorimeter® CL 400 Courage & Kazama was measured. Tests were carried out on 20 volunteers validating the efficiency of the used method by comparing non-waterproof lip gloss/lipstick and waterproof product results. The results indicated that the lip gloss/lipstick were waterproofs when their mean % WPR was lower than 50% and they were removed after two successive immersions in water for 20 minutes at 29°±2°C. Methods used to evaluate lip gloss and lipstick waterproof level has proved effective for assessing the desired goals

Dosage of Bioactive Molecules in the Nutricosmeceutical Helix aspersa Muller Mucus and Formulation of New Cosmetic Cream with Moisturizing Effect

The present study was carried out to provide the allantoin and glycolic acid contents in the Helix aspersa Muller mucus of common Campania land (Italy) by using chromatographic method. The study continued with the formulation of a snail mucus cosmetic cream, whose ability to hydrate the skin was evaluated comparing the skin hydration and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) effects of a stable cosmetic preparation. The skin TEWL and skin hydration effects were measured by TEWAMETER and corneometer probe, respectively, at the beginning, after 1 hour, and 24 hours

Comparison between Mid-Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy and Official Analysis Methods for Determination of the Concentrations of Alcohol, SO2, and Total Acids in Wine

The determination of alcohol, SO2, and total acids in wine through conventional laboratory techniques have some limitations related to the amount of the samples, analytical preparation of laboratory staff, and time to carry out the analysis. In recent years, spectroscopic and chromato- graphic methods have been proposed to determinate simultaneously multiple analytical parame- ters. The new methods claim the speed of analysis and easy execution. However, they need a vali- dation process that guarantees the reliability of the results to be used in official determinations. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of FT-infrared reflectance (FT-IR) to quantify total acid, al- cohol, and SO2 concentration in the wines. For this purpose, 156 DOC Italian wines were tested with IR technology, and results were compared to those obtained by official analysis methods. The com- parison was performed using two non-parametric statistical methods: the Bland & Altman test and Passing & Bablok regression. Our results showed that the spectrophotometric methods make errors due to interfering contaminants in the sample that can be corrected by blank determination. There- fore, the spectrophotometric methods that use the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum can be used by the wine industry and regulators for the wine routine as an alternative to official methodologies

Aloe barbadensis: A Plant of Nutricosmetic Interest

Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera Linne) products have long been employed in health foods and for medical purposes. It has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant properties, which indicates excellent potential in antiaging cosmetic and skin protection products. The objective of this study is to evaluate the antiaging efficacy of dermocosmetic formulations containing A. barbadensis extract on young and mature skin using biophysical and skin imaging techniques. Twenty healthy adult volunteers participated in the study, aged between 20 and 65. The cream formulation, with 10% (w/w) of A. barbadensis extract, and placebo, were applied to the face of the volunteers. The effects were evaluated in terms of skin hydration and barrier effect by the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), derma firmness, and elasticity. The formulation containing A. barbadensis extract significantly improves water contained in the stratum corneum, firmness, elasticity of the skin, and decreased TEWL

Aloe barbadensis: A Plant of Nutricosmetic Interest

Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera Linne) products have long been employed in health foods and for medical purposes. It has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant properties, which indicates excellent potential in antiaging cosmetic and skin protection products. The objective of this study is to evaluate the antiaging efficacy of dermocosmetic formulations containing A. barbadensis extract on young and mature skin using biophysical and skin imaging techniques. Twenty healthy adult volunteers participated in the study, aged between 20 and 65. The cream formulation, with 10% (w/w) of A. barbadensis extract, and placebo, were applied to the face of the volunteers. The effects were evaluated in terms of skin hydration and barrier effect by the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), derma firmness, and elasticity. The formulation containing A. barbadensis extract significantly improves water contained in the stratum corneum, firmness, elasticity of the skin, and decreased TEWL

Potential Clinical Applications of the Postbiotic Butyrate in Human Skin Diseases

Human skin is the largest organ and the most external interface between the environment and the body. Vast communities of viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, and mites, collectively named the skin microbiome (SM), cover the skin surface and connected structures. Skin-resident microorganisms contribute to the establishment of cutaneous homeostasis and can modulate host inflammatory responses. Imbalances in the SM structure and function (dysbiosis) are associated with several skin conditions. Therefore, novel target for the skincare field could be represented by strategies, which restore or preserve the SM natural/individual balance. Several of the beneficial effects exerted by the SM are aroused by the microbial metabolite butyrate. Since butyrate exerts a pivotal role in preserving skin health, it could be used as a postbiotic strategy for preventing or treating skin diseases. Herein, we describe and share perspectives of the potential clinical applications of therapeutic strategies using the postbiotic butyrate against human skin disease

Tracking Down of a Selected Panel of Parabens: A Validated Method to Evaluate Their Occurrence in Skin Layers

A method was set up and validated to identify and quantify seven parabens in each of the three skin layers, i.e., Stratum Corneum, Epidermis, and Dermis, because, even if only some analogues are legally allowed in Europe, forbidden parabens are also detected in many personal care products and therefore can be absorbed by the skin. A solid/liquid extraction followed by a gradient elution chromatographic separation method was performed and validated according to European guidelines. Our validated method afforded the detection of all seven parabens with limit of detection values ranging from 0.026 to 0.090 μg mL−1 and recoveries ranging from 61.80 to 105.73 μg mL−1 at high and low concentration values (50.0–5.0 μg mL−1), respectively. The proposed method can help assess paraben’s skin bioaccumulation since people are repeatedly exposed to consumer goods containing parabens in their daily routine, posing a chronic risk to human health

Antimicrobial Peptides and Physical Activity: A Great Hope against COVID 19

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), α- and β-defensins, possess antiviral properties. These AMPs achieve viral inhibition through different mechanisms of action. For example, they can: (i) bind directly to virions; (ii) bind to and modulate host cell-surface receptors, disrupting intracellular signaling; (iii) function as chemokines to augment and alter adaptive immune responses. Given their antiviral properties and the fact that the development of an effective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment is an urgent public health priority, they and their derivatives are being explored as potential therapies against COVID-19. These explorations using various strategies, range from their direct interaction with the virus to using them as vaccine adjuvants. However, AMPs do not work in isolation, specifically in their role as potent immune modulators, where they interact with toll-like receptors (TLRs) and chemokine receptors. Both of these receptors have been shown to play roles in COVID-19 pathogenesis. In addition, it is known that a healthy lifestyle accompanied by controlled physical activity can represent a natural weapon against COVID-19. In competitive athletes, an increase in serum defensins has been shown to function as self-protection from the attack of microorganisms, consequently a controlled physical activity could act as a support to any therapies in fighting COVID-19. Therefore, including information on all these players' interactions would produce a complete picture of AMP-based therapies' response