A New Cyclocephala from Montane Colombia (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae)

Young, Ronald M., Le Tirant, Stephane (2005): A New Cyclocephala from Montane Colombia (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae). The Coleopterists Bulletin 59 (2): 267-270, DOI: 10.1649/772, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1649/77

Five new species of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from Peru and Bolivia, and two new records for Peru

The following four new species of Cerambycidae are described from Bolivia: Chrysoprasis imitatrix (Heteropsini); Carneades vigneaulti (Colobotheini); Colobothea larriveei (Colobotheini); Colobothea boliviana (Colobotheini). Esthlogena (Pseudotaxia) bella (Pteropliini) is described from Peru. A key to species of Carneades Bates, 1869 is provided. The other new species are included in previously published keys. Additionally, two new country records are reported for the fauna of Peru

Ancres marines - ancrage à terre

Après un rapide rappel du fonctionnement des ancres marines sous l'angle de la géotechnique, le principe d'un nouveau type d'ancre est présenté pour les ancrages à hautes capacités nécessités par les travaux pétroliers en haute mer.L'étude a d'abord été menée sur modèles réduits car des efforts d'arrachage très grands ne permettent pas d'optimiser commodément les formes. Le développement des matériels montre que la similitude donne de bons résultats pour les matériaux argileux et des résultats moins satisfaisants pour les sables, ce qui rend indispensable de développer les ancres dans le sable par des essais sur maquettes de plus en plus grandes

Dietary compounds as potential modulators of microRNA expression in psoriasis

Nutrigenomic DNA reprogramming in different chronic diseases and cancer has been assessed through the stimulation of gene expression and mRNA synthesis versus DNA silencing by CpG DNA modification (methylation); histone modification (acetylation, methylation) and expression of small noncoding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs). With regard to the specific nutrigenomic effects in psoriasis, the influence of specific diets on inflammatory cell signaling transcriptional factors such as nuclear factor (NF)-\u3baB and Wnt signaling pathways, on disease-related specific cytokine expression, pro/antioxidant balance, keratinocyte proliferation/apoptosis and on proliferation/differentiation ratio have been documented; however, the influence of dietary compounds on the balance between \u2018good and bad\u2019 miRNA expression has not been considered. This review aims to summarize knowledge about aberrant microRNAs expression in psoriasis and to emphasize the potential impact of some dietary compounds on endogenous miRNA synthesis in experimental conditions in vivo and in vitro. Among the aberrantly expressed miRNAs in psoriasis, one of the most prominently upregulated seems to be miR-21. The beneficial effects of phenolic compounds (curcumin and resveratrol), vitamin D, methyl donors, and omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) are discussed. Highly expressed miR-155 has been downregulated by flavonoids (through a quercetin-rich diet) and by vitamin D. Quercetin has been effective in modulating miR-146a. On the other hand, downregulated miR-125b expression was restored by vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10 and by microelement selenium. In conclusion, the miRNA profile, together with other \u2018omics\u2019, may constitute a multifaceted approach to explore the impact of diet on psoriasis prevention and treatment

Efficacy and safety of Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) product family for the topical treatment of psoriasis: a monitored status study

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Michaels® (Soratinex®) remedies in patients suffering from chronic plaque psoriasis in a Czech population. Seventy-five (34 female/41 male) patients, aged 18-72 years old (mean age: 38.5 years) with mild to severe plaque psoriasis participated in the study. The products, including cleansing gel, ointment and skin conditioner, containing fruit acid complex, herbal oils and emulsifiers, were used twice daily and in the same manner for all the skin lesions. The study period was eight weeks. Histologic variables and various blood picture parameters, including FW, glucose, cholesterol, triacylglyceroles, bilirubin, GMT, ALT, AST, creatinine, uric acid and urea in blood were monitored, before and after therapy with Michaels® (Soratinex®) treatment. Assessment, using the Psoriasis Activity Severity Index (PASI) scores and photographic analysis, was done at time 0, and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Patient\u92s improvement was determined by the percentage reduction of the PASI scores. Side effects and tolerability were also evaluated. After 8 weeks using Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) treatment course, 5 patients had a moderate improvement, with the resolution of 25-50% of skin lesions; 11 patients showed a good improvement, with the resolution of 51-75% of lesions. Another 50 patients had an outstanding improvement, with the regression of 76-100% of lesions. Only 4 patients did not achieve an improvement of psoriasis. Six patients experienced folliculitis, which resolved without cessation of treatment. Three patients worsened and discontinued treatment. Six patients dropped out because of non-compliance. The blood results and histologic findings were all normal. Our investigation shows that Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) products can be safely and successfully used in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis

Quality of life aspects of patients with psoriasis using a series of herbal products

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 1-3% of the general population. Due to the chronic nature of the disease, patients suffer from substantial psychosocial impact and impaired quality of life. Dr Michaels® (also branded as Soratinex®), an Australian series of topical herbal products, has been showing promising results for the treatment of patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and consequent improvement in their quality of life. This study aims to access the changes in quality of life of patients with Psoriasis using an Australian series of herbal skin-care products Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) for psoriasis. The aim of this study is to observe and analyze the impact of Dr Michaels® product family on the quality of life of patients with psoriasis, 566 patients completed the Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DQLI) questionnaire in their initial consultation and at 3 follow up consultations, over a 6 months period. At the end of the data collection, all patients\u92 answers were recorded and analyzed. The Psoriasis Area and Severity (PASI) Index were used to measure the severity and extent of psoriasis during the 3 consultations. The PASI for severe, moderate-severe, mild-moderate cases across time revealed a significant effect of the treatment within weeks, confirming the decreasing scores during the treatment. As well as PASI results, the final DLQI score showed a sensible reduction from mean =6.716 (at week 0) to 6.252 (at week 2), 4.015 (at week 6) and 2.407 (at week 10) signifying a 64.2% reduction of the initial score. This study demonstrates that Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) products, an Australian series of herbal-based skin products is effective for the treatment of psoriasis. This treatment also significantly improves patient\u92s quality of life

Rapid communication: a vegetable oil extract restores redox status in fibroblasts from psoriatic patients

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that affects 2-5% of the worldwide population. It is a chronic immune-mediated hyperproliferative inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology, characterized by the appearance of sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales

Dr Michaels® product family (also branded as Soratinex®) versus Methylprednisolone aceponate - a comparative study of the effectiveness for the treatment of plaque psoriasis

As one of the most common dermatologic chronic-recurrent disease, variable therapeutic options are available today for management of psoriasis. Although topical high potency corticosteroids, alone or in association with salicylic acid or vitamin D analogues, are still considered the best treatment, they do not seem to possess the capability for a long-term control of the disease or prevent recurrences, as their side effects are major contraindications for continuative use. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Dr. Michaels® product family is comparable to methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) as a viable alternative treatment option for the treatment and management of stable chronic plaque psoriasis. Thirty adults (13 male, 17 female, mean age 40 years) with mild to severe stable chronic plaque psoriasis, were included in the study. Patients were advised to treat the lesions of the two sides of their body (left and right) with two different unknown modalities for 8 weeks; the pack of Dr. Michaels® products on the left side (consisting of a cleansing gel, an ointment and a skin conditioner) and a placebo pack on the right side, consisting of a cleansing gel, methylprednisolone ointment and a placebo conditioner. Assessment was done using the Psoriasis Activity Severity Index (PASI) scores before treatment and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. The results achieved with the Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) product family for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis were better than the results achieved with methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA), even though quicker resolution was achieved with the steroid with 45% of patients achieving resolution within 8-10 days in comparison to 5-6 weeks in the Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group. Before therapy, the mean PASI score of the LHS in Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group was 13.8±4.1 SD and 14.2±4.2 SD in the RHS methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) group. After 8 weeks of treatment 62% of the Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group had achieved resolution whilst in the methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) group, the figure remained at 45%. The mean PASI score after 8 weeks of treatment was calculated and in the LHS Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group it was 2.8±1.6 SD and 6.8±2.4 SD in the RHS methylprednisolone aceponate group. In the RHS -methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) group, 22% of patients failed to respond to the treatment in comparison to 6% in the LHS Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group. Based on the results of this study, Dr. Michaels® products are a more effective treatment option, with insignificant side effects, compared to local treatment with methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA)

Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of \u93Dr Michaels®\u94 (also branded as Soratinex®) products in the topical treatment of patients with plaque psoriasis

Psoriasis is generally considered as an autoimmune inflammatory cutaneous-systemic disease, with chronic course and high rate of recurrence, while its high risk of comorbidities affect the patients\u92 quality of life significantly. Despite the good therapeutic response, most of the available options show tendency for poor tolerance and high rate of occurrence of side effects. Therefore, the interest of patients and doctors to investigate the possibility of treating psoriasis with natural substances is not surprising. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the herbal skin-care product Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) for the management of chronic plaque psoriasis, within a 6 to 8 week treatment course. Thirty patients of both sexes, aged between 24 and 70 years with mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris were included in this study. The products of Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) were applied in sequence: cleansing gel, ointment after 3-4 minutes and tonic care (for the fire-smeared ointment) 2 times per day for restorative care and cleansing gel for psoriasis within scalp 3 times a week. The study lasted six weeks. The severity and extent of the lesions were evaluated by PASI score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). Based on the obtained result, the products of \u93Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®)\u94 have proved to be effective in the treatment of mild and moderate psoriasis vulgaris. In the study group, no improvement was observed in 10% of patients, a slight improvement in 20%, good in 40% and very good in 16.6% of patients