Influence of Massage and Skin Hydration on Dermal Penetration Efficacy of Nile Red from Petroleum Jelly—An Unexpected Outcome

The study aimed at comparing the influence of direct and indirect skin hydration as well as massage on the dermal penetration efficacy of active compounds. Nile red was used as a lipophilic drug surrogate and was incorporated into Vaseline (petroleum jelly). The formulation was applied with and without massage onto either dry skin or pre-hydrated, moist skin. It was expected that the occlusive properties of Vaseline in combination with massage and enhanced skin hydration would cause a superposition of penetration-enhancing effects, which should lead to a tremendous increase in the dermal penetration efficacy of the lipophilic drug surrogate. Results obtained were diametral to the expectations, and various reasons were identified for causing the effect observed. Firstly, it was found that Vaseline undergoes syneresis after topical application. The expulsed mineral oil forms a film on top of the skin, and parts of it penetrate into the skin. The lipophilic drug surrogate, which is dissolved in the mineral oil, enters the skin with the mineral oil, i.e., via a solvent drag mechanism. Secondly, it was found that massage squeezes the skin and causes the expulsion of water from deeper layers of the SC. The expulsed water can act as a water barrier that prevents the penetration of lipophilic compounds and promotes the penetration of hydrophilic compounds. Based on the data, it is concluded that dermal penetration is a complex process that cannot only be explained by Fick’s law. It is composed of at least three different mechanisms. The first mechanism is the penetration of active ingredients with their solvents into the skin (convection, solvent drag), the second mechanism is the penetration of the active ingredient via passive diffusion, and the third mechanism can involve local penetration phenomena, e.g., the formation of liquid menisci and particle-associated penetration enhancement, which occur upon the evaporation of water and/or other ingredients from the formulation on top of the skin.

PHARMACEUTICAL STUDY OF KANADI TAILA AND ITS MODIFIED OINTMENT

Aims: To prepare Kanadi Taila as per classical method and its modification into an ointment by using petroleum jelly as a base, as well as to do its organoleptic and physic-chemical analysis. Methods: Kanadi Taila was prepared as per the classical method of Taila Kalpana and its modification into an ointment by modern infusion method by using petroleum jelly as a base. Then it was evaluated for organoleptic and physic-chemical characteristics. Results: The final product Kanadi Taila and Kanadi Taila ointment were of desirable consistency and quality. Discussion: Kanadi Taila is well-known medicine for its wound healing property, and it was prepared as per classical method but due to its difficulty in application, there is a need to modify it into a more patient-friendly form. Kanadi Taila was modified into a topical ointment with white petroleum jelly as the base for attaining the desired consistency. Conclusion: The formulation Kanadi Taila is mentioned in the text Ayurveda Sara, Tratiya bhaga Prameha chikitsa adhyaya. Appropriate Paka Lakshanas were observed during Taila Paka, as well as the prepared Kanadi Taila ointment was of desired consistency

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Dexpanthenol-Containing Spray and Cream in the Recovery of the Skin Integrity Compared with Petroleum Jelly after Dermatologic Aesthetic Procedures

Moisturizers are commonly prescribed after laser and chemical peel aesthetic procedures, but the evidence regarding their efficacy and safety of such use is scarce. We conducted four single-blind, three-week, controlled studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical Dexpanthenol-containing products (Bepantol® spray and Bepantol® cream) using petroleum jelly as a positive control. Skin recovery was assessed after four aesthetic procedures: (1) non-ablative facial laser resurfacing, (2) laser depilation on the external genital and inguinal regions, (3) chemical peel on the external genital and inguinal regions, and (4) ablative facial laser resurfacing. Efficacy was assessed through transepidermal water loss (TEWL) combined with clinical assessment of the skin by the investigators and the participants. In studies (1) and (4), the erythema intensity was evaluated by measuring dermal temperature with a thermal imaging camera. Safety was assessed through adverse event reporting and acceptability through a questionnaire. Dexpanthenol-containing products significantly decreased TEWL and dermal temperature, therefore maintaining skin integrity, promoting its recovery, and reducing erythema. No statistical differences with the positive control were observed. In addition, Dexpanthenol-containing products were well appreciated by the participants from a sensory perspective. These findings suggest that these Dexpanthenol-containing products are adequate for post-procedural care in aesthetic dermatology.

Identification of uncertainty levels of acoustic properties of biocomposites under different mounting conditions in impedance tube tests

Impedance tube method is widely used to measure acoustic properties of materials. Although this method yields reliable acoustic properties for soft textured materials, uncertainty levels of measured acoustic properties for hard materials, including biocomposites, can be quite large, mainly due to uncertain mounting conditions. Here, the effects of mounting conditions on the acoustic properties of biocomposites in an impedance tube are investigated. First, nominally identical biocomposite samples with a diameter equal to the inner diameter of impedance tube are manufactured and their acoustic properties are determined. As hard materials practically cause fitting problems in the impedance tube, the diameters of samples are reduced, as in practice, by small amounts and acoustic properties of modified samples are determined. Furthermore, in order to match the diameters of samples to the inner diameter of impedance tube, different materials such as tape, petroleum jelly and cotton are applied around samples to close the air gap between the samples and the tube's inner wall. All the results are compared, and the uncertainty levels caused by different mounting conditions on the acoustic properties of biocomposites are identified. The results show that the transmission loss (TL) measurements are dramatically affected by the mounting conditions while the sound absorption conditions are less sensitive to the mounting conditions. The deviations in the measured TL levels are highest for the samples with tape and wax (10–15 dB). On the other hand, the deviations in the measured sound absorption coefficients are highest for the samples with cotton and tape (1–2%).

Cauterization of tuberous fistulas

Franke (Znb. F. Chir. 1924; according to the ref. In "Practice. Time", 1924, No. 7-8) praises the stubbornly not healing tuberculous fistulous passages cauterizing them with a mixture of solutions of copper sulfate and zinc sulfate (6.0 by 88.0 water). These moxibustion is repeated after 3-4 weeks. To protect the skin, it is smeared with petroleum jelly.

Changes in the metabolism of innate immune cells of homoithermic animals infected with dormant forms of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Under the influence of unfavorable environmental factors, microorganisms pass into a viable, but uncultivated state and form a dormant (dormant) cellular phenotype, characterized by a lack of growth and metabolic activity. Dormant forms of bacteria are not detected by traditional microbiological methods, but they play an important role in the development of protracted and chronic infections in animals and humans. Purpose of the study: to characterize the experimental infectious process in warm-blooded animals, induced by the dormant phenotypes of Y. pseudotuberculosis, and to evaluate changes in the activity of the enzyme systems of inflammatory effector cells. For the study, bacteria were taken from a culture stored under static conditions for 10 years in a test tube under a layer of petroleum jelly at a temperature of 4–6 °C. Ultrastructural features of dormant cell forms were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The viability of dormant cells was assessed by the molecular genetic method (PCR). The absence of reproductive activity of the dormant phenotypes of Y. pseudotuberculosis was checked by repeated inoculations in LB broth, Endo and Serov›s media, and incubation at temperatures of 4–6, 22–24 and 37 °C. Further, the activity of the enzyme systems of cells of the inflammatory process effectors in vivo was investigated. During the experimental infection, the animals showed a gradual increase in the number of inflammatory effector cells. The prevailing number of neutrophils (65–70 %) on days 14–21 of infection indicated a developing inflammatory process. Reversion of the dormant form of Y. pseudotuberculosis in vivo and the development of an inflammatory process in the cells of the peritoneal exudate of infected animals inhibits the activity of the oxygen- and nitroxide-dependent bactericidal systems, as evidenced by the low values of lactate dehydrogenase, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide. Thus, the data obtained indicate the possibility of reversion of the dormant forms of Y. pseudotuberculosis into vegetative forms 21 days after infection. On the part of the cells of innate immunity, modulation of the activity of intracellular enzymes, aimed at the induction of antimicrobial protection, was revealed.

Topical Probiotics for Women’s Urogenital Health: Selection of an Oil-based Carrier

Vaginal care products are widely used by women to relieve discomfort such as pain, itching and malodour, all of which are commonly caused by conditions resulting from microbiota dysbiosis. Previous studies showed that probiotic strains Lacticaseibacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) rhamnosus GR-1 (LGR-1) and Limosilactobacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) reuteri RC-14 (LRC-14), can aid in restoring homeostasis in the vaginal microbiome when taken orally. A topical product containing these strains could be of value for reducing malodour and improving quality of life. However, the formulation of such a product is a challenge, given that its ingredients must maintain shelf-life viability by excluding moisture. Here, we tested petroleum jelly, mineral oil, coconut oil, and olive oil for how well they maintained the viability of freeze-dried probiotic strains over a six-month timeframe. None of the oils caused excessive loss of bacterial viability, with petroleum jelly and coconut oil showing the most promise. Based on existing knowledge of these oils on the female genitalia, coconut oil and petroleum jelly could be suitable probiotic carriers for clinical testing.

Experimental Study on a Passive Solar Desalination Unit Associated With Fresnel Lens and Thermal Storage

Passive solar stills can be a viable source of freshwater in water and energy scarce regions. However, the low production rate is one of the major drawbacks of passive solar stills. This work presents an experimental study of the combined effects of concentrated solar power (CSP) and phase change material (PCM) on a low-cost double slope passive solar desalination unit. Fresnel lens as the refractive CSP was used to converge the available solar irradiation onto the solar still basin that contained saline water. Metal tubes containing petroleum jelly with a melting point of 37°C were immersed as the PCM in the saline water. Four different experimental setups were tested in the natural tropical weather of Malaysia to identify the individual and combined impact of the lens and petroleum jelly on desalination performance. It was observed that the performance was better with the individual application of the CSP rather than the combination of CSP and PCM. There was a 28.21 % improvement in distillate production using Fresnel lens only; while using the Fresnel lens and PCM in combination showed a 25.64 % improvement in production. This study also provides several recommendations with which the experimental setup can be improved to yield better results in the future.

Experimental Parametric Study of the Factors Leading to Elevated Femoral Intramedullary Pressure and Fat Embolus Syndrome in Orthopaedic Procedures

During orthopaedic procedures such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total hip arthroplasty (THA), and intramedullary nailing, it is necessary to hammer implants into the intramedullary canal of long bones. This hammering action can generate a high intramedullary pressure, leading to the release of bone marrow fat globules into the cardiovascular system, and ultimately, the possible development of fat embolism syndrome. In the present study, the effect of parameters such as implant tip geometry, peak impact force, hammer tip material, bone to implant radial gap, and marrow viscosity, on the resulting intramedullary pressure generated when hammering implants into a simulated femur analogue was examined. The bone analogue consisted of a porous plastic cylinder, having similar porosity and pore size to human femoral bone, with bone marrow being represented by a paraffin wax/petroleum jelly mixture. It was found that intramedullary pressure is only slightly lowered by a change in implant tip geometry, and that the use of a steel tipped (as opposed to rubber) hammer resulted in an increase in average pressure in the proximal portion of the bone, but a decrease distally. A lower implant insertion speed, lower hammering force, and a larger bone to implant radial gap were found to significantly reduce the intramedullary pressure. The number of hammer strikes required to insert an implant was found to increase significantly with marrow viscosity, but the average intramedullary pressure was found to decrease with increasing viscosity. Numerical modelling was also found to offer great promise for analysing hammering procedures for orthopaedic research into fat embolism syndrome. Numerical and experimental results were matched with approximately a 20% deviation.