Evaluation of skin irritation and skin sensitization potential of Venusia max lotion (paraben-free, alcohol-free, mineral oil-free, animal origin free) using human repeat insult patch test

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Topical exposure to chemicals from cosmetics can lead to adverse skin effects or skin irritation. This study aimed to investigate the skin irritation and sensitizing potential of a moisturizer Venusia max lotion (paraben-free, alcohol-free, mineral oil-free, animal origin free (PAMA) free).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> In this single-center, non-randomized, observational study, skin irritation, and skin sensitization potential of a test product was assessed using the human repeat insult patch test (HRIPT) technique. Approximately 0.04 g of the test product and filter papers dipped in 0.9% isotonic saline solution (~0.04 ml of solution) were filled in different wells of patch chambers and applied occlusively, on the back of each participant. Scoring of the skin reactions in the induction phase and challenge phase was done using Draize and international contact dermatitis research group (ICDRG) scales respectively. Scores were compared to the baseline and the negative control (isotonic saline).<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In total 234 participants (50 with sensitive skin), 224 and 221 participants completed the induction phase and challenge phase respectively. Scores for the induction phase for Venusia max lotion (PAMA free) and isotonic saline were 0.46 and 0.06 respectively. The mean cumulative score of erythema and oedema for Venusia max lotion (PAMA free) was below 2. For the challenge phase, none of the participants showed any positive reactions at any time point for test product and isotonic saline.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Test product Venusia max lotion (PAMA free) found to be non-irritant and hypoallergenic. Thus, it can be used without fear of skin irritation or sensitization.</p>

Lactide polymerization using a sterically encumbered, flexible zinc complex

4-(tert-Butyl)-2-trityl-6-(di-(2-picolyl)amine)phenol, LH, was prepared from paraformaldehyde, 4-(tert-butyl)-2-tritylphenol and di-(2-picolyl)amine. Reaction with Zn(N(SiMe3)2)2 gave LZnN(SiMe3)2. The complex was shown by X-ray diffraction study, variable temperature NMR and DFT calculations to coordinate only one pyridine ligand, which allows for fast and facile complex isomerisation. LZnN(SiMe3)2 was active in rac-lactide polymerization, but in contrast to previous complexes of this type did not show any evidence for isotactic monomer enchainment via a catalytic-site mediated chain-end control mechanism. Addition of alcohol led to increased activity, but the complex was unstable in the presence of free alcohol.

Triterpenoids from Vitellaria paradoxa Stem Barks Reduce Nitrite Levels in LPS-Stimulated Macrophages

Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn is widely used in African traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory remedy to treat rheumatism, gastric problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. The phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of V. paradoxa stem bark collected in Burkina Faso led to the isolation of eight known and two triterpenes undescribed to date (7 and 10), in the free alcohol form or as acetyl and cinnamyl ester derivatives. The stereostructures of the new compounds were elucidated using HR-ESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR data. The isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory effect on nitrite levels on murine macrophages J774 stimulated with the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Among all the compounds tested, lupeol cinnamate (3) and betulinic acid (5) showed a beneficial effect in reducing nitrite levels produced after LPS stimulation.

Boosting activity of molecular oxygen by pyridinium-based photocatalysts for metal-free alcohol oxidation

Pyridinium molecules are developed as electron- and energy-transfer mediators to boost the activity of air oxygen and thus achieve highly efficient photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols without any noble metal and additional co-catalysts/additives under mild conditions.

Investigation on micro-milling of micro-grooves with high aspect ratio and laser deburring

High aspect ratio micro-grooves are critical structures in the micro-electromechanical system. However, problems like rapid tool wear, low processing efficiency, and inferior machined quality in micro-milling of high aspect ratio micro-grooves by length–diameter ratio tools are particularly significant. In this work, a combined micro-milling method based on water-free alcohol as the cutting fluid and laser deburring is proposed to investigate the high aspect ratio micro-groove generation of oxygen-free high-conductivity copper TU1. Parametric experiments and high aspect ratio micro-groove experiments were conducted to investigate the surface quality, cutting forces, and tool wear. The water-free alcohol was employed to improve the tool life and machined surface quality. In the case of the oxygen-free high-conductivity copper TU1 material, a satisfactory high aspect ratio micro-groove (groove-width = 0.2 μm and aspect ratio = 2.5) with a nanoscale surface roughness ( Ra = 68 nm) was obtained under the preferred machining conditions. Furthermore, the deburring process of the high aspect ratio micro-groove by the laser technology was conducted to achieve ideal machined quality of the top surfaces.

Leaf epicuticular waxes of eleven Euphorbia species (Euphorbiaceae) from the Central Balkans: Impact on chemotaxonomy

The presence of n-alkanes, free alcohols and free acids in leaf epicuticular wax extracts of 22 samples of 11 Euphorbia L. species belonging to the sections Paralias, Esula, Myrsiniteae and Helioscopia, 10 of which were never examined before, were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and n-alkane C27 was detected as the principal component of leaf epicuticular waxes in the majority of the examined species, while the most abundant free alcohol was C26. Three Euphorbia species belonging to section Helioscopia were characterized by a predominance of alcohol C28. Free acid (C16) was the major component in 21 investigated samples. The usefulness of n-alkanes and free alcohols and free acids as potential chemotaxonomic markers is briefly discussed.