Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Fish Scales-Derived Collagen Peptides on Skin Parameters and Condition: A Randomized,Placebo-Controlled,Double-Blind Study

Fish scales-derived collagen peptides (CPs) are characterized by their specific amino acid composition with a high concentration of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. These amino acids have been known to exert beneficial effects on human skin. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of collagen peptides obtained from fish scales on changes in periorbital wrinkles, facial skin hydration, and skin elasticity in healthy women aged 30–60 years. In the present randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 71 subjects consumed a 20 mL beverage containing 3000 mg of CPs or placebo once per day over 12 weeks. Significant decreases in periorbital wrinkles (p?<?0.05) were observed in the treatment group after 12 weeks of CPs ingestion compared to the control group. This study also demonstrated a consistent trend of enhanced facial skin moisture (p?<?0.001) and skin elasticity (p?<?0.001) by dietary intake of CPs without any side effects or adverse events. These findings indicate that fish-derived CPs hold great promise as a natural supplement with cutaneous anti-aging properties.     

Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects

Two human clinical studies were performed. One was an open-label non-controlled study involving 30 healthy female subjects for 8 weeks. Significant improvements were observed by combining 6 mg per day oral supplementation and 2 ml (78.9 μM solution) per day topical application of astaxanthin. Astaxanthin derived from the microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis showed improvements in skin wrinkle (crow's feet at week-8), age spot size (cheek at week-8), elasticity (crow's feet at week-8), skin texture (cheek at week-4), moisture content of corneocyte layer (cheek in 10 dry skin subjects at week-8) and corneocyte condition (cheek at week-8). It may suggest that astaxanthin derived from H. pluvialis can improve skin condition in all layers such as corneocyte layer, epidermis, basal layer and dermis by combining oral supplementation and topical treatment. Another was a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study involving 36 healthy male subjects for 6 weeks. Crow's feet wrinkle and elasticity; and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were improved after 6 mg of astaxanthin (the same as former study) daily supplementation. Moisture content and sebum oil level at the cheek zone showed strong tendencies for improvement. These results suggest that astaxanthin derived from Haematococcus pluvialis may improve the skin condition in not only in women but also in men.     

The effects of a topical PGE2 analogue on global flap ischemia in rats

The present study evaluated the ability of DHV-PGE2ME, a topically effective 16-vinyl prostaglandin E2 analogue, to improve the tolerance of skin flaps to a period of ischemia. DHV-PGE2ME and placebo were applied to bilateral island flaps on 70 anesthetized rats; then the vascular pedicle of each flap was clamped for 10 hours. Treated flaps evidenced significantly better reperfusion, as documented by quantification of fluorescein dye delivery at 90 minutes after clamp release, and they had significantly greater ultimate viability (p less than 0.05, by ANOVA). While less than 3 percent of untreated flaps survived, those treated with 1.75 and 17.5 microgram/cm2 of drug evidenced 76 and 86 percent survival, respectively. Treatment of a given flap did not affect its contralateral mate, since there was no evidence of a systemic effect. Especially since its effect can be limited to the site of application, DHV-PGE2ME should be valuable for the treatment of compromised perfusion in a variety of settings.     

First-dose analgesic effect of the cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison with celecoxib [NCT00267215]

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitors are frequently used to manage osteoarthritis. We compared the analgesic efficacy of the novel cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib (Prexige) versus placebo and celecoxib in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This seven day, double-blind, placebo and active comparator controlled, parallel group study included 364 patients aged > or = 50 years with moderate-to-severe symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Patients received lumiracoxib 400 mg/day (four times the recommended chronic dose in osteoarthritis; n = 144), placebo (n = 75), or celecoxib 200 mg twice daily (n = 145). The primary variable was actual pain intensity difference (100 mm visual-analogue scale) between baseline and the mean of three hour and five hour assessments after the first dose. Actual pain intensity difference, average and worst pain, pain relief and functional status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) were measured over seven days. Patients also completed a global evaluation of treatment effect at study end or premature discontinuation. For the primary variable, the superiority of lumiracoxib versus placebo, the noninferiority of lumiracoxib versus celecoxib, and the superiority of lumiracoxib versus celecoxib were assessed by closed test procedure adjusting for multiplicity, thereby maintaining the overall 5% significance level. In addition, celecoxib was assessed versus placebo in a predefined exploratory manner to assess trial sensitivity. Lumiracoxib provided better analgesia than placebo 3-5 hours after the first dose (P = 0.004) through to study end. The estimated difference between lumiracoxib and celecoxib 3-5 hours after the first dose was not significant (P = 0.185). Celecoxib was not significantly different from placebo in this analysis (P = 0.069). At study end 13.9% of lumiracoxib-treated patients reported complete pain relief versus 5.5% and 5.3% of celecoxib and placebo recipients, respectively. WOMAC total and subscales improved for both active treatments versus placebo except for difficulty in performing daily activities, for which celecoxib just failed to achieve significance (P = 0.056). In the patient's global evaluation of treatment effect, 58.1% of patients receiving lumiracoxib rated treatment as 'excellent' or 'good', versus 48.6% of celecoxib and 25.3% of placebo patients. Lumiracoxib was well tolerated. The overall incidence of adverse events was similar across treatment groups.     

Effect of oestrogen on the sleep,mood, and anxiety of menopausal women.

A double-blind controlled study of the effect of piperazine oestrone sulphate on sleep, depression, anxiety, and hot flushes was performed in 34 perimenopausal women. Half of the patients were given six weeks'' placebo followed by eight weeks'' oestrogen, and half remained on placebo throughout. Sleep was recorded electrophysiologically every week, and mood and anxiety were rated daily by means of visual analogue scales. Hot flushes were counted daily. Observer rating scales of anxiety and depression were complete at intervals. During the first month of active treatment the amount of intervening wakefulness in the first six hours of sleep decreased significantly more in the oestrone group than in those on placebo. Between the baseline period and the second treatment month the oestrone group showed a significantly greater decrease in the total amount of intervening wakefulness and in the frequency of awakenings. Their total amount of rapid eye movement sleep increased. Mood and anxiety improved and the number of hot flushes decreased to a similar degree in both groups. Although oestrogen did reduce the number of episodes of wakefulness in perimenopausal women complaining of insomnia, its effects on their psychological symptoms were little different to those of placebo.     

Ingestion of coffee polyphenols suppresses deterioration of skin barrier function after barrier disruption,concomitant with the modulation of autonomic nervous system activity in healthy subjects

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of consumption of coffee polyphenols (CPPs) on the autonomic nervous system activity and decreased skin barrier function caused by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment. In this single-blind, placebo-controlled study, ten healthy male subjects consumed either a beverage containing CPPs or a placebo beverage for four weeks. CPPs significantly suppressed the deterioration in skin barrier function and skin moisture content induced by SDS treatment after the third week. Furthermore, in the heart rate variability analysis, CPPs significantly produced an increase in parasympathetic nervous activity, and a decrease in sympathetic nervous activity after the four weeks of beverage consumption. These results suggest that CPPs might influence the regulation of the autonomic nervous system and contribute to the suppressive effect on deterioration of skin barrier function.     

Genome-wide association mapping of fruit-quality traits using genotyping-by-sequencing approach in citrus landraces,modern cultivars,and breeding lines in Japan

Association mapping is an attractive method to identify QTLs in perennial horticultural crops such as citrus, as it does not need a designed cross between parental genotypes and can save time and labor to construct a segregating population. It usually requires more genetic markers than linkage-based QTL mapping owing to a lower degree of linkage disequilibrium (LD). However, recent advances in next-generation sequencing offer high-throughput, cost-effective methods, including genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), for genotyping massive amounts of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of fruit-quality traits in citrus using SNPs obtained by GBS. We evaluated 110 citrus accessions, including landraces, modern cultivars, and breeding lines, for eight fruit-quality traits (fruit weight, fruit skin color, fruit surface texture, peelability, pulp firmness, segment firmness, sugar content, and acid content) during 2005 to 2012 (except 2007). GBS found 2309 SNPs, which we anchored to the clementine reference genome. We evaluated LD in the 110 accessions and confirmed that GBS gave enough SNPs to conduct GWAS. We identified seven QTLs, including four novel ones, comprising four significant QTLs for fruit weight and one QTL each for fruit skin color, pulp firmness, and segment firmness. These QTLs offer promise for use in citrus crossbreeding.     

Preinduction cervical priming with PGE2 vaginal film in primigravidae--a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study

Previous reports with an 850 micrograms prostaglandin E2 film for cervical ripening before induction of labour in term pregnancy have been favourable. These studies however had no controls. The present study compares this PGE2 vaginal film with a nonmedicated similar vaginal film (placebo) for preinduction cervical ripening in primigravid women at term. A total of 69 women with modified Bishop's cervical scores 1-5 were assigned randomly to either the PGE2 group (33 women) or placebo group (36 women). Cervical score assessments were made at 12 and 24 hours after which labour was induced by amniotomy and oxytocin infusion. Although the cervical scores between placebo and PGE2 groups at 12 and 24 hours were not significantly different, the scores were marginally better with the prostaglandin film. Pregnancy outcome was satisfactory in both groups with no perinatal or maternal mortality and morbidity. The caesarean rate was 30.6% in the placebo group and 24.2% in the PGE2 group. This study emphasizes the need for a control group when studying the success of agents used for ripening the pregnant cervix at term.     

The effect of spironolactone on genital skin 5 alpha-reductase activity

The effect of spironolactone (S) on genital skin 5 alpha-reductase activity (5 alpha-RA) of hirsute women (HW) in vivo as well as in normal genital skin in vitro was evaluated. Thirteen HW (Ferriman-Gallwey score of 23.3 +/- 2.8) received S 100 mg twice a day for a month. Twenty-three non-hirsute women were selected as controls for the assessment of genital skin 5 alpha-RA. S was added to incubations of genital skin from 9 additional controls in vitro in concentrations from 1.2 X 10(-8) to 10(-5) M. HW had significantly higher conversion ratios (CR) of T to DHT compared to controls (P less than 0.05). Post treatment values for the CR T to DHT were significantly lower than prior to S (17.5 +/- 1.7 and 8.05 +/- 1.2%, P less than 0.05) and the mass of DHT produced also decreased by 37 +/- 9% (P less than 0.05). The CR T to 3 alpha-diol decreased by 30 +/- 9% (P less than 0.05). In 11 of 13 women, a significant reduction of 5 alpha-RA was demonstrated while in 2 patients the activity remained unchanged. The maximum in vitro inhibitory effect of S on the CR T to DHT occurred with a concentration of 1.2 X 10(-5) M (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, S has a direct inhibitory effect on 5 alpha-RA. The beneficial effect of S treatment in HW may be related, in part, to this inhibition of 5 alpha-RA.     

采后钙处理对梨果实钙的形态和果胶及相关代谢酶类影响的研究

研究了黄花梨经浸钙处理后,果实钙形态转变及果胶含量、多聚半乳糖醛酸酶（PG）和果胶甲酯酶（PME）活力的变化,以及果实硬度的变化。结果表明：浸钙处理的果实总钙含量显著提高,其硬度明显高于对照,且有利于细胞膜透性的保持;梨果实中的NaCl溶性钙最多,其次是水溶性钙,醋酸溶性钙和HCl溶性钙含量较少。在果实贮藏21d时,水溶性钙含量有一个上升的过程,而NaCl溶性钙则有一个下降的过程。浸钙处理后,除醋酸溶性钙外,果实中的水、NaCl和HCl溶性钙含量均有显著的提高。浸钙处理明显抑制了果胶的降解进程与PG的活力,但对PME抑制作用不明显。浸钙处理能提高果实硬度可能与浸钙处理抑制了PG活力有关。     

Effect of salcatonin given intranasally on early postmenopausal bone loss.

OBJECTIVE--To study the effect of salmon calcitonin (salcatonin) given intranasally on calcium and bone metabolism in early postmenopausal women. DESIGN--Double blind, placebo controlled, randomised group comparison. SETTING--Outpatient clinic for research into osteoporosis. SUBJECTS--52 Healthy women who had had a natural menopause two and a half to five years previously. INTERVENTIONS--The 52 women were allocated randomly to two years of treatment with either salcatonin 100IU given intranasally (n = 26) or placebo (n = 26). Both groups received a calcium supplement of 500 mg daily. Seven of the women receiving salcatonin and six of those receiving placebo left the study before its end. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Bone mineral content in the spine, the total skeleton, and the forearms after two years of treatment. RESULTS--Bone mineral content in the spine was significantly higher in the women who had received salcatonin than in those who had received placebo both after one year and after two years of treatment. After one year the difference was 3.8% (95% confidence interval 0.0 to 7.6%) and after two years it was 8.2% (3.8 to 12.6%). In contrast, the bone mineral content in the distal and proximal forearms and in the total skeleton declined similarly in both groups by about 2% each year, and after two years of treatment the differences between the groups were not significant. Biochemical estimates of bone turnover were not affected by salcatonin. CONCLUSION--The results suggest that salcatonin given intranasally in the dose used prevents bone loss in the spine of early post menopausal women but does not affect the peripheral skeleton.     

Near field effect on elasticity measurement for cartilage-bone structure using Lamb wave method

Background

Cartilage elasticity changes with cartilage degeneration. Hence, cartilage elasticity detection might be an alternative to traditional imaging methods for the early diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Based on the wave propagation measurement, Shear wave elastography (SWE) become an emerging non-invasive elasticity detection method. The wave propagation model, which is affected by tissue shapes, is crucial for elasticity estimating in SWE. However, wave propagation model for cartilage was unclear.

Methods

This study aimed to establish a wave propagation model for the cartilage-bone structure. We fabricated a cartilage-bone structure, and studied the elasticity measurement and wave propagation by experimental and numerical Lamb wave method (LWM).

Results

Results indicated the wave propagation model satisfied the lamb wave theory for two-layered structure. Moreover, a near field region, which affects wave speed measurements and whose occurrence can be prevented if the wave frequency is larger than one critical frequency, was observed.

Conclusion

Our findings would provide a theoretical foundation for further application of LWM in elasticity measurement of cartilage in vivo. It can help the application of LWM to the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

     

Effect of a long acting GnRH analogue or placebo on plasma LH/FSH, urethral pressure profiles and clinical signs of urinary incontinence due to Sphincter mechanism incompetence in bitches

In 23 bitches with urinary incontinence due to spaying, the effect of treatment with a long-acting formulation of leuprolide acetate on frequency of incontinence, plasma gonadotropin levels and urodynamic parameters was evaluated. In addition, the clinical effect was compared with that of treatment with alpha-adrenergics. Before treatment, the dogs' incontinent episodes occurred, on average, 4 times per day on up to 6 days per week. In the pre-trial after therapy with phenylpropanolamine (n=23) the episodes of incontinence decreased by 92%, in the double-blind study 5 weeks after GnRH-analogue (n=11) by 71%; and by 28% after the placebo (n=12). By the end of the study, nine of twenty-two leuprolide treated bitches responded completely to treatment and were continent for periods lasting 70-575 days after treatment. In another 10 dogs, response to therapy was partial and the frequency of incontinence was reduced by at least 50%. After therapy with placebo, one bitch had no episodes of incontinence for 412 days. Treatment with the GnRH-analogue significantly decreased the plasma gonadotropin levels but there was no correlation between the effect on gonadotropin levels and response to treatment. Treatment with leuprolide or placebo had no effect on urethral closure pressure regardless of the response to treatment. The hypothesis that the change of the plasma gonadotropin levels after spaying is the cause of reduced urethral closure function was not supported by the results of this study. A possible direct effect of GnRH-analogues on the bladder is discussed. Long acting GnRH analogues appear to be a well-tolerated alternative for urinary incontinence treatment, but they appear to be less effective than the alpha-adrenergics.     

Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on prostacyclin production in trophoblast

In attempt to elucidate whether acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has an in vivo effect on prostacyclin (PGI2)-like activity released from trophoblast we have evaluated PGI2-like activity in pregnant women scheduled for pregnancy termination after ASA ingestion. Following subjects were studied: Group I: 7 healthy pregnant women who were treated with 1.5 g ASA for two days; Group II: 18 control pregnant women who received placebo for two days. Trophoblast specimens were obtained by legal abortions; PGI2-like activity in trophoblast was measured by the method of Moncada. In normal pregnant women (8-10 weeks gestation) treated with ASA the mean PGI2-like activity of trophoblast significantly decreased compared to the controls. These data indicate that treatment with ASA of early pregnant women might have a harmful effect on trophoblast and the problem should be further explored before allowing the administration of cyclooxygenase inhibiting drugs during early pregnancy.     

Small and Large Deformation Rheology of Acid Gels from Transglutaminase Treated Milks

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of microbial transglutaminase on the rheological and mechanical properties of gels from a commercial UHT milk made by acidification with d-gluconic-acid-δ-lactone. Although further heating of UHT milk, primarily carried out to inactivate the enzyme, showed a significant impact on gel firmness, we observed no enzyme-related effects at small deformation. The impact of the additional thermal treatment was also evident in large deformation measurements. In these experiments, gels from enzyme-treated milk revealed much higher elasticity and rupture force. Prolonged incubation time or increased enzyme concentration resulted in lower gel firmness (small deformation), indicating a reduced number of total bonds as a result of the restriction of proper rearrangements during acidification. Large deformation measurements revealed a heat-induced amplification of this effect, i.e., lower rupture forces at almost constant elasticity levels. In gels from milk, which was not subjected to thermal enzyme inactivation, we observed a further increase in both parameters. This is presumably caused by a combination of residual enzyme activity and of additional substrate, liberated during acidification.     

QTL analysis of fruit quality in fresh market tomato: a few chromosome regions control the variation of sensory and instrumental traits

The organoleptic quality of tomato fruit involves a set of attributes (flavour, aroma, texture) that can be evaluated either by sensory analyses or by instrumental measures. In order to study the genetic control of this characteristic, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed from an intraspecific cross between a cherry tomato line with a good overall aroma intensity and an inbred line with medium flavour but bigger fruits. A total of 38 traits involved in organoleptic quality were evaluated. Physical traits included fruit weight, diameter, colour, firmness, and elasticity. Chemical traits were dry matter weight, titratable acidity, pH, and the contents of soluble solids, sugars, lycopene, carotene, and 12 aroma volatiles. A panel of trained assessors quantified sensory attributes: flavour (sweetness and sourness), aroma (overall aroma intensity, together with candy, lemon, citrus fruit, and pharmaceutical aromas) and texture (firmness, meltiness, mealiness, juiciness, and skin difficult to swallow). RILs showed a large range of variation. Molecular markers were used to map a total of 130 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the 38 traits. They were mainly distributed in a few chromosome regions. Major QTLs (R(2) >30%) were detected for fruit weight, diameter, colour, firmness, meltiness, and for six aroma volatiles. The relationships between instrumental measures and sensory traits were analysed with regard to the QTL map. A special insight was provided about the few regions where QTLs are related to multiple traits. A few examples are shown to illustrate how the simultaneous analysis of QTL segregation for related traits may aid in understanding the genetic control of quality traits and pave the way towards QTL characterization.     

Value of bromocriptine in unexplained primary infertility: a double-blind controlled trial.

In a double-blind controlled study, 47 women with unexplained primary infertility were allocated at random to treatment with either bromocriptine 2.5 mg twice daily (24 patients) or placebo (23). Both groups showed a fall in serum prolactin concentrations but the reduction was much greater in the bromocriptine-treated group. Neither group showed a change in serum oestrogen or progesterone concentrations. Bromocriptine significantly reduced the duration of the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle but had no effect on the luteal phase. Five women conceived during treatment with placebo and seven during treatment with bromocriptine, but analysis of the cumulative conception rates showed no significant difference between the groups. The women who conceived were significantly younger and had a significantly shorter history of infertility than the women who did not conceive, but subtracting the number of years of infertility from age eliminated this difference. The results show that bromocriptine in the dose and duration of administration used in the trial is of no value in unexplained primary infertility.     

Randomised,double blind,placebo controlled trial of penicillin V and amoxycillin in treatment of acute sinus infections in adults.

OBJECTIVES--To compare the effectiveness of penicillin V and amoxycillin with placebo in treatment of adult patients with acute sinusitis. DESIGN--Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. SETTING--Norwegian general practice. SUBJECTS--130 adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute sinusitis confirmed by computed tomography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Subjective status after three and 10 days of treatment, difference in clinical severity score between day 0 and day 10 as evaluated by the general practitioner, difference in score from computed tomography on day 0 and day 10, and duration of sinusitis. RESULTS--Amoxycillin and penicillin V led to significantly faster and better recovery than placebo. By day 10, 71 patients receiving antibiotic treatment- (86%) considered themselves to be recovered or much better compared with 25 (57%) receiving placebo. The mean (95% confidence interval) reductions in clinical severity scores by day 10 were 5.4 (5.0 to 5.8) for penicillin V, 5.5 (4.9 to 6.0 for amoxycillin, and 3.4 (2.8 to 4.0) for placebo. For the antibiotic groups combined the number of patients with the greatest degree of improvement on computed tomography (scale 0-16)-that is, score 5-16 on day 10-was 31/83 (37%) compared with 10/44 (23%) receiving placebo. The median duration of the sinusitis was nine days in the amoxycillin group, 11 days in the penicillin V group, and 17 days in the placebo group. CONCLUSION--Penicillin V and amoxycillin are significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of acute sinusitis.     

Calcitonin, estrogens and the bone

Estrogen deficiency following natural or surgical menopause, is thought to be the main factor leading to postmenopausal bone loss. Furthermore, after estrogen failure a significant reduction of intestinal calcium absorption and a negativization of calcium balance has been observed. The mechanism of estrogen effect on skeletal tissue is not yet fully elucidated. Recently, specific receptors for estrogens in osteoblastic cells have been described; however their low density does not give a full explanation about their functional role. Therefore estrogens act, at least in part, indirectly through calciotropic hormones. In order to further elucidate this issue, we performed some studies in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients and in fertile oophorectomized women. In the first double blind placebo controlled study, after a 1-year estrogen treatment period we observed an increase in bone mineral content in the hormone-treated patients. Furthermore, in all treated patients an improvement of intestinal calcium absorption was detected, while 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D serum levels did not show significant changes. To further analyse the relationship between estrogens (E) and calcitonin (CT) in postmenopausal osteoporosis, we performed a double blind placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of 1-yr estro-progestative treatment on CT secretory reserve, evaluated by calcium infusion test. Blood levels of CT showed a progressive increase during the study period in the hormone-treated group, with a significant increase in the CT response to calcium stimulation test, suggesting a modulation of CT secretion by E. Recently, we performed two studies in fertile oophorectomized women. In the first, we followed longitudinally 24 fertile women for 1 yr. In these patients we measured, before and after oophorectomy, biochemical indexes of bone metabolism and bone mass. During the observation period a significant increase in bone resorption and a significant drop in intestinal calcium absorption was observed. In the second study, performed on 14 women before and 6 months after oophorectomy, a treatment with conjugated estrogens allowed the correction of the primary intestinal defect responsible for the reduced calcium absorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)