Enhancement of trans-resveratrol photostability by encapsulation in lipid microparticles: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Lipid microparticles (LMs) loaded with the antioxidant polyphenol, trans-resveratrol were developed in order to enhance its photostability in topical formulations. The LMs were prepared by the melt emulsification technique, using tristearin as the lipidic material and hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine as the surfactant. The obtained microparticles were characterized by optical microscopy and release studies. The trans-resveratrol loading was 10.8% (w/w). Free or microencapsulated trans-resveratrol was introduced in model topical formulations (cream and hydrogel) and irradiated with a solar simulator. The light-induced degradation of trans-resveratrol was significantly reduced by incorporation into the LMs both in the cream (the trans-resveratrol loss decreased from 34.3% to 19.9%) and in the hydrogel (the trans-resveratrol decomposition decreased from 15.4% to 9.4%) vehicles. Moreover, the in vitro (i.e., antioxidant action) and in vivo (i.e., anti-inflammatory action) biological activities of trans-resveratrol in the cream preparation were not altered by the encapsulation process.

Surgical treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and to compare the surgical course, post-surgical course and particularly post-surgical pain of the laparoscopic and laparotomic methods. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a surgical study on dermoid cysts at the Gynecology Department of Siena University between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 1996. The selected cases were randomized into two groups based on surgical approach: via laparotomy (n=22) or laparoscopy (n=22). Surgical times, estimated blood loss, post-surgical pain, time in hospital, speed of recovery and complications were compared. RESULTS: Mean blood loss was significantly less for laparoscopy (58.64+/-30.17 ml versus 103.84+/-38.45 ml, P<0.05). Mean hospitalization was 6.32+/-1.09 days for laparotomy and 3.18+/-0.39 days for laparoscopy (P<0.05). Post-surgical pain was significantly less in laparoscopy patients (P<0.05). The laparoscopic technique had fewer post-surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach had many advantages. Laparoscopy should be the elective treatment for women with dermoid cysts, because it has many advantages for the patient and lower costs for the national health system.

Blood transfusion during cesarean section. A 12 years' retrospective analysis.

Transfusional practice over the last 12 years was investigated retrospectively in 1618 women submitted to lower-segment cesarean section. The overall percentage of transfused patients was low (2.4%) and it has become lower in the last four years (1.1%), in concomitance with the development of better knowledge of tissue oxygenation and with the fear of transmitting infectious diseases, factors which have led anesthesiologists to employ blood only when strictly required. Three conditions greatly increased the risk of bleeding: placenta previa, abruptio placentae and coagulation disorders. Previous cesarean section, fetal distress, dystocias and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy did not increase the risk of bleeding and no difference was found between elective and non-elective surgery. Since for elective surgery two units of blood were crossmatched, the crossmatched/transfused ratio (C/T ratio) was very high (60.8/1). To improve blood bank service efficiency, for surgical operations like cesarean section which rarely require blood, it is possible simply to recur to a type and screen (TS) procedure instead of crossmatching blood, but for categories of patients identified as being at high risk of bleeding--placenta previa, abruptio placentae, coagulation disorders--it is advisable to have crossmatched blood available in the operating theatre.