Parasite stress and pathogen avoidance relate to distinct dimensions of political ideology across 30 nations.

People who are more avoidant of pathogens are more politically conservative, as are nations with greater parasite stress. In the current research, we test two prominent hypotheses that have been proposed as explanations for these relationships. The first, which is an intragroup account, holds that these relationships between pathogens and politics are based on motivations to adhere to local norms, which are sometimes shaped by cultural evolution to have pathogen-neutralizing properties. The second, which is an intergroup account, holds that these same relationships are based on motivations to avoid contact with outgroups, who might pose greater infectious disease threats than ingroup members. Results from a study surveying 11,501 participants across 30 nations are more consistent with the intragroup account than with the intergroup account. National parasite stress relates to traditionalism (an aspect of conservatism especially related to adherence to group norms) but not to social dominance orientation (SDO; an aspect of conservatism especially related to endorsements of intergroup barriers and negativity toward ethnic and racial outgroups). Further, individual differences in pathogen-avoidance motives (i.e., disgust sensitivity) relate more strongly to traditionalism than to SDO within the 30 nations.

Effect of Small Change in Oil Phase Composition on Rheological and Textural Properties of w/o Emulsion.

In this work, we have modified oil phase composition in one component (mineral oil, isocetyl palmitate, special Olive butter and dimethicone 200/350) and the aim of our work was to establish the influence of that alteration on emulsion rheological and textural properties. Additionally, continuous and oscillatory rheological measurements along with texture analysis were assessed in order to predict emulsion application behavior. Based on the obtained results, the change of oil phase has induced a change in the observed rheological and textural parameters and investigated samples can be divided into two distinct groups: the first group - samples with special Olive butter and dimethicone 200/350 and the second group - samples with isocetyl palmitate and mineral oil. Results confirmed that instrumental measurements, as sensitive tools, can be used in order to differentiate emulsions regarding textural properties and especially regarding their actual usage and sensory properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: It is a known fact that the structure of semisolid systems can be characterized by various rheological and textural parameters that are also apt to define certain sensory attributes. Sensory attributes dependent on structure characteristics and flow properties, used for the description of the product in pickup and rub-out phase, could be predicted by instrumental, i.e., rheological and textural measurements. Expensive and time-consuming studies performed with human panelists could be, at least to some extent, replaced with simple rheological and textural measurements. These findings could also contribute to the faster and easier introduction of new raw materials, regarding their characterization and prediction of their influence on the final product characteristics. A combined approach like this could be helpful as both time and money-saving tool for full characterization of a novel consumer-acceptable emulsion product.

Compounding of a topical drug with prospective natural surfactant-stabilized pharmaceutical bases: physicochemical and in vitro/in vivo characterization--a ketoprofen case study.

Recently, healthcare professionals again began realizing the benefits of preparing customized medications to meet specific patient needs. The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate simple pharmaceutical bases stabilized with natural-origin surfactant of alkyl polyglucoside (APG) type as prospective ready-to-use bases and compare them to widely used pharmacopoeial ones. Additionally, the ability of the formulated bases to sustain isopropyl alcohol was assessed as well as its influence on ketoprofen skin absorption (as a co-solvent and potential penetration enhancer). In order to evaluate the manifold characteristics a topical drug product should possess, a comprehensive characterization was performed using different techniques. Physicochemical characterization demonstrated satisfactory physical stability of APG-stabilized bases upon the addition of alcohol. In vitro release/permeation studies failed to show significant difference in ketoprofen liberation/permeation profiles from different bases. However, the extent of ketoprofen delivery in vivo was clearly increased from APG bases, relative to that obtained from pharmacopoeia quality one, implying a distinct influence of the emulsion systems' colloidal structures. Taking also into account the rheological behavior of APG bases, revealing their ameliorated sensory characteristics, it could be concluded that the investigated APG bases could be considered as preferential option in drug compounding related to the conventional ones.

An alkyl polyglucoside-mixed emulsifier as stabilizer of emulsion systems: the influence of colloidal structure on emulsions skin hydration potential.

To be considered as a suitable vehicle for drugs/cosmetic actives, an emulsion system should have a number of desirable properties mainly dependent on surfactant used for its stabilization. In the current study, C(12-14) alkyl polyglucoside (APG)-mixed emulsifier of natural origin has been investigated in a series of binary (emulsifier concentration 10-25% (w/w)) and ternary systems with fixed emulsifier content (15% (w/w)) with or without glycerol. To elucidate the systems' colloidal structure the following physicochemical techniques were employed: polarization and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (WAXD and SAXD), thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), complex rheological, pH, and conductivity measurements. Additionally, the emulsion vehicles' skin hydration potential was tested in vivo, on human skin under occlusion. In a series of binary systems with fixed emulsifier/water ratios ranging from 10/90 to 25/75 the predominance of a lamellar mesophase was found, changing its character from a liquid crystalline to a gel crystalline type. The same was observed in gel emulsions containing equal amounts of emulsifier and oil (15% (w/w)), but varying in glycerol content (0-25%). Different emulsion samples exhibited different water distribution modes in the structure, reflecting their rheological behavior and also their skin hydration capacity.