Standardized Extract from Wastes of Edible Flowers and Snail Mucus Ameliorate Ultraviolet B-Induced Damage in Keratinocytes.

Several studies have highlighted the ability of snail mucus in maintaining healthy skin conditions due to its emollient, regenerative, and protective properties. In particular, mucus derived from Helix aspersa muller has already been reported to have beneficial properties such as antimicrobial activity and wound repair capacity. In order to enhance the beneficial effects of snail mucus, a formulation enriched with antioxidant compounds derived from edible flower waste (Acmella oleracea L., Centaurea cyanus L., Tagetes erecta L., Calendula officinalis L., and Moringa oleifera Lam.) was obtained. UVB damage was used as a model to investigate in vitro the cytoprotective effects of snail mucus and edible flower extract. Results demonstrated that polyphenols from the flower waste extract boosted the antioxidant activity of snail mucus, providing cytoprotective effects in keratinocytes exposed to UVB radiation. Additionally, glutathione content, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation levels were reduced following the combined treatment with snail mucus and edible flower waste extract. We demonstrated that flower waste can be considered a valid candidate for cosmeceutical applications due to its potent antioxidant activity. Thus, a new formulation of snail mucus enriched in extracts of edible flower waste could be useful to design innovative and sustainable broadband natural UV-screen cosmeceutical products.

Impact of Mitral Annular Calcium on Outcomes after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

A high prevalence of mitral annular calcium (MAC) is expected in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI); however, data regarding the prevalence of MAC and impact on risk of cardiovascular events are lacking. To determine the prevalence of MAC and its association with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing TAVI, we retrospectively analyzed 424 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI from 2007 to 2015 and whose preoperative computed tomography images were available for assessment of MAC. Severe circumferential MAC (SC-MAC) was defined as calcification involving at least the whole posterior annulus alone or with the attachment of the anterior leaflet. Clinical outcomes were examined according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria up to 2 years. SC-MAC was found in 17.7% of patients. Patients with SC-MAC were more likely to be female, with a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation and peripheral artery disease. There were no differences between the groups regarding age, functional class, prevalence of diabetes, kidney disease, and operative risk. Female gender and peripheral artery disease were independent predictors of SC-MAC. SC-MAC did not appear to be associated with periprocedural and 30-day outcomes. At 2 years' follow-up, patients with SC-MAC had significantly higher cardiovascular and all-cause mortality rates. SC-MAC was an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality during follow-up. In conclusion, SC-MAC is a frequent finding in the TAVI population and appears to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality at 2 years' follow-up.

Feasibility of ultra-low contrast 64-slice computed tomography angiography before transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a real-world experience.

AIMS: To investigate the feasibility, image quality, and clinical implications of an ultra-low-dose contrast injection computed tomography angiography (CTA) protocol in patients scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Images obtained with 64-slice CT were retrospectively evaluated in 162 TAVI candidates with a body mass index (BMI) of ≤29 kg/m(2). A multiphasic, low iodine dose and BMI-adapted CM protocol was administered in all patients (BMI <22 kg/m(2): 40 mL; BMI 22-29 kg/m(2): 55 mL). All images were evaluated for image quality, vessel attenuation, and estimated radiation dose. The anatomy, diameters, perimeter, and area of the aortic annulus were assessed. Anatomy and diameters of peripheral vessels were also evaluated. Image quality of the aortic root and ilio-femoral vessels was diagnostic in all patients. Vascular attenuation was >200 HU at any vessel level. The mean diameters of the aortic annulus were 22 ± 3 mm (range: 16-28 mm) × 26 ± 3 mm (range: 20-33 mm); the mean perimeter was 77.0 ± 7.1 mm. After CTA, a total of 137 patients (84.6%) underwent TAVI. Mean estimated radiation dose was 20.2 ± 4.6 mSv. CONCLUSION: With our protocol, we achieved images of the aortic annulus and aorto-iliac anatomy of sufficient quality to allow patient selection and procedural planning for TAVI, with a substantial reduction of the amount of injected CM.