Simultaneous determination of water-soluble whitening ingredients and adenosine in different cosmetic formulations by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection.

OBJECTIVE: The Korean Cosmetic Act regulates the use of functional cosmetics) by the law. Four functional cosmetic groups, whitening, anti-wrinkle, UV protection and combination of whitening and anti-wrinkle, were categorized according to the Korean Cosmetic Act and Functional Cosmetics Codex. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with photodiode array detection (DAD) was employed for the simultaneous detection of arbutin (and its decomposition product, hydroquinone), niacinamide, ascorbyl glucoside, ethyl ascorbyl ether and adenosine in functional cosmetic products such as creams, emulsions and lotions. METHODS: Separation by HPLC-DAD was conducted using a C18 column with a gradient elution of 5 mm KH2PO4 buffer (containing 0.1% phosphoric acid) and methanol (containing 0.1% phosphoric acid). The wavelengths for the detection of arbutin, hydroquinone, niacinamide, adenosine, ascorbyl glucoside and ethyl ascorbyl ether were 283, 289, 261, 257, 238 and 245 nm, respectively. RESULTS: This method exhibited good linearity (R(2) ≥ 0.999), precision (expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) < 2%) and mean recoveries (89.42-104.89%). The results obtained by monitoring 100 market samples showed that the detected levels of the tested materials are within the acceptable authorized concentration. CONCLUSION: The method developed herein is simple and can be used for market survey and quality control of functional cosmetics.

Increase of paradoxical excitement response during propofol-induced sedation in hazardous and harmful alcohol drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Paradoxical excitement response during sedation consists of loss of affective control and abnormal movements. Chronic alcohol abuse has been proposed as a predisposing factor despite lack of supporting evidence. Because alcohol and propofol have a common site of action, we postulated that paradoxical excitement responses during propofol-induced sedation occur more frequently in hazardous and harmful alcohol drinkers than in social or non-drinkers. METHODS: One hundred and ninety patients undergoing orthopaedic knee joint surgery were enrolled in this prospective and observational study. Subjects were divided into Group HD (hazardous and harmful drinkers) or Group NHD (no hazardous drinkers) according to the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT). In study 1, propofol infusion was adjusted to achieve the bispectral index at 70-80 using target-controlled infusion. In study 2, the target concentration of propofol was fixed at 0.8 (study 2/Low) or 1.4 µg ml(-1) (study 2/High). Paradoxical excitement responses were categorized by intensity into mild, moderate, or severe. RESULTS: The overall incidence of paradoxical excitement response was higher in Group HD than in Group NHD in study 1 (71.4% vs 43.8%; P=0.022) and study 2/High (70.0% vs 34.5%; P=0.006) but not in study 2/Low. The incidence of moderate-to-severe response was significantly higher in Group HD of study 1 (28.6% vs 3.1%; P=0.0005) and study 2/High (23.3% vs 3.4%; P=0.029) with no difference in study 2/Low. Severe excitement response occurred only in Group HD of study 1 and study 2/High. CONCLUSIONS: Paradoxical excitement occurred more frequently and severely in hazardous and harmful alcohol drinkers than in social drinkers during propofol-induced moderate-to-deep sedation, but not during light sedation.

Intraoperative administration of inhaled carbon monoxide reduces delayed graft function in kidney allografts in Swine.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury and delayed graft function (DGF) following organ transplantation adversely affect graft function and survival. A large animal model has not been characterized. We developed a pig kidney allograft model of DGF and evaluated the cytoprotective effects of inhaled carbon monoxide (CO). We demonstrate that donor warm ischemia time is a critical determinant of DGF as evidenced by a transient (4-6 days) increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen following transplantation before returning to baseline. CO administered to recipients intraoperatively for 1 h restored kidney function more rapidly versus air-treated controls. CO reduced acute tubular necrosis, apoptosis, tissue factor expression and P-selectin expression and enhanced proliferative repair as measured by phosphorylation of retinol binding protein and histone H3. Gene microarray analyses with confirmatory PCR of biopsy specimens showed that CO blocked proinflammatory gene expression of MCP-1 and heat shock proteins. In vitro in pig renal epithelial cells, CO blocks anoxia-reoxygenation-induced cell death while promoting proliferation. This large animal model of DGF can be utilized for testing therapeutic strategies to reduce or prevent DGF in humans. The efficacy of CO on improving graft function posttransplant validates the model and offers a potentially important therapeutic strategy to improve transplant outcomes.

Comparative fine structure of the epididymal spermatozoa from three Korean shrews with considerations on their phylogenetic relationships

This study examined the fine structures of epididymal spermatozoa on the lesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens), the Japanese white-toothed shrew (C. dsinezumi) and the big white-toothed shrew (C. lasiura) belonging to the subfamily Crocidurinae living in Korea. In the spermatozoa of C. suaveolens, the head has a large acrosome, a smooth inner acrosomal membrane and a wavy, finger-like, electron-dense apical body. The neck has a solid proximal centriole that is filled with electron-dense material. These results showed the spermatozoa of C. suaveolens possess the characteristics of both Crocidurinae and Soricinae. In C. dsinezumi and C. lasiura, the head has a large acrosome, a serrated inner acrosomal membrane and a common apical body. The neck has a fistulous proximal centriole with slightly dense elec tron granules. These results showed the typical characteristics of Crocidurinae. Although C. suaveolens belongs to the subfamily Crocidurinae, the spermatozoan morphology is different from C. dsinezumi and C. lasiurai because it has conserved characteristicsof the subfamily Soricinae.

CT findings of portal vein aneurysm caused by gastric adenocarcinoma invading the portal vein.

The known causes of acquired origin portal vein aneurysm are portal hypertension, pancreatitis and trauma. We describe the CT findings of an additional cause of acquired origin portal vein aneurysm, namely gastric adenocarcinoma invading the portal venous system.

Capsular retraction in hepatic giant hemangioma: CT and MR features.

We report two cases of hepatic giant hemangiomas with capsular retraction of the liver adjacent to the tumor on computed tomography and magnetic resonance images. Our cases show that the retraction of the liver capsule adjacent to the tumor is not a finding specific to malignant hepatic tumors but can also be observed in benign hepatic tumors.

Presacral epidermoid cyst: imaging findings with histopathologic correlation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the imaging characteristics of presacral epidermoid cysts and correlate the imaging findings with the histopathologic findings. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed sonographic, computed tomographic, and magnetic resonance examinations in four consecutive patients with a pathologically proven presacral epidermoid cyst. Imaging findings of the presacral epidermoid cyst were correlated with the histopathologic findings. RESULTS: In all four patients, sonography showed a presacral mass with a heterogeneous low echogenicity, and computed tomography showed a discrete well-defined hypodense presacral mass with a thin wall. In the three patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging, the mass showed a heterogeneous low signal intensity on the T1-weighted image and a high signal intensity with multiple small foci of low signal intensity in the nondependent portion of the mass on the T2-weighted image. These imaging findings correlated well with the pathologic results. Aggregates of keratinous material contributed to these imaging findings. CONCLUSION: In the diagnosis of the presacral epidermoid cyst, sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings may be helpful.

Chronic tuberculous epididymitis: color Doppler US findings with histopathologic correlation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the color Doppler features of tuberculous epididymitis and to correlate these findings with histopathologic findings. METHODS: Color Doppler ultrasound (US) findings of 12 histopathologically proven tuberculous epididymitis and tuberculous epididymo-orchitis in 11 consecutive patients were retrospectively analyzed. Color Doppler US findings of tuberculous epididymitis were correlated with histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Color Doppler US findings of tuberculous epididymitis demonstrated no blood flow in the epididymal lesions except for focal linear or spotty flow signals in the peripheral portion. These findings correlated well with pathologic findings; the central portion of the epididymal lesions demonstrated granulomas with caseation necrosis, and the peripheral portion of the epididymal lesions had several medium to small vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler US may be helpful for differential diagnosis of tuberculous epididymitis and non-tuberculous epididymitis.

Intrarenal pseudoaneurysms complicating renal choriocarcinoma metastases: treatment with coil embolization.

Most intrarenal pseudoaneurysms result from a laceration of the renal artery or its branches. However, tumor-induced renal pseudoaneurysm is very rare. We report a case in which embolization of an intrarenal pseudoaneurysm complicating renal metastases resulting from a choriocarcinoma was successful.

The effect of external electron beam on neointima in rat carotid artery injury model.

PURPOSE: Endovascular irradiation with either a gamma or a beta source has shown to reduce neointimal proliferation. However, the effect of external-beam radiation on neointimal hyperplasia is controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of external-beam irradiation with different doses on neointimal hyperplasia in the rat carotid artery injury model. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats underwent endothelial denudation injury by 2F Fogarty balloons on carotid artery. Immediately after the injury, rats were irradiated externally using 6-MeV electrons. Rats were grouped according to the radiation doses, 0 Gy as controls (n = 5), 5 Gy (n = 5), 10 Gy (n = 5), 15 Gy (n = 6), and 20 Gy (n = 6). Then, rats were sacrificed after 2 weeks and the carotid arteries were perfusion-fixed in paraformaldehyde. External elastic lamina (EEL) area, lumen area, maximal intimal thickness (MIT), and intimal area (IA) of the injured segments were measured on the basis of histomorphometry. RESULTS: In EEL and lumen area, there was no statistically significant difference between the irradiated groups and the controls. In MIT and IA, low-dose radiation (5 Gy and 10 Gy) did not induce any significant reduction. High-dose radiation (15 Gy and 20 Gy), however, reduced MIT and IA significantly. CONCLUSION: External electron beam reduced the intimal area, and the inhibition of neointimal proliferation was dependent upon radiation doses. This study suggests that the minimal effective dose for the inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia following denudation injury in the rat carotid model is between 10 Gy and 15 Gy.