Thermal-reversible lacquer wax-based oleofoams in dual stabilization with high ambient stability.

In this study, the effect of the content of the lacquer wax and whipping time on the overrun was explored. It was found that an appropriate amount of wax content and whipping time could promote crystal dual stabilization through the Pickering mechanism and the close packing in the bulk phase. Otherwise, it would result in low overrun caused by high viscous and crystal bridging. The addition of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) could effectively enhance the overrun by apace absorbing. At the same time, adding PGPR also improved the contact angle, which was beneficial to the adsorption at the A-O interface. The 8 wt% oleogel was partially substituted by high-melting fat palm stearin (POs) and oleofoams were prepared based on blended fat. POs increased the melting point, structural strength, and ß'-form crystal of oleofoams, thus improving the storage and temperature stability. The oleofoam has a maximum overrun of 189% and could maintain the shape of the decorating over 15 d at the ambient temperature, showing great potential in low-fat food applications and other delivery systems.

Raw Lacquer Extract from Toxicodendron vernicifluum in Combination with ONC201 Enhances the Inhibitory Effects on Colorectal Cancer Cell Activity.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present research was to explore the therapeutic impact of raw lacquer extract from Toxicodendron vernicifluum on colorectal cancer cells and to investigate the outcome of raw lacquer extract and ONC201 co-treatment on the activity of colorectal cancer cells. METHODS: The cells of HCT116 were treated with raw lacquer extract, ONC201, or co-treatment. Subsequently, MTT, trypan blue staining, colony formation, annexin V/propidium iodide staining, wound healing, and transwell assays were performed to assess the effects of raw lacquer extract, ONC201 and the synthesis effect of co-treatment on cell activity, survival, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in HCT116 cells. Western blotting and immunostaining assay were also performed to detect the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, death receptor-5, cleaved caspase-8, p-mTOR/mTOR, and p-S6K/S6K in cells. RESULTS: The results showed that ONC201 and raw lacquer extract had effective anti-cancer effects on HCT116 cells. ONC201 and raw lacquer extract treatment on colorectal cancer cells inhibited cell viability and growth, as well as induced cell apoptosis and cell death of HCT116. The migration and invasion of HCT116 cells were also inhibited. Significantly, raw lacquer extract and ONC201 cotreatment further enhanced the anti-colorectal cancer cell activity in HCT116 cells. Western blotting and immunostaining assay showed that raw lacquer extract in combination with ONC201 induced tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand/death receptor-5 expression activation, inhibited the expression of cleaved caspase-8/procaspase-8, and reduced the expression of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-S6K/S6K. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that raw lacquer extract in combination with ONC201 enhanced the inhibitory effects on colorectal cancer cell activity.

Safety assessment of oil extracted from lacquer (Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley) seed: acute and subchronic toxicity studies in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley (RVS) is an economic tree species and widely distributed in East Asia. Wood parts and raw lacquers of RVS have been used in coatings, herbal medicines or food supplements, and the leaves, flowers, roots, and fruits of RVS are also widely used in medicine traditionally. Lacquer seed oil (LSO) has potential health benefits and has not previously been evaluated for safety. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study was to investigate the toxicological potential of LSO by acute and subchronic toxicity tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The characterization of fatty acids of the LSO was carried out by gas chromatography. In the acute toxicity study, LSO was administered at single doses of 5000 or 10000 mg/kg by oral gavage. The subchronic toxicity study was conducted by daily oral administration of LSO at doses of 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg/day for 30 consecutive days. The animals were evaluated for clinical observations, body weight, organ weight, feed consumption, biochemical and hematological parameters, and liver, lung, and kidney histology. RESULTS: There were no mortality and toxic changes were observed in acute toxicity study. The results of subchronic toxicity showed no toxicologically significant changes in clinical observations, body weight, organ weight, biochemical or hematological parameters. Histopathologic results indicated slight hepatic steatosis and inflammatory infiltration in the rats of 5000 mg/kg/day LSO treated group. However, the histopathologic observation was not confirmed by hepatic biochemical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the LD50 of LSO is over 10000 mg/kg and LSO is non-toxic for SD rats in acute toxicity study. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of LSO in rats is considered to be 5000 mg/kg/day, and liver is the potential target organ of LSO for 30-day subchronic toxicity study.

Polyphenol-Enriched Extract of Lacquer Sap Used as a Dentine Primer with Benefits of Improving Collagen Cross-Linking and Antibacterial Functions.

Commercial dentin adhesive systems are applied to restorations due to their resistant bonding properties, but they suffer from the lack of bioactivity and are prone to hydrolysis. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, an eco-friendly natural monomer, urushiol, was adopted to be a primer in dentin bonding due to its interaction with collagen and antibacterial activity, preventing further hydrolysis development. First, urushiol was determined to be capable of improving the biological stability of dentin collagen through cross-linking. Using high-fidelity analytical chemistry techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, we quantified the effects of urushiol on collagen molecules. It could also effectively decrease weight loss after collagenase ingestion by improving the stability of dentin. Moreover, urushiol inhibited Streptococcus mutans growth as well as its biofilm formation. Finally, we demonstrated that the urushiol primer could improve the bonding strength, particularly after aging. The cross-linking and antibacterial functions of urushiol have provided promising developmental prospects for biomaterials in dentin adhesion.

Identification and analysis of odor-active compounds from Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) Burtt et Hill with different moisture content levels and lacquer treatments.

The problem of indoor odors can greatly affect a room's occupants. To identify odorants and comprehensively evaluate emissions from wooden materials, emissions and odors from Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) Burtt et Hill with different moisture content percentages and lacquer treatments were investigated in this study. Thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy/olfactometry was used to analyze the release characteristics. In total, 11 key odor-active compounds were identified as moisture content gradually decreased, concentrating between 15 and 33 min. Total volatile organic compounds, total very volatile organic compounds, and total odor intensity decreased as moisture content decreased. In addition, 35 odor-active compounds, including aromatics, alkenes, aldehydes, esters, and alcohols, were identified in the odor control list. Polyurethane (PU), ultraviolet (UV), and waterborne coatings had a good inhibitory effect on eight odor characteristics, but some scents arose after lacquer treatment. For equilibrium moisture content, the major characteristics of Choerospondias axillaris were fragrant (9.4) and mint-like (3.0) compared with the fragrant (8.2), fruity (7.8), and pleasant (5.8) characteristics of PU coating; the flowery (5.9), fragrant (5.0), glue-like (4.3), and pineapple-like (4.3) characteristics of UV coating; and the antiseptic solution (3.6), fragrant (2.9), cigarette-like (2.8), and fruity (2.5) characteristics of waterborne coating. Based on multicomponent evaluation, a Choerospondias axillaris board with waterborne coating was suggested for use indoors.

Microbial Growth on the Nails of Direct Patient Care Nurses Wearing Nail Polish.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether nurses wearing nail polish pose a greater infection risk to patients than nurses who are not wearing nail polish. SAMPLE & SETTING: 89 direct patient care oncology nurses at a large midwestern National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. METHODS & VARIABLES: The investigators assigned participants' three middle fingers of their dominant hand to three groups. RESULTS: Comparison of colony-forming units revealed that one-day-old polish exhibited fewer gram-positive microorganisms than the unpolished nail (p = 0.04). The four-day-old polish showed significantly more microorganisms than the one-day-old polish (p = 0.03). The same trend was demonstrated for gram-negative microorganisms, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.3 and p = 0.17, respectively). IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The results should be interpreted and applied to expert nursing practice in the care of vulnerable patient populations. Each institution and practitioner should make their own decisions and interpretation of evidence into practice.

Randomized controlled trial comparing long-pulsed 1064-Nm neodymium: Yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser alone, topical amorolfine nail lacquer alone, and a combination for nondermatophyte onychomycosis treatment.

BACKGROUND: Studies of the laser treatment of nondermatophyte mold (NDM) onychomycosis are limited. Long-pulsed neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) 1064-nm laser has been introduced as an adjuvant dermatophyte onychomycosis treatment. AIMS: To investigate the efficacy and safety of long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser for NDM onychomycosis treatment, compared with topical amorolfine nail lacquer alone and a combination treatment. PATIENTS/METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Nail Clinic, Siriraj Hospital. Patients diagnosed with NDM were included and randomly assigned to three treatment groups: laser at 1 month interval (1064-nm Nd:YAG at a fluence of 35 J/cm2 , pulse width 30 ms, and pulse rate 1.0 Hz); topical amorolfine nail lacquer alone; and a combination treatment. RESULTS: Sixty patients completed the study. The patients treated with the laser, amorolfine, and the combination achieved mycological cure rates of 35%, 60%, and 65%, respectively (P = .05), while 10%, 30%, and 30% of the patients in the respective groups were clinically cured. The mean durations to the mycological cures in the patients treated with laser, amorolfine, and the combination were 5.9, 4.8, and 5.2 months, respectively. By comparison, the corresponding mean durations to the clinical cures were 6.9, 6.5, and 5.9 months. Both the times to the mycological cures and the clinical cures did not differ significantly between the groups (P = .290 and P = .309, respectively). There were no serious complications with the laser treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Laser alone achieved only a 30% mycological cure rate for NDM onychomycosis. The combination treatment yielded similar outcomes to the topical treatment alone.

Toward the characterisation of non-intentionally added substances migrating from polyester-polyurethane lacquers by comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technologies.

Polyester-polyurethane lacquer, used to cover the inner surface of metallic food contact materials, may transfer non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) to the food. The identification of such a diversity of compounds, considered as migrating substances, requires taking advantage of complementary analytical platforms. Therefore, four types of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) couplings were investigated and compared for their abilities to identify migrating substances after acetonitrile extraction of two commercialised lacquers. In parallel, various ionisation sources, i.e. electron ionisation (EI) (70 eV and soft energies) and atmospheric-pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) as well as various mass analysers, i.e. quadrupole, time-of-flight (low and high resolution) and Orbitrap, were tested. Comparison of mass spectra with a commercial library for EI ionisation source led to the identification of two NIAS compounds, isophorone diisocyanate and 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate. Additionally, many cyclic oligoesters (four monomer units) were unambiguously identified according to supplier's declaration on starting materials used, primarily based on the molecular ion observed by APCI mode and characteristic fragment ions. High resolution mass analysers also enhanced confidence level in such NIAS identification. One- and two-dimensional GC were also investigated for separation assessment. Although GC × GC did not reveal additional NIAS, its use provided a valuable mapping of oligomers according to monomers composition. These results were compared to our previously published LC-MS study, carried out on the same lacquer samples. This study shows that LC and GC, along with their related ionisation techniques and their own selectivity, are complementary approaches, revealing different classes of compounds covering a wide range of volatility and polarity.

Characterization of polysaccharides purified from Lacquer tree seed cakes and its antioxidant activity.

Three polysaccharides, LTPS-1, LTPS-21 and LTPS-31 were isolated and purified from the seed cakes of lacquer tree using DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. The total sugar contents of LTPS-1, LTPS-21 and LTPS-31 were 931.8, 958.2 and 895.1 g kg-1, respectively. LTPS-1 (3.48 kDa) was mainly composed of rhamnose, arabinose, glucose and galactose in a ratio of 35.36:5.06:1:2. LTPS-21 (11.4 kDa) was mainly composed of rhamnose, arabinose, mannose and galactose in a ratio of 41.93:21.8:1.01:9.24. LTPS-31 (19.49 kDa) was mainly composed of rhamnose, arabinose and mannose in a ratio of 38.31:16.44:1.1. IR analysis suggested they contained lower sulphuric acids, the LTPS-21 and LTPS-31 belonged to ß-type polysaccharide. Among the three polysaccharides, LTPS-21 exhibited the strongest reducing power, scavenging activity on ABTS and hydroxyl radicals. These findings suggested that polysaccharides from the seed cakes could be potentially developed as natural functional ingredients in the food and cosmetic industry.

Combination therapy for onychomycosis using a fractional 2940-nm Er:YAG laser and 5 % amorolfine lacquer.

Onychomycosis remains difficult to cure by traditional methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy with a fractional erbium yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser and 5 % amorolfine lacquer on onychomycosis. Nine patients with bilateral nails affected by distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis were included. The bilateral nails of each patient were divided into two groups. The 20 affected nails on one side of each patient as group 1 were treated with a fractional Er:YAG laser once a week and 5 % amorolfine lacquer twice weekly, while the 20 nails on the symmetrical side of each patient as group 2 were treated with amorolfine lacquer only. The laser treatment was conducted at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 12 in group 1. The clinical improvement, onychomycosis severity index (OSI), maximum linear clear nail growth (MLCNG), and mycological cure rate were evaluated. At week 24, 18 of 20 (90 %) nails in group 1 had achieved obvious clinical responses. The mean OSI score showed a significant decrease (5.24) and the average MLCNG was 3.1 mm in group 1. At week 24, 15 of 20 (75 %) nails achieved a negative mycological examination in group 1, compared with four of 20 (20 %) nails in group 2. The treatments were well-tolerated by most patients. This clinical study suggests that combination therapy of a fractional 2940-nm Er:YAG laser and 5 % amorolfine lacquer is an effective, safe, and convenient treatment method for onychomycosis.

[Comparison of different nail polish in terms of photoprotective efficacy. Interest of their use as supportive care in patients with cancer]. / Comparaison de différents vernis à ongles en matière d'efficacité photoprotectrice. Étude de l'intérêt de leur recours en soins de support en oncologie.

Many different chemotherapy drugs including cytotoxics and docetaxel in particular are responsible for side effects involving the nails. To prevent these negative effects, patients are advised to apply nail polish. The aim of this article is to study the photoprotective effect of various products applied in two layers. Sixty-five commercially-available products were tested in vitro. It was found that certain bases can provide non-negligible levels of photoprotection on their own. However, it was noted that nail polishes capable of forming an opaque film were the most interesting, with Sun protection factor (SPF) values of 500 or more, which is a lot higher than the values obtained with sun protection products and similar to levels which can be reached with protection through clothing. It appears that opaque nail polishes applied in two layers are likely to provide excellent protection for nails regarding ultraviolet radiation. If the dark colors are particularly effective towards the ultraviolet radiation, we can also obtain a very good protection with varied colors. The use of one or several UV filters in the formula of the mail polish does not appear to have a particular interest.

Matrix effect on leaching of Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) from epoxy resin based inner lacquer of aluminium tubes into semi-solid dosage forms.

To study the impact of different semi-solid dosage form components on the leaching of Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) from the epoxy resin-based inner lacquer of aluminium tubes, the tubes were filled with different matrix preparations and stored at an elevated temperature. Despite compliance with the European Standards EN 15348 and EN 15766 on porosity and polymerisation of internal coatings of aluminium tubes, the commercially available tubes used in the study contained an increased amount of polymerisation residues, such as unbound BPA, BADGE and BADGE derivatives in the lacquer, as determined by acetonitrile extraction. Storage of Macrogol ointments in these tubes resulted in an almost quantitative migration of the unbound polymerisation residues from the coating into the ointment. In addition, due to alterations observed in the RP-HPLC chromatograms of the matrix spiked with BADGE and BADGE derivatives it is supposed that the leachates can react with formulation components. The contamination of the medicinal product by BPA, BADGE and BADGE derivatives can be precluded by using aluminium tubes with an internal lacquer with a low degree of unbound polymerisation residues.

Removal of nail polish and finger rings to prevent surgical infection.

BACKGROUND: Surgical wound infections may be caused by the transfer of bacteria from the hands of surgical teams to patients during operations. Surgical scrubbing prior to surgery reduces the number of bacteria on the skin, but wearing rings and nail polish on the fingers may reduce the efficacy of scrubbing, as bacteria may remain in microscopic imperfections of nail polish and on the skin beneath rings. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of the presence or absence of rings and nail polish on the hands of the surgical scrub team on postoperative wound infection rates. SEARCH METHODS: For this fifth update, we searched The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (searched 23 July 2014); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE and EBSCO CINAHL. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of wearing or removing finger rings and nail polish on the efficacy of the surgical scrub and postoperative wound infection rate. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: All abstracts were checked against a checklist to determine whether they fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Full reports of relevant studies were obtained. Excluded trial reports were checked by all review authors to ensure appropriate exclusion. MAIN RESULTS: We identified: no new trials; no RCTs that compared wearing of rings with the removal of rings; and no trials of nail polish versus no nail polish that measured surgical infection rates. We found one small RCT (102 scrub nurses) that evaluated the effect of nail polish on the number of bacterial colony forming units left on hands after pre-operative surgical scrubbing. Nurses had either unpolished nails, freshly-applied nail polish (less than two days old), or old nail polish (more than four days old). There were no significant differences in the number of bacteria on hands between the groups before and after surgical scrubbing. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: No trials have investigated whether wearing nail polish or finger rings affects the rate of surgical wound infection. There is insufficient evidence to determine whether wearing nail polish affects the number of bacteria on the skin post-scrub.

The use of the Er:YAG 2940nm laser associated with amorolfine lacquer in the treatment of onychomycosis / Uso do laser de Er:YAG 2940nm associado ao esmalte de amorolfina no tratamento da onicomicose

Onychomycosis is a common disease, accounting for up to 50% of all ungual pathologies. We have been developing a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01528813) using a 2940nm Er:YAG laser to fractionally ablate human nails in vivo, aiming to increase topical amorolfine lacquer delivery to the nail unit, increasing the efficacy of topical treatment of distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis. Partial results have shown an increase in areas of nail plate free of disease. We believe that ablative lasers can increase the efficacy of topical onychomycosis treatment.

A onicomicose é afecção frequente, representando até 50% do total das doenças ungueais. Um ensaio clinico (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01528813) em atual desenvolvimento usa o laser de Er:YAG 2940nm para realizar ablação fracionada in vivo de unhas humanas visando aumentar a permeabilidade ungueal ao esmalte de amorolfina, visando aumentar a eficácia do tratamento tópico da onicomicose subungueal distal lateral. Resultados parciais tem demonstrado um aumento na área ungueal livre de doença nas unhas tratadas com o laser, em comparação ao uso isolado do esmalte. Acreditamos que lasers ablativos possam aumentar a eficácia do tratamento tópico da onicomicose.

Comparative clinical evaluation of efficacy and safety of a formulation containing ciclopirox 8% in the form of a therapeutic nail lacquer in two different posologies for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toes / Avaliação clínica comparativa da eficácia e da segurança de formulação contendo ciclopirox a 8% na forma de esmalte terapêutico em duas diferentes posologias no tratamento de onicomicoses dos pododáctilos

BACKGROUND: The use of topical antifungal agents in the treatment of onychomycosis is of great value in clinical practice as there are different limitations regarding the use of systemic treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a nail lacquer formulation containing ciclopirox 8% in two different posologies: the traditional regimen (3/2/1) and a regimen of weekly use. METHODS: A blind, randomized, comparative trial which included 41 patients divided into 02 groups, with Group I using the nail lacquer once weekly and Group II using the traditional regimen (3/2/1). Both groups applied the medication for 06 months. RESULTS: The species most frequently found in groups I and II were Trichophyton rubrum (55% and 61.9%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (30% and 19%). There was a tendency to a higher level of treatment resistance by T. mentagrophytes infection in both groups, without any predilection for sex, age, proportion of the nail affected at the beginning of the study, duration of the clinical disease and quantity of nails affected per person. Both groups had significant levels of mycological cure, clinical response and therapeutic success and there was no statistically significant difference between groups I and II (p >0.05). CONCLUSION: The nail lacquer containing ciclopirox 8% was equally effective at a weekly dose when compared to the traditional dosing (3/2/1), allowing a more comfortable regimen.

FUNDAMENTOS: A utilização de antifúngicos tópicos na terapêutica da onicomicose é de grande valor na prática clínica, visto que há diferentes limitações ao uso das opções terapêuticas sistêmicas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar comparativamente a eficácia e a segurança de uma formulação de esmalte de ciclopirox a 8% em dois diferentes esquemas posológicos: o esquema tradicional (3/2/1) e um esquema posológico de uso semanal. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo cego, comparativo e randomizado que incluiu 41 pacientes, divididos em dois grupos, sendo o grupo I submetido ao esquema posológico de uma vez por semana e o grupo II submetido ao esquema posológico tradicional (3/2/1). Os grupos utilizaram a medicação por 180 dias. RESULTADOS: As espécies mais frequentemente encontradas nos grupos I e II foram Trichophyton rubrum (55% e 61,9%) e Trichophyton mentagrophytes (30% e 19%). Houve tendência de maior resistência ao tratamento pelo T. mentagrophytes nos dois grupos estudados, sem predileção por sexo, idade, proporção de acometimento ungueal inicial, tempo de evolução do quadro ou número de unhas acometidas por indivíduo. Ambas as modalidades apresentaram índices significativos de cura micológica, resposta clínica e sucesso terapêutico, e não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos I e II (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O esmalte contendo ciclopirox a 8% mostrou-se igualmente eficaz na posologia de uma vez por semana quando comparada à posologia tradicional (3/2/1), permitindo um esquema posológico mais confortável.

Psoriasis ungueal: experiencia con el tratamiento combinado de clobetasol al 8 por ciento en laca ungueal y calcipotriol / Combined clobetasol and calcipotriol treatment for nail psoriasis

La psoriasis ungueal es un problema común en los pacientes psoriáticos, con una incidencia de vida de 90%. A pesar de su alta incidencia y del gran impacto que produce en la calidad de vida, ha sido poco estudiada y el tratamiento óptimo aún no está bien dilucidado. Los corticoides tópicos y los análogos de la vitamina D son las terapias más usadas, pero no existe un esquema estándar para su uso. La combinación de estos agentes se ha estudiado en los últimos años para pacientes con afectación de la matriz y del lecho ungueal, mostrando muy buenos resultados. El caso que presentamos demuestra la sinergia entre estos agentes.

Nail psoriasis is a common problem among psoriatic patients, with a lifetime incidence of 90%. Despite its high incidence and severe impact on the quality of life, it has not been fully studied and the optimal treatment is still unclear. Topical glucocorticosteroids and vitamin D analogues are the most used therapies, but there is no standard therapeutic regimen for their use. The combination of both of these agents has been studied during the last years for the treatment of patients with matrix and bed nail compromise, showing very good results. The case that we present shows the synergy between these agents.

[Drug-induced toxic hepatitis]. / Medikamentös-toxische Hepatitis.

A 55-year-old male patient was hospitalized with severe nausea, vomiting and icterus. Laboratory testing showed hepatocellular damage. After exhaustive testing, the exclusion diagnosis of a toxic hepatitis was reached. There was a strong temporal correlation with the ingestion of Hong Hua 29, a preparation from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This medication had been started twelve days prior to the first appearance of symptoms. The existing drug regimen included gabapentin (Neurontin), esomeprazole (Nexium) and prednisone (Prednison Streuli) for the therapy of an acute sensory and motor neuropathy of unknown aetiology. After cessation of Hong Hua 29, gabapentin and esomeprazole, transaminase levels started to declined and normalized within three months. According to the Swissmedic criteria of imputability, a causal correlation between the observed symptoms and the administration of Hong Hua 29 is possible.

Prevention of nickel release with barrier coatings.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis from nickel is very common in the United States. A barrier coating to be used on personal items such as snaps or watches would be of great use in preventing the consequences of nickel allergy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate various barrier coatings and their ability to yield a negative dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test result. METHODS: Four different barrier coatings were assessed prior to soaking in saline, after soaking in saline for 2 days, and after soaking in saline for 7 days. RESULTS: Depending on the number of coatings and the time soaked in saline, the different barriers showed different efficacies in yielding a negative DMG test result. CONCLUSIONS: Nickel Guard and Beauty Secrets Hardener were most effective in yielding a negative DMG test result. Beauty Secrets Hardener was the more cost-effective choice.

Occupational exposure to airborne solvents during nail sculpturing.

This study describes occupational exposure to acrylates and other solvents during nail sculpturing, including comparative measurements of the exposure using four different sculpturing methods: The acrylic method, the UV-gel method, the acrylic powder method and the resin method. Thirty-two nail technicians working in 22 different salons participated in the study. In total, 92 measurements were performed, comprising 70 solvent measurements and 22 measurements of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. The solvents most frequently present in all samples were acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene and n-butyl acetate, measured in 96%, 94%, 91% and 81% of the samples, respectively. The study shows that the overall solvent exposure was low, with all measurements calculated as the additive effect (n = 70) below 20% of the OEL (arithmetic mean 0.06 and range 0.01-0.19). No statistically significant difference between sculpturing methods were observed (p = 0.05).

Evaluation of exposure to 1-alkoxy-2-propanols and 1-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol by the analysis of the parent compounds in urine.

Floor lacquerers' inhalation and total exposure to 1-alkoxy-2-propanols and 1-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol (DPGME) were measured. The total exposure was biomonitored by urinalysis of free unchanged 1-alkoxy-2-propanols and DPGME. The floor lacquerers' 8-h inhalation exposures to 1-methoxy-2-propanol (PGME), 1-butoxy-2-propanol (PGBE) and DPGME were 1.9+/-1.3 (mean+/-S.D., n=15), 1.0+/-1.4ppm (n=11) and 0.2+/-0.3ppm (n=11), respectively. The gravity-corrected urinary excretions of PGME, PGBE and DPGME were 5.3+/-5.4mumol/l, 0.9+/-0.9mumol/l and 1.5+/-2.8mumol/l, respectively. A linear relationship was found between the gravity-corrected urinary excretion of PGME (R(2)=0.82), PGBE (R(2)=0.93) and DPGME (R(2)=0.93) and their preceding 8-h inhalation exposure. The correlations between the uncorrected urinary excretions and inhalation exposures to PGME, PGBE and DPGME was also calculated and found good (R(2)=0.82-0.95). The effect of work strain on the total exposure seemed to be more relevant in the exposure to hydrophilic PGME than in the exposure to more lipophilic PGBE.