Impact of Pt(hkl) Electrode Surface Structure on the Electrical Double Layer Capacitance.

The classical theory of the electrical double layer (EDL) does not consider the effects of the electrode surface structure on the EDL properties. Moreover, the best agreement between the traditional EDL theory and experiments has been achieved so far only for a very limited number of ideal systems, such as liquid metal mercury electrodes, for which it is challenging to operate with specific surface structures. In the case of solid electrodes, the predictive power of classical theory is often not acceptable for electrochemical energy applications, e.g., in supercapacitors, due to the effects of surface structure, electrode composition, and complex electrolyte contributions. In this work, we combine ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations and electrochemical experiments to elucidate the relationship between the structure of Pt(hkl) surfaces and the double-layer capacitance as a key property of the EDL. Flat, stepped, and kinked Pt single crystal facets in contact with acidic HClO4 media are selected as our model systems. We demonstrate that introducing specific defects, such as steps, can substantially reduce the EDL capacitances close to the potential of zero charge (PZC). Our AIMD simulations reveal that different Pt facets are characterized by different net orientations of the water dipole moment at the interface. That allows us to rationalize the experimentally measured (inverse) volcano-shaped capacitance as a function of the surface step density.

Elucidation of Structure-Activity Relations in Proton Electroreduction at Pd Surfaces: Theoretical and Experimental Study.

The structure-activity relationship is a cornerstone topic in catalysis, which lays the foundation for the design and functionalization of catalytic materials. Of particular interest is the catalysis of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by palladium (Pd), which is envisioned to play a major role in realizing a hydrogen-based economy. Interestingly, experimentalists observed excess heat generation in such systems, which became known as the debated "cold fusion" phenomenon. Despite the considerable attention on this report, more fundamental knowledge, such as the impact of the formation of bulk Pd hydrides on the nature of active sites and the HER activity, remains largely unexplored. In this work, classical electrochemical experiments performed on model Pd(hkl) surfaces, "noise" electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (n-EC-STM), and density functional theory are combined to elucidate the nature of active sites for the HER. Results reveal an activity trend following Pd(111) > Pd(110) > Pd(100) and that the formation of subsurface hydride layers causes morphological changes and strain, which affect the HER activity and the nature of active sites. These findings provide significant insights into the role of subsurface hydride formation on the structure-activity relations toward the design of efficient Pd-based nanocatalysts for the HER.

Patient Satisfaction with AbobotulinumtoxinA for Aesthetic Use in the Upper Face: A Systematic Literature Review and Post-hoc Analysis of the APPEAL Study.

BACKGROUND: AbobotulinumtoxinA (AboBoNT-A; Dysport®; Ipsen, Boulogne-Billancourt, France/Azzalure®; Galderma, Lausanne, Switzerland) is a botulinum neurotoxin type A approved for aesthetic use in the treatment of glabellar lines in adult patients under 65 years in Europe, the United States, and other countries. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze current literature on patient satisfaction with aboBoNT-A for upper facial aesthetic indications. METHODS: A systematic review of literature databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) was performed to identify English-language publications reporting on patients with aesthetic indications (including glabellar lines and wrinkles) receiving aboBoNT-A, that assessed patient and/or physician satisfaction with treatment, with no restrictions on comparator studies. Structured data extraction was used to enable inter-study analysis. A post-hoc analysis was also performed to assess patient satisfaction by sex and age, using results from the noninterventional APPEAL study of patients' satisfaction with aboBoNT-A for treating glabellar lines. RESULTS: Overall, 22 original research papers were identified. Patient satisfaction rates for aboBoNT-A treatment were significantly higher versus placebo from two weeks to between three and five months postinjection. At two to three weeks postinjection, patient satisfaction rates were 52% and 99% across studies. In studies with later time points, patient satisfaction rates were 85 to 87 percent at 5 months and between 25 and 100 percent at 6 months post-injection. Physician satisfaction was also high (97%-100%, across three treatments). No notable differences in patient satisfaction by sex or age were observed in the APPEAL study. CONCLUSION: High rates of patient satisfaction have been achieved with aboBoNT-A treatment for upper facial aesthetic indications. Despite the current recommended interval of ≥12 weeks, satisfaction with the aesthetic results of aboBoNT-A therapy is still evident up to 6 months post-injection in some patients.

Assessment of Subject and Physician Satisfaction after Long-Term Treatment of Glabellar Lines with AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®/Azzalure®): Primary Results of the APPEAL Noninterventional Study.

BACKGROUND: Although the short- and long-term effectiveness of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®/Azzalure®) for glabellar line (GL) treatment is well established, reporting of subject satisfaction over repeat treatment cycles is limited. The APPEAL study aimed to assess subject satisfaction with long-term GL treatment with abobotulinumtoxinA in a real-life setting. METHODS: APPEAL was a noninterventional, prospective, longitudinal study in subjects administered ≥ 3 abobotulinumtoxinA injection cycles for moderate-to-severe GL, according to routine clinical practice. Subjects completed a satisfaction questionnaire at 3 weeks (± 7 days) after each cycle. Primary endpoint included subjects' overall satisfaction with GL after three injection cycles. Secondary endpoints included satisfaction after Cycles 1 and 2 and factors associated with satisfaction after each cycle. Physician satisfaction was also assessed after Cycles 1 and 3. RESULTS: Of 150 subjects enrolled, 135 completed the overall subject satisfaction questionnaire after Cycle 3. At 3 weeks after Cycle 3, 99.3% of subjects were 'very satisfied' (74.1%) or 'satisfied' (25.2%) with GL. Levels of subject satisfaction and associated factors after Cycles 1 and 2 were as large and significant as after Cycle 3 (83-100%, depending on question). Physicians' satisfaction with GL appearance, facial expression, and overall satisfaction was almost complete after the first injection (≥ 97.4%) and unanimous after the third (100%). CONCLUSIONS: In the APPEAL study, overall satisfaction was high after three abobotulinumtoxinA injection cycles for GL based on both subjects' (99.3%) and physicians' (100.0%) assessments. High levels of subject satisfaction reported after Cycle 1 were maintained with repeated injections. No new safety signals were observed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 . Trial registration NCT02353897.

A Prospective, Comparative, Evaluator-blind Clinical Study Investigating Efficacy and Safety of Two Injection Techniques with Radiesse(®) for the Correction of Skin Changes in Aging Hands.

BACKGROUND: Dermal fillers are used to correct age-related changes in hands. AIMS: Assess efficacy and safety of two injection techniques to treat age-related changes in the hands using calcium hydroxylapatite filler, Radiesse(®). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective, comparative, evaluator-blind, single-center study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiesse(®) (0.8 mL/0.2 mL 2% lidocaine) was injected subdermally on Day (D)01, using a needle multipoint technique in one hand (N) and a fan-like cannula technique in the other (C). Assessments were made pre-injection, on D14, Month (M)02, M03 and M05 using the Merz Aesthetics Hand Grading Scale (MAS) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Participants completed questionnaires on satisfaction, pain and adverse events (AEs). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data distribution was tested with the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene's tests. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and Chi-square tests were employed to evaluate quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. RESULTS: All 10 participants completed the study, four opted for a M03 touch-up (0.8 mL Radiesse(®)). Evaluator-assessed mean GAIS scores were between 2 (significant improvement but not complete correction) and 3 (optimal cosmetic result) at each time point. The MAS score improved from D01 to M05 (N: 2.60 to 1.40; C: 2.20 to 1.30). Following treatment, participants reported skin was softer, more elastic, more youthful and less wrinkled. Other than less noticeable veins and tendons on the C hand, no differences in participant satisfaction were noted. All AEs were mild, with no serious AEs reported. CONCLUSIONS: Both injection techniques (needle and cannula) demonstrated equivalent clinical efficacy with a comparable safety profile for the correction of age-related changes in hands with Radiesse(®).

IncobotulinumtoxinA in aesthetics: Russian multidisciplinary expert consensus recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Although there are various international consensus recommendations on the use of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) in facial aesthetics, there are no global or Russian guidelines on the optimal dose of incobotulinumtoxinA, free from complexing proteins, within specific aesthetic indications. This article reports the outcomes of two expert consensus meetings, conducted to review and analyze efficacy and tolerability data for incobotulinumtoxinA in various facial aesthetic indications and to give expert consensus recommendations to ensure best clinical practice among Russian clinicians. METHODS: Thirteen dermatology and/or plastic surgery experts attended meetings held in Paris, France (November 2013), and Moscow, Russia (March 2014). The expert group reviewed and analyzed the existing evidence, consensus recommendations, and Russian experts' extensive practical experience of incobotulinumtoxinA in aesthetics to reach consensus on optimal doses, potential dose adjustments, and injection sites of incobotulinumtoxinA for facial aesthetics. RESULTS: All experts developed guidance on the optimal doses for incobotulinumtoxinA treatment of different regions of the upper and lower face. The expert panel agreed that there are no differences in the efficacy and duration of the effect between the four BoNT/As that are commercially available for facial aesthetic indications in Russia and that, when administered correctly, all BoNT/As can achieve optimal results. Experts also agreed that nonresponse to BoNT/A can be caused by neutralizing antibodies. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the scientific and clinical evidence available for incobotulinumtoxinA, coupled with the extensive clinical experience of the consensus group, experts recommended the optimal doses of incobotulinumtoxinA effective for treatment of wrinkles of the upper and lower face to achieve the expected aesthetic outcome. These first Russian guidelines on the optimal use of incobotulinumtoxinA for augmentation of glabellar lines, periorbital wrinkles, forehead lines, bunny lines, perioral wrinkles, depressor anguli oris, mentalis, masseters and platysmal bands, and performing the Nefertiti lift, are presented here.

12-month effects of stabilized hyaluronic acid gel compared with saline for rejuvenation of aging hands.

In this evaluator-blind, placebo-controlled study, microinjections of stabilized hyaluronic acid (HA) gel for rejuvenation of aging hands were evaluated. Patients received three injections of 1.0 ml HA gel (20 mg/ml HA) in the dorsum of one hand and 1.0 ml saline in the other, over 3 months (M). Treatments were compared up to M03; comparisons with Day 1 (D01) were made up to M05 and M12 (extension study). Efficacy was evaluated by patients and investigators using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Self-assessment questionnaires, biomechanical measurements, and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed. Thirty women (mean age: 53 years) provided data up to M05. At M03, HA gel treatment improved hand skin condition in all patients versus D01, according to the GAIS; improvements were sustained to M12. Mean patient scores at M01-M03 were significantly higher for HA gel than for saline (P<0.05). Self-assessment questionnaire grades up to M03 were generally significantly better for HA gel versus saline (P<0.05); grades were maintained to M12. Statistically significant improvements with HA gel in hydration and elasticity was demonstrated at M03, compared with D01 and saline (P<0.05), and in terms of skin roughness versus D01. Maximum roughness (P<0.05) and waviness (P<0.01) were significantly improved versus saline. All AEs were mild and anticipated, with no serious AEs. Overall, HA gel injections were generally well tolerated and efficacious for rejuvenation of aging hands compared with saline. Sustained improvements at 12 months compared with baseline indicate that efficacy could be maintained long term.

Neutralizing antibodies to botulinum neurotoxin type A in aesthetic medicine: five case reports.

Botulinum neurotoxin injections are a valuable treatment modality for many therapeutic indications as well as in the aesthetic field for facial rejuvenation. As successful treatment requires repeated injections over a long period of time, secondary resistance to botulinum toxin preparations after repeated injections is an ongoing concern. We report five case studies in which neutralizing antibodies to botulinum toxin type A developed after injection for aesthetic use and resulted in secondary treatment failure. These results add to the growing number of reports in the literature for secondary treatment failure associated with high titers of neutralizing antibodies in the aesthetic field. Clinicians should be aware of this risk and implement injection protocols that minimize resistance development.

Efficacy and safety of IncobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of platysmal bands of the aging neck: an open-label, prospective pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®/Xeomeen®/Bocouture®/XEOMIN Cosmetic™; botulinum toxin type A, free from complexing proteins [150 kDa], NT 201; Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany) is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for a variety of facial wrinkles. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of incobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of platysmal bands. METHODS: Women, 35-65 years of age, with platysmal bands scoring 2 or 3 on the validated 5-point Merz dynamic platysmal bands scale received a total of 60 U incobotulinumtoxinA divided between four platysmal bands (20 U in both medial bands and 10 U in both lateral bands). Investigator assessments according to the 5-point scale were made at baseline and from standardized clinical photographs taken at follow-up visits 14 ± 2, 56 ± 7 and 84 ± 7 days after treatment. The global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and a novel questionnaire were used to assess subject treatment satisfaction. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-five women (mean age 51.8 years) were included in the study. With a responder defined as a subject with at least a 1-point improvement from baseline on the dynamic platysmal bands scale, the response rate at maximum contraction was 100% at Day 14 as assessed by the investigator. By the same definition, a high response rate (96%) was maintained at maximum contraction at Day 84. Subjects reported that, at Day 84, 86.3% of the maximal effect (defined as the effect on Day 14) persisted. Subject-reported satisfaction was high, as indicated by the self-assessment on the GAIS and results from the subject satisfaction questionnaire. Treatment- related adverse events were mild and reversible. CONCLUSION: IncobotulinumtoxinA is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for platysmal bands, with a high percentage of the treatment effect maintained at 3 months after treatment. Investigator and subject assessments both indicated high levels of treatment satisfaction.

Influence of age and hormone replacement therapy on the functional properties of the lips.

AIMS: To investigate the influence of age and hormonal status on some functional properties of the lips of women. METHODS: Lips properties were measured and compared through four groups of women (young with normal menses, aged with normal menses, aged and menopaused, aged, menopaused receiving hormonal replacement therapy). The following parameters were recorded: sebum excretion rate on the forehead. On the lower lip: TEWL, mechanical damping, color, tactile acuity. Moreover, capacitance images of each lips were recorded and the mean capacitance measured. RESULTS: Changes in TEWL, mechanical damping and tactile acuity appear clearly linked to age while the increase in lip darkness could be due to hormones. Sebum excretion rate is also clearly linked to hormonal status. Surprisingly, no changes of lips capacitance were detected vs. age or hormonal status. This study confirms that upper lip is more hydrated than the lower one. CONCLUSION: Most of the parameters measured on the lips have similar variations than the same parameters measured on the skin. Only sebum and color appear being dependant on the hormonal status.