The role of platelet-rich plasma in androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also referred to as male or female pattern hair loss, is the commonest cause of chronic hair loss and affects up to 80% of men by the age of 70. Despite a high prevalence, there are few approved therapies, which show minimal efficacy. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PrP) in the treatment of AGA in male patients. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane (CENTRAL), CINAHL, clinicaltrials.gov, Google Scholar and the Science Citation Index database were searched to identify eligible studies. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies related to PrP use in AGA were included. Primary outcomes included changes in hair density and hair count. Methodological quality was assessed using bias assessment tools. RESULTS: Eight RCTs and one cohort study were included in the review with a total of 291 participants. Six studies reported a statistically significant increase in hair density in the PrP group versus the control. Five studies reported a statistically significant increase in hair count with PrP. Seven studies showed moderate risk and two showed low risk of bias. CONCLUSION: In a methodologically robust review on the effectiveness of PrP on male AGA, PrP demonstrated some potential to be used therapeutically. However, the low quality of evidence, moderate risk of bias, and high heterogeneity of included studies limit inferences and call for more robust designs to investigate this further.

Micellar transitions in the aqueous solutions of a surfactant-like ionic liquid: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octylsulfate.

We have observed dual transitions in various physical properties while investigating the surfactant-like behavior of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octylsulfate [C(4)mim][C(8)SO(4)] in aqueous media. Interestingly, in conductivity measurements, it was found that the second transition, which is comparatively weak in pure water, can be modulated and tuned to the desired concentration without affecting the first transition by the addition of a suitable electrolyte. Using an array of techniques, such as conductivity, ultrasonics, TEM, cryo-TEM, DLS, (1)H NMR and 2D (1)H-(1)H NOESY, it has been revealed that the first transition corresponds to the anionic aggregation with imidazolium cations adsorbed as counterions, and the second transition corresponds to the restructuring of the initially formed aggregates in a way that the alkyl chain of the imidazolium cation is incorporated towards the micellar core, leading to a unique mixed micelle-type structure in a single IL system.

Studies on surface functionalized single wall carbon nanotube for electrochemical double layer capacitor application.

Surface functionalization of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is carried out by chemical and electrochemical oxidation in aqueous medium. Treatment of SWCNT in acid mixtures results oxygenated surface with mainly micro porous texture which shows a pseudocapacitance of 209 Fg(-1) in 1 M H2SO4 solution at a current rate of 50 mAg(-1). The SWCNT surface become slightly non-polar when treated with fuming HNO3 even in the presence of oxygenated species. Under a current rate of 50 mAg(-1), a maximum capacitance of 202 Fg(-1) is observed in 1 M Et3MeNBF4 in polycarbonate due to presence of mesopores. Electrochemical oxidation in KNO2 functionalizes the SWCNT surface with NO2 species which shows intermediate pseudocapacitance facilitating probably organization of only smaller ions along the walls of mesopores of SWCNT. The mixed acid treated SWCNTs exhibit sensibly larger capacitance of 160 Fg(-1) even at higher current rate of 5000 mAg(-1).

Toxicity of argemone oil: effect on hsp70 expression and tissue damage in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ) Bg9.

The effect of argemone oil on hsp70 expression and tissue damage was investigated by studying beta-galactosidase activity, Western blotting and hybridization, and trypan blue staining in the larval tissues of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg9. Different concentrations of argemone oil were mixed with food and third-instar larvae were allowed to feed on them for different time intervals (2, 4, 24, and 48 h). Argemone oil was found to induce hsp70 even in the lowest concentration of the adulterant while maximum tissue damage was observed in the higher two treatment groups. Malpighian tubules and midgut tissue reflected maximum damage as evidenced by both high beta-galactosidase activity and trypan blue staining in these tissues. A prior temperature shock treatment to the larvae was enough to protect the larvae from argemone oil-induced tissue damage as evidenced by little or no trypan blue staining. The present study suggests the cytotoxic potential of argemone oil and further strengthens the evidence for the use of hsp70 as a biomarker in risk assessment.

Chlorpyrifos-induced hsp70 expression and effect on reproductive performance in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ) Bg9.

Expression of hsp70 in the third-instar larval tissues of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ) following dietary exposure to organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos for various time intervals was investigated. Effect of the chemical on different developmental stages of the fly was also evaluated by looking at survivorship, hatchability, emergence, fecundity, fertility, and reproductive performance. Our results showed that the toxicant evokes profound cytotoxic effect as evidenced by dark blue staining in salivary gland, proventriculus, brain ganglia, and midgut in the lowest concentration of the chemical following 24 and 48 h of exposure. On the other hand, a significant increase (61%) in hsp70 expression in the above larval tissues was observed in the next higher concentration of the toxicant after 6 h exposure when compared with that of the lowest dose. A further increase in exposure time caused 100% larval mortality. Similarly, larvae exposed to higher concentrations of the toxicant, exhibited 100% mortality within 1 h of treatment. The insecticide caused a delay in emergence and a severe reduction in survivorship of the flies in a dose-dependent manner with 100% mortality within a day of exposure in the highest dosed group. A delay in emergence by 3 days was evident even in the lowest concentration of the chemical. A drastic effect of the chemical on hatchability was found in the highest dosed group with 100% embryonic mortality at post-16 stage of the embryo. Reproductive performance was significantly affected even in the lowest dosed group. The present study suggests that certain larval tissues of Drosophila, a nontarget organism, are vulnerable to chlorpyrifos as evidenced by hsp70 expression. Further, the adverse effect of the toxicant is reflected on various stages of development of the fly including reproductive performance.

Internet: a major resource for toxicologists.

Use of the Internet in developing countries is now growing faster. Internet has created a new conduit not only for communication but also in the access, sharing and exchange of information among scientists. The Internet is now viewed as the world's biggest library where retrieval of scientific literature and other information resources are possible within seconds. Large volumes of toxicological information resources are available on the Internet. This review outlines some sites that may be of great importance and useful to the toxicologist.

Far-infrared spectroscopy of CH3OD in highly excited torsional states and the atlas of the Fourier transform spectra in the range 200-350 cm(-1).

The high resolution Fourier transform far-infrared (FIR) spectrum of the torsion rotation band of CH3OD has been analyzed for the highly excited torsion states (n > or = 2) in the vibrational ground state. The spectrum shows splitting of the lines due to strong torsional-rotational-vibrational interactions in the molecule. Assignments were possible for rotational sub-bands in the torsional state as high as n = 4 and for K values up to 8 and J values of up to approximately 30 in most cases, for all the symmetry species. For the third excited torsional state n = 3 assignments were possible to K = 10. The data were analyzed with the help of the energy expansion model, which has been proven very successful in methanol. The state dependent expansion parameters are presented. These molecular parameters were able to reproduce the observed wavenumbers almost to within experimental accuracy of 0.0002 cm(-1) for clean unblended lines. These expansion coefficients should prove valuable in the calculation of precise energy values for excited torsional states up to n = 4, which is way above the torsional barrier. The detailed high-resolution spectral atlas of CH3OD has been presented in the range 200-350 cm(-1). This atlas is an extension of our earlier atlas in the range 20-205 cm(-1). The availability of this atlas in the journal will be very valuable for spectroscopists and astrophysicists seeking information in the infrared (IR) region in the laboratory and in outer space.

Millimeter-Wave Spectra and Global Torsion-Rotation Analysis for the CH(3)OD Isotopomer of Methanol.

New millimeter-wave and microwave measurements for CH(3)OD have been combined with previous literature data and with an extended body of Fourier transform far-infrared observations in a full global analysis of the first two torsional states (v(t) = 0 and 1) of the ground vibrational state. The fitted CH(3)OD data set contained 564 microwave and millimeter-wave lines and 4664 far-infrared lines, representing the most recent available information in the quantum number ranges J

Internal axis molecular parameters, torsional energies and matrix elements of methyl mercaptan-D2.

In this paper an internal axis method Hamiltonian model has been applied to evaluate the torsional rotational molecular parameters of asymmetrically substituted methyl mercaptan (CHD2SH) using previously observed microwave transitions. The torsional potential barrier function V2 has been obtained. The pure torsional energies and matrix elements between various torsional sub-levels up to the fourth excited torsional state in the ground vibrational state have been determined. The matrix elements and the torsional energies will be of great value to researchers seeking the spectrum of this molecule.

High resolution spectral analysis of 13CH3OH in the excited torsional states.

In this work, we have extended our previous analysis of the Hamiltonian of 13C substituted methanol to include a large number of spectral lines involving the second excited torsional state using an improved model. The data set consisted of 2529 Fourier transform and microwave transitions with the rotational angular momentum J < or = 10, K < or = 6 and n < or = 2 (with 336 MW lines). The data set was fitted with the new Hamiltonian model to derive the molecular parameters. The results indicate that the model developed for the other methanol species (CH3OH, CH3(18)OH and CH3OD) is also valid for the C-13 substituted species. The results will allow the energy levels of the molecule to be calculated for higher torsional levels above the internal rotational barrier with improved precision and allow the analysis to be carried out for more excited torsional states.

Anticlastogenic potential of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in murine lymphoma.

Vitamin D3, having gained scientific interest for so long because of its role in mineral homeostasis, has now received great importance as a possible antitumor agent. This study was undertaken in an attempt to visualize the possible anticlastogenic potential of the vitamin in an ascitic mouse lymphoma model namely, Dalton's lymphoma. Frequencies of structural type chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges and micronucleus assays have been chosen as the genotoxic endpoints in the proposed investigation. All these cytogenetic markers have been found to be markedly elevated during the progression of lymphoma in bone marrow cells. Vitamin D3 effectively suppressed the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in the lymphoma-bearing mice during the entire phase of tumor growth that significantly coupled with almost two-fold increase in survival time (37 +/- 2 and 68 +/- 2 days in lymphoma controls and vitamin D3-treated lymphoma-bearing mice, respectively), thus substantiating the antineoplastic efficacy of this secosteroid. The outcome of this study also is clearly reflected in the depletion of circulating (serum) vitamin D3 levels in the lymphoma control mice compared with normal (vehicle) controls while a still higher level was maintained in the VD3-treated lymphoma mice. This anticlastogenic property of the vitamin has so far been neglected and this is the first attempt to unravel the vitamin D3's effect in combating tumor development in vivo by limiting the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei at least in transplantable murine model studied herein.

Inhibition of early DNA-damage and chromosomal aberrations by Trianthema portulacastruml. In carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse liver damage.

The underlying molecular mechanisms of the antihepatotoxic activity of Trianthema portulacastrum by monitoring its effect on mouse liver DNA-chain break, sugar-base damage and chromosomal aberrations, during chronic or acute treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) have been studied. Daily oral feeding with the ethanolic extract (150 mg/kg basal diet, per os) was given 2 weeks before CCl(4)treatment and continued until the end of the experiment (13 weeks). T. portulacastrum extract offer unique protection (P< 0.05-0. 001) against the induction of liver-specific structural-type chromosomal anomalies 15, 30 or 45 days after the last CCl(4)insult, compared to control mice. This was further evidenced by extract-mediated protection (15 days prior feeding following a single necrogenic dose of CCl(4)) of the generation of DNA chain-break and Fe-sugar-base damage assays. The observed hepatoprotective mechanism could be due to its ability to counteract oxidative injury to DNA in the liver of mouse.

Microwave a-Dipole Transitions of CH2DOH and CHD2OH in Excited Torsional States.

Previously identified, measured, and rotationally assigned but unpublished J = 0-1 and 1-2 microwave a-dipole lines for excited states of the torsion for CH2DOH and CHD2OH are given torsional assignments for the first four excited states. The troublesome assignments were for the K-1 = 0 lines of the o2 state of CH2DOH and the e2 state of CHD2OH, where a resonance is found for the J0J levels. The assignment for these states was facilitated by combination differences with the b- or c-dipole intratorsional state transitions, relative intensities, and FIR combination differences for the e2 and e3 states of CH2DOH. A few new b- and c-dipole assignments are reported for o2 of CH2DOH and e2 of CHD2OH. Transitions for these two states have been analyzed to estimate the strength of the resonant interaction and energy difference for the levels involved and to estimate how well the theory is predicting the K-1-dependent torsional energy levels. The empirically determined DeltaB and DeltaC from nonrigidity for each species for the four excited states should prove helpful for future calculations of vibration-internal rotation-overall rotation interactions in these molecules. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

High Resolution Fourier Transform Far Infrared Spectroscopy of CH3OD

The high resolution Fourier transform far infrared spectrum of the torsion rotation band of CH3OD has been recorded in the range 20-350 cm-1 at a resolution of 0.002 cm-1. The spectrum shows splitting of the lines due to strong torsional, rotational, and vibrational interactions in the molecule. Assignments were possible for rotational subbands in the ground torsional state (n = 0) for K values up to 15 and J values of up to 30, for all the symmetry species. In addition, some subbands were also identified which involve torsionally excited states. A total of 63 b-type subband origins, including 6 Q-branch origins obtained from microwave (MW) and millimeter-wave (MMW) studies, were fitted to a semiempirical model. The molecular parameters so determined were able to reproduce the subband origins almost to within experimental uncertainty. The torsional-rotational state-dependent effective molecular parameters and the asymmetry splitting parameters have also been determined. These should prove valuable in the assignment of transitions involving torsionally excited states in the ground vibrational state. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Internal axis molecular parameters, torsional energies and matrix elements of methyl mercaptan-D1.

In this paper an internal axis method Hamiltonian model has been applied to evaluate the torsional-rotational molecular parameters of asymmetrically substituted methyl mercaptan (CH2DSH) using previously observed microwave transitions. The torsional barrier potential barrier functions V1, V2 and V3 have been refined. The observed microwave transition frequencies have also been fitted to an energy expansion model, which allowed accurate predictions of yet unobserved transition frequencies with microwave accuracy. These values are independent of the Hamiltonian model used and will prove valuable for astrophysical detection. The matrix elements between various torsional sub-levels upto the fourth excited torsional state in the ground vibrational state.

Second order Coriolis resonance between the C-O stretch and the CH3 rock levels of methanol involving excited torsional state.

In this paper, it is shown that the interaction responsible for making the series of 'forbidden' transitions from the state (n tau K) = (110) in the ground vibrational (v = 0) state of the levels of (122+) in the CH3-rocking vibrational state (v = r) of methanol is 'Coriolis' resonance and not 'Fermi' resonance as proposed in a recent publication. This has been established from the J-dependence of the observed perturbed energy spacings between the two interacting pairs from high resolution spectroscopic analysis. The J-dependence clearly follows the classic 'Coriolis' interaction matrix elements for delta K = 2, which would not occur if the interaction were due to 'Fermi' resonance.