Cosmetics and Cosmeceutical Applications of Chitin, Chitosan and Their Derivatives.

Marine resources are well recognized for their biologically active substances with great potential applications in the cosmeceutical industry. Among the different compounds with a marine origin, chitin and its deacetylated derivative-chitosan-are of great interest to the cosmeceutical industry due to their unique biological and technological properties. In this review, we explore the different functional roles of chitosan as a skin care and hair care ingredient, as an oral hygiene agent and as a carrier for active compounds, among others. The importance of the physico-chemical properties of the polymer in its use in cosmetics are particularly highlighted. Moreover, we analyse the market perspectives of this polymer and the presence in the market of chitosan-based products.

Utilidad de la colangiografía por resonancia magnética previa a la colecistectomía en la pancreatitis aguda biliar / Utility of magnetic resonance cholangiography prior to cholecystectomy in acute biliary pancreatitis

Objetivo. Análisis del papel de la colangiografía por resonancia magnética (C-RM) en pacientes candidatos a colecistectomía profiláctica tras pancreatitis aguda (PA) biliar. Material y método. Estudio prospectivo de pacientes con PA moderada (criterios de Atlanta), ingresados en nuestro hospital entre enero 2004 y marzo 2005. Se diagnosticó PA biliar mediante clínica compatible, elevación de amilasa sérica mayor al triple del límite superior y ecografía de colelitiasis. Se practicó C-RM en todos los pacientes incluidos. El diagnóstico por C-RM de litiasis de vía biliar (LVB) fue seguido de colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE) y esfinterotomía endoscópica (EE), y luego colecistectomía laparoscópica (CL). A la C-RM negativa siguió directamente una CL. No se realizó colangiografía intraoperatoria de forma sistemática. Resultados. De 31 pacientes ingresados se incluyó a 27 (edad media, 66,4 ± 18 años; un 78% mujeres). Cuatro pacientes fueron excluidos: 2 rechazaron colecistectomía y 2 por PA grave. El intervalo de espera media entre pancreatitis y colecistectomía fue de 1,7 ± 1,2 meses. Tres pacientes (11,1%) sufrieron recurrencia, todos en las primeras 4 semanas. Cuatro pacientes (14,8%) presentaron LVB en C-RM. La CPRE con EE extrajo la totalidad de cálculos en 3. En 1 caso se extrajeron 12 cálculos de vía biliar, pero fue imposible la litiasis en el conducto cístico. Hubo 1 caso de LVB precolecistectomía que presentó re-currencia a las 4 semanas de la colecistectomía. Otro paciente con C-RM negativa también sufrió una PA poscolecistectomía. Veinticinco de 27 pacientes (93%) han permanecido asintomáticos (mediana, 16 meses; rango, 8-22 meses). Conclusiones. La C-RM en pacientes con PA biliar previamente a la CL no debe practicarse de manera sistemática. Es un método adecuado para pacientes seleccionados con esta patología (AU)

Aim. To analyze the role of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in candidates for cholecystectomy after acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). Methods. We performed a prospective study of patients with mild ABP (Atlanta criteria) admitted to our hospital from January 2004 to March 2005. Diagnosis of ABP was based on clinical features, serum amylase levels more than 3 times higher than the upper level of normality, and gallstones detected by ultrasonography. In all patients, MRC was performed preoperatively. If positive for common bile duct stones (CBDS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) was performed, followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). When MRC was negative, LC was performed directly. Intraoperative cholangiography was not routinely performed . Results. Of the 31 patients admitted, 27 were included (mean age 66.4 ± 18 years, 78% female). Four patients were excluded: 2 refused to undergo cholecystectomy and two had severe ABP. The mean interval between onset of ABP and cholecystectomy was 1.7 months ± 1.2. Three patients (11.1%) experienced recurrence within 4 weeks of the index admission. MRC revealed CBDS in four patients (14.8%). In 3 patients, all the gallstones were removed by ERCP and ES. In one patient, 12 gallstones were retrieved but attempts to remove a stone from the cystic duct were unsuccessful. One patient with preoperative CBDS was readmitted 4 weeks after cholecystectomy due to recurrence. Another patient with negative findings on preoperative MRC was also readmitted with postcholecystectomy ABP. Twenty-five of the 27 patients (93%) have remained asymptomatic after cholecystectomy (median follow-up: 16 months [8-22 months]). Conclusions. MRC should not be routinely used in the preoperative evaluation of patients with ABP but is an accurate tool in selected patients with this disease (AU)

[Utility of magnetic resonance cholangiography prior to cholecystectomy in acute biliary pancreatitis]. / Utilidad de la colangiografía por resonancia magnética previa a la colecistectomía en la pancreatitis aguda biliar.

AIM: To analyze the role of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in candidates for cholecystectomy after acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). METHODS: We performed a prospective study of patients with mild ABP (Atlanta criteria) admitted to our hospital from January 2004 to March 2005. Diagnosis of ABP was based on clinical features, serum amylase levels more than 3 times higher than the upper level of normality, and gallstones detected by ultrasonography. In all patients, MRC was performed preoperatively. If positive for common bile duct stones (CBDS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) was performed, followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). When MRC was negative, LC was performed directly. Intraoperative cholangiography was not routinely performed . RESULTS: Of the 31 patients admitted, 27 were included (mean age 66.4 +/- 18 years, 78% female). Four patients were excluded: 2 refused to undergo cholecystectomy and two had severe ABP. The mean interval between onset of ABP and cholecystectomy was 1.7 months +/- 1.2. Three patients (11.1%) experienced recurrence within 4 weeks of the index admission. MRC revealed CBDS in four patients (14.8%). In 3 patients, all the gallstones were removed by ERCP and ES. In one patient, 12 gallstones were retrieved but attempts to remove a stone from the cystic duct were unsuccessful. One patient with preoperative CBDS was readmitted 4 weeks after cholecystectomy due to recurrence. Another patient with negative findings on preoperative MRC was also readmitted with postcholecystectomy ABP. Twenty-five of the 27 patients (93%) have remained asymptomatic after cholecystectomy (median follow-up: 16 months [8-22 months]). CONCLUSIONS: MRC should not be routinely used in the preoperative evaluation of patients with ABP but is an accurate tool in selected patients with this disease.