TLC and HPTLC-APCI-MS for the rapid discrimination of plant resins frequently used for lacquers and varnishes by artists and conservators.

INTRODUCTION: Depending on their terpenoid and phenolic constituents plant resins can be classified as diterpenoid, triterpenoid or phenolic resins; thereby the profile of diterpenes and triterpenes is considered as genus- or even species-specific. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to develop a simple, rapid, inexpensive, sensitive and specific method for the identification of resin-specific triterpenoid and phenolic compounds in plant resins using (HP)TLC [(high-performance) thin-layer chromatography] combined with APCI-MS (atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry) and post-chromatographic detection reactions. METHODS: Twenty resin samples from different plant species were analysed. Different extraction procedures, post-chromatographic detection reagents as well as various sorbents and solvents for planar chromatography were tested. To evaluate the potential of the optimised (HP)TLC-APCI-MS methods, parameter such as limit of detection (LOD) was determined for selected marker compounds. RESULTS: Our protocol enabled qualitative analyses of chemotaxonomic molecular markers in natural resins such as dammar, mastic, olibanum and benzoin. For the first time, the application of thionyl chloride-stannic chloride reagent for a specific post-chromatographic detection of triterpenes is reported, sometimes even allowing discrimination between isomers based on their characteristic colour sequences. For triterpene acids, triterpene alcohols and phenolic compounds, detection limits of 2-20 ng/TLC zone and a system precision with a relative standard deviation (RSD) in the range of 3.9%-7.0% were achieved by (HP)TLC-APCI-MS. The applicability of the method for the analysis of resin-based varnishes was successfully tested on a mastic-based varnish. Thus, the method we propose is a helpful tool for the discrimination of resins and resin-based varnishes with respect to their botanical origin.

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.

Correlation between AI-measured lacquer cracks extension and development of myopic choroidal neovascularization.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the correlation between the AI-measured area of the lacquer cracks (LC) at their first detection and the occurrence of a choroidal neovascularization (CNV) during the follow-up in patients affected by pathologic myopia. Secondary outcome was the detection of a correlation between the time to onset of CNV with both baseline LC area and LC area increase during follow-up. METHODS: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) acquisitions of patients diagnosed with LC were retrospectively analysed. The study population was divided in a CNV group (showing the documented onset of a CNV) and a n-CNV group (no CNV development during follow-up). LC area was measured using MatLab software after the application of a customized method for LC segmentation on infrared (IR) enface images. RESULTS: Forty-five (45) patients with a mean follow-up of 4.9 ± 1.5 years were included. LC area at baseline was 2.82 ± 0.54 mm2 and 1.70 ± 0.49 mm2 in CNV (20 patients) and n-CNV group (25 patients) group respectively (p < 0.001). LC area increase was significantly higher in CNV group (p < 0.001). Time to onset of CNV was linearly correlated with both LC area at baseline (p = 0.006) and LC area increase (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Myopic CNV development is associated with lager LC areas and higher LC area increase during time. Earlier CNV onset is inversely correlated with LC area and LC area increase.

Chloroplast genome sequence of triploid Toxicodendron vernicifluum and comparative analyses with other lacquer chloroplast genomes.

BACKGROUND: Toxicodendron vernicifluum, belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, is an important commercial arbor species, which can provide us with the raw lacquer, an excellent adhesive and painting material used to make lacquer ware. Compared with diploid, triploid lacquer tree has a higher yield of raw lacquer and stronger resistance to stress. Triploid T. vernicifluum was a newly discovered natural triploid lacquer tree. However, the taxonomy of triploid T. vernicifluum has remained uncertain. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of triploid T. vernicifluum and compared it with related species of Toxicodendron genus based on chloroplast genome and SSR markers. RESULTS: The plastome of triploid T. vernicifluum is 158,221 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,462 bp, separated by a large single-copy region of 86,951 bp and a small single-copy region of 18,346 bp. In total, 132 genes including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes were identified in the triploid T. vernicifluum. Among these, 16 genes were duplicated in the IR regions, 14 genes contain one intron, while three genes contain two introns. After nucleotide substitutions, seven small inversions were analyzed in the chloroplast genomes, eight hotspot regions were found, which could be useful molecular genetic markers for future population genetics. Phylogenetic analyses showed that triploid T. vernicifluum was a sister to T. vernicifluum cv. Dahongpao and T. vernicifluum cv. Hongpigaobachi. Moreover, phylogenetic clustering based on the SSR markers showed that all the samples of triploid T. vernicifluum, T. vernicifluum cv. Dahongpao and T. vernicifluum cv. Hongpigaobachi in one group, while the samples of T. vernicifluum and T. succedaneum in another group, which is consistent with the cp genome and morphological analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The current genomic datasets provide pivotal genetic resources to determine the phylogenetic relationships, variety identification, breeding and resource exploitation, and future genetic diversity-related studies of T. vernicifluum.

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.

Hydroxypropyl chitosan nail lacquer of ciclopirox-PLGA nanocapsules for augmented in vitro nail plate absorption and onychomycosis treatment.

Onychomycosis accounts for 90% of nail infections worldwide. Topical therapy provides localized effects with minimal adverse systemic actions, yet its effectiveness is limited by minimal drug permeation through the keratinized nail plate. Ciclopirox (CIX) is a FDA-approved broad-spectrum antimycotic agent. However, the complete cure with its nail lacquer (8% w/v) may continue for one year with a high cost. Therefore, poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanocapsules (NCs) of CIX were prepared by nanoprecipitation and optimized through a 23 factorial design to be incorporated into hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCH) based nail lacquer. Nail hydration, in vitro nail absorption, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), inhibition zones and ex vivo fungal growth on nail fragments were evaluated. The optimized NCs of CIX based on 100 mg PLGA 2 A and lipoid S75 showed a mean diameter of 174.77 ± 7.90 nm, entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 90.57 ± 0.98%, zeta potential (ZP) of -52.27 ± 0.40 mV and a prolonged drug release. Nail lacquer of the optimized NCs exhibited a higher stability than NCs dispersion. Compared to CIX solution (1% w/v), the respective decrease in MIC for NCs and their lacquer was four- and eight-fold. The lacquer superiority was confirmed by the enhancement in the nail hydration and absorption by 4 and 2.60 times, respectively, relative to CIX solution and the minimal ex vivo fungal growth. Therefore, HPCH nail lacquer of (1% w/v) CIX-PLGA-NCs can be represented as a potential topical delivery system for enhanced in vitro nail absorption and therapeutic efficacy against onychomycosis at a low dose.

Emotional Cognitive Expression in Lacquer Colors Based on Prior Knowledge.

Since lacquer painting first appeared in the world of art, research into it has grown steadily. People have developed a keen interest in modern lacquer painting as a result of the extensive study of lacquer culture in both domestic and international academic circles. Many artists and art enthusiasts have contributed significantly to the study and research of lacquer painting and have made helpful attempts at modern lacquer painting. But it is challenging to describe the emotion that a lacquer painting's color conveys. This paper presents a decision-making framework for emotional cognitive learning based on the theory of emotional cognitive evaluation because there are relatively few researchers who have specifically studied the relationship between the creation of lacquer paintings and emotions and because there are also few research materials and documents for reference. The assessment of an emotional state is the central component of this framework. The observation module in the model framework is used to gather the emotional data that the lacquer painting expresses. The issue of emotional expression in lacquer painting is resolved by the emotional evaluation system, which combines the preprocessed information with prior knowledge to evaluate. The importance of affective cognitive expression in lacquer painting and the necessity of affective computing in the fields of machine learning and decision control is obtained on the basis of discussing the research status and content of affective cognition and affective computing. The efficiency of expression was increased by 1.3 percent as a result.

Structural modification induced by heat treatments improves the emulsifying attributes of lacquer seed protein isolate.

The lacquer seed oil has received extensive attention in the food industry due to its health function, such as regulating blood lipids. But its by-product, lacquer seed meal, is often used as a low-value-added product such as animal feed. Lacquer seed meal contains about 20 % protein, which has amphiphilic properties, and there is limited attention to its emulsifying properties. In this study, the impact of heat treatment on the emulsifying properties of lacquer seed protein isolate (LSPI) was investigated. The EAI and ESI of the 120 °C heated LSPI increased by 77.1 % and 55.2 %, respectively. The emulsions prepared using heat-modified LSPI (120 °C) further showed lower hydroperoxide, TBARS and protein carbonyl contents (only 61.3 %, 61.0 % and 58.6 % of control) after storage. This result indicates that heat-treated LSPI retarded lipid and protein oxidation in LSPI-stabilized emulsions during storage. Changes in protein structure showed that increasing heating temperature resulted in the depolymerization of tertiary structure, higher surface hydrophobicity and lower contents of α-helix of LSPI. These changes in protein structure made the heated LSPIs have better emulsifying properties. Therefore, these findings developed a new use of LSPI and greatly enhanced the potential of LSPI as a natural emulsifier in the food industry.

Medicated lacquer for application on adornments to treat affections in aesthetic perforations.

Aesthetic perforations are often associated with health issues, such as itching, inflammation, or microbial infection. Accordingly, this work proposed a lacquer to be applied on the adornment accessory forming a film from which a proper drug is released. For this, lacquers were formulated containing three different permeation enhancers (limonene - LIM, propylene glycol - PG, and oleic acid - AO) combined according to a mixture design with a model anti-inflammatory natural drug (naringenin) and a soluble film-former polymer (polyvinyl alcohol). Formulations were characterized by physicochemical tests and in vitro and in vivo skin permeation studies. The lacquers were stable and provided a vectorized drug release. LIM, combined with one of the other permeation enhancers, showed a synergic effect, enhancing topical skin penetration in vitro by 53% while preventing permeation to the receptor medium. The in vivo evaluation of lacquers in rodent models showed these systems could provide higher levels of drug retention in the ear (166.4 ± 14.9 µg per ear for F4 and 174.9 ± 29.3 µg per ear for F5) compared to the control (109.2 ± 16.3 µg) without allowing its permeation into the bloodstream, confirming the local drug delivery. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity was achieved in the animal model developed for lacquer application on the earring, obtaining inhibition of ear swelling up to 40.8% ± 2.3 compared to the untreated ear. Thus, such an innovative lacquer proved a promising vehicle for treating affections caused by adornments, enhancing skin permeation while avoiding a systemic effect.

Photo-Curable Lacquer Sap Resin Based on Urushiol-Mimicking, Tyrosine-Containing Additive.

Oriental lacquer sap is attracting considerable attention as a renewable and eco-friendly natural resin with high durability, heat resistance, insulation, insect repellency, and antiseptic and antibacterial properties. However, to ensure excellent coating performance, it is necessary to improve the drying/curing process of lacquer sap with a time-consuming drying time at high humidity [relative humidity (RH), 70-90%] and ambient temperature (20-30 °C). Drawing on an understanding of the polymerization mechanism of urushiol, the main component of the lacquer sap consisted of a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion, and this study presents an eco-friendly additive that mimics the structure-function of urushiol composed of a polar catechol head group and a nonpolar hydrocarbon tail. A photo-curable lacquer sap was thus developed by adding a tyrosine amino acid-based lipid agent (denoted as Y-ADDA), which allows faster and more effective drying/curing at lower humidity while maintaining the nature-derived properties of lacquer sap. Y-ADDA easily coassembles with urushiol in the W/O emulsion droplets, thereby significantly accelerating the formation of a polymer network along with urushiol during water evaporation leading to fast drying/curing under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation at low humidity (∼50% RH). The UV-cured lacquer sap resins showed higher performance in terms of film processing and physicochemical properties compared with that of the lacquer containing only tyrosine amino acids without aliphatic tail conjugation, N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-O-tert-butyl-l-tyrosine Fmoc-Tyr(tBu)-OH. Furthermore, the drying and curing times, film morphology, transmittance, hardness, and adhesion strength of the UV-cured lacquer were markedly superior compared to those of shellac, a general eco-friendly fast-drying primer. The study provides useful strategies and insights to promote the industrial application of lacquer sap resins by employing biocompatible nanoagents developed with an understanding of the curing mechanism of natural resins and from the viewpoint of green and sustainable chemistry perspective.

Methods to promote seed germination in the lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley.

The lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, is a common industrial crop in East Asia. However, T. vernicifluum seeds are extremely difficult to germinate, which poses a major obstacle to establishing seedlings for sap production. In this study, we examined the germination properties of T. vernicifluum seeds in order to establish an inexpensive and effective method to promote seed germination. The seeds are covered with a hard endocarp, which we degrade using conventional sulfuric acid-based methods. Although sulfuric acid was effective in promoting seed germination, the germination rate was less than 5%. In addition to treatment with sulfuric acid, co-treatment with cold temperatures or the phytohormone gibberellic acid increased the germination rate to 22-35%. Seed viability analysis combined with specific gravity-based seed selection revealed that more than half of the seeds housed embryos that were incapable of germination. In additions, specific gravity-based seed selection aided in the selection of seeds capable of germination and improved the germination rate to approximately 47%. Taken together, our results suggest that the low germination rate of T. vernicifluum seeds is due to deep seed dormancy-which is controlled by physical and physiological mechanisms-and low embryo viability. To improve the germination rate of T. vernicifluum seeds, we propose an effective method whereby seeds with good germination capacity are selected based on specific gravity, following which their physiological dormancy is inactivated through cold pretreatment.

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.

Luliconazole Nail Lacquer for the Treatment of Onychomycosis: Formulation, Characterization and In Vitro and Ex Vivo Evaluation.

Onychomycosis is the most common fungal infection of the nail affecting the skin under the fingertips and the toes. Currently, available therapy for onychomycosis includes oral and topical therapies, either alone or in combination. Oral antifungal medication has been associated with poor drug bioavailability and potential gastrointestinal and systemic side effects. The objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate the luliconazole nail lacquer (LCZ-NL) for the effective treatment of onychomycosis. In the current work, LCZ-NL was formulated in combination with penetration enhancers to overcome poor penetration. A 32 full factorial formulation design of experiment (DOE) was applied for optimization of batches with consideration of dependent (drying time, viscosity, and rate of drug diffusion) and independent (solvent ratio and film former ratio) variables. The optimized formulation was selected based on drying time, viscosity, and rate of drug diffusion. The optimized formulation was further evaluated for % non-volatile content assay, smoothness of flow, water resistance, drug content, scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in vitro drug release, ex vivo transungual permeation, antifungal efficacy, and stability study. The optimized LCZ-NL contained 70:30 solvent ratio and 1:1 film former ratio and was found to have ~ 1.79-fold higher rate of drug diffusion in comparison with LULY™. DSC and XRD studies confirmed that luliconazole retains its crystalline property in the prepared formulation. Antifungal study against Trichophyton spp. showed that LCZ-NL has comparatively higher growth inhibition than LULY™. Hence, developed LCZ-NL can be a promising topical drug delivery system for treating onychomycosis.

Research on Very Volatile Organic Compounds and Odors from Veneered Medium Density Fiberboard Coated with Water-Based Lacquers.

Very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs) are a group of important odor pollutants affecting indoor air quality that have been shown to be harmful to human health. A 15 L environmental chamber, combined with multi-bed tube was used to collect gases. Fifteen very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs), including 12 odor compounds, were identified from veneered medium density fiberboard coated with water-based lacquer (WB-MDF) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC-MS/O). The total very volatile organic compound (TVVOC) and total odor intensity (TOI) showed a decreasing trend over time, reaching equilibrium on day 28. TVVOC showed an overall slow-fast-slow emission profile, from day 3 to day 7, with a maximum decay rate of 29.7%. TOI showed the greatest rate of decline from day 1 to day 3, at approximately 12%. Alkane and alcohol VVOCs were the more abundant compounds, accounting for at least 60% and even up to 80% of the total. The major odor impression was fruity, with a highest odor rating of 6.6, followed by sweet, with an odor rating of 6.1. Although the odor impression changed from sweet to fruity over time, it seemed pleasant overall. The odor contributors were mainly alkanes, alcohols, esters, and ethers, which had relatively high odor intensities. The main odor-contributing substances were dichloromethane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, 2-methylacrylic acid methyl ester, and tetrahydrofuran. When WB-MDF is used for furniture or other decorative materials, it is strongly recommended that it be stored under ventilation for at least 28 days and the adoption of substitute solvents of lacquers, modified adhesives, and low-odor wood raw materials is recommended. These possible initiatives would contribute to the aim of building an environmentally friendly indoor environment.

Progression and associated factors of lacquer cracks/patchy atrophies in high myopia: the Beijing Eye Study 2001-2011.

PURPOSE: To assess the development and progression of lacquer cracks/patchy atrophies (LCs/PAs) in high myopia. METHODS: The case control study included highly myopic eyes (refractive error ≤ - 6.0 diopters), examined in the population-based Beijing Eye Study 2001/2011. Using fundus photographs taken in 2001 and 2011 and optical coherence tomographic images obtained in 2011, we assessed the incidence and enlargement of pre-existing LC/PAs. RESULTS: The study included 89 highly myopic eyes (age: 65.0 ± 9.4 years). Newly developed or enlarged LC/PAs were detected in 17 (19.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 11.0, 27.0) eyes, with a new LC development without previous LCs, enlargement of a pre-existing LC, LC enlargement to a PA, development of a new PA without any previous LCs, and enlargement of a pre-existing PA detected in 3, 3, 5, 3, and 3 eyes, respectively. In 14 (82.4%; 95%CI: 62.3, 100) of the 17 eyes with LC/PA development or enlargement, the LC/PAs elongated perpendicularly to, and widened in, the direction of gamma zone enlargement. Higher prevalence of LC/PA enlargement was associated (multivariable analysis) with higher myopic maculopathy stage in 2001 (odds ratio (OR): 7.83; 95%CI: 2.65, 23.2; P < 0.001) and higher frequency of parapapillary delta zone enlargement (OR: 32.0; 95%CI: 3.07, 334; P < 0.001). Prevalence of LC/PA enlargement was lower than the prevalence of changes in other myopic maculopathy features (disc-fovea distance elongation: 71%; choroidal vessel shift: 55%; reduction in ophthalmoscopical disc size: 34%; ophthalmoscopic disc size enlargement: 25%). All eyes with LC/PA enlargement showed a pre-existing and enlarging gamma zone. CONCLUSIONS: Development and enlargement of LC/PAs were associated with enlargement of parapapillary delta zone and often occurred in association with the direction of gamma zone enlargement.

A clinical study for the treatment of onychomycosis patients using a novel ROS producing onychomycosis treatment when compared against 5% amorolfine topical lacquer to reduce the visible size of infected toenails.

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis affects approximately 5% of the population worldwide without satisfactory treatment options regarding efficacy and safety. The aim of this first in human study was to compare the safety and efficacy of the novel compound Mycosinate® against an approved toenail lacquer containing 5% Amorolfine. DESIGN: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled parallel group study with allocation concealment was carried out. METHODS: Thirty-eight participants either used the novel compound Mycosinate® or an approved toenail lacquer containing 5% Amorolfine for topical application in their own homes. Outcome measures included a) % change in area of clear visible toenail, b) mycological cure rate and c) safety assessments. RESULTS: Statically significant differences for % change in area of clear visible toenail (p<0.05) of 39.8, 40.0 and 70.7 in favour of Mycosinate® were noted at time points 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months respectively when compared to Amorolfine. No statistically significant differences were noted for mycological cure rates. No adverse events, serious adverse events or deaths occurred for either treatment. CONCLUSION: Mycosinate® is a promising novel topical onychomycosis treatment with high rates of efficacy and excellent safety profile. Further clinical trials are warranted. (EU Clinical Trials Register 2018/000294/78).

A multicentre, randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, vehicle-controlled and open-label, active-controlled study (versus amorolfine 5%), to evaluate the efficacy and safety of terbinafine 10% nail lacquer in the treatment of onychomycosis.

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis is a difficult-to-treat fungal nail infection whose treatment can involve systemic or topical antifungal approaches. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of terbinafine 10% nail lacquer in distal-lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO). PATIENTS/METHODS: Patients with mild-to-moderate DLSO were randomised (3:3:1) to receive double-blind topical terbinafine 10% (n = 406) or its vehicle (n = 410) administered once daily for 4 weeks and then once weekly for 44 weeks, or open-label topical amorolfine 5% (n = 137) for 48 weeks, with a 12-week follow-up period. The primary efficacy endpoint, complete cure rate at Week 60, was a composite of negative potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy, negative culture for dermatophytes and no residual clinical involvement of the target big toenail. RESULTS: Complete cure rates at Week 60 in the terbinafine, vehicle and amorolfine groups were 5.67%, 2.20% and 2.92%, respectively (odds ratio (OR) vs vehicle = 2.68; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.22-5.86; p = .0138). Statistically significant differences in responder (negative KOH and negative culture and ≤10% residual clinical involvement) and mycological cure rates (negative KOH and negative culture) at Week 60 were obtained between terbinafine and vehicle. Terbinafine was well-tolerated with no systemic adverse reactions identified; the most common topical adverse reactions were erythema and skin irritation. CONCLUSIONS: Terbinafine 10% nail lacquer was an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate onychomycosis improving both clinical and mycological criteria compared with vehicle. Furthermore, there may be some benefits compared to the currently available topical agent, amorolfine 5%. Treatment was well-tolerated and safe.

Decreasing myopic lacquer crack and widening parapapillary gamma zone: case report.

BACKGROUND: Myopic axial elongation may be due to an equatorial enlargement of Bruch's membrane (BM), leading to a prolate eye shape and increasing strain with BM and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer at the posterior pole. The increased BM strain may cause an enlargement of Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) of the optic nerve head, with the subsequent development and enlargement of parapapillary gamma zone as BM-free parapapillary zone. The increased strain within BM and RPE may also cause lacquer cracks (LCs) as linear breaks in the RPE and / or BM. Studies suggested that a more marked gamma zone enlargement is associated with lower prevalence of LCs or macular BM defects. Here report on the disappearance of a LC during a 10-year follow-up of a highly myopic eye, concurrent with a marked increase in gamma zone. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old woman showed in her right eye (axial length measured 30.69 mm) a LC, vertically oval optic disc, and parapapillary gamma zone in 2001. When re-examined in 2006, gamma zone had enlarged, while the LC was no longer detectable. In 2011, the LC was not visible neither upon ophthalmoscopy and or upon optical coherence tomography (OCT), while gamma zone had further enlarged. The gamma zone enlargement occurred in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the former LC. CONCLUSIONS: The observation suggest that a LC can decrease in width, in temporal association with an enlargement of gamma zone. It fits with the notion that an enlargement of the BMO (i.e., enlarging gamma zone) may lead to a relaxation of the BM strain and subsequently to a decrease in the width of the LC.