Sunless tanning products containing dihydroxyacetone in combination with a perfluoropolyether phosphate.

It is well known that the shelf-life of products containing dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is quite unsatisfactory, and that in this area the adjustment to an acidic pH is the way usually recommended to improve DHA stability. The adoption of this rule, however, is a challenge for the cosmetic chemist not only because of the risks of skin irritation, but also because of the strong limitations in the choice of the acidic agent. It occurs that the use of either hydroxy-acids and phosphoric acid/phosphate buffers has the opposite effect on the one intended. Recently, a perfluoropolyether phosphate (PFPE phosphate) was introduced as a new acidic agent to lower the pH without increasing the skin irritation. Starting from a rationale based on this potential, we investigated sunless tanners containing PFPE phosphate and DHA. We monitored the ageing of sunless tanners with and without PFPE phosphate, by visual observation and instrumentation (pH measures and (1)H-NMR spectroscopy). Furthermore, to evaluate whether the substances produced from the DHA degradation are potential irritants, patch tests on volunteers were used to check the safety and indirectly the stability of the compositions. In conclusion, our investigations on the guidelines to formulate DHA-containing sunless tanners: confirmed that the pH is a key parameter in formulating these compositions; proved that PFPE phosphate is a safe and compatible ingredient to lower the pH; gave some evidence of the critical importance of thickeners; suggested a strategy based on multifunctional agents to minimize the ingredients.

Thymostimulin in malignant pleural effusions.

Twelve patients were admitted to the trial: 1 primary pleural tumour (mesothelioma), 7 metastases of breast carcinoma, 1 lung epidermoid, 1 lung adenocarcinoma, 1 uterine carcinoma, and 1 ovarian carcinoma. Thymostimulin (TS) was injected intrapleurally at the mean dose of 140 mg (2 mg/kg). The mesothelioma was the only resistant case. Complete remission was obtained in 4 patients after 3 weeks and in 4 within 8 weeks of treatment. This preliminary trial has shown that intrapleural treatment of neoplastic pleural effusion with a thymic hormone preparation can induce rapid and efficient palliation without subjecting the patients to distressing or toxic procedures.

Preliminary Communication: Treatment of irritant contact dermatitis in workmen with perfluoropolymethylisopropyl ether (Fomblin HC).

Synopsis Non-allergic contact dermatitis is a major dermatological problem for the workmen of an important factory which manufactures industrial machines (SAIMP SpA) located at Padua. Such dermatitis is due to the presence in the environment of paints, solvents, surfactants, lubricants and metal powders (steel and cast-iron). As medical treatment, the factory doctor practises the use of common barrier creams which do not give completely satisfactory results. To cope with this problem, some workmen were treated with preparations containing Fomblin HC. The highly successful results of this new type of treatment are reported: among other findings this study shows, through experimental evidence, that Fomblin HC has a protective effect not only against water soluble substances but also against oil soluble substances (in fact, the latter are probably the main cause of contact dermatitis contracted by these workmen).

Hemodynamic effects of ceruletide administered intravenously to coronaropathic patients.

The possible hemodynamic effects of ceruletide, administered intravenously at the dose of 1 ng/kg b.w., were studied in 9 coronaropathic patients submitted to cardiac catheterization. Ceruletide did not induce any modification of hemodynamic parameters. The only observed effect was a slight (3.7%) but statistically significant reduction of O2 saturation in the pulmonary artery.

Chemico-physical and functional properties of inorganic sunscreens in cosmetic products.

Synopsis This paper reports preliminary results of a study carried out on liquid crystal emulsions added to three different inorganic sunscreens: ultrafine zinc oxide, ultrafine titanium dioxide (inorganic-treated) and ultrafine titanium dioxide (organic-treated hydrophobically). The aim of the work was to investigate the influence of chemico-physical properties of inorganic sunscreens on the microstructure of cosmetic emulsions. The study was carried out using three different techniques: rheological measurements performed in dynamic conditions, to study the homogeneity of samples and their structural features; dispersion of powders in emulsions by optical microscopy and SEM/EDX analysis; and functionality of emulsions by UV spectroscopy, with adhesive tape as substrate. Results show that the different chemico-physical properties of the micropigments lead to different interactions with emulsion components; these interactions may affect the functionality and microstructure of the whole system, with loss of stability.