10 research outputs found
Treatment of periocular wrinkles with topical nifedipine
No full textThe appearance of facial expression wrinkles is the result of chronic contraction of mimic muscles. Nifedipine is a dihydropyridinic calcium antagonist which blocks muscular cells' calcium channels, therefore inhibiting their contraction. We assumed that topical nifedipine was able to relax mimic muscular fibres in the same way, thus reducing the depth of wrinkles. We performed a clinical and experimental study, enrolling 64 female patients with periocular wrinkles. They applied a cream containing 0.5% nifedipine (Antrox; Bracco, Milan, Italy) once daily for 90 days. The length and depth of wrinkles (measured by a digital profilometer), moisturizing of periocular skin (measured by a corneometer), and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL; measured by a tewameter), were evaluated. All parameters were measured before the beginning of treatment, and 45 and 90 days later. At the end of the study, topical nifedipine proved statistically effective in reducing the depth of wrinkles. No significant differences in the length of wrinkles were recorded. No significant changes were observed in moisturizing. TEWL gradually improved, although without statistical significance. On the basis of the results of this study, 0.5% nifedipine cream seems to be effective in reducing the depth of periocular wrinkles. Other studies are necessary in order to confirm these results
High-fibre diet and Lactobacillus paracasei B21060 in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease
No full textAIM: To investigate in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease the efficacy of symbiotics associated with a high-fibre diet on abdominal symptoms. METHODS: This study was a multicentre, 6-mo randomized, controlled, parallel-group intervention with a preceding 4-wk washout period. Consecutive outpatients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, aged 40-80 years, evaluated in 4 Gastroenterology Units, were enrolled. Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease patients were randomized to two treatment arms A or B. Treatment A (n = 24 patients) received 1 symbiotic sachet Flortec (c) (Lactobacillus paracasei 821060) once daily plus high-fibre diet for 6 mo. Treatment B (n = 21 patients) received high-fibre diet alone for 6 mo. The primary endpoint was regression of abdominal symptoms and change of symptom severity after 3 and 6 mo of treatment. RESULTS: In group A, the proportion of patients with abdominal pain 24 h decreased from 60% to 20% then 5% after 3 and 6 mo, respectively in group A (P < 0.001) and from 33.3% to 9.5% at both 3 and 6 mo in group B (P = 0.03). In group A the proportion of patients with abdominal bloating significantly decreased from 95% to 60% after 3 mo, and remained stable (65%) at 6-mo follow-up (P = 0.005) while in group B, no significant changes in abdominal bloating was observed (P = 0.11). After 6 mo of treatment, the mean visual analogic scale (VAS) values of both short-lasting abdominal pain (VAS, mean SD, group A: 4.6 +/- 2.1 vs 2.2 +/- 0.8, P = 0.02; group B: 4.6 +/- 2.9 vs 2.0 +/- 1.9, P = 0.03) and abdominal bloating (VAS, mean SD, group A: 5.3 +/- 2.2 vs 3.0 +/- 1.7, P = 0.005; group B: 5.3 +/- 3.2 vs 2.3 +/- 1.9, P = 0.006) decreased in both groups, whilst the VAS values of prolonged abdominal pain decreased in the Flortec group, but remained unchanged in the high-fibre diet group (VAS, mean +/- SD, group A: 6.5 +/- 1.5 vs 4.5 +/- 2.1, P = 0.052; group B: 4.5 +/- 3.8 vs 5.5 +/- 3.5). CONCLUSION: A high-fibre diet is effective in relieving abdominal symptoms in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease. This treatment may be implemented by combining the high-fibre diet with Flortec (c). (C) 2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved
The role of a probiotic (FLORTEC, Bracco S.p.A., Italy) on the plasma levels and lymphocyte expression of cytokines in patients with ulcerative colitis: a pilot study.
No full textThe effect of a new symbiotic formulation on plasma levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cell expression of some pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with ulcerative colitis: a pilot study
No full textThe role of a probiotic (FLORTEC, Bracco S.p.A., Italy) on the plasma levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cell expression of cytokines in patients with ulcerative colitis: a pilot study.
No full textThe role of a synbiotic (FLORTEC, Bracco SpA, Italy) on the plasma levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cell expression of cytokines in patients with ulcerative colitis: a pilot study
No full textClinical trial on the efficacy of a new symbiotic formulation, Flortec, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a multicenter, randomized study
No full textStratigraphical and micropaleontological data on the tertiary of Southern Piemont (Northern Italy)
No full textDuring the years 1959-1963 stratigraphical investigations
were carried out in Southern Piemont (Northern Italy) along
five traverses, taken at right angles to the strike of the strata,
which range in age from Eocene to Pliocene.
These sections are important in that they include the rype
sections of some Neogene stages (Langhian, Serravallian and
Tortonian) and some classical localities, such as Moliere and
Costa Lupara.
The sequences of these sections (numbered I-V) show large
discrepancies in lithology as well as in the thickness between
the corresponding units. To avoid confusion a number of formations
and members are introduced for each of the sections.
Parts of the sections are barren but in most portions numerous
planktonic foraminifera were found. They could be used to
establish ten biozones, successively I: the semi-involuta Zone, II:
the cerro-azulensis Zone, III: the Globigerina Zone, IV: the
Globigerinoides-Globoquadrina Zone, V: the Globorotalia Zone,
VI: the bisphericus Zone, VII: the Orbulina Zone, VIII: the
menardii Zone, IX: the nepenthes Zone, and X: the obliquus
Zone.
In addition some of the larger Foraminifera were investigated
in more detail, in particular the Nephrolepidina and Miogypsina
species. The embryonic-nepionic apparatus of Lepidocyclina praemarginata
and Lepidocyclina morgani were compared on a biometric
basis. Only a part of the phylogenetic series of the Miogypsinidae
was encountered, namely from M. gunteri to M.
intermedia.
Correlation by means of the zonation with these larger and
planktonic Foraminifera leads to interesting stratigraphic results.
1. In the correlation of the sections II, III and IV only slight
differences with the Italian Geological Map have been met
with, but in the sections I and V there are large deviations
from this map.
2. The type Langhian appears to begin closely above the
Orbulina surface. For the assumed chronological interval
between Helvetian and Tortonian the author suggests to use
the term Serravallian rather than Langhian, because the latter
has commonly been erroneously considered to be the equivalent
of the Burdigalian. The limits between the successive
stages Burdigalian, Helvetian, Serravallian and Tortonian can
be correlated with biozones of planktonic Foraminifera.
3. Furthermore it was found that the beginnings of the genera
Globigerinoides and Globoquadrina do not coincide with the
Oligocene-Miocene boundary. Both genera start their range
in the Late Oligocene already.
4. Among the general conclusions of a paleogeographic nature
we may note, that the transgression over the metamorphic
basement of the Massif of Voltri and Ligurian Alps advanced
in westward direction during Rupelian and probably Chattian
times.
5. In the most eastern section (Tortona-Garbagna area) the
Miocene sequence is not complete, as sediments, corresponding
to at least two of the biozones are lacking here
