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Ln3Co4Sn13 (Ln=La, Ce) have been synthesized by flux growth and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds adopt the Yb3Rh4Sn13-type structure and crystallize in the cubic space group Pm over(3, -) n (No. 223) with Z = 2. Lattice parameters at 298 K are a = 9.6430 ( 6 ) Å, V = 896.68 ( 10 ) Å3, and a = 9.6022 ( 5 ) Å, V = 885.34 ( 8 ) Å3 for the La and Ce analogues, respectively. The crystal structure consists of an Sn-centered icosahedron at the origin of the unit cell, which shares faces with eight Co trigonal prisms and 12 Ln-centered cuboctahedra. Magnetization data at 0.1 T show paramagnetic behavior down to 1.8 K for Ce3Co4Sn13, with μeff = 2.56 μB per Ce3+, while conventional type II superconductivity appears below 2.85 K in the La compound. Electrical resistivity and specific heat data for the La compound show a corresponding sharp superconducting transition at Tc∼2.85 K. The entropy and resistivity data for Ce3Co4Sn13 show the existence of the Kondo effect with a complicated semiconducting-like behavior in the resistivity data. In addition, a large enhanced specific heat coefficient at low T with a low magnetic transition temperature suggests a heavy-fermionic character for the Ce compound. Herein, the structure and physical properties of Ln3Co4Sn13 (Ln=La, Ce) are discussed. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Allium species extracts including Allium cepa L. contain sulfur compounds, known for their antiplatelet, antimicrobial, antineoplasic activities.

Cătălina Bogdan,1 Sonia Iurian,2 Ioan Tomuta,2 Mirela Moldovan1 1Department of Dermatopharmacy and Cosmetics, 2Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Abstract: Striae distensae are a frequent skin condition associated with pregnancy, weight change or lack of skin elasticity. The aim of this research was to obtain a topical product containing herbal active ingredients with documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity (Punica granatum seed oil and Croton lechleri resin extract) and demonstrate its positive effect on prevention and treatment of striae distensae. First, the cream base formulation was optimized through experimental design. Secondly, the cream containing the two active ingredients was investigated in an interventional nonrandomized clinical trial. The clinical outcome was assessed through biophysical parameters and ultrasonographic evaluation. The state of the skin was evaluated by biophysical measurements and ultrasonography at the beginning of the study and after 3 and 6 weeks. The experimental design was successfully used to set the best ranges for the technological and formulation factors to obtain a cosmetic formulation with optimal characteristics. The study of clinical efficacy on the optimal formulation revealed an increase in the dermis thickness, hydration and elasticity values in both groups after 6 weeks of cream application. The new oil-in-water cream containing P. granatum seed oil and C. lechleri resin extract can be helpful in the prevention or improving of skin changes associated with striae. Keywords: stretch marks, ultrasonography, texture analysis, design of experiments, oil-in-water emulsion

The main purposes of the present study were: to investigate the physico-chemical parameters of several mineral springs from Buzău County and to classify the investigated waters in mineral water classes, according to national legislation. The analyzed parameters were: pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity. The water samples were collected during October 2014. Generally, the water samples proved to be slightly acidic to neutral, with high levels of TDS (37 7 – 1,271 mg/l). Some of the analyzed dissolved ions (carbonates, bromine and phosphate) were not detected in the analyzed waters. The major dissolved ions distribution is dominated by the presence of sodium (3.8 – 589.2 mg/l), calcium (36.5 – 126.3 mg/l), sulphates (60.3 – 412.2 mg/l) and bicarbonates (213.2 – 915 mg/l). Magnesium ranged between 9.9 – 40.6 mg/l, potassium between 8.7 – 45.2 mg/l, fluoride between 1.0 and 2.9 mg/l., nitrates between 6.4 and 108.9 mg/l and chlorine was between 9.1 and 211.8 mg/l. Some of the investigated water can be commercialized as sodic water, chlorine water, sulphate water and bicarbonate water.

Diana Crisan1, Maria Crisan2, Mirela Moldovan3, Monica Lupsor4, Radu Badea41Student, Faculty of Medicine, 2Department of Histology, 3Department of Dermopharmacy and Cosmetics, 4Department of Ultrasonography, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaAbstract: Ultrasonography allows the quantification of dermal density and echogenicity changes during the physiological senescence process. Some active ingredients are able to slow down the tissular degeneration and disorganization process. The purpose of this study was to assess the cutaneous changes induced by the topical use of products containing Viniferol® as active ingredient, using high-frequency ultrasound. The study was performed over 12 weeks and included 80 healthy Caucasian female subjects, aged 22–75 years, divided into two groups: the study group and the control group. The product was applied according to a predetermined protocol. The measurements performed for each subject were: the thickness of the epidermis and dermis (mm), the number of low, medium, and high echogenic pixels, and the number of low echogenic pixels in the upper dermis/number of low echogenic pixels in the lower dermis. All the parameters showed a significant improvement. Ultrasound measurements showed an increase of the mean thickness of the epidermis (P < 0.0001) and dermis (P < 0.0001) following the application of the Viniferol product as compared to the control group. The changes in the dermal echogenicity confirm the efficacy and direct action of Viniferol upon the cutaneous fibroblasts. No side effects related to the treatment were recorded. The study proves the efficacy of this active ingredient in the cutaneous senescence process as well, as the fact that anti-aging prophylaxis should be initiated in the 20–40 year critical age group. This interval involves specific changes in dermal echogenicity that quantify intense molecular, biochemical and structural changes, being thus mostly and highly responsive to the anti-aging therapy.Keywords: ultrasonography, flavonoid therapy, cutaneous changes, anti-aging therapy