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A combination of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and tretinoin is recommended for treating acne; however, concurrent administration can be irritating, and coformulation is prevented by BPO-mediated oxidation of tretinoin. In rosacea, benzoyl peroxide has been shown to be efficacious; however, its use has been limited by poor tolerability. To overcome these limitations, the active ingredients can be encapsulated within silica microcapsules. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved 2 products using this technology, a combination of encapsulated benzoyl peroxide and encapsulated tretinoin product for acne vulgaris and encapsulated benzoyl peroxide to treat inflammatory lesions in rosacea. The active ingredients are released through small channels in the silica shell, gradually releasing the active ingredients to the skin. This study describes the stability and release profiles of encapsulated tretinoin and encapsulated benzoyl peroxide from the silica shell in physiologically relevant conditions and provides differentiation from traditional formulations., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Ofer Toledano reports a relationship with Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd that includes: employment and equity or stocks. Maya Erlich reports a relationship with Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd that includes: employment and equity or stocks. Hila Hakak reports a relationship with Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd that includes: employment and equity or stocks. Karine Neimann reports a relationship with Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd that includes: employment and equity or stocks. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Sol-Gel Technologies, Ltd.)

Melasma is a commonly occurring pigmented skin condition that can significantly affect one's appearance, described as symmetric hyperpigmentation that presents as irregular brown to gray-brown macules on various facial areas, such as the cheeks, forehead, nasal bridge, and upper lip, along with the mandible and upper arms. Due to its complex pathogenesis and recurrent nature, melasma management is challenging and the outcomes following treatment are not always deemed satisfactory. Solely treating hyperpigmentation may prove ineffective unless paired with regenerative techniques and photoprotection, since one of the main reasons for recurrence is sun exposure. Hence, the treatment protocol starts with addressing risk factors, implementing stringent UV protection, and then treatment using different strategies, like applying topical treatments, employing chemical peels, laser and light therapies, microneedling, and systemic therapy. This review aims to provide a summary of the effectiveness and safety of the frequently employed laser and light therapies for treating melasma, focusing on laser therapy as a treatment for melasma.

Background: With nearly 50% of the population in the United States, Italy, and Sweden tattooed with at least one tattoo, the demand for its removal has risen by 32% since 2011. Traditional removal methods, such as Q-switched (QS) laser-based tattoo removal, can be lengthy, requiring up to 20 sessions., Aim: This study presents a retrospective clinical evaluation of seven short-pulsed QS, dual-wavelength Nd:YAG laser, as an efficient alternative, that can potentially reduce the number of sessions needed as calculated by a founded scale., Methods: The QS modality delivers high-intensity pulses in four wavelengths, ideal for removing multicolored tattoos, of which two were used. We studied 11 patients who underwent 3-8 treatments (average 5.09) every 2-3 months. Each tattoo was assessed using the Kirby-Desai scale, considering the following factors: location, Fitzpatrick skin type, ink amount, layering, scarring, tissue changes, and tattoo color. Follow-ups were conducted after 6 months and at 4-5 years following last session., Results: The long-term follow-up presented a significantly higher tattoo removal efficiency than the short-term follow-up (p < 0.001), indicating a sustained process of ink breakdown and elimination. Notably, the actual number of treatments were significantly lower than that predicted by the Kirby-Desai scale (average 5.09 vs. 9.9, p < 0.001). No severe adverse events were reported., Conclusions: In conclusion, the QS Nd:YAG laser offers a safe and effective alternative for tattoo removal, requiring fewer treatments than initially expected., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Here, we present a detailed description of the in situ isothermal crystallization of poly(trimethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)(PTF) as revealed by real-time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS). From FTIR experiments, the evolution of hydrogen bonding with crystallization time can be monitored in real time, while from GIWAXS, crystal formation can be followed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to simulate FTIR spectra for different theoretical structures, enabling a precise band assignment. In addition, based on DFT ab initio calculations, the influence of hydrogen bonding on the evolution with crystallization time can be understood. Moreover, from DFT calculations and comparison with both FTIR and GIWAXS experiments, a crystalline structure of poly(trimethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) is proposed. Our results demonstrate that hydrogen bonding is present in both the crystalline and the amorphous phases and its rearrangement can be considered as a significant driving force for crystallization of poly(alkylene 2,5-furanoate)s., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Microencapsulation has received extensive attention because of its various applications. Since its inception in the 1940s, this technology has been used across several areas, including the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Over-the-counter skin products often contain ingredients that readily and unevenly degrade upon contact with the skin. Enclosing these substances within a silica shell can enhance their stability and better regulate their delivery onto and into the skin. Silica microencapsulation uses silica as the matrix material into which ingredients can be embedded to form microcapsules. The FDA recognizes amorphous silica as a safe inorganic excipient and recently approved two new topical therapies for the treatment of rosacea and acne. The first approved formulation uses a novel silica-based controlled vehicle delivery technology to improve the stability of two active ingredients that are normally not able to be used in the same formulation due to potential instability and drug degradation. The formulation contains 3.0% benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and 0.1% tretinoin topical cream to treat acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients. The second formulation contains silica microencapsulated 5.0% BPO topical cream to treat inflammatory rosacea lesions in adults. Both formulations use the same amorphous silica sol-gel microencapsulation technology to improve formulation stability and skin compatibility parameters., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

This phase 2, 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active- and vehicle-controlled (VC), parallel-group trial assessed the efficacy and safety of silica encapsulated benzoyl peroxide BP (E-BP), two concentrations of silica encapsulated tretinoin (E-ATRA) and their combinations (TWIN high and low) vs VC in 726 males and females ≥9 years of age with moderate-to-severe inflammatory facial acne. The co-primary efficacy endpoints were Investigators Global Assessment (IGA) success rate ("clear" or "almost clear") and changes from baseline in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts. TWIN high and low were each significantly superior vs VC for IGA success at 12 weeks (39.7% and 27.4%, respectively, vs 12.3%, P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). TWIN high and low resulted in mean reductions in inflammatory lesions of -16.9 (64%) and -17.0 (60.8%) vs -11.5 (42%) for VC. Reductions in non-inflammatory lesions were -23.7 for TWIN low (54.9%) and -23.6 for TWIN high (53.3%) vs -13.7 (32.4%) for VC (all P < 0.001 vs VC). Results for TWIN were also numerically superior to E-BP and E-ATRA. All treatments were safe with comparable skin tolerability. The significant superiority of both combinations over VC and numerical superiority over E-BP and E-ATRA were achieved without an increase in adverse events or reduced skin tolerability.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of colorectal neoplasms (adenomas, advanced adenomas and colorectal cancers) among Israeli military and commercial airline pilots., Methods: Initial screening colonoscopy was performed on average-risk (no symptoms and no family history) airline pilots at the Integrated Cancer Prevention Center (ICPC) in the Tel-Aviv Medical Center. Visualized polyps were excised and sent for pathological examination. Advanced adenoma was defined as a lesion >10 mm in diameter, with high-grade dysplasia or villous histology. The results were compared with those of an age- and gender-matched random sample of healthy adults undergoing routine screening at the ICPC., Results: There were 270 pilots (mean age 55.2 ± 7.4 years) and 1150 controls (mean age 55.7 ± 7.8 years). The prevalence of colorectal neoplasms was 15.9% among the pilots and 20.6% among the controls (P = 0.097, χ (2) test). There were significantly more hyperplastic polyps among pilots (15.5% vs 9.4%, P = 0.004) and a trend towards fewer adenomas (14.8% vs 20.3% P = 0.06). The prevalence of advanced lesions among pilots and control groups was 5.9% and 4.7%, respectively (P = 0.49), and the prevalence of cancer was 0.7% and 0.69%, respectively (P = 0.93)., Conclusion: There tends to be a lower colorectal adenoma, advanced adenoma and cancer prevalence but a higher hyperplastic polyp prevalence among pilots than the general population.

Background: The CD24 gene has been correlated with poor prognosis of various malignancies. The significance of CD24 in esophageal cancer remains unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the association between CD24 genetic polymorphism and esophageal cancer., Materials and Methods: Between June 2011 and May 2012 patients with esophageal cancer and healthy controls were prospectively enrolled and clinicopathological data were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed to determine CD24 polymorphism at the coding region of CD24, which results in a substitution of the amino acid Ala by Val. Statistical significance was determined by unpaired t-test, χ²-test, and Fisher's exact test., Results: A total of 102 patients were included, of whom 51 had esophageal cancer and the rest comprised a healthy control group. The incidence of the polymorphism variant (Val/Val) among the healthy subjects and the esophageal cancer cohort was 6% in both groups. The incidence of N3 (metastasis in 7 or more regional lymph nodes) was markedly higher in those esophageal cancer patients who carried the polymorphism variant compared with those who did not carry it (66% and 2%, respectively, p=0.007). No significant difference was found between the groups with regard to age, gender, histology type, tumor location, tumor stage, and other histological characteristics of the tumor., Conclusions: This CD24 polymorphism may serve as a novel prognostic marker identifying esophageal cancer patients with poor prognosis. Further studies are warranted to evaluate CD24 function and to validate its predictive potential with regard to esophageal cancer.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results from an inappropriate inflammatory response in which genetic, immune, and environmental factors all play important roles. Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD24 gene have been associated with the development of several autoimmune diseases., Aim: To evaluate whether CD24 SNPs, are associated with risk of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD)., Methods: The CD24 polymorphisms C170T (rs8734), TG1527del (rs3838646), A1626G (rs1058881), and A1056G (rs1058818) were assessed in a case-control study of an Israeli cohort comprising 117 IBD patients and 105 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed using BstX1, Bsr1, Mfe1, and BstU1 restriction enzymes. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by logistic regression models., Results: Carriers of the C170T SNP were at increased risk of IBD (OR=3.022, 95% CI: 1.748-5.223, p=0.001), UC (OR=3.002, 95% CI: 1.661-5.427, p=0.001) and CD (OR=3.077, 95% CI: 1.334-7.095, p=0.008). Carrying the A1626G and A1056G SNPs was found to be a risk factor for IBD (OR=2.460, 95% CI: 1.420-4.259, p=0.001 and OR=1.856, 95% CI: 1.011-3.405, p=0.01), UC (OR=2.218, 95% CI: 1.207-4.075, p=0.01 and OR=1.944, 95% CI: 0.995-3.798, p=0.01) but not for CD (p=0.086 and p=0.299). The A1626G and TG1527del were found to be associated with younger age of IBD onset (p=0.022 and p=0.027, respectively)., Conclusions: The CD24 C170T polymorphism is associated with IBD risk. The A1626G and A1056G SNPs might be associated only with UC risk. These findings suggest CD24 as a new genetic susceptibility factor, with clinical implications in the prediction of IBD prognosis and therapy.

The introduction of new topical drugs based on new chemical entities has become a rare event. Instead, pharmaceutical companies have been focused on reformulating existing drugs resulting in an ever-growing number of topical drug products for every approved drug substance. In light of this trend, soon reformulations may not be as rewarding to their sponsors as they are today unless they offer a substantial improvement over other formulations of the same drug substance and the same indication, namely improved efficacy over existing drugs, reduced side effects, unique drug combinations, or applicability for new indications. This article reviews and compares topical drug delivery systems currently under active research that are designed to offer such advantages in the coming years. The reviewed delivery systems are: liposomes, niosomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, cyclodextrin, and sol-gel microcapsules. Among all the topical drug delivery systems currently undergoing active research, only the sol-gel microencapsulation is at clinical stages., (© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Surface active gelatin was formed by covalent attachment of hydrophobic groups to gelatin molecules. The modification was carried out at various degrees of attachment and with various chain lengths. These modified gelatins (MGs) were synthesized in dry DMSO by a simple and rapid method. The new method leads to high yields and allows high degrees of modification. The MGs, which have various hydrophobicities, have better surface activity than the native gelatin, as determined by surface tension reduction. The surface tension reduction is correlated to the hydrophobicity of the modified molecule, which was determined by a fluorescent probe. It appears that both the increase in the number of the hydrophobic groups and the increase in the chain lengths lead to decreased surface tension. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Nodules in the abdominal wall scar after resection of colorectal cancer may represent nonmalignant or malignant lesions. We report clinical and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic findings in five patients with nodules suspected of being malignant. All patients had had adenocarcinoma, four of the colon and one of the rectum. Postoperative abdominal wall irradiation had been administered to three patients. The median time from surgical removal of the cancer to FNA of scar nodules was 27 months. Three patients had malignant and two patients had nonmalignant FNA cytology, histologically confirmed at surgical biopsy of scar nodules. The malignant histologic cell type demonstrated by FNA cytology of the scar lesions was identical to that exhibited by histology. The survival of patients with positive cytology and histology ranged between 9 and 43 months; survival of patients with negative cytology and histology was between 53 and 138 months. We conclude that FNA cytology is a simple, sensitive, and specific procedure to evaluate patients with scar nodules appearing after resection of colorectal cancer. This procedure may safely replace surgical biopsy in the initial evaluation of scar nodules.