Daily Cosmetic Research Analysis
Three studies span cosmetic surgery, environmental health related to cosmetics, and cosmetic dentistry. A prospective oncoplastic breast surgery cohort suggests comparable oncologic safety and cosmetic satisfaction between unilateral and bilateral approaches with a trend toward more late complications after bilateral balancing. Laboratory work shows cosmetic-related polyacrylic acid nanoplastics acutely inhibit wastewater microbes and are non-biodegradable, while a materials study indicates arag
Summary
Three studies span cosmetic surgery, environmental health related to cosmetics, and cosmetic dentistry. A prospective oncoplastic breast surgery cohort suggests comparable oncologic safety and cosmetic satisfaction between unilateral and bilateral approaches with a trend toward more late complications after bilateral balancing. Laboratory work shows cosmetic-related polyacrylic acid nanoplastics acutely inhibit wastewater microbes and are non-biodegradable, while a materials study indicates aragonite can roughen dental calculus to aid removal, informing toothpaste abrasive design.
Research Themes
- Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery outcomes and cosmesis
- Cosmetic-related nanoplastics and environmental microbiology
- Innovative abrasives for dental calculus management
Selected Articles
1. Polyacrylic acid-based nanoplastics used in cosmetics: a study of biodegradability and effects on heterotrophic and nitrifying microorganisms in the activated sludge.
Polyacrylic acid-based nanoplastics used in cosmetics caused marked acute inhibition of heterotrophic and nitrifying activities in activated sludge at 100 mg/L for 30 minutes, largely due to 1-dodecanol, with inhibition waning over hours. PANPs were non-biodegradable in both ready and inherent tests, indicating environmental persistence and potential accumulation despite limited long-term inhibition in sludge.
Impact: Links cosmetic nanoplastics to wastewater treatment performance using mechanistic evidence and standardized biodegradability assays, informing regulation and product reformulation. Intersects environmental engineering, toxicology, and cosmetic science.
Clinical Implications: Clinicians and public health practitioners should recognize the environmental persistence of cosmetic nanoplastics and their potential to disrupt wastewater microbiomes; this supports counseling on product choices and advocacy for biodegradable formulations.
Key Findings
- At 100 mg/L for 30 minutes, PANPs acutely inhibited heterotrophic and nitrifying activities by up to 55% and 72%, respectively.
- Inhibition was largely attributed to 1-dodecanol present in PANPs and decreased with prolonged exposure, likely due to volatilization.
- PANPs were non-biodegradable in both ready and inherent biodegradability tests, indicating environmental persistence and potential accumulation.
Methodological Strengths
- Comprehensive physicochemical characterization of PANPs (composition, size, zeta potential, additives).
- Use of both acute and prolonged toxicity assays and dual (ready and inherent) biodegradability tests.
Limitations
- Tested concentrations may exceed typical environmental levels, limiting direct generalizability.
- Short experimental timeframes and laboratory conditions may not capture chronic or field-relevant effects.
Future Directions: Quantify real-world PANP concentrations, assess chronic and community-level effects in pilot plants, and evaluate safer-by-design cosmetic polymers and additive profiles.
Nanoplastics, commonly used in cosmetics, enter wastewater systems and interact with activated sludge, yet their effects on microorganisms, essential for wastewater treatment, remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of polyacrylic acid-based nanoplastics (PANPs) on microorganisms in activated sludge. The PANPs were characterized in terms of their material composition, size, zeta potential, and additive content. Acute (30 min) and prolonged (up to 6 h) toxicity tests were performed to evaluate negative effects on heterotrophic and nitrifying microorganisms in activated sludge. In addition, ready and inherent biodegradability tests were performed to assess their degradation in the environment and within wastewater treatment plants, respectively. The results showed a significant acute inhibition of heterotrophic and nitrifying activity (up to 55 and 72%, respectively) at the highest concentration tested (100 mg/L, 30 min), primarily attributed to the presence of 1-dodecanol detected in the PANPs. This effect decreased with prolonged exposure, likely due to the volatilization of 1-dodecanol. Nevertheless, the PANPs were found to be non-biodegradable in both the ready and inherent biodegradability tests. Although PANPs do not appear to pose a long-term threat to the activated sludge, their persistence in the environment raises concerns about possible accumulation.
2. Life after oncoplastic surgery (IRONY) trial: Preliminary results.
In this prospective cohort of 108 breast-conserving patients undergoing oncoplastic surgery, bilateral balancing cases had higher tumor burden yet similar re-excision rates and local recurrences at 2.3 years compared with unilateral approaches. Cosmetic satisfaction and well-being were broadly comparable, with a trend toward more late complications after bilateral procedures.
Impact: Provides real-world, prospective comparative data integrating oncologic safety with patient-centered aesthetic outcomes across oncoplastic options, informing shared decision-making and patient selection.
Clinical Implications: Either unilateral reshaping/replacement or bilateral mammoplasty with contralateral pexy/reduction can achieve good cosmetic outcomes without compromising early oncologic safety; anticipate and counsel for potentially higher late complications with bilateral balancing.
Key Findings
- Bilateral group had larger tumors, more multifocality/multicentricity, and greater estimated resection volume (all significant).
- Re-excision rates for positive margins were comparable between groups (p=0.72).
- At 2.3 years, no difference in local recurrences; late complications were more common in bilateral cases (p=0.07), while cosmetic satisfaction and well-being were similar.
Methodological Strengths
- Prospective protocol with predefined enrollment and comparative analysis.
- Multidimensional outcomes including oncologic, complications, and patient-centered cosmetic/functional measures.
Limitations
- Preliminary analysis with 108 of planned 250 patients; potential underpower for rare events.
- Non-randomized design risks selection bias; median follow-up of 2.3 years may not capture late oncologic outcomes.
Future Directions: Complete accrual with longer follow-up, incorporate standardized patient-reported outcomes and cost-utility analyses, and explore risk-adjusted or matched comparisons.
BACKGROUND: Today partial reconstruction in breast cancer (BC) surgery involves displacement or replacement procedures to improve cosmesis without compromising safety. However, patient satisfaction should be compared among several options, in order to get additional criteria for a personalized approach. The aim is evaluate oncological, aesthetic and functional results after monolateral (reshaping or replacement) or bilateral (mammoplasty with contralateral pexy or reduction) conserving strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The protocol provides for the enrollment of a prospective sample of 250 patients in a time frame of 3 years. The first 108 cases (range 18-85 years) with BC diagnosis, and suitable for type 1-2 oncoplastic surgery who gave informed consent, were selected Data analysis was focused on radicality, complications, cosmetic and functional results related to quality of life, comparing monolateral (ML) and bilateral (BL) groups. RESULTS: Tumor size (p = 0.01), multifocality (p = 0.05), multicentricity (p = 0.01) and estimated resection volume (p = 0.000) were higher in the BL group. There was a comparable re-excision rate for positive margins (p = 0.72), and after 2.3 years, no difference in local recurrences were recorded. No early (p > 0.05), but late complications were more common in the BL (p = 0.07). The overall satisfaction with cosmesis and well-being were characterized by similar proportions of good results (p>0.05), with some details more related to each procedure. CONCLUSION: The proposed techniques represent effective solutions for reshaping that follows BC excision, achieving comparable early complications, low re-interventions with good aesthetic results and social functioning. However, is crucial a careful patient selection and surgical plan while predicting any sequel or delayed complication during follow-up.
3. Reactivity of aragonite with dicalcium phosphate facilitates removal of dental calculus.
Aragonite (a calcium carbonate polymorph) reacts with dental calculus containing dicalcium phosphate under aqueous conditions, increasing surface roughness and facilitating removal by brushing. Stylus profilometry after brushing with aragonite slurries supports its potential as a toothpaste abrasive for calculus management.
Impact: Introduces a mechanistically informed abrasive concept that chemically interacts with calculus to enhance mechanical removal, potentially improving dental calculus control beyond purely mechanical abrasives.
Clinical Implications: Suggests a pathway to develop toothpaste abrasives that chemically roughen calculus to aid removal; safety and effects on enamel/dentin wear need rigorous validation before clinical adoption.
Key Findings
- Aragonite reacted with dental calculus in aqueous conditions, altering surface composition and morphology.
- This reaction increased calculus surface roughness, facilitating removal by brushing.
- Stylus profilometry quantified abrasion depth after brushing with aragonite slurries on calculus, enamel, and dentin sections.
Methodological Strengths
- Combined surface chemistry/morphology assessment with functional abrasion testing.
- Use of multiple substrates (calculus, enamel, dentin) to contextualize efficacy and potential wear.
Limitations
- In vitro/ex vivo setup may not reflect intraoral conditions (saliva, biofilm dynamics, forces).
- Safety margins for enamel/dentin wear and clinical efficacy were not established.
Future Directions: Assess enamel/dentin safety thresholds, in vivo plaque/calculus outcomes, and optimize particle size and formulation for efficacy and tolerability.
Dental calculus, a main contributor of periodontal diseases, is mostly composed of inorganic calcium phosphate species such as dicalcium phosphate, whitlockite, octa calcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite. Under physiological pH 7.4, dicalcium phosphates can gradually interact with calcium carbonate to form hydroxyapatite. Therefore, we hypothesized that aragonite (Arg) could react with dental calculus, facilitating its removal. To assess the reactivity of Arg with dental calculus, we examined the changes in surface morphology, composition, and topography of Arg and dental calculus upon exposure to each other in an aqueous environment. The impact of Arg on the removal of dental calculus was assessed by brushing polished sections of dental calculus, enamel, and dentin with slurries of Arg and measuring the depth of abrasion using a stylus profilometer. Our results demonstrate that Arg can react with dental calculus in aqueous environment. This reaction increases calculus surface roughness which in turn facilitate dental calculus removal by brushing. Aragonite could be a promising abrasive for toothpaste design for management of dental calculus.