Daily Cosmetic Research Analysis

BACKGROUND: The relative risks of HBV reactivation (HBVr) and HCV reactivation (HCVr) associated with different immunosuppressant agents in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are unknown. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the comparative risks of HBVr and HCVr for patients treated with biologics and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. METHODS: We screened 5,527 treatment episodes (TEs) with available HBV and HCV serology data from 3197 patients who received biologics or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; 1525 eligible TEs (1343 HBV TEs; 182 HCV TEs) were included. RESULTS: HBVr and HCVr occurred in 143 (10.6%) and 18 (9.9%) of TEs during 2104.5 and 271.2 person-years of follow-up, respectively. The risks of HBVr and HCVr were highest for tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, followed by interleukin-12/23 inhibitor (IL-12/23i), IL-17i, and IL-23i. Analysis revealed drug class (tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors), hepatitis B surface antigen-positivity, hepatitis B e-antigen-positivity, concomitant use of immunosuppressants, and absence of antiviral prophylaxis were significantly associated with HBVr; a higher baseline viral load and drug class (tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors) were associated with HCVr. LIMITATIONS: Observational design and nonrandom treatment allocation. CONCLUSIONS: The differential risks of HBVr and HCVr should be considered when selecting targeted therapies in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, particularly for patients with risk factors for viral reactivation.

This study developed a novel phycocyanin nanoparticle (PCN) stabilized Pickering emulgel through the incorporation of amorphous cationic cassava starch (CCS), aiming to enhance stability and UV protection performance. The PCN/CCS complexes were fabricated by adjusting the PCN/CCS mass ratio (4:1-1:3), with optimal wettability (θ = 90.8°) achieved through precise surface properties modulation. Further analysis revealed that electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions dominated the PCN/CCS formation. Systematic investigation of oil phase content, particle concentration, and PCN/CCS ratio showed that the emulgel exhibited superior colloidal stability at an oil fraction of 70 %, an emulsifier concentration of 1 %, and a PCN/CCS ratio of 3:1. Notably, the CCS demonstrated bifunctional characteristics, serving as both co-stabilizer and gelling agent. Its long molecular chains construct a dense and cohesive gel network, conferring exceptional resistance to thermal (25-90 °C), pH (3-11), ionic (0-500 mM), centrifugation (4000 rpm, 10 min), and freeze-thaw stress. The emulgel exhibited markedly enhanced UV shielding, retaining 49.7 % of β-carotene and 23.8 % of astaxanthin after 72 h of exposure. These findings provide insights for designing innovative emulsification systems and the photoprotection of light-sensitive compounds for applications in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals.

BACKGROUND: Labiaplasties have significantly increased, mainly because of aesthetic dissatisfaction, despite the lack of clear definitions for vulva dimensions. AIM: To develop nomograms of the different vulvar structures and secondly to assess their association with women's genital self-perception in our setting (teaching hospital in Spain). METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study including women >16 years old attending gynecological consults for non-aesthetic reasons without vulvar pathology. A sociodemographic survey, and the validated questionnaires Female Genital Self-image scale-Spanish (FGSIS-S) and Genital Appearance Satisfaction-Spanish (GAS-S) were administered prior to the measurement of the external genital structures (labia majora, labia minora, and clitoral hood) and assessment of phenotypical characteristics. OUTCOMES: Participants were stratified into three age groups (<30, 30-49, ≥50 years) and the relationship between the widest labia minora and reported genital concern was analyzed using logistic regression; and its relationship with FGSIS-S and GAS-S scores through ordered logistic regression. RESULTS: 247 women aged 17-73 years old were included. Anatomy showed great variability. Vulva measurements (in mm) were (mean ± standard deviation): clitoral hood length 24 ± 9; and width 9 ± 3; labia minora width, right 19 ± 9, left 20 ± 8; and length, right 36 ± 13, left 41 ± 13. There was no significant association between the width of labia minora and the report of concern about genital appearance (P = 0.16), nor with FGSIS-S or GAS-S. We found a mild significant association between the length of the labia minora and women's report of concern (OR 1.02 (95% CI 1.00-1.04), P = 0.03); and with GAS-S (0.02 (95% CI 0.005-0.04)). After adjusting by age and parity, the length of the labia minora became non-statistically significant. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These references can help healthcare professionals educate patients about vulvar phenotypical diversity and provide better counselling, but they should be used cautiously to avoid medical pathologization when anatomy is not within the range described in studies. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: We provide a comprehensive approach to self-perception of genital satisfaction including validated questionnaires and measurements of different structures. The main limitation is the relatively small sample size that did not allow for stratification into more age groups or ethnicity subclassification and a possible self-selection bias of women who attend gynecological consults. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of the women in gynecological consults reported concern about genital appearance, unrelated to labia minora width or other measurements after adjusting by age and parity.