Diagnosis and treatment of hypertonic dehydration in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

Hypertonic dehydration is prevalent in the elderly, increases the risk of adverse events, reduces quality of life, and increases hospitalization and mortality.Current methods of diagnosing dehydration, such as physical signs, urine tests, urea nitrogen/creatinine, bioelectrical impedance and saliva, are not suitable for the diagnosis of dehydration in the elderly.There is no gold standard for the diagnosis of hypertonic dehydration in the elderly.The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism(ESPEN)recommends the direct measurement of plasma/serum osmotic pressure or using an osmotic pressure formula[osmolarity(mmol/L)=1.86 ×(Na + + K + )+ 1.15×glucose+ urea+ 14](all measured in mmol/L)for the diagnosis of hypertonic dehydration.

Correlations between transepidermal water loss rates and stratum corneum hydration levels in healthy children / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To determine whether the transepidermal water loss rate (TEWL) is correlated with the stratum corneum (SC) hydration level.Methods:Healthy children aged ≤ 17 years were enrolled from Medical Center for Public Health of Puning, 2 kindergartens and 2 primary schools, from October 2021 to June 2022. TEWL and SC hydration levels were measured on the left forearm and right anterior shank using a device for measuring skin physiological funcitons. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlations between TEWL and SC hydration levels in children of different ages and genders.Results:A total of 1 396 healthy children were enrolled, aged from 1 month to 17 years. Among them, 783 were male children and 613 were female children. In children aged 1 to < 12 months, no correlation was observed between TEWL and SC hydration levels on the forearms of male children, while TEWL was positively correlated with SC hydration levels on the anterior shanks of male children, as well as on the forearm and anterior shanks of female children ( r = 0.283, 0.404, 0.420, respectively, all P < 0.05) . In children aged 1 to 2 years, positive correlations were observed between the above two indicators on the anterior shanks of male children and forearms of female children ( r = 0.370, 0.419, respectively, both P < 0.01) , while there were no correlations between the two indicators on the anterior shanks of female children or forearms of male children. Positive correlations were observed between TEWL and SC hydration levels on both the forearms and anterior shanks of female children and the forearms of male children aged 3 to 5 years and 6 to 11 years ( r values ranging from 0.172 to 0.293, all P < 0.05) , but not on the anterior shanks of male children aged from 6 to 11 years. The group aged 12 to 17 years exhibited significantly positive correlations between TEWL and SC hydration levels on both the anterior shanks and forearms of male and female children ( r values ranging from 0.269 to 0.485, all P < 0.001) . Conclusion:SC hydration levels are positively correlated with TEWL on the anterior shanks and forearms of healthy children, and the degree of correlation tends to increase with age.

Does dry skin indicate defective epidermal permeability barrier? / 中华皮肤科杂志

It has been speculated that dry skin results from dysfunction of epidermal permeability barrier. But so far, there is no sufficient evidence to support this speculation. In fact, dry skin indicates low levels of stratum corneum hydration. Stratum corneum hydration levels are primarily determined by the content of natural moisturizers in the skin, while epidermal permeability barrier is mainly regulated by intercellular lipids and structural proteins in the stratum corneum. If dry skin is due to a defective permeability barrier, stratum corneum hydration levels should be inversely correlated with transepidermal water loss (TEWL) , an indicator of epidermal permeability barrier function. But no negative correlation has been demonstrated between stratum corneum hydration levels and TEWL in either normal human skin, ichthyoses lesions of patients, or sebaceous gland-deficient mice in a number of studies. In contrast, a positive correlation between stratum corneum hydration levels and TEWL was observed in normal human skin. Taken together, a line of evidence suggests that dry skin unlikely indicates epidermal permeability barrier dysfunction.

Effects of skin care products containing oligopeptides and bio-polysaccharides on sensitive skin barrier function / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effects and adverse reactions of external skin care products containing oltides and bio-polysaccharides on epidermaligopep barrier function of sensitive skin.Methods:From December 2019 to July 2020, there were 30 sensitive skin volunteers diagnosed and treated in the dermatology clinic of Beijing Tongren Hospital, including 3 males and 27 females, aged 18-57 years, with an average of 34 years, and the course of disease was 1-10 years, with an average of 5.75 years. They were treated once with products containing oligopeptides and biopolysaccharides on the day of enrollment. Before treatment, 1 week and 4 weeks after treatment, we observed and evaluated through VISIA analysis; skin physiological index measurement, subjective and objective improvement assessment, and product safety were evaluated through questionnaire surveys.Results:The VISIA data showed that the red zone was significantly lower than the baseline, and the data at the 4th week and before treatment were significantly improved ( P<0.05). On skin physiology, the test showed that after treatment, the difference between two follow-up visits and the water content before was statistically significant ( P<0.05). TEWL value after 4 weeks of treatment was significantly improved as compared with the baseline ( P<0.05). During the entire study process, no adverse reactions related to the product occurred. Conclusions:This skin care product containing oligopeptides and biopolysaccharides can increase the water content of the sensitive skin, reduce the water loss through the skin, and improve the skin barrier function. Meanwhile, no server adverse reaction is detected through the whole experiment.

Effects of metal or dissolving microneedles and its parameters of operation on the formation and closure of skin microchannels / 药学学报

To investigate the influence factors and effects of metal or dissolving microneedles on the formation and healing of skin microchannels, the pencil-shaped or conical stainless steel microneedles with different lengths, tip to tip space and base area, and the pencil-shaped dissolving microneedles with different tip to tip space were used. The microneedles were applied to the skin of epilatory mice and rats, and the effects of various microneedle parameters, application parameters, and animals on the microchannels were explored by the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and methylene blue staining. Visually observe the skin local irritation caused by the microneedles. The animal experiments were approved by the Animal Experiments Welfare and Ethical Committee of Zhejiang University of Technology. The application time of the microneedle should be maintained at 30 s or more. When the insertion forces were 2, 4, 8 N, and the TEWL initial values of the formed microchannels were 12.9, 33.0, 40.4 g·m-2·h-1, respectively. When the length of metal microneedle were 400, 600, 800 μm, and the TEWL initial values of the formed microchannels were 37.1, 40.4, 49.5 g·m-2·h-1, respectively. When the tip to tip space of metal microneedle were 400, 600, 800 μm, and the TEWL initial values of the formed microchannels were 33.2, 40.4, 55.8 g·m-2·h-1, respectively. When the base area of metal microneedle were 0.16, 0.35, 0.62 cm2, and the TEWL initial values of the formed microchannels were 35.1, 40.4, 67.1 g·m-2·h-1, respectively. The effects of conical and pencil-shaped microneedles are similar. When the tip to tip space of pencil shaped dissolving microneedle were 400, 600, 800 μm, and the TEWL initial values of the formed microchannels were 49.8, 60.5, 70.5 g·m-2·h-1, respectively. The TEWL baseline values of animal skins of different genders and series are different, but the tendency of microchannels formation and closure is similar. Visual inspection revealed that the slight erythema caused by the microneedles subsided within 24 h. Microneedles of different parameters have different effects on microchannels. The microchannels closed within 24 or 48 h, and the skin local irritation caused by microneedle was mild.

Estudio del efecto citotóxico e irritativo de jabones para la limpieza cutánea / Study of the cytotoxic and irritant effects of skin cleansing soaps

Resumen Introducción: El jabón para el aseo cutáneo es de empleo común entre la población, sin embargo, es posible que cause daño a las células de la piel y modifique la barrera cutánea. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto citotóxico de los jabones en queratinocitos cultivados in vitro y correlacionarlo con la irritación clínica. Método: Se realizó una encuesta para conocer los jabones comerciales más utilizados y su cantidad; posteriormente, se evaluó su citotoxicidad en cultivos de queratinocitos humanos mediante el método de resazurina. Los jabones con mayor y menor citotoxicidad se aplicaron en piel de voluntarios sanos para evaluar su efecto en la barrera cutánea mediante ensayos de colorimetría y pérdida transepidérmica de agua. Resultados: De los jabones analizados, 37 % demostró ser tóxico para los queratinocitos in vitro. El jabón con mayor toxicidad indujo el mayor índice de eritema y pérdida transepidérmica de agua, en comparación con el jabón menos tóxico y el vehículo empleado como solución control. Conclusión: Los jabones comercializados para el aseo cutáneo pueden incluir ingredientes químicos que dañan los queratinocitos humanos y causan irritación subclínica de la barrera cutánea. Su utilización puede agravar dermatosis preexistentes, generar dermatitis xerósica o de contacto irritativa y causar atrofia y dermatoporosis.

Abstract Introduction: The use of soap for skin cleansing is common among the population. However, it is possible that it causes damage to skin cells and disrupts the skin barrier. Objective: To determine the cytotoxic effect of soaps on in vitro-cultured keratinocytes and to correlate it with clinical irritation. Method: A survey was conducted to find out the most widely used commercial soaps and their number. Subsequently, their cytotoxicity was evaluated in human keratinocyte cultures using the resazurin assay. The soaps with the highest and lowest cytotoxicity were applied to the skin of healthy volunteers to assess their effect on the skin barrier using colorimetry and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) assays. Results: Of the analyzed soaps, 37 % were shown to be toxic to keratinocytes in vitro. The soap with the highest toxicity induced the highest rate of erythema and TEWL, in comparison with the least toxic soap and the vehicle used as the control solution. Conclusion: Soaps marketed for skin cleansing can contain chemical ingredients that damage human keratinocytes and cause skin barrier subclinical irritation. Their use can worsen preexisting dermatoses, generate xerotic or irritant contact dermatitis, and cause atrophy and dermatoporosis.

Aerobic Metabolism Alterations as an Evidence of Underlying Deltamethrin Resistance Mechanisms in Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) / Alterações do metabolismo aeróbico como evidência de mecanismos subjacentes de resistência à deltametrina em Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Abstract Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834), the main vector of Chagas disease in Latin America, is regularly controlled by spraying the pyrethroid deltamethrin, to which some populations have developed resistance. The three main mechanisms of resistance are 1) metabolic resistance by overexpression or increased activity of detoxifying enzymes, 2) target site mutations, and 3) cuticle thickening/modification. We use open-flow respirometry to measure real-time H2O loss rate (V˙H2O) and CO2 production rate (V˙CO2), on nymphs from susceptible and resistant populations before and after exposure to the insecticide to understand the underlying mechanisms of resistance in live insects. Lack of differences in V˙H2O between populations suggested that cuticular thickness/composition is not acting as a relevant resistance mechanism. Similarly, there was no difference in resting V˙CO2, suggesting a trade-off between resistance mechanisms and other physiological processes. The increment in V˙CO2 after application of deltamethrin was similar in both populations, which suggested that while enhanced enzymatic detoxification may play a role in resistance expression in this population, the main mechanism involved should be a passive one such as target site mutations. Open-flow respirometry provided useful evidence for evaluating the mechanisms involved in deltamethrin resistance. Using this technique could improve efficiency of scientific research in the area of insecticide resistance management, leading to a faster decision making and hence improved control results.

The Beneficial Effect Of 20% Sunflower Seed Oil Cream On Mild Atopic Dermatitis In Children

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of topical applications of 20% sunflower seed oil (SSO) in decreasing the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index value in mild atopic dermatitis (AD) pediatric patients in Bandung, Indonesia. Methods: This was a randomized study involving 20 children with mild AD (SCORAD<25) in Bandung, Indonesia. They were divided into 2 groups: the experimental group treated with 20% SSO cream and the control group treated with a common moisturizing cream for four weeks. The TEWL score including SCORAD index was evaluated at baseline, week 1, week 2, and week 4. Results: A total of 20 participants completed the study. In the first week, the control group had TEWL score decrement by 36.62% while the experimental group by 28.89% (p=0.88). In the fourth week, the TEWL decrements of the experimental and control group were by 56.94% and 52.50%, respectively (p=0.20), and this was followed by an improvement of SCORAD index in both treatment groups. Conclusion: The 20% SSO cream has a beneficial effect in decreasing the TEWL score and improving SCORAD indices. Therefore, it can be considered as an alternative treatment for mild AD among children.

Optimization of the osmotic dehydration of ginger / Otimização da desidratação osmótica do gengibre

ABSTRACT: The present research aimed to optimize the process of osmotic dehydration (OD) of ginger with hypertonic sucrose solution employing response surface methodology. A 23 experimental planning was carried out and 17 experimental assays were performed based on three independent variables (temperature, concentration of the osmotic solution and immersion time) and three dependent variables (moisture loss (ML), solids gain (SG) and dehydration efficiency index (DEI)). The selected assay conditions exhibited the preferred DEI value (the highest ML and lower SG), which were considered in the optimization. Assay 16 demonstrated to be the most favorable conditions for the osmotic dehydration of ginger (DEI =1.61) at 40 40 °C, 50 °Brix and 90 minutes of immersion time. Assay 1 performed at 34 °C, 44 °Brix and 120 minutes of immersion time also displayed desirable response (DEI =1.45). Thus, these two assays were evaluated for the presence of thermal-tolerant coliforms: Bacillus cereus and Salmonella sp.. The analyses presented values below the acceptable limits, which assured high quality hygienic and sanitary conditions of the product.

RESUMO: A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo otimizar o processo de desidratação osmótica (DO) do gengibre, com solução hipertônica de sacarose, pelo método de superfície de resposta. Foi utilizado um planejamento fatorial 23 completo, totalizando 17 ensaios, tendo como variáveis independentes: temperatura, concentração da solução osmótica e tempo de imersão e variáveis dependentes, como,: perda de umidade (PU), ganho de sólidos (GS) e índice de eficiência de desidratação osmótica (IED). Para otimizar foi considerado o melhor ensaio, o que obteve maior IED, ou seja, maior PU e menor GS. As melhores condições para a desidratação osmótica de gengibre foram obtidos a 40 °C, 50 °Brix e 90 minutos de imersão (Ensaio 16) com IED de 1.61 vindo em seguida o Ensaio 1 (34 ºC, 44 ºBrix e 120 minutos de imersão) com IED de 1.45. Estes ensaios foram avaliados quanto à coliformes tolerantes térmicas, Bacillus cereus e Salmonella spp., apresentando valores abaixo dos limites aceitáveis, indicando boas condições higiênicas sanitárias do produto.

A cross-sectional study of variations in the biophysical parameters of skin among healthy volunteers

Background: Biophysical parameters of skin such as trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, elasticity, pH, and sebum reflects it functional integrity. Advances in technology have made it possible to measure these parameters by non-invasive methods. These parameters are useful for the prediction of disease and its prognosis. It also helps in developing new skin care products according to various skin types, and to evaluate, modify, or compare the effects of existing products. Aim: The aim of the study was to measure, evaluate, and analyze variations in biophysical parameters at pre-selected skin sites in healthy Indian volunteers, across different age groups and gender. Methods: The study was conducted among 500 healthy Indian volunteers, between 5 and 70 years of age, in the outpatient department of dermatology at Sir T. Hospital, Bhavnagar. Biophysical parameters such as TEWL, hydration, elasticity, and sebum content was measured on four pre-selected body sites by a Dermalab instrument (Cortex Technology, Denmark). The skin pH was measured with a sensitive pH probe (BEPL 2100). Results: All parameters were higher in males compared to females, except for sebum content, which was equal in both genders. Transepidermal water loss and hydration was lower in middle and older age groups. The skin pH showed no statistically significant difference with age. Sebum content was higher in middle and older age groups. The nose had the highest sebum content across all age groups. The forehead showed higher median values of TEWL and hydration compared to other sites. Though elasticity has highest value on forearm, only leg region showed statistically significant value. Limitations: The present study was confined to a single geographical area, so the effect of environment changes could not be judged accurately. Seasonal variations were not studied as it was a cross-sectional study. Conclusion: Skin properties vary with age, gender, and location on the body. This knowledge will help to create a database of these parameters in the Indian population. It would assist in the diagnosis of various clinical conditions and monitor therapeutic response.

A cross-sectional study of variations in the biophysical parameters of skin among healthy volunteers

Background: Biophysical parameters of skin such as trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, elasticity, pH, and sebum reflects it functional integrity. Advances in technology have made it possible to measure these parameters by non-invasive methods. These parameters are useful for the prediction of disease and its prognosis. It also helps in developing new skin care products according to various skin types, and to evaluate, modify, or compare the effects of existing products. Aim: The aim of the study was to measure, evaluate, and analyze variations in biophysical parameters at pre-selected skin sites in healthy Indian volunteers, across different age groups and gender. Methods: The study was conducted among 500 healthy Indian volunteers, between 5 and 70 years of age, in the outpatient department of dermatology at Sir T. Hospital, Bhavnagar. Biophysical parameters such as TEWL, hydration, elasticity, and sebum content was measured on four pre-selected body sites by a Dermalab instrument (Cortex Technology, Denmark). The skin pH was measured with a sensitive pH probe (BEPL 2100). Results: All parameters were higher in males compared to females, except for sebum content, which was equal in both genders. Transepidermal water loss and hydration was lower in middle and older age groups. The skin pH showed no statistically significant difference with age. Sebum content was higher in middle and older age groups. The nose had the highest sebum content across all age groups. The forehead showed higher median values of TEWL and hydration compared to other sites. Though elasticity has highest value on forearm, only leg region showed statistically significant value. Limitations: The present study was confined to a single geographical area, so the effect of environment changes could not be judged accurately. Seasonal variations were not studied as it was a cross-sectional study. Conclusion: Skin properties vary with age, gender, and location on the body. This knowledge will help to create a database of these parameters in the Indian population. It would assist in the diagnosis of various clinical conditions and monitor therapeutic response.

Gestão de perdas em sistemas de abastecimento de água: uma abordagem construtivista / Water loss management: a constructivist approach

RESUMO Com o aumento da demanda e a crise hídrica em muitos países, a gestão de perdas em sistemas de abastecimento de água mostra-se relevante em todos os serviços de água. Esta pesquisa propôs-se a construir um modelo de avaliação de desempenho para apoiar uma empresa de saneamento quanto à gestão de perdas nos sistemas de abastecimento de água que opera. Para tanto, baseou-se na Metodologia Multicritério de Apoio à Decisão - Construtivista (MCDA-C). A construção do modelo seguiu as três fases do MCDA-C: estruturação, avaliação e recomendações. Na fase de estruturação, foram construídos 64 descritores, distribuídos em quatro áreas de preocupação: perdas aparentes, perdas reais, apoio operacional e relacionamento externo. Ao final da fase de avaliação, o status quo do sistema de abastecimento de água estudado foi de 22,51, considerado, pelo decisor, no nível competitivo. Foram elaboradas recomendações de ações para melhorar o desempenho do status quo para aqueles descritores que apresentaram desempenho comprometedor e que foram julgados pelo decisor como merecedores de aperfeiçoamento. As recomendações simuladas em conjunto foram importantes para a melhora no desempenho em todas as áreas de preocupação, resultando no desempenho global de 60,82. Assim, a metodologia MCDA-C mostrou-se coerente para os temas abordados nesta pesquisa e confirmou suas premissas construtivistas em todas as suas fases aqui desenvolvidas: estruturação, avaliação e recomendações.

ABSTRACT Considering the increasing demand and the water crisis in many countries, loss management in water supply systems seems relevant to all water services. This research set out to build a performance evaluation model to support a sanitation company on the loss management in the water supply systems that it operates, based on the Constructivist Multicriteria Decision Aid Approach (MCDA-C). The model construction followed the three phases of MCDA-C: structuring, actions evaluation and recommendations. The structuring phase resulted in 64 descriptors in four families of fundamental points of view: apparent losses, real losses, operational support, and external relations. At the end of the evaluation phase, the status quo of the water supply system studied was 22.51, within the competitive level judged by the decision-maker. Actions recommendations were designed to improve the status quo performance of those descriptors with compromising performance, judged by the decision-maker as relevant to be improved. Recommendations were important for improving performance in all families of fundamental points of view, resulting in the overall performance of 60.82. This way, the MCDA-C methodology proved to be consistent for the topics covered in this research and confirmed its constructivist assumptions in all the stages developed here: structuring, evaluation and recommendations.

Therapeutic Benefits of Natural Ingredients for Atopic Dermatitis / 中国结合医学杂志

Although a variety of regimens are available for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), severe adverse reactions and unpopular costs often limit their usage. In contrast, certain inexpensive, naturally-occurring ingredients are proven effective for AD with fewer side effects. The beneficial effects of these ingredients can be attributed to inhibition of cytokine and chemokine expression, IgE production, inflammatory cell infiltration, histamine release, and/or the enhancement of epidermal permeability barrier function. Since herbal medicines are widely available, inexpensive and generally safe, they could be valuable alternatives for the treatment of AD, particularly for those patients who are not suitable for the utilization of immune modulators. In this review, we summarize the therapeutic benefits of natural ingredients for the treatment of AD and the mechanisms of their actions.

Influence of Repeated Senna Laxative Use on Skin Barrier Function in Mice

BACKGROUND: Senna, one of the major stimulant laxatives, is widely used for treating constipation. Chronic senna use has been reported to be associated with colonic disorders such as melanosis coli and/or epithelial hyperplasia. However, there is no obvious information on the influence of chronic senna use on organs except for the intestine. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the influence of senna laxative use on skin barrier function by repeated senna administration. METHODS: Eight-week-old male hairless mice received senna (10 mg/kg/day) for 21 days. After administration, we evaluated transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and investigated the biomarkers in plasma and skin using protein analysis methods. RESULTS: Fecal water content on day seven was significantly increased; however, on day 21, it was significantly decreased after repeated senna administration. In the senna-administered group, TEWL was significantly higher compared to the control on days seven and 21. Plasma acetylcholine concentration and NO2 −/NO3 − were increased on days seven and 21, respectively. In skin, tryptase-positive mast cells and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-positive cells were increased on days seven and 21, respectively. The increase of TEWL on days seven and 21 was suppressed by the administration of atropine and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, respectively. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that diarrhea or constipation induced by repeated senna administration caused the impairment of skin barrier function. There is a possibility that this impaired skin barrier function occurred due to degranulation of mast cells via cholinergic signals or oxidative stress derived from iNOS.

Establishment of reference intake of water for Korean adults in 2015 / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This review was performed to establish a reference intake of water for Korean (KDRI-water) adults in 2015 by examining current knowledge of the relationship between water intake and health and the general status of water intake and loss. We expect that this study will be utilized for further refinement of KDRI-water. METHODS: Documents were searched using RISS, NDSL, DBPIA, CINAHL, and Pubmed with the keywords ‘water intake, water supply, water ingestion, hydration, dehydration, water balance, and fluid balance’. RESULTS: Water balance is essential for the maintenance of health. Based on this assumption, numerous studies have been performed to investigate the association of water intake with several diseases such as urolithasis, obesity, diabetes, and cancer as well as other health problems, including constipation, cognition, and fetal weight. Effects of water intake for prevention or relief of these health problems vary. Water is supplied to the body by eating foods and drinking liquids such as plain water and beverages. Metabolic water is another source of water input. Water is lost through urine, skin, respiration, and feces. KDRI-water 2015 was set by adequate intake (AI) based on water intake volume, which was the sum of water intakes from foods and fluids reported by the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with extra milk intake of 200 mL. AIs in some age groups were modified considering their estimated energy requirements. CONCLUSION: Accurate data of water intake is critically important for the establishment of KDRI-water. Therefore, improvement of systems investigating water intake is required, and more studies on the status of water intake and loss in Korean people are needed for definite KDRI-water establishment.

Gestão das perdas de água e energia em sistema de abastecimento de água da Embasa: um estudo dos fatores intervenientes na RMS / Management of water and energy losses in Embasa water supply systems: a study of factors involved in RMS

RESUMO No Brasil, os sistemas de abastecimento de água ainda apresentam perdas de água e baixa eficiência energética. O presente trabalho objetiva analisar os fatores que têm influenciado na efetividade da gestão das perdas de água e energia em sistemas de abastecimento operados pela Empresa Baiana de Águas e Saneamento (Embasa) na região metropolitana de Salvador (RMS). A pesquisa documental e a avaliação dos dados permitiram verificar o comportamento dos indicadores e os resultados dos programas implementados. Os dados evidenciaram que, apesar dos programas, as perdas de água se mantiveram elevadas, e as ações de eficiência energética foram mais eficazes. Os programas implementados foram pontuais, voltados prioritariamente para ações técnico-operacionais, carecendo de um planejamento mais estratégico por parte da empresa. Do estudo, concluiu-se que o sucesso das ações para o uso eficiente da água e energia, obrigatoriamente, exige a superação das abordagens parciais e voltadas para a dimensão técnico-operacional, devendo-se incorporar a noção da complexidade e o caráter intersetorial e integrado.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, water supply systems still present water losses and low energy efficiency. The study aimed to analyze the factors that have influenced the effectiveness of the management of water losses and energy supply systems operated by Empresa Baiana de Águas e Saneamento (Embasa) in metropolitan region of Salvador (RMS). The research and the evaluation of the data allowed us to verify the behavior of the indicators and the results of the implemented programs. The data showed that, despite the programs, water losses remained high, and the energy efficiency actions were more effective. The implemented programs were timely, targeted primarily for technical and operational actions, lacking a more strategic planning for the company. The study concluded that the success of the actions for the efficient use of water and energy necessarily requires the overcoming of partial and focused approaches to technical and operational dimension and to incorporate the notion of complexity, intersectoral and integrated character .

Uso de indicadores de perdas para seleção de um benchmarking entre as companhias estaduais de serviço de distribuição de água no Brasil / The use of water loss index as an indicator for benchmarking: the case of Brazilian water supply state companies

RESUMO Tendo como referência indicadores operacionais relacionados a perdas de água e que constam na base de dados do Sistema Nacional de Informações sobre Saneamento (SNIS), baseados em resultados do ano de 2010, o presente estudo definiu critérios para o estabelecimento de parâmetros de avaliação de desempenho operacional - benchmarking , e como estudo de caso utilizou dados referentes a 22 prestadores regionais de serviços de saneamento no Brasil, notadamente as companhias estaduais de saneamento. Complementarmente, a partir do agrupamento dos prestadores de serviços em função do atendimento ou não ao benchmarking estabelecido, o trabalho compara o desempenho operacional de ambos os grupos, incluindo a avaliação à luz de diferentes estratos populacionais, bem como ressalta os resultados obtidos pelos prestadores que atenderam ao benchmarking , durante o período compreendido entre aos anos de 2002 e 2009. Da base SNIS foram utilizados os seguintes indicadores operacionais e de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos obtiveram-se os valores de benchmarking: índice e micromedição relativo ao volume disponibilizado (IN010) - 65,48%, índice de perdas no faturamento (IN013) - 24,10%, índice de perdas na distribuição (IN049) - 33% - e índice de perda por ligação (IN051) - 254,20 L.lig-1.dia-1. Dentre as 22 prestadoras analisadas, 4 atenderam ao benchmarking proposto. A avaliação de desempenho dos prestadores de serviço à luz dos estratos populacionais indica melhores resultados quando atendidos municípios de até 20.000 habitantes. Em geral, os prestadores que atendem ao benchmarking estabelecido para o ano 2010 apresentaram resultados operacionais similares durante o período de 2002 a 2009.

ABSTRACT Using as reference water loss indexes contained in the database of National Information System on Water and Sanitation (SNIS), based on results for the year 2010, this study defines criteria for the establishment of operational performance evaluation parameters - benchmarking, and as a case study uses data concerning 22 regional water supply companies from different States in Brazil. In addition, combining the water suppliers in two groups, one containing those that responded to the proposed benchmarking, and the other containing those that did not respond to it, the study compares the operating performance of both groups, including evaluation from different population strata, and highlights the results achieved by the companies that responded to the benchmarking between 2002 and 2009. A few operational indicators, obtained from the SNIS database, were used and according to the established criteria the following benchmarking values were obtained: index IN010 - 65.48%, IN013 - 24.10%, IN049 - 33% - and IN051- 254.20 L.lig-1.day-1. Among the 22 analyzes companies, four of them responded to the proposed benchmarking. The evaluation of the companies' performance, according to the population strata, indicates better results when the municipalities served had up to 20,000 inhabitants. In general, the water supply companies that met the benchmarking set for the year 2010 showed similar operating results during the period 2002-2009.

Skin barrier in rosacea

Abstract Recent studies about the cutaneous barrier demonstrated consistent evidence that the stratum corneum is a metabolically active structure and also has adaptive functions, may play a regulatory role in the inflammatory response with activation of keratinocytes, angiogenesis and fibroplasia, whose intensity depends primarily on the intensity the stimulus. There are few studies investigating the abnormalities of the skin barrier in rosacea, but the existing data already show that there are changes resulting from inflammation, which can generate a vicious circle caused a prolongation of flare-ups and worsening of symptoms. This article aims to gather the most relevant literature data about the characteristics and effects of the state of the skin barrier in rosacea.

Effects of Intake of Astaxanthin Contained Drink on Skin Condition / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Objectives: To study the effect of astaxanthin contained drink to skin conditionMethod: The study was conducted to the Japanese females between age over thirty to less than fifty , who had weakening of skin (including aging, sag and dry skin) and skin dullness. In order to conduct the objective evaluation, the comparison between the groups by the double-blind test was taken. Twenty of subjects were randomly allocated to the intake group of astaxanthin contained drink (astaxanthin 3mg contained) and the placebo group. After eight weeks intake of the drink, each group was evaluated with skin water contents, transepidermal water loss, skin elasticity, VISIA and skin texture etc.Result: In between the groups, the intake group of astaxanthin contained drink was greatly excellent in the categories of skin moisture, transepidermal water loss, skin elasticity , erythema dose and skin texture.Conclusion:Astaxanthin has protecting effect of skin barrier and is considered to increase the water retention capability to reduce skin dryness. Astaxanthin is also effective to erythema dose, skin elasticity and skin texture.　As no adverse events resulting from the test drink was seen, such food containing astaxanthin is considered as a safe and useful health functional food material to skin.

The Effect of Mometasone Furoate Cream on Skin Barrier Function in Patients with Allergic Contact Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how the usage of topical steroid agents affects skin barrier function. OBJECTIVE: In order to follow up on previous research into this topic, we sought to investigate the effects of a 3-week application of topical mometasone cream on the alteration of skin barrier function. METHODS: Twenty-six patients who had been clinically diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis were enrolled. Topical mometasone cream was applied to the skin lesions. Clinical symptoms, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), corneometer unit, and pH value were measured on the initial visit, 1 week after treatment, and 3 weeks after treatment, and their values were compared. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms showed improvement after topical mometasone cream was applied (p0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that treatment with topical mometasone cream for 3 weeks has no effect on skin barrier function. We believe that this research will help determine the optimal duration and dosage of topical steroid agents used for treating allergic contact dermatitis.