Effect of layer-by-layer antimicrobial edible coating of alginate and chitosan with grapefruit seed extract for shelf-life extension of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) stored at 4 °C.

The effect of a layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic deposition coating of alginate and chitosan with grapefruit seed extract was investigated on the shelf life of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) stored for 15 days under refrigeration (4 °C). The shrimp were periodically analyzed for changes in microbiological parameters (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and total aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria counts), chemical parameters, melanosis, and sensory characteristics. The chitosan-alginate coating had the advantage of reducing the bacterial count by 2 log CFU in combination with the antimicrobial activity of the grapefruit seed extract. The bilayer coating reduced the off-flavor of shrimp during the storage period by preventing the odor of acetic acid that was used to dissolve chitosan. In conclusion, chitosan and chitosan-alginate treatments could prolong the shelf life of shrimp.

An Open Label, Multi-Center, Non-Interventional Post-Marketing Surveillance to Monitor the Safety and Efficacy of ALTARGO® (Retapamulin) Administered in Korean Patients According to the Prescribing Information.

BACKGROUND: With the approval of topical retapamulin ointment in 2011, it was officially required to conduct a post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study to obtain further data of its safety profile and effectiveness, in accordance with the requirement of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). OBJECTIVE: This study had prospectively designed to monitor safety and tolerability with the effectiveness of topical retapamulin in clinical practices. METHODS: Open label, multi-center, non-interventional observational study was done from May 2011 to October 2015. All subjects had bacterial skin infections of locally approved prescribing information accordingly. The study mainly focused on safety issues in the local target population (3,612 eligible subjects). And, drug effectiveness was also evaluated by physicians. RESULTS: The incidence of adverse events (AEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were 2.53% and 0.97%, respectively. In terms of the incidence of unexpected AEs and ADRs, 1.45% and 0.33%, and for the incidence of serious AEs, 0.28%, whereas no serious ADRs reported. And, the effectiveness of topical retapamulin rate was 96.1% (1,697 of total 1,765 subjects). CONCLUSION: Topical retapamulin is to be well-tolerated and effective in patients with bacterial skin infections of locally approved prescribing information.

Understanding patient and physician perceptions of male androgenetic alopecia treatments in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

This survey aimed to explore patient and physician attitudes towards male androgenetic alopecia (AGA), satisfaction with currently available male AGA treatments and investigate the factors affecting treatment choice. The survey was carried out in five countries (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico and Brazil) between November and December 2015 using a standard market research methodology. Questionnaires were completed by patients with male AGA or hair loss/thinning and practicing physicians who were responsible for prescribing AGA treatment. In total, 835 patients and 338 physicians completed the questionnaire. Overall, 37.6% of patients reported satisfaction with the treatments they had used. The highest patient satisfaction was reported for 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (53.9% of patients satisfied). In all countries, physicians were more likely than patients to think that male AGA has a major impact on patient confidence (89.3% vs 70.4%, respectively). There was agreement by physicians and patients that male AGA patients who are involved in their treatment decisions have better outcomes. Patients who were satisfied with AGA treatments were more likely to have the level of involvement they desired in treatment decisions (69.1% of satisfied patients) than dissatisfied patients (56.4% of dissatisfied patients). This survey provides valuable insights into the attitudes of patients and physicians in Asia and Latin America about male AGA and its treatments. The survey identified areas of disconnect between physicians and patients regarding the impact of male AGA, treatment consultations and the importance of treatment attributes. It also highlights the need for physicians to spend sufficient time with patients discussing AGA treatment approaches.