Head lice are tiny graybrown wingless parasitic insects that affect only humans. They live by sucking blood from the scalp. They cannot be caught from or passed on to animals. Nits are head lice eggs tiny white specks that are stuck to the base of hairs.

An infestation of head lice is known as pediculosis capitis.

Pediculosis capitis is the second most common communicable disease affecting schoolchildren, after the common cold.

Terminology The plural of louse is lice.
A louse is the adult.
A nymph is a young louse.
A nit is a louse egg.Parents must not feel embarrassed or guilty if their child has lice. Having lice is not a sign of being unhygienic, neglected, or living in a dirty environment.

The eggs take from 7 to 10 days to hatch, and 14 days later the lice are mature. A mature louse is 2 to 4 millimeters (mm) long. When the hatched louse is 14 days old it can reproduce.

Although anyone who has hair can have lice, they are more common among school children, especially those at primary school.What are the signs and symptoms of head lice infestation (pediculosis capitis)?It is quite common for infestations to occur without any symptoms at all. The most common signs and symptoms areItching of the scalp, sometimes intense. This is an allergic reaction to the saliva that lice produce while they feed.
Tiny red spots or bumps on the scalp, neck and sometimes the shoulders.
The base of hairs may have small white pinhead sized nits (eggs). Nits can sometimes be mistaken for dandruff. However, nits are easy to brush out while dandruff is not.
When you check somebody for head lice look at the base of hairs for nits (eggs) and comb the hair over a piece of white paper or smooth cotton cloth and see if there are any dark mature lice there.
It is sometimes possible to spot lice behind the ears and at the nape of the neck their two favorite places. What are the causes of head lice? Head lice cannot be transmitted by dogs, cats or family pets.

Head lice can exist in all types of hair, regardless of length and how clean it is.Headtohead contact

Head lice are transferred from persontoperson by close hairtohair contact. The lice do not jump like fleas; they cannot jump. Neither do they fly or swim. Lice walk from one hair to another.
Sharing personal items and home furnishings

You can also pick up head lice if you share personal items or household furnishings (much less common), such as

Bedding (bed linen, sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowcases) BrushesClothingCombsCushionsHair decorations, such as hair bands, barrettes, etc. Hats and any type of headgearHeadphonesTowelsUpholstered furniture (furniture with soft padding, such as sofas, armchairs, etc) What are the risk factors of head lice? The main risk factor is having your head very close to another person who has an infestation.

Primary school children are the most likely people to get head lice.

Women are affected by head lice more often than men.How is pediculosis capitis (head lice infestation) diagnosed? Lice literally “glue” their eggs onto the base of hair shaft, right next to the scalp. Eggs (nits) found over 6.5 millimeters (1/4 of an inch) from the scalp have either already hatched or wont ever do so. Therefore, finding nits anywhere on the head does not necessarily mean there is an infestation. Even if you find nits attached firmly within ¼ inch of the base of hair shafts you may suspect an infestation, but you cannot be sure. Nits are visible to the naked eye if you have a magnifying lens this might help when you are searching for them.

Experts say that the most reliable sign of an infestation is by detecting living, moving lice. The best way to do this is to wet the hair and then comb it. In many countries you can get a fine comb at a pharmacy for detecting live lice. You comb through the hair carefully and inspect the comb after each stroke. Lice are visible to the naked eye if you have a magnifying lens this might help.

Itching may signal you to look out for lice. However, itching may be a symptom of something else. Many people, especially when they have lice for the first time, do not itch during an infestation. When there is itching, it is not caused by lice biting. Itching is caused by an allergic reaction to louse saliva. Sometimes itching may not emerge until three months after initial infestation.What is the treatment for head lice? Because lice are very small, reproduce rapidly, have a short lifecycle and develop immunity to insecticides easily they can be difficult to remove. For some people the presence of head lice can be a persistent nuisance. Hence, any infestation should be dealt with immediately and comprehensively.

As soon as an infestation has been confirmed you can treat it yourself at home using a wet comb with conditioner, or medicated lotions, together with a special nit comb sold at pharmacies.Wet combing or bugbusting method

For people who do not want to put chemicals on the heads of their children or family members this method is chemical free. Wet combing is becoming more popular because head lice are progressively more resistant to insecticides.

Wash hair normally using a normal shampoo.
Apply plenty of conditioner to the wet hair this will help dislodge the lice.
Comb the wet hair initially with a normal comb comb it through.
Now use the fine tooth nit comb. Comb from the roots along the whole hair shaft. After each stroke inspect the comb for lice and nits, and then thoroughly wipe it clean before the next stroke. Carry on like this until the whole head has been thoroughly combed. The whole procedure should not take less than thirty minutes.
Rinse the hair normally.
Do all this again three days later, and then every three days for the next two weeks.
Medicated lotion or rinse

A qualified pharmacist may advise you on an OTC (overthecounter, no prescription required) insecticide lotion or rinse. Do not use the lotion if you did not find a living head louse. Follow the instructions on the packet and then remove lice and nits with a finetoothed nit comb.

As these lotions and rinses are toxic it is important that you adhere to their instructions carefully. In most cases people are advised to carry out treatment once, and then again one week later.

Do not use medicated products on a young baby without checking with your doctor first. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, as well as patients with allergies and/or asthma should be especially careful.
Prescription medications

Malathion (ovide) malathion is rubbed into the hair and scalp. As this medication is flammable (will light up next to a naked flame or high heat) you should keep it away from heat sources. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should check with their doctors before using this medication as it can affect the baby.
Lindane available as a cream, shampoo or lotion. People who weigh less than 49.9 kilograms (110 pounds), pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, those with HIV infections, and patients who have seizures should not take this medicine. Lindane can sometimes cause skin irritation and seizures.
Benzyl alcohol lotion this new medication should not be used in young babies. Some patients experience irritations of the skin, eyes and scalp. Do not use on premature infants. Prevention of head lice infestationIt is very difficult to prevent the spread of head lice, unless you lock your child up in a room and never let him/her get close to other people. In a school setting close contact among children and their possessions is normal.

It is important to remember that a person with a super clean head of hair is just as likely to get head lice as somebody who never washes, if close human contact occurs.

Taking thorough steps to get rid of an existing infestation is the best way to stem the spread.

Never use medicated lotions, shampoos or rinses as a preventative measure i.e. dont use them “just in case”.

In two separate studies, a major component in green tea, epigallocatechin3Ogallate (EGCG), has been found to help prolong the preservation of both stored blood platelets and cryopreserved skin tissues. Published in the current double issue of Cell Transplantation (185/6), now freely available online, devoted to organ preservation and transplantation studies from Japan, the two complimentary studies have shown that EGCG, known to have strong antioxidative activity, can prolong platelet cell “shelf life” via antiapoptosis (programmed cell death) properties and preserve skin tissues by controlling cell division.

Dr. SuongHyn Hyon, lead author on both studies and associate professor in the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences in Kyoto, Japan, says that EGCG, a green tea polyphenol, is a known antioxidation and antiproliferation agent, yet the exact mechanism by which EGCG works is not yet known. However, some of the activity of EGCG is likely to be related to its surface binding ability.

Enhanced platelet preservation

Using standard blood banking procedures, the storage duration for platelet cells (PCs) is limited to five days internationally or three days in Japan. During storage, PCs undergo biochemical, structural and functional changes, and PCs may lose membrane integrity and haemostatic functions, such as aggregability and affinity for surface receptors. Thus, PC shortages often occur. When EGCG was added to blood platelet concentrates, aggregation and coagulation functions were bettermaintained after six days, perhaps due to EGCGs antioxidative ability. Researchers suggested that EGCG inhibited the activation of platelet functions and protected the surface proteins and lipids from oxidation.

“Functions were restored by the maintained surface molecules with the detachment of ECGC by washing,” noted Dr. Hyon. “EGCG may lead to an inhibition of platelet apoptosis and lower rates of cell death, offering a potentially novel and useful method to prolong platelet storage period.”

EGCG enhances life of cryopreserved skin grafts

Another team of Japanese researchers studied the effects of using EGCG on frozen, stored skin tissues. As with platelet storage, the storage of skin tissue for grafting presents problems of availability and limitations on the duration of storage.

“To provide best outcomes, skin grafts must be processed and stored in a manner that maintains their viability and structural integrity until they are needed for transplantation,” explained Dr. Hyon. “Transplant dysfunction often occurs as the result of oxidation. A better storage solution could prevent this.”

It is known that polyphenols in green tea promote the preservation of tissues, such as blood vessels, cornea, islet cells, articular cartilage and myocardium at room temperature. Also, it is known that ECGC has stronger antioxidant activities than vitamin C because of its sterochemical structure and is reported to play an important role in preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

This study examined how EGCG might help extend the preservation duration of frozen rat skin tissues and found that skin grafts could be protected from freezethaw injuries when EGCG was absorbed into various membrane lipids and proteins. Results of the study showed that EGCG enhanced the viability and stored duration of skin grafts up to seven weeks at 4 degrees C.

“The storage time of skin grafts was extended to 24 weeks by cryopreservation using EGCG and the survival rate was almost 100 percent,” noted Dr. Hyon.”

“These studies highlight the benefits of using natural compounds such as ECGC to enhance the preservation of stored tissues, possibly due to their antioxidative properties” said Dr. Naoya Kobayashi, guest editor of this double issue of Cell Transplantation.

Source
SuongHyu Hyon, Ph.D.

Scientists have uncovered a new role played by Vitamin C in protecting the skin.

Researchers at the University of Leicester and Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal studied new protective properties of vitamin C in cells from the human skin, which could lead to better skin regeneration.

The work, by Tiago Duarte, Marcus S. Cooke and G. Don Jones, found that a form of Vitamin C helped to promote wound healing and also helped protect the DNA damage of skin cells. Their findings have been published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine. This report is the latest in a long line of publications from these researchers, at the University of Leicester, concerning vitamin C. Previously, the group has published evidence that DNA repair is upregulated in people consuming vitamin C supplements. The researchers have now provided some mechanistic evidence for this, in cell culture, using techniques such as Affymetrix microarray, for looking at gene expression, and the Comet assay to study DNA damage and repair.

Tiago Duarte, formerly of the University of Leicester, and now at the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal, said “The exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation increases in summer, often resulting in a higher incidence of skin lesions. Ultraviolet radiation is also a genotoxic agent responsible for skin cancer, through the formation of free radicals and DNA damage.

“Our study analysed the effect of sustained exposure to a vitamin C derivative, ascorbic acid 2phosphate (AA2P), in human dermal fibroblasts. We investigated which genes are activated by vitamin C in these cells, which are responsible for skin regeneration.

“The results demonstrated that vitamin C may improve wound healing by stimulating quiescent fibroblasts to divide and by promoting their migration into the wounded area. Vitamin C could also protect the skin by increasing the capacity of fibroblasts to repair potentially mutagenic DNA lesions.”

Even though vitamin C was discovered over 70 years ago as the agent that prevents scurvy, its properties are still under much debate in the scientific community. In fact, the annual meeting of the International Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine, which will be held this year in San Francisco (USA), will feature a session dedicated to vitamin C, entitled “New discoveries for an old vitamin”.

Dr Marcus S. Cooke from the Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine and Department of Genetics, at the University of Leicester, added “The study indicates a mechanism by which vitamin C could contribute to the maintenance of a healthy skin by promoting wound healing and by protecting cellular DNA against damage caused by oxidation”. “These findings are particular importance to our photobiology interests, and we will certainly be looking into this further”.

These results will be of great relevance to the cosmetics industry. Free radicals are associated with premature skin aging, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, are known to counter these highly damaging compounds. This new evidence suggest that, in addition to mopping up free radicals, vitamin C can help remove the DNA damage they form, if they get past the cells defences.

The study has the potential to lead to advances in the prevention and treatment of skin lesions specifically, as well as contributing to the fight against cancer.

Source
Dr. Marcus S. Cooke

EndyMed Medical Ltd, an innovative developer of noninvasive, energybased aesthetic treatment systems for the professional market, announced today the FDA clearance of the EndyMed PRO(TM) (previously Imagine), for the noninvasive treatment of facial wrinkles and rhytides.

The EndyMed PRO implements the third generation 3DEEP(TM) radio frequency (RF) technology which uses multiple, phase controlled sources, and is the first product of this type to receive clearance to be marketed in the USA.

3DEEP(TM) uniquely controls the power, depth and 3dimensional pattern of RF energy delivered to the skin. The 3DEEP technology results in minimal surface energy flow, thus eliminating the need for cooling, and providing an effective contouring treatment that is personalized, safe & totally painless.

“FDA clearance establishes our company as a significant player in the worldwide aesthetics market,” said Uzi Blumensohn, EndyMed CEO. “Our 3DEEP Technology platform is proven to be highly effective in the treatment of facial wrinkles and importantly, has longlasting effects, an important benefit for both physicians and their patients.”

In a multicenter clinical study examining the safety and efficacy of the EndyMed PRO(TM) wrinkle reduction system, dermatological evaluation concluded that a significant reduction of wrinkle grading was evidenced in more than 80 percent of the treated patients, three months after the end of the treatment.

The advanced EndyMed PRO is equipped with a range of features to assure effective and safe treatment

Noninvasive, yet highly effective therapy for the reduction of wrinkles and rhytides.

Customized treatment parameters

Optimal safety, with no pain and no side effects

Short treatment with no downtime

Noticeable immediate improvement

Long term results

About EndyMed Medical

EndyMed Medical Ltd., established in 2007, is a medical technology company that designs, develops, and commercializes noninvasive, RFenergy based aesthetic treatment systems for the professional market. EndyMed was established and continues to be guided by an experienced management, clinical and development team. The company is characterized by its fast, innovative, marketoriented R&D, targeting the fastest growing segments of the medical aesthetic market. The EndyMed PRO will be marketed exclusively in the United States by Eclipsemed Ltd, a leading distributor of aesthetic hightech medical devices and supplies.

Cancerous tumors sometimes form at the site of chronic wounds or injury, but the reason why is not entirely clear. Now researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have engineered mice with a persistent woundlike skin condition, and the mice are helping them understand the tumorpromoting effects of longstanding wounds and injuries.

“The chronic skin condition in the mice led to the growth of skin tumors,” says Raphael Kopan, Ph.D., professor of developmental biology and of dermatology. “And what we learned from this process fit very well with the emerging realization that a tumors surroundings play a critical role in its development.”

Past clinical evidence has linked chronic skin wounds such as leg ulcers to an increased risk of skin cancer, and some scientists have suggested that chronic injury can predispose various organs to cancer.

In this study, published in the July 7 issue of Cancer Cell, the researchers found that the chronic skin condition led to secretion of molecules that activated dermal cells, increased the number of blood vessels and increased local inflammation, reinforcing the idea that wound repair mechanisms and inflammation are important agents in promoting cancer. The skin condition was engineered in the mice by inactivating a gene called Notch1 in patches of skin cells, leaving the rest of the skin intact. Notch1 is a master controller for normal skin development and was thought to suppress tumor growth in skin cells in which it resides.

Without Notch1, patches of the mices skin developed abnormally and became thickened and inflamed. As the mice aged, benign tumors called papillomas formed. About 10 percent of these tumors spontaneously progressed to basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer in people.

Importantly, further analysis showed that skin tumors had originated from both mutant and normal skin cells. Because normal cells contain active Notch1, they were not expected to form tumors, and that was an important clue that factors other than the missing Notch1 were responsible for tumor formation in skin.

“Loss of Notch1 signaling in the mutant skin cells generated a woundlike environment in which both the mutant and normal skin cells became prone to cancer,” Kopan says.

The research team showed that the mutant skin patches encouraged the growth of tiny blood vessels and production of growth factors that when expressed transiently help repair skin damage. The persistent expression of these factors provided cells with nutrients and proliferation signals that promoted tumor formation, Kopan says. Numerous immune cells secreting additional factors infiltrated the abnormal skin patches and adjacent cells, contributing to inflammation.

Recently, drugs that lower Notch1 activity have been used to manage Alzheimers disease and to treat some forms of cancer because paradoxically Notch1 can be a tumor promoter in tissues other than skin. Kopan says that his study shows that skin is very sensitive to reduction of Notch1 activity. The longterm use of such medications and others that compromise skin integrity could contribute to an increased likelihood of skin cancer, he says.

“The study suggests that as researchers develop drugs, they should be mindful of their potential effect on the skin, particularly those that cause chronic damage to skin integrity,” Kopan says. “Studies like ours help define the range of possible complications in drug design and help tailor therapies to avoid them.”

The researchers also plan to use Notchdeficient mice to provide a system in which to identify molecules and cellular interactions responsible for the oncogenic effect of chronic wounds. Based on such analyses, new drug targets might be identified to develop therapies for cancers of the skin and perhaps other organs.

“Its very reasonable to assume that chronic wounds in a variety of tissues have similar characteristics,” Kopan says. “The skin of these mice is easy to monitor and will give us the ability to further analyze tumor promotion and find answers that might apply to any chronic wound.”

Demehri S, Turkoz A, Kopan R. Epidermal Notch1 loss promotes skin tumorigenesis by impacting the stromal microenvironment. Cancer Cell. July 7, 2009.

Funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences supported this research.

Source
Gwen Ericson

Those pesky graying hairs that tend to crop up with age really are signs of stress, reveals a new report in the June 12 issue of Cell, a Cell Press publication.

Researchers have discovered that the kind of “genotoxic stress” that does damage to DNA depletes the melanocyte stem cells (MSCs) within hair follicles that are responsible for making those pigmentproducing cells. Rather than dying off, when the going gets tough, those precious stem cells differentiate, forming fully mature melanocytes themselves. Anything that can limit the stress might stop the graying from happening, the researchers said.

“The DNA in cells is under constant attack by exogenously and endogenouslyarising DNAdamaging agents such as mutagenic chemicals, ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation,” said Emi Nishimura of Tokyo Medical and Dental University. “It is estimated that a single cell in mammals can encounter approximately 100,000 DNA damaging events per day.”

Consequently, she explained, cells have elaborate ways to repair damaged DNA and prevent the lesions from being passed on to their daughter cells.

“Once stem cells are damaged irreversibly, the damaged stem cells need to be eliminated to maintain the quality of the stem cell pools,” Nishimura continued. “We found that excessive genotoxic stress triggers differentiation of melanocyte stem cells.” She says that differentiation might be a more sophisticated way to get rid of those cells than stimulating their death.

Nishimuras group earlier traced the loss of hair color to the gradual dying off of the stem cells that maintain a continuous supply of new melanocytes, giving hair its youthful color. Those specialized stem cells are not only lost, they also turn into fully committed pigment cells and in the wrong place.

Now, they show in mice that irreparable DNA damage, as caused by ionizing radiation, is responsible. They further found that the “caretaker gene” known as ATM (for ataxia telangiectasia mutated) serves as a socalled stemness checkpoint, protecting against MSCs differentiation. Thats why people with Ataxiatelangiectasia, an aging syndrome caused by a mutation in the ATM gene, go gray prematurely.

The findings lend support to the notion that genome instability is a significant factor underlying aging in general, the researchers said. They also support the “stem cell aging hypothesis,” which proposes that DNA damage to longlived stem cells can be a major cause for the symptoms that come with age. In addition to the agingassociated stem cell depletion typically seen in melanocyte stem cells, qualitative and quantitative changes to other body stem cells have been reported in blood stem cells, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle, the researchers said. Stresses on stem cell pools and genome maintenance failures have also been implicated in the decline of tissue renewal capacity and the accelerated appearance of agingrelated characteristics.

“In this study, we discovered that hair graying, the most obvious aging phenotype, can be caused by the genomic damage response through stem cell differentiation, which suggests that physiological hair graying can be triggered by the accumulation of unavoidable DNA damage and DNAdamage response associated with aging through MSC differentiation,” they wrote.

Notes
The researchers include Ken Inomata, Kanazawa University, Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, KOSEМЃ Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine; Takahiro Aoto, Kanazawa University, Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; Nguyen Thanh Binh, Kanazawa University, Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan; Natsuko Okamoto, Kanazawa University, Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Shintaro Tanimura, Kanazawa University, Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine; Tomohiko Wakayama, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan; Shoichi Iseki, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan; Eiji Hara, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Takuji Masunaga, KOSEМЃ Corporation, Tokyo, Japan; Hiroshi Shimizu, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine; and Emi K. Nishimura, Kanazawa University, Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Inomata et al. “Genotoxic Stress Abrogates Renewal of Melanocyte Stem Cells by Triggering Their Differentiation.” Publishing in Cell 137, 10881099, June 12, 2009. DOI 10.1016/j.cell.2009.03.037.

Source
Cathleen Genova

Ellman International, Inc. announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to Pelleve(TM), a skin tightening system for the nonablative treatment of mild to moderate facial wrinkles and rhytids for skin phototypes IIV. The clearance was granted based on clinical data demonstrating that a single treatment with the high frequency radiowave device can safely and effectively tighten and improve the appearance of skin on the face through six months.

“Todays FDA clearance of the Pelleve system represents a very exciting step in the introduction of nextgeneration high frequency radiowave technology to physicians and patients in the United States,” said Rick Epstein, CEO of Ellman International, Inc. “Pelleve offers safe, noninvasive facial rejuvenation with no need for a local anesthetic and minimal discomfort a significant evolution from previousgeneration technologies in this class.”

Pelleve uses the advanced radiowave technology of the Ellman International Surgitron(R) Dual RF(TM) S5 and a proprietary Pelleve handpiece to precisely deliver energy through the skin to the dermal tissue beneath without damaging the epidermis. This gentle heating of the deeper dermal tissue induces collagen denaturization and contraction. As the dermal tissue recovers, new collagen synthesis occurs, which creates a tightening effect. The result is a noticeable improvement in skin quality and appearance with minimal side effects and healing time for patients.

In a clinical trial conducted to determine the effectiveness of the Pelleve system, 83 women and 10 men were given a single treatment with the Pelleve handpiece. The procedure was performed in an ambulatory (outpatient) setting with no need for skin cooling products or anesthesia and took an average of 15 to 20 minutes, depending on size of the area. More than 87% of patients showed measurable and immediate positive results in a blinded assessment of skin laxity and wrinkle improvement with continued response at six months after treatment. Patients were typically able to return to work and social activities immediately after treatment. Of the study population, two patients experienced small abrasions that healed within three days.

“Our research clearly demonstrates the power of the Pelleve Skin Tightening System. With a single Pelleve treatment, over 87% of our patients experienced an improvement in skin laxity and fewer overall facial wrinkles at six months. The Pelleve Skin Tightening System is an effective, noninvasive, economical and safe tool,” said Dr. Antonio Rusciani, Division of Dermatology, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Rome in Rome, Italy.

Ellmans skin tightening technology has been marketed with a CE Mark in many countries since 2005 under the name Radiage. “We have seen positive results in many patients outside of the United States. Because this unique technology does not require anesthesia or cooling of the skin during the procedure, the physician can safely achieve the look of lifted, tighter skin without surgery, resulting in a more youthful appearance for the patient,” said Dr. Kai Rezai, a noted dermatologist and Radiage user from Munster, Germany.

Designed to work in conjunction with the Surgitron Dual RF S5 platform, Ellmans patented 4.0 MHz radiowave unit, Pelleve handpieces represent just one of hundreds of accessories available for office and clinic environments. The Surgitron Dual RF S5 provides maximum control in precision cutting and energy delivery, with more versatility than other energybased technologies. “Ellmans proven product platform enables medical professionals to perform surgical procedures that produce less tissue damage and pain than the competition. Adding Pelleve offers tremendous value to physicians, as customers ask for the latest in cosmetic correction from their dermatologists, plastic surgeons and other healthcare professionals,” said Epstein. Pelleve will be introduced to the U.S. market this month through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ENTs and other cosmetic surgery clinics.

About Ellman International

Established in 1959, Ellman International (Oceanside, New York) is a privately held manufacturer of medical devices used to perform a variety of surgical procedures principally requiring cutting, coagulating, tissue ablation and vaporization. The companys products are based on patented and proprietary technologies utilizing high frequency radiowaves to perform traditional scalpel, scissor, electrosurgery and laser procedures.

Cellulite is a term used to describe the dimpled appearance of skin caused by fat deposits that are just below the surface of the skin. It generally appears on skin in the abdomen, lower limbs, and pelvic region, and it usually occurs after puberty. Cellulite is also known as adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, and gynoid lipodystrophy in the medical field and as orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, hail damage, and the mattress phenomenon in colloquial language.

Cellulite is often classified using three grades. Grade 1 classification sees no clinical symptoms, but a microscopic examination of cells from the area detects underlying anatomical changes. Grade 2 cellulite requires the skin to show pallor (pastiness), be lower temperature, and have decreased elasticity in addition to anatomical changes noted by microscopic examinations. Grade 3 cellulite has visible roughness of the skin (like an orange peel) along with all grade 2 signs.Cellulite occurs in both men and women, but it is much more common in women because they are more likely to have particular types of fat and connective tissue.What causes cellulite? The causes of cellulite are not well understood, but there are several theories that have been put forth as explanations. Among these areHormonal factors hormones likely play an important role in cellulite development. Many believe estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin are part of the cellulite production process.
Genetics certain genes are required for cellulite development. Genes may predispose an individual to particular characteristics associated with cellulite, such as gender, race, slow metabolism, distribution of fat just underneath the skin, and circulatory insufficiency.
Diet people who eat too much fat, carbohydrates, or salt and too little fiber are likely to have greater amounts of cellulite.
Lifestyle factors cellulite may be more prevalent in smokers, those who do not exercise, and those who sit or stand in one position for long periods of time.
Clothing underwear with tight elastic across the buttocks (limiting blood flow) may contribute to the formation of cellulite.How can cellulite be removed? There are several therapies that have been suggested to remove cellulite, but none have been supported in the scientific or medical literature.

Therapeutic methods that are physical or mechanical include pneumatic massages, massages that stimulate lymphatic flow, heat therapy, ultrasound, radio frequency therapy, magnetic therapy, radial waves therapy, Endermologie, and electrical stimulation. However, there is no solid evidence that these methods are effective.

A second class of cellulite removal strategies consists of drugs that are supposed to act on fatty tissues. There is a wide variation of pharmacological agents used, such as methylxanthines (caffeine and theobromine), pentoxifylline, betaagonists and adrenaline, alphaantagonists, amino acids, ginkgo biloba, rutin, and Indian chestnut among others. People with cellulite have tried to apply these agents topically, orally, or by injection, but none have been proved effective.

Some people with cellulite wear special clothing called compression garments to reduce the appearance of cellulite. These garments try to compress arteries and increase blood and lymph flow to reduce visual cellulite.

Cellulite reduction techniques such as liposuction and dieting actually do not remove cellulite. However, eating a healthful, balanced diet and exercising may be the best way to reduce the fat content in cells and reduce the appearance of cellulite.How can cellulite be prevented? Eating healthy, low fat foods such as fruits, vegetables, and fiber can help one to avoid cellulite. Similarly exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress are recommended to prevent cellulite. In addition wearing thongs, boyshorts, or looser fitting undergarments can prevent cellulite that might form due to tight elastic.News on Dermatology and Cosmetic MedicineFor the latest news and research on Dermatology and Cosmetic Medicine, and to sign up to newsletters or news alerts, please visit our Dermatology or our Cosmetic Medicine sections.Video New York Plastic Surgeon Testing Cellulite Removal ProductsRelated articlesA Possible Cure For Unsightly Cellulite? Aesthetic Surgery JournalDo AntiCellulite Creams Work?Fat Melting Laser May Treat Cellulite, Heart Disease And AcneCellulite Found To Be Reduced By Weight Loss In Some Overweight WomenDermatologists Debunk Myths, Offer Advice For Conditions That Hit Below The BeltNew Technologies Tighten Skin From Head To Toe Without SurgeryCaffeines Use In Cosmetic Dermatology

Pale skinned people who are most at risk of skin cancer are ignoring sun safety advice, according to research released today to launch Sun Awareness Week 2009.

The survey of 1500 UK adults looked at peoples behaviour in the sun in relation to their individual risk of skin cancer, as well as their understanding of the need to check the skin for cancer, and their choice of sun protection products.

Skin types

The survey revealed that less than half (45%) of people with skin type 1 or 2 pale skin which easily sunburns and is at the greatest risk of skin cancer always use a sunscreen when out in the sun.

Three quarters (75%) of those who took part in the survey sunbathe to get a tan. Of particular concern, half (50%) of those with skin types 1 or 2 sunbathe. These skin types, who sunburn rapidly and should always use sun protection on sunny days, are strongly advised against sunbathing.

Worryingly, over a third (39%) of people who have skin types 1 or 2 admitted to having used sunbeds.

However, 30 percent of naturally dark skinned people who never sunburn said that they always wear sunscreen in sunny weather. These people could be putting themselves at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Rebecca Freeman of the British Association of Dermatologists explains “This research shows that people with different skin types are not always protecting their skin to the appropriate level. There seems to be some confusion around which skin types need to take most care in the sun and which need minimal protection.

“Pale skin types are at the highest risk of skin cancer, but our survey shows that these people sunbathe, use sunbeds, and dont always use sunscreen in the sun. However, naturally dark skinned people, such as AfricanCaribbean or dark Asian skin types, only really need to protect their skin in intense sunshine and during prolonged sun exposure.

“In fact, these skin types are most at risk of vitamin D deficiency if sun exposure is too limited. We need to educate people about sun protection for different skin types, as it may be that we are currently using a one size fits all message that isnt appropriate for everyone.”

Checking the skin

The survey was carried out at a series of mole check clinics held by the association, which were not advertised beforehand, and all attendance was spontaneous. Despite this, 85 percent of people attending the event had a mole that was of particular concern, and yet a worrying 67 percent of them had not seen a doctor about the mole before.

Early detection is essential in the treatment of skin cancer; however an alarming two thirds (63%) of people never check their skin for changes that might indicate a skin cancer.

President of the British Association of Dermatologists Dr Mark Goodfield said “Diagnosing a skin cancer early significantly impacts on how successfully it can be treated. People should be checking their skin every month or so if you already do testicular or breast self examinations, why not check your skin at the same time? Get a friend or partner to look at your back, neck, scalp and ears as it can be hard to check these areas yourself. If you notice any changes to your skin, such as a changing mole or a wound that wont heal, get yourself to your GP.”

Sunscreen

Despite skin cancer rates increasing faster than any other cancer, with figures doubling every 10 to 20 years, a staggering one in four (25%) people who rarely or never use sunscreen also regularly sunbathe (between five and fifteen times a year).

The survey also revealed that one in seven people (15%) who use sunscreen use a low protection product of below SPF 15. Only one on four people (27%) use a high protection sunscreen (SPF 30) which is the minimum protection recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists.*

Sun Awareness campaign

The British Association of Dermatologists Sun Awareness campaign aims to educate people on early detection of skin cancer, and where to seek help if you have any concerns about your skin.

As part of this, the British Association of Dermatologists created the ABCDEasy guide to mole checks, to detect the signs of melanoma the deadliest type of skin cancer. Look out for

Asymmetry the two halves of the area may differ in shape
Border the edges of the area may be irregular or blurred, and sometimes show notches
Colour this may be uneven. Different shades of black, brown and pink may be seen
Diameter most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter. Report any change in size, shape or diameter to your doctor
Expert if in doubt, check it out! If your GP is concerned about your skin, make sure you see a Consultant Dermatologist, the most expert person to diagnose a skin cancer. Your GP can refer you via the NHS

Survey summary

Only 45% of people with skin types 1 or 2 always use a sunscreen in the sun
75% sunbathe and 50% of those with skin types 1 or 2 sunbathe
39% of skin types 1 or 2 have used sunbeds
30% of those with naturally dark skin who never sunburn always use sunscreen in the sun
85% of participants had a mole that was of particular concern, 67% of them had never seen a doctor about the mole before
63% never check their skin for changes
25% of those who never or rarely use sunscreen regularly sunbathe
15% of those who use sunscreen only use a low protection product. Only 27% use high protection.

Note

Statistics embargoed to 00.01 on May 11th 2009.
Sun Awareness Week takes place from May 11th to 17th May. Case studies and spokespeople are available on request. The Sun Awareness campaign runs throughout the summer.

The survey of 1515 adults was conducted by the British Association of Dermatologists.

1. Two RIM1 Isoforms Are Present in Active Zones

Pascal S. Kaeser, HyungBae Kwon, Chiayu Q. Chiu, Lunbin Deng, Pablo E. Castillo, and Thomas C. Südhof

Presynaptic active zones comprise divers proteins that aid to ensure rapid neurotransmitter release near postsynaptic receptors, and modification of some of these proteins produces kingsizeterm potentiation or depression. Although best activezone proteins have square assigned to a categorical step in the release process (e.g., vesicle docking, priming, or fusion), the molecular mechanisms involved stay in unknown, and additional proteins stand to be discovered. that week, Kaeser et al. report that the gene encoding an activezone scaffolding protein, RIM1α, encodes a previously undiscovered another isoform, RIM1β. RIM1α has several proteininteraction domains that enable it to bind several other activezone proteins. RIM1β lacks the Nterminal protein interaction rule of RIM1α, but is otherwise identical. RIM1α and RIM1β have largely overlapping expression patterns and functions. For object, both molecules appear to influence vesicle release probability at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. But only RIM1α appears to be involved in proteinkinaseAdependent presynaptic stretchterm plasticity.

2. Crk and CrkL Mediate Reelin Signaling

TaeJu Park and Tom Curran

Crk and CrkL are widely expressed adaptor proteins whose raison detre is to bring cool tyrosinephosphorylated proteins and their downstream effectors. Crk and CrkL interact with frequent proteins and are involved in diverse biological process from time to time so often so often bit the body. Park and Curran now suggest that Crk and CrkL are frontleaf components of the Reelin signaling cascade in neurons. Deletion of both Crk and CrkL specifically in developing neurons produced a phenotype nearly identical to that of reelin mutations. For sampling, layer formation, neuronal migration, and dendrite development were severely disrupted in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. Reelin, an extracellular secreted protein, binds to lipoprotein receptors, resulting in activation of tyrosine kinases that phosphorylate the protein Disabled1. Disabled1 formerly promotes phosphorylation of the kinase Akt. In Crk/CrkL doubleknockout mice, levels of phosphorylated Disabled1 were comparable to wildstrain, but Akt phosphorylation was reduced, placing Crk/CrkL halfway Disabled1 and Akt in the Reelin signaling pathway.

3. Estradiol Decreases Cortical Functional Lateralization

Susanne Weis, Markus Hausmann, Barbara Stoffers, René Vohn, Thilo Kellermann, and Walter Sturm

The cerebral hemispheres are functionally specialized the left hemisphere is universally dominant in verbal tasks, whereas the right hemisphere dominates in spatial tasks. that asymmetry is thought to depend on inhibition of the nondominant hemisphere by the dominant hemisphere. The proportion of functional lateralization varies crosswise individuals, and females ahead to exposition depressed asymmetry than males. Furthermore, functional cerebral asymmetries vary in women right through menstrual cycles, and asymmetries in postmenopausal women are comparable to those in men, suggesting that sex hormones alter interhemispheric inhibition. To stab that hypothesis, Weis et al. measured brain activity until a verbal task using functional magnetic resonance imaging in men and in women at two points of the menstrual cycle when estradiol levels differed. As predicted, active regions of the left hemisphere inhibited homotypic areas in the right hemisphere in men and in women when their estradiol levels were low, but the inhibition disappeared when estradiol levels were uplifted.

4. NearInfrared Light Protects Retinas from Mitochondrial Damage

Julio C. Rojas, Jung Lee, Joseph M. John, and F. GonzalezLima

Nearinfrared light therapy (NILT) increases survival of cultured neurons exposed to various stressors, improves behavioral recovery from stroke in rabbits, and speeds wound healing in humans. These effects are thought to be mediated by upregulation of mitochondrial proteins, endogenous antioxidants, and antiapoptotic proteins such as heatshock proteins and Bcl2. that week, Rojas et al. report that NILT greatly reduced retinal damage and associated behavioral deficits produced in rats by the mitochondrial toxin rotenone. NILT prevented rotenoneinduced decreases in light sensitivity and greatly reduced thinning of the retinal layers. Interestingly, NILT increased activity of the mitochondrial respiratory protein cytochrome oxidase and of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase around the brain, suggesting that the infrared light can penetrate the skull (at least in rats) and induce neuroprotective effects in the brain. ancient history abounding neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinsons disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, involve mitochondrial dysfunction similar to that produced by rotenone, NILT may prove effective in treating these diseases as well.

paper adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.

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Source Sara Harris
Society for Neuroscience