Attachment Avoidance Moderates the Relationship Among Acceptance of Sugar Relationships, Motivation, and Self-Esteem

A sugar relationship is a monetary-based liaison between a wealthier older and an attractive younger person, the latter receiving expensive gifts or financial compensation in exchange for her or his sexual companionship. Attachment, motivation, and self-esteem are all integrative parts of adult romantic and sexual relationships. There is relatively little empirical research on the psychological correlates of accepting attitudes toward sugar relationships. The research aimed to explore the relationship among the acceptance of sugar relationship, attachment (avoidance and anxiety), motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic), and self-esteem. A total of 2,409 Hungarian adults including 1,980 younger participants (1,804 women, 175 men, mean age = 21.17) and 429 older participants (290 men, 138 women, mean age = 48.86) completed an online test battery comprising four self-report measures. In the younger subsample, the only significant association obtained for the acceptance of sugar relationships was its positive correlation with extrinsic motivation. In the older subsample, the acceptance of sugar relationships was positively correlated with all tested variables except self-esteem. Subsequent analysis revealed that attachment avoidance but not anxiety moderated the associations between the variables. Among younger participants, the negative effect of self-esteem and intrinsic motivation on accepting sugar relationships decreased with increasing attachment avoidance. Among older participants, the positive effect of extrinsic motivation on accepting sugar relationships decreased with increasing attachment avoidance. The results are discussed with regard to relational and sexual goals associated with adult attachment orientations.

Women Walk in High Heels: Lumbar Curvature, Dynamic Motion Stimuli and Attractiveness

Previous studies have demonstrated that the angle of women’s lumbar curvature affects men’s attractiveness judgments of them. The theoretically optimal angle of lumbar curvature provides better resistance against both hyperlordosis and hypolordosis as biomechanical costs of a bipedal fetal load that could impair a woman’s fertility. Since men find this attribute attractive, women aim to emphasize it by wearing high-heeled shoes. The primary objective of the present study was to test this evolutionary hypothesis using short videos presenting women walking by the camera. In line with previous findings based on static stimuli (photographs), dynamic stimuli (videos) presenting women walking in high-heeled shoes were expected to elicit increased attractiveness ratings as compared to women wearing flat shoes, which would be associated with the angle of lumbar curvature. Videos were taken of 52 female models walking in two conditions (i.e., wearing either high-heeled or flat shoes). A total of 108 participants (61 males, 47 females) rated the walking models’ physical attractiveness in an online setting. Each model’s lumbar curvature was measured both in high heels and in flat shoes using photographs taken of them prior to each video recording. The results showed that wearing high heels consistently increased the models’ attractiveness, regardless of whether or not it decreased their natural difference from the theoretically optimal angle of lumbar curvature. Both male and female observers showed this positive effect. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between the models’ body mass index (BMI) and their perceived attractiveness scores in both conditions.

Sebum lipids influence macrophage polarization and activation

BACKGROUND

As lipids are known to regulate macrophage functions, it is reasonable to suppose that a sebocyte-macrophage axis mediated by sebum lipids may exist.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if sebocytes could contribute to the differentiation, polarization and function of macrophages with their secreted lipids.

METHODS

Oil Red O lipid staining and Raman spectroscopy were used to assess the dermal lipid content and penetration. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyse the macrophage subsets. Human peripheral blood monocytes were differentiated in the presence of either supernatant from human SZ95 sebocytes or major sebum lipid components and activated with Propionibacterium acnes. Macrophage surface markers and their capacity to uptake fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated P. acnes were detected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting measurements. Cytokine protein levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Sebaceous gland-rich skin had an increased dermal lipid content vs. sebaceous gland-poor skin to which all the tested sebum component lipids could contribute by penetrating the dermoepidermal barrier. Of the lipids, oleic acid and linoleic acid promoted monocyte differentiation into alternatively activated macrophages. Moreover, linoleic acid also had an anti-inflammatory effect in P. acnes-activated macrophages, inhibiting the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Squalene, palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid augmented the secretion of IL-1β, even in the absence of P. acnes, whereas oleic acid had a selective effect of inducing IL-1β but downregulating IL-6 and TNF-α secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a role for sebaceous glands in modulating innate immune responses via their secreted lipids that are of possible pathological and therapeutic relevance.

Drug Repurposing by Simulating Flow Through Protein-Protein Interaction Networks

As drug development is extremely expensive, the identification of novel indications for in‐market drugs is financially attractive. Multiple algorithms are used to support such drug repurposing, but highly reliable methods combining simulation of intracellular networks and machine learning are currently not available. We developed an algorithm that simulates drug effects on the flow of information through protein–protein interaction networks, and used support vector machine to identify potentially effective drugs in our model disease, psoriasis. Using this method, we screened about 1,500 marketed and investigational substances, identified 51 drugs that were potentially effective, and selected three of them for experimental confirmation. All drugs inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha‐induced nuclear factor kappa B activity in vitro, suggesting they might be effective for treating psoriasis in humans. Additionally, these drugs significantly inhibited imiquimod‐induced ear thickening and inflammation in the mouse model of the disease. All results suggest high prediction performance for the algorithm.

Anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory effects of glycerol and xylitol in sodium lauryl sulphate-induced acute irritation

BACKGROUND

Glycerol is known to possess anti-irritant and hydrating properties and previous studies suggested that xylitol may also have similar effects.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to study whether different concentrations of these polyols restore skin barrier function and soothe inflammation in sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-induced acute irritation.

METHODS

The experiments were performed on male SKH-1 hairless mice. The skin of the dorsal region was exposed to SLS (5%) for 3 h alone or together with 5% or 10% of glycerol respectively. Further two groups received xylitol solutions (8.26% and 16.52% respectively) using the same osmolarities, which were equivalent to those of the glycerol treatments. The control group was treated with purified water. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration were determined. Microcirculatory parameters of inflammation were observed by means of intravital videomicroscopy (IVM). Furthermore, accumulation of neutrophil granulocytes and lymphocytes, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and SLS penetration were assessed, as well.

RESULTS

Treatment with the 10% of glycerol and both concentrations of xylitol inhibited the SLS-induced elevation of TEWL and moderated the irritant-induced increase in dermal blood flow and in the number of leucocyte-endothelial interactions. All concentrations of the applied polyols improved hydration and prevented the accumulation of lymphocytes near the treatment site. At the mRNA level, neither glycerol nor xylitol influenced the expression of interleukin-1 alpha. However, expression of interleukin-1 beta was significantly decreased by the 10% glycerol treatment, while expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha decreased upon the same treatment, as well as in response to xylitol. Higher polyol treatments decreased the SLS penetration to the deeper layers of the stratum corneum.

CONCLUSION

Both of the analysed polyols exert considerable anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties, but the effective concentration of xylitol is lower than that of glycerol.

Evaluation of ketamine systemic absorption from topical preparations. Short Communication

The aim of this study was to evaluate the systemic absorption of the topically administered ketamine using different vehicles and additives, in order to develop a transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) of this drug. After the application of different ketamine preparations (1% in hydrogel, o/w cream, or organogel) the ketamine appeared in the blood. The lowest level could be observed with o/w cream, while the highest concentration was achieved by means of the hydrogel system, however this difference was not significant. Further studies are going to be performed with higher drug concentrations for the characterization of the differences in the pharmacodynamics of the drug with different vehicles and to evaluate the correlation between the in vitro and in vivo absorption.

In vitro and in vivo percutaneous absorption of topical dosage forms: case studies

This article evaluated the influence of vehicle compositions on topical drug availability. In vitro drug release and in vivo experiments were performed in case of the hydrophilic ketamine hydrochloride and the lipophilic piroxicam. Ketamine hydrochloride is a NMDA receptor antagonist that has been useful for anesthesia and analgesia. The study of transdermal ketamine delivery is a novelty, because nobody has investigated the hypnotic effects of ketamine after this administration route. In vitro measurements gave a good basis for screening among the developed products. The physiological changes after ketamine administration showed, that there were significant differences among the parameters tested (breathing rate, duration of sleep) from the developed products (hydrogel, lyotropic liquid crystal and o/w cream) compared to the reference product (Carbopol gel). The in vivo feedback for piroxicam was the measurement of the anti-inflammatory activity by edema inhibition percentage. Significant differences were measured in case of the developed systems compared to the reference.

Structure and drug release of lamellar liquid crystals containing glycerol

Lamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) systems are thermodynamically stable, optically isotropic systems, which are formed with low energy input. New possibilities for the development of controlled drug delivery systems are inherent in these systems due to their stability and special skin-similarly structure. The present aim was to formulate multicomponent LLC systems with a relatively low surfactant content, composed of materials official in the European Pharmacopoeia 4th. Polarizing light microscopic examination of the samples was carried out, together with TEM observation of replicas produced by freeze-fractured technique for the purpose of demonstrating the presence of lamellar LC domains. Our LLC samples contained: Brij 96 (poly-oxyethylene-10-oleyl ether) with water, liquid petrolatum (LP) and glycerol in a given concentration range. The interlamellar repeated distance (d(L)) confirming the existence of a regular structure was determined by means of X-ray diffraction. The d(L) and G'values of the samples changed according to a maximum curve with increasing glycerol concentration up to 40% (w/w). A prolonged drug release was observed in case of the very water-soluble ephedrine hydrochloride and the same phenomena was observed in the case of tenoxicam, which is practically insoluble in water.

[Liberation of active agents from coherent emulsions]

Drug release from coherent emulsions containing high water concentration (50-80 w/w%) was studied. Composition of coherent systems was as follows: self-emulsifying wax and preserved water. Griseofulvin was applied as active agent in suspended form. The liberation experiments were carried out with Hanson vertical diffusion cell, acceptor phase was distilled water, membrane was celophane one. It was established that the time course of liberation of griseofulvin from coherent emulsions can be characterized with a multiplicative function and the exponent of this function is about 0.5. The quantity of released drug increased linearly with the water content and it decreased exponentially with the viscosity of coherent emulsions.

[Factors influencing liberation of drug from semisolid dosage forms]

Liberation of salicylic acid--as a model active agent--was investigated from white petrolatum, creams w/o and o/w types and hydrogels. Active agent was applied in suspended, dissolved forms, in inclusion complexes and solubilized state. The process of liberation was studied by a continuous through-flow method, with Hanson vertical diffusion cell. The results of experiments were evaluated by factorial design method. Increase of the concentration of salicylic acid, polarity of vehicle and solubilized state of drug increased the drug release. It was established that the partitioning released drug was the most important step of drug release. Factors changing partitioning influenced the liberation to the highest degree.

[Investigation of ambiphilic creams. II. Structural stability]

Ambiphile creams containing white petrolatum, cetylstearyl-alcohol, Emulgator BTO and distilled water were investigated. The elements of the study of structure-stability were as follows: evaporation of water-phase, mechanical stability of structure and its heatstability. A multiplicative function was found between the loss of mass of creams and the evaporation time. The viscosity vs. temperature function is a two-steps process, it can be divided to a section before melting and an other section after it. Decreasing viscosity under shearing time can be characterized by a logarithmic equation.

New type bifunctional nitrosoureido derivatives with cytostatic activity

Several bifunctional nitrosoureido sugar alcohol derivatives were synthesized at the Institute for Drug Research in Budapest. For detailed studies two D,L-threitol derivatives have been selected (GYKI 13 324, GYKI 13 485). These compounds were less toxic and more effective than BCNU, the calculated therapeutic index values in a broad scale of transplantable, induced and heterotransplanted tumours were found to be more advantageous than with the referent compound. Both GYKI 13 324 and GYKI 13 485 exert their curative effect when given orally even in leukaemia types of tumours. Their effect on the blood picture of rats is moderate and of short duration.