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Background: Surgeons have mixed opinions regarding cosmetic outcomes of 5-0 fast absorbing plain (FG) gut relative to nonabsorbable suture material, such as 5-0 polypropylene (PP). High quality randomized trials comparing these two suture materials are lacking.Objectives: To determine whether the use of PP during layered repair of linear cutaneous surgery wounds improves scar cosmesis compared to wound closure with FG.Methods: A randomized, split wound, comparative effectiveness trial was undertaken. Patients were evaluated 3 months after the intervention by two blinded physicians using the validated patient observer scar assessment scale (POSAS). Patient assessments were also captured using the same instrument as well as scar width and complications. Results:The mean sum of the six components of the POSAS was 10.26 vs 12.74 for PP and FG, respectively, significantly (p<0.001) in favor of PP. Mean observer overall opinion similarly showed better outcomes for PP than for FG (1.88 vs 2.52, respectively (p<0.006)). The mean sum of the patient assessed components of the POSAS for PP and FG was 12.3 vs 14.34, respectively (p=0.11). Patient overall opinion significantly favored PP (2.41 vs 3.14, p=0.043). Scar width was similar in both arms, 1.25 mm for PP and 1.47 mm for FG (p=0.17). Most patients reported very low pain scores during suture removal (mean 1.63 in scale of 1-10).

Background: Almonds have long been studied as a rich source of fatty acids, phytochemical polyphenols and antioxidants such as vitamin E. A recent study compared almond supplementations to a calorie-matched intervention for 16 weeks, yielding statistically significant improvement in wrinkle severity in postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin types I and II that received almonds. This study furthers that assessment with a larger population and duration of 24 weeks to assess the influence of almond consumption on wrinkle severity, skin pigmentation and other skin biophysical profiles. Objective: To investigate the effects of almond consumption on photoaging such as wrinkles and pigment intensity as well as facial biophysical parameters such as sebum production, skin hydration and water loss. Design and interventions: A prospective, randomized controlled study assessed postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin types I or II who consumed 20% of their daily energy consumption in either almonds or a calorie-matched snack for 24 weeks. A facial photograph and image analysis system was used to obtain standardized high-resolution photographs and information on wrinkle width and severity at 0, 8, 16 and 24 weeks. Measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pigmentation, skin hydration and sebum production were also completed at each visit. Results: The average wrinkle severity was significantly decreased in the almond intervention group at week 16 and week 24 compared to baseline by 15% and 16%, respectively. Facial pigment intensity was decreased 20% in the almond group at week 16 and this was maintained by week 24. There were no significant differences in skin hydration or TEWL in the almond group compared to the control, although sebum excretion was increased in the control group. Conclusion: The daily consumption of almonds may improve several aspects of photoaging such as facial wrinkles and pigment intensity in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, the daily consumption of almonds may contribute to the improvement of facial wrinkles and reduction of skin pigmentation among postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin types I and II.

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Medicinal plants are the main component in traditional medicine system and most rural people of Bangladesh still depend on folk medicine practitioners (Kavirajes) for their primary health care needs and medicinal plants used by folk medicine practitioners actually differ from region to region. The present study was designed to record the use of medicinal plants in different health ailments by the folk medicine practitioners of Sujanagar upazila(subdistrict) of Pabna district of Bangladesh. A structured survey questionnaire was prepared to obtain all the information, informed consent was obtained from the interviewer and the interview was taken in local language (Bangla) so that kavirajes could easily understand and provide necessary information. In our present study, we recorded total 63 plant species from 45 different families used by folk medicine practitioners of Sujanagar upazila in different illness. Liliaceae and Solanaceae appears the most prominent family in this study each having 3 plant species followed by Fabaceae and Acanthaceae having 2 species. Folk medicine practitioners use different parts of the plants including whole plant, leaves, fruits, barks, and rhizome. In this study, we found that leaves along with other parts of the plant had highest percentage of use (36.507%, 23 species) and only leaf holds the second position in its usage percentage (17.46%, 11 species). This study revealed that kavirajes of Sujanagar upazila preferred oral route (60.32%) of administration for their different medicinal formulations. There were also some formulations for topical application (11.11%) and found some plant based formulations were also for both oral and topical application (28.57%). This study represents many medicinal plants used by folk medicine practitioners of study area could be important source to isolate new bioactive compounds and novel drugs through extensive research in future.