Photoprotective and antioxidant effects of Rhubarb: Inhibitory action on tyrosinase and tyrosine kinase activities and TNF-α, IL-1α and α-MSH production in human melanocytes

Background: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes various forms of acute and chronic skin damage, including immunosuppression, inflammation, premature aging and photodamage. Furthermore, it induces the generation of reactive oxygen species, produces proinflammatory cytokines and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and increases tyrosinase activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential photoprotective effects of Rheum rhaponticum L. rhizome extract on human UV-stimulated melanocytes.Methods: The effects of Rheum rhaponticum rhizome extract on tyrosine kinase activity, and on interleukin-1α (IL-1α), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and α-MSH production in human epidermal melanocytes were evaluated under UV-stimulated and non-stimulated conditions. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by lipid peroxidation and 1,1-dyphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assays, while anti-tyrosinase activity was evaluated by the mushroom tyrosinase method.Results: Rheum rhaponticum L. rhizome extract showed in vitro antioxidant properties against lipid peroxidation, free radical scavenging and anti-tyrosinase activities, and inhibited the production of IL-1α, TNF-α, α-MSH, and tyrosine kinase activity in melanocytes subjected to UV radiation.Conclusions: These results support the inclusion of Rheum rhaponticum L. rhizome extract into cosmetic, sunscreen and skin care products for the prevention or reduction of photodamage. © 2013 Silveira et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Informe de actividades de la Comisión desde mayo de 1981: actividades de la CEPAL en relación con los desastres naturales ocurridos en América Latina = Report on the work of the Commission since May 1981: ECLA activities in connection with natural disasters in Latin America = Rapport d'activités de la Commission depuis mai 1981: activités de la CEPAL en ce qui concerne les catastrophes naturelles intervenues en Amérique latine

Informe sobre las actividades de la CEPAL en relacion a la asistencia prestada a los paises para evaluar los efectos economicos y sociales que han sufrido a causa de desastres naturales.

Effect of a multimodal exercise program on sleep disturbances and instrumental activities of daily living performance on Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease patients

Aim: To assess the contribution of a multimodal exercise program on the sleep disturbances (SD) and on the performance of instrumental activities daily living (IADL) in patients with clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease patients (PD). Methods: A total of 42 consecutive patients (23 training group, 19 control group) with PD and 35 demented patients with AD (19 trained group, 16 control group) were recruited. Participants in both training groups carried out three 1-h sessions per week of a multimodal exercise program for 6 months. The Pfeffer Questionnaire for Instrumental Activities and the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire were used to assess the effects of the program on IADL and SD respectively. Results: Two-way ancova showed interactions in IADL and SD. Significant improvements were observed for these variables in both intervention groups, and maintenance or worsening was observed in control groups. The analysis of effect size showed these improvements. Conclusion: The present study results show that a mild to moderate intensity of multimodal physical exercises carried out on a regular basis over 6 months can contribute to reducing IADL deficits and attenuating SD. © 2013 Japan Geriatrics Society.

Resolution 657(XXXIII) Ad Hoc Committee on Population and Development of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Resolution 670(XXXIV) Ad Hoc Committee on Population and Development of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Spanish version available

Activities report of the working group on migration and trends in remitances

Includes bibliography

Progress of the Latin American and the Caribbean region towards sustainable development in the issues: human settlements, sanitation, water. Regional preparatory process for the Twelfth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development

Includes bibliography

Report of the Latin American countries of the present state of the preparatory activities for the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development

Extracto del informe de la Reunión Latinoamericana de Expertos Gubernamentales sobre Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo, 31 octubre-2 noviembre 1977

Economic Commission for Latin America and its activities in the field of energy

Informa acerca de las actividades realizadas por la CEPAL y oficinas subregionales en materia de energia. Incluye resoluciones aprobadas por la Comision relativas al tema.