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Biomedical subjects

R E Engel

Publications and source records attributed to R E Engel.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Phase III double-blind evaluation of an aloe vera gel as a prophylactic agent for radiation-induced skin toxicity.

PURPOSE: Considerable pilot data and clinical experience suggested that an aloe vera gel might help to prevent radiation therapy-induced dermatitis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two Phase III randomized trials were conducted. The first one was double blinded, utilized a placebo gel, and involved 194 women receiving breast or chest wall irradiation. The second trial randomized 108 such patients to aloe vera gel vs. no treatment. Skin dermatitis was scored weekly during both trials both by patients and by health care providers. RESULTS: Skin dermatitis scores were virtually identical on both treatment arms during both of the trials. The only toxicity from the gel was rare contact dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: This dose and schedule of an aloe vera gel does not protect against radiation therapy-induced dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Nitrites, nitrosamines, and meat.

Food additive regulations are frequently misunderstood and are often the basis for widely disparate views. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not accept the concept that zero health risk with food additives is a humanly attainable goal; however, if the USDA is to accept that zero health risk is not attainable, then the department must propose, through regulations, a socially acceptable level of risk. Nitrite is an example. On one hand, nitrite is toxic at high levels and can combine with amines to form nitrosamines, which have been shown to cause cancer in animals. On the other hand, nitrite has been shown to provide the necessary protection, in many products, against Clostridium botulinum. The USDA, however, is not content to accept this position as a final one; they will continue to urge additional studies designed to further refine and decrease nitrite usage or replace it with a safe substitute. Given adequate information as to the relative risks involved in the use of nitrite or a substitute, society itself should be in a position to make the determination as to its willingness to accept potential risks in its daily life.

Animals↗