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Objective: Acne vulgaris is caused by dyslipidemia, dyskeratosis and/or abnormal bacterial growth. The obstruction of skin pores due to hyperkeratosis of the infundibulum contributes to the formation of comedones. Thus, normalizing keratinization of epidermal cells in skin pores might be useful to improve acne. Recently, it has been found that the transcutaneous application of carbon dioxide (CO2) regulates imbalances of the desquamatory process. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a skin lotion containing CO2 on mild acne. Methods: Twenty‐four healthy Japanese males (20–29 years old) with mild acne attended this evaluation. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, one group used a skin lotion containing CO2 and the other group used a skin lotion without CO2. Following facial washing, each subject topically applied the skin lotion with or without CO2 twice a day for 4 weeks. Prior to the start of the evaluation (week 0) and following 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, acne symptoms were assessed by a dermatologist and by instrumental measurements. Results: Topical application of the skin lotion with CO2 for 4 weeks significantly improved acne symptoms, which was recognized by the subjects. However, treatment with the skin lotion without CO2 did not improve acne symptoms. This improvement of acne symptoms by CO2 was not accompanied by changes in sebum levels, skin surface pH, skin capacitance, or porphyrin levels. Conclusion: The transcutaneous application of a lotion with CO2 improves acne symptoms by normalizing keratinization without affecting skin surface conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction of surgical simulators, which enable repeated learning of new surgical techniques, is advancing and they are desired in the field of neurosurgery. This study aims to make a two-fold contribution. First is the development of a haptic interface, which can be used while changing the operative tools necessary for training the cerebral fissure opening technique while using both the hands. Second is to develop a module for the haptic interface, which can display the cutting force when using micro scissors. To realize the operation with both the hands, the haptic interfaces for the right and left hands are designed so that they do not interfere. In addition, surgical tools, such as retractors, micro dissectors, and micro scissors, can be exchanged. In the cutting experiment carried out prior to the development of the haptic interface, it was clarified that the force when the dura mater was cut using micro scissors was 0.5 N. For comparison, the cutting forces required to cut two and three sheets of paper were measured to be 0.4 N and 0.6 N, respectively. The developed micro scissors module was designed using one motor and planetary gear mechanism. The gear mechanism is designed such that the right and left handles rotate in reverse directions around the rotation axis of the micro scissors using only one motor. This mechanism enables the micro scissors to cut the virtual tissues in the middle of the blade. The developed module could display a force of 0.4 N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm lines have been identified for unique fatty acid content. The very high content of palmitic acid in HPKKJ10 is controlled by the fap2 and fapx loci, and the very high content of stearic acid in M25 is controlled by the [st.sub.2] locus. If the fap2 and fapx loci are independently inherited from the [st.sub.2] locus, soybean germplasm could be developed with more unique and useful combinations of these fatty acids. The objectives of this study were to combine the loci of high palmitic and stearic acids, and determine the effects of altered contents of palmitic and stearic acids on other fatty acids. HPKKJ10 was reciprocally crossed to M25. The data from [F.sub.2] seed indicated that the fap2 and fapx loci controlling high palmitic acid were independently inherited from the [st.sub.2] locus controlling high stearic acid. Thus, the germplasm (HPS) with the very high palmitic acid trait from HPKKJ10, and very high stearic acid trait from M25, was easily developed. The increases in palmitic acid due to the fap2 andfapx loci in HPKKJ10, and the increases in stearic acid due to the [st.sub.2] locus in M25 were individually associated with changes in oleic acid. The combined increases in these two fatty acids in HPS were associated with decreases in oleic and linoleic acids, and increases in linolenic acid. The development of HPS with high content of saturated fatty acids could open new markets for soybean oil., INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES and potential food application of an oil are largely determined by the ratio and amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Commercial oil crops cannot satisfy all requirements [...]

The normal content (80-90 g [kg.sup.-1]) of linolenic acid in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] oil adversely affects oil flavor and stability. A new mutant (M-24) with lower linolenic acid content (62 g [kg.sup.-1]) was developed by x-ray irradiation. Our objective was to determine the inheritance of linolenic acid content in M-24 and to determine the genetic relationships of this trait with the fan and fanx loci known to control linolenic acid in M-5 and KL-8 mutants, respectively. Reciprocal crosses were made between each mutant and `Buy', and among the three mutants. No maternal or cytoplasmic effects were observed in any of the crosses. Data from [F.sub.2] seeds of the cross M-24 X Bay indicated that linolenic acid content in M-24 was controlled by an allele at a single locus with no dominance effects. In the cross of M-24 x KL-8, [F.sub.2] segregation indicated that linolenic acid content in M-24 and KL-8 was controlled by two different alleles at the same locus. For the M-5 X M-24 cross, [F.sub.2] segregation patterns and the segregation of [F.sub.3] seeds from individual [F.sub.2] plants indicated that M-5 and M-24 mutants have alleles at different independent loci that control linolenic acid content. Therefore, the allele in M-24 is designated as [fanx.sup.a] (M-24) to distinguish it from those of fan (M-5) and fanx (KL-8). The segregate with the [fanfanfanx.sup.a][fanx.sup.a] genotype can be considered as an important germplasm that can reduce the linolenic acid content in soybean oil., THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION of soybean oil largely determines its suitability for edible and industrial purposes. Linolenic acid is considered an unstable component that is responsible for poor flavor and [...]

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] oil with high content of oleic acid (>300 g [kg.sup.-1]) is less susceptible to oxidative changes during refining, storage, and frying. Two mutants (M23 and M11) were developed that had high content of oleic acid in the seed oil compared with the original cultivar (Bay). The objective of this study was to compare the genetic control of oleic acid content in these mutants. Reciprocal crosses were made between each mutant and Bay and between the two mutants. There were no maternal and cytoplasmic effects for oleic acid content in any of these crosses. The analysis of fatty acid composition of the parents, [F.sub.1], and [F.sub.2] seeds from the cross between M23 and Bay and between M11 and Bay indicated that oleic acid content was controlled by a single gene. The cross between M23 and M11 indicated that each mutant had a different allele at the same locus for the oleic acid content. The Ol allele for low oleic acid content in Bay was partially dominant to the allele ol for high oleic acid content in M23 but completely dominant to the allele [ol.sup.a] for high oleic acid content in M11. The allele [ol.sup.a] in M11 was completely dominant to the ol allele in the M23. There was a complete inverse relationship between oleic and linoleic acid contents in both mutants. It indicated that the mutant alleles ol and [ol.sup.a] may also control the linoleic acid content by blocking the synthesis of this acid at the step of oleic acid desaturation.

Background: Many patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) know that harsh rubbing of their skin might worsen their skin symptoms. They consider that the force they use to rub their skin when removing their makeup cosmetics should not be hard and their cleansing habits could worsen their skin symptoms. However, we presume that the force they use to rub their skin may still be strong and might worsen their skin symptoms. Aims: We characterized the effects of rubbing the skin of AD patients during cleansing of makeup cosmetics. Patients/Methods: A cleansing oil which has a higher cleansing ability compared the cleansers used daily by the subjects but required less rubbing force was used. We performed a 4‐week clinical trial of this cleansing oil on 35 female subjects who had mild AD skin symptoms on their faces. Each subject used the cleansing oil instead of their usual makeup remover without changing their other facial skin care habits. Prior to the study, and at the end of weeks 1 and 4, the skin conditions of each subject were evaluated. Results: Four weeks of usage of this cleansing oil significantly decreased skin dryness, scaling, irritation, erythema, and itchiness. Higher improvements were observed for subjects who had previously used cleansers with less cleansing ability. Accompanying those improvements, a significant increase in moisture‐retention ability and a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss were observed. Conclusion: These results suggest that many AD patients cleanse their face with hard rubbing of their skin because of the low cleansing ability of their skin cleansers and may worsen their AD skin symptoms without realizing it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acne is one of the most common skin problems among human populations. A facial cleanser formulated with alkyl ether carboxylate (AEC) and alkyl carboxylate (AC) can improve acne by cleansing sebum on facial skin but cannot effectively remove keratotic plugs in the skin pores. Recently, we confirmed that Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane and L‐arginine (Tris/Arg) is able to reduce sebum levels, disrupt keratotic plugs in vitro and decrease pore size on facial skin. Objective: To compare the efficacy of the Tris/Arg‐formulated cleanser with the AEC/AC cleanser in Thai subjects with acne. Methods: We designed a randomized, double‐blind, controlled, parallel trial. Thirty‐four male Thai subjects with mild to moderate acne were assigned to one of two groups: one group used the Tris/Arg cleanser while the other used the AEC/AC‐based cleanser twice a day for 4 weeks. Results: After 4 weeks, significant decreases in noninflammatory acne were observed in both groups, yet significant decreases in inflammatory acne were only observed in the Tris/Arg cleanser group. The sebum level prior to and 30 minutes after facial washing showed no change in either group. The average pore size with keratotic plugs on the cheeks was significantly decreased in the Tris/Arg group. More than half of subjects in both groups observed acne improvement but more subjects in the Tris/Arg group noted pore size improvement. Conclusion: The Tris/Arg formulated cleanser has a high efficacy for significantly reducing both noninflammatory and inflammatory acne accompanied by decreases in pore size with keratotic plugs in male Thai subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]