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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.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Prevention of exacerbation of AD is a crucial issue for all physicians. However, exacerbation of AD often is seen during reduction of AD treatment, even with appropriate follow-up by tapered topical corticosteroids and daily topical moisturizers, indicating the need for good indicators of AD remission. We hypothesized that the presence of mutations in FLG or the stratum corneum ceramide profile on AD remission phase may predict the ease of AD exacerbation. This study examined the differences in the frequency of FLG mutations or stratum corneum ceramide profiles (stratum corneum levels and carbon chain length for 11 ceramide classes [ceramides containing nonhydroxy fatty acids and dihydrosphingosines; nonhydroxy fatty acids and sphingosines; nonhydroxy fatty acids and 6-hydroxysphingosines; nonhydroxy fatty acids and phytosphingosines; a-hydroxy fatty acids and dihydrosphingosines; a-hydroxy fatty acids and sphingosines; a-hydroxy fatty acids and 6-hydroxysphingosines; a-hydroxy fatty acids and phytosphingosines; ester-linked fatty acids, o-hydroxy fatty acids, and sphingosines; ester-linked fatty acids, o-hydroxy fatty acids, and 6-hydroxysphingosines; and ester-linked fatty acids, o-hydroxy fatty acids, and phytosphingosines]) at AD remission phase between the two AD study groups: subsequent exacerbation (‒) and (+) of AD. The frequency of FLG mutations did not differ between the study groups. On the other hand, the carbon chain lengths of ceramides containing nonhydroxy fatty acids and dihydrosphingosines, nonhydroxy fatty acids and sphingosines, and nonhydroxy fatty acids and 6-hydroxysphingosines were shorter in the exacerbated AD group than in the maintained-AD group. Thus, the stratum corneum ceramide profile at the remission phase of AD is a potential biomarker, predicting the likelihood of substantial AD remission or subsequent AD exacerbation.

Acupuncture treatment is based on acupoint stimulation; however, the biological basis is not understood. We stimulated one acupoint with catgut embedding for 8 weeks and then used isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation to screen proteins with altered expression in adjacent acupoints of Sprague Dawley rats. We found that kininogen expression was significantly upregulated in the stimulated and the nonstimulated adjacent acupoints along the same meridian. The enhanced kininogen expression was meridian dependent and was most apparent among small vessels in the subcutaneous layer. Enhanced signals of nitric oxide synthases, cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and myosin light chain were also observed at the nonstimulated adjacent acupoints along the same meridian. These findings uncover biological changes at acupoints and suggest the critical role of the kininogen–nitric oxide signaling pathway in acupoint activation.

Pancreatic serous neoplasms are rare tumors that are usually benign. However, histopathological differentiation between benign (serous cystadenoma) and malignant (serous cystadenocarcinoma) lesions is difficult. We present the case of a patient with pancreatic serous cystadenocarcinoma that was diagnosed with liver metastasis 7 years after the resection of the primary serous neoplastic lesion. A woman in her 60 s was diagnosed with pancreatic serous cystadenoma based on imaging and histopathological examination findings. The tumor was resected, and the patient was followed up every 6 months to monitor tumor progression. At 7 years after the resection of the primary lesion, liver tumors showing marked flare-like contrast enhancements were detected on arterial phase computed tomography findings and on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging findings acquired 60 s after the administration of a contrast agent. Laparoscopic segmental hepatectomy of S4 and S6 was performed to resect these tumors. Histopathological examination revealed that these tumors were metastatic and developed from the primary lesion. Therefore, a diagnosis of serous cystadenocarcinoma was confirmed. The flare-like contrast enhancement around the metastatic liver lesions on computed tomography and dynamic magnetic resonance images may be an indicator of serous cystadenocarcinoma with liver metastasis that could assist in diagnosis.

This is the case of a 72-year-old man in whom multiple colorectal cancers including rectal and appendiceal cancers and synchronous S3 liver metastases were observed in 2014, and resection was performed in 2 stages. In 2017, a single recurrence was found in the liver S8, and he underwent a liver S8 sub-segmental resection. Implantation of a CV port for postoperative chemotherapy was planned. At the time of insertion, the catheter was punctured from the exterior portion of the left subclavian vein to avoid the pinch-off syndrome wherein the catheter is crushed between the clavicle and the first rib. Subsequently, FOLFOX therapy was started, but it was discontinued because of allergic symptoms, which appeared during the third course. Two years after the CV port was implanted, a catheter fracture was found on a chest X-ray performed during a regular visit. Since the detached catheter did not fall into the vein, it was possible to remove the port under fluoroscopy. When a catheter is implanted, even under ultrasound guidance, it is considered important to always keep in mind the possibility of a catheter fracture and to detect and respond to it early.

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.

Yutaka Takagi,1 Xuanhe Ning,1 Akihiko Takahashi,1 Chiaki Ishizaki,2 Takahiro Nishizaka,1 Kazuhiro Kaizu,1 Masahiro Miyaki,1 Hotaka Yamamuro,1 Makoto Kawashima3 1Skin Care Product Research, Kao Corporation, Tokyo, Japan; 2Ebisu Skin Research Center, Inforward, Inc., Tokyo, Japan; 3Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan Objective: Dry and scaly conditions on the scalp are often observed in patients with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and/or pityriasis capitis. Those scalp lesions often exhibit low barrier function and reduced ceramide levels. Therefore, a clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of a pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract-containing lotion on the scalps of patients with skin diseases.Methods: Thirty-four subjects participated in this study (atopic dermatitis: 19 subjects; seborrheic dermatitis: 6 subjects; pityriasis capitis: 9 subjects). After 4 weeks of daily treatment with a pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract-containing lotion, the skin symptoms had significantly improved in all patients with those skin diseases.Results: Skin dryness, scaling, and erythema were significantly improved by treatment with the lotion. The moisture-retention ability of the scalp was significantly increased and itchiness, evaluated using a visual analog scale, decreased significantly. Accompanying those improvements was a significant improvement in the quality of life of the subjects, evaluated by the Skindex-16®.Conclusion: From these results, we conclude that this pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract-containing lotion effectively improved the dry and scaly conditions of the scalp as well as the quality of life of subjects with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, or pityriasis capitis. Keywords: formulation, skin care, moisturization, scalp lotion, sensitive skin, inflammation&nbsp

Naoko Okamoto,1 Kaori Umehara,1 Junko Sonoda,1 Mitsuyuki Hotta,2 Hiroki Mizushima,1 Yutaka Takagi,1 Keiko Matsuo,3 Naoko Baba4 1Skin Care Products Research Laboratories, Kao Corporation, Tokyo, 2Biological Science Research Laboratories, Kao Corporation, Tochigi, 3Office of the President, Kao Corporation, Tokyo, 4Department of Dermatology, Kanagawa Children’s Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan Objective: Despite the application of skin care treatments, many infants have skin problems such as dryness and erythema. We proposed a new combination skin care for infants which consisted of a foaming cleanser with lower surfactant activity and moisturizers that contained pseudo-ceramide. Subjects and methods: A total of 50 infants (age: 3–24months) with insignificant levels of dry skin were enrolled in this usage trial. The parents washed the infants with the test cleanser while bathing and then applied the moisturizer (lotion or cream) containing pseudo-ceramide. Prior to and following the 4-week usage period, visual evaluation of the skin condition was conducted by a dermatologist, in addition to instrumental analysis. Results: Erythema and papule, accompanied by dryness, were commonly observed at week0. However, by week 4, these symptoms significantly improved; the condition of none of the subjects deteriorated. The number of infants with lower cutaneous barrier function and higher skin pH decreased. The parents of the infants recognized improvements in the skin symptoms and were appreciative of the test materials. Conclusion: The combined usage of the foaming cleanser with lower surfactant activity and a moisturizer containing pseudo-ceramide may be effective in maintaining healthy infant skin and ameliorating the skin symptoms. Keywords: infant, cleanser, lotion, cream, dryness

Krüppel‐like factor 5 (KLF5) plays an oncogenic role and has diverse functions in cancer cells. However, correlation between KLF5 and clinical outcome has not been determined in patients with colorectal cancer and colorectal liver metastasis. Herein, we analyzed 65 patients with colorectal cancer who developed colorectal liver metastasis. Clinical effects were assessed through immunohistochemical analysis of primary colorectal cancer lesions and metastatic liver lesions. High expression of KLF5 in these tissues correlated with the presence of vascular invasion, elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 levels, large diameters of metastatic liver tumors, and poor prognosis following surgery. Multivariate analyses revealed that high expression of KLF5 was an independent prognostic factor. Increased expression of KLF5 in both colorectal cancer primaries and colorectal liver metastasis was significantly associated with shorter overall survival time and time to surgical failure. Krüppel‐like factor 5 expression positively correlated with Ki‐67 and c‐Myc expression in colorectal cancer tissues. In vitro experiments with colon cancer cell lines showed that siRNA knockdown of KLF5 inhibited cell proliferation. Western blot analyses revealed that knockdown of KLF5 expression reduced cyclin D1 and c‐Myc expression. It also impaired the stem cell‐like properties of cancer cells in tumorsphere formation assays. Furthermore, anoikis assay indicated that KLF5 contributed to anoikis resistance. High KLF5 expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer and liver metastasis by promoting cell proliferation and cancer stem cell‐like properties., High KLF5 expression in cancer cells is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with primary colorectal cancer and related liver metastases. The malignant potential of cells with high Krüppel‐like factor 5 expression might be the result of high proliferative activity and cancer stem cell‐like properties, which likely occur owing to enhanced cyclin D1 and c‐Myc expression.

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.

Background Skin moisturizing is advocated to take care of the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, many patients stop using moisturizers in the summer because of excessive sweating and high humidity. Objectives To examine the efficacy of a moisturizing gel containing a pseudo-ceramide and a eucalyptus extract, which enhances epidermal ceramide synthesis of patients with mild AD in the summer. Methods We performed a single-blinded 4-week clinical trial of body care on 44 Japanese subjects who had mild AD. They had not applied any moisturizer on their body in the summer. Twenty-seven subjects used the moisturizing gel containing a pseudo-ceramide and a eucalyptus extract twice a day and the 17 other subjects did not use any moisturizer. Prior to and at the end of weeks 2 and 4, the skin conditions of each subject were evaluated. Results During the test period, the atmospheric temperature increased and skin dryness and scaling significantly improved with or without application of the moisturizing gel. However, the improvement in dryness of the treated group was significantly higher than that of the nontreated group. Erythema and itchiness were significantly improved only in the treated group. The skin hydration on the forearm increased significantly only in the treated group. Accompanying those improvements, the quality of life of the subjects, evaluated by Skindex-16® , was significantly improved. Conclusion The usage of a moisturizer containing a pseudo-ceramide and a eucalyptus extract is effective for care of the skin of AD subjects even in the summer.

Many people feel frequent prickling or itching sensations on their scalp. The scalp is an atypical area of the skin since it is normally covered with thick hair and has many sebaceous glands and sweat glands. The scalp often has skin problems that can affect its sensitivity and functions. However, not much is known about stratum corneum function and the neural sensitivity of the scalp. Here we evaluated stratum corneum function and the neural sensitivity of the scalp of 47 normal male individuals in various skin conditions and compared the results to that to the forehead. The neural sensitivity was evaluated by measuring the electrical current perception threshold (CPT). The cutaneous barrier function and stratum corneum moisture-retention ability (MRA) of the scalp were significantly lower than on the forehead, even if there were some scalp problems. Depending on the increase in severity of scalp skin problems, both these skin functional properties and the CPT decreased significantly. However, regardless of its lower functional properties, scalp skin was not significantly lower than that of the forehead. Although the scalp has a low stratum corneum function compared with the forehead and has easily induced skin problems, the scalp skin has less sensitive sensory nerves, resulting in experiencing a worsening of scalp symptoms more easily.

Emerging high-performance computing systems have been aggressively driving advances in packaging technologies to meet their escalating performance and miniaturization needs. Large, high-density 2.5D silicon interposers have gained momentum with the recent split-die trend but face critical reliability challenges at board-level that are addressed by introducing an additional organic BGA package between interposer and board. Glass substrates have emerged as a promising alternative owing to the superior electrical properties, sub-5µm lithographic capability and tunable CTE of glass that enables direct SMT assembly to mother boards among other advantages. This paper investigates board-level reliability of single-chip glass BGA packages, 18.5mm × 18.5mm in body size and 100µm in thickness at 400µm BGA pitch. A parametric finite-element analysis was performed to extract the optimum glass CTE for balanced chip-and board-level reliabilities. Innovative doped solder materials and strain-relief mechanisms were evaluated to improve board-level reliability with minimum system-level impact. Daisy-chain test vehicles with low (3.3ppm/K) and high (9.8ppm/K) CTE glass substrates were fabricated and assembled at chip and board levels by Cu pillar thermocompression bonding and standard SMT reflow, respectively. Assemblies with different BGA solder alloys, SAC105, SAC305 and Indium's Mn-doped SACmTM, were subjected to thermal cycling test according to JEDEC standards. Comprehensive failure analysis was performed to evaluate fatigue life improvements with advanced interconnection materials and conclude on scalability of glass substrates for high-performance applications.

SummaryBackground Many people use lip care products daily to prevent dry lips. However, some people, especially those with sensitive skin-consciousness, complain of various skin problems on their lips including contact dermatitis caused by lip care products. Dry lips have decreased water holding capacity and cutaneous barrier function as well as reduced stratum corneum ceramide levels. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of a newly formulated lip balm containing pseudo-ceramide for the dry lips of subjects with sensitive skin. Method Thirty subjects with dry lips and sensitive skin-consciousness used the test lip balm more than twice a day for 4 weeks. Lip conditions were evaluated before and after 2 and 4 weeks. Result Visual evaluation by a dermatologist showed that overall improvements were observed in all subjects as early as week 2. After 4 weeks of usage, 27% of the subjects were objectively judged as “markedly improved” and 60% of the subjects were judged as “improved”. No adverse event developed throughout the test period, and all subjects were able to use the lip balm safely for 4 weeks. Usefulness was judged based on all evaluation items, and 27%, 70%, and 3% of the subjects were judged as “very useful,” “useful,” and “slightly useful,” respectively. Ninety percentage of the subjects expressed improvement and acceptance of the lip balm. Conclusion Based on these results, the newly formulated lip balm containing pseudo-ceramide is very useful for the lip care of sensitive skin-conscious subjects as well as for daily use by healthy subjects.

Stratum corneum forms the UV barrier. The effect of ultraviolet B (UVB) on normal skin was extensively studied; however, its effect on barrier perturbed skin remains undefined. Both barrier perturbation and UVB irradiation induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) in keratinocytes. Mild ER stress activates homeostatic UPR, while severe ER stress leads to abnormal UPR, promoting apoptosis and inflammation. Here, we investigated UV sensitivity and UVB-induced UPR in barrier-disrupted human skin and the effects of pseudoceramide-dominant emollient on UVB-induced skin responses. Tape-stripped skin of healthy volunteers showed enhanced susceptibility to erythema and augmented proinflammatory cytokines induction following suberythemal UVB irradiation. Suberythemal UVB activated XBP1 in normal skin, while increased CHOP transcription in barrier perturbed skin. After tape stripping, pseudoceramide-dominant emollient was applied for 3 days, and then, the areas were irradiated with suberythemal UVB. Pretreatment with topical pseudoceramide protected against UVB-induced upregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α transcription and reduced susceptibility to erythema following UVB. Topical pseudoceramide also suppressed suberythemal UVB-induced CHOP transcription in barrier-disrupted skin. Taken together, these data indicate that permeability barrier disruption increases UV sensitivity in human skin, partly via switch the UVB-induced UPR, from homeostatic signals to pro-apoptotic and proinflammatory signals. In addition, we conclude that pseudoceramide-dominant emollient suppresses excessive ER stress induction and CHOP activation following UVB in barrier damaged skin, providing evidence that pseudoceramide-dominant emollients can be promising strategies for photoprotection of the barrier damaged skin.

Acne is a common skin disease that involves the seborrheic area of the face and results from the obstruction of hair follicles followed by inflammation. Careful face washing helps to improve and prevent acne; however, intensive washing has a risk of inducing skin barrier impairment and dry skin, especially in sensitive skin. We hypothesized that skin care combining mild skin cleansing and intensive moisturizing ("combination skin care") may be effective in the care of acne in subjects with dry skin and/or sensitive skin. We developed a combination skin care with a weakly acidic foaming facial skin cleanser based on a mild detergent, an aqueous lotion with eucalyptus extract and a moisturizing gel containing pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract. To optimize an ideal facial skin care system for mild acne on sensitive skin, we performed a 4-week clinical trial with 29 post-adolescent Japanese women with mild acne with dry and sensitive skin. The acne significantly decreased after this trial accompanied by the improvement of dry skin, a significantly increased endogenous ceramide level in the stratum corneum and an elongated alkyl chain length of the non-hydroxy acyl sphingosine type ceramide. No adverse events due to the test samples were observed. Based on diagnosis by a dermatologist, 97% of the subjects found the combination skin care to be "useful" or "slightly useful". Based on these findings, the combined use of a facial skin cleanser and moisturizers is safe and effective for the care of acne in post-adolescent Japanese women with sensitive skin.

SUMMARY Brain hypothermia requires control of its temperature within an appropriate range, considering the change of body temperature over a long period. Various mathematical models have been used for the study of control and cooling capability of brain temperature in hypothermia. In previous models, a lumped-parameter hemisphere of uniform temperature has been assumed as a simplified brain model without considering the temperature distribution. In the present study, however, a new model is proposed to visualize the temperature distribution in the brain. The model has the approximate shape of the organs in the head based on MRI data, and may well reflect properties such as heat transfer coefficients, metabolic heat production, and heat capacity of human organs. The model has a pseudo-blood-flow component in which any temperature can be set as the initial value at the starting place of blood flow. Simulations using this model were performed with the temperature controlled by the introduction of Ringer's solution into any of the four arteries leading to the brain. The simulation results suggest that the various cooling effects are manifested in every region of brain, and that the temperature distribution can be known for applications to controlling brain temperature in a part of interest.

Although the physiological characteristics of vulvar skin have been characterized in Caucasians, little is known about the vulvar skin of Asian women. This study assessed the moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and pH of vulvar skin of 99 healthy Asian women residing in Bangkok, aged 20-69 years, during their non-menstrual period, including 39 post-menopausal women. Skin pH was acidic at all sites, and the pH of the vulvar areas was significantly higher than the control sites (inner thigh, inner forearm). Skin moisture was slightly, but significantly, lower around the vulvar area and the thigh than around the forearm. TEWL was significantly higher in vulvar areas than control sites. Ageing and menopause did not cause notable alterations in most properties of vulvar skin. In conclusion, the vulvar skin of Asian women has similar properties to that of Caucasians.

SUMMARY Accurate temperature control of brain tissue during hypothermia treatment is necessary in order to prevent secondary brain damage and to avoid various side effects. Thus, the visualization of the intracerebral temperature distribution in hypothermia treatment was studied at the fundamental level. For this purpose a virtual reality technology was used to create a mathematical model that reflects metabolic heat production and Fourier heat conduction in a brain with the necessary parameters based on various clinical models. In the present study, an experimental system was developed to examine a mathematical simulation of the blood flow in a human head by using a solid brain model constructed using silicon rubber in the shape of a brain based on MRI data, taking into account the metabolic heat given off by three film heaters and including six sensors for the measurement of regional brain temperature. The mathematical simulation describes the internal temperature distribution in a brain with a similar structure to the brain solid model. The results of mathematical simulations and experiments using the brain solid model were quite consistent in the steady state, including control of regional temperature. This allows for the performance of heat conduction experiments under conditions similar to those of a living body, in which the internal temperature is clinically difficult to observe. Thus, the mathematical simulation is confirmed to be useful together with experiments using the solid model for the study of future brain hypothermia treatment. C⃝ 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 193(2): 58–68, 2015; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22642

Background Although the physiological conditions of vulvar skin in Caucasian populations have been characterized, little is known about these conditions in Japanese women. Methods Skin of the labia, groin, mons pubis, and inner thigh was examined in 40 healthy Japanese women outwith their menstrual period. Skin moisture, skin pH, ceramide content and inflammatory cytokine proteins of the stratum corneum, and bacterial flora were assessed. Results Skin moisture was found to be significantly lower in the labia than at the other three sites examined. No differences were found in skin pH. A significant difference in ceramide content was observed between the groin and inner thigh. The ratio of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interleukin-1α receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) was significantly higher in the labia than in the other sites. Numbers of total bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermis, and Lactobacillus spp. were greater in the labia and mons pubis sites compared with the inner thigh. Prevotella spp. were found only in the labia. Conclusions In Japanese women, the skin at the labia is drier and more inflammatory than the skin at the groin, mons pubis, and inner thigh; this cannot be explained by the ceramide content and/or pH of the stratum corneum. Prevotella spp. may perform a key role in the vulvar skin of Japanese women.

Summary Background and objectives The association between mortality and physical activity based on self-report questionnaire in hemodialysis patients has been reported previously. However, because self-report is a subjective assessment, evaluating true physical activity is difficult. This study investigated the prognostic significance of habitual physical activity on 7-year survival in a cohort of clinically stable and adequately dialyzed patients. Design, setting, participants, & measurements A total of 202 Japanese outpatients who were undergoing maintenance hemodialysis three times per week at the hemodialysis center of Sagami Junkanki Clinic (Japan) from October 2002 to February 2012 were followed for up to 7 years. Physical activity was evaluated using an accelerometer at study entry and is expressed as the amount of time a patient engaged in physical activity on nondialysis days. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess the contribution of habitual physical activity to all-cause mortality. Results The median patient age was 64 (25th, 75th percentiles, 57, 72) years, 52.0% of the patients were women, and the median time on hemodialysis was 40.0 (25th, 75th percentiles, 16.8, 119.3) months at baseline. During a median follow-up of 45 months, 34 patients died. On multivariable analysis, the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality per 10 min/d increase in physical activity was 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.66–0.92; P=0.002). Conclusions Engaging in habitual physical activity among outpatients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis was associated with decreased mortality risk.

The objectives of this study were to identify a plant extract that would improve stratum corneum functions and to elucidate the mechanism(s) involved. Based on the information that stratum corneum functions depend on the level of ceramide in the stratum corneum, we identified a Eucalyptus extract that was able to increase the level of ceramide in human keratinocytes in culture and in human stratum corneum and that improves the stratum corneum water holding and barrier functions. Addition of the Eucalyptus extract to human keratinocytes in culture increased the level of ceramide in a dose-dependent manner and also increased the biosynthesis of ceramide, glucosylceramide and sphingomyelin. Topical application of the Eucalyptus extract on the dry skin of human subjects induced by acetone and diethylether treatment resulted in a significant increase in ceramide level in the stratum corneum, a significant improvement in its water-holding function and an improvement in its barrier function. The addition of macrocarpal A, one of the main components of the Eucalyptus extract, to human keratinocytes in culture increased the level of ceramide and the mRNA expression of serine palmitoyltransferase, acid sphingomyelinase, neutral sphingomyelinase, glucosylceramide synthase and glucocerebrosidase in a dose-dependent manner. Our results indicate that the increased content of ceramides in the stratum corneum may underlie the therapeutic effect of the Eucalyptus extract. Our results also indicate the possibility that macrocarpal A is the key component that stimulates the synthesis of ceramide in the stratum corneum.

Scientific evaluation of fabric softener use on the friction of fabrics and on dry skin in real life is very limited. The coefficient of friction of fabrics was measured with a surface tester using model skin and cotton fabrics. The effects and safety of fabric softener-treated T-shirts on subjects with dry skin were evaluated in real-life conditions in the cold and arid environment. Twenty male volunteers with dry skin used T-shirts without softener for 1 week before day 0 and then wore softener-treated T-shirts for 14 days. Effects were evaluated by clinical grading, subjective symptoms, stratum corneum water content (SCWC) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). A significant decrease in the coefficient of friction of fabrics was detected. A significant improvement in SCWC was observed on the torso, waist and shoulder, but no improvement was found on the inner forearm. There was a slight change in TEWL. The visual grading of dryness improved significantly at all sites, but no significant change was found in subjective symptoms. Our results suggest that fabric softener provides benefits to individuals with dry skin because of the decreased friction of the garments against the skin. It is possible that the softener treatment of fabrics contributes to the state of moisturization of the skin and may work in collaboration with the application of moisturizers.

With 6 figures and 2 tables Abstract The mid-oleic-acid soybean mutant M23 has been frequently used to develop lines with elevated oleic acid content. M23, which was produced by X-ray irradiation, was previously shown to contain a large deletion including GmFAD2-1a, one of the genes encoding microsomal omega-6 fatty acid desaturase (GmFAD2). However, it was not possible then to develop a codominant marker for the selection of the M23 mutation because the extent of the deletion was unknown. Here, we report that PCR analysis of M23 using published soybean genome sequences as a reference revealed a 164 014-bp deletion including GmFAD2-1a and nineteen other predicted genes. We generated a codominant PCR-based marker that can distinguish wild-type/M23 heterozygotes from both homozygous classes. We genotyped F2 plants segregating for the M23 mutation and confirmed the association of genotype and phenotype. This information will be useful in developing new commercial cultivars of high-oleic-acid soybean. We discuss the possible functions of the genes in the deleted region of M23 in relation to reduced seed yield, which occurs frequently in soybean lines containing the M23 mutation.

The cutaneous and sensory effects of the practical usage of sanitary pads have been studied globally. However, clinical studies in the United States were conducted only quite a long time ago, and the results of these studies were not published.Fifty-four women residing in the United States were asked to use commercially available sanitary pads with a nonwoven unique surface sheet and pads with a perforated film. This was a cross-over study design conducted over the course of two menstrual periods. A board certified dermatologist evaluated the levels of erythema and fissuring, burning, stinging and itching sensations based on clinical observations and interviews. Measurement of pH and swabs for bacteria counting of vulvar skin were also performed. Data from the first clinical evaluation conducted prior to the first menstrual cycle were used as the baseline. At the end of the study, the subjects were asked to complete self-assessment questionnaires about product suitability.Forty-two women (age: 18-50, mean: 37.5) completed the study. No signs of irritation or meaningful differences from the baseline were found in the clinical observations or in the interviews by the dermatologist for either product. No significant difference from baseline was found in the vulvar skin surface pH or in the number of total bacteria for either product. The results of the suitability indicated that the majority of subjects were highly satisfied with both types, but they especially preferred the sanitary pad with a nonwoven unique surface top sheet.These results revalidate the results of a previous clinical study in the United States and are consistent with recent reports of worldwide clinical trials of high performance sanitary pads.

The aim of the present study was to develop a novel questionnaire evaluating disability in the activities of daily living in the upper extremities of hemodialysis (HD) patients (QDUE-HD). We recruited 83 patients (40 males and 43 females) aged 66 ± 8 years, and measured their muscle strength and range of motion in the upper extremities. Moreover, 14 patients performed a six-week exercise training regimen (the exercise group) and were compared with 15 patients not performing such training (the control group). In an initial questionnaire consisting of 37 items, 30 were taken from the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and the Activities of Daily Living Test, and the remaining seven were selected from activities that HD patients perceived as impossible or extremely difficult to perform. The principal factor analysis focused on 11 items, as 26 showing floor and ceiling effects were excluded. These 11 items were divided into two categories consisting of six items termed "light work" and five termed "holding activities". The scores for light work and holding activities correlated significantly and positively with both muscle strength and range of motion in the upper extremities. These scores increased significantly after the six-week exercise training as compared with those before training in the exercise group. We conclude that the QDUE-HD is clinically useful for evaluating disability in activities of daily living in the upper extremities of HD patients because of its high reliability, validity and responsiveness.

Axillary sweat is odourless when freshly collected at the surface of human skin, but it contains non-odoriferous precursors, which can be transformed into odorous substances by bacteria. E-3-methyl-2-hexanoic acid (3M2H) is one of the key odorous substances, but there are two contradictory reports about its precursor form. One report states that 3M2H linked non-covalently to apolipoprotein D (apoD) is the precursor, while a second report states that 3M2H-Gln identified in human axillary sweat is the precursor. Recently, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl hexanoic acid (HMHA) and 3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexane-1-ol (3M3T) have also been identified and reported as characteristic components found in apocrine sweat. To better understand the formation of axillary odours and the structural relationships between these compounds and apoD, we characterized the linkage between odorous substances and apoD in human axillary secretions. ApoD was purified from human axillary secretions collected from 50 healthy female volunteers and was then digested by trypsin and analysed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. A Mascot search showed that 8 peaks identified in the trypsin-digested samples correspond to the masses calculated for theoretically digested apoD sequences and the purified protein was assigned as a precursor of apoD [Homo sapiens]. One spectrum corresponded to the theoretical peak of HMHA linked covalently to the N-terminal fragment of apoD. In contrast, no spectrum corresponded to the theoretical peak of a 3M2H adduct or to an unmodified N-terminal fragment of apoD. These results indicate a possibility that HMHA binds covalently to the N-terminal amino acid of apoD in human axillary secretions.

Regional differences in practices, ethnicity, and climate may influence the skin compatibility of sanitary pads. Although several clinical trials have been performed in North America, Mexico, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Africa, there is no clinical study reported for Asia.The purpose of this study was to examine the skin compatibility of two types of modern sanitary pads in Chinese women along with a dermatological assessment and their satisfaction and preference.The self-feeling and safety of a new sanitary pad with a non-woven top specially-shaped surface sheet was tested and compared with a conventional sanitary pad with a perforated film top sheet. The subjects studied were 22 Chinese women (age: 20-50 years) with a history of mild and occasional sanitary pad dermatitis residing in Shanghai. One subject wished to discontinue the trial for personal reasons, thus 21 subjects completed the trial. These subjects were randomly assigned to two types of sanitary pads, and used one type during their next menstrual period, and another type during their following menstrual period. After each menstrual period, a dermatologist examined the objective and subjective skin symptoms and determined a score. The subjects were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with respect to overall usability, softness, stickiness, dryness, and absorbency, and to choose which pad they had preferred.No adverse effect was observed for either type of pad. Edema, erythema, burning, and stinging were not obvious symptoms for either type of pad. For itching, 30-65% of the subjects scored slight or mild for both types of pads. A comprehensive evaluation showed that several symptoms were observed on both type of pads at slight and mild levels, but minimal and insignificant differences were found between them. The majority of subjects were highly satisfied with both types, but preferred the new sanitary pad with a non-woven specially-shaped surface top sheet for its softness and absorbency.Our results indicate that both types of sanitary pads were tolerated well by Chinese women, thereby providing an important extension of earlier studies.

We report high-aspect-ratio optical through-holes fabricated in optoelectronic substrates for chip-to-chip optical interconnections. They are used for transmitting optical signals vertically through the optoelectronic substrate. They consist of cladding layer and cores that are 50 μm in diameter. Their lengths are 1.2 mm equal to the thickness of the substrate. This small diameter enables the optical through-holes to achieve low-loss optical coupling with a polymer optical waveguide. This thickness of the optoelectronic substrate accommodates embedded capacitor integration under CPUs. The capacitor will improve power supply to the CPU and co-planarity for both package level and board level assembly. We have evaluated the optical characteristics of the high-aspect-ratio optical through holes. We have measured optical loss and crosstalk. Optical coupling dependencies of alignment offset for the optical through-holes are also evaluated to clear the effects of misalignment. The optical loss of core-cladding optical through-hole was 1.3 dB that was 2.9 dB better than that of only one kind of transparent resin and 3.8 dB better than that of a vacant drilled hole. The narrowest 1-dB coupling tolerance was +/− 12 μm from the transmitter optical through-hole to the optical waveguide. Total optical loss was estimated to be 6.8 dB from a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser through 100-mm polymer waveguide with two 45°-ended mirrors to a photodiode.

ダイズの自然集団にはオレイン酸含量の高い遺伝資源がないことから，突然変異による新規遺伝子の獲得が期待されている．筆者らは，ダイズ品種Bayの種子に対するX線照射による突然変異誘発の結果，同一Ol座における複対立変異遺伝子をもつことで高オレイン酸含量となるM23，T2427，J38，KK21，M11，KK8，N1095の7系統を作出してきた．本研究は，2007年と2008年に行なった高オレイン酸含量のM23，T2427，J38，KK21の4系統と原品種Bayとの子実収量の比較から，KK21系統を，原品種Bayの農業特性を保持しながら高オレイン酸含量となる優良系統として選抜した．

Dry skin is a condition characterized by impaired skin barrier function including atopic dermatitis and senile eczemas. Fabric softening chemicals (FSC) smoothens the surface of fabrics and thus decreases friction with the skin. Scientific evaluation of fabric softener on skin dryness is very limited. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of FSC-treated T-shirts in subjects with dry skin. This is a randomized double-blind control study that included 40 male volunteers with apparent dry skin. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: 20 men received 28 pieces of FSC-treated T-shirts wearing them for 4 weeks, and another 20 men received non-treated T-shirts. The effect of trial was evaluated by visual grading, subjective symptom, stratum corneum water content (SCWC), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and dermoscopic skin surface analysis on days 0, 7, 14 and 28. A significant improvement of SCWC was observed in the skin of the shoulder (days 7-28) and lateral abdomen (day 14) wearing the treated T-shirts, but not in the non-treated T-shirts. In a stratified analysis of the low and high SCWC group, significant improvement was identified in the low SCWC groups but not in high SCWC groups. The visual grading of the shoulder improved significantly in the treated T-shirts group. No significant improvement was found in TEWL, dermoscopic analysis and subjective symptom in both groups. No remarkable side-effect was identified throughout this investigation. Addition of a fabric softener during clothes laundering is a potent preventive tool for dry skin.