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Notes: The aim of this study was to develop a new natural preservative system making up for the weak points of chitosan as a preservative. As reported in a previous manuscript (20th IFSCC Congress, Cannes, France, 1998), the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of water-soluble chitosan against bacteria and yeast were 0.9–3.0 mg mL−1, whereas MICs of chitosan against Aspergillus niger were over 5.0 mg mL−1. However, the result of recent study showed that the MICs of Inula helenium L. extract against A. niger were below 1.0 mg mL−1. Thus, we could develop a new preservative system containing both chitosan and I. helenium L. extract named CI-mixture. MICs of CI-mixture against bacteria and fungi (yeast and mould) were 2.0–4.0 mg mL−1. When 10.0% of the mixture (the ratio of chitosan to I. helenium L. extract = 7.5% : 2.5%) was applied to cosmetic formulae such as skin lotion, milk lotion, cream and pack, it revealed appropriate preservative efficacy. Our result of the patch test also showed that this preservative system reduced skin irritation by about 30–50%, as compared to the organic preservative system. Therefore, the good natural preservative system including chitosan and Inula helenium L. extract could be incorporated in cosmetic formulations.

Notes: The relationship between the wax matrix in lipstick and sweating has been investigated by observing the change of size and shape of the wax matrix due to sweating by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). For observation by SEM, a lipstick sample was frozen in liquid nitrogen. The oil in the lipstick was then extracted in cold isopropanol (−70 °C) for 1–3 days. After the isopropanol was evaporated, the sample was sputtered with gold and examined by SEM. The change of wax matrix underneath the surface from fine, uniform structure to coarse, nonuniform structure resulted from the caking of surrounding wax matrix. The oil underneath the surface migrated to the surface of lipstick with sweating; consequently the wax matrix in that region was rearranged into the coarse matrix. In case of flamed lipstick, sweating was delayed and the wax matrix was much coarser than that of the unflamed one. The larger wax matrix at the surface region was good for including oil. The effect of molding temperature on sweating was also studied. As the molding temperature rose, sweating was greatly reduced and the size of the wax matrix increased. It was found that sweating was influenced by the compatibility of wax and oil. A formula consisting of wax and oil that have good compatibility has a tendency to reduce sweating and increase the size of the wax matrix. When pigments were added to wax and oil, the size of the wax matrix was changed, but in all cases sweating was increased due to the weakening of the binding force between wax and oil. On observing the thick membrane of wax at the surface of lipstick a month after molding it was also found that sweating was influenced by ageing. In conclusion, the structure of the wax matrix at the surface region of lipstick was changed with the process of flaming, molding temperature, compatibility of wax and oil, addition of pigment, and ageing. In most cases, as the size of the wax matrix was increased, sweating was reduced and delayed.

Notes: The mechanism of controlling electron temperature with grid-biased voltage is studied experimentally and the relevant physics is discussed in an inductively coupled Ar discharge. To obtain the electron density and electron temperature, the electron energy distribution functions (EEDFs) are measured with a Langmuir probe. As the grid voltage decreases negatively, the effective electron temperature is controlled from 2.0 to 0.6 eV and the electron density changes from 3×1010 to 2×1010 cm−3 in the diffusion region, while the effective electron temperature and electron density are not changed in the source region. The dependence of such various parameters, as electron density, electron temperature, plasma potential in each region, and so on, on the applied voltage, is presented. The functional relations between the measured physical quantities are well explained based on a global particle and energy balance relations. © 1999 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: As part of a project to identify genes up-regulated by injury of the motor neuron, a clone encoding dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) was isolated. This enzyme is known to metabolize methylarginines, which are endogenous inhibitors of NOS activity. DDAH may therefore contribute to the control of NO synthesis. The present study demonstrated that both DDAH and nNOS mRNAs are up-regulated after axotomy in injured hypoglossal motor neurons. The profile of DDAH mRNA up-regulation in the injured hypoglossal motor neurons paralleled that of NADPH diaphorase staining. While the expression of both DDAH and nNOS was upregulated in motor neurons following nerve injury, the normal distribution of DDAH and nNOS mRNAs in the noninjured central nervous system were distinctly different. We speculate that both genes are involved in the upregulation of NO production following nerve transection, although the role of NO in the process of nerve regeneration is so far unknown.

Notes: Phenotypic and genetic characteristics of nine bacterial strains isolated from mulberry (Morus spp.), which were originally described as Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc), were investigated. Based on the results of biochemical tests, these bacterial strains were divided into two different types, type 1 and type 2. Two strains of type 1 were similar to Ecc, whereas seven strains of type 2 were distinct from Ecc. A polyphasic study that included serological assay, specific PCR assay for E. carotovora ssp. atroseptica (Eca), PCR-RFLP of a pectate lyase (pel) gene and RAPD-PCR was performed on the type 2 strains, and the data were compared with those of related E. carotovora subspecies. The results of serological and specific PCR assays for Eca showed that the type 2 strains were distinct from Eca. In RFLP analysis of the pel gene using Sau3AI, the type 2 strains showed a unique RFLP pattern. On the basis of RAPD analysis, similarity of RAPD patterns within the type 2 strains was very high. A unique RAPD fragment was isolated from the type 2 strains and used as a probe for Southern hybridization. This probe hybridized only with PCR products from the type 2 strains. Based on phenotypic, serological and genetic characteristics, the type 2 strains isolated from mulberry may belong to a distinct E. carotovora subspecies other than Eca or Ecc.

Notes: Background  A keloid results from excessive collagen deposition, the cause of which remains elusive. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of keloid tissue can help determine the most appropriate treatment strategy.Objectives  To assess the differences in gene expression between keloids and adjacent normal skin in order to define the genes involved in keloid formation.Methods  Three Korean patients with keloids underwent excision of the keloid and adjacent normal skin, which was used as the control. We investigated expression patterns of genes in the keloids and the normal skin using cDNA microarray and in situ hybridization techniques.Results  Nine genes in the keloid tissue were consistently upregulated over the 2·0 ratio compared with the normal control from the cDNA microarray composed of 3063 clones: collagen type I α1 (〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_000088"〉NM_000088), DNA segment on chromosome 21 (unique) 2056 expressed sequence (D21S2056E, NNP-1, 〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_003683"〉NM_003683), suppressor of Ty 5 homologue (〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_003169"〉NM_003169), phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_032692"〉NM_032692), adenosine triphosphate synthase β (〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_001686"〉NM_001686), serine (or cysteine) proteinase inhibitor, clade H (heat shock protein 47, 〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_001235"〉NM_001235), LIV-1 protein, oestrogen regulated (LIV-1, 〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_012319"〉NM_012319), interleukin-11 receptor α (IL11RA, 〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_004512"〉NM_004512) and carbonyl reductase 3 (CBR3, 〈accessionId ref="info:ddbj-embl-genbank/NM_001236"〉NM_001236). From the in situ hybridization study, the staining signals in the keloid tissue hybridized with anti sense probes of NNP-1 mRNA were stronger than signals in normal controls. Further, endothelial epithelium, but not the epidermis, expressed the signal equally in both keloid and normal control tissue.Conclusions  We identified nine upregulated genes in keloid tissue using cDNA microarray. Of the nine, the NNP-1 gene was confirmed by topological information using the in situ hybridization technique. We conclude that these nine genes, especially NNP-1, probably contribute either directly or indirectly to keloid formation.

Notes: The electron energy distribution functions (EEDFs) are measured by a rf compensated Langmuir probe in a solenoidal inductive reactor at various frequencies and at 2 mTorr of argon. The frequency dependence of the electron energy distribution function is clearly observed. The energy diffusion coefficients against the applied frequencies are calculated from the nonlocal heating theory. It is found that the bounce resonance electrons determine the energy diffusion coefficient shape and the electron energy distribution function at the bounce resonance energy in the energy diffusion coefficient begins to flatten. The exact bounce resonance condition in solenoidal inductive discharge is presented. It is reported that the frequency dependence of the EEDFs is mainly due to the electron bounce resonance in a finite-size solenoidal inductive discharge. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: Plasma parameters from the measured electron energy distribution are obtained with changing the chamber height at low pressure 2 mTorr. It is observed that electron density has a local peak at a certain chamber height while electron temperature decreases monotonously with increasing chamber height. The chamber height with the maximum electron density is shifted according to the bounce resonance condition when the driving frequency is changed. The electron kinetic model well agrees with the experiment. This shows that the electron density peak against the plasma size is due to the electron bounce resonance that has been theoretically discussed. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: We present an in situ synchrotron x-ray scattering study on the thermal oxidation of epitaxial AlN/Sapphire(0001) films. During annealing to 700 °C, an epitaxial AlN film transforms progressively into a planar epitaxial γ-Al2O3 layer. The oxidation proceeds through the γ-Al2O3/AlN interfacial motion that is observed directly from the intensity fringes near the AlN(0002) Bragg reflection. The oxidation rate, deduced from the interfacial motion, exhibits repeating transitions from a linear to a parabolic oxidation behavior. This suggests that the oxide break down periodically. During the oxidation the strain in the remaining AlN reverts to the value measured at the same thickness during the growth of the AlN film. © 2002 American Institute of Physics.