Controlled Penetration of a Novel Dimeric Ceramide into and across the Stratum Corneum Using Microemulsions and Various Types of Semisolid Formulations.

Ceramides (CERs) are integral parts of the intercellular lipid lamellae of the stratum corneum (SC), which is responsible for the barrier function of the skin. Many skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are associated with the depletion or disturbance of the level of CERs in the SC. Administration of an exogenous novel dimeric ceramide (dCER) deep into the SC may help to stabilize the SC barrier substantially and to treat some skin disease conditions.

Specific sensing between inositol epimers by a bis(boronate).

Bis(boronates) that utilize internal photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching mechanisms can specifically signal the binding of chiro-inositol without responding to its epimer, myo-inositol.

Boronic acid receptors for alpha-hydroxycarboxylates: high affinity of Shinkai's glucose receptor for tartrate.

The glucose receptor 1 developed by Shinkai was synthesized by known methods and with modifications involving the final synthetic step, installation of the phenylboronic acid moieties. Binding of the bis(alpha-hydroxycarbolxylate), tartrate, was assessed and compared to the corresponding bis(diol), erythritol, as well as the corresponding mono(alpha-hydoxycarboxylate), malate. These results suggest that bisboronate/bis(alpha-hydoxycarboxylate) interactions are stronger than the corresponding bisboronate/bis(diol) interactions.