Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos.

Little is known about the anti-pigmenting effects of skin-whitening agents on solar lentigos (SLs). To characterize the anti-pigmenting effects of a newly designed derivative ascorbyl glucoside-arginine complex (AGAC) on SLs, lotions with or without 28% AGAC were applied twice daily for 24 weeks in a double-blind half-face study of 27 Japanese females with SLs. The pigmentation scores and skin colors of previously selected SLs on the right and left sides of the faces of the subjects were evaluated using a photo-scale, a color difference meter and a Mexameter.

A Nano-Emulsion Containing Ceramide-like Lipo-Amino Acid Cholesteryl Derivatives Improves Skin Symptoms in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis by Ameliorating the Water-Holding Function.

Because ceramide-like lipo-amino acid cholesteryl derivatives can exert a bound water-holding function due to their lamellae-forming properties, in this study, we determined if topical application of those derivatives to atopic dry skin would elicit an ameliorative effect on skin symptoms, at least on its water-holding function. In this clinical study, daily treatment with a nano-emulsion containing 10% phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate (POLG) significantly (p < 0.0001) improved skin symptoms, including dryness/scaling, itchiness and stimulus sensations, in the non-lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) at 3 and at 6 weeks compared with week 0.

Effect of facial application of essence containing royal jelly extract on stratum corneum moisture content: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study.

Objectives: To evaluate the moisturizing function and other effects of royal jelly extract on the skin. The effects of applying an essence containing royal jelly extract on the skin of healthy Japanese males and females were examined.

Methods: Thirty-five healthy Japanese men and women who were aware of their skin dryness applied an essence containing royal jelly extract or placebo for 4 weeks using the split-face method in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel comparative study.

Rubbing the skin when removing makeup cosmetics is a major factor that worsens skin conditions in atopic dermatitis patients.

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.

Effects of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) of red wine to improve skin whitening and moisturizing in healthy women - a placebo-controlled randomized double-blind parallel group comparative study.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of red wine from grapes oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) intake on skin color and skin moisture in Japanese healthy women. The purpose of this study was to improve skin condition, with the primary endpoint set to improve sunburn by ultraviolet (UV) and the secondary endpoint set to improve dryness.

Patients And Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study was conducted on 100 subjects (30 to 59 years of age).

Identification of Celastramycin as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Rationale: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by enhanced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) accompanying increased production of inflammatory factors and adaptation of the mitochondrial metabolism to a hyperproliferative state. However, all the drugs in clinical use target pulmonary vascular dilatation, which may not be effective for patients with advanced PAH.

Objective: We aimed to discover a novel drug for PAH that inhibits PASMC proliferation.

Whitening effect of L-ascorbate-2-phosphate trisodium salt on solar lentigos.

Little is known about the anti-pigmenting effects of whitening agents on solar lentigos (SLs), which comprise ~ 60% of hyperpigmented facial lesions of Asian subjects. Lotions with or without 6% L-ascorbate-2-phosphate trisodium salt (APS) [test lotion (TL) and placebo lotion (PL), respectively] were applied twice daily for 24 weeks in a double-blind half-face study of 27 Japanese females with SLs on both sides of their faces. Pigmentation scores were evaluated using a photo-scale and the skin colors were assessed using a color difference meter and a mexameter for SLs and the non-lesional surrounding skin (NLS).

Different roles of myocardial ROCK1 and ROCK2 in cardiac dysfunction and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension in mice.

Although postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an important prognostic factor for patients with heart failure (HF), its pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. To elucidate the different roles of Rho-kinase isoforms, ROCK1 and ROCK2, in cardiomyocytes in response to chronic pressure overload, we performed transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in cardiac-specific ROCK1-deficient () and ROCK2-deficient () mice. Cardiomyocyte-specific ROCK1 deficiency promoted pressure-overload-induced cardiac dysfunction and postcapillary PH, whereas cardiomyocyte-specific ROCK2 deficiency showed opposite results.

Small GTP-Binding Protein GDP Dissociation Stimulator Prevents Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Formation and Rupture by Phenotypic Preservation of Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells.

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and dissection are fatal diseases that cause aortic rupture and sudden death. The small GTP-binding protein GDP dissociation stimulator (SmgGDS) is a crucial mediator of the pleiotropic effects of statins. Previous studies revealed that reduced force generation in aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) causes TAA and thoracic aortic dissection.

Activated TAFI Promotes the Development of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Possible Novel Therapeutic Target.

Rationale: Pulmonary hypertension is a fatal disease; however, its pathogenesis still remains to be elucidated. Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is synthesized by the liver and inhibits fibrinolysis. Plasma TAFI levels are significantly increased in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients.

Protective Roles of Endothelial AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Against Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Mice.

Rationale: Endothelial AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays an important role for vascular homeostasis, and its role is impaired by vascular inflammation. However, the role of endothelial AMPK in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains to be elucidated.

Objective: To determine the role of endothelial AMPK in the development of PAH.

Basigin Promotes Cardiac Fibrosis and Failure in Response to Chronic Pressure Overload in Mice.

Objective: Basigin (Bsg) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that activates matrix metalloproteinases and promotes inflammation. However, the role of Bsg in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and failure remains to be elucidated. We examined the role of Bsg in cardiac hypertrophy and failure in mice and humans.

The Role of the CO2 Laser and Fractional CO2 Laser in Dermatology.

Background: Tremendous advances have been made in the medical application of the laser in the past few decades. Many diseases in the dermatological field are now indications for laser treatment that qualify for reimbursement by many national health insurance systems. Among laser types, the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser remains an important system for the dermatologist.

Rapid reductive dechlorination of trichloroethene in contaminated ground water using biostimulation agent, BD-1, formulated from canola oil.

A case study of the bioremediation of groundwater contaminated with trichloroethene (TCE) was conducted using the biostimulation agent, BD-1. TCE levels were monitored by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Total organic carbon (TOC) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were analyzed to investigate the environmental fate of BD-1.

Ultrastructural observations of chemical peeling for skin rejuvenation (ultrastructural changes of the skin due to chemical peeling).

Chemical peeling of the skin is commonly used as a means to treat photoaging, but the mechanism underlying its efficacy has not yet been fully clarified. We recently conducted chemical peeling of the skin with glycolic acid and lactic acid and observed it at the ultrastructural level. No changes in the horny layer or the upper epidermal layer were observed but there was dissociation and vacuolation between the basal cells and increases in vimentin filaments within fibroblasts and endothelial cells were seen.

[The effect of suplatast tosilate on the patients with atopic dermatitis--relationship between clinical symptoms and immunological parameters].

The Th2 cytokine inhibitor, suplatast tosilate (300 mg/day) was administered to 45 cases of patients with atopic dermatitis for 8 weeks. The clinical scores, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, serum LDH levels, total IgE levels, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels, and serum IL-5 levels before and after the treatment were observed and comparatively evaluated. The results of this study were summarized as follows.