Potassium 4-Methoxysalicylate (4MSK) Exerts a Skin Lightening Effect by Acting on Melanocytes and Keratinocytes.

Background: Hyperpigmentation is a common acquired disorder that can be a cosmetic concern for many individuals. To reduce and prevent hyperpigmentation, numerous skin lightening agents have been developed. Potassium 4-methoxysalicylate (4MSK) is a skin lightening agent that was approved as an active skin lightening ingredient of quasi-drugs by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in 2003.

Development of a method for evaluating skin dullness: A mathematical model explaining dullness by the color, optical properties, and microtopography of the skin.

Background: Skin dullness has long been a major concern of Japanese women. It is usually evaluated and judged visually by experts. Although several factors are recognized to play a role, it is unclear to what extent such physiological characteristics contribute to skin dullness.

Kinetochore-mediated outward force promotes spindle pole separation in fission yeast.

Bipolar spindles are organized by motor proteins that generate microtubule--dependent forces to separate the two spindle poles. The fission yeast Cut7 (kinesin-5) is a plus-end-directed motor that generates the outward force to separate the two spindle poles, whereas the minus-end-directed motor Pkl1 (kinesin-14) generates the inward force. Balanced forces by these antagonizing kinesins are essential for bipolar spindle organization in mitosis.