Copernicus Marine Service ocean state report, issue 4

This is the final version. Available from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record. FCT/MCTE

An efficient method for detection of energetically low lipid phase transitions : deuterium NMR of D

2H NMR of sn-2 pcrdeuteriated DMPC was used to compare the respective effect of 30 mol% of cholesterol (CH) and cholesterol sulfate (CS) on DMPC membranes. Both steroids act as membrane ordering regulators but CS is less potent than CH. However, at variance to CH, CS does not totally abolish the DMPC gel-to-fluid phase transition. NMR of deuteriated chains fails to evidence this residual transition whereas 2H NMR of heavy water confirms DSC results by exhibiting a minimum in the temperature dependence of the D2O quadrupolar splitting

Instrumental and sensory methodologies to characterize the residual film of topical products applied to skin

International audienceBackground The work is aimed at the development of a methodology to characterize the tactile properties of topical products during application. Specific attention was paid to the study of the residual properties left at the surface of the skin. This approach was interestingly used to better understand the formulation factors governing the skinfeel of topical preparations. Materials and Methods Cosmetic and pharmaceutical topical products were selected based on their various texture, galenic form (gel or emulsion), and composition (polymer used as texturing agent). Key texture attributes namely Firmness, Stickiness, Spreadability, and Amount of residue were objectively evaluated using sensory analysis. Additionally, texture analysis (compression test), rheology (flow test), and tribology (in vivo friction test) were carried out. Results Sensory evaluations highlighted a great diversity of tactile properties among products when applied to skin. For example, assessors perceived an important amount of residue left by emulsions whereas gels were not leaving any residue after application to the skin. These results were confirmed by in vivo tactile friction measurements with two distinct evolutions in time of the residual film properties. Conclusion The present investigation shows how the tactile properties of topical gels and emulsions are studied using complementary tests in order to understand and improve the skinfeel of topical preparations. © 2019 John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Lt

Nonviral Vector Gene Modification of Stem Cells for Myocardial Repair

Therapeutic angiogenesis and myogenesis restore perfusion of ischemic myocardium and improve left ventricular contractility. These therapeutic modalities must be considered as complementary rather than competing to exploit their advantages for optimal beneficial effects. The resistant nature of cardiomyocytes to gene transfection can be overcome by ex vivo delivery of therapeutic genes to the heart using genetically modified stem cells. This review article gives an overview of different vectors and delivery systems in general used for therapeutic gene delivery to the heart and provides a critical appreciation of the ex vivo gene delivery approach using genetically modified stem cells to achieve angiomyogenesis for the treatment of infarcted heart