In vivo investigations on the penetration of various oils and their influence on the skin barrier

Background: The skin represents a potent barrier to the environment, which can be enhanced by the topical application of skin care products, such as oil and oil-based formulations by moisturizing the skin. Methods: The aim of this study was the investigation of the penetration behaviour of four vegetable oils and of paraffin oil into the stratum corneum by laser scanning microscopy. In addition, the occlusion capacity of these substances was assessed by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements. Petrolatum served as a positive control for skin occlusion. The study was conducted in vivo and included six healthy volunteers. Results: Paraffin oil, as well as the vegetable oils, penetrated only into the first upper layers of the stratum corneum. TEWL measurements indicated that the application of the vegetable oils (except jojoba oil) as well as paraffin oil, led to a similar occlusion of the skin surface. The most effective occlusion was found for petrolatum. Conclusion: For the investigated oils, a deeper penetration than into the first upper layers of the stratum corneum could be excluded. The decreased TEWL values indicate that the application of the oils leads to a semi-occlusion of the skin surface as it is intended by the use of oils to retain moisture in skin. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Methods for the evaluation of the protective efficacy of sunscreen products

The objective of the present investigation was to examine the utilization of optical and spectroscopic methods for the noninvasive characterization of Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme (SPF 50+), an exemplary sunscreen, concerning its homogeneity of distribution on the skin, its spectroscopic properties and its overall protective efficacy. The homogeneity of the distribution of the sunscreen on the skin was investigated with a multiphoton tomography microscope. Additionally, the sum transmission spectrum was determined using tape stripping and spectroscopic measurements. The results revealed a very homogeneous distribution of the sunscreen on the skin surface and also in the deep furrows. The sum transmission spectrum reflects a high protective efficacy of the sunscreen in both the UVA and UVB ranges. The sunscreen Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme (SPF 50+) generates a comfortable feeling on the skin and can be easily distributed. The presented optical methods have been shown to be suitable to investigate the overall protective efficacy of sunscreen products objectively, noninvasively and quickly. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

Deletion of the tail domain of the kinesin-5 Cin8 affects its directionality

Background: Single molecules of the kinesin-5 Cin8 were previously demonstrated to be minus-end-directed under highionic- strength conditions. Results: Under high-ionic-strength conditions, Cin8 lacking the tail domain is bidirectional. Conclusion: The tail domain is one of the factors that regulate Cin8 directionality. Significance: An important structural element was identified that regulates the directionality of kinesin-5 motors

Evaportranspiration studies for protective barriers: FY 1989 status report

This document describes the results of technological developments and experiments at the Small Tube Lysimeter Facility. The objective of this research is to develop the capability to predict evapotranspiration in support of studies of water infiltration control for the Hanford Protective Barrier Development Program. Evapotranspiration is the combined loss of water from plants and soil surfaces to the atmosphere. This process must be predictable to adequately model soil water dynamics. We develop a miniature greenhouse (gas exchange chamber), where internal temperature and relative humidity can be controlled. With this device we measured evapotranspiration, transpiration, and carbon dioxide exchange rates from lysimeters with various surface and plant characteristics. We tested the effect on gas exchange rates and sand, gravel, admix, and soil surfaces in lysimeters where, cheat-grass, Bromus tectorum, had been seeded. Results showed that evapotranspiration was unaffected by the surface treatments. Estimated transpiration rates were higher for plants growing in sand compared with rates for plants growing in the admix and soil treatments. Soil evaporation rates were higher in the gravel treatment than in the sand treatment. Future research will entail parameterization of relationships between evapotranspiration, transpiration, soil evaporation, carbon dioxide exchange, and the abiotic and biotic factors that drive these processes for model development

Evapotranspiration studies for protective barriers: FY 1990 status report

Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) and Westinghouse Hanford Company (Westinghouse Hanford) are working together to develop for the US Department of Energy (DOE) protective barriers for the near-surface disposal of hazardous waste at the Hanford Site. The proposed barrier design consists of a layer of fine-textured soil overlying a series of layers grading from sand to basalt riprap. A multiyear research program is being conducted to assess the long-term performance of barrier configurations in restricting plants, animals, and water from contacting buried wastes. The purpose of this report is to review work done up to July 31 in FY 1990 on the evapotranspiration subtask of the water infiltration task. As stated in the test plan, specific objectives of PNL's evapotranspiration work were to (1) develop and test an environmentally controlled whole-plant gas exchange system, (2) collect evapotranspiration data at the whole-plant level on the small-tube lysimeters, (3) collect transpiration data on the shrubs at McGee Ranch, (4) collect data necessary to parameterize the plant component of the UNSAT-H code

The cause of the Late Cenozoic Northern Hemisphere glaciations: a climate change enigma

The ultimate cause of the onset of glaciations remains elusive, but in the case of northem hemisphere glaciation it is probable that several factors acted in combination. General global cooling resulted from reduction of atmospheric C02 by weathering of silicate rocks exposed by erosion of late Cenozoic uplifts. Uplifts in south Asia, southwestern North America and Scandinavia occurred at distances appropriate for the generation of quasi-permanent Rossby waves in the atmosphere. The resulting winds, given suitable moisture sources, were favourable for causing large-scale precipitation at mid-latitudes on the northern continents. Moisture sources were provided by the closure of the Central American isthmus. Gulf Stream flow increased, carrying warm subtropical waters to high latitudes. The Denmark Strait deepened permitting greater outflow of deep water from the Norwegian-Greenland Sea. The relative importance of each of these factors should be investigated by additional atmospheric and ocean climate model sensitivity studies