We investigated on how the nature of vehicles influenced on the efficacy of mo isturizer s, cutaneous hydrat,ion, physical property and roughness. Hydration was measured with corneometer, physical property with fermometer, and mughness with image analyser. Used vehicles were as follows : hydrous gel, vater in oil(W/0) emulsion, oil in water(0/W) emulsion. I.Jsed moisturizers were as follows . glycerine, polypeptide and sodium lactat,e, hyaluronic acid-triethanolamine, sodium lactate, pvopylene glycol, The results are summarized as follows : 1. The increment of the hydration effect according to vehicles was in this order. C/ W emulsion, W/0 emulsion, hydrous gel(After 2 hours). 2. The increment of extensibility as physical property was correlated to the in crcment, of hydration effcet(r=0.924). 3. It was shown that, the roughness was decreased after treatment of all mo isturizers except propylene glycol but, there was not significant st.atistically and alsa was no meaningful difference among the vehicles. 4. Among t,he moisturizers, glycerine was superior to other moisturizers on the hydration effect and extensihility. We conclude that 0/W emulsion was suitable vehicle on cutaneous hydration effect and hydration effect is proportion to the increment of flexibility.
Glycerol ; Pliability ; Propylene Glycol ; Sodium ; Sodium Lactate

OBJECT: To compare the viability after thawing of cryopreserved embryos according to developmental stage and decide the cryopreservation strategy METHODS: Total 538 mouse embryos(One, 2, 4, 8-cell, blastocyst, each 151, 136, 101, 98, 52, respectively) were cryopreserved and thawed using 1,2-propanediol and glycerol as cryoprotectant with slow cooling and rapid thawing technique, and compared the recovery, cleavage, blastocyst development rate, and calculated the recovery and reexpansion rate in blastocyst cryopreservation. RESULTS: Highest recovery, cleavage and blastocyst development rate were obtained from one cell, 8-cell stage freezing, 90.1%, 89.5% and 76.7%, respectively. In recovery rate, there was no significant difference among developmental stage, but in cleavage rate, there was significant difference between 2 and 8-cell group(p<0.05). In blastocyst development rate, there was significant difference between 2 and 8 cell, 4 and 8-cell group(p<0.05). Recovery and reexpansion rate of frozen-thawed blastocyst was 73.1%, 52.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Eight-cell embryo may be the best developmental stage for cryopreservation and blastocyst freezing also may be the promising technique.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Cryopreservation* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Freezing ; Glycerol ; Mice* ; Propylene Glycol

1,3-propanediol is an important chemical used as building block for the synthesis of highly promising polyesters such as polytrimethylene terephthalate. A genetically modified Klebsiella pneumoniae LDH526 can use glycerol as sole carbon source and produce 1,3-propanediol with the titer above 90 g/L. A key factor affecting the production of 1,3-propanediol by the mutant K. pneumoniae is the accurate control of the feeding of glycerol. To generate a robust and reproducible fermentation process of 1,3-propanediol, we designed and optimized an automatically feeding strategy of glycerol based on fermentation kinetics. By coupling the substrate feeding rate with easily observed variables -pH and fermentation time, we have achieved self-starting glycerol feeding and dynamic control of the glycerol concentration during the fermentation process. This automated system allowed us to generate a reproducible, consistent and operator-independent process from lab-scale to production scale. The final concentration of 1,3-propanediol was above 95 g/L after 72 h.
Culture Media ; Fermentation ; Glycerol ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; growth & development ; Propylene Glycol ; Propylene Glycols ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To establish the optimal cryopreservation method in mouse oocytes. METHODS: Firstly, mouse immature oocytes were exposed to various cryoprotectants, and then cryoprotectant with the best outcome was selected. Secondly, mouse immature oocytes were cryopreserved by either slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing or vitrification. Finally, in mouse mature oocytes, the five different protocols were compared in their fertilization and hatching rates. RESULTS: 1) 1.5M 1,2-propanediol (PROH) and 1.5M PROH+0.1M sucrose had a higher rate of survival (73.1%, 81.9%) and in vitro maturation (28.2%, 30.1%). 2) Vitrification using 5.5M ethylene glycol (EG) showed significantly higher rate of survival and in vitro maturation, when compared with slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing using 1.5M PROH+0.1M sucrose (65.9% vs 50.0%, 40.0% vs 28.2%, respectively). 3) In mouse mature oocytes, vitrification using 5.5M EG showed significantly higher survival rate, however, slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing using 1.5M DMSO was superior to vitrification in view of fertilization rate. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrification showed better outcomes in mouse immature oocytes, but slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing using 1.5M DMSO may be beneficial in mature oocytes.
Animals ; Cryopreservation* ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Ethylene Glycol ; Fertilization ; Freezing ; Mice* ; Oocytes* ; Propylene Glycol ; Sucrose ; Survival Rate ; Vitrification

BACKGROUND: Moisturizers induce skin hydration and then increase flexibility and elasticity, making the skin soft and smooth, and protecting it against environmental stimuli. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study the role of intercorneocyte lipid layers and desmosomes in the mechanism of moisturization. METHODS: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and capacitance were measured and the morphologic changes of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and desmosomes with electron microscopy, using ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4) postfixation, following the application of glycerin, propylene glycol, and a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol for a 2 hour period to the epidermis of hairless mice were measured. RESULTS: 1. The TEWL was significantly increased in all three groups; glycerin, propylene glycol, and mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol. The increase of TEWL after the application of glycerin was maintained from the second to the forth hour after application which was statistically significant, after the application of propylene glycol it was maintained for 5 hours, and after the application of a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol, for 6 hours. 2. The capacitance also was increased in all three experimental groups, compared to the control group. However there was no statistical significance. 3. Light microscopic findings showed no specific changes in all three groups, compared to the control group. 4. Ultrastructural observation by electron microscope, using RuO4 postfixation, showed widening of the intercorneocyte lipid layers in all three groups. In contrast to glycerin in which the results showed detachment of the desmosomes without changes in the intercorneocyte lipid layers, propylene glycol showed interruption and undulation of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and expansion of the lacunae spaces. A mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol showed interruption and undulation of the intercorneocyte lipid layers, detachment of the desmosomes, and, partial, formation of lacunae. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the moisturizing effects of glycerin result from an increased detachment of the desmosomes and widening of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and then an increase in the water holding capacity of the stratum corneum. Propylene glycol, a chemical penetration enhancer, induce widening, interruption, and undulation of the lipid layers and expansion of the lacunae space. In the mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol, propylene glycol potentiate and continue the moisturizing effects of the glycerin.
Animals ; Desmosomes* ; Elasticity ; Epidermis ; Glycerol* ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pliability ; Propylene Glycol* ; Ruthenium ; Skin

20-year-old patient presented with the episodes of generalized hyperkeratotic lesions with bullae since her early life, without family history. Histopathological examination by light and electron microscopes showed the characteristic features of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. Primarily, she failed to respond to the treatment with propylene glycol. Vitamine A palmitate(A-Mulsin) per os appears to be a beneficial remedy for epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, although its availability is limited due to the side effects on a long term therapy. Repeated biopsies in the normal appearing lesions 2 months after treatment of vitarnin .A palmitate showed a substantial reduction of the horny layer on the light microscope and orderly arrangement of the tonofilaments, and properly formed keratohyaline granules on EM, but the underlying disorder of keratinization remained unchanged. Treattnent of 2 months with vitamin A was interrupted by side effects of nasal bleealing, chelitis and xerosis.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Hyperkeratosis, Epidermolytic* ; Intermediate Filaments ; Propylene Glycol ; Vitamin A* ; Vitamins* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and effect of various cryopreservation method on the survival and the cytoskeletal stability of metaphase II mouse oocyte. METHODS: Mouse ovulated oocytes were collected and cryopreserved by a modified slow-freezing method with 1.5 M 1,2-propanediol (PrOH)+0.1 M sucrose or by vitrification using cryo loop and EM grid with 40% ethylene glycol+0.6 M sucrose. Four hours after thawing, intact oocytes were fixed and stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated monoclonal anti-beta-tubulin antibody to visualize spindle and propidium iodide (PI) to visualize chromosome. Spindle morphology was classified as follows: normal (barrel-shaped), slightly and absolute abnormal (multipolar or absent). RESULTS: Survival rate of the frozen-thawed oocytes in vitrification group was significantly higher than that of slow-freezing group (62.7% vs. 24.4%, p<0.01). Vitrification with cryo loop showed significantly higher survival rate than that with EM grid (67.7% vs. 53.5%, p<0.05). On the other hand, proportion of normal spindle and chromosome configurations of the frozen-thawed oocytes between two vitrification group was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: For mouse ovulated oocytes, vitrification with cryo loop may be a preferable procedure compared to slow-freezing method. Further study should be needed to investigate developmental competency of frozen-thawed mouse oocytes.
Animals ; Cryopreservation* ; Fluorescein ; Hand ; Metaphase ; Mice* ; Oocytes* ; Propidium ; Propylene Glycol ; Sucrose ; Survival Rate ; Vitrification

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the removal efficacy and cytotoxicity of a newly developed calcium hydroxide paste (cleaniCal, Maruchi) using N-2-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a vehicle in comparison with ApexCal (Ivoclar Vivadent) and Calcipex II (Nishika), which use different vehicles such as polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty maxillary premolars with oval-shaped canals were divided into 3 groups and the teeth were filled with one of the pastes. After removal of the paste, micro-computed tomographic (μ-CT) imaging was obtained to assess the volume of residual paste in the root canal of each tooth. The teeth were then split longitudinally and the area of the paste-coated surface was evaluated by stereomicroscopy. The cytotoxicity of each product was assessed using an agar overlay assay. The effect of each vehicle on cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's tests to detect any significance (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In the μ-CT and stereomicroscopic analysis, cleaniCal exhibited less remnants of medicament than ApexCal and Calcipex. cleaniCal showed a higher cytotoxicity than the other pastes in the agar overlay assay. Furthermore, NMP exhibited lower cell viability compared to the other vehicles. CONCLUSIONS: cleaniCal showed better removal efficacy compared to the other products. However, clinicians should be aware of the higher cytotoxicity of the NMP-based material and consider its possible adverse effects on periradicular tissue when it is overfilled.
Agar ; Bicuspid ; Calcium Hydroxide* ; Calcium* ; Cell Survival ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Ointments ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Propylene Glycol ; Tooth

Propylene glycol, which is capable of producing both primary irritant and allergic skin reaction, is a common used vehicle for numerous topical preparations. The topical imidazole antimycotics are widely used but an infrequent cause of contact allergy. A 20-year-old female presented with erythematous scaly patch on the lower leg. An erythematous pruritic papulovesicular eruption developed around the lesion after applying Nizoral cream and was aggravated after applying Travogen cream. Patch test with Korean standard series and the ingredients of both cream revealed positive reaction to the propylene glycol contained in Nizoral cream and isoconazole nitrate in Travogen cream.
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Ketoconazole ; Leg ; Patch Tests ; Propylene Glycol ; Skin ; Young Adult

Minoxidil (2, 6-diamino-4-piperidinopyrimidine 1-oxide) is a systemic antihypertensive agent, the topical application of which has been shown to produce hair growth. Topical minoxidil solution (5% minoxidil, propylene glycol, alcohol, water) has generally been well-tolerated, but allergic contact dermatitis has been reported. When allergic contact dermatitis to minoxidil solution is suspected, evaluation of ingredients of minoxidil solution should be performed because allergic contact dermatitis due to propylene glycol in minoxidil solution has been frequently reported. A 34-year-old male presents with a diffuse erythematous patch on the scalp. He has applied minoxidil solution for 7 days due to androgenic alopecia. A Patch test with Korean standard series and the ingredients of used topical agents showed positive reactions to 1%, 2% and 5% minoxidil solution.
Adult ; Alopecia ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Minoxidil* ; Patch Tests ; Propylene Glycol ; Scalp