| POLYMERS Vol.58 No.12 |
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COVER STORY
Skin and Polymers |
| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| My Research Life Supported by Various “Motivators” | Yoshiro KANEKO |
| <Abstract>My research life has been supported by various “motivators” such as the encounters with wonderful people and the discovery of interesting materials. |
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| Attraction of Product Development | Mariko WATANABE |
| <Abstract>In this essay, I will write down some experience how I got attracted to and impressed by some fields and problems in my academic and industrial research life. |
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| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Artificial Skin | Yoshimitsu KUROYANAGI |
| <Abstract>Artificial skins are classified into two categories. One is the wound dressing
composed of synthetic polymer. This is designed to serve as a physical
barrier in order to prevent bacterial invasion. Another is the cultured
skin substitute composed of biodegradable polymer combined with cells derived
from skin. This is designed to promote accelerated wound healing with the
aid of growth factors released from cells. Keywords: Biomaterial / Cell / Growth Factor / Wound Dressing / Cultured Skin Substitute / Wound Healing |
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| Polymer Porous Scaffolds for Skin Tissue Engineering | Guoping CHEN |
| <Abstract>Polymers have been extensively used as porous scaffolds to regenerate epidermal,
dermal and epidermal/dermal composite skin tissues for treatment of skin
defects. Some of them have been approved for clinical use and some are
still in the laboratorial development. This review highlights the developments,
challenges and future prospects of polymeric porous scaffolds for skin
tissue engineering. Keywords: Biodegradable Polymer / Porous Scaffold / Tissue Engineering / Skin / Dermal / Epidermal |
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| Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Managing Tissue Loads | Junko SUGAMA |
| <Abstract> Pressure ulcer is defined as an area of localized irreversible damage
to the skin and underlying tissue caused by tissue loads, namely pressure,
shear, friction and/or a combination of these effects. To manage tissue
loads, numerous support surfaces consisting of polymers have been developed
and many studies demonstrated the effectiveness of visco-elastic characteristics
of these materials in the prevention of pressure ulcer. Keywords: Pressure Ulcer / Support Surface / Pressure Redistribution / Polyurethane Foam |
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| The Effect of Phthalocyanine-Dyed Fiber on Allergen Molecules | Hiroyuki YANO, Osamu KUSADA, and Shigeru KURODA |
| <Abstract>An increasing number of people are suffering from allergy accompanied by
itchiness. Phthalocyanine (Pc)-dyed fiber effectively adsorbs major allergens
from house dust, food and pollen, and releases these allergens again in
the presence of a mild detergent. Thus, Pc-fiber preserves adsorptive capacity,
and can be used repeatedly. In this review, we report the allergen-adsorption
property of Pc-fiber in relation to its itchiness-alleviating effect. Keywords: Allergy / Itchiness / Phthalocyanine |
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| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| Modified Acrylic Fiber with High Moisture Absorption | Sonoko ISHIMARU |
| <Abstract>The modified acrylic fiber has a high moisture absorption capacity. Since the heat value from absorption is very high, wearing clothes made from the fiber brings us warmth in very cold ambient temperature. On the other hand, it makes us feel not so hot or sweaty, even when the weather is very humid. Keywords: Modified Acrylic Fiber / Hydrophilic Fiber / Heat of Absorption / Thermal Comfort |
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| Biocompatible Polymer | Kunio SHIMADA |
| <Abstract>The 2-Methacryloyloxyethylphosphoryl Choline (MPC) polymer is perfectly
suitable for artificial organs due to its property to form a human cell
membrane like surface structure. The effectiveness of the MPC polymer as
a cosmetic additive is evaluated, and it shows an excellent damage prevention
effect for skin. Keywords: MPC Polymer / Artificial Organs / Human Cell Membrane / Cosmetic Additives / Damage Prevention Effect |
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| Development of Astaxanthin Nano Emulsion | Tomoko TASHIRO |
| <Abstract>Astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid, is well known as a strong singlet oxygen
scavenger. In order to avoid the promotion of its oxidation in the nano
emulsion, a combination of stabilizers has been extensively investigated
and optimized. Moreover, coalescence of nano emulsion droplets has been
successfully inhibited by the proper choice of emulsifiers. Keywords: Astaxanthin / Anti-Oxidant / Nano Emulsion |
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| Function of a Novel Gemini-Type Peptide Amphiphile and its Application to Skin Damage | Masashi YAMAMOTO, Yukio YAMAWAKI, and Yoshinaga TAMURA |
| <Abstract>Gemini amphiphiles have become the subject of intense research in many
laboratories. In our study, we developed a new type of Gemini amphiphile,
sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine (DLGL) consisting of two lauroylglutamates
linked by lysine as a spacer. Here we report in particular its repair effects
on damaged skin and other specific characteristics. Keywords: Gemini Amphiphile / Penetration / Liquid Crystal / Gelation / Surface Active |
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| Injectable Gels for Bonding Soft Tissues | Tetsushi TAGUCHI |
| <Abstract>Injectable gels have great potential to develop minimal invasive therapy.
In this topic, we will introduce our recent results on two kinds of novel
injectable gels which can bond the interface between soft tissues or cells.
Keywords: Injectable Gel / Organic Acid / Amphiphilic Polymer |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| UV/EB Curing | Masakazu WASHIO and Koji ARIMITSU |
| <Abstract>UV-Light/electron beam (UV/EB) processing technology utilizing chemical
reactions induced by UV-light and EB irradiation has been widely used in
a variety of industries. UV-Curing technology, which can be classified
into three categories; UV-radical curing, UV-cation curing, and UV-anion
curing, has mainly focused on surface finishing processes of various substrates
such as plastics and metal using polymerization of monomers and oligomers.
On the other hand, EB technology has dealt with cross-linking reactions
as well as polymerization process to create novel functional materials.
Both technologies have advantages in energy utilizing efficiency and green
chemistry when compared to thermal processing and also have a high potential
to grow in importance in the future. We describe here recent progress in
UV-curing technology to improve mainly the inhibition of polymerization
and in EB-curing technology advances concerning the practical application. Keywords: UV / EB Curing / UV-Light / Electron Beam / Polymerization / Cross-Linking / Surface Finishing |
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