Impact of the state of water on the dispersion stability of a skin cream formulation elucidated by magnetic resonance techniques.

This study investigated the relationship between the state of water and the dispersion stability of a skin cream formulation. Hydrophilic ointments treated with a high-pressure wet-type jet mill were used as model formulations. Spin-lattice relaxation times (T(1)) were measured by magnetic resonance techniques to estimate the state of water in samples. A shorter T(1) relaxation time was obtained from samples with higher surfactant content, whereas the processing pressure of the jet mill and 1-week storage at 40 °C did not influence the T(1) relaxation time. Observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that coalescence occurred in samples with lower surfactant contents (1.0% by weight) following 1-week storage at 40 °C. We also investigated samples prepared using a hydrophilic surfactant with a short polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain and with PEG-4000. From the change in T(1) relaxation times after removing the oil phase from samples by centrifugation, it was clarified that most of the surfactant was located on the surface of oil droplets. Furthermore, SEM observations showed that phase separation was facilitated as the PEG chain length of the surfactant shortened. Thus, a thin water layer over oil droplets is the most important factor for stabilizing their dispersion. This study provides proof-of-principle results on the contribution of the state of water to the dispersion stability of a skin cream formulation.

Improving rheological characteristics of hydrophilic ointment base by treatment with a high-pressure wet-type jet mill.

BACKGROUND: A high-pressure wet-type jet mill is a powerful equipment used for the dispersion and emulsification of substances. In this study, we investigated its usefulness in the preparation of skin cream formulations. METHOD: We prepared a hydrophilic ointment base as a typical skin cream base, and then treated it with the wet-type jet mill under different conditions. Controllable factors of the wet-type jet mill included processing pressure, treatment cycle, and temperature of the treatment. RESULT: Treatment with the wet-type jet mill had a great impact on the rheological characteristics of the hydrophilic ointment base. The hysteresis areas and yield values of the treated ointments were significantly increased by increasing the processing pressure and temperature during the treatment. From scanning electron microscopic observations, the oil droplet size of the hydrophilic ointments decreased after treatment with the wet-type jet mill, suggesting that a decrease in oil droplet size mediates changes in the rheological characteristics. CONCLUSION: Because we can expect the wet-type jet mill to control the rheological characteristics of the ointment, it is a promising tool for the preparation of skin cream formulations.

Metabolic and cardiovascular responses to upright cycle exercise with leg blood flow reduction.

The purpose of this study was to examine the metabolic and cardiovascular response to exercise without (CON) or with (BFR) restricted blood flow to the muscles. Ten young men performed upright cycle exercise at 20, 40, and 60% of maximal oxygen uptake, VO2max in both conditions while metabolic and cardiovascular parameters were determined. Pre-exercise VO2 was not different between CON and BFR. Cardiac output (Q) was similar between the two conditions as a 25% reduction in stroke volume (SV) observed in BFR was associated with a 23% higher heart rate (HR) in BFR compared to CON. As a result rate-pressure product (RPP) was higher in the BFR but there was no difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) or total peripheral resistance (TPR). During exercise, VO2 tended to increase with BFR (~10%) at each workload. Q increased in proportion to exercise intensity and there were no differences between conditions. The increase in SV with exercise was impaired during BFR; being ~20% lower in BFR at each workload. Both HR and RPP were significantly greater at each workload with BFR. MAP and TPR were greater with BFR at 40 and 60% VO2max. In conclusion, the BFR employed impairs exercise SV but central cardiovascular function is maintained by an increased HR. BFR appears to result in a greater energy demand during continuous exercise between 20 and 60% of control VO2max; probably indicated by a higher energy supply and RPP. When incorporating BFR, HR and RPP may not be valid or reliable indicators of exercise intensity. Key pointsBlood flow reduction (BFR) employed impairs stroke volume (SV) during exercise, but central cardiovascular function is maintained by an increased heart rate (HR).BFR appears to result in a greater energy demand during continuous exercise between 20 and 60% of control VO2max;Probably indicated by a higher energy supply (VO2) and rate-pressure product (HR x systolic blood pressure).

Development of photocrosslinked polyacrylic acid hydrogel as an adhesive for dermatological patches: involvement of formulation factors in physical properties and pharmacological effects.

Photocrosslinked polyacrylic acid hydrogel is a promising candidate adhesive for dermatological patches. In this study, we investigated the effects of the composition and molecular weight of the polymer on the characteristics of the hydrogel. Several photocrosslinkable polymers with different photocrosslinkable moieties or molecular weights were prepared, and various physical properties were measured. Differences in photocrosslinkable modifications markedly affected the swelling behavior of the hydrogel. The molecular weight of the polymer had a significant effect on various physical properties, such as the viscosity of the polymer solution, gel formation, and the swelling behavior of the prepared hydrogels. The pharmacological effects of the hydrogel were also evaluated using carrageenan-induced edema in rats. Application of the hydrogels maintained the skin surface at a reduced temperature throughout the experimental period, and the cooling effect was accompanied by an anti-inflammatory response. Because we can freely control the physical properties of the hydrogel and anticipate the significant pharmacological effects, photocrosslinked polyacrylic acid hydrogel is an attractive candidate adhesive for dermatological patches.

Formulation optimization of an indomethacin-containing photocrosslinked polyacrylic acid hydrogel as an anti-inflammatory patch.

Photocrosslinked polyacrylic acid hydrogel, made from polyacrylic acid (PAA) modified with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), is a promising candidate adhesive for dermatological patches. In this study, we investigated the further availability of hydrogel as an adhesive for dermatological patches using a hydrogel containing indomethacin (IDM) as a model anti-inflammatory patch. From an orthogonal experimental study, we clarified the relationships between formulation factors and characteristics of model formulation. Formulations with a lower degree of swelling were prepared by increasing the degree of HEMA modification and the addition of Tween 80. Apparent permeation rate was increased by addition of L-menthol and Tween 80. A tendency for higher HEMA modification to be accompanied by the prolongation of the lag time of IDM was observed. To obtain an applicable anti-inflammatory patch, we conducted a formulation optimization study using a novel optimization method, a response-surface method incorporating multivariate spline interpolation (RSM-S). Consequently, a highly functional anti-inflammatory patch in terms of its adhesive properties and bioavailability was successfully obtained. Since a wide range of functions can be fully controlled by manipulating the formulation factors, photocrosslinked polyacrylic acid hydrogel is an attractive candidate adhesive for dermatological patches.

An ultrasonic air pump using an acoustic traveling wave along a small air gap.

An ultrasonic air pump that uses a traveling wave along a small air gap between a bending vibrator and a reflector is discussed. The authors investigate ultrasonic air pumps that make use of bending vibrators and reflectors and confirm that air can be induced to flow by generating an asymmetric acoustic standing wave along an air gap. In this paper, we proposed a novel ultrasonic air pump in which a traveling wave along an air gap induces acoustic streaming and achieves one-way airflow. Two new reflector configurations, stepped and tapered, were designed and used to generate traveling waves. To predict airflow generation, sound pressure distribution in the air gap was calculated by means of finite element analysis (FEA). As a preliminary step, 2 FEA models were compared: one piezoelectric-structure-acoustic model and one piezoelectric- structure-fluid model, which included the viscosity effect of the fluid. The sound pressure distribution in the air gap, including fluid viscosity, was calculated by the FEA because it is expected to be dominant and thus have a strong effect on the sound pressure field in such a thin fluid layer. Based on the FEA results of the stepped and the tapered reflectors, it was determined that acoustic traveling waves could propagate along the gaps. Experiments were carried out with the designed bending vibrator and the reflectors. The acoustic fields in the air gap were measured via a fiber optic probe, and it was determined that the sound pressure and the phase distribution tendencies corresponded well with the results computed by FEA. Through our experiments, one-way airflow generation, in the same direction of the traveling wave and with the maximum flow velocity of 5.6 cm/s, was achieved.