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Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (total + reflectance_fourier_transform_infrared_spectroscopy)
Selected AbstractsIs the axilla a distinct skin phenotype?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007A. Watkinson The axillary skin is cosmetically important with millions of consumers daily applying antiperspirant/deodorant products. Despite this, we know virtually nothing about axillary skin or how antiperspirant use impacts upon it. To characterize axillary stratum corneum and determine whether this is a unique skin type, we have evaluated a range of skin parameters, comparing these with the volar forearm. Trans-epidermal water loss and corneosurfametry revealed a reduced barrier function in the axilla. However, application of antiperspirant had no effect upon these barrier properties. High performance thin layer chromatography analysis of stratum corneum lipids demonstrated statistically elevated levels of fatty acids, ceramide and particularly cholesterol in the axilla. This modification of barrier lipid ratios appeared to result in a more ordered lipid lamellae phase behaviour, as determined by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, with transition phase changes occurring at higher temperatures. Morphological differences were also seen in the cells of the axillary stratum corneum. Microscopic evaluation of axillary-cornified envelopes revealed them to be smaller, indicative of a shorter stratum corneum turnover. However, there appeared to be no significant difference corneocyte maturation. ,Skin dryness' squamometry measurements indicated that the axillary stratum corneum retained desquamated material on its surface more than on the forearm. This correlated with decreased levels of the desquamatory stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme in the surface layers of the skin. These results indicate that the axilla has a distinct phenotype. Paper presented at the 22nd IFSCC Congress 2002, Edinburgh, Scotland [source] Solid-supported amphiphilic triblock copolymer membranes grafted from gold surfaceJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 1 2009Ekaterina Rakhmatullina Abstract Gold-supported amphiphilic triblock copolymer brushes composed of two hydrophilic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) blocks and a hydrophobic poly(n -butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) middle part were synthesized using a surface-initiated ATRP. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), ellipsometry, contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy were used for the characterization of PHEMA- co -PBMA- co -PHEMA brushes. The PM-IRRAS analysis revealed an increase of the chain tilt toward the gold surface during growth of the individual blocks. We suggest that the orientation of the amphiphilic polymer brushes is influenced by both the chain length and the interchain interactions. Additionally, a detachment of the polymer membranes from the solid support and subsequent gel permeation chromatography analyses allowed us to establish their compositions. We applied block-selective solvents (water and hexane) as well as a good solvent for the whole polymer chain (ethanol) to study the morphology and solvent responsive behavior of the amphiphilic brushes. The presented results could serve as a good starting point for the fabrication of functional solid-supported membranes for biosensing applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1,13, 2009 [source] Roles of additives in scratch resistance of high crystallinity polypropylene copolymersPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 1 2001C. Xiang Scratch behavior in neat and talc-filled high crystallinity polypropylene (PP) copolymers containing various additives is investigated using a cosntant load scratch test and two types of indentation tests (Rockwell and Shore D). The talcfilled PP copolymer exhibits high scratch visibilityand scratch depth. The addition of a nucleating agent or lubricant improves the scratch resistance of the talc-filled PP copolymer. Differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used to characterize crystallinity morphology and scratch mechanisms in PP systems. It is found that the scratch resistance of the PP copolymer systems investigated, in terms of scratch depth and scratch visibility, depends mainly on the fracture features generated during the scratch process. The influences of talc, nucleating agent and lubricant on the scratch behavior of PP are discussed. [source] Material wear of polymeric tracheostomy tubes: A six-month study,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2009Sara Backman MSc Abstract Objectives: The objectives were to study long-term material wear of tracheostomy tubes made of silicone (Si), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyurethane (PU) after 3 and 6 months of clinical use. Study Design: The study has a prospective and comparative design. Methods: Nineteen patients with long-term tracheostomy, attending the National Respiratory Center in Sweden, were included, n = 6 with Si tubes, n = 8 with PVC tubes, and n = 5 with PU tubes. The tubes were exposed to the local environment in the trachea for 3 and 6 months and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Results: All tubes revealed severe surface changes. No significant differences were established after 3 or 6 months of exposure between the various materials. The changes had progressed significantly after this period, compared to previously reported changes after 30 days of exposure. The results from all analyzing techniques correlated well. Conclusions: All tubes, exposed in the trachea for 3,6 months, revealed major degradation and changes in the surface of the material. Polymeric tracheostomy tubes should be changed before the end of 3 months of clinical use. Laryngoscope, 2009 [source] Emollient molecule effects on the drying stresses in human stratum corneumBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2010K. Levi Summary Background Emollient molecules are widely used in skin care formulations to improve skin sensory properties and to alleviate dry skin but little is understood regarding their effects on skin biomechanical properties. Objectives To investigate the effects of emollient molecules on drying stresses in human stratum corneum (SC) and how these stresses are related to SC components and moisture content. Methods The substrate curvature method was used to measure the drying stresses in isolated SC following exposure to selected emollient molecules. While SC stresses measured using this method have the same biaxial in vivo stress state and moisture exchange with the environment, a limitation of the method is that moisture cannot be replenished by the underlying skin layers. This provides an opportunity to study the direct effects of emollient treatments on the moisture content and the components of the SC. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the effects of emollient molecules on SC lipid extraction and conformation. Results Emollient molecules resulted in a complex SC drying stress profile where stresses increased rapidly to peak values and then gradually decreased to significantly lower values compared with the control. The partially occlusive treatments also penetrated into the SC where they caused extraction and changes in lipid conformation. These effects together with their effects on SC moisture content are used to rationalize the drying stress profiles. Conclusions Emollient molecules have dramatic effects on SC drying stresses that are related to their effects on intercellular lipids and SC moisture content. [source] | |||||||||||||