Microalgae as a Sustainable, Natural-Oriented and Vegan Dermocosmetic Bioactive Ingredient: The Case of Neochloris oleoabundans

“Vegan” and “sustainable” characteristics are strong claim trends behind the development of innovative skincare, fragrances, and makeup products. This created a need in the market for compliant ingredients. To date, there have been no records evidencing the use of the microalgae Neochloris oleoabundans (NA) in dermocosmetics. Therefore, we studied the applicability of such a natural compound in this context. NA was cultivated, and the scavenging activity (SA) of the NA extracts was evaluated. The highest SA was from the aqueous extract (54.8% ± 2.1%), being higher than that of the positive control. Two hydrogels were prepared with 1.0% ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer: (1) control gel; and (2) gel with a 1.0% NA aqueous extract. In vivo experiments were performed in healthy male and female volunteers with skin phototypes of II–IV. The stratum corneum (SC) hydration and the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured in the forearm of participants to determine their biocompatibility. This parameter was determined by skin bioengineering measurements, confirming that SC hydration and TEWL were not affected by the samples. The laser Doppler measurements results showed a delayed erythema onset in the sites, where the NA hydrogel was applied. The results confirmed the biocompatibility and the anti-inflammatory activity of an innovative ingredient derived from microalgae suitable for a natural and vegan lifestyle.

Neuroprotective and Neurorestorative Properties of Copolymer-1: Its Immunomodulating Effects on Ischemic Stroke

Stroke is a pathology of great relevance worldwide as it currently occupies the second motif of death and the third reason of disability. Although exits some therapies that are used successfully in the clinic, a very high percentage of patients do not have the opportunity to benefit from them; therefore, it is imperative to propose other alternatives that may favor more patients. In this chapter, we briefly review the inflammatory response induced by stroke and also its deleterious and protective effects. We will describe the characteristics of copolymer-1 and the effects that this compound has shown in models of cerebral ischemia.

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of copolymers of N-vinyl carbazole and methyl ethyl ketone formaldehyde resin

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to produce non-conductive copolymers of N-vinyl carbazole (NVCz) and methyl ethyl ketone formaldehyde resin (MEKFR) by the electroinduced Ce (IV) polymerization method and the electrochemical oxidization of the formed copolymer to produce their conductive green form. The non-conductive and conductive copolymers were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared, solid-state conductivity and spectroelectrochemical, chronoamperometric, cyclovoltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements. Design/methodology/approach The chronoamperometric electropolymerization of white, insulator form of the copolymer of NVCz and MEKFR (copolymer 1) on to Pt electrode was carried out and the green coloured film of the MEKFR-ox-NVCz copolymer (copolymer 11) was produced in the doped and conductive form. All reactions were performed in dichloromethane containing 0.1 M BU4NClO4. Copolymer 11 films obtained on the surface of the working electrode were removed and washed in acetonitrile and dried at room temperature before characterization. The results were compared with the copolymer obtained by electrochemical oxidation of MEKF-R and NVCz (copolymer 2). Findings The insulating copolymer of NVCz and MEKFR (copolymer 1) was produced by the electroinduced Ce (IV) polymerization method and converted into the conductive form electrochemically on the surface of the Pt electrode (copolymer 11). The polymers were characterized by electrochemical, spectrophotometric and conductivity measurements. The ionization potentials, optical band gap, peak potentials Ep, doping degree and specific capacitance of the copolymer 11 were obtained. The conductivity of the copolymer 11 is lower than the PNVCz and higher than the copolymer obtained by electrochemical oxidation of MEKF-R and NVCz (copolymer 2). The copolymer 11 has a lower onset potential than PNVCz and the copolymer 1 and slightly higher band gap than PNVCz. The capacitive behaviours of the copolymer 11 were very close to PNVCz. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on obtaining a green and conductive form of the copolymer of NVCz and MEKFR with the electrochemical method by using a white and insulator form of the same copolymer. Practical implications This work provides technical information for the synthesis of conducting copolymer of NVCz and MEKFR. Social implications These copolymers may be in the field of PNVCz applications such as photoconductivity and corrosion inhibition. Originality/value Electroinduced Ce (IV) MEKFR redox system was applied for the polymerization of NVCz monomer to produce the copolymer 1. The conductive copolymer 11 was synthesized through electrochemical oxidative coupling of the carbazole groups of the copolymer 1.

EMISI FORMALDEHIDA DARI PAPAN LANTAI LAMINA KOMBINASI DENGAN BATANG KELAPA YANG MENGGUNAKAN TANIN RESORSINOL FORMALDEHIDA

Formaldehyde Emissions from Floor Boards Lamina Combination with The Coconut Bar Using Tanin Resorcinol Formaldehyde Trunks of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) has been widely used as both structural and non structural materials, including home furnishings, furniture, toys, crates, and so on. In the utilization of coconut trunks required special handling to produce a high quality product. How to handle it needs through the process of densification or impregnation by using a copolymer of Tanin Resorcinol Formaldehyde (TRF) in the vacuum press. In the case to reduce the scarcity of the wood, modification between coconut wood with other wood species in laminated floor board products is needed. The research was done by the method of vacuum press in the Laboratory for Products Compound and Wood Preservation, Center Research and Development for Forest Products, Bogor. The tests were performed the physical properties consist of specific gravity and moisture content or the chemical properties of formaldehyde emissions by using Spectrophotometer. The results indicated that by using TRF copolymer (1: 0.5: 2) and viscosity 0.88 centripoise, formaldehyde emissions of the combination of the wood was very well and meet the requirements ( 0.30 to 0.40 mg / L) and were included in the category of very safe.Keywords : Emissions of formaldehyde, Laminated boards, Trunks of coconut, Tanin resorcinol formaldehyde ABSTRAK Batang kelapa (Cocos nucifera L.) telah banyak digunakan baik sebagai bahan struktural maupun non structural, seperti perkakas rumah tangga, mebel, mainan, peti dan lain sebagainya. Dalam pemanfaatannya batang kelapa tersebut diperlakukan penanganan khusus untuk menghasilkan suatu produk yang berkualitas tinggi. Adapun cara penanganannya adalah dapat melalui proses densifikasi ataupun impregnaasi dengan menggunakan suatu kopolimer Tanin Resorsinol Formaldehida menggunakan metode vakum tekan. Dalam hal ini untuk mengurangi kelangkaan dari kayu tersebut maka dilakukan modifikasi antara kayu kelapa dengan jenis kayu lainnya pada produk papan lantai lamina. Untuk itu dilakukan penelitian pengujian dengan metode vakum tekan di Laboratorium Produk Majemuk dan Pengawetan Kayu, Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Hasil Hutan, Bogor . Adapun pengujian yang dilakukan adalah sifat fisika terdiri atas bobot jenis, kadar air, dan sifat kimia emisi formaldehida yang diuji dengan menggunakan Spectrophotometer. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa dengan menggunakan kopolimer TRF (1 : 0,5 : 2) dengan kekentalan 0,88 centripoise, emisi formaldehida yang dihasilkan dari kombinasi kayu tersebut sangat baik dan memenuhi persyaratan (0,30 - 0,40 mg/L) dan termasuk dalam kategori sangat aman.Kata kunci : Emisi formaldehida, Papan lamina, Batang kelapa, Tanin resorsinol formaldehida

In vivo Anti-Cancer Activity of N-halamines

Purpose: N-halamines were known for their antimicrobial action due to the presence of halogen in their structure. In our search for new anti-cancer agents, we have evaluated the anti-cancer and anti-oxidant properties of some synthetic N-Halamines with high and low molecular weight in comparison with their non-halogenated forms. Urea epichlorohydrin copolymer (1), 4(1H, 3H-2, 6-dioxo-1, 3, 5-trizenyl)-O-iminomethylpolyethylene (3) and cynuric acid (5) in addition to their halogenated forms 2, 4 and 6 were selected for this study. Methodology: the toxicity for the synthesized compounds was determined. The anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activities were studied by evaluation the viability of tumor cells, life span prolongation, and estimation of antioxidants, and effects of these compounds on liver histology. Findings: Doses up to 2000 mg/kg indicated good safety in all investigated compounds. In Vivo antitumor activity results against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells for the investigated compounds revealed that, the volume of ascites was significantly decreased in compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 treated groups. EAC cell count was significantly reduced for similar groups, respectively, compared to the positive control group. Malonadildehyde, and nitric oxide showed a significant reduction in their levels in the treated groups, while catalase showed a significant elevation in its activity in the same groups compared to positive control group. Conclusion: Halogenated compounds showed good anti-oxidant behavior while compound 6 showed the best anti-tumor effect.

From academic laboratory to the market: Disclosed and undisclosed narratives of commercialization

This paper examines how the Weizmann Institute of Science has been telling the story of the successful commercialization of a scientific invention, through its corporate communication channels, from the early 1970s to today. The paper aims to shed light on the transformation processes by which intellectual-property-based commercialization activities have become widely institutionalized in universities all over the world, and on the complexities, ambiguities and tensions surrounding this transition. We look at the story of the scientific invention of Copolymer-1 at the Weizmann Institute of Science and its licensing to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which subsequently developed the highly successful drug Copaxone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. We argue that, in its tellings and retellings of the story of Copolymer-1, the Weizmann Institute has created narratives that serve to legitimize the institution of academic patenting in Israel.