Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel thrombin action inhibitor, a composition for preventing skin disorders caused by pollens, and a cosmetic or non-therapeutic method for preventing skin disorders caused by pollens. More specifically, by using glutathione or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, a thrombin action inhibitor or a composition for preventing skin disorders caused by pollens can be prepared, and the inhibitor or the composition can be used in a cosmetic or non-therapeutic method for preventing skin disorders caused by pollens.

Abstract: A thick three-dimensional culture skin sheet is provided. The invention provides a three-dimensional culture skin sheet comprising at least epidermal cells and having concavoconvexities in at least one portion of the base section. The invention further provides a cell culturing vessel to be used for production of the three-dimensional culture skin sheet, having on at least one portion of the culture surface a porous film comprising convex sections for formation of concavoconvexities in the base section of the three-dimensional culture skin sheet. The invention still further provides a method for preparing a three-dimensional culture skin sheet using the cell culturing vessel.

Abstract: A barium sulfate-based powder is produced by bringing barium ions (A) into contact with sulfate ions (B) in the presence of one or more metallic ion species (C) selected from the group consisting of lithium ions, sodium ions, potassium ions, magnesium ions, calcium ions, zinc ions, and aluminum ions. Thus, barium sulfate-based powders having various characteristics and thus satisfying functional requirements for cosmetics can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for increasing oxytocin release through direct action on the epidermal keratinocytes is provided. The method for increasing oxytocin release in the epidermis includes increasing the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells. In the method of the present invention, the increase of the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells may be achieved by physically stimulating the skin. The physical stimulation may be achieved by applying a heat stimulus and/or a massage. The increase of the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells may be achieved by stimulating the epidermal cells by at least one agent selected from the group consisting of ATP, UTP, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A novel skin barrier function recovery acceleration method and accelerator are provided. The present invention provides a skin barrier function recovery accelerator that comprises a TRPA1 agonist capable of activating TRPA1 in epidermal cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cosmetic method for promoting the recovery of skin barrier function, comprising applying a sound wave having a frequency of 10,000 to 50,000 Hz to the skin.

Abstract: A first subject of the present invention is an insoluble powder characterized in that a zeta-potential is a negative value. It is preferable that barium sulfate is a main ingredient in the insoluble powder. It is preferable that an average primary particle diameter is 3 to 100 ?m, and an aspect ratio is 3 to 250 in the insoluble powder. It is preferable that the insoluble powder is a metal-doped barium sulfate powder obtained by reacting a barium ion and a sulfate ion in the presence of a metal ion. It is preferable that the metal ion is one or more selected from the group consisting of a lithium ion, a sodium ion and a zinc ion in the insoluble powder. A second subject of the present invention is a skin barrier function recovering powder, or a skin roughening preventing and improving powder, which comprises the aforementioned powder. A third subject of the present invention is a skin external composition characterized in that a content of the aforementioned powder is 1 to 40% by weight.

Abstract: A method for increasing oxytocin release through direct action on the epidermal keratinocytes is provided. The method for increasing oxytocin release in the epidermis includes increasing the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells. In the method of the present invention, the increase of the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells may be achieved by physically stimulating the skin. The physical stimulation may be achieved by applying a heat stimulus and/or a massage. The increase of the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells may be achieved by stimulating the epidermal cells by at least one agent selected from the group consisting of ATP, UTP, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A method for accelerating cutaneous barrier recovery by inducing efflux of potassium ion from an epidermal cell as well as a method for preventing epidermal hyperplasia induced by inducing efflux of potassium ion from an epidermal cell are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evaluating method for the properties of a corneocyte in a horny layer sample originating in the skin. In the above method, detected and evaluated are selective staining of a cornified envelope in a corneocyte, selective staining of a nuclear component and the antigenicity.

Abstract: A method for accelerating cutaneous barrier recovery by inducing efflux of potassium ion from an epidermal cell as well as a method for preventing epidermal hyperplasia induced by inducing efflux of potassium ion from an epidermal cell are provided.

Abstract: A method for accelerating cutaneous barrier recovery and a method for preventing epidermal hyperplasia by inhibiting production of Nitric Oxide by an epidermal cell are provided.

Abstract: A method for accelerating barrier recovery of skin by activating the TRPV4 and/or by blocking the TRPV1 on epidermal cell is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and composition which ameliorate inflammation, and suppress its onset, by allowing ATP receptor antagonists to act on ATP receptors of cells to block them and thereby inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or interleukin-8 (IL-8), by the cells.

Abstract: A first subject of the present invention is an insoluble powder characterized in that a zeta-potential is a negative value. It is preferable that barium sulfate is a main ingredient in the insoluble powder. It is preferable that an average primary particle diameter is 3 to 100 ?m, and an aspect ratio is 3 to 250 in the insoluble powder. It is preferable that the insoluble powder is a metal-doped barium sulfate powder obtained by reacting a barium ion and a sulfate ion in the presence of a metal ion. It is preferable that the metal ion is one or more selected from the group consisting of a lithium ion, a sodium ion and a zinc ion in the insoluble powder. A second subject of the present invention is a skin barrier function recovering powder, or a skin roughening preventing and improving powder, which comprises the aforementioned powder. A third subject of the present invention is a skin external composition characterized in that a content of the aforementioned powder is 1 to 40% by weight.

Abstract: As a result of studies on a noxious stimulation receptor, it is found out that this stimulation receptor exists in epidermal cells, etc. and changes are observed in intracellular calcium ion concentration depending on the state of this stimulation receptor. The present invention provides a method of detecting a skin stimulation effect based on the relation between the skin stimulation effect of a test substance which is in contact with epithelial cells such as epidermal cells and an increase/decrease in intracellular calcium ion concentration in the epithelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for promoting the improvement of the skin barrier function of the specific skin having low skin barrier function by charging said specific skin with a negative electric potential.

Abstract: A barium sulfate-based powder is produced by bringing barium ions (A) into contact with sulfate ions (B) in the presence of one or more metallic ion species (C) selected from the group consisting of lithium ions, sodium ions, potassium ions, magnesium ions, calcium ions, zinc ions, and aluminum ions. Thus, barium sulfate-based powders having various characteristics and thus satisfying functional requirements for cosmetics can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for measuring the condition of skin surface, particularly a potential condition.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a visual image of ions in a thin frozen tissue sample by placing the tissue sample in contact with a thin membrane having a water soluble gel or hydrophobic plastic thin film which has incorporated in or placed on its surface a fluorescent or color ion indicator which fluoresces or changes color under light of a particular wavelength. The thin frozen tissue sample is then subjected to light having a wavelength to cause the ion indicator to fluoresce or change color.