Automated devices for detecting and removing dental biofilms are described herein. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a device for administering a suspension comprising iron oxide nanoparticles to teeth to chemically treat and mechanically remove dental biofilms. In some embodiments, disclosed subject matter includes a device for administering a suspension comprising iron oxide nanoparticles and hydrogen peroxide to teeth to kill bacteria within a biofilm matrix and degrade the biofilm matrix and assembling the iron oxide nanoparticles into autonomous magnetic bristles or antimicrobial robots to mechanically remove biofilm. Devices and methods for real-time detection of dental plaque and monitoring of removal of dental plaque are also disclosed herein.

An object of the present invention is to provide, regarding a composition containing a nanodisc composed of a silicone-based surfactant, a nanodisc-containing composition having an improved stability of an emulsion composition.

For achieving the object, provided is an oil-in-water emulsion composition containing (A) an aqueous phase, (B) an oil phase, and (C) polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone. When the oil-in-water emulsion composition contains 1 to 35% by mass in total of ethyl alcohol and dipropylene glycol in (A) the aqueous phase, 1 to 50% by mass of (B) the oil phase, and 0.2 to 5% by mass of (C) based on the whole composition, a nanodisc is formed and the emulsion state is stable.

[Object] The present invention provides a sulfonated fine cellulose fiber having excellent viscosity and the like, as well as a sulfonated fine cellulose fiber production method capable of efficiently producing the sulfonated fine cellulose fibers.

[Method for Achieving the Object] A fine cellulose fiber obtained by fibrillating a cellulose fiber wherein a part of the hydroxyl groups of the fine cellulose fiber is substituted with sulfo groups, and an introduction amount of sulfur attributable to the sulfo groups is higher than 0.42 mmol/g. The fine cellulose fiber comprises a plurality of unit fibers and has an average fiber width of 30 nm or less. A dispersion liquid in which the fine cellulose fiber is dispersed in a water-soluble solvent at a solid concentration of 0.5% by mass has a viscosity of 5,000 mPa.Math.s or more at 25° C. This makes it possible to obtain the desired viscosity when the fine cellulose fibers are dispersed in a dispersion liquid.

An emulsion composition, a cosmetic composition, and a method for preparing an emulsion composition, in which the oil components are not limited to vegetable oils, and which do not require xanthan gum or welan gum as an essential component. The emulsion composition contains an oil component, an aqueous dispersion medium, an emulsifier, and CNF. The CNF is an emulsion stabilizer, and obtained by unmodified cellulose defibration, and the emulsifier amount is less than 20 mass % of the total composition. The cosmetic composition contains the emulsion composition. The method includes preparing an oil phase, preparing an aqueous phase, and emulsifying by mixing the oil and aqueous phases. CNF obtained by defibrating unmodified cellulose is added in at least preparing an aqueous phase or emulsifying, and an emulsifier is added in at least preparing an oil phase, preparing an aqueous phase, or emulsifying.

Bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens prepared as nanoparticles via oil/water microemulsion polymerization, sol-gel polymerizations, or a modified Stöber process. Minimized leaching and decreased levels of photo-degradation were achieved with covalent incorporation, with bridged incorporation necessary to ensure isolation of the sunscreen and any photo-products from skin. SPF values were found to be comparable to existing commercial sunscreens. Furthermore the bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens can be classified as broad-spectrum, and rated from moderate to superior in terms of UVA protective ability.

An aqueous formulation for topical application to the skin comprising water, a water-miscible organic solvent, and benzoyl peroxide, wherein the concentration of the organic solvent is sufficient to provide a stable suspension of benzoyl peroxide in the aqueous formulation without the inclusion of a surfactant in the formulation, wherein the ratio of concentrations of water and organic solvent in the formulation is sufficient to maintain the benzoyl peroxide in saturated solubility in the formulation following application to the skin, and wherein the concentration of benzoyl peroxide in the formulation is less than 5.0% and at least 1.0% w/w. The formulation may further contain a chemical compound in addition to benzoyl peroxide that is effective in the treatment of acne. The aqueous formulations of the invention are useful in the treatment of acne and acne rosacea.

A composition and a process for modifying hair are disclosed. The process includes coating hair fibers with a composition comprising propylene carbonate and a glycol selected from at least one of propylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof and contacting the coated hair with a heating appliance at a temperature of at least 150° C. for a sufficient time to modify the hair fibers.

A composite powder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has excellent UV blocking effect. The composite powder includes an ultraviolet ray-blocking coating layer containing ZnO on the surface of the plate-shaped substrate containing TiO.sub.2, thereby enabling the blocking of ultraviolet rays in the UVA and UVB regions, and is also expected to block fine dust through treatment with a silane compound or a silica compound.

Provided herein is a method of reducing or preventing sunburn caused from visible and ultraviolet radiation in a subject, the method comprising topically applying to the subject a sunscreen composition comprising inorganic UV filtering agents, antioxidants, and at least one inorganic pigment, wherein the at least one inorganic pigments and antioxidants are present in an amount effective to reduce or prevent sunburn caused from visible light. Also provided herein are sunscreen compositions and methods of increasing the SPF of a sunscreen composition that comprises at least one inorganic UV filtering agent.

A teeth whitening based on the generation of active oxygen in the form of oxygen radical species in situ and method for producing the whitening gel which has modified niobium compounds and its activity maximized if applied with hydrogen peroxide in low concentrations, with stabilization by a thickener. The whitening gel can be used without light treatment and with greater efficiency than commercial products and with a significant potential to reduce side effects. The whitening toothpaste and gels including modified niobium compounds associated with cations, the mechanisms of whitening action comes from electronic excitation, from the incidence of radiation on niobium compounds with cations, due to the action of the functional chemical groups present in the nanoparticles, even in the absence of light. In addition, the compounds can act as chemical whiteners, leading to a decrease in caries bacteria due to the oxidant functional groups in the nanoparticles.