Study of the molecular array behaviours and interfacial activities of green surfactant alkyl polyglycoside and the mixed systems with other surfactants on oil–water interface

Abstract

The widely performance of surfactants is closely related to their interfacial activity, which is essentially determined by the molecular array behaviours at the interface, of which the studies are significance for clearly understanding their structure-performance relationships. In this paper, the detailed molecular array behaviours of green surfactant alkyl polyglycoside (APG) and the mixed systems with other types of surfactants on oil/water interface have been studied using molecular dynamics simulations, and the key theoretical principle was confirmed by quantum chemistry calculations. It was found that the hydrophilic maltose ring head groups of decyl polyglycoside (C₁₀-APG) are prone to lie flatly at the oil–water interface, the steric hindrance results in the low interfacial density, which critically determines the limit of the interfacial activity. The interfacial adsorption behaviours of the binary mixtures of C₁₀-APG and SDS or DATB and the ternary mixtures of C₁₀-APG, SDS and DATB were studied in detail, how the efficient synergism effect could be achieved for the mixture to get super high interfacial activity was discussed. This study provides a strategy to reveal how the molecular interfacial behaviours determine the key interfacial characteristics of the novel surfactants, which might provide help to promote their applications.     

Evaluation of Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

ObjectivePrimary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) affects the cardiovascular system, and epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. Despite this, the association between EFT thickness and pHPT has not been studied in a clinical setting. This study aimed to assess EFT thickness in patients with pHPT.MethodsThe study included 38 patients with pHPT and 40 healthy controls. EFT thickness, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), serum levels of parathormone (PTH) and calcium, and blood chemistry profiles were determined in all subjects. Correlation and regression analyses were performed with EFT thickness and CIMT as dependent variables and age; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; body mass index (BMI); presence of diabetes mellitus; and free plasma glucose (FPG), PTH, and serum calcium (Ca) levels as independent variables.ResultsBoth the mean EFT thickness and the mean CIMT were significantly greater in the pHPT group than the control group (P < .001 for both). Correlation analysis showed that EFT thickness was significantly correlated with CIMT, age, systolic blood pressure, and PTH and serum Ca levels. Furthermore, the regression analysis revealed that EFT thickness retained its independent and positive association with FPG and serum Ca levels.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that EFT thickness may be a useful marker of early atherosclerosis in patients with pHPT. Furthermore, the increase in EFT thickness appears to be due to hypercalcemia. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:26-32)     

A Simple Computational Technique for the Systematic Study of Adsorption Effects in Emulsified Systems. Influence of Inhomogeneous Surfactant Distributions on the Coalescence Rate of a Bitumen-in-water Emulsion

Abstract

In order to study the evolution of a bitumen-in-water (B/W) emulsion with time, a modification of a standard Brownian Dynamics (BD) algorithm was made. In these calculations, the 3-D movement of emulsion drops is mimicked by a combination of a steady DLVO (Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Oberbeek) inter-drop force and a random kick. The electrostatic component of the DLVO potential is allowed to depend on the surfactant population at the interface of each drop. Surfactant adsorption changes with the total surfactant concentration of the system, the available interfacial area, and the initial spatial distribution of amphiphilic molecules. Depending on these variables, the drops can flocculate and coalesce with either real drops or periodic-boundary images. As a consequence of coalescence, the interfacial area diminishes and surfactant is re-distributed among the surviving drops. The results are compared with well-known analytical equations developed for much simpler cases. With the present simulation technique, the exponential decrease of the number of drops with time reported for B/W systems can be reproduced. Evidence of a monotonic relationship between the total interfacial area of the surviving drops and the total surfactant concentration is also presented.     

Interfacial barriers to gas transport: probing solid-gas interfaces at the atomistic level

ABSTRACT

An understanding of interfacial barriers underpinning fluid transport in nanoporous membranes is critical for the design of efficient next generation membranes, to harness their potential for industrial scale separations. Such barriers include the contribution of external and internal interfacial barriers, and strongly depend on smoothness of the pore surface, pore size, shape, tortuosity, structural defects such as pore blockage and thermodynamic state of the fluid. We review recent progress in the transport of a fluid through nanoporous membrane materials such as zeolites and carbon nanotubes, which hold promise for industrial significance, but their application is subject to strong interfacial barriers. The contribution of interfacial barriers to the overall transport in these membrane materials is found to be particularly significant when the pore surface is uniform as well as at low temperatures and pressures. Further, such barriers that arise from internal defects such as grain boundaries are found to be remarkable and detrimental to separation kinetics. The internal interfacial barriers are found to be significant, and are enhanced when a dense medium such as a polymer is present at the interface, suggesting that interfacial barriers can play a key role in mixed matrix membranes and is an important area requiring further attention.     

Quantification of manganese and mercury in toenail in vivo using portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF)

Background and objective: Toenail is an advantageous biomarker to assess exposure to metals such as manganese and mercury. Toenail Mn and Hg are in general analyzed by chemical methods such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In this project, a practical and convenient technology—portable X-ray florescence (XRF)—is studied for the noninvasive in vivo quantification of manganese and mercury in toenail.

Material and methods: The portable XRF method has advantages in that it does not require toenail clipping and it can be done in 3?min, which will greatly benefit human studies involving the assessment of manganese and mercury exposures. This study mainly focused on the methodology development and validation which includes spectral analysis, system calibration, the effect of toenail thickness, and the detection limit of the system. Manganese- and mercury-doped toenail phantoms were made. Calibration lines were established for these measurements.

Results: The results show that the detection limit for manganese is 3.65?μg/g (ppm) and for mercury is 0.55?μg/g (ppm) using 1?mm thick nail phantoms with 10?mm soft tissue underneath.

Discussion and conclusion: We conclude that portable XRF is a valuable and sensitive technology to quantify toenail manganese and mercury in vivo.     

Error detection during VMAT delivery using EPID-based 3D transit dosimetry

PurposeTo investigate the effectiveness of an EPID-based 3D transit dosimetry system in detecting deliberately introduced errors during VMAT delivery.MethodsAn Alderson phantom was irradiated using four VMAT treatment plans (one prostate, two head-and-neck and one lung case) in which delivery, thickness and setup errors were introduced. EPID measurements were performed to reconstruct 3D dose distributions of “error” plans, which were compared with “no-error” plans using the mean gamma (γ_mean), near-maximum gamma (γ_1%) and the difference in isocenter dose (ΔD_isoc) as metrics.ResultsOut of a total of 42 serious errors, the number of errors detected was 33 (79%), and 27 out of 30 (90%) if setup errors are not included. The system was able to pick up errors of 5 mm movement of a leaf bank, a wrong collimator rotation angle and a wrong photon beam energy. A change in phantom thickness of 1 cm was detected for all cases, while only for the head-and-neck plans a 2 cm horizontal and vertical shift of the phantom were alerted. A single leaf error of 5 mm could be detected for the lung plan only.ConclusionAlthough performed for a limited number of cases and error types, this study shows that EPID-based 3D transit dosimetry is able to detect a number of serious errors in dose delivery, leaf bank position and patient thickness during VMAT delivery. Errors in patient setup and single leaf position can only be detected in specific cases.     

Comparison of image registration performed with MV cone beam CT and CT on rails and Syngo™ Adaptive Targeting software

BackgroundMinimization of geometric errors in treatment delivery is essential in modern conformal and intensity-modulated techniques.AimIn this paper two Siemens systems, MVision megavoltage cone beam CT, and CTVision (CT on rails), are compared.Material and MethodsThe reproducibility and uncertainty of the image registration procedure performed with Adaptive Targeting (AT) software were evaluated. Both systems were evaluated by means of simulating the clinical situation with an anthropomorphic phantom in three anatomical sites: head & neck, thorax and pelvis.ResultsThe results for two methods of image registration, manual and automatic, were evaluated separately. The manual procedure was used by two users, more and less experienced.ConclusionsThe MVision system and CTVision and the Therapist Adaptive software ensure image registration with the uncertainty of about 2.0 mm (2 standard deviations). In the case of the automatic registration method better reproducibility of image registration was obtained for MVision. For CTVision the necessity of manual identification of the machine isocentre made the registration less reproducible. In the case of MVision, the automatic method was more reproducible than the manual one (smaller dispersion of results). In the case of CTVision, similar results were obtained for both registration methods. In the case of manual registration slightly better reproducibility for CT data acquired at 2 mm slice thickness and 2 mm slice separation than for data acquired at 5 mm slice thickness and 5 mm slice separation were obtained. Similar results of manual registration performed by more and less experienced users were obtained.     

Effect of sensory stimulation applied under the great toe on postural ability in patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome, characterised by several symptoms. One of the most prevalent symptoms in FM is balance impairment that compromise the autonomy, function and performance status of patients.

Purpose: The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sensory stimulation provided by the use of a low additional thickness of 0.8?mm placed under the great toes bilaterally on the centre of pressure (CoP) measures in patients with FM. It was hypothesised that postural ability would change with a low focal additional thickness used to compute these measures.

Materials and Method: Twenty-four patients with FM voluntarily participated in this study. Postural performance during quiet standing was investigated through the CoP displacements recorded using a force-plate. Sensory stimulation was provided by a small additional thickness of 0.8?mm placed under the great toe bilaterally and two conditions were compared: additional thickness 0 (control) and 0.8?mm.

Results: An improvement of body balance through spatial parameters with sensory cutaneous stimulation applied under the great toe bilaterally were observed in patients with FM. Our results showed a significant decrease of surface area and mean speed of CoP, associated to a significant decrease of variance of speed. An additional observation is that sagittal (Y) mean position of the CoP gets more anterior (+ 5?mm) relative to control condition.

Conclusion: These findings brings new clinical perspectives in the development of intervention strategies in the management of patients with FM and balance disorders, completing validated therapeutic strategies.     

颈项透明层厚度超声联合无创DNA对孕妇胎儿染色体非整倍体异常诊断效能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨颈项透明层(nuchal translucency,NT)厚度超声联合无创DNA对孕妇胎儿染色体非整倍体异常诊断效能的影响。方法：2018年7月到2020年4月选择在本院进行产前筛查的孕妇120例,所有孕妇都给予NT厚度超声联合无创DNA检查,采用羊水穿刺分析检测结果为阳性的胎儿情况。结果：120例胎儿的NT厚度为0.8~10 mm,平均厚度为1.57±0.41 mm;不同孕妇年龄的NT厚度对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。以羊水穿刺检测结果为金标准,120例胎儿中检出染色体非整倍体异常7例,NT超声检出12例,无创DNA检出13例,联合检出14例。NT超声、无创DNA与联合诊断的染色体非整倍体异常敏感性为57.1%、85.7%和100.0%,特异性为92.9%、93.8%和93.8%。检测结果为阳性的14例胎儿中,还包括3例淋巴水囊瘤,2例单脐动脉伴胎儿宫内发育迟缓,1例胎儿双肾畸形,1例胎儿并腿畸形。结论：颈项透明层厚度超声联合无创DNA在孕妇胎儿染色体非整倍体异常中的诊断具有操作简便、无创伤等特点,诊断敏感性与特异性都比较高,可对临床医生遗传咨询有一定的参考价值。     

An interfacial equilibria model for the electrokinetic properties of a fat emulsion. Part II: Magnesium,zinc and proton interactions with the interface

Abstract

The semi-empirical thermodynamic model reported in an earlier paper (Hall et al., 1991) is further developed to describe the zeta potential behaviour of an intravenous fat emulsion in the presence of magnesium and zinc cations. The effect of interfacial protonation is also explored. We have now established that a previously reported formation constant for the calcium interaction is actually a conditional value and together with the new data for zinc and magnesium, overall formation constants are calculated.     

Solid/Liquid Cluster Recognition in Heterogeneous Systems

Abstract

Criteria are presented which enable the differentiation between the extent of solid-like and liquid-like character in a heterogeneous system on a per atom basis. Such criteria are developed for two different interatomic potentials, the Stillinger-Weber model for group IV semiconductors and the Lennard-Jones model for insulators. For the Stillinger-Weber potential model, three criteria are presented: one based on the coordination number of nearest neighbors, one based on the three-body energy, and one based on the angular positions (spatial arrangements) of neighbors. For the Lennard-Jones model an angular criterion is used. The difficulties associated with the assignation of interfacial atoms (those with partial solid and partial liquid character) are discussed. The effectiveness of these criteria for both models is tested by application to the identification of solid-like nuclei in the melt.     

Signal-to-noise ratio improvements using anti-scatter grids with different object thicknesses and tube voltages

PurposeThe appropriate object thickness to start using anti-scatter grids (grids) has not sufficiently investigated in previous studies, and thus we rigorously investigated the effectiveness of two generally used grids with grid ratios of 6 and 10 (G6 and G10) for different 50–200 mm thicknesses at tube voltages of 60–100 kV.MethodsAcrylic phantoms with 30 × 30 cm² and different thicknesses were used to measure the signal-to-noise ratio improvement factors (SIFs) of grids. To evaluate the infants’ conditions, field sizes of 225, 400, and 625 cm² were also evaluated at 60–80 kV. In addition, the signal difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR) was used to evaluate tube voltage dependencies of grids for each thickness.ResultsSIF values exceeded 1.0 for ≥70 mm thicknesses and mostly exceeded 1.07 for the 100 mm thickness with 400 cm² field size corresponding to a 1-year-old infant abdomen. The estimated dose reduction capabilities for a 1-year-old infant were approximately 15% using G10 at 70 and 80 kV. The tube voltage dependencies for grid use was almost not prominent for all conditions tested, except for some conditions that are not clinically realistic.ConclusionsG6 and G10 can improve SNR for  ≥100 mm thickness. The results from this work demonstrate approximately 15% dose reduction or image quality improvements at the same dose level for the use of G6 and G10 grids for 100 mm thickness, traditionally excluded from the recommended grid use conditions.     

Skin models and their impact on mean glandular dose in mammography

PurposeTo quantify the influence of different skin models on mammographic breast dosimetry, based on dosimetric protocols and recent breast skin thickness findings.MethodsBy using an adapted PENELOPE (v. 2014) + PenEasy (v. 2015) Monte Carlo (MC) code, simulations were performed in order to obtain the mean glandular dose (MGD), the normalized MGD by incident air Kerma (DgN), and the glandular depth dose (GDD(z)). The geometry was based on a cranio-caudal mammographic examination. Monoenergetic and polyenergetic beams were implemented, for a breast thickness from 2 cm to 9 cm, with different compositions. Seven skin models were used: a 5 mm adipose layer; a skin layer ranging from 5 mm to 1.45 mm, a 1.45 mm skin thickness with a subcutaneous adipose layer of 2 mm and 3.55 mm.ResultsThe differences, for monoenergetic beams, are higher (up to 200%) for lower energies (8 keV), thicker and low glandular content breasts, decreasing to less than 5% at 40 keV. Without a skin layer, the differences reach a maximum of 1240%. The relative difference in DgN values for 1.45 mm skin and 5 mm adipose layers and polyenergetic beams varies from −14% to 12%.ConclusionsThe implemented MC code is suitable for mammography dosimetry calculations. The skin models have major impacts on MGD values, and the results complement previous literature findings. The current protocols should be updated to include a more realistic skin model, which provides a reliable breast dose estimation.     

Biomolecule–nanoparticle interactions: Elucidation of the thermodynamics by isothermal titration calorimetry

BackgroundNanomaterials (NMs) are often exposed to a broad range of biomolecules of different abundances. Biomolecule sorption driven by various interfacial forces determines the surface structure and composition of NMs, subsequently governs their functionality and the reactivity of the adsorbed biomolecules. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is a nondestructive technique that quantifies thermodynamic parameters through in-situ measurement of the heat absorption or release associated with an interaction.Scope of reviewThis review highlights the recent applications of ITC in understanding the thermodynamics of interactions between various nanoparticles (NPs) and biomolecules. Different aspects of a typical ITC experiment that are crucial for obtaining accurate and meaningful data, as well as the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of ITC applications to NP research were discussed.Major conclusionsITC reveals the driving forces behind biomolecule–NP interactions and the effects of the physicochemical properties of both NPs and biomolecules by quantifying the crucial thermodynamics parameters (e.g., binding stoichiometry, ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG). Complimentary techniques would strengthen the interpretation of ITC results for a more holistic understanding of biomolecule–NP interactions.General significanceThe thermodynamic information revealed by ITC and its complimentary characterizations is important for understanding biomolecule–NP interactions that are fundamental to the biomedical and environmental applications of NMs and their toxicological effects. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Microcalorimetry in the BioSciences — Principles and Applications, edited by Fadi Bou-Abdallah.     

Transversal dose profile reconstruction for clinical proton beams: A detectors inter-comparison

PurposeThe main purpose of this work is the inter-comparison between different devices devoted to the transversal dose profile recostruction for daily QA tests in proton therapy.MethodsThe results obtained with the EBT3 radiochromic films, used as a reference, and other common quality control devices, have been compared with those obtained with a beam profiling system developed at the “Laboratori Nazionali del Sud” of Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNS, Catania, Italy). It consists of a plastic scintillator screen (thickness 1 mm), mounted perpendicularly to the beam axis and coupled with a highly sensitive CCD detector in a light-tight box.Results and conclusionThe tests, carried out both at the INFN-LNS and Trento Proton Therapy Center facilities, show, in general, a good agreement between the different detectors. The beam profiling system, in particular, appears to be a promising quality control device for 2-D relative dosimetry, because of its linear response in a dose rate range useful for proton therapy treatments, its high spatial resolution and its short acquisition and processing time.     

Intraluminal thrombus thickness is not related to lower concentrations of trace elements in the wall of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms

BackgroundIntraluminal thrombus (ILT) formation plays a significant role in the progression of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Potentially, as ILT thickness increases the availability of trace elements in the aneurysm wall could decrease thereby leading to oxidative stress and intensifying pro-inflammatory cytokine generation.AimTo determine if thrombus thickness is related to the concentration of trace elements in the wall of infrarenal AAA.Patients and methodsThe concentrations of trace elements in the wall of the aneurysm sack and ILT obtained from 19 consecutive patients during surgery for infrarenal AAA were determined using emission spectrometry.ResultsThe concentrations of magnesium, zinc, manganese, and lead in the wall of AAA were significantly greater than in the ILT. Only the concentration of copper was lower in the AAA wall compared with the thrombus. The concentration of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, lead, copper, and magnesium increased with ILT thickness. The concentrations of no other trace elements in the wall of AAA were found to be related to the ILT thickness.ConclusionsIntraluminal thrombus thickness is not associated with a lower concentration of trace elements in the wall of the infrarenal AAA. Thus, the intraluminal thrombus participates in the progression of AAA by mechanisms independent of trace element supply to the wall of the aneurysm sack.     

视网膜病变早产儿视网膜厚度与血清血管新生细胞因子PEDF和VEGF表达的相关性

摘要 目的：探讨视网膜病变早产儿视网膜厚度与血清血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）、色素上皮衍生因子（pigment epithelium derived factor,PEDF）表达的相关性。方法：采用回顾性研究方法,2016年2月到2021年6月选择在新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院眼科就诊的早产儿视网膜病变患儿80例作为观察组,同期选择足月视网膜病变患儿80例作为对照组,测定两组患儿视网膜厚度,检测血管新生细胞因子-PEDF与VEGF表达情况,对两者进行相关性分析。结果：观察组患儿的颞侧、上方、下方的视网膜神经纤维层厚度都显著高于对照组,两组对比差异明显(P<0.05)。观察组患儿的血清VEGF水平高于对照组,PEDF水平低于对照组,对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。在观察组患儿中,Pearson相关系数相关性分析显示血清PEDF水平与VEGF水平呈现显著负相关性(r=-0.341, P<0.05);患儿颞侧、上方、下方的视网膜神经纤维层厚度与血清PEDF水平成显著负相关性(P<0.05),与血清VEGF水平成显著正相关性(P<0.05)。多元logistic回归分析显示血清PEDF、VEGF水平都为导致早产儿视网膜厚度发生的重要因素(P<0.05)。结论：早产儿视网膜厚度均高于足月儿,血管新生细胞因子PEDF、VEGF呈现异常表达情况,视网膜厚度与PEDF、VEGF的表达都有一定的相关性,PEDF、VEGF也为导致早产儿视网膜病变发生的重要因素。     

Interocular Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Difference in Normal Adults

PurposeTo determine the interocular retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness difference of normal subjects.MethodsBoth eyes of 230 normal adults received peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements using OCT. The effect of ocular cyclotorsion on the RNFL thickness profile was mathematically corrected. The fractional and absolute interocular RNFL thickness differences at 256 points of peripapillary area were calculated. We divided the subjects into 3 groups according to the locations of superior and inferior peak thickness, respectively, and compared the interocular RNFL thickness differences between the subgroups.ResultsThe fractional interocular RNFL thickness difference exhibited smaller regional variations than the absolute interocular difference. The means of fractional interocular differences were 0.100 ± 0.077 in the temporal half area and 0.146 ± 0.105 in the nasal half area, and the tolerance limits for the 95th and 99th distributions were about 0.246 and 0.344 in the temporal half area and 0.293 and 0.408 in the nasal half area, respectively. The fractional interocular differences of subgroups classified by the locations of superior and inferior peak RNFL thickness showed difference at smaller areas than the absolute interocular differences (19 and 8 points versus 49 and 23 points, respectively).ConclusionGlaucoma can be strongly suspected, if interocular fractional RNFL thickness difference is over 25% at 5 consecutive points or over 35% at 3 consecutive points in the temporal half area. The fractional interocular comparison is a better diagnostic approach because the fractional interocular RNFL thickness difference is less influenced by the locations of peak RNFL thickness.     

Gold coated contact lens-type ocular in vivo dosimeter (CLOD) for monitoring of low dose in computed tomography: A Monte Carlo study

PurposeThis study reports a sensitivity enhancement of gold-coated contact lens-type ocular in vivo dosimeters (CLODs) for low-dose measurements in computed tomography (CT).MethodsMonte Carlo (MC) simulations were conducted to evaluate the dose enhancement from the gold (Au) layers on the CLODs. The human eye and CLODs were modeled, and the X-ray tube voltages were defined as 80, 120, and 140 kVp. The thickness of the Au layer attached to a CLOD ranged from 100 nm to 10 μm. The thickness of the active layer ranged from 20 to 140 μm. The dose ratio between the active layer of the Au-coated CLOD and a CLOD without a layer, i.e., the dose enhancement factor (DEF), was calculated.ResultsThe DEFs of the first 20-μm thick active layer of the 5-μm thick Au-coated CLOD were 18.4, 19.7, 20.2 at 80, 120, and 140 kVp, respectively. The DEFs decreased as the thickness of the active layer increased. The DEFs of 100-nm to 5-μm thick Au layers increased from 1.7 to 5.4 for 120-kVp X-ray tube voltage when the thickness of the active layer was 140 μm.ConclusionsThe MC results presented a higher sensitivity of Au-coated CLODs (∼20-times higher than that of CLODs without a gold layer). Au-coated CLODs can be applied to an evaluation of very low doses (a few cGy) delivered to patients during CT imaging.