Chloride Micro Research Articles

Liver as an alternative specimen for carbon monoxide detection when blood is unavailable

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most toxic gases, responsible for a large number of deaths in the cases of smoke and fire burning. CO has the ability to combine reversibly with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), which denotes its chemical asphyxiant character. This leads to decreased oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin. Consequently, the determination of CO concentration and the degree of HbCO saturation in blood are frequently tested in toxicology laboratories. Recently, only the blood is considered the sample of choice for the detection of CO. Different methods for CO detection and estimation in blood have been employed including colorimetric screening, spectrophotometry and gas chromatography (GC). But when blood is not available in fire exposure postmortem cases, it is not possible to conclude the cause of death. Objective of this study is to highlight the significance of liver as specimen of interest in fatal carbon monoxide poisoning in relevance to detection in postmortem specimen of blood. In this study, the authors considered data from one hundred and fifty fire burn cases for carbon monoxide detection. Among these cases, liver and blood were tested simultaneously for CO confirmation. These cases included confirmation of carbon monoxide using colorimetric a technique by palladium chloride micro diffusion assay in which metallic palladium is obtained after reduction of palladium chloride present in impregnated paper strips. The results were only considered positive if the strip develops black color strip with silver glitter. Carbon monoxide/drug-free whole blood was used as the negative control while 12% CO containing whole blood was used as a positive control. One hundred and twenty-one (80.6%) cases were found positive for the presence of carbon monoxide both in blood and liver. Of these, 9.9% cases accounted for carbon monoxide detection only in blood. However, the remaining 9.5% of cases were found negative both for blood as well as liver. Liver was positive for carbon monoxide in approximately 90.5% of the cases under test when the blood was also positive for these samples. As the heme is found both in blood and liver, so there is strong evidence of CO detection in liver. This will be a huge method for forensic investigations when the blood is unavailable but liver is available. This method will also be valuable for an exhumed putrefied postmortem sample when only liver is available.

Effect of using ultrasonic waves in synthesis on the size, shape and luminescence properties of NaCl:Ce3+ crystals for clinical dosimeter application

Cerium-doped sodium chloride micro and nanoparticles were synthesized without (sample a) and with (sample b) applying 20 kHz ultrasonic waves. Particles size and shape were identified by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction pattern. Using the Williamson Hall equation, the approximate sizes of ~462 nm and 45 nm were obtained for samples (a) and (b), respectively. Thermoluminescence glow curve as well as photoluminescence spectra of the both samples were also investigated. The results show that nanoparticles made in presence of ultrasonic waves have a smaller size and more homogeneous structure than those made in absence of ultrasonic waves. Photoluminescence emission of sample (a) and (b) correspondingly at 383 nm and 370 nm is related to the electron transfer from the 5d→4f bands. Furthermore, both samples are sensitive to gamma rays at high doses. The Thermoluminescence sensitivity of sample (a) is about six times more than that of sample (b) which confirms the dependence of Thermoluminescence sensitivity on the particle size. Fading of sample (b) within one month is about two times more than other of interest.

Investigations of acute effects of polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride micro- and nanoplastics in an advanced in vitro triple culture model of the healthy and inflamed intestine

The continuous degradation of plastic waste in the environment leads to the generation of micro- and nanoplastic fragments and particles. Due to the ubiquitous presence of plastic particles in natural habitats as well as in food, beverages and tap water, oral exposure of the human population with plastic particles occurs worldwide. We investigated acute toxicological effects of polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) micro- and nanoparticles in an advanced in vitro triple culture model (Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12/THP-1) mimicking the healthy and inflamed human intestine to study the effect of inflammatory processes on plastic particle toxicity. We monitored barrier integrity, cytotoxicity, cell layer integrity, DNA damage, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) and mucus distribution after 24 h of particle exposure. In addition, we investigated cytotoxicity, DNA damage and IL-1β release in monocultures of the three cell lines. Amine-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS–NH2) served as a positive control for particle-induced toxicity. No acute effects in the investigated endpoints were observed in the model of the healthy intestine after PS or PVC exposure. However, during active inflammatory processes, exposure to PVC particles was found to augment the release of IL-1β and to cause a loss of epithelial cells. Our results suggest that prevalent intestinal inflammation might be an important factor to consider when assessing the hazard of ingested micro- and nanoplastic particles.

Tribological and oxidational properties of porous high-pressure crystallized and vitamin E–incorporated ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene as an artificial cartilage

The material properties of porous high-pressure crystallized ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene containing vitamin E as a plasticizing agent and an antioxidant were studied. Two porous ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene samples, with and without vitamin E, were produced by mixing ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene powder and sodium chloride micro particles before the high-pressure crystallized process. A solid ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene without vitamin E additive was made as a benchmark. The porosities of both porous samples were evaluated by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis of cross-sectional areas. The crystallinity of the composites was examined by thermal (differential scanning calorimetry) and spectral (X-ray diffraction) analyses. The short-term and long-term oxidative stabilities of porous ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylenes, with or without incorporated vitamin E, were investigated, respectively, by evaluations of differential scanning calorimetry oxidation induction time and Fourier transform infrared oxidation index. The tribological performance was also studied by a pin-on-disk test under lubrication with normal saline. The particulate size distribution of wear debris demonstrated the better biocompatibility of ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylenes with higher porosity. However, the antiwear capability and the oxidation resistance of the porous ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene were inferior to those of the solid one. These drawbacks were significantly reduced by the influence of the vitamin E agent.

Solvent treated paper resistor for filter circuit operation and relative humidity sensing

We demonstrate the working of a solvent treated paper resistor for resistor, capacitor filter circuit operation and relative humidity sensing. The paper resistor has been fabricated by solvent treatment method, where a piece of photocopier paper is treated with sodium chloride solvent and upon deposition of sodium chloride micro crystals at the micro pores of the paper, it is marked with graphite pencil linings for external circuit connection. Also, dependence of paper resistance on moisture level content in surrounding environment has been investigated. We envision potential applications of our designed paper resistor as an inexpensive alternative to electrical resistance and relative humidity sensor.

The Effect of Interfacial Interactions on a Structure and Properties of Polyurethane Elastomer/Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Blends

The effect of chemical structure of segmented poly(urethane-urea)s on its interfacial interactions with poly(vinyl chloride) as well as supramolecular structure and the properties of prepared composites has been studied. A direct influence of flexible and rigid segments of elastomers on a compatibility, structure and the physical-mechanical properties of poly(urethane-urea)/poly(vinyl chloride) blends was investigated. A formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds network in the poly(urethane-urea)/poly(vinyl chloride) systems was evaluated by FTIR analysis. Morphology studies have shown the effect of interfacial interactions on a size of thermoplastic phase dispersed within elastomer matrix. Obtained poly(urethane-urea)/poly(vinyl chloride) micro- and nanocomposites have improved tensile properties.