Aqueous Saline Research Articles

Ultrasound and Electrical Stimulator-Guided Obturator Nerve Block With Phenol in the Treatment of Hip Adductor Spasticity in Long-Term Care Patients: A Randomized, Triple Blind, Placebo Controlled Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided phenol nerve block in the treatment of severe hip adductor spasticity in long-term care patients. MethodsDouble-blind placebo-controlled trial with a 9-month follow-up period. SettingA 250-bed long-term care hospital and the infirmary units of 5 regional hospitals. ParticipantsTwenty-six long-term care patients with bilateral severe chronic hip adductor spasticity affecting perineal hygiene and nursing care. InterventionsPatients were randomized to 2 groups that received ultrasound and electrical stimulator guided obturator nerve block using either 5% phenol in aqueous solution or saline. Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measure was the Modified Ashworth Scale, which reflected the severity of hip adductor spasticity. Secondary outcomes included Goal Attainment Scale (GAS), hygiene score, distances between the knees during fast and slow passive hip abductions; passive range of movement for hip extension and knee extension. Pain was assessed using the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale. ResultsTwenty-six patients (7 males; mean age = 77, standard deviation = 14) were recruited. At week 6 post-injection, 12/16 (75%) patients in the treatment group vs 1/10 (10%) patients in the control group had at least 1-point reduction of Modified Ashworth Scale (P = .001) on both hip adductors. There was also significant improvement in the GAS, as well as the hygiene score, resting position, and distances between the knees during fast and slow passive hip abductions in the treatment group, which persisted until week 36. No significant difference in the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale was found between the 2 groups. No serious phenol nerve block related adverse effects were reported. ConclusionsObturator neurolysis with 5% aqueous phenol as guided by both ultrasound and electrical stimulation can safely and effectively reduce hip adductor spasticity, thus, improving hygiene scores and patient-centered outcomes measured by the GAS in affected long-term care residents.

Nonionic gelation agents prepared from hydroxypropyl guar gum.

Nonionic gels were prepared from hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) with different molar substitution degrees by crosslinking with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE). FTIR and solid-state NMR spectroscopy revealed that the crosslinking degree of HPG gels increased with the amount of EGDE used during the reaction; this result was also confirmed by the water mobility in the swollen gels. Rheological characterization revealed behaviors typical of true gels, and their viscoelastic behaviors strongly depended on the crosslinking degree. The HPG gels absorbed buffers, aqueous saline, and water, and the absorption was not affected by the ionic strength or pH of the solution. In addition, HPG gels with high crosslinking degrees and molar substitution degrees exhibited gelation ability toward protic organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol. These HPG gels may find application as gelation agents for many industrial uses.

Water content, δD and δ11B tracking in the Vanuatu arc magmas (Aoba Island): Insights from olivine-hosted melt inclusions

Abstract Ion microprobe measurements of H and B isotopic ratios and H2O, B and trace element contents are reported here for a series of melt inclusions typical of alkaline basalts of Aoba Island in the central part of Vanuatu arc (Southwestern Pacific). The melt inclusions, hosted in olivine Fo86–90, display large ranges in trace element concentrations and hydrogen (δD from − 48.2 to + 61.7‰) and boron (δ11B from − 11.9 to + 6.4‰) isotopic compositions. The high deuterium enrichment (δD ≥ 0‰) observed in a small subset of melt inclusions requires a proton diffusion loss through the olivine network, in addition to late-stage magma interactions with aqueous saline fluids. These melt inclusions are therefore not considered as representative of the magma from which the olivine grew. In most melt inclusions, positive correlations between H2O, K2O, Ba and Sr lead us to determine the K2O/H2O (1.5 ± 0.2), H2O/Ba (46 ± 3 × 10− 4) and H2O/Sr (29 ± 2 × 10− 4) ratios of Aoba basalts. Overall correlations between δ11B, B/Nb, and B/Nd testify to the mixing between slab-derived fluids, preferentially enriched in δ11B and fluid mobile elements and a relatively depleted MORB-type mantle wedge beneath Aoba Island. Heavy δ11B (on average 5.4 ± 0.7‰) indicate slab-derived fluids, possibly involving serpentine, which would have a mean δD value of − 28.4 ± 7‰. The chemical and isotopic variability recorded by Aoba magmas (melt inclusions) is consistent with the geodynamic context of ridge-arc collision in the central segment of Vanuatu arc.

Surface Changes at Platinized Platinum Based Hydrogen Gas Electrodes Following Use in Highly Saline Aqueous Solutions

AbstractPlatinized platinum based hydrogen gas electrodes, Pt(Pt)|H2(g)|H+(aq), and silver‐silver chloride electrodes, Ag|AgCl|Cl− (aq), make up the Harned cell, without transfer, working in the potentiometric mode at Cl− concentrations and ionic strengths, I, below 0.1 mol kg−1, for assigning primary pH values to reference pH buffer solutions. This work reports on experiments performed at higher I and Cl− solutions up to 0.7 mol kg−1, aiming at addressing seawater conditions with results of equally high quality. In the course of measurements, the occasional occurrence of highly unstable potentials denoted electrode malfunction; Pt metal surfaces observed by SEM/EDS and XRD exhibit strong Ag and Cl peaks corresponding to the presence of AgCl crystals deposited at both surfaces.

Pyrene-wired antibodies on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite as a label-free impedance biosensor for the sepsis biomarker procalcitonin

An antibody-based, label-free impedance biosensor for the sepsis biomarker procalcitonin (PCT) has been produced using highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as the sensor electrode material and with attachment of the PCT capture antibody via coupling to 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester (PYSE) pre-immobilised on the electrode by π-π stacking. In an aqueous phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH = 7.4, the charge-transfer resistance for the redox probe Ru(NH3)6 3+/2+ exhibited a linear dependence on the PCT concentration in the range 10 to 100 ng mL−1 and provided a detection limit for PCT of 3.70 ng mL−1. Also, over the same PCT concentration range, the electrode capacitance showed a steady decrease, offering the prospect of a capacitive sensing mode for the label-free device, possibly removing the need to add a redox species to the sample under test. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using pyrene-modified HOPG as a simple platform for label-free impedance biosensors, here for the important sepsis biomarker PCT.

Investigating the Potential Effect of Commiphora myrrha on the Pharmacokinetics of Theophylline, a Narrow Therapeutic Index Drug.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of commonly used herb Commiphora myrrha on the pharmacokinetic profile of theophylline (narrow therapeutic index drug) in rabbits. In the experimental groups, theophylline (16 mg/kg) was given orally to the rabbits. Where aqueous saline suspension of Commiphora myrrha (176 mg/kg, p.o.), was given to the rabbits and the blood samples were withdrawn at different time intervals (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 36 h) from marginal ear vein after dosing and theophylline in plasma was analyzed by HPLC method. It was observed that there a significant differences in the Cmax, AUC, AUMC, t1/2, and MRT of theophylline when coadministered with Commiphora myrrha which indicate that the herb affect the metabolism and elimination when coadministered with theophylline. Our results suggested that concurrent use of investigated herb alters the pharmacokinetics of theophylline. Confirmation of these results in human studies will warrant changes in theophylline dose or frequency when coadministered with herb under consideration.

The suitability of plasma powder for cold-set binding of pork and restructured dry ham

To determine the ability of cold-set binder plasma powder (PP) for manufacturing restructured deboned dry ham, the effect of meat pre-treatment and PP preparation on the binding rate (k) and maximum binding force (BFmax) of pork model systems and deboned ham were evaluated. In pork model systems, the highest values for k (about 0.4Ncm−2h−1) and BFmax (about 2.5Ncm−2) were obtained when powder or rehydrated plasma [in water or in NaCl aqueous solution at 0.5%] was applied onto the meat surface without additional pre-treatment or prior immersion in saline aqueous solution. Similar meat pre-treatment and PP preparation were used to restructure fresh deboned leg resulting in stable meat binding performances during salting and drying. An important increase in the binding force (BFmax>10Ncm−2) occurred over the drying period (after 4weeks). Scanning electron microscopy showed different morphologies of the binding area, mainly depending on whether powder or rehydrated plasma was used.

Insights into the Behavior of Biological Clathrate Hydrate Inhibitors in Aqueous Saline Solutions

The performance of two antifreeze proteins (AFPs), type I and III (AFP I and III), as kinetic natural gas hydrate inhibitors in saline solutions was evaluated using a high pressure micro differential scanning calorimeter and a high pressure apparatus consisting of two crystallizers. Although AFP I and III were found to prolong crystallization time and reduce initial gas hydrate growth in saline solutions, the growth rate increased when hydrate started to form in the gas phase. Circular dichroism experiments suggested that the saline solution did not perturb AFP I and III structures. However, in the presence of saline, the inhibitory activity of AFP I to prolong induction time decreased while AFP III was more active. As a consequence, we propose that a decrease in hydrophobic forces and the neutralization of ion charges could explain AFP adsorption to the surface of hydrate crystals. Once the hydrate formed, melting was delayed, and consequently hydrate decomposition took longer in the presence of AFPs. We...

Spatially varying mixing of a passive scalar in a buoyancy-driven turbulent flow

AbstractWe perform experiments to study the mixing of passive scalar by a buoyancy-induced turbulent flow in a long narrow vertical tank. The turbulent flow is associated with the downward mixing of a small flux of dense aqueous saline solution into a relatively large upward flux of fresh water. In steady state, the mixing region is of finite extent, and the intensity of the buoyancy-driven mixing is described by a spatially varying turbulent diffusion coefficient $\kappa _v(z)$ which decreases linearly with distance $z$ from the top of the tank. We release a pulse of passive scalar into either the fresh water at the base of the tank, or the saline solution at the top of the tank, and we measure the subsequent mixing of the passive scalar by the flow using image analysis. In both cases, the mixing of the passive scalar (the dye) is well-described by an advection–diffusion equation, using the same turbulent diffusion coefficient $\kappa _v(z)$ associated with the buoyancy-driven mixing of the dynamic scalar. Using this advection–diffusion equation with spatially varying turbulent diffusion coefficient $\kappa _v(z)$, we calculate the residence time distribution (RTD) of a unit mass of passive scalar released as a pulse at the bottom of the tank. The variance in this RTD is equivalent to that produced by a uniform eddy diffusion coefficient with value $\kappa _e= 0.88 \langle \kappa _v \rangle $, where $\langle \kappa _v \rangle $ is the vertically averaged eddy diffusivity. The structure of the RTD is also qualitatively different from that produced by a flow with uniform eddy diffusion coefficient. The RTD using $\kappa _v$ has a larger peak value and smaller values at early times, associated with the reduced diffusivity at the bottom of the tank, and manifested mathematically by a skewness $\gamma _1\approx 1.60$ and an excess kurtosis $\gamma _2\approx 4.19 $ compared to the skewness and excess kurtosis of $\gamma _1\approx 1.46$, $\gamma _2 \approx 3.50$ of the RTD produced by a constant eddy diffusion coefficient with the same variance.

Porous Fluorinated SnO2 Hollow Nanospheres: Transformative Self-assembly and Photocatalytic Inactivation of Bacteria

Highly porous surface fluorinated SnO2 hollow nanospheres (SnO2(F) HNS) were produced in high yield by a hydrothermal treatment of stannous fluoride in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Two important processes in terms of oriented self-assembly and in situ self-transformation were highlighted for the formation of as-prepared SnO2(F) HNS, which were largely relying on the directing effects of selected specific chemical species in the present synthesis system. Significantly, these SnO2(F) HNS showed considerable activity in photocatalytic inactivation of a surface negatively charged bacterium, Escherichia coli K-12, in aqueous saline solution. The dominant reactive species involved in the inactivation process were also identified.

Miniaturized salting-out liquid–liquid extraction in a coupled-syringe system combined with HPLC–UV for extraction and determination of sulfanilamide

In salting-out liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) technique, water-miscible organic solvents are used for extraction of polar analytes from saline solutions. In this study, for the first time, a coupled 1-mL syringes system was utilized to perform a miniaturized SALLE method. Sulfanilamide antibiotic was extracted and determined via the developed method followed by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). The extraction process was carried out by rapid shooting of acetonitrile as extraction solvent (syringe B) into saline aqueous sample solution (syringe A), and then the shooting was repeated several times at a rate of 1 cycles(-1). Thereby, an extremely large contact surface area was created between phases and led to a rapid equilibrium and mass transfer. In order to improve the efficiency of the method, the effect of extraction solvent (type and volume), shooting times, salt concentration, and pH on the extraction efficiency was investigated. The best performance of the method was achieved with 250 µL of acetonitrile, salt concentration of 250 mg mL(-1), pH of 7, and shooting times of 5. The linear dynamic range was 0.001-10 µg mL(-1) with the determination coefficient of 0.9999. The relative standard deviation (RSD; n=3, C=5 µg mL(-1)), and the limit of detection (LOD) were 1.55% and 0.3 ng mL(-1), respectively. The developed technique was successfully applied to genuine samples of tea, water, milk, honey, human urine, plasma and blood.

Chemical imaging of live fibroblasts by SERS effective nanofilm.

Reliable and strong surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signatures of intracellular compartments in live NIH3T3 fibroblasts are collected in real time by means of SERS active thin nanofilm (30 nm) on colloidal silica (1.5 μm). Nanofilm is composed of preformed silver nanoparticles in the matrix of polyacrylic acid, protecting against heating (37 °C) in water, or culture medium or phosphate buffered saline aqueous solution. The SERS enhancement factors (EFs) of the order 10(8) allow single biomolecule detection in the native environment of a single live cell. Primary and secondary SERS hot spots of nanofilm are responsible for such high EFs. A slow SERS EF intensity decay occurs over a broader distance of micron silica with nanofilm, not achievable in a common core-shell model (silver nanoparticle coated with a thin silica layer). Extensive local field EFs and SERS EFs are mainly delivered by prolate silver nanoparticles ("rugby-like" shape). This is achieved if an incident field is polarized along the z-axis and the direction of incident polarization and main axis (z) are perpendicular to each other, not observable in water or on gold.

Lepidium Sativum but not Nigella Sativa Affects Carbamazepine Disposition in an Animal Model

Efficacy and safety profile of a drug may be affected when concomitantly used with herbal medicines. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of some commonly used herbal products viz. Nigella sativa (Black seed) and Lepidium sativum (Garden cress) on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine (CBZ), a narrow therapeutic index drug, in an animal model. In a control group, five rabbits received 40 mg/kg of CBZ orally and blood samples were withdrawn at different time intervals (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hrs) from a marginal ear vein. After a suitable washout period, an aqueous saline suspension of Nigella sativa (200 mg/kg) or Lepidium sativum (150 mg/kg) was given orally for eight days to the rabbits. On day eight, CBZ (40 mg/kg) was re-administrated orally and blood samples were collected using the same sampling scheme. Drug levels in plasma were determined by liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non-compartmental analysis. No significant difference was observed in the maximum concentration (Cmax), area under concentration curve (AUC), half-life (T1/2), clearance (Cl/F) and volume of distribution (Vz/F) of CBZ following Nigella sativa treatment. Whereas, increased Cmax, absorption rate measured by the time to Cmax (Tmax), and prolongation of the terminal elimination half-life (T1/2) were observed after the co-administration with Lepidium sativum. Findings of the present study suggest that concurrent use of Lepidium sativum alters the pharmacokinetics of CBZ in an animal model. Further confirmation of these results in humans will warrant changes in CBZ dose and/or frequency before co-administration with these herbal medicines.

Relaxant effects of asafoetida extract and its constituent umbelliprenin on guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle.

To investigate the relaxant effects of the asafoetida (Ferula Asafoetida Oleo-Gum-Resin) and its coumarin constituent umbelliprenin on tracheal chains of guinea pigs. The relaxant effects of three cumulative concentrations of the aqueous extract (2, 5 and 10 mg/mL), umbelliprenin (0.04, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL), theophylline (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 mg/mL) and saline were examined by their relaxant effects on precontracted tracheal chains of guinea pig by 60 mmol/L KCl (group 1), and 10 μ mol/L methacholine (group 2). In group 1 all concentrations of theophylline and the highest concentration of the extract showed signififi cant relaxant effects compared with that of saline (P<0.01 for theophylline and P<0.05 for extract). In group 2, relaxant effects of all concentrations of theophylline, extract and two higher concentrations of umbelliprenin differed significantly compared with saline [P<0.01 for all cases except low concentration of umbelliprenin (0.04 mg/mL)]. There were no signififi cant differences between relaxant effects of the extract and theophylline in group 2. The relaxant effect of the extract in group 2 was signififi cantly greater than that of group 1 (P<0.01). The relaxant effect of the extract was significantly more potent than umbelliprenin in all groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These results showed a potent relaxant effect for the asafoetida extract on tracheal smooth muscle which is, at least, in part, due to its constituent umbelliprenin. A muscarinic receptor blockade was also suggested for the extract.

Decoupling Interfacial Reactions between Plasmas and Liquids: Charge Transfer vs Plasma Neutral Reactions

Plasmas (gas discharges) formed at the surface of liquids can promote a complex mixture of reactions in solution. Here, we decouple two classes of reactions, those initiated by electrons (electrolysis) and those initiated by gaseous neutral species, by examining an atmospheric-pressure microplasma formed in different ambients at the surface of aqueous saline (NaCl) solutions. Electrolytic reactions between plasma electrons and aqueous ions yield an excess of hydroxide ions (OH(-)), making the solution more basic, while reactions between reactive neutral species formed in the plasma phase and the solution lead to nitrous acid (HNO2), nitric acid (HNO3), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), making the solution more acidic. The relative importance of either reaction path is quantified by pH measurements, and we find that it depends directly on the composition of the ambient background gas. With a background gas of oxygen or argon, electron transfer reactions yielding excess OH(-) dominate, while HNO2 and HNO3 formed in the plasma and by the dissolution of nitrogen oxide (NOx) species dominate in the case of air and nitrogen. For pure nitrogen (N2) gas, we observe a unique coupling between both reactions, where oxygen (O2) gas formed via water electrolysis reacts in the bulk of the plasma to form NOx, HNO2, and HNO3.

Photo-Fenton degradation of phenol, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4-dichlorophenol mixture in saline solution using a falling-film solar reactor

In this work, a saline aqueous solution of phenol, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) was treated by the photo-Fenton process in a falling-film solar reactor. The influence of the parameters such as initial pH (5–7), initial concentration of Fe2+ (1–2.5 mM) and rate of H2O2 addition (1.87–3.74 mmol min−1) was investigated. The efficiency of photodegradation was determined from the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), described by the species degradation of phenol, 2,4-D and 2,4-DCP. Response surface methodology was employed to assess the effects of the variables investigated, i.e. [Fe2+], [H2O2] and pH, in the photo-Fenton process with solar irradiation. The results reveal that the variables’ initial concentration of Fe2+ and H2O2 presents predominant effect on pollutants’ degradation in terms of DOC removal, while pH showed no influence. Under the most adequate experimental conditions, about 85% DOC removal was obtained in 180 min by using a reaction system employed here, and total removal of phenol, 2,4- and 2,4-DCP mixture in about 30 min.

Measurement of stable isotope activities in saline aqueous solutions using optical spectroscopy methods

The requirement to measure the stable isotopic compositions of saline pore fluids by optical methods has prompted a re-evaluation of the isotopic salt effect for common salts. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic salt effects were measured at room temperature (21°C) by optical methods. For hydrogen isotopes, our results agree well with those of previous studies and better define these effects at low temperatures. In contrast, measured oxygen isotope salt effects disagree within error for NaCl and CaCl2 solutions from those reported previously. Subtle differences between measurement methods may account for the discrepancy. In studies that involve highly saline fluids, the isotopic salt effect must be taken into account because modern methods that measure stable isotopic compositions as activities or concentrations may be not directly comparable to historical data sets.

The Saidu Gold Deposit of Southern Altai, China: Mineralizing Stages and Ore-Forming Fluids Evolution

The Saidu gold deposit is located in the northwest part of Ertix Tectonic Zone in Xinjiang. The ore bodies occur in altered mylonite zones within the Mar-kakol giant fault zone and are controlled by the ductile shear zone. The structural-metallogenic fluids of the early stage are characterized by mesothermal-hydrothermal CO2-N2-rich fluids, with homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions being 252~408°C. The tectonic-metallogenic fluids at the middle stage are characterized by CO2-H2O fluids, with homogenization temperatures being 203~326°C. The fluids at the late stage were epithermal-mesothermal low salinity aqueous solutions, with homogenization temperatures being 120~221°C. The main gold mineralization was related to the post-orogenic extension environment, with the evolution characteristics corresponding to the evolution of shear zones.

4(5)-Methylbenzotriazole: a review of the life-cycle of an emerging contaminant

4(5)-Methylbenzotriazole (MeBT), also known as tolyltriazole is a widely used compound that effectively prevents the corrosion of many metals in acidic and saline aqueous solutions. This review summarizes the current body of knowledge related to MeBT including its uses, corrosion inhibition capabilities, chemical and toxicological properties, occurrence in the environment, and treatment and removal from water supplies. Key conclusions include: poor biodegradability of the 5-MeBT isomer and the recalcitrance of the 4-MeBT isomer leading to persistence in the environment, poor removal efficiencies in conventional water treatment facilities, and the generally unknown chronic effects of MeBT. The aim of this paper is to bring to light the relevant facts about MeBT in a concise manner so that we may make more informed decisions regarding its use and of the potential long-term environmental effects that it may cause.

Adsorption, kinetics and biochemical interaction of biotin at the gold–water interface

The adsorption kinetics and surface coverage of free biotin with a thin gold film have been exploited by means of surface plasmon resonance sensing. The material was dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) aqueous solution and ethanol–PBS mixtures. A micro-fluidic flow cell was used for solute admission. Experimental conditions eliminate contact to ambient air and surface contaminations and maintain a stable, initially hydrophilic metal surface and reproducible adsorption conditions. In the initial binding phase, and at higher solute concentration, biotin films are composed from up to three mono-layers. Rinsing with PBS buffer removes the weakly bound fraction and leaves a single molecular layer at 1.1nm thickness, along with concentration dependent surface coverage. The binding kinetics is well described by a Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The equilibrium constant Keq determines to 2.94×103mol−1, and the free adsorption energy ΔGads to −4.7kcal/mol. Both values are well within the parameter range for alkene–thiolate adsorption to microcrystalline gold films. This supports a chemisorptive binding state, along with the possibility of molecular self-assembly. Both, Neutravidin (NA) and human serum (HS) effectively immobilize onto a biotin monolayer beneath. In the reversed binding sequence, biotin firmly attaches also to NA, but not to HS. Hence, the direct binding route of biotin onto thin gold films can be favorably used in the design of simplified immuno-assays, solely relying on biotinylated antibodies, while avoiding the need for immobilization of an intermediate Neutravidin linker layer.