Investigation of oxygen diffusion into contact lenses using electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Oxygen permeability is the most important parameter of contact lenses, as lack of oxygen causes corneal edema and threatens the vision of the patient. This study was unique in that it used an electron spin resonance (ESR) technique to determine the oxygen diffusion coefficient (D) of contact lenses. Although there are many methods and techniques for investigating oxygen diffusion into contact lenses, ESR was used for the first time in this study. The ESR technique is based on the scavenging of radicals produced in lenses by oxygen. As a contact lens is not a paramagnetic substance, it cannot give an ESR spectrum. But it does produce an ESR spectrum after γ irradiation. When a vacuum‐irradiated contact lens is exposed to air, the radicals trapped in the lens are transformed into peroxide radicals by the addition of molecular oxygen to the free radicals, and the ESR spectrum begins to change with time. This effect can be used as a tool to measure oxygen uptake in irradiated contact lenses. The oxygen diffusion coefficient of a contact lens was determined from changes in ESR signal intensity varying with time. The diffusion coefficients of oxygen for a contact lens were determined for rapid decay [(1.5 + 0.4) × 10^?8 cm²/s] and slow decay [(1.3 + 0.3) × 10^?9 cm²/s] in this study. These values are in agreement with the D values given in the literature for polymeric materials used for contact lenses. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2937–2941, 2006     

Integrated photochemical and biological treatment of a commercial textile surfactant: Process optimization,process kinetics and COD fractionation

The biodegradability of surfactants is a frequent and complex issue arising both at domestic as well as industrial treatment facilities. In the present experimental study, the integrated photochemical (H₂O₂/UV-C) and biochemical (activated sludge) treatment of a commercial grade nonionic/anionic textile surfactant formulation was investigated. Photochemical baseline experiments have shown that once the initial pH and H₂O₂ dose were optimized, practically complete COD removal (COD_o = 500 ± 30 mg L⁻¹) could be achieved. Once the COD was elevated to values being typical for the textile fabric preparation stage, treatment efficiency was seriously retarded provided that the photochemical treatment conditions remained constant. Moreover, a definite relationship existed between H₂O₂ consumption and COD removal for H₂O₂/UV-C advanced oxidation of the textile surfactant. In the second part of the study, COD abatement was modeled for the biodegradation of untreated and photochemically pretreated textile surfactant formulation according to their COD fractions. Results have indicated that the readily biodegradable and rapidly hydrolysable COD fractions of the textile surfactant solution could be appreciably increased upon exposure to an optimum H₂O₂ concentration (60 mM; i.e. 2.1 g H₂O₂ (g COD_o)⁻¹) and extended UV-C irradiation times (i.e. 90 and 120 min).     

Investigations of nickel(II) removal from aqueous solutions using tea factory waste

This paper presents the data for the effect of adsorbent dose, initial metal concentration, solution pH, agitating rate and temperature on the adsorption of nickel(II) on waste tea. Batch adsorption studies have been carried out. The equilibrium nature of nickel(II) adsorption at different temperature (25-60 degrees C) has been described by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption capacity (Q(0)) calculated from Langmuir isotherm was 15.26 mg Ni(II) g(-1) at initial pH of 4.0 at 25 degrees C. The results of the thermodynamic investigations indicate that the adsorption reactions are spontaneous (DeltaG degrees <0), slightly endothermic (DeltaH degrees > 0) and irreversible (DeltaS degrees > 0).     

PRKAR1B-AS2 Long Noncoding RNA Promotes Tumorigenesis,Survival, and Chemoresistance via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

Many long noncoding RNAs have been implicated in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We investigated the role of PRKAR1B-AS2 long noncoding RNA in ovarian cancer (OC) and chemoresistance and identified potential downstream molecular circuitry underlying its action. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas OC dataset, in vitro experiments, proteomic analysis, and a xenograft OC mouse model were implemented. Our findings indicated that overexpression of PRKAR1B-AS2 is negatively correlated with overall survival in OC patients. Furthermore, PRKAR1B-AS2 knockdown-attenuated proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells and ameliorated cisplatin and alpelisib resistance in vitro. In proteomic analysis, silencing PRKAR1B-AS2 markedly inhibited protein expression of PI3K-110α and abrogated the phosphorylation of PDK1, AKT, and mTOR, with no significant effect on PTEN. The RNA immunoprecipitation detected a physical interaction between PRKAR1B-AS2 and PI3K-110α. Moreover, PRKAR1B-AS2 knockdown by systemic administration of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine nanoparticles loaded with PRKAR1B-AS2–specific small interfering RNA enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in a xenograft OC mouse model. In conclusion, PRKAR1B-AS2 promotes tumor growth and confers chemoresistance by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Thus, targeting PRKAR1B-AS2 may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of OC patients.     

Improved social spider algorithm for large scale optimization

Artificial Intelligence Review - Heuristic algorithms can give optimal solutions for low, middle, and large scale optimization problems in an acceptable time. The social spider algorithm (SSA) is...     

Bond strength of repaired composite resins: surface treatments,adhesive systems,and composite type

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of three different surface treatments and two different adhesives on the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of repaired composites using the same or different type of resin. Twenty-four nano-hybrid (Ceram X mono-C) and 24 nanofilled (Filtek Ultimate-F) composite discs were prepared. The specimens were aged with 5000 thermocycles and randomly divided into groups according to the surface treatment methods: (a) phosphoric acid (b) Er:YAG laser and (c) aluminum trioxide particle (air abrasion). Fresh composite resins (C and F) were added to the treated surfaces with two different adhesives (two-step and one-step self-etch adhesives). Then, the specimens were aged again. The stick-shaped specimens were prepared from the discs (n = 25) and the sticks were subjected to the μTBS test. Results indicated that significant differences were found in μTBS values among the surface treatment methods. In the C groups, the highest μTBS value (41.3 ± 8.3 MPa) was recorded in the air abrasion and one-step self-etch adhesive group, which were repaired with the same kind of composite. In the F groups, the highest μTBS value was observed in the air abrasion and one-step self-etch adhesive (37.6 ± 12.3 MPa) group. The treatment with air abrasion is more effective than the others, and it may be suggested for composite repair.     

Influence of the ER,CR:YSGG laser and different irrigation methods on push-out bond strength of fiber post

Er,Cr:YSGG lasers are currently being investigated for disinfecting the root canal treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of various irrigation protocols on push-out bond strength of fiber posts. Fifty maxillary anterior teeth were divided into five groups (n = 10) according to the protocol that applied into the post space. Group-1: distilled water, Group-2: 5% NaOCl, Group-3: 2% CHX, Group-4: Er,Cr:YSGG laser (1.5 W, 20 Hz, 85 air, 75 water, 26.7 J/cm²), Group-5: Er,Cr:YSGG laser (1.25 W, 50 Hz, 34 air, 24 water, 12.7 J/cm²). Fiber posts were cemented with resin cement. The remaining part of the root, three slices were obtained from each specimen and push-out test was performed. One-way ANOVA and Duncan’s test at a 5% level of significance were used for the statistical analysis. Post space irradiation with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (1.5 W 20 Hz, 85 air, 75 water, 26.7 J/cm²) increases push-out bond strength of fiber post to root canal dentin. Further investigations are needed to establish and optimize ER,Cr:YSGG laser parameters to increase the push-out bond strength of fiber posts.     

Voltammetric characterization of selective potassium ion transfer across micro-water/1,2-dichloroethane interface facilitated by a novel calix[4]arene derivative

In this study, transfer reactions of alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions across a micro-water/1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) interface facilitated by a novel calix[4]arene derivative, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis(2′amino-methylpyridine)-26,28-dihydroxy calix[4]arene (APHC4), were investigated by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry techniques. Well-defined voltammetric behavior was obtained only for K⁺ ion among the used metal ions. The electrochemical data were used to determine the stoichiometry and the appropriate association constant of the occurring complex between K⁺ ion and APHC4. The obtained steady-state voltammograms indicated that the facilitated transfer process occurs with a TIC/TID mechanism according to 1:1 stoichiometry. The logarithm of the association constant () of K(APHC4)⁺ complex in the DCE phase was calculated to be 6.32. Also, the availability of the facilitated transfer for the design of an amperometric screening sensor for K⁺ ion was evaluated in the range of 50–500 μmol dm⁻³.     

In vitro release study of diltiazem hydrochloride from poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/sodium alginate blend microspheres

Polymeric blend microspheres of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) with sodium alginate (NaAlg) were prepared by cross‐linking with calcium ions and used to deliver a calcium channel blocker drug, diltiazem hydrochloride (DT). The prepared microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the spherical nature of the particles. Preparation conditions for the microspheres were optimized by considering the percentage entrapment efficiency, particle size, and swelling capacity. Effects of variables such as PVP/NaAlg ratio, molecular weight of PVP, cross‐linker concentration, and drug/polymer ratio on the release of DT were discussed at two different pH values (1.2, 6.8) at 37°C. It was observed that DT release from the microspheres decreased with increasing molecular weight of PVP and extent of cross‐linking. However, DT release increased with increasing PVP content and drug/polymer ratio (d/p) of the blend microspheres. The highest DT release percentage was obtained as 99% for PVP/NaAlg ratio of 1/2 with d/p ratio of 1/2 at the end of 4 h. It was also observed from release results that DT delivery from the microspheres through the external medium are much higher at low pH (1.2) value than that of high pH (6.8) value. The drug release from the microspheres mostly followed Fickian transport. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008