Deposits from evaporating emulsion drops

The processes in which droplets evaporate from solid surfaces, leaving behind distinct deposition patterns, have been studied extensively for variety of solutions. In this work, by combining different microscopy techniques (confocal fluorescence, video and Raman) we investigate pattern formation and evaporation-induced phase change in drying oil-in-water emulsion drops. This combination of techniques allows us to perform drop shape analysis while visualizing the internal emulsion structure simultaneously. We observe that drying of the continuous water phase of emulsion drops on hydrophilic surfaces favors the formation of ring-like zones depleted of oil droplets at the contact line, which originate from geometrical confinement of oil droplets by the meniscus. From such a depletion zone, a “coffee ring” composed of surfactant molecules forms as the water evaporates. On all surfaces drying induces emulsion destabilization by coalescence of oil droplets, commencing at the drop periphery. For hydrophobic surfaces, the coalescence of the oil droplets leads to a uniform oil film spreading out from the initial contact line. The evaporation dynamics of these composite drops indicate that the water in the continuous phase of the emulsion drops evaporates predominantly by diffusion through the vapor, showing no large differences to the evaporation of simple water drops

“This is not life, this is just vegetation” — Lived experiences of long-term care in Europe's largest psychiatric home

Purpose: Understanding the experiences of long-term care (LTC) may help to improve care by assisting mental health professionals and allowing mental health policies to be customized more effectively. Design and Methods: Semistructured interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings: Three main themes emerged as a result: 1. Perception of selves, 2. Experience and representation of the institution, 3. Maintenance of safe spaces. Practice Implications: Communication with patients, investigation of their identity processes, and relationship toward their past and present self during LTC might aid in well-being and sense of congruency in their identities. Nurses should encourage patients to keep connected with their memories and past selves through different activities. © 2021 The Authors. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care published by Wiley Periodicals LL

Surface-Mediated Molecular Transport of a Lipophilic Fluorescent Probe in Polydisperse Oil-in-Water Emulsions

Emulsions often act as carriers for water-insoluble solutes that are delivered to a specific target. The molecular transport of solutes in emulsions can be facilitated by surfactants and is often limited by diffusion through the continuous phase. We here investigate this transport on a molecular scale by using a lipophilic molecular rotor as a proxy for solutes. Using fluorescence lifetime microscopy we track the transport of these molecules from the continuous phase toward the dispersed phase in polydisperse oil-in-water emulsions. We show that this transport comprises two time scales, which vary significantly with droplet size and surfactant concentration, and, depending on the type of surfactant used, can be limited either by transport across the oil-water interface or by diffusion through the continuous phase. By studying the time-resolved fluorescence of the fluorophore, accompanied by molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate how the rate of transport observed on a macroscopic scale can be explained in terms of the local environment that the probe molecules are exposed to.</p

Liver transplantation is a preferable alternative to palliative therapy for selected patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the traditional criteria (advanced HCC) are typically offered palliation, which is associated with a 3-year survival rate lower than 30%. This study aimed to describe the outcomes for a subset of patients with advanced HCC who satisfied the Extended Toronto Criteria (ETC) and were listed for liver transplantation (LT). Materials & Methods: All patients listed in the Toronto liver transplant program with HCC beyond both the Milan and University of California, San Francisco criteria were included in this study. Data were extracted from the prospectively collected electronic database. All radiological images were reviewed by two independent radiologists. The primary endpoint was patient survival. Results: Between January 1999 and August 2014, 96 patients with advanced HCC were listed for LT, and 62 (65%) of these patients received bridging therapy while on the waiting list. Bridging therapy led to a significant reduction in tumor progression (p=0.02) and tumor burden (p <0.001). The majority of those listed underwent LT (n=69, 72%). Both tumor progression on waiting list (HR 4.973 [1.599 – 15.464], p=0.006) and peak AFP ≥400ng/ml (HR 4.604 [1.660 – 12.768], p=0.003) were independently associated with waiting list dropout. Post-LT HCC recurrence occurred in 35% (n=24). Among those with HCC recurrence, survival was significantly better for those who received curative treatment (p=0.004). The overall actuarial survival rates from the listing were 76% at 1 year, 56% at 3 years, and 47% at 5 years, and the corresponding rates from LT were 93%, 71%, and 66%. Conclusion: LT provides significantly better survival rates than palliation for patients with selected advanced HCC

Mapping the Complex Morphology of Cell Interactions with Nanowire Substrates Using FIB-SEM

Using high resolution focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) we study the details of cell-nanostructure interactions using serial block face imaging. 3T3 Fibroblast cellular monolayers are cultured on flat glass as a control surface and on two types of nanostructured scaffold substrates made from silicon black (Nanograss) with low- and high nanowire density. After culturing for 72 hours the cells were fixed, heavy metal stained, embedded in resin, and processed with FIB-SEM block face imaging without removing the substrate. The sample preparation procedure, image acquisition and image post-processing were specifically optimised for cellular monolayers cultured on nanostructured substrates. Cells display a wide range of interactions with the nanostructures depending on the surface morphology, but also greatly varying from one cell to another on the same substrate, illustrating a wide phenotypic variability. Depending on the substrate and cell, we observe that cells could for instance: break the nanowires and engulf them, flatten the nanowires or simply reside on top of them. Given the complexity of interactions, we have categorised our observations and created an overview map. The results demonstrate that detailed nanoscale resolution images are required to begin understanding the wide variety of individual cells' interactions with a structured substrate. The map will provide a framework for light microscopy studies of such interactions indicating what modes of interactions must be considered

Airway Epithelial Cultures of Children with Esophageal Atresia as a Model to Study Respiratory Tract Disorders

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a rare birth defect in which respiratory tract disorders are a major cause of morbidity. It remains unclear whether respiratory tract disorders are in part caused by alterations in airway epithelial cell functions such as the activity of motile cilia. This can be studied using airway epithelial cell culture models of patients with EA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility to culture and functionally characterize motile cilia function in the differentiated air–liquid interface cultured airway epithelial cells and 3D organoids derived from nasal brushings and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from children with EA. We demonstrate the feasibility of culturing differentiated airway epithelia and organoids of nasal brushings and BAL fluid of children with EA, which display normal motile cilia function. EA patient-derived airway epithelial cultures can be further used to examine whether alterations in epithelial functions contribute to respiratory disorders in EA