Specific interactions within micelle microenvironment in different charged dye/surfactant systems

AbstractThe interactions of two ionic dyes, Crystal Violet and Methyl Orange, with different charged surfactants and also with a nonionic surfactant were investigated using surface tension measurements and visible spectroscopy in pre-micellar and post-micellar regions. It was found that for the water dominant phase systems the dye was localized between the polar heads, at the exterior of the direct micelle shells for all the systems. For the oil dominant phase systems, in case of the same charged dye/surfactant couples, the dye was localized in the micelle shell between the hydrocarbon chain of the surfactant nearby the hydrophilic head groups while for nonionic surfactant and oppositely charged dye/surfactant, localization of dye was between the oxyethylenic head groups towards the interior of the micelle core. Mixed aggregates of the dye and surfactant (below the critical micellar concentration of cationic surfactant), dye-surfactant ion pair and surfactant-micelles were present. The values of equilibrium constants (for TX-114/MO and TX-114/CV systems were 0.97 and 0.98, respectively), partition coefficients between the micellar and bulk water phases and standard free energy (for the nonionic systems were −12.59kJ/mol for MO and −10.97kJ/mol for CV) were calculated for all the studied systems. The partition processes were exothermic and occurred spontaneously

Lipid dys-homeostasis contributes to APOE4-associated AD pathology

The association of the APOE4 (vs. APOE3) isoform with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is unequivocal, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. A prevailing hypothesis incriminates the impaired ability of APOE4 to clear neurotoxic amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) from the brain as the main mechanism linking the apolipoprotein isoform to disease etiology. The APOE protein mediates lipid transport both within the brain and from the brain to the periphery, suggesting that lipids may be potential co-factors in APOE4-associated physiopathology. The present study reveals several changes in the pathways of lipid homeostasis in the brains of mice expressing the human APOE4 vs. APOE3 isoform. Carriers of APOE4 had altered cholesterol turnover, an imbalance in the ratio of specific classes of phospholipids, lower levels of phosphatidylethanolamines bearing polyunsaturated fatty acids and an overall elevation in levels of monounsaturated fatty acids. These modifications in lipid homeostasis were related to increased production of Aβ peptides as well as augmented levels of tau and phosphorylated tau in primary neuronal cultures. This suite of APOE4-associated anomalies in lipid homeostasis and neurotoxic protein levels may be related to the accrued risk for AD in APOE4 carriers and provides novel insights into potential strategies for therapeutic intervention

A Characterization and Cell Toxicity Assessment of Particulate Pollutants from Road Traffic Sites in Kano State, Nigeria

Emerging African countries are characterized by explosive population growth and urbanization, which threaten environmental sustainability. This study comparatively characterized ambient aerosols and assessed cytotoxicity to facilitate improving health and environmental policy. Twenty-four air samples were collected at high and low-density traffic sites in Kano State using polysulfone and stainless steel filters attached to an automated pump. The physico-chemical properties of particulate matter were determined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). In vitro, their potential toxicity was assessed using macrophages and cell fixation with staining. Results showed 51.7% of particles as PM2.5, with the highest particle concentration in mixed sites (urban and industrial). Particle classification into four groups by elemental composition and structure showed: sand particles (Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mo, Sr, Zr) 30–51%; other fibers 0–3%; other particles (Si, Fe, S, Mo, Zn, and other metals) 22–40%; and silicone-based fibres 23–34%. The abundant elements are: Si, Al, Ca, Ce, Ti, Fe, Cl, Pb, and Mn. The lowest viability on cytotoxicity assessment was recorded in mixed site M2. The majority of households were located within 50 m of air sampling sites. Proximity to traffic sites worsens health, as evidenced in cytotoxicity findings. We recommend improved urban planning and intensification of emissions control

No Catalyst Dye Photodegradation in a Microemulsion Template

This paper proposes an innovative solution for the efficient dye degradation from water treatment plant effluent, using microemulsion assisted photodegradation without the addition of a solid catalyst. Total photodegradation of dyes was achieved using for the first time a process based on combined photocatalytic effects of the water/oil interface processes and the potential activity of ethyl acetate as a UV initiator. The catalytic effect of nanostructured fluids based on the carboxylic oil phase is an absolute scientific premiere, and microemulsion assisted photodegradation processes open a new direction to pollutants photodegradation approach, exceeding the performances of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. The phenomenological modeling, with and without initiator, on both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems showed that the photodegradation of cationic and anionic dyes in a water/nonionic surfactant/ethyl acetate microemulsion is a radical process based on a chain reaction scheme. The complete photodegradation of cationic (Crystal Violet) and anionic (Methyl Orange) dyes in the microemulsion system occurs in 25 and 20 min, respectively, after an induction period of 5 min. The surfactant was recovered and reused in four successive processes, and for the degradation of 3.23 mg dye, 1 g of surfactant was used