Role of kosmotrope-chaotrope interactions at micelle surfaces on the stabilization of lyotropic nematic phases

Three lyotropic quaternary systems of ionic surfactants were prepared to investigate the role of kosmotrope-chaotrope interactions at the micelle surfaces on stabilizing the different nematic phases. The ionic surfactants were potassium laurate (KL), sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TDTMABr), where KL is a kosmotrope surfactant, and others are chaotrope. The first system consisted of KL/decanol (DeOH)/water/alkali sulfate and the second of SDS/DeOH/water/alkali sulfate. The third system was prepared by adding sodium salts of chaotropic or kosmotropic anions to the primary mixture of TDTMABr/DeOH/water, separately. The characteristic textures of discotic nematic (N D), biaxial nematic (N B) and calamitic nematic (N C) phases were identified under polarizing light microscope. Laser conoscopy was employed to determine the uniaxial-to-biaxial phase transitions. The kosmotrope-kosmotrope or chaotrope-chaotrope interactions between the head groups of the surfactants and the ions of the electrolytes led to the stabilization of the N D phase. On the other hand, kosmotrope-chaotrope interactions stabilize the N B and/or N C phases

Is there a relation between duration of cyclosporine usage and right and left ventricular function in renal transplant patients?: Tissue Doppler echocardiography study

Background. Our aim was to investigate the effect of cyclosporine (CsA), which is commonly used in renal transplant patients and causes myocardial fibrosis and elevated arterial tension, on cardiac function

Does the endothelial function change in renal transplant patients with longer duration of exposure and with higher cumulative doses of cyclosporine?

Objective. Administration of cyclosporine (CsA) is one potential cause of endothelial dysfunction in renal transplant patients. We sought to investigate endothelial functional changes with respect to the cumulative dose and duration of exposure to CsA

Fabry Disease Prevalence in Renal Replacement Therapy in Turkey

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder resulting from lack of alpha-galactosidase A (AGALA) activity in lysosomes. Objective: In this multicenter study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of FD in renal transplant (Tx) recipients in Turkey. We also screened dialysis patients as a control group. Methods: All Tx and dialysis patients were screened regardless of the presence of a primary disease. We measured the AGALA activity in all male patients as initial analysis. Mutation analysis was performed in male patients with decreased AGALA activity and in female patients as the initial diagnostic assay. Results: We screened 5,657 patients. A total of 17 mutations were identified. No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the prevalence of patients with mutation. We found FD even in patients with presumed primary kidney diseases. Seventy-one relatives were analyzed and mutation was detected in 43 of them. We detected a patient with a new, unknown mutation (p.Cys223) in the GLA gene. Conclusions: There are important implications of the screening. First, detection of the undiagnosed patients leads to starting appropriate therapies for these patients. Second, the transmission of the disease to future generations may be prevented by prenatal screening after appropriate genetic counseling. In conclusion, we suggest screening of kidney Tx candidates for FD, regardless of etiologies of chronic kidney disease. (C) 2019 S. Karger AG, Base