Interactions in the mixed micelles of monomeric and gemini surfactants: Influence of some co-solvents as a function of temperature

AbstractMixed micellar behavior of a series of m-2-m cationic gemini surfactants (where m=10, 12 and 14) with monomeric surfactants (dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetradecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) has been studied in aqueous and in aqueous n-propanol, n-butanol, tertiary butanol, propylene glycol and glycerol solutions using conductivity, surface tension, viscosity and dynamic light scattering techniques at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15K, respectively. In mixtures of 10–2–10 with monomeric surfactants, the synergistic interactions increase with the chain length of monomeric surfactants whereas the mixtures with 12–2–12 and 14–2–14 exhibit the opposite trends. However, the synergistic interactions decrease with the increase in temperature of all the mixtures. The thermodynamic and surface parameters have been evaluated and the influence of the variations in hydrophobic chain length of the surfactants and the type of the co-solvent on these parameters has been discussed. The hydrodynamic diameter increases with the chain length of the surfactants

Tubarial salivary glands on PSMA ligands based PET imaging and post 177Lu PSMA therapy scan: reiterating its importance

68Ga-PSMA PET/CT has been routinely utilized in patients with intermediate to high-risk category prostate carcinoma for staging, biochemical recurrence and before planning the PSMA radioligand therapy (RLT). 177Lu-PSMA RLT has also been approved by FDA as a novel treatment modality in metastatic carcinoma prostate patients who have failed to other lines of treatment. The non-target organs like salivary and lacrimal glands have shown to have high physiological PSMA uptake on PSMA PET/CT. Recently, strong uptake of PSMA ligand has also been noted in the dorsal wall of the nasopharynx in the region of torus tubarius on PSMA PET/CT, which has led to the identification of new pair of salivary gland structures called “tubarial salivary glands”. The clinical significance of these distinct anatomical structures lies in the fact these structures might be involved in a variety of immune related, inflammatory disorders, malignancies and could be a probable organ at risk during radiotherapy in case of head and neck malignancies, causing adverse effects to the patient

Tumor-induced osteomalacia: experience from three tertiary care centers in India

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by recalcitrant hypophosphatemia. Reports from the Indian subcontinent are scarce, with most being single center experiences involving few patients. Herein, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 30 patients of TIO diagnosed at three tertiary care hospitals in India. Patients with persistent hypophosphatemia (despite correction of hypovitaminosis D), normocalcemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase, low TmP/GFR and elevated or ‘inappropriately normal’ FGF23 levels were labeled as having TIO. They were sequentially subjected to functional followed by anatomical imaging. Patients with a well-localized tumor underwent excision; others were put on phosphorous and calcitriol supplementation. The mean age at presentation was 39.6 years with female:male ratio of 3:2. Bone pain (83.3%) and proximal myopathy (70%) were the chief complaints; 40% of cases had fractures. The mean delay in diagnosis was 3.8 years. Tumors were clinically detectable in four patients (13.3%). The mean serum phosphate was 0.50 mmol/L with a median serum FGF23 level of 518 RU/mL. Somatostatin receptor-based scintigraphy was found to be superior to FDG-PET in tumor localization. Lower extremities were the most common site of the tumor (72%). Tumor size was positively correlated with serum FGF23 levels. Twenty-two patients underwent tumor resection and 16 of them had phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors. Surgical excision led to cure in 72.7% of patients whereas disease persistence and disease recurrence were seen in 18.2% and 9.1% of cases, respectively. At the last follow-up, serum phosphate in the surgically treated group was significantly higher than in the medically managed group

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Influence of organic solvents and temperature on the micellization of conventional and gemini surfactants: a conductometric study

<p>The micellar behaviour of similar hydrophobic chain length conventional (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, CTAB; cetyl pyridinium chloride, CPC; cetyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, C16BCl) and gemini surfactant (16-2-16) in water and polar non-aqueous solvents has been investigated in the temperature range 288.15–318.15 K with the help of conductivity measurements. The method proposed by Carpena <i>et al</i>. has been used to analyse the conductivity–concentration to determine the micellization parameters using critical micelle concentration (CMC) and degree of counter-ion dissociation (α) of the micelle. It shows much better performance than the conventional methods and the effect of experimental errors on the evaluation of the micellization parameters has been shown to be minimal by using this procedure. It was observed that the micellization tendency of the surfactant decreases in the presence of solvents. Thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated from the temperature dependence of the CMC values.</p

Identification of vigorous highly fertile Sli gene donor lines for diploid F1 hybrid TPS potato breeding

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Attitude toward antipsychotics and its correlation with psychopathology and insight in patients with schizophrenia

Background: Attitude to antipsychotics is likely to affect adherence to treatment and hence the outcome in schizophrenia. Methods: The present study was conducted to assess the attitude to antipsychotics and its correlates in patients with schizophrenia. Attitude to antipsychotics, insight, and psychopathology were assessed in 331 patients with schizophrenia using standardized measures. Results: Most patients showed a positive attitude toward antipsychotics. A negative correlation was observed between attitude and severity of psychopathology, whereas a positive attitude was seen between insight and attitude. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for psychoeducation at improving insight in patients with schizophrenia so as to enhance treatment adherence and outcome

Comparison of radiography and ultrasonography in the detection of lung and liver cysts in cattle and buffaloes

Aim: Echinococcosis is the major cause of lung and liver cysts in ruminants. This study compared usefulness of radiography and ultrasonography (USG) in the detection of lung and/or liver cysts in sick bovine animals. The study also worked out cooccurrence of lung and liver cysts, and whether these cysts were primary cause of sickness or not. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 45 sick bovine (37 buffaloes and 8 cattle) suffering from lung and liver cysts. A complete history of illness and clinical examination was carried out. Lateral radiographs of chest and reticular region were taken. In radiographically positive or suspected cases of cysts, USG of the lung and liver region was done. Depending on the location of cyst and clinical manifestations of the animal, the cysts were categorized as primary or secondary causes of sickness. Results: Using either imaging technique, it was observed that 46.7% of the animals had both lung and liver cysts, whereas 33.3% had only lung and 20% had only liver cyst. Cysts were identified as primary cause of sickness in 31.1% animals only. For diagnosing lung cysts, radiography (71.1%) and USG (62.2%) had similar diagnostic utility. However, for detecting liver cysts, USG was the only imaging tool. Conclusion: The lung and liver cysts, depending on their number and size may be a primary cause of sickness in bovine. Radiography and USG are recommended, in combination, as screening tools to rule out echinococcosis