Vesicle formation in mixture of a PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer (Pluronic P123) and a nonionic surfactant (Span 65) in water

Fabrication of vesicles with the diameter of 4-30 mu m was achieved by mixing hydrophobic nonionic surfactant (Span 65) with a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer (Pluronic P123) in aqueous solutions at room temperature. Ring-shaped structure of the Plutonic P123/Span 65 mixture assemblies was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The presence of internal aqueous phase in the Pluronic P123/Span 65 mixture assemblies was determined by measuring the entrapment efficiency of calcein using fluorescence spectroscopy. On the other hand, Pluronic P123/Span 60 mixture system formed wire-like assemblies but not vesicles.ArticleCOLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS. 389(1-3):82-89 (2011)journal articl

Influence of Cu2O Addition on Crystallization Process and Microstructure of Transparent Mica Glass-Ceramics

ArticleKey Engineering Materials. 617: 209-212 (2014)journal articl

Titania/C-n TAB Nanoskeleton as adsorbent and photocatalyst for removal of alkylphenols dissolved in water

We report here on the removal of alkylphenols (phenol, 4-n-propylphenol, 4-n-heptylphenol and 4-nonylphenol) dissolved in water using the composite particles of nanocrystalline titania and alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (CnH2n+1N(CH3)(3)Br, C(n)TAB; n = 12, 14, 16 and 18) (named as TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton) as adsorbents and photocatalysts. In particular, the adsorption of alkylphenols onto TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton in water was investigated in terms of hydrophobic interaction between alkylphenols and C(n)TAB, surface area, pore structure and crystal size of TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton. We revealed that C(n)TAB incorporated in the TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton promotes the adsorption of alkylphenols onto TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton due to the hydrophobic interaction between alkylphenols and C(n)TAB. On the other hand, the surface area, pore structure and crystal size of TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton did not affect the adsorption of allcylphenols onto TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton. We also found that the alkylphenols dissolved in water were completely removed by the combination of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation by the TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton under UV irradiation. These results prove that the TiO2/C(n)TAB Nanoskeleton acts as in tandem an adsorbent and a photocatalyst for removal of alkylphenols dissolved in water.ArticleJOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. 248:487-495 (2013)journal articl

Preparation and Characterization of Deposited Tetraethylorthosilicate-SiO2/SiC MIS Structure

The SiO2 layer was deposited on the 4H-SiC Si face by the thermal decomposition of tetraethylorthosilicate(TEOS) in N2 atmosphere to from MIS diodes. The post deposition annealing was effective to improve the interface properties. The interface state density of the deposited SiO2/SiC MIS structure was estimated to be the order of 1011 cm-2eV-1 by Terman method. The direct nitridation of SiC surface prior to the deposition of the SiO2 layer was effective to reduce the interface state density.ArticleMaterials Science Forum, Vols. 740-742, pp. 805-808 (2013)journal articl

Block copolymer-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles in aqueous solutions: Segment effect on gold ion reduction, stabilization, and particle morphology

We report here on the segment effects of poly(ethylene oxide)-containing block copolymers (PEO-BCP) on the reduction activity for tetrachloride gold(III) ([AuCl4](-)), interfacial activity for gold surface, colloidal stability, and morphology of gold nanoparticles formed in aqueous solutions. In particular, the effects of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), polyethylene (PE) segments and amino group (NH2) on the rate of [AuCl4](-) reduction, adsorption of PEO-BCP onto gold surface, colloidal stability, and morphology of gold nanoparticles formed in aqueous solutions were examined using a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) triblock copolymer (PEO-PPO-PEO, Pluronic L44), an amino-terminated poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) block copolymer (PEO-PPO-NH2, SURFONAMINE(R) L-207), a poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer (PEO, poly(ethylene glycol)2000), and a polyethylene-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer (PE-PEO). We found that the reduction activity of PEO-BCP for [AuCl4](-) became higher with the order of PEO-PPO-NH2 < PE-PEO < PEO < PEO-PPO-PEO. The interfacial activity (affinity) of PEO-BCP for gold surface increased with the order of PEO < PE-PEO < PEO-PPO-PEO < PEO-PPO-NH2. Consequently, the colloidal stability of gold nanoparticles formed in aqueous PEO-PPO-NH2 solutions was extremely high compared with that in PEO, PEO-PPO-PEO, and PE-PEO solutions. In addition, the size of gold nanoparticles formed in aqueous PEO-PPO-NH2 solutions was much smaller than that in aqueous solutions of PEO-PPO-PEO, PEO or PE-PEO.ArticleJOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE. 394:124-131 (2013)journal articl

Bony fragment of apophyseal ring fracture

In this paper, we present 2 cases of herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) combined with the residual bony fragment of apophyseal ring fracture. HNP typically exists at the narrow lateral recess formed by the bony fragment, and so it has been reported that symptoms may persist. Case 1 was a 22-year-old man, a high-level javelin thrower and Paralympic athlete. He had a history of persistent pain for 4 years due to HNP, and so we performed surgical removal. Case 2 was a 23-year-old male professional baseball player. He was referred to us only 17 days after the onset of pain and presented with muscle weakness, a feature which may prolong the clinical course in addition other features such as pain. Thus, we performed a comparatively quick intervention of surgical removal. In both cases, we had excellent clinical outcomes and better function and performance. In conclusion, in cases with HNP and apophyseal ring separation, surgical intervention in the comparatively early phase can be recommended, particularly if the patients desire quick return to their original level of activity

Comparison of supraglottic airway versus endotracheal intubation for the pre-hospital treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

10.1186/cc10483Critical Care155R23

Comparison of supraglottic airway versus endotracheal intubation for the pre-hospital treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Introduction: Both supraglottic airway devices (SGA) and endotracheal intubation (ETI) have been used by emergency life-saving technicians (ELST) in Japan to treat out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). Despite traditional emphasis on airway management during cardiac arrest, its impact on survival from OHCA and time dependent effectiveness remains unclear.Methods: All adults with witnessed, non-traumatic OHCA, from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008, treated by the emergency medical services (EMS) with an advanced airway in Osaka, Japan were studied in a prospective Utstein-style population cohort database. The primary outcome measure was one-month survival with neurologically favorable outcome. The association between type of advanced airway (ETI/SGA), timing of device placement and neurological outcome was assessed by multiple logistic regression.Results: Of 7,517 witnessed non-traumatic OHCAs, 5,377 cases were treated with advanced airways. Of these, 1,679 were ETI while 3,698 were SGA. Favorable neurological outcome was similar between ETI and SGA (3.6% versus 3.6%, P = 0.95). The time interval from collapse to ETI placement was significantly longer than for SGA (17.2 minutes versus 15.8 minutes, P < 0.001). From multivariate analysis, early placement of an advanced airway was significantly associated with better neurological outcome (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) for one minute delay, 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88 to 0.95). ETI was not a significant predictor (AOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.30) but the presence of an ETI certified ELST (AOR, 1.86, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.34) was a significant predictor for favorable neurological outcome.Conclusions: There was no difference in neurologically favorable outcome from witnessed OHCA for ETI versus SGA. Early airway management with advanced airway regardless of type and rhythm was associated with improved outcomes.Kajino, K., Iwami, T., Kitamura, T. et al. Comparison of supraglottic airway versus endotracheal intubation for the pre-hospital treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Crit Care 15, R236 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/cc1048