In situ gelling systems based on Pluronic F127/Pluronic F68 formulations for ocular drug delivery

This study evaluated the use of Pluronic F127 and Pluronic F68 as excipients for formulating in situ gelling systems for ocular drug delivery. Thermal transitions have been studied in aqueous solutions of Pluronic F127, Pluronic F68 as well as their binary mixtures using differential scanning calorimetry, rheological measurements, and dynamic light scattering. It was established that the formation of transparent gels at physiologically relevant temperatures is observed only in the case of 20 wt % of Pluronic F127. The addition of Pluronic F68 to Pluronic F127 solutions increases the gelation temperature of binary formulation to above physiological range of temperatures. The biocompatibility evaluation of these formulations using slug mucosa irritation assay and bovine corneal erosion studies revealed that these polymers and their combinations do not cause significant irritation. In vitro drug retention study on glass surfaces and freshly excised bovine cornea showed superior performance of 20 wt % Pluronic F127 compared to other formulations. In addition, in vivo studies in rabbits demonstrated better retention performance of 20 wt % Pluronic F127 compared to Pluronic F68. These results confirmed that 20 wt % Pluronic F127 offers an attractive ocular formulation that can form a transparent gel in situ under physiological conditions with minimal irritation.

Earth's ion upflow associated with polar cap patches: global and in-situ observations

We report simultaneous global monitoring of a patch of ionization and in situ observation of ion upflow at the center of the polar cap region during a geomagnetic storm. Our observations indicate strong fluxes of upwelling O+ ions originating from frictional heating produced by rapid antisunward flow of the plasma patch. The statistical results from the crossings of the central polar cap region by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F16–F18 from 2010 to 2013 confirm that the field-aligned flow can turn upward when rapid antisunward flows appear, with consequent significant frictional heating of the ions, which overcomes the gravity effect. We suggest that such rapidly moving patches can provide an important source of upwelling ions in a region where downward flows are usually expected. These observations give new insight into the processes of ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling.

Assessing the diurnal evolution of surface radiation balance over the western region of Tropical Atlantic Ocean using in situ measurements carried out during the FluTuA balance Project

In this work, the diurnal evolution of the radiation balance components over the tropical Atlantic Ocean is described and analysed. The analysis is based on measurements carried Out on board a Brazilian Navy ship during the observational campaign of the FluTuA Project (`Fluxos Turbulentos sobre o Atlantico`), from 15 to 23 May 2002. The observations indicated that the albedo responds its expected to atmospheric attenuation effects with a diurnal evolution similar to the Fresnel albedo. In general, the observed longwave radiation values agreed better with the estimated values obtained without longwave reflection. In agreement with the literature, the average surface emissivity was around 0.97. The net radiation, estimated from published equations for albedo, atmospheric transmissivity and surface emissivity, agreed with the observations, indicating that these parameters are representative of the radiometric properties of the air-sea interface in the region between Natal (6 degrees S, 35.2 degrees W) and the Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo Archipelago (1 degrees N, 29.3 degrees W). Copyright (C) 2008 Royal Meteorological Society

Chromosomal studies in four species of genus Chaunus (Bufonidae, Anura): localization of telomeric and ribosomal sequences after fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using telomeric and ribosomal sequences was performed in four species of toad genus Chaunus: C. ictericus, C. jimi, C. rubescens and C. schneideri. Analyses based on conventional, C-banding and Ag-NOR staining were also carried out. The four species present a 2n = 22 karyotype, composed by metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes, which were indistinguishable either after conventional staining or banding techniques. Constitutive heterochromatin was predominantly located at pericentromeric regions, and telomeric sequences (TTAGGG)(n) were restricted to the end of all chromosomes. Silver staining revealed Ag-NORs located at the short arm of pair 7, and heteromorphism in size of NOR signals was also observed. By contrast, FISH with ribosomal probes clearly demonstrated absence of any heteromorphism in size of rDNA sequences, suggesting that the difference observed after Ag-staining should be attributed to differences in chromosomal condensation and/or gene activity rather than to the number of ribosomal cistrons.

High frequency of immature dendritic cells and altered in situ production of interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in lung cancer

Introduction Antigen-presenting cells, like dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, play a significant role in the induction of an immune response and an imbalance in the proportion of macrophages, immature and mature DCs within the tumor could affect significantly the immune response to cancer. DCs and macrophages can differentiate from monocytes, depending on the milieu, where cytokines, like interleukin (IL)-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induce DC differentiation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha induce DC maturation. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze by immunohistochemistry the presence of DCs (S100+ or CD1a+), macrophages (CD68+), IL-4 and TNF-alpha within the microenvironment of primary lung carcinomas. Results Higher frequencies of both immature DCs and macrophages were detected in the tumor-affected lung, when compared to the non-affected lung. Also, TNF-alpha-positive cells were more frequent, while IL-4-positive cells were less frequent in neoplastic tissues. This decreased frequency of mature DCs within the tumor was further confirmed by the lower frequency of CD14-CD80+ cells in cell suspensions obtained from the same lung tissues analyzed by flow cytometry. Conclusion These data are discussed and interpreted as the result of an environment that does not oppose monocyte differentiation into DCs, but that could impair DC maturation, thus affecting the induction of effective immune responses against the tumor.

In situ X-ray diffraction studies of phase transition in Pb1-x La x Zr0.40Ti0.60O3 ferroelectric ceramics

The temperature dependence of the crystalline structure and the lattice parameters of Pb1-xLaxZr0.40Ti0.60O3 ferroelectric ceramic system with 0.00 x 0.21 was determined. The samples with x 0.11 show a cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition at the maximum dielectric permittivity, Tmax. Above this amount and especially for the x = 0.12 sample, a spontaneous phase transition from a relaxor ferroelectric state (cubic phase) to a ferroelectric state (tetragonal phase) is observed upon cooling below the Tmax. Unlike what has been reported in other studies, the x = 0.13, 0.14, and 0.15 samples, which present a more pronounced relaxor behavior, also presents a spontaneous normal-to-relaxor transition, indicated by a cubic to tetragonal symmetry below the Tmax. The origin of this anomaly has been associated with an increase in the degree of tetragonality, confirmed by the measurements of the X-ray diffraction patterns. The differential thermal analysis (DSC) measurements also confirm the existence of these phase transitions.

In situ impedance spectroscopy study of the electrochemical corrosion of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V in simulated body fluid at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C

The corrosion resistance of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V was investigated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, potentiodynamic polarisation curves and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The tests were done in Hank solution at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C. The EIS measurements were done at the open circuit potential at specific immersion times. An increase of the resistance as a function of the immersion time was observed, for Ti (at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C), and for Ti-6Al-4V (at 25 degrees C), which was interpreted as the formation and growth of a passive film on the metallic surfaces. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adsorption Behavior of 5-Fluorouracil on Au(111): An In Situ STM Study

The biological effects of chemical substitution of DNA bases triggered several investigations of their physicochemical properties This paper studies the adsorption behavior of a halogenated uracil, 5-fluorouracil (5FU). at the electrochemical interface of Au(111) and sulfuric acid solution. Upon modulation of the electric field across the interface, four distinct phases could be inferred by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) At negative potentials relative to the SCE electrode, limited by the threshold of hydrogen evolution, no molecular species could be detected by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at the reconstructed Au(111)-(23 x root 3) surface, indicating that any physisorbed molecules are randomly distributed Incursion into more positive potentials increases the surface population but doer not form any two-dimensional (2D) physisorbed ordered structure Instead, we observed metastable structures that are only detectable. on surfaces with high defect density At sufficiently high positive potentials. limited by gold oxidation, the molecules are chemisorbed in a (3 x 2 root 3) ordered structure. with the aromatic ring perpendicular to the surface We report the densest chemisorbed monolayer for pyrimidine-derivative molecules (area per molecule 0 14 +/- 0 04 nm(2)). A comparison of the adsorption behavior of uracil derivatives has been made based on recent results of chemical substitution and solvent effects. We propose that pi-stacking is enhanced when halogens are incorporated in the uracil structure, in a similar fashion to what is observed in then crystal structure

Microgranitic Enclaves as Products of Self-mixing Events: a Study of Open-system Processes in the Maua Granite, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Based on in situ Isotopic and Trace Elements in Plagioclase

Felsic microgranular enclaves with structures indicating that they interacted in a plastic state with their chemically similar host granite are abundant in the Maua Pluton, SE Brazil. Larger plagioclase xenocrysts are in textural disequilibrium with the enclave groundmass and show complex zoning patterns with partially resorbed An-rich cores (locally with patchy textures) surrounded by more sodic rims. In situ laser ablation-(multi-collector) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry trace element and Sr isotopic analyses performed on the plagioclase xenocrysts indicate open-system crystallization; however, no evidence of derivation from more primitive basic melts is observed. The An-rich cores have more radiogenic initial Sr isotopic ratios that decrease towards the outermost part of the rims, which are in isotopic equilibrium with the matrix plagioclase. These profiles may have been produced by either (1) diffusional re-equilibration after rim crystallization from the enclave-forming magma, as indicated by relatively short calculated residence times, or (2) episodic contamination with a decrease of the contaminant ratio proportional to the extent to which the country rocks were isolated by the crystallization front. Profiles of trace elements with high diffusion coefficients would require unrealistically long residence times, and can be modeled in terms of fractional crystallization. A combination of trace element and Sr isotope data suggests that the felsic microgranular enclaves from the Maua Pluton are the products of interaction between end-member magmas that had similar compositions, thus recording `self-mixing` events.

In situ generation of n-butanethiol and its reaction with electron-deficient olefines

n-Butanethiol is generated in situ by sequential addition of n-butyllithium and water to elemental sulfur. The n-butanethiol formed was reacted with electron-deficient olefines to give Michael-type addition products in good yields. The method avoids the manipulation of the bad-smelling n-butanethiol.

Effect of Calcium Pre-rinse and Fluoride Dentifrice on Enamel and on Dental Plaque Formed In Situ

Purpose: The aim of this in situ double-blind randomised crossover study was to investigate the effect of calcium (Ca) pre-rinse on the composition of plaque and on enamel prior to the use of fluoride (F) dentifrice. Materials and Methods: During four phases (14 days each) of this study, 10 volunteers had agreed to wear dental appliances containing two healthy bovine enamel blocks. A fresh solution containing 20% weight/volume (w/v) sucrose was dripped on the enamel blocks ex vivo for 5 min three times a day. Subsequently, the appliances were replaced in the mouth, and the volunteers rinsed their mouth with 10 mL of a Ca (150 mmol/L) or a placebo rinse (1 min). In sequence, a slurry (1:3 w/v) of F (1030 ppm) or placebo dentifrice was dripped onto the blocks ex vivo for 1 min. During this time, the volunteers brushed their teeth with the respective dentifrice. The appliances were replaced in the mouth, and the volunteers rinsed their mouth with water. The plaque formed on the blocks was analysed for F and Ca. The enamel demineralisation as well as the incorporation of F on enamel was evaluated by cross-sectional microhardness and alkali-soluble F analysis, respectively. Data were tested using analysis of variance (P < 0.05). Results: The Ca pre-rinse prior to the use of the F dentifrice led to a three- and sixfold increase in the plaque F and Ca concentrations, respectively. It also did not have any additive effect on the F content on the enamel and the demineralisation of the enamel, in comparison with the use of F dentifrice alone. Conclusions: A Ca lactate rinse used prior to the F dentifrice was able to change the mineral content in the plaque, but it was unable to prevent enamel demineralisation.

PtSnCe/C electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation: DEFC and FTIR ""in-situ"" studies

The ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) was investigated using PtSnCe/C electrocatalysts in different mass ratios (72:23:5, 68:22:10 and 64:21:15) that were prepared by the polymeric precursor method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the particles ranged in size from approximately 2 to 5 nm. Changes in the net parameters observed for Pt suggest the incorporation of Sn and Ce into the Pt crystalline network with the formation of an alloy between Pt, Sn and/or Ce. Among the PtSnCe catalysts investigated, the 68:22:10 composition showed the highest activity toward ethanol oxidation, and the current time curves obtained in the presence of ethanol in acidic media showed a current density 50% higher than that observed for commercial PtSn/C (E-Tek). During the experiments performed on single direct ethanol fuel cells, the power density for the PtSnCe/C 68:22:10 anode was nearly 40% higher than the one obtained using the commercial catalyst. Data from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that the observed behavior for ethanol oxidation may be explained in terms of a double mechanism. The presence of Sn and Ce seems to favor CO oxidation, since they produce an oxygen-containing species to oxidize acetaldehyde to acetic acid. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In Situ Infrared (FTIR) Study of the Mechanism of the Borohydride Oxidation Reaction on Smooth Pt Electrode

Although Pt has been thoroughly studied regarding its activity for the borohydride oxidation reaction (BOR), the BOR mechanism at Pt remains unclear: Depending on the applied potential, spontaneous BH(4)(-) hydrolysis can compete with the direct BOR. The goal of the present work is to provide more insight into the behavior of smooth Pt electrodes toward the BOR, by coupling in situ infrared reflectance spectroscopy with electrochemistry. The measurements were performed on a Pt electrode in 1 M NaOH/1 M NaBH(4), so as to detect the reaction intermediate species generated as a function of the applied potential. Several bands were monitored in the B-H ((v) over bar approximate to 1180, 1080, and 972 cm(-1)) and B-O ((v) over bar = 1325 and similar to 1425 cm(-1)) bond regions upon increased electrode polarization. These absorption bands, which appear sequentially and were already detected for similar measurements on Au electrodes, are assigned to BH(3), BH(2), and BO(2)(-) species. In light of these experimental data and previous results obtained in our group for Pt- or Au-based electrodes, possible initial elementary steps of the BOR on platinum electrodes are proposed and discussed according to the relevant literature data.

Analysis of tapping test results in a test battery for advanced PD patients

Objective: To compare results from various tapping tests with diary responses in advanced PD. Background: A home environment test battery for assessing patient state in advanced PD, consisting of diary assessments and motor tests was constructed for a hand computer with touch screen and mobile communication. The diary questions: 1. walking, 2. time in off , on and dyskinetic states, 3. off at worst, 4. dyskinetic at worst, 5. cramps, and 6. satisfied with function, relate to the recent past. Question 7, self-assessment, allows seven steps from -3 ( very off ) to +3 ( very dyskinetic ) and relate to right now. Tapping tests outline: 8. Alternately tapping two fields (un-cued) with right hand 9. Same as 8 but using left hand 10. Tapping an active field (out of two) following a system-generated rhythm (increasing speed) with the dominant hand 11. Tapping an active field (out of four) that randomly changes location when tapped using the dominant hand Methods: 65 patients (currently on Duodopa, or candidates for this treatment) entered diary responses and performed tapping tests four times per day during one to six periods of seven days length. In total there were 224 test periods and 6039 test occasions. Speed for tapping test 10 was discardedand tests 8 and 9 were combined by taking means. Descriptive statistics were used to present the variation of the test variables in relation to self assessment (question 7). Pearson correlation coefficients between speed and accuracy (percent correct) in tapping tests and diary responses were calculated. Results: Mean compliance (percentage completed test occasions per test period) was 83% and the median was 93%. There were large differences in both mean tapping speed and accuracy between the different self-assessed states. Correlations between diary responses and tapping results were small (-0.2 to 0.3, negative values for off-time and dyskinetic-time that had opposite scale directions). Correlations between tapping results were all positive (0.1 to 0.6). Conclusions: The diary responses and tapping results provided different information. The low correlations can partly be explained by the fact that questions related to the past and by random variability, which could be reduced by taking means over test periods. Both tapping speed and accuracy reflect the motor function of the patient to a large extent.

In situ localization associates biologically active plant natriuretic peptide immuno-analogues with conductive tissue and stomata

Plant natriuretic peptide immuno-analogues (irPNP) have previously been shown to affect a number of biological processes including stomatal guard cell movements, ion fluxes and osmoticum-dependent water transport. Tissue printing and immunofluorescent labelling techniques have been used here to study the tissue and cellular localization of irPNP in ivy (Hedera helix L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Polyclonal antibodies active against human atrial natriuretic peptide (anti-hANP) and antibodies against irPNP from potato (anti-StPNP) were used for immunolabelling. Tissue prints revealed that immunoreactants are concentrated in vascular tissues of leaves, petioles and stems. Phloem-associated cells, xylem cells and parenchymatic xylem cells showed the strongest immunoreaction. Immunofluorescent microscopy with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG supported this finding and, furthermore, revealed strong labelling to stomatal guard cells and the adjacent apoplastic space as well. Biologically active immunoreactants were also detected in xylem exudates of a soft South African perennial forest sage (Plectranthus ciliatus E. Mey ex Benth.) thus strengthening the evidence for a systemic role of the protein. In summary, in situ cellular localization is consistent with physiological responses elicited by irPNPs reported previously and is indicative of a systemic role in plant homeostasis.