Description of Particle Size, Distribution, and Behavior of Talc Preparations Commercially Available Within the United States.

BACKGROUND: Widespread use of talc pleurodesis remains controversial for many providers concerned by adverse events such as respiratory failure, which are sometimes fatal. Particle talc size has been implicated in these adverse effects, mainly on the basis of animal studies utilizing large amounts of talc or in observational studies performed on different continents with different talc preparations and doses. Our aim was to determine the particle size and distribution of only the commercially available US-talc preparations and whether the fluid content can affect this distribution. METHODS: Commercially available US talc was evaluated under scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Distribution of talc particle size was obtained in saline and various protein-based solutions. RESULTS: Talc particle size by DLS was performed with commercially available Sterile Talc Powder and Sclerosol Intrapleural Aerosol. Sterile Talc Powder demonstrated a median diameter of 26.57 µm with a range of particle sizes from 0.399 µm to 100.237 µm. Sclerosol demonstrated a median diameter of 24.49 µm with a range of particle sizes from 0.224 µm to 100.237 µm. The exposure of talc to a protein rich environment (bovine serum albumin and human pleural fluid) led to the development of measureable, new, larger aggregated particle (>100 µm). CONCLUSIONS: Currently available US talc seems to have size characteristics similar to previous described "graded" talc preparations. The exposure of talc to a protein rich environment seems to modify the overall distribution of talc particle size when examined by DLS.

Preparation, characterization, and modeling of α-zirconium phosphonates with ether-functional surfaces.

Layered α-zirconium(IV) phosphonates were prepared from novel ether-terminal alkyl phosphonic acids, providing nanoplatelets with brush-like polar surfaces. The precursor materials were characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The derived nanoparticles were examined by XRD, TEM, TGA, and elemental analysis. The experimental compositions were slightly rich in organophosphorus content. In general, the layered materials had good crystallinity, with layer reflections appearing up to (005) and d-spacings consistent with the anticipated α-phase structure. Computer simulations suggest that tailored surface chemistries, including ether functionalities, will offer favorable thermodynamic interactions with polyester polymer matrices.

Collagen and bone viscoelasticity: a dynamic mechanical analysis.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of changes in Type I collagen on the viscoelasticity of bone. Bone coupons were heated at either 100 or 200 degrees C to induce the thermal denaturation of Type I collagen. Half of these specimens were rehydrated after heat treatment; the other half were tested in a dry condition. The degree of denatured collagen (DC%) was analyzed by a selective digestion technique with the use of alpha-chymotrypsin. Isothermal (37 degrees C) and variable temperature tests (scans from 35 to 200 degrees C) were performed with the use of a dynamic mechanical analyzer to evaluate changes in bone viscoelastic properties as a function of collagen damage, specifically, changes in the loss factor (tan delta) and storage modulus (E') were assessed. Significant collagen denaturation occurred only when bone was heated at 200 degrees C irrespective of the hydration condition. Also, DC% did not show a significant effect on tan delta. However, higher values of tan delta were observed in wet samples compared to dry specimens. The temperature-scan tests revealed that the hydration condition, but not DC%, significantly affected the behavior of tan delta. However, E' was not strongly influenced either by DC% or by water content. These results suggest that at a constant frequency the denaturation of collagen triple-helical molecules may have few effects on the viscoelasticity of bone, but moisture may play a prominent role in determining this property.