Influence of n-alkyl acids on the percolative phenomena in AOT-based microemulsions.

A study was carried out on the influence of the n-alkyl acid addition on the electric percolation of AOT/iso-octane/water microemulsions ([AOT] = 0.5 M and W= [H(2)O]/[AOT] = 22.2). The observed influence has been explained taking into account the organic nature of these molecules and, hence, their capacity of disturbing the structure of the AOT-film. For these reasons, relationships with their molecular structure (chain length) were analysed.

Simultaneous effect of microemulsions and phase-transfer agents on aminolysis reactions.

The catalytic effect of triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (glyme) on the butylaminolysis of 4-nitrophenylcaprate (NPC) in water/AOT/chlorobenzene microemulsions has been studied. Experimental results show the existence of four simultaneous reaction pathways. One of them takes place at the microemulsion interphase where the rate-determining step of butylaminolysis is the formation of the addition intermediate, T+/-. The locus of the other three pathways is the continuous medium of the microemulsion. These three pathways consist of the decomposition of the addition intermediate catalyzed by butylamine, by glyme, and by both of them. The kinetic model allows us to obtain the value of every rate and distribution constant involved in the overall reaction mechanism. We must emphasize that the reactions located in the continuous medium exhibit a kinetic behavior similar to the corresponding one found in pure chlorobenzene. On the basis of the pseudophase model, the percentage of reaction in each of the microdomains of the microemulsion has been calculated. Likewise, changes in the loci of reaction from the interphase to the continuous medium as a function of catalyst concentration have been proved.

Ester aminolysis by morpholine in AOT-based water-in-oil microemulsions.

A kinetic study of the aminolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate (NPA) by morpholine (MOR) in AOT/isooctane/water (w/o) microemulsions was conducted. Based on the solubilities of NPA and MOR in water and isooctane, both compounds partition between the continuous medium, interface and water microdroplets of the microemulsion. Because the rate of the aminolysis reaction decreases with decreasing polarity of the solvent, the reaction must take place to a negligible extent in the continuous medium relative to the interface and the aqueous microdroplets. We used the pseudo-phase model to determine the rate constants at the interface, k(2)(i), and in the water microdroplets, k(2)(w). Both k(2)(i) and k(2)(w) were found to be independent of W in the aminolysis of NPA by MOR. This is a result of the expected increase in k(2)(w) on decreasing W being offset by the decrease in k(2)(i) with increase in the water content of the system. Based on the results, the reaction takes place to an extent of only 16% in the water microdroplets at W=40, the proportion decreasing with decreasing water content.

Influence of glymes upon percolative phenomena in AOT-based microemulsions.

A study was carried out on the influence of different polyethylene glycol dimethyl ethers (glymes) on the conductance percolation of AOT/isooctane/water microemulsions. The glymes used were chosen on the basis of this chain length (the number of polymeric units). In all cases we observed a decrease in the percolation threshold on increasing the amount of a glyme added to the microemulsion. We observed a correlation between the effect exerted by the glyme and its chain length, which shows the importance of including them in the interface for the percolative phenomenon. Such inclusion modifies the properties of the AOT film, facilitating the exchange of matter between droplets.

Influence of anionic surfactants on the electric percolation of AOT/isooctane/water microemulsions.

A study was carried out concerning the influence of sodium alkyl sulfonates on the electric percolation of AOT/isooctane/water microemulsions ([AOT] = 0.5 M and W = [H2O]/[AOT] = 22.2). An important effect was observed with regard to the percolation temperature caused by the addition of small quantities of alkyl sulfonates (rho = [alkyl sulfonate]/[AOT] = 0.01). The short chain alkyl sulfonates (C3-C5) cause an increase in the percolation temperature, which in turn is reduced as we increase the chain length of the additive until we obtain a percolation temperature which is lower than that which is observed in the absence of an additive (C6-C8). For hydrocarbon chains of a greater length we can observe a new increase in the percolation temperature (C10-C18). This behavior has been explained as a consequence of (i) the incorporation of the additives at the interphase of the microemulsion and (ii) the geometric parameters of the different surfactants added to the microemulsion.

Alternate cadmium exposure differentially affects amino acid metabolism within the hypothalamus, median eminence, striatum and prefrontal cortex of male rats.

This work was designed to analyze the possible changes in glutamate, aspartate and glutamine content induced by cadmium exposure in the hypothalamus, striatum and prefrontal cortex of rats, using an alternate schedule of metal administration. Pubertal-adult differences were also evaluated. In adult control rats, glutamate and aspartate contents in the anterior hypothalamus decreased as compared to pubertal controls. After cadmium administration from day 30 to 60 of life, the content of anterior hypothalamic glutamate and aspartate diminished. In adult control animals, the glutamine content increased in mediobasal hypothalamus as compared to pubertal controls. After cadmium exposure from day 30 to 60 of life, the mediobasal glutamine content increased, and after cadmium treatment from day 60 to 90 of life, the mediobasal aspartate content decreased. In adult control rats the content of glutamine, glutamate and aspartate of the posterior hypothalamus decreased significantly. After cadmium administration in pubertal animals, posterior hypothalamic contents of glutamine, glutamate and aspartate diminished. Cadmium treatment of adult animals caused a decrease in glutamine content, as compared to controls. In adult control rats, only glutamate and aspartate content increased in the prefrontal cortex as compared to the values found in pubertal controls. When cadmium was administered to adult animals, only the aspartate content decreased. In the striatum, cadmium decreased the glutamine and aspartate contents when administered from day 60 to 90 of life. These data suggest that cadmium differentially affects amino acid metabolism in the hypothalamus, striatum and prefrontal cortex. Age-dependent effects of cadmium on these brain areas appeared to have occurred.

Cadmium effects on hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in male rats.

This study analyzes cadmium effects at the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Male rats were given cadmium during puberty or adulthood. Cadmium exposure through puberty increased norepinephrine content in all hypothalamic areas studied, but not in the median eminence. Metal exposure increased serotonin turnover in median eminence and the anterior hypothalamus, while decreased it in mediobasal hypothalamus. Also, decreased plasma levels of testosterone were found. Cadmium exposure during adulthood increased norepinephrine content in posterior hypothalamus and decreased the neuro-transmitter content in anterior and mediobasal hypothalamus. Decreased circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone and increased plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were also observed. Cadmium accumulated in all analyzed tissues. Various parameters showed age-dependent changes. These data suggest that cadmium globally effects hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis function by acting at the three levels analyzed and that an interaction between cadmium exposure and age emerge.

Pubertal and postpubertal cadmium exposure differentially affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis function in the rat.

The effects of administration of cadmium on levels of hormones along the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis were studied in rats. Male rats were treated subcutaneously from days 30 to 60 (pubertal rats) or from days 60 to 90 of life (postpubertal rats), with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dose of 0.5 or 1 mg/kg, every 4 days in an alternate schedule, starting from the lower dose. Age-matched control rats received 0.3 m of saline subcutaneously every 4 days. The levels of norepinephrine (NE) increased on cadmium exposure in pubertal rats in all hypothalamic areas studied, but decreased in the median eminence. In contrast, in postpubertal rats the levels of NE only did not decrease in the posterior hypothalamus. Serotonin (5-HT) concentration in pubertal and postpubertal rats decreased in all hypothalamic regions, while serotonin turnover (measured by the ratio 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid/serotonin [5-HIAA/5-HT]) increased in the anterior hypothalamus. The serotonin metabolism was also increased in the median eminence in the pubertal and in the posterior hypothalamus in the postpubertal rats. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) were not modified by cadmium in both age groups, but follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels decreased in postpubertal rats, but was not altered in pubertal rats. Plasma levels of testosterone increased in pubertal rats but decreased in postpubertal rats. Cadmium accumulation increased in the hypothalamus and testes in all the cadmium-treated animals, whereas in the pituitary accumulation of cadmium was found only in postpubertal rats. These data suggest that cadmium exerts age-dependent effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis function, and a disruption of the regulatory mechanisms of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis emerges.

A validated quantitative colorimetric assay for gentamicin.

A colorimetric procedure was developed for the quantification of gentamicin. The method was based on the ninhydrin reaction with primary and secondary amines present in the gentamicin. This reaction produces a purple colour. The effects of several factors including pH, ninhydrin concentration and reaction time were investigated to optimize the assay method. Using the assay protocol, the absorption of the gentamicin-ninhydrin mixtures at 400 nm had a linear relationship with the gentamicin concentration ranging from 30 to 120 microg/ml. The colorimetric gentamicin assay reported herein is of great practical value because it is reproducible, sensitive, simple and extremely inexpensive.