Characterization of nanofluids using multifractal analysis of a liquid droplet trace.

The article presents an innovative approach to the analysis of nanofluids using a nonlinear multifractal algorithm. The conducted research concerned nanofluids prepared from SiO2 nanoparticles (~ 0.01 g) suspended in 100 ml of demineralized water and in 100 ml of 99.5% isopropanol. Subsequently, the nanofluids were subjected to conventional characterization methods such as: determination of the contact angle, determination of zeta potential, pH, and particle size analysis. The obtained results show that the prepared nanofluid is stable in terms of agglomeration over time (nanofluid suspension) and properly prepared in terms of dissolving and dispersing powder particles. The authors, analyzing the results of the presented methods for characterizing nanofluids, proposed a multifractal analysis, which allows detailed local descriptions of complex scaling behaviour, using a spectrum of singularity exponents. Nonlinear analyzes show that the use of multifractal algorithm for nanofluids can improve the process of fluid quality analysis and its preparation based on the multifractal spectrum.

Biochemical and functional indices of malnutrition in patients with operable, non-microcelullar lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess non-microcellular lung cancer patients´ nutritional status impact on psychomotor performance, muscle strength and functional activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 60 consecutive patients admitted to the clinic for surgical treatment due to histologically verified non-microcellular lung cancer. The patients were divided, depending on the stage of weight loss, into two groups: relatively well-nourished--29 patients and those with malnutrition--31 patients. History, physical examination, anthropometric data, biochemical parameters as well as functional tests were carefully noted. RESULTS: Patients qualified for particular groups differed significantly in age, p<0.002. Mean values of albumin, transferrin and total protein for the well nourished patients ranged within proper values. In the malnourished patients they were respectively: 34.05±0.27 g/l, 1.764±0.27 g/l, 68.90±6.39 g/l and the differences were statistically significant. Total loss of urea nitrogen was significantly higher in malnourished patients 13.32±2.92 g/l (p<0.005). The average percentage weight loss in both groups differed significantly 0.111±0.044 vs. 0.031±0.028 at p<0.0005. In the group of malnourished patients the right hand average strength was 26.52±8.06 kg and the left one amounted to 25.35±6.04 kg, The values were significantly lower than the results recorded in well nourished patients: 34.93±11.27 kg, 32,37±11.72 kg, p<0.001. The tapping test average time of the right hand was 19.24±4.04 vs. 16.72±3.06 and of the left one 19.69±3.59 kg vs. 17.48±2.79 kg and were significantly longer in patients suffering from malnutrition (p<0.01). Simple reaction times for dominating hand were longer in the group of patients with malnutrition, for the visual stimulus 0.50±0.08 s vs. 0.45±0.087 s, (p<0.05) and for auditory one 0.43±0.08 vs. 0.39±0.08 s (non significant). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition in the course of non-microcellular lung cancer significantly reduces psychomotor function assessed by reaction time to visual and acoustic stimuli as well as efficiency of the functional tests evaluated by tapping test and muscle strength measurement.

Biochemical and functional indices of malnutrition in patients with operable, non-microcelullar lung cancer / Índices bioquímicos y funcionales de malnutrición en pacientes con cáncer no microcítico de pulmón operable

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess non-microcellular lung cancer patients´ nutritional status impact on psychomotor performance, muscle strength and functional activity. Material and methods: The study involved 60 consecutive patients admitted to the clinic for surgical treatment due to histologically verified non-microcellular lung cancer. The patients were divided, depending on the stage of weight loss, into two groups: relatively well-nourished - 29 patients and those with malnutrition- 31 patients. History, physical examination, anthropometric data, biochemical parameters as well as functional tests were carefully noted. Results: Patients qualified for particular groups differed significantly in age, p < 0.002. Mean values of albumin, transferrin and total protein for the well nourished patients ranged within proper values. In the malnourished patients they were respectively: 34.05 ± 0.27 g/l, 1.764 ± 0.27 g/l, 68.90 ± 6.39 g/l and the differences were statistically significant. Total loss of urea nitrogen was significantly higher in malnourished patients 13.32 ± 2.92 g/l (p < 0.005). The average percentage weight loss in both groups differed significantly 0.111 ± 0.044 vs. 0.031 ± 0.028 at p < 0.0005. In the group of malnourished patients the right hand average strength was 26.52 ± 8.06 kg and the left one amounted to 25.35 ± 6.04 kg, The values were significantly lower than the results recorded in well nourished patients: 34.93 ± 11.27 kg, 32,37 ± 11.72 kg, p < 0.001. The tapping test average time of the right hand was 19.24 ± 4.04 vs. 16.72 ± 3.06 and of the left one 19.69 ± 3.59 kg vs. 17.48 ± 2.79 kg and were significantly longer in patients suffering from malnutrition (p < 0.01). Simple reaction times for dominating hand were longer in the group of patients with malnutrition, for the visual stimulus 0.50 ± 0.08 s vs. 0.45 ± 0.087 s, (p < 0,05) and for auditory one 0.43 ± 0.08 vs. 0.39 ± 0.08 s (non significant). Conclusions: Malnutrition in the course of non-microcellular lung cancer significantly reduces psychomotor function assessed by reaction time to visual and acoustic stimuli as well as efficiency of the functional tests evaluated by tapping test and muscle strength measurement (AU)

Introducción: El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el impacto del estado nutricional de pacientes con cáncer no microcítico de pulmón sobre el rendimiento psicomotor, la fortaleza muscular y la actividad funcional. Material y métodos: el estudio incluyó 60 pacientes consecutivos ingresados en la clínica para tratamiento quirúrgico por histología comprobada de cáncer de pulmón no microcítico. Se dividió a los pacientes, dependiendo del estado de pérdida de peso, en dos grupos: pacientes relativamente bien nutridos -29 pacientes, y aquellos con malnutrición- 31 pacientes. Se anotaron cuidadosamente la historia, la exploración física, los datos antropométricos, los parámetros bioquímicos y las pruebas funcionales. Resultados: los pacientes que se clasificaban en grupos concretos diferían significativamente con respecto a la edad, p < 0,002. Los valores promedio de albúmina, transferrina y proteínas totales de los pacientes bien nutridos estaban dentro de los rangos adecuados. En los pacientes malnutridos, estos valores fueron, respectivamente: 34,05 ± 0,27 g/l, 1,764 ± 0,27 g/l, 68,90 ± 6,39 g/l, siendo las diferencias estadísticamente significativas. La pérdida total de nitrógeno ureico fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes malnutridos, 13,32 ± 2,92 g/l (p < 0,005). El porcentaje promedio de pérdida de peso en ambos grupos difería significativamente: 0,111 ± 0,044 vs 0,031 ± 0,028, p < 0,0005. En el grupo de pacientes malnutridos, la fuerza media de la mano derecha fue de 26,52 ± 8,06 kg y de la izquierda 25,35 ± 6,04 kg; estos valores fueron significativamente menores que los resultados registrados en los pacientes bien nutridos: 34,93 ± 11,27 kg, 32,37 ± 11,72 kg, p < 0,001. El promedio de tiempo en la prueba de golpear fue de 19,24 ± 4,04 vs 16,72 ± 3,06 para la mano derecha y de 19,69 ± 3,59 kg vs 17,48 ± 2,79 kg para la mano izquierda, siendo significativamente más prolongado en los pacientes con malnutrición (p < 0,01). Los tiempos de reacción simple para la mano dominante fueron más prolongados en el grupo de pacientes con malnutrición, para el estímulo visual 0,50 ± 0,08 s vs 0,45 ± 0,087 s, (p < 0,05) y para el estímulo auditivo 0,43 ± 0,08 vs 0,39 ± 0,08 s (no significativo). 
Conclusiones: la malnutrición en el curso del cáncer de pulmón no microcítico reduce significativamente la función psicomotriz evaluada mediante el tiempo de reacción a estímulos visuales y acústicos así como la eficiencia de las pruebas funcionales mediante la medición de la prueba de golpear y la fuerza muscular (AU)

The relationship between osmotic stress and calcium elevation: in vitro and in vivo rat lens models.

Both in vivo and in vitro models were employed in the present study to assess the relative contribution of osmotic stress and increasing calcium levels to the development of sugar cataracts. In galactose cataract obtained from galactosemic weanling rats, the concentration of total calcium increased by nearly 10% at the first sign of visible opacification observed on the fourth day post-galactose feeding. After 7 days of galactose feeding, calcium levels continued to rise, to 0.8 mM. During the first 10 days, loss of lens transparency and calcium elevation was gradual and steady, with precipitous changes occurring on days 11 and 12. In groups of rats where galactose feeding was stopped after 7 days, cataract reversal was followed during the next 5 weeks. During the initial first week of recovery, calcium influx and elevation in the lens continued but began to decline steadily thereafter. After 3 weeks of recovery, lens transparency had returned to almost normal. Calcium levels continued to decline and reached normal levels between day 34 and 42, nearly 4 weeks after removal of the galactose diet. The relationship between osmotic stress and calcium elevation was investigated more directly by culturing normal rat lenses in hypoosmotic medium (280 mOsm) to create osmotic gradients similar to that in galactosemic lenses. The results showed that during the first day of culture (12 hr), osmotically stressed lenses gained 3 mg of water, became opaque and gained excess calcium (7 mM compared to 0.7 mM). Microscopic vacuoles appeared to accompany the process of opacification and contributed to increased light scattering and the loss of lens transparency. Additional experiments were designed to further distinguish between the effects of osmotic stress and calcium elevation on the opacification process. Thus, lenses were incubated in control and high-calcium medium (20 mM) at 300 mOsm. Within 12 hr of incubation, calcium elevation progressed to 1.37 mM, nearly doubling the normal value. Although opacification was observed in these lenses, no sign of vacuoles was evident. Collectively, the findings from this study support the premise that an early influx of calcium is brought about by osmotic stress and is responsible for the observed loss in transparency in osmotic (sugar) cataract.

Effects of oral cimetidine or ranitidine on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous enoxacin.

Enoxacin is a quinolone antibacterial agent currently being developed for oral and intravenous treatment of bacterial infections. Ten healthy subjects received a single 400-mg intravenous dose of enoxacin alone, with 300 mg (four times daily) oral cimetidine and with 150 mg (twice daily) oral ranitidine. Serial blood and urine samples were collected over a 48-hour period. Plasma and urine enoxacin concentrations were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Mean enoxacin plasma concentrations were higher after administration of enoxacin with cimetidine than those measured after enoxacin alone or enoxacin with ranitidine. Cimetidine coadministration reduced enoxacin renal clearance by 26% and systemic clearance by 20%, and resulted in a 30% increase in elimination half-life. In contrast, concurrent ranitidine therapy did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of intravenous enoxacin.