Theranostic applications:Non-ionizing cellular and molecular imaging through innovative nanosystems for early diagnosis and therapy

Modern medicine is expanding the possibilities of receiving "personalized" diagnosis and therapies,providing minimal invasiveness,technological solutions based on non-ionizing radiation,early detection of pathologies with the main objectives of being operator independent and with low cost to society.Our research activities aim to strongly contribute to these trends by improving the capabilities of current diagnostic imaging systems,which are of key importance in possibly providing both optimal diagnosis and therapies to patients.In medical diagnostics,cellular imaging aims to develop new methods and technologies for the detection of specific metabolic processes in living organisms,in order to accurately identify and discriminate normal from pathological tissues.In fact,most diseases have a "molecular basis" that detected through these new diagnostic methodologies can provide enormous benefits to medicine.Nowadays,this possibility is mainly related to the use of Positron Emission Tomography,with an exposure to ionizing radiation for patients and operators and with extremely high medical diagnosticscosts.The future possible development of non-ionizing cellular imaging based on techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance or Ultrasound,would represent an important step towards modern and personalized therapies.During the last decade,the field of nanotechnology has made important progress and a wide range of organic and inorganic nanomaterials are now available with an incredible number of further combinations with other compounds for cellular targeting.The availability of these new advanced nanosystems allows new scenarios in diagnostic methodologies which are potentially capable of providing morphological and functional information together with metabolic and cellular indications.

Ionizing and non-ionizing kerma factors in silicon for China Spallation Neutron Source neutron spectrum

The quantification of ionizing energy deposition and non-ionizing energy deposition plays a critical role in precision neutron dosimetry and in the separation of the displacement damage effects and ionizing effects induced by neutron radiation on semiconductor devices. In this report, neutrons generated by the newly built China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) are simulated by Geant4 in semiconductor material silicon to calculate the ionizing and non-ionizing kerma factors. Furthermore, the integral method is applied to calculate neutron-induced ionizing at the CSNS and non-ionizing kerma factors according to the standard neutron nuclear database and the incident neutron spectrum. In addition, thermoluminescence dosimeters are utilized to measure the ionizing energy deposition and six series of bipolar junction transistors are used to measure the non-ionizing energy deposition based on their neutron damage constants. The calibrated kerma factors that were experimentally measured agreed well with the simulation and integral calculation results. This report describes a complete set of methods and fundamental data for the analysis of neutron-induced radiation effects at the CSNS on silicon-based semiconductor devices.

Exposure to a 2.5 GHz Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Field Alters Hematological Profiles, Biochemical Parameters, and Induces Oxidative Stress in Male Albino Rats

Modern technology has witnessed milestone achievements in the telecommunication industry.However,the widespread application of telecommunication technology is believed to heighten electromagnetic field(EMF)‘pollution’in our environment[1]and subject living organisms to various sources of electromagnetic emissions.These emissions include;microwaves.

Non-ionizing energy loss calculations for modeling electron-induced degradation of Cu(In,Ga)Se_2 thin-film solar cells

The lowest energies which make Cu,In,Ga,and Se atoms composing Cu（In,Ga）Se_2（CIGS） material displaced from their lattice sites are evaluated,respectively.The non-ionizing energy loss（NIEL） for electron in CIGS material is calculated analytically using the Mott differential cross section.The relation of the introduction rate（k） of the recombination centers to NIEL is modified,then the values of k at different electron energies are calculated.Degradation modeling of CIGS thin-film solar cells irradiated with various-energy electrons is performed according to the characterization of solar cells and the recombination centers.The validity of the modeling approach is verified by comparison with the experimental data.

Non-ionizing radiation-induced cellular senescence and age-related diseases

Cellular senescence has emerged as an important contributor to aging and age-related diseases.Non-ionizing radiation(NIR),including ultraviolet radiation and electromagnetic fields,has been increasingly recognized as a key inducer of premature senescence.In this review,we discuss the molecular mechanisms of NIR-induced cellular senescence and its effects on aging and age-related diseases.We also summarize the modulation strategies for NIR-induced cellular senescence.A better understanding of the complex relationship between nonionizing radiation,cellular senescence and age-related pathology may lead to interventions to ameliorate radiation damage and delay aging.Further research is still needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms,dose-response effects,and to develop protective strategies against radiation-induced senescence.

Liquid-liquid Extraction System Based on Non-ionic Surfactant-salt-H_2O and Mechanism of Drug Extraction

Extraction behavior of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) and procaine hydro- chloride (PCN) in the system described in the title was studied. Research shows that the extraction efficiency of CPZ can amount to 96% by twice extraction, while that of PCN is 77%. This system produces the distribution coefficients (KD) of 12.3 and 2.6 respectively for CPZ and PCN. Extraction mechanism is deduced according to ultraviolet and molecular fluorescence spectra variation of the drugs in the system studied.

A Simple and Rapid Method for the Detection of Non-Ionic Surfactants

A spectrophotometric approach for the detection of non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) has been proposed in this paper. This method does not involve extraction of the ion-associate with harmful solvents, but employs adhesion of the ion-association of potassium/non-ionic surfactants complex and tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonic acid obtained by vigorous shaking. The adhered ion-associate was dissolved with water and its absorbance was measured. The sensitivity for Triton X-100 was determined to be 0.146 (expressed as absorbance of 1 mg/L solution). The adhesion tendency of ion-associate was found to be dependent on the water contact angle, which in turn was influenced by a high adhesion of the ion-associate and by low blank values. In this respect, a tetrafluo-roethylene vessel was found to be the most suitable for the detection of non-ionic surfactants. This spectrophotometrical method is simply and rapidly performed by a procedure based on mechanical shaking and can be employed to detect non-ionic surfactants containing more than 7 polyethylene oxide units.

A Simple Determination of Polyethylene Oxide-type Non-ionic Surfactant by Adhesion Method

A simple and rapid method for the determination of polyethylene oxide-type non-ionic surfactants is reported herein. This method is based on the adhesion of calcium/non-ionic surfactant complexes with tetra phenyl porphine sulfonic acid （TPPS） to the wall of reaction vessel upon vigorous shaking. The ion-associate adhering to the inner wall of the vessel was dissolved with water after discarding the solution and spectrophotometrically assayed at 412 nm. From the standard curve for Triton X-100, the order of the sensitivity for different ions was as follows： Ca^2＋〉 K^＋〉 NH4^＋〉 Ba^2＋. The proposed method does not involve extraction of the ion-associated with harmful solvents and can be simply performed by combining a procedure based on hand shaking and the use of a spectrophotometer.

Favourable and Unfavourable EMF Frequency Patterns in Cancer:Perspectives for Improved Therapy and Prevention

Carcinogenesis fits in a frequency pattern of electromagnetic field (EMF) waves, in which a gradual loss of cellular organization occurs. Such generation of cancer features can be inhibited by adequate exposure to coherent electromagnetic frequencies. However, cancer can also be initiated and promoted at other distinct frequencies of electromagnetic waves. Both observations were revealed by analyzing 100 different EMF frequency data reported in a meta-analyses of 123 different, earlier published, biomedical studies. The studied EM frequencies showed a fractal pattern of 12 beneficial (anti-cancer) frequencies, and 12 detrimental (cancer promoting) frequencies, that form the central pattern of a much wider self-similar EMF spectrum of cancer inhibiting or promoting activities. Inhibiting of the cancer process, and even curing of the disease, can thus be considered through exposure to the coherent type of EM fields. Stabilization of the disease can be understood by constructive resonance of macromolecules in the cancer cell with the externally appied coherent EMF field frequencies, called solitons/polarons. The latter, for instance, have been shown earlier to induce repair in DNA/RNA conformation and/or epigenetic changes. The field of EMF treatment of cancer disorders is rapidly expanding and our studies may invite further experimental and clinical studies in which systematically various potential EMF treatment protocols could be applied, with combined and modulated frequencies, to obtain even more efficient EMF anti-cancer therapies.

Evaluation of the Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields in Computer Labs of Schools

Personal computers, apart from being ubiquitous in our everyday activity, very often have been object of study for eventual negative health consequences. During the recent years, a great number of schools in Albania are equipped with lab rooms for teaching computer skills. This has motivated us to carry out a campaign of measuring the intensity of electric and magnetic fields is such places in the schools of Gjirokastra. This paper presents the results of such a study for the evaluation of the possible hazard related to the exposure to this “electro-smog” of the students and teachers. This is done by comparing the measured values of physical quantities with the respective limits and standards recom-mended by scientists and established by European directives such as 2004/40/CE and 1999/519/CE.

Seminal Antioxidant Capacity to Oxidative Stress Induced by Electromagnetic Waves Emitting from Cellular Phones on Sperm Quality: An <i>in Vitro</i>Simulation Model

With the increasing use of electronic gadgets, the effects of electromagnetic waves on sperm quality have been reported. This study evaluated the capacity of seminal antioxidants to protect spermatozoa from the effects of exposure to non-ionizing cellular phone radiation on markers of semen quality and DNA integrity in an in-vitro model. A total of seventy-three (73) patients attending a fertility centre in Sakumono, Tema metropolis were recruited for this study. About 2 - 3 mls of freshly ejaculated semen was neatly collected by masturbation with consent and analysed according to the 2010 WHO standard semen analysis. A portion of Semen was exposed to non-ionizing cellular phone radiation for three (3) hours. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity levels and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were determined before and after exposure. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS version 20.00 and Graph pad prism. DFI was positively associated with immobility (r = 0.233;p = 0.05) and negatively associated with percentage progressive motility (r = -0.258;p = 0.028), percentage total motility (r = -0.233;p = 0.05) and SOD levels (r = -0.270;p = 0.028). There was a significant positive linear relationship between SOD and progressive motility (r = 0.451;p < 0.0001), vitality (r = 0.725;p < 0.0001) and total motility (r = 0.705, p = 0.05). Higher seminal SOD level is protective against the damaging effects of electromagnetic waves on sperm quality.

Disinfection of Microbes by Magnetized DC Plasma

A different combined effects for helium gas discharge such as: magnetic field strength, breakdown voltage, applied power, applied pressure, cathode fall thickness, edge effect, distribution of the electron temperature and density, and finally exposure time for Staphylococcus aureus substrate over slides at the cathode edge, are discussed under the influence of cold, nonthermal plasmas, ultra low pressure, and presence of the magnetic field for disinfection of bacteria for short exposure times, compatible to International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, Health Phys (ICNIRP) for healing applications. Furthermore, analyses of the experimental data of initial and final densities of cells alive, using survival curves, showed an impressive inhibitory effect of plasma discharge to the remaining survival of bacterial ratio under the influence of the magnetic field.

Influence of the 60 Hz Magnetic Field on the Airborne Microbial Distribution of Indoor Environments

The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of the magnetic field generated by the household appliances on the airborne microbial surrounding these equipment located on indoor environments with particular interest in the environmental fungi.A simultaneous environmental study was carried out in locals of three different geographical places of Havana,Cuba,which have televisions,computers and an electric generator.The air samples were made by a sedimentation method using Malt Extract Agar.The concentration of total aerobic mesophilic as well as fungi and yeasts were determined in rainy and little rainy seasons by applying as factors:exposure time of dishes(5 to 60 min)and distance to the wall(0 and 1 m)at a height of 1 m above the floor.The predominant fungal genera were Cladosporium,Penicillium and Aspergillus.In the dishes that were placed at 0 and 0.5 m from the emitting sources were observed that some bacteria colonies formed inhibition halos,a great diversity of filamentous fungi and an increase in the mycelium pigmentation as well as the pigments excretion.In the rainy season,the highest amounts of fungi were obtained in all samples.In the little rain season the count of the Gram-negative bacilli increased three times the Gram-positive cocci.

Cloud point extraction coupled with HPLC-UV for the determination of phthalate esters in environmental water samples

A method based on cloud point extraction was developed to determine phthalate esters including di-ethyl-phthalate （DEP）, di- （2-ethylhexyl）-phthalate （DEHP） and di-cyclohexyl-phthalate （DCP） in environmental water samples using high-performance liquid chromatography separation and ultraviolet detection （HPLC-UV）. The non-ionic surfactant Triton X-114 was chosen as extraction solvent. The parameters affecting extraction efficiency, such as concentrations of Triton X-114 and Na2SO4, equilibration temperature, equilibration time and centrifugation time were evaluated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the method can achieve preconcentration factors of 35, 88, 111 and detection of limits of 2.0, 3.8, 1.0 ng/ml for DEP, DEHP and DCP in 10-ml water sample, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amount of phathalate esters in effluent water of the wastewater treatment plant and the lixivium of plastic fragments.

Synthesis of Y_2O_3 Nano-Powder from Yttrium Oxalate under Ambient Temperature

High purity Y_2O_3 nano-powders was synthesized directly from solution ofindustrial YCl_3 by method of oxalate precipitation through super-micro-reactors made by complexnon-ionic surfactant. The purity and diameter of Y_2O_3 particles were controlled by such processingparameters as concentration of YCl_3 and oxalic acid and complex non-ionic surfactant etc. TEMphotomicrographs show that Y_2O_3 particles are spherical in shape, with an average diameter of lessthan 30 nm. Test results certify that the purity and particle diameter as well as the dispersion ofY_2O_3 nano-powder depend on the concentrations of YCl_3, oxalic acid and complex non-ionicsurfactant. The optimum ranges of the concentrations for YCl_3 and complex non-ionic surfactant whenthe diameter of Y_2O_3 particles is smaller than 100 nm are 0.43 ～1.4 mol ? L^(-1) and0.031～0.112 mol·L^(-1) respectively, while the mass fraction range of oxalic acid is 10% ～18% .The purity of Y_2O_3 nano-powder tested by ICP-AES analysis is 99.99% .

EFFECTS OF NH_4Cl ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) AND IONIC SURFACTANTS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

The interaction of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)with the ionic surfactants,sodium dodecylsulfate(SDS)and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride(CTAC)respectively,in aqueous solutions containing a certain concentration of NH_4Cl, is studied by the viscosity measurement.It has been found that the ion-dipole interaction between PEO and ionic surfactants is changed considerably by the organic salt.For anionic suffactant of SDS,the addition of NH_4Cl into solution strengthens the interaction between PEO and the headgroup o...

17α-Ethinylestradiol removal from water by magnetic ion exchange resin

Magnetic ion exchange(MIEX) resins have received considerable attention in drinking water treatment due to their fast and efficient removal of dissolved organic carbon(DOC). Two types of mechanisms, i.e., ion exchange,reversible and irreversible adsorption, may occur during pollutants removal by MIEX. This work examined the removal mechanism of 17α-Ethinylestradiol(EE2) by MIEX. As one of typical estrogen micro-pollutants,EE2 existed as neutral molecule in natural water, and its charge density was close to zero [(0.00000219 ±0.00000015) meq·(μg EE2)^(-1)] based on the potentiometric titration method. However, the removal of EE2 by MIEX was much higher than that of other micro-pollutants previously reported. Multi-cycle adsorptionregeneration experiments and ion exchange stoichiometry analysis were conducted to elucidate the removal mechanism of EE2 by MIEX resin. The results suggested that the main removal mechanism of EE2 by MIEX was ion exchange instead of reversible micro-pore adsorption. The experimental analysis based on Donnan theory indicated that the internal micro-environment of resin beads was alkaline, in the alkaline environment EE2 would be ionized into negatively charged groups. As a result, ion exchange reaction occurred inside the pore of MIEX resin, and the removal process of EE2 by MIEX was dominated by the ion exchange reaction.

Adaptability of Polymer-Containing Sewage Corrosion Inhibitor

The polymer content in the produced water from Tuoliu Station is about 20 mg/L. Cationic imidazoline-type corrosion inhibitor is used to corrosion control of sewage. The corrosion inhibitor can react with the negatively charged materials such as anionic polymer and suspended substance by adsorption and merging to form complex aggregates, so that the suspended solids content increases, resulting in suspended solids content of exported sewage has been high. So a new type of non-ionic corrosion inhibitor has been developed and field trials have been performed. The results show that non-ionic corrosion inhibitor can effectively reduce the suspended solids content of wastewater while ensuring the corrosion rate of wastewater.

Anti-cancer drugs targeting using nanocarrier niosomes-a review

In the last few decades numbers of review and research articles have been published on niosomes. This shows the relevant interest of academias & researchers in niosomes because of the advantages sponsored by them over other colloidal drug delivery systems. Niosomes formation occurs when non-ionic surfactant vesicles assemble themselves. Various antineoplastic agents are used in chemotherapy, but they have some drawbacks that these agents cause cell death in normal tissues as well. There are two approaches to overcome this limitation. First, to modify the structure of existing drugs, but this will not possible because it changes the properties of drugs. Second, the development of nano-carriers like liposomes, dendrimers, nanoparticles, niosomes et al. Among all, niosomes (non-ionic surfactant vesicles) have more advantages besides all nano-carriers. Drugs either hydrophilic in nature or hydrophobic in nature, both can be incorporated in niosomes. And by embedding specific ligands over vesicular surface enables us to target the drug to specific cancer cells.

A New Method to Improve the Product Stability and Performance of Soap-based Cleanser at Two Different Temperatures

Foam cleanser is the most popular facial cleaning product in Asian market. However, soap-based product appears to be not physically stable under certain circumstance. For example, product viscosity decreases with the increase of temperature but goes up when the temperature goes down. More seriously, phase separation may occur for some products with time. Many efforts have been made to improve the stability of soap-based formulations mainly focusing on 1) adjust the fatty acids ratio;2) optimize saponification level;3) addition of thickeners and surfactants. Improvements have been made upon recent reports. However, required stability of the formulations at both high and low temperature is not satisfied yet. In this work, we introduced one type of non-ionic emulsifier to the soap-based formulation, through which to regulate the microstructure. It is seen that the stability is significantly improved at both high and low temperature, and the using performance is enhanced in the meantime.