Investigating the Free Volumes as Nanospaces in Human Stratum Corneum Lipid Bilayers Using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS).

This work is the first one that provides not only evidence for the existence of free volumes in the human stratum corneum but also focuses on comparing these experimental data, obtained through the unique positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) method, with theoretical values published in earlier works. The mean free volume of 0.269 nm was slightly lower than the theoretical value of 0.

Tellurite Glasses from the 70TeO-5XO-10PO-10ZnO-5PbF(X= Pb, Bi, Ti) System Doped Erbium Ions-The Influence of Erbium on the Structure and Physical Properties.

In this article, we present research on the influence of erbium ions on the structure and magneto-optical properties of 70TeO-5XO-10PO-10ZnO-5PbF (X = Pb, Bi, Ti) tellurite glass systems. Structural changes occurring in the glasses during doping with erbium ions were investigated using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and Raman spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) method was used to confirm the amorphous structure of the investigated samples.

Influence of W Addition on Phase Constitution, Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of the Nanocrystalline PrFeWB (Where: x = 2, 4, 6, 8) Alloy Ribbons.

The aim of the present work was to investigate an influence of W addition on the phase constitution, microstructure and magnetic properties of the PrFeWB (where: x = 2, 4, 6, 8) alloy ribbons. Ribbons were obtained using the melt-spinning technique under low pressure of Ar. The as-cast samples were fully amorphous and revealed soft magnetic properties.

A study of the effect of X-ray irradiation on the structure of Narafilcon A biopolymer soft contact lenses.

Background: The effects of external factors such as X-ray irradiation on the structure and physical properties of contact lenses are very important for both the patients using contact lenses and medical personnel.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of X-rays on the structure of Narafilcon A silicone-hydrogel contact lenses.

Material And Methods: In order to study the structural changes caused by X-rays in Narafilcon A polymer contact lenses, the following spectroscopy methods were used: positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), Fourier transform middle infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy (RS).

Spectroscopic studies of the silicone oil impact on the ophthalmic hydrogel based materials conducted in time dependent mode.

Silicone oil is the one of the artificial materials used in vitreoretinal surgery for retinal detachment treatment. Since the silicone oil is sometimes applied along with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation the direct influence of silicone oil on the artificial implant should be taken into account. Presented study was performed in order to determine the time-dependent impact of silicone oil on hydrogel based ophthalmic materials.

Measurements of Defect Structures by Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy of the Tellurite Glass 70TeO-5XO-10PO-10ZnO-5PbF (X = Mg, Bi, Ti) Doped with Ions of the Rare Earth Element Er.

The objective of the study was the structural analysis of the 70TeO-5XO-10PO-10ZnO-5PbF (X = Mg, Bi, Ti) tellurite glasses doped with ions of the rare-earth elements Er, based on the PALS (positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy) method of measuring positron lifetimes. Values of positron lifetimes and the corresponding intensities may be connected with the sizes and number of structural defects, the sizes of which range from a few angstroms to a few dozen nanometers. Experimental positron lifetime spectrum revealed existence of two positron lifetime components τ andτ .

Nanoscale Observation of Dehydration Process in PHEMA Hydrogel Structure.

One of the most important field of interest in respect to hydrogel materials is their capability to water storage. The problem mentioned above plays an important role regarding to diffusion of fluid media containing nanoparticles, what is very useful in biomedical applications, such as artificial polymeric implants, drug delivery systems or tissue engineering.In presented work, dehydration process in hydrogels used in ophthalmology as intraocular lenses was observed.

Optical and vibrational properties of phosphorylcholine-based contact lenses-Experimental and theoretical investigations.

The Raman, MIR and UV-vis spectroscopy have been used to characterize Omafilcon A material constructing the one of the Proclear family contact lenses. The Omafilcon A is hydrogel material composed of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (PC) polymers crosslinked with ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Vibrational and electronic properties of the Omafilcon A material were also investigated by quantum chemical calculations.

An investigation of the effect of silicone oil on polymer intraocular lenses by means of PALS, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies.

The effect of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based silicone oil, that is widely used in vitreoretinal surgery, on internal structures of the polymer intraocular lenses was investigated. The effect of PDMS was studied on the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) rigid lenses and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) flexible lenses. The research was carried out by means of the positron lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) as well as the infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the Raman spectroscopy (RS).

Investigation of the Degree of Disorder of the Structure of Polymer Soft Contact Lenses Using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy PALS.

Background: Hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel polymeric materials are widely used in ophthalmology for the manufacture of contact lenses. An important aspect is the investigation of the structure of these materials.

Objectives: This study has been conducted in order to compare the degree of disorder and presence of free volumes in the internal structure of the polymeric soft contact lenses Omafilcon A (hydrogel) and Comfilcon A (silicone-hydrogel).

Comparison of Occurrence of Free Volumes for Rigid Gas Permeable and Soft Contact Lenses.

Background: The polymeric materials: hydrogel, silicone--hydrogel and methacrylic acid are used in ophthalmology for the manufacture of contact lenses. It is important to research the structure of these materials, mainly the prevalence of free volumes.

Objectives: The study has been conducted in order to comparison the presence of free volume gaps in the structure of the polymer soft contact lenses: Etafilcon A (hydrogel), Narafilcon A (silicone-hydrogel) and the polymer rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens (Fluor-Silicon-Methacrylat-Copolymer).

Study of free volumes of polymer hydrogel and -silicone-hydrogel contact lenses by means of the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy method.

Background: Polymer materials based on hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel materials are commonly used in ophthalmology. It is important to research the structure of these materials, mainly the prevalence of free volumes.

Objectives: The study has been conducted in order to determine the presence of free volume gaps in the structure of polymer hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel contact lenses.

Positronics of subnanometer atomistic imperfections in solids as a high-informative structure characterization tool.

Methodological possibilities of positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy applied to characterize different types of nanomaterials treated within three-term fitting procedure are critically reconsidered. In contrast to conventional three-term analysis based on admixed positron- and positronium-trapping modes, the process of nanostructurization is considered as substitutional positron-positronium trapping within the same host matrix. Developed formalism allows estimate interfacial void volumes responsible for positron trapping and characteristic bulk positron lifetimes in nanoparticle-affected inhomogeneous media.

Translational research in immune and inflammatory diseases; what are the challenges, expected advances, and innovative therapies?

Despite very different aetiologies and clinical expressions, advancing knowledge in the physiopathology and treatment of immune and inflammatory diseases (IID) prompts us to consider them as a whole. These are chronic, often incapacitating and painful illnesses that progress and destroy organs. Management by discipline too often leads to erroneous diagnoses and sometimes inappropriate treatment.

Studying functional properties of hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel contact lenses with PALS, MIR and Raman spectroscopy.

Determination of free volume holes of the hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel polymer contact lenses were investigated. Two types of polymer contact lenses were used as materials: the first is a hydrogel contact lenses Proclear family (Omafilcon A), while the second is a silicone-hydrogel contact lens of the family Biofinity (Comfilcon A). Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy PALS was used to characterize geometrical sizes and fraction of the free volume holes in the investigated samples.

Ageing phenomenon in acrylic polymer dental materials detected by means of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.

Background: Polymer materials based on acrylic monomers are commonly used in dentistry. It is important to research the structure of dental filling materials towards the material ageing.

Objectives: The study has been conducted in order to determine the presence of free volume gaps in the structure of polymer materials.

Voids in mixed-cation silicate glasses: Studies by positron annihilation lifetime and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies.

PALS in comparison with FTIR studies have been applied to investigate the structure of different oxide glasses. Three components of the positron lifetime τ (τ1 para- and τ3 ortho-positronium and τ2 intermediate lifetime component) and their intensities were obtained. The results of the calculation of mean values of positron lifetimes for the investigated glasses showed the existence of a long-living component on the positron annihilation lifetime spectra.

Structural studies of polymer hydrogel and silicone hydrogel contact lenses by means of positron lifetime spectroscopy methods.

Unlabelled: PURPOSE OF JOB: Currently, there isa need to increase comfort and visual acuity man. Simultaneously improving biocompatibility and minimizing the impact of the material on the physiology of the cornea is the primary driving force behind the evolution of materials used in the manufacture of contact lenses. Despite progressive development of modern materials science, there is still the problem of reducing the level of oxygen available to the cornea resulting in pathological changes in the cornea.

Structural study of polymer hydrogel contact lenses by means of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and UV-vis-NIR methods.

A study has been conducted in order to determine presence of free volume gaps in the structure of structure of polymer hydrogel contact lenses made in phosphoryl choline technology and of the degree of defect of its structure. The study was made by means of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. As a result of the conducted measurements, curves were obtained, which described numbers of counts of the acts of annihilation in the time function.

Investigation of the free volume changes in one day hydrogel and one day silicone-hydrogel contact lenses by means of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.

Unlabelled: PURPOSE OF JOB: The evolution of materials used to manufacture contact lenses, there is a need to increase comfort and visual acuity man while improving biocompatibility and minimizing the impact of the material on the physiology of the cornea. There is still a problem with limiting the level of oxygen available to the cornea, resulting in various diseases. Therefore, the aim of this work is to investigate the physical and structural properties of hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel contact lenses.

Investigation of free volume changes in the structure of the polymer bifocal contact lenses using positron lifetime spectroscopy PALS.

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy PALS has been applied of free volume properties in bifocal contact lenses. The measurements have been made on new lenses and then after one, two, three and four weeks wear. The longest lifetime, obtained via three-component analyses of the spectra, was associated with the pick-off annihilation of ortho-positronium trapped in the free volume.

[Investigation of free volume changes in the structure of the polymer bifocal contact lenses by means of the positron annihilation method].

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy has been applied of free volume properties in bifocal contact lenses. The measurements have been made on new lenses and then after one, and two weeks wearing by the patient. The longest lifetime, obtained via three-component analyses of the spectra, was associated with the pick-off annihilation of ortho-positronium trapped in the free volume.

[Efficacy and safety of extended-release clarithromycin (5-day short-course) vs telithromycin, in acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis].

Background: The extended-release formulation of clarithromycin (CLA-ER) allows using this macrolide as a single daily dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the CLA-ER formulation (500 mgx2) vs telithromycin (TELI) (400 mgx2) as a short course 5-day treatment, once a day, in patients with AECB.

Method: This randomized double-blind study was conducted in patients with AECB without severe airflow limitation (FEV1>35%), with sputum purulence (mandatory criterion), and with either increased sputum volume or increased dyspnea, or both (Anthonisen criteria I or II).