Comparison of paclitaxel penetration in normal and cancerous cervical model monolayer membranes

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the penetration of paclitaxel in normal as well as cancerous human cervical monolayer membranes and to compare these results with the paclitaxel penetration in a model dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) monolayer. At physiologically relevant surface pressures of 30 mN/m, equilibrium drug penetration was observed in DPPC model membrane, whereas in cervical lipid model membranes exclusion of the drug and destabilization of the membrane was observed. The maximum surface pressure increment due to penetration (Δπ_max) of 600 nM paclitaxel, for DPPC monolayer was found to be 3.6, 5.4 and 5.0 times higher than those for penetration in the cancerous monolayer at surface pressures 10, 20 and 30 mN/m, respectively. At initial surface pressure 10 mN/m, the maximum surface pressure increment, for 600 nM paclitaxel penetration, of normal cervical lipid membrane was double that of the cancerous cervical lipid membrane. At 30 mN/m initial surface pressure the representative IC₅₀ concentration of the drug produced negligible drug penetration and significant membrane destabilization in cervical lipid model membranes. The difference in penetration profile could be due to differences in composition of the model membranes. The cholesterol level in cancerous cervical membrane was 1.5-folds higher than that in the normal cervical membrane. Apart from PC, another constituent present in 20–32% in cancerous and normal membranes is sphingomyelin (SM). Introduction of 70% SM to the DPPC monolayer decreased the Δπ_max from 4.7 to 1.1 mN/m, revealing the rigidifying effect of SM which was directly proportional to the amount of SM added. Modulation of fluidity of the membranes can alter the penetration of paclitaxel in biological membranes and hence its toxicity profile.     

Phage Langmuir monolayers and Langmuir–Blodgett films

Stable, insoluble Langmuir monolayer films composed of Staphylococcus aureus-specific lytic bacteriophage were formed at an air–water interface and characterized. The phage monolayer was very strong, withstanding a surface pressure of ～40 mN/m at 20 °C. The surface pressure–area (Π–A) isotherm possessed a shoulder at ～7 × 10⁴ nm²/phage particle, attributed to a change in phage orientation at the air–water interface from horizontal to vertical capsid-down/tail-up orientation as surface pressure was increased. The Π–A-dependence was accurately described using the Volmer equation of state, assuming horizontal orientation to an air–water interface at low surface pressures with an excluded area per phage particle of 4.6 × 10⁴ nm². At high pressures phage particles followed the space-filling densely packed disks model with a specific area of 8.5 × 10³ nm²/phage particle. Lytic phage monolayers were transferred onto gold-coated silica substrates from the air–water interface at a constant surface pressure of 18 mN/m by Langmuir–Blodgett method, then dried and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ellipsometry. Phage specific adsorption (Γ) in Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films measured by SEM was consistent with that calculated independently from Π–A isotherms at the transfer surface pressure of 18 mN/m (Γ = 23 phage particles/μm²). The 50 nm-thickness of phage monolayer measured by ellipsometer agreed well with the horizontal phage average size estimated by SEM. Surface properties of phage Langmuir monolayer compare well with other monolayers formed from nano- and micro-particles at the air–water interface and similar to that of classic amphiphiles 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (phospholipid) and stearic acid.     

A monolayer study on phase behavior and morphology of binary mixtures of sulfatides with DPPC and DPPE

Sulfatides are important constituents of brain myelin membranes and it is thought to be involved in lateral domain formation in biological membranes. In this work, the interaction of mixed systems of sulfatide with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1, 2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE), two of the major components in biological membranes, was investigated using the monolayer technique at the air–water interface. Based on the regular solution theory, the miscibility of the two binary systems in the mixed monolayer was evaluated in terms of mean surface area per molecule (A_m), excess molecular area (ΔA_(ex)), surface excess Gibbs energy (ΔG_(ex)), interaction parameter (ω) as well as activity coefficients (f₁ and f₂) of formed films. Thermodynamic analysis indicates in the two binary systems with negative deviations from the ideal behavior. Accordingly, the values of the Gibbs energy of mixing, sulfatide-DPPC form stable mixtures at X_sul = 0.4 (X_sul is molar ratio of sulfatide in binary mixture) for all the selected pressures. As for sulfatide/DPPE system, at π = 5 and 30 mN m⁻¹, the minimum for the Gibbs energy of mixing was found at X_sul = 0.6 and 0.2 respectively. But the minimum appeared at X_sul = 0.4 for other surface pressures. The activity coefficients (f₁ and f₂) of mixed monolayers were evaluated which show a marked dependence on the mole faction of sulfatide X_sul. AFM images could support the above findings as well as interpretation.     

Adsorption behaviour and surfactant elution of cationic salivary proteins at solid/liquid interfaces,studied by in situ ellipsometry

Adsorption of the cationic salivary proteins lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, lysozyme and histatin 5 to pure (hydrophilic) and methylated (hydrophobized) silica surfaces was investigated by in situ ellipsometry. Effects of concentration (≤10 μg ml⁻¹, for lysozyme ≤200 μg ml⁻¹) and dependence of surface wettability, as well as adsorption kinetics and elutability of adsorbed films by buffer and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) solutions were investigated. Results showed that the amounts adsorbed decreased in the order lactoferrin ≥ lactoperoxidase > lysozyme ≥ histatin 5. On hydrophilic silica, the adsorption was most likely driven by electrostatic interactions, which resulted in adsorbed amounts of lactoferrin that indicated the formation of a monolayer with both side-on and end-on adsorbed molecules. For lactoperoxidase the adsorbed amounts were somewhat higher than an end-on monolayer, lysozyme adsorption showed amounts corresponding to a side-on monolayer, and histatin 5 displayed adsorbed amounts in the range of a side-on monolayer. On hydrophobized substrata, the adsorption was also mediated by hydrophobic interactions, which resulted in lower adsorbed amounts of lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase; closer to side-on monolayer coverage. For both lysozyme and histatin 5 the adsorbed amounts were the same as on the hydrophilic silica. The investigated proteins exhibited fast adsorption kinetics, and the initial kinetics indicated mass transport controlled behaviour at low concentrations on both types of substrates. Buffer rinsing and SDS elution indicated that the proteins in general were more tightly bound to the hydrophobized surface compared to hydrophilic silica. Overall, the surface activity of the investigated proteins implicates their importance in the salivary film formation.     

Surface and bulk behaviour of some (n-hexane + chloroalkane) mixtures

Surface tensions at the temperatures of (283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15) K and isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium at the temperatures of (288.15, 298.15, and 308.15) K of n-hexane with 1-chlorobutane or 1-chloropentane mixtures have been measured. Surface tension measurements were carried out with a drop volume tensiometer while the (vapour + liquid) equilibrium was obtained using an all-glass dynamic recirculating type still. Several bulk thermodynamic properties of the studied mixtures have been used together with the experimental measurements to analyse the results. Furthermore, a thermodynamic study of surface formation, including interesting properties such as excess surface compositions and excess properties of surface formation, is also presented.     

Application of organic monolayers formed on Si(1 1 1): possibilities for nanometer-scale patterning

The modification of hydrogen-terminated Si(1 1 1) wafer surfaces was reproduced by previously reported methods of the electrolysis of para-substituted benzendiazonium salts and the Grignard reaction with various alkyl moieties. The electrolysis methods formed partially ordered two-dimensional monolayers, which were however obscured by precipitation of by-products. The Grignard reaction deposited a monolayer of moieties of alkyl groups randomly arranged, which are more suitable for surface passivation. Aiming for the application to nanometer-scale monolayer patterning of the Si(1 1 1) wafer surface, the organic-monolayer-covered Si(1 1 1) surfaces were subjected to electron beam bombardment. After electron bombardment with ambient O₂ or H₂O introduced, adsorption of oxygen was observed within the beam spot. By immersing the bombarded specimen into an aqueous NiSO₄+(NH₄)₂SO₄ solution, the oxygen-deposited portions selectively included Ni atoms. This will be useful in constructing nanometer-scale metallic structures over Si wafer surfaces.     

Stability of underpotentially deposited Ag layers on a Au(1 1 1) surface studied by surface X-ray scattering

Stability of underpotentially deposited (upd) Ag layers on Au(1 1 1) surface was investigated by surface X-ray scattering (SXS). While the complete pseudomorphic Ag bilayer on Au(1 1 1) surface obtained by upd at 10 mV (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) was maintained its structure even after the circuit was disconnected and the surface was exposed to ambient atmosphere, the pseudomorphic Ag monolayer obtained by upd at 50 mV was converted to a partial bilayer with the coverage of 0.66 and 0.46 ML for the 1st and 2nd layer, respectively. These results show that Ag bilayer is structurally more stable than Ag monolayer on Au(1 1 1) and Ag atoms of the upd monolayer move around on the Au(1 1 1) surface without potential control.     

Isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium and thermophysical properties for (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide + 1-butanol) binary system

Experimental isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium (VLE) data are reported for the binary mixture containing 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide ([bmim]I) + 1-butanol at three temperatures: (353.15, 363.15, and 373.15) K, in the range of 0 to 0.22 liquid mole fraction of [bmim]I. Additionally, refractive index measurements have been performed at three temperatures: (293.15, 298.15 and 308.15) K in the whole composition range. Densities, excess molar volumes, surface tensions and surface tension deviations of the binary mixture were predicted by Lorenz–Lorentz (n_D-ρ) mixing rule. Dielectric permittivities and their deviations were evaluated by known equations. (Vapour + liquid) equilibrium data were correlated with Wilson thermodynamic model while refractive index data with the 3-parameters Redlich–Kister equation by means of maximum likelihood method. For the VLE data, the real vapour phase behaviour by virial equation of state was considered. The studied mixture presents S-shaped abatement from the ideality. Refractive index deviations, surface tension deviations and dielectric permittivity deviations are positive, while excess molar volumes are negative at all temperatures and on whole composition range. The VLE data may be used in separation processes design, and the thermophysical properties as key parameters in specific applications.     

Thermophysical properties for (diethyl carbonate + p-xylene + octane) ternary system

The density and speed of sound of the ternary mixture (diethyl carbonate + p-xylene + octane) have been measured at atmospheric pressure and in the temperature range T = (288.15 to 308.15) K. Besides, surface tension has been also determined for the same mixture at T = 298.15 K. The experimental measurements have allowed the calculation of the corresponding derived properties: excess molar volumes, excess isentropic compressibilities, and surface tension deviations. Excess properties have been correlated using Nagata and Tamura equation and correlation for the surface tension deviation has been done with the Cibulka equation. Good accuracy has been obtained. Based on the variations of the derived properties values with composition, a qualitative discussion about the intermolecular interactions was drawn.     

Effect of electrolytes on surface tension and surface adsorption of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid in aqueous solution

Surface and bulk properties of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C₆mim][Cl] as an ionic liquid (IL) have been investigated by surface tension and electrical conductivity techniques at various temperatures. Results reveal that the ionic liquid behaves as surfactant-like and aggregates in aqueous solution. Critical aggregation concentration (cac) values obtained by conductivity and surface tension measurements are in good agreement with values found in the literature. A series of important and useful adsorption parameters including cac, surface excess concentration (Γ), and minimum surface area per molecule (A_min) at the air + water interface were estimated from surface tension in the presence and absence of different electrolytes. Obtained data show that the surface tension as well as the cac of [C₆mim][Cl] is reduced by electrolytes. Also, values of surface excess concentration (Γ) show that the IL ions in the presence of electrolyte have much larger affinity to adsorption at the surface and this affinity increased in aqueous electrolyte solution in the order of I^? > Br^? > Cl^? for counter ion of salts that was explained in terms of a larger repulsion of chloride anions from interface to the bromide and iodide anion as well as difference in their excess polarizability.     

Surface study of mixtures containing cyclic ethers and isomeric chlorobutanes

Experimental surface tensions and the corresponding surface tensions deviations for the mixtures containing 1,3-dioxolane or 1,4-dioxane and 1-chlorobutane, 2-chlorobutane, 1-chloro-2-methylpropane or 2-chloro-2-methylpropane, measured with a drop volume tensiometer, are reported at the temperatures of 298.15 K and 313.15 K. The excess surface concentrations of isomeric chlorobutanes are also evaluated using a monolayer model.     

Density and surface tension variation with temperature for n-nonane + 1-hexanol

New experimental densities and surface tensions for n-nonane + 1-hexanol at 288.15, 298.15 and 308.15 K are reported. Densities were measured with an Anton Paar DMA 4500 densimeter, and surface tensions using a Lauda TVT2 automated tensiometer, which uses the principle of the pending drop volume. The experimental data of pure liquids and mixtures have been used to calculate excess molar volumes and surface tension deviations of n-nonane + 1-hexanol as a function of mole fractions. A comparative study of these properties together with those available in the literature for the n-alkane + 1-alkanol mixtures has been performed. In addition, the magnitude of these experimental quantities is discussed in terms of the nature and type of intermolecular interactions in binary mixtures.     

Molecular conformation of n-alkyl monolayers covalently bonded to Si(1 1 1) probed by infrared–visible sum-frequency spectroscopy

Infrared–visible sum-frequency spectra of n-alkyl (C_nH_2n+1; n=10–13, 18) monolayers anchored on the Si(1 1 1) surface through a Si–C covalent bond were measured for the C–H stretch region. Spectral shapes exhibited azimuth-orientation dependence compatible with the C_3v symmetry of the substrate, indicating that the monolayers were epitaxially constructed on the substrate. Three methyl bands dominated each spectrum, and two-weak methylene bands were identified. Two distinct intensity patterns of the methyl bands were observed depending on n. The observed spectra were interpreted with reference to reported molecular models of the monolayer that consist of alkyl chains with an all-trans head part and a twisted stem.     

Volumetric properties of ternary (IL + 2-propanol or 1-butanol or 2-butanol + ethyl acetate) systems and binary (IL + 2-propanol or 1-butanol or 2-butanol) and (1-butanol or 2-butanol + ethyl acetate) systems

The experimental densities for the binary or ternary systems were determined at T = (298.15, 303.15, and 313.15) K. The ionic liquid methyl trioctylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([MOA]⁺[Tf₂N]⁻) was used for three of the five binary systems studied. The binary systems were ([MOA]⁺[Tf₂N]⁻ + 2-propanol or 1-butanol or 2-butanol) and (1-butanol or 2-butanol + ethyl acetate). The ternary systems were {methyl trioctylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide + 2-propanol or 1-butanol or 2-butanol + ethyl acetate}. The binary and ternary excess molar volumes for the above systems were calculated from the experimental density values for each temperature. The Redlich–Kister smoothing polynomial was fitted to the binary excess molar volume data. Virial-Based Mixing Rules were used to correlate the binary excess molar volume data. The binary excess molar volume results showed both negative and positive values over the entire composition range for all the temperatures.The ternary excess molar volume data were successfully correlated with the Cibulka equation using the Redlich–Kister binary parameters.     

Excess molar enthalpies and excess molar volumes of (an alkanol + a nitrile compound) atT = 298.15 K andp = 0.1 MPa

Excess molar enthalpies and excess molar volumes at T =  298.15 K andp =  0.1 MPa are reported for (methanol, or ethanol, or 1-propanol  +  1,4-dicyanobutane, or butanenitrile, or benzonitrile). For all the mixtures investigated in this work the excess molar enthalpy is large and positive. The excess molar enthalpy decreases as the carbon chain number of the alkanol species increases from methanol to propanol. The excess molar volumes are both positive and negative. The Extended Real Associated Solution and the Flory–Benson–Treszczanowicz models were used to represent the data. Both these models describe better the excess molar enthalpy than the excess molar volumes of (an alkanol  +  a nitrile compound).     

Efficiency of blocking of non-specific interaction of different proteins by BSA adsorbed on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces

The efficiency of a pre-absorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA) layer in blocking the non-specific adsorption of different proteins on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using infrared reflection spectroscopy supported by spectral simulations. A BSA layer with a surface coverage of 35% of a close-packed monolayer exhibited a blocking efficiency of 90–100% on a hydrophobic and 68–100% on a hydrophilic surface, with respect to the non-specific adsorption of concanavalin A (Con A), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and staphylococcal protein A (SpA). This BSA layer was produced using a solution concentration of 1 mg/mL and 30 min incubation time. BSA layers that were adsorbed at conditions commonly employed for blocking (a 12 h incubation time and a solution concentration of 10 mg/mL) exhibited a blocking activity that involved competitive adsorption–desorption. This activity resulted from the formation of BSA–phosphate surface complexes, which correlated with the conformation of adsorbed BSA molecules that was favourable for blocking. The importance of optimisation of the adsorbed BSA layer for different surfaces and proteins to achieve efficient blocking was addressed in this study.     

Excess molar enthalpies and excess molar volumes of (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone + an aromatic hydrocarbon) atT = 298.15 K

Excess molar enthalpies H_m^Eand excess molar volumesV_m^E of (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone  +  benzene, or methylbenzene, or 1,2-dimethylbenzene, or 1,3-dimethylbenzene, or 1,4-dimethylbenzene, or 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, or ethylbenzene) over the whole range of compositions have been measured at T =  298.15 K. The excess molar enthalpy values were positive for five of the seven systems studied and the excess molar volume values were negative for six of the seven systems studied. The excess enthalpy ranged from a maximum of 435 J · mol ^− 1for (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazoline  +  1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) to a minimum of  − 308 J · mol ^− 1for (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazoline  +  benzene). The excess molar volume values ranged from a maximum of 0.95cm³mol ^− 1 for (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazoline  +  ethylbenzene) and a minimum of  − 1.41 cm³mol ^− 1for (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazoline  +  methylbenzene). The Redlich–Kister polynomial was used to correlate both the excess molar enthalpy and the excess molar volume data and the NRTL and UNIQUAC models were used to correlate the enthalpy of mixing data. The NRTL equation was found to be more suitable than the UNIQUAC equation for these systems. The results are discussed in terms of the polarizability of the aromatic compound and the effect of methyl substituents on the benzene ring.     

Kinetic and equilibrium adsorption of methylene blue and remazol dyes onto steam-activated carbons developed from date pits

Steam-activated carbons DS2 and DS5 were prepared by gasifying 600 °C-date pits carbonization products with steam at 950 °C to burn-off = 20 and 50%, respectively. The textural properties of these carbons were determined from the nitrogen adsorption at ?196 °C. The chemistry of the carbon surface was determined from the surface pH and from neutralization of the surface carbon–oxygen groups of basic and acidic type. The kinetic and equilibrium adsorption of MB and RY on DS2 and DS5 was determined at 27 and 37 °C and at initial sorption solution pH 3–7.DS2 and DS5 have expanded surface area, large total pore volume and contain both micro and mesoporosity. They have on their surface basic and acidic groups of different strength and functionality. This enhanced the sorption of the cationic dye (MB) and of the anionic dye (RY). The adsorption of MB and RY on DS2 and DS5 involves intraparticle diffusion and followed pseudo-second order kinetics. The adsorption isotherms were applicable to the Langmuir isotherm and high monolayer capacities for MB and RY dyes were evaluated indicating the high efficiencies of the carbons for dye adsorption.     

Excess enthalpies and excess heat capacities of binary mixtures of (cyclohexanone,or 2-butanone,or 1,4-dioxane + 1,2-dimethoxyethane) and (1,4-dioxane + 1,2-dimethoxyethane) atT = 298.15 K

Excess enthalpies and excess heat capacities of { x 2-butanone  +  (1  − x)1,4-dioxane}, and { x cyclohexanone, or 2-butanone, or 1,4-dioxane  +  (1  − x)1,2-dimethoxyethane} were measured atT =  298.15 K. Excess enthalpies were negative for { x 2-butanone  +  (1  − x)1,2-dimethoxyethane}, and negative with a small positive part in the region ofx >  0.8 for { x cyclohexanone  +  (1  − x)1,2-dimethoxyethane}, whereas excess enthalpies of { x 2-butanone  +  (1  − x)1,4-dioxane} were positive as for { x cyclohexanone  +  (1  − x)1,4-dioxane} previously reported. Excess enthalpies of {x 1,4-dioxane  +  (1  − x)1,2-dimethoxyethane} were positive. The results were compared with the systems reported earlier. Excess heat capacities are positive for { x 2-butanone  +  (1  − x)1,2-dimethoxyethane} and { x cyclohexanone  +  (1  − x)1,2-dimethoxyethane}, and negative for { x 2-butanone  +  (1  − x)1,4-dioxane} and { x 1,4-dioxane  +  (1  − x)1,2-dimethoxyethane}. The last mixture shows a W-shaped curve of excess heat capacity.     

(Vapour + liquid) equilibrium and excess Gibbs functions of ternary mixtures containing 1-butanol or 2-butanol,n-hexane,and 1-chlorobutane at T = 298.15 K

Isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data for the ternary mixtures 1-butanol + n-hexane + 1-chlorobutane and 2-butanol + n-hexane + 1-chlorobutane have been studied with a recirculating still at T = 298.15 K. The experimental data were satisfactorily checked for thermodynamic consistency using the method of van Ness. Activity coefficients and excess Gibbs function have been correlated with the Wilson equation. The G^E values obtained for the two ternary systems are very similar.