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Abstract: In this study we use the bow shock crossings contained in the Space Physics Data Facility database, collected by four spacecraft (IMP 8, Geotail, Magion‐4, and Cluster1) to analyze the effect of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component on the bow shock position and shape. Although the IMF Bz component is usually considered much more geoeffective than By, we find that the dayside bow shock is more responsive to the eastward component of the IMF than the north‐south one. We believe that the explanation lies in the changes that the Bz component induces on the magnetopause location and shape, which largely compensate the corresponding changes in the dayside bow shock location. In the tail, we find that the bow shock cross section is elongated roughly in the direction perpendicular to the IMF direction, which agrees with earlier modeling studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic properties of the micelles of a novel synthesized amphiphilic block copolymer, dendritic poly(benzyl ether)–poly(acrylic acid) (Dendr.PBE-PAA), formed in aqueous solutions were studied by the 1H self-diffusion coefficient, relaxation measurements and 2D nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy. The experimental results show that Dendr.PBE-PAA molecules self-aggregate in aqueous solution. The dynamic properties of the Dendr.PBE-PAA micelles vary with their total concentration in the solution. The motion of the molecules in the micelles of a concentrated solution is more restricted than that in a less concentrated one. The main chains of PAA are densely packed in the surface layer of the hydrophobic core with the carboxyl side chain pointing to the aqueous medium and the hydrophobic phenoxy rings stay in the interior. The self-aggregate becomes larger as the degree of polymerization of PAA increases. However the phenoxy rings situated in the interior of the hydrophobic core become more loosely packed. n-Hexadecane is solubilized in the micelles. The optimal position of n-hexadecane is between the phenoxy rings next to the PAA chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micellization of Triton X-100 (TX-100) and sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDSN) in the presence of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PAAM) was studied by 1H NMR spin–spin and spin–lattice relaxation. Relaxation experiment results show that TX-100 behaves differently from SDSN in micellization in the presence of PAAM. PAAM causes a decrease in the critical micellar concentration of SDSN, while it has no influence on the critical micellar concentration of TX-100. The lack of cross peaks between protons of PAAM and those of TX-100 and SDSN in the 2D nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY) spectra confirms self-aggregation of TX-100 and SDSN in the presence of PAAM. The identity of each of the corresponding interproton distances of TX-100 with and without the addition of PAAM further confirms the formation of normal TX-100 micelles in the presence of PAAM. Besides, the distances between protons on the hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains in TX-100 micelles, calculated from the 2D NOESY spectra, are remarkably shorter than those for an extended hydrophilic poly(oxyethylene) chain. This implies that the hydrophilic chain is curled upon micellization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1H NMR spin–lattice and spin–spin relaxation of different types (cationic cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, anionic sodium dodecyl sulfonate and nonionic Triton X-100) of surfactants in water solution were studied. Simulation of the decay curves of proton relaxation shows that the spin lattice relaxation of all the samples exhibits exponentially, while the spin–spin relaxation for several protons on the hydrophobic chains forming the micellar core is bi-exponential. The fast relaxing component is attributed to the part of the segments of the hydrophobic chain, situated near or on the surface of the micellar core, while the slower relaxing component is attributed to the rest part staying in the interior. The latter exchanges with the former in equilibrium. Thus, a part of each certain segment of the hydrophobic chain has an opportunity to stay in the surface layer of the micellar core and spend some time on the interface experiencing hydrophilic environment. Generally, the protons on the methylene carbon of the hydrophobic chain nearest to the polar head have more chance to spend time in the hydrophilic environment. However, it seems to be dependent on the chemical structure of the surfactant molecule. Large size of the polar group of CTAB shows steric hindrance on the packing of the hydrophobic chain. Quantitative results are given. The fact, that the fraction of slow relaxing protons on the hydrophilic ethylene oxide long chain of Triton X-100 dominates over that of fast relaxing protons, and that their T2 values are larger than those of the protons on the hydrocarbon chain in the interior of the micellar core, suggests that the ethylene oxide chain does not participate in the formation of the micellar core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the levels of serum cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and tumor stage and prognosis in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. Method: Patients with laryngeal cancer who were admitted to our hospital from January 2012 to December 2013 were enrolled. Blood samples were collected for CK18 and HGF detection, and postoperative prognosis data were collected at regular follow-up. Result: The serum CK18 and HGF concentration of patients with poorly differentiated tumor, high tumor grade and clinical stage were significantly higher than those with well differentiated tumor, low tumor grade and low clinical stage ( P <0.05). The 5-year survival rate (69.9%) of patients with laryngeal cancer in the high CK18 group was significantly lower than that in the low CK18 group (92.3%) ( P <0.05), and the 5-year survival rate (71.1%) of patients with laryngeal cancer in the high HGF group was significantly lower than that in the low HGF group (94.2%) ( P <0.05). The results of univariate analysis showed that tumor type, differentiation, T grade, N grade and clinical stage affected the survival rate of patients with laryngeal cancer. Cox regression model analysis showed high CK18 and high HGF levels were risk factors for poor prognosis ［CK18 HR: 2.594 (1.558-4.318); P <0.001, HGF HR: 2.671 (1.605-4.446); P <0.001］. Conclusion: The results suggested that serum CK18 and HGF levels can be used as prognostic and disease monitoring biomarkers for laryngeal cancer., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.)

Immunoluminometric assays for lactoferrin and elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes were developed using solid-phase methodology, which has already been published from this laboratory. The aim of the study was to develop a rapid method to see whether elevated granulocyte activity was present in the lung, as for example in neonatal sepsis. The lactoferrin assay gave reliable results within 30 minutes, the elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes, within 5 hours. The correlation between both analytes was good, so that the lactoferrin assay could replace the elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor assay in emergency cases. The lactoferrin assay was used for rapid answer, the elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex assay for "fine" monitoring of the progress of the disease. Both assays could be used to measure concentrations in plasma or bronchoalveolar lavage using a 10 microliters sample. Plasma for the elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex determination had to be diluted 1:50 before being assayed. Only EDTA plasma was used in the assay, as either heparin plasma or serum resulted in granulocyte destruction, thus giving rise to elevated, and non-reproducible results. The results from bronchoalveolar lavage show an excellent correlation between elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes and lactoferrin. No interference was seen from lipaemic or icteric plasma samples. Results from haemolytic samples i.e. where lysis of erythrocytes and leukocytes had occurred, had to be treated with care if no clinical indication of intravascular haemorrhage was present. The assays lend themselves to perinatal diagnosis, as the total volume of plasma or lavage needed is theoretically under 50 microliters, i.e. ethically acceptable for regular monitoring of neonates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)