Synthetic Membranes (synthetic + membrane)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Dialyzer reactions in a patient switching from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis

HEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2005
Robert C. Yang
Many terms have been used to describe the collection of signs and symptoms triggered by the initial use of dialyzers. These reactions can be divided into Type A (hypersensitivity reactions, with the incidence of 4/100,000) and Type B (nonspecific reactions, incidence 3,5/100). Many different mechanisms have been postulated, including complement activation, pulmonary leukostasis, hypersensitivity to ethylene oxide, interaction between the AN69 membrane and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and dialysate contamination. An unusual case of dialyzer reactions is presented here, involving a patient who had to discontinue peritoneal dialysis when she was admitted with fungal peritonitis. Upon initiation of hemodialysis, she experienced dyspnea and burning sensation and demonstrated significant leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and oxygen desaturation. These reactions persisted despite double-rinsing of the dialyzers and the use of several different dialyzers with synthetic membranes (polysulfone and AN69), and a variety of sterilization methods (electron beam and gamma radiation). In the end, a simple measure was found to be effective in preventing further dialyzer reactions in this fascinating case. [source]


Determining degree of saturation after application of transiently supersaturated metered dose aerosols for topical delivery of corticosteroids

JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 2 2009
Stuart A. Jones
Abstract A transiently supersaturated drug delivery system has the potential to enhance topical drug delivery via heightened thermodynamic activity. The aim of this work was to quantify the degree of saturation (DS) for transiently supersaturated formulations using three traditional and one novel in vitro assessment methods. Metered dose aerosols (MDA) were formulated containing saturated levels of beclomethasone dipropionate monohydrate (BDP) or betamethasone 17-valerate (BMV) within a pressurised canister, and included ethanol (EtOH), hydrofluoroalkane 134a propellant and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). Attempts to determine the DS via the measurement of drug flux through synthetic membranes did not correlate and was shown to be dependent on the EtOH concentration. The inability of these methods to accurately assess the drug DS may be due to the transient nature of the formulation and the volatile solvents dehydrating the membrane. A mathematical equation that used the evaporation rate of the formulation was derived to determine the theoretical DS at various time points after MDA actuation. It was shown that the MDAs became supersaturated with a high DS, this enhanced drug release from the formulation and therefore these preparations have the potential to increase the amount of drug delivered into the skin. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:543,554, 2009 [source]


Optimization of catechol production by membrane-immobilized polyphenol oxidase: A modeling approach

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2003
A. Boshoff
Abstract Although previous research has focused on phenol removal efficiencies using polyphenol oxidase in nonimmobilized and immobilized forms, there has been little consideration of the use of polyphenol oxidase in a biotransformation system for the production of catechols. In this study, polyphenol oxidase was successfully immobilized on various synthetic membranes and used to convert phenolic substrates to catechol products. A neural network model was developed and used to model the rates of substrate utilization and catechol production for both nonimmobilized and immobilized polyphenol oxidase. The results indicate that the biotransformation of the phenols to their corresponding catechols was strongly influenced by the immobilization support, resulting in differing yields of catechols. Hydrophilic membranes were found to be the most suitable immobilization supports for catechol production. The successful biocatalytic production of 3-methylcatechol, 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and 4-chlorocatechol is demonstrated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 83: 1,7, 2003. [source]


Theory of Ion Transport in Electrochemically Switchable Nanoporous Metallized Membranes

CHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 1 2009
Christian Amatore Dr.
Abstract A physicomathematical model of ion transport through a synthetic electrochemically switchable membrane with nanometric metal-plated pores is presented. Due to the extremely small size of the cylindrical pores, electrical double layers formed inside overlap, and thus, strong electrostatic fields whose intensities vary across the cross-sections of the nanopores are created. Based on the proposed model a relationship between the relative electrostatic energies experienced by ions in the nanopores and the potential applied to the membrane is established. This allows the prediction of transference numbers and explains quantitatively the ion-transport switching capability of such synthetic membranes. The predictions of this model agree satisfactorily with previous experimental data obtained for this type of devices by Martin and co-workers. [source]