Publications by authors named "Emili Manna"

The effects of two ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF) and 1-butyl-1-methyl pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate ([bmp]BF), on a mixture of phospholipids (PLs) 1,2-dipalmitoyl--glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl--glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE), and 1,2-dipalmitoyl--glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DPPG) (6:3:1, M/M/M, 70% PL) in combination with 30 mol % cholesterol (CHOL) were investigated in the form of a solvent-spread monolayer and bilayer (vesicle). Surface pressure (π)-area () isotherm studies, using a Langmuir surface balance, revealed the formation of an expanded monolayer, while the cationic moiety of the IL molecules could electrostatically and hydrophobically bind to the PLs on the palisade layer. Turbidity, dynamic light scattering (size, ζ-potential, and polydispersity index), electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray/neutron scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetric studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of IL on the structural organization of bilayer in the vesicles.

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Dicarboxylate metallosurfactants (AASM), synthesized by mixing N-dodecyl aminomalonate, -aspartate and -glutamate with CaCl, MnCl and CdCl, were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. Layered structures, formed by metallosurfactants, were evidenced from differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses. Solvent-spread monolayer of AASM in combination with soyphosphatidylcholine (SPC) and cholesterol (CHOL) were studied using Langmuir surface balance.

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Dicarboxylic amino acid-based surfactants (N-dodecyl derivatives of -aminomalonate, -aspartate, and -glutamate) in combination with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) form a variety of aggregates. Composition and concentration-dependent mixtures exhibit liquid crystal, gel, precipitate, and clear isotropic phases. Liquid crystalline patterns, formed by surfactant mixtures, were identified by polarizing optical microscopy.

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Aggregation studies of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) was investigated in aqueous 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [bmim]Cl and N-butyl-N-methyl pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate [bmp]BF ionic liquid (IL) solutions respectively. Systems were studied by surface tension, conductance, UV-VIS absorption/emission spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) values gradually decreased with increasing IL concentration which indicates synergistic interaction between ILs and SDS.

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Lack of insulin or insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in diabetes mellitus and makes diabetics prone to acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD). It has likewise been found that many cancer patients, including prostate cancer patients die of AIHD. Previously it has been delineated from our laboratory that dermcidin could induce anomalous platelet aggregation in AIHD and also impaired nitric oxide and insulin activity and furthermore dermcidin was also found in a few types of cancer patients.

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Background: Chronic arsenic-exposure even at a low-dose results in the neural impairment and motor/cognitive dysfunction. However, several preventive approaches are made mainly against hepatic/ gastrointestinal damages. Only a few investigations postulate therapeutic strategies for neural anomalies.

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Purpose: Maspin, an anti breast cancer protein in the mammary cell and normal neutrophil has been reported to be synthesised by the stimulation of NO production induced by estriol. The role of testosterone was investigated in the synthesis of maspin in relation to that of estriol.

Methods: Fifty normal female between the ages of 25-65 years old participated in the study.

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