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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

PubMed1986

A diffusion-diffusion model for percutaneous drug absorption.

Several theories describing percutaneous drug absorption have been proposed, incorporating the mathematical solutions of differential equations describing percutaneous drug absorption processes where the vehicle and skin are regarded as simple diffusion membranes. By a solution derived from Laplace transforms, the mean residence time MRT and the variance of the residence time VRT in the vehicle are expressed as simple elementary functions of the following five pharmacokinetic parameters characterizing the percutaneous drug absorption: kd, which is defined as the normalized diffusion coefficient of the skin, kc, which is defined as the normalized skin-capillary boundary clearance, the apparent length of diffusion of the skin 1d, the effective length of the vehicle lv, and the diffusion coefficient of the vehicle Dv. All five parameters can be obtained by the methods proposed here. Results of numerical computation indicate that: concentration-distance curves in the vehicle and skin approximate two curves which are simply expressed using trigonometric functions when sufficient time elapses after an ointment application; the most suitable condition for the assumption that the concentration of a drug in the uppermost epidermis can be considered unchanged is the case where the partition coefficient between vehicle and skin is small, and the constancy of drug concentration is even more valid when the effective length of the vehicle is large; and the amount of a drug in the vehicle or skin and the flow rate of the drug from vehicle into skin or from skin into blood becomes linear on a semilogarithmic scale, and the slopes of those lines are small when Dv is small, when the partition coefficient between vehicle and skin is small, when lv is large, or when kc is small. A simple simulation method is also proposed using a biexponential for the concentration-time curve for the skin near the skin-capillary boundary, that is, the flow rate-time curve for drug passing from skin into blood.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Modern diagnosis in acute cerebral infarct. Diffusion weighted imaging and ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) calculations].

Many different methods have been established for the diagnosis of cerebral stroke. During the acute phase, small infarctions are often not detectable by computer tomography (CT). Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is a new tool which enables the detection of cerebral infarction earlier than is possible by CT. By using DWI it is possible to quantify changes in diffusion by calculating the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). ADC maps calculated using DWI therefore enable the quantification of the apparent diffusion conditions and allow the determination of the onset of cerebral ischemia. DWI can be used in the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies by controlling and quantifying the effect of new therapeutic agents.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1994

Simultaneous measurement of vesicle diffusion coefficients and trapping efficiencies by means of diffusion ordered 2D NMR spectroscopy.

It is demonstrated that the fraction of sucrose entrapped in the aqueous compartment of phospholipid vesicles and the tracer diffusion coefficient of the vesicles can be determined simultaneously with diffusion ordered 2D NMR spectroscopy (DOSY). The sizes of the vesicles are related to the diffusion coefficients by the Stokes-Einstein equation. This method displays 1H-NMR peaks for sucrose in the diffusion dimension at positions corresponding to free and entrapped sucrose, and the areas of these peaks are proportional to the amount of free and entrapped sucrose, respectively. The results were verified by a 1D NMR experiment in which the sucrose peaks were integrated before and after dialysis to remove the external sucrose.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed2006

How accurately can the diffusion profiles indicate multiple fiber orientations? A study on general fiber crossings in diffusion MRI.

The q-space imaging techniques and high angular resolution diffusion (HARD) imaging have shown promise to identify intravoxel multiple fibers. The measured orientation distribution function (ODF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) profiles can be used to identify the orientations of the actual intravoxel fibers. The present study aims to examine the accuracy of these profile-based orientation methods by comparing the angular deviations between the estimated local maxima of the profiles and the real fiber orientation for a fiber crossing simulated with various intersection angles under different b values in diffusion-weighted MRI experiments. Both noisy and noise-free environments were investigated. The diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI), q-ball imaging (QBI), and HARD techniques were used to generate ODF and ADC profiles. To provide a better comparison between ODF and ADC techniques, the phase-corrected angular deviations were also presented for the ADC method based on a circular spectrum mapping method. The results indicate that systematic angular deviations exist between the actual fiber orientations and the corresponding local maxima of either the ADC or ODF profiles. All methods are apt to underestimation of acute intersection and overestimation of obtuse intersection angle. For a typical slow-exchange fiber crossing, the ODF methods have a non-deviation zone around the 90 degrees intersection. Before the phase-correction, the deviation of ADC profiles approaches a peak at the 90 degrees intersection, while after the correction the ADC deviations are significantly reduced. When the b factor is larger than 1000 s/mm2, the ODF methods have smaller angular deviations than the ADC methods for the intersections close to 90 degrees . QBI method demonstrates a slight yet consistent advantage over the DSI method under the same conditions. In the noisy environment, the mean value of the deviation angles shows a high consistency with the corresponding deviation in the nose-free condition.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

Modeling biofilm and floc diffusion processes based on analytical solution of reaction-diffusion equations.

Biofilm modeling is often considered as a complex mathematical subject. This paper evaluates simple equations to describe the basic processes in a biofilm system with the main aim to show several interesting applications. To avoid mathematical complexity the simulations are carried out in a simple spreadsheet. Frequently, only the solution for zero-order reaction kinetics of the reaction-diffusion equation is used (better known as half-order kinetics). A weighted average of the analytical solutions for zero- and first-order reactions is proposed as basic and useful model to describe steady-state (in biofilm composition) biofilm reactors. This approach is compared with several modeling approaches, such as the simple solution for zero-order reaction and more complex ones (i) direct numerical solution for the diffusion equations, (ii) 1-D AQUASIM and (iii) 2-D modeling. The systems evaluated are single and multiple species biofilms. It is shown that for describing conversions in biofilm reactors, the zero-order solution is generally sufficient; however, for design purposes large deviations of the correct solution can occur. Additionally, the role of diffusion in flocculated and granular sludge systems is discussed. The relation between the measured (apparent) substrate affinity constant and diffusion processes is outlined.

Biofilms↗

PubMed1981

Diffusion-controlled bimolecular reaction rates. The effect of rotational diffusion and orientation constraints.

A new approach to the calculation of bimolecular association constants for partially diffusion-limited reactions between asymmetric species (e.g. the ligand binding site of a macromolecule covers only a portion of its surface) is presented. The usual formulation, which is almost always analytically intractable, is based on the solution of a steady-state rotational-translational diffusion equation subject to the mixed boundary conditions that (A) the ligand concentration vanishes over the reactive part of the macromolecular surface and (B) the flux vanishes over the remainder. We show that if A is replaced by the requirement that the flux is a constant over the reactive part of the macromolecular surface and this constant is evaluated by requiring the concentration to vanish on the average over the sink region, a whole class of problems can be solved analytically. We consider both the translational and rotational diffusion of the reactants and treat partially diffusion-controlled reactions using the so-called radiation boundary condition. To establish the validity of our approach, we study a simple model using the usual mixed as well as our boundary conditions. As illustrations of our method, we analytically solve and analyze the properties of two models that have been previously studied using numerical methods.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1982

Lateral diffusion in an archipelago. Effects of impermeable patches on diffusion in a cell membrane.

Lateral diffusion of molecules in lipid bilayer membranes can be hindered by the presence of impermeable domains of gel-phase lipid or of proteins. Effective-medium theory and percolation theory are used to evaluate the effective lateral diffusion constant as a function of the area fraction of fluid-phase lipid and the permeability of the obstructions to the diffusing species. Applications include the estimation of the minimum fraction of fluid lipid needed for bacterial growth, and the enhancement of diffusion-controlled reactions by the channeling effect of solid patches of lipid.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed1993

Lateral diffusion in an archipelago. Single-particle diffusion.

Several laboratories have measured lateral diffusion of single particles on the cell surface, and these measurements may reveal an otherwise inaccessible level of submicroscopic organization of cell membranes. Pitfalls in the interpretation of these experiments are analyzed. Random walks in unobstructed systems show structure that could be interpreted as free diffusion, obstructed diffusion, directed motion, or trapping in finite domains. To interpret observed trajectories correctly, one must consider not only the trajectories themselves but also the probabilities of occurrence of various trajectories. Measures of the asymmetry of obstructed and unobstructed random walks are calculated, and probabilities are evaluated for random trajectories that resemble either directed motion or diffusion in a bounded region.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed2000

Diffusion of lysozyme in gels and liquids. A general approach for the determination of diffusion coefficients using holographic laser interferometry.

A study on diffusion measurements of the protein lysozyme in liquids and agarose gels, at different pH and ionic strengths, has been performed using holographic laser interferometry. The measurements showed that the diffusive flux was very dependent on pH and ionic strength when the protein was not at its isoelectric point or when the charge of the lysozyme molecules was not screened by ions in the solution. Evaluation of the experimental data with Fick's law, resulted in diffusion coefficients for lysozyme that are strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. Evaluation of the experimental data using a more general transport model, based on chemical potential gradients instead of concentration gradients resulted in lysozyme diffusion coefficients that are independent of pH and ionic strength. The chemical potential was estimated by using the Poisson-Boltzmann equation.

Diffusion↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diffusion MRI: apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the normal brain and a classification of brain disorders based on ADC values.

Diffusion-weighted imaging, dependent on motion of water molecules, provides information regarding tissue integrity. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the normal brain parenchyma, and those in a variety of lesions were studied by echo-planar diffusion MRI in 310 cases. Brain disorders were classified based on their ADC values, taking the ADC values of the normal brain white matter as the principal category. In the normal white matter ADC ranges were 0.60-1.05x10(-3)mm(2)/s, and the mean ADC value was 0.84+/-0.11x10(-3)mm(2)/s. It was possible to distribute brain disorders, as well as artefacts on diffusion MRI to five major categories: category 1, ADC similar to normal white matter; category 2, ADC lower than normal white matter; category 3, ADC higher than normal white matter; category 4, ADC similar to CSF; and category 5, markedly low or high ADC. Further studies can provide addition of different lesions as well as refinements of these categories.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Estimation of membrane diffusion coefficients and equilibration times for low-density polyethylene passive diffusion samplers.

Passive diffusion (PD) samplers offer several potential technical and cost-related advantages, particularly for measuring dissolved gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater at contaminated sites. Sampler equilibration is a diffusion-type process; therefore, equilibration time is dependent on sampler dimensions, membrane thickness, and the temperature-dependent membrane diffusion coefficient (Dm) for the analyte of interest. Diffusion coefficients for low-density polyethylene membranes were measured for He, Ne, H2, O2, and N2 in laboratory experiments and ranged from 1.1 to 1.9 x 10(-7) cm2 sec(-1) (21 degrees C). Additionally, Dm values for several commonly occurring VOCs were estimated from empirical experimental data previously presented by others (Vroblesky, D. A.; Campbell, T. R. Adv. Environ. Res. 2001, 5(1), 1.), and estimated values ranged from 1.7 to 4.4 x 10(-7) cm2 sec(-1) (21 degrees C). On the basis of these Dm ranges, PD sampler equilibration time is predicted for various sampler dimensions, including dimensions consistent with simple constructed samplers used in this study and commercially available samplers. Additionally, a numerical model is presented that can be used to evaluate PD sampler concentration "lag time" for conditions in which in situ concentrations are temporally variable. The model adequately predicted lag time for laboratory experiments and is used to show that data obtained from appropriately designed PD samplers represent near-instantaneous measurement of in situ concentrations for most field conditions.

Diffusion↗

PubMed2003

Diffuse esophageal spasm: not diffuse but distal esophageal spasm (DES).

Diffuse esophageal spasm is an uncommon motility disorder that is found in less than 5% of patients undergoing esophageal motility testing for dysphagia. It is defined manometrically by the presence of 20% or more simultaneous contractions in the distal esophageal body with normal peristalsis. This motility abnormality has been traditionally identified as occurring primarily in the smooth muscle portion of the distal esophagus yet, the term "diffuse" persists in the medical literature to identify DES. The aim of our study was to assess the diffuse or limited nature of this entity by evaluating the prevalence of simultaneous contractions in both proximal and distal esophagus in patients with DES. We reviewed esophageal motility tracings of 53 consecutive patients (32 F, 21 M) with DES and compared them with 53 age-matched patients with manometric normal studies. In the distal esophagus we found 195 simultaneous contractions (37% of swallows) with a median of 3 and range of 2-7 per patient. Of the 53 patients with DES a total of 13 simultaneous contractions (2% of swallows) occurred in the proximal esophagus with only 3 (5.6%) of the 53 patients having 2 or more simultaneous contractions in 10 swallows. None of the patients with normal manometry showed more than one simultaneous contraction in either proximal or distal esophagus. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the term diffuse esophageal spasm is a misnomer and the DES is more appropriately described as "distal" esophageal spasm.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

pH dependence of hydrochloric acid diffusion through gastric mucus: correlation with diffusion through a water layer using a membrane-mounted glass pH electrode.

Solute diffusion coefficients (D) can indicate a dependence upon actual solute concentrations. Here a single compartment has been utilized, in which effective HCl diffusion to a membrane-mounted glass pH electrode can be measured across the pH spectrum. The study has investigated HCl diffusion through both mucus and water layers as a function of HCl concentration. The observed dynamic responses of a liquid-film and mucus-coated electrodes over a range of HCl concentrations suggest that the speed at which equilibrium is attained is pH dependent; equilibrium was reached rapidly under more acidic and alkaline conditions. Estimated values of DHCl also indicate a strong pH dependence for both liquid film and mucus. In both instances, a greater than 10-fold reduction in DHCl at pH 7.5 as compared with that at pH 3.5 has been demonstrated. Furthermore, estimated values of DHCl are approximately 4-fold smaller through the mucus gel, as compared with a water layer. The findings indicate that the most powerful influence on diffusional resistance is pH itself, whereby a marked drop in H+ diffusion is likely to occur towards neutral pH irrespective of the composition of the gel barrier. Possible implications of the findings are discussed in relation to mucosal protection from acid.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Estimation of effective diffusion coefficients of model solutes through gastric mucus: assessment of a diffusion chamber technique based on spectrophotometric analysis.

A diffusion chamber technique based on spectrophotometric analysis to determine effective diffusion coefficients for solutes with various relative molecular mass (Mr) values and properties, passing through native mucus gel, is reported. For all solutes studied, a reduction in effective diffusion coefficients is observed with a retardation of solute flux by a factor of at least two. For the solutes investigated (with Mr values ranging from 126-14,400 u), no consistent effect of solutes of low Mr was evident with regard to the retarding effect of mucus; however, at high Mr values (greater than 4000 u) the retardation was greatly enhanced. A possible relationship between charged solutes of low Mr and the degree of retardation was observed, which possibly suggests the presence of ionic interactions of the solutes with the largely negatively charged mucus gel. The results provide further evidence for the suggestion that mucus is acting more than simply as a gel support for an unstirred water layer and is perhaps a more potent diffusion barrier to specific solutes.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

PubMed1993

Histopathologic correlates of abnormal water diffusion in cerebral ischemia: diffusion-weighted MR imaging and light and electron microscopic study.

PURPOSE: To correlate the findings on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images with the cytologic and histologic findings in ischemic tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A photochemical model of cerebral infarction in rats was studied with diffusion- and T2-weighted MR imaging. The development of lesions was followed from 20 minutes to 5 days after the onset of ischemia. Apparent water diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were calculated and correlated with light and electron microscopic findings. RESULTS: T2-weighted images clearly showed vasogenic edema but did not enable distinction between areas with cellular damage and the surrounding edematous regions. In contrast, the ADC, which was elevated in nonischemic edematous regions, was diminished in areas with histologic evidence of ischemic damage or necrosis. In the core of the infarct, the ADC became elevated when electron microscopy revealed cellular lysis. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted images may help ascertain the extent of cellular damage and death after stroke.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intracerebral diffusion of paramagnetic cationic liposomes containing Gd(DTPA)2- followed by MRI spectroscopy: assessment of pattern diffusion and time steadiness of a non-viral vector model.

Cationic liposomes are generally considered as the non-viral counterparts of the more common viral vectors used in several gene therapy protocols, but their use as delivery vehicles is limited by their efficiency even if they display a lower toxicity. However, cationic liposomes are promising delivery systems in cell biology due to their ability to incorporate small molecules into their inner aqueous spheres and to deliver them into cells. Additionally, on the external surface they can bind therapeutic molecules such as nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, plasmids, etc. through electrostatic interactions. The aim of this work was to study the diffusion properties of such vehicles in vivo with a non-invasive technique and to monitor their tissue migration in order to collect information to be further used in gene therapy procedures. For this purpose, cationic liposomes containing the paramagnetic contrast agent Gd(DTPA)2- (Gd(III)-diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N",N"-pentaacetic acid) were investigated because of their extended paramagnetic persistency in vivo, compared to the use of the contrast agent alone, and they were used to monitor the diffusion of such vehicles in an animal model (rat model). In particular, these vectors were injected into the rat brain through a stereotactic frame in a preformed cavity mimicking the lesion which had originated after surgical removal of the primary tumor. For the purpose of comparison, the same injection procedure was also applied to a control series of animals without a preformed brain lesion. Pattern diffusion and steadiness of the reported paramagnetic cationic liposomes were studied by means of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which allowed us to monitor their diffusion and assess their intracerebral time availability up to 24 hours.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Diffusion MRI shows increased water apparent diffusion coefficient in the brains of cirrhotics.

BACKGROUND: Brain edema and increased intracranial pressure worsen prognosis in patients with end-stage chronic cirrhosis. OBJECTIVE: To use diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to quantify water apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in different brain regions of patients with chronic liver failure with or without hepatic encephalopathy. METHODS: The authors studied 14 patients with viral liver cirrhosis and 12 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. Seven patients had no clinical evidence of hepatic encephalopathy; six had grade I hepatic encephalopathy; and one had grade II hepatic encephalopathy. Brain DWI was obtained using a single-shot echo-planar imaging sequence, and four gradient strengths (b values = 0, 300, 600, and 900 s/mm(2)) were applied to calculate the average diffusivity maps. RESULTS: Mean ADC values in the brains of patients with cirrhosis were significantly increased in all selected regions of interest (caudate, putamen, and pallidus nuclei; occipital, parietal, and frontal lobe white matter) except in the thalamus. Venous ammonia was linearly related to ADC values in deep gray and white matter regions of interest. CONCLUSIONS: Brain water apparent diffusion coefficient is increased in patients with chronic liver disease and may be useful in monitoring patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Diffusing capacity for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The passage of carbon monoxide (CO) through the alveolocapillary membrane and into the plasma and intraerythrocytic compartments determines the diffusing capacity of the lung for CO (DLCO) as defined by the Roughton and Forster equation. On the other hand, the single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for nitric oxide (DLNO) is thought to represent the true membrane diffusing capacity because of its very high affinity for hemoglobin (Hb) and its independence from pulmonary capillary blood volume. Therefore, the DLNO/DLCO ratio can be used to differentiate between thickened alveolocapillary membranes (both DLNO and DLCO are decreased, and the DLNO/DLCO ratio is normal) and decreased perfusion of ventilated alveoli (the DLNO less decreased than the DLCO; therefore, the DLNO/DLCO ratio is high) in patients with pulmonary disease. STUDY DESIGN: We measured the combined values of DLCO and DLNO in 41 patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD), 26 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and 71 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The DLCO (corrected to the standard Hb value) was lowered in the DPLD group (64% of predicted) and in the PAH group (64% of predicted), and was normal in the control group (105% of predicted). The DLNO/DLCO ratio in patients with PAH (4.98) was significantly higher than that in patients with DPLD (4.56) and in healthy subjects (4.36). CONCLUSION: The DLNO/DLCO ratio is significantly higher in patients with PAH than in healthy subjects, although this ratio cannot be applied as a screening test to discriminate between patients with DPLD and PAH as the overlap between these groups is too large.

Adult↗