Effective Synergistic Action of Benzimidazolium Nano Gemini Ionic Liquid and Conventional Surfactant for Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery.

Blends of newly developed Gemini surface-active ionic liquids (GSAILs) and conventional surfactants offer significant enhancements to the interfacial properties between crude oil and water, providing economic benefits in chemically enhanced oil recovery. In this study, the mixtures of a benzimidazolium cationic GSAIL, [C4benzim-C6-benzimC4][Br2], and sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS) were successfully utilized for improving crude oil-water interfacial properties. The research revealed synergistic effects of up to 99.6% in reducing interfacial tension (IFT), achieving a low IFT value of 0.04 mN m-1 corresponding to an optimal GSAIL mole fraction of 0.2 for the mixture of surfactants. Additionally, significant synergies of 53.4 and 74% were observed in oil-water emulsification and in surface wettability when using a GSAIL mole fraction of 0.2. These results showcase the importance of the dominant interaction between the opposite-charged surfactants. The Frumkin isotherm and the Rosen model were employed for the theoretical study of adsorption behavior of individual surfactants and their mixture at the interface, demonstrating reasonable parameter variations. The overall findings emphasize the potential of utilizing these unique blends to enhance oil recovery processes through tailored interfacial properties.

Ameliorative effects of aerobic training in girls with precocious puberty: role of leptin and ghrelin.

This study was an attempt to examine the changes in serum levels of ghrelin and leptin after 12-weeks of aerobic training and gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) treatment in girls with central precocious puberty. Thirty girls (6-8 years old) with precocious puberty who had received Triptorelin were randomly divided in two groups (medication and medication + training). Fifteen age-matched healthy girls (without precocious puberty) were also included as the control group. The medication + training group submitted an aerobic training program for 3 days/week with 20-75 min per day and 45-75% of maximum heart rate for 12-weeks. Serum levels of leptin, ghrelin, cholesterol, triglycerides and body mass index (BMI) were determined at baseline and 48 h after the last training session. The results indicated that leptin significantly decreased (p = 0.001) and ghrelin significantly increased (p = 0.001) in the medication + training group but no significant difference was observed in the ghrelin (p = 1) and leptin (p = 0.78) in the medication group. Leptin to ghrelin ratio indicated a decrease in medicine + training group (p = 0.028). Ghrelin were negatively correlated with leptin and BMI. The data indicated that aerobic training increased ghrelin and reduced leptin and leptin to ghrelin ratio but GnRH agonist treatment had no effect on plasma leptin and ghrelin levels.

A comparative study on the design and application of new nano benzimidazolium gemini ionic liquids for curing interfacial properties of the crude oil-water system.

Gemini surface active ionic liquids (GSAILs) are considered a new prosperous class of ionic liquids and recognized as high performance materials. The present study explores the capabilities of the newly synthesized GSAILs, constructed from two benzimidazole rings attached via a four or a six carbon spacer, namely [C4benzim-Cn-benzimC4][Br2], n = 4 and 6. The products were characterized with FT-IR, NMR, XRD, TGA, DTG and SEM methods and were used in curing interfacial properties of the crude oil-water system. The interfacial tension (IFT) was reduced to about 64 and 71% under critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of 0.028 and 0.025 mol dm-3 at 298.2 K for n = 4 and 6 GSAILs, respectively. Temperature significantly assisted this effect. Both the GSAILs could transfer the wettability of the solid surface from oil-wet to water-wet. Further, stable oil/water emulsions were produced, having emulsion indices of 74.2 and 77.3% for n = 4 and 6 GSAILs, respectively. Compared to homologous imidazolium GSAILs, the benzimidazolium products revealed better performance in the sense of exhibiting desired effects on the investigated interfacial properties. These can be attributed to the stronger hydrophobicity of the benzimidazolium rings as well as better spreading of the molecular charges. The Frumkin isotherm could exactly reproduce the IFT data, leading to precise determination of the important adsorption and thermodynamic parameters.

Effect of Exercise and Detraining on Signs of Puberty and Selected Inflammatory Markers in Girls with Precocious Puberty.

PURPOSE: We examined the effects of aerobic exercise and detraining on adiponectin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), white blood cell, and pubertal signs (uterine length, ovarian volume, luteinizing hormone [LH], and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]) in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). METHODS: Thirty girls with CPP (7-9 yr old) were randomly divided into CPP and CPP + Exercise (EX) groups. Fifteen healthy age-matched girls without precocious puberty participated for comparison with CPP. Subjects in the CPP + EX group attended 12 wk of aerobic exercise protocol three sessions a week. In the baseline, after completing the exercise protocol and after 4 wk of detraining, all the parameters were measured. In the CPP and healthy groups, all the parameters were measured in all three stages. To measure adiponectin, resistin, and TNF-α, the ELISA method was used. LH and FSH were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. White blood cell counts were analyzed by an automated blood cell counter. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze the results. RESULTS: CPP girls have lower adiponectin ( P = 0.01) and higher TNF-α levels ( P = 0.001) than healthy girls. In the CPP + EX group, after 12 wk, body weight and fat mass decreased, and adiponectin increased significantly ( P = 0.02). Resistin ( P = 0.02), TNF-α ( P = 0.02), neutrophils ( P = 0.01), and signs of puberty significantly ( P < 0.05) decreased. After detraining, no significant change was observed except TNF-α, which increased significantly ( P = 0.03). In the CPP group, no significant change was observed in any of the parameters; only LH ( P = 0.0001) and uterine length and ovarian volume ( P = 0.003, P = 0.001) decreased after 12 and 16 wk, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise can have a positive effect on the state of inflammation and pubertal signs. Positive effects remain after 4 wk of detraining.

Benefits of aerobic training in girls with precocious puberty: involvement of CRP and cortisol.

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic training, 4 weeks of detraining and use gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol levels in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). Methods Forty-five girls (aged 6-8 years) with precocious puberty were randomly divided into three groups (medication, training and medicine + training groups). Fifteen healthy girls (without precocious puberty) were also included as the control group. Serum CRP and cortisol levels were measured at baseline by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Then, the experimental groups performed an aerobic training program for 3 days/week 20-75 min per day at 45-75% maximum heart rate for 12 weeks. The medication groups also received GnRHa during the study, once a month (1 mL every 4 weeks) by intramuscular injection. Serum CRP and cortisol levels were measured again 48 h after the last training session and also after 4 weeks of detraining. Results Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures showed a significant decrease in CRP (p = 0.02) and cortisol levels (p = 0.01) in the training group and the medicine + training group. Detraining led to return of CRP and cortisol levels to the pre-training levels (p = 0.001). No significant difference in serum CRP (p = 0.43) and cortisol levels (p = 0.06) was observed in the medication group. Further, no significant difference was observed between groups in CRP and cortisol. Conclusions Long-term regular moderate training decreases inflammation indices, and detraining eliminates the benefits of training in girls with precocious puberty.