scholarly journals Thermal Physics and Glaucoma: From Thermodynamic to Biophysical Considerations to Designing Future Therapies

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 7071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Lucia ◽  
Giulia Grisolia
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Thermodynamic Model ◽  
Electric Potential ◽  
Ion Fluxes ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Thermal Physics ◽  
Anti Inflammation ◽  
Non Equilibrium

This paper presents a theoretical approach to glaucoma, with the aim of improving the comprehension of the biophysical bases for new possible therapies. The approach is based on a non-equilibrium thermodynamic model. The results point to the fundamental role of the membrane’s electric potential and of its relation with inflammation and ion fluxes. A new viewpoint is suggested to consider anti-inflammation and photobiomodulation as possible therapies for glaucoma.

scholarly journals Thermal Physics and Glaucoma II: Preliminary Evidences for a Thermophysical Design of a Possible Visible-Light-Photons Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6301
Author(s):  
Giulia Grisolia ◽  
Mariarosa Astori ◽  
Antonio Ponzetto ◽  
Antonio Vercesi ◽  
Umberto Lucia
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Thermodynamic Approach ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Pharmacological Treatments ◽  
Light Stimulation ◽  
Cell Behaviour ◽  
Thermal Physics ◽  
Starting Point

Recently, a non-equilibrium thermodynamic approach has been developed in order to model the fundamental role of the membrane electric potential in the cell behaviour. A related new viewpoint is introduced, with a design of a photobiomodulation treatment in order to restore part of the visual field. Here, a first step in experimental evidence of the validity of the thermodynamic approach is developed. This result represents the starting point for future experimental improvements for light stimulation in order to improve the quality of life of the patients. The future possible therapy will be in addition to the pharmacological treatments.

A new perspective on the electron transfer: recovering the Butler–Volmer equation in non-equilibrium thermodynamics

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (36) ◽  
pp. 24966-24983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Dreyer ◽  
Clemens Guhlke ◽  
Rüdiger Müller
Keyword(s):  
Electron Transfer ◽  
Asymptotic Analysis ◽  
Thermodynamic Model ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamics ◽  
Electrochemical Systems ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Physical Phenomena ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Non Equilibrium

Butler–Volmer equations can be recovered from a complete non-equilibrium thermodynamic model by application of asymptotic analysis. Thereby we gain insight into the coupling of different physical phenomena and can derive Butler–Volmer equations for very different materials and electrochemical systems.

scholarly journals Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamic Approach to Ca2+-Fluxes in Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 6737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Lucia ◽  
Giulia Grisolia
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Electric Potential ◽  
Chemical Potential ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Ion Fluxes ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
Cancer And Inflammation ◽  
Ion Species ◽  
Non Equilibrium

Living systems waste heat in their environment. This is the measurable effect of the irreversibility of the biophysical and biochemical processes fundamental to their life. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics allows us to analyse the ion fluxes through the cell membrane, and to relate them to the membrane electric potential, in order to link this to the biochemical and biophysical behaviour of the living cells. This is particularly interesting in relation to cancer, because it could represent a new viewpoint, in order to develop new possible anticancer therapies, based on the thermoelectric behaviour of cancer itself. Here, we use a new approach, recently introduced in thermodynamics, in order to develop the analysis of the ion fluxes, and to point out consequences related to the membrane electric potential, from a thermodynamic viewpoint. We show how any increase in the cell temperature could generate a decrease in the membrane electric potential, with a direct relation between cancer and inflammation. Moreover, a thermal threshold, for the cell membrane electric potential gradient, has been obtained, and related to the mitotic activity. Finally, we obtained the external surface growth of the cancer results related (i) to the Ca2+-fluxes, (ii) to the temperature difference between the the system and its environment, and (iii) to the chemical potential of the ion species.

Non-equilibrium thermodynamic model of water sorption in Nafion membranes

2017 ◽  
Vol 540 ◽  
pp. 35-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Václav Klika ◽  
Jan Kubant ◽  
Michal Pavelka ◽  
Jay B. Benziger
Keyword(s):  
Thermodynamic Model ◽  
Water Sorption ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Nafion Membranes ◽  
Non Equilibrium

scholarly journals How Life Works—A Continuous Seebeck-Peltier Transition in Cell Membrane?

Entropy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Lucia ◽  
Giulia Grisolia
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchange ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Thermophysical Properties ◽  
Electric Potential ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Thermodynamic Approach ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Phenomenological Coefficients

This paper develops a non-equilibrium thermodynamic approach to life, with particular regards to the membrane role. The Onsager phenomenological coefficients are introduced in order to point out the thermophysical properties of the cell systems. The fundamental role of the cell membrane electric potential is highlighted, in relation to ions and heat fluxes, pointing out the strictly relation between heat exchange and the membrane electric potential. A Seebeck-like and Peltier-like effects emerge in order to simplify the description of the heat and the ions fluxes. Life is described as a continuos transition between the Peltier-like effect to the Seebeck-like one, and viceversa.

Non-equilibrium thermodynamic model for calcium carbonate supersaturated solutions of high salinity

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-60
Author(s):  
Martina Costa Reis ◽  
Maria de Fátima Brito Sousa ◽  
Celso Aparecido Bertran ◽  
Adalberto Bono Maurizio Sacchi Bassi
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Thermodynamic Model ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Supersaturated Solutions ◽  
Non Equilibrium
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