The effects of adequate dietary calcium intake in patients with hypoparathyroidism non-adherent to treatment: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: A significant problem that compels clinicians in the conventional treatment of hypoparathyroidism is patients' non-adherence to treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adequate Ca intake with dietary recommendations among hypoparathyroidism patients who persistently use Ca supplementation irregularly on plasma Ca and phosphate levels. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted on patients diagnosed with chronic hypoparathyroidism who persistently interrupt Ca supplementation therapy and therefore have a hypocalcemic course. Patients with a total daily Ca intake below 800 mg were randomized. All patients were advised to keep the doses of active vitamin D and Ca supplements they were currently using. The patients in the study group (n=32) were advised to consume 1,000-1,200 mg of Ca daily, and the patients in the control group (n=35) were advised to continue their diet according to their daily habits. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the patients' laboratory values were compared between groups to assess treatment goals. RESULTS: The mean of the total Ca level was 8.56±0.36 mg/dL in the study group and was found to be significantly higher than that in the control group, which was 7.67±0.48 mg/dL (p<0.001). The mean serum phosphate and serum Ca-P product levels were significantly higher in the study group (p<0.001) but did not exceed the safe upper limits in any patient. CONCLUSION: A suitable increase in dietary Ca intake could effectively control hypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism who persistently interrupt the recommended calcium supplementation.

Comparative Heating Efficiency of Cobalt-, Manganese-, and Nickel-Ferrite Nanoparticles for a Hyperthermia Agent in Biomedicines.

In this study, the ac magnetic hyperthermia responses of spinel CoFe2O4, MnFe2O4, and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles of comparable sizes (∼20 nm) were investigated to evaluate their feasibility of use in magnetic hyperthermia. The heating ability of EDT-coated nanoparticles which were dispersed in two different carrier media, deionized water and ethylene glycol, at concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/mL, was evaluated by estimating the specific loss power (SLP) (which is a measure of magnetic energy transformed into heat) under magnetic fields of 15, 25, and 50 kA/m at a constant frequency of 195 kHz. The maximum value of SLP has been found to be ∼315 W/g for CoFe2O4 and ∼295 W/g for MnFe2O4 and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. We report very promising heating temperature rising characteristics of CoFe2O4, MnFe2O4, and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles under different applied magnetic fields that indicate the effectiveness of these nanoparticles as hyperthermia agents.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of polyurethane/Hypericum perforatum extract (PHPE) composite.

Microbial accumulation in materials used in sectors such as medical, textile and food can lead to serious diseases, infections and uncontrollable problems. Many of the materials used in the above-mentioned industries have highly sensitive surfaces for microorganisms and cause colonization and biofilm formation. Colonization and biofilm formation threaten human health and they cause many diseases that result in death every year. Antimicrobial materials have an important role in combating pathogens. This article is about a new material with antibiofilm and antimicrobial properties combining polyurethane and Hypericum perforatum extract (PHPE) together. Antimicrobial effect of H. perforatum extract was determined against three clinical pathogens; C. albicans, E. coli and S. aureus. The highest antimicrobial activity of H. perforatum extract was found against S. aureus strain. Antibiofilm analysis results revealed that H. perforatum was also inhibited by the biofilm formation of S. aureus by 56.85%. The combination of polyurethane material and H. perforatum extract (PHPE) resulted in 92.85% decrease in S. aureus biofilm compared to control group. The reduction of S. aureus after H. perforatum incorporation was revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study. The results show that the polyurethane material combined with H. perforatum extract inhibits the formation of S. aureus biofilm.