In vitro antimicrobial activity of ZnO based glass-ceramics against pathogenic bacteria.

The antibacterial activity of ZnO (0-15.53 mol%) based SiO2-CaO-P2O5-Na2O-CaF2 bioactive glass-ceramics synthesized by controlled crystallisation were studied against eight micro-organisms using modified Kirby Bauer method. The antibacterial activity of the specimens was statistically evaluated using one-way analysis of variance and P < 0.05 was used as the level of significance. In vitro dissolution tests were performed in stimulated body fluid for 48 h at 37 °C for different time intervals to correlate the dissolution behaviour of test samples with antibacterial effects. The results illustrate that specimen BZn15.53 having the highest concentration of ZnO (15.53 mol%) demonstrated the strongest effect against Staph.aureus, S. epidermidis, B. subtilis and K. pneumonia. The effectiveness of BZn15.53 in inhibiting bacteria was due to accumulation of Zn(+2) ions around the surface of the bacteria cell release that caused the death of the cell, besides the presence of hydroxyapatite phase was also responsible for damaging the cell membrane of bacteria.

To study the synthesis and characterization of SrO-MgO-SiO2 system in biological and dielectric applications.

Ternary ceramic samples comprising SrO-MgO-SiO2 with varying element concentrations were synthesized using the solid-state method and sintered at 800°C. To characterize the properties of the samples, several analysis techniques were employed. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) was utilized for structural analysis, FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify bonds, SEM provided morphological analysis, biocompatibility was assessed through Vitro testing, microhardness was evaluated using Vickers testing, and dielectric analysis was performed to investigate electrical properties. The XRD spectra confirmed the presence of a ternary phase known as Magnesium Strontium Di-silicate [MgSr2Si2O7], with no impurity peaks detected. FTIR spectroscopy indicated the formation of Magnesium silicate, displaying vibrational bands corresponding to SiO4 and MgO, which further confirmed the existence of MgSr2Si2O7 in the samples. The Vitro test results revealed that all samples exhibited biocompatible behavior, with moderate pH and weight loss. SEM images provided insights into the morphology of the system and confirmed the development of an appetite layer on the sample surfaces. The particle size of the samples was measured to be approximately 116.48±9 nm. Vickers hardness testing yielded microhardness values ranging from 378.1 to 400.2 HV. Dielectric constant measurements demonstrated that the AC conductivity of the SrO-MgO-SiO2 system increased as the percentage of Mg doping increased.

Synthesis, characterization of CaF2 doped silicate glass-ceramics.

This paper reports the fabrication and characterization of silicate glass-ceramics doped with (0-12mol%) CaF2. TGA-DSC analysis was carried out to determine the crystallization temperature and stability of glass measured by two glass parameters; Hruby parameter KH=(Tx-Tg)/(TL-Tx) and Weinberg parameter KW=(Tc-Tg)/TL. It was found that with CaF2 doping improved sinterability at low temperature and provided stability to the glass. The XRD pattern exhibits a single phase of combeite and doping of CaF2 cause increase in crystallite size. Microstructure of samples was also improved with CaF2 addition, pores were significantly reduced. After 15days immersion in simulated body fluid all samples developed apatite layer onto its surface. Hence, the addition of CaF2 provided bioactive glass-ceramic material having a low processing temperature.

Effect of Ti(+4) on in vitro bioactivity and antibacterial activity of silicate glass-ceramics.

A novel glass-ceramic series in (48-x) SiO2-36 CaO-4 P2O5-12 Na2O-xTiO2 (where x=0, 3.5, 7, 10.5 and 14mol %) system was synthesized by crystallization of glass powders, obtained by melt quenching technique. The differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC) was used to study the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the as prepared glasses. The crystallization behaviour of glasses was analyzed under non-isothermal conditions, and qualitative phase analysis of glass-ceramics was made by X-ray diffraction. The in vitro bioactivity of synthesized glass-ceramics was studied in stimulated body fluid at 37°C under static condition for 24days. The formation of hydroxyl-carbonated apatite layer; evident of bioactivity of the material, was elucidated by XRD, FTIR, AAS, SEM and EDX analysis. The result showed that partial substitution of TiO2 with SiO2 negatively influenced bioactivity; it decreased with increase in concentration of TiO2. As Ti(+4) having stronger field strength as compared to Si(+4) so its replacement became the cause for reduction in degradation that in turn improved the chemical stability. The compressive strength was also enhanced with progress addition of TiO2 in the system. The antibacterial properties were examined against Staphylococcus Epidermidis. Strong antibacterial efficacy was observed with the addition of TiO2 in the system.

Age- and gender-based studies of trace metal levels and various enzymes associated with myocardial infarction.

The present investigation deals with the determination of various serum enzymes known to be elevated during myocardial infarction (MI) and estimation of selected metals like Cu, Cr, Co, Fe, Pb, and Mg by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The data obtained thereby were processed for the determination of correlation coefficient matrix among the cardiac enzymes and the serum metals. The study evidenced the accumulation of Pb during MI and reduction in the level of Fe. A significant negative correlation was observed between Cu and creatine kinase-MB. The data were also segregated into various groups to study the influence of age and gender on the levels of selected parameters. In both the genders, the age of the patients was found to be correlated significantly with various cardiac enzymes. In case of male patients, the most significant correlation was observed between age and blood sugar at random. The other significant correlations among the male patients included Cr-CPK, Cr-creatine kinase-MB, Fe-age, and others. In female patients, the pairs of studied parameters that exhibited significant correlations included age-lactic dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme-aspartate aminotransferase, lactic dehydrogenase-creatine phosphokinase isoenzymes, Pb-Fe, and Cu-Co in addition to others.

The evaluation of coated granules to mask the bitter taste of dihydroartemisinin / A avaliação de grânulos revestidos para mascarar o sabor amargo da diidroartemisina

The purpose of this study was to mask the bitter taste imparted by dihydroartemisinin (DHA) by the use of different coating materials. Trial-1 and trial-2 were conducted to prepare the DHA granules. The granules produced from trial-1 were irregular in shape and smaller in size while the trial-2 granules were more regular and larger in size. The granules obtained from both trials were then coated with two different coating methods, namely A and B, depending upon coating material. The trial-2 granules showed better flow properties than trial-1 granules. In vitro dissolution studies in phosphate buffer at pH 6.8 revealed that granules of trial-2B released only 34 percent ± 3 DHA in two minutes compared with trial-1A (57 percent ± 2), trial-1B (48 percent ± 2) and trial-2A (53 percent ± 7). The pleasant taste perception (PTP) test also confirmed the taste masking efficacy of trial-2B (P < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the more regular and smooth surface of trial-2B granules. In addition, the differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTA) confirmed no interaction between the materials and pure DHA. DHA has shown its characteristic peaks in the x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns which were also prominent in all the granules. In conclusion, the granules obtained from trial-2B displayed considerable decrease in the bitter taste of DHA thereby fulfilling the purpose of this study.

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de mascarar o gosto amargo característico da diidroartemisinina (DHA) pelo uso de diferentes materiais de revestimento. Experimento-1 e experimento-2 foram realizados para preparar grânulos de DHA. Os grânulos produzidos pelo experimento-1 mostraram-se irregulares e menores se comparados aos obtidos pelo experimento-2, que foram mais regulares e maiores. Os grânulos obtidos em ambos os experimentos foram, então, revestidos por dois métodos distintos de revestimento, designados como A e B, dependendo do material de revestimento empregado. Os grânulos do experimento-2 mostraram melhor propriedade de fluxo que os obtidos no experimento-1. Estudos de dissolução in vitro em tampão fosfato pH 6,8 revelaram que grânulos do experimento-2B liberaram apenas 34 por cento ± 3 da DHA em dois minutos se comparado com experimento-1A (57 por cento ± 2), experimento-1B (48 por cento ± 2) e experimento-2A (53 por cento ± 7). A Análise Sensorial quanto ao sabor (Pleasant Taste Perception - PTP) também confirmou a eficácia do experimento-2B (P <0,05) em mascarar o gosto amargo da DHA. Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (SEM) revelou a superfície mais regular e lisa dos grânulos obtidos pelo experimento-2B. Além disso, Análise Termogravimétrica e Análise Térmica Diferencial (TG-DTA) confirmaram que não há nenhuma interação entre os materiais e a DHA pura. DHA mostrou seus picos característicos na Difração de Raios X (XRD) em padrões que também foram proeminentes em todas as amostras. Em conclusão, os grânulos obtidos pelo experimento-2B exibiram diminuição considerável no gosto amargo da DHA, o que era o propósito deste estudo.