Vitamin D in Patients of Chronic Liver Disease with Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequently encountered complication of chronic liver disease (CLD). The manifestation is thought to be due to alteration in absorption of nutrients with associated altered metabolism with deterioration in synthetic function of liver. Several factors are known to precipitate HE. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in development of HE. Although uncertain as a causative factor, studies have shown significant lower levels of 25OHD with worsening HE. This study was therefore undertaken with the aim to access the 25OHD levels in patients of CLD and the relationship with the degree of severity of HE. MATERIAL: A cross-sectional hospital based observational study for a period of one year (1st June 2020 to 31st May 2021) was carried out with a total of 88 subjects of either sex above 12 years of age after application of inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. OBSERVATION: The results showed significant difference in serum albumin levels (p= 0.003) in patient groups of with and without overt HE. The mean levels of serum 25OHD was significantly lower in the overt HE group than the covert HE group (24.11 ± 6.46 ng/ml vs 11.72 ± 4.84 ng/ml, p< 0.001). The study showed the mean levels of serum 25OHD among patients with grade 1 HE is 24.11 ± 6.46 ng/ml, in patients with grade 2 HE is 13.61 ± 4.73 ng/ ml, followed by 8.41 ± 2.84 ng/ml and 8.00 ± 2.66 ng/ml in grade 3 and grade 4 HE respectively, p<0.001. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between serum 25OHD levels and HE (person's correlation coefficient r = -0.731, p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum 25OHD levels were significantly lower in patients with overt HE. Serum levels of 25OHD showed a negative correlation with the degree of severity of HE.

Effects of MgO-CaO-P2O5-Na2O-based additives on mechanical and biological properties of hydroxyapatite.

In this research, we improved densification, hardness, and compression strength of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics by introducing small quantities of MgO-CaO-P(2)O(5)-Na(2)O-based sintering additives. Biological properties of HAp were not altered by this procedure. Phase analyses were performed by using a Philips Xpert fully automated diffractometer with Co K-alpha radiation to understand the influence of additives on phase purity in the final products. All compositions were characterized at green and sintered densities to understand the influence of additives on densification. Some of the compositions showed >40% increase in Vickers microhardness compared with pure HAp processed under the same conditions. Improvement in compression strength was also detected in some compositions. In vitro biological testing used a modified human osteoblast cell line to test biocompatibility, cell attachment, and cell proliferation. All these compositions were nontoxic and biocompatible. Our results indicate that MgO-CaO-P(2)O(5)-Na(2)O-based sintering additives can be used to improve both mechanical and biological properties of HAp ceramics.

CaO--P2O5--Na2O-based sintering additives for hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics.

We have assessed the effect of CaO--P2O5--Na2O-based sintering additives on mechanical and biological properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics. Five different compositions of sintering additives were selected and prepared by mixing of CaO, P2O5, and Na2CO3 powders. 2.5 wt% of each additive was combined with commercial HAp powder, separately, followed by ball milling, and sintering at 1250 degrees C and 1300 degrees C in a muffle furnace. Green and sintered densities of the compacts were analyzed for the influence of additives on densification of HAp. Phase analyses were carried out using an X-ray diffractometer. Vickers microhardness testing was used to evaluate hardness of sintered compacts of different compositions. A maximum microhardness of 4.6 (+/- 0.28) GPa was attained for a composition with 2.5 wt% addition of CaO:P2O5:Na2O in the ratio of 3:3:4. Results from mechanical property evaluation showed that some of these sintering additives improved failure strength of HAp under compressive loading. Maximum compressive strength was observed for samples with 2.5 wt% addition of CaO. Average failure strength for this set of samples was calculated to be 220 (+/- 50) MPa. Cytotoxicity, and cell attachment studies were carried out using a modified human osteoblast cell line called OPC-1. In vitro results showed that these compositions were non-toxic. Some sintering aids enhanced cell attachment and proliferation, which was revealed from SEM examination of the scaffolds seeded with OPC-1 cells.

Detection of thiazide-based diuretics in equine urine by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Thiazide-based diuretics are included in the list of banned drugs in the horse-racing industry. One effect of their misuse is increased urine flow, contributing to dilution of other doping agents. Their determination is essential in ensuring compliance to horse-racing regulation. This study evaluates the feasibility of using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interfaces to analyze thiazidic diuretics in equine urine samples. Existing LC and gas chromatography/MS methods are limited in their applicability to thiazide analysis. Sample preparation, analyte extraction, chromatographic separation, ion-source collision induced dissociation, solvent composition, ionization mode, and ion polarity are discussed. The practicality of LC/MS for this analysis is demonstrated with actual equine administration samples collected at specified time intervals. Detection limits were 270 ng/mL for chlorothiazide, 131 ng/mL for hydrochlorothiazide, and 384 ng/mL for trichlormethiazide.