Influence of Zeolite Coating on the Corrosion Resistance of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy

The protective performance of zeolite coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.1 M sodium chloride solution (NaCl). Electrical equivalent circuit (EEC) was developed based upon hypothetical corrosion mechanisms and simulated to correspond to the experimental data. The morphology and the chemical nature of the coating were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Post corrosion morphologies of the zeolite coated and the uncoated AZ91D alloy were investigated using SEM. The corrosion resistance of the zeolite coated specimen was at least one order of magnitude higher than the uncoated specimen.     

Within-hospital and 30-day outcomes in 107,994 patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography with different low-osmolar iodinated contrast media

Comparative clinical outcomes after exposure to alternate low osmolar contrast media (LOCM) during invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been incompletely examined. From a retrospective multicenter observational study, we identified 107,994 adults without previous hemodialysis undergoing ICA and/or PCI with iohexol, iopamidol, or ioversol. We created a propensity score for contrast media type using age, gender, coverage status, route of hospitalization, illness severity, physician specialty, co-morbidities, and procedure type. Propensity matching was performed in a 1:1 fashion for iohexol (n = 10,204) and iopamidol (n = 10,204) and in a 1:1 fashion for iohexol (n = 19,482) and ioversol (n = 19,482). Groups were examined for differences in in-hospital mortality or subsequent hemodialysis, length of stay, and 30-day readmission for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Compared to patients exposed to iohexol, no differences were observed for patients exposed to iopamidol or ioversol for in-hospital hemodialysis (0.5% vs 0.4%, p = 0.45; 0.3% vs 0.5%, p = 0.05), in-hospital mortality (0.7% vs 0.6%, p = 0.60; 0.5% vs 0.6%, p = 0.42), or composite hemodialysis or mortality (1.1% vs 1.0%, p = 0.58; 0.8% vs 1.0%, p = 0.06); for hospital length of stay (2.9 ± 2.7 vs 2.9 ± 2.7 days, p = 0.05; 2.8 ± 2.6 vs 2.9 ± 3.1 days, p = 0.35); or for 30-day readmission for CIN (0.1% vs 0.1%, p = 0.82; 0.1% vs 0.1%, p = 0.52). In conclusion, for patients undergoing ICA and/or PCI exposed to alternate LOCM, in-hospital death, need for hemodialysis, or readmission for CIN are uncommon, with no apparent clinical advantage among LOCM agents.     

Thyroid status two decades after salt iodization: country-wide data in school children from India

Objective Country‐wide evaluation of thyroid disorders in school children following two decades of universal salt iodization (USI) has not been carried out till date. This study was planned with aim to assess thyroid status of school children two decades after the launch of USI programme. Design Population survey. Patients We collected data from 25 schools in 19 cities across five different geographical zones of India. Those children who were evaluated for anthropometry, and goitre status by palpation formed ‘total population’. Children who consented to give blood samples were defined as ‘study population’. Measurements Serum free T3, free T4, TSH, anti‐TPO antibody and thyroid ultrasound. Results A total of 38 961 children aged 5–15 years formed total population. Goitre rate was 15·5% while thyroid hypoechogenicity was found in 4404 (11·3%) children. In the study population (13 790 children), 2258 (16·4%) had goitre, 505 (3·7%) had positive anti‐TPO antibody titres, 1001 (7·3%) had hypothyroidism (TSH > 5·2 μIU/ml) and 41 (0·3%) had thyrotoxicosis (TSH < 0·1 μIU/ml). Among goitrous children, 203 (9·0%) had anti‐TPO positivity, 365 (16·1%) had hypoechogenicity of thyroid and either of these were present in 488 (21·6%) children. Conclusions Endemic goitre in school children persisted nationwide, despite more than two decades of USI programme. Thyroid autoimmunity only partially explains the increase in goitre prevalence.     

Association Between Gut Microbial Abundance and Sight-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy

PurposeTo study the association between gut microbial abundance and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy among patients with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsAn observational case-control study was performed using a sample population of diabetics referred to a tertiary eye institute. Sample subjects were identified as cases if they were diagnosed with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and controls if they were not but had at least a 10-year history of diabetes. Fecal swabs for all patients were collected for enumeration and identification of sequenced gut microbes. Statistical analyses were performed to associate the clinically relevant Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes relative abundance ratio (B/F ratio) with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and an optimal cutoff value for the ratio was identified using Youden''s J statistics.ResultsA sample size of 58 diabetic patients was selected (37 cases, 21 controls). No statistically significant difference in the relative abundance among the predominant phyla between the groups were found. In our univariate analysis, the B/F ratio was elevated in cases compared to controls (cases, 1.45; controls, 0.94; P = 0.049). However, this statistically significant difference was not seen in our multivariate regression model. Optimal cutoff value of 1.05 for the B/F ratio was identified, and significant clustering of cases above this value was noted in beta diversity plotting.ConclusionsNo difference in gut microbial abundance for any particular phylum was noted between the control and diseased population. Increased gut microbial B/F ratio can be a potential biomarker for the development of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients.     

Prevalence and mechanisms of malnutrition in patients with advanced liver disease, and nutrition management strategies

Malnutrition is prevalent among cirrhotic patients and is an important prognostic factor. Etiologic factors include hypermetabolism, malabsorption, altered nutrient metabolism, and anorexia. It is a challenge to manage nutrition in cirrhotic patients because of alterations to metabolic and storage functions of the liver; use of traditional assessment tools, such as anthropometric and biometric measures, is difficult because of complications such as ascites and inflammation. In addition to meeting macro- and micronutrient requirements, the composition and timing of supplements have been proposed to affect efficacy of nutrition support. Studies have indicated that branched chain aromatic acid can be given as therapeutic nutrients, and that probiotics and nocturnal feeding improve patient outcomes.     

In vitro evaluation of novel low-pressure spark plasma sintered HA–BG composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

The low-pressure spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique is adopted to fabricate hydroxyapatite–bioglass (HA–BG) scaffolds while maintaining the physical properties of both components, including their bulk and relative density and hardness. However, prior to their orthopaedic and dental applications, these scaffolds must be validated via pre-clinical assessments. In the present study, scaffolds with different ratios of HA : BG, namely, 100 : 0 (HB 0 S), 90 : 10 (HB 10 S), 80 : 20 (HB 20 S) and 70 : 30 (HB 30 S) were fabricated. These scaffolds were characterized by investigating their physicochemical properties (X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface wettability), bioactivity in a simulated body fluid (SBF) (field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and calcium dissolution), antimicrobial properties, biocompatibility and osteoinduction of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) and human monocyte immune cell response. The XRD and surface wettability results confirmed no formation of undesirable phases and the enhanced surface hydrophilicity of the scaffolds, respectively. The bioactivity in SBF indicated the formation of bone-like apatite on the surface of the scaffolds, corresponding to an increase in BG%, which was confirmed through FTIR spectra and the increasing trend of calcium release in SBF. The scaffolds showed inhibition properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs and Alamar Blue proliferation assay indicated the good attachment and significant proliferation, respectively, of hBMSCs on the scaffolds. Alizarin Red S staining confirmed that the scaffolds supported the mineralisation of hBMSCs. The osteogenic protein secretion (bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), type-I collagen (COL1) and osterix (OSX)) was significant on the HB 30 S-seeded hBMSCs when compared with that of HB 0 S. The monocyte migration was significantly halted in response to HA–BG-conditioned media when compared with the positive control (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1: MCP-1). In conclusion, the HB 30 S composite scaffold has a greater potential to substitute bone grafts in orthopaedic and dental applications.

HB 30 S composite scaffold inhibits Staphylococcus spp., supports the biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs and resists monocyte migration.