Spectrophotometric Determination of L-Ascorbic Acid in Pharmaceuticals Based on Its Oxidation by Potassium Peroxymonosulfate and Hydrogen Peroxide

Two new, accurate, precise, and sensitive spectrophotometric methods were developed for the assay of L-ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical preparations. The determination of L-ascorbic acid was based on its oxidation by potassium peroxymonosulfate (method A) and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of Cu(II) as a catalyst (method B). The molar absorptivities were found to be 1.48×104 and 1.06×104 L mol–1 cm–1 for methods A and B, respectively. Beer\u27s law was obeyed in the concentration range of 0.65–11.20 μg mL–1 for method A and 0.51–16.00 μg mL–1 for method B. Other compounds commonly found in vitamin C and multivitamin products did not interfere with the determination of L-ascorbic acid.. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of L-ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical formulations. The results obtained with the proposed methods showed good agreement with those given by the titrimetric method using iodine

The effect of baking temperature and buckwheat flour addition on the selected properties of wheat bread

Wholegrain buckwheat flour was used to substitute 15 %, 30 % and 40 % of wheat flour to make buckwheat enriched wheat bread. Proximate composition, sensory evaluation, total phenols content and antioxidant activity of buckwheat enriched wheat breads were analysed and compared with wheat bread. Wholegrain buckwheat flour contained higher total phenols than wheat flour. The incorporation of buckwheat flour from 15 % to 40 % in bread samples increased the total phenols content from 0.25 (mg GA/g d.m. sample) to 0.65 (mg GA/g d.m. sample), and antioxidant activity from 208.45 (µmol Fe2+/L extract) to 354.45 (µmol Fe2+/L extract). Total phenols content decreased during the baking process, while the antioxidant activity increased. Bread samples with 15 %, 30 % and 40 % of wholegrain buckwheat flour showed lower lightness (L) and whiteness index (WI) values of crust and crumb colour compared to the wheat bread. Addition of buckwheat flour increased redness (a) and yellowness (b) colour values for crumb. Sensory results indicating that three breads with buckwheat flour were moderately acceptable. No differences were found in overall sensory attributes between buckwheat flour enriched bread samples with 15 % and wheat bread (control sample)

Removal of lead and zinc ions from their monocomponent and two-component aqueous solutions using sodium hydroxide

The hydroxide precipitation method, using NaOH as a precipitant agent, was conducted to treat synthetic monocomponent and two-component water solutions of Pb2+ and Zn2+ with initial concentrations of 50 and 500 mg/l of each metal. The effect of pH and initial concentration of lead and zinc ions on their removal were investigated. The precipitation experiments were carried out by batch method that involves the mixing of NaOH with solutions containing metal ions to occur nucleation, solid growth and subsequent separation of precipitates from solution by filtration. The results showed that the removal efficiency was increased by increasing of pH and initial concentration of metal ions in their water solutions. Hydroxide precipitation method using NaOH is an ef-ficient technique for the removal of lead and zinc ions from their monocomponent and two-component water so-lutions of different concentrations, with maximum removal efficiency in the pH range of 10.32 to 11.39

The effect of baking temperature and buckwheat flour addition on the selected properties of wheat bread

Wholegrain buckwheat flour was used to substitute 15 %, 30 % and 40 % of wheat flour to make buckwheat enriched wheat bread. Proximate composition, sensory evaluation, total phenols content and antioxidant activity of buckwheat enriched wheat breads were analysed and compared with wheat bread. Wholegrain buckwheat flour contained higher total phenols than wheat flour. The incorporation of buckwheat flour from 15 % to 40 % in bread samples increased the total phenols content from 0.25 (mg GA/g d.m. sample) to 0.65 (mg GA/g d.m. sample), and antioxidant activity from 208.45 (µmol Fe2+/L extract) to 354.45 (µmol Fe2+/L extract). Total phenols content decreased during the baking process, while the antioxidant activity increased. Bread samples with 15 %, 30 % and 40 % of wholegrain buckwheat flour showed lower lightness (L) and whiteness index (WI) values of crust and crumb colour compared to the wheat bread. Addition of buckwheat flour increased redness (a) and yellowness (b) colour values for crumb. Sensory results indicating that three breads with buckwheat flour were moderately acceptable. No differences were found in overall sensory attributes between buckwheat flour enriched bread samples with 15 % and wheat bread (control sample)

Oral Health Related to Demographic Features in Bosnian Children Aged Six

The main aim of this paper is to present epidemiological indicators of oral health among six-year olds in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) and to analyze values of dmft index and dental treatment needs in order to identify differences in parts of the country. Another aim is to identify the needs from the public oral health care system in Bosnia and Herzegovina related to early permanent dentition by analyzing the condition of first permanent molars (FPM) as an indicator of oral health of permanent dentition. Survey was carried out in 2004 in 8 cantons of the Federation of BH (FBH) and in the Republic of Srpska (RS). Final sample included 560 participants aged six (mean 6.2, SD±0.87). One dental team clinically examined all participants according to WHO methodology and criteria. The parameters used were: dmft index, DMFT index of first permanent molars (FPM), presence of sealants and treatment needs. A questionnaire about oral health habits had been administered. Dmft was 6.71 in that the d-component constituted the major part of the index. DMFT index of FPM was 0.61 (SD±1.08). Percentage of caries free participants aged 6 was 6.8%. Average number of FPM with fissure sealants in BH was 0.25 (SD±0.78). Significant demographic differences in dmft index, DMFT FPM and treatment needs were identified. Most participants (48.5%) had their first dental visit between the ages of five and seven. National oral health goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina should be to develop and implement disease prevention programs based on education of both parents and dental practitioners. It is necessary to improve access to dental care and shift focus from curative to preventive procedures. It is also necessary to set real goals for improvement of oral health which can be achieved within a desired time frame, as well as to precisely define measures to be taken

Prediktori dentalnoga straha i anksioznosti kod djece u dobi od 9 do 12 godina u Bosni i Hercegovini

Objectives: Oral health in children is additionally burdened with the presence of dental fear and anxiety (DFA). These clinical psychologic entities in their progressive stages inevitably lead to avoidance of dental appointments, which makes prevention and therapy of oral diseases more difficult. Upon the onset of DFA in general, as one of the emotional outcomes of stress in a dental office, most children patients could define the specific stressors that were most intense for them, which could predict the presence of DFA. Aim: To examine the predictors of DFA presence in 9-12 year-old children, and investigate how they could explain the DFA occurrence in study participants. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 200 children aged from 9 to 12 years. The DFA presence was determined by the modified version of the CFSS-DS scale. The child’s behavior in the dental office during the treatment was evaluated by the trained observer using Venham anxiety and behavior rating scales. Socioeconomic status, characteristics of dental office visits, and previous caries experience were also analyzed. Results: The main DFA predictors were related to invasive dental treatments, where the behavior during dental treatment was the most accurate expression of the DFA appearance. Conclusions: Invasive dental procedures are the main stressful factor for DFA occurrence. Predisposing factors could strengthen the DFA occurrence.Uvod: Oralno zdravlje djece dodatno opterećuju dentalni strah i anksioznost (DSA). Ti klinički psihološki entiteti u svojim progresivnim stadijima nužno završavaju izbjegavanjem stomatoloških pregleda, što otežava prevenciju i terapiju oralnih bolesti. U nastanku toga stanja općenito, kao jednoga od emocionalnih ishoda stresa u stomatološkoj ordinaciji, većina dječjih pacijenata mogla je definirati specifične stresore koji su za njih bili najintenzivniji, a na temelju njih mogla se predvidjeti prisutnost DSA-e.Cilj: Željelo se ispitati prediktore DSA-e kod djece u dobi od 9 do 12 godina kako bi se mogla objasniti ta pojava kod ispitanika u studiji. Materijal i metode: Uzorak se sastojao od 200 djece u dobi od 9 do 12 godina. Prisutnost DSA-e određena je prilagođenom verzijom ljestvice CFSS-DS. Ponašanje djeteta u stomatološkoj ordinaciji tijekom tretmana ocjenjivao je educirani promatrač s pomoću Venhamove ljestvice za ocjenu anksioznosti i ponašanja. Također su analizirani i socijalno-ekonomski status, obilježja posjeta stomatološkim ordinacijama te prethodno iskustvo s karijesom. Rezultati: Glavni prediktori DSA-e bili su povezani s invazivnim stomatološkim tretmanima pa je ponašanje tijekom stomatološkog tretmana bilo najprecizniji pokazatelj pojave DSA-e. Zaključci: Invazivni stomatološki zahvati glavni su stresni čimbenik za pojavu DSA-e. Predisponirajući čimbenici mogu pojačati tu pojav

Association between alcohol consumption and dietary supplement intake of students from the University of Sarajevo

Introduction: Dietary supplements are an important source of vitamins and minerals that may help prevent several disease-causing biological pathways involved in one-carbon metabolism, including the suppression of cell proliferation, oxidative stress, nitric oxide synthesis, and angiogenesis. The present study aimed to assess the association between the intake of folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and minerals and the consumption of alcohol among university students. Methods: This study was participated by students aged 19-22 years from the University of Sarajevo between 2017 and 2018. Using a questionnaire, we interviewed in a week them to collect information regarding age, socio-economic status, alcohol consumption, and dietary supplement intake. Then, we investigated the association between the baseline intake of folate, B vitamins, and minerals and that of alcohol consumption. Results: Most students consumed Vitamin B supplements (32%) and folic acid (10%). Dietary multivitamins and minerals were less prevalent in more than a year, accounting for 186 (23.9%) and 174 (24.3%) students, respectively, than those in less than a year. In a year, <20% of students consumed multivitamins 129 (16.6%) and minerals 116 (15.3%). Meanwhile, 256 (27.1%) students consumed alcohol. The Chi-square test of independence showed that drinking habits and the intake of such dietary supplements had no association (p > 0.05). Conclusion: An extremely low percentage of the participating students in Canton Sarajevo used dietary supplements of Vitamin B, folate, multivitamins, and minerals. Moreover, alcohol consumption and dietary supplement intake were not associated. Further research is needed to establish the best cost-effective public health system to achieve a sufficient intake of dietary supplements

Tomographic ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy in the monitoring of the effect of treatment in pulmonary embolism: serial follow-up over a 6-month period.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a severe condition with nonspecific symptoms. Diagnosis relies on medical imaging but follow-up is currently based on clinical symptoms and general risk factors. The duration of anticoagulant treatment after an acute episode of PE is still subject to debate and the best method of identifying the risk of recurrence in individual patients is undefined. Tomographic lung scintigraphy [ventilation/perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (V/P SPECT)] has improved the diagnostic accuracy with regard to PE but has not been evaluated for PE follow-up. AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to quantitatively follow the natural history of treated PE using V/P SPECT, which could prove helpful in defining an anticoagulant treatment regime for individual patients. METHODS: Of 83 consecutive patients with clinically suspected PE examined with V/P SPECT, 23 patients with confirmed PE were followed by serial V/P SPECT examinations over a 6-month period. All patients were also followed clinically. RESULTS: The mean relative decrease in PE extent compared with the time of diagnosis was 54±26% at 2 weeks, 79±30% at 3 months, and 82±30% at 6 months. Significant resolution of mismatched perfusion defects occurred between V/P SPECT controls within the first 3 months of anticoagulation (P<0.001) but not thereafter. V/P SPECT identified four patients with chronic PE, even though all patients were free from symptoms at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Follow-up of PE with V/P SPECT is feasible to evaluate treatment effectiveness in individual patients and to identify patients that develop chronic PE. This study also confirms that resolution of perfusion defects after PE occurs within the first 3 months of treatment. It is therefore recommended that V/P SPECT follow-up should be considered at 3 months after diagnosis

Lymphoscintigraphy and Radiation – Occupational Exposure During Sentinel Node Assay

Ionizing radiation has many practical applications, but it is also, as it is well known, dangerous to human health. The purpose of this study was to estimate the dose and exposure for medical staff involved in sentinel node assay and to determine how safe this assay really is. The theoretical method was used for calculation. Three groups of medical staff were selected: nuclear medicine specialist, nuclear medicine technologist and a surgeon. The results obtained show that the most exposed staff member is nuclear medicine specialist and that dose received by the surgeon is smaller then the dose limit

Evaluation of bone remodelling parameters after one year treatment with alendronate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Antiresorptive agents are widely used to treat osteoporosis. Both reduction in bone turnover and increase in BMD may be necessary to decrease the fracture risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of aledronate on bone turnover markers and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The study involved a group of 56 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis treated with alendronate (70 mg) weekly at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine Clinical Center University of Sarajevo during a 12-months period. Bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine and proximal femur and bone turnover markers (serum β-CrossLaps, urinary N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx), total serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) and serum osteocalcin) were measured at baseline and after 12 months of the treatment with aledronate. BMD values significantly increased both at lumbar spine by 13.46% and proximal femur by 21.96% during the study period (-3.12±0.24 vs. -2.7±0.19 and -2.55±0.2 vs. -1.99±0.19 respectively; p<0.001). Bone turnover markers significantly decreased during the study period; C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen fragment (β-CrossLaps) 49.0% (0.51±0.05 vs. 0.26±0.028 ng/mL), NTX 33.4% (48.3±4.9 vs. 32.15±3.25 nMBCE/mM Cr), AP 24.3% (81.1±5.2 to 61.43±5.2 IU/L) and serum osteocalcin by 29.7% (34.3±2.65 to 24.1±1.36 ng/mL)(p<0.001). Alendronate treatment increased BMD and reduced the level of bone turnover markers. Therefore, the treatment with aledronate during 12 months period can be recommended in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis