Assessment of sol-gel derived iron oxide substituted 45S5 bioglass-ceramics for biomedical applications

Magnetic bioactive glass ceramic (MGC) powders have been synthesized by sol gel route by systematically substituting silicon dioxide with iron oxide in the 45S5 glass composition. Powder x-ray diffraction studies revealed a variation in the percentage of combeite (Ca$_2$Na$_2$Si$_3$O$_9$), magnetite (Fe$_3$O$_4$), and hematite (Fe$_2$O$_3$) nanocrystalline phases in MGC powders as a function of composition. Zeta potential measurements showed that MGC containing up to 10 wt.% iron oxide formed stable suspensions. Saturation magnetization and heat generation capacity of MGC fluids increased with increase in iron oxide content. Degradation of MGC powders was investigated in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). In vitro bioactivity of the MGC powders taken in pellet form was confirmed by observing the pH variation as well as hydroxyapatite layer (HAp) formation upon soaking in modified simulated body fluid. These studies showed a decrement in overall bioactivity in samples with high iron oxide content due to the proportional decrease in silanol group. Monitoring the proliferation of MG-63 osteoblast cell in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) revealed that MGC with up to 10 wt.% iron oxide exhibited acceptable viability. The systematic study revealed that the MGC with 10 wt.% iron oxide exhibited optimal cell viability, magnetic properties and induction heating capacity which were better than those of FluidMag-CT, which is used for hyperthermia treatment.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figure

Chloro- or bromo-trimethylsilane induced rapid and quantitative acid-ester conversion for steroid based alcohols with various carboxylic acids under solvent free conditions

678-682Steroid based higher alcohols are rapidly esterified in quantitative yield with a number of carboxylic acids in the presence of TMSCI or TMSBr generally under solvent free conditions

Varied presentations of moyamoya disease in a tertiary care hospital of north-east India

Introduction: Moyamoya disease is a chronic progressive cerebrovascular disorder, characterized by stenosis or occlusion of bilateral internal carotid arteries (ICAs), anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs) and middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), accompanied by a collateral network of vessels formed at the base of the brain. Ischemia and intracranial hemorrhage are the common typical manifestations. However moyamoya disease has been associated with atypical presentations like headache, seizures and involuntary movements. Although frequently reported from Asian countries like Japan, China and Korea, only few studies reported on clinical manifestations of moyamoya disease from India. Objectives: To study the varied presentations of moyamoya disease in a tertiary care hospital of north-east India. Material and Methods: Relevant investigations were done to rule out other causes of moyamoya syndrome. Results: We report 6 cases of moyamoya disease with varied presentations from a tertiary care referral government hospital. Case 1, 2 and 6 presented with alternating hemiparesis. Case 3 had amaurosis fugax. Case 4 had history suggestive of ischemic stroke and presented with hemichorea. Case 4 had focal seizure as the only manifestation. Cases 4 and 5 notably had stenosis of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in addition to stenosis of bilateral ICAs, ACAs and MCAs. Conclusion: Owing to its low incidence in India, moyamoya disease is easily overlooked as a possible diagnosis. However, because of its progressive nature, it is imperative to diagnose this disease early and offer surgical treatment to the patients

Myopathies of endocrine disorders: A prospective clinical and biochemical study

Introduction: Major categories of endocrine myopathy include those associated with: Adrenal dysfunction (as in Cushing′s disease or steroid myopathy); thyroid dysfunction (as in myxedema coma or thyrotoxic myopathy); vitamin D deficiency; parathyroid dysfunction; and pituitary dysfunction. Steroid myopathy is the most common endocrine myopathy. Objective: To study the etiology, varied presentations, and outcome after therapy of patients with endocrine myopathies. Materials and Methods: Myopathy was evaluated by the standard clinical procedures: Detailed clinical history, manual muscle strength testing, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Endocrine disorders were diagnosed as per clinical features and biochemical parameters. The treatment was given to patients as per underlying endocrine disease. Myopathy was assessed before and after treatment. Results: Out of the 37 patients who were diagnosed with endocrine myopathies, thyroid dysfunction was the most common cause (17 cases), followed by vitamin D deficiency in nine, adrenal dysfunction in six, parathyroid dysfunction in three, and pituitary dysfunction in two. Some patients had atypical presentation (repeated falls in one, tongue fasciculations in one, neck weakness in five, one with ptosis and facial weakness, asymmetrical onset in one, and calf hypertrophy in one. The serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration did not correlate with muscle weakness. Following the treatment regimen which was specific for a given myopathy, 26 patients recovered fully. Conclusion: We found varied clinical presentations of endocrine myopathies. All the patients with neuromuscular complaints should be investigated for endocrine causes because significant number of them recovers fully with specific treatment