Study of clinical effects of aspartame in sickle cell disease and sickle cell crisis

Background: Sickle cell disease is the commonest heritable hematologic abnormality affecting humans and is highly prevalent in central India. Aspartame is the only agent that can prevent sickling tested in-vitro and in-vivo so far. With the available data being relatively scarce, this study aims to study the efficacy of aspartame in sickle cell crisis and sickle cell disease.Methods: Forty cases and controls each were selected as per predefined criteria. Controls were treated with standard therapy of analgesics, IV fluids, antibiotics and oxygen, if needed. Cases were treated with oral aspartame in addition to standard therapy. Clinical grading was done before respective treatment in both cases and controls and comparisons were drawn.Results: 78.9% cases and 66% controls were pain free at the end of 72 hours; with p-value of 0.093, which is statistically insignificant. 78.7% cases (n=33) and 64.4% controls (n=33) with SS pattern had grade 0 pain at the end of 72 hours, results being statistically insignificant. 81% cases (n=7) and 75% controls (n=7) with AS pattern had grade 0 pain at the end of 72 hours, which was similar in both groups with statistically insignificant p-value of 0.753.Conclusions: Oral Aspartame as an add-on therapy to standard therapy for vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease appears to have better response than standard therapy alone

Study of coronary artery calcium by multi-slice spiral CT as a tool for high risk cardiovascular screening

Background: Strong relationship has been demonstrated between the presence of occlusive CAD and coronary artery calcification (CAC) detected at autopsy, fluoroscopy and computed tomography (CT scan). CT scan quantifies the relative burden of CAC deposits as a marker of atherosclerosis. We explored utility of multi-slice spiral CT scan for detection of CAC as a tool for screening in asymptomatic high-risk cases above 40 years of age.Methods: Fifty-eight asymptomatic cardiovascular high-risk cases were included as per selection criteria. Detailed clinical history was recorded in every case regarding age, sex, history of risk factors for CAD like systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and family history of CAD. Every case was evaluated for fasting and postprandial blood sugar and fasting lipid profile. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. An ECG was also recorded. Coronary artery calcium was estimated in each patient by multi -slice spiral CT scan. Fifty age and gender matched consenting participants were enrolled as controls and comparisons drawn.Results: Out of 58 cases scanned, 41 had no detectable CAC by multi-slice CT scan whereas in 17 cases (29.2%), calcium was detected. Mean CAC score was observed to increase as number of risk factors increased.Conclusions: Multi-slice CT scan is a useful tool for detection of coronary artery calcium (CAC) when utilised for high risk screening in older adults having one or more known cardiovascular risk factors

Effective cleanup of CO in hydrogen by PROX over perovskite and mixed oxides

Preferential oxidation of CO (PROX-CO) from hydrogen has been carried out over various oxides and perovskite catalysts namely CeO2, CuLaO2eCeO2, La2CuO4. Further, effect of loading of a small quantity of Pt in catalysts 0.1 wt% Pt/CeO2, 0.1 wt% Pt/La2CuO4, 0.1 wt% Pt/CuLaO2eCeO2 was examined with respect to its activity for PROX-CO. In order to improve the surface area of La2CuO4 a chitosan complex method was used for synthesis. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM and BET-SA techniques. Chitosan complex method results in pervoskite with pure phase, porous structure and higher surface area of 16.3 m2/g compared to that of 3.8 m2/g obtained by co-precipitation synthesis method. La2CuO4 exhibited a considerable activity for CO oxidation with conversion of 91.7%. Whereas, 0.1 wt% Pt/CuLaO2eCeO2 catalyst exhibited CO conversion of 94.1% and selectivity of 87.1% at reaction temperature of 320 �C. The improved CO/H2 selectivity may be attributed to the promotion of water gas shift reaction at the interface of Pt-metal oxide besides the relatively higher oxidation activity of the metal oxides. The catalysts reported in this study with relatively higher CO conversion and selectivity with lower value of l ¼ 0.3 exhibit potential for effective cleanup of hydrogen gas to remove CO for fuel cell applications

Pure phase LaFeO3 perovskite with improved surface area synthesized using different routes and its characterization

Three different wet chemistry routes, namely co-precipitation, combustion and sol–gel methods were used to synthesize LaFeO3 perovskite with improved surface area. The synthesized perovskite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption, ultraviolet diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UVDRS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. Improved surface area was observed for all three methods as compared to the previously reported values. The perovskite synthesized using sol–gel method yields comparatively pure, crystalline phase of LaFeO3 and relatively higher surface area of 16.5m2 g−1 and porosity. The material synthesized using co-precipitation method yielded other phases in addition to the targeted phase. The morphology of perovskite synthesized using co-precipitation method was uniform agglomerates. Combustion method yields flakes type morphology and that of sol–gel method was open pore type morphology. The selection of method for perovskite synthesis largely depends on the targeted application and the desired properties of perovskites. The results reported in this study are useful for establishing a simple scalable method for preparation of high surface area LaFeO3 as compared to solid-oxide method. Further, the typical heating cycle followed for calcinations resulted in relatively high surface area in the case of all three methods

Catalytic preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide over platinum supported on lanthanum ferrite-ceria catalysts for cleaning of hydrogen

Since hydrogen is produced by reforming of hydrocarbon it contains carbon monoxide (CO). In order to make hydrogen suitable for proton exchange membrane fuel cell application there is need to reduce concentration of CO less than 100 ppm. WatereGas-Shift reactions subsequent to reforming lower CO concentration in H2 to about 1e1.5% by volume. Preferential oxidation of CO (PROXeCO) using a catalyst is therefore important for further cleaning up of CO from H2. The catalyst in this study is platinum supported over lanthanum ferriteeceria (Pt/LaFeO3eCeO2) exhibits excellent activity of 99.8% and selectivity of 95.7% at a relatively lower temperature of 100 �C with an equivalence ratio of 3 for PROX eCO. The concentration of CO is reduced from 1% v/v in feed to ca. 30 ppm in product gas with relatively lower loss of hydrogen is the most significant achievement in this study. The catalyst is selective towards CO oxidation as the hydrogen loss is relatively low (ca. 3.8%) and there is no methane formation. The improvement in catalytic activity and selectivity is attributed to the strong metal support interaction and open morphology of catalyst. The results obtained in this study reveal the excellent catalytic activity by using LaFeO3eCeO2 as support for Pt catalys

Pure phase LaFeO3 perovskite with improved surface area synthesized using different routes and its characterization

Three different wet chemistry routes, namely co-precipitation, combustion and sol–gel methods were used to synthesize LaFeO3 perovskite with improved surface area. The synthesized perovskite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption, ultraviolet diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UVDRS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. Improved surface area was observed for all three methods as compared to the previously reported values. The perovskite synthesized using sol–gel method yields comparatively pure, crystalline phase of LaFeO3 and relatively higher surface area of 16.5 m2 g−1 and porosity. The material synthesized using co-precipitation method yielded other phases in addition to the targeted phase. The morphology of perovskite synthesized using co-precipitation method was uniform agglomerates. Combustion method yields flakes type morphology and that of sol–gel method was open pore type morphology. The selection of method for perovskite synthesis largely depends on the targeted application and the desired properties of perovskites. The results reported in this study are useful for establishing a simple scalable method for preparation of high surface area LaFeO3 as compared to solid-oxide method. Further, the typical heating cycle followed for calcinations resulted in relatively high surface area in the case of all three methods

Effective cleanup of CO in hydrogen by PROX over perovskite and mixed oxides

Preferential oxidation of CO (PROX-CO) from hydrogen has been carried out over various oxides and perovskite catalysts namely CeO2, CuLaO2eCeO2, La2CuO4. Further, effect of loading of a small quantity of Pt in catalysts 0.1 wt% Pt/CeO2, 0.1 wt% Pt/La2CuO4, 0.1 wt% Pt/CuLaO2eCeO2 was examined with respect to its activity for PROX-CO. In order to improve the surface area of La2CuO4 a chitosan complex method was used for synthesis. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM and BET-SA techniques. Chitosan complex method results in pervoskite with pure phase, porous structure and higher surface area of 16.3 m2/g compared to that of 3.8 m2/g obtained by co-precipitation synthesis method. La2CuO4 exhibited a considerable activity for CO oxidation with conversion of 91.7%. Whereas, 0.1 wt% Pt/CuLaO2eCeO2 catalyst exhibited CO conversion of 94.1% and selectivity of 87.1% at reaction temperature of 320 _C. The improved CO/H2 selectivity may be attributed to the promotion of water gas shift reaction at the interface of Pt-metal oxide besides the relatively higher oxidation activity of the metal oxides. The catalysts reported in this study with relatively higher CO conversion and selectivity with lower value of l ¼ 0.3 exhibit potential for effective cleanup of hydrogen gas to remove CO for fuel cell applications

Catalytic preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide over platinum supported on lanthanum ferriteeceria catalysts for cleaning of hydrogen

Since hydrogen is produced by reforming of hydrocarbon it contains carbon monoxide (CO). In order to make hydrogen suitable for proton exchange membrane fuel cell application there is need to reduce concentration of CO less than 100 ppm. WatereGas-Shift reactions subsequent to reforming lower CO concentration in H2 to about 1e1.5% by volume. Preferential oxidation of CO (PROXeCO) using a catalyst is therefore important for further cleaning up of CO from H2. The catalyst in this study is platinum supported over lanthanum ferriteeceria (Pt/LaFeO3eCeO2) exhibits excellent activity of 99.8% and selectivity of 95.7% at a relatively lower temperature of 100 _C with an equivalence ratio of 3 for PROX eCO. The concentration of CO is reduced from 1% v/v in feed to ca. 30 ppm in product gas with rela-tively lower loss of hydrogen is the most significant achievement in this study. The catalyst is selective towards CO oxidation as the hydrogen loss is relatively low (ca. 3.8%) and there is no methane formation. The improvement in catalytic activity and selectivity is attributed to the strong metal support interaction and open morphology of catalyst. The results obtained in this study reveal the excellent catalytic activity by using LaFeO3eCeO2 as support for Pt catalyst

Efficient hydrogen supply through catalytic dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane over Pt/metal oxide catalystsEfficient hydrogen supply through catalytic dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane over Pt/metal oxide catalysts

This paper describes the results of experiments on dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane over Pt supported on metal oxides (Pt/MO) and Pt supported on perovskite (Pt/Per) catalysts. The reaction is being considered as a means for delivery of hydrogen to fueling stations in the form of more easily transportable methylcyclohexane. Among Pt/MO catalysts, the best activity as determined by the hydrogen evolution rate was observed over Pt/La2O3 catalyst at 21.1 mmol/gmet/min. Perovskite-supported catalysts exhibited relatively higher activity and selectivity, with Pt/La0.7Y0.3NiO3 giving the best performance. This Pt/Per catalyst had an activity of ca 45 mmol/gmet/min with nearly 100% selectivity towards dehydrogenation. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, CO-chemisorption and SEM-EDXA techniques. The present study reports catalysts that minimize the use of Pt and explores tailoring the properties of the perovskite structure

AYUSH-64 as add-on to standard care in asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial

Background: The evidence on the efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions as add-on to the standard conventional care for COVID-19 is limited. This study was planned to explore the potential of AYUSH-64 as add-on to conventional care in improving the clinical recovery and negative RT-PCR conversion in asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases. Materials and Methods: An open-label randomized controlled study was conducted at Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India with a sample size of 60 participants. In this study, asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients were randomized and allocated into intervention and control group in 1:1 ratio. AYUSH-64 two capsules (500 mg each) were administered thrice daily, after food with water for 30 days along with standard care in the intervention group, while the control group received only standard care. The effect of the interventions was assessed in terms of negative RT-PCR for COVID-19, clinical cure rate and inflammatory cytokines. Outcome measures: Primary outcome was the time to attain negative RT-PCR for COVID-19 and proportion of participants turned RT-PCR negative for COVID-19 at 7th, 15th, 22nd and 30th day respectively in the intervention group compared to the control group. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of participants who attained clinical recovery at 7th, 15th, 22nd, and 30thday; improvement in laboratory parameters on the 30th day (as compared to baseline) and incidence of Adverse Drug Reactions/Adverse Events (ADRs/AEs). The data was compared within group using paired sample t-test/ Wilcoxon signed rank test and between group using independent sample t-test/Mann-Whitney test. Results: Statistically significant difference was not observed in the proportion of participants who turned RT-PCR negative during each of the follow-ups (p=0.134) and both groups demonstrated comparable efficacy. The clinical recovery rate in terms of time taken for complete cure of symptoms in the symptomatic participants was 60% and 37% on day 15 (p=0.098) and 100% and 85.2% on day 30 (p=0.112), in the intervention and control group respectively which is numerically a better clinical outcome in the intervention group. The improvement in the inflammatory markers such as IL-6, TNF-α and D-dimer was statistically significant in the intervention group (p<0.05). None of the participants developed any complications nor were any significant ADR/AE observed in both the groups. Conclusion: In patients with asymptomatic and mild COVID-19, AYUSH-64 as add-on to standard conventional care, contributed to improving the duration for attaining complete clinical cure and demonstrated potential in reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the body