Effect of lead toxicity on bone calcium content and morphometric parameters

Background: There is large number of pollutants prevailing in the present environment. Among these, lead (Pb) is of particular interest to us because of its wide distribution in the environment. Large existence of lead (Pb) in number of food items has provoked us to investigate the effects of this metal on bone growth in rats. The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of lead poisoning on bone tissue.Methods: A total of 48 male wistar rats and 30 & 80 days of age were selected for this study. Lead (as lead acetate 250 mg/ml) was provided ad libitum in drinking water for about five weeks to produce subclinical toxicity. Glacial acetic acid was added to the drinking water of lead administered groups at a concentration of 12.5 μl/l to prevent the precipitation of lead acetate. At the termination of treatment period, rats from all four groups were sacrificed by decapitation and their long bones i.e. femur and tibia were excised, cleaned off from soft tissue. Then the bones were preserved in refrigerator (-20oC) and processed for further analysis.Results: Our study revealed that Lead significantly reduced calcium concentration in both femur (p<0.001) and tibia (p<0.001) in lead intoxicated rats. Furthermore, morphometric parameters showed significant reduction in the femoral head width upon lead intoxication. Significant decrease in the ash content of both the bones was observed upon lead intoxication for both the age groups, no significant change observed in the length of the femur as well as tibia of all the treated groups.Conclusions: From this study we can conclude that the lead has induced bone toxicity and has deteriorated the development of bone tissue in the case of growing animals, is the consequence of oxidative stress.

Equalization of excursion and current-dependent nonlinearities in loudspeakers

pre-printThis paper presents a novel equalizer for nonlinear distortions in direct-radiator loudspeakers in a closed cabinet by constructing an exact inverse of an electro-mechanical model of the loudspeaker. This exact inverse compensates for distortions introduced by excursion and current-dependent nonlinearities. The equalizer compensates for the nonlinearities in the force factor, voice coil inductance, eddy currents and the stiffness of the loudspeaker. Simulation results demonstrating substantial reduction in the harmonic distortions at the output of the loudspeaker are included in this paper

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING MICROSPHERES OF CIPROFLOXACIN BY SOLVENT EVAPORATION METHOD USING DIFFERENT POLYMERS

Objective: The main intention of this research was to formulate and evaluate floating microspheres of ciprofloxacin using different polymers to prolong gastric residence time. Methods: The microspheres were formulated by the solvent evaporation method using different ratios of polymers like carbopol 940, ethylcellulose, and Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose K4M. Further, the floating microspheres were evaluated for micromeritic properties like bulk density, tapped density, angle of repose, etc., percentage yield, particle size, entrapment efficiency, floating capacity, in vitro drug release study, release kinetics, drug content, swelling index, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) (Compatibility studies). Results: The ciprofloxacin microspheres showed the good flowing property. The particle size ranged from 258.1±2.21 µm to 278±2.86 µm and entrapment efficiency ranged from 63.17±0.43% to 89.90±1.32%. The IR spectrum revealed that there was no interaction between the drug and polymer. F7 formulation was found to be the best formulation. Drug release was found to be 90.70±0.89% i.e. in a controlled manner at the end of 10 h. Conclusion: The floating microspheres were prepared successfully and the results clearly stated that prepared ciprofloxacin microspheres may be safe and effective controlled drug delivery over an extended period which can increase bioavailability, patient compliance, and decrease dosing frequency

FORMULATION OF SOLID DISPERSIONS FOR ENHANCEMENT OF SOLUBILITY AND DISSOLUTION RATE OF SIMVASTATIN

Objective: The objective of the present work was to formulate the solid dispersions of simvastatin for enhancement of its aqueous solubility and dissolution rate. Methods: In the present study, solid dispersions of simvastatin were prepared by Kneading and Solvent evaporation methods. The polymeric carriers like Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) K30 were used in different ratios (ratio of drug: carrier was 1:1, 1:2) to formulate solid dispersions. The prepared solid dispersions were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and evaluated for drug content, percentage yield, saturation solubility, in vitro dissolution studies. The best formula of the solid dispersion was selected according to the solubility and dissolution data. Results: The F7 formulation was found to be an optimized formulation containing PVP K30 in the ratio 1:1 prepared by solvent evaporation technique. The Drug content was found to be higher i.e. 94.89 in the F7 batch. The FT-IR spectra revealed that there was no interaction between drugs and carriers. DSC thermogram indicated entrapment of simvastatin in PVP K30 and the conversion of crystalline simvastatin into an amorphous form. The F7 formulation showed maximum drug release i.e. 98.60% in 60 min which is 2 times greater than pure drug making it an optimized formulation. Conclusion: The solubility of simvastatin was successfully enhanced through the solid dispersion technique. Solid dispersions prepared with solvent evaporation method were more soluble than solid dispersions prepared with kneading method with carrier PVP K30

Case study: Systemic complications following absolute alcohol embolisation of scalp arteriovenous malformation

Alcohol ablation is an accepted technique for the management of arteriovenous malformations. It is preferred due to the unique property of absolute alcohol to cause complete ablation and prevention of revascularisation. However, this technique is associated with multiple complications which may lead to patient morbidity. Here the case is presented of a female patient with scalp arteriovenous malformation who underwent alcohol ablation and developed supraventricular arrhythmia accompanied with haemodynamic instability and intravascular haemolysis in the postoperative period

A STUDY ON WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND CLIENT INVESTMENT SERVICE, BANGALORE

Wealth management and client investment services are essential components of the financial industry, catering to the complex and diverse needs of clients seeking to grow, preserve, and manage their wealth. Whether through personalized advisory services or technology-driven solutions, the overarching goal is to provide clients with a path toward financial security and prosperity. the evolving landscape of wealth management, with a particular emphasis on the fusion of traditional and digital service models. This dynamic environment offers clients a range of options to suit their preferences and adapt to changing market conditions. The fundamental concepts and principles that under pin the wealth management and client investment services landscape, shedding light on the paramount importance of aligning financial strategies with clients' unique goals, risk tolerances, and investment time horizons. Furthermore, this abstract highlights the ongoing transformation within wealth management, especially the convergence of traditional and digital service models, catering to clients' diverse preferences and adapting to a rapidly changing economic and regulatory environment. Wealth management's changing environment, with a focus on the blending of traditional and digital service approaches. Customers have a variety of options in this dynamic environment to fit their interests and adjust to shifting market conditions. The core ideas and principles that guide wealth management and client investment services, emphasizing the critical role that matching financial strategies to customers' individual objectives, risk tolerances, and time horizons plays in their success. In order to meet the complicated and varied demands of clients looking to increase, maintain, and manage their wealth, client investment services and wealth management are crucial elements of the financial sector. The main objective is to offer clients a route toward financial security and prosperity, whether through individualized consulting services or technology-driven solutions. In addition, this emphasizes the ongoing transition in wealth management, particularly the fusion of traditional and digital service models, addressing the varied preferences of customers, and adjusting to a quickly altering regulatory and economic environment

A double blind controlled trial comparing three treatment modalities for dentin hypersensitivity

Aim: This randomized, double blind, split mouth study was aimed to compare three dentin desensitizing treatment modalities. Methods: Two hundred sixty teeth of 25 patients; each having at least 2 hypersensitive teeth in each quadrant, were included. Teeth were randomized to 4 groups: Group A treated with 2% NaF solution, Group B received GLUMA®; an aqueous solution of Hydroxy-Ethyl-Methacrylate and Glutarldehyde, (HEMA-G), Group C received iontophoresis with distilled water (placebo) and Group D was treated with NaF-iontophoresis. Pain response was evaluated on a visual analogue scale (VAS), by using tactile, air blast and cold-water stimuli at 0-day, 15-day, 1-month and 3-months interval. Results: All treatments were effective in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity significantly, Group D and Group B were more effective than Group A and Group C at all time intervals. Group D and Group B were equally effective in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity at 15-day and 1-month interval but Group D was more effective at 3-months. Conclusion: All treatment modalities were more effective in reducing hypersensitivity than placebo. 2% NaF-iontophoresis and HEMA-G were more effective than 2% NaF local application at all time intervals. But at 3-months, 2% NaF-iontophoresis was more effective than HEMA-G, while placebo produced no significant effect in reduction of hypersensitivity

Probing quark gluon plasma properties by heavy flavours

The Fokker Planck (FP) equation has been solved to study the interaction of non-equilibrated heavy quarks with the Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) expected to be formed in heavy ion collisions at RHIC energies. The solutions of the FP equation have been convoluted with the relevant fragmentation functions to obtain the $D$ and $B$ meson spectra. The results are compared with experimental data measured by STAR collaboration. It is found that the present experimental data can not distinguish between the $p_T$ spectra obtained from the equilibrium and non-equilibrium charm distributions. Data at lower $p_T$ may play a crucial role in making the distinction between the two. The nuclear suppression factor, $R_{\mathrm AA}$ for non-photonic single electron spectra resulting from the semileptonic decays of hadrons containing heavy flavours have been evaluated using the present formalism. It is observed that the experimental data on nuclear suppression factor of the non-photonic electrons can be reproduced within this formalism by enhancing the pQCD cross sections by a factor of 2 provided the expansion of the bulk matter is governed by the velocity of sound, $c_s\sim 1/\sqrt{4}$. Ideal gas equation of state fails to reproduce the data even with the enhancement of the pQCD cross sections by a factor of 2.Comment: Minor modification of tex

Neonatal outcome in deliveries complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid

Background: Meconium staining amniotic fluid is associated with lots of adverse outcome and has long been considered to be a bad predictor of fetal outcome. This prospective observational study was undertaken to find out immediate fetal outcome in meconium-stained liquor.Methods: The design of the study was prospective. This study was conducted from July 2021 to December 2021.The study included women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid in labor with gestational age >37 completed weeks.Results: Total 100 cases were enrolled. Majority of the patients (74%) were in the age group of 21-30 years with the mean age being 24.6±2.4 years. Fetal distress occurred in 30% of babies, more in association with thick meconium (15%). Caesarean deliveries were 70%. Apgar scores between 0-3 was seen in 17% babies and 1% at fifth minute, between 4-6 in 21% babies and between 7-10 in 62% babies at first minute of birth. Admission in neonatal ward was 32% with perinatal mortality of 6%.Conclusions: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid was associated with higher rate of caesarean delivery, increased need for neonatal resuscitation, increased rate of birth asphyxia with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, meconium aspiration syndrome, hospital admission and mortality. It is more commonly associated with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), post-datism, oligohydramnios and gestational diabetes mellitus.