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Scientific Reports Jan 2024In this study, the deoxidation process for off-grade titanium (Ti) sponge using magnesium (Mg) metal with a wire mesh strainer type of crucible was developed. Ti hydride...
In this study, the deoxidation process for off-grade titanium (Ti) sponge using magnesium (Mg) metal with a wire mesh strainer type of crucible was developed. Ti hydride (TiH) feedstock, which was prepared by hydrogenating off-grade Ti sponge, was deoxidized using Mg in a molten magnesium chloride-potassium chloride salt at 933 K under an argon and 20% hydrogen (H) mixed gas atmosphere. After deoxidation, the residual Mg-containing salt was separated in situ from the crucible to investigate the feasibility of minimizing salt loss during the leaching and production of pure TiH. The results showed that the presence of residual Mg-containing salt inside the crucible strongly influenced whether a mixture of Ti and TiH or pure TiH was produced. When the salt was not sufficiently separated, a mixture of Ti and TiH was obtained and its oxygen (O) concentration was 0.121 mass% under certain conditions. Meanwhile, pure TiH was obtained by increasing the H gas flow rate during deoxidation. Therefore, these results demonstrate that the decrease of O concentration to below 0.180 mass% and the minimal loss of the salt are feasible.
PubMed: 38177401
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50765-2 -
Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi. Journal of... 2023This study developed a method that simultaneously detected 283 pesticide residues in brown rice using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. In this method, we examined the desirable...
This study developed a method that simultaneously detected 283 pesticide residues in brown rice using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. In this method, we examined the desirable amount of sodium chloride required for salting out and the SPE cartridge required for clean-up. Pesticide residues from the sample were extracted with acetonitrile using a homogenizer and mixed with salts including anhydrous magnesium, two types of citrate, and sodium chloride. The sample solution of the acetonitrile layer was cleaned up using the GCB/NH (200 mg/200 mg, 6 mL) SPE cartridge. The determination method was validated using two concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 μg/g) of 283 pesticides based on the validation guideline of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan. Of the 283 pesticides, 250 were detected satisfactorily. In addition, 59 brown rice samples sold in Tokyo were surveyed using the same method. Out of 44 samples, 12 pesticide residues below MRLs were detected. Therefore, this developed method is useful for the simultaneous determination of pesticide residues in brown rice.
Topics: Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Chromatography, Liquid; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Pesticide Residues; Oryza; Sodium Chloride; Food Analysis; Food Contamination; Acetonitriles
PubMed: 38171897
DOI: 10.3358/shokueishi.64.246 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023A dipotassium phosphate bolus (K Phos-Boost) has been developed to treat both hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia, as the clinical signs of both conditions are similar and...
A dipotassium phosphate bolus (K Phos-Boost) has been developed to treat both hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia, as the clinical signs of both conditions are similar and occur in the early post-partum period. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy and application of the bolus for prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases that are common in dairy production systems. : Healthy post-partum cows were either untreated or received two K Phos-Boost boluses at times 0, 24, and 48 h. Blood was taken at = 0, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 24-, and 52-h post-treatment for analysis of total serum minerals. There was an increase in serum phosphorous to normal levels within 2 h of treatment with the bolus, but control cows remained hypophosphatemic. Serum potassium was significantly elevated 2 h after bolus administration relative to control, while calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride levels were not affected by the K Phos-Boost bolus. : K Phos-Boost boluses were provided to cows that were unresponsive to intravenous calcium therapy and had been unable to stand for over 24 h ("downer cows"). Most cows (16 of 19) treated with two boluses were standing without assistance between 1 and 24 h after treatment and the serum phosphorous was increased to normal levels in five of five tested animals. : cows with clinical ketosis were provided with propylene glycol and K Phos-Boost boluses ( = 29) or only propylene glycol ( = 23). Cows treated with the K Phos-Boost bolus showed a more rapid recovery by increased milk production (3.9 kg/day) and rumination rate (97 min/day). : cows in herds with >40% post-partum hypophosphatemia received K Phos-Boost boluses ( = 130) or no treatment ( = 146) following calving. There was a trend for treated 2-lactation animals to have higher milk production after 30 DIM (49.1 vs. 46.2 kg/day; = 0.09). There were no significant differences between control and bolus treated animals in the incidence of subclinical ketosis, post-calving total health events, or culling rates. The K Phos-Boost bolus is a novel product and has the potential to treat and prevent several important metabolic diseases in dairy cattle. The studies described in this paper are early investigations and further research should be conducted to demonstrate the applications of a dipotassium phosphate bolus in dairy cows.
PubMed: 38144470
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1274183 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Anesthesia serves as an effective method to mitigate the stress response in aquatic animals during aquaculture and product transportation. In this study, we assessed the...
Anesthesia serves as an effective method to mitigate the stress response in aquatic animals during aquaculture and product transportation. In this study, we assessed the anesthetic efficacy of clove oil, tricaine methane-sulfonate (MS-222), ethanol, and magnesium chloride by anesthesia duration, recovery time, 24-hour survival rate, and the behavior of mud crabs (). Additionally, the optimal anesthetic concentration for varying body weights of mud crabs was also investigated. The results revealed that clove oil emerged as the optimal anesthetic for mud crabs, with a 24-hour survival rate surpassing those observed in MS-222 and magnesium chloride treatments. Ethanol caused amputation and hyperactivity in mud crabs. Regression analyses between the optimal anesthetic concentration of clove oil and the weight categories of 0.03-27.50 g and 27.50-399.73 g for mud crabs yielded the following equations: y = 0.0036 x - 0.1629 x + 1.7314 x + 4.085 (R = 0.7115) and y = 0.0437 x + 2.9461 (R = 0.9549). Clove oil exhibited no significant impact on serum cortisol, glucose, lactate content, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, or superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in mud crabs across different treatment groups. Anesthesia induced by clove oil in mud crabs resulted in an increase in inhibitory neurotransmitters such as glycine. However, the recovery from anesthesia was associated with elevated levels of the excitatory neurotransmitters L-aspartic acid and glutamate. In conclusion, clove oil proves to be a safe and optimal anesthetic agent for mud crabs, exerting no physiological stress on the species.
PubMed: 38136243
DOI: 10.3390/antiox12122124 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jan 2024Mg and its alloys are promising biodegradable materials for orthopedic implants and cardiovascular stents. The first interactions of protein molecules with Mg alloy...
Mg and its alloys are promising biodegradable materials for orthopedic implants and cardiovascular stents. The first interactions of protein molecules with Mg alloy surfaces have a substantial impact on their biocompatibility and biodegradation. We investigate the early-stage electrochemical, chemical, morphological, and electrical surface potential changes of alloy WE43 in either 154 mM NaCl or Hanks' simulated physiological solutions in the absence or presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. WE43 had the lowest electrochemical current noise (ECN) fluctuations, the highest noise resistance ( = 1774 Ω·cm), and the highest total impedance (|| = 332 Ω·cm) when immersed for 30 min in Hanks' solution. The highest ECN, lowest (1430 Ω·cm), and |Z| (49 Ω·cm) were observed in the NaCl solution. In the solutions containing BSA, a unique dual-mode biodegradation was observed. Adding BSA to a NaCl solution increased || from 49 to 97 Ω·cm and decreased the ECN signal of the alloy, i.e., the BSA inhibited corrosion. On the other hand, the presence of BSA in Hanks' solution increased the rate of biodegradation by decreasing both and || while increasing ECN. Finally, using scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM), we observed an adsorbed nanolayer of BSA with aggregated and fibrillar morphology only in Hanks' solution, where the electrical surface potential was 52 mV lower than that of the Mg oxide layer.
Topics: Materials Testing; Magnesium; Alloys; Sodium Chloride; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Stents; Corrosion
PubMed: 38108601
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c12381 -
Cureus Nov 2023Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a widespread neurodegenerative condition with complex causes and a significant global impact, particularly among the elderly. This brief...
INTRODUCTION
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a widespread neurodegenerative condition with complex causes and a significant global impact, particularly among the elderly. This brief introduction emphasizes AD's hallmark features and the urgent public health concern it poses, with numbers on the rise. It also highlights the potential of statins and magnesium L-threonate as a combined therapeutic approach to prevent AD and mitigate its underlying pathological features. The study's goal is to shed light on these promising interventions in a rat model induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl3).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 30 aged female Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=6/group). The vehicle control group received normal saline orally (p.o.).The model control group received AlCl3(4.2 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal (i.p.)). The standard-treated group received rivastigmine (1 mg/kg/day p.o.), and the atorvastatin-treated and atorvastatin with magnesium L-threonate-treated groups received atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day p.o.) and atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) with magnesium L-threonate (604 mg/kg/day ), respectively. Cognitive functions such as radial arm maze, elevated plus maze (EPM), passive shock avoidance test, and open-field test (OFT) were performed at weekly intervals up to 28 days. After completion of the study on the 29 day, all animals were sacrificed, and the brain was used for estimation of AchE enzyme activity, oxidative stress parameters, and histopathological analysis.
RESULT
At the end of the fourth week, administration of atorvastatin and atorvastatin with magnesium L-threonate resulted in a decreased average time taken to reach the correct arm, reduced transfer latency (TL) in the EPM, shortened latency to reach the shock-free zone (SFZ), and an increase in rearing and counts by locomotion activity in the OFT. It also demonstrated improved anti-cholinesterase activity and suppressed oxidative stress, as indicated by a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) levels and an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels. Additionally, it led to reductions in brain changes observed in histopathological analysis.
CONCLUSION
Atorvastatin with magnesium L-threonate provides a better beneficial protective effect against AD than atorvastatin alone. This combination can be a first choice for patients who are already taking atorvastatin in the early stages of AD.
PubMed: 38074017
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48400 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Large amounts of chloride ions (Cl) and sulfate ions (SO) are present in salt-washing wastewater, making it unsuitable for direct release. Adsorption can be used to...
Large amounts of chloride ions (Cl) and sulfate ions (SO) are present in salt-washing wastewater, making it unsuitable for direct release. Adsorption can be used to eliminate Cl and SO from salt-washing wastewater, and hydrotalcite is an excellent adsorbent with high adsorption properties for these ions because of a layered bimetallic hydroxide structure. The selective extraction of various metals, such as calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and iron, from steel slag via acid leaching facilitates the utilization of steel slag in the preparation of hydrotalcite. In this study, the leaching mechanism of metal in steel slag was investigated using steel slag as a raw material and acetic acid as the reaction medium. The study obtained the optimal leaching mechanism for preparing hydrotalcite. Hydrotalcite was synthesized from the steel slag leaching solution by hydrothermal synthesis, and its structure was characterized. The adsorption performance of Cl and SO in salt-washing wastewater was investigated by solution adsorption experiments. The removal rates of Cl and SO in salt-washing wastewater reached 12.8% and 38.0%, respectively. After multiple adsorption cycles, the removal rates increased to 98.0% for Cl and 96.4% for SO.
PubMed: 38068146
DOI: 10.3390/ma16237402 -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Dec 2023The causes of cardiac arrest are extremely heterogeneous. Among these, both hypokalemia and hypocalcemia are known reversible factors that can lead to cardiac arrest. In...
Concomitant hypokalemia and hypocalcemia: a very rare but life-threating combination of reversible causes of cardiac arrest - an unusual first manifestation of coeliac disease.
The causes of cardiac arrest are extremely heterogeneous. Among these, both hypokalemia and hypocalcemia are known reversible factors that can lead to cardiac arrest. In this report, we present a unique case report of a patient with previously undiagnosed coeliac disease who experienced cardiac arrest due a combination of hypokalemia and hypocalcemia resulting from malabsorption. A 66-year-old male presented to the emergency department with symptoms of malaise, weakness, weight loss, and persistent diarrhea. The patient exhibited characteristic signs of hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, including fasciculations, weakness, and swelling. An electrocardiogram showed a normal rhythm, and blood tests confirmed the electrolyte imbalances. Despite initial treatment, the patient experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Prompt resuscitation efforts were successful in restoring spontaneous circulation. However, recurrent episodes of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest occurred. Large doses of intravenous potassium chloride, in conjunction with magnesium, were needed prior to restore electrolyte balance. The concomitant severe hypocalcemia required caution calcium supplementation, to avoid further decreases in serum potassium levels. Appropriate ion replacements ultimately led to successful resuscitation with good functional recovery. During the hospital stay, the patient was diagnosed with coeliac disease. This case is noteworthy for its uniqueness, as there are no documented instances in the scientific literature linking cardiac arrest directly to coeliac disease. It is important to emphasize the need for investigating potential reversible causes of cardiac arrest, such as hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, and implementing appropriate interventions to address these factors.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Hypokalemia; Hypocalcemia; Celiac Disease; Heart Arrest; Potassium
PubMed: 38054675
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v94i6.15014 -
Cureus Oct 2023Background This study aimed to analyze acid-base imbalance by assessing the arterial blood gas (ABG) samples of the medical and surgical intensive care unit (ICU)...
Background This study aimed to analyze acid-base imbalance by assessing the arterial blood gas (ABG) samples of the medical and surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients by the Stewart approach and demonstrate the advantages of this method in delineating the acid-base status in cases where Henderson-Hasselbalch, anion gap, and base excess cannot optimally depict the imbalance and create recognition in the clinicians in this regard. Methodology Adult (i.e., age > 18 years) patients admitted to the ICU of our institution during a one-year study period were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the indication of admission to the ICU as or . The ABG, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, chloride, albumin, lactate, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine values determined during the first 24-hour period were used for calculating the Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), strong ion difference apparent (SIDa), and SID effective (SIDe) scores, which were subsequently compared between the groups. Results Overall, 220 (110 medical and 110 surgical) patients were included. The mean patient age was 63.56 ± 18.08 years. The mean APACHE II scores were 21.99 and 19.63 in the medical and surgical groups, respectively. Overall, 110 patients died, while 110 were referred to the regular patient floor. The mean APACHE II score of the patients who died was 28.3, and the latter group had a mean APACHE II score of 13.57. There was a significant difference between the surgical and medical patient groups regarding mean values of APACHE II, SIDa, and SIDe scores. Also, the differences were significant between the patients who died and were discharged. There was a significant difference between the patients who died and were discharged regarding the strong ion gap (SIG); however, the medical and surgical patient groups were not different concerning the SIG values. Conclusions We conclude that SIDa, SIDe, and SIG can be used in medical and surgical ICU patients to predict prognosis.
PubMed: 38034207
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47964 -
Polymers Nov 2023This study investigated the impact of calcium chloride (CaCl) and magnesium chloride (MgCl) at varying concentrations on a model milk formulation's physical and chemical...
This study investigated the impact of calcium chloride (CaCl) and magnesium chloride (MgCl) at varying concentrations on a model milk formulation's physical and chemical properties after thermal treatment. The model milk was subjected to two-stage homogenization and pasteurization before being supplemented with different concentrations of CaCl or MgCl. The findings revealed that elevating the concentration of either calcium or magnesium resulted in the milk emulsion having a higher viscosity and median particle size following heating. CaCl had a slightly stronger impact than MgCl, particularly at higher concentrations. The milk samples also exhibited a reduction in the zeta potential as the ionic strength of the salt solution increased, with the CaCl-fortified milk displaying a slightly lower negative surface charge than the MgCl-fortified milk at the same dose. The model milk's viscosity was evaluated after adding various salt concentrations and a temperature ramp from 20 to 80 °C. Notably, the viscosity and particle size changes demonstrated a non-linear relationship with increasing mineral levels, where a significant increase was observed at or above 5.0 mM. An emulsion stability analysis also revealed that the de-stabilization pattern of the high salt concentration sample differed significantly from its low salt concentration counterparts. These findings could serve as a basis for the future development of fortified UHT milk with nutritionally beneficial calcium and magnesium in industrial applications.
PubMed: 38006147
DOI: 10.3390/polym15224424