Structural and transport properties of quaternary glass system: LiF-Li2O-SrO-Bi2O3

Bismuth based glasses containing LiF, Li₂O and SrO were investigated by different physical, spectroscopic and transport techniques. The results show that density of the glass system increases whereas glass transition temperature decreases with increase in LiF content. The decrease in glass transition temperature is attributed to the entry of the fluoride ions into the glass network mainly substitutionally in place of oxygen ion. The increase in dc electrical conductivity in the present glasses with increase in the fluorine ions is due to the mixed contribution of the positively charged lithium cations throughout the glass network and the negatively charged fluorine, which may act as impurity and/or as terminal non-bridging halide ion. Infrared and Raman spectroscopic results indicate that the glass network consists of BiO₆ octahedral and BiO₃ pyramidal units.     

Understanding changes in DTI metrics in patients with different stages of neurocysticercosis

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on 25 patients with neurocysticercosis (NCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in DTI measures during the evolutionary course of NCC lesions from vesicular to calcified stage in the brain. DTI measures were quantified from the NCC lesions of all patients. On the basis of conventional imaging findings, NCC lesions were classified into vesicular, vesicular colloidal, granular nodular and calcified stages. Significant inverse correlation was observed between the evolutionary stage of NCC lesion and mean diffusivity (MD; r=−0.748, P<0.001) and spherical anisotropy (CS; r=−0.585, P<.001) values. Significant direct correlations were observed between evolutionary stages of NCC lesion and mean fractional anisotropy (FA; r=0.575, P<0.001), linear anisotropy (CL; r=0.478, p<0.001) and planar anisotropy (CP; r=0.561, p<0.001) values. Successive decrease in MD values calculated from NCC lesions was observed, moving from vesicular to granular nodular stage. On FA, CL and CP maps, a significant increase in signal intensity value was observed in calcified as compared to other stages. We conclude that DTI measures may indicate the evolutionary changes in NCC from vesicular to calcified stage.     

Toxicological Effects of Metal Nanoparticles Employed in Biomedicine: Biocompatibility,Clinical Trials,and Future Perspective

Metal nanoparticles play a crucial role in the medical industry due to its desirable properties such as antimicrobial activity, anti-cancer property, and its application in disease diagnostics. These properties enable the nanoparticles to be used as efficient medical devices for various treatments as well as drug delivery systems. Despite all the positives, metal nanoparticles are known for causing toxicity in the living system. The toxicological effects of metal nanoparticles are due to their size, surface*e coating, and the dose administered. Therefore, it is important to study the toxic effects of these nanoparticles before they are used as medical devices for various treatments. This review focuses on the five major metal nanoparticles used in the medical field, namely; silver, gold, iron oxide, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The non-exhaustive review consists of an introduction to the toxicological effects of these nanoparticles, the biocompatibility, and the current and future clinical perspective on metal nanoparticles.