ABSTRACT
ß Tricalcium phosphate ceramic was used to reinforce nanofibers in composite mats produced via electrospinning of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polycaprolactone (PCL) and (PVA: PCL) bilayers. The role of TCP ceramic on morphology of nanocomposites, crystalline structure, functional groups and thermal behaviour of nanocomposites were characterized by SEM, EDAX, XRD, FTIR and DSC analysis. Ultrathin cross-sections of the obtained nanocomposites were morphologically investigated with SEM and all fabricated composites consisted of fibers with average fiber diameter (AFD) around 100 nm except PCL-TCP fibers having AFD in the range of 608 nm. XRD profile presented the main peaks of ß-TCP (JCPDS 090169 and JCPDS 70-2065). The characteristic absorption bands of TCP were also identified by FTIR in all the composites. The thermal stability was enhanced after adding TCP filler particles in all the polymer composites. The porosity of PCL-TCP was found around 63% and (PVA-PCL: TCP) composite was found to be 58%. The biocompatibility of the (PVA-PCL: TCP) composite scaffold has also been investigated by culturing MG-63 osteoblast cells on it; primary results showed that the cells adhered and proliferated well on the composite scaffold.
ABSTRACT
Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) blend incorporated with hydroxyapatite (HAp) and ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) is electrospun as nanofibrous composite scaffolds to act as suitable template for bone tissue engineering. Microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations confirm uniform integration of the crystalline calcium phosphate ceramics in the scaffolds. PVA-PVP blends are usually amorphous in nature and addition of phosphate ceramic particles specifically HAp elevates its crystalline behavior which is substantiated by XRD details. Further incorporation of ceramics is confirmed using FT-IR as characteristic PO43- groups for HAp and ß-TCP were observed in the distinguished composites. Single glass transition temperature is observed for pure and composite blends indicating the formation of highly miscible blends. Also, addition of these ceramics augments the thermal stability of the blend scaffolds. Biocompatibility of the prepared (PVA: PVP)-HAp and (PVA: PVP)-TCP scaffolds is assessed using MG-63 Osteoblast cell lines in the time interval of 1st, 4th and 7th day. The cell viability percentage for (PVA: PVP)-HAp is high compared to ß-TCP added blend composites, reinforcing the fact that scaffolds with good mechanical strength and enhanced porosity supports better cell adhesion.
Subject(s)
Bone Regeneration , Durapatite/chemistry , Povidone/chemistry , Tissue Engineering , Tissue Scaffolds , Calcium Phosphates/chemistry , Cell Line , Ceramics , Humans , Osteoblasts/cytology , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform InfraredABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disorder, in which Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] increases plaque formation and thus promotes atherosclerosis. Coronary artery disease is one of the co-morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis patients. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate Lp (a) as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This was a comparative study in which Lp (a) and lipid profile were compared in rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis patients and 30 normal healthy subjects with an age and sex matched group of 25-80 years. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Serum Lp (a) concentration was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with controls. Serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly lowered (P < 0.05) in patients as compared to controls. There was no significant difference in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol between patients and controls. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in future due to the increased level of Lp (a). In addition to conventional lipid profile, estimation of Lp (a) can prove to be a valuable tool in risk assessment of population in general and management of disease in particular.
ABSTRACT
The removal of dye from industrial effluents is prime important, photo-catalysis is a finest method to combat dye from effluents. This study concerns about the investigation of photocatalytic activity of TiO2-HPAs (Hetropolyacids) nanocomposite namely TiO2-Phosphomolybdic nanocomposite [TiO2-HMA] and TiO2-Phosphotungstic nanocomposite [TiO2-HWA] which were prepared by Sol-gel method and the same were characterized by using XRD, SEM-EDAX. The photocatalytic activity of prepared photo-catalysts were evaluated and compared by the degradation of Methylene Blue dye in water solution under UV irradiation. In that TiO2-HMA nanocomposite showed superior photocatalytic activity than TiO2-HWA.
Subject(s)
Methylene Blue/chemistry , Nanostructures/chemistry , Photochemistry/methods , Titanium/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry , Water Purification/methods , Catalysis/radiation effects , Light , Materials Testing , Methylene Blue/radiation effects , Molecular Conformation , Nanostructures/radiation effects , Nanostructures/ultrastructure , Particle Size , Titanium/radiation effects , Ultraviolet Rays , Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification , Water Pollutants, Chemical/radiation effectsABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The incidence of malignant melanoma in the UK is rising. Increased awareness of melanoma has led to an increase in patients presenting with pigmented lesions to their general practitioner (GP) and to pigmented lesion clinics. The sensitivity and specificity of the general practitioner in diagnosing melanoma remains poor. OBJECTIVES: A trial was conducted to establish the effectiveness of SIAscope in triaging patients referred by GPs on suspicion of melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After Ethical Committee approval, all consenting patients attending the Pigmented Lesion Clinic at Frenchay Hospital were scanned with the SIAscope. The consultant then examined all the patients and all suspicious lesions were excised and examined. RESULTS: Eight hundred and eighty-six patients were included in the trial. The SIAscope had a sensitivity of 94.4% with a false negative rate of 3.7% for malignant melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: The SIAscope could be useful in reducing the number of benign lesions seen by the consultant while still identifying most melanomas.
Subject(s)
Melanins/analysis , Melanoma/diagnosis , Nursing Care/methods , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Triage/methods , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Skin Pigmentation/physiology , Spectrophotometry/instrumentation , Spectrophotometry/methodsSubject(s)
Abdomen/surgery , Anesthesia, Spinal , Anesthetics, Dissociative , Ketamine , Leg/surgery , Adult , Anesthesia, Spinal/adverse effects , Anesthetics, Dissociative/adverse effects , Double-Blind Method , Epinephrine , Female , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Humans , Injections, Spinal , Ketamine/adverse effects , Male , Pain Measurement/drug effects , Vasoconstrictor AgentsABSTRACT
A case of persistent trophoblastic tissue on the pelvic peritoneum is presented. While most cases are secondary to conservative surgery for tubal ectopic pregnancy, primary implantation can also occur as highlighted by this case. A brief pathophysiology of the condition is presented. The importance of monitoring the serum for beta subunit human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is emphasised.
