Design and characterization of biodegradable macroporous hybrid inorganic-organic polymer for orthopedic applications.

We have engineered hybrid polymer products based on a hybrid inorganic-organic comacromer consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA), carboxyl terminated polypropylene fumarate (CTPPF), PEG300 and ascorbic acid (AA) as a bone graft material. The integration and the spatial distribution of HA in the polymer backbone were facilitated by silanisation and 1-ethyl-3-(-3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) coupling technique. These comacromers and crosslinked polymer products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman mapping techniques. SEM and EDAX analysis substantiate high invitro bioactivity of the polymer products. SEM studies depict a distinct macroporous structure with pore size of 50 to 300µm. These crosslinked hybrid products demonstrated no significant difference in compressive moduli after 4weeks immersion in SBF. In particular, the compressive moduli were found to be comparable with that of trabecular bone. We suggest that the formation of an apatite layer on the surface of the composites deter initial degradation leading to better mechanical stability. As expected, the polymer products displayed negligible degradation in SBF during the first 4weeks which increased to a maximum of 25% by the end of the 8weeks time period. In addition these crosslinked products which are hydrophilic exhibit favorable albumin adsorption, cell viability, HOS cell adhesion and exemplary compatibility. Cumulatively, the results deduced in the present study suggest that these hybrid products have potential as a bone graft material.

Europium Doped Calcium Deficient Hydroxyapatite as Theranostic Nanoplatforms: Effect of Structure and Aspect Ratio.

We present the development of theranostic nanoplatforms (NPs) based on a europium (Eu3+) doped calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) core functionalized with cyclodextrin (ß-CD) and cucurbitural (CB[7]). The composition, crystalline structure, aspect ratio, surface area, morphology, and luminescence property of the NPs were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fluorescence spectroscopy. The perceivable effects of Eu3+ doping appear in the minor peak shift to larger angles attributed to lower crystallite size and smaller aspect ratios coupled with greater structural strain in the rod shaped theranostic NPs and a shift in their zeta potential toward less negative values. Cell parameter calculations suggest that the doping of Eu3+ would cause the a-axis parameter to decrease slightly as the ionic radius of Eu3+ is smaller than that of Ca2+. Moreover drug release profiles employing 5-fluorouracil (5FU) suggest that these luminescent NPs depict controlled and sustained release profiles. Further the emissive intensities of the NPs in the carrier systems increase with cumulative released amounts of 5FU, suggesting that release of the drug can be monitored by changes in luminescent intensity. In addition, native NPs manifest commendable cytocompatibility as demonstrated by MTT and live/dead protocols, whereas the 5FU loaded NPs demonstrated over 80% HeLa cell death, signifying their therapeutic potential. We envision that these NPs can serve as effective and practical multifunctional probes for theranostic applications.

Cytological and Pathological Correlation of FNAC in Assessing Breast Lumps and Axillary Lymph Node Swellings in a Public Sector Hospital in India.

Background. Breast lumps have varied pathology, and there are different techniques to prove the diagnosis. The aim of the present study is to analyze the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the breast lesions at our center. Methods. We had retrospectively analysed 854 patients who underwent FNAC for primary breast lumps and 190 patients who underwent FNAC for an axillary lymph node in the year 2010. Results. Of 854 patients, histological correlation was available in 723 patients. The analysis was done for 812 patients as medical records were not available for 42 patients. FNAC was false negative in seven cases; 2 cases of phyllodes were reported as fibroadenoma, and 5 cases of carcinoma were diagnosed as atypical hyperplasia. The sensitivity, specificity, and false negative value of FNAC in diagnosing breast lumps were 99% (715/723), 100%, and 1%, respectively. Of 190 patients for whom FNAC was performed for axilla, 170 had proven to have axillary lymph node metastases, and the rest had reactive hyperplasia or inflammatory cells. Conclusions. FNAC is rapid, accurate, outpatient based, and less complicated procedure and helps in diagnosis of breast cancer, benign diseases, and axillary involvement in experienced hands with less chance of false results.