In vitro study of a new biodegradable nanocomposite based on poly propylene fumarate as bone glue.

A novel poly propylene fumarate (PPF)-based glue which is reinforced by nanobioactive glass (NBG) particles and promoted by hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as crosslinker agent, was developed and investigated for bone-to-bone bonding applications. In-vitro bioactivity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and bone adhesion were tested and the results have verified that it can be used as bone glue. In an in-vitro condition, the prepared nanocomposite (PPF/HEMA/NBG) showed improved adhesion to wet bone surfaces. The combined tension and shear resistance between two wet bone surfaces was measured, and its maximum value was 9±59MPa. To investigate the bioactivity and biodegradability of the nanocomposite, it has been immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). After 14days exposure to SBF, a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer formed on the surface of the composite confirms the bioactivity of this material. In the XRD pattern of the nanocomposite surface, the HA characteristic diffraction peak at θ=26 and 31.8 were observed. Also, by monitoring the weight change after 8weeks immersion in SBF, the mass loss was about 16.46wt%. It has been confirmed that this nanocomposite is a biodegradable material. Also, bioactivity and biodegradability of nanocomposite have been proved by SEM images. It has been showed that by using NBG particles and HEMA precursor, mechanical properties increased significantly. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of nanocomposite which contains 20% NBG and the ratio of 70/30wt% PPF/HEMA (PHB.732) was approximately 62MPa, while the UTS in the pure PPF/HEMA was about 32MPa. High cell viability in this nanocomposite (MTT assays, 85-95%) can be attributed to the NBG nature which contains calcium phosphate and is similar to physiological environment. Furthermore, it possesses biomineralization and biodegradation which significantly affected by impregnation of hydrophilic HEMA in the PPF-based polymeric matrix. The results indicated that the new synthesized biodegradable PPF/HEMA/NBG composite is suitable for biomedical applications especially as biodegradable bone glue in orthopedic surgeries.

Surveillance summary of hospitalized pediatric enterovirus D68 cases in Canada, September 2014.

BACKGROUND: Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has been detected infrequently and has not been associated with severe disease in Canada. In the early fall of 2014, following an unusual case increase in the United States, clusters of EV-D68 among children and some adults manifesting severe symptoms were reported in Canada. OBJECTIVE: To provide an initial epidemiological summary of pediatric cases hospitalized with EV-D68 in Canada. METHODS: A time-limited surveillance pilot was conducted collecting information on pediatric cases (less than 18 years of age) hospitalized with EV-D68 between September 1 and 30, 2014. RESULTS: In total, 268 cases were reported from Ontario (n=210), Alberta (n=45), and British Columbia (n=13). Of the 268 reported cases, 64.9% (n=174) were male; the sex difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). Age was reported for 255 cases, with a mean age for males of 5.4 years and for females of 5.3 years. For cases with data available, 6.8% (18/266) were admitted to an intensive care unit. Of those where clinical illness was recorded, respiratory illness alone was present in 98.3% (227/231), neurologic illness alone was present in 0.4% (n=1), and both illnesses were present in 0.9% of cases (n=2); cases with neither respiratory nor neurologic illness were rare (n=1). Of the 90 cases with additional clinical information available, 43.3% were reported as having asthma. No deaths were reported among the 268 cases. CONCLUSION: The EV-D68 outbreak in Canada in September 2014 represents the beginning of a novel outbreak associated with severe illness in children. These findings provide the first epidemiological summary of severe cases of EV-D68 as an emergent respiratory pathogen in Canada. The continued investigation of this pathogen is necessary to build on these results and capture the full spectrum of associated illness.

Simultaneous triple point-of-care testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus to prevent mother-to-child transmission in India.

An innovative simultaneous triple point-of-care (STPOC) screening strategy for syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV with Determine(®) tests was offered to pregnant women presenting for antenatal care and evaluated for feasibility and preference in rural India. Of 1066 participants approached, 1046 consented, of which 1002 (96.0%) completed the strategy. Only 9% reported any history of testing in their current pregnancy. With STPOC screening, 989 women (98.7%) tested negative and 13 had preliminary positive results for infection. The total time taken was 45 minutes per participant. Mothers and infants were provided prophylaxis/treatment for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, with interventions initiated within 3-5 days. STPOC was preferred by 99.3% (95%CI: 98.8-99.8%) of participants, facilitated early simultaneous screening for the three infections, timely initiation of prophylaxis/treatment and was feasible in this rural setting. These data suggest that multiplexed STPOC screening for syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV in pregnancy would be desirable for women in rural India.