Influence of pH in the synthesis of calcium phosphate based nanostructures with enhanced bioactivity and pro-angiogenic properties.

In synthetic fabrication, the process parameters decide the growth nucleation, phase translation, and the evolution of morphological facets of nanostructured materials. This work demonstrates the formation of different crystallographic phases of calcium phosphate by the influence of pH from acidic to alkaline conditions and also investigated their bone regeneration, protein adsorption, and pro-angiogenic properties. Present results illustrate that the alteration of pH is the crucial factor for the synthesis of calcium phosphate (CP) phases. The structural analysis reveals the monetite (CaHPO4 ) phase with a triclinic crystal system for pH 5, dual-phase of monetite combined with hydroxyapatite at the neutral pH 7, and pure phase of hydroxyapatite (Ca10 [PO4 ]6 OH2 ) with hexagonal structure at pH 10. Microscopic analysis portrays the cubic and rod-like morphologies by changing the pH values. FTIR and RAMAN spectroscopic analyses confirm the stretching, bending, and vibrational modes of dominant phosphate groups of different CP phases. Further, the biocompatibility of the prepared CP phases was examined by hemolysis assay, which showed less than 2% of lysis and enhanced cell viability. Moreover, the bioactivity study revealed rapid mineralization and a higher protein adsorption rate for the monetite CP phase (M-CP). Subsequently, the chick embryo angiogenesis assay elucidated 33% higher neovascularization for M-CP compared with the other two CP phases. The fabricated M-CP nanostructure constitutes a promising candidate for biomedical applications.

Facile synthesis of sericin modified graphene oxide nanocomposites for treating ischemic diseases.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the major reason for death worldwide. Therapeutic angiogenesis serves as an effective approach to treat IHD. Sericin (S), a natural silk protein is widely used in regenerative medicine due to its excellent bioactive properties. Graphene oxide (GO) is extensively used in the field of biomedicine due to its amazing capacity to interact with biomolecules. The main objectives of the present study are to synthesize sericin functionalized graphene oxide (SGO) nanocomposites to treat diseases associated with deficient angiogenesis. Carbodiimide induced cross-linking strategy was employed to functionalize graphene oxide using sericin. The SGO nanocomposites had wrinkled flake like structure with good blood biocompatibility. In vivo chick embryo angiogenesis (CEA) assay was performed to prove the angiogenic potency of SGO nanocomposites. CEA assay results clearly indicated the development of new blood vessels in SGO treated chick embryos when compared with the control.

Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill fails, for now.

In May 2011, Parliament in Uganda adjourned without debating a bill that included the death penalty for some homosexual acts.

Ontario court affirms negotiated settlement in class action suit over use of non-sterile equipment at tattoo parlour.

In early 2011, the Ontario Superior Court affirmed a negotiated settlement between Peel Region and Peel Public Health and a class of individuals who were exposed to blood-borne infection as a result of the use of non-sterile equipment at Moonshin Tattoo parlour.

South Africa: ANC Youth League President issues apology following conviction for hate speech.

In June 2011, fifteen months after he had been found guilty of hate speech and discrimination, African National Congress (ANC)Youth President Julius issued a formal apology and agreed to pay a R50,000 (CAN$7,120) fine that was part of the conviction.

Osteomyelitis of the ear canal caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis.

Osteomyelitis of the temporal bone caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis has never been reported before. This infection was diagnosed in a 51-year-old diabetic man. S. lugdunensis is an unusually virulent coagulase negative staphylococcus and has been implicated in a variety of severe infections. Considering the serious morbidity and mortality associated with osteomyelitis and in particular with S. lugdunensis, special awareness and alertness are required when otitis externa, which predisposes to osteomyelitis, is refractory to treatment.