In vitro bioactivity and cytocompatibility properties of spark plasma sintered HA-Ti composites

The present study reports the results of the detailed in vitro bioactivity and cytocompatibility properties of the hydroxyapatite (HA) and the HA-titanium (HA-Ti) composite with varying amount of Ti (5, 10, and 20 wt %), densified using spark plasma sintering process (SPS). Using this technique and tailoring suitable processing parameters, it has been possible to retain both HA and Ti in the sintered ceramics. Importantly, the uniquely designed SPS processing with suitably chosen parameters enables in achieving better mechanical properties, such as higher indentation fracture toughness (similar to 1.5 MPa m1/2) in HA-Ti composites compared with HA. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations reveal good bioactivity of the HA-Ti composites with the formation of thick, flaky, and porous apatite layer when immersed in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C and pH of 7.4. Atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis of the simulated body fluid solution reveals dynamic changes in Ca+2 ion concentration with more dissolution of Ca+2 ion from the HA-20Ti composite. However, the measurements with inductively coupled plasma spectrometer do not record dissolution of Ti+4 ions. Transmission electron microscopic analysis indicates weak crystalline nature of the apatite and confirms the formation of fine-scale apatite crystals. MTT assay, fluorescence, and SEM study demonstrate good cell viability and cell adhesion/proliferation of the Saos -2 cells, cultured on the developed composites under standard culture condition, and the difference in cell viability has been discussed in reference to substrate composition and roughness. Overall, HA-Ti composites exhibit comparable and even better in vitro bioactivity and cytocompatibility properties than HA. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.

In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo osseointergration properties of compression-molded HDPE-HA-Al2O3 hybrid biocomposites

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo biocompatibility in terms of healing of long segmental bone defect in rabbit model as well as in vitro cytotoxicity of eluates of compression-molded High density polyethylene (HDPE)hydroxyapatite (HA)-aluminum oxide (Al2O3) composite-based implant material. Based on the physical property in terms of modulus and strength properties, as reported in our recent publication, HDPE-40 wt % HA and HDPE-20 wt % HA-20 wt % Al2O3 hybrid composites were used for biocompatibility assessment. Osteoblasts cells were cultured in conditioned media, which contains varying amount of composite eluate (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 wt %). In vitro, the eluates did not exhibit any significant negative impact on proliferation, mineralization or on morphology of human osteoblast cells. In vivo, the histological assessment revealed neobone formation at the bone/implant interface, characterized by the presence of osteoid and osteoblasts. The observation of osteoclastic activity indicates the process of bone remodeling. No inflammation to any noticeable extent was observed at the implantation site. Overall, the combination of in vitro and in vivo results are suggestive of potential biomedical application of compression-molded HDPE- 20 wt % HA- 20 wt % Al2O3 composites to heal long segmental bone defects without causing any toxicity of bone cells.

Dielectric and electrical conductivity properties of multi-stage spark plasma sintered HA-CaTiO3 composites and comparison with conventionally sintered materials

One of the different issues limiting the wider application of monolithic hydroxyapatite (HA) as an ideal bone replacement material is the lack of reasonably good electrical transport properties. The comprehensive electrical property characterization to evaluate the efficacy of processing parameters in achieving the desired combination of electroactive properties is considered as an important aspect in the development of HA-based bioactive material. In this perspective, the present work reports the temperature (RT-200 degrees C) and frequency (100 Hz-1 MHz) dependent dielectric properties and AC conductivity for a range of HA-CaTiO3 (HA-CT) composites, densified using both conventional pressureless sintering in air as well as spark plasma sintering in vacuum. Importantly, the AC conductivity of spark plasma sintered ceramics similar to upto 10(-5) (Omega cm)(-1)] are found to be considerably higher than the corresponding pressureless sintered ceramics similar to upto 10(-8) (Omega cm)(-1)]. Overall, the results indicate the processing route dependent functional properties of HA-CaTiO3 composites as well as related advantages of spark plasma sintering route. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spark plasma sintered HA-Fe3O4-based multifunctional magnetic Bbiocomposites

Although HA is highly biocompatible, one of the major disadvantages of HA include the lack of antibacterial property. In an earlier study, we demonstrated the potential role of magnetic field stimulation on bactericidal property in vitro. Following this, it was hypothesized that antibacterial property can be realized if bacteria are grown on magnetic biocomposites in vitro. In addressing this issue, this study demonstrates the development of HA-Fe3O4-based magnetic substrate with multifunctional properties. For this purpose, HA-xFe(3)O(4) (x: 10, 20 and 40wt%) powder compositions were sintered using uniquely designed spark plasma sintering conditions (three stage sintering with final holding temperature of 1050 degrees C for 5min). A saturation magnetization of 24emu/g is measured with HA-40%Fe3O4. Importantly, all the HA-Fe3O4 composites demonstrated bactericidal property by rupturing the membrane of Escherichia coli bacteria, while supporting cell growth of metabolically active human fetal osteoblast cells over 8d culture. A systematic decrease in bacterial viability with Fe3O4 addition is consistent with a commensurate increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Multifunctional Properties of Multistage Spark Plasma Sintered HA-BaTiO3-Based Piezobiocomposites for Bone Replacement Applications

This work reports the processing-microstructure-property correlation of novel HA-BaTiO3-based piezobiocomposites, which demonstrated the bone-mimicking functional properties. A series of composites of hydroxyapatite (HA) with varying amounts of piezoelectric BaTiO3 (BT) were optimally processed using uniquely designed multistage spark plasma sintering (SPS) route. Transmission electron microscopy imaging during in situ heating provides complementary information on the real-time observation of sintering behavior. Ultrafine grains (0.50m) of HA and BT phases were predominantly retained in the SPSed samples. The experimental results revealed that dielectric constant, AC conductivity, piezoelectric strain coefficient, compressive strength, and modulus values of HA-40wt% BT closely resembles with that of the natural bone. The addition of 40wt% BT enhances the long-crack fracture toughness, compressive strength, and modulus by 132%, 200%, and 165%, respectively, with respect to HA. The above-mentioned exceptional combination of functional properties potentially establishes HA-40wt% BT piezocomposite as a new-generation composite for orthopedic implant applications.

Synergistic effect of static magnetic field and HA-Fe3O4 magnetic composites on viability of S. aureus and E. coli bacteria

In addressing the issue of prosthetic infection, this work demonstrated the synergistic effect of the application of static magnetic field (SMF) and ferrimagnetic substrate properties on the bactericidal property in vitro. This aspect was studied using hydroxyapatite (HA)-xFe(3)O(4) (x=10, 20, and 40 wt.%) substrates, which have different saturation magnetization properties. During bacteria culture experiments, 100 mT SMF was applied to growth medium (with HA-xFe(3)O(4) substrate) in vitro for 30, 120, and 240 min. A combination of MTT assay, membrane rupture assays, live/dead assay, and fluorescence microscopic analysis showed that the bactericidal effect of SMF increases with the exposure duration as well as increasing Fe3O4 content in biomaterial substrates. Importantly, the synergistic bactericidal effect was found to be independent of bacterial cell type, as similar qualitative trend is measured with both gram negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains. The reduction in E. coli viability was 83% higher on HA-40 Wt % Fe3O4 composite after 4 h exposure to SMF as compared to nonexposed control. Interestingly, any statistically significant difference in ROS was not observed in bacterial growth medium after magnetic field exposure, indicating the absence of ROS enhancement due to magnetic field. Overall, this study illustrates significant role being played by magnetic substrate compositions towards bactericidal property than by magnetic field exposure alone. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 524-532, 2014.

Spark Plasma Sintered HA-Fe3O4-Based Multifunctional Magnetic Biocomposites

Although HA is highly biocompatible, one of the major disadvantages of HA include the lack of antibacterial property. In an earlier study, we demonstrated the potential role of magnetic field stimulation on bactericidal property in vitro. Following this, it was hypothesized that antibacterial property can be realized if bacteria are grown on magnetic biocomposites in vitro. In addressing this issue, this study demonstrates the development of HA-Fe3O4-based magnetic substrate with multifunctional properties. For this purpose, HA-xFe(3)O(4) (x: 10, 20 and 40wt%) powder compositions were sintered using uniquely designed spark plasma sintering conditions (three stage sintering with final holding temperature of 1050 degrees C for 5min). A saturation magnetization of 24emu/g is measured with HA-40%Fe3O4. Importantly, all the HA-Fe3O4 composites demonstrated bactericidal property by rupturing the membrane of Escherichia coli bacteria, while supporting cell growth of metabolically active human fetal osteoblast cells over 8d culture. A systematic decrease in bacterial viability with Fe3O4 addition is consistent with a commensurate increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS).

X-Ha center dot center dot center dot C hydrogen bonds in n-alkane-HX (X = F, OH) complexes are stronger than C-Ha <-X hydrogen bonds

Computational study of X-Ha <-C and C-Ha <-X hydrogen bonds in n-alkane-HX complexes (X =F,OH, alkane =propane, butane, pentane) has been carried out in this work. Ab initio and density functional theories were used for this study. For n-alkane-H2O complexes both Oa <-H-C and O-Ha <-C hydrogen bonded complex have been found, while for n-alkane-HF complexes, our attempt to optimize Fa <-H-C H-bond was not successful. Like most of the hydrogen bonded systems, strong correlation between binding energy and stretching frequency of H-F and O-H stretching mode was observed. The values of electron density and Laplacian of electron density are within the accepted range for hydrogen bonds. In all these cases, X-Ha <-C hydrogen bonds are found to be stronger than C-Ha <-X hydrogen bonds.

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Cytotoxicity In Vitro and Long-Term Toxicity of HA-40wt% BaTiO3 Nanoparticles In Vivo

The development of new implantable biomaterials requires bone-mimicking physical properties together with desired biocompatible property. In continuation to our earlier published research to establish compositional dependent multifunctional bone-like properties and cytocompatibility response of hydroxyapatite (HA)-BaTiO3 composites, the toxicological property evaluation, both invitro and invivo, were conducted on HA-40wt% BaTiO3 and reported in this work. In particular, this work reports invitro cytotoxicity of mouse myoblast cells as well as invivo long-term tissue and nanoparticles interaction of intra-articularly injected HA-40wt% BaTiO3 and BaTiO3 up to the concentration of 25mg/mL in physiological saline over 12weeks in mouse model. The careful analysis of flow cytometry results could not reveal any statistically significant difference in terms of early/late apoptotic cells or necrotic cells over 8d in culture. Extensive histological analysis could not record any signature of cellular level toxicity or pronounced inflammatory response in vital organs as well as at knee joints of Balb/c mice after 12weeks. Taken together, this study establishes nontoxic nature of HA-40wt% BaTiO3 and therefore, HA-40wt% BaTiO3 can be used safely for various biomedical applications.

Stalking influenza by vaccination with pre-fusion headless HA mini-stem

Inaccuracies in prediction of circulating viral strain genotypes and the possibility of novel reassortants causing a pandemic outbreak necessitate the development of an anti-influenza vaccine with increased breadth of protection and potential for rapid production and deployment. The hemagglutinin (HA) stem is a promising target for universal influenza vaccine as stem-specific antibodies have the potential to be broadly cross-reactive towards different HA subtypes. Here, we report the design of a bacterially expressed polypeptide that mimics a H5 HA stem by protein minimization to focus the antibody response towards the HA stem. The HA mini-stem folds as a trimer mimicking the HA prefusion conformation. It is resistant to thermal/chemical stress, and it binds to conformation-specific, HA stem-directed broadly neutralizing antibodies with high affinity. Mice vaccinated with the group 1 HA mini-stems are protected from morbidity and mortality against lethal challenge by both group 1 (H5 and H1) and group 2 (H3) influenza viruses, the first report of cross-group protection. Passive transfer of immune serum demonstrates the protection is mediated by stem-specific antibodies. Furthermore, antibodies indudced by these HA stems have broad HA reactivity, yet they do not have antibody-dependent enhancement activity.

El poder de la palabra

Resumen: La palabra se presenta para Merleau-Ponty como el vehículo de las vivencias corporales hacia la expresión. En ella reside un poder oculto que permite decir el mundo. Mediante una “secreta torsión” de las significaciones adquiridas es posible instituir una nueva significación. El presente artículo buscará exhibir dicho poder misterioso del lenguaje que se hace manifiesto en una expresión creadora en la que aparece un excedente de lo que se va a decir sobre lo dicho. Ese excedente es la esencia en estado viviente. Para manifestar el fenómeno milagroso del lenguaje nos serviremos de la obra de Proust: À la recherche du temps perdu

Decreto del Obispo de Acireale (Sicilia) privando de exequias a quien ha sido condenado del delito de mafia

Visto il n. 14 del Documento “Sviluppo e solidarietà. Chiesa italiana e Mezzogiorno” (18 ottobre 1989) della Conferenza episcopale italiana nel quale si afferma: «Deve essere ben chiaro che questo fenomeno [la criminalità organizzata] non è il Mezzogiorno; ne è invece solo una malattia, un cancro contro il quale la coscienza generale del Sud, assieme a quella di tutto il Paese, si indigna e reagisce. La Chiesa italiana condanna radicalmente queste organizzazioni criminose ed esorta gli uomini “mafiosi” ad una svolta nel loro comportamento. Il loro agire offende l’uomo, la società, ogni senso etico, religioso, il senso stesso dell’“onore” e si ritorce, poi, contro loro stessi»...

Efecto de seis tratamientos bajo riego localizado en la producción de chilote en el cultivo del maíz (Zea mays L.), variedad NB-S, a una densidad de 62 500 ptas ha-û

El presente trabajo de investigación se establec ió en la sede central de la Universidad Nacional Agraria (UNA), ubicada en el municipio de Managua kilómetro 12 ½ carretera panamericana no rte del departamento de Managua. El objetivo del experimento fue estudiar el efecto de seis tratamientos nitrogenados y con sistema de riego lo calizado que abasteció de 3.6 litros de agua por metro lineal por día en la producción de chilote en el cultivo de maíz (Zea Mays L.), variedad NB - S con, una densidad de 125,000 ptas/ha. El ensayo se estableció en un diseño experimental de bloques comple to s al azar (BCA), unifactorial , con seis tratamientos (A= 50 kg/ha de N; aplicado el 100 % a los 21 ddg ; B= 50 kg/ha de N aplicado el 50% de la dosis a los 21ddg y 50% de la dosis a los 42 ddg; C= 50 kg/ha de N; aplicado aplicado el 100 % a los 42 ddg; D=1 00 kg/ha de N; aplicado el 100 % a los 21 ddg; E= 100 kg/ha de N; aplicado el 50% de la dosis a los 21 ddg y 50% de la dosis a los 42 ddg; F= 100 kg/ha de N; aplicado el 100 % a los 42 ddg. ) y cuatro repeticiones , para evaluar el efecto de los mismos s obre el crecimiento del maíz y rendimiento del chilote. Las variables evaluadas durante el desarrollo de la planta fueron: Altura de la planta (cm), diámetro del tallo (cm), numero de hojas por planta; las variables de rendimiento evaluadas durante la cose cha fueron las siguientes: Altura de primera y segunda inserción del chilote (cm), peso del chilote con bráctea y sin bráctea (cm), diámetro del chilote con bráctea y sin bráctea (mm) y rendim iento del chilote con bráctea (k g/ha - 1 ). Cada una de las variabl es fueron sometidas a una evaluación estadística por medio del análisis de varianza y separación de medias por Duncan al 5% de confiabilidad. De los seis tratamientos evaluados , el tratamiento E indujo el mayor rendimiento del chilote con una producción de 3 , 819.37 Kg/ha con un beneficio neto de C$ 21,173.69 y una tasa de retorno marginal del 512.5%

Efecto de seis tratamientos bajo riego localizado en la producción de chilote en el cultivo del maíz (Zea mays L.), variedad NB-S, a una densidad de 125 000 ptas haû

El presente trabajo de investigación se estableció en época seca entre los meses de marzo-mayo 2012, bajo sistema de riego por goteo, el experimento se realizó en los terrenos de la Universidad Nacional Agraria, la cual se encuentra ubicada en el km 12 ½ carretera norte, Managua. Sus coordenadas corresponden 12° 8' 56.52" latitud norte y 86° 9' 36.02" longitud oeste y a una altura de 56 m.s.n.m. Con el objetivo de obtener información acerca del mejoramiento de rendimiento del chilote en el cultivo del maíz a una densidad de 125,000 ptas,se fertilizo con abono completo(12-30-10) al momento de lasiembra aplicando 136.07 kg y se estudiaron la aplicación seis tratamientos nitrogenados (A=50 kg.de Nitrógeno aplicada 100% a los 21 ddg; B = 50 kg. de Nitrógeno; Aplicada 50% a los 21dds y 50 % a los 42 ddg, C=50 kg. de Nitrógeno aplicada 100% a los 42 ddg, D=100 kg. de Nitrógeno; Aplicada 100% a los 21 ddg, E=100 kg de Nitrógeno; Aplicada 50% a los 21 ddg y 50 % a los 42 ddg y el F=100 kg de Nitrógeno; Aplicada 100% a los 42 ddg ), establecidos en un diseño de bloques completamente al azar. Las variables evaluadas durante el crecimiento del cultivo fueron: altura de planta, numero de hojas y diámetro de tallo; y las variables del rendimiento de chilote y sus principales componentes fueron: altura de primera y segunda inserción, longitud del chilote con y sin bráctea, diámetro del chilote con y sin bráctea, peso del chilote con y sin bráctea y el rendimiento del chilote en kg/ha.El mayor rendimiento se obtuvo con el tratamiento E, con 6 531.26 kg. de chilote, obteniendo un beneficio neto de 40 156.92 C$. y una tasa de retorno marginal del 841.7 por ciento.

Efecto de tres laminas de riego y momentos de aplicación de 150kg.ha-1 de nitrogeno, sobre el crecimiento del maíz (Zea mays L.) variedad NB-S y rendimiento del chilote, a una densidad de 125000 Ptas.ha-1

El ensayo se estableció en los terrenos de la Universidad Nacional Agraria, ubicada en el km 12 ½ carretera norte, Managua en Marzo-Mayo del año dos mil doce, para evaluar efecto de diferentes láminas de riego y momentos de aplicación de 150 kg. ha-1 de nitrógeno, sobre el crecimiento del maíz (Zea mays L.) variedad NB-S, y rendimiento del chilote, a una densidad de 125,000 Ptas. ha-1. Se utilizó un diseño de parcelas divididas en bloques completos al azar (BCA) con cuatro repeticiones, y los factores en estudio fueron los siguientes, Factor A: Láminas de riego por goteo, con 3 niveles: 4.5 l de agua/m/día, 3.6 l de agua/m/día y 2.5 l de agua/m/día. Y el Factor B: Fraccionamiento de la dosis de nitrógeno de 150 kg. ha-1, con 3 niveles: b1 (100 % de la dosis aplicada a los 21 ddg); b2 dosis fraccionada (50% de la dosis aplicada a los 21 ddg y 50 % de la dosis aplicada a los42 ddg) y b3 dosis completa (100 % de la dosis aplicada a los 42 dds). Las variables de crecimiento evaluadasa los 14, 35 y 48 días después de la germinación fueron: altura de planta en cm, diámetro del tallo (cm) y numero de hojas por planta; para las variables del rendimiento del chilote y sus principales componentes fueron: altura de la primera y segunda inserción del chilote (cm), diámetro del chilote con y sin bráctea (cm), longitud del chilote con y sin bráctea (cm), peso de 10 chilotes con y sin bráctea (kg), y rendimiento de chilote con bráctea (kg. ha-1). El análisis de varianza (ANDEVA) realizado a todas las mediciones de crecimiento dio significativo para los niveles del Factor A, Factor B y la interacción A x B a los 35 y 48 días después de la germinación. El ANDEVA realizado a las variables del rendimiento y sus principales componentes dio significativas para los niveles del Factor A, Factor B y la interacción A x B a los 60 días después de la germinación. De los nueve tratamientos evaluados, el tratamiento a1 b2 indujo al mayor rendimiento de chilote con una producción de 2,129.16 kg de chilote. ha-1, con un total de costos variables de 4,568.00 C$.ha-1, un beneficio neto de 13,316.94 C$.ha-1 y una tasa de retorno marginal del 2,927.49 por ciento.