Synthesis and Characterization of Calcium Phosphate Ceramic/(Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Polycaprolactone) Bilayer Nanocomposites-A Bone Tissue Regeneration Scaffold

β 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 β-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.

Single crystalline TiO2 nanorods as effective fillers for lithium ion conducting PVdF-HFP based composite polymer electrolytes

PVdF-HFP based composite electrolytes were prepared with single crystalline TiO₂ nanorods (PT) and commercial TiO₂ submicrons (PTC) as fillers. The effect of size/shape of the fillers on the properties of polymer electrolytes were investigated.

Enhanced photocatalytic efficacy of hetropolyacid pillared TiO2 nanocomposites

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.

Assessment of nurse-led screening of pigmented lesions using SIAscope

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.