Development of carbon reinforced polymer-ceramic composites for bone tissue engineering

Carbon based materials have attracted tremendous attention owing to their captivating electronic, mechanical and thermal properties. These materials are also being introduced in biological systems, considering the fact that life on earth is carbon based. However, limited information is available concerning the potential effects of different structures of these carbon materials on biological systems. In the present study, carbon reinforced (i.e. carbon nanotubes (CNTs-1D), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs-2D) and activated carbon (AC-3D)) polymer-ceramic (nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA)) composite scaffolds have been developed. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) have been used as polymer matrix. Initially, four different reinforcements i.e. nHA, CNTs, GNPs and AC were reinforced in PVA matrix by varying their concentrations and characterized for their physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties to find an optimum concentration. The proper dispersion of reinforcement materials up to threshold concentration enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites and provided the most favorable microenvironment for cell attachment and growth. The threshold (optimum) concentrations of different reinforcements were found to be 3% w/v for nHA, 1 wt% for CNTs, 1 wt% for GNPs and 2.5 wt% for AC, respectively, above which the agglomeration of reinforcements had reduced effect on the scaffold properties. The optimum concentrations of each carbon were then reinforced into PVA along with 3% w/v of nHA to develop 3 component composite systems (PVA-nHA-carbon). Further, the optimum concentrations of each carbon reinforcement were also added to PLGA matrix without (PLGA- carbon) and with hydroxyapatite (PLGA-nHA-carbon). These composites containing threshold concentration of reinforcements were then characterized for their physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties. Along with the hemocompatible nature, the composites also exhibited good swelling ratio, degradation percentage and in-vitro bioactivity. The effective stress transfer between the homogenously dispersed reinforcement materials and polymer matrix increased the tensile strength, Young’s modulus and energy at break for the composites many folds. A significant enhancement in cell attachment, viability and differentiation was observed in all the composites. The suitable surface properties i.e. wettability, surface roughness and surface charge stimulated the protein adsorption on the carbonaceous composites making them suitable for MG-63 cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. The augmented collagen secretion, ALP activity and matrix mineralization confirmed the improved bone forming ability of the cells. Owing to their nanostructure, both CNTs and GNPs exhibited better results in comparison to the AC. Amongst all composites, GNPs along with nHA showed the strongest effect on the properties of PVA and PLGA based composites due to the sheet like 2D structure of GNPs. More functional groups and larger area exposed in case of GNPs lead to highest protein adsorption and hence, improved its cellular responses. The larger interface directed effective load transfer between polymer matrix and GNPs. These results demonstrate the potential of carbonaceous composites of polymer-nHA for accelerating bone tissue regeneration

Integrating age old cultural reproductive health practices with modern medicine to bring down morbidity and mortality among Birhor tribes of Jharkhand, India

Background: Among the primitive tribe of Jharkhand, Birhor’s are the smallest group, and have been tagged as 'critically endangered' with population ~5000 (Census 2011). Traditional health care practices, traditional medicines, rituals and supernatural methods of treatment are integral part of tribal community. The main objective of the study was to integrate the cultural health practices focusing on reproductive health with modern medicine so that it impacts maternal and infant mortality.Methods: A three- and half-year study was done in one of the outreach clinical area of Tata Steel Rural development society in Chotabanki village, East Singhbhum, Jharkand, India, among the Birhor tribes.  The study was based on primary quantitative data -Data collection was by interviewing the respondents using questionnaires. Numerous interactive sessions with community members were conducted to learn about their cultural practices related to maternal and infant health.Results: There was a definite change in behaviour in some of traditional health practices, related to maternal and child health. Acceptance of modern health services impacted the health indicators, resulting in increase in population growth by 7.6% with zero still birth, maternal and infant mortality.Conclusions: As medical professionals, extra effort should be taken to understand their cultures regarding health. By establishing a balance between their age-old cultural practices and modern medicine, we may get healthier and résistance free community & success in controlling morbidity and mortality

Stripping Voltammetric Determination Of Zinc, Cadmium, Lead And Copper In Blood Samples Of Children Aged Between 3 Months And 6 years

Blood samples of 160 children, ranging age between 3 months and 6 years were selected from five different parts of Amritsar district of Punjab (India) and were analyzed for Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu using anodic stripping voltammetry. Large variations in the results have been correlated to the area inhabited, age differences and other factors. It was found that the areas, more prone to environmental stress, had shown more quantities of these metals in blood samples in comparison to those which were taken from safer sites. Similarly the younger children lesser exposed to environmental pollution had shown comparatively lesser quantity of these metals in comparison to older objects

The prevalence of pruritus gravidarum and its relation with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Background: Pruritus is a common complaint amongst pregnant woman, affecting 20% of them. This can be physiological or due to some specific dermatological conditions. Among them Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is most common cause and is characterized by pruritus with derranged liver enzymes and raised serum bile acid levels in the absence of any other liver pathology. It is associated with increased fetomaternal morbidity. Methods: This was a prospective study, conducted at Bebe Nanki Mother and Child Care Centre, Government Medical College, Amritsar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology with collaboration of Dermatology Department, from March 2021 to Aug 2022. After taking ethical approval, informed consent, detailed history, clinical and biochemical assessment was done and fetomaternal outcome was recorded. Results: Prevalance of pruritus was 20.8% amongst pregnant women, of which 24% patients were diagnosed having intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and 76% were labelled as NON ICP patients. Among NON ICP patients prevalence of pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy was 32.10%. Majority intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy patients had moderately affected quality of life. Majority of pruritic patients had normal bilirubin levels and all intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy patients had raised serum Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase, bile acids values. Meconium stained liquor, preterm delivery, Low birth weight, cesarean rates, NICU admissions rates were higher in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy patients. Conclusions: Pruritus in pregnancy is a common condition. Dermatological opinion along with liver function tests should be done to know about the cause and severity of pruritus. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) affects perinatal outcomes. So patients should be closely monitored to improve the fetomaternal outcome

Bigenderism at work: Organizational responses to trans men and trans women employees

This study aims to test bigenderism, a universalistic theory that purports to explain why trans men employees enjoy greater organizational acceptance and superior economic outcomes compared to trans women employees. Respondents were presented with one of two case studies in which they had to choose whether or not to respect the right of a trans employee to use the restroom of their choice at work. The only difference between the two case studies was the gender of the trans employee. In one case, the employee was a trans man and in the other case, the employee was a trans woman. The gender of the trans employee had no impact on the choices of the respondents. The chief research implication is that heightened discrimination against trans men may better be explained by situational theories of transphobia rather than the universalistic theory that was tested in this paper. The primary research limitation was the use of American undergraduate business students as respondents. Organizations need to be especially vigilant in protecting the restroom rights of their transgender employees, which may entail eliminating gender-segregated restrooms. This paper is original in that it uses an experimental design to test the theory of bigenderism. It adds value by encouraging experimental research that examines situational theories of transphobia

Effect of Different Levels of N and P on Ratoon Crop of Banana cv. Grand Naine

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of various levels of N and P on growth and yield of banana cv. Grand Naine in first ratoon crop at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The treatments consisted of six levels of nitrogen at 150, 200 (in 4 and 5 splits), 250 (in 4 and 5 splits) and 300 g (in 5 splits) per plant as urea, phosphorus at 60 and 90 g per plant as single super phosphate. Application of N and P at the rate of 200 g N in 5 splits + 60 g P2O5 per plant to ratoon crop of banana cv. Grand Naine proved to be the best among all treatment combinations. This also resulted in maximum plant growth, early shooting and fruit maturity. In addition, the fruit yield per plant (18.9 kg) was maximum with the above mentioned treatment. Finger length increased with increase in dose of N from 150 g to 200 g per plant

Evaluation of Reid’s Combined Colposcopic Index as a predictor of cervical intraepithelial lesion

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the commonest cancer among women worldwide and in India it accounts for 80% of all genital cancers. Screening methods include cervical cytology, human papilloma virus testing and colposcopy. Objective of present study was to evaluate suspicious cervix colposcopically using Reids Colposcopic Index (RCI) and to correlate RCI with histopathological findings.Methods: This was a prospective cross sectional study done on 125 women with clinical diagnosis of suspicious cervix. Colposcopy was performed and grading of the disease was done according to RCI. Positive cases were subjected to cervical biopsy and endocervical curettage was performed in unsatisfactory colposcopy.Results: Colposcopy was done on 125 women with suspicious cervix. Out of 125, sixty two showed abnormal colposcopic findings which were graded according to RCI into Low grade disease predicting histological diagnosis of CIN1 in 47, Intermediate grade disease predicting histological diagnosis of CIN1/2 in 11 and High grade disease predicting histological diagnosis of CIN2/3 in 4 women. Colposcopy of one women suggested invasive carcinoma and was confirmed on histopathology to be microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma. Six women with unsatisfactory colposcopy showed benign histopathology. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and false negative rate of colposcopy for invasive disease was 50%, 100%, 100% and 1.60% respectively with 98.40% diagnostic accuracy. Colposcopic diagnosis of invasive disease and histopathology report showed 100% correlation.Conclusions: Correlation between RCI and histopathology was good. Predictive accuracy of colposcopy increased with increasing severity of disease