scholarly journals ApaTech: A biomaterials success story

1969 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Cartmell
Keyword(s):  
Bone Graft ◽  
Ionic Species ◽  
Bone Graft Substitute ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Success Story ◽  
Synthetic Materials ◽  
Bone Lead ◽  
The Uk

ApaTech is an excellent example of how innovative technology from a British university can be developed and commercialised on a global scale. Its leading product, Actifuse, competes in the crowded bone graft substitute market. Its competitors include autograft, allograft, recombinant proteins and other synthetic materials based on similar calcium phosphate technology. Discoveries regarding the role of ionic species within normal bone lead to the development of greater insights into the subtle interactions of graft structure, graft chemistry and the biology of bone formation. Financing from 3i and MTI allied to the intellectual property residing in the IRC in Biomedical Materials, Queen Mary University London plus strong commercially oriented management has resulted in ApaTech establishing itself as a major force in the bone graft substitute market. ApaTech has successfully differentiated its products and technology from that of established major orthopaedic company offerings and is capturing significant market share, particularly in the UK and USA where ApaTech has established a direct presence.

The effective role of akermanite on the apatite-forming ability of gelatin scaffold as a bone graft substitute

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (15) ◽  
pp. 17781-17791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azam Zare-Harofteh ◽  
Samaneh Saber-Samandari ◽  
Saeed Saber-Samandari
Keyword(s):  
Bone Graft ◽  
Bone Graft Substitute ◽  
Effective Role

scholarly journals Development of Phosphatized Calcium Carbonate Biominerals as Bioactive Bone Graft Substitute Materials, Part I: Incorporation of Magnesium and Strontium Ions

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Sethmann ◽  
Cornelia Luft ◽  
Hans-Joachim Kleebe
Keyword(s):  
Bone Graft ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Reaction System ◽  
Bone Graft Substitute ◽  
Osteoporotic Bone ◽  
Natural Bone ◽  
Synthetic Materials ◽  
Mineral Replacement ◽  
Ca Carbonate

Synthetic materials based on calcium phosphate (CaP) are frequently used as bone graft substitutes when natural bone grafts are not available or not suitable. Chemical similarity to bone guarantees the biocompatibility of synthetic CaP materials, whereas macroporosity enables their integration into the natural bone tissue. To restore optimum mechanical performance after the grafting procedure, gradual resorption of CaP implants and simultaneous replacement by natural bone is desirable. Mg and Sr ions released from implants support osteointegration by stimulating bone formation. Furthermore, Sr ions counteract osteoporotic bone loss and reduce the probability of related fractures. The present study aimed at developing porous Ca carbonate biominerals into novel CaP-based, bioactive bone implant materials. Macroporous Ca carbonate biominerals, specifically skeletons of corals (aragonite) and sea urchins (Mg-substituted calcite), were hydrothermally converted into pseudomorphic CaP materials with their natural porosity preserved. Sr ions were introduced to the mineral replacement reactions by temporarily stabilizing them in the hydrothermal phosphate solutions as Sr-EDTA complexes. In this reaction system, Na, Mg, and Sr ions favored the formation of correspondingly substituted β-tricalcium phosphate over hydroxyapatite. Upon dissolution, the incorporated functional ions became released, endowing these CaP materials with bioactive and potentially osteoporotic properties.

Management of deradicalisation in the UK: reflections of a clinical psychologist

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feryad A. Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Psychosocial Issues ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Violent Action ◽  
Clinical Counselling ◽  
The Uk

Radicalisation to violent action is not just a problem in foreign lands. Research has identified numerous politico–psychosocial factors to explain why young people from the UK are now joining terrorist groups such as ISIS. Our understanding has been expanded by the accounts of “returnees” who have subsequently either self-deradicalised or joined a government deradicalisation programme in the role of an Intervention Provider (IP). These individuals are now key to the deradicalisation programme. This article presents the reflections of a clinical psychologist who worked within a social healthcare team managing psychosocial issues related to radicalisation, in conjunction with an allocated IP. The project involved individuals from the Muslim community and, as such, issues discussed are specific to this group. It is acknowledged that the process in general is universally applicable to all groups though specifics may vary (under Trust agreement, details may not be discussed). This article also aims to share basic information on the current Home Office deradicalisation programme and raises questions about the current intervention. It also offers reflections on how the work of IPs may be facilitated and supported by clinical/counselling psychologists and psychotherapists.

Can Bitcoin be the Future of Digital Payments?

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 489-500
Author(s):  
Andrea Valente ◽  
◽  
David Atkinson ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Price Volatility ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Future ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Digital Payments ◽  
Robust Regulation ◽  
Stakeholder Acceptance

This study aimed to investigate the conditions in which Bitcoin has developed as a leading cryptocurrency and, according to Nakamoto (2008), could become an instrument for everyday payments around the world. In comparison to other digital payment solutions, Bitcoin is based on a peer-to-peer electronic cash system using “the blockchain”. This innovative technology allows for decentralised storage and movement of currency in a fully anonymous way, introducing advantageous methods for encrypted security and faster transactions (Hagiu & Beach, 2014). Scepticism regards Bitcoin’s foundation, energy consumption and price volatility, however, did not take long to arise (Holthaus, 2017). Ten years from its white paper release, Bitcoin is further supported by the same drivers which could sustain its growth as the future of digital payments (Russo, 2018). In order to investigate the key drivers and feasibility of acceptance, a London based survey was used to understand the desirability of Bitcoin as a day-to-day tool for digital payments. Additionally, this research analysed Bitcoin’s stakeholders and forecast drivers of sustainability for its application to become the future of the payment industry. A space which relies on policies that involve multiple layers of society, governments, regulators and tech-firms, all on a global scale. The findings confirmed how the increasing lack of trust of political and financial institutions, coupled with the increasing cases of data-breaches by tech-firms, encouraged over 70% of respondents to consider more decentralised and anonymous methods for their day-to-day actions; like payments. Policy makers need to cope with societies increasingly separating politically but gathering together digitally (LBS, 2017). For Bitcoin to truly establish itself as a global digital payment solution, key stakeholder acceptance must converge alongside the introduction of more robust regulation.

Monitoring the marine environment for small round structured viruses (SRSVS): a new approach to combating the transmission of these viruses by molluscan shellfish

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Henshilwood ◽  
J. Green ◽  
D. N. Lees
Keyword(s):  
Enteric Virus ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cloning And Sequencing ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Human Enteric Virus ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Public Health Protection

This study investigates human enteric virus contamination of a shellfish harvesting area. Samples were analysed over a 14-month period for Small Round Structured Viruses (SRSVs) using a previously developed nested RT-PCR. A clear seasonal difference was observed with the largest numbers of positive samples obtained during the winter period (October to March). This data concurs with the known winter association of gastroenteric illness due to oyster consumption in the UK and also with the majority of the outbreaks associated with shellfish harvested from this area during the study period. RT-PCR positive amplicons were further characterised by cloning and sequencing. Sequence analysis of the positive samples identified eleven SRSV strains, of both Genogroup I and Genogroup II, occurring throughout the study period. Many shellfish samples contained a mixture of strains with a few samples containing up to three different strains with both Genogroups represented. The observed common occurrence of strain mixtures may have implications for the role of shellfish as a vector for dissemination of SRSV strains. These results show that nested RT-PCR can identify SRSV contamination in shellfish harvesting areas. Virus monitoring of shellfish harvesting areas by specialist laboratories using RT-PCR is a possible approach to combating the transmission of SRSVs by molluscan shellfish and could potentially offer significantly enhanced levels of public health protection.

scholarly journals Membrane condenser as emerging technology for water recovery and gas pre-treatment: current status and perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Brunetti ◽  
Francesca Macedonio ◽  
Giuseppe Barbieri ◽  
Enrico Drioli
Keyword(s):  
Current Status ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Water Recovery ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Treatment Stage ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
And Control

Abstract The recent roadmap of SPIRE initiative includes the development of “new separation, extraction and pre-treatment technologies” as one of the “key actions” for boosting sustainability, enhancing the availability and quality of existing resources. Membrane condenser is an innovative technology that was recently investigated for the recovery of water vapor for waste gaseous streams, such as flue gas, biogas, cooling tower plumes, etc. Recently, it has been also proposed as pre-treatment unit for the reduction and control of contaminants in waste gaseous streams (SOx and NOx, VOCs, H2S, NH3, siloxanes, halides, particulates, organic pollutants). This perspective article reports recent progresses in the applications of the membrane condenser in the treatment of various gaseous streams for water recovery and contaminant control. After an overview of the operating principle, the membranes used, and the main results achieved, the work also proposes the role of this technology as pre-treatment stage to other separation technologies. The potentialities of the technology are also discussed aspiring to pave the way towards the development of an innovative technology where membrane condenser can cover a key role in redesigning the whole upgrading process.

scholarly journals Development and physicochemical characterization of novel porous phosphate glass bone graft substitute and in vitro comparison with xenograft

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niketa Chauhan ◽  
Nilay Lakhkar ◽  
Amol Chaudhari
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Bone Graft ◽  
Phosphate Glass ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Bone Graft Substitute ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Porous Phosphate

AbstractThe process of bone regeneration in bone grafting procedures is greatly influenced by the physicochemical properties of the bone graft substitute. In this study, porous phosphate glass (PPG) morsels were developed and their physicochemical properties such as degradation, crystallinity, organic content, surface topography, particle size and porosity were evaluated using various analytical methods. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the PPG morsels was assessed and the interaction of the PPG morsels with Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) was studied by measuring cell proliferation and cell penetration depth. The cell-material interactions between PPG morsels and a commercially available xenograft (XG) were compared. The PPG morsels were observed to be amorphous, biocompatible and highly porous (porosity = 58.45%). From in vitro experiments, PPG morsels were observed to be non-cytotoxic and showed better cell proliferation. The internal surface of PPG was easily accessible to the cells compared to XG.

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