Transparent glass-ceramics functionalized by dispersed crystals

The field of nanoscience has produced more hype than probably any other branch of materials science and engineering in its history. Still, the potentials of this new field largely lay undiscovered ahead of us; what we have learnt so far with respect to the peculiarity of physical processes on the nanoscale is only the tip of an iceberg. Elaborated in this critical review is the idea that the surge of interest in physical chemistry of phenomena at the nanoscale presents a natural consequence of the spatial refinement of the human ability to controllably manipulate the substratum of our physical reality. Examples are given to illustrate the sensitivity of material properties to grain size on the nanoscale, a phenomenon that directly contributed to the rise of nanoscience as a special field of scientific inquiry. Main systemic challenges faced by the present and future scientists in this field are also mentioned. In part, this perspective article resembles standing on the constantly expanding seashore of the coast of nanoscience and nanoengineering and envisioning the parts of the island where the most significant advances may be expected to occur and where, therefore, most of the attention of scientist in this field is to be directed: (a) crossing the gap between life science and materials science; (b) increasing experimentation sensitivity; (c) crisscrossing theory and experiments; and (d) conjoining top-down and bottom-up synthetic approaches. As for materials and the application areas discussed, a special emphasis is placed on calcium phosphate nanoparticles and their usage in controlled drug delivery devices and other applications of biomedical relevance. It is argued that the properties of nanoparticles as drug carriers often comprise the critical determinant for- the efficacy of the drug therapy. Therefore, the basic properties of nanoparticles to be optimized for the purpose of maximizing this efficacy are discussed: size, size distribution, morphology, polymorphic nature, crystallinity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, drug elution profiles, and aggregation propensity.

Entering the era of nanoscience: time to be so small

This article provides a critical view of the current state of the development of nanoparticulate and other solid-state carriers for the local delivery of antibiotics in the treatment of osteomyelitis. Mentioned are the downsides of traditional means for treating bone infection, which involve systemic administration of antibiotics and surgical debridement, along with the rather imperfect local delivery options currently available in the clinic. Envisaged are more sophisticated carriers for the local and sustained delivery of antimicrobials, including bioresorbable polymeric, collagenous, liquid crystalline, and bioglass- and nanotube-based carriers, as well as those composed of calcium phosphate, the mineral component of bone and teeth. A special emphasis is placed on composite multifunctional antibiotic carriers of a nanoparticulate nature and on their ability to induce osteogenesis of hard tissues demineralized due to disease. An ideal carrier of this type would prevent the long-term, repetitive, and systemic administration of antibiotics and either minimize or completely eliminate the need for surgical debridement of necrotic tissue. Potential problems faced by even hypothetically "perfect" antibiotic delivery vehicles are mentioned too, including (i) intracellular bacterial colonies involved in recurrent, chronic osteomyelitis; (ii) the need for mechanical and release properties to be adjusted to the area of surgical placement; (iii) different environments in which in vitro and in vivo testings are carried out; (iv) unpredictable synergies between drug delivery system components; and (v) experimental sensitivity issues entailing the increasing subtlety of the design of nanoplatforms for the controlled delivery of therapeutics.

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Nanostructured platforms for the sustained and local delivery of antibiotics in the treatment of osteomyelitis.

The effect of magnetic field on ion hydration and sulfate scale formation

The effects of magnetic field on superoxide dismutase activity were investigated. All living systems are affected by magnetic field and electromagnetic field in a way of their response systems. Since magnetic field has an impact on biochemical reactions that involve more than one unpaired electron, in our study SOD activity, one of the enzyme responsible for antioxidant system, was measured under magnetic fields using an apparatus explained at material methods. There has been a significant increase of SOD activity when passed 0, 1, 9 and 15 times at 2.9-4.6 mT magnetic field density for 0, 2.2, 19.8 and 33.0 seconds respectively.

The effects of magnetic field on the activity of superoxide dismutase

The influence of the magnetic field on some kinetic crystallization parameters of the systems zinc sulfate - water and copper sulfate - water were investigated in a series of controlled batch cooling experiments. The solutions were exposed to magnetic fields with different intensities, up to a maximum of 0.7T. A clear influence of magnetic field on the zinc sulfate crystallization parameters was found: an increase in the saturation temperature, a decrease in the metastable zone width, and increased growth rate and average crystal size. These effects were observed for the diamagnetic zinc sulfate, but not in similar experiments with paramagnetic copper sulfate.

J. Nvltý

Papers

Influence of Magnetic Field in the Kinetics of Crystallization of Diamagnetic and Paramagnetic Inorganic Salts