The majority of human kidney stones are comprised of multiple calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals encasing a calcium phosphate nucleus. The physiochemical mechanism of nephrolithiasis has not been well determined on the molecular level; this is crucial to the control and prevention of renal stone formation. This work investigates the role of phosphate ions on the formation of calcium oxa...

The hybrid nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-catalase (CAT) developed by in situ biomineralization can create a stable semi-aqueous nanoscale environment for entrapped proteins against thermal denaturation. This finding indicates the importance of an amorphous mineral phase in the preservation of organic macromolecules.

Aqueous micelles of the multi-protein calcium phosphate complex, casein, were treated at 60°C and pH 7 over several months. Although partial dissociation of the micelles into 12 nm sized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)/protein nanoparticles occurred within a period of 14 days, crystallization of the ACP nanoclusters into bundles of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanofilaments was not observed until aft...

The thermal crystallization of citrate-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate leads to the formation pure hydroxyapatite and represents an interesting route for producing ceramics biomedical applications.

Human dental enamel, the hardest tissue in the body, plays a vital role in protecting teeth from wear as a result of daily grinding and chewing as well as from chemical attack. It is well established that the mechanical strength and fatigue resistance of dental enamel are derived from its hierarchical structure, which consists of periodically arranged bundles of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowires. ...

A simple synthetic method is presented for the precipitation of high purity, dry amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) based on freeze-drying saturated, counter ion free CaCO3 solutions, where the ACC produced shows an extended atmospheric stability. Translation of the methodology to amorphous calcium phosphate demonstrates the generality of the approach.

The development of commercially available transfection reagents for gene transfer applications has revolutionized the field of molecular biology and scientific research. However, the challenge remains in ensuring that they are efficient, safe, reproducible and cost effective. Bacteriophage (phage)-based viral vectors have the potential to be utilized for general gene transfer applications withi...

background: some studies have shown that casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (cpp-acp) and acidulated phosphate fluoride (apf) gel can protect teeth against erosion. the aim of this study was to assess whether cpp-acp and fluoride could reduce enamel wear rates under erosive conditions simulating abrasion and acidic diet regimen. materials and methods: enamel specimens consisted o...

EXAFS can be used to characterise the phase of an amorphous calcified deposit mixed with a crystalline phase which does not contain calcium. In such a mixture, the amorphous phase may not be detectable by X-ray diffraction. This application of EXAFS is illustrated by the characterisation of the calcium phosphate deposited in association with struvite in encrusted urinary catheters.

BACKGROUND Researchers are looking for biomimetic mineralization of ena/mel to manage dental erosion. This study evaluated biomimetic mineralization of demineralized enamel induced by a synthetic and self-assembled oligopeptide amphiphile (OPA). RESULTS The results showed that the OPA self-assembled into nano-fibres in the presence of calcium ions and in neutral acidity. The OPA was alternate...