Continuous microwave-assisted flow synthesis has been used as a simple, more efficient, and low-cost route to fabricate a range of nanosized (<100 nm) strontium-substituted calcium phosphates. In this study, fine nanopowder was synthesized via a continuous flow synthesis with microwave assistance from the solutions of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (with strontium nitrate as Sr²⁺ ion source) and diammonium hydrogen phosphate at pH 10 with a time duration of 5 min. The morphological characterization of the obtained powder has been carried out by employing techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. The chemical structural analysis to evaluate the surface properties was made by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Zeta potential analysis was performed to evaluate the colloidal stability of the particles. Antimicrobial studies were performed for all the compositions using four bacterial strains and an opportunistic human fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina. It was found that the nanoproduct with high strontium content (15 wt% of strontium) showed pronounced antibacterial potential against M. luteus while it completely arrested the fungal growth after 48 h by all of its concentrations. Thus the synthesis strategy described herein facilitated the rapid production of nanosized Sr-substituted CaPs with excellent biological performance suitable for a bone replacement application.

Acne vulgaris is one of the leading skin problems in the world. Multifactorial nature of the disease has fuelled the investigation of many etiological factors including the microbes, diet, psychogenic stress, hormones, and topical applications. Of these, cosmetics being directly applied to the skin, have difference effects on the skin conditions. The current observational study was aimed at carrying out a knowledge, attitude and practice-based analysis of acne patients towards the use of different cosmetics in a Pakistani setting. To begin with, 300 people were asked to fill a self-designed, validated questionnaire related to the cosmetics and their effect on acne patients. The tool, containing 37 closed-ended questions, was uploaded on Google Forms and the link was shared on social media platforms. On attaining the target count, statistical analysis was performed through SPSS and result were recorded. Among the respondents, only 29% indicated their acne was worsening by use of cosmetics (OR :1.25) whereas acne of 30 % people was not affected by use of cosmetics. The study showed the use of cosmetics in acne can worsen their skin condition and can cause failure of anti-acne treatments. The study also showed that a lesser number of people prefer visiting dermatologist for dermo-cosmetics prescription. Most of the respondents select cosmetics on their own or they take recommendations from friends and family. Analysis of the current nation-wide survey of Pakistani acne patients revealed that the Pakistani population believes that acne is worsened by the use of cosmetics and that it can cause treatment failure of anti-acne treatment. Most of people select cosmetics on their own after taking advice from family and friends and in severe acne, they stop using cosmetics without visiting dermatologist