Characterization of endosteal osteoblasts isolated from human maxilla and mandible: An experimental system for biocompatibility tests

Fragments of cancellous and cortical bone from human maxilla and mandible were cultured by the explant technique. Cells isolated by trypsinization of primary cultures were characterized as osteoblasts on the basis of intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity, the constituents of the extracellular matrix, and response to human parathormone (PTH). In culture, the osteoblasts often gave rise to superposed clumps of large cells whose cytoplasm contained endoplasmic reticulum, numerous mitochondria, vacuoles, and a dense network of intermediate filaments, often at the level of the plasma membrane. In the presence of vitamin C and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, the osteoblasts produced an extracellular matrix composed of collagen type I and various non-collagenous proteins, including osteocalcin. Biochemical test results were comparable to those reported for osteoblasts of other origins (rat calvaria, human iliac crest), and namely elevated intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity and cAMP accumulation in response to stimulation by human PTH (1–34). Osteoblasts isolated in this manner were cultured in the presence of pure titanium disks to determine the effects of exposure to this metal. Electron microscopy revealed few significant differences in cell growth and specific enzyme activity compared to control osteoblasts grown on plastic dishes, reflecting the excellent biologic and biochemical relationship between the osteoblasts and pure titanium. This experimental system thus appears suitable for biocompatibility studies, and in particular, evaluation of dental implants.     

Investigation of the operational stabilities and kinetics of glucoamylase immobilized on alkylamine derivatives of titanium(IV)-activated porous inorganic supports

Glucoamylase (exo-1,4-α-d-glucosidase, EC 3.2.3.1) was coupled to several porous silica matrices by an improved metal-link/chelation process using alkylamine derivatives of titanium(IV)-activated supports. In order to select the titanium activation procedure which gave stable enzyme preparations, long-term stability tests were performed. The immobilized glucoamylase preparations, in which the carrier was activated to dryness with a 15% w/v TiCl₄ solution, displayed very stable behaviour, with half-lives of ～60 days. The optimum operating conditions were determined for these preparations. There are significant differences between the behaviour of the immobilized enzyme and the free enzyme. The apparent K_m increased on immobilization due to diffusional resistances. The pH optimum for the immobilized preparation showed a slight shift to acid pH relative to that of the soluble enzyme. Also, the optimum temperature descreased to 60°C after immobilization. In order to test Michaelis-Menten kinetics at high degrees of conversion, time-course analysis of soluble starch hydrolysis was performed. It was observed that simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics are not applicable to the free/immobilized glucoamylase-starch system at high degrees of conversion.     

Oxygen‐Deficient Blue TiO2 for Ultrastable and Fast Lithium Storage

Developing a titanium dioxide (TiO₂)‐based anode with superior high‐rate capability and long‐term cycling stability is important for efficient energy storage. Herein, a simple one‐step approach for fabricating blue TiO₂ nanoparticles with oxygen vacancies is reported. Oxygen vacancies can enlarge lattice spaces, lower charge transfer resistance, and provide more active sites in TiO₂ lattices. As a result, this blue TiO₂ electrode exhibits a highly reversible capacity of 50 mAh g^?1 at 100 C (16 800 mA g^?1) even after 10 000 cycles, which is attributable to the combination of surface capacitive process and remarkable diffusion‐controlled insertion revealed by the kinetic analysis. The strategy of employing oxygen‐deficient nanoparticles may be extended to the design of other robust semiconductor materials as electrodes for energy storage.     

应用坚固内固定技术治疗颌骨骨折的效果分析

目的：探究坚固内固定技术对颌骨骨折的治疗运用,为颌骨骨折的治疗方法选择提供理论指导。方法：选取我科自2009年4月-2012年7月收治的80例下颌骨骨折患者行手术切开复位、小型和微型钛板坚固内固定术治疗,纳入内固定组,并选取同期80例行颌间固定的颌骨骨折患者,纳入颌间固定组,对比两组患者治疗效果。结果：两组患者术后3个月张口度及张口型均得到明显改善,内固定组改善程度较颌间固定组更为显著（P〈0．05）;内固定组治疗周数、口臭及咬合错乱发生率均低于颌间固定组（P〈0．05）;内固定组疗效评价优43例,良26例,有效率86．3％,颌间固定组分别为31例和17例,有效率60．0％,内固定组治疗效果显著优于颌间固定组（P〈0．05）。结论：坚固内固定技术具有组织相容性高、口功能恢复快、不良反应发生率低等优势,是治疗颌骨骨折的安全、可靠、简便的治疗方案,能够有效保证患者的预后和生活质量,值得临床普遍应用。     

Quantum Dot Based Heterostructures for Unassisted Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation

TiO₂ hollow nanowires (HNWs) and nanoparticles (NPs) constitute promising architectures for QDs sensitized photoanodes for H₂ generation. We sensitize these structures with CdS/CdSe quantum dots by two different methods (chemical bath deposition, CBD and succesive ionic layer adsorption and reaction, SILAR) and evaluate the performance of these photoelectrodes. Remarkable photocurrents of 4 mA·cm and 8 mA·cm^?2 and hydrogen generation rates of 40 ml·cm^?2·day^?1 and 80 ml·cm^?2·day^?1 have been obtained in a three electrode configuration with sacrificial hole scavengers (Na₂S and Na₂SO₃), for HNWs and NPs respectively, which is confirmed through gas analysis. More importantly, autonomous generation of H₂ (20 ml·cm^?2·day^?1 corresponding to 2 mA·cm^?2 photocurrent) is obtained in a two electrode configuration at short circuit under 100 mW·cm^?2 illumination, clearly showing that these photoanodes can produce hydrogen without the assistance of any external bias. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the highest unbiased solar H₂ generation rate reported for these of QDs based heterostructures. Impedance spectroscopy measurements show similar electron density of trap states below the TiO₂ conduction band while the recombination resistance was higher for HNWs, consistently with the much lower surface area compared to NPs. However, the conductivity of both structures is similar, in spite of the one dimensional character of HNWs, which leaves some room for improvement of these nanowired structures. The effect of the QDs deposition method is also evaluated. Both structures show remarkable stability without any appreciable photocurrent loss after 0.5 hour of operation. The findings of this study constitute a relevant step towards the feasibility of hydrogen generation with wide bandgap semiconductors/quantum dots based heterostructures.     

Dose-response effect of chlorhexidine on a multispecies oral biofilm formed on pure titanium and on a titanium-zirconium alloy

Abstract

This study aimed to test the dose-response effect of chlorhexidine on multispecies biofilms formed on commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and titanium-zirconium (TiZr) alloy. Biofilms were formed on cpTi and TiZr discs and treated two times per day with five different chlorhexidine concentrations (0.12, 0.20, 0.50, 1, 2%). The biofilms were collected for microbiological, biochemical and microscopic analyses. The significance of differences among groups was evaluated by linear regression, ANOVA, Bonferroni and Tukey tests. The mean number of colony-forming units decreased as the chlorhexidine concentration increased for both cpTi and TiZr (p?<?0.05). The maximum effect was observed with the 0.5% concentration. Confocal microscopy images suggested an increase in the number of dead bacterial cells with increased chlorhexidine concentration. The biofilm pH increased after chlorhexidine exposure (p?<?0.05). Chlorhexidine showed an antimicrobial dose-response effect in controlling biofilm on cpTi and TiZr. 0.5% chlorhexidine can be used to achieve the maximum antimicrobial effect on both materials.     

Determination of titanium dioxide supplements in different matrices using two methods involving photometer and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer measurements

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a viable marker in digestibility studies using different animal species. The photometrical analysis is based on an intense orange colour following the addition of hydrogen peroxide to an acid solution. The measurement using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) is a method for analysing more than one element from the same sample preparation. The present study was conducted to investigate whether an established ICP-OES element analysis following acid-based hydrolysis is appropriate for titanium analysis. Defined amounts of TiO₂ were added to samples obtained in studies with cows, pigs and turkeys and recoveries were determined. It was shown that supplemented TiO₂ can be determined in samples of feeds, faeces or excreta, and digesta using a method based on photometric or ICP-OES measurement. The differences between the true and measured titanium concentrations indicate that using the ICP-OES method leads to a higher accuracy of determination.     

Influence of Bio-Lubricants on the Tribological Properties of Ti6Al4V Alloy

Titanium alloy is one of the best materials for biomedical applications due to its superior biocompatibility, outstanding corrosion resistance, and low elastic modulus. However, the friction and wear behaviors of titanium alloys were sensitive to the environment including lubrication. In order to clarify the wear mechanism of titanium alloy under different lubrications including deionized water, physiological saline and bovine serum, the friction and wear tests were performed between Ti6Al4V plates and Si₃N₄ ball on a universal multi-functional tester. The friction and the wear rate of titanium alloy were measured under dry friction and three different lubrication conditions. The worn surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that under the dry friction, the wear resistance of titanium alloy was the worst since the wear mechanism was mainly the combination of abrasive wear and oxidation wear. It was also found that Ti6Al4V alloy had low friction coefficient and wear rate under three lubrication conditions, and its wear mechanism was adhesive wear.     

FeS2‐Imbedded Mixed Conducting Matrix as a Solid Battery Cathode

A new concept of pairing an active material and a mixed conductor is explored as a solid‐state battery electrode. By imbedding nano‐FeS₂ domains into an amorphous LiTiS₂ matrix, a hybrid power‐energy system is achieved while additionally improving upon many common solid electrode design flaws. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy is used to probe the active material/mixed conductor interface over the course of cycling. Arguably the most beneficial development is enhancement of charge transfer, manifesting in a significantly increased exchange current as captured in a Tafel analysis. By developing a solution to active material isolation and creating a more homogenous electrode design, cycling at a high rate of C/2 for 500 cycles is obtained. Additionally, the electrode can recover full capacity simply by reducing system rate. Capacity recovery implicates a lack of active material isolation, a common problem in solid‐state batteries.