Advances of exosomes in periodontitis treatment.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease initiated by dysbiosis of the local microbial community. Periodontitis can result in destruction of tooth-supporting tissue; however, overactivation of the host immune response is the main reason for alveolar bone loss. Periodontal tissue cells, immune cells, and even further activated osteoclasts and neutrophils play pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory roles. Traditional therapies for periodontitis are effective in reducing the microbial quantities and improving the clinical symptoms of periodontitis. However, these methods are non-selective, and it is still challenging to achieve an ideal treatment effect in clinics using the currently available treatments and approaches. Exosomes have shown promising potential in various preclinical and clinical studies, including in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis. Exos can be secreted by almost all types of cells, containing specific substances of cells: RNA, free fatty acids, proteins, surface receptors and cytokines. Exos act as local and systemic intercellular communication medium, play significant roles in various biological functions, and regulate physiological and pathological processes in numerous diseases. Exos-based periodontitis diagnosis and treatment strategies have been reported to obtain the potential to overcome the drawbacks of traditional therapies. This review focuses on the accumulating evidence from the last 5 years, indicating the therapeutic potential of the Exos in preclinical and clinical studies of periodontitis. Recent advances on Exos-based periodontitis diagnosis and treatment strategies, existing challenges, and prospect are summarized as guidance to improve the effectiveness of Exos on periodontitis in clinics.

Silk fibroin fibers decorated with urchin-like Au/Ag nanoalloys: a flexible hygroscopic SERS sensor for monitoring of folic acid in human sweat.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has become a powerful and sensitive analytical tool for the detection and assessment of chemical/biological molecules in special scenarios. Herein we propose a flexible hygroscopic SERS biocompatible sensor based on the silk fibroin fibers (SFF) decorated with urchin-like Au/Ag nanoalloys (NAs). The hybrid SFF-Au/Ag NAs with a stronger absorbance capacity (500∼1100 nm) and excellent hygroscopicity provide a remarkable higher near-infrared (NIR)-SERS activity than that of bare urchin-like Au/Ag NAs. The interesting NIR-SERS sensor enables the limit of detection (LOD) of folic acid (FA) to be achieved at nanomolar (nM, 10-9 M) level, facilitating the ultrasensitive monitoring of FA in human sweat and offering reliable real-time personal health management in the near future.

Composites of Bacterial Cellulose and Small Molecule-Decorated Gold Nanoparticles for Treating Gram-Negative Bacteria-Infected Wounds.

Bacterial infections, especially multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, are an increasingly serious problem in the field of wound healing. Herein, bacterial cellulose (BC) decorated by 4,6-diamino-2-pyrimidinethiol (DAPT)-modified gold nanoparticles (Au-DAPT NPs) is presented as a dressing (BC-Au-DAPT nanocomposites) for treating bacterially infected wounds. BC-Au-DAPT nanocomposites have better efficacy (measured in terms of reduced minimum inhibition concentration) than most of the antibiotics (cefazolin/sulfamethoxazole) against Gram-negative bacteria, while maintaining excellent physicochemical properties including water uptake capability, mechanical strain, and biocompatibility. On Escherichia coli- or Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected full-thickness skin wounds on rats, the BC-Au-DAPT nanocomposites inhibit bacterial growth and promote wound repair. Thus, the BC-Au-DAPT nanocomposite system is a promising platform for treating superbug-infected wounds.

Near-Infrared Light-Triggered NO Nanogenerator for Gas-Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy and Low-Temperature Photothermal Therapy to Eliminate Biofilms.

Purpose: Owing to its noninvasive nature, broad-spectrum effectiveness, minimal bacterial resistance, and high efficiency, phototherapy has significant potential for antibiotic-free antibacterial interventions and combating antibacterial biofilms. However, finding effective strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects of excessive temperature and elevated concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) remains a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. Methods: In this study, we designed a pH-responsive cationic polymer sodium nitroside dihydrate/branched polyethylenimine-indocyanine green@polyethylene glycol (SNP/PEI-ICG@PEG) nanoplatform using the electrostatic adsorption method and Schiff's base reaction. Relevant testing techniques were applied to characterize and analyze SNP/PEI-ICG@PEG, proving the successful synthesis of the nanomaterials. In vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of SNP/PEI-ICG@PEG. Results: The morphology and particle size of SNP/PEI-ICG@PEG were observed via TEM. The zeta potential and UV-visible (UV-vis) results indicated the synthesis of the nanomaterials. The negligible cytotoxicity of up to 1 mg/mL of SNP/PEI-ICG@PEG in the presence or absence of light demonstrated its biosafety. Systematic in vivo and in vitro antimicrobial assays confirmed that SNP/PEI-ICG@PEG had good water solubility and biosafety and could be activated by near-infrared (NIR) light and synergistically treated using four therapeutic modes, photodynamic therapy (PDT), gaseous therapy (GT), mild photothermal therapy (PTT, 46 °C), and cation. Ultimately, the development of Gram-positive (G+) Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (G-) Escherichia coli (E. coli) were both completely killed in the free state, and the biofilm that had formed was eliminated. Conclusion: SNP/PEI-ICG@PEG demonstrated remarkable efficacy in achieving controlled multimodal synergistic antibacterial activity and biofilm infection treatment. The nanoplatform thus holds promise for future clinical applications.

An oxygen enrichment device for lowlanders ascending to high altitude.

BACKGROUND: When ascending to the high altitude, people living in low altitude areas will suffer from acute mountain sickness. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that whether an oxygen concentration membrane can be made and used to construct a new portable oxygen enrichment device for individuals in acute exposure to the high altitude. METHODS: The membrane was fabricated using vinylsiloxane rubber, polyphenylene oxide hydrogen silicone polymers, chloroplatinic acid and isopropyl alcohol. The membrane was assembled in a frame and the performance was tested in terms of concentration of oxygen, flow rate of oxygen enriched air, pressure ratio across the membrane and ambient temperature. Furthermore, the oxygen concentration device was constructed using the membrane, a DC fan, vacuum pump and gas buffer. A nonrandomized preliminary field test was conducted, in which eight healthy male subjects were flown to Tibet (Lhasa, 3,700 m). First, subjects wore the oxygen enrichment device and performed an incremental exercise on cycle ergometer. The test included heart rate (HR), saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) and physical work capacity (PWC). Then, after a rest period of 4 hours, the experimental protocol was repeated without oxygen enrichment device. RESULTS: The testing showed that the membrane could increase the oxygen concentration by up to 30%. Simulation test indicated that although the performance of the oxygen enrichment device decreased with altitudes, the oxygen concentration could still maintain 28% with flow rate of enriched air 110 cm3/s at 5000 m. The field test showed that higher SpO2, lower HR, and better PWC (measured by the PWC-170) were observed from all the subjects using oxygen enrichment device compared with non-using (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the new portable oxygen enrichment device would be effective in improving exercise performance when ascending to the high altitude.

Photo-aged non-biodegradable and biodegradable mulching film microplastics alter the interfacial behaviors between agricultural soil and inorganic arsenic.

The impacts of microplastics (MPs) prevalent in soil on the transport of pollutants were urged to be addressed, which has important implications for ecological risk assessment. Therefore, we investigated the influence of virgin/photo-aged biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and non-biodegradable black polyethylene (BPE) mulching films MPs on arsenic (As) transport behaviors in agricultural soil. Results showed that both virgin PLA (VPLA) and aged PLA (APLA) enhanced the adsorption of As(Ⅲ) (9.5%, 13.3%) and As(Ⅴ) (22.0%, 6.8%) due to the formation of abundant H-bonds. Conversely, virgin BPE (VBPE) reduced the adsorption of As(Ⅲ) (11.0%) and As(Ⅴ) (7.4%) in soil owing to the "dilution effect", while aged BPE (ABPE) improved arsenic adsorption amount to the level of pure soil due to newly generated O-containing functional groups being feasible to form H-bonds with arsenic. Site energy distribution analysis indicated that the dominant adsorption mechanism of arsenic, chemisorption, was not impacted by MPs. The occurrence of biodegradable VPLA/APLA MPs rather than non-biodegradable VBPE/ABPE MPs resulted in an increased risk of soil accumulating As(Ⅲ) (moderate) and As(Ⅴ) (considerable). This work uncovers the role of biodegradable/non-biodegradable mulching film MPs in arsenic migration and potential risks in the soil ecosystem, depending on the types and aging of MPs.

[Synthesis and characterization of N-octyl-N-arginine chitosan--a chitosan derivant with a mimetic structure of cell-penetrating peptides].

A novel chitosan derivant, N-octyl-N-arginine chitosan (OACS) with a mimetic structure of cell-penetrating peptides was synthesized by introducing hydrophilic arginine groups and hydrophobic octyl groups to the amino-group on chitosan's side chain. Structure of the obtained polymer was characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR. The substitution degree of octyl and arginine groups was calculated through element analysis and spectrophotometric method, separately. The critical micelle concentration of OACS was 0.12 - 0.27 mgmL(-1) tested by fluorescence spectrometry. The solubility test showed OACS could easily dissolve in pH 1 - 12 solutions and self-assemble to form a micelle solution with light blue opalescence. The OACS micelles have a mean size of 158.4 - 224.6 nm, polydisperse index of 0.038 - 0.309 and a zeta potential of +19.16 - +30.80 mV determined by malvern zetasizer. AFM images confirmed free OACS micelle has a regular sphere form with a uniform particle size. MTT test confirmed that OACS was safe in 50 - 1 000 micromol-L(-1). The result of HepG2 cell experiment showed that the cell internalization of OACS micelles enhanced with increased substitution degree of arginine by 40 folds compared to chitosan. Thus, OACS micelles were a promising nano vehicle with permeation enhancement and drug carrier capability.

[Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of saliva for the diagnosis of lung cancer].

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has shown the advantage of detecting low concentration biofluids presently. Saliva SERS of 21 lung cancer patients and 22 normal people were measured and differentiated in the present paper. Intensities of most peaks of lung cancer patients are weaker than that of normal people, while some stronger but with a small change rate. Those peaks were assigned to proteins and nucleic acids which indicate a corresponding decrease of those substances in saliva. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used to deduce and discriminate the two groups of data, resulting in accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity being 84%, 94%, and 81%, respectively.

Deer Antler Reserve Mesenchyme Cell-Conditioned Medium Reduces the Destruction of Periodontitis in Mice.

Reserve mesenchyme cells (RMCs) are a type of antler stem cells (ASCs) that contribute to the rapid growth of deer antlers, the only known mammalian organ that can fully regenerate annually. Based on the prior evidence, ASC-conditioned medium could improve regenerative cutaneous healing in rats. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of RMC-conditioned medium (RMC-CM) on reducing the destruction in the mice periodontitis (PD) model and the underlying mechanisms. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used in vitro to verify the effects of RMC-CM. The results revealed that RMC-CM could significantly reduce bone resorption and osteoclast activation, upregulate anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) related interleukin (IL)-10 and CD206, and downregulate pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) related tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase in vivo. In vitro, RMC-CM could significantly promote LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells migration, reduce osteoclast differentiation, downregulate the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß, and upregulate the expression of IL-10 and arginase 1. According to the results, we concluded that RMC-CM could significantly reduce alveolar bone resorption and inhibit inflammation in gingival tissue by decreasing the activation of osteoclasts and inducing macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. This study may serve as the experimental foundation for RMC-CM in the treatment of PD.

A facile chemical route to synthesize ZnO nanoarrays: one-dimensional nanowire arrays and two-dimensional porous nanosheet arrays.

A facile chemical route is presented to synthesize ZnO nanoarrays including one-dimensional nanowire arrays and two-dimensional porous nanosheet arrays. Large-scale ZnO nanowire arrays with the length of 5 microm and aspect ratio of 42 were achieved by cyclic growth in aqueous solution. After being immerged in the zinc acetate solution for 24 h, the ZnO nanowire arrays converted to sheet-like Zn5(OH)8(CH3COO)2 arrays. Subsequently, the sheet-like Zn5(OH)8(CH3COO)2 arrays converted to the porous ZnO nanosheet arrays by annealing treatment. As demonstrated by the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), the porous ZnO nanosheet arrays can improve the efficiency of DSC effectively. In addition, the synthesized ZnO nanoarrays have potential applications in solar cells, catalysis, sensors and other nanodevices.

The feasibility of phage therapy for periodontitis.

Periodontitis, a chronic progressive inflammation caused by plaque biofilm, is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. For certain refractory periodontitis cases, it is difficult to achieve a good curative effect using the existing periodontal treatment approaches, which may be due to periodontal pathogenic mechanism in the affected periodontal tissue that the host cannot resist and eliminate. Various pieces of evidence collectively revealed that most studies are focusing on phages in periodontal disease. Several studies have reported periodontitis treatment using phage therapy, highlighting its features including specificity, rapid propagation, and effectiveness on bacteriophage biofilms. In this study, we focus on these reports, aiming to lay the foundation for improved periodontal treatment approaches.

Alloyed AuPt nanoframes loaded on h-BN nanosheets as an ingenious ultrasensitive near-infrared photoelectrochemical biosensor for accurate monitoring glucose in human tears.

Photo-electro-chemical (PEC) glucose biosensor has recently attracted extensive attention due to the double advantages of both photocatalysis via photon energy utilization and electrocatalytic oxidation through extra electric field. Compared with previous shorter wavelength (violet-visible) light-induced PEC reaction, the anticipated near infrared (NIR, >~700 nm) excited PEC biosensor with multiple fascinating features should be more suitable for clinical diagnostic biology. Herein, we report an ingenious NIR-PEC biosensor by loading alloyed Au5Pt9 nanoframes on two dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets. The obtained h-BN/Au5Pt9 nanoframes exhibit a remarkable higher NIR-PEC activity in comparison with other as-prepared h-BN/AuPt references. The improved PEC performance is attributed to the enhanced synergetic coupling effect between Au5Pt9 nanoalloys and constitutionally stable h-BN that gives rise to a stronger absorbance capacity and pronounced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in visible-NIR region as well as high free-electron mobility of framework-like Au/Pt. Interestingly, the obtained h-BN/Au5Pt9 nanoframes excited by 808 nm NIR light provide superior PEC accuracy and sensitivity as compared to visible or other NIR light irradiation. Then, the novel 808 nm NIR-PEC biosensor was used for precise glucose monitoring in human tears with a detectable concentration of 0.03~100 µM and a low detection limit of 0.406 nM. Undoubtedly, the proposed h-BN/Au5Pt9 nanoframes as an appealing NIR-PEC glucose biosensor can possess greater potential values for practical glucose monitoring in biomedicine.

Hydroxyapatite Nanorods Function as Safe and Effective Growth Factors Regulating Neural Differentiation and Neuron Development.

Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. However, the slow spontaneous differentiation of NSCs often hampers their application in neural repair. Although some biological growth factors accelerate the differentiation of NSCs, their high cost, short half-life, and unpredictable behavior in vivo, as well as the complexity of the operation, hinder their clinical use. In this study, it is demonstrated that hydroxyapatite (HAp), the main component of bone, in the form of nanorods, can regulate the neural differentiation of NSCs and maturation of the newly differentiated cells. Culturing NSCs with HAp nanorods leads to the differentiation of NSCs into mature neurons that exhibit well-defined electrophysiological behavior within 5 days. The state of these neurons is much better than when culturing the cells without HAp nanorods, which undergo a 2-week differentiation process. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing data reveal that the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway is dominant in the enriched differentiated neuronal population. Hence, inorganic growth factors like HAp act as a feasible, effective, safe, and practical tool for regulating the differentiation of NSCs and can potentially be used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

[Comparison of the influences of gold alloy metal crown and ni-cr alloy metal crown on gingival health].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the influences of gold alloy metal crown and Ni-Cr alloy metal crown on gingival health. METHODS: Totally 20 patients requiring one metal crown restoration were divided into the gold alloy metal crown group (n=9) and Ni-Cr alloy metal crown group (n=11). The contra-lateral homonymy natural healthy teeth served as controls. Before the tooth preparation and 6 months after crown placement, the weight of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of each tooth (included the test teeth and the control teeth) was measured, and the probing depth and the sulcus bleeding index of each tooth were also recorded. RESULTS: In the gold alloy metal crown group, the weight of GCF detected before the tooth preparation was significantly larger than that detected 6 months after restoration (P<0.05). In the Ni-Cr alloy metal crown group, the sulcus bleeding index recorded 6 months after restoration was significantly larger than that recorded before the tooth preparation (P<0.05). The other experimental indicators were not significantly different before and after restoration. CONCLUSION: The gold alloy metal crowns will not cause obvious harm to the periodontal tissues of the abutments shortly after restoration, while the Ni-Cr alloy metal crowns may increase the risk of sulcus bleeding.

The Toll-like receptor ligand, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, regulate proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the regulation of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3 cells. METHODS: The laser co-focusing and flow cytometry assay were employed to detect cell uptake of CpG ODN 2006. Twelve ODNs were sythesized, and their effects on proliferation and differentiation were detected by MTT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay. Flow cytometry assay was used to examine the regulation of CpG ODN on cell cycle. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to evaluate the regulation of CpG ODN on mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic differentiation genes. RESULTS: The phosphorothioate CpG ODN 2006 could efficiently enter the MC3T3 cells in 1 h and locate in the cytoplasm. The MTT assay demonstrated CpG ODNs could promote MC3T3 cell proliferation and differentiation in the early stage, and gradually attenuated along with the increase of treating time, except for BW001 and FC001. qRT-PCR assay demonstrated that all the 12 CpG ODNs could promote the relative expression level of osteogenic differentiated genes, SP7 and OCN. In addition, western blot analysis suggested the CpG ODNs of BW001 and FC001 could increase the protein expression of P27Kip1 and Runx2 and decrease the protein expression of cyclin D1. CONCLUSION: The selected CpGODNs may be a potential gene therapy for bone regeneration of periodontitis.

The effect of subpressure on the bond strength of resin to zirconia ceramic.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of subpressure on the bond strength of resin to zirconia ceramic. The subpressure would create a pressure gradient which could clean out the bubbles in the adhesives or bonding interface. METHODS: Twenty-eight pre-sintered zirconia discs were fabricated. Half of them were polished (group P, n = 14), and the rest were sandblasted (group S, n = 14). After sintered,the surface roughness of the zirconia discs was measured. Then, they were randomly divided into two subgroups (n = 7). The groups were named as follows: PC: P + no additional treatments; PP: P + 0.04 MPa after application of adhesives; SC: S + no additional treatments; and SP: S + 0.04 MPa after application of adhesives. Resin columns were bonded to the zirconia specimens to determine shear bond strength (SBS). The bonding interfaces were observed and the fracture modes were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed on all data. RESULTS: The surface roughness of group S was significantly higher than that of group P (P<0.05). The SBS values were PC = 13.48 ± 0.7 MPa, PP = 15.22 ± 0.8 MPa, SC = 17.23 ± 0.7 MPa and SP = 21.68 ± 1.4 MPa. There were significant differences among the groups (P<0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the adhesives of group SP and PP were closer and denser to the zirconia ceramic than that of group PC and SC. The proportion of the mixed fracture mode significantly increased after adding subpressure (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subpressure can improve the shear bond strength of resin to zirconia ceramics and increase micro-infiltration between the adhesives and the zirconia ceramics, especially on the rough surfaces.

Improvement of Total Etching Dentin Bonding with Subpressure.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of subpressure on the bond properties of total-etching adhesive to dentin. Thirty-six caries-free premolars were sectioned parallel to the occlusal plane and randomly divided into four groups (n = 9): a control group (C, no treatment) and three subpressure groups, which were treated under 0.8, 0.6 or 0.4 bar after applying adhesives, named S8, S6 and S4, respectively. Afterward, resin was bonded to the dentin surface, and 27 beams (1.0 mm × 1.0 mm) of each group were sectioned. One was selected to observe the bonding interface from each group by SEM. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 13): 24 hours of water storage (I) and 10,000 thermocycling (A). The microtensile bond strength (µTBS), failure modes and nanoleakage expression were evaluated. SEM results showed that the subpressure groups had longer and denser resin tags. The µTBS of the subpressure groups was higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). The subpressure groups were dominated by mixed failure, whereas main interfacial failure appeared in group C. The subpressure groups showed less silver deposition than the control group (p < 0.05). The subpressure technique may remarkably improve bonding strength and decrease nanoleakage on total-etching bonding.

Flow cytometric analysis of T lymphocyte proliferation in vivo by EdU incorporation.

Monitoring T lymphocyte proliferation, especially in vivo, is essential for the evaluation of adaptive immune reactions. Flow cytometry-based proliferation assays have advantages in measuring cell division of different T lymphocyte subsets at the same time by multicolor labelling. In this study, we aimed to establish the use of 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation in vivo to monitor T lymphocyte proliferation by flow cytometry with an adoptive transfer model. We found that fixation followed by permeabilization preserved T cell surface antigens and had no obvious effects on the fluorescence intensity of APC, PE, PE-Cy7, FITC and PerCP-Cy5.5 when the concentration of the permeabilization reagents was optimized. However, the click reaction resulted in a significant decrease in the fluorescence intensity of PE and PE-Cy7, and surface staining after the click reaction improved the fluorescence intensity. Thus, an extra step of blocking with PBS with 3% FBS between the click reaction and cell surface staining is needed. Furthermore, the percentage of EdU-positive cells increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the saturated dose of EdU was 20mg/kg. Intraperitoneal and intravenous injection had no differences in lymphocyte proliferation detection with EdU in vivo. In addition, T cell proliferation measured by EdU incorporation was comparable to BrdU but was lower than CFSE labelling. In conclusion, we optimized the protocols for EdU administration in vivo and staining in vitro, providing a feasible method for the measurement of T lymphocyte proliferation with EdU incorporation by flow cytometry in vivo.

Performance of the ANAMMOX process using multi- and single-fed upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors.

The performance of the ANAMMOX process was investigated in two identical laboratory-scale multi- and single-fed upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors (denoted R1 and R0) at different hydraulic residence times (HRTs) varying from 2.06 to 1.52 h and NH4(+)-N inf concentrations ranging from 70 to 266 mg L(-1). The substrate removal efficiencies of both reactors decreased as HRT decreased and NH4(+)-N inf increased. The kinetics of these reactions were analyzed, and the Stover-Kincannon model was appropriate to describe the process kinetics of the reactors. In addition, an empirical model incorporating the influent substrate concentration and HRT adequately described R1. Shock experiments were conducted in which the reactors were subjected to transient shock loads. The results showed that the operation of R1 was more stable than that of R0, especially in response to the substrate shocks. Subsequently, the properties of the ANAMMOX granules and the effects of the feeding protocol on those properties were investigated.

[Bone histocompatibility of surface modified nitinol memory alloy by coating titanium-niobium alloy].

OBJECTIVE: Surface modification of nitinol (NiTi) shape memory alloy is an available method to prevent nickel ion release and coating with titanium-niobium (TiNb) alloy will not affect the superelasticity and shape memory of NiTi. To evaluate the bone histocompatibility of NiTi shape memory alloy implants coated by TiNb in vivo. METHODS: NiTi memory alloy columns which were 4 mm in diameter and 12 mm in length were coated with Ti (Ti-coating group) and TiNb alloy (TiNb-coating group) respectively by magnetron sputtering technique. And NiTi group were not coated on the surface. Fifteen mongrel dogs were divided into 3 groups randomly with 5 dogs in each group. NiTi, Ti-coating and TiNb-coating columns were implanted into the lateral femoral cortex of each group, respectively. There were 10 columns embedded in each dog's femur whose distance was 1.0 cm to 1.5 cm from each other. The materials were obtained 12 months after operation. After X-ray photography, only those columns which were perpendicular to the cortex of the femur shaft were selected for subsequent analysis. Push-out tests were performed to attain the maximum shear strength (the number of specimens of TiNi group, Ti-coating group, and TiNb-coating group were 12, 10, and 14, respectively). Undecalcified sections were used for histological observation and the calculation of osseointegration rate (the number of specimens of TiNi group, Ti-coating group, and TiNb-coating group were 8, 5, and 10, respectively). RESULTS: The maximum shear strength of Ti-coating group (95.10 +/- 10.03) MPa, and TiNb-coating group (91.20 +/- 15.42) MPa were significantly higher than that of NiTi group (71.60 +/- 14.24) MPa (P < 0.01). Gimesa staining showed that no obvious macrophage and inflammation cell was observed in 3 groups. The osseointegration rates of NiTi group, Ti-coating group, and TiNb-coating group were (21.30% +/- 0.23%), (32.50% +/- 0.31%), and (38.60% +/- 0.58%), respectively; there were significant differences among 3 groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The implants of 3 groups all have good bone histocompatibility. But the osseointegration rate and the shear strength in the Ti-coating group and the TiNb-coating group were better than those in the NiTi group, the TiNb-coating group is the best among them.