Novel unidirectional porous hydroxyapatite used as a bone substitute for open wedge high tibial osteotomy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clinically and radiologically evaluate the availability, osteoconductivity, and resorption of a novel unidirectional porous hydroxyapatite (UDPHAp) used as an artificial substitute for open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). Our hypothesis was that UDPHAp is a safe and useful bone substitute for OWHTO. Materials and methods: Seven patients (2 men and 5 women aged 34-72years) who underwent OWHTO and were followed up for more than 12months were retrospectively studied. After the osteotomy, the gap created was filled with UDPHAp(REGENOS® Kuraray Co.Ltd). Radiography and computed tomography(CT) were performed, and gap healing was assessed postoperatively. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) knee score was determined pre- and post-operatively for clinical evaluation. Results: Neither gross displacement nor collapse of the UDPHAp block graft was observed within 12 months after surgery. Both radiographs and CT showed attenuation of lucency and increasing sclerosis over time. JOA score improved from 71.2 (65?80) to 95.8 (85?100). Conclusions: Short term results for OWHTO using UDPHAp was satisfactory. Clinical improvement of JOA scores were seen, besides osteogenesis was progressing in and around the artificial bone grafts.     

Influence of quercetin on the pharmacokinetics of ranolazine in rats and in vitro models

The aim of our study was to enhance the bioavailability of ranolazine by using herbal-bioenhancer quercetin in rats and to study the role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in vitro models. In single dose study (SDS), rats were divided into four groups, Group I was treated with 0.5% sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (SCMC), Group II was treated with ranolazine (14?mg/kg), Group III was treated with quercetin (20?mg/kg) and Group IV was treated with both ranolazine and quercetin. The blood samples were collected at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12?h, and the concentration of ranolazine in the plasma was estimated by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. In multiple dose study (MDS), rats were treated with same drugs for 7 days. On 8th day, the concentration of ranolazine in plasma was estimated. In vitro study performed on the rat and chick intestinal sacs to study the intestinal transport of ranolazine in the presence and absence of quercetin and verapamil (P-gp-inhibitor). Quercetin increased the peak concentration (C_max) of ranolazine from 254?±?8.45 to 324?±?10.21 and 331?±?9.65?ng/mL in SDS and MDS, respectively. Quercetin also increased area under the curve (AUC) of ranolazine from 1565.12?±?52.24 to 2016.98?±?142.65 and 2070.85?±?271.60?ng/mL/h in SDS and MDS, respectively. The transport of ranolazine from mucosal side to serosal side was increased in presence of quercetin. Quercetin is an inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-gp. So it increased the AUC and C_max of ranolazine.     

Fabrication mechanism of nanostructured HA/TNTs biomedical coatings: an improvement in nanomechanical and in vitro biological responses

In this paper, a mechanism for fabrication of nanostructured hydroxyapatite coating on TiO₂ nanotubes is presented. Also, the physical, biological, and nanomechanical properties of the anodized Ti6Al4V alloy consisting TiO₂ nanotubes, electrodeposited hydroxyapatite, and the hydroxyapatite/TiO₂ nanotubes double layer coating on Ti6Al4V alloy implants are compared. Mean cell viability of the samples being 84.63?% for uncoated plate, 91.53?% for electrodeposited hydroxyapatite, and 94.98?% for hydroxyapatite/TiO₂ nanotubes coated sample were in the acceptable range. Merely anodized prototype had the highest biocompatibility of 110?% with respect to the control sample. Bonding strength of hydroxyapatite deposit to the substrate increased from 12?±?2?MPa to 25.4?±?2?MPa using intermediate TiO₂ nanotubes layer. Hardness and elastic modulus of the anodized surface were 956?MPa and 64.7?GPa, respectively. The corresponding values for hydroxyapatite deposit were approximately measured 44.3?MPa and 0.66?GPa, respectively, while the average obtained values for hardness (159.3?MPa) and elastic modulus (2.25?GPa) of the hydroxyapatite/TiO₂ nanotubes double coating improved more than 30?% of the pure hydroxyapatite deposit. Friction coefficient (ξ) of the anodized surface was 0.32?±?0.02. The calculated friction coefficient enhanced from 0.65?±?0.04 for sole hydroxyapatite layer to the 0.46?±?0.02 for hydroxyapatite/TiO₂ nanotubes due to presence of nanotubular TiO₂ intermediate layer.     

Fabrication of octacalcium phosphate block through a dissolution-precipitation reaction using a calcium sulphate hemihydrate block as a precursor

Although octacalcium phosphate (OCP) powder and a collagen/gelatin composite demonstrate good potential as bone substitutes, an OCP block has not been fabricated to date. In this study, the feasibility of fabricating an OCP block was evaluated through a dissolution-precipitation reaction using a calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) block as a precursor. When the block was immersed in a phosphate salt solution, its composition changed to that of OCP, while its structure was maintained. The diametral tensile strength (DTS) of the OCP block was 1.0?±?0.2?MPa. The macroporosity and microporosity of the OCP block were 33.4?±?4.5% and, 69.0?±?1.6%, respectively. New bone attached well to the OCP block, and this block was partially replaced by bone 2 weeks after implantation. Four weeks after implantation, the surface of the OCP block was nearly covered with new bone and ~30% of the block was replaced by new bone, while no replacement by bone was observed in the case of a hydroxyapatite (HAp) block used as a control. It is concluded that OCP blocks are potentially suitable for their use as artificial bone substitutes.     

The efficacy of anti-VEGF antibody-modified liposomes loaded with paeonol in the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of anti-VEGF antibody-modified Paeonol liposome gels (PAE-BEV-lip gels) in the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars (HS). Systematic optimization of the encapsulation process of anti-VEGF antibody-modified Paeonol liposomes (PAE-BEV-lips) was performed using Box–Behnken design with the optimized parameters as follows: SPC concentration of 7.36?mg mL^?1; SPC-Chol-PAE:pNP-PEG₃₀₀₀-DOPE:BVE-PEG₃₀₀₀-DOPE ratio of 14:5:4:0.28:0.05, w/w; the hydration temperature of 41?°C; stripping using pH 7.5 sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer; and ultrasound for 3?min (ultrasound time 2?s, interval 3?s, power 300?W). Using these conditions, the encapsulation efficiency of PAE reached the peak level, i.e. 73.61?±?2.36%. The PAE-BEV-lips displayed unimodal size-distribution with a mean diameter of (235.7?±?4.67) nm and a zeta potential of –(5.13?±?0.25) mV. The investigation of the retention effect PAE-BEV-lip gels revealed a slower transdermal delivery rate, a remarkable dermal retention effect, and superior bioavailability compared to PAE gels and PAE conventional liposome gels (PAE-lip gels). Meanwhile, PAE-BEV-lip gels exhibited definite effects on the prevention and treatment of HS of the rabbit ears. The PAE-BEV-lip gels group showed a lower scar proliferation rate, fewer and looser collagenous fibers and fibromyocytes, more regular chondrocytes, less calcified tissue and fewer inflammatory cells compared to other groups. At the same time, PAE-BEV-lip gels significantly reduced scar hyperplasia index (1.34?±?0.51) and levels of VEGF, TGF-β₁ and TNF-α (30.90?±?3.57, 733.2?±?43.19 and 66.76?±?2.98?ng·L^?1, respectively), compared to the model group (p?<?.01).     

In vivo effects of isolated implantation of salmon-derived crosslinked atelocollagen sponge into an osteochondral defect

We have developed crosslinked salmon-derived atelocollagen (SC) sponge, which has a denaturation temperature of 47°C. Sixty-four knees of 32 mature rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups after creating an osteochondral defect in the femoral trochlea. Defects in Groups I, II, and III were filled with the crosslinked SC sponge, the crosslinked porcine collagen (PC) sponge, and the non-crosslinked PC sponge, respectively. In Group IV, defects were left untreated as the control. At 12?weeks after implantation, the histological score showed that Group I was significantly greater than Groups III (P?=?0.0196) and IV (P?=?0.0021). In addition, gene expression of type-2 collagen, aggrecan, and SOX9 was the greatest in Group I at 12?weeks. The fundamental in vivo properties of the crosslinked SC sponge showed that this is a promising biomaterial, specifically as a scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.     

Comparison of three-dimensional surface scanning techniques for capturing the external ear

Congenital facial anomalies, such as microtia (malformation of the external ear), lead to significant psychosocial effects starting from early childhood. Three-dimensional (3D) scanning and advanced manufacturing are being investigated as a cheaper and more personalised method of fabricating reconstructive treatments for patients compared to traditional approaches. To date, most case studies have used expensive 3D scanners, yet, there is potential for low-cost devices to provide comparable results. This study aimed to investigate these different approaches. Both ears of 16 adult participants were scanned with three devices: Artec Spider (Artec Group), Intel^® RealSense? (Intel), and the Apple iPhone^® 7 (Apple Inc.) combined with photogrammetry using 90, 60 and 30 photographs. The scanning time, processing time, accuracy, completeness, resolution and repeatability of each technique were assessed using the Artec Spider as a reference scanner. Our results show that the iPhone had the longest processing time however, this decreased nine-fold when reducing the number of photos from 90 to 30. There was no significant difference in the accuracy, completeness or repeatability of the iPhone scans with 90 photographs (1.4?±?0.6?mm, 79.9%, 1.0?±?0.1?mm), 60 photographs (1.2?±?0.2, 79.3%, 0.9?±?0.2?mm) or 30 photographs (1.2?±?0.3?mm, 74.3%, 1.0?±?0.2?mm). The Intel RealSesne performed significantly worse in each parameter (1.8?±?03?mm; 46.6%, 1.4?±?0.5). Additionally, the RealSense had significantly lower resolution with not enough detail captured for the application. These results demonstrate that the ear can be accurately 3D scanned using iPhone photographs. We would recommend capturing between 30 and 60 photographs of the ear to create a scan that is accurate but without the downfall of long processing time. Using these methods we aim to provide a more comfortable setting for the patient and a lower-cost and more personalised ear prosthesis.     

Preformulation characterization and in vivo absorption in beagle dogs of JFD,a novel anti-obesity drug for oral delivery

JFD (N-isoleucyl-4-methyl-1,1-cyclopropyl-1-(4-chlorine)phenyl-2-amylamine·HCl) is a novel investigational anti-obesity drug without obvious cardiotoxicity. The objective of this study was to characterize the key physicochemical properties of JFD, including solution-state characterization (ionization constant, partition coefficient, aqueous and pH-solubility profile), solid-state characterization (particle size, thermal analysis, crystallinity and hygroscopicity) and drug-excipient chemical compatibility. A supporting in vivo absorption study was also carried out in beagle dogs. JFD bulk powders are prismatic crystals with a low degree of crystallinity, particle sizes of which are within 2–10?μm. JFD is highly hygroscopic, easily deliquesces to an amorphous glass solid and changes subsequently to another crystal form under an elevated moisture/temperature condition. Similar physical instability was also observed in real-time CheqSol solubility assay. pK_a (7.49?±?0.01), log?P (5.10?±?0.02) and intrinsic solubility (S₀) (1.75?μg/ml) at 37?°C of JFD were obtained using potentiometric titration method. Based on these solution-state properties, JFD was estimated to be classified as BCS II, thus its dissolution rate may be an absorption-limiting step. Moreover, JFD was more chemically compatible with dibasic calcium phosphate, mannitol, hypromellose and colloidal silicon dioxide than with lactose and magnesium stearate. Further, JFD exhibited an acceptable pharmacokinetic profiling in beagle dogs and the pharmacokinetic parameters T_max, C_max, AUC_0–t and absolute bioavailability were 1.60?±?0.81?h, 0.78?±?0.47?μg/ml, 3.77?±?1.85?μg·h/ml and 52.30?±?19.39%, respectively. The preformulation characterization provides valuable information for further development of oral administration of JFD.     

Characterization of doxycycline-loaded calcium phosphate cement: implications for treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts

Percutaneous doxycycline for treatment for aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) has been shown to decrease recurrence rates, however, this requires multiple procedures, includes the risks soft tissue necrosis, and does not provide structural support. We propose utilizing curettage with doxycycline-loaded calcium phosphate cement. This study aimed to evaluate the elution profile of doxycycline from calcium phosphate cement. Calcium phosphate cement underwent an in vitro elution protocol evaluating doxycycline concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15?mg/mL. Eluted concentrations were quantified utilizing high performance liquid chromatography at predetermined time points over 96?h. Compressive strength was evaluated both pre- and post-elution and micro-computed tomography was utilized to assess changes in cement porosity. Cement with 15?mg/mL of doxycycline maintained a higher average concentration (mean, 95% confidence intervals) (14.5?µg/mL [9.2–19.9?µg/mL]) compared to both 5?mg/mL (5.8?µg/mL [3.1–8.6?µg/mL]; P?<?0.001) and 10?mg/mL (8.4?±?µg/mL [6.0–10.9?µg/mL]; P?<?0.001). Ultimate stress significantly decreased between pre- and post-elution samples for 10?mg/mL (P=?0.001) and 15?mg/mL (P?=?0.004) groups. This study demonstrated a dose-dependent response in ultimate strength and compressive modulus with addition of doxycycline to calcium phosphate cement.     

Pharmacokinetic properties and bioequivalence of candesartan cilexetil in Korean healthy volunteers

Candesartan is a long-acting and selective nonpeptide AT₁ subtype angiotensin II receptor antagonist. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and to evaluate the bioequivalence of two candesartan cilexetil 16?mg formulations. Forty healthy volunteers were randomly assigned into two groups. After a single dose of 16?mg candesartan cilexetil oral administration, blood samples were collected at specific time intervals from 0–36?h. The plasma concentrations of candesartan cilexetil were determined by LC-MS/MS. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC_last, AUC_inf and C_max were calculated and the 90% confidence intervals of the ratio (test/reference) pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by analysis of variance on logarithmically transformed data. The mean for AUC_last in the reference and the test drug were 1530.1?±?434.6 and 1315.7?±?368.6 ng·h/mL. The mean for AUC_inf in the reference and the test drug were 1670.0?±?454.5 and 1441.2?±?397.8 ng·h/mL. The mean value for C_max in the reference and the test drug was 142.6?±?41.0 and 134.9?±?41.4?ng/mL. The 90% confidence intervals for the AUC_last, AUC_inf and C_max were in the range of log 0.81–log 0.91, log 0.81–log 0.91 and log 0.88–log1.01, respectively. No adverse events were reported by subjects or found on analysis of vital signs or laboratory tests. This single dose study found that the test and reference products met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence in these health volunteers. Both formulations were safe and well tolerated in 16?mg of candesartan cilexetil hydrochloride.     

Development of a novel calcium phosphate cement composed mainly of calcium sodium phosphate with high osteoconductivity

Two novel calcium phosphate cements (CPC) have been developed using calcium sodium phosphate (CSP) as the main ingredient. The first of these cements, labeled CAC, contained CSP, α-tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and anhydrous citric acid, whereas the second, labeled CABC, contained CSP, α-TCP, β-TCP, and anhydrous citric acid. Biopex^®-R (PENTAX, Tokyo, Japan), which is a commercially available CPC (Com-CPC), and OSferion^® (Olympus Terumo Biomaterials Corp., Tokyo, Japan), which is a commercially available porous β-TCP, were used as reference controls for analysis. In vitro analysis showed that CABC set in 5.7 ± 0.3 min at 22 °C and had a compressive strength of 86.0 ± 9.7 MPa after 5 days. Furthermore, this material had a compressive strength of 26.7 ± 3.7 MPa after 2 h in physiologic saline. CAC showed a statistically significantly lower compressive strength in the presence of physiologic saline and statistically significantly longer setting times than those of CABC. CABC and CAC exhibited apatite-forming abilities in simulated body fluid that were faster than that of Com-CPC. Samples of the materials were implanted into the femoral condyles of rabbits for in vivo analysis, and subsequent histological examinations revealed that CABC exhibited superior osteoconductivity and equivalent bioresorbability compared with Com-CPC, as well as superior osteoconductivity and bioresorbability compared with CAC. CABC could therefore be used as an alternative bone substitute material.     

Conscious and anaesthetised Göttingen mini-pigs as an in-vivo model for buccal absorption – pH-dependent absorption of metoprolol from bioadhesive tablets

The potential of buccal mucosa as a site for systemic absorption has attracted increased attention in recent years creating a need for new predictive in-vivo models. The aim of this study was to evaluate anaesthetised and conscious Göttingen mini-pigs as a model for buccal drug absorption by testing pH-dependent absorption of metoprolol from a solid dosage form. Buccal tablets buffered to pH 6.2 and pH 8.9, oral liquid and intravenous injection were tested in four conscious and anaesthetised Göttingen mini-pigs in a non-randomised cross-over study. Blood samples were collected and processed before analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. An ex-vivo flow retention model was applied to study release and retention of the bioadhesive buccal tablets. The T_max obtained from the two buccal conscious groups (55?±?5 and 35?±?5?min) were significantly different to the buccal anaesthetised groups (120?±?0 and 165?±?15?min) for buccal tablet pH 6.2 and pH 8.9, respectively. Also, the absolute bioavailability from the anaesthetised buccal tablet pH 8.9 (20.7?±?4.0%) had a significant increase compared to all other buccal tablet groups. In conclusion, this study showed a pH-dependent absolute bioavailability of metoprolol when administrated as bioadhesive buccal tablets to anaesthetised mini-pigs. The anaesthesia was found to delay the time to reach maximal plasma concentration of metoprolol as compared to the conscious pig model when administrated as buccal tablets.     

Processing and degradation behavior of porous magnesium scaffold for biomedical applications

Porous magnesium has the potential to be used as degradable bone scaffolds. In this study, porous magnesium scaffolds were fabricated through powder metallurgy route utilizing spherical naphthalene particle as porogen. Porogen was removed at 120?°C for 24?h followed by sintering at 550?°C for 2?h in argon atmosphere. Micro-computed tomography (micro CT) results indicated that scaffolds have interconnected porous structure with an equivalent pore diameter of nearly 60?µm. Compressive strength of the scaffolds was found in the range of 24?±?4.54?MPa to 184?±?9.9?MPa and decreased with increasing porogen content. In vitro degradation study in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) showed that scaffold degradation behavior was governed by its porosity content. Our results indicate that modulating the porogen content we can tailor the mechanical and degradation behavior of the Mg scaffolds to the application need.     

In-situ hardening hydroxyapatite-based scaffold for bone repair

Musculoskeletal conditions are becoming a major health concern because of an aging population and sports- and traffic-related injuries. While sintered hydroxyapatite implants require machining, calcium phosphate cement (CPC) bone repair material is moldable, self-hardens in situ, and has excellent osteoconductivity. In the present work, new approaches for developing strong and macroporous scaffolds of CPC were tested. Relationships were determined between scaffold porosity and strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness. A biocompatible and biodegradable polymer (chitosan) and a water-soluble porogen (mannitol) were incorporated into CPC: Chitosan to make the material stronger, fast-setting and anti-washout; and mannitol to create macropores. Flexural strength, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness were measured as functions of mannitol mass fraction in CPC from 0% to 75%. After mannitol dissolution in a physiological solution, macropores were formed in CPC in the shapes of the original entrapped mannitol crystals, with diameters of 50 μm to 200 μm for cell infiltration and bone ingrowth. The resulting porosity in CPC ranged from 34.4% to 83.3% volume fraction. At 70.2% porosity, the hydroxyapatite scaffold possessed flexural strength (mean ± sd; n = 6) of (2.5 ± 0.2) MPa and elastic modulus of (0.71 ± 0.10) GPa. These values were within the range for sintered porous hydroxyapatite and cancellous bone. Predictive equations were established by regression power-law fitting to the measured data (R² > 0.98) that described the relationships between scaffold porosity and strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness. In conclusion, a new graft composition was developed that could be delivered during surgery in the form of a paste to harden in situ in the bone site to form macroporous hydroxyapatite. Compared to conventional CPC without macropores, the increased macroporosity of the new apatite scaffold may help facilitate implant fixation and tissue ingrowth.     

Preparation of porous scaffold from hydroxyapatite powders

Hydroxyapatite (HA) powder was prepared by wet chemical method. The hydroxyapatite phase was stable up to 1250 °C without decomposition to beta-tricalcium phosphate. Interconnected porous hydroxyapatite scaffold resembling trabecular bone structure was developed from polymeric replica sponge method. The prepared scaffold has 60 vol.% porosity having a major fraction of ~ 50–125 μm pore diameter. The pore content, pore morphology, pore interconnectivity of scaffold and their compressive strength were dependent on the solid loading and binder content. In-vitro bioactivity and bioresorbability confirmed the feasibility of the developed scaffolds.     

Enhanced oral bioavailability of felodipine by naringenin in Wistar rats and inhibition of P-glycoprotein in everted rat gut sacs in vitro

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of naringenin on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of felodipine in rats and membrane permeability across rat everted gut sacs in vitro. Rats were simultaneously co-administered with felodipine 10?mg/kg, p.o. and naringenin (25, 50 and 100?mg/kg, p.o.) for 15 consecutive days. Rats of the control groups received the corresponding volume of vehicle. Blood samples were withdrawn from retro-orbital plexus on first day in single dose PK study (SDS) and on 15th day in multiple dosing PK study (MDS). The PK parameters were calculated using Thermo kinetica. The co-administration of naringenin significantly elevated the C_max and increased the AUC_total of felodipine in dose-dependent manner. The C_max of felodipine was increased from 173.25?±?14.65 to 275.61?±?44.62 and 223.26?±?26.35 to 561.32?±?62.53?ng/mL in SDS and MDS, respectively, at the dose of naringenin 100?mg/kg. The AUC_total of felodipine was significantly (p?max and AUC of felodipine is due to P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibition.     

Design and development of bioinspired calcium phosphate nanoparticles of MTX: pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluation

The aim of this investigation is the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by developing methotrexate-loaded calcium phosphate nanoparticles (MTX-CAP-NP) and to evaluate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior in adjuvant induced arthritis model. The nanoparticles were synthesized by wet precipitation method and optimized by Box-Behnken experimental design. MTX-CAP-NPs were characterized by TEM, FTIR, DSC and XRD studies. The particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of the optimized nanoparticles were found to be 204.90?±?64?nm, ?11.58?±?4.80?mV, and 88.33?±?3.74%, respectively. TEM, FTIR, DSC and XRD studies revealed that the developed nanoparticles were nearly spherical in shape and the crystalline structure of CAP-NP was not changed after MTX loading. The pharmacokinetic studies revealed that MTX-CAP-NP enhanced bioavailability of MTX by 2.6-fold when compared to marketed formulation (FOLITRAX-10). Under pharmacodynamic evaluation, arthritic assessment, radiography and histopathology studies revealed that CAP has ability to regenerate cartilage and bone therefore, together with MTX, MTX-CAP-NPs have shown significant reduction in disease progression. The overall work demonstrated that the developed nanodelivery system was well tolerated and more effective than the marketed formulation.     

Preparation and microscopy examination of alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate microcapsules

Ca-alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate (APA-Ca) and Ba-alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate (APA-Ba) microcapsules were prepared and their thickness and surface were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Specifically, light microscopy with frozen section was used to visualize and quantify the thickness of APA membrane, and monitor temporal changes in the thickness of microcapsules during a month long culture in vitro. The section graph of APA microcapsule represents the accurate measurement of layer thickness of APA-Ca with diameter 900?±?100 and 500?±?100?μm at 6.01?±?1.02 and 9.54?±?2.42?μm (p?p?in vitro. Field emission scanning electron microscopy with freeze drying method was used to detect the surface and thickness of dried microcapsules. From the results, the outer surface of APA-Ca and APA-Ba membrane were smooth and dense, the film thickness of the APA-Ca was about 450–690?nm, while the APA-Ba was approximately 335?nm. In vivo experiment, little significant difference was seen in the change of film thickness of microcapsules in intrapertioneal site for 30 days after transplantation (p?>?0.05), except that the recovery of APA-Ba was higher than the APA-Ca microcapsules. The paper showed an easy method to prepare APA-Ca and APA-Ba, and examine their thickness and surface, which could be utilized to study other types of microcapsules.     

The transformation of single-crystal calcium phosphate ribbon-like fibres to hydroxyapatite spheres assembled from nanorods

Two precursors of ribbon-like anhydrous dicalcium phosphate (DCPA) and calcium phosphate fibres were successfully synthesized at 85?°C through a simple and mild pathway from Ca(NO(3))(2)·4H(2)O and (NH(4))(2)HPO(4) upon the hydrolysis of urea. Different molar concentrations of urea resulted in different precursors, including precursor I (DCPA phase) and precursor II (calcium phosphate with DCPA, octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) phase). By immersing the two precursors in ammonium hydroxide solution (pH = 12), the transformation from precursors to hydroxyapatite could be achieved. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results combined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that DCPA fibres (precursor I) were transformed to HAp nanorods in transformation I. In transformation II, dandelion-like spheres assembled by HAp nanorods were obtained from calcium phosphate (precursor II). The mechanisms of transformations I and II are also proposed and discussed based on the XRD and TEM results.