Crystalline phase of TiO2 nanotube arrays on Ti–35Nb–4Zr alloy: Surface roughness,electrochemical behavior and cellular response

An investigation was made into the electrochemical, structural and biological properties of self-organized amorphous and anatase/rutile titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanotubes deposited on Ti–35Nb–4Zr alloy through anodization-induced surface modification. The surface of as-anodized and heat-treated TiO₂ nanotubes was analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), revealing morphological parameters such as tube diameter, wall thickness and cross-sectional length. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD) was employed to identify the structural phases of titanium dioxide, while atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to measure surface roughness associated with cell interaction properties. The electrochemical stability of TiO₂ was examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the results obtained were correlated with the microstructural characterization. The in vitro bioactivity of as-anodized and crystallized TiO₂ nanotubes was also analyzed as a function of the presence of different TiO₂ polymorphic phases. The results indicated that anatase TiO₂ showed higher surface corrosion resistance and greater cell viability than amorphous TiO₂, confirming that TiO₂ nanotube crystallization plays an important role in the material's electrochemical behavior and biocompatibility.     

Effect of nanosilica addition on bioactivity and in vivo properties of calcium aluminate cement

This study aims at assessing the influence of nanosilica on the bioactivity and mechanical properties of calcium aluminate cement. For this purpose, nanosilica was applied as a replacement for calcium aluminate cement at 0, 2, 5 and 8 wt%. The main components were analyzed by scanning electron microscope coupled with surface imaging and elemental analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. To estimate the bioactivity of specimens, hydroxyapatite formation on the surface of cement paste was investigated in the simulated body fluid solution. In addition, in vivo evaluation of calcium aluminate cement was performed in subcutaneous tissue of rats. To investigate the mechanical properties, both compressive and flexural strengths were also measured. The results revealed that by increasing nanosilica up to 8 wt%, the strength enhanced. Moreover all cement paste samples with various amounts of nanosilica represented good bioactivity because of formation of bonelike apatite layer on the surface of specimens within 28 days after soaking in simulated body fluid. In vivo experiments indicated that the cement sample was absorbed by the tissue and there was no infection at the implant site. Based on the in vitro and in vivo results, the specimen with 2 wt% nanosilica represented the highest bioactivity.     

人睫状神经营养因子基因克隆、表达、纯化及其生物活性

［摘 要］目的 克隆人睫状神经营养因子（hCNTF）基因，在大肠杆菌宿主系统中高效表达并纯化，获得具有生物活性的hCNTF蛋白。方法 以人染色体DNA为模板，经PCR扩增到编码CNTF成熟蛋白的cDNA序列，并克隆进原核表达载体 pBV220，在大肠杆菌 BL21（Gold）中进行表达，产物经 CM-Sepharose FF柱纯化后，以体外培养的鸡胚背根神经节（DRG）测定生物活性。结果 重组表达质粒pBV22Z- CNTF在大肠杆菌BL21（Gold）中获得了非融合的稳定、高效表达，目的蛋白占细胞总蛋白的45％左右，以可溶性和包涵体两种形式存在，表达上清及包涵体复性后经CM柱一步纯化纯度达90％以上；表达的重组hCNTF能促进培养的鸡胚背根神经节神经突起的生长。结论 基因工程rhCNTF的获得为进一步研究其结构功能关系和临床应用奠定基础。     

Preparation and cell-materials interactions of plasma sprayed strontium-containing hydroxyapatite coating

The use of strontium-containing hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) as a biomaterial has been reported recently. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that Sr-HA promotes osteoblast response and stimulates new bone formation. In order to extend its usage to major load-bearing applications, such as artificial hip replacement, it has been proposed that the material could be used in the form of a coating on implant surfaces. This paper reports a preliminary study of biocompatibility of plasma sprayed Sr-HA coatings on a metallic substrate. Coatings of Sr-HA containing 10 mol% Sr²⁺ was produced on titanium alloy substrates. The coating exhibited good bonding with the substrate. The bioactivity of Sr-HA coating was evaluated in vitro by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). After immersion in SBF, Sr-HA coating exhibited great ability to induce apatite precipitation on its surface. The possible effects of cell-materials interactions of Sr-HA coating were examined by culturing osteoprecursor cells (OPC1) on coating surfaces. The effect of Sr-HA was also compared to a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating, which is widely used in orthopedics and dentistry. The results indicated that Sr-HA coating had good biocompatibility with human osteoblasts. OPC1 cells survived and proliferated well on the surface of coating. Sr-HA coating promoted OPC1 cells attachment, and more local contacts were produced on the surface. The presence of Sr stimulated OPC1 cell differentiation and ALP expression. No deleterious effect on ECM formation and mineralization was found with Sr-HA coating. The results indicated that Sr-HA coating had good mechanical properties and bioactivity in vitro.     

嵌合蛋白sTNFRⅡ-IgG Fc纯化与生物学活性研究

目的　建立嵌合蛋白sTNFR IgGFc的纯化工艺 ,并对该蛋白的理化和生物活性进行研究。方法　嵌合蛋白sTNFRⅡ IgGFc经变性、复性后 ,用金属螯合层析进行纯化 ,纯化的蛋白进行配基结合实验和拮抗TNF活性检测。结果　该嵌合蛋白的纯度大于 95 % ,在体外能够二聚化 ,保留了sTNFRⅡ对hTNFα的结合特性 ,同单体sTNFRⅡ相比 ,对hTNFα的拮抗活性明显提高。结论　为进一步研究奠定了基础     

Characterisation,by the PIXE Method,of Trace Elements During Physicochemical Reactions at the Periphery of Bioactive Glass Pastilles in Contact with Biological Fluids

Abstract

The prerequisite for bioactive glasses to bond to living bone is the formation of biologically active apatites on their surface in the body. Reactions and bioactivity mechanisms between bioactive glasses and bone depend on the glass composition. We study a glass in the SiO₂‐Na₂O‐CaO‐P₂O₅‐K₂O‐Al₂O₃‐MgO system. To characterise physicochemical reactions at the materials periphery, we immersed the glass pastilles into biological fluids for periods of 5, 10, and 20 days. The surface changes were studied at the micrometer scale by a Particle Induced X‐ray Emission (PIXE) method associated with Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS). After 20 days of immersion, elemental maps showed the formation of a calcium‐phosphate layer at the surface of the glass pastilles. The thickness of this layer was around 15 µm. Thanks to the PIXE method, we demonstrated the presence of traces of Mg in this layer. The glass doped with MgO leads to the formation of an apatite which incorporates magnesium. Formation of this Ca‐P‐Mg layer represents the bioactive properties of the studied glass. This biologically active layer improves the properties of the glass and will permit a chemical bond between the ceramic and bone.     

Effects of geographical origin,varietal and farming system on the chemical composition and functional properties of purple grape juices: A review

BackgroundGrape juice is a beverage derived from Vitis sp genus, mainly V. labrusca, V. vinifera and V. rotundifolia species, in which sales have increased steeply because of the alleged beneficial health effects it exerts when consumed regularly. However, the isolated and interlinked impacts of geographical origin, varietal, and farming system on the juice's chemical composition and functional properties still are not fully comprehended.Scope and approachThis paper aims to assess how the producing region, variety, and farming system of grapes (conventional, organic, and biodynamic) affect the quantitative and qualitatively the chemical composition and the functionality (in vitro, in vivo) of juices.Key findings and conclusionsData have shown that the effects of botanical and geographical origins of purple grapes on the chemical composition (especially phenolic compounds) and functional properties of juices are remarkable. On the other hand, organic and biodynamic grape juices have very similar composition and functional properties in vitro, while organic and conventional are somewhat different. This evidence is in line with in vivo animal studies and human trials on healthy individuals have shown: differences in functional properties, especially antioxidant effects, between organic and conventional grape juices are negligible from the nutritional and biochemical perspectives.     

Development of cerium and silicon co-doped hydroxyapatite nanopowder and its in vitro biological studies for bone regeneration applications

Multi-ion, co-substituted bioactive glass ceramics play a significant role in the stimulation of physical and biological properties for outstanding effects in biomedical application. The following work attempts to develop HAP as a parent material doped with a combination of cerium (Ce⁴⁺ @1.25?wt%) and silicon (Si⁴⁺ @1, 3 and 5?wt%) by refluxing based sol-gel technique. The anti-bacterial tests exhibit E. coli showing higher inhibition efficiency, in vitro hemolytic test exhibit good compatible nature of dual doped HAP with erythrocytes (<5% of hemolytic). In vitro bioactivity assay confirms that the developed dual doped HAP possesses excellent bone-like apatite layer formation on their surfaces. In vitro cellular study was performed for Ce/Si-HAP@5% powder against MG-63 cells, which demonstrated the good cell viability at higher concentrations (up to 800?µg/ml). Further, dual doped HAP powders were characterized by various analytical techniques such as ATR-FTIR, Powder-XRD, TGA-DTA, SEM-EDS, TEM and XPS analysis. The studies confirm that the synthesized dual doped HAP will act as better bioactive glass ceramics for potential orthopedic and dentistry applications.