[Effect of functional acupoint electrical stimulation combined with tadalafil on erectile dysfunction in middle-aged and elderly patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application effect of functional acupoint electrical stimulation combined with tadara irregular administration in middle-aged and elderly patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), and to provide reference for clinical treatment. METHODS: A total of 40 middle-aged and elderly patients with ED admitted to the pelvic floor Center of our hospital from March 2021 to March 2023 were randomly divided into two groups with 20 cases in each group.The control group was treated with tadalafil regularly, and the observation group was treated with functional acupoint electrical stimulation on the basis of this treatment. The total course of treatment was 6 weeks.The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the International Erectile Function Index (IIEF-5), penile hardness score (EHS), serum total testosterone (TT) level, sexual satisfaction scale (SS) and pelvic floor electromyography, and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (90% vs 70%, P < 0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, both groups showed improvements in IIEF-5, EHS, SS, and TT compared to before treatment (P < 0.01). However, the improvement in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control groupï¼»IIEF-5: (22.13±2.11) vs (19.69±2.04), EHS: (3.68±0.47) vs (2.89±0.60), SS: (77.41±7.59) vs (70.32±7.28), TT: (13.43±3.89) nmol/L vs (8.85±3.02) nmol/L, all P < 0.01ï¼½; There were no significant changes in pelvic floor muscle electromyography values in the control group before and after treatment (P > 0.05), while in the observation group, pelvic floor muscle electromyography values (PFMV) in the pre-resting phase, fast muscle (Type II muscle) phase, slow muscle (Type I muscle) phase, endurance testing phase, and post-resting phase all improved compared to before treatment and were superior to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Functional acupoint electrical stimulation combined with tadara irregular administration can improve the therapeutic effect of middle-aged and elderly patients with ED, improve pelvic floor function, safe and reliable.

Effects of Maren Pills on the Intestinal Microflora and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Profile in Drug-Induced Slow Transit Constipation Model Rats.

Background: Slow transit constipation (STC) is becoming a common and frequently occurring disease in today's society, and it is necessary to explore the safe and effective treatment of STC. Method: Our study aimed to investigate whether the laxative effect of Maren pills (MRW) is associated with the regulation of intestinal microflora and intestinal metabolism in the colon. Loperamide hydrochloride-induced STC rats received MRW intragastrically for two consecutive weeks to evaluate the laxative effect of MRW involving the regulation of intestinal microflora, intestinal metabolism, and 5-HT signaling pathway. Intestinal microflora was detected by 16s rDNA sequencing, intestinal metabolism of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was detected by HPLC, and the 5-HT signaling pathway was detected by WB, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Our results revealed that the treatments with MRW increased not only the body weight, 24-h fecal number, 24-h wet fecal weight, 24-h dry fecal weight, fecal water content, and the intestinal propulsion rate but also the colonic goblet cell number, colonic Muc-2 protein expression, and colonic mucus layer thickness in the STC model rats. Moreover, MRW activated the 5-HT pathway by increasing the levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, 5-HT4R, CFTR, cAMP, and PKA in the colon tissue of STC rats. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that MRW improved the colonic microflora structure in colonic contents of STC rats, mainly by increasing Lactobacillus and decreasing Prevotella. Finally, we found that MRW regulated the SCFA metabolism in the colonic contents of the STC rats, mainly by increasing the contents of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid; the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was positively correlated with either contents of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, and the relative abundance of Clostridium was negatively correlated. Conclusion: Our study further showed that MRW could improve constipation in STC rats, and the mechanism may be by regulating the intestinal microflora structure and improving the metabolism of SCFAs.

Incomplete removal of Wolbachia with tetracycline has two-edged reproductive effects in the thelytokous wasp Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae).

Wolbachia pipientis are intracellular endosymbionts that induce parthenogenesis in the parasitoid Encarsia formosa. Previous studies that focused on effects of Wolbachia on the wasp usually used tetracycline to remove Wolbachia without concern for the joint influences of tetracycline and Wolbachia. Here we treated the wasps (F0 lines) with tetracycline to produce offspring (F1 lines) which were not fed tetracycline to avoid antibiotic influence. The quantitative data and fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that Wolbachia titers were reduced but not totally removed. The Wolbachia that infected the male offspring were unpredictably detected. Low dose tetracycline enhanced the fertility of 2-day-old F0 wasps after 24 h of treatment; however, compared with controls, the oocyte load of 3- to 6-day-old tetracycline-treated wasps decreased day by day, and tetracycline reduced the longevity of the wasps. The fecundity of controls was significantly higher than that of the treated F1-10 and F1-20 generations. Gene expression of vitellogenin reflected the same trend as that of wasp fecundities in both F0 and F1 lines. Moreover, female offspring proportions of F0 and F1 lines were related to the titer of infected Wolbachia, demonstrating that Wolbachia titer affected the sex determination of E. formosa.

Value of three-section contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography in the detection of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of three-section contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography (CETRUS) in prostate cancer (PCa) detection. METHODS: A total of 169 consecutive patients with either PSA level ≥ 4 ng/ml or abnormal digital rectal examination findings were prospectively enrolled in this single center study. All patients underwent baseline transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and three-section CETRUS by one investigator blinded to any clinical data before TRUS-guided transperineal biopsy. The performances of baseline TRUS, single-section, and three-section CETRUS for PCa detection were compared. RESULTS: On a per-patient basis, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy for detecting PCa with three-section CETRUS was 92.3%, 69.2%, and 78.1%, respectively. In comparison with conventional (single-section) CETRUS (sensitivity 75.4%, specificity 72.1%, and accuracy 73.4%), three-section CETRUS performed significantly better (p < 0.05, McNemar test). Additionally, the low-grade PCa detection rate for three-section CETRUS was significantly higher than that of conventional CETRUS (26.7% versus 10.2%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a significant benefit of three-section CETRUS relative to conventional CETRUS, and this technique may find more PCa patients eligible for active surveillance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:304-309, 2017.

Effects of storage medium and UV photofunctionalization on time-related changes of titanium surface characteristics and biocompatibility.

Storage in aqueous solution and ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization are two applicable methods to overcome the biological aging and increase the bioactivity of titanium. As information regarding the combined effects of storage medium and UV photofunctionalization has never been found in published literatures, this study focused on whether appropriate storage methods and UV photofunctionalization have synergistic effects on the biological properties of aged titanium surfaces. Titanium plates and discs were sandblasted and acid etched and then further prepared in five different modes as using different storage mediums (air or dH2 O) for 4 weeks and then with or without UV treatment. The surface characteristics were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the surfaces, and cellular morphology, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteocalcin release were evaluated. The results showed that nanostructures were observed on water-stored titanium surfaces with a size of about 15 × 20 nm(2) . UV treatment was effective to remove the hydrocarbon contamination on titanium surfaces stored in either air or water. UV photofunctionalization further enhanced the already increased bioactivity of modSLA on initial cell attachment, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteocalcin release. Overall, UV photofunctionalization was effective in further enhancing the already increased bioactivity by using dH2 O as storage medium, and the effect of UV treatment was much more overwhelming than that of the storage medium. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 932-940, 2016.

Osteogenesis of rat mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblastic cells on strontium-doped nanohydroxyapatite-coated titanium surfaces.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the promotion of osteogenesis in vitro on three types of titanium surfaces: a strontium-hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA)-coated surface, a nano-HA-coated surface, and an uncoated roughened surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sr-HA and HA were placed on disks with a roughened titanium surface by electrochemical deposition. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells and rat bone mesenchymal stem cells were cultured on the Sr-HA, HA-coated, and uncoated roughened disks, and cell adhesion, proliferation, viability, osteogenic differentiation, and formation of mineralized nodules were measured at various time points. RESULTS: The Sr-HA coating produced by a simple electrochemical deposition treatment evidently enhanced the attachment, spreading, alkaline phosphatase activity, and extracellular matrix calcium mineralization of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells and MC3T3-E1 cells compared with an untreated roughened titanium surface and a nano-HA-coated surface. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a Sr-doped nano-HA coating produced through electrochemical deposition improves the osteoconductivity of a microrough titanium surface.

[Preliminary Study on the Unique Spectroscopic Characteristics of Natural and Synthetic Diamonds].

A systematic comparative study on the natural diamond, the natural diamond treated by heat or irradiation and synthetic diamond prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or High temperature and high pressure (HTHP) were carried out by UV-Vis-NIR absorption and FTIR spectra. The results showed that: natural diamond, treated natural samples such as irradiated or annealed ones under high temperature and the HTHP synthetic diamond, the reflection coefficient is obviously variation between 200 nm and 1100 nm in UV-Vis-NIR spectra of above samples. In contrast, the reflection coefficient of CVD synthetic diamond is relatively smaller than the former. Infrared spectra showed that synthetic diamonds, especially for CVD synthetic diamonds have no obvious absorption peak between 800 and 1 600 cm(-1). In additional, the results of DiamondView detection are different for different kinds of diamonds. Generally speaking, some CVD synthetic diamonds treated by HTHP appears some parallel dislocation lines, and show light-blue fluorescence. HPHT synthetic diamonds exhibit strong blocky geometrical shapes whereas some natural diamonds exhibit more tree-ring type fluorescence patterns, the color of diamonds' fluorescence image may change after treated by HTHP or irradiation. In a word, in view of the diversity and innovation of the synthesis technologies for diamond, the natural and synthetic diamonds have some similar spectra characteristic in term of UV-Vis-NIR and FTIR spectra, some special natural diamonds without typical spectra characteristic of natural ones need to be further supplemented with DiamondView, photoluminescence spectra and other instruments.

Effect of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction on cholecystokinin receptor 1-mediated signal transduction of pancreatic acinar cells in acute necrotizing pancreatitis rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction (,CQCQD) on cholecystokinin receptor 1 (CCKR1)-mediated signal transduction of pancreatic acinar cell in rats with acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP). METHODS: Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: the control group, the ANP group, and the CQCQD group (9 in each group). ANP rats were induced by two intraperitoneal injections of 8% L-arginine (pH=7.0, 4.4 g/kg) over a 2-h period. Rats were treated with 1.5 mL/100 g body weight of CQCQD (CQCQD group) or physiological saline (control and ANP groups) at 2 h interval. And 6 h after induction, pancreatic tissues were collected for histopathological examination. Pancreatic acinar cells were isolated for determination of CCKR1 mRNA and protein expression, phospholipase C (PLC) and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3), and determination of fluorescence intensity (FI) as a measure of intracellular calcium ion concentration [Ca(2+)]i. RESULTS: The pancreatic histopathological score (6.2 ± 1.1) and the levels of PLC (1,187.2 ± 228.2 µg/mL) and IP3 (872.2 ± 88.4 µg/mL) of acinar cells in the ANP group were higher than those in the control (2.8 ± 0.4, 682.5 ± 121.8 µg/mL, 518.4 ± 115.8 µg/mL) and the CQCQD (3.8 ± 0.8, 905.3 ± 78.5 µg/mL, 611.0 ± 42.5 µg/mL) groups (P<0.05). [Ca(2+)]i FI for the ANP group (34.8±27.0) was higher than that in the control (5.1 ± 2.2) and CQCQD (12.6 ± 2.5) groups (P<0.05). The expression of pancreatic acinar cell CCKR1 mRNA in the ANP group was up-regulated (expression ratio=1.761; P=0.024) compared with the control group. The expression of pancreatic acinar cell CCKR1 mRNA in the CQCQD group was down-regulated (expression ratio=0.311; P=0.035) compared with the ANP group. The ratio of gray values of the CCKR1 and ß-actin in the ANP group (1.43 ± 0.17) was higher than those in the control (0.70 ± 0.15) and CQCQD (0.79 ± 0.11) groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic acinar cell calcium overload of ANP induced by L-arginine was related to the up-regulated expressions of pancreatic acinar cell CCKR1 mRNA and protein. CQCQD can down-regulate expressions of pancreatic acinar cell CCKR1 mRNA and protein to reduce the PLC and IP3 of pancreatic acinar cells, relieving the calcium overload and reducing the pathological changes in rats with ANP.

[The unique reflection spectra and IR characteristics of golden-color seawater cultured pearl].

A comparative study on the natural-color golden seawater cultured pearls and the treated-color golden seawater cultured pearls were carried out by UV-Vis reflectance spectra. Furthermore, the frequency variations of v3, v1 , v2 and v4 bands of the aragonites (a crystal form of calcium carbonate) with the positions of nacreous layer and nucleus in natural or treated-color golden-color seawater cultured pearls were firstly systematically measured. The results showed that: (1) based on the results of UV-Vis reflectance spectra of natural or treated-color golden seawater cultured pearls, interestingly, it was firstly found that the natural-color golden one displays slight varied UV-Vis reflection spectra because of its different surface microstructure located on the outer nacreous layer. Meanwhile, according to the characteristic of UV-Vis reflectance spectra of treated-color golden ones, the treated-color ones were firstly classified to four categories. (2) The frequency of v2 band of aragonite in nacreous layer of natural-color or treated-color golden pearls was greater than the other one from theirs corresponding nucleus, namely A clear blue shift was observed in the former. But the other bands were not altered in the positions of nacreous layer and nucleus, and had the same valves with synthetic aragonites. Additionally, the location of absorption bands of aragonite in nacreous layer of natural or treated-color golden pearls had no frequency shift, which indicates that the behavior of color-treating had no effect on the crystal structure of golden pearls.

Traditional Chinese medicine (Shun-Qi-Tong-Xie Granule) for irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal functional disorder with no effective therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the most common complementary therapies in China. We designed this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shun-Qi-Tong-Xie Granule (SQTX Granule), a TCM treatment, in patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). METHODS/DESIGN: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-centre, superiority clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SQTX Granule is proposed. Eligible patients (Rome III) with IBD-S will be randomly assigned into SQTX Granule group and the placebo group. Patients will receive a 28-day treatment and a 2-month follow-up. The primary outcome measures include the scores of IBS-quality of life (IBS-QOL) rating scale and IBS-symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) rating scale. The secondary outcome measures include the improvement of symptom scores, and the duration of abdominal pain and diarrhea. DISCUSSION: According to TCM theory, SQTX Granule has a regulating effect on abdominal pain, diarrhea and the syndrome of liver-spleen disharmony, which is similar to the symptoms of IBS-D. This study will provide objective evidence to evaluate the efficiency and safety of SQTX Granule in IBS-D treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-TRC-14004241. Date of registration: 9 February 2014.

Multiple low doses of erythropoietin delay the proliferation of hepatocytes but promote liver function in a rat model of subtotal hepatectomy.

PURPOSE: The impact of various doses of erythropoietin (EPO) on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in different animal models is still under debate. We investigated the impact of low doses of EPO on liver regeneration in a rat model of subtotal hepatectomy. METHODS: We established a 90 % PH rat model with perioperative injections of low-dose EPO (1,000 IU/kg). We analyzed survival and hepatocyte proliferation in animals treated with or without EPO and assessed liver function by blood ammonia measurement and the indocyanine green 15-min retention test. RESULTS: Low doses of EPO treatment improved the survival of rats after 90 % PH. Unexpectedly, during the first 24 h after the operation, liver regeneration in the EPO-treated rats was inhibited. DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, and the expression of cyclins and p-STAT3 peaked 48 h after PH, which was delayed by about 24 h vs. the control rats. Furthermore, EPO treatment increased the serum level of IL-6 and protected the hepatocytes from apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Low doses of EPO do not stimulate early hepatocyte proliferation in the regenerating liver, but contribute to liver protection by inducing IL-6 and inhibiting apoptosis.

Artesunate exerts an anti-immunosuppressive effect on cervical cancer by inhibiting PGE2 production and Foxp3 expression.

Artesunate (ART), derived from a common traditional Chinese medicine, has beeen used an antimalarial for several years. In this study, the effect and mechanism of ART on anti-human cervical cancer cells was examined. The level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) and the population of CD4+CD25+Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. In vivo antitumor activity was investigated in mice with cervical cancer by the subcutaneous injection of various concentrations of ART. The concentrations of PGE2 in the supernatants of CaSki cells were measured using an ELISA kit. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Foxp3 expression were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis. The effect of ART on the viability of CaSki and Hela cells was evaluated with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. It was identified that the level of PGE2 and the population of CD4+CD25+Foxp3 Treg cells in the peripheral blood were significantly higher in cervical cancer patients and mice with cervical cancer. ART was capable of inhibiting orthotopic tumor growth, which correlated with a decrease in the level of PGE2 and the percentage of Treg cells in mice with cervical cancer. Furthermore, ART decreased COX-2 expression and the production of PGE2 in CaSki and Hela cells. Notably, the supernatants of CaSki cells treated with ART lowered the expression of Foxp3 in Jurkat T cells, which was capable of being reversed by exogenous PGE2 . Our data revealed that ART may elicit an anti-tumor effect against cervical cancer by inhibition of PGE2 production in CaSki and Hela cells, which resulted in the decrease of Foxp3 expression in T cells. Therefore, ART may be an effective drug for immunotherapy of cervical cancer.

A microstructural study of individual nacre tablet of Pinctada maxima.

Nacre tablets from the shell of Pinctada maxima were studied with SEM, TEM and STEM. The systematic nanolath morphology on the (001) surface of nacre tablets was observed after acidic etching and mechanical polishing. The nanolaths were along the [100] crystallographic orientation of aragonite crystal. The (010) and (100) cross section surfaces of the nacre tablets showed nanolath and nanograin morphologies, respectively, which was consistent with [100] crystallographic orientation of nanolath on the (001) surface. Sheet-like defects with low mass density were observed on the (001) plane inside nacre tablets and were considered to be the cause of nanolath morphology revealed on the surfaces by acidic etching and mechanical polishing. On the other hand, large block [110] twins that divide the nacre tablets into two sectors were identified. The implication of these twins on the understanding to the crystallization mechanism of nacre tablets was discussed.

Effects of zinc-substituted nano-hydroxyapatite coatings on bone integration with implant surfaces.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a zinc-substituted nano-hydroxyapatite (Zn-HA) coating, applied by an electrochemical process, on implant osseointegraton in a rabbit model. METHODS: A Zn-HA coating or an HA coating was deposited using an electrochemical process. Surface morphology was examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The crystal structure and chemical composition of the coatings were examined using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A total of 78 implants were inserted into femurs and tibias of rabbits. After two, four, and eight weeks, femurs and tibias were retrieved and prepared for histomorphometric evaluation and removal torque (RTQ) tests. RESULTS: Rod-like HA crystals appeared on both implant surfaces. The dimensions of the Zn-HA crystals seemed to be smaller than those of HA. XRD patterns showed that the peaks of both coatings matched well with standard HA patterns. FTIR spectra showed that both coatings consisted of HA crystals. The Zn-HA coating significantly improved the bone area within all threads after four and eight weeks (P<0.05), the bone to implant contact (BIC) at four weeks (P<0.05), and RTQ values after four and eight weeks (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that an electrochemically deposited Zn-HA coating has potential for improving bone integration with an implant surface.

Effects of magnesium-substituted nanohydroxyapatite coating on implant osseointegration.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare magnesium-substituted and pure hydroxyapatite coatings on the promotion of osteogenesis in vitro and on the osseointegration in vivo. METHODS: Electrochemically deposited pure hydroxyapatite (EDHA) or electrochemically deposited magnesium-substituted hydroxyapatite (EDMHA) coatings were formed on the surface of pure titanium disks or implants. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts were cultured in the EDHA and EDMHA coated disks, and cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteocalcin secretion were measured at various time points. For studies on osseointegration, 30 roughened implants coated either with EDHA or EDMHA (n = 15 for each coating) were implanted in the femurs of 15 NZW rabbits. After 2, 4, and 8 weeks, femurs were retrieved and prepared for histomorphometric evaluation (n = 5 for each coating at each time point). RESULTS: MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on EDMHA coated disks showed increased cell number, ALP, and osteocalcin secretion compared with the EDHA coated disks at all time points (P < 0.05 for all). Histologic observation of the coated implants showed woven bone in direct contact with both implant surfaces after 2 weeks and mature bone after 8 weeks. While there were no differences in the amount of bone between the threads at any time point, the percentage of implant in direct contact with bone (bone implant contact) was slightly higher along the EDMHA coated implants at 2 weeks (P = 0.086), although this difference was no longer seen at 4 and 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Mg-substituted HA coated surfaces promote osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts in vitro and may improve implant osseointegration during the early stages of bone healing compared with pure EDHA coated surfaces.

Effect of strontium-substituted nanohydroxyapatite coating of porous implant surfaces on implant osseointegration in a rabbit model.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of a strontium-substituted nanohydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) coating, deposited onto porous implant surfaces using an electrochemical process, on implant osseointegration in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surfaces were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), a portable surface roughness tester, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Thirty implants (half HA-coated and half Sr-HA-coated) were inserted into femurs of 15 rabbits. After 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the femurs were retrieved and prepared for histomorphometric evaluation. RESULTS: Microscopic examination showed a surface topography of rodlike crystals on both surfaces. XRD and FT-IR showed that the phase of the deposits was HA. No differences were found in surface roughness between the two groups. ICP-AES showed that the Sr/(Ca+Sr) molar ratio of Sr-HA coating was 10.1 mol%. Histologic observation showed that new bone appeared on both surfaces after 2 weeks and became mature after 8 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis showed no differences between the two groups in bone-to-implant contact at 2 weeks or in bone area within all threads at 2 and 4 weeks. The Sr-HA coated group had significantly higher bone-to-implant contact at 4 and 8 weeks. Significant differences were also found in bone area at 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that this Sr-HA coating, deposited using an electrochemical process, has the potential to enhance implant osseointegration.

Osteoblast response to porous titanium surfaces coated with zinc-substituted hydroxyapatite.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to deposit a zinc-hydroxyapatite (Zn-HA) coating on titanium surfaces by using the electrochemical process and investigate the cell response to the Zn-HA-coated titanium surface. STUDY DESIGN: Surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Murine preosteoblast cell (MC3T3-E1) proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteocalcin release on Zn-HA-coated surfaces were compared with HA-coated surfaces. RESULTS: Field-emission SEM observation showed rod-like HA crystals with a hexagonal cross-section on the HA-coated surface, although the hexagon of the cross-section of Zn-HA crystals became irregular. ICP-AES analysis showed that Zn was present in the Zn-HA coatings at a Zn/(Ca+Zn) molar ratio of 1.04%. Significant increases in cell proliferation, ALP activity on day 7, and osteocalcin production on day 14 (P < .05) were observed for Zn(2+)-containing HA-coated surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that a Zn-HA coating deposited by using the electrochemical process enhances proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, which has the potential benefit to enhance implant osseointegration.

Osteoblast response to puerarin-loaded porous titanium surfaces: an in vitro study.

Recent studies demonstrate puerarin stimulates bone formation, suggesting its potential application in dental implantology field. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of puerarin-loaded titanium surfaces on the promotion of osteogenesis in preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1). Puerarin was prepared onto titanium surfaces with varying concentration (10(-9) M, 10(-8) M, 10(-7) M, and 10(-6) M) by biomimetic calcium phosphate deposition process. Surface characteristics were performed by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FSEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Puerarin concentration in the coatings was performed by High-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) analyses. FSEM observation showed puerarin concentration influenced formation of sharp flakes in the coating. The size of flakes decreased with increase of puerarin concentrations. XRD and FTIR examinations demonstrated the puerarin concentration did not affect the chemical compositions of coatings, which composed of octacalcium phosphate (OCP). Puerarin concentration on the surfaces of 10(-8) M group was 10.22 ± 0.32 ng/cm(2) . Puerarin had an increased effect on MC3T3-E1 ALP activities. Significant differences were found in 10(-8) and 10(-7) M groups on day 4, 10(-8) , 10(-7) , and 10(-6) M groups on day 7, and 10(-8) on day 14. In Type I collagen synthesis assay, 10(-9) and 10(-8) M on day 7, 10(-8) on day 14 showed significant differences compared with control group. Furthermore, this stimulatory effect of puerarin was also observed in osteocalcin release assay (p < 0.05, at 10(-8) M and 10(-7) M, maximal at 10(-8) M). These results indicate puerarin-loaded titanium surfaces promote accelerated osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts, which has the potential to improve the nature of osseointegration.

Synthesized silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite coating on titanium substrate by electrochemical deposition.

Silicon-substituted hydroxyapaptite (Si-HA) coatings were prepared on titanium substrates by electrolytic deposition technique in electrolytes containing Ca(2+), PO(4)(3-) and SiO(3)(2-) ions with various SiO(3)(2-)/(PO(4)(3-) + SiO(3)(2-)) molar ratios (η(si)). The deposition was all conducted at a constant voltage of 3.0 V, with titanium substrate as cathode and platinum as anode, for 1 h at 85°C. The coatings thus prepared were characterized with inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission-type scanning electron microscope (FSEM). The results show that the silicon amount in the coatings increases linearly to about 0.48 wt% at first with increasing η(si) between 0 and 0.03, then increases slowly to about 0.55 wt% between 0.03 and 0.10 and finally maintains almost at a level around 0.55 wt% between 0.10 and 0.30. The tree-like Si-HA crystals are observed in the coatings prepared in the electrolyte of η(si) = 0.20. And the presence of silicon in electrolytes decreases the thickness of the coatings, with effect being more significant as η(si) increased. Additionally, the substitution of Si causes some OH(-) loss and changes the lattice parameters of hydroxyapatite (HA).

A novel method to synthesize hydroxyapatite coating with hierarchical structure.

A novel process has been developed for the preparation of a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating with a hierarchical structure on a Ti substrate. The Ti substrate was first subjected to electrolytic deposition at -1.6V (versus Ag/AgCl/KCl) in a solution of 0.042M Ca(NO(3))(2)·4H(2)O and 0.025M NH(4)H(2)PO(4) at 85°C for 3min, and then post-treated in a 0.25M NaOH solution, with the addition of 0.05M Na(3)Cit at 85°C for 5h. The experimental results showed that the coating experienced a phase conversion from octacalcium phosphate to HA after the post-treatment step. The HA coating had well-distributed, micro-sized pores comprising three-dimensional interconnected mesoporous HA belts, which would greatly increase the porosity and surface area of the coating.