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Background The use of surface coatings to enhance the properties lacking in titanium has attracted significant focus in recent times. Hafnium nitride (HfN) coatings could be explored as promising in the osteoinductive properties of titanium implants. HfN exhibits excellent mechanical attributes, such as hardness and wear resistance, and is often used as a coating on high-end equipment for protection. The findings from this research may carve a new path for the production and optimization of HfN coatings to enhance the longevity and augment properties of implant materials. Thus, the present study was orchestrated to elucidate the surface morphology of HfN coating, ultimately contributing to the advancement of dental implant biomaterials. Materials and methods A total of twenty samples of medical grade commercially pure titanium screws (2 mm diameter and 7 mm length) were procured from G. R. Bioure Surgical System Pvt. Ltd., Ravali, Uttar Pradesh, India, and ten samples were reacted with HfN (0.1 M) (Nano Research Elements, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India) in 100% ethanol and stirred continuously for about 48 hours. Then these screw samples were immersed in the prepared colloidal suspension and sintered for two hours at 400 degrees centigrade. The implant screws were affixed onto metal supports. The magnifications for photomicrographs at ×30, ×200, ×1,500, ×3,000, and ×5,000 were standardized. Elementary semi-quantitative analysis of both dental implants was conducted using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) coupled with the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) equipment (JEOL Ltd., Akishima, Tokyo, Japan). The software used for the analysis of the obtained images is SEM Center. Results The surface analysis using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed the coating of HfN over titanium screws. The difference in surface morphology of both the group of implant screws can be visualized under 40.0 and 10.0 mm working distance (WD) for both groups. The surface analysis using the EDX of uncoated titanium screws shows five elements in the spectrum: titanium (Ti), oxygen (O), aluminum (Al), carbon (C), and vanadium (V). The EDX of the HfN-coated screws has two additional metals dispersed in the spectrum, hafnium (Hf). The element characteristics are tabulated with their apparent concentration, k ratio, line type, weight percentage, standard label, and factory label for uncoated titanium screws and HfN-coated titanium screws. Conclusion The study evaluated HfN coating over medical grade commercially pure titanium. The surface topography of coated versus uncoated was visualized. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed a homogenous coating over the titanium surfaces, and the EDX showed elemental dispersion of the coated implant. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the coating's surface morphology, which will aid in the development of more durable and biocompatible implants. This thereby provides a promising scope for further research of this novel metal coating for use in the biomedical sectors, specifically for dental implants.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Active mucosal Chronic Otitis Media (COM) is an important cause of preventable hearing loss particularly in the developing world and may have long term effects on early communication, language development, school performance and social interaction. AIM: This study aimed to isolate the bacterial flora in the middle ear of patients suffering from active mucosal COM in Idukki district of Kerala and also to study the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of these organisms to commonly used antimicrobial agents. METHODS: This was a clinical prospective observational study conducted over a period of 3 years involving 137 patients of all age groups, who were clinically diagnosed with active mucosal COM. The inclusion criteria were patients presenting with a central tympanic membrane perforation and ear discharge (either unilateral or bilateral) of more than 3 months duration. RESULTS: Microbial growth was seen in 128 (94.1%) patients with aerobic bacteria (83.5%), anaerobic bacteria (6.25%) and fungi (7%), of which Pseudomonas aeruginosa (39.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (31.2%) were the most predominant etiological agents for active mucosal COM. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed highest susceptibility to Piperacillin-Tazobactam combination and highest resistance to Ampicillin, while Staphylococcus aureus showed highest susceptibility to Gentamicin and highest resistance to Ampicillin and Ceftriaxone. CONCLUSION: The increasing trends in the antibiotic resistance pattern in Staphylococcus aureus over the years poses a threat to Idukki district, Kerala. Due to the irrational use of antimicrobials, multi-drug resistant bacterial strains are frequent, and so, there is need for continuous surveillance of the local microbiological profile of active mucosal COM.
