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Volume effect on biological properties of a calcium phosphate hydraulic cement: experimental study in sheep.

Injectable calcium phosphate hydraulic cements (CPHC) are a new family of bone substitutes within the class of bone reconstruction biomaterials. In this work, CPHC were tested in two consistencies (preset blocks or liquid paste) in an experimental model of cancellous bone defect in sheep. The defects were eight times larger than those investigated previously in rabbits. Three delays (12, 24, and 52 weeks) were used. Before death, a double label of oxytetracycline and alizarine was made intravenously. The distribution of implants was randomized, histomorphometric evaluation was performed and compared with micrographic observation, and optical microscopy of stained sections was performed either under visible, ultraviolet, or polarized light. The results were compared with spontaneous healing of empty defects and with a control group of normal cancellous bone from sheeps of the same age. No significant difference has been observed between premolded and injected implants. In the sheep model, the degradation and new bone formation rates are three times slower, compared with those observed previously in rabbits. New bone formation increased from 5.9% (12 weeks) up to 11.0% (24 weeks) in the empty defect group. In the cement groups, 28.3% new bone was obtained at 12 weeks, which seemed then to level off (27.8% new bone at 24 weeks). Cement residues appear as radio-opaque cylinders on microradiographs. In all cases, a radiolucent layer was observed at the cement/bone interface at 24 weeks. Stained sections showed the formation of a fibroconnective capsule around the residual cement, which presumably slows down new bone formation. Nevertheless, quantitative bone remodeling was accelerated in the cement group; mineral apposition as well as adjusted apposition rates were higher, and the formation period as well as the mineralization of osteoid tissue were faster compared with empty cavities and controls. These results point to higher osteoblast activity and better exchange with surrounding tissues in the defects filled with cement.

Animals↗

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and magnetic studies on the effect of pore size, wall thickness, and wall composition on superparamagnetic cobaltocene mesoporous Nb, Ta, and Ti composites.

Recent results in our group demonstrated that mixed oxidation state mesoporous niobium oxide cobaltocene composites display superparamagnetism at certain composition ratios. This was the first report of superparamagnetism in nanoscale molecular ensembles. A series of mesoporous niobium oxide materials were synthesized in order to understand the role of pore size and thickness of the walls in the mesostructure on the magnetic properties. Mesoporous Ti oxide and Ta oxide composites were also synthesized in order to investigate the effect of changing the wall composition on the magnetic properties of this new series of materials. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption, ultraviolet spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. The results of this study showed that variation of wall thickness or pore size in the Nb system had little effect on the properties and that superparamagnetism most likely arises from mixed oxidation state cobaltocene grains residing in the individual pores and not from the free electrons in the mesostructure or much larger domains. The Langevin function was applied to the isothermal magnetic data from the Nb composites and gave mean superparamagnetic particle sizes of ca. 14 nm in each system. The Co(II) to Co(III) ratios in these materials were approximately 1:1. The Ti and Ta materials showed no sign of superparamagnetism and only very low levels of neutral cobaltocene in the pores. This suggests that a critical amount of cobaltocene is required to bring about superparamagnetic behavior.

Journal Article↗

Synergistic effect in an Au-Ag alloy nanocatalyst: CO oxidation.

Au-Ag alloy nanoparticles supported on mesoporous aluminosilicate have been prepared by one-pot synthesis using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) both as a stabilizing agent for nanoparticles and as a template for the formation of mesoporous structure. The formation of Au-Ag alloy nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Although the Au-Ag alloy nanoparticles have a larger particle size than the monometallic gold particles, they exhibited exceptionally high activity in catalysis for low-temperature CO oxidation. Even at a low temperature of 250 K, the reaction rate can reach 8.7 x 10(-6) mol.g(cat.)(-1).s(-1) at an Au/Ag molar ratio of 3/1. While neither monometallic Au@MCM-41 nor Ag@MCM-41 shows activity at this temperature, the Au-Ag alloy system shows a strongly synergistic effect in high catalytic activity. In this alloy system, the size effect is no longer a critical factor, whereas Ag is believed to play a key role in the activation of oxygen.

Alloys↗

Emulsion/solvent evaporation as an alternative technique in pellet preparation.

Paracetamol/Eudragit RS, paracetamol/ethylcellulose, and paracetamol/cellulose acetate pellets of different drug/polymer ratios (w/w) were prepared by the dissolution/solvent evaporation technique. These pellets were then characterized by particle size distribution analysis, ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hard gelatin capsules were filled with each particle size fraction of these pellets, and in vitro dissolution studies were performed to verify the capability of each series of pellets to control drug release. Pellets were spherical, presented a polynucleated microcapsule structure, and under certain experimental conditions, the yield of the preparation process reached very high values. The dissolution studies pointed out the slow paracetamol release from these pellets.

Acetaminophen↗

SiC/Tb and Si/Tb multilayer coatings for extreme ultraviolet solar imaging.

Narrowband SiC/Tb and Si/Tb multilayers are fabricated with as much as a 23% normal-incidence reflectance near a 60 nm wavelength and spectral bandpass (FWHM) values of 9.4 and 6.5 nm, respectively. The structural properties of the films are investigated using extreme ultraviolet and x-ray reflectometry and transmission electron microscopy. Thermal stability is investigated in films annealed to as high as 300 degrees C. Because of their superior thermal stability, relatively high reflectance, and narrower spectral bandpass, Si/Tb multilayers are identified as optimal candidates for solar physics imaging applications, where the peak response can be tuned to important emission lines such as O v near 63.0 nm and Mg x near 61.0 nm. We describe our experimental procedures and results, discuss the implications of our findings, and outline prospects for improved performance.

Journal Article↗

Novel method for preparing controllable and stable silver particle films for surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy.

A new surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrate has been developed based on our previous study. Small silver nanoparticles on a quartz slide can be enlarged by using a mixture of commercially available reagents called Silver Enhancer and Initiator. The optical properties and characteristics of the new substrate have been investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results indicate that the small silver nanoparticles grow and some silver aggregates emerge on the quartz slide after the slide is immersed into the Silver Enhancer and Initiator Mixture (SEIM). The average diameter of the silver nanoparticles on the substrate becomes approximately double after the immersion into SEIM for 20 s. 1,4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]-benzene (BPENB) was used as a Raman probe to evaluate the enhancement ability of the new silver substrate. It has been found that the SERS intensity can be increased about 10 times by using the substrate treated by SEIM compared with that without being treated by SEIM. Interestingly enough, the SERS enhancement increases with time. This may be due to the reorganization of silver nanoparticles on the quartz surface. The new substrate can remain active for more than 90 days. The adsorption mode of BPENB on the new substrate and the dependence of the BPENB configurations on the concentration of BPENB in methanol solution have also been investigated by SERS or UV-Vis spectroscopy. The SERS spectra of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) BPENB film adsorbed on a silver substrate treated by SEIM show that BPENB molecules are chemically absorbed through the Ag-N bond. Consequently, a nearly perpendicular orientation of BPENB on the silver surface is proposed. The SERS spectra of BPENB SAMs on the new substrates fabricated from methanol solutions with different concentrations are compared. The concentration dependence of the SERS spectra reveals that the BPENB molecules are adsorbed on the silver film as monomers when the film is prepared from the solution with a lower concentration (<4 x 10(-6) M) and as aggregates when it is prepared from the solution with a higher concentration (>1 x 10(-5) M).

Journal Article↗

Preparation and characterization of polybutylcyanoacrylate magnetic nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE: To Prepare and characterize polybutylcyanoacrylate (PBCA) magnetic nanoparticles. METHODS: The suspension of PBCA magnetic nanoparticles was prepared by emulsion polymerization method. The particle size, size distribution, polydispersity and other parameters were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the iron content in the nanoparticles by ultraviolet spectroscopy. RESULTS: The data of the particle size and size distribution of aqueous decanoic acid stabilized Fe3O4 magnetic fluids were acquired, and the influences of concentrations of butylcyanoacrylate (BCA) and Dextran-70 on the particle size and size distribution of PBCA magnetic nanoparticles were characterized. CONCLUSION: We have for the first time successfully prepared stable suspension of PBCA magnetic nanoparticles by emulsion polymerization method at pH 6.3-6.4 in aqueous medium.

Dextrans↗

[Studies on 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nano-micelles: preparation, characteristics, and drug releasing in vivo].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) belongs to antimetabolic anticancer drugs and its half-life time in vivo is only about 5 minutes. Continuous infusion (48 hours,72 hours,28 days) was commonly used to maintain long-time steady-state concentration (Css). So it is necessary to exploit new slow-release system for 5-FU. This article was designed to investigate the preparation technique,shape characteristics, and drug releasing characteristics in vivo of 5-FU loaded core-shell type nanoparticles which were made by biodegradable amphiphlic poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate)(PEG-PBLG). METHODS: The PEG-PBLG nano-micelles were prepared by diafiltration method. Its morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy and scan electron microscopy. Encapsulating efficiency of 5-FU was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The 5-FU releasing characteristics from nano-micelles in vivo were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: 5-FU loaded PEG-PBLG copolymer nano-micelles (5-FU/PEG-PBLG) was of round or ellipsic shape. The diameter of the micelles was 180-250 nm; the size of drug storeroom was about 200 nm and the thickness of hydrophilic zone was about 30 nm. The entrapment efficiency was (29.5+/-0.015)%. In control group, 5-FU is one-compartment in vivo; its half-life was 5.3 minutes; the maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) was 17047.3 microg/L; T(max) was the time of attaining C(max) of the end of infusion; the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was 6263.7 microg/L x min. However, the model of nano-micelles in vivo was typical release-drug of nano-micelles namely abrupt release-slow release; its t(1/2) was 63.2 minutes; C(max) was 4563.5 microg/L; T(max) was 1.25 hours; AUC was 5794.5 microg/Lxmin. Compared with 5-FU preparation, T(max) of 5-FU/PEG-PBLG was longer (P< 0.01);C(max) was lower (P< 0.01);t(1/2) was longer (P< 0.01); AUC was similar (P >0.01). CONCLUSION: The 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nano-micelles can change the pharmacokinetics of 5-FU, prolonging the circulation time in vivo and make a slow release.

Animals↗

Photo-control of the polyplexes formation between DNA and photo-cation generatable water-soluble polymers.

Photo-cation generatable water-soluble polymers (Mw: approximately 1x10(5)) were prepared by radical copolymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide and vinyl monomer of triphenylmethane leucohydroxide (malachite green), which generate a cation upon ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation at wavelengths of between 290 and 410 nm. The malachite green contents of the copolymers were 3.6 (0.4 mol%), 7.9 (0.7 mol%), and 15.0 (2.7 mol%) per molecule. When an aqueous solution of the photo-cationized copolymers generated by UV irradiation was mixed with a Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) of DNA (pGL3-control plasmid), dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements showed the formation of polyplexes between the cationic copolymers and anionic DNA by non-specific electrostatic interaction, which was visualized with a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLMS). Their mean cumulant diameter was about 150 nm with low polydispersity irrespective of the malachite green content in the copolymers. In the copolymer with the lowest malachite green content, almost all of the amount of the polyplexes was maintained by repeated UV irradiation, but the amount gradually decreased in the dark at 37 degrees C due to dissociation of the polyplexes, synchronized with the neutralization of the cation form of malachite green. The photo-cation generatable copolymers designed here can undergo photo-induced formation of the polyplexes with DNA and thermal polyplex dissociation, which may be used as a model for a novel photo-induced gene delivery system into cells.

Cations↗

An endocytic process in HEp-2 cells induced by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Infection of HEp-2 cells by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) was examined by transmission and scanning electronmicroscopy. EPEC strains of serogroups O111:K58 and O55:K59 recently isolated from human patients did not exhibit enterotoxic activity, as judged by the Vero-cell and suckling-mouse assays, or invasive ability as judged by the Sereny test. These strains attached to and penetrated HEp-2 cells. Transmission electronmicroscopy showed bacteria in close contact with cell membranes 15 min after infection; later, intense swelling and budding of membranes and penetration of EPEC into the cell cytoplasm occurred. Intracellular bacteria were enclosed in membrane-bound vacuoles in the cell cytoplasm underlying localised adherence sites observed by light microscopy. Scanning electronmicroscopy showed morphologically altered membranes only at the sites of bacterial attachment. Bacteria inactivated by ultraviolet light were not internalised and cytochalasin B (greater than or equal to 10 mg/L) markedly inhibited uptake. These observations suggest that penetration of EPEC into HEp-2 cells occurs by an endocytic process in metabolically active bacteria.

Animals↗

Alterations in dermal collagen in ultraviolet irradiated hairless mice.

Chronic exposure of the skin to sunlight results in severe dermal connective tissue damage that is characterized by the basophilic degeneration of collagen and the accumulation of an elastotic material. The aim of this study was to identify changes in collagen (the major structural protein of the skin) in ultraviolet irradiated mouse skin using immunochemical and biochemical techniques. Specific antibodies directed against the aminopropeptide of type III procollagen were used in immunofluorescence and immunoblotting studies. Immunofluorescent staining of irradiated and nonirradiated mice skin showed that the aminopropeptide of type III procollagen was distributed throughout the dermis in a pattern similar to that observed for type I collagen. Extracts of irradiated (5 and 10 weeks) and nonirradiated skins were then subjected to immunoblotting techniques. Levels of pN alpha 1, type III procollagen (measured by radioimmunoassay) were reduced in the extracts prepared from skins of mice that were irradiated for 5 and 10 weeks. Immunoelectron microscopy verified the loss of pN alpha 1 type III procollagen in irradiated skin. Collagen fibers of nonirradiated skin demonstrated normal labeling with antibody directed against the aminopropeptide of type III procollagen. In contrast, collagen fibers of 10 week irradiated skin failed to label with this antibody. The pN alpha 1 type III collagen is known to coat type I collagen fibers of normal skin. Therefore, its absence from the surface of type I collagen fibers of irradiated skin may play a role in the development of the elastotic material.

Animals↗

Impact of environmental factors on efficacy of upper-room air ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for inactivating airborne mycobacteria.

This study evaluated the efficacy of an upper-room air ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system for inactivating airborne bacteria, which irradiates the upper part of a room while minimizing radiation exposure to persons in the lower part of the room. A full-scale test room (87 m3), fitted with a UVGI system consisting of 9 louvered wall and ceiling fixtures (504 W all lamps operating) was operated at 24 and 34 degrees C, between 25 and 90% relative humidity, and at three ventilation rates. Mycobacterium parafortuitum cells were aerosolized into the room such that their numbers and physiologic state were comparable both with and without the UVGI system operating. Airborne bacteria were collected in duplicate using liquid impingers and quantified with direct epifluorescent microscopy and standard culturing assay. Performance of the UVGI system degraded significantly when the relative humidity was increased from 50% to 75-90% RH, the horizontal UV fluence rate distribution was skewed to one side compared to being evenly dispersed, and the room air temperature was stratified from hot at the ceiling to cold at the floor. The inactivation rate increased linearly with effective UV fluence rate up to 5 microW cm(-2); an increase in the fluence rate above this level did not yield a proportional increase in inactivation rate.

Air Microbiology↗

Epidermal Langerhans cells undergo mitosis during the early recovery phase after ultraviolet-B irradiation.

We studied the recovery phase of immune response-associated (Ia)-positive or ATPase-positive epidermal Langerhans cells (ELCs) after ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced depletion by using mouse ear epidermal sheets. An area 3 mm in diameter was irradiated with 300 nm UVB light (40 mJ/cm2). A time sequence study was carried out to 56 days. During this period the Ia-positive ELC population increased stepwise, i.e., first a rapid increase between day 7 and day 14, which we called the early recovery phase, and next a gradual increase between day 42 and day 56, which we called the late recovery phase. During the early recovery phase, we found polymorphous ELCs in the irradiated area which were giant or normal in size, dendritic or round in shape, and single or paired in distribution. Electron microscopy revealed some of round and some of paired ATPase-positive ELCs to be in metaphase or telophase of mitotic division. Within the entire observation period of our study, there was no evidence suggesting migration of ELCs from hair follicles or from the nonirradiated epidermis. These findings indicated that mitosis of ELCs contribute to their repopulation during the early recovery phase.

Animals↗