Biomedical subjects

F Z Cui

Publications and source records attributed to F Z Cui.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Bone growth in biomimetic apatite coated porous Polyactive 1000PEGT70PBT30 implants.

We recently, developed a simple one-day one-step incubation method to obtain bone-like apatite coating on flexible and biodegradable Polyactive 1000PEGT70PBT30. The present study reports a preliminary biological evaluation on the coated polymer after implantation in rabbit femurs. The porous cylindrical implants were produced from a block fabricated by injection molding and salt leaching. This technique provided the block necessary mechanical integrity to make small cylinders (diameter 3.5 x 5 mm2) that were suitable for implantation in rabbits. The coating continuously covered the surface of the polymer, preserving the porous architecture of outer contour of the cylinders. Two defects with a diameter of 3.5 or 4 mm were drilled in the proximal and distal part of femur diaphysis. The implants were inserted as press-fit or undersized into the cortex as well as in the marrow cavity. The polymer swelled after implantation due to hydration, leading to a tight contact with the surrounding bone in both defects. The adherence of the coating on the polymer proved to be sufficient to endure a steam sterilization process as well as the 15% swelling of the polymer in vivo. The coated Polyactive 1000PEGT70PBT30 has a good osteoconductive property, as manifested by abundant bone growth into marrow cavity along the implant surface during 4-week implantation. A favorable bioactive effect of the coating with an intimate bone contact and extensive bone bonding with this polymer was qualitatively confirmed. Concerning the bone ingrowth into the porous implant in the defect of 4 mm diameter, only marginal bone formation was observed up to 8 weeks with a maximal penetration depth of about 1 mm. The pore interconnectivity is important not only for producing a coating inside the porous structure but also for bone ingrowth into this biodegradable material. This preliminary study provided promising evidence for a further study using a bigger animal model.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Mechanical properties of skeletal bone in gene-mutated stöpsel(dtl28d) and wild-type zebrafish (Danio rerio) measured by atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation.

An atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanoindenter was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of skeletal bones in wild-type and gene-mutated zebrafish (Danio rerio), stöpsel(dtl28d). Both skeletons were isolated from adult zebrafish and tested under a load of 5 mN. It was found that stp/stp bone has a similar nanohardness but significantly greater elastic modulus compared with that of wild-type bone. The residual indenter impressions using AFM and the fracture surfaces of both bones using scanning electron microscopy were examined and showed that the bone of zebrafish becomes more brittle after the stp mutation. This first observation of the alteration of bone mechanical behavior by gene mutation in zebrafish system is of scientific and clinical relevance to many areas of study, such as bone fracture and fragility mechanisms in human heritable disorders and bone-materials fabrication via gene engineering.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Connective tissue orientation around dental implants in a canine model.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the orientation of collagen in the canine gingival connective tissue to a titanium surface (TI), and to hydroxyapatite coatings applied by plasma-spraying (HAPS) and ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD), on the supracrestal region of dental implants after 3 and 4 months. The effects of induced peri-implantitis on the soft connective tissue apposed to the implant were also evaluated. The use of these three surface types allowed for the evaluation of the effects of chemical composition (TI vs. IBAD; same topography) and topography (HAPS vs. IBAD; similar chemical composition) on the collagen fiber orientation. The majority of collagen fibers were found to be parallel to the implant surface, and there was no significant effect of surface type on orientation. There was a significant effect of inflammation on the connective tissue attachment length. The loss of bone height and concomitant gingival recession reduced the length of soft connective tissue apposed to the implant zone designed for collagen fiber attachment.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

A mechanistic study of the antibacterial effect of silver ions on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

To investigate the mechanism of inhibition of silver ions on microorganisms, two strains of bacteria, namely Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), were treated with AgNO(3) and studied using combined electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Similar morphological changes occurred in both E. coli and S. aureus cells after Ag(+) treatment. The cytoplasm membrane detached from the cell wall. A remarkable electron-light region appeared in the center of the cells, which contained condensed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules. There are many small electron-dense granules either surrounding the cell wall or depositing inside the cells. The existence of elements of silver and sulfur in the electron-dense granules and cytoplasm detected by X-ray microanalysis suggested the antibacterial mechanism of silver: DNA lost its replication ability and the protein became inactivated after Ag(+) treatment. The slighter morphological changes of S. aureus compared with E. coli recommended a defense system of S. aureus against the inhibitory effects of Ag(+) ions.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2000

Formation of calcium phosphate/collagen composites through mineralization of collagen matrix.

Several types of calcium phosphate/collagen composites, including noncrystalline calcium phosphate/collagen, poorly crystalline carbonate-apatite (PCCA)/collagen, and PCCA + tetracalcium phosphate/collagen composites, were prepared through the mineralization of collagen matrix. The type I collagen was presoaked with a PO(3-)(4) containing solution and then immersed in a Ca(2+) containing solution to allow mineral deposition. The solution of 0.56 M sodium dibasic phosphate (Na(2)HPO(4)) with a pH of nearly 14 was metastable and its crystallization produced Na(2)HPO(4) and sodium tripolyphosphate hexahydrate (Na(5)P(3)O(10)). 6H(2)O), leading to a controlled release of orthophosphate ions during the subsequent mineral precipitation. The development of the composites was investigated in detail. The mineral contributed up to 60-70% of the weight of the final composites. The strength and Young's modulus of the composites in tensile tests overlapped the lower range of values reported for bone. When implanted in muscle tissue, the composite showed biodegradability that was partly through a multinucleated giant cell mediated process. In a bone explant culture model it was observed that bone-derived cells deposited mineralizing collagenous matrix on the composite.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations of a highly adhesive hydroxyapatite coating/titanium interface fabricated by ion-beam-assisted deposition.

An atomic intermixing layer, 25 nm in width, has been identified by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis at the ceramic/metal interface of a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating/titanium implant prepared by an ion-beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) technique and post-heat-treatment process. The detailed interfacial microstructure revealed a gradient evolution of both the structure and composition of the interfacial phases from the titanium substrate to HA coatings. An enhancement of the tensile bond strength was found and was attributed to the possible chemical bonding at the ceramic/metal interface.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed1999

Three-dimensional nano-HAp/collagen matrix loading with osteogenic cells in organ culture.

Transplantation of osteogenic cells with a suitable matrix is one strategy for engineering bone tissue. Three-dimensional distribution and growth of cells within the porous scaffold are of clinical significance for the repair of large bony defects. A nano-HAp/collagen (nHAC) composite that mimics the natural bone both in composition and microstructure to some extent was employed as a matrix for the tissue engineering of bone. A porous nHAC composite was produced in sheet form and convolved to be a three-dimensional scaffold. Using organ culture techniques and the convolving method, we have developed three-dimensional osteogenic cells/nHAC constructs in vitro. Scanning electron microscopic and histological examination has demonstrated the development of the cells/material complex. Spindle-shaped cells migrating out of bone fragments continuously proliferated and migrated throughout the network of the coil. The porous nHAC scaffold provided a microenvironment resembling that seen in vivo, and cells within the composite eventually acquired a tridimensional polygonal shape. In addition, new bone matrix was synthesized at the interface of bone fragments and the composite.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Low-temperature crystallization of calcium phosphate coatings synthesized by ion-beam-assisted deposition.

Crystallization temperature of the amorphous calcium phosphate coating synthesized by ion-beam-assisted deposition successfully was decreased to 400 degrees C for the making of orthopedic implants with better qualities. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate the morphological and structural evolution of the crystals in the coating during post-heat treatment. The crystallization of calcium phosphate coating is a hydroxyl-diffusion-controlled process, which is thought to be the mechanism responsible for the decrease of the crystallization temperature. In addition, the detailed crystallization process of calcium phosphate coating is elaborated in the present paper. The results show that the crystallinity of the hydroxyapatite coating can be well controlled by adjusting the post-heat-treatment time.

Alloys↗

PubMed1999

F+ ion implantation induced cell attachment on intraocular lens.

Cell attachment on the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intraocular lens (IOL) was studied by ion implantation. F+ ion implantation was performed at an energy of 80 keV with fluences ranging from 5 x 10(12) to 5 x 10(15) ions/cm2 at room temperature. The cell attachment tests gave interesting results in that the number of the platelets, the neutral granulocytes, and the macrophages adhering on the surface of the IOLs was reduced significantly after F+ ion implantation. The optimal fluence was about 3 x 10(14) to 4 x 10(14) ions/cm2. The hydrophobicity imparted to the surface was also monitored. At the same time, no appreciable change in the tensile strength and the optical transmittance of the implanted samples was observed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) analysis showed that F+ ion implantation caused the cleavage of some pendants, the oxidation of the surface, and the formation of some new F-containing groups. These results were responsible for the cell attachment changes.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed1998

Tissue response to nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen composite implants in marrow cavity.

The tissue response to a nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen composite implanted in a marrow cavity was investigated by histology and scanning electron microscopy. A Knoop microhardness test was performed to compare the mechanical behavior of the composite and bone. The ultrastructural features of the composite, especially the carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite with low crystallinity and nanometer size, made it a bone-resembling material. It was bioactive, as well as biodegradable. At the interface of the implant and marrow tissue, solution-mediated dissolution and giant cell mediated resorption led to the degradation of the composite. Interfacial bone formation by osteoblasts was also evident. The process of implant degradation and bone substitution was reminiscent of bone remodeling. The composite can be incorporated into bone metabolism instead of being a permanent implant. For lack of the hierarchical organization similar to that of bone, the composite exhibited an isotropic mechanical behavior. However, the resistance of the composite to localized pressure could reach the lower limit of that of the femur compacta.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Preparation of calcium phosphate coatings on titanium implant materials by simple chemistry.

A two-step chemical treatment has been developed in our group to prepare commercially pure titanium (cpTi) surfaces that will allow calcium phosphate (Ca-P) precipitation during immersion in a supersaturated calcification solution (SCS) with ion concentrations of [Ca2+] = 3.10 mM and [HPO4(2-)] = 1.86 mM. It was observed that a precalcification (Pre-Ca) procedure prior to immersion could significantly accelerate the Ca-P deposition process. In this work, the bioactivity of chemically treated cpTi and Ti6Al4V was further verified by applying commercially available Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS), an SCS with very low ion concentrations of [Ca2+] = 1.26 mM and [HPO4(2-)] = 0.779 mM, as the immersion solution. It was found that a uniform and very dense apatite coating magnesium impurities was formed if the Pre-Ca procedure was performed before immersion, as compared with the loose Ca-P layer obtained from the abovementioned high concentration of SCS. The formation of a microporous titanium dioxide thin surface layer on cpTi or Ti6Al4V by the two-step chemical treatment could be the main reason for the induction of apatite nucleation and growth from HBSS. Variations of pH values, Ca and P concentrations, and immersion time in HBSS were investigated to reveal the detailed process of Ca-P deposition. The described treatments provide a simple chemical method to prepare Ca-P coatings on both cpTi and Ti6Al4V.

Alloys↗

PubMed1998

Antimicrobial effects of metal ions (Ag+, Cu2+, Zn2+) in hydroxyapatite.

The antimicrobial ceramics (AC) based on hydroxyapatite (HA) were made in a wet chemical process with additions of AgNO3, Cu(NO3)2. 3H2O and Zn(NO3)2. 6H2O. The ACs were composed of metal-ion substituted hydroxyapatite and nitrate-apatite, which was identified by X-ray diffraction. The viable count and turbidity measurement was adopted to observe the antimicrobial effects of the various ACs. The aerobic Escherichia coli was used in the study. An obvious antimicrobial effect against E. coli was observed in Ag+ AC. In contrast to Ag+ AC, it was difficult to ascertain any bactericidal effect in the case of Cu2+ and Zn2+ AC. The bactericidal effect of Ag+ was observed using a dialysis tube experiment. This suggests that Ag+ dissolved out and reacted with E. coli, thus inhibiting its growth.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Preparation of bioactive microporous titanium surface by a new two-step chemical treatment.

Microporous oxide layers allowing fast deposition of calcium phosphate layers (CPLs) were formed on commercially pure titanium (c.p.Ti) after the application of a newly developed two-step chemical treatment. The micropores were of submicrometre size. The two-step treatment was carried out by etching c.p.Ti samples with HCl and H2SO4 first and then treating them in boiling 0.2 N NaOH solution at 140 degrees C for 5 h. Conformal CPLs, about 20 microm thick, were deposited on the two-step treated c.p.Ti surface by means of a two-day immersion in an in vitro supersaturated calcification solution. The CPL was characterized to be mainly composed of two sublayers, i.e. an outside loose octacalcium phosphate crystal sublayer and an inside dense carbonated apatite sublayer. A scratching test indicated that the apatite sublayer was strongly bonded to the c.p.Ti substrate. Moreover, it was observed that the untreated or single-step treated c.p.Ti surfaces are not only morphologically different from one another but significantly different from the two-step treated one, in that no precipitation was observed on them up to 14 d immersion in the same calcification solution. It is indicated that the two-step chemical treatment is a simple and easily controllable method to prepare bioactive titanium surfaces and subsequently to induce the rapid precipitation of conformal and adherent CPL from in vitro supersaturated calcification solutions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Microstructural features of non-union of human humeral shaft fracture.

Microstructures of non-unions of human humeral shaft fractures were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray microdiffraction. The non-union has a trabeculae structural framework similar to woven bone. Among the trabeculae are cavities that are subdivided into small chambers by thin plates of collagen fibrils. Some chambers are filled with variously shaped mineralized particles several micrometers in size. The collagen fibrils in both the trabeculae and the thin plates were only slightly mineralized by hydroxyapatite. Vesicles loaded with noncrystalline calcium phosphate (NCP) were observed in most mineralized particles, and brushite crystals with special morphology were seen to be embedded in some particles in irregular shapes. X-ray microdiffraction results indicated that the mineral phases in the non-unions were mainly NCP in addition to small amounts of hydroxyapatite and brushite. NCP deposition and insufficient mineralization of the collagen fibrils may be two important microstructural features of the non-unions of human humeral shaft fractures different from normally repaired bone callus.

Bony Callus↗

PubMed1997

Fast precipitation of calcium phosphate layers on titanium induced by simple chemical treatments.

A simple two-step chemical treatment, i.e. etching with HCl and H2SO4 followed by immersion in boiling dilute NaOH solution, has been developed by our group to prepare bioactive microporous titanium surfaces allowing fast deposition of a calcium phosphate layer (CPL) from an in vitro supersaturated calcification solution (SCS). In this work, a precalcification (Pre-Ca) procedure was applied by soaking the two-step treated titanium in Na2HPO4 and then saturated Ca(OH)2 solution before immersion in SCS to accelerate further the CPL precipitation. The treated titanium surfaces with Pre-Ca were characterized after 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 h of immersion in SCS by means of scanning electron microscopy together with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption analysis. It was observed that the CPL precipitation rate with Pre-Ca averaged 1 microm h-1, twice as fast as without Pre-Ca. No precipitation was observed on untreated titanium with Pre-Ca up to day 14 of immersion in the SCS.

Calcium Hydroxide↗

PubMed1997

A simple method to prepare calcium phosphate coatings on Ti6Al4V.

A two-step chemical treatment followed by immersion in a supersaturated calcification solution (SCS) was found to be a simple way to prepare calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coatings on Ti6Al4V. The Ca-P deposition on the treated metallic surfaces could be accelerated by employing a pre-calcification (Pre-Ca) procedure prior to immersion in SCS. The two-step treatment was performed by etching the metallic plates with a mixture of HCl and H2SO4 followed by ageing in boiling diluted NaOH solution at 140 degrees C. Pre-Ca was carried out by incubating the two-step treated plates in Na2HPO4 solution and then in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution. The formation of a bioactive microporous surface oxide layer on Ti6Al4V by the two-step treatment was most probably responsible for the induction of Ca-P precipitation. The deposition rates and compositions of Ca-P coatings in two different SCSs were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrophotometry.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Highly adhesive hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium alloy formed by ion beam assisted deposition.

A compact crystalline hydroxyapatite coating on Ti-6Al-4V substrate with an atomic intermixed coating/substrate interface about 27 nm in width was synthesized by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) and a following post-treatment. The coating after post-treatment was identified by X-ray diffraction as crystalline hydroxyapatite. The interface between coatings and substrates was studied by Auger electron spectroscopy. The adhesive strength between coatings and substrates was measured by scratch tester. The results showed that the adhesive strength of IBAD coatings is nearly twice that of ion beam sputtered coatings. The study also showed that coatings prepared by IBAD eliminated the interfacial deficiencies existing in plasma-sprayed coatings.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Microstructure and micromechanical properties of the mid-diaphyses of human fetal femurs.

The microstructure, composition and the micromechanical properties across the thickness of femoral mid-diaphyses from 14 to 26 week human fetuses have been investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to examine structural changes with maturation. The fetal bones consist of layers of woven bone. From young to old fetuses and from outer to inner bone layers, the collagen fibrils become more cross-linked, densely packed and change from disordered to an ordered arrangement. The collagen fibril bundles are also more preferentially oriented and change from a chiefly circumferential to longitudinal direction. The sizes of the apatite crystals also increase with age. The Ca/P ratio remains constant around 1.55 for all the bone layers except the outmost layer which is lower than 1.2. An nano-indenter was used to evaluate the microhardness and elastic modulus of each bone layer. The increase of microhardness and elastic modulus correlates with the maturation of bone. The mechanical properties of the mid-diaphyses of human fetal femurs are anisotropic, which is due to the preferential orientation of collagen fibrils.

Collagen↗