Novel speed sintered zirconia by microwave technology

ObjectiveContinuous efforts have been made to hasten the zirconia densification process without compromising properties. This study evaluated the long-term structural durability of microwave speed-sintered zirconia (MWZ) relative to a conventionally sintered zirconia (CZ).MethodsAs-machined dental 3Y-TZP discs (Ø12 × 1.2 mm) were speed sintered at 1450 °C for 15 min using an industrial microwave oven, while conventional sintering was conducted in a standard dental furnace at 1530 °C for 2 h. Both were followed by natural cooling. The total sintering time was 105 min for MWZ and 600 min for CZ. Groups were compared regarding density, grain size, phase composition, and fracture resistance. Structural durability was investigated employing two fatigue protocols, step-stress and dynamic fatigue.ResultsCompared to CZ, MWZ exhibited a slightly lower density (MWZ = 5.98 g/cm³, CZ = 6.03 g/cm³), but significantly smaller grain sizes (MWZ = 0.53 ± 0.09 μm, CZ = 0.89 ± 0.10 μm), lower cubic-zirconia contents (MWZ = 15.3%, CZ = 22.7%), and poorer translucency properties (TP) (MWZ = 13 ± 1, CZ = 29 ± 0.8). However, the two materials showed similar flexural strength (MWZ = 978 ± 112 MPa, CZ = 1044 ± 161 MPa). Additionally, step-stress testing failed to capture the fatigue effect in 3Y-TZP, whereas dynamic fatigue revealed structural degradation due to moisture-assisted slow-crack-growth (SCG). Finally, MWZ possessed a slightly higher Weibull modulus (MWZ = 7.9, CZ = 6.7) but similar resistance to SCG (MWZ = 27.5, CZ = 24.1) relative to CZ.SignificanceDental 3Y-TZP with similar structural durability can be fabricated six-times faster by microwave than conventional sintering.     

Microstructures in shells of the freshwater gastropod Viviparus viviparus: A potential sensor for temperature change?

Mollusk shells contain a plethora of information on past climate variability. However, only a limited toolkit is currently available to reconstruct such data from the shells. The environmental data of some proxies (e.g. Sr/Ca ratios) is obscured by physiological effects, whereas other proxies, such as δ¹⁸O, simultaneously provide information on two or more different environmental variables. The present study investigates whether microstructures of the freshwater gastropod Viviparus viviparus provide an alternative means to reconstruct past water temperature. Cold and highly variable temperature regimes resulted in the precipitation of highly unordered first-order lamellae of simple crossed-lamellar (XLM) structures if new shell formed from scratch. However, during stable and warm conditions, well-ordered first-order lamellae were laid down irrespective of pre-existing shell material. Homogeneous first-order lamellae also formed during times of cold and highly variable temperatures if the new shell was deposited onto existing shell material with well-ordered first-order lamellae. The growth front seems to contain instructions for building specific microstructure variants, irrespective of environmental conditions. However, if this template is missing, the animal forms a deviating microstructure. Under extremely stressful situations (e.g. removal from habitat, calcein staining, extreme temperature shifts), the gastropod precipitates an evolutionarily older microstructure (irregular simple prisms) rather than XLM structures. These shell portions were macroscopically described as disturbance lines. In addition, repetitive, presumably periodic growth patterns were observed, which consisted of gradually changing third-order lamellae between consecutive faint, organic-rich growth lines. These growth patterns were probably controlled by intrinsic biological clocks and exhibited a two-daily periodicity. The results of this study may provide the basis for using changes in the microstructure of shell sections as a new sensor (environmental proxy) for past water temperature.     

Osteoclast resorption of beta-tricalcium phosphate controlled by surface architecture

A resorbable bone graft substitute should mimic native bone in its capacity to support bone formation and be remodeled by osteoclasts (OCl) or other multinucleated cells such as foreign body giant cells (FBGC). We hypothesize that by changing the scale of surface architecture of beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP), cellular resorption can be influenced. CD14⁺ monocyte precursors were isolated from human peripheral blood (n = 4 independent donors) and differentiated into OCl or FBGC on the surface of TCP discs comprising either submicron- or micron-scale surface topographical features (TCPs and TCPb, respectively). On submicrostructured TCPs, OCl survived, fused, differentiated, and extensively resorbed the substrate; however, on microstructured TCPb, OCl survival, TRAP activation, and fusion were attenuated. Importantly, no resorption was observed on microstructured TCPb. By confocal microscopy, OCl formed on TCPs contained numerous actin rings allowing for resorption, but not on TCPb. In comparison, FBGC could not resorb either TCP material, suggesting that osteoclast-specific machinery is necessary to resorb TCP. By tuning surface architecture, it appears possible to control osteoclast resorption of calcium phosphate. This approach presents a useful strategy in the design of resorbable bone graft substitutes.     

The influence of age on adaptive bone formation and bone resorption

Bone is a tissue with enormous adaptive capacity, balancing resorption and formation processes. It is known that mechanical loading shifts this balance towards an increased formation, leading to enhanced bone mass and mechanical performance. What is not known is how this adaptive response to mechanical loading changes with age. Using dynamic micro-tomography, we show that structural adaptive changes of trabecular bone within the tibia of living mice subjected to two weeks of in vivo cyclic loading are altered by aging. Comparisons of 10, 26 and 78 weeks old animals reveal that the adaptive capacity diminishes. Strikingly, adaptation was asymmetric in that loading increases formation more than it reduces resorption. This asymmetry further shifts the (re)modeling balance towards a net bone loss with age. Loading results in a major increase in the surface area of mineralizing bone. Interestingly, the resorption thickness is independent of loading in trabecular bone in all age groups. This data suggests that during youth, mechanical stimulation induces the recruitment of bone modeling cells whereas in old age, only bone forming cells are affected. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the processes that guide skeletal aging in mice as well as in other mammals.     

催化剂用量与反应时间对乙交酯-丙交酯5050共聚物微结构的影响

以辛酸亚锡为催化剂,通过本体开环聚合制备了丙交酯与乙交酯摩尔比为1∶1的乙交酯-丙交酯(poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid),PLGA)5050共聚物。1 H和13 C-NMR结果表明,共聚物组成与单体投料比基本一致,聚合过程中酯交换反应导致序列结构重新分布,随反应时间的延长和催化剂用量的增多,共聚物的二级酯交换系数(TⅡ[LGL]或TⅡ[GLG])逐渐增大。共聚物平均序列长度(L LL或L GG)随反应时间的延长和催化剂用量的增多而逐渐减小,催化剂用量较多时,减小更为显著,共聚物由微嵌段向无规结构的方向转变。当催化剂用量为0.05%时,反应速度更温和,反应时间调控范围更大,更容易得到L GG为3~5的微嵌段共聚物。     

In vitro biocompatibility of CoCrMo dental alloys fabricated by selective laser melting

Objective

Selective laser melting (SLM) is increasingly used for the fabrication of customized dental components made of metal alloys such as CoCrMo. The main aim of the present study is to elucidate the influence of the non-equilibrium microstructure obtained by SLM on corrosion susceptibility and extent of metal release (measure of biocompatibility).

Methods

A multi-analytical approach has been employed by combining microscopic and bulk compositional tools with electrochemical techniques and chemical analyses of metals in biologically relevant fluids for three differently SLM fabricated CoCrMo alloys and one cast CoCrMo alloy used for comparison.

Results

Rapid cooling and strong temperature gradients during laser melting resulted in the formation of a fine cellular structure with cell boundaries enriched in Mo (Co depleted), and suppression of carbide precipitation and formation of a martensitic ? (hcp) phase at the surface. These features were shown to decrease the corrosion and metal release susceptibility of the SLM alloys compared with the cast alloy. Unique textures formed in the pattern of the melting pools of the three different laser melted CoCrMo alloys predominantly explain observed small, though significant, differences. The susceptibility for corrosion and metal release increased with an increased number (area) of laser melt pool boundaries.

Significance

This study shows that integrative and interdisciplinary studies of microstructural characteristics, corrosion, and metal release are essential to assess and consider during the design and fabrication of CoCrMo dental components of optimal biocompatibility. The reason is that the extent of metal release from CoCrMo is dependent on fabrication procedures.     

Characterization of a polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network material

Objectives

To characterize the microstructure and determine some mechanical properties of a polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (PICN) material (Vita Enamic, Vita Zahnfabrik) available for CAD–CAM systems.

Methods

Specimens were fabricated to perform quantitative and qualitative analyses of the material's microstructure and to determine the fracture toughness (K_Ic), density (ρ), Poisson's ratio (ν) and Young's modulus (E). K_Ic was determined using V-notched specimens and the short beam toughness method, where bar-shaped specimens were notched and 3-point loaded to fracture. ρ was calculated using Archimedes principle, and ν and E were measured using an ultrasonic thickness gauge with a combination of a pulse generator and an oscilloscope.

Results

Microstructural analyses showed a ceramic- and a polymer-based interpenetrating network. Mean and standard deviation values for the properties evaluated were: K_Ic = 1.09 ± 0.05 MPa m^1/2, ρ = 2.09 ± 0.01 g/cm³, ν = 0.23 ± 0.002 and E = 37.95 ± 0.34 GPa.

Significance

The PICN material showed mechanical properties between porcelains and resin-based composites, reflecting its microstructural components.     

Cocaine facilitation of prefrontal cortex self-stimulation: a microstructural and pharmacological analysis

A novel self-stimulation methodology involving a fixed-interval (FI-5 s) schedule of reinforcement, microanalysis and threshold evaluation was used to investigate the effects of cocaine on rats lever pressing for electrical stimulation of the prefrontal cortex. Cocaine (15 mg/kg) increased medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) self-stimulation rates under FI-5 by a mean of 269% and reduced current thresholds for self-stimulation. A similar facilitation was evident with self-stimulation of the sulcal prefrontal cortex. Microanalysis showed that cocaine decreased inter-response times and post-reinforcement pauses, increased responding in the second and third quartiles of the inter-reinforcement interval (IRI) and decreased responding in the fourth IRI quartile. Schedule control of responding was still evident following cocaine despite the profound facilitation of response rates. Increased response rates were seen up to 48 h following a single dose of cocaine, suggesting sensitization of the PFC reinforcement substrate. The acute effects of cocaine on MPC self-stimulation were completely reversed by the dopamine (DA) D₁ antagonist SCH 23390 0.02 mg/kg) and the D₂ antagonist raclopride (0.3 mg/kg) but not by naloxone (0.5 mg/kg). These results are consistent with previous studies demonstrating the PFC as part of the neural substrate mediating cocaine reward. Further, these results implicate DA receptors in the reinforcing properties of both cocaine and MPC self-stimulation.     

Bidirectional changes in the consumption of food produced by β-carbolines

β-Carboline derivatives provide examples of benzodiazepine receptor ligands which span the range: full agonist-partial agonist-antagonist-partial inverse agonist-full inverse agonist. Taken together, the effects of these compounds illustrate two important principles: firstly, the bidirectionality of effects which can be achieved using benzodiazepine receptor ligands; secondly, the selectivity of effects which are produced by partial agonists. Applied to the study of feecling processes, these principles imply that both hyperphagic and anorectic effects can be generated by actions of selected ligands at benzodiazepine receptors. Furthermore, they suggest that a hyperphagic effect may occur in the absence of side-effects (e.g., sedation, muscle-relaxation), which are characteristic of classical benzodiazepines. Experimental data in support of these predictions are presented. A microstructural approach to feecling behaviour indicated that a benzodiazepine receptor agonist and an inverse agonist extend and abbreviate, respectively, the duration of individual bouts of eating. Preference for a saccharin solution was attenuated by the β-carboline inverse agonist, FG 7142, but rejection of a quinine solution was not increased. Adrenalectomy had no effect on the anorectic effect of inverse agonists.     

人皮质骨微管道结构的三维重建

目的　探讨一种从切片图像反求建模的方法,并对人皮质骨微管道三维结构行形态观察。方法　采用人桡骨中段为研究对象,经过预处理、脱水、包埋,利用连续切片技术,经图像处理反求建模法重构人桡骨中段的三维显微模型。对三维模型进行测量、推算,得到哈佛氏管走向、长度等数据。结果　用此种方法建模得到的三维显微结构,真实地反映了人桡骨的骨内微结构。形态观察得出哈佛氏管在远离连通处夹角较小,平均为5 7°。在连通处附近(400~800μm),平均夹角为12 2°。结论　重构骨三维显微结构,得到哈佛氏管的空间特征,为给人工活性骨的设计提供模型,进而指导人工活性骨的设计与制造。