Blood vessels in epiphyseal cartilage of human fetal femoral bone: a scanning electron microscopic study of corrosion casts

Formation of intrachondral vessels (cartilage canals) in the proximal femoral epiphysis was studied in 13- to 22-week-old human fetuses using a corrosion casting technique and scanning electron microscopy. Several successive morphological stages of angiogenesis occurring inside the hyaline cartilage were distinguished. The process of cartilage vascularization starts with the formation of hairpin loops sent off from the perichondrial vascular network into the adjacent cartilage. A capillary glomerulus is then formed at the leading end, and the entire vascular unit grows in length, assuming a mushroom-like shape. Its further elongation is accompanied by a backward expansion of the capillary network which surrounds a pair of main vessels (arteriole and venule) like a manchette. The subsequent branching of such primary vascular units proceeds according to the same morphological patterns. The resulting tree-like vascular formations become interconnected via their lateral branches. This study clearly supports the invasion theory of cartilage canal formation.     

金属表面TiO2薄膜的溶胶-凝胶法制备及其血液相容性研究

通过溶胶 凝胶法制备TiO2 薄膜对 316L不锈钢和NiTi形状记忆合金进行表面改性处理。研究发现 ,经 5 0 0℃处理 1h的薄膜结构致密 ,膜层均匀平滑 ,薄膜主要由锐钛矿相TiO2 构成 ,随热处理温度的提高 ,锐钛矿相逐渐转变为金红石相。电化学腐蚀和动态凝血时间及溶血率测试表明 ,通过溶胶 凝胶法制备TiO2 膜进行表面改性的 316L不锈钢和NiTi合金的抗模拟体液腐蚀性提高 ,动态凝血时间延长 ,溶血率下降 ,说明溶胶 凝胶法制备TiO2 膜可以提高金属植入物的血液相容性     

Identification of vascular sphincters at the junction between alveolar capillaries and pulmonary venules of the mouse lung

Background: A peculiar feature of lung circulation in the lung is the pronounced variations in blood volume observed in alveolar capillaries that occur because of the changes in the conformation of the alveolar wall that are associated with the respiratory movements. This phenomenon has led to the postulate that mechanisms of postcapillary control of blood flow are to be present in the lung vessels. In the present study we searched for microanatomical evidence of vascular sphincters in the deep lung tissue of mice, namely in alveolar capillaries and pulmonary veins. Methods: We have used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine two types of samples of normal lung tissue of CD-1 mice: 1) vascular corrosion casts made by vascular perfusion with Mercox® resin, and 2) routinely made gold/platinum-coated replicas of sectioned lung tissue. Results: Careful scrutiny of the vessels of the deep lung tissue led to the identification of sphincters in alveolar capillaries. These sphincters were located at the junction between capillary and pulmonary veins. They corresponded to areas to the vascular wall showing circular swellings where a radial organization was observed, since they were made up of alternating grooves and bulges. Transmission electron microscopy showed that smooth muscle cells participated in the formation of the sphincters. Conclusions: Our data reveal a new location for vascular sphincters in pulmonary vessels and, because these novel sphincters are located at the capillary-vein junction, they offer a structural setting for the existence of postcapillary control of blood flow in the pulmonary circulation of mice. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Performance of platinum stimulating electrodes,mapped on the limitvoltage plane

The paper introduces the electrode limit-voltage plane (ELVP)—a useful tool for describing in electrical terms what a polarisable electrode is doing under a particular set of conditions. The ELVP is then used to consider the charge-injection capability of a platinum stimulating electrode.     

Electrochemical release testing of nickel-titanium orthodontic wires in artificial saliva using thin layer activation

Alloys based on Ni–Ti intermetallics generally exhibit special shape memory and pseudoelastic properties, which make them desirable for use in the dental field as orthodontic wires. The possibility of nickel release from these materials is of high concern, because the allergenicity of this element. The aim of this study was to test pseudoelastic Ni–Ti wires in simulated physiological conditions, investigating the combined effect of strain and fluoridated media: the wires were examined both under strained (5% tensile strain) and unstrained conditions, in fluoridated artificial saliva at 37 °C. Real time electrochemical nickel release testing was performed using a novel application of a radiotracer based method, thin layer activation (TLA). TLA was validated, in unstrained conditions, against adsorptive stripping voltammetry methodology. Control tests were also performed in non-fluoridated artificial saliva. From our research it transpired that the corrosion behaviour of Ni–Ti alloy is highly affected by the fluoride content, showing a release of 4.79 ± 0.10 μg/cm²/day, but, differently from other biomaterials, it does not seem to be affected by elastic tensile strain. The application of the TLA method in the biomedical field appears a suitable technique to monitor in real time the corrosion behaviour of biomedical devices.     

Microvasculature of regular and irregular areolae of the areola-gland subunit of the porcine placenta: structural and functional aspects

To examine the vasculature of the areola-gland subunit of advanced pig placenta, tissues from ten animals between 43 and 112 days of gestation were prepared for histology and for scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts from both maternal and fetal sides. Regular areolae, tributary to one gland only, are round with a wide-meshed and smooth subepithelial capillary network on the maternal side, which is similar to the pre-implantative stage and bordered by an abrupt rim towards the interareolar maternal capillary network. On the fetal side, the capillary network follows papillae which protrude into the areolar cavity or converge to form a ring towards the areolar periphery. Irregular areolae, in contrast, have indistinct boundaries and are characterized by two or more gland openings. The maternal capillary network has moderate density and follows the corrugations, whereas the fetal capillary network is basically two-dimensional with some blunt sinusoidal protrusions. Vessel architecture of both areolar types implies facilitated external inflow of blood into the areola on arteriolar as well as on capillary levels, whereas the outflow from the areolar capillaries comprises venules converging into one or two areolar stem veins, and therefore conducts venous blood in a manner different from that of the interareolar region. It is suggested that this arrangement could favour vascular control mechanisms in uterus, placenta and fetus. On the basis of these observations and the discussion, it is suggested that these areolaspecific vessel systems are important for sustaining the characteristic substance transfers in the areola, the secretion, metabolism and absorption, which according to the literature are not the same in the regular as in the irregular areolar type of the porcine areola-gland subunit of the placenta.     

Microstructure,mechanical and corrosion properties of Mg–Dy–Gd–Zr alloys for medical applications

In previous investigations, a Mg–10Dy (wt.%) alloy with a good combination of corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility showed great potential for use as a biodegradable implant material. However, the mechanical properties of Mg–10Dy alloy are not satisfactory. In order to allow the tailoring of mechanical properties required for various medical applications, four Mg–10(Dy + Gd)–0.2Zr (wt.%) alloys were investigated with respect to microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties. With the increase in Gd content, the number of second-phase particles increased in the as-cast alloys, and the age-hardening response increased at 200 °C. The yield strength increased, while the ductility reduced, especially for peak-aged alloys with the addition of Gd. Additionally, with increasing Gd content, the corrosion rate increased in the as-cast condition owing to the galvanic effect, but all the alloys had a similar corrosion rate (～0.5 mm year^?1) in solution-treated and aged condition.     

Electrochemical and surface analyses of nanostructured Ti–24Nb–4Zr–8Sn alloys in simulated body solution

The use of nanostructuring to improve the stability of passive thin films on biomaterials can enhance their effectiveness in corrosion resistance and reduce the release of ions. The thickness of the ultrathin films that cover Ti and Ti alloys (only several nanometers) has prevented researchers from establishing systematic methods for their characterization. This study employed a multifunctional biomedical titanium alloy Ti–24Nb–4Zr–8Sn (wt.%) as a model material. Coarse-grained (CG) and nanostructured (NS) alloys were analyzed in 0.9% NaCl solution at 37 °C. To reveal the details of the passive film, a method of sample preparation producing a passive layer suitable for transmission electron microscope analysis was developed. Electrochemical corrosion behavior was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization tests and Mott–Schottky measurements. Surface depth chemical profile and morphology evolution were performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ atomic force microscopy, respectively. A mechanism was proposed on the basis of the point defect model to compare the corrosion resistance of the passive film on NS and CG alloys. Results showed that the protective amorphous film on NS alloy is thicker, denser and more homogeneous with fewer defects than that on CG alloy. The film on NS alloy contains more oxygen and corrosion-resistant elements (Ti and Nb), as well as their suboxides, compared with the film on CG alloy. These characteristics can be attributed to the rapid, uniform growth of the passive film facilitated by nanostructuring.     

Thiocarbohydrazide-crosslinked chitosan as a bioinspired corrosion inhibitor for protection of stainless steel in 3.5% NaCl

A facile single-step synthesis was performed to cross-link chitosan with thiocarbohydrazide to yield thiocarbohydrazide-chitosan (TC-Cht) which was for the first time evaluated as an inhibitor for corrosion of stainless steel in 3.5% NaCl solution. A comprehensive electrochemical analysis employing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) was undertaken and showed that the TC-Cht acts by adsorption on the steel surface and exhibits mixed type behavior with predominantly cathodic nature. The adsorption of TC-Cht molecules on the surface of stainless steel followed the Langmuir isotherm. The TC-Cht showed a high inhibition efficiency of >94% at 500 mg L^?1 concentration. Surface investigation using SEM and EDX supported the inhibitor adsorption on the steel surface.     

Electrochemical characterization of novel Ag-based brazing alloys for dental applications

ObjectiveTaking into account that clinical data have proven the decomposition of Ag brazing alloys used in the production of orthodontic appliances the aim of this study was to develop new Ag based soldering alloys free of Cu and Zn.MethodsFour commercially available Ag brazing alloys were selected and their electrochemical properties were compared to the following experimental alloys: Ag12Ga, Ag10Ga5Sn, Ag20In and Ag7Sn. 112 disk shape specimens were prepared for each alloy and their electrochemical properties were evaluated by Open Circuit Potential (OCP), linear sweep voltametry (LSV), cyclic polarization (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a NaCl 0.9% and a Ringer’s electrolyte solution.ResultsThe experimental alloys combined higher OCP and E_corr with lower I_corr values. The impedance values of the commercial alloys were lower showing that any surface layers formed are not protective and steady compared to those of the novel ones. In conclusion experimental alloys demonstrated enhanced electrochemical properties.SignificanceIn and Sn showed a more beneficial effect on electrochemical properties compared to Ga and thus can be considered as a promising option for the development of a new family of Ag brazing alloys with increased biocompatibility.