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Objective Topical application of ambonese banana (Musa paradisiaca var. sapientum (L.) kuntze) stem sap gel (GEGPA) on the socket wound area showed an increase in the expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB, while decrease in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9. The aim of this study is to achieve standard formulation of GEGPA through stability, viscosity, distribution area, and drugs release for oral gel wound healing. Materials and Methods This is an in vitro and in vivo study with the randomized posttest only control group design. The gel was formulated according to the composition of each group by adding hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), Lexgard, propylene glycol, and cold water to obtain 100 g of gel. Observations were made through the following tests: stability, viscosity, distribution area, drug release, and histopathological analysis of tooth extraction wound healing. Statistical analysis Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05) with GraphPad Prism-8 statistical software. Results The study showed that the GEGPA formulation was stable against changes in consistency, color, smell, homogeneity, and pH value. There is a significant difference between groups with respect to viscosity (p = 0.0001), adhesion (p = 0.004), dispersion (p = 0.000), and fibroblast cell numbers on days 3 and 5 (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001). There is no interaction between the active ingredients and the gel base of all formulations. Formulation 3 had better properties in terms of viscosity, broad distribution, and drug release compared with other groups. Application of GEGPA to tooth extraction wounds showed a significant proliferation of fibroblast cells on days 3 and 5. Conclusions The formulation of M. paradisiaca var. sapientum (L.) kuntze extract with HPMC and propylene glycol obtained a gel preparation, GEGPA, that was organoleptically stable and met the topical gel standard for wounds in the oral cavity.

Objective Scaffolds provided a surface on which cells could attach, proliferate, and differentiate. Nowadays, bone tissue engineering offers hope for treating bone cancer. Poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL)/graphene have capability as an osteogenic and regenerative therapy. It could be used to produce bone tissue engineering scaffolds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of PCL/graphene to enhance the osteoinductive mechanism. Materials and Methods The PCL/graphene scaffold was developed utilizing a particulate-leaching process and cultured with osteoblast-like cells MG63 at 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt% of graphene. We evaluated the porosity, pore size, migratory cells, and cell attachment of the scaffold. Statistical Analysis Data was expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean and statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc at a level of p-value Results Porosity of scaffold with various percentage of graphene was nonsignificant (p > 0.05). There were differences in the acceleration of cell migration following wound closure between groups at 24 hours (p Conclusion This finding suggests that PCL/graphene composites may have potential applications in bone tissue engineering.

This research produced a microneedle array patch consisting of a biodegradable polymer. Due to guidelines for the material’s failure and the mechanical properties of various skin layers, this research investigates four types of microneedles of three sizes to determine the optimal microneedle. Through numerical simulation, the insertion force and variations in the stress distribution induced by insertion of a polylactic acid (PLA) microneedle array into the skin were tabulated by software (ANSYS/LS-DYNA) in a finite element manner. A microneedle array master was manufactured through the process of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). The mold of the microneedle array employed polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The patch of microneedle arrays composed of PLA was manufactured using micro-hot-embossing. The optimal process parameters for fabricating microneedle arrays through micro-hot-embossing were identified by the Taguchi method. This study compared the original design sizes of microneedle arrays and those of PLA microneedle arrays by examining transfer from the PDMS mold. Through a skin puncture experiment, it was determined that the transepidermal water loss increased after the PLA microneedle array had penetrated the skin, which indicated that the PLA microneedle array decreased moisture protection by skin.

Background/purpose In clinical operations, qualitative differences in the texture and operational feeling of the regular type and soft type back-filled gutta-percha are readily discernible. This study aimed to investigate and compare the thermal behavior and physical properties of the two gutta-percha materials. Materials and methods The chemical compositions of regular and soft type Gutta-Percha Obturator® pellets were examined via energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The thermal behaviors of the pellets during heating and cooling were evaluated using a differential scanning calorimeter. Finally, the viscoelastic properties of the two materials during cooling were assessed using a modular compact rheometer. Results The soft type gutta-percha contained a greater atomic percentage of zinc than the regular type material. In addition, the soft type gutta-percha exhibited exothermic peaks during cooling, whereas the regular type gutta-percha did not. The two materials exhibited different viscoelastic behaviors under cooling. In particular, the rate of change of the loss factor for the soft type gutta-percha was more than that of the regular type gutta-percha at temperature lower than 80°C. Conclusion The soft type gutta-percha underwent significant crystallization during cooling, and therefore exhibited pronounced volume shrinkage. Furthermore, the soft type gutta-percha underwent a greater rate of change in viscoelasticity under cooling than the regular type gutta-percha, and exhibited poorer physical stability. Consequently, in the back-packing procedure, soft type gutta-percha must be compacted more often over time than regular type gutta-percha to ensure the same quality of root canal obturation.

Background: The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine has been widely administered against SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, data regarding its immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and potential differences in responses among Asian populations remain scarce. Methods: 270 participants without prior COVID-19 were enrolled to receive ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination with a prime–boost interval of 8–9 weeks. Their specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, neutralizing antibody titers (NT50), platelet counts, and D-dimer levels were analyzed before and after vaccination. Results: The seroconversion rates of anti-RBD and anti-spike IgG at day 28 after a boost vaccination (BD28) were 100% and 95.19%, respectively. Anti-RBD and anti-spike IgG levels were highly correlated (r = 0.7891), which were 172.9 ± 170.4 and 179.3 ± 76.88 BAU/mL at BD28, respectively. The geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of NT50 for all participants increased to 132.9 IU/mL (95% CI 120.0–147.1) at BD28 and were highly correlated with anti-RBD and anti-spike IgG levels (r = 0.8248 and 0.7474, respectively). Body weight index was statistically significantly associated with anti-RBD IgG levels (p = 0.035), while female recipients had higher anti-spike IgG levels (p = 0.038). The GMCs of NT50 declined with age (p = 0.0163) and were significantly different across age groups (159.7 IU/mL for 20–29 years, 99.4 IU/mL for ≥50 years, p = 0.0026). Injection-site pain, fever, and fatigue were the major reactogenicity, which were more pronounced after prime vaccination and in younger participants (

This study applied poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), a biomedical ceramic powder as an additive (nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) or β-tricalcium diphosphate (β-TCP)), and sodium chloride (NaCl) and ammonium bicarbonate ((NH4)HCO3) as porogens, these stuffs were used as scaffold materials. An improved solvent-casting/particulate-leaching method was utilized to fabricate 3D porous scaffolds. In this study we examined the physical properties (elastic modulus, porosity, and contact angle) and degradation properties (weight loss and pH value) of the 3D porous scaffolds. Both nHA and β-TCP improved the mechanical properties (elastic modulus) of the 3D porous scaffolds. The elastic modulus (0.15~1.865 GPa) of the various composite scaffolds matched that of human cancellous bone (0.1~4.5 GPa). Osteoblast-like (MG63) cells were cultured, a microculture tetrazolium test (MTT) was conducted and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of the 3D porous scaffolds was determined. Experimental results indicated that both nHA and β-TCP powder improved the hydrophilic properties of the scaffolds. The degradation rate of the scaffolds was accelerated by adding nHA or β-TCP. The MTT and ALP activity tests indicated that the scaffolds with a high ratio of nHA or β-TCP had excellent properties of in vitro biocompatibility (cell attachment and proliferation).

The surface of Ti6Al4V substrate was modified by two ways: micro-powder blasting and co-blast technique. Micro-powder blasting was done using Al2O3 (of three different sizes) or SiC particles. Co-blast technique was done using the same particles co-blasted with hydroxyapatite (HA) particles. The morphology, roughness, deep impact and contact angle were used to characterise the surface modifications. The Ca/P atomic ratio was also determined by co-blast technique. Finally, the biocompatibility of Ti6Al4V substrate was investigated by surface modification in cell culture (osteoblast-like cell, MG63). The contact angle of Ti6Al4V substrate with surface modification is smaller than that without surface modification. The Ti6Al4V substrates by co-blast technique become more hydrophilic by co-blast technique and exhibit better cell proliferation.

Refereed/Peer-reviewed Osteoporosis is characterized by increased bone fragility, and the drugs used at present to treat osteoporosis can cause adverse reactions. Gentiopicroside (GEN), a class of natural compounds with numerous biological activities such as anti-resorptive properties and protective effects against bone loss. Therefore, the aim of this work was to explore the effect of GEN on bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) osteogenesis for a potential osteoporosis therapy. In vitro, BMSCs were exposed to GEN at different doses for 2 weeks, whereas in vivo, ovariectomized osteoporosis was established in mice and the therapeutic effect of GEN was evaluated for 3 months. Our results in vitro showed that GEN promoted the activity of alkaline phosphatase, increased the calcified nodules in BMSCs and up-regulated the osteogenic factors (Runx2, OSX, OCN, OPN and BMP2). In vivo, GEN promoted the expression of Runx2, OCN and BMP2, increased the level of osteogenic parameters, and accelerated the osteogenesis of BMSCs by activating the BMP pathway and Wnt/β-catenin pathway, effect that was inhibited using the BMP inhibitor Noggin and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor DKK1. Silencing the β-catenin gene and BMP2 gene blocked the osteogenic differentiation induced by GEN in BMSCs. This block was also observed when only β-catenin was silenced, although the knockout of BMP2 did not affect β-catenin expression induced by GEN. Therefore, GEN promotes BMSC osteogenesis by regulating β-catenin-BMP signalling, providing a novel strategy in the treatment of osteoporosis.

In this study, we designed and fabricated transmission parts for a flapping-wing micro-aerial vehicle (FW-MAV), which was fabricated by precision injection molding, and analyzed its warpage phenomena. First, a numerical simulation (Moldflow) was used to analyze the runner balance and temperature, pressure, and stress distributions of the base, gears, and linkage of the transmission structures in an FW-MAV. These data were then applied to fabricate a steel mold for an FW-MAV. Various process parameters (i.e., injection temperature, mold temperature, injection pressure, and packing time) for manufacturing transmission parts for the FW-MAV by precision injection molding were compared. The Taguchi method was employed to determine causes of warpage in the transmission parts. The experimental results revealed that the causes of warpage in the transmission parts were, in order of importance, the mold temperature, injection pressure, packing time, and injection temperature. After the transmission parts were assembled on the FW-MAV, experiments revealed that the MAV could achieve a flight time of 180 s. Mass production of the FW-MAV by precision injection molding could potentially produce substantial savings in time, manpower, and cost.

A mechanochemical effect is investigated to reduce diamond tool wear by means of applying a surfactant to low-carbon magnetic iron during diamond turning. Orthogonal microcutting demonstrates the manifestation of the mechanochemical effect through the reduction of cutting forces by 30%, which supports the notion of lower cutting temperatures for reduced tribo-chemical wear. This is affirmed by the reduction in tool flank wear by up to 56% with the mechanochemical effect during diamond turning. While wear suppression increases by 9.4&ndash, 16.15% with feeds from 5&ndash, 20 &mu, m/rev, it is not proportional to the reduction in cutting forces (31&ndash, 39.8%), which suggests that the reduction in cutting energy does not directly correspond with the reduction in heat energy to sustain tribo-chemical tool wear. The strain localization during chip formation is proposed to serve as a heat source that hinders the wear mitigation efficiency. Finite element simulations demonstrate the heat generation during strain localization under the mechanochemical effect, which counteracts the reduced heat conversion from the plastic deformation and the transfer from tool&ndash, chip contact. Hence, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the mechanochemical method and its ability to reduce tool wear, but also establishes its limitations due to its inherent nature for heat generation.

Background: Osteoporosis is characterized by increased bone fragility and the drugs used at present to treat osteoporosis can cause adverse reactions. Gentiopicroside (GEN) is widely used in the traditional Chinese medicine thanks to its multiple pharmacological activities including the suppression of osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this work was to explore the effect of GEN on bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) osteogenesis for a potential osteoporosis therapy.Methods: In vitro, BMSCs were exposed to GEN at different doses for 2 weeks, while in vivo, ovariectomized osteoporosis was established in mice and the therapeutic effect of GEN was evaluated for 3 months.Results: Our results in vitro showed that GEN promoted the activity of alkaline phosphatase, increased the calcified nodules in BMSCs and upregulated the osteogenic factors (Runx2, OSX, OCN, OPN, and BMP2). In vivo, GEN strengthened the secretion of Runx2, OCN, and BMP2, increased the level of osteogenic parameters, and accelerated the osteogenesis of BMSCs by activating the BMP pathway and Wnt/β-catenin pathway, effect that was inhibited using the BMP inhibitor Noggin and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor DKK1. Silencing the β-catenin gene and BMP2 gene blocked the osteogenic differentiation induced by GEN in BMSCs. This block was also observed when only β-catenin was silenced, while the knockout of BMP2 did not affect β-catenin expression induced by GEN. Interpretation.Conclusions: GEN promotes BMSC osteogenesis by regulating β-catenin-BMP signalling, providing a novel strategy in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Endosseous oral implant is applied for orthodontic anchorage in subjects with multiple tooth agenesis. Its effectiveness under orthodontic loading has been demonstrated clinically and experimentally. This study investigates the deformation and stress on the bone and implant for different bite forces by three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) methods. A numerical simulation of deformation and stress distributions around implants was used to estimate the survival life for implants. The model was applied to determine the pattern and distribution of deformations and stresses within the endosseous implant and on supporting tissues when the endosseous implant is used for orthodontic anchorage. A threaded implant was placed in an edentulous segment of a human mandible with cortical and cancellous bone. Analytical results demonstrate that maximum stresses were always located around the implant neck in marginal bone. The results also reveal that the stress for oblique force has the maximum value followed by the horizontal force; the vertical force causes the stress to have the minimum value between implant and bone. Thus, this area should be preserved clinically to maintain the structure and function of a bone implant.

In this paper, we fabricate a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device with micro-structures on a zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film and measure its signal response. The manufacturing processes of the SAW device include the fabrication of micro-structures of a SAW element and its interdigital transducer by silicon micro-machining and the fabrication of a thin film of ZnO by RF magnetron sputtering. We, then, measure the SAW properties. This research investigates the properties of sputtered thin films for various amounts of O2/(Ar + O2) using Zn and ZnO targets. Regardless of target, the growth rate of the ZnO thin film decreases as the oxygen content increases. When the SAW is sputtered ZnO thin film using 30% oxygen, the digital signal of the SAW has better performance. The measurement signal of the SAW with micro-structures is similar to that without micro-structures.

Three-dimensional biomedical scaffolds of porous biodegradable materials have been widely applied in tissue engineering for the purposes of bone repair and regeneration. In this study, porous biomedical scaffolds were fabricated by a solvent-casting/particulate-leaching method using poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) as the matrix material, graphene platelets as the added material, and salt (NaCl) as the porogen material. First, the mechanical properties (compressive strength) and physical properties (porosity and contact angle) of the fabricated porous scaffolds were examined. Subsequently, weight loss and variations in pH values of the PCL/graphene scaffolds in a degradation test were determined. The biocompatibility of the fabricated PCL/graphene scaffolds was determined by seeding osteoblast-like (MG-63) cells in vitro. Graphene improved the mechanical properties of the 3D porous scaffold, and it changed the hydrophobic property of the surface of the 3D porous scaffold to a hydrophilic property. Cell attachment and proliferation improved with a higher ratio of graphene in the 3D porous scaffold (PCL/graphene). Refereed/Peer-reviewed

A drug-eluting stent with rhombic-shaped drug reservoirs is proposed, aimed at providing long-term drug delivery and enhanced fatigue life. Unique rhombic-shaped reservoirs or channels on the stent struts can increase the total drug capacity and improve the stress distribution for longer fatigue life, without compromising other important clinical attributes. Our rhombic-shaped channel stent increases the total drug capacity by multiple times. Its fatigue safety factor, even with the large rhombic cutouts on the stent struts, could be 50% higher than that of the conventional drug-eluting stent. A pulsed fiber-optic laser and a series of expansions and heat treatments were used to make the first prototype of our rhombic-shaped channel stent. This new concept may open up a wide variety of new treatment options and opportunities for the medical industry in the future.

Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are fabricated using an anodization method. The mean diameter of the nanoporous AAO templates is 100 nm. A molded plastic thin film with nanostructure is fabricated using AAO template as a mold insert by nanoimprint. The surface properties of the molded plastic thin film obtained using various processing parameters in nanoimprint are discussed. The contact angle of the molded polycarbonate (PC) thin film with the nanostructure exceeds that without the nanostructure. The molded PC thin film (with nanostructure) with a hydrophobic surface is formed and has a water contact angle of 128.5°. The use of AAO to prepare a mold insert for nanoimprint supports the formation of a nanostructure in the molded PC thin film and effectively increases its antireflectance.

This study investigates the results of cell cultures on aluminum (Al) templates with flat-structures, micro-structures, nano-structures and micro/nano-structures. An Al template with flat-structure was obtained by electrolytic polishing; an Al template with micro-structure was obtained by micro-powder blasting; an Al template with nano-structure was obtained by aluminum anodization; and an Al template with micro/nano-structure was obtained by micro-powder blasting and then anodization. Osteoblast-like cells were cultured on aluminum templates with various structures. The microculture tetrazolium test assay was utilized to assess the adhesion, elongation, and proliferation behaviors of cultured osteoblast-like cells on aluminum templates with flat-structures, micro-structures, nano-structures, and micro/nano-structures. The results showed that the surface characterization of micro/nano-structure of aluminum templates had superhydrophilic property, and these also revealed that an aluminum template with micro/nano-structure could provide the most suitable growth situation for cell culture.

The conventional orthodontic power chain, often composed of polymer materials, has drawbacks such as a reduction of elasticity owing to water absorption as well as surface discoloration and staining resulting from food or beverages consumed by the patient. The goal of this study was to develop a surface treatment (nanoimprinting) for orthodontic power chains and to alleviate their shortcomings. A concave template (anodic alumina) was manufactured by anodization process using pure aluminum substrate by employing the nanoimprinting process. Convex nanopillars were fabricated on the surface of orthodontic power chains, resulting in surface treatment. Distinct parameters of the nanoimprinting process (e.g., imprinting temperature, imprinting pressure, imprinting time, and demolding temperature) were used to fabricate nanopillars on the surface of orthodontic power chains. The results of this study showed that the contact angle of the power chains became larger after surface treatment. In addition, the power chains changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The power chain before surface treatment without water absorption had a water absorption rate of approximately 4%, whereas a modified chain had a water absorption rate of approximately 2%–4%. Furthermore, the color adhesion of the orthodontic power chains after surface modification was less than that before surface modification.

A highly uniform and hydrophobic nanopillar film was fabricated by nanoimprinting using the AAO template as a mold in this study. Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are fabricated using an anodization method. The mean diameters of nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide templates are 100 nm and 200 nm by various processing parameters of the anodization method. The surface properties of the molded plastic thin film are discussed using various nanoimprinting process parameters. The results reveal that the contact angles of the molded plastic thin film with the nanopillar exceed those without the nanopillar. The molded plastic thin films with a nanopillar and a hydrophobic surface are formed, and their contact angles exceed 120°. The results also appear that the hydrophilic property of molded plastic thin film without nanopillar changes to hydrophobic property of molded plastic thin film with nanopillar.

The naturally occurring isoprene rubber component of gutta-percha has been used in dental root canal filling treatments for almost a hundred years owing to its stability and plasticity as a root canal filling material. The traditional warm gutta-percha vertical compaction technique is the major technique for warm gutta-percha root canal obturation. However, the relation between compaction force and temperature change in this technique is still unclear. The purposes of this study were to determine the ideal gutta-percha molding temperature for compaction and to evaluate single and double heating and compaction in the warm vertical compaction procedures using infrared thermography. Gutta-percha was placed in a digital dry bath incubator at temperatures ranging from 25°C to 62°C in order to analyze compaction forces using an Instron universal testing machine. Both single and double heating and compaction procedures were examined using an infrared thermograph model to monitor temperature change when performing the warm gutta-percha vertical compaction procedure. Our results demonstrate that 44–58°C is the ideal temperature to soften gutta-percha for excellent compaction. Heating and compacting gutta-percha twice at 3 mm from the apex can mold the gutta-percha completely.

The traditional orthodontic power chain, usually made of polymer materials, exists some drawbacks, such as the reduction of elasticity due to swell after absorbing water and surface discoloration resulting from the patient’s diet, food, or beverage colors leading to poor appearance. The main purpose of this study was to develop surface modification on orthodontic power chain and to realize the properties change for improvement of its shortcomings. In this study, a template was produced by pure aluminum piece with anodized production (concave) through the nanoimprinting process fabricating nanostructures (convex) on the surface of power chain, resulting in surface modification of power chain. The different nanoimprinting process parameters (e.g., imprinting temperature, imprinting pressure, imprinting time, and demolding temperature) were used to produce nanostructures on the surface of power chain. The results of this study show that the contact angle of the power chain became larger after nanoimprinting surface treatment. The hydrophilic properties of power chain have been turned into hydrophobic properties. Unmodified power chain before water absorption is about 4%, while a modified water absorbance is about 2%–4%.

This study indicates the micropattern of molded plastic film from a mold insert using ultrasonic micro embossing. A mold insert and plastic film are heated above the glass transition temperature of plastic, and the softened plastic is flowed into the micropattern of a mold insert by applying pressure via a conventional technique. A longitudinal ultrasonic wave is added to the ultrasonic micro embossing process. The longitudinal ultrasonic wave generated by an ultrasonic system at a frequency of 35 KHz, has amplitude of 20 μm and output power of 900 W. The micropatterns of the Ni mold insert are groove-shaped and they are 2-μm wide and 200-nm deep. The Polypropylene (PP) is chosen as the replication materials. This study identifies the replication properties of the plastic film using different process parameters (working pressure, ultrasonic pressure, packing pressure, working time, ultrasonic time and packing time). Results of this study demonstrate that ultrasonic time is the most important process parameter for ultrasonic micro embossing.

Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are fabricated using an nodization method. The mean diameters of nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide templates are 100 nm and 200 nm by various processing parameters of the anodization method. A molded plastic thin film nanostructure is fabricated by nanoimprinting using the AAO template as a mold insert. The surface properties of the molded plastic thin film are discussed using various nanoimprinting process parameters. Contact angles of the molded plastic thin film with the nanostructure exceed those without the nanostructure. The molded plastic thin films with a nanostructure and a hydrophobic surface are formed, and their contact angles exceed 90°. This study observes the behavior of osteoblast-like cells (MG63) cultured on nanostructure thin films, i.e., AAO, polylactic acid (PLA) and polycarbonate (PC). Cell growth behavior indicates that the AAO template with a 200 nm nanostructure is best. This study shows that cell adhesion and spreading are influenced by surface topography in the nanometer feature.

Three-dimensional porous biodegradable polymer scaffolds have been widely used for tissue engineering of bone repair or regeneration. The primary function of scaffolds is to provide structure support for the cells adhesion and proliferation. This study selects the Poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) as material, NaCl mixed with hydroxyapatite (HA) or nano-aluminum oxide (nAl2O3) for porous scaffold. This study uses the solvent casting/particulate leaching method to fabricate the porous scaffold. The authors discuss the compression mechanical properties, physical properties (porosity, moisture content, contact angle) of a pure PCL, PCL/mHA, PCL/nHA and PCL/nAl2O3 scaffolds. In vitro cell culture is used for osteoblast cell (MG63) and the microculture tetrazolium test (MTT) is undertaken in the scaffold. The scaffolds are implanted to the femur of rats and histological examination is attempted after 2 weeks. The experimental results indicate that HA and nAl2O3 can improve the hydrophilic property. In conclusion, the PCL/nHA scaffold exhibits splendid in vivo biocompatibility and osteogenesis.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coating of hard tissue implants is widely employed for its biocompatible and osteoconductive properties as well as its improved mechanical properties. In this study, a novel micro-blasting process has been used to successfully modify a titanium alloy substrate with a HA treatment using a dopant/abrasive regime. The impact of a series of apatite abrasives, was investigated to determine the effect of abrasive particle size on the surface properties of both micro-blasting (abrasive only) and continuous (HA/abrasive) treatments. The resultant HA treated substrates were compared to substrates treated with abrasive only (micro-blasted) and an untreated Ti. The HA powder, apatite abrasives and the treated substrates were characterized for chemical composition, coating coverage, crystalline and topography. The results show that the surface roughness of the HA blasted modification was affected by the particle size of the apatite abrasives used. This study demonstrates the ability of the continuous process to deposit HA coatings with a range of surface properties onto Ti alloy substrates. The ability of the continuous technology to offer diversity in modifying surface topography offers exciting new prospects in tailoring the properties of medical devices for applications ranging from dental to orthopedic settings.

Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are fabricated using an anodization method. The mean diameters of nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide templates are 100 nm and 200 nm by various processing parameters of the anodization method. A molded plastic thin film nanostructure is fabricated by nanoimprinting using the AAO template as a mold. The surface properties of the molded plastic thin film are discussed using various nanoimprinting process parameters. Contact angles of the molded plastic thin film with the nanostructure exceed those without the nanostructure. The molded plastic thin films with a nanostructure and a hydrophobic surface are formed, and their contact angles exceed 90°.

In this paper, we are investigating the different cultured structures scale in micrometer and nanometer. The experiment have been fabricated four types aluminum substrate structures which included none-structure, micro-structure, nano-structure, and combined micro/nano structure to fulfill the research in osteoblast-like cell (MG 63). Finally we performed the sterilization method to deal with the patterns of alumina sheet product in the clean room. Meanwhile, we demonstrated the osteoblast-like cell (MG63) to culture on the thin film. Finally, we have been used MTT assay study the behavior of cultured osteoblast-like cell to obtain the different properties between none-structure、micro-structure, nano-structure and micro/nano structure for adhesion, elongation and proliferation.

This study photo-etches micropatterns on mold inserts and manufactures a light guide plate with microstructures using microinjection molding. The single parameter method is used to investigate flatness and replication with different process parameters for microinjection molding. Mold temperature is the most important factor for plate flatness and microstructure replication of a light guide plate fabricated by microinjection molding. Low mold temperature increases the flatness of light guide plates, whereas a high mold temperature improves height replication of the microstructure of light guide plates. Optimal mold temperature to maintain flatness and increase microstructure replication of light guide plates is 60°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers