In-bone protein digestion followed by LC-MS/MS peptide analysis as a new way towards the routine proteomic characterization of human maxillary and mandibular bone tissue in oral surgery

Proteomic characterization of alveolar bones in oral surgery represents an analytical challenge due to their insoluble character. The implementation of a straightforward technique could lead to the routine use of proteomics in this field. This work thus developed a simple technique for the characterization of bone tissue for human maxillary and mandibular bones. It is based on the direct in-bone tryptic digestion of proteins in both healthy and pathological human maxillary and mandibular bone samples. The released peptides were then identified by the LC-MS/MS. Using this approach, a total of 1120 proteins were identified in the maxillary bone and 1151 proteins in the mandibular bone. The subsequent partial least squares–discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) of protein data made it possible to reach 100% discrimination between the samples of healthy alveolar bones and those of the bone tissue surrounding the inflammatory focus. These results indicate that the in-bone protein digestion followed by the LC-MS/MS and subsequent statistical analysis can provide a deeper insight into the field of oral surgery at the molecular level. Furthermore, it could also have a diagnostic potential in the differentiation between the proteomic patterns of healthy and pathological alveolar bone tissue. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD026775.     

Collagen adsorption and structure on polymer surfaces observed by atomic force microscopy

The structure and adsorption patterns of type I and type III collagen were imaged on various polymer substrates with atomic force microscopy. Type I collagen had higher adsorption on polystyrene than on a series of polymethacrylates and formed a network of tightly, interwoven strands. Upon adsorption to different polymethacrylates, with varying side chain lengths, the collagen molecules formed long, branching fibrils. Types I and III collagen had different adsorption patterns, in some cases, on the identical substrate material. For example, instead of forming a tightly packed network, type III forms long, branching fibers on the polystyrene surface. On other materials, such as poly(n-butyl methacrylate), the two types of collagen showed similar adsorption pattern and structure. Adsorbed collagen was also imaged on various blends of polystyrene and polymethacrylates to determine how the polymer surface chemical structure and surface topography mediates protein adsorption.     

An Acid-Activatable Fluorescence Probe for Imaging Osteocytic Bone Resorption Activity in Deep Bone Cavities

A rationally designed pH-activatable fluorescent probe (pHocas-RIS) has been used to measure localised pH levels in osteocytic lacunae in bone tissue. Conjugation of the moderate bone-binding drug risedronate to a pH-activatable BODIPY fluorophore enables the probe to penetrate osteocytic lacunae cavities that are embedded deep within the bone matrix. After injection of pHocas-RIS, any osteocytic lacunae caused by bone-resorbing osteocytes cause the probe to fluoresce in vivo, thus allowing imaging by intravital two-photon excitation microscopy. This pH responsive probe enabled the visualization of the bone mineralizing activities of acid producing osteocytes in real time, thus allowing the study of their central role in remodeling the bone-matrix in healthy and disease states.     

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer mediated radical polymerization of asymmetrical divinyl monomers targeting hyperbranched vinyl polymers

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) mediated radical polymerizations of allyl methacrylate and undecenyl methacrylate, compounds containing two types of vinyl groups with different reactivities, were investigated to provide hyperbranched polymers. The RAFT agent benzyl dithiobenzoate was demonstrated to be an appropriate chain‐transfer agent to inhibit crosslinking and obtain polymers with moderate‐to‐high conversions. The polymerization of allyl methacrylate led to a polymer without branches but with five‐ or six‐membered rings. However, poly(undecenyl methacrylate) showed an indication of branching rather than intramolecular cycles. The hyperbranched structure of poly(undecenyl methacrylate) was confirmed by a combination of ¹H, ¹³C, ¹H–¹H correlation spectroscopy, and distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer 135 NMR spectra. The branching topology of the polymers was controlled by the variation of the reaction temperature, chain‐transfer‐agent concentration, and monomer conversion. The significantly lower inherent viscosities of the resulting polymers, compared with those of linear analogues, demonstrated their compact structure. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 26–40, 2007     

Polymerization of adsorbed monolayers. III. Preliminary structure studies in dilute solution of the insertion polymers

Insertion poly(methyl acrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) were prepared from monomers adsorbed in monolayers on the surface of montmorillonite clay, both in the presence and in the absence of bifunctional crosslinkers (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and tetramethylene glycol dimethacrylate). The insertion poly(methyl acrylate) and the crosslinked insertion poly(methyl methacrylate) and dilute-solution properties quite different from conventional polymers of these monomers, the differences including high light-scattering molecular weights combined with low viscosities, low values of the second virial coefficient, unusually large variations of the Huggins' constant k′ with the time-temperature history of the solutions, and low sedimentation velocities. These properties suggest that the insertion polymers have compact structures and are consistent with the postulate of sheetlike macromolecules. The dilute-solution properties of insertion poly(methyl methacrylate) made without crosslinker, unlike those of similarly prepared poly(methyl acrylate), were similar to those of conventional poly(methyl methacrylate). This difference in behavior is attributed to the different tendencies of the two monomers to undergo branching or crosslinking during radical polymerization.     

Hyperbranched methacrylates by self-condensing group transfer polymerization

The synthesis of hyperbranched methacrylates was achieved by self-condensing group transfer polymerization of 2-(2-methyl-1-triethylsiloxy-1-propenyloxy)ethyl methacrylate ( 1 ). “Back-biting” is shown to be the predominant side reaction. In spite of this, the compact nature of the hyperbranched molecules was demonstrated through SEC-viscosity measurements and comparison with a linear analogue. The degree of branching can be controlled by copolymerization with conventional monomers, e.g. MMA, and the living polymers can be used as macroinitiators for star-shaped polymers.     

Grafting acrylic polymers from flat nickel and copper surfaces by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Acrylic polymers, including poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate), poly( N,N'-dimethyaminoethyl methacrylate), and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) were grafted from flat nickel and copper surfaces through surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). For the nickel system, there was a linear relationship between polymer layer thickness and monomer conversion or molecular weight of "free" polymers. The thickness of the polymer brush films was greater than 80 nm after 6 h of reaction time. The grafting density was estimated to be 0.40 chains/nm2. The "living" chain ends of grafted polymers were still active and initiated the growth of a second block of polymer. Block copolymer brushes with different block sequences were successfully prepared. The experimental surface chemical compositions as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy agreed very well with their theoretical values. Water contact angle measurements further confirmed the successful grafting of polymers from nickel and copper surfaces. The surface morphologies of all samples were studied by atomic force microscopy. This study provided a novel approach to prepare stable functional polymer coatings on reactive metal surfaces.     

直接热氧化制备氧化钛薄膜电极的研究Ⅰ. 制备、结构和电化学性质

采用原子力显微镜、 X光衍射仪、电化学阻抗谱等手段对热氧化制备氧化钛膜的结构和电化学性质进行了研究.结果表明,金属钛直接热氧化制备的薄膜为金红石型二氧化钛薄膜;随氧化温度升高和时间延长,薄膜结晶度逐渐增大;随氧化温度升高,二氧化钛平带电位向负方向移动;当温度大于600℃后,二氧化钛结晶致密,电子导电性减小.     

Branched Azobenzene Side‐Chain Liquid‐Crystalline Copolymers Obtained by Self‐Condensing ATR Copolymerization

Summary: The one step synthesis of a series of branched azobenzene side‐chain liquid‐crystalline copolymers by the self‐condensing vinyl copolymerization (SCVCP) of a methyl acrylic AB* inimer, 2‐(2‐bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate (BIEM), with the monomer 6‐(4‐methoxy‐azobenzene‐4′‐oxy)hexyl methacrylate (M), by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in the presence of CuBr/N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as a catalyst system, and in chlorobenzene solvent, is reported. The degree of branching (DB), and the molecular weights and polydispersities of the resultant polymers were determined by NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography, respectively. The phase behaviors of the branched copolymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal polarized optical microscopy (POM). The degree of branching of the branched copolymers could be controlled by the comonomer ratio in the feed and influenced their liquid‐crystal properties. Liquid‐crystal properties were not exhibited when the comonomer ratio was low. Comonomer ratios greater than 8 gave polymers with a lower number of branches, which exhibited both a smectic and a nematic phase.

A polarized optical micrograph of the smectic phase texture of a polymer synthesized here with a higher comonomer feed ratio (magnification × 400).     

Branching of anionic poly(methyl methacrylate)

A viscometric determination of the degree of branching γ, of poly(methyl methacrylate) obtained by anionic polymerization proved the reaction of the growing center of poly(methyl methacrylate) with the ester group of another polymer molecule, accompanied by the formation of a trifunctional branch point. This reaction occurs if the solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate is initiated: (1) with butyllithium at ?78°C only on attaining 100% conversion and after a long time or at +20°C immediately after the polymerization has set in; (2) with lithium tert-butoxide at +20°C after a long time. The degree of branching of poly(methyl methacrylates) obtained under similar conditions in the presence of tetrahydrofuran reaches higher values than for polymers prepared in toluene. The tacticity of polymers does not affect the experimentally determined γ values.     

Design and synthesis of novel magnetic core-shell polymeric particles

A novel synthetic strategy was developed for the preparation of magnetic core-shell (MCS) particles consisting of hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) cores with hydrophilic chitosan shells and gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles inside the cores via copolymerization of methyl methacrylate from chitosan in the presence of vinyl-coated gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The magnetic core-shell particles were characterized with transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, particle size and zeta-potential measurements, vibrating sample magnetometry, and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The MCS particles were less than 200 nm in diameter with a narrow size distribution (polydispersity = 1.09) and had a good colloidal stability (critical coagulation concentration = 1.2 M NaCl at pH 6.0). Magnetization study of the particles indicated that they exhibited superparamagnetism at room temperature and had a saturation magnetization of 2.7 A m2/kg. The MCS particles were able to form a continuous film on a glass substrate, where magnetic nanoparticles could evenly disperse throughout the film. Thus, these new materials should be extremely useful in various applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(t-butyl methacrylate-b-isoprene-b-t-butyl methacrylate) block copolymers by anionic techniques

Poly(t-butyl methacrylate-b-isoprene-b-t-butyl methacrylate) block copolymers have been synthesized in a controlled manner by anionic techniques. The block copolymers demonstrated predictable chemical composition and stereochemistry, and narrow molecular weight distributions. The addition of a polar solvent was required after complete conversion of the diene block in order to preserve the high 1,4 microstructure of the diene phase and to facilitate the efficient crossover to the poly(t-butyl methacrylate) lithium enolate. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) of the triblock copolymers demonstrated a microphase separated morphology. The glass transition temperatures of the diene phase and acrylic phase were approximately ?70 and 120°C, respectively. Cast films of the block copolymers from polar and nonpolar solvents were optically clear and elastic.     

Radiometric Studies on Copolymerization of Multimethacrylate with Styrene

Abstract

Soluble copolymers containing ladder-type blocks are obtained as a result of free-radical copolymerization of a multifunctional monomer (multimethacrylate) with styrene in dilute solutions of DMF. The effects of some conditions of copolymerization on the number of end groups in a macromolecule, number of branching points, molar fraction of methacrylate units which reacted along the template chain, unsaturated residues, copolymer composition, and molecular weight were determined. The results obtained show that more than 80% of methacrylate units reacted along the template chain while the remaining units formed branches or did not participate in the process.     

Defect induced asymmetric pit formation on hydroxyapatite

Defect sites on bone minerals play a critical role in bone remodeling processes. We investigated single crystal hydroxyapatite (100) surfaces bearing crystal defects under acidic dissolution conditions using real-time in situ atomic force microscopy. At defect sites, surface structure-dependent asymmetric hexagonal etch pits were formed, which dominated the overall dissolution rate. Meanwhile, dissolution from the flat terraces proceeded by stochastic formation of flat bottom etch pits. The resulting pit shapes were intrinsically dictated by the HAP crystal structure. Computational modeling also predicted different step energies associated with different facets of the asymmetric etch pits. Our microscopic observations of HAP dissolution are significant for understanding the effects of local surface structure on the bone mineral remodeling process and provide useful insights for the design of novel therapies for treating osteoporosis and dental caries.     

丙烯酸共聚物囊壁的正十八烷微胶囊的制备和性能表征

以二丙烯酸1,4-丁二醇酯为交联剂, 成功制备了甲基丙烯酸甲酯-甲基丙烯酸共聚物为壁材, 正十八烷为囊芯的相变材料微胶囊. 采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、差示扫描量热仪(DSC)和热重分析仪(TG)分别考察了单体与芯材投料比、单体浓度和交联剂的含量对微胶囊形貌、相变热性能、热稳定性能的影响. 实验结果表明: 随着单体与芯材投料比或单体浓度的增加, 微胶囊表面均变得致密, 壁厚增加; 随着交联剂含量的增加, 微胶囊的表面变得更加致密光滑, 热稳定性显著增强; 随着单体与芯材投料比的增大, 微胶囊热焓值减小, 被包裹的囊芯含量减少.     

Solvent-induced self-assembly of mixed poly(methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene brushes on planar silica substrates: molecular weight effect

The effect of molecular weight on the solvent-induced self-assembly of mixed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/polystyrene (PS) brushes on silicon wafers was studied. For a series of mixed brushes with a fixed PMMA M(n) and systematically changed PS M(n), a transition in water advancing contact angle (theta(a)) from 74 degrees, the value for a flat PMMA surface, to 91 degrees, the value for a flat PS film, was observed with increasing PS M(n) after treatment with CHCl(3). Atomic force microscopy studies showed smooth surfaces for all samples. While no significant changes in surface morphologies were observed after treatment with cyclohexane, a selective solvent for PS, contact angle and XPS studies indicated that the mixed brushes with a PS M(n) slightly smaller than that of PMMA underwent self-reorganization, exhibiting a different theta(a). Intriguing surface morphologies composed of relatively ordered nanoscale domains were found from mixed brushes with PS M(n) slightly smaller than or similar to that of PMMA after treatment with acetic acid, a selective solvent for PMMA. The nanodomains are speculated to be of a micellar structure, with PS chains forming a core shielded by PMMA chains.     

Effect of calcium supplements on osteoporosis by using nuclear analytical techniques

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) have been used to study the effects of different calcium supplements on osteoporosis, including calcium carbonate, calcium threonate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, calcium acetate and a traditional Chinese medicine. Animal test results showed that calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium acetate and the Chinese medicine notably increased osteoporotic rat's femoral bone mineral density (BMD). Also, calcium carbonate, calcium acetate and the Chinese medicine significantly increased osteoporotic rat's vertebral BMD. But calcium L-threonate and calcium lactate had no such effects. Calcium gluconate, calcium acetate and the Chinese medicine improved the bone mechanical intensity of osteoporotic rats. The results of NAA showed that the loss of elements in spongy bones was more seriously than that in compact bone and was difficult to be improved. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Design of cerebellar and nontegmental rhombencephalic microvascular bed in the sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus: a scanning electron microscope and 3D morphometry study of vascular corrosion casts.

The design of the microvasculature of cerebellum and nontegmental rhombencephalic areas was studied in eight adult Acipenser ruthenus L. by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts and three-dimensional morphometry. Gross vascularization was described and diameters and total branching angles of parent and daughter vessels of randomly selected arterial and capillary bifurcations (respectively, venous mergings) were measured. With diameters ranging from 15.9 +/- 1.9 microm (cerebellum; mean +/- S.D.) to 15.9 +/- 1.7 mm (nontegmental rhombencephalon; mean +/- S.D.) capillaries in Acipenser were significantly (p > or = .05) smaller than in cyclostomes (18-20 microm) but significantly thicker than in higher vertebrates and men (6-8 microm). With the exception of the area ratio beta (i.e., sum of squared daugther diameters divided by squared diameter of parent vessel) of the venular mergings in the nontegmental rhombencephalon, no significant differences (p > or = .05) existed between the two brain areas. Data showed that arteriolar and capillary bifurcations and venular mergings are optimally designed in respect to diameters of parent vessel to daughter vessels and to branching (merging) angles. Quantitative data are discussed both in respect to methodical pitfalls and the optimality principles possibly underlying the design of vascular bifurcations/mergings in selected brain areas of a nonteleost primitive actinopterygian fish.     

New methacrylate-containing derivatives of hydroxyethyl starch

Modification of hydroxyethyl starch with glycidyl methacrylate in dimethylsulfoxide medium has resulted in the formation of the derivatives containing double C=C bonds capable of producing biocompatible hydrogels via the free-radical cross-linking. Structure of the glycidyl methacrylate derivatives has been elucidated by means of IR, UV, and NMR spectroscopy. Branching of the hydroxyethyl starch chains in the course of the interaction with glycidyl methacrylate has been observed and interpreted; the branching density has been determined. The influence of the substitution degree of the glycidyl methacrylate derivatives of hydroxyethyl starch on its melting point has been demonstrated.     

基于CBCT研究伴牙周炎患者种植牙治疗同期行GBR技术对牙槽骨的影响

本文探讨伴牙周炎患者种植牙同期行引导性骨再生(GBR)技术治疗对牙槽骨吸收的影响。选取接受牙种植同期行GBR技术治疗的患者90例作为研究对象,其中伴有牙周炎的患者有42例(牙周炎组)、不伴有牙周炎的患者有48例(对照组),采用CBCT观察两组的牙槽骨参数并进行比较。负载2年后(T2),牙周炎组患者的牙槽骨近中点、远中点、舌侧的牙槽骨高度测定值[(2.64±0.09)mm、(2.66±0.13)mm、(3.91±0.16)mm]均低于对照组的[(2.76±0.13)mm、(2.72±0.11)mm、(3.99±0.18)mm],且差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);牙周炎组患者的牙槽嵴顶区舌侧、牙槽嵴顶区唇侧、根尖区舌侧的牙槽骨密度值[(1054.1±97.6)Hu、(1058.3±113.0)Hu、(989.1±98.0)Hu]均低于对照组的[(1147.3±133.0)Hu、(1103.0±86.3)Hu、(1067.6±103.8)Hu],且差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与无牙周炎病史的患者相比,具有牙周炎病史的牙缺损患者接受牙种植同期行GBR技术治疗后种植体周围骨吸收更加的明显,CBCT技术能较好地观察到种植体周围骨吸收的情况。