Effect of hydroxyapatite:zirconia volume fraction ratio on mechanical and corrosive properties of Ti-matrix composite scaffolds

Ti-based scaffolds reinforced with zirconia and hydroxyapatite were produced successfully by a hybrid method with an eco-friendliness and low cost to obtain low elastic modulus(E) with sufficient physical, electrochemical and biological properties. The effect of simultaneous modification of the volume fraction of hydroxyapatite(HA) and zirconia(ZrO_(2)) on scaffolds was investigated in terms of mechanical, corrosive, and antibacterial properties. Scanning electron microscopy with attached electron dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for the characterization of scaffolds. Compression and electrochemical tests were performed to determine mechanical properties with detailed fracture mechanism and in-vitro corrosion susceptibility to simulated body fluid at 37 ℃,respectively. Antibacterial tests were carried out by comparing the inhibition areas of E.coli and S.aureus bacteria. It was observed that the mechanical strength of the scaffolds decreased with increasing HA:ZrO_(2)volume fraction ratio.The lowest E was achieved(6.61 GPa) in 6:4 HA:ZrO_(2)composite scaffolds. Corrosion current density(J_(corr)) values were calculated to be 21, 337, and 504 μ A/cm^(2) for unreinforced Ti, 3:2 and 6:4 HA:ZrO_(2)reinforced scaffolds,respectively. The inhibition capacity of the 6:4 reinforced composite scaffold was found to be more effective against S.aureus bacteria than other scaffolds.

Assessing the efficacy of a novel sperm-washing medium enriched with serotonin,L-carnitine,and coenzyme Q10:an observational cohort study

This observational cohort study investigated the potential of a novel sperm-washing medium(SWM)enriched with serotonin(5-HT),L-carnitine(L-C),and coenzyme Q10(CoQ10)to enhance sperm motility and reduce DNA damage.It compared this innovative medium(5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM)with two widely used commercial media(SWM 1 and SWM 2).Ninety-eight volunteers from an infertility clinic provided semen samples,which were divided into three aliquots for analysis in different SWMs:group 1,SWM was composed of hydroxyethyl piperazineethanesulfonic acid(HEPES),sodium bicarbonate,human serum albumin(HSA),taurine,and gentamicin sulfate(SWM 1);group 2,SWM was composed of HEPES,sodium bicarbonate,and HSA(SWM 2);and group 3,SWM was composed of HEPES-buffered human tubal fluid supplemented with 5-HT,L-C,and CoQ10(5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM).Sperm motility was categorized as progressive,nonprogressive,or immotile.Apoptosis,reactive oxygen species(ROS)production,and DNA fragmentation were also assessed.There were no significant differences in total or progressive sperm motility among the groups.Spermatozoa in group 3 exhibited reduced apoptosis,necrosis,and ROS levels and increased viability.No significant differences were observed in the DNA fragmentation index among groups.The 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM reduced sperm oxidative stress and apoptosis compared with those of the two commercially available SWMs,suggesting that 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM could be useful for enhancing in vitro fertilization success rates.