No abstract

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was encapsulated in biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) capsules to regenerate bone by controlling the release rate of rhBMP-2. The rhBMP-2/PLGA capsules containing 12 microg of rhBMP-2 were implanted in seven 15-mm segmental defects of rabbits radii to examine the healing capacity of the rhBMP-2/PLGA capsules. For the control group, four segmental defects were left empty and two were implanted with ghost PLGA capsules. Healing of the defects was followed for 24 weeks and periodically evaluated by radiographs and histological examination. Mechanical testing was applied to three regenerated bone samples at 24 weeks postoperatively when the mature cortex was observed. Mechanical properties of regenerated bone were not significantly different from normal intact bone statistically. Histologically, the rhBMP-2/PLGA capsules disappeared completely during the process of bone regeneration. These results increased possibilities for clinical application of rhBMP-2/PLGA capsules.

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We have clarified the correlation between geometric and electronic structures of naphthalene ultrathin films on graphite using a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and two-photon photoemission (2PPE) spectroscopy. Depending on the geometrical superstructure, as characterized by STM, shifts in the first image potential states are observed by STM-based local spectroscopy on the nanometer scale, which is consistent with coverage-dependent 2PPE spectra measured on the macroscale. An adsorption-induced unoccupied feature, which is specific to the (2√3×2√3) R30°superstructure, is detected at submonolayer coverages and is assigned to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) derived level. It is interesting that the LUMO feature disappears for multilayer films. These behaviors indicate that a drastic change in electronic states occurs at the organic/metal interface associated with the change in the geometric structure.