180 o r t h o d o n t i c w a v e s 7 8 ( 2 0 1 9 ) 179–180
comparison with titanium (Ti). Our data indicated higher
tensile strength, lower Young’s modulus, and reduced metal
ion release of Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG compared with Ti. Biosafety
of bone marrow mesenchymal cells on Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG
was comparable to that of Ti. Next, screw-type implant
prototypes made of Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG were fabricated and
inserted into rat long bones. Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG implants
indicated a higher removal-torque value and lower Periotest
value compared with Ti implants. In addition, higher amounts
of new bone formation and osseointegration were observed
around Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG implants compared with Ti
implants. Moreover, gene expression analysis displayed
higher expression of osteoblast- and osteoclast-associated
genes in the Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG group compared with the Ti
group. Importantly, loading to implants upregulated bone for-
mation, as well as osteoblast- and osteoclast-associated gene
expression in the peri-implant area. No significant difference
in concentrations of Ni, Al, Cu, and Zr in various organs was
shown between in the Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG and Ti groups.
Collectively, these findings suggest that Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8
BMG is suitable for fabricating novel implants with supe-
rior mechanical properties, biocompatibility, stability, and
biosafety compared with Ti.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
Titanium is widely used to fabricate orthopedic and dental
implants. However, Titanium has disadvantages for biomedi-
cal applications in regard to strength, elasticity, and biosafety.
Recently, we developed a novel hypoeutectic Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8
BMG, which has superior mechanical and chemical properties.
However, the validity of Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG for biomedical
application has not been cleared. The aim of the present
study was to validate the mechanical, chemical, and biological
properties of Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG for biomedical applications
through comparison with Titanium. The present study clari-
fies that Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8 BMG has good mechanical properties,
corrosion resistance, and osteogenic activity, which are nec-
essary features for biomedical applications. The present study
provides for the first time the superiority of Zr70 Ni16 Cu6 Al8
BMG implants to Titanium implants for biomedical applica-
tions.
Acta Biomaterialia. 2018 Jul 1;74: 505-517.
doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.05.020.
Online Available: 15 May 2018
PMID: 29772348
Content permission: License Number 4675280265541 (24
September 2019)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.odw.2019.09.003
Nasal obstruction during adolescence induces
memory/learning impairments associated with
BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway hypofunction and
high corticosterone levels
T. Ogawa 1 , H. Okihara 1 , S. Kokai 1 , Y. Abe 1 ,
U.K. Karin Harumi 1 , M. Makiguchi 1 , C. Kato 1 ,
T. Yabushita 1 , M. Michikawa 2 , T. Ono 1
1 Department of Orthodontic Science, Oral Health Sciences,
Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo
Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
2 Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical
Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
The hippocampus is an important brain region involved
in memory and learning. Brain–derived neurotrophic
factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), and
phospho–p44/p42 mitogen–activated protein kinase (MAPK)
are known to contribute to hippocampal memory/learning.
The present study aimed to clarify the effects of nasal
obstruction during the growth period on memory/learning in
an animal model, using combined behavioral, biochemical,
and histological approaches. Male BALB/C mice underwent
unilateral nasal obstruction (UNO) by cauterization at 8 days
of age and were subjected to Y–maze and passive avoidance
tests at 15 weeks of age. The serum corticosterone levels were
measured using an enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay,
and brain tissues were subjected to hematoxylin–eosin stain-
ing and histological analysis or homogenization and Western
blot analysis. Compared with control mice, UNO mice had
lower blood oxygen saturation levels and exhibited apparent
memory/learning impairments during behavioral testing.
Additionally, the UNO group had higher hippocampal BDNF
levels and serum corticosterone levels, lower hippocampal
TrkB and phospho–p44/p42 MAPK levels, and reduced neuron
numbers relative to controls. Our findings suggest that UNO
during adolescence affects the hippocampus and causes
memory/learning impairments.
Journal of Neuroscience Research. 2018 Jun;96(6):1056-1065.
doi: 10.1002/jnr.24216.
Available Online: 2 Feb 2018
PMID: 29392750
Content permission: License Number 4675280001709 (24
September 2019)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.odw.2019.09.004