Characterization and application of single fluorescent nanodiamonds as cellular biomarkers.
(17/104)
Type Ib diamonds emit bright fluorescence at 550-800 nm from nitrogen-vacancy point defects, (N-V)(0) and (N-V)(-), produced by high-energy ion beam irradiation and subsequent thermal annealing. The emission, together with noncytotoxicity and easiness of surface functionalization, makes nano-sized diamonds a promising fluorescent probe for single-particle tracking in heterogeneous environments. We present the result of our characterization and application of single fluorescent nanodiamonds as cellular biomarkers. We found that, under the same excitation conditions, the fluorescence of a single 35-nm diamond is significantly brighter than that of a single dye molecule such as Alexa Fluor 546. The latter photobleached in the range of 10 s at a laser power density of 10(4) W/cm(2), whereas the nanodiamond particle showed no sign of photobleaching even after 5 min of continuous excitation. Furthermore, no fluorescence blinking was detected within a time resolution of 1 ms. The photophysical properties of the particles do not deteriorate even after surface functionalization with carboxyl groups, which form covalent bonding with polyL-lysines that interact with DNA molecules through electrostatic forces. The feasibility of using surface-functionalized fluorescent nanodiamonds as single-particle biomarkers is demonstrated with both fixed and live HeLa cells. (+info)
Diamond and biology.
(18/104)
A summary of photo- and electrochemical surface modifications applied on single-crystalline chemical vapour deposition diamond films is given. The covalently bonded formation of amine and phenyl linker molecular layers is characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry and field-effect transistor characterization experiments. Amine and phenyl layers are very different with respect to formation, growth, thickness and molecular arrangement. We deduce a sub-monolayer of amine linker molecules on diamond with approximately 10% coverage of 1.510(15) cm(-2) carbon bonds. Amine is bonded only on initially H-terminated surface areas. In the case of electrochemical deposition of phenyl layers, multilayer properties are detected with three-dimensional nitrophenyl growth properties. This leads to the formation of typically 25 A thick layers. The electrochemical bonding to boron-doped diamond works on H-terminated and oxidized surfaces. After reacting such films with heterobifunctional cross-linker molecules, thiol-modified ss-DNA markers are bonded to the organic system. Application of fluorescence and AFM on hybridized DNA films shows dense arrangements with densities up to 10(13) cm(-2). The DNA is tilted by an angle of approximately 35 degrees with respect to the diamond surface. Shortening the bonding time of thiol-modified ss-DNA to 10 min causes a decrease in DNA density to approximately 10(12) cm(-2). Application of AFM scratching experiments shows threshold removal forces of approximately 75 and 45 nN for the DNA bonded to the phenyl and the amine linker molecules, respectively. First, DNA sensor applications using Fe(CN6) 3-/4- mediator redox molecules and DNA field-effect transistor devices are introduced and discussed. (+info)
Surface roughness of a dental ceramic after polishing with different vehicles and diamond pastes.
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During fabrication of bonded ceramic restorations, cervical adaptation, occlusal adjustment and final finishing/polishing are procedures to be performed at the dental office after adhesive cementation. Final adjustments may result in loss of ceramic glaze, which requires new polishing of the ceramic surface, with special attention for selection of adequate materials and instruments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of different vehicles associated with diamond pastes indicated for dental ceramic polishing. Two polishing pastes (Crystar Paste and Diamond Excell) associated with four vehicles (rubber cup, Robinson bristle brush, felt wheel and buff disc) were evaluated. Disc-shaped specimens were fabricated from Ceramco II dental ceramic. Surface roughness means (Ra) of the ceramic specimens were determined with a rugosimeter. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test at 5% significance level. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.01) between the polishing pastes. However, there were statistically significant differences (p<0.01) among the tested vehicles. Vehicle-paste interaction showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05) as well. It may be concluded that: 1) Robinson bristle brush, felt wheel and buff disc were efficient vehicles to be used in association with a diamond polishing paste; 2) The use of rubber cup as a vehicle showed poor efficiency for mechanical polishing of the ceramic surfaces; 3) Both pastes provided similar and efficient polishing and may be recommended for use with an appropriated vehicle. (+info)
Polishing methods of an alumina-reinforced feldspar ceramic.
(20/104)
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that mechanical polishing methods of ceramic surfaces allow similar superficial roughness to that of glazed surfaces. Twenty-five Vitadur Alpha ceramic discs (5 mm x 2 mm) were prepared according to the manufacturer's specifications. All specimens were glazed and randomly assigned to 5 groups (n=5), according to finishing and polishing protocols: G1: glazed (control); G2: diamond bur finishing; G3: G2 + silicon rubber tip polishing; G4: G3 + felt disc/diamond polishing paste; G5: G3 + felt disc impregnated with fine-particle diamond paste. Next, surface roughness means (Ra - microm) were calculated. Qualitative analysis was made by scanning electron microscopy. Surface roughness data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test at 5% significance level. G1 and G4 were statistically similar (p>0.05). G2 presented the highest roughness means (p<0.05) followed by groups G3, G5, G4 and G1 in a decreasing order. The hypothesis was partially confirmed as only the mechanical polishing (G4) produced similar superficial roughness to that of surface glazing, although finishing and polishing are technically critical procedures. (+info)
Nanometer-sized diamond particle as a probe for biolabeling.
(21/104)
A novel method is proposed using nanometer-sized diamond particles as detection probes for biolabeling. The advantages of nanodiamond's unique properties were demonstrated in its biocompatibility, nontoxicity, easily detected Raman signal, and intrinsic fluorescence from its natural defects without complicated pretreatments. Carboxylated nanodiamond's (cND's) penetration ability, noncytotoxicity, and visualization of cND-cell interactions are demonstrated on A549 human lung epithelial cells. Protein-targeted cell interaction visualization was demonstrated with cND-lysozyme complex interaction with bacteria Escherichia coli. It is shown that the developed biomolecule-cND complex preserves the original functions of the test protein. The easily detected natural fluorescent and Raman intrinsic signals, penetration ability, and low cytotoxicity of cNDs render them promising agents in multiple medical applications. (+info)
Preliminary tribological evaluation of nanostructured diamond coatings against ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
(22/104)
BACKGROUND: Some loss of joint prostheses has been attributed to osteolytic loosening associated with debris from wear of polyethylene articulating against metal alloys. Reduced polyethylene wear has been reported with ceramics serving as an alternative counterface. METHODS: Nanostructured Diamond (NSD) coatings were deposited onto Ti6Al4V by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, with both hydrogen-rich (H-NSD) and helium-rich (He-NSD) feedgas mixtures. Pin-on-disk wear tests of polyethylene against NSD and CoCr were performed in serum lubrication at body temperature. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine surface morphology, and nanoindentation was used to determine hardness and modulus of the polyethylene wear surfaces. Raman spectroscopy, surface roughness, and wettability analyses of the NSD coatings were performed. RESULTS: Raman spectroscopy confirmed sp(2) and sp(3) bonded carbon in the NSD coatings. No significant differences in wear factors were found between polyethylene on H-NSD, He-NSD, and CoCr, despite higher roughness and friction coefficients for the He-NSD and H-NSD coatings, compared with CoCr. Contact angles for the diamond coatings were reduced following the wear tests, indicating that these surfaces became more hydrophilic. Numerous small protuberances were observed on pins articulated against CoCr, and a single, large protuberance was observed in polyethylene-on-NSD. These features were conjectured to be reconsolidated polyethylene particles. Nanoindentation modulus and hardness of the worn polyethylene surfaces were lower for polyethylene-on-diamond than for polyethylene-on-CoCr. CONCLUSIONS: As a counterface to polyethylene, NSD-coated Ti6Al4V produced wear factors comparable to CoCr in the present pin-on-disk tests, a promising step towards its use in joint replacement bearing applications. (+info)
Preparation time and sealing effect of cavities prepared by an ultrasonic device and a high-speed diamond rotary cutting system.
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The purpose of this study was to compare a high-speed handpiece to an ultrasonic device regarding the time taken for cavity preparation in bovine incisor teeth (n = 12), and to evaluate microleakage after the restorations. Two cylindrical cavities each were prepared on the labial surfaces of 12 teeth. One of them was made with a diamond tip in group 1 (G(1) = 12) coupled with a high-speed handpiece, and the other with a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) tip in group 2 (G(2) = 12) coupled with an ultra-sound device (n = 24). The time taken for each preparation was measured with a stopwatch. The cavities were treated with adhesive (Scotchbond Multipurpose, 3M), restored with composite (Filtek Z250, 3M), finished and polished, and then the prepared teeth were immersed in a 50% silver nitrate solution. The samples were cut in the mesio-distal direction and evaluated for microleakage. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test (P < 0.01). The results revealed that the time taken to prepare cavities was 7.9 times shorter in G(1). There was no microleakage in 100% of the samples indicated by the absence of dye penetration in G(1), and 46% in G(2). It was concluded that the performance of the high-speed handpiece was better than that of the oscillatory system, in terms of both the time taken for preparation and the microleakage. (+info)
Influence of the power level of an ultra-sonic system on dental cavity preparation.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the shape of dental cavities made with the CVDentus system using different ultrasound power levels. One standard cavity was made on the buccal aspect of 15 bovine incisors with a CVDentus cylindrical bur (82142). The sample was divided into three groups: G1-ultrasound with power II; G2-ultrasound with power III; and G3-ultrasound with power IV. A standardizing device was used to obtain standardized preparations and ultrasound was applied during one minute in each dental preparation. The cavities were sectioned in the middle, allowing observation of the cavity's profile with a magnifying glass, and width and depth measurement using the Leica Qwin program. The Kruskal-Wallis (p<0.05) and Dunn statistical analyses demonstrated differences between the dental cavity shapes when powers III and IV were used. However, the cavities that were made with power III presented dimensions similar to those of the bur used for preparation. We concluded that the power recommended by the manufacturer (III) is the most adequate for use with the CVDentus system. (+info)