Enamel matrix proteins, including the most abundant amelogenin and lesser amounts of enamelin, ameloblastin, and proteinases, play vital roles in controlling crystal nucleation and growth during enamel formation. The cooperative action between amelogenin and the 32-kDa enamelin is critical to regulating the growth morphology of octacalcium phosphate crystals. Using biophysical methods, we inves...

As the population ages worldwide, importance of maintaining metabolism skeletal system becomes increasingly important. The skeleton is core locomotor and oral structure. Moreover, infection control an essential part orthopedic surgery. This paper investigates new bone substitutes fabricated by ionic substitution method leading to octacalcium phosphate (OCP) with excellent contact antibacterial ...

Calcium pyrophosphate hydrate (CPP, Ca(2)P(2)O(7) · nH2O) and calcium orthophosphate compounds (including apatite, octacalcium phosphate etc.) are among the most prevalent pathological calcifications in joints. Even though only two dihydrated forms of CPP (CPPD) have been detected in vivo (monoclinic and triclinic CPPD), investigations of other hydrated forms such as tetrahydrated or amorphous ...

Cementum protein 1 (CEMP1) has been recently cloned, and in vitro experiments have shown functions as regulator of cementoblast behavior and inducer of differentiation of non-osteogenic cells toward a cementoblastic/osteoblastic phenotype. In this study, we have produced a full-length human recombinant CEMP1 protein in a human gingival fibroblast cell line. The purified protein (hrCEMP1) has a ...

Dissolution of the (100) face of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) single crystal in weak acidic solutions (pH = 6.5; 25 ̊C) was observed in situ using atomic force microscopy. Monomolecular steps (2.0 nm high) were observed; they originated from etch pits or crystal edges. Advancement of the dissolution process led to precipitation of nanoparticles as small as ~10 nm even though the solution was unde...

The new heterometallic title complex, [Co(NCS)(2)(C(10)H(8)N(2))(NH(3))(2)][Cr(NCS)(4)(NH(3))(2)]·2CH(3)CN, has been prepared using the open-air reaction of cobalt powder, Reineckes salt and 2,2'-bipyridine (dpy) in acetonitrile. The crystal structure consists of discrete cationic [Co(NCS)(2)(NH(3))(2)(dpy)](+) and anionic [Cr(NCS)(4)(NH(3))(2)](-) building blocks, both with 2 symmetry, and ace...