Histological analysis of regenerated bone at 12 weeks post-operation.

<p>(A) The newly formed bone was stained in red color with visible cell nuclei by Van Gieson staining at 12 weeks post-operation. PSPC group exhibited isolated new bone islands (green arrow) in the center of the scaffold. Scale bar: 5 mm (black), 20 µm (green), 10 µm (blue). (B) Histomorphometric analysis showed that the percentage of new bone formation in PSPC group was significantly higher than that of SSPC group, followed by SSSC group. ^*<i>p</i><0.05 vs. PSPC; ^#<i>p</i><0.05 vs. SSPC. (C) The percentage of residual material area/total area. There were no statistical differences among the three groups (<i>p</i>>0.05).</p

Radiographic grading system.

<p>*Proximal, distal, and central part of graft scored individually.</p

Flow circuit schematic diagram in the flow perfusion seeding and culture bioreactor.

<p>The scaffolds were press-fit into the column and the medium was pumped into the scaffolds via a peristaltic pump. The arrows indicated the flow direction of the seeding and culture medium.</p

Fluorochrome labeling of bone regeneration at 12 weeks post-operation.

<p>(A) The fluorescent labeling images of extracted specimens at 12 weeks post-operation. Scale bar: 50 µm (white), 10 µm (blue). (B) Quantitative analysis indicated the faster mineralization apposition rate of PSPC group followed by SSPC group. ^*<i>p</i><0.05 vs. PSPC; ^#<i>p</i><0.05 vs. SSPC.</p

Compression testing results at 12 weeks post-operation.

<p>PSPC group exhibited higher compression strength followed by SSPC group. ^*<i>p</i><0.05 vs. PSPC; ^#<i>p</i><0.05 vs. SSPC.</p

The gross view (A) and micro-CT scan (B) of β-TCP scaffold fabricated by Rapid Prototyping technique with designed internal architecture.

<p>The gross view (A) and micro-CT scan (B) of β-TCP scaffold fabricated by Rapid Prototyping technique with designed internal architecture.</p

Assessment of cell viability of the cell/scaffold composites at 8th day of culture.

<p>PSPC group exhibited higher cell viability followed by SSPC group. ^*<i>p</i><0.05 vs. PSPC; ^#<i>p</i><0.05 vs. SSPC.</p

Measurement of ALP activity of cell/scaffold composites at different time points.

<p>PSPC group exhibited higher ALP activity followed by SSPC group.^*<i>p</i><0.05 vs. PSPC; ^#<i>p</i><0.05 vs. SSPC.</p

Histological analysis of the cell/scaffold composites at 8th day of culture.

<p>The cells (blue) and mineralized matrix (red) were visualized by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. A: PSPC, B: SSPC, C: SSSC. Scale bar: 50 µm (white), 20 µm (blue). Quantitative analysis indicated the higher percentage of cell area/pore area of PSPC group followed by SSPC group. ^*<i>p</i><0.05 vs. PSPC; ^#<i>p</i><0.05 vs. SSPC.</p

The implants performed in each experimental group.

<p>The implants performed in each experimental group.</p