Surface SEM micrographs of the Ta, TaC, and TaC/a-C coatings.

<p>Surface SEM micrographs of the Ta, TaC, and TaC/a-C coatings.</p

Morphology and distribution of MG-63 cells cultured onto uncoated, Ta-coated, TaC-coated, and TaC/a-C-coated samples for 72 h by using an inverted optical microscope.

<p>Cell density, 5000/cm²; original magnification, ×40.</p

Spinning disk confocal imaging of MG-63 cells cultured onto (a) uncoated, (b) Ta-coated, (c) TaC-coated, (d) and TaC/a-C-coated samples at 48 h.

<p>The blue fluorescent-stained nucleus was stained using Hoechst 33258 dye. Cell density, 2,000 cells/cm²; original magnification, ×200.</p

MTT assay test of MG-63 cells incubation with the uncoated, Ta-coated, TaC-coated, and TaC/a-C-coated samples at day 5.

<p>Data show the mean and SD values. Each specimen was n = 6, and the assay was performed duplicates. *Significantly different from the control group (<i>p</i><.01).</p

XRD spectra of the deposited Ta, TaC and TaC/a-C coatings.

<p>XRD spectra of the deposited Ta, TaC and TaC/a-C coatings.</p

Figure 1

<p>(a) Ta4f and (b) C1s XPS spectra of the deposited TaC and TaC/a-C coatings.</p

RT-PCR measurements of mRNA levels for fibronectin, type I collagen, laminin, type III collagen, and GAPDH.

<p>Columns a, b, and c represent ZrN, Zr–5C–39N, and Zr–22C–17N coatings, respectively.</p

Antibacterial activity (in relative fluorescence units) of the uncoated Ti plates (control) and the ZrN-, Zr–5C–39N-, and Zr–22C–17N-coated Ti plates.

<p>Data are mean and standard deviation (SD) values of four independent experiments performed in duplicate. *Significantly different from control group (<i>P</i><0.001).</p

SEM micrographs of HGF cells cultured on (a) an uncoated Ti surface and (b) a Zr–22C–17N-coated surface.

<p>SEM micrographs of HGF cells cultured on (a) an uncoated Ti surface and (b) a Zr–22C–17N-coated surface.</p

SEM micrographs of <i>S. aureus</i> incubated on (a) an uncoated Ti surface and (b) a Zr–22C–17N-coated Ti surface.

<p>SEM micrographs of <i>S. aureus</i> incubated on (a) an uncoated Ti surface and (b) a Zr–22C–17N-coated Ti surface.</p