Bio-functional hydroxyapatite-coated 3D porous polyetherketoneketone scaffold for enhanced osteogenesis and osteointegration in orthopedic applications.

Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), a high-performance thermoplastic special engineering material, maintains bone-like mechanical properties and has received considerable attention in the biomedical field. The 3D printing technique enables the production of porous scaffolds with a honeycomb structure featuring precisely controlled pore size, porosity and interconnectivity, which holds significant potential for applications in tissue engineering. The ideal pore architecture of porous PEKK scaffolds has yet to be elucidated. Porous PEKK scaffolds with five pore sizes P200 (225 ± 9.8 µm), P400 (411 ± 22.1 µm), P600 (596 ± 23.4 µm), P800 (786 ± 24.2 µm) and P1000 (993 ± 26.0 µm) were produced by a 3D printer. Subsequently, the optimum pore size, the P600, for mechanical properties and osteogenesis was selected based on in vitro experiments. To improve the interfacial bioactivity of porous PEKK scaffolds, hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals were generated via in situ biomimetic mineralization induced by the phase-transited lysozyme coating. Herein, a micro/nanostructured surface showing HAp crystals on PEKK scaffold was developed. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that the porous PEKK-HAp scaffolds exhibited highly interconnected pores and functional surface structures that were favorable for biocompatibility and osteoinductivity, which boosted bone regeneration. Therefore, this work not only demonstrates that the pore structure of the P600 scaffold is suitable for PEKK orthopedic implants but also sheds light on a synergistic approach involving 3D printing and biomimetic mineralization, which has the potential to yield customized 3D PEKK-HAp scaffolds with enhanced osteoinductivity and osteogenesis, offering a promising strategy for bone tissue engineering.

The gold protocol: A combined treatment approach for neck rejuvenation with calcium hydroxyapatite, botulinum toxin, and hyaluronic acid in the same session.

BACKGROUND: The signs of aging seem to be more visible on the neck compared to other locations, especially if a patient has already gone through facial rejuvenation procedures. Treatment of the aging neck imposes a challenge to the clinician, since one single approach is usually not enough to achieve the desired result, requiring multiple injections and sessions, which apart from being painful for the patients, is time-consuming for the clinician. AIM: To describe the use of calcium hydroxyapatite, incobotulinum toxin type A and Cohesive poly-densified matrix hyaluronic acid diluted in the same syringe and injected in the same session for neck rejuvenation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen women, older than 18 years, with cervical skin flaccidity grade 1-4 in a previously validated 5-point rating scale (Dermatologic Surg, 2016; 42, S94), who sought neck rejuvenation were injected in this pilot study with a single session with a combined hybrid mixture of calcium hydroxyapatite, incobotulinum toxin type A, and Cohesive poly-densified matrix hyaluronic acid and followed up for 90-180 days. RESULTS: At the 4-month post injection evaluation, 93.3% of the patients presented at least 1-grade improvement in the 5-point scale as evaluated by the investigator. No serious adverse events were reported, being most mild and transient in nature. CONCLUSION: CaHA, incoBonTA, and CPM-HA have complementary mechanisms of action and may be injected from the same syringe in the same session, boosting the final outcome, with high patient satisfaction, and ease of process for both patients and clinicians.

Study on the performance and mechanism of cobaltous ion removal from water by a high-efficiency strontium-doped hydroxyapatite adsorbent.

In this study, a high-efficiency strontium-doped hydroxyapatite (Sr-HAP) adsorbent was synthesized by a sol-gel method for removing cobaltous ions (Co(II)) from water. The effects of adsorbent dose, initial solution pH, initial Co(II) concentration and temperature on the removal performance of Co(II) were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the optimum Sr-HAP dose was 0.30 g/50 mL solution, the Sr-HAP adsorbent could effectively remove Co(II) in a wide pH range of 3-8. Increasing temperature was conducive to the adsorption, and the maximum Co(II) adsorption capacity by Sr-HAP reached 48.467 mg/g at 45 °C. The adsorption of Co(II) followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating that the Co(II) adsorption by Sr-HAP was attributed mainly to chemisorption. The isothermal adsorption results showed that at lower Co(II) equilibrium concentration, the Langmuir model fitted the data better than the Freundlich model but opposite at higher Co(II) equilibrium concentration. Therefore, the adsorption of Co(II) was a process from monolayer adsorption to multilayer adsorption with the increase of the Co(II) equilibrium concentration. The diffusion analysis of Co(II) to Sr-HAP indicated that the internal diffusion and surface adsorption were the rate-controlled steps of Co(II) adsorption. Thermodynamic study demonstrated that the Co(II) adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The mechanism study revealed that in addition to chemisorption, Sr-HAP also removed Co(II) ions from water via ion exchange and surface complexation.

Effect of bioceramic powder abrasion on different implant surfaces.

PURPOSE: Bioceramic coatings have been shown to promote bone repair, which aids in the early integration of implants. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of air abrasion with a bioceramic abrasive on the surface characteristics of different implant materials and surfaces. The dissolution of the applied treatment from the surfaces over 3 weeks was also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Discs of three alloys used for dental implants were studied and compared: two types of commercially pure titanium (CpTi)/ (CpTi SLActive) and titanium-zirconia (TiZr). The tested surfaces were: CpTi control (CpC), sandblasted (SB), sandblasted and acid-etched (SBE), and CpTi SLActive®, (TiZr) Roxolid®. Three discs from each group underwent air abrasion with apatite bioceramic powders, 95% hydroxyapatite (HA)/5% calcium oxide (CaO), and 90% hydroxyapatite (HA)/10% calcium oxide (CaO). The treated discs were surface characterized by optical profilometry to obtain surface roughness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to compare element weight percentages of titanium, calcium, and phosphate. Dissolution was assessed using inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). RESULTS: Bioceramic powders were deposited on all tested surfaces leading to changes in surface characteristics. The only statistically significant differences between the material groups for surface roughness were found with 95% HA/5% CaO powder in the Sp and Rp parameters (p = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). There were no significant differences in the Ca and P wt% between all groups and powders 95% HA/5% CaO and 90% HA/10% CaO (p = 0.14, 0.18, and p = 0.15, 0.12, respectively). A non-uniform dispersion of the treatment on the surface layer was visible on all treated surfaces. The bioceramic powder continued to dissolute from the tested surfaces for 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: Bioceramic abrasion modifies implant surface characteristics, although the change in surface characteristics resulting from such treatment was not influenced by the implant material or surface treatment. Air abrasion with hydroxyapatite and calcium oxide bioceramics leaves powder deposits on the treated implant surfaces that could potentially influence the healing of implants affected by peri-implantitis.

Swept-source Raman spectroscopy of chemical and biological materials.

Significance: Raman spectroscopy has been used as a powerful tool for chemical analysis, enabling the noninvasive acquisition of molecular fingerprints from various samples. Raman spectroscopy has proven to be valuable in numerous fields, including pharmaceutical, materials science, and biomedicine. Active research and development efforts are currently underway to bring this analytical instrument into the field, enabling in situ Raman measurements for a wider range of applications. Dispersive Raman spectroscopy using a fixed, narrowband source is a common method for acquiring Raman spectra. However, dispersive Raman spectroscopy requires a bulky spectrometer, which limits its field applicability. Therefore, there has been a tremendous need to develop a portable and sensitive Raman system. Aim: We developed a compact swept-source Raman (SS-Raman) spectroscopy system and proposed a signal processing method to mitigate hardware limitations. We demonstrated the capabilities of the SS-Raman spectroscopy by acquiring Raman spectra from both chemical and biological samples. These spectra were then compared with Raman spectra obtained using a conventional dispersive Raman spectroscopy system. Approach: The SS-Raman spectroscopy system used a wavelength-swept source laser (822 to 842 nm), a bandpass filter with a bandwidth of 1.5 nm, and a low-noise silicon photoreceiver. Raman spectra were acquired from various chemical samples, including phenylalanine, hydroxyapatite, glucose, and acetaminophen. A comparative analysis with the conventional dispersive Raman spectroscopy was conducted by calculating the correlation coefficients between the spectra from the SS-Raman spectroscopy and those from the conventional system. Furthermore, Raman mapping was obtained from cross-sections of swine tissue, demonstrating the applicability of the SS-Raman spectroscopy in biological samples. Results: We developed a compact SS-Raman system and validated its performance by acquiring Raman spectra from both chemical and biological materials. Our straightforward signal processing method enhanced the quality of the Raman spectra without incurring high costs. Raman spectra in the range of 900 to 1200 cm-1 were observed for phenylalanine, hydroxyapatite, glucose, and acetaminophen. The results were validated with correlation coefficients of 0.88, 0.84, 0.87, and 0.73, respectively, compared with those obtained from dispersive Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, we performed scans across the cross-section of swine tissue to generate a biological tissue mapping plot, providing information about the composition of swine tissue. Conclusions: We demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed compact SS-Raman spectroscopy system by obtaining Raman spectra of chemical and biological materials, utilizing straightforward signal processing. We anticipate that the SS-Raman spectroscopy will be utilized in various fields, including biomedical and chemical applications.

De novo vesico-acetabular fistula presenting with septic arthritis: Case report and literature review.

Vesico-acetabular fistula formation is a rare condition typically associated with total hip arthroplasty. Clinical features can include pain of the hip and flank, haematuria, and dysuria. We report the case of a 67-year-old female with a past medical history of bilateral pelvic fractures and calcium hydroxyapatite deposition disease of the hip joint, who developed vesico-acetabular fistula in the absence of surgery. This was then complicated by septic arthritis. We highlight the ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the case and review the previous case reports describing the vesico-acetabular fistula.

Unveiling the role of hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite/silver composite in osteoblast-like cell mineralization: An exploration through their viscoelastic properties.

Mechanical properties are becoming fundamental for advancing the comprehension of cellular processes. This study addresses the relationship between viscoelastic properties and the cellular mineralization process. Osteoblast-like cells treated with an osteogenic medium were employed for this purpose. Additionally, the study explores the impact of hydroxyapatite (HA) and hydroxyapatite/silver (HA/Ag) composite on this process. AFM relaxation experiments were conducted to extract viscoelastic parameters using the Fractional Zener (FZ) and Fractional Kelvin (FK) models. Our findings revealed that the main phases of mineralization are associated with alterations in the viscoelastic properties of osteoblast-like cells. Furthermore, HA and HA/Ag treatments significantly influenced changes in the viscoelastic properties of these cells. In particular, the HA/Ag treatment demonstrated a marked enhancement in cell fluidity, suggesting a possible role of silver in accelerating the mineralization process. Moreover, the study underscores the independence observed between fluidity and stiffness, indicating that modifications in one parameter may not necessarily correspond to changes in the other. These findings shed light on the factors involved in the cellular mineralization process and emphasize the importance of using viscoelastic properties to discern the impact of treatments on cells.

Material Design of Porous Hydroxyapatite Ceramics via Inverse Analysis of an Estimation Model for Bone-Forming Ability Based on Machine Learning and Experimental Validation of Biological Hard Tissue Responses.

Hydroxyapatite and ß-tricalcium phosphate have been clinically applied as artificial bone materials due to their high biocompatibility. The development of artificial bones requires the verification of safety and efficacy through animal experiments; however, from the viewpoint of animal welfare, it is necessary to reduce the number of animal experiments. In this study, we utilized machine learning to construct a model that estimates the bone-forming ability of bioceramics from material fabrication conditions, material properties, and in vivo experimental conditions. We succeeded in constructing two models: 'Model 1', which predicts material properties from their fabrication conditions, and 'Model 2', which predicts the bone-formation rate from material properties and in vivo experimental conditions. The inclusion of full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the feature of Model 2 showed an improvement in accuracy. Furthermore, the results of the feature importance showed that the FWHMs were the most important. By an inverse analysis of the two models, we proposed candidates for material fabrication conditions to achieve target values of the bone-formation rate. Under the proposed conditions, the material properties of the fabricated material were consistent with the estimated material properties. Furthermore, a comparison between bone-formation rates after 12 weeks of implantation in the porcine tibia and the estimated bone-formation rate. This result showed that the actual bone-formation rates existed within the error range of the estimated bone-formation rates, indicating that machine learning consistently predicts the results of animal experiments using material fabrication conditions. We believe that these findings will lead to the establishment of alternative animal experiments to replace animal experiments in the development of artificial bones.

The Effect of Doping on the Electrical and Dielectric Properties of Hydroxyapatite for Medical Applications: From Powders to Thin Films.

Recently, the favorable electrical properties of biomaterials have been acknowledged as crucial for various medical applications, including both bone healing and growth processes. This review will specifically concentrate on calcium phosphate (CaP)-based bioceramics, with a notable emphasis on hydroxyapatite (HA), among the diverse range of synthetic biomaterials. HA is currently the subject of extensive research in the medical field, particularly in dentistry and orthopedics. The existing literature encompasses numerous studies exploring the physical-chemical, mechanical, and biological properties of HA-based materials produced in various forms (i.e., powders, pellets, and/or thin films) using various physical and chemical vapor deposition techniques. In comparison, there is a relative scarcity of research on the electrical and dielectric properties of HA, which have been demonstrated to be essential for understanding dipole polarization and surface charge. It is noteworthy that these electrical and dielectric properties also offer valuable insights into the structure and functioning of biological tissues and cells. In this respect, electrical impedance studies on living tissues have been performed to assess the condition of cell membranes and estimate cell shape and size. The need to fill the gap and correlate the physical-chemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics with the electrical and dielectric properties could represent a step forward in providing new avenues for the development of the next-generation of high-performance HA-doped biomaterials for future top medical applications. Therefore, this review focuses on the electrical and dielectric properties of HA-based biomaterials, covering a range from powders and pellets to thin films, with a particular emphasis on the impact of the various dopants used. Therefore, it will be revealed that each dopant possesses unique properties capable of enhancing the overall characteristics of the produced structures. Considering that the electrical and dielectric properties of HA-based biomaterials have not been extensively explored thus far, the aim of this review is to compile and thoroughly discuss the latest research findings in the field, with special attention given to biomedical applications.

Functionalization of the NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Surface through Innovative Hydroxyapatite/Ag-TiO2 Hybrid Coatings.

The objective of this research was to develop a surface modification for the NiTi shape memory alloy, thereby enabling its long-term application in implant medicine. This was achieved through the creation of innovative multifunctional hybrid layers comprising a nanometric molecular system of silver-rutile (Ag-TiO2), known for its antibacterial properties, in conjunction with bioactive submicro- and nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAp). The multifunctional, continuous, crack-free coatings were produced using the electrophoretic deposition method (EPD) at 20 V/1 min. Structural and morphological analyses through Raman spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided comprehensive insights into the obtained coating. The silver within the layer existed in the form of nanometric silver carbonates (Ag2CO3) and metallic nanosilver. Based on DTA/TG results, dilatometric measurements, and high-temperature microscopy, the heat treatment temperature for the deposited layers was set at 800 °C for 2 h. The procedures applied resulted in the creation of a new generation of materials with a distinct structure compared with the initial nanopowders. The resulting composite layer, measuring 2 µm in thickness, comprised hydroxyapatite (HAp), apatite carbonate (CHAp), metallic silver, silver oxides, Ag@C, and rutile exhibiting a defective structure. This structural characteristic contributes significantly to its heightened activity, influencing both bioactivity and biocompatibility properties.

Expression features of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and macrophages in the post-traumatic regenerate of the mandible rats under conditions of filling a bone defect with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material and thymalin injecting the surrounding soft tissues.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the features of the expression of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, macrophages in the post-traumatic regenerate of the mandible rats under conditions of filling a bone defect with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material and thymalin injecting the surrounding soft tissues. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted on 48 mature rats of the WAG population weighing 160-180 grams. Four groups were formed. Group 1 included 12 rats with a simulated holey defect in the lower jaw. Group 2 included 12 rats with a simulated holey defect in the lower jaw followed by its closure with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material (bone graft "Biomin GT"). Group 3 included 12 rats with a simulated holey defect in the lower jaw with injecting the surrounding soft tissues with thymalin. Group 4 included 12 rats with a simulated holey defect in the lower jaw followed by its closure with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material (bone graft "Biomin GT") and injecting the surrounding soft tissues with thymalin. The material for the morphological study was a fragment of the lower jaw from the area of the simulated holey defect. An immunohistochemical study was aperformed using monoclonal antibodies to CD68, CD20, CD163, CD86, CD3. RESULTS: Results: A comprehensive experimental and morphological study conducted by the authors revealed that thymalin injection of the soft tissues surrounding the bone defect of the lower jaw, filled with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material "Biomin GT", stimulates local immune reactions in the post-traumatic regenerate, which is manifested, firstly, by an increase in the number T-lymphocytes on the 3rd day of the experiment and their increase up to the 28th day; secondly, by increasing the number of B-lymphocytes on the 14th day of the experiment with their further increase up to the 28th day; thirdly, by increasing the number of macrophages on the 3rd day of the experiment and their growth up to the 28th day; fourth, changes in macrophages phenotypes (decrease in the number of M1-macrophages and increase in the number of M2-macrophages). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Stimulation of local immune reactions in the post-traumatic regenerate can be one of the mechanisms that activate reparative osteogenesis in the lower jaw of rats under the conditions of filling bone defects with hydroxyapatite-containing osteotropic material "Biomin GT" and thymalin injecting the surrounding soft tissues.

Highly Active and Sintering-Resistant Pt Clusters Supported on FeOx-Hydroxyapatite Achieved by Tailoring Strong Metal-Support Interactions.

The catalytic performance of supported metal catalysts is closely related to their structure. While Pt-based catalysts are widely used in many catalytic reactions because of their exceptional intrinsic activity, they tend to deactivate in high-temperature reactions, requiring a tedious and expensive regeneration process. The strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) is a promising strategy to improve the stability of supported metal nanoparticles, but often at the price of the activity due to either the coverage of the active sites by support overlay and/or the too-strong metal-support bonding. Herein, we newly constructed a supported Pt cluster catalyst by introducing FeOx into hydroxyapatite (HAP) support to fine-tune the SMSIs. The catalyst exhibited not only high catalytic activity but also sintering resistance, without deactivation in a 100 h test for catalytic CO oxidation. Detailed characterizations reveal that FeOx introduced into HAP weaken the strong covalent metal-support interaction (CMSI) between Pt and FeOx while simultaneously inhibiting the oxidative strong metal-support interaction (OMSI) between Pt and HAP, giving rise to both high activity and thermal stability of the supported Pt clusters.

Hydroxyapatite nano-pillars on TI-6Al-4V: Enhancements in cell spreading and proliferation during cell/surface integration.

Despite the attractive combinations of cell/surface interactions, biocompatibility, and good mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V, there is still a need to enhance the early stages of cell/surface integration that are associated with the implantation of biomedical devices into the human body. This paper presents a novel, easy and reproducible method of nanoscale and nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on Ti-6Al-4V. The resulting nanoscale coatings/nanostructures are characterized using a combination of Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The nanostructured/nanoscale coatings are shown to enhance the early stages of cell spreading and integration of bone cells (hFOB cells) on Ti-6Al-4V surfaces. The improvements include the acceleration of extra-cellular matrix, cell spreading and proliferation by nanoscale HA structures on the coated surfaces. The implications of the results are discussed for the development of HA nanostructures for the improved osseointegration of Ti-6Al-4V in orthopedic and dental applications.

Comparative Analysis of Various Materials Used for Mastoid Cavity Obliteration in Canal Wall Down Mastoid Surgery.

To study the surgical result and efficacy of different methods of mastoid obliteration with cavity care. This prospective study included 60 patients who had cholesteatoma, conducted in the Department of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi from July 2015 to July 2017. The mastoid cavity was obliterated with either muscle flap/bone dust/hydroxyapatite. detailed history otoscopic examination was done pre-operatively and follow up were recorded at 1 month and 3 months in postoperative period. 60 patients were included, who underwent canal wall down mastoid surgery. each group muscle flap (group 1), bone dust (group 2) and hydroxyapatite (group 3) included 20 patients, age group 31-40 year with its maximum incidence of 43.3%, Preop PTA value were almost equal in all group but on comparison at 1 month in postoperative period significant improvement was present in group 1 versus 2(0.021) and group 2 versus 3(0.003) but not in group 1 versus 3. Although at 3 month there were significant improvement was present in all groups. The incidence of pain, discharge, giddiness and wax formation were markedly reduced and healing of cavities was early and better in obliterated cavities done by muscle flap and bone dust material as compared to hydroxyapatite cavities, at the end of 3 months. outcome and quality of life was better and almost equal in muscle flap and bone dust material group as compared to hydroxyapatite group.

Construction Form and Application of Three-Dimensional Bioprinting Ink Containing Hydroxyapatite.

With the increasing prevalence of bone tissue diseases, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting applied to bone tissue engineering for treatment has received a lot of interests in recent years. The research and popularization of 3D bioprinting in bone tissue engineering require bioinks with good performance, which is closely related to ideal material and appropriate construction form. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is the inorganic component of natural bone and has been widely used in bone tissue engineering and other fields due to its good biological and physicochemical properties. Previous studies have prepared different bioinks containing HAp and evaluated their properties in various aspects. Most bioinks showed significant improvement in terms of rheology and biocompatibility; however, not all of them had sufficiently favorable mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity. The deficiencies in properties of bioink and 3D bioprinting technology limited the applications of bioinks containing HAp in clinical trials. This review article summarizes the construction forms of bioinks containing HAp and its modifications in previous studies, as well as the 3D bioprinting techniques adopted to print bioink containing HAp. In addition, this article summarizes the advantages and underlying mechanisms of bioink containing HAp, as well as its limitations, and suggests possible improvement to facilitate the development of bone tissue engineering bioinks containing HAp in the future.

Comparison between Two Different Synthesis Methods of Strontium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Designed for Osteoporotic Bone Restoration.

Development of efficient controlled local release of drugs that prevent systemic side effects is a challenge for anti-osteoporotic treatments. Research for new bone-regeneration materials is of high importance. Strontium (Sr) is known as an anti-resorptive and anabolic agent useful in treating osteoporosis. In this study, we compared two different types of synthesis used for obtaining nano hydroxyapatite (HA) and Sr-containing nano hydroxyapatite (SrHA) for bone tissue engineering. Synthesis of HA and SrHA was performed using co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods. Regardless of the synthesis route for the SrHA, the intended content of Sr was 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 molar %. The chemical, morphological, and biocompatibility properties of HA and SrHA were investigated. Based on our results, it was shown that HA and SrHA exhibited low cytotoxicity and demonstrated toxic behavior only at higher Sr concentrations.

Titanium Implants Coated with Hydroxyapatite Used in Orbital Wall Reconstruction-A Literature Review.

With the increasing incidences of orbital wall injuries, effective reconstruction materials and techniques are imperative for optimal clinical outcomes. In this literature review, we delve into the efficacy and potential advantages of using titanium implants coated with nanostructured hydroxyapatite for the reconstruction of the orbital wall. Titanium implants, recognized for their durability and mechanical strength, when combined with the osteoconductive properties of hydroxyapatite, present a potentially synergistic solution. The purpose of this review was to critically analyze the recent literature and present the state of the art in orbital wall reconstruction using titanium implants coated with nanostructured hydroxyapatite. This review offers clinicians detailed insight into the benefits and potential drawbacks of using titanium implants coated with nanostructured hydroxyapatite for orbital wall reconstruction. The highlighted results advocate for its benefits in terms of osseointegration and provide a novel strategy for orbital reconstruction, though further studies are essential to establish long-term efficacy and address concerns.

Functionalization of Ceramic Scaffolds with Exosomes from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Bone Tissue Engineering.

The functionalization of bone substitutes with exosomes appears to be a promising technique to enhance bone tissue formation. This study investigates the potential of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) to improve bone healing and bone augmentation when incorporated into wide open-porous 3D-printed ceramic Gyroid scaffolds. We demonstrated the multipotent characteristics of BMSCs and characterized the extracted exosomes using nanoparticle tracking analysis and proteomic profiling. Through cell culture experimentation, we demonstrated that BMSC-derived exosomes possess the ability to attract cells and significantly facilitate their differentiation into the osteogenic lineage. Furthermore, we observed that scaffold architecture influences exosome release kinetics, with Gyroid scaffolds exhibiting slower release rates compared to Lattice scaffolds. Nevertheless, in vivo implantation did not show increased bone ingrowth in scaffolds loaded with exosomes, suggesting that the scaffold microarchitecture and material were already optimized for osteoconduction and bone augmentation. These findings highlight the lack of understanding about the optimal delivery of exosomes for osteoconduction and bone augmentation by advanced ceramic scaffolds.

Nanohydroxyapatite/Peptide Composite Coatings on Pure Titanium Surfaces with Nanonetwork Structures Using Oyster Shells.

Titanium and its alloys are extensively applied in artificial tooth roots because of their excellent corrosion resistance, high specific strength, and low elastic modulus. However, because of their biological inertness, their surface needs to be modified to improve the osteointegration of titanium implants. The preparation of biologically active calcium-phosphorus coatings on the surface of an implant is one effective method for enhancing the likelihood of bone integration. In this study, osteoinductive peptides were extracted from oyster shells by using acetic acid. Two peptide-containing hydroxyapatite (HA) composite coatings were then prepared: one coating was prepared by hydrothermally synthesizing an HA coating in the presence of peptides (HA/P/M), and the other coating was prepared by hydrothermally synthesizing HA and then immersing the hydrothermally synthesized HA in a peptide solution (HA/P/S). Characterization results indicated that the composite HA coatings containing oyster shell-based peptides were successfully prepared on the alkali-treated pure titanium surfaces. The HA/P/M and HA/P/S composite coatings were found to exhibit excellent hydrophilicity. Protein adsorption tests confirmed that the HA/P/M and HA/P/S coatings had an approximately 2.3 times higher concentration of adsorbed proteins than the pure HA coating.

Assessment of a novel electrochemically deposited smart bioactive trabecular coating (SBTC®): a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: A randomized controlled clinical trial of dental implants was conducted to compare the clinical properties of a novel electrochemically deposited calcium phosphate coating to those of a common marketed surface treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty implants of the same brand and type were placed in 20 fully edentulous participants requiring mandibular implantation. The two study groups were defined by the surface treatment of the implants. 20 implants in the control group were coated via a commercial electrochemical surface treatment that forms a mixture of brushite and hydroxyapatite, while the remaining 20 in the test group were coated with a novel electrochemical Smart Bioactive Trabecular Coating (SBTC®). A split-mouth design was employed, with each participants receiving one control implant in one mandibular side and a test implant in the other. To mitigate potential operator-handedness bias, control and test implants were randomly assigned to mandibular sides. All cases underwent digital planning, implant placement with a static surgical guide, and participants received locator-anchored full-arch dentures. The primary outcome was implant stability (measured using Osstell ISQ) assessed at insertion, loading, and then 3 months, 9 months, and 2 years post-insertion. The secondary outcome was bone level change (in millimeters) over the 2-year observation period. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQL) was monitored using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Complications and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Successful osseointegration and implant stability were achieved in all cases, allowing loading. ISQ values steadily increased throughout the observation period. While no significant differences were observed between the SBTC® and control coatings, the test group exhibited a higher ISQ gain. Bone resorption was somewhat lower in the SBTC® but not significantly so. Patients' OHRQL significantly improved after denture delivery and remained stable throughout the follow-up. No complications or adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the study results, we conclude that the new surface treatment is a safe alternative to the widely used control surface, demonstrating similar osseointegrative properties and time-dependent bone level changes. Further research may explore the broader implications of these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier ID: NCT06034171.