Titanium dioxide nanotubes applied to conventional glass ionomer cement influence the expression of immunoinflammatory markers: An in vitro study.

Objectives: To assess the impact of different concentrations TiO2-nt incorporated into a glass ionomer cement on the proliferation, mitochondrial metabolism, morphology, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production of cultured fibroblasts (NIH/3T3), whether or not stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS-2 µg/mL, 24 h). Methods: TiO2-nt was added to KM (Ketac Molar EasyMix™, 3 %, 5 %, 7 % in weight); unblended KM was used as the control. The analyses included: Cell proliferation assay (n = 6; 24/48/72h); Mitochondrial metabolism assay (n = 6; 24/48/72h); Confocal laser microscopy (n = 3; 24/48/72h); Determination of biomarkers (IL-1ß/IL-6/IL-10/VEGF/TNF) by using both multiplex technology (n = 6; 12/18 h) and the quantitative real-time PCR assay (q-PCR) (n = 3, 24/72/120 h). The data underwent analysis using both the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests, and by generalized linear models (α = 0.05). Results: It demonstrated that cell proliferation increased over time, regardless of the presence of TiO2-nt or LPS, and displayed a significant increase at 72 h; mitochondrial metabolism increased (p < 0.05), irrespective of exposure to LPS (p = 0.937); no cell morphology changes were observed; TiO2-nt reverted the impact of KM on the secreted levels of the evaluated proteins and the gene expressions in the presence of LPS (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: TiO2-nt did not adversely affect the biological behavior of fibroblastic cells cultured on GIC discs.

TiO2 nanotube-based nanotechnology applied to high-viscosity conventional glass-ionomer cement: ultrastructural analyses and physicochemical characterization.

This study characterized TiO2 nanotube (TiO2-nt) ultrastructure and morphology, and the physicochemical impact on high-viscosity conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC). TiO2-nt was synthesized by the alkaline method (n = 3), assessed by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), and was added (3%, 5%, 7%-in weight) to KM (Ketac Molar EasyMix™). Analyses included: SEM; Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); Raman spectroscopy (RAMAN); Setting time with Gillmore needles (ST); Color (Co); Radiopacity (XR); Water sorption (WS); and solubility (SO). Quantitative data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's tests (chr = 0.05). External and internal TiO2-nt diameters were 11 ± 2 nm and 6 ± 0 nm, respectively. Data analyses showed: (i) TiO2-nt present into KM matrix, with a concentration-dependent increase of Ti levels into KM, (ii) physical interaction between KM and TiO2-nt, (iii) longer initial ST for the 7% group compared to KM and 3% groups (p ≤ 0.01), (iv) decreased luminosity and yellowness for the 5% and 7% groups, (v) 36% greater radiopacity for the 5% group compared to enamel, dentin, and KM, and (vi) lower SO values for the 5% group, with no significant differences on WS across the groups. TiO2-nt displayed physical interaction with KM matrix, and also modified SO, XR and Co, without affecting ST. This study provides information on the potential impact of TiO2-nt on GIC performance. TiO2-nt may be proposed to boost confidence among dental surgeons in terms of GIC's handling characteristics, success rate and differential diagnostic.

The dimerization of methyl vanillate improves its effect against breast cancer cells via pro-oxidant effect.

Phenolic phytochemicals are a group of organic compounds with potent antioxidant features but can also act as powerful pro-oxidants. These characteristics are effective in reducing metastatic potential in cancer cells, and this effect has been associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methyl vanillate (MV) and its dimer, methyl divanillate (DMV), are potent antioxidants. In the present study, we investigated the effects of MV and DMV on breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 and compared the results using the non-tumor cell line HB4a. Our results indicated that the compounds performed a pro-oxidant action, increasing the generation of ROS. DMV decreased the viability cell, showing a higher apoptotic effect and inhibition of proliferation than MV on both cell lines, with significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). Some modulation of NOX4, NOX5, and DUOX were observed, but the results did not correlate with the intracellular production of ROS. The dimer showed more effectivity and pro-oxidant effect than MV, impacting cell line MCF-7 in higher extension than MDA-MB-231. In conclusion, and corroborating with reported works, the dimerization of natural phenolic compounds was associated with improved beneficial biological effects as a potential cytotoxic agent to tumor cells.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of CaP materials for bone regenerative therapy. The role of multinucleated giant cells/osteoclasts in bone regeneration.

In this work, bone formation/remodeling/maturation was correlated with the presence of multinucleated giant cells (MGCs)/osteoclasts (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase [TRAP]-positive cells) on the surface of beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP), sintered deproteinized bovine bone (sDBB), and carbonated deproteinized bovine bone (cDBB) using a maxillary sinus augmentation (MSA) in a New Zealand rabbit model. Microtomographic, histomorphometric, and immunolabeling for TRAP-cells analyses were made at 15, 30, and 60 days after surgery. In all treatments, a faster bone formation/remodeling/maturation and TRAP-positive cells activity occurred in the osteotomy region of the MSA than in the middle and submucosa regions. In the ß-TCP, the granules were rapidly reabsorbed by TRAP-positive cells and replaced by bone tissue. ß-TCP enabled quick bone regeneration/remodeling and full bone and marrow restoration until 60 days, but with a significant reduction in MSA volume. In cDBB and sDBB, the quantity of TRAP-positive cells was smaller than in ß-TCP, and these cells were associated with granule surface preparation for osteoblast-mediated bone formation. After 30 days, more than 80% of granule surfaces were surrounded and integrated by bone tissue without signs of degradation, preserving the MSA volume. Overall, the materials tested in a standardized preclinical model led to different bone formation/remodeling/maturation within the same repair process influenced by different microenvironments and MGCs/osteoclasts. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 108B:282-297, 2020.

A new approach for Y-TZP surface treatment: evaluations of roughness and bond strength to resin cemen.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effect of sonochemical treatment on the surface of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) before and after the final sintering. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight Y-TZP discs were divided into four groups (n=7), according to surface treatment: PRE: pre-sintering sonication with 30% nominal power for 15 min; POS: post-sintering sonication with 30% nominal power for 15 min; JAT: air abrasion with 50-µm alumina particles; and CON: control group with no treatment. The POS and JAT groups were sintered before sonication and the PRE group after sonication. Surface roughness was analyzed using confocal microscopy, after which resin cement cylinders were placed on the surface of the Y-TZP discs and subjected to mechanical microshear bond strength test until fracture. Surface roughness and microshear bond strength values underwent ANOVA and the Tukey tests. RESULTS: The surface roughness values for the PRE group (299.91 nm) and the POS group (291.23 nm) were not significantly different (p≥0.05), statistically, and the surface roughness value of the JAT group (925.21 nm) was higher than those of PRE and POS (p=0.007) groups. The mechanical microshear bond strength test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the results showed that sonochemical treatment modifies the Y-TZP surface and is similar to the well-established sandblasting surface treatment regarding the strength of the bond with the resin cement.

A new approach for Y-TZP surface treatment: evaluations of roughness and bond strength to resin cemen

Abstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the effect of sonochemical treatment on the surface of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) before and after the final sintering. Material and Methods Twenty-eight Y-TZP discs were divided into four groups (n=7), according to surface treatment: PRE: pre-sintering sonication with 30% nominal power for 15 min; POS: post-sintering sonication with 30% nominal power for 15 min; JAT: air abrasion with 50-μm alumina particles; and CON: control group with no treatment. The POS and JAT groups were sintered before sonication and the PRE group after sonication. Surface roughness was analyzed using confocal microscopy, after which resin cement cylinders were placed on the surface of the Y-TZP discs and subjected to mechanical microshear bond strength test until fracture. Surface roughness and microshear bond strength values underwent ANOVA and the Tukey tests. Results The surface roughness values for the PRE group (299.91 nm) and the POS group (291.23 nm) were not significantly different (p≥0.05), statistically, and the surface roughness value of the JAT group (925.21 nm) was higher than those of PRE and POS (p=0.007) groups. The mechanical microshear bond strength test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.08). Conclusions Therefore, the results showed that sonochemical treatment modifies the Y-TZP surface and is similar to the well-established sandblasting surface treatment regarding the strength of the bond with the resin cement.

Osteoinductive porous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic as an alternative to autogenous bone grafting in the treatment of mandibular bone critical-size defects.

The bone-induction capacity of a porous biphasic calcium phosphate (pBCP) using heterotopic implantation in mouse (mHI-model) and its efficacy as substitute for autograft in mandibular critical-size defect in rabbit (rabMCSD-model) was investigated. In mHI-model, pBCP was implanted into the thigh muscles and bone formation was histomorphometrically and immunohistochemically evaluated. In rabMCSD-model, 13 mm bone defects were treated with pBCP or autograft and bone repair comparatively evaluated by radiographic and histomorphometric methods. In mHI-model, formed bone and immunolabeling for bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteopontin were observed in 90% of pBCP implanted samples after 12 weeks. In rabMCSD-model neither statistically significant difference was found in newly formed bone between pBCP and autograft groups at 4 weeks (18.8 ± 5.5% vs 27.1 ± 5.6%), 8 weeks (22.3 ± 2.7% vs 26.2 ± 5.1), and 12 weeks (19.6 ± 4.7% vs 19.6 ± 2.3%). At 12 weeks, the stability and contour of the mandible were restored in both treatments. Near tooth remaining, pBCP particles were covered by small amount of mineralized tissue exhibiting perpendicular attachments of collagen fiber bundles with histological characteristic of acellular cementum. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that pBCP is osteoinductive and able to stimulate the new formation of bone and cementum-like tissues in rabMCSD-model, suggesting that it may be an alternative to treatment of large bone defect and in periodontal regenerative therapy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1546-1557, 2018.