UV-Pre-Treated and Protein-Adsorbed Titanium Implants Exhibit Enhanced Osteoconductivity.

Titanium materials are essential treatment modalities in the medical field and serve as a tissue engineering scaffold and coating material for medical devices. Thus, there is a significant demand to improve the bioactivity of titanium for therapeutic and experimental purposes. We showed that ultraviolet light (UV)-pre-treatment changed the protein-adsorption ability and subsequent osteoconductivity of titanium. Fibronectin (FN) adsorption on UV-treated titanium was 20% and 30% greater after 1-min and 1-h incubation, respectively, than that of control titanium. After 3-h incubation, FN adsorption on UV-treated titanium remained 30% higher than that on the control. Osteoblasts were cultured on titanium disks after 1-h FN adsorption with or without UV-pre-treatment and on titanium disks without FN adsorption. The number of attached osteoblasts during the early stage of culture was 80% greater on UV-treated and FN-adsorbed (UV/FN) titanium than on FN-adsorbed (FN) titanium; osteoblasts attachment on UV/FN titanium was 2.6- and 2.1-fold greater than that on control- and UV-treated titanium, respectively. The alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblasts on UV/FN titanium was increased 1.8-, 1.8-, and 2.4-fold compared with that on FN-adsorbed, UV-treated, and control titanium, respectively. The UV/FN implants exhibited 25% and 150% greater in vivo biomechanical strength of bone integration than the FN- and control implants, respectively. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) adsorption on UV-treated titanium was 4.5-fold greater than that on control titanium after 1-min incubation, resulting in a 4-fold increase in osteoblast attachment. Thus, UV-pre-treatment of titanium accelerated its protein adsorptivity and osteoconductivity, providing a novel strategy for enhancing its bioactivity.

Bioglass/PLGA associated to photobiomodulation: effects on the healing process in an experimental model of calvarial bone defect.

Bioactive glasses (BG) are known for their ability to bond to bone tissue. However, in critical situations, even the osteogenic properties of BG may be not enough to induce bone consolidation. Thus, the enrichment of BG with polymers such as Poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) and associated to photobiomodulation (PBM) may be a promising strategy to promote bone tissue healing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vivo performance of PLGA supplemented BG, associated to PBM therapy, using an experimental model of cranial bone defect in rats. Rats were distributed in 4 different groups (Bioglass, Bioglass/PBM, Bioglas/PLGA and BG/PLGA/PBM). After the surgical procedure to induce cranial bone defects, the pre-set samples were implanted and PBM treatment (low-level laser therapy) started (808 nm, 100 mW, 30 J/cm2). After 2 and 6 weeks, animals were euthanized, and the samples were retrieved for the histopathological, histomorphometric, picrosirius red staining and immunohistochemistry analysis. At 2 weeks post-surgery, it was observed granulation tissue and areas of newly formed bone in all experimental groups. At 6 weeks post-surgery, BG/PLGA (with or without PBM) more mature tissue around the biomaterial particles. Furthermore, there was a higher deposition of collagen for BG/PLGA in comparison with BG/PLGA/PBM, at second time-point. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated higher values of BM.V/TV for BG compared to BG/PLGA (2 weeks post-surgery) and N.Ob/T.Ar for BG/PLGA compared to BG and BG/PBM (6 weeks post-surgery). This current study concluded that the use of BG/PLGA composites, associated or not to PBM, is a promising strategy for bone tissue engineering.

The effect of acoustic radiation force on osteoblasts in cell/hydrogel constructs for bone repair.

Ultrasound, or the application of acoustic energy, is a minimally invasive technique that has been used in diagnostic, surgical, imaging, and therapeutic applications. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been used to accelerate bone fracture repair and to heal non-union defects. While shown to be effective the precise mechanism behind its utility is still poorly understood. In this study, we considered the possibility that LIPUS may be providing a physical stimulus to cells within bony defects. We have also evaluated ultrasound as a means of producing a transdermal physical force that could stimulate osteoblasts that had been encapsulated within collagen hydrogels and delivered to bony defects. Here we show that ultrasound does indeed produce a measurable physical force and when applied to hydrogels causes their deformation, more so as ultrasound intensity was increased or hydrogel stiffness decreased. MC3T3 mouse osteoblast cells were then encapsulated within hydrogels to measure the response to this force. Statistically significant elevated gene expression for alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, both well-established markers of osteoblast differentiation, was noted in encapsulated osteoblasts (p < 0.05), suggesting that the physical force provided by ultrasound may induce bone formation in part through physically stimulating cells. We have also shown that this osteoblastic response is dependent in part on the stiffness of the encapsulating hydrogel, as stiffer hydrogels resulted in reducing or reversing this response. Taken together this approach, encapsulating cells for implantation into a bony defect that can potentially be transdermally loaded using ultrasound presents a novel regenerative engineering approach to enhanced fracture repair.

Comparative study of membranes induced by PMMA or silicone in rats, and influence of external radiotherapy.

The induced membrane technique has been used for long bone defect reconstruction after traumatism. One of the major drawbacks of this method is the difficult removal of the polymethyl methacrylate spacer after membrane formation. We therefore replaced the stiff PMMA spacer with a semi-flexible medical grade silicone spacer. This study aimed to compare subcutaneously formed membranes, induced by PMMA and silicone, in the irradiated or not irradiated areas within 28 rats that received the spacers. Histological analysis was performed to evaluate the composition of the membrane and to quantify the amount of vessels. Histomorphometric measurements were used to evaluate membranes' thickness, while fibrosis and inflammation were scored. The expression of VEGF and BMP-2 in lysates of the crushed membranes was determined by Western blotting. ALP expression was analyzed in HBMSC cultures in contact with the same lysates. Non-irradiated membranes induced by the two spacer types were non-inflammatory, fibrous and organized in layers. Irradiation did not change the macroscopic properties of membranes that were induced by silicone, while PMMA induced membranes were sensitive to the radiotherapy, resulting in thicker, strongly inflammatory membranes. Irradiated membranes showed an overall reduced osteogenic potential. Medical grade silicone is safe for the use in radiotherapy and might therefore be of great advantage for patients in need of cancer treatment.

Avaliação de diferentes protocolos de aplicação do laser de baixa intensidade associado ou não ao osso bovino inorgânico (Bio-Oss®) na cicatrização de defeitos ósseos criados cirurgicamente em calvárias de ratos: estudo histológico e histométrico / Evaluation of different protocols of low-level laser (LLL) application combined or not with inorganic bovine bone (Bio-Oss®) in the healing of surgically created bone defects in rat calvaria: histological and histometric study

O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar diferentes protocolos de aplicação do laser de baixa intensidade (LBI) associados ou não ao osso bovino inorgânico (Bio-Oss®) na cicatrização de defeitos ósseos de tamanho crítico (DTC) em calvárias de ratos. Foram utilizados 90 ratos machos adultos (Rattus norvegicus, albinus, Wistar). Um defeito de tamanho crítico (DTC) de 5 mm de diâmetro foi criado cirurgicamente na calvária de cada animal. Os animais foram divididos igualmente (n=10) e aleatoriamente em 9 gruposexperimentais: 1) grupo C (controle), 2) grupo LBI (4J) (laser de baixa intensidade GaAlAs, 730 nm, 100 mW, 4J, 140 J/cm2), 3) Grupo LBI (6J) (laser de baixa intensidade GaAlAs, 730 nm, 100 mW, 6J, 210 J/cm2), 4) Grupo BO (osso bovino inorgânico), 5) Grupo BO + LBI (4J) (osso bovino inorgânico + laser de baixa intensidade 4J), 6) Grupo BO + LBI (6J) (osso bovino inorgânico + laser de baixa intensidade 6J), 7) Grupo OA (osso autógeno), 8) Grupo OA + LBI (4J) (osso autógeno + laser de baixa intensidade 4J), 9) Grupo OA + LBI (6J) (osso autógeno + laser de baixa intensidade 6J). Os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia aos 30 dias pós-operatórios. Foram avaliadas a área de osso neoformado (AON), extensão linear de osso (ELO) e área de partículas remanescentes (APR). Os dados foram submetidos ao teste paramétrico ANOVA, seguido pelo teste de Tukey (p<0,05). O grupo BO+LBI (6J) demonstrou maior média (48,57 ± 28,22%) de AON e o grupo C a menor média (9,96 ± 4,49%) de AON. Os grupos LBI (6J), OA+LBI (6J) e BO+LBI (6J) demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas de AON em relação ao grupo C. Em relação a ELO, apenas os grupos BO e BO+LBI (4J) não demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas quando comparados ao grupo C, e a maior diferença entre as médias de ELO foram nas comparações do grupo LBI (6J) (76,55 ± 15,54%) com o grupo C (16,00 ± 9,86%. Maior APR foi observada nos grupos em que BO não foi irradiado pelo LBI. Porém, quando...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate different protocols of low-level laser (LLL) application combined or not with inorganic bovine bone (Bio-Oss®) in the healing process of bone defects of critical size (CSD) in rat calvaria. 90 male adult rats (Rattusnorvegicus, albinus, Wistar) were used. A critical size defect (CSD) of 5 mm in diameter was surgically created in the calvaria of each rat. The rats were then divided equally (n=10) and randomly into 9 experimental groups: 1) Group C (control) 2) Group LBI (4J) (low-level laser - GaAlAs, 730 nm, 100 mW, 4J, 140 J/cm2), 3) Group LBI (6) (low- level laser - GaAlAs, 730 nm, 100 mW, 6J, 210 J/cm2), 4) Group BO (inorganic bovine bone), 5) Group BO + LBI (4J) (inorganic bovine bone + low-level laser 4J), 6) Group BO LBI (6J) (inorganic bovine bone + low-level laser 6J), 7) Group OA (autogenous bone), 8) Group OA + LBI (4J) (autogenous bone + low-level laser 4J), 9 Group OA + LBI (6J) (autogenous bone + low-level laser 6J). The rats utilized were euthanized 30 days post-operation. The areas of new bone formation (ANB), linear extension bone (LEB), and areas of remaining particles (ARP) were evaluated. The data underwent the parametric ANOVA test, followed by the Tukey test (p<0,05). Group BO+LBI (6J) presented the greatest average (48,57 ± 28,22%) of ANB and Group C presented the lowest average (9,96 ± 4,49%) of ANB. The groups LBI (6J), OA+LBI (6J), and BO+LBI (6J) presented statistically significant differences of ANB in comparison to Group C. Regarding the LEB, only the groups BO and BO+LBI (4J) did not present differences statistically significant in comparison to Group C. The largest difference between the averages of LEB were in the comparison of Group LBI (6J) (76,55 ± 15,54%) with Group C (16,00 ± 9,86%). The largest ARP was observed in the groups where the inorganic bovine bone was not irradiated by the LLL. However, when comparing Group BO+LBI (6J) to Group OA+LBI (4J) and...

Avaliação de diferentes protocolos de aplicação do laser de baixa intensidade associado ou não ao osso bovino inorgânico (Bio-Oss®) na cicatrização de defeitos ósseos criados cirurgicamente em calvárias de ratos: estudo histológico e histométrico / Evaluation of different protocols of low-level laser (LLL) application combined or not with inorganic bovine bone (Bio-Oss®) in the healing of surgically created bone defects in rat calvaria: histological and histometric study

O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar diferentes protocolos de aplicação do laser de baixa intensidade (LBI) associados ou não ao osso bovino inorgânico (Bio-Oss®) na cicatrização de defeitos ósseos de tamanho crítico (DTC) em calvárias de ratos. Foram utilizados 90 ratos machos adultos (Rattus norvegicus, albinus, Wistar). Um defeito de tamanho crítico (DTC) de 5 mm de diâmetro foi criado cirurgicamente na calvária de cada animal. Os animais foram divididos igualmente (n=10) e aleatoriamente em 9 gruposexperimentais: 1) grupo C (controle), 2) grupo LBI (4J) (laser de baixa intensidade GaAlAs, 730 nm, 100 mW, 4J, 140 J/cm2), 3) Grupo LBI (6J) (laser de baixa intensidade GaAlAs, 730 nm, 100 mW, 6J, 210 J/cm2), 4) Grupo BO (osso bovino inorgânico), 5) Grupo BO + LBI (4J) (osso bovino inorgânico + laser de baixa intensidade 4J), 6) Grupo BO + LBI (6J) (osso bovino inorgânico + laser de baixa intensidade 6J), 7) Grupo OA (osso autógeno), 8) Grupo OA + LBI (4J) (osso autógeno + laser de baixa intensidade 4J), 9) Grupo OA + LBI (6J) (osso autógeno + laser de baixa intensidade 6J). Os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia aos 30 dias pós-operatórios. Foram avaliadas a área de osso neoformado (AON), extensão linear de osso (ELO) e área de partículas remanescentes (APR). Os dados foram submetidos ao teste paramétrico ANOVA, seguido pelo teste de Tukey (p<0,05). O grupo BO+LBI (6J) demonstrou maior média (48,57 ± 28,22%) de AON e o grupo C a menor média (9,96 ± 4,49%) de AON. Os grupos LBI (6J), OA+LBI (6J) e BO+LBI (6J) demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas de AON em relação ao grupo C. Em relação a ELO, apenas os grupos BO e BO+LBI (4J) não demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas quando comparados ao grupo C, e a maior diferença entre as médias de ELO foram nas comparações do grupo LBI (6J) (76,55 ± 15,54%) com o grupo C (16,00 ± 9,86%. Maior APR foi observada nos grupos em que BO não foi irradiado pelo LBI. Porém, quando...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate different protocols of low-level laser (LLL) application combined or not with inorganic bovine bone (Bio-Oss®) in the healing process of bone defects of critical size (CSD) in rat calvaria. 90 male adult rats (Rattusnorvegicus, albinus, Wistar) were used. A critical size defect (CSD) of 5 mm in diameter was surgically created in the calvaria of each rat. The rats were then divided equally (n=10) and randomly into 9 experimental groups: 1) Group C (control) 2) Group LBI (4J) (low-level laser - GaAlAs, 730 nm, 100 mW, 4J, 140 J/cm2), 3) Group LBI (6) (low- level laser - GaAlAs, 730 nm, 100 mW, 6J, 210 J/cm2), 4) Group BO (inorganic bovine bone), 5) Group BO + LBI (4J) (inorganic bovine bone + low-level laser 4J), 6) Group BO LBI (6J) (inorganic bovine bone + low-level laser 6J), 7) Group OA (autogenous bone), 8) Group OA + LBI (4J) (autogenous bone + low-level laser 4J), 9 Group OA + LBI (6J) (autogenous bone + low-level laser 6J). The rats utilized were euthanized 30 days post-operation. The areas of new bone formation (ANB), linear extension bone (LEB), and areas of remaining particles (ARP) were evaluated. The data underwent the parametric ANOVA test, followed by the Tukey test (p<0,05). Group BO+LBI (6J) presented the greatest average (48,57 ± 28,22%) of ANB and Group C presented the lowest average (9,96 ± 4,49%) of ANB. The groups LBI (6J), OA+LBI (6J), and BO+LBI (6J) presented statistically significant differences of ANB in comparison to Group C. Regarding the LEB, only the groups BO and BO+LBI (4J) did not present differences statistically significant in comparison to Group C. The largest difference between the averages of LEB were in the comparison of Group LBI (6J) (76,55 ± 15,54%) with Group C (16,00 ± 9,86%). The largest ARP was observed in the groups where the inorganic bovine bone was not irradiated by the LLL. However, when comparing Group BO+LBI (6J) to Group OA+LBI (4J) and...

Energy deposition of H and He ion beams in hydroxyapatite films: a study with implications for ion-beam cancer therapy.

Ion-beam cancer therapy is a promising technique to treat deep-seated tumors; however, for an accurate treatment planning, the energy deposition by the ions must be well known both in soft and hard human tissues. Although the energy loss of ions in water and other organic and biological materials is fairly well known, scarce information is available for the hard tissues (i.e., bone), for which the current stopping power information relies on the application of simple additivity rules to atomic data. Especially, more knowledge is needed for the main constituent of human bone, calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp), which constitutes 58% of its mass composition. In this work the energy loss of H and He ion beams in HAp films has been obtained experimentally. The experiments have been performed using the Rutherford backscattering technique in an energy range of 450-2000 keV for H and 400-5000 keV for He ions. These measurements are used as a benchmark for theoretical calculations (stopping power and mean excitation energy) based on the dielectric formalism together with the MELF-GOS (Mermin energy loss function-generalized oscillator strength) method to describe the electronic excitation spectrum of HAp. The stopping power calculations are in good agreement with the experiments. Even though these experimental data are obtained for low projectile energies compared with the ones used in hadron therapy, they validate the mean excitation energy obtained theoretically, which is the fundamental quantity to accurately assess energy deposition and depth-dose curves of ion beams at clinically relevant high energies. The effect of the mean excitation energy choice on the depth-dose profile is discussed on the basis of detailed simulations. Finally, implications of the present work on the energy loss of charged particles in human cortical bone are remarked.

Thermal, creep-recovery and viscoelastic behavior of high density polyethylene/hydroxyapatite nano particles for bone substitutes: effects of gamma radiation.

BACKGROUND: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is one of the most often used polymers in biomedical applications. The limitations of HDPE are its visco-elastic behavior, low modulus and poor bioactivity. To improve HDPE properties, HA nanoparticles can be added to form polymer composite that can be used as alternatives to metals for bone substitutes and orthopaedic implant applications. METHOD: In our previous work (BioMedical Engineering OnLine 2013), different ratios of HDPE/HA nanocomposites were prepared using melt blending in a co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder. The accelerated aging effects on the tensile properties and torsional viscoelastic behavior (storage modulus (G') and Loss modulus (G")) at 80°C of irradiated and non-irradiated HDPE/HA was investigated. Also the thermal behavior of HDPE/HA were studied. In this study, the effects of gamma irradiation on the tensile viscoelastic behavior (storage modulus (E') and Loss modulus (E")) at 25°C examined for HDPE/HA nanocomposites at different frequencies using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The DMA was also used to analyze creep-recovery and relaxation properties of the nanocomposites. To analyze the thermal behavior of the HDPE/HA nanocomposite, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used. RESULTS: The microscopic examination of the cryogenically fractured surface revealed a reasonable distribution of HA nanoparticles in the HDPE matrix. The DMA showed that the tensile storage and loss modulus increases with increasing the HA nanoparticles ratio and the test frequency. The creep-recovery behavior improves with increasing the HA nanoparticle content. Finally, the results indicated that the crystallinity, viscoelastic, creep recovery and relaxation behavior of HDPE nanocomposite improved due to gamma irradiation. CONCLUSION: Based on the experimental results, it is found that prepared HDPE nanocomposite properties improved due to the addition of HA nanoparticles and irradiation. So, the prepared HDPE/HA nanocomposite appears to have fairly good comprehensive properties that make it a good candidate as bone substitute.

Poly(ether-ether-ketone) orthopedic bearing surface modified by self-initiated surface grafting of poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine).

We investigated the production of free radicals on a poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) substrate under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The amount of the ketyl radicals produced from the benzophenone (BP) units in the PEEK molecular structure initially increased rapidly and then became almost constant. Our observations revealed that the BP units in PEEK acted as photoinitiators, and that it was possible to use them to control the graft polymerization of poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC). This "self-initiated surface graft polymerization" method is very convenient in the absence of external photoinitiator. We also investigated the effects of the monomer concentration and UV irradiation time on the extent of the grafted PMPC layer. Furthermore, as an application to improving the durability of artificial hips, we demonstrated the nanometer-scale photoinduced grafting of PMPC onto PEEK and carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK) orthopedic bearing surfaces and interfaces. A variety of test revealed significant improvements in the water wettability, frictional properties, and wear resistance of the surfaces and interfaces.

Low level laser therapy does not modulate the outcomes of a highly bioactive glass-ceramic (Biosilicate) on bone consolidation in rats.

The main purpose of the present work was to evaluate if low level laser therapy (LLLT) can improve the effects of novel fully-crystallized glass-ceramic (Biosilicate) on bone consolidation in tibial defects of rats. Forty male Wistar rats with tibial bone defects were used. Animals were divided into four groups: group bone defect control (CG); group bone defect filled with Biosilicate (BG); group bone defect filled with Biosilicate, irradiated with LLLT, at 60 J cm(-2) (BG 60) and group bone defect filled with Biosilicate, irradiated with LLLT, at 120 J cm(-2) (BG 120). A low-energy GaAlAs 830 nm, CW, 0.6 mm beam diameter, 100 W cm(-2), 60 and 120 J cm(-2) was used in this study. Laser irradiation was initiated immediately after the surgery procedure and it was performed every 48 h for 14 days. Fourteen days post-surgery, the three-point bending test revealed that the structural stiffness of the groups CG and BG was higher than the values of the groups BG60 and BG120. Morphometric analysis revealed no differences between the control group and the Biosilcate group. Interestingly, the groups treated with Biosilicate and laser (BG 60 and BG120) showed statistically significant lower values of newly formed bone in the area of the defect when compared to negative control (CG) and bone defect group filled with Biosilicate (CB). Our findings suggest that although Biosilicate exerts some osteogenic activity during bone repair, laser therapy is not able to modulate this process.

A novel route in bone tissue engineering: magnetic biomimetic scaffolds.

In recent years, interest in tissue engineering and its solutions has increased considerably. In particular, scaffolds have become fundamental tools in bone graft substitution and are used in combination with a variety of bio-agents. However, a long-standing problem in the use of these conventional scaffolds lies in the impossibility of re-loading the scaffold with the bio-agents after implantation. This work introduces the magnetic scaffold as a conceptually new solution. The magnetic scaffold is able, via magnetic driving, to attract and take up in vivo growth factors, stem cells or other bio-agents bound to magnetic particles. The authors succeeded in developing a simple and inexpensive technique able to transform standard commercial scaffolds made of hydroxyapatite and collagen in magnetic scaffolds. This innovative process involves dip-coating of the scaffolds in aqueous ferrofluids containing iron oxide nanoparticles coated with various biopolymers. After dip-coating, the nanoparticles are integrated into the structure of the scaffolds, providing the latter with magnetization values as high as 15 emu g(-)(1) at 10 kOe. These values are suitable for generating magnetic gradients, enabling magnetic guiding in the vicinity and inside the scaffold. The magnetic scaffolds do not suffer from any structural damage during the process, maintaining their specific porosity and shape. Moreover, they do not release magnetic particles under a constant flow of simulated body fluids over a period of 8 days. Finally, preliminary studies indicate the ability of the magnetic scaffolds to support adhesion and proliferation of human bone marrow stem cells in vitro. Hence, this new type of scaffold is a valuable candidate for tissue engineering applications, featuring a novel magnetic guiding option.

Effects of e-beam radiation, storage, and hydration on osteoinductivity of DBM/AM composite.

E-beam irradiation is often used to sterilize medical devices including demineralized bone matrix (DBM) products. In this study, the effect of e-beam on osteoinductivity of a DBM product in hydrous and anhydrous configurations has been evaluated at 0-, 6- and 12-month ambient storage using a nude rat muscle pouch model. The thermal and structural stabilities of DBM and acellular dermal matrix (AM) composites were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and trypsin digestion assay. Both hydrous and anhydrous DBM/AM composites exhibited osteoinductivity after e-beam irradiation of 15 kGy. After 12-month ambient storage, the osteoinductivity of hydrous DBM/AM was diminished, whereas the anhydrous DBM/AM retained its osteoinductive potential. However, the DSC and trypsin analysis revealed that the DBM in anhydrous DBM/AM was more vulnerable to damage from e-beam irradiation than its hydrous counterpart. This study has found that although the anhydrous DBM has more structural damage than hydrous DBM from e-beam irradiation, it has retained its osteoinductivity better after 1-year ambient storage.

Immediate postextraction implant placement in sheep's mandibles: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: In this study, sheep were examined as a potential animal model for immediate implant placement in fresh extraction sockets using experimental photopolymerisable bioabsorbable polymers. MATERIALS: A total of 22 cylindrical implants were placed in fresh mandibular premolar extraction sockets of 7 sheep. Residual bone-implant voids were filled with a biocompatible composite of poly-methyl-methacrylate and poly-hydroxyl-ethyl-methacrylate (Bioplant 24). Photopolymerisation of a viscose mixture of experimental prepolymers and Bioplant 24 applied to the neck of the implants provided additional support before gingival closure. Clinical and radiographic controls were performed 30, 90, and 180 days after surgery. At 180 days postoperatively, the sheep were sacrificed and the mandibular segments were isolated for histological processing. RESULTS: High cumulative implant failure rates of 45.5%, 63.6%, and 77.3% at respectively 30, 90 and 180 days were recorded. Significantly more implants were lost when the position of the neck was located above the level of the alveolar crest (P < 0.05). Clinical and histological observations demonstrated poor implant osseointegration characterized by ingrowth of soft tissue into the extraction sockets. Bone substitutes were lost in all cases. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Sheep have many practical advantages compared with other animal models. However, their specific oral biomechanics inherent to their constant ruminant activity accounted for a high degree of the reported implant failures. Important adaptations to the implantation technique and postoperative management will be necessary to use sheep as an animal model for future oral implant related experiments.

Histologic comparison of light emitting diode phototherapy-treated hydroxyapatite-grafted extraction sockets: a same-mouth case study.

BACKGROUND: The stimulating effect of red and near-infrared (NIR) laser phototherapy on bone regeneration and growth has been shown in a number of in vitro and animal studies. However, the effect of NIR phototherapy on the bone regeneration of hydroxyapatite (HA) -treated extraction sockets has not been previously demonstrated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An investigational Biolux extraoral light emitting diode phototherapy device was used daily for 21 days postextraction and socket grafting with HA (Osteograf LD300) unilaterally. Bone regeneration of the phototherapy-treated and nontreated side was compared in same-mouth extraction sockets. RESULTS: Histologic evaluations showed enhanced bone formation and faster particle resorption associated with the phototherapy-treated socket graft compared with the non-phototherapy-treated socket. CONCLUSIONS: The accelerated bone healing in the phototherapy-treated HA socket graft may provide faster implant placement compared to non-phototherapy-treated socket grafts.

Effect of an accelerated aging protocol on viscoelastic properties of UHMWPE.

The values of two viscoelastic properties (storage modulus and loss angle) of four sets of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene specimens were obtained. Two sets comprised specimens that had been sterilized (using gamma radiation in air or ethylene oxide gas) while the other two sets comprised specimens that were sterilized and then exposed to an accelerated aging protocol that, in the literature, has been proposed as simulating 5 years of real-time shelf aging. An analysis of the present results from the four specimen sets and those obtained, in a previous study by the present author, on specimens machined from real-time shelf aged tibial inserts suggests that the claim made for the accelerated aging protocol may be conservative.

Lactic acid based PEU/HA and PEU/BCP composites: Dynamic mechanical characterization of hydrolysis.

Lactic acid based poly(ester-urethane) (PEU-BDI) and its composites with 20 and 40 vol.% bioceramic filler were characterized prior to their use as biocompatible and bioabsorbable artificial bone materials. Morphological, dynamic mechanical properties, and degradation of these either hydroxyapatite or biphasic calcium phosphate containing composites were determined. Addition of particulate bioactive filler increased the composite stiffness and the glass transition temperature, indicating strong interactions between the filler and matrix. Materials were sterilized by gamma-irradiation, which reduced the average molecular weights by 30-40%. However, dynamic mechanical properties were not significantly affected by irradiation. Specimens were immersed in 0.85 w/v saline at 37 degrees C for 5 weeks, and changes in molecular weights, mass, water absorption, and dynamic mechanical properties were recorded. All the composite materials showed promising dynamic mechanical performance over the 5 weeks of hydrolysis. Average molecular weights of PEU-BDI and its composites did not change substantially during the test period. PEU-BDI retained its modulus values relatively well, and although the moduli of the composite materials were much higher, especially at high filler content, they exhibited faster loss of mechanical integrity.