Effect of phosphate-based glass fibre surface properties on thermally produced poly(lactic acid) matrix composites.

Incorporation of soluble bioactive glass fibres into biodegradable polymers is an interesting approach for bone repair and regeneration. However, the glass composition and its surface properties significantly affect the nature of the fibre-matrix interface and composite properties. Herein, the effect of Si and Fe on the surface properties of calcium containing phosphate based glasses (PGs) in the system (50P(2)O(5)-40CaO-(10-x)SiO(2)-xFe(2)O(3), where x = 0, 5 and 10 mol.%) were investigated. Contact angle measurements revealed a higher surface energy, and surface polarity as well as increased hydrophilicity for Si doped PG which may account for the presence of surface hydroxyl groups. Two PG formulations, 50P(2)O(5)-40CaO-10Fe(2)O(3) (Fe10) and 50P(2)O(5)-40CaO-5Fe(2)O(3)-5SiO(2) (Fe5Si5), were melt drawn into fibres and randomly incorporated into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) produced by melt processing. The ageing in deionised water (DW), mechanical property changes in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and cytocompatibility properties of these composites were investigated. In contrast to Fe10 and as a consequence of the higher surface energy and polarity of Fe5Si5, its incorporation into PLA led to increased inorganic/organic interaction indicated by a reduction in the carbonyl group of the matrix. PLA chain scission was confirmed by a greater reduction in its molecular weight in PLA-Fe5Si5 composites. In DW, the dissolution rate of PLA-Fe5Si5 was significantly higher than that of PLA-Fe10. Dissolution of the glass fibres resulted in the formation of channels within the matrix. Initial flexural strength was significantly increased through PGF incorporation. After PBS ageing, the reduction in mechanical properties was greater for PLA-Fe5Si5 compared to PLA-Fe10. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts seeded onto PG discs, PLA and PLA-PGF composites were evaluated for up to 7 days indicating that the materials were generally cytocompatible. In addition, cell alignment along the PGF orientation was observed showing cell preference towards PGF.

Acellular dense collagen-S53P4 bioactive glass hybrid gel scaffolds form more bone than stem cell delivered constructs.

Dense collagen (DC) gels facilitate the osteoblastic differentiation of seeded dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and undergo rapid acellular mineralization when incorporated with bioactive glass particles, both in vitro and subcutaneously in vivo. However, the potential of DC-bioactive glass hybrid gels in delivering DPSCs for bone regeneration in an osseous site has not been investigated. In this study, the efficacies of both acellular and DPSC-seeded DC-S53P4 bioactive glass [(53)SiO2-(23)Na2O-(20)CaO-(4)P2O5, wt%] hybrid gels were investigated in a critical-sized murine calvarial defect. The incorporation of S53P4, an osteostimulative bioactive glass, into DC gels led to its accelerated acellular mineralization in simulated body fluid (SBF), in vitro, where hydroxycarbonated apatite was detected within 1 day. By day 7 in SBF, micro-mechanical analysis demonstrated an 8-fold increase in the compressive modulus of the mineralized gels. The in-situ effect of the bioactive glass on human-DPSCs within DC-S53P4 was evident, by their osteogenic differentiation in the absence of osteogenic supplements. The production of alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I was further increased when cultured in osteogenic media. This osteostimulative effect of DC-S53P4 constructs was confirmed in vivo, where after 8 weeks implantation, both acellular scaffolds and DPSC-seeded DC-S53P4 constructs formed mineralized and vascularized bone matrices with osteoblastic and osteoclastic cell activity. Surprisingly, however, in vivo micro-CT analysis confirmed that the acellular scaffolds generated larger volumes of bone, already visible at week 3 and exhibiting superior trabecular architecture. The results of this study suggest that DC-S53P4 scaffolds negate the need for stem cell delivery for effective bone tissue regeneration and may expedite their path towards clinical applications.

Three-dimensional mineralization of dense nanofibrillar collagen-bioglass hybrid scaffolds.

Scaffolds for bone tissue engineering must meet a number of requirements such as biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, biodegradability, and appropriate biomechanical properties. A combination of type I collagen and 45S5 Bioglass may meet these requirements, however, little has been demonstrated on the effect of Bioglass on the potential of the collagen nanofibrillar three-dimensional mineralization and its influence on the structural and mechanical properties of the scaffolds. In this work, rapidly fabricated dense collagen-Bioglass hybrid scaffolds were assessed for their potential for immediate implantation. Hybrid scaffolds were conditioned, in vitro, in simulated body fluid (SBF) for up to 14 days and assessed in terms of changes in structural, chemical, and mechanical properties. MicroCT and SEM analyses showed a homogeneous distribution of Bioglass particles in the as-made hybrids. Mineralization was detected at day 1 in SBF, while ATR-FTIR microscopy and XRD revealed the presence of hydroxyl-carbonated apatite on the surface and within the two hybrid scaffolds at days 7 and 14. FTIR and SEM confirmed that the triple helical structure and typical banding pattern of fibrillar collagen was maintained as a function of time in SBF. Principal component analysis executed on ATR-FTIR microscopy revealed that the mineralization extent was a function of both Bioglass content and conditioning time in SBF. Tensile mechanical analysis showed an increase in the elastic modulus and a corresponding decrease in strain at ultimate tensile strength (UTS) as imparted by mineralization of scaffolds as a function of time in SBF and Bioglass content. Change in UTS was affected by Bioglass content. These results suggested the achievement of a hybrid matrix potentially suitable for bone tissue engineering.

Viscoelastic and chemical properties of dentine after different exposure times to sodium hypochlorite, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and calcium hydroxide.

This study aims to evaluate the viscoelastic and chemical properties of dentine after different durations of exposure to 5.25% NaOCl, 17% EDTA and Ca(OH)2 solutions, and NaOCl in alternating combination with EDTA. Standard dentine bars were randomly assigned to: (i) formal-saline control-1; (ii) NaOCl; (iii) EDTA; (iv) NaOCl/EDTA; (v) formal-saline control-2; (vi) Ca(OH)2 pH 12.6; and (vii) Ca(OH)2 pH 9.8. Groups 1--4 underwent 10 min cycles of soaking and dynamic mechanical analysis up to 120 min. Groups 5-7 underwent similar tests at days 7, 14, 28 and 84. FTIR spectra of dentine discs exposed to the same regimens assessed surface chemistry. NaOCl or Ca(OH)2 (pH 12.6) solutions reduced the organic (N-H[1], N-H[3], C=0) peak components of dentine. This study demonstrated that accumulative damage of dentine could be facilitated by alternated exposure to NaOCl and EDTA. Exposure of dentine to Ca(OH)2 (pH12.6) for 7 days reduced viscous behaviour, inferring increased potential for fatigue failure.

3D Printed Polyurethane Scaffolds for the Repair of Bone Defects.

Critical-size bone defects are those that will not heal without intervention and can arise secondary to trauma, infection, and surgical resection of tumors. Treatment options are currently limited to filling the defect with autologous bone, of which there is not always an abundant supply, or ceramic pastes that only allow for limited osteo-inductive and -conductive capacity. In this study we investigate the repair of bone defects using a 3D printed LayFomm scaffold. LayFomm is a polymer blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyurethane (PU). It can be printed using the most common method of 3D printing, fused deposition modeling, before being washed in water-based solutions to remove the PVA. This leaves a more compliant, micro-porous PU elastomer. In vitro analysis of dental pulp stem cells seeded onto macro-porous scaffolds showed their ability to adhere, proliferate and form mineralized matrix on the scaffold in the presence of osteogenic media. Subcutaneous implantation of LayFomm in a rat model showed the formation of a vascularized fibrous capsule, but without a chronic inflammatory response. Implantation into a mandibular defect showed significantly increased mineralized tissue production when compared to a currently approved bone putty. While their mechanical properties are insufficient for use in load-bearing defects, these findings are promising for the use of polyurethane scaffolds in craniofacial bone regeneration.

Incorporation of vitamin E in poly(3hydroxybutyrate)/Bioglass composite films: effect on surface properties and cell attachment.

This study investigated the possibility of incorporating alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) into poly(3hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB))/Bioglass composites, which are being developed for bone tissue engineering matrices. P(3HB) films with 20 wt% Bioglass and 10 wt% vitamin E were prepared using the solvent casting technique. Addition of vitamin E significantly improved the hydrophilicity of the composites along with increasing the total protein adsorption. The presence of protein adsorbed on the composite surface was further confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Preliminary cell culture studies using MG-63 human osteoblasts showed that the addition of vitamin E in the P(3HB)/20 wt% Bioglass films significantly increased cell proliferation. The results achieved in this study confirmed the possibility of incorporating vitamin E as a suitable additive in P(3HB)/Bioglass composites to engineer the surface of the composites by promoting higher protein adsorption and increasing the hydrophilicity.

Characterization of chlorhexidine-releasing, fast-setting, brushite bone cements.

The effect of antibacterial chlorhexidine diacetate powder (CHX) on the setting kinetics of a brushite-forming beta-tricalcium phosphate/monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (beta-TCP/MCPM) cement was monitored using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The final composition of the set cement with up to 12 wt.% CHX content before and after submersion in water for 24h, the kinetics of chlorhexidine release and the total sample mass change in water over four weeks was monitored using Raman mapping, UV spectroscopy and gravimetry, respectively. Below 9 wt.%, CHX content had no significant effect on brushite formation rate at 37 degrees C, but at 12 wt.% the half-life of the reaction decreased by one-third. Raman mapping confirmed that brushite was the main inorganic component of the set cements irrespective of CHX content, both before and after submersion in water. The CHX could be detected largely as discrete solid particles but could also be observed partially dispersed throughout the pores of the set cement. The percentage of CHX release was found to follow Fick's law of diffusion, being independent of its initial concentration, proportional to the square root of time and, with 1mm thick specimens, 60% was released at 24h. Total set cement mass loss rate was not significantly affected by CHX content. On average, cements exhibited a loss of 7 wt.% assigned largely to surface phosphate particle loss within the initial 8h followed by 0.36 wt.% per day.

Surface functionalization of Bioglass-derived porous scaffolds.

Like standard tissue culture plates, tissue engineering scaffolds can be chemically treated to couple proteins without losing the conformation and thus biological function of the proteins; a process called surface functionalization. In this work, the surface of novel 45S5 Bioglass-derived foam-like scaffolds, which exhibit adequate mechanical stability and tailorable bioresorbability, have been modified by applying 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane. The efficiency and stability of the surface modification were satisfactorily and quantitatively assessed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. It was also found that treatment in buffered (pH 8) water solution at 80 degrees C for 4h, applied during the surface functionalization procedure, accelerated the bioreactive kinetics of the scaffolds, i.e. the transition of the relatively bioinert but mechanically competent crystalline structure of the struts to a biodegradable but mechanically weak amorphous network during immersion in simulated body fluid. Thus the aqueous heat treatment is confirmed to be an important factor that must be considered in the design of these Bioglass-derived glass-ceramic scaffolds. Possible mechanisms responsible for the accelerated bioreactivity are proposed.

Zein-based composites in biomedical applications.

Considerable research efforts have been devoted to zein-based biomaterials for tissue engineering and other biomedical applications over the past decade. The attention given to zein-based polymers is primarily attributed to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, due to the relatively low mechanical properties of these polymers, numerous inorganic compounds (e.g., hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate, bioactive glasses, natural clays) have been considered in combination with zein to create composite materials in an attempt to enhance zein mechanical properties. Inorganic phases also positively impact on the hydrophilic properties of zein matrices inducing a suitable environment for cell attachment, spreading, and proliferation. This review covers available literature on zein and zein-based composite materials, with focus on the combination of zein with commonly used inorganic fillers for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. An overview of the most recent advances in fabrication techniques for zein-based composites is presented and key applications areas and future developments in the field are highlighted. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1656-1665, 2017.

Surface characterisation of various bone cements prepared with functionalised methacrylates/bioactive ceramics in relation to HOB behaviour.

This study reports the relationship between the biocompatibility and surface properties of experimental bone cements. The effect of hydroxyapatite (HA) or alpha-tri-calcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) incorporated into bone cements prepared with methyl methacrylate as base monomer and either methacrylic acid or diethyl amino ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) as comonomers was investigated. The in vitro biocompatibility of these composite cements was assessed in terms of the interaction of primary human osteoblasts grown on the materials over a period of 5 days and compared with a control surface. These results were related to the surface properties investigated through a number of techniques, namely Fourier transform infrared, contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays. Complementary techniques of thermal analysis and ion chromatography were also performed. Biocompatibility results showed that the addition of alpha-TCP improves biocompatibility regardless of comonomer type. This is in contrast to HA-based cements where cell proliferation was significantly lower. Surface characterisations showed that structural integrity of the materials was maintained in the presence of the acid and base comonomers, and water contact angles were reduced particularly in DEAEMA containing materials. Furthermore, ion chromatography confirmed higher Ca2+ and PO4(3-) ion release by both types of ceramics, particularly for those containing DEAEMA. In conclusion, the incorporation of acidic and basic comonomers to either HA or alpha-TCP ceramics containing bone cements can have differential effects upon the attachment and proliferation of bone cells in vitro. Moreover, those cements consisting of alpha-TCP and containing DEAEMA comonomer indicated the most favourable biocompatibility.

Ectopic bone formation in rapidly fabricated acellular injectable dense collagen-Bioglass hybrid scaffolds via gel aspiration-ejection.

Gel aspiration-ejection (GAE) has recently been introduced as an effective technique for the rapid production of injectable dense collagen (IDC) gel scaffolds with tunable collagen fibrillar densities (CFDs) and microstructures. Herein, a GAE system was applied for the advanced production and delivery of IDC and IDC-Bioglass(®) (IDC-BG) hybrid gel scaffolds for potential bone tissue engineering applications. The efficacy of GAE in generating mineralizable IDC-BG gels (from an initial 75-25 collagen-BG ratio) produced through needle gauge numbers 8G (3.4 mm diameter and 6 wt% CFD) and 14G (1.6 mm diameter and 14 wt% CFD) was investigated. Second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of as-made gels revealed an increase in collagen fibril alignment with needle gauge number. In vitro mineralization of IDC-BG gels was confirmed where carbonated hydroxyapatite was detected as early as day 1 in simulated body fluid, which progressively increased up to day 14. In vivo mineralization of, and host response to, acellular IDC and IDC-BG gel scaffolds were further investigated following subcutaneous injection in adult rats. Mineralization, neovascularization and cell infiltration into the scaffolds was enhanced by the addition of BG and at day 21 post injection, there was evidence of remodelling of granulation tissue into woven bone-like tissue in IDC-BG. SHG imaging of explanted scaffolds indicated collagen fibril remodelling through cell infiltration and mineralization over time. In sum, the results suggest that IDC-BG hybrid gels have osteoinductive properties and potentially offer a novel therapeutic approach for procedures requiring the injectable delivery of a malleable and dynamic bone graft that mineralizes under physiological conditions.

Accelerated craniofacial bone regeneration through dense collagen gel scaffolds seeded with dental pulp stem cells.

Therapies using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) seeded scaffolds may be applicable to various fields of regenerative medicine, including craniomaxillofacial surgery. Plastic compression of collagen scaffolds seeded with MSC has been shown to enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MSC as it increases the collagen fibrillary density. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the osteogenic effects of dense collagen gel scaffolds seeded with mesenchymal dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) on bone regeneration in a rat critical-size calvarial defect model. Two symmetrical full-thickness defects were created (5 mm diameter) and filled with either a rat DPSC-containing dense collagen gel scaffold (n = 15), or an acellular scaffold (n = 15). Animals were imaged in vivo by microcomputer tomography (Micro-CT) once a week during 5 weeks, whereas some animals were sacrificed each week for histology and histomorphometry analysis. Bone mineral density and bone micro-architectural parameters were significantly increased when DPSC-seeded scaffolds were used. Histological and histomorphometrical data also revealed significant increases in fibrous connective and mineralized tissue volume when DPSC-seeded scaffolds were used, associated with expression of type I collagen, osteoblast-associated alkaline phosphatase and osteoclastic-related tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Results demonstrate the potential of DPSC-loaded-dense collagen gel scaffolds to benefit of bone healing process.

Thermal Characterizations of silver-containing bioactive glass-coated Sutures.

This study utilized and compared a number of thermal analysis methods to characterize the thermal properties of commercial sutures with and without antimicrobial coatings of silver-doped bioactive glass (AgBG) interlocking particulates. The effect of a slurry dipping technique used to coat resorbable Vicryl (polyglactin 910) and non-resorbable Mersilk surgical sutures with AgBG was investigated using conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high speed calorimetry (or HYPERDSC), and modulated temperature DSC (MTDSC). These methods were compared in terms of their ability to resolve the thermal transitions of the types of suture materials. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to verify the thermal degradation temperatures of these materials and to quantify the AgBG coatings on the sutures. The use of complementary thermal analysis techniques enabled the understanding of the effect of the AgBG coating technique on the morphological properties of the sutures. The slurry dipping technique had no significant effect on the thermal transitions of both types of materials. The use of high speed calorimetry through DSC offered better resolution for the transitions that appeared to be weak through conventional heating regimes, and was able to separate broad double transitions. Furthermore, it was shown not to compromise either the melting temperature or the enthalpy of melting. Therefore this method allows for the accurate determination of thermal transitions through much shorter experimental times thus allowing for an increased sample throughput. The combined DTA and TGA indicated that a greater AgBG coating was obtained in the case of the Mersilk sutures.

Fabrication of injectable, cellular, anisotropic collagen tissue equivalents with modular fibrillar densities.

Technological improvements in collagen gel fabrication are highly desirable as they may enable significant advances in the formation of tissue-equivalent biomaterials for regenerative medicine, three-dimensional (3D) in vitro tissue models, and injectable scaffolds for cell and drug delivery applications. Thus, strategies to modulate collagen gel fibrillar density and organization in the mesostructure have been pursued to fabricate collagenous matrices with extracellular matrix-like features. Herein, we introduce a robust and simple method, namely gel aspiration-ejection (GAE), to engineer 3D, anisotropic, cell seeded, injectable dense collagen (I-DC) gels with controllable fibrillar densities, without the use of crosslinking. GAE allows for the hybridization of collagen gels with bioactive agents for increased functionality and supports highly aligned homogenous cell seeding, thus providing I-DC gels with distinct properties when compared to isotropic DC gels of random fibrillar orientation. The hybridization of I-DC with anionic fibroin derived polypeptides resulted in the nucleation of carbonated hydroxyapatite within the aligned nanofibrillar network upon exposure to simulated body fluid, yielding a 3D, anisotropic, mineralized collagen matrix. In addition, I-DC gels accelerated the osteoblastic differentiation of seeded murine mesenchymal stem cells (m-MSCs) when exposed to osteogenic supplements, which resulted in the cell-mediated, bulk mineralization of the osteoid-like gels. In addition, and upon exposure to neuronal transdifferentiation medium, I-DC gels supported and accelerated the differentiation of m-MSCs toward neuronal cells. In conclusion, collagen GAE presents interesting opportunities in a number of fields spanning tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to drug and cell delivery.

Combining collagen and bioactive glasses for bone tissue engineering: a review.

Collagen (COL), the most abundant protein in mammals, offers a wide range of attractive properties for biomedical applications which are the result of its biocompatibility and high affinity to water. However, due to the relative low mechanical properties of COL its applications are still limited. To tackle this disadvantage of COL, especially in the field of bone tissue engineering, COL can be combined with bioactive inorganic materials in a variety of composite systems. One of such systems is the collagen-bioactive glass (COL-BG) composite family, which is the theme of this Review. BG fillers can increase compressive strength and stiffness of COL-based structures. This article reviews the relevant literature published in the last 15 years discussing the fabrication of a variety of COL-BG composites. In vitro cell studies have demonstrated the osteogenic, odontogenic, and angiogenic potential of these composite systems, which has been confirmed by stimulating specific biochemical indicators of relevant cells. Bony integration and connective tissue vessel formation have also been studied by implantation of the composites in vivo. Areas of future research in the field of COL-BG systems, based on current challenges, and gaps in knowledge are highlighted.

In vitro attachment of Staphylococcus epidermidis to surgical sutures with and without Ag-containing bioactive glass coating.

The ability of a silver-doped bioactive glass (AgBG) coating to prevent bacterial colonization on surgical sutures was investigated in vitro. Bioactive glass powders, in the form of 45S5 Bioglass and AgBG, were used to coat Mersilk sutures using an optimized 'in house' slurry-dipping process. In vitro experiments were carried out using Staphylococcus epidermidis under both batch and flow conditions. While the traditional batch culture testing was used to determine the number of viable cells adhered to the surface, the flow-cell was used to visualize attachment and detachment over time. Under batch conditions of up to 180 min, statistically significant differences were observed in the colony forming units (CFU) per suture for both the coated and uncoated Mersilk sutures. The results showed that the AgBG coating had the greatest effect on limiting bacterial attachment (8 x 10(2) CFU) when compared to the 45S5 Bioglass coating (3.2 x 10(3) CFU) and the uncoated Mersilk (1.2 x 10(4) CFU). Also under flow conditions differences were seen between the coated and uncoated sutures. Therefore, this preliminary study has demonstrated the quantification and visualization of bacterial attachment onto sutures in order to compare the antibacterial properties of Ag-containing bioactive glass coatings. The bactericidal properties imparted by Ag-containing glass open new opportunities for use of the composite sutures in wound healing and body wall repair.

Physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of bone cements prepared with functionalized methacrylates.

Bone cements prepared with methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a base monomer and either methacrylic acid (MAA) or diethyl amino ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) as comonomers were characterized in terms of curing behavior, mechanical properties, and their in vitro biocompatibility. The curing time and setting temperature were found to be composition dependent while the residual monomer was not greatly affected by the presence of either acidic or alkaline comonomers in the bone cements. For samples with MAA comonomer, a faster curing time and higher setting temperature were observed when compared to the cement with DEAEMA comonomer. In terms of mechanical properties, the highest compressive strength was exhibited by formulations containing MAA, while the highest impact strength was shown by the formulations prepared with DEAEMA. There were no differences observed between the two formulations for tensile, shear, and bending strength values. Similarly, fatigue crack propagation studies did not reveal differences with the addition of either DEAEMA or MAA.No differences were observed in the initial number of attached primary rat femur osteoblasts on the different bone cements and positive controls. However, after 48 h there was a reduced proliferation in the cells grown on bone cements containing MAA.

Regulated fracture in tooth enamel: a nanotechnological strategy from nature.

Tooth enamel is a very brittle material; however it has the ability to sustain cracks without suffering catastrophic failure throughout the lifetime of mechanical function. We propose that the nanostructure of enamel can play a significant role in defining its unique mechanical properties. Accordingly we analyzed the nanostructure and chemical composition of a group of teeth, and correlated it with the crack resistance of the same teeth. Here we show how the dimensions of apatite nanocrystals in enamel can affect its resistance to crack propagation. We conclude that the aspect ratio of apatite nanocrystals in enamel determines its resistance to crack propagation. According to this finding, we proposed a new model based on the Hall-Petch theory that accurately predicts crack propagation in enamel. Our new biomechanical model of enamel is the first model that can successfully explain the observed variations in the behavior of crack propagation of tooth enamel among different humans.

Trace elements can influence the physical properties of tooth enamel.

In previous studies, we showed that the size of apatite nanocrystals in tooth enamel can influence its physical properties. This important discovery raised a new question; which factors are regulating the size of these nanocrystals? Trace elements can affect crystallographic properties of synthetic apatite, therefore this study was designed to investigate how trace elements influence enamel's crystallographic properties and ultimately its physical properties. The concentration of trace elements in tooth enamel was determined for 38 extracted human teeth using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The following trace elements were detected: Al, K, Mg, S, Na, Zn, Si, B, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se and Ti. Simple and stepwise multiple regression was used to identify the correlations between trace elements concentration in enamel and its crystallographic structure, hardness, resistance to crack propagation, shade lightness and carbonate content. The presence of some trace elements in enamel was correlated with the size (Pb, Ti, Mn) and lattice parameters (Se, Cr, Ni) of apatite nanocrystals. Some trace elements such as Ti was significantly correlated with tooth crystallographic structure and consequently with hardness and shade lightness. We conclude that the presence of trace elements in enamel could influence its physical properties.

Inhibition of bacterial motility and spreading via release of cranberry derived materials from silicone substrates.

The motility of bacteria plays a key role in their colonization of surfaces during infection. Derivatives of cranberry fruit have been shown to interfere with bacterial motility. Herein, we report on the incorporation of cranberry derived materials (CDMs) into silicone substrates with the aim of impairing bacterial pathogen motility and spreading on the substrate surface. The release of CDMs from the silicone substrates when soaking in an aqueous medium was quantified for a period of 24h. Next, we showed that CDMs released from two silicone substrates remain bioactive as they downregulate the expression of the flagellin gene of two key uropathogens - Escherichia coli CFT073 and Proteus mirabilis HI4320. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CDM-modified silicone inhibits the swarming motility of P. mirabilis, an aggressive swarmer. The bioactive, CDM-modified substrates can find broad applications in the medical device and food industries where the impairment of bacterial colonization of surfaces is of paramount importance.