Fabrication of atelocollagen-coated bioabsorbable suture and the evaluation of its regenerative efficacy in Achilles tendon healing using a rat experimental model.

Recently, the incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs) has become more common, and repair surgery using a bioabsorbable suture is generally preferred, particularly in the case of healthy patients. Sutures composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) are commonly used in ATR surgeries. Nevertheless, owing to the inherent limitations of PLGA, novel bioabsorbable sutures that can accelerate Achilles tendon healing are sought. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of atelocollagen on tendon healing. In this study, poly(3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine) (pDOPA), a hydrophilic biomimetic material, was used to modify the hydrophobic surface of a PLGA suture (Vicryl, VC) for the stable coating of atelocollagen on its surface. The main objective was to fabricate an atelocollagen-coated VC suture and evaluate its performance in the healing of Achilles tendon using a rat model of open repair for ATR. Structural analyses of the surface-modified suture indicated that the collagen was successfully coated on the VC/pDOPA suture. Postoperative in vivo biomechanical analysis, histological evaluation, ultrastructural/morphological analyses, and western blotting confirmed that the tendons in the VC/pDOPA/Col group exhibit superior healing than those in the VC and VC/pDOPA groups after 1 and 6 weeks following the surgery. The this study suggests that atelocollagen-coated PLGA/pDOPA sutures are preferable for future medical applications, especially in the repair of ATR.

Fracture load of monolithic CAD/CAM lithium disilicate ceramic crowns and veneered zirconia crowns as a posterior implant restoration.

PURPOSE: To compare the fracture load and failure mode of the monolithic lithium disilicate crown (e.max group) and 2 types of veneered zirconia crowns, hand layer (ZV group) and heat pressed (ZP group), as a posterior implant-supported restoration. METHODS: A total of 24 all-ceramic crowns for molar tooth were fabricated using the computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) system. The e.max group crowns and zirconia copings for ZV and ZP groups were fabricated using a Cerec milling unit. The ZV group was fabricated using a hand-layer veneering method, and the ZP group using a heat-pressing method. All crowns were luted to the abutments, which were connected to implant fixtures, using resin cement. Fracture load was measured using the universal testing machine, and the fracture surface was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The ZP group showed significantly higher fracture load (5229.3 N) compared with the e.max group (3852.1 N) and ZV group (3100.3 N). All fractures in the ZV group occurred in the veneered layer. CONCLUSION: Monolithic CAD/CAM lithium disilicate crowns are applicable to posterior implant-supported restorations because the fracture load was higher than the average occlusal force.

Surface modification of a three-dimensional polycaprolactone scaffold by polydopamine, biomineralization, and BMP-2 immobilization for potential bone tissue applications.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a free-form fabrication technique enabling fine feature control for tissue engineering applications. Especially, 3D scaffolds capable of supporting cell attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation are a prerequisite for bone tissue regeneration. Herein, we elaborated this approach to produce a 3D polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with long-term osteogenic activity. Specifically, we coated polydopamine (PDA) on 3D PCL scaffolds, subsequently deposited hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles via biomimetic mineralization, and finally immobilized bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Material properties were characterized and compared with various 3D scaffolds, including PCL, PDA-coated PCL (PCL/PDA), and PDA-coated and HA-deposited PCL (PCL/PDA/HA). In vitro cell culture studies with osteoblasts revealed that the PCL/PDA/HA scaffolds immobilized with BMP-2 showed long-term retention of BMP-2 (for up to 21 days) and significantly increased osteoblast proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, as evidenced by metabolic activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium deposition. We believe that this multifunctional osteogenic 3D scaffold will be useful for bone tissue engineering applications.

Electrical characteristics of metal catalyst-assisted etched rough silicon nanowire depending on the diameter size.

The dependence of electrical properties of rough and cylindrical Si nanowires (NWs) synthesized by diameter-controllable metal catalyst-assisted etching (MCE) on the size of the NW's diameter was demonstrated. Using a decal-printing and transfer process assisted by Al2O3 sacrificial layer, the Si NW field effect transistor (FET) embedded in a polyvinylphenol adhesive and dielectric layer were fabricated. As the diameter of Si NW increased, the mobility of FET increased from 80.51 to 170.95 cm(2)/V·s and the threshold voltage moved from -7.17 to 0 V because phonon-electron wave function overlaps, surface scattering, and defect scattering decreased and gate coupling increased as the ratio of surface-to-volume got reduced.