A visual bi-layer indicator based on roselle anthocyanins with high hydrophobic property for monitoring griskin freshness.

This study designed a new type indicator with hydrophobic Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) film as a moisture prevent-layer. And the sensor layer was provided based on polyvinyl alcohol/Sodium alginate (PS) and Roselle anthocyanins (RAs). Physical properties, microstructure, and color stability of the bi-layer indicator have been investigated. The Water contact angle (WCA) of PS/RAs/ PVDF film (PSRF) was 108.85°, which can be considered as an excellent hydrophobic surface. The lowest Water Vapor Permeability (WVP) value of PSRF exhibited a good barrier property for moisture. Therefore, PSRF film was used to monitor the griskin freshness. The Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) level was increased to 18.02 mg/100 g at 72 h, and the color of the indicator presented visible color changes. The acquired results revealed a good correlation between TVB-N, pH and color change of the indicator. The research indicated that PSRF indicator has increasing potential application on food intelligent packaging.

Preparing and immobilizing antimicrobial osteogenic growth peptide on titanium substrate surface.

The inherent bioinertness and potential bacterial infection risk are the two leading causes for Ti implant failure. To improve osseointegration and antibiosis, in this work, a novel antimicrobial osteogenic growth peptide was first synthesized by conjugating osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). Then, the synthetic antimicrobial peptide was immobilized onto Ti implant surface for chemoselective binding via the amide reaction. Thereafter, the capabilities of modified Ti implant on osseointegration and antibiosis were measured with cell experiments and antimicrobial activity in vitro. The results showed that antimicrobial osteogenic growth peptide (OGP-CIP) was successfully prepared and grafted onto Ti implant surface. Moreover, the antimicrobial peptide-modified Ti implants could promote osteoblasts spreading and osteodifferentiation compared with unmodified Ti substrates. Meanwhile, in vitro bacteria studies (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) proved that the antibacterial property of antimicrobial peptide functionalized Ti implant was improved obviously. The method used in this work is a feasible and promising strategy to win the race against invading bacteria and accelerate bone integration in orthopedic implantation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 3021-3033, 2018.

N-halamine-based multilayers on titanium substrates for antibacterial application.

Bacterial infection is one of the most severe postoperative complications leading to clinical orthopedic implants failure. To improve the antibacterial property of titanium (Ti) substrates, a bioactive coating composed of chitosan-1-(hydroxymethyl)- 5,5-dimethylhydantoin (Chi-HDH-Cl) and gelatin (Gel) was fabricated via layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that Chi-HHD-Cl conjugate was successfully synthesized. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and water contact angle measurements were employed to monitor the morphology, roughness changes and surface wettability of Ti substrates, which proved the multilayers coating formation. Antibacterial assay against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) revealed that the Gel/Chi-HDH-Cl modified Ti substrates most efficiently inhibited the adhesion and growth of bacteria. Meanwhile, in vitro cellular tests confirmed that Gel/Chi-HDH-Cl multilayers had no obvious cytotoxicity to osteoblasts. The study thus provides a promising method to fabricate antibacterial Ti-based substrates for potential orthopedic application.

Surface functionalization of titanium implants with chitosan-catechol conjugate for suppression of ROS-induced cells damage and improvement of osteogenesis.

Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction would hinder bone healing process at the interface of bone/implant, yet underlying mechanism remains to be explored. To endow titanium (Ti) substrates with antioxidant activity for enhanced bone formation, multilayered structure composing of chitosan-catechol (Chi-C), gelatin (Gel) and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanofibers was constructed on Ti substrates. Surface wettability and topography of multilayer coated Ti substrates were characterized by water contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. Chi-C containing multilayer on Ti surface effectively protected osteoblasts from ROS damage, which was revealed by high level of intracellular ROS scavenging activity and reduced oxidative damage on cellular level by regulating the expression of cell adhesion related genes (integrin αv, ß3, CDH11 and CDH2). Moreover, it regulated the production of cell adhesive and anti-apoptotic related proteins (p-MYPT1, p-FAK, p-Akt and Bcl-2) and pro-apoptotic critical executioners (Bax and cleaved caspase 3). Beside, the composite multilayer of Chi-C/Gel/HA nanofibers on Ti substrates promoted osteoblasts differentiation, which was evidenced by high expression levels of alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen secretion, ECM mineralization and osteogenesis-related genes expression in vitro. The in vivo experiments of µ-CT analysis, push out test and histochemistry staining further confirmed that Chi-C multilayered implant had great potential for improved early bone healing. Overall, the study offers an effective strategy for the exploration of high quality Ti implants for orthopedic applications.

Preparation and properties of a novel thermo-sensitive hydrogel based on chitosan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/glycerol.

Chitosan-based thermosensitive hydrogels are known as injectable in situ gelling thermosensitive polymer solutions which are suitable for biomaterials. In this study, a novel thermosensitive hydrogel gelling under physiological conditions was prepared using chitosan together with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and glycerol. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is to facilitate the thermogelation through large amounts of hydrophobic interactions. Glycerol in heavy concentration destroys the polymer water sheaths promoting the formation of the hydrophobic regions, and lowering the phase transition temperature. The thermosensitive hydrogels showed a physiological pH ranging from 6.8 to 6.9 and gelation time within 15min at 37°C. The prepared hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and rheological studies, mechanical studies and contact angle studies. The properties of degradability, cytotoxicity and protein release behaviors of the hydrogels were investigated. The results indicate this thermosensitive hydrogel possess good fluidity, thermosensitivity and biodegradability, as well as low-cytotoxicity and controlled release, showing the potential use in biomedical applications.