An investigation of the corrosion behavior of zinc-coated stainless steel orthodontic wires: the effect of physical vapor deposition method.

BACKGROUND: Releasing of metal ions might implicate in allergic reaction as a negative subsequent of the corrosion of Stainless Steel (SS304) orthodontic wires. The aim of this study was to evaluate the corrosion resistance of zinc-coated (Zn-coated) SS orthodontic wires. METHODS: Zinc coating was applied on SS wires by PVD method. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Potentiodynamic polarization tests and Tafel analysis methods were used to predict the corrosion behavior of Zn-coated and uncoated SS wires in both neutral and acidic environments. RESULTS: The values of Ecorr ,icorr and Rct ,which were the electrochemical corrosion characteristics, reported better corrosion behavior of Zn-coated SS wires against uncoated ones in both artificial saliva and fluoride-containing environments. Experimental results of the Tafel plot analyses were consistent with that of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses for both biological solutions. CONCLUSION: Applying Zn coating on bare SS orthodontic wire by PVD method might increase the corrosion resistance of the underlying stainless-steel substrate.

Mussel-Mimetic Hydrogel Coating with Anticoagulant and Antiinflammatory Properties on a Poly(lactic acid) Vascular Stent.

Biodegradable stents are the most promising alternatives for the treatment of cardiovascular disease nowadays, and the strategy of preparing functional coatings on the surface is highly anticipated for addressing adverse effects such as in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis. Yet, inadequate mechanical stability and biomultifunctionality limit their clinical application. In this study, we developed a multicross-linking hydrogel on the polylactic acid substrates by dip coating that boasts impressive antithrombotic ability, antibacterial capability, mechanical stability, and self-healing ability. Gelatin methacryloyl, carboxymethyl chitosan, and oxidized sodium alginate construct a double-cross-linking hydrogel through the dynamic Schiff base chemical and in situ blue initiation reaction. Inspired by the adhesion mechanism employed by mussels, a triple-cross-linked hydrogel is formed with the addition of tannic acid to increase the adhesion and antibiofouling properties. The strength and hydrophilicity of hydrogel coating are regulated by changing the composition ratio and cross-linking degree. It has been demonstrated in tests in vitro that the hydrogel coating significantly reduces the adhesion of proteins, MC3T3-E1 cells, platelets, and bacteria by 85% and minimizes the formation of blood clots. The hydrogel coating also exhibits excellent antimicrobial in vitro and antiinflammatory properties in vivo, indicating its potential value in vascular intervention and other biomedical fields.

Nanomechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Biocompatible Ti3Au Thin Films Grown on Glass and Ti6Al4V Substrates.

Ti-Au intermetallic-based material systems are being extensively studied as next-generation thin film coatings to extend the lifetime of implant devices. These coatings are being developed for application to the articulating surfaces of total joint implants and, therefore, must have excellent biocompatibility combined with superior mechanical hardness and wear resistance. However, these key characteristics of Ti-Au coatings are heavily dependent upon factors such as the surface properties and temperature of the underlying substrate during thin film deposition. In this work, Ti3Au thin films were deposited by magnetron sputtering on both glass and Ti6Al4V substrates at an ambient and elevated substrate temperature of 275 °C. These films were studied for their mechanical properties by the nanoindentation technique in both variable load and fixed load mode using a Berkovich tip. XRD patterns and cross-sectional SEM images detail the microstructure, while AFM images present the surface morphologies of these Ti3Au thin films. The biocompatibility potential of the films is assessed by cytotoxicity tests in L929 mouse fibroblast cells using Alamar blue assay, while leached ion concentrations in the film extracts are quantified using ICPOEMS. The standard deviation for hardness of films deposited on glass substrates is ∼4 times lower than that on Ti6Al4V substrates and is correlated with a corresponding increase in surface roughness from 2 nm for glass to 40 nm for Ti6Al4V substrates. Elevating substrate temperature leads to an increase in film hardness from 5.1 to 8.9 GPa and is related to the development of a superhard ß phase of the Ti3Au intermetallic. The standard deviation of this peak mechanical hardness value is reduced by ∼3 times when measured in fixed load mode compared to the variable load mode due to the effect of nanoindentation tip penetration depth. All tested Ti-Au thin films also exhibit excellent biocompatibility against L929 fibroblast cells, as viability levels are above 95% and leached Ti, Al, V, and Au ion concentrations are below 0.1 ppm. Overall, this work demonstrates a novel Ti3Au thin film system with a unique combination of high hardness and excellent biocompatibility with potential to be developed into a new wear-resistant coating to extend the lifetime of articulating total joint implants.

Generalized Multifunctional Coating Strategies Based on Polyphenol-Amine-Inspired Chemistry and Layer-by-Layer Deposition for Blood Contact Catheters.

Blood-contacting catheters play a pivotal role in contemporary medical treatments, particularly in the management of cardiovascular diseases. However, these catheters exhibit inappropriate wettability and lack antimicrobial characteristics, which often lead to catheter-related infections and thrombosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need for blood contact catheters with antimicrobial and anticoagulant properties. In this study, we employed tannic acid (TA) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to create a stable hydrophilic coating under mild conditions. Heparin (Hep) and poly(lysine) (PL) were then modified on the TA-APTES coating surface using the layer-by-layer (LBL) technique to create a superhydrophilic TA/APTES/(LBL)4 coating on silicone rubber (SR) catheters. Leveraging the superhydrophilic nature of this coating, it can be effectively applied to blood-contacting catheters to impart antibacterial, antiprotein adsorption, and anticoagulant properties. Due to Hep's anticoagulant attributes, the activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time tests conducted on SR/TA-APTES/(LBL)4 catheters revealed remarkable extensions of 276 and 103%, respectively, when compared to uncoated commercial SR catheters. Furthermore, the synergistic interaction between PL and TA serves to enhance the resistance of SR/TA-APTES/(LBL)4 catheters against bacterial adherence, reducing it by up to 99.9% compared to uncoated commercial SR catheters. Remarkably, the SR/TA-APTES/(LBL)4 catheter exhibits good biocompatibility with human umbilical vein endothelial cells in culture, positioning it as a promising solution to address the current challenges associated with blood-contact catheters.

In vitro corrosion and cytocompatibility of Mg-Zn-Ca alloys coated with FHA.

In the field of orthopedics, it's crucial to effectively slow down the degradation rate of Mg alloys. This study aims to improve the degradation behavior of Mg-Zn-Ca alloys by electrodepositing fluorohydroxyapatite (FHA). We investigated the microstructure and bond strength of the deposition, as well as degradation and cellular reactions. After 15-30 days of degradation in Hanks solution, FHA deposited alloys showed enhanced stability and less pH change. The strong interfacial bond between FHA and the Mg-Zn-Ca substrate was verified through scratch tests (Critical loads: 10.73 ± 0.014 N in Mg-Zn-0.5Ca alloys). Cellular studies demonstrated that FHA-coated alloys exhibited good cytocompatibility and promoted the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells. Further tests showed FHA-coated alloys owed improved early bone mineralization and osteogenic properties, especially in Mg-Zn-0.5Ca. This research highlighted the potential of FHA-coated Mg-Zn-0.5Ca alloys in orthopedics applications.

Recent developments in ureteral stent: Substrate material, coating polymer and technology, therapeutic function.

The ureteral stent is an effective treatment for clinical ureteral stricture following urological surgery, and the functional coating of the stent could effectively inhibit bacterial colonization and other complications. The present review provides an analysis and description of the materials used in ureteral stents and their coatings. Emphasis is placed on the technological advancements of functional coatings, taking into consideration the characteristics of these materials and the properties of their active substances. Furthermore, recent advances in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of functional coatings are also reviewed. It is anticipated that this article will serve as a valuable reference providing insights for future research development on new drug-loaded ureteral stents.

N-Halaminated spermidine-containing polymeric coating enables titanium to achieve dual functions of antibacterial and osseointegration.

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have been widely employed in the treatment of orthopedics and other hard tissue diseases. However, Ti-based implants are bioinert and suffer from bacterial infections and poor osseointegration in clinical applications. Herein, we successfully modified Ti with a porous N-halaminated spermidine-containing polymeric coating (Ti-SPD-Cl) through alkali-heat treatment, surface grafting and chlorination, and it has both excellent antibacterial and osteogenic abilities to significantly enhance osseointegration. The as-obtained Ti-SPD-Cl contains abundant N-Cl groups and demonstrates effective antibacterial ability against S. aureus and E. coli. Meanwhile, due to the presence of the spermidine component and construction of a porous hydrophilic surface, Ti-SPD-Cl is also beneficial for maintaining cell membrane homeostasis and promoting cell adhesion, exhibiting good biocompatibility and osteogenic ability. The rat osteomyelitis model demonstrates that Ti-SPD-Cl can effectively suppress bacterial infection and enhance bone-implant integration. Thus, Ti-SPD-Cl shows promising clinical applicability in the prevention of orthopedic implant infections and poor osseointegration.

Comparison study of surface-initiated hydrogel coatings with distinct side-chains for improving biocompatibility of polymeric heart valves.

Polymeric heart valves (PHVs) present a promising alternative for treating valvular heart diseases with satisfactory hydrodynamics and durability against structural degeneration. However, the cascaded coagulation, inflammatory responses, and calcification in the dynamic blood environment pose significant challenges to the surface design of current PHVs. In this study, we employed a surface-initiated polymerization method to modify polystyrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene (SIBS) by creating three hydrogel coatings: poly(2-methacryloyloxy ethyl phosphorylcholine) (pMPC), poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) (pAMPS), and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA). These hydrogel coatings dramatically promoted SIBS's hydrophilicity and blood compatibility at the initial state. Notably, the pMPC and pAMPS coatings maintained a considerable platelet resistance performance after 12 h of sonication and 10 000 cycles of stretching and bending. However, the sonication process induced visible damage to the pHEMA coating and attenuated the anti-coagulation property. Furthermore, the in vivo subcutaneous implantation studies demonstrated that the amphiphilic pMPC coating showed superior anti-inflammatory and anti-calcification properties. Considering the remarkable stability and optimal biocompatibility, the amphiphilic pMPC coating constructed by surface-initiated polymerization holds promising potential for modifying PHVs.

pH-Responsive antibacterial metal-phenolic network coating on hernia meshes.

Polypropylene (PP) mesh is widely used in hernioplasty, but it is prone to contamination by pathogenic bacteria. Here, we present an infection microenvironment-responsive metal-phenolic network (MPN) coating, which is made up of Cu2+ and tannic acid (TA) (referred to as CT coating), and is fabricated on PP meshes by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. The CT coating provided a robust protection for the PP mesh from pathogenic bacterial infection in a pH-responsive manner due to the pH-responsive disassembly kinetics of MPN complexes. Moreover, the PP meshes with ten CT coating cycles (PP-CT(10)) exhibited excellent stability in a physiological environment, with the killing ratio against "superbug" methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at pH 5.5 exceeding 99% even after 28 days of PBS (pH 7.4) immersion. In addition, the PP-CT(10) exhibited excellent in vivo anti-infective ability in a rodent subcutaneous implant MRSA infection model, and the results of histological and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that the reduced bacterial number alleviated the inflammatory response at implant sites. This study revealed that MPN coating is a promising strategy, which could provide a self-defensive ability for various implants to combat post-surgical infections in a pH-responsive manner.

Effect of Antimicrobial Agent Coating on Physicochemical and Biologic Properties of Implant Abutments: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effectiveness of coating of abutments with antimicrobial agents and their influence on the physicochemical and biologic properties of the coated materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This work was registered in Open Science Framework (osf.io/6tkcp) and followed the PRISMA protocols. A search of two independent reviewers of articles published up to October 29, 2021, was performed in the Embase, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus databases. RESULTS: The databases found a total of 1,474 references. After excluding the duplicates, 1,050 remained. After reading the titles and abstracts and applying the inclusion criteria, 13 articles remained and were read in full. A total of 8 articles were included in this systematic review. Different antimicrobial agents have been used to coat abutments, including graphene oxide, polydopamine, titanium and zirconium nitride, lactoferrin, tetracycline, silver, and doxycycline with varied release times. Titanium-coated silver showed a better antimicrobial agent release time of up to 28 days. Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of antimicrobials on the surface after coating. Different pathogenic microorganisms, such as Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus oralis, and Staphylococcus aureus, were inhibited when in contact with the coated surface. CONCLUSIONS: This review showed that there is still no consensus on which is the better antimicrobial agent and which coated materials have the better performance. However, the association of surface coating of abutments with antimicrobials is feasible and can benefit many patients, which can support their clinical use to favor the healing process and prevent infections that can lead to treatment failure with dental implants.

Antibacterial effect and biocompatibility of silver nanoparticle-coated bone allograft substitutes.

Osteoinduction, and/or osteoconduction, and antibacterial characteristics are prerequisites for achieving successful bone grafting. This study aimed to coat bone allografts with silver nanoparticles and assess their antibacterial activity and biocompatibility compared to uncoated bone allografts. In this study, the bone allografts were coated with varying concentrations of silver nanoparticles (5 mg/l, 10 mg/l, and 50 mg/l) through a simple adsorption technique. Subsequently, the coated samples underwent characterization using SEM, FTIR, EDS, and XRD. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the silver nanoparticles was determined against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. Bacterial growth inhibition was evaluated by measuring turbidity and performing a disk diffusion test. Moreover, qualitative investigation of biofilm formation on the coated bone allograft was conducted using SEM. Following this, MG-63 cell lines, resembling osteoblasts, were cultured on the bone allografts coated with 5 mg/l of silver nanoparticles, as well as on uncoated bone allografts, to assess biocompatibility. The MIC results demonstrated that silver nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial effects on both microorganisms, inhibiting the growth of isolates at concentrations of 0.78 mg/L for Staphylococcus aureus and 0.39 mg/L for Streptococcus mutans. The bone allografts coated with varying concentrations of silver nanoparticles exhibited significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria, completely eradicating bacterial growth and preventing biofilm formation. The osteoblast-like MG-63 cells thrived on the bone allografts coated with 5 mg/l of silver nanoparticles, displaying no significant differences compared to both the uncoated bone allografts and the control group.  Within the limit of this study, it can be concluded that silver nanoparticles have a positive role in controlling graft infection. In addition, simple adsorption technique showed an effective method of coating without overwhelming the healing of the graft.

The effects of keratin-coated titanium on osteoblast function and bone regeneration.

Wool derived keratin, due to its demonstrated ability to promote bone formation, has been suggested as a potential bioactive material for implant surfaces. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of keratin-coated titanium on osteoblast functionin vitroand bone healingin vivo. Keratin-coated titanium surfaces were fabricated via solvent casting and molecular grafting. The effect of these surfaces on the attachment, osteogenic gene, and osteogenic protein expression of MG-63 osteoblast-like cells were quantifiedin vitro. The effect of these keratin-modified surfaces on bone healing over three weeks using an intraosseous calvaria defect was assessed in rodents. Keratin coating did not affect MG-63 proliferation or viability, but enhanced osteopontin, osteocalcin and bone morphogenetic expressionin vitro. Histological analysis of recovered calvaria specimens showed osseous defects covered with keratin-coated titanium had a higher percentage of new bone area two weeks after implantation compared to that in defects covered with titanium alone. The keratin-coated surfaces were biocompatible and stimulated osteogenic expression in adherent MG-63 osteoblasts. Furthermore, a pilot preclinical study in rodents suggested keratin may stimulate earlier intraosseous calvaria bone healing.

Bonding of ceramics to silver-coated titanium-A combined theoretical and experimental study.

It would be very beneficial to have a method for joining of ceramics to titanium reliably. Although several techniques have been developed and tested to prevent extensive interfacial chemical reactions in titanium-ceramic systems, the main problem of the inherent brittleness of interfaces was still unsolved. To overcome this problem also in dental applications, we decided to make use of an interlayer material that needs to meet the following requirements: First, it has to be biocompatible, second, it should not melt below the bonding temperatures, and third, it should not react too strongly with titanium, so that its plasticity will be maintained. Considering possible material options only the metals: gold, platinum, palladium, and silver, fulfill the first and second requirements. To find out-without an extensive experimental testing program-which of the four metals fulfills the third requirement best, the combined thermodynamic and reaction kinetic modeling was employed to evaluate how many and how thick reaction layers are formed between the interlayer metals and titanium. With the help of theoretical modeling, it was shown that silver fulfills the last requirement best. However, before starting to test experimentally the effect of the silver layer on the mechanical integrity of dental ceramic/Ag/Ti joints it was decided to make use of mechanical analysis of the three-point bending test, the result of which indicated that the silver layer increases significantly the bond strength of the joints. This result encouraged us to develop a new technique for plating silver on titanium. Subsequently, we executed numerous three-point bending tests, which demonstrated that silver-plated titanium-ceramic joints are much stronger than conventional titanium-ceramic joints. Hence, it can be concluded that the combined thermodynamic, reaction kinetic, and mechanical modeling method can also be a very valuable tool in medical research and development work.

Novel Fe3O4 Nanoparticles with Bioactive Glass-Naproxen Coating: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation of Bioactivity.

Immune response to biomaterials, which is intimately related to their surface properties, can produce chronic inflammation and fibrosis, leading to implant failure. This study investigated the development of magnetic nanoparticles coated with silica and incorporating the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen, aimed at multifunctional biomedical applications. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques that confirmed the presence of magnetite and the formation of a silica-rich bioactive glass (BG) layer. In vitro studies demonstrated that the nanoparticles exhibited bioactive properties, forming an apatite surface layer when immersed in simulated body fluid, and biocompatibility with bone cells, with good viability and alkaline phosphatase activity. Naproxen, either free or encapsulated, reduced nitric oxide production, an inflammatory marker, while the BG coating alone did not show anti-inflammatory effects in this study. Overall, the magnetic nanoparticles coated with BG and naproxen showed promise for biomedical applications, especially anti-inflammatory activity in macrophages and in the bone field, due to their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and osteogenic potential.

Do Implant Coatings Affect Healing of Placed Implants? An Umbrella Review.

PURPOSE: To analyze the available evidence and assess the effect of different implant coatings on healing outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the PICOS strategy, a structured question was formed. A protocol was agreed upon and registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42022321926). The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed, and ScienceDirect databases were searched using a structured strategy. Study selection was independently carried out in duplicate, first by title and abstract, then by full-text assessment. Quality and risk of bias were independently assessed in duplicate using AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS. Data extraction was independently undertaken in duplicate using a predefined extraction form. RESULTS: The search yielded 11 systematic reviews for inclusion. The most commonly assessed coatings were based on calcium phosphate-including hydroxyapatite (HA), brushite, and bioabsorbable nano-HA-followed by bisphosphonate, then bioactive glass coatings. Included reviews most frequently assessed marginal bone loss (MBL), bone-to-implant contact (BIC), and survival/success rates. There was considerable heterogeneity and small sample sizes. The quality assessment suggested low confidence in the reviews and high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: The included reviews provide weak evidence that implant coatings improve osseointegration and reduce MBL following implant placement. There was weak evidence for progressive complications for calcium phosphate coatings. Further research and long-term multicenter controlled clinical trials with improved standardization and control of bias are required to better understand the effects of coating implants.

[Biological characteristics and osteogenic differentiation of magnesium-doped nanoporous titanium coating].

PURPOSE: Bioactive magnesium ions were successfully incorporated into the nanoporous titanium base coating by micro-arc oxidation(MAO), and its physical properties and osteogenic effects were explored. METHODS: Non-magnesium-containing and magnesium-containing titanium porous titanium coatings(MAO, MAO-mg) were prepared by changing the composition of MAO electrolyte and controlling the doping of magnesium in porous titanium coatings. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), roughness, contact angle and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). Mg2+ release ability of magnesium-doped nanoporous titanium coatings was determined by inductively coupled plasma/optical emission spectrometer(ICP-OES). The structure of the cytoskeleton was determined by live/dead double staining, CCK-8 detection of material proliferation-toxicity, and staining of ß-actin using FITC-phalloidin. The effects of the coating on osteogenic differentiation in vitro were determined by alizarin red (ARS), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). SPSS 25.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The MAO electrolyte with magnesium ions did not change the surface characteristics of the porous titanium coating. Each group prepared by MAO had similar microporous structure(P＞0.05). There was no significant difference in surface roughness and contact angle between MAO treatment group (MAO, MAO-mg)(P＞0.05), but significantly higher than that of Ti group (P＜0.05). With the passage of cell culture time, MAO-mg group promoted cell proliferation (P＜0.05). MAO-mg group was significantly higher than other groups in ALP and ARS staining. The expression of Runx2 mRNA (P＜0.05), ALP(P＜0.05) and osteocalcin OCN(P＜0.05) in MAO-mg group was significantly higher than that in Ti and MAO groups. CONCLUSIONS: MAO successfully prepared magnesium-containing nanoporous titanium coating, and showed a significant role in promoting osteogenic differentiation.

Synergistic antibacterial effect and mechanism between Cu2O nanoparticles and quaternary ammonium salt in moisture-curable acrylic coatings.

Combining with various antibacterial mechanisms is the preferred strategy to fabricate coatings with effective antibacterial performance. Herein, Cu2O nanoparticles and dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ammonium chloride, a kind of quaternary ammonium salt (QAS), were simultaneously incorporated into a moisture-curable acrylic resin in order to achieve both contact-killing and release-killing abilities for antibacterial coatings. The surface morphology, surface composition and basic properties of the coatings were thoroughly characterized. The antibacterial performance of the coatings was determined by in-vitro bacteriostatic test. Under the constant total mass fraction of antibacterial agents, both Cu2O and QAS content possessed the highest value on the coating surface at Cu2O/QAS mass ratio of 1:1, and correspondingly, the coatings reached sterilizing rate above 99 % against both E. coli and S. loihica, indicating the existence of synergistic effect between Cu2O and QAS. The synergistic antibacterial mechanism of the coatings involved two aspects. Firstly, the combination of contact-killing and release-killing biocides resulted in high bactericidal and antibiofilm activity against different bacteria. Further, the grafting of QAS molecules on the surface of Cu2O particles brought about the spontaneous migration of nanoparticles to the coating surface. The interaction between Cu2O and QAS also inhibited the phase separation of QAS and prolonged the release of Cu2+ at the same time. The coatings, therefore, exhibited stable antibacterial performance at varied service conditions.

Genetically encoded biocompatible anti-coagulant protein-coated coronary artery stents drive endothelialization.

In response to the critical demand for advancements in coronary artery stents, this study addresses the challenges associated with arterial recoil and restenosis post-angioplasty and the imperative to encourage rapid re-endothelialization for minimizing thrombosis risks. We employed an innovative approach inspired by mussel adhesion, incorporating placental anticoagulant protein (AnnexinV) on stent design. The introduction of a post-translationally modified catecholic amino acid L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa), mimicking mussel characteristics, allowed for effective surface modification of Stainless steel stents through genetic code engineering in AnnexinV (AnxDopa). The efficacy of AnxDopa was analyzed through microscale thermophoresis and flow cytometry, confirming AnxDopa's exceptional binding with phosphatidylserine and activated platelets. AnxDopa coated stainless steel demonstrates remarkable bio-, hemo-, and immuno-compatibility, preventing smooth muscle cell proliferation, platelet adhesion, and fibrin formation. It acts as an interface between the stent and biological fluid, which facilitates the anticoagulation and rapid endothelialization. Surface modification of SS verified through XPS analysis and contact angle measurement attests to the efficacy of AnxDopa mediated surface modification. The hydrophilic nature of the AnxDopa-coated surface enhanced the endothelialization through increased protein absorption. This approach represents a significant stride in developing coronary stents with improved biocompatibility and reduced restenosis risks, offering valuable contributions to scientific and clinical realms alike.

Microenvironment-regulated dual-hydrophilic coatings for glaucoma valve surface engineering.

Glaucoma valves (GVs) play an essential role in treating glaucoma. However, fibrosis after implantation has limited their long-term success in clinical applications. In this study, we aimed to develop a comprehensive surface-engineering strategy to improve the biocompatibility of GVs by constructing a microenvironment-regulated and dual-hydrophilic antifouling coating on a GV material (silicone rubber, SR). The coating was based on a superhydrophilic polydopamine (SPD) coating with good short-range superhydrophilicity and antifouling abilities. In addition, SPD coatings contain many phenolic hydroxyl groups that can effectively resist oxidative stress and the inflammatory microenvironment. Furthermore, based on its in situ photocatalytic free-radical polymerization properties, the SPD coating polymerized poly 2-methylacryloxyethylphosphocholine, providing an additional long-range hydrophilic and antifouling effect. The in vitro test results showed that the microenvironment-regulated and dual-hydrophilic coatings had anti-protein contamination, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-fiber proliferation capabilities. The in vivo test results indicated that this coating substantially reduced the fiber encapsulation formation of the SR material by inhibiting inflammation and fibrosis. This design strategy for dual hydrophilic coatings with microenvironmental regulation can provide a valuable reference for the surface engineering design of novel medical implantable devices. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Superhydrophilic polydopamine (SPD) coatings were prepared on silicone rubber (SR) by a two-electron oxidation method. Introduction of pMPC to SPD surface using photocatalytic radical polymerization to obtain a dual-hydrophilic coating. The dual-hydrophilic coating effectively modulates the oxidative and inflammatory microenvironment. This coating significantly reduced protein contamination and adhesion of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts in vitro. The coating-modified SR inhibits inflammatory and fibrosis responses in vivo, promising to serve the glaucoma valves.

Biomimicking covalent organic frameworks nanocomposite coating for integrated enhanced anticorrosion and antifouling properties of a biodegradable magnesium stent.

The utilization of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys in the fabrication of temporary non-vascular stents is an innovative trend in biomedical engineering. However, the heterogeneous degradation profiles of these biomaterials, together with potential bacterial colonization that could precipitate infectious or stenotic complications, are critical obstacles precluding their widespread clinical application. In pursuit of overcoming these limitations, this study applies the principles of biomimicry, particularly the hydrophobic and anti-fouling characteristics of lotus leaves, to pioneer the creation of nanocomposite coatings. These coatings integrate poly-trimethylene carbonate (PTMC) with covalent organic frameworks (COFs), to modify the stent's surface property. The strategic design of the coating's topography, porosity, and self-polishing capabilities collectively aims to decelerate degradation processes and minimize biological adhesion. The protective qualities of the coatings were substantiated through rigorous testing in both in vitro dynamic bile tests and in vivo New Zealand rabbit choledochal models. Empirical findings from these trials confirmed that the implementation of COF-based nanocomposite coatings robustly fortifies Mg implantations, conferring heightened resistance to both biocorrosion and biofouling as well as improved biocompatibility within bodily environments. The outcomes of this research elucidate a comprehensive framework for the multifaceted strategies against stent corrosion and fouling, thereby charting a visionary pathway toward the systematic conception of a new class of reliable COF-derived surface modifications poised to amplify the efficacy of Mg-based stents. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys are widely utilized in temporary stents, though their rapid degradation and susceptibility to bacterial infection pose significant challenges. Our research has developed a nanocomposite coating inspired by the lotus, integrating poly-trimethylene carbonate with covalent organic frameworks (COF). The coating achieved self-polishing property and optimal surface energy on the Mg substrate, which decelerates stent degradation and reduces biofilm formation. Comprehensive evaluations utilizing dynamic bile simulations and implantation in New Zealand rabbit choledochal models reveal that the coating improves the durability and longevity of the stent. The implications of these findings suggest the potential COF-based Mg alloy stent surface treatments and a leap forward in advancing stent performance and endurance in clinical applications.