In vitro evaluation of the osteogenic and antimicrobial potential of porous wollastonite scaffolds impregnated with ethanolic extracts of propolis.

Context: The development of porous devices using materials modified with various natural agents has become a priority for bone healing processes in the oral and maxillofacial field. There must be a balance between the proliferation of eukaryotic and the inhibition of prokaryotic cells to achieve proper bone health. Infections might inhibit the formation of new alveolar bone during bone graft augmentation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro osteogenic behavior of human bone marrow stem cells and assess the antimicrobial response to 3D-printed porous scaffolds using propolis-modified wollastonite. Methodology: A fractional factorial design of experiments was used to obtain a 3D printing paste for developing scaffolds with a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) gyroid geometry based on wollastonite and modified with an ethanolic propolis extract. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was characterized using free radical scavenging methods (DPPH and ABTS). Cell proliferation and osteogenic potential using Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells (bmMSCs) were assessed at different culture time points up to 28 days. MIC and inhibition zones were studied from single strain cultures, and biofilm formation was evaluated on the scaffolds under co-culture conditions. The mechanical strength of the scaffolds was evaluated. Results: Through statistical design of experiments, a paste suitable for printing scaffolds with the desired geometry was obtained. Propolis extracts modifying the TPMS gyroid scaffolds showed favorable cell proliferation and metabolic activity with osteogenic potential after 21 days. Additionally, propolis exhibited antioxidant activity, which may be related to the antimicrobial effectiveness of the scaffolds against S. aureus and S. epidermidis cultures. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds were not affected by propolis impregnation. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that propolis-impregnated porous wollastonite scaffolds might have the potential to stimulate bone repair in maxillofacial tissue engineering applications.

Antibacterial and osteoinductive properties of wollastonite scaffolds impregnated with propolis produced by additive manufacturing.

Biocompatible ceramic scaffolds offer a promising approach to address the challenges in bone reconstruction. Wollastonite, well-known for its exceptional biocompatibility, has attracted significant attention in orthopedics and craniofacial fields. However, the antimicrobial properties of wollastonite have contradictory findings, necessitating further research to enhance its antibacterial characteristics. This study aimed to explore a new approach to improve in vitro biological response in terms of antimicrobial activity and cell proliferation by taking advantage of additive manufacturing for the development of scaffolds with complex geometries by 3D printing using propolis-modified wollastonite. The scaffolds were designed with a TPMS (Triply Periodic Minimal Surface) gyroid geometric shape and 3D printed prior to impregnation with propolis extract. The paste formulation was characterized by rheometric measurements, and the presence of propolis was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The scaffolds were comprehensively assessed for their mechanical strength. The biological characterization involved evaluating the antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, employing Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Zone of Inhibition (ZOI), and biofilm formation assays. Additionally, SaOs-2 cultures were used to study cell proliferation (Alamar blue assay), and potential osteogenic was tested (von Kossa, Alizarin Red, and ALP stainings) at different time points. Propolis impregnation did not compromise the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, which exhibited values comparable to human trabecular bone. Propolis incorporation conferred antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The implementation of TPMS gyroid geometry in the scaffold design demonstrated favorable cell proliferation with increased metabolic activity and osteogenic potential after 21 days of cell cultures.

Effects of Propolis Impregnation on Polylactic Acid (PLA) Scaffolds Loaded with Wollastonite Particles against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Their Coculture for Potential Medical Devices.

Several diseases and injuries cause irreversible damage to bone tissues, which may require partial or total regeneration or replacement. Tissue engineering suggests developing substitutes that may contribute to the repair or regeneration process by using three-dimensional lattices (scaffolds) to create functional bone tissues. Herein, scaffolds comprising polylactic acid and wollastonite particles enriched with propolis extracts from the Arauca region of Colombia were developed as gyroid triply periodic minimal surfaces using fused deposition modeling. The propolis extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25175) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), which cause osteomyelitis. The scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle, swelling, and degradation. Their mechanical properties were assessed using static and dynamic tests. Cell viability/proliferation assay was conducted using hDP-MSC cultures, while their bactericidal properties against monospecies cultures (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) and cocultures were evaluated. The wollastonite particles did not affect the physical, mechanical, or thermal properties of the scaffolds. The contact angle results showed that there were no substantial differences in the hydrophobicity between scaffolds with and without particles. Scaffolds containing wollastonite particles suffered less degradation than those produced using PLA alone. A representative result of the cyclic tests at Fmax = 450 N showed that the maximum strain reached after 8000 cycles is well below the yield strain (i.e., <7.5%), thereby indicating that even under these stringent conditions, these scaffolds will be able to work properly. The scaffolds impregnated with propolis showed a lower % of cell viability using hDP-MSCs on the 3rd day, but these values increased on the 7th day. These scaffolds exhibited antibacterial activity against the monospecies cultures of S. aureus and S. epidermidis and their cocultures. The samples without propolis loads did not show inhibition halos, whereas those loaded with EEP exhibited halos of 17.42 ± 0.2 mm against S. aureus and 12.9 ± 0.5 mm against S. epidermidis. These results made the scaffolds possible bone substitutes that exert control over species with a proliferative capacity for the biofilm-formation processes required for typical severe infectious processes.

Fabrication of polycaprolactone/calcium phosphates hybrid scaffolds impregnated with plant extracts using 3D printing for potential bone regeneration.

The increase in critical bone diseases and defects in the world's population increases the need for bone substitutes to restore form and function. Organic and inorganic scaffolds with antibacterial properties could provide advantages for bone regeneration. In this study, we obtained scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) charged with calcium phosphates nanoparticles and impregnated with extracts of Colombian plants as an alternative for potential bone regeneration. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles were obtained via auto-combustion synthesis. The nanoparticles were incorporated into the PCL with a chemical dissolution-disperse process. The composite obtained was used to produce a filament to print Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) based scaffolds. Such geometry facilitates cellular growth thanks to its interconnected porosity. The scaffolds were impregnated with extracts of Justicia cf colorifera (Acanthaceae), and Billia rosea (Sapindaceae) due to their ancestral medical applications. A physical and biological characterization was conducted. The process to print scaffolds with an enhanced geometry to facilitate the flux of biological fluids was successful. The scaffolds loaded with B. rosea showed strong antibacterial behavior, suggesting the presence of reported terpenoids with antibacterial properties. The approach used in this study evidenced promising prospects for bone defect repair.

Translucency of a Dental Porcelain Mixed by Two Ceramic Slurry Methods: A Bayesian Comparison.

Background: The ceramics industry produces porcelain pastes using a controlled ratio of water and porcelain powder. Two methods are used to produce a dental porcelain paste: one-step mixing or incremental mixing. Objective: To evaluate the optical properties of a feldspathic dental ceramic using two different ceramic paste preparation methods using a Bayesian approach. Materials and Methods: Two groups of feldspathic porcelain discs, an incremental mixing group (n = 40) and a one-step mixing group (n = 40), were assessed. Groups were evaluated using spectrophotometry, and the translucency parameter (TP) of each sample was calculated. Surfaces were characterized by AFM and SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using a Bayesian approach. Results: Translucency parameter values of the incremental mixing group ranged from 1.65 to 3.41, while values for the one-step mixing group ranged from 3.62 to 5.74, this difference being statistically significant. The lowest roughness was obtained on the surface of discs in the one-step mixing group. Conclusions: Feldspathic porcelain with lower translucency and higher roughness was obtained using the incremental mixture method.

A novel approach to create an antibacterial surface using titanium dioxide and a combination of dip-pen nanolithography and soft lithography.

Soft lithography and Dip-Pen Nanolithography (DPN) are techniques that have been used to modify the surface of biomaterials. Modified surfaces play a role in reducing bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Also, titanium dioxide has been reported as an antibacterial substance due to its photocatalytic effect. This work aimed at creating patterns on model surfaces using DPN and soft lithography combined with titanium dioxide to create functional antibacterial micropatterned surfaces, which were tested against Streptococcus mutans. DPN was used to create a master pattern onto a model surface and microstamping was performed to duplicate and transfer such patterns to medical-grade stainless steel 316L using a suspension of TiO2. Modified SS316L plates were subjected to UVA black light as photocatalytic activator. Patterns were characterized by atomic force microscopy and biologically evaluated using S. mutans. A significant reduction of up to 60% in bacterial adhesion to TiO2 -coated and -micropatterned surfaces was observed. Moreover, both TiO2 surfaces reduced the viability of adhered bacteria after UV exposure. TiO2 micropatterned demonstrated a synergic effect between physical and chemical modification against S. mutans. This dual effect was enhanced by increasing TiO2 concentration. This novel approach may be a promising alternative to reduce bacterial adhesion to surfaces.

Self-Assembled Monolayers for Dental Implants.

Implant-based therapy is a mature approach to recover the health conditions of patients affected by edentulism. Thousands of dental implants are placed each year since their introduction in the 80s. However, implantology faces challenges that require more research strategies such as new support therapies for a world population with a continuous increase of life expectancy, to control periodontal status and new bioactive surfaces for implants. The present review is focused on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for dental implant materials as a nanoscale-processing approach to modify titanium surfaces. SAMs represent an easy, accurate, and precise approach to modify surface properties. These are stable, well-defined, and well-organized organic structures that allow to control the chemical properties of the interface at the molecular scale. The ability to control the composition and properties of SAMs precisely through synthesis (i.e., the synthetic chemistry of organic compounds with a wide range of functional groups is well established and in general very simple, being commercially available), combined with the simple methods to pattern their functional groups on complex geometry appliances, makes them a good system for fundamental studies regarding the interaction between surfaces, proteins, and cells, as well as to engineering surfaces in order to develop new biomaterials.

Soft Lithography and Minimally Human Invasive Technique for Rapid Screening of Oral Biofilm Formation on New Microfabricated Dental Material Surfaces.

INTRODUCTION: Microfabrication offers opportunities to study surface concepts focused to reduce bacterial adhesion on implants using human minimally invasive rapid screening (hMIRS). Wide information is available about cell/biomaterial interactions using eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells on surfaces of dental materials with different topographies, but studies using human being are still limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a synergy of microfabrication and hMIRS to study the bacterial adhesion on micropatterned surfaces for dental materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Micropatterned and flat surfaces on biomedical PDMS disks were produced by soft lithography. The hMIRS approach was used to evaluate the total oral bacterial adhesion on PDMS surfaces placed in the oral cavity of five volunteers (the study was approved by the University Ethical Committee). After 24 h, the disks were analyzed using MTT assay and light microscopy. RESULTS: In the present pilot study, microwell structures were microfabricated on the PDMS surface via soft lithography with a spacing of 5 µm. Overall, bacterial adhesion did not significantly differ between the flat and micropatterned surfaces. However, individual analysis of two subjects showed greater bacterial adhesion on the micropatterned surfaces than on the flat surfaces. SIGNIFICANCE: Microfabrication and hMIRS might be implemented to study the cell/biomaterial interactions for dental materials.

Reinforced Portland cement porous scaffolds for load-bearing bone tissue engineering applications.

Modified Portland cement porous scaffolds with suitable characteristics for load-bearing bone tissue engineering applications were manufactured by combining the particulate leaching and foaming methods. Non-crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane was evaluated as a potential reinforcing material. The scaffolds presented average porosities between 70 and 80% with mean pore sizes ranging from 300 µm up to 5.0 mm. Non-reinforced scaffolds presented compressive strengths and elastic modulus values of 2.6 and 245 MPa, respectively, whereas reinforced scaffolds exhibited 4.2 and 443 MPa, respectively, an increase of ∼62 and 80%. Portland cement scaffolds supported human osteoblast-like cell adhesion, spreading, and propagation (t = 1-28 days). Cell metabolism and alkaline phosphatase activity were found to be enhanced at longer culture intervals (t ≥ 14 days). These results suggest the possibility of obtaining strong and biocompatible scaffolds for bone repair applications from inexpensive, yet technologically advanced materials such as Portland cement.

Evaluación de la fricción en arcos ortodóncicos de acero inoxidable con y sin recubrimiento vítreo aplicado por el método Sol-Gel / Friction evaluation in stainless steel arches with and withouth glass coating using the Sol-Gel method

Introducción: el propósito de este estudio in vitro fue comparar la fuerza de fricción estática y dinámica generada entre brackets y alambres de acero inoxidable con y sin recubrimiento vítreo aplicado por el método Sol-Gel. Métodos: en todas las pruebas de fricción fueron utilizados brackets (0,018 x 0,025”), alambres de acero inoxidable (0,016 x 0,016”) y ligaduras elásticas. Se realizó una caracterización con microscopia óptica y microscopia electrónica de barrido (SE M). La fuerza friccional fue evaluada utilizando una máquina de pruebas Testresources® en medio seco. Resultados: los resultados mostraron que el grupo de alambres de acero inoxidable sin modificación (grupo control) presentaron los valores más bajos de fuerza de fricción estática, seguido del grupo de alambres recubiertos por el método Sol-Gel (grupo Sol-Gel) y el grupo de alambres con tratamiento térmico (grupo térmico). Para la fricción dinámica, el grupo Sol-Gel mostró los valores más bajos, seguido del grupo control y el grupo térmico. Conclusión: los recubrimientos evaluados no mostraron mejor comportamiento friccional sobre brackets de acero inoxidable cuando son comparados con el grupo control.

Introduction: the aim of this in vitro study was to compare the static and dynamic frictional force generated between surfaces of metallic brackets and glass coated applied by the Sol-Gel method, and non coated wires. Methods: metallic brackets (0,018 x 0,025″), stainless steel wires (0,016 x 0,016″) and elastic ligatures were used in all frictional tests. All components were characterized using SEM and optical microscopy. The frictional force was evaluated using a machine of tests Testresources® in dry environment. Results: the results showed that the stainless steel wires without modification (control group) showed the lowest values of static friction force followed by the stainless steel wires group coated by Sol-Gel method and the wires group with thermic treatment (thermic group). For dynamic friction force, the Sol-Gel group showed the smallest values, followed by the control group and the thermal group. Conclusion: the evaluated coating did not show a better frictional performance applied on stainless steel brackets in comparison with the control group.

Evaluación in vitro de la resistencia friccional entre brackets cerámicos y arcos de acero inoxidable con y sin recubrimiento vítreo aplicado por el metodo sol-gel / In vitro evaluation of frictional resistance between ceramic brackets and orthodontic steel arches with and without glass coatings applied by sol-gel method

Introducción: comparar la resistencia friccional estática y dinámica in vitro entre brackets cerámicos y alambres de acero inoxidable con recubrimiento vítreo aplicado por el método Sol-Gel y sin él. Métodos: se prepararon 58 alambres de acero inoxidable AISI 304 de 0.016 x 0.016 con recubrimiento vítreo aplicado por Sol-Gel y sin él. Posteriormente se evaluó la resistencia a la fricción estática y dinámica in vitro de los alambres sobre brackets cerámicos de zafiro monocristalino y se caracterizaron las superficies en contacto por microscopia óptica y electrónica de barrido (SEM). Resultados: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos tanto para la fuerza de fricción estática (p = 0,000) como dinámica (p = 0,001). El grupo de los alambres recubiertos presentó una fuerza de fricción estática y dinámica mayor (estática: 1,78 ± 0,44 N, dinámica: 1,75 ± 0,49 N) que el grupo sin recubrimientos (estática: 1,37 ± 0,31 N, dinámica: 1,41 ± 0,27 N). La caracterización por SEM mostró que se producen defectos superficiales en los recubrimientos después de las pruebas de fricción. Conclusión: los recubrimientos evaluados no mostraron mejor comportamiento friccional sobre brackets de zafiro monocristalino cuando son comparados con el grupo control.

Introduction: to compare the in vitro static and dynamic frictional resistance between ceramic brackets and stainless steel wires with and without glass coatings applied by sol-gel method. Methods: 58 commercial stainless steel orthodontic wires AISI 304 (0.016 x 0.016 inch) were prepared with and without vitreous coating applied by Sol- Gel method. The in vitro static and dynamic frictional resistance of the wires on the mono-crystalline ceramic brackets were evaluated; also, the wire surfaces were characterized by means of Optical Microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Results: statistically significant differences were found between both groups under static (p = 0.000) as well as dynamic (p = 0.001) friction test. The friction values found in the coated group were higher (Static friction: 1.78 ± 0.44 N, Dynamic friction: 1.75 ± 0.49 N) than the group with no coating (Static friction: 1.37 ± 0.31 N, Dynamic friction: 1.41 ± 0.27 N). Characterization by SEM showed surface defects in both groups after the friction tests. Conclusion: the evaluated coatings did not perform better in terms of frictional behavior on sapphire mono-crystalline ceramic brackets when compared with the control group.

Dientes de bovino como sustituto de dientes humanos para su uso en la odontología. Revisión de literatura / Use of bovine teeth as replacement of missing human teeth. A review of literature

Los dientes humanos son similares morfológica e histológicamente a los de algunos mamíferos, pero los dientes bovinos presentan algunas características especiales como son: la composición histológica y su forma anatómica, que entre otras características, los hacen ideales para su utilización como sustitutos de los dientes humanos en investigaciones sobre materiales dentales...

Computación evolutiva: una herramienta de modelamiento en ciencias de la salud / Evolutive computing: a modeling tool in health sciences

Este artículo presenta una revisión de la computación evolutiva como una alternativa en la generación de conocimiento, se exploran los conceptos básicos de la te´cnica y algunas aplicaciones en ciencias de la salud. Se presentan los aspectos más importantes en la modelación de sistemas y procesos biológicos. Estos modelos pueden ser utilizados para la toma de decisiones en la vida real.

Comparación de la reproductibilidad de dos materiales de impresión de hidrocoloide irreversible. Estudio “in Vitro” / Comparision of the reproducibility of two irreversible hydrocolloid

El hidrocoloide irreversible (alginato) es el material de impresión mas comúnmente utilizado es la elaboración de modelos diagnósticos.Este estudio comparo la seguridad en la reproductibilidad de dos alginatos: Jeltrate (Caulk, Co., USA) y Olympic (New Stetic Ltda., Colombia). Para ello se utilizó un modelo maxilar ideal con 12 dientes, al cual se le tomaron 12 impresiones con cada uno de los alginatos y luego se hizo el vaciado en yeso tipo IV. Sobre estos modelos se tomaron 8 mediciones con un microscopio de taller de indicación digital con una precisión de lectura de 0.001 mm.Los resultados mostraron que no hay diferencia significativa entre los troqueles obtenidos de los dos tipos de alginato evaluados; aunque una diferencia significativa se encontró cuando se comparo la distancia intermolar entre el modelo maestro y los modelos de yeso. Los modelos vaciados fueron de dimensiones mayores que el modelo maestro...