Killing Bacteria by Faradaic Processes through Nano-Hydroxyapatite/MoOx Platforms.

Following the secular idea of ″restitutio ad integrum″, regeneration is the pursued option to restore bones lost after a disease; accordingly, complementing antibiotic and regeneration capacity to bone grafts represents a great scientific success. This study is a framework proposal for understanding the antimicrobial effect of biocompatible nano-hydroxyapatite/MoOx (nano-HA/MoOx) platforms on the basis of their electroactive behavior. Through cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements, the electron transference capacity of nano-HA and nano-HA/MoOx electrodes was determined in the presence of pathogenic organisms: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Faradaic processes were confirmed and related to the switch of MoO42-/PO43- groups in the original hexagonal nano-HA crystal lattice and to the extent of OH vacancies that act as electron acceptors. Microscopic analysis of bacteria's ultrastructure showed a disruptive effect on the cytoplasmic membrane upon direct contact with the materials, which is not evident in the presence of eukaryotic cells. Experiments support the existence of a type of extracellular electron transfer (EET) process that alters the function of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, accelerating their death. Our findings provide strong quantitative support for a drug-independent biocidal physical approach based on EET processes between microorganisms and phosphate ceramics that can be used to combat local orthopedic infections associated with implants.

Antibacterial alginate/nano-hydroxyapatite composites for bone tissue engineering: Assessment of their bioactivity, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity.

Bone substitute materials based on bioceramics and polymers have evolved shifting from a passive role where they are merely accepted by the body; to an active role, where they respond to particular environmental conditions or to different types of cues generating suitable integration (osseointegration for this case) inside the host tissue. In this work, two types of composite materials based on a bioceramic (synthetic nano-hydroxyapatite, HA) and a biopolymer (sodium alginate, ALG) have been designed and assessed for promoting the bone regeneration. These materials were loaded with ciprofloxacin (CIP) for obtaining, not only a suitable material for a filling but with antibacterial properties. Therefore, their main features were studied through Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy was used for obtaining the released concentrations of CIP and Zeta-potential (ζ-potential) was used for characterizing the adsorption of CIP onto nanoparticles. The release profile of this drug has been fit with the Ritger-Peppas model, used for studying the release kinetics of hydrogel-based systems. The bioactivity of these composites was also evaluated after 30 days of incubation in a simulated body fluid solution (SBF). Then, the assessment of antibacterial capability against the three main strains cause osteomyelitis was performed. Finally, the cell viability study and the cellular morphology assay were also carried out. These last assays have shown encouraging results and, gathered with their other properties, such as their bioactivity and antibacterial properties; they could lead to propose these materials as new bone filler antibiotic devices.

Self-fluorescent antibiotic MoOx-hydroxyapatite: a nano-theranostic platform for bone infection therapies.

Nowadays, the repair of large-size bone defects represents a huge medical challenge. A line of attack is the construction of advanced biomaterials having multifunctional properties. In this work, we show the creation of biocompatible MoOx-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HA/MoOx) that simultaneously exhibit self-activated fluorescence and antibiotic skills. Along this text, we demonstrate that the insertion of molybdenum, an essential trace element, into the non-stoichiometric calcium deficient hydroxyapatite lattice generates intrinsic electronic point defects that exacerbate its epifluorescence blue emission and provokes new red emissions, preserving, always, its bioactivity. Furthermore, these point defects, acting as electron acceptors, stimulate the materials' biological redox status and promote the death of pathogen microorganisms after their direct contact. A putative mechanism, by which bacteria lose electrons from their metabolic circuit that alter the function of their cytoplasmic membrane and potentially die, agrees with our results. Our findings highlight the importance of tuning the electronic communications between biomaterial interfaces and biological units, and support the use of self-fluorescent MoOx-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as fundamental building blocks for new real-time imaging platforms against bone infection.

Multi-drug delivery system based on lipid membrane mimetic coated nano-hydroxyapatite formulations.

Local delivery systems from an osteoconductive biomaterial are suggested as a promising strategy to avoid simultaneously peri-implant traumas and to induce tissue regeneration. In this work, it is detailed the design and construction of a multi-drug delivery formulation based on lipid membrane mimetic coated nano-hydroxyapatite, LMm/nano-HA, as a bone-specific drug delivery approach. The optimal LMm/nano-HA formulation was selected after analysing the lipid/nano-HA interaction by dynamic light scattering (DLS), ζ-potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and UV-vis spectroscopy. After the initial screening, Ciprofloxacin and Ibuprofen simultaneous -load and -release efficiency from selected LMm/nano-HA was assessed. pH-responsive kinetic profiles of local drug distribution were characterized and compared with currently applied systemic doses. Finally, the systems' biocompatibility and drug released activity were positively validated. The obtained results demonstrated that LMm/nano-HA formulations can represent a valuable multi-modal platform in bone tissue therapies.

Involvement of GSK3/ß-catenin in the action of extracellular ATP on differentiation of primary cultures from rat calvaria into osteoblasts.

Modulation of purinergic receptors play an important role in the regulation of osteoblasts differentiation and bone formation. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the GSK3/ßcatenin signaling in the action of ATPγ-S on osteogenic differentiation of primary cell cultures from rat calvaria. Our results indicate that the cell treatment with 10 or 100 µM ATPγ-S for 96 h increase the cytoplasmic levels of ß-catenin and its translocation to nucleus respect to control. A similar effect was observed after cell treatment with the GSK3 inhibitor LiCl (10 mM). Cell treatments with 4-10 mM LiCl significantly stimulated ALP activity respect to control at 4 and 7 days, suggesting that inhibition of GSK-3 mediates osteoblastic differentiation of rat calvarial cells. Effects comparison between ATP and LiCl shown that ALP activity was significantly increased by 10 µM ATPγ-S and decreased by 10 mM LiCl at 10 day of treatment, respect to control, suggesting that the effect of ATPγ-S was less potent but more persistent than of LiCl in stimulating this osteogenic marker in calvarial cells. Cell culture mineralization was significantly increased by treatment with 10 µM ATPγ-S and decreased by 10 mM LiCl, respect to control. In together, these results suggest that GSK3 inhibition is involved in ATPγ-S action on rat calvarial cell differentiation into osteoblasts at early steadies. In addition such inhibition by LiCl appear promote osteoblasts differentiation at beginning but has a deleterious effect on its function at later steadies as the extracellular matrix mineralization.

Effect of Combined Action of Extracellular ATP and Elevated Calcium on Osteogenic Differentiation of Primary Cultures From Rat Calvaria.

The in vitro osteogenic differentiation has been intensively studied. However, it is not yet clear precisely how osteogenesis can be optimized. Changes in extracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+) ]e ), as well as modulation of purinergic receptors play an important role in the regulation of osteoblasts differentiation and bone formation. In this study, we investigated the effects of a combined treatment of ATPγ-S and high [Ca(2+) ]e (5.35 mM) on osteogenic differentiation and function of primary cell cultures from rat calvaria. Our results indicate that ATPγ-S stimulates cell transition from the G0 to S phase of cell cycle, involving the PI3K signaling pathway. Treatment with 10 or 100 µM ATPγ-S and [Ca(2+) ]e (ATP-[Ca(2+) ]e ) for 48 h increases cell number significantly above the control. ATPγ-S treatment in osteogenic medium containing [Ca(2+) ]e stimulates the gene expression of BMP-4, BMP-5, and OPN at 16, 48, and 72 h, respectively, above control. In same conditions, treatment for 6 days with 10 µM UTP or 100 µM UDP significantly increased the ALP activity respect to control. Cells grown in osteogenic medium showed a statistically significant increase in calcium deposits at 15 and 18 days, for 10 µM ATPγ-S treatment, and at 18 and 22 days, for [Ca(2+) ]e treatment, respect to control but ATP-[Ca(2+) ]e treatment shown a significant greater mineralization at 15 days respect to ATPγ-S, and at 18 days respect to both agonists. In conclusion, we demonstrated that an osteogenic medium containing 10 µM ATPγ-S and 5.35 mM [Ca(2+) ]e enhance osteogenesis and mineralization by rat primary calvarial cells cultures. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2658-2668, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bone-repair properties of biodegradable hydroxyapatite nano-rod superstructures.

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAp) materials show an analogous chemical composition to the biogenic mineral components of calcified tissues and depending on their topography they may mimic the specific arrangement of the crystals in bone. In this work, we have evaluated the potential of four synthesized nano-HAp superstructures for the in vitro conditions of bone-repair. Experiments are underway to investigate the effects of the material microstructure, surface roughness and hydrophilicity on their osseo-integration, osteo-conduction and osteo-induction abilities. Materials were tested in the presence of both, rat primary osteoblasts and rabbit mesenchymal stem cells. The following aspects are discussed: (i) cytotoxicity and material degradation; (ii) rat osteoblast spreading, proliferation and differentiation; and (iii) rabbit mesenchymal stem cell adhesion on nano-HAp and nano-HAp/collagen type I coatings. We effectively prepared a material based on biomimetic HAp nano-rods displaying the appropriate surface topography, hydrophilicity and degradation properties to induce the in vitro desired cellular responses for bone bonding and healing. Cells seeded on the selected material readily attached, proliferated and differentiated, as confirmed by cell viability, mitochondrial metabolic activity, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and cytoskeletal integrity analysis by immunofluorescence localization of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein. These results highlight the influence of material's surface characteristics to determine their tissue regeneration potential and their future use in engineering osteogenic scaffolds for orthopedic implants.

Striped, bioactive Ce-TiO2 materials with peroxynitrite-scavenging activity.

Controlling aligned fiber micro-architectures to simulate the extracellular matrix for inducing important biological functions is a key challenge with regard to successful tissue regeneration. Here we present a bottom-up microemulsion-mediated strategy to obtain highly bioactive and biocompatible, striped Ce-TiO2 nano-crystalline superstructures with ONOO- scavenging activity. The employment of a bulkier organic ceria precursor in the material synthesis has several concurrent effects: (I) influencing the interfacial microemulsion droplet elasticity to create an aligned distribution of prismatic anatase nanoparticles causing the final lined morphology, (II) stabilizing the anatase active phase in a fine dispersed state and improving its resistance to the thermal anatase-rutile conversion, (III) indirectly favoring the rapid formation on the material surface of a hydroxyapatite layer composed of sphere-like globules of 3-5 µm in diameter essential for bone-bonding, and finally (IV) accelerating the ONOO- degradation into less harmful species NO2 - and O2.

Manipulating the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite nano-rods structured networks: effects on mineral coating morphology and growth kinetic.

BACKGROUND: Nano-hydroxyapatite particles have better bioactivity than the coarse crystals. So, they can be utilized for engineered tissue implants with improved efficiency over other materials. The development of materials with specific bioactive characteristics is still under investigation. METHODS: The surface properties of four hydroxyapatite materials templated by different micelle-polymer structured network are studied. The synergistic interaction of each block copolymer in contact with CTAB rod-like micelles results in crystalline HAp nano-rods of 25-50nm length organized in hierarchical structures with different micro-rough characteristics. RESULTS: It was observed that the material in vitro bioactivity strongly depends on the surface structure while in a minor extent on their Ca/P ratio. So, MIII and MIV materials with Skewness parameter Rsk>2.62 favored the formation on their surfaces of net-like phase with a high growth kinetic constant; while MI and MII (Rsk≤2.62) induced the appearance of spherulitic-like structures and a growth rate 1.75 times inferior. Material biocompatibility was confirmed by interaction with rat calvarial osteoblasts. CONCLUSIONS: The different structures growth is attributed to a dissimilar matching of crystal planes in the material and the apatite layer formed. In specific synthesis conditions, a biocompatible material with a Ca/P ratio close to that for the trabecular bone and a morphology that are considered essential for bone-bonding was obtained. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The creation of implantable devices with a specific bioactive characteristic may be useful to manipulate the attachment of cells on mineral coating directly affecting the stability and life of the implant.

La punción biopsia prostática transrectal guiada por ecografía, el PSA y el tacto rectal en la detección del cáncer de próstata / Prostate cancer: transrectal US guided biopsy, digital rectal examination and prostatic specific antigen

El cáncer de próstata tiene una incidencia creciente en varones sexagenarios, cuyo diagnóstico se basa en el tacto rectal, el PSA y la punción biopsia. Para contrastar nuestro grupo de pacientes biopsiados en 1999, con aquellos de otros servicios privados, examinados retrospectivamente nuestro archivo de historias clínicas, los datos de servicios de patología, de laboratorios y del Registro Regional de Tumores. De 1089 estudios ecográficos prostáticos separamos 49 con historia clínica completa, tabulando edad, tacto, histología, tomas, volúmen y ecogenicidad de la próstata, inflamación y niveles de PSA. Obtuvimos diagnósticos de 227 punciones del medio privado, edades, y cantidades de PSA efectuadas en laboratorios, y los datos del Registro Regional de Tumores. Tratamos nuestros datos con test de "t", ANOVA de una vía y regresiones con técnica "forward stepwise". Vimos relación entre PSA y número de muestras (p=0,2231) y entre tacto rectal y cáncer (p=0,1678). Las restantes variables mostraron entre ellas p<0,05. No obtuvimos pendiente de regresión en ninguno de los modelos planteados. Nuestra serie mostró nueve pacientes con cáncer de próstata, cuatro de ellos con PSA por debajo de 4 ng/ml. Diagnosticamos cáncer en el 18 por ciento de nuestros biopsiados. La incidencia de cáncer prostático aumentó, al menos, 81 por ciento en la década, cuyo diagnóstico temprano se ha incrementado por el PSA y por la ecografía. No deberían excluirse a candidatos a biopsia sólo por un PSA normal. No encontramos regresión entre PSA y cáncer en nuestras series, ni entre volúmen y cáncer y vimos relación entre tacto y cáncer. Presumimos que cada uno de los 62 cánceres de próstata diagnosticados durante 1999 puede haber insumido $3.744 al sistema

La punción biopsia prostática transrectal guiada por ecografía, el PSA y el tacto rectal en la detección del cáncer de próstata / Prostate cancer: transrectal US guided biopsy, digital rectal examination and prostatic specific antigen

El cáncer de próstata tiene una incidencia creciente en varones sexagenarios, cuyo diagnóstico se basa en el tacto rectal, el PSA y la punción biopsia. Para contrastar nuestro grupo de pacientes biopsiados en 1999, con aquellos de otros servicios privados, examinados retrospectivamente nuestro archivo de historias clínicas, los datos de servicios de patología, de laboratorios y del Registro Regional de Tumores. De 1089 estudios ecográficos prostáticos separamos 49 con historia clínica completa, tabulando edad, tacto, histología, tomas, volúmen y ecogenicidad de la próstata, inflamación y niveles de PSA. Obtuvimos diagnósticos de 227 punciones del medio privado, edades, y cantidades de PSA efectuadas en laboratorios, y los datos del Registro Regional de Tumores. Tratamos nuestros datos con test de "t", ANOVA de una vía y regresiones con técnica "forward stepwise". Vimos relación entre PSA y número de muestras (p=0,2231) y entre tacto rectal y cáncer (p=0,1678). Las restantes variables mostraron entre ellas p<0,05. No obtuvimos pendiente de regresión en ninguno de los modelos planteados. Nuestra serie mostró nueve pacientes con cáncer de próstata, cuatro de ellos con PSA por debajo de 4 ng/ml. Diagnosticamos cáncer en el 18 por ciento de nuestros biopsiados. La incidencia de cáncer prostático aumentó, al menos, 81 por ciento en la década, cuyo diagnóstico temprano se ha incrementado por el PSA y por la ecografía. No deberían excluirse a candidatos a biopsia sólo por un PSA normal. No encontramos regresión entre PSA y cáncer en nuestras series, ni entre volúmen y cáncer y vimos relación entre tacto y cáncer. Presumimos que cada uno de los 62 cánceres de próstata diagnosticados durante 1999 puede haber insumido $3.744 al sistema (AU)