Application of piezoelectric materials in the field of bone: a bibliometric analysis.

In the past 4 decades, many articles have reported on the effects of the piezoelectric effect on bone formation and the research progress of piezoelectric biomaterials in orthopedics. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively evaluate all existing research and latest developments in the field of bone piezoelectricity, and to explore potential research directions in this area. To assess the overall trend in this field over the past 40 years, this study comprehensively collected literature reviews in this field using a literature retrieval program, applied bibliometric methods and visual analysis using CiteSpace and R language, and identified and investigated publications based on publication year (1984-2022), type of literature, language, country, institution, author, journal, keywords, and citation counts. The results show that the most productive countries in this field are China, the United States, and Italy. The journal with the most publications in the field of bone piezoelectricity is the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, followed by Implant Dentistry. The most productive authors are Lanceros-Méndez S, followed by Sohn D.S. Further research on the results obtained leads to the conclusion that the research direction of this field mainly includes piezoelectric surgery, piezoelectric bone tissue engineering scaffold, manufacturing artificial cochleae for hearing loss patients, among which the piezoelectric bone tissue engineering scaffold is the main research direction in this field. The piezoelectric materials involved in this direction mainly include polyhydroxybutyrate valerate, PVDF, and BaTiO3.

Interaction of storage medium and silver diamine fluoride on demineralized dentin.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of saliva on demineralized dentin and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) were investigated in vitro. METHODS: Dentin samples stored in deionized water (DIW), buffer solution (BS), basal medium mucin (BMM), and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) were demineralized for 3 days and immersed in the same storage media. SDF as a 38 mass% solution was applied to the dentin samples for 3 minutes after they had been replaced in their respective medium. Surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy showed various surface deposits and coatings, including occlusion of dentinal tubules. DIW resulted in the thinnest coating, whereas BMM resulted in the thickest. EDX and XPS showed the formation of metallic silver and silver compounds in all four media, with the greatest formation in BS. XRD indicated that the main product was silver chloride except in DIW. Sulphur was found in BMM and UWS. EDX and XPS detected fluoride and XRD detected calcium fluoride and fluorohydroxyapatite in BS, BMM, and UWS. CONCLUSION: The interaction between SDF and demineralized dentin was dependent upon the storage medium. BMM provided an outcome most similar to human saliva.

The effect of strontium incorporation into hydroxyapatites on their physical and biological properties.

In this study, the effects of a series of strontium (Sr)-substituted HA ceramics (0, 1, 5, and 10 mol % Sr substitution) were tested on their physical and biological properties. The crystal structure, composition, and solubility were investigated by TEM, XRD, and solid titration solubility isotherms, respectively. In addition, rat MSCs were cultured with culture media containing ions released from the strontium-substituted HA ceramics as they dissolved. MTT test, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteoblast transcription factor gene (cbfa1) expression were conducted at different time points. Our results suggested that HA with Sr substitution may change its physical properties, especially its solubility, and consequently enhance undifferentiated MSCs into osteoblast lineage. The results from this and the previous study suggested that 5-10 mol % Sr substitution into HA may be a suitable choice for its use in bone regenerative field.

Rapid repair of rat sciatic nerve injury using a nanosilver-embedded collagen scaffold coated with laminin and fibronectin.

AIM: Scaffold with micro-channels has shown great promise in facilitating axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. Significant research has focused on mimicking, in terms of composition and function, the ability of the basement membrane of Schwann cells to both promote and guide axonal regeneration. We aim to investigate the ability of a tissue-engineered scaffold with nanosilver and collagen to adsorb laminin and fibronectin, and the usefulness of this scaffold for repairing and regenerating a 10-mm peripheral nerve gap in rats. METHODS: In this study, nanosilver-embedded collagen scaffolds were prepared and coated with laminin (LN) or LN plus fibronectin (FN). Scanning electron microscopy of the transverse and longitudinal sections of the scaffold revealed axially oriented microtubules ranging from 20 to 80 µm in diameter, and the internal surface of microtubules was found to be evenly coated with LN and FN. Energy dispersive spectrometry also confirmed an even distribution of nanosilver particles within the scaffold. To test its effectiveness in restoring neuronal connection, the scaffold was used in order to bridge 10 mm gaps in the severed sciatic nerve of rats. The rats were divided into an experimental group (receiving scaffold coated with LN and FN), a control group (receiving scaffold coated with LN only) and an autologous graft group. The functional recovery 40 days after surgery was examined by electrophysiology and sciatic nerve functional index (SFI) evaluation. FluoroGold™ (FG) retrograde tracing, toluidine blue staining and transmission electron microscopy were also used to examine the regenerated nerve fibers and to establish their myelination status. RESULTS: The experimental group displayed partially restored nerve function. The recovery was comparable to the effect of autologous nerve graft and was better than that observed in the control group. A better functional recovery correlated with more FG-labeled neurons, higher density of toluidine blue stained nerve fibers and thicker myelin sheath. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that nanosilver-embedded collagen scaffolds with LN and FN coating is effective in aiding axonal regeneration, and recovery is comparable to the effect of an autologous nerve graft.