A Novel Approach for the Fabrication of 3D-Printed Dental Membrane Scaffolds including Antimicrobial Pomegranate Extract.

In this study, a dental membrane scaffold was fabricated using a 3D printing technique, and the antimicrobial effect of pomegranate seed and peel extract were investigated. For the production of the dental membrane scaffold, a combination of polyvinyl alcohol, starch, and pomegranate seed and peel extracts was used. The aim of the scaffold was to cover the damaged area and aid in the healing process. This can be achieved due to the high antimicrobial and antioxidant content of pomegranate seed and peel extracts (PPE: PSE). Moreover, the addition of starch and PPE: PSE improved the biocompatibility of the scaffold, and their biocompatibility was tested using human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells. The addition of PPE: PSE into the scaffolds resulted in a significant antimicrobial effect on S. aureus and E. faecalis bacteria. Moreover, different concentrations of starch (1%, 2%, 3% w/v) and pomegranate peel and seed extract (3%, 5%, 7%, 9%, and 11% PE v/v) were analyzed to obtain the ideal dental membrane structure. The optimum starch concentration was chosen as 2% w/v due to it giving the scaffold the highest mechanical tensile strength (23.8607 ± 4.0796 MPa). The pore sizes of each scaffold were studied by SEM analysis, and pore sizes were arranged between 155.86 and 280.96 µm without any plugging problems. Pomegranate seed and peel extracts were obtained by applying the standard extraction method. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed using the diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) technique to analyze the phenolic content of the pomegranate seed and peel extracts. Two phenolic components of the pomegranate seed and peel extracts were investigated in the following amounts: fumaric acid (17.56 µg analyte/mg extract) and quinic acid (18.79 µg analyte/mg extract) in pomegranate seed extract and fumaric acid (26.95 µg analyte/mg extract) and quinic acid (33.79 µg analyte/mg extract) in pomegranate peel extract.

A hydrophilic carbon foam/molybdenum disulfide composite as a self-floating solar evaporator.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation has gained increasing attention as an emerging and sustainable technology for wastewater treatment and desalinization. The carbon/molybdenum disulfide (C/MoS2) composite has attracted more attention due to its outstanding light absorption capability and optoelectronic properties as a solar steam generator. However, the hydrophobic nature of carbon and MoS2-based materials hinders their wettability, which is crucial to the effective and facile operation of a solar generator of steam. Herein, a pH-controlled hydrothermal method was utilized to deposit a promising photothermal MoS2 coating on melamine-derived carbon foams (CFs). The hydrophilic CF/MoS2 composite, which can easily be floatable on the water surface, is a high-efficiency solar steam evaporator with a rapid increase in temperature under photon irradiation. Due to the localized heat confinement effect, the self-floating composite foam on the surface of water has the potential to produce a significant temperature differential. The porous structure effectively facilitates fast water vapor escape, leading to an impressively high evaporation efficiency of 94.5% under a light intensity of 1000 W m-2.

Comparative Evaluation of Microtensile Bond Strength of Three Adhesive Systems.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the microtensile bond strength of three universal adhesives to dentin and enamel. Materials and Methods: Sixty extracted human third molar teeth were chosen and divided into six groups regarding the adhesive (G-Premio Bond, Clearfil S3 Bond or Single Bond) and tooth surface. All the applied bonding agents were universal adhesives. The teeth were polished and the adhesives were applied; then the teeth were restored with composite resin. The samples were mounted in acrylic resin and sectioned. The specimens were subjected to a universal testing machine and the microtensile bond strength was measured. The failure mode of each specimen was determined under a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (α=0.05). Results: The microtensile bond strength of G-Premio Bond to enamel and dentin was 11.79±8.27 and 17.55±9.47 MPa, respectively which was not significantly different from the values in Single Bond group (15.59±10.66 and 17.19±10.09 MPa to enamel and dentin, respectively; P>0.05). However, the values for Clearfil S3 Bond were 7.11±4.23 and 7.88±8.83 MPa to enamel and dentin, respectively, which were significantly lower than the values for G-Premio Bond (P<0.05). Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images showed that the adhesive failure was dominant in both enamel and dentin groups and in all adhesive systems. Conclusion: G-Premio Bond and Single Bond provided higher microtensile bond strength compared with Clearfil S3 Bond. Universal adhesives with their acceptable performance can be applied in self-etch mode on both enamel and dentin.

Bone Formation Ability and Cell Viability Enhancement of MC3T3-E1 Cells by Ferrostatin-1 a Ferroptosis Inhibitor of Cancer Cells.

Recently, ferroptosis has gained scientists' attention as an iron-related regulated necrosis. However, not many reports have investigated the effect of ferroptosis on bone. Therefore, with the present study, we assessed the effect of ferroptosis inhibition using ferrostatin-1 on the MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cell. Cell images, cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity test, alizarin red staining, and RUNX2 gene expression using real-time PCR were applied to investigate the effects of ferrostatin and erastin on MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells. Erastin was used as a well-known ferroptosis inducer reagent. Erastin with different concentrations ranging from 0 to 50 µmol/L was used for inducing cell death. The 25 µmol/L erastin led to controllable partial cell death on osteoblast cells. Ferrostatin-1 with 0 to 40 µmol/L was used for cell doping and cell death inhibition effect. Ferrostatin-1 also displayed a recovery effect on the samples, which had already received the partially artificial cell death by erastin. Cell differentiation, alizarin red staining, and RUNX2 gene expression confirmed the promotion of the bone formation ability effect of ferrostatin-1 on osteoblast cells. The objective of this study was to assess ferrostatin-1's effect on the MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cell line based on its ferroptosis inhibitory property.

A novel multi-structural reinforced treatment on Ti implant utilizing a combination of alkali solution and bioactive glass sol.

OBJECTIVE: Alkali treatment and bioactive glass (BG) sol dip-coating are well-known individual methods for titanium (Ti) surface modification. In this study, a unique combination of alkali treatment and bioactive glass sol dip coating was applied to the Ti substrate, then the mechanical properties and cell responses were investigated. METHODS: Based on the methods introduced above, the Ti substrate was treated by 6 mL of an NaOH 5 M aqueous solution for 24 h at 60 ̊C; this was followed by adding 1.2 mL of a BG 58S sol to form a novel combined nanostructure network covered by a thin BG layer. For the assessment of the formed coating layer, the morphology, elemental analysis, phase structure, adhesion property and the cell response of the untreated and treated surfaces were investigated. RESULTS: The BG coating layer was reinforced by the nanostructure, fabricated through the alkali treatment. The results obtained by applying the combined modification method confirmed that the mechanical and biological properties of the fabricated surface demonstrated the highest performance compared to that of the unmodified and individually modified surfaces. SIGNIFICANCE: The achieved upgrades for this method could be gained from the demanded porous nanostructure and the apatite transformation ability of the alkali treatment. Therefore, the hybridized application of the alkali-BG treatment could be introduced as a promising surface modification strategy for hard-tissue replacement applications.

Lactoferrin with Zn-ion protects and recovers fibroblast from H2O2-induced oxidative damage.

Lactoferrin (LF) has attracted great attention due to its various bioactivities, which depend on the degree of saturation with different cations. This study focused on the synergistic effect of LF and Zn2+ on human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs), considering antioxidant activities, cell proliferation, and collagen gene expression levels in these cells to improve the wound healing. The hGFs were cultured in an experimental medium, containing 1000 µg/mL of LF and various concentrations of ZnCl2. The cells were subjected to oxidative damage by exposure to 600 µM H2O2 for 30 min before incubation in the experimental medium. The cell proliferation rate and the relative gene expression levels of genes associated with apoptosis, antioxidant enzymes, and collagen were compared. H2O2 decomposition by LF was also measured using a colorimetric assay. LF enhanced hGF proliferation and the expression of collagen. Furthermore, LF directly scavenged H2O2 and prevented lipid peroxidation by enhancing the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 gene expression, resulting in the prevention of apoptosis and recovery of the cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damage. The addition of ZnCl2 enhanced these results. The results indicated that LF with Zn-ion could play an important role in modulating the functions related to wound healing.

Fabrication of bioactive glass coating on pure titanium by sol-dip method: Dental applications.

This study aimed to assess the mechanical and biological properties of bioactive glass (BG) coating on titanium (Ti). Bioinert Ti substrates were coated by BG to induce bioactivity to the surface. The sol-gel derived BG 58S sol was successfully prepared and coated on the abraded and blasted Ti surface using the sol-dip method. The characterization and cell study for all substrates' surface was carried out. Adhesion test confirmed that a firmly adhered BG coating layer was formed on the abraded and blasted Ti. The measured bonding strength between the coating and the blasted Ti substrate was the highest among all samples, which was 41.03±2.31 MPa. In-vitro cell viability and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) tests results also showed that BG coating on the Ti substrate improved the biological properties of the surface. The BG sol-dip coating method could be used to fabricate Ti substrate with a bioactive surface.

A novel coating layer on zirconia using modified zinc phosphatizing method.

Yttria doped ZrO2 was deposited using an acidic zinc phosphatizing solution and the hydrothermal treatment. The coating was analyzed using a field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A piston on three balls (ISO 6872) was used for the measurement of biaxial flexural strength. MC3T3-E1 cells attachment was evaluated by SEM, and cell proliferation were assessed using MTS assay™. SEM images confirmed that the zinc phosphate coating layer was successfully prepared and fully covered the surface. The measured adhesive strength of the coating was 79.11 MPa. In vitro cell study indicated that the coated sample had better cell morphology and proliferation. XRD and EDS analysis revealed that the crystalline coating structure indexed as zinc phosphate (hopeite) and the substrate was assigned as zirconia. The flexural strength test showed that the strength of zirconia before and after hydrothermal treatment was not affected.

Physical and mechanical characteristics of short fiber-reinforced resin composite in comparison with bulk-fill composites.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of a short fiber-reinforced resin composite: everX-Posterior and compare it with two bulk-fill composites, namely, Filtek Bulk-fill and Beautifil-Bulk, which are intended for large posterior restorations. METHODS: Investigated properties were flexural strength, flexural modulus, surface roughness, volumetric shrinkage and depth of cure. Scanning electron microscopy images of each specimen after the flexural test were used for cross-sectional comparison. Results were analyzed using ANOVA following Tukey post-hoc test. RESULTS: Flexural strength of everX-Posterior was comparable with two other resin composites, showing higher flexural modulus. EverX-Posterior showed the highest surface roughness after polishing and the lowest volumetric shrinkage (2.29%) among all composites used in this study. Data also showed that the everX-Posterior depth of cure was 4.24 mm, which was the highest among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that everX-Posterior as a short fiber-reinforced composite showed improvements and satisfactory performance in mechanical and physical properties, which make it a reliable base material candidate for large posterior restorations.

Antibacterial Properties of Nano-Ag Coating on Healing Abutment: An In Vitro and Clinical Study.

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disease with a relevant focus on the long-term success of dental implants and implant-supported prostheses. The present study focuses on the antibacterial effect of the silver nanoparticle and investigated the suppression of dental plaque adhesion on implant abutment and/or superstructure by micro-wave assistant nanosilver coating in vivo and in vitro. Nanosilver coating on pure titanium was prepared by microwave-assisted synthesis, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In vitro studies were conducted to analyze biocompatibility using MTS assay and fluorescence microscopy with human gingival fibroblasts to evaluate antibacterial activity. During the in vivo study, nanosilver coating was applied to the healing abutments, and the prevention of plaque accumulation on nanosilver coating was confirmed by a split-mouth randomized clinical trial. The aggregation of nano-sized particles was found on the titanium surface with an antibacterial effect. The coating had no cytotoxic effect on human gingival fibroblasts. The result of the clinical trial showed that the coating suppressed the dental plaque adhesion on the healing abutments. Nanosilver coating is a promising material with antibacterial properties and can be used for implant abutments and prostheses for preventing peri-implantitis.

The effect of annealing temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar laser welded superelastic NiTi to austenitic stainless steels orthodontic archwires.

Annealing after welding is a common operational process to improve the mechanical properties of metallic joints through releasing residual stresses in the weld zone. In this study, the effect of post weld annealing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar laser-welds for orthodontic archwires of NiTi alloy to austenitic stainless steel has been investigated. In order to do this, the laser-welded wires were annealed at temperatures of 100, 200, and 300 °C for 1 h and then they were quenched in water. Results show that annealing at 100 °C does not affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of joints but post weld heat treatment at 200 °C ends in an increase in the tensile strength to an order of 1.91 times of the strength of as welded (non-heat-treated) joints. Also, precipitation and increase of intermetallic compounds, such as Cr2Ti, and Fe2Ti, at the weld zone during heat treatment at 300 °C, results in a reduction in the mechanical properties of joints. Therefore, post-weld annealing is an effective process on improving mechanical properties of dissimilar joints of these two alloys. However, a suitable heat-treatment temperature is needed in order to achieve desired results.

Evaluation of viscoelastic properties, hardness, and glass transition temperature of soft denture liners and tissue conditioner.

Soft denture liners and tissue conditioners are widely used for the denture patients to cushion masticatory force and condition abused tissues, respectively. This study assessed methods for the evaluation of the viscoelasticity and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the silicone permanent soft liner, acrylic permanent soft liner, and tissue conditioner. Three rheological parameters of storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), and loss tangent ([Formula: see text]), Tg, and hardness were determined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the Shore A0 hardness test. Five specimens were measured for each material. The time-temperature superposition principle was applied to produce master curves of E', E'', and [Formula: see text] for the tested materials at a reference temperature of 37 °C. The acrylic permanent soft liner and tissue conditioner exhibited viscoelastic behavior and sensitivity to frequency, especially at lower frequencies. The silicone permanent soft liner showed elastic behavior and was frequency-independent. Tg for the acrylic permanent soft liner was higher than that for the tissue conditioner, which in turn was higher than that for the silicone permanent soft liner for both DMA and DSC. In DMA, a higher frequency led to higher Tg values. A positive linear relationship was found between Shore A0 hardness and E' values, but not E'' and [Formula: see text] values. Shore hardness reflects elasticity, but not viscosity. The results of the present study can be used to improve methods for evaluating the viscoelasticity and Tg of soft denture liners and tissue conditioners.

The effect of the nano- bioglass reinforcement on magnesium based composite.

Nano-bioceramic particles serving as a reinforcement can improve the mechanical and biological properties of magnesium implants, but they might have some side effects, that must be addressed. In this research, magnesium composites including 10 wt% nano-bioglass (nBG) were fabricated using powder metallurgy (PM10) and spark plasma sintering (SPS10) methods for bone reconstruction purposes. The results of the compression test indicated that the SPS10 sample had higher mechanical properties, in comparison to the PM10 sample, and nBG had more reinforcing effect on the mechanical properties of magnesium matrix. X-ray difractometery indicated that nBG was chemically reacted with magnesium in the PM10 sample, and resulted in some extra phases (MgO and Mg2Si) formation, while there was no detectable extra phases in the SPS10 sample. However, a higher in vitro degradation rate was observed for PM10 sample, because of multi-phase formation at the magnesium matrix. To inhibit the chemical reaction between magnesium and nBG kinetically, a short time sintering process can be, therefore, recommended.

Bioactive glass coating on zirconia by vacuum sol-dipping method.

In order to the preparation of biodegradable, bioactive and strongly adhered coating layer to the bioinert zirconia substrate, a bioactive glass (BG) was successfully coated on the zirconia plates. To achieve this goal, the zirconia plates dipped into the 45S5 BG sol in the vacuum chamber (vacuum sol-dipping method) followed by sintering to fabricate a strongly adhered BG coating on the zirconia plates. The parameters such as surface morphology and BG coating coverage ability on the zirconia plates have been assessed before and after coating with 45S5 BG. Phase structure of the BG coating based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) result could be indexed as Na4Ca4(Si6O18). The interfacial adhesive strength between the zirconia substrate and BG coating layer was higher than the measured adhesive strength (55±7 MPa). The viability results approved the satisfying conclusion for the offered coating method on the zirconia substrates.

Assessment of characteristics and cytotoxic effects of 316L stainless steel coated with a new titanium oxide nano-structure coating method.

In order to fabricate the TiO2 nano-structure coating on the Ti-free stainless steel with good adhesion, commercially obtained 316L stainless steel (316L SS) plates were chemically treated by KOH aqueous solution including TiH2 powder at 60ºC for 3 days in an oil bath shaker, and subsequently heated up to 550-800ºC under the air atmosphere. The crystal structure, color, adhesive strength and cytotoxic effects of coating were investigated. Fiber-like hydrogen titanate nano-structures were formed on the 316L SS surface and made a fine network. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that hydrogen titanate phase converted to anatase and rutile after heat treatment above 550ºC. The heat treated sample at 800ºC for 1 h showed the highest adhesive strength and the lowest cytotoxicity. The alkali treatment method in this study is expected to be used on the other Ti-free metals with further research.

Alginate Microcapsules as Nutrient Suppliers: An In Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES: Alginate, known as a group of anionic polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds, has attracted the attention of researchers because of its biocompatibility and degradability properties. Alginate has shown beneficial effects on wound healing as it has similar function as extracellular matrix. Alginate microcapsules (AM) that are used in tissue engineering as well as Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) contain nutrients required for cell viability. The purpose of this research was introducing AM in medium and nutrient reagent cells and making a comparison with control group cells that have been normally cultured in long term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, AM were shaped in distilled water, it was dropped at 5 mL/hours through a flat 25G5/8 sterile needle into a crosslinking bath containing 0.1 M calcium chloride to produce calcium alginate microspheres. Then, the size of microcapsules (300-350 µm) were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images after the filtration for selection of the best size. Next, DMEM was injected into AM. Afterward, adiposederived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and Ringer's serum were added. Then, MTT and DAPI assays were used for cell viability and nucleus staining, respectively. Also, morphology of microcapsules was determined under invert microscopy. RESULTS: Evaluation of the cells performed for spatial media/microcapsules at the volume of 40 µl, showed ADSCs after 1-day cell culture. Also, MTT assay results showed a significant difference in the viability of sustained-release media injected to microcapsules (P<0.05). DAPI staining revealed living cells on the microcapsules after 1 to 7-day cell culture. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, AM had a positive effect on cell viability in scaffolds and tissue engineering and provide nutrients needed in cell therapy.

Effect of sintering temperature rise from 870 to 920°C on physicomechanical and biological quality of nano-hydroxyapatite: An explorative multi-phase experimental in vitro/vivo study.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a proper scaffold for bone repair, however, it is not of excellent mechanical properties. Most previous studies on the effect of temperature increases were in vitro and had assessed merely improvements of HA's physicomechanical quality. This in vitro/vivo study investigated the effect of temperature increases from 870 to 920°C on physicomechanical and biological quality of Nano-HA. Forty experimentally produced HA disks sintered at 870 to 920°C were prepared (n=20×2). Disks were subjected to Vickers microindentation test (1 disk from each group divided into 4 quarters), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (1 disk), X-ray diffraction (XRD) [1 disk together with non-sintered HA], field emission scanning electron microscopy (FSEM, 1 disk from each group together with non-sintered HA), cell seeding and SEM assessment (2 disks), MTT assay over 4 different time periods (16 quadrants of 4 disks from each group), 6 one-thirds of 2 disks from each group for immunocytochemical (ICC) assay, and 8 disks from each group [as well as non-sintered HA] for the animal study (implantation in 4 sockets in 8 rabbits [32 specimens], histomorphometry, and computerized tomography) over two time periods. Quantitative data were analyzed statistically (α=0.05). Vickers microhardness increased from 63.7±11.9 in the 870 group to 153.4±104.7 in the 920 group (P=0.057). XRD indicated more regular crystal patterns in sintered groups compared to non-sintered nanoHA. FSEM showed larger crystals in the 920 group compared to 870 and non-sintered nanoHA. Expression of osteocalcin, osteonectin, and RUNX2 genes were more visible in ICC samples of the 920HA group. In MTT, cell numbers increased in all groups significantly (P=0.000), with no between-group differences (P>0.3). In rabbit experiments, the extent of 'newly formed bone' increased significantly over time (two-way ANOVA, P=0.000), reaching 39.5%, 46.4%, and 77.5% in the groups non-sintered HA, 870, and 920, respectively. The 920°C-sintered nanoHA induced the highest bone formation (P=0.000). Increasing the temperature of nanoHA sintering from 870 to 920°C can improve its physicomechanical properties and bone formation potential.

Modification of resin modified glass ionomer cement by addition of bioactive glass nanoparticles.

In the present study, sol-gel derived nanoparticle calcium silicate bioactive glass was added to the resin-modified light cure glass-ionomer cement to assess the influence of additional bioactive glass nanoparticles on the mechanical and biological properties of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement. The fabricated bioactive glass nanoparticles added resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (GICs) were immersed in the phosphate buffer solution for 28 days to mimic real condition for the mechanical properties. Resin-modified GICs containing 3, 5 and 10 % bioactive glass nanoparticles improved the flexural strength compared to the resin-modified glass-ionomer cement and the samples containing 15 and 20 % bioactive glass nanoparticles before and after immersing in the phosphate buffer solution. Characterization of the samples successfully expressed the cause of the critical condition for mechanical properties. Cell study clarified that resin-modified glass-ionomer cement with high concentrations of bioactive glass nanoparticles has higher cell viability and better cell morphology compare to control groups. The results for mechanical properties and toxicity approved that the considering in selection of an optimum condition would have been a more satisfying conclusion for this study.

Fabrication of strongly attached hydroxyapatite coating on titanium by hydrothermal treatment of Ti-Zn-PO4 coated titanium in CaCl 2 solution.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating was formed on zinc phosphate (Ti-Zn-PO4) coated Ti plates by hydrothermal treatment in CaCl2 solution at 200 °C for 12 h. Uniform surface coverage of the fabricated HAp coating was obtained by this method. SEM-EDX analysis of the adhesion test area showed that the presence of fractures only occurred in HAp crystals. On the other words cohesive fracture was seen in HAp coating layer formed on the Ti-Zn-PO4. The measured strength was around 42.3 ± 17 MPa. Rat bone marrow (RBM) mesenchymal stem cells were cultured and differentiation-induced on each sample (Ti plate, Ti-Zn-PO4 coated and HAp coated), and cell calcification properties were examined. Apparent differences in morphology and extension of the RBM cells were obtained, while the Ti-Zn-PO4 coated samples showed the highest cell number among all samples. After differentiation-induction, HAp coated samples showed the highest amount of alkaline phosphatase activity, and the highest level of cell calcification. Therefore, the hard tissue compatibility of Ti is improved by hydrothermally HAp coating of samples.