International Journal of Biomaterials最新文献

Nanocarrier systems have gained significant attention in recent decades as an alternative to conventional drug delivery methods, which often suffer from various limitations. In this study, Fe₃O₄/chitosan/TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized as a novel nanocarrier for targeted drug delivery. The loading efficiency and controlled release behavior of vancomycin from the nanocarrier were evaluated under in vitro conditions using HeLa cancer cells. The in vitro study of the drug release behavior showed that the implementation of a titania coating significantly diminishes the drug release rate. Specifically, approximately 90 ± 0.2% of the drug is released over a period of 16 h for samples without the titania coating, while samples with the coating exhibit a release time of 25 h. The MTT assay indicates that the application of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the nanocarrier resulted in a decrease in cell viability from 90 ± 3% to 50 ± 2% at concentrations of 100 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the Fe₃O₄/chitosan/TiO₂ nanocarrier as an efficient system for controlled and targeted drug delivery applications.

Context: Several biomaterials have been developed in the field of tissue regeneration, in addition to creating a "foreign body reaction," they lack the cellular components that are necessary for the regeneration process and, therefore, do not fulfill their purpose satisfactorily. In this regard, the use of platelet concentrates has gained popularity. However, sufficient scientific evidence is still lacking for the use of platelet concentrates, especially platelet-rich liquid fibrin preparations in combination with xenografts. The results of the present study would give an indication of the advantages of using the combination of xenogenic bone graft in combination with liquid formulations of platelet concentrates in regenerative periodontal therapy. Aims: This in vitro study was performed to compare and evaluate the differential release profile and osteogenic potential of liquid formulations of platelet concentrates, namely, concentrated platelet-rich fibrin (C-PRF) and injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF). Methods and Materials: The differential release profile of platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA) and osteogenic potential of liquid formulations of platelet concentrates was evaluated using samples collected from four periodontally healthy female volunteers by ELISA and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay with the help of human osteosarcoma cell lines (Saos-2). Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis of growth factor release profile and estimation of ALP activity was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test to compare the mean difference between the following groups: C-PRF and I-PRF with and without bone graft. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 21 software. Results and Conclusions: This study clearly shows the advantage of using liquid platelet concentrates in combination with bone grafts compared with bone grafts alone. The study further suggested that the use of C-PRF could be beneficial in regenerative periodontal therapy.

The present work conducts a detailed technoeconomic analysis of an environmentally friendly zero-waste biorefinery process to valorize marine Ulva fasciata macroalgae into different sustainable value-added products. The proposed sequential fully integrated process yielded 34.89% mineral-rich water extract (MRWE), 2.61 ± 0.5% chlorophyll, 0.41 ± 0.05% carotenoids, 12.55 ± 1.6% starch, 3.27 ± 0.7% lipids, 22.24 ± 1.8% ulvan, 13.37 ± 1.5% proteins, and 10.66 ± 0.9% cellulose. The Aspen Plus software, utilizing the nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) model, was applied for process design, simulation, and technoeconomic analysis. Key findings include a positive net present value (NPV) of $49,755,544.90, a high return on investment (ROI) of 485%, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 17%. The anticipated payback period is 7 years, indicating a quick recovery of the initial investment. These findings confirm that Ulva fasciata is a promising resource in the biorefinery industry, providing a viable and eco-friendly alternative for the production of bio-based products and a new market for seaweed-based products.

In recent years, green synthesis methods for producing nanomaterials have gained significant interest due to their environmentally friendly nature and wide-ranging applications. The present study addresses a novel green synthesis of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using leaves of Withania somnifera. The size, morphology, and stability of the green-synthesized GQDs were characterized using TEM, UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectrophotometer, XRD, and DLS. The bio-functional properties of the GQDs were investigated, with a focus on their antidiabetic and antioxidant capabilities. Their antidiabetic activity was assessed by examining their ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, which play a crucial role in glucose metabolism. Additionally, their antioxidant properties were evaluated using DPPH● scavenging assays, highlighting their effectiveness in neutralizing free radicals. The findings revealed that the synthesized GQDs outperformed the original leaf extract in both antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition. The study revealed that the leaf extract exhibited higher IC₅₀ values for inhibiting DPPH (78.508 ± 5.71), α-amylase (161.909 ± 6.188), and α-glucosidase (133.345 ± 7.328) compared to synthesized GQDs, which showed lower IC₅₀ values of 72.74 ± 5.9, 137.966 ± 6.95, and 122.084 ± 5.478, respectively. The findings indicate that Withania somnifera derived GQDs hold significant potential for medical applications, warranting further investigation into their therapeutic efficacy. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental biological properties of GQDs, addressing the dual challenges of antidiabetic and antioxidant activity.

The physical and tensile analysis of NaOH-treated Borassus fibers is carried out to expand and open up further possibilities for their use as reinforcement in composites. This study will describe the NaOH treatment procedure on fibers utilizing the batch reactor approach, as the soaking method is typically used in this case. The physical analysis shows that the wettability behavior effect of NaOH was led by using 5%, 10%, and 15% of NaOH solutions. The result of each treatment using NaOH was then characterized by using SEM-EDX to show the morphology and mechanical properties of the material before and after alkali treatment. Otherwise, FTIR was used to identify the functional group before and after alkali treatment. The tensile properties of the Borassus fibers (raw and treated) were also discussed. The wettability test was carried out by using the contact angle measurement technique. All samples (natural and treated fibers) showed a contact angle of less than 90°, which is associated with the hydrophilic surface properties. This result indicated that this treated fiber has polar properties. The increase of NaOH percentage in the treated samples caused a decrease in the contact angle. This phenomenon was related to the SEM image of natural and treated fibers. SEM result shows the cleaning effect of nonpolar components from the fiber surface and the roughening of the surface during the NaOH treatment. The result of FTIR indicates that several functional group components, such as impurities, lignin, and hemicellulose, were leaching out from row fibers after alkali treatment. The mechanical test results indicate improved tensile properties due to the NaOH treatment. Moreover, the samples from the fiber treated with 10% NaOH indicated the highest tensile strength.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different manipulation methods and storage environments on the microstructural, chemical, and mechanical properties of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement. Four sample groups were examined, including nondried (ND-I) and dried (D-I) groups placed directly in an incubator, dried samples stored in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (D-P), and dried samples stored in distilled water (D-W). Various analyses, including Vickers microhardness, compressive strength, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were conducted after incubating the samples for 7 days. The data were analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk, Levene, independent t, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey HSD tests. Key findings include the ND-I group exhibited a significantly longer setting time but the lowest microhardness and compressive strength. D-P showed the highest microhardness, while D-W displayed the highest compressive strength. FTIR analysis revealed vibration modes related to (PO4)^3- ions and Si compounds in all groups, with dried groups showing more vibrations of (PO4)^3- ions and OH groups, and D-P and D-W groups displayed vibration modes of (CO3)^2- ions. XRD analysis indicated increased tri/dicalcium silicate reflections in CEM groups exposed to PBS or distilled water. D-I and D-W groups presented hexagonal or rectangular cubic and needle-like crystals, while D-P showed a homogeneous globular structure covered with fine crystals. The order of the weight percentage of major elemental constituents of D-P group was oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, zirconium, barium, carbon, silicon, and sulfur. Incremental placement, drying each increment, and exposing CEM to PBS/tissue fluids result in a faster set and more tolerant cement with a more uniform microstructure. The formation of hydroxyapatite can occur on the surface of the set cement.

High-energy nonthermal processes (irradiation) are an interesting technique for depolymerization. Gum tragacanth (GT) is a heteropolysaccharide composed of various sugars that are beneficial in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This study investigated the effects of different gamma irradiation doses (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 100, 500, 1,000, and 2000 kGy) on GT properties, considering both structural and physicochemical changes. The results confirmed that gamma irradiation influenced depolymerization with increases in monosaccharides (L-arabinose, D-galactose, D-glucose, D-xylose, L-fucose, L-rhamnose) and the percentage of degradation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis indicated that structural changes occurred, with more free O-H and C-O bonding, including the carboxylic group (COOH) in the degraded molecules after irradiation. The changes in physicochemical properties were lower viscosity and a color change under gamma irradiation. The property changes in the GT were clearly related to an increased dose of gamma rays. In summary, there was comprehensive GT degradation following exposure using different increasing doses of gamma radiation, with some concomitant property changes in the GT.

Objective: To investigate the effect of the titanium mesh on flail chest and bone healing from clinical and animal experiments. Methods: Clinical experiment: 24 patients with flail chests in our hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 were prospectively selected and divided into control and titanium mesh groups according to different treatment plans and basic data-matching principles, with 12 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conservative external fixation, and the titanium mesh group was treated with titanium mesh fixation. The clinical efficacy index, visual analog scale and blood gas indexes and hemodynamic indexes of the two groups of patients were recorded. Chest CT and pulmonary function and life quality were examined after operation. Animal experiment: The flail chest sheep were treated conservatively with a titanium mesh, and the expression of bone-healing-related proteins was detected. Results: The mechanical ventilation time, drain indwelling time, ICU observation time, and hospital time in the titanium mesh group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The PaO₂, CVP, FVC, FEV1, MVV, and life quality of the titanium mesh group were significantly better than those of the control group after operation, and the visual analog scale, PaCO₂, CI, ELWI, and the proportions of atelectasis, thoracocyllosis, and consolidation tardive after operation were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The expressions of BMP2, IGF-1, VEGF, and PDGFD in the rib tissue of titanium mesh sheep were higher than those of control sheep at 4 weeks after operation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Titanium mesh is a safe and effective treatment for flail chest, which can improve pain, blood gas, hemodynamic indexes, and pulmonary function and promote fracture healing.

Bone loss in the alveolar ridge is a factor widely studied by dentists in implant surgeries, as it poses a major challenge for aesthetic and functional recovery in patients with large maxillary bone defects. Synthetic biomaterials function as grafts designed to replace and remodel bone tissue. Calcium phosphate is a biomaterial that has good properties such as biocompatibility and bioactivity, making it a reference in bone replacement treatments. A synthetic biomaterial such as calcium phosphate can be obtained by various synthesis techniques. The microwave hydrothermal method (HTMO) is a pathway that allows changes in synthesis parameters and significantly increases the transmission efficiency of materials such as synthetic calcium phosphate derivatives. The study proposes obtaining a biomaterial for bone grafting based on calcium phosphate by the microwave HTMO and evaluating its microstructural and physicochemical characteristics. The parameters tested in this process were temperature and reaction time. The calcium phosphate particulates were obtained by the microwave HTMO at temperatures of 110°C and 130°C for 60 min and calcined at 300°C, 500°C, and 700°C. Microstructural and physicochemical characterization analyses were carried out using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray diffraction. The results obtained showed the presence of more than one calcium phosphate biological interest phase, as hydroxyapatite (HA), tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), and octacalcium phosphate (OCP), highlighting with increasing calcination temperature, the β-TCP phase becomes evident. The proposed synthesis method was efficient in obtaining a biomaterial with suitable physical and chemical characteristics, with an association of crystalline phases of biological interest related to the increase in synthesis temperature and calcination temperature.

One of the most important advantages and applications of coated nanoparticles in biological applications is their use in isolating different types of cells to diagnose and treat all types of diseases. Therefore, in this research work, the possibility of isolation and enrichment of B cells using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been investigated. In this regard, magnetic nanoparticles are first coated with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane to make them hydrophilic and prevent their clumping, then reacted with and rendered biocompatible by FITC anti-human CD20 antibody. These nanoparticles containing antibodies have been used to isolate B cells from the lymphatic cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM) tests were used to check the magnetic properties and coating of nanoparticles. The flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy tests are used to check antibody binding to nanoparticles. Moreover, flow cytometry tests were used to check the extent of cell separation. Results show that nanoparticles reacted with 450 μL of antibody (T450) performed better than other nanoparticles in isolating B cells.