Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials最新文献

Collagen type XVII is a unique transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in anchoring epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane. However, the low natural abundance of collagen type XVII in the human body poses significant challenges for large-scale extraction and production. With a development in biosynthesis technology, type A recombinant humanized collagen type XVII (rhCol XVII) has emerged as a promising and innovative alternative. In this study, rhCol XVII was successfully synthesized and expressed using genetic engineering techniques. The amino acid composition of rhCol XVII was analyzed, and its molecular weight was determined to be consistent with the theoretical design. Key physicochemical properties, including isoelectric point, particle size, and thermal stability, were evaluated. The experimentally measured pI was approximately 9.00, a particle size ranges from 820 to 857 nm, and thermal stability up to 23.60°C. The structure of rhCol XVII was characterized using infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility of rhCol XVII was assessed in vitro, and its systemic safety was evaluated in vivo. This research provided a solid foundation for the potential application of rhCol XVII in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Introduction: Besides mechanical cleaning, mouthwashes, and denture cleansers are typical supplements for oral care. Many chemical mouthwashes and denture cleansers provide positive effects, but finding safe and natural alternatives should be the priority.

Aim of study: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of natural materials as mouthwash and denture cleansers.

Material and method: In examining the antimicrobial efficacy of mouthwashes, the minimum inhibitory concentration values were determined for five groups: distilled water (negative control), 0.2% chlorhexidine, chitosan solution, Saussurea costus solution, and chitosan-Saussurea solution. As for denture cleansers, the efficacy was evaluated after immersing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) disks in the previous solutions. The cell viability of Human Gingival Fibroblast (hGFs) after treatment with tested solutions was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Data was analyzed using ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests.

Result: The prepared solutions showed comparable antimicrobial efficacy and cell viability as chlorohexidine. The chitosan-Saussurea costus solution demonstrated a higher antimicrobial effect and better prevention of microorganisms' adherence to PMMA disks and cell viability. It also did not affect the roughness of PMMA in the short term.

Conclusion: The new denture cleaning and mouthwash agent, which contains the natural constituents of chitosan and Saussurea costus, demonstrates significant antibacterial effectiveness and serves as a viable eco-friendly alternative to commercial mouthwash, as well as exerting minimal influence on denture roughness.

Clinical implications: Chitosan and Saussurea costus have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can potentially enhance oral health. These materials present a viable path toward the production of safe, efficient, and sustainable oral care products due to their natural and biocompatible substitutes.

Objective: To determine and characterize the antitumor activity of a hydrogel loaded with octenidine hydrochloride (OCTH) and its action mechanism on human tumor cells.

Material and methods: The antibiofilm property of OCTH against a clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolate (MRSA-CI) was evaluated by disk diffusion assays and a human bone-biofilm model in combination with the BacLight™ staining. The antitumor activity of soluble OCTH and OCTH-loaded biodegradable hydrogels was assessed in human tumor cell lines (MCF-7, CAL-27, FaDu, and A549) under different experimental conditions. Cell viability was measured with the MTT assay, and membrane permeability after OCTH-loaded hydrogel exposure was evaluated with the Calcein AM assay. Genotoxicity was evaluated with comet assay and fluorescence microscopy.

Results: A stable, transparent, and biodegradable OCTH hydrogel with a pH of 7.2 was successfully developed. Biofilms exposed to 50 μm OCTH for 24 h exhibited only dead bacteria (red fluorescence), comparable to the effect of 100 μm vancomycin. Soluble OCTH demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of tumor cell growth in all tested cell lines, with significant effects observed from 1 μm. The LD₅₀ values for soluble OCTH across the tumor cell lines ranged from 2.32 to 5.1 µm. Notably, hydrogel loaded with 50 μm OCTH significantly reduced cell growth by 44% after a 15-min exposure and by 97% after 120 min. The Calcein AM assay revealed that OCTH's antitumor mechanism involves the disruption of tumor cell plasma membrane permeability.

Conclusion: This study is the first that describes the antitumor activity of octenidine hydrochloride on different human tumor cell lines. A biodegradable hydrogel loaded with octenidine hydrochloride constitutes an innovative, low-cost alternative for the topical treatment of cancer.

Guided tissue regeneration/guided bone regeneration membranes (GTR/GBR) are widely used to repair damaged bone, manufactured using various materials, including synthetic polymers, natural polymers, metals, and inorganic compounds. Our previous study showed that nano-attapulgite (nano-ATP) composite membranes could significantly increase bone regeneration. Here, the porous nano-ATP-incorporated CH membranes were fabricated via the technique of freeze gelation (FG). The property and thermal stability of membranes were tested by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Cell proliferation and morphology on the membranes were also studied. In vivo Micro-CT and histological analyses were used to evaluate new bone formation in rat cranium defect models. The results indicated that with increasing ATP content, the water absorption, porosity, swelling rate, and degradation rate of chitosan membranes significantly decreased; conversely, the thermal weight loss and mechanical strength exhibited a marked increase. Culture of mouse mesenchymal cells (D1) showed that ATP-incorporated membranes increased cell proliferation and matrix deposition. Furthermore, the results from Micro-CT and histological staining demonstrated that ATP-incorporated membranes could increase new bone formation. These results suggest that this novel nano-ATP incorporated membrane has great potential for bone tissue engineering applications and may lead to effective bone regeneration and repair.

Tendon injuries present a significant clinical challenge due to their limited natural healing capacity and the mechanical demands placed on these tissues. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the current strategies and advancements in tendon repair and regeneration, focusing on biomaterial innovations and scaffold design. Through a systematic literature search of databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, key studies were analyzed to assess the efficacy of biocompatible materials like hydrogels, synthetic polymers, and fiber-reinforced scaffolds in promoting tendon healing. Emphasis is placed on the role of collagen fiber architecture, including fiber diameter, alignment, and crimping, in restoring the mechanical strength and functional properties of tendons. Additionally, the review highlights emerging techniques such as electrospinning, melt electrowriting, and hybrid textile methods that allow for precise scaffold designs mimicking native tendon structures. Cutting-edge approaches in regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapies, bioelectronic devices, and bioactive molecules, are also explored for their potential to enhance tendon repair. The findings underscore the transformative impact of these technologies on improving tendon biomechanics and functional recovery. Future research directions are outlined, aiming to overcome the current limitations in scaffold mechanical properties and integration at tendon-bone and tendon-muscle junctions. This review contributes to the development of more effective strategies for tendon regeneration, advancing both clinical outcomes and the field of orthopedic tissue engineering.

Peri-implant diseases, such as peri-implantitis, affect up to 47% of dental implant recipients, primarily due to biofilm formation. Current decontamination methods vary in efficacy, prompting interest in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for their antimicrobial and protein-specific cleaning properties. This study evaluated the efficacy of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) in decontaminating titanium dental implants by removing proteinaceous pellicle layers and resisting recontamination. Titanium discs were treated with saline water, PrefGel^®, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), GUM^® Paroex^®, or polymeric NPs, and analysed using SEM, EDX, XPS, and contact angle measurements to assess changes in surface composition, morphology, and hydrophilicity. Polymeric NPs significantly reduced nitrogen levels compared to PrefGel® (mean reduction: 2.6%, p < 0.05), indicating effective protein removal. However, their carbon reduction efficacy was similar to that of other agents. SEM images revealed that polymeric NPs disaggregated larger protein aggregates but did not fully decontaminate the surface. Contact angle analysis showed changes in hydrophilicity consistent with other treatments. Hydrogen peroxide performed best overall, achieving the lowest carbon levels post-recontamination (mean reduction: 13%, p < 0.01). While polymeric NPs exhibited unique protein-specific cleaning potential, their overall performance was comparable to traditional agents. Residual contaminants, including carbon and oxygen, persisted on all treated surfaces, indicating enhanced cleaning strategies were needed. These findings highlight the potential of polymeric NPs as an innovative approach to implant decontamination, particularly for protein-specific biofilm control. However, their efficacy in broader applications remains like that of conventional methods. This research contributes to developing targeted decontamination protocols to manage peri-implant diseases and improve long-term implant outcomes.

Hydroxyapatite, renowned for its biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties, plays a fundamental role in bone regeneration owing to its resemblance to natural bone mineral, thus offering considerable potential for advancing tissue engineering strategies. In this article, the innovative integration of silicon ions into biogenic (bovine-derived) hydroxyapatite (SiBHA) via a tailored sol-gel process is reported. The resultant SiBHA scaffolds exhibited an interconnected microporous structure with a total porosity of 70% and pore dimensions ranging from 120 to 650 µm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies validated the effective incorporation of silicon ions into the BHA lattice, with energy-dispersive X-ray and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry further confirming a Ca/P molar ratio for SiBHA between 1.63 and 1.74. Moreover, SiBHA scaffolds demonstrated commendable chemical and thermal stability. Of note, SiBHA scaffolds were found to display significantly enhanced mechanical properties, including compressive strength and Young's modulus, compared to the control BHA scaffolds. In vitro assessments highlighted the capacity of SiBHA scaffolds to foster cell viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of Saos-2 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a significant increase in osteonectin expression, a key bone matrix protein, after 14 days of incubation under osteogenic conditions. These findings highlight the biocompatibility and therapeutic potential of SiBHA scaffolds, suggesting their suitability as biomaterials for dental bone regeneration applications.

Teeth with molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) present demarcated opacities, which are structural alterations in the enamel, making them more porous and often resulting in dentin hypersensitivity (DH). New technologies have been developed for the management of MIH-affected teeth, including bioactive silicon materials, which could form new silicon-enriched hydroxyapatite crystals, reinforcing the structure, and acting as an obliterating agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the formation of a mineral layer and changes in the demarcated opacities' color employing an intraoral Trios 4 scanner after using a new silicon-based bioactive clinical system plus calcium in 11 children with MIH. DH was assessed with the VAS and SCASS scales at baseline, 15, and 30 days. Intraoral scanning revealed the formation of a mineral layer after 30 days, and significant DH reduction was observed (mean reductions: VAS 65% at 15 days and 83% at 30 days; SCASS 76% at 15 days and 94% at 30 days). Moreover, Cox regression analysis identified baseline pain severity as an independent predictor of a faster reduction in DH (adjusted HR = 0.06, p < 0.05). Color analysis suggested a lightening of the demarcated opacities. These results indicate that the new silicon-based bioactive clinical system plus calcium may effectively reduce DH and modify both enamel structure and opacity coloration in MIH-affected teeth. Longitudinal studies with larger samples are needed to assess the long-term effects.

Dental caries, a widespread global health problem, results from oral microbiome dysbiosis dominated by acidogenic pathogens like Streptococcus mutans. Conventional preventive methods, such as fluoride and antimicrobial rinses, often lack specificity and can disrupt beneficial microbes. Probiotics are live, health-promoting bacteria or yeasts commonly found in foods such as yogurt or in dietary supplements. They help restore microbial balance and have emerged as a promising strategy for caries management. This review explores the mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical applications of probiotics in caries prevention. Specific strains such as Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Streptococcus salivarius inhibit cariogenic bacteria through competitive exclusion, acidity modulation via arginine metabolism, and production of antimicrobial compounds like reuterin and bacteriocins. Clinical trials show that probiotic lozenges, gums, and dairy products reduce Streptococcus mutans counts and caries incidence in both children and adults. Challenges remain in optimizing strain selection, delivery methods, and ensuring long-term efficacy. Innovations include engineered probiotics with enhanced antimicrobial activity and synbiotics that combine probiotics with prebiotic fibers to improve colonization. While probiotics provide a safe, non-invasive adjunct to traditional approaches, further large-scale, well-designed longitudinal studies are essential to standardize protocols and understand their ecological effects on the oral microbiome. In summary, integrating probiotics into personalized oral care has the potential to revolutionize caries prevention by addressing microbial dysbiosis directly, shifting the focus from pathogen elimination to promoting a balanced microbiome. This highlights the significance of probiotics in supporting oral and dental health and potentially reducing the prevalence of caries worldwide.

Hemicelluloses are promising candidates for synthesizing nanosystems for potential biomedical and photocatalytic applications. Glucuronoxylan (hemicellulose)-capped manganese oxide nanoparticles (GX-MnO NPs) were synthesized from quince (Cydonia oblonga M.) seed hydrogel. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic analysis revealed a distinct surface plasmon resonance peak at 310 nm for MnO NPs, with an estimated band gap energy of 2.60 eV. The interactions between MnO NPs and the functional groups of hydrogel were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, while the cubic structure was evident from X-ray diffraction results at 2θ location. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the NPs had a roughly spherical shape with an average size of 38.5 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum indicated the sample's composition, highlighting a significant presence of manganese (39.29%), oxygen (29.3%), and minor elements from hydrogel. The NPs displayed noteworthy in vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against Bacillus licheniformis, Escherichia coli, and Aeromonas. An in vivo wound healing experiment illustrated that wounds treated with GX-MnO NPs healed entirely within 10 days in albino mice. Further, GX-MnO NPs served as an excellent photocatalytic system in the sunlight-assisted degradation of methylene blue (90.5%) and methyl orange (89.7%). Intriguingly, degradation efficiencies of 47.6% and 45.7% were achieved, respectively, when the NPs were operated in the dark. Thus, the study suggests GX-MnO NPs as versatile and promising agents to address biomedical and dye-contaminated wastewater concerns.