Journal of Functional Biomaterials最新文献

Although blood-brain barrier (BBB) models are of great value in investigating neurological diseases, the structural complexity and intricate function based on cell-cell interactions of the BBB bring various limitations to the applications of existing models. In this study, a novel BBB micro-organoid model was established by culturing neurovascular unit (NVU) cells on a decellularized squid mantle scaffold (DSMS) film to reconstitute a more authentic and reliable NVU microenvironment for in vitro research. The DSMS applied was obtained from squid mantle scaffolds via decellularization, followed by defatting, and showed good biocompatibility with no cytotoxicity. The DSMS film was finally prepared by lyophilization. The lyophilized film exhibited a void ratio and pore size suitable for the adhesion and growth of endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) and astrocytes (hACs), which led to the formation of a BBB-like spatial structure. The BBB micro-organoid model exhibited functional barrier properties, including an effective transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of approximately 230 Ω/cm², restricted permeability to macromolecules-with apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) of 6.3 × 10^-7 cm/s for 10 kDa and 2.7 × 10^-7 cm/s for 70 kDa FITC-dextran-and expression of tight junctional complex (TJC) proteins such as vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cad) and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1). Furthermore, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), a key receptor stably expressed in these two NVU cell types, was utilized as a critical indicator to assess the integrity of the BBB micro-organ model and its responsiveness to pathophysiological stimuli, particularly under thrombotic conditions. This study not only validates the feasibility of constructing a functionally competent BBB micro-organ model using DSMS films integrated with NVU cells but also provides a promising in vitro platform for subsequent studies on the BBB-related pathological mechanisms and the evaluation of drug permeability across the BBB.

The biological compatibility of endodontic sealers is a key determinant of periapical tissue healing. This in vitro study investigated the cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory, and redox-related effects of eight endodontic sealers on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPdLFs): Biopulp (Chema-Elektromet), AH Plus (Dentsply Sirona), MTA Fillapex (Angelus), EndoSeal MTA (Maruchi), GuttaFlow (Coltène), AH Plus Bioceramic (Dentsply Sirona), TotalFill BC (FKG Dentaire SA), and BioRoot TM (Septodont). Cells were exposed for 24 h to 10-fold-diluted sealer extracts prepared in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions, while control samples underwent identical procedures without sealer contact. Oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant defense parameters, protein oxidation indices, apoptotic activity (caspase-3), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6), and cell viability (MTT assay) were assessed. Under the applied conditions, all materials induced only limited global oxidative stress, with most alterations reflecting selective protein and glycoxidative modifications. Nevertheless, AH Plus, MTA Fillapex, and the calcium hydroxide-based Biopulp exhibited a less favorable redox profile and greater protein oxidation compared with calcium silicate-based sealers. AH Plus and EndoSeal MTA were associated with increased IL-6 release, whereas EndoSeal MTA moderately elevated IL-1 levels. BioRoot TM demonstrated the lowest cytokine expression, and TotalFill BC preserved high cell viability. Caspase-3 activity remained comparable across all experimental groups, indicating minimal induction of apoptosis.

Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) emerges as a promising alternative non-peroxide bleaching agent to hydrogen peroxide (HP), offering similar efficacy with potentially less enamel damage. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of 37.5% HP, 35% carbamide peroxide (CP), and PAP on dental color, enamel surface microhardness, and morphological integrity. Fifty-seven extracted human maxillary incisors were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 18). Thirteen teeth per group were used for color evaluation, four for microhardness, and one for surface morphology analysis. Each group received three whitening sessions (three applications per session) according to the manufacturers' instructions. Color was assessed before and one week after each session using a spectrophotometer. Lightness increased by 7.19 units (HP), 7.11 (PAP), and 4.43 (CP). ΔWI_D was 4.48 (HP), 4.16 (CP), and 8.82 (PAP). All agents produced an "excellent" bleaching effect (ΔE₀₀ index); only PAP achieved "excellent" values with the ΔWI_D index at the end of the study. PAP produced fewer morphological changes on the enamel surface and less reduction in microhardness compared to the untreated control than the other agents evaluated. PAP emerges as an effective alternative for dental bleaching, offering significant color improvement while ensuring minimal alterations to enamel morphology.

Developing safe and effective hemostatic materials is critical for rapid bleeding control and wound management. However, traditional hemostatic materials using chemical crosslinking often fall short in hemostatic efficiency and carry risks of secondary injury from reagent residues. This study introduced an irradiation-fabricated composite collagen sponge based on fish skin collagen, chitosan, and soluble starch. The sponge was prepared via material solution blending, followed by cobalt-60 gamma irradiation at various doses, with casting and freeze-drying. Its functionality and safety were systematically evaluated. The results show that low-dose gamma irradiation (1-3 kGy) applied to a precursor solution prior to freeze-drying promoted intermolecular crosslinking, improving mechanical strength, elongation, and biostability, while higher doses (6 kGy) slightly reduced crosslinking due to the partial degradation of collagen, chitosan, and starch. With low-dose irradiation, the proposed hemostatic sponges show enhanced water absorption, blood cell adsorption, swelling, and antibacterial properties, indicating effective hemostatic performance. Spectroscopic characterization confirmed chemical bond modifications with no loss of crystallinity. Cytotoxicity and in vivo tests demonstrated biocompatibility and effective hemostatic performance. Compared with the commercial HSD sponge, the irradiated sponges exhibited superior hemostatic efficacy. This study presents that a collagen-based synergistic matrix prepared by gamma-ray irradiation can produce a hemostatic sponge with enhanced absorbency, bioactivity, and antibacterial properties, highlighting its great potential in rapid hemostasis and wound care applications.

Regenerative rehabilitation can enhance skeletal muscle recovery following trauma-induced volumetric muscle loss (VML). We previously optimized fibrin-laminin hydrogels for muscle regeneration and an electrically stimulated eccentric contraction training (EST) for muscle rehabilitation. The goal of this study was to examine the combined effect of these two therapies on maximizing tissue recovery. A VML defect was created by removing ~20% of muscle mass from the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in adult male Lewis rats. The injured TA muscles were treated with fibrin-laminin (FBN450) hydrogel. EST was implemented 2 weeks post-injury at both 100 Hz and 150 Hz frequencies and continued for 4 weeks. The results showed no improvement in muscle mass or function with combined FBN450 and EST application. Histological analysis revealed significantly reduced type 2B myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and percentage in the combined hydrogel and EST treatment group. Gene expression studies showed >20-fold higher inflammatory (e.g., CCR7, CD163) and fibrotic (e.g., Col1a1) signaling, with no concomitant increase in myogenic markers in the hydrogel + EST group. Collectively, these results indicate that the FBN450 hydrogel therapy did not synergize with EST to improve outcomes following VML.

Background/objectives: Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are common defects in adults that can lead to dentin hypersensitivity and aesthetic concerns, for which composite resin restorations currently represent the gold standard of care. However, evidence regarding the long-term clinical superiority of high-filled injectable composites and Er,Cr:YSGG laser-based cavity preparation remains limited. The present study aimed to compare the 1-year clinical performance of two different surface preparation protocols (Er,Cr:YSGG laser vs. conventional bur preparation with phosphoric acid etching) and two composite resin types (high-filled injectable vs. conventional paste-type) in the restoration of NCCLs.

Methods: In this prospective, split-mouth, randomized controlled clinical trial, a total of 168 NCCLs in 27 patients were restored. Lesions were randomly allocated to four groups according to the combination of surface preparation (Er,Cr:YSGG laser or phosphoric acid etching) and high-filled injectable composite (G-ænial Universal Injectable) or paste-type composite (G-ænial Anterior). The same universal adhesive system was used in all cases. Clinical evaluations were performed by a blinded examiner at 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months, using the FDI World Dental Federation criteria.

Results: At the 1-year follow-up, 25 patients and 150 restorations were available for evaluation, corresponding to a recall rate of 98.22%. High clinical acceptability was observed in all groups with respect to aesthetic, functional, and biological parameters. Retention was 100% in the acid-etched paste-type composite group and ranged from 94.7% to 97.4% in the remaining groups, with no statistically significant differences among groups (p > 0.05). A transient increase in postoperative sensitivity was detected in the laser groups at the 1-week evaluation (p = 0.026); however, sensitivity scores declined to zero in all groups at 6 months and 1 year.

Conclusions: High-filled injectable composites demonstrated 1-year clinical performance comparable to that of conventional paste-type composites in the restoration of NCCLs. Er,Cr: YSGG laser-based cavity conditioning produced outcomes similar to conventional phosphoric acid etching with respect to retention, marginal adaptation, and biological compatibility. The early increase in laser-related postoperative sensitivity was transient and did not compromise long-term clinical success. Taken together, the ease of application and favorable clinical performance of injectable composites indicate that these materials constitute a reliable alternative for the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions.

Dental implantation affects masticatory bite and muscle forces. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) bears a substantial amount of these masticatory forces. Thus, the objective of the current study was to investigate whether dental implantation alters the human mandibular condyle. Among 556 images, 54 and 22 CBCT scans were successfully identified from 27 patients (10 males and 17 females; 54.93 ± 19.46 years) in the control group and 11 patients (3 males and 8 females; 51.32 ± 13.13 years) in the implant group, respectively. In the control group, CBCT images were obtained longitudinally at the time of implantation and after the post-implantation healing period, both prior to crown placement. In the implant group, CBCT images were obtained at the time of crown placement on a single-tooth implant and after the functional loading period following crown placement. Left and right mandibular condyles were digitally isolated from the images. The bone mineral density (BMD) parameters and morphological changes were assessed using frequency plots of BMD and TMJ osteoarthritis (OA) counts, respectively. In the control group, BMD values were not significantly different between the first and second scans. In contrast, the implant group showed a significant decrease in BMD values, along with a marginal increase in TMJ OA counts after the functional loading period. The TMJ OA counts were highest in the anterior regions, followed by the middle and posterior regions. Most regions showed significantly reduced BMD values, except the antero-lateral and antero-central regions. The current findings give an insight that dental implantation may alter the morphology and BMD of human mandibular condyles. The TMJ OA counts increased, while BMD decreased during the functional loading period of more than 3 months following implantation. Masticatory loading associated with the dental implant likely increases the load on the TMJ, which could stimulate new bone formation to balance the load distribution on the mandibular condyle.

The rapid growth of electronic devices, including wearable sensors, has increased electronic waste, driving interest in sustainable, biocompatible materials. Electrospun biomaterials have emerged as versatile substrates for multifunctional wearable textiles, offering flexibility, high surface area, tunable porosity, and biocompatibility. Using natural polymers (e.g., silk fibroin, cellulose, chitosan) and synthetic polymers (e.g., polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, PVDF), electrospinning produces nanofibrous mats capable of supporting thermal regulation, moisture management, and integrated sensing for pressure, temperature, humidity, or chemical detection. Nature-inspired designs, hybrid composites, and advanced architectures enable passive and active thermoregulation via phase-change materials, thermochromic dyes, hydrogels, and conductive nanofibers, while maintaining wearer comfort, breathability, and skin safety. Despite progress, challenges persist in durability, washability, energy efficiency, manufacturing scalability, and recyclability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of biomaterials, fabrication techniques, multifunctional sensor integration, and thermoregulation strategies, highlighting opportunities for next-generation wearable textiles that combine sustainability, adaptive thermal management, and high-performance sensing.

This study evaluated the effects of different provisional luting cement removal methods on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement to dentin following immediate dentin sealing (IDS) performed with two adhesive systems. A total of 168 extracted, caries-free human third molars were used, of which 144 were allocated for SBS testing and 24 for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Specimens were assigned according to the IDS protocol (no IDS, IDS with OptiBond FL, or IDS with G2-Bond), followed by provisional cementation using an eugenol-free temporary cement. Contaminated surfaces were subsequently cleaned with a hand scaler, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) air abrasion, or Katana Cleaner prior to final bonding with a dual-cure resin cement. SBS was measured after 24 h of water storage, and surface morphology was evaluated by SEM at 2500× magnification. IDS significantly increased SBS under uncontaminated conditions, with G2-Bond-based IDS exhibiting higher bond strength values than specimens without IDS. However, provisional cement contamination significantly reduced SBS regardless of the cleaning method applied, and none of the tested protocols fully restored the bond strength observed in uncontaminated IDS-treated dentin. SEM analysis revealed residual cement remnants and surface alterations after cleaning, even in specimens that appeared macroscopically clean. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, IDS enhances resin-dentin bonding when contamination is avoided; however, current mechanical and chemical cleaning methods are insufficient to completely recover bond strength compromised by provisional cement contamination, highlighting the importance of preventing contamination and preserving IDS layer integrity during indirect restorative procedures.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) relies on barrier membrane integrity to prevent soft-tissue ingrowth. Although collagen membranes are widely used, their limited longevity can compromise space maintenance, underscoring the need for strategies that enhance membrane stability without impairing the regenerative potential. We hypothesized that thermal denaturation of platelet-poor plasma (PPP), combined with heat-induced modifications of collagen fibrils, could generate a volume-stable, plasma-rich composite that preserves membrane structure and restricts cellular penetration. To test this proof-of-principle concept, collagen membranes were soaked in PPP and either kept at room temperature or subjected to thermal treatment (75 °C/10 min) prior to implantation in rat calvarial defects. Bone regeneration and membrane behavior were evaluated after three weeks using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology. Micro-CT suggested only minor numerical differences in mineralized tissue between groups; however, these data should not be overinterpreted because micro-CT cannot differentiate mineralization formed within the collagen membrane from mineralization adjacent to it. Consistent with this limitation, histology demonstrated that mineral deposition and early bone formation extended into the structure of room-temperature PPP membranes, whereas mineralized tissue in the thermally treated group was predominantly located outside the membrane, indicating reduced osteoconductive integration within the membrane. Together, these findings support that thermal denaturation of PPP shifts early composite membrane behavior toward barrier-dominant characteristics at the expense of intramembranous mineralization.