The Influence of Physiological Blood Clot on Osteoblastic Cell Response to a Chitosan-Based 3D Scaffold-A Pilot Investigation.

Background: The use of ex vivo assays associated with biomaterials may allow the short-term visualization of a specific cell type response inserted in a local microenvironment. Blood is the first component to come into contact with biomaterials, providing blood clot formation, being substantial in new tissue formation. Thus, this research investigated the physiological blood clot (PhC) patterns formed in 3D scaffolds (SCAs), based on chitosan and 20% beta-tricalcium phosphate and its effect on osteogenesis.

The top 100 most-cited articles in dentistry by authors with Italian affiliation.

Introduction: Analyzing highly-cited articles can provide a retrospective assessment of research evolution and predict future developments. The aim of this study was to carry out a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited articles in dentistry by authors with an Italian affiliation.

Evidence Acquisition: All the articles published in journals indexed under the Scopus category "Dentistry" and with at least one author affiliated to any Italian institution were searched in September 2022.

Polishing methods for composites restoration: the influence on human gingival fibroblasts behaviour.

Background: Carious/Non-carious cervical lesions with gingival recessions may require both dental and periodontal reconstructive therapy, where flaps/grafts may be placed in contact with a dental filling material. Human Gingival Fibroblasts (HGF-1) response during the early phase of healing could vary according to the procedures employed to cure the dental composite. Moreover, oxygen diffusion into dental composite inhibits the polymerization reaction, creating an oxygen-inhibited layer (OIL) that presents residual unreacted monomers.

Composite PCL Scaffold With 70% β-TCP as Suitable Structure for Bone Replacement.

Objectives: The purpose of this work was to optimise printable polycaprolactone (PCL)/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) biomaterials with high percentages of β-TCP endowed with balanced mechanical characteristics to resemble human cancellous bone, presumably improving osteogenesis.

Methods: PCL/β-TCP scaffolds were obtained from customised filaments for fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing with increasing amounts of β-TCP. Samples mechanical features, surface topography and wettability were evaluated as well as cytocompatibility assays, cell adhesion and differentiation.

Awareness and attitude among general dentists and orthodontists toward obstructive sleep apnea in children.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate Italian dentists' knowledge of and attitudes toward obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was prepared using Google Forms and sent to dentists in Italy through private social platforms. The first part of the questionnaire contained basic demographic data questions, and the second part included items about pediatric OSA.

Silk Fibroin Materials: Biomedical Applications and Perspectives.

The golden rule in tissue engineering is the creation of a synthetic device that simulates the native tissue, thus leading to the proper restoration of its anatomical and functional integrity, avoiding the limitations related to approaches based on autografts and allografts. The emergence of synthetic biocompatible materials has led to the production of innovative scaffolds that, if combined with cells and/or bioactive molecules, can improve tissue regeneration. In the last decade, silk fibroin (SF) has gained attention as a promising biomaterial in regenerative medicine due to its enhanced bio/cytocompatibility, chemical stability, and mechanical properties.

Anti-Fibronectin Aptamer Modifies Blood Clot Pattern and Stimulates Osteogenesis: An Ex Vivo Study.

Background: Scaffold (SCA) functionalization with aptamers (APT) provides adsorption of specific bioactive molecules on biomaterial surfaces. The aim of this study was to observe if SCA enriched with anti-fibronectin APT can favor coagulum (PhC) and osteoblasts (OSB) differentiation.

Methods: 20 μg of APT was functionalized on SCA by simple adsorption.

Gold(III) complexes with thiosemicarbazone ligands: insights into their cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cells.

Cancer continues to pose a global threat, underscoring the urgent need for more effective and safer treatment options. Gold-based compounds have recently emerged as promising candidates due to their diverse range of biological activities. In this study, three gold(III) complexes derived from thiosemicarbazone ligands have been synthesized, fully characterized, including their X-ray crystal structures.

Preparation of human primary macrophages to study the polarization from monocyte-derived macrophages to pro- or anti-inflammatory macrophages at biomaterial interface .

Background/purpose: Testing of dental materials when in contact with innate immune cells has been so far hindered by the lack of proper models. Human primary monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) would be an excellent option to this aim. However, the inability to detach them from the tissue culture plates contrast the possibility to culture them on biomaterials.

A Novel Self-Assessment Method for Training Access Cavity on 3D Printed Endodontic Models.

Background: New technologies can facilitate the transition from pre-clinical to clinical settings. We investigate students' satisfaction with a novel learning method adopted in access cavity exercises.

Methods: Students performed their access cavity on inexpensive, in-house 3D printed teeth.

Aptamer-enriched scaffolds for tissue regeneration: a systematic review of the literature.

Aptamers are a brand-new class of receptors that can be exploited to improve the bioactivity of tissue engineering grafts. The aim of this work was to revise the current literature on and studies in order to i) identify current strategies adopted to improve scaffold bioactivity by aptamers; ii) assess effects of aptamer functionalization on cell behavior and iii) on tissue regeneration. Using a systematic search approach original research articles published up to 30 April 2022, were considered and screened.

Predictability of intraoral scanner error for full-arch implant-supported rehabilitation.

Objectives: The present study aimed to analyze the behaviors of three intraoral scanners (IOSs): evaluating the interdistance and axial inclination discrepancies in full-arch scans, predictable errors were searched.

Materials And Methods: Six edentulous sample models with variable numbers of dental implants were used; reference data were obtained with a coordinate-measuring machine (CMM). Each IOS (i.

Testosterone Enanthate: An In Vitro Study of the Effects Triggered in MG-63 Cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the androgenic hormone testosterone enanthate (TE) on human MG-63 cells. MG-63 were cultured for 24 h in the presence of TE at increasing concentrations to assess its lethal dose. Therefore, the suitable concentration for a prolonged use of TE in vitro was assessed by viability assay over 9 days.

Preparation of hybrid samples for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled to focused ion beam (FIB) analysis: A new way to study cell adhesion to titanium implant surfaces.

The study of the intimate connection occurring at the interface between cells and titanium implant surfaces is a major challenge for dental materials scientists. Indeed, several imaging techniques have been developed and optimized in the last decades, but an optimal method has not been described yet. The combination of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a focused ion beam (FIB), represents a pioneering and interesting tool to allow the investigation of the relationship occurring at the interface between cells and biomaterials, including titanium.

Fluctuations in Corneal Endothelial LAP2 Expression Levels Correlate with Passage Dependent Declines in Their Cell Proliferative Activity.

The corneal endothelium is the inner corneal mono-layered epithelium, fundamental for preserving corneal hydration and transparency. However, molecular mechanisms that regulate corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs), in particular regarding their proliferative capacity, have been only partially elucidated. CEnCs are quiescent in vivo and they easily undergo endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EnMT) in vitro.

Sample optimization for saliva H-NMR metabolic profiling.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based metabolomic analysis of whole saliva has provided potential diagnostic biomarkers for numerous human diseases contributing to a better understanding of their mechanisms. However, a comprehensive interpretation of the significance of metabolites in whole, parotid, and submandibular/sublingual saliva subtypes is still missing. Precision and reproducibility of sample preparation is an essential step.

3D Printed Masks for Powders and Viruses Safety Protection Using Food Grade Polymers: Empirical Tests.

The production of 3D printed safety protection devices (SPD) requires particular attention to the material selection and to the evaluation of mechanical resistance, biological safety and surface roughness related to the accumulation of bacteria and viruses. We explored the possibility to adopt additive manufacturing technologies for the production of respirator masks, responding to the sudden demand of SPDs caused by the emergency scenario of the pandemic spread of SARS-COV-2. In this study, we developed different prototypes of masks, exclusively applying basic additive manufacturing technologies like fused deposition modeling (FDM) and droplet-based precision extrusion deposition (db-PED) to common food packaging materials.

Hydrogen plasma treatment confers enhanced bioactivity to silicon carbide-based nanowires promoting osteoblast adhesion.

Nanomaterials play a pivotal role in modern regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, due to their peculiar physical, optical and biological properties once they are used in the nanometric size. Many evidences are showing the importance of biomaterial micro- and nano-topography on cellular adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, and hence, tissue regeneration. It is well known that nanowires (NWs) can mimic many different tissues as a result of their shape and their surface characteristics, and that surface hydrophilicity affects early protein adsorption and cellular adhesion.

Titanium dental implants hydrophilicity promotes preferential serum fibronectin over albumin competitive adsorption modulating early cell response.

In vitro studies have consistently shown that titanium surface wettability affects the response of osteoprogenitors, leading to important advances in the clinical osseointegration of dental implants. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Since surface conditioning by blood components initiates within milliseconds after insertion, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the amount and the type of blood proteins adsorbed influences the interaction between the implant surface and osteoprogenitors.

Tetracalcium phosphate and biphasic tetracalcium phosphate/tricalcium phosphate powders' effects evaluation on human osteoblasts.

Background: Calcium ions levels in bone niches have been demonstrated to severely influence new bone formation. Osteoinductive scaffolds containing calcium have been largely studied to control the release of calcium in bone regeneration and tissue engineering purpose. The aim of the present study was, firstly, to synthesize two different resorbable calcium phosphate-based powders, thought to be reservoirs of calcium ions, and secondary, to investigate their effects on human osteoblasts, in order to develop a suitable titanium coating material.

A glance on the role of fibronectin in controlling cell response at biomaterial interface.

The bioactivity of biomaterials is closely related to cell response in contact with them. However, shortly after their insertion, materials are soon covered with proteins that constitute the biological fluids, and which render the direct surface recognition by cells almost impossible. The control of protein adsorption at the interface is therefore desirable.

Sub-Micropillar Spacing Modulates the Spatial Arrangement of Mouse MC3T3-E1 Osteoblastic Cells.

Surface topography is one of the main factors controlling cell responses on implanted devices and a proper definition of the characteristics that optimize cell behavior may be crucial to improve the clinical performances of these implants. Substrate geometry is known to affect cell shape, as cells try to optimize their adhesion by adapting to the irregularities beneath, and this in turn profoundly affects their activity. In the present study, we cultured murine calvaria MC3T3-E1 cells on surfaces with pillars arranged as hexagons with two different spacings and observed their morphology during adhesion and growth.

Is selective protein adsorption on biomaterials a viable option to promote periodontal regeneration?

Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition that can induce significant destruction of the periodontium, the set of specialized tissues that provide nourishment and support to the teeth. According to the guided tissue regeneration principles, the periodontium can be regenerated if the spatiotemporal control of wound healing is obtained, namely the tune control of cell response. After material implantation, protein adsorption at the interface is the first occurring biological event, which influences subsequent cell response.

Osteoblast adhesion and response mediated by terminal -SH group charge surface of SiOxCy nanowires.

Robust cell adhesion is known to be necessary to promote cell colonization of biomaterials and differentiation of progenitors. In this paper, we propose the functionalization of Silicon Oxycarbide (SiOC) nanowires (NWs) with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), a molecule containing a terminal -SH group. The aim of this functionalization was to develop a surface capable to adsorb proteins and promote cell adhesion, proliferation and a better deposition of extracellular matrix.