Matrix tablets based on a novel poly (magnesium acrylate) hydrogel for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential use of a new polymer (PAMgA) in the development sustained release matrix tablets for the treatment of bowel inflammatory diseases. For this purpose, budesonide, a highly lipophilic compound, was used as model drug. Tablets with two reticulation grades of PAMgA (PAMgA 5 and 40) and with 9 mg of budesonide were developed and characterized.

Ultrafast photochemistry produces superbright short-wave infrared dots for low-dose in vivo imaging.

Optical probes operating in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1,000-1,700 nm), where tissues are highly transparent, have expanded the applicability of fluorescence in the biomedical field. NIR-II fluorescence enables deep-tissue imaging with micrometric resolution in animal models, but is limited by the low brightness of NIR-II probes, which prevents imaging at low excitation intensities and fluorophore concentrations. Here, we present a new generation of probes (AgS superdots) derived from chemically synthesized AgS dots, on which a protective shell is grown by femtosecond laser irradiation.

Contribution of resonance energy transfer to the luminescence quenching of upconversion nanoparticles with graphene oxide.

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) are increasingly used due to their advantages over conventional fluorophores, and their use as resonance energy transfer (RET) donors has permitted their application as biosensors when they are combined with appropriate RET acceptors such as graphene oxide (GO). However, there is a lack of knowledge about the design and influence that GO composition produces over the quenching of these nanoparticles that in turn will define their performance as sensors. In this work, we have analysed the total quenching efficiency, as well as the actual values corresponding to the RET process between UCNPs and GO sheets with three different chemical compositions.

Controlled Release of Highly Hydrophilic Drugs from Novel Poly(Magnesium Acrylate) Matrix Tablets.

The potential of a new poly(magnesium acrylate) hydrogel (PAMgA) as a pharmaceutical excipient for the elaboration of matrix tablets for the extended release of highly hydrophilic drugs was evaluated. The polymer was synthetized with two different crosslinking degrees that were characterized by FTIR and DSC. Their acute oral toxicity was determined in a mouse model, showing no toxicity at doses up to 10 g/kg.

Silicon-calcium phosphate ceramics and silicon-calcium phosphate cements: Substrates to customize the release of antibiotics according to the idiosyncrasies of the patient.

Bone substitutes based on calcium phosphates can be classified in two major groups: ceramics and cements. Both are biomaterials with excellent biocompatibility that have been studied as local delivery systems for drugs. This study aims to evaluate drug-release kinetics in silicon beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramics (Si-β-TCP) and in silicon calcium phosphate cements (Si-CPCs).

Control of upconversion luminescence by gold nanoparticle size: from quenching to enhancement.

Metallic nanostructures have the potential to modify the anti-Stokes emission of upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) by coupling their plasmon resonance with either the excitation or the emission wavelength of the UCNPs. In this regard gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have often been used in sensors for UCNP luminescence quenching or enhancement, although systematic studies are still needed in order to design optimal UCNP-AuNP based biosensors. Amidst mixed experimental evidence of quenching or enhancement, two key factors arise: the nanoparticle distance and nanoparticle size.

Photochemical Ligation to Ultrasensitive DNA Detection with Upconverting Nanoparticles.

In this work, we explore a photochemical ligation reaction to covalently modify oligonucleotide-conjugated upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) in the presence of a specific target DNA sequence. The target sequence acts as a hybridization template, bringing together a biotinylated photoactivatable oligonucleotide probe and the oligonucleotide probe that is attached to UCNPs. The illumination of the UCNPs by NIR light to generate UV emission internally or illuminating the photoactivatable probe directly by an external UV light promotes the photochemical ligation reaction, yielding covalently biotin functionalized UCNPs that can be selectively captured in streptavidin-coated microwells.

Silicon bioceramic loaded with vancomycin stimulates bone tissue regeneration.

Porous ceramics doped with silicon and pure β-TCP were analyzed in terms of internal microstructure, cell behavior, and the percentage of newly formed bone. Additionally the materials were tested to determine which of the two had better properties to load and release vancomycin hydrochloride. Internal pore distribution and porosity were determined through high pressure mercury porosimetry and the specific surface area was measured by the Brunauer Emmet-Teller method.

Sensors and bioassays powered by upconverting materials.

In recent years, considerable efforts have been done to better understand the peculiar emission properties of upconverting materials due to their widespread applications in different and important technological fields such as upconversion-based photoactivated cancer therapies, photoactivated drug-delivery, magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, bioimaging. However, one of the most promising applications of upconverting materials concerns the field of sensing, due to their unique emission properties. In fact, the minimal autofluorescence, blinking, photo-bleaching, and high photostability makes them an excellent alternative to organic dyes or quantum dots.

Oligonucleotide Sensor Based on Selective Capture of Upconversion Nanoparticles Triggered by Target-Induced DNA Interstrand Ligand Reaction.

We present a sensor that exploits the phenomenon of upconversion luminescence to detect the presence of specific sequences of small oligonucleotides such as miRNAs among others. The sensor is based on NaYF:Yb,Er@SiO nanoparticles functionalized with ssDNA that contain azide groups on the 3' ends. In the presence of a target sequence, interstrand ligation is possible via the click-reaction between one azide of the upconversion probe and a DBCO-ssDNA-biotin probe present in the solution.

Antibiotic Release from Calcium Phosphate Materials in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Molecular, Cellular and Pharmaceutical Aspects.

Calcium phosphate materials (CPM) are widely used in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. The presence of microbial biofilms and external infections is responsible for the failure of many procedures of dental implants and bone grafts. In an attempt to reduce the percentage of these infectious processes antibiotics have been associated with CPM improving certain conditions.

Effect of physicochemical properties of a cement based on silicocarnotite/calcium silicate on in vitro cell adhesion and in vivo cement degradation.

A silicon calcium phosphate cement (Si-CPC) was developed to produce a composite of calcium phosphate and calcium silicate. The silicon cements prepared with low silicon (Si) content were composed of crystalline phases of brushite and silicocarnotite. However, the cements prepared with high Si content were mainly composed of amorphous phases of silicocarnotite, hydroxyapatite and calcium silicate.

Enhancement of the Upconversion Emission by Visible-to-Near-Infrared Fluorescent Graphene Quantum Dots for miRNA Detection.

We developed a sensor for the detection of specific microRNA (miRNA) sequences that was based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and ssDNA-UCNP@SiO2. The proposed sensor exploits the interaction between the sp(2) carbon atoms of the GQD, mainly π-π stacking, and the DNA nucleobases anchored on the upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). This interaction brings the GQD to the surface of the ssDNA-UCNP@SiO2 system, enhancing the upconversion emission.

Magnesium substitution in brushite cements: Efficacy of a new biomaterial loaded with vancomycin for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most relevant pathogen associated with bone infection that sometimes appears after implant surgery, thus compromising a successful treatment. The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of brushite cements, doped with magnesium, as a new vancomycin carrier system against S.aureus infections.

A new iron calcium phosphate material to improve the osteoconductive properties of a biodegradable ceramic: a study in rabbit calvaria.

β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is an osteoconductive and biodegradable material used in bone regeneration procedures, while iron has been suggested as a tool to improve the biological performance of calcium phosphate-based materials. However, the mechanisms of interaction between these materials and human cells are not fully understood. In order to clarify this relationship, we have studied the iron role in β-TCP ceramics.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in HeLa Cells of an NIR Light Responsive Doxorubicin Delivery System Based on NaYF4:Yb,Tm@SiO2-PEG Nanoparticles.

Herein, we present a phototriggered drug delivery system based on light responsive nanoparticles, which is able to release doxorubicin upon NIR light illumination. The proposed system is based on upconversion fluorescence nanoparticles of β-NaYF4:Yb,Tm@SiO2-PEG with a mean diameter of 52±2.5 nm that absorb the NIR light and emit UV light.

Monetite granules versus particulate autologous bone in bone regeneration.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test bone tissue response to monetite granules in comparison with intramembranous autologous bone graft in a rabbit calvaria critical size defect model.

Materials And Methods: Novel monetite granules were synthesized by thermal conversion of set brushite cement. Eight female New Zealand rabbits were used for this study.

Silver nanoparticle based antibacterial methacrylate hydrogels potential for bone graft applications.

Infections are frequent and very undesired occurrences after orthopedic procedures; furthermore, the growing concern caused by the rise in antibiotic resistance is progressively dwindling the efficacy of such drugs. Artificial bone graft materials could solve some of the problems associated with the gold standard use of natural bone graft such as limited bone material, pain at the donor site and rejections if donor tissue is used. We have previously described new acrylate base nanocomposite hydrogels as bone graft materials.

Temperature controlled fluorescence on Au@Ag@PNIPAM-PTEBS microgels: effect of the metal core size on the MEF extension.

In this work, we present a novel method to produce thermoresponsive, monodisperse microgels which display temperature-dependent photoluminescence. The system is based on bimetallic cores of Au@Ag encapsulated within thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels and coated with a photoluminescent polymer (poly[2-(3-thienyl)ethoxy-4-butylsulfonate] (PTEBS) using the Layer-by-Layer technique. The electromagnetic radiation used to excite the PTEBS induces a local electromagnetic field on the surface of the bimetallic cores that enhances the excitation and emission rates of the PTEBS, yielding a metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF).

Nasal Floor Elevation for Implant Treatment in the Atrophic Premaxilla: A Within-Patient Comparative Study.

Background: There is a lack of evidence regarding success of implants placed in atrophic premaxilla using the nasal floor elevation technique.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare implants placed in augmented bone in the anterior maxilla using the nasal floor elevation technique with implants placed in the maxillary sinus region using the sinus lift technique.

Materials And Methods: A within-patient controlled clinical trial was performed on 14 patients receiving 78 implants.

Magnesium substitution in brushite cements for enhanced bone tissue regeneration.

We have synthesized calcium phosphate cements doped with different amounts of magnesium (Mg-CPC) with a twofold purpose: i) to evaluate in vitro the osteoblast cell response to this material, and ii) to compare the bone regeneration capacity of the doped material with a calcium cement prepared without magnesium (CPC). Cell proliferation and in vivo response increased in the Mg-CPCs in comparison with CPC. The Mg-CPCs have promoted higher new bone formation than the CPC (p<0.

Obtaining new composite biomaterials by means of mineralization of methacrylate hydrogels using the reaction-diffusion method.

The present paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a new polymeric biomaterial mineralized with calcium phosphate using the reaction-diffusion method. The scaffold of this biomaterial was a hydrogel constituted by biocompatible polyethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEM) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEM), which were cross-linked with N-N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS). The cross-linking content of the hydrogels was varied from 0.

Osseointegration of dental implants in 3D-printed synthetic onlay grafts customized according to bone metabolic activity in recipient site.

Onlay grafts made of monolithic microporous monetite bioresorbable bioceramics have the capacity to conduct bone augmentation. However, there is heterogeneity in the graft behaviour in vivo that seems to correlate with the host anatomy. In this study, we sought to investigate the metabolic activity of the regenerated bone in monolithic monetite onlays by using positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in rats.

Structure and polymer dynamics within PNIPAM-based microgel particles.

The synthesis of temperature-responsive microgels of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) was first reported in 1986 and, since then, there have been hundreds of publications describing the preparation, characterization and applications of these systems. This paper reviews the developments concerning the study of the structure of PNIPAM-based microgels performed over the last years using small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and also the investigations of the polymer-chain dynamics within the microgels carried out with incoherent elastic and quasielastic neutron scattering, and pulse field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) techniques. Furthermore, the self-diffusion coefficient of the water molecules within the microgel, determined by means of solvent relaxation NMR, is also discussed as a function of the polymer volume fraction of the microgels.

Membranes over the lateral window in sinus augmentation procedures: a two-arm and split-mouth randomized clinical trials.

Objective: This study evaluates whether or not, among other factors, membrane-coverage of antrostomy defects improves implant survival in sinus augmentation procedures.

Materials And Methods: We performed a two-arm and split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial on 104 and 5 patients respectively. In the two-arm study, antrostomy defects were membrane-covered in 66 procedures and uncovered in 69, before placing a total of 265 implants that were followed up for 1 year.