Gallium and silver-doped titanium surfaces provide enhanced osteogenesis, reduce bone resorption and prevent bacterial infection in co-culture.

Bacterial infection remains a significant problem associated with orthopaedic surgeries leading to surgical site infection (SSI). This unmet medical need can become an even greater complication when surgery is due to malignant bone tumor. In the present study, we evaluated in vitro titanium (Ti) implants subjected to gallium (Ga) and silver (Ag)-doped thermochemical treatment as strategy to prevent SSI and improve osteointegration in bone defects caused by diseases such as osteoporosis, bone tumor, or bone metastasis.

Gallium-doped thermochemically treated titanium reduces osteoclastogenesis and improves osteodifferentiation.

Excessive bone resorption is one of the main causes of bone homeostasis alterations, resulting in an imbalance in the natural remodeling cycle. This imbalance can cause diseases such as osteoporosis, or it can be exacerbated in bone cancer processes. In such cases, there is an increased risk of fractures requiring a prosthesis.

Comparison of the Antibacterial Effect of Silver Nanoparticles and a Multifunctional Antimicrobial Peptide on Titanium Surface.

Titanium implantation success may be compromised by Staphylococcus aureus surface colonization and posterior infection. To avoid this issue, different strategies have been investigated to promote an antibacterial character to titanium. In this work, two antibacterial agents (silver nanoparticles and a multifunctional antimicrobial peptide) were used to coat titanium surfaces.

Surface competition between osteoblasts and bacteria on silver-doped bioactive titanium implant.

The rapid integration in the bone tissue and the prevention of bacterial infection are key for the success of the implant. In this regard, a silver (Ag)-doped thermochemical treatment that generate an Ag-doped calcium titanate layer on titanium (Ti) implants was previously developed by our group to improve the bone-bonding ability and provide antibacterial activity. In the present study, the biological and antibacterial potential of this coating has been further studied.

Implementation of bactericidal topographies on biomimetic calcium phosphates and the potential effect of its reactivity.

Since the discovery that nanostructured surfaces were able to kill bacteria, many works have been published focusing on the design of nanopatterned surfaces with antimicrobial properties. Synthetic bone grafts, based on calcium phosphate (CaP) formulations, can greatly benefit from this discovery if adequate nanotopographies can be developed. However, CaP are reactive materials and experience ionic exchanges when placed into aqueous solutions which may in turn affect cell behaviour and complicate the interpretation of the bactericidal results.

3D printing of hierarchical porous biomimetic hydroxyapatite scaffolds: Adding concavities to the convex filaments.

Porosity plays a key role on the osteogenic performance of bone scaffolds. Direct Ink Writing (DIW) allows the design of customized synthetic bone grafts with patient-specific architecture and controlled macroporosity. Being an extrusion-based technique, the scaffolds obtained are formed by arrays of cylindrical filaments, and therefore have convex surfaces.

Zn-Mg and Zn-Cu alloys for stenting applications: From nanoscale mechanical characterization to degradation and biocompatibility.

In the recent decades, zinc (Zn) and its alloys have been drawing attention as promising candidates for bioresorbable cardiovascular stents due to its degradation rate more suitable than magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) alloys. However, its mechanical properties need to be improved in order to meet the criteria for vascular stents. This work investigates the mechanical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility of Zn-Mg and Zn-Cu alloys in order to determine a proper alloy composition for optimal stent performance.

Chemically Diverse Multifunctional Peptide Platforms with Antimicrobial and Cell Adhesive Properties.

Bacterial infections and incomplete biomaterial integration are major problems that can lead to the failure of medical implants. However, simultaneously addressing these two issues remains a challenge. Here, we present a chemical peptide library based on a multifunctional platform containing the antimicrobial peptide LF1-11 and the cell-adhesive motif RGD.

Antibacterial Properties of Triethoxysilylpropyl Succinic Anhydride Silane (TESPSA) on Titanium Dental Implants.

Infections related to dental implants are a common complication that can ultimately lead to implant failure, and thereby carries significant health and economic costs. In order to ward off these infections, this paper explores the immobilization of triethoxysilylpropyl succinic anhydride (TESPSA, TSP) silane onto dental implants, and the interaction of two distinct monospecies biofilms and an oral plaque with the coated titanium samples. To this end, titanium disks from prior machining were first activated by a NaOH treatment and further functionalized with TESPSA silane.

All-in-one trifunctional strategy: A cell adhesive, bacteriostatic and bactericidal coating for titanium implants.

Strategies to inhibit initial bacterial adhesion are extremely important to prevent infection on biomaterial surfaces. However, the simultaneous attraction of desired eukaryotic cells remains a challenge for successful biomaterial-host tissue integration. Here we describe a method for the development of a trifunctional coating that repels contaminating bacteria, kills those that adhere, and promotes osteoblast adhesion.

Biofunctional polyethylene glycol coatings on titanium: An in vitro-based comparison of functionalization methods.

Three methods for the production of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coatings on titanium are compared, i.e. plasma polymerization, electrodeposition and silanization.

Antifouling coatings for dental implants: Polyethylene glycol-like coatings on titanium by plasma polymerization.

Titanium dental implants are commonly used for the replacement of lost teeth, but they present a considerable number of failures due to the infection on surrounding tissues. The aim of this paper is the development of a polyethylene glycol-like (PEG-like) coating on the titanium surface by plasma polymerization to obtain a novel improved surface with suitable low bacterial adhesion and adequate cell response. Surface analysis data of these coatings are presented, in particular, water contact angle, surface roughness, and film chemistry, demonstrating the presence of a PEG-like coating.