Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration Based on PCL and Mg-Containing Bioactive Glasses.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is widely used in additive manufacturing for the construction of scaffolds for tissue engineering because of its good bioresorbability, biocompatibility, and processability. Nevertheless, its use is limited by its inadequate mechanical support, slow degradation rate and the lack of bioactivity and ability to induce cell adhesion and, thus, bone tissue regeneration. In this study, we fabricated 3D PCL scaffolds reinforced with a novel Mg-doped bioactive glass (Mg-BG) characterized by good mechanical properties and biological reactivity.

Nanostructure and biomimetics orchestrate mesenchymal stromal cell differentiation: An in vitro bioactivity study on new coatings for orthopedic applications.

The choice of the appropriate material having suitable compositional and morphological surface characteristics, is a crucial step in the development of orthopedic implants. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate, on this regard, the influence of two important hits, i.e.

Lamin A and Prelamin A Counteract Migration of Osteosarcoma Cells.

A type lamins are fundamental components of the nuclear lamina. Changes in lamin A expression correlate with malignant transformation in several cancers. However, the role of lamin A has not been explored in osteosarcoma (OS).

Fabrication and characterization of biomimetic hydroxyapatite thin films for bone implants by direct ablation of a biogenic source.

Biomimetic bone apatite coatings were realized for the first time by the novel Ionized Jet Deposition technique. Bone coatings were deposited on titanium alloy substrates by pulsed electron ablation of deproteinized bovine bone shafts in order to resemble bone apatite as closely as possible. The composition, morphology and mechanical properties of the coatings were characterized by GI-XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, AFM, contact angle measurements, micro-scratch and screw-insertion tests.

Magnetic forces and magnetized biomaterials provide dynamic flux information during bone regeneration.

The fascinating prospect to direct tissue regeneration by magnetic activation has been recently explored. In this study we investigate the possibility to boost bone regeneration in an experimental defect in rabbit femoral condyle by combining static magnetic fields and magnetic biomaterials. NdFeB permanent magnets are implanted close to biomimetic collagen/hydroxyapatite resorbable scaffolds magnetized according to two different protocols .

Pulsed plasma deposition of zirconia thin films on UHMWPE: proof of concept of a novel approach for joint prosthetic implants.

Wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been recognized as the main cause for long-term revision in joint arthroplasty. A new approach to overcome this detrimental issue is here presented: zirconia (ZrO) thin films were directly deposited onto the surface of UHMWPE by Pulsed Plasma Deposition (PPD) technique. The obtained films were structurally, morphologically and mechanically characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and nanoindentation tests, respectively.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced apoptosis in various cell lineages in vitro.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation acts as a strong apoptotic trigger in many cell types, in tumor and normal cells. Several studies have demonstrated that UVB-induced cell death occurs through the generation of reactive oxygen species. The consequent oxidative stress includes the impairment of cellular antioxidants, the induction of DNA damage and the occurrence of apoptosis.

MRMT-1 rat breast carcinoma cells and models of bone metastases: improvement of an in vitro system to mimic the in vivo condition.

Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the skeleton thus interrupting the normal bone remodeling process and causing bone degradation. Having suitable in vitro and in vivo models is important for understanding the pathogenesis and developing treatment strategies for bone metastasis in humans. In order to improve and characterize an in vitro model of bone metastasis from breast cancer an MRMT-1 rat breast carcinoma cell line or their conditioned medium were directly co-cultured with rat monocytes.

New PMMA-based composites for preparing spacer devices in prosthetic infections.

Even though the systemic antibiotic therapy is usually applied after prosthetic infections surgical treatments, it is unable to reach the infection site in sufficient concentrations to eradicate bacteria. Delivering antibiotics locally with the use of custom made device (spacer or nail coating) might eradicate or reduce the infection and the risk of recolonization, providing a very high concentration of antibiotic. PMMA-based (Mendec Spine) composites with BaSO(4) were enriched with β-tricalcium phosphate (Porosectan-TCP) or only a slightly higher BaSO(4) concentration (Porosectan-BaSO(4)) to obtain higher porosity.

Lights and shadows concerning platelet products for musculoskeletal regeneration.

Various types of platelet (PLT) products, such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Gel (PG), derived from autologous peripheral blood, have been used for tissue repair. The good clinical outcomes, due mainly to their safety and Growth Factor (GF) content, have led to a wide use of PLT products in many fields of medicine. However, until now the existing literature adds controversies to the use of PLT concentrates.

Outcome of 47 consecutive sinus lift operations using aragonitic calcium carbonate associated with autologous platelet-rich plasma: clinical, histologic, and histomorphometrical evaluations.

Background: The reconstruction of the maxillary bone frequently represents a real challenge for maxillofacial surgeons especially regarding the best choice of a suitable material to produce the required bone augmentation.

Aim: In this study, we summarize our clinical experience on 47 sinus lifts with lateral approach using a mixture of aragonitic calcium carbonate and autologous platelet-rich plasma compared with that of a previous published study in which bovine bone (LADDEC) and autologous bone were used in 50 sinus lift operations (Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2005;43:309-313).

Materials And Methods: We subjected 34 patients to sinus lift operation, for a total of 47 sinus lifts, using natural coral as osteoconductive material.

Outcome of 50 consecutive sinus lift operations.

We report 50 patients who had sinus lift operations between 1995 and 1999 using different grafting materials [autologous bone, heterologous bone, and hydroxyapatite]. The casenote were analysed clinically (intraoperative and postoperative results and complications), radiographically (amount of augmented bone 6 months postoperatively), and histologically (quality of the new bone 12 months postoperatively). Our aim was to find out if the various bone grafting materials used resulted in different outcomes after adjustment for significant predictors.

Leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord: a light and ultrastructural description of one case.

A case of leiomyosarcoma arising in the spermatic cord is described. A 83-year-old man required medical care for an irreducible inguinal hernia. The patient underwent herniorraphy and transinguinal radical orchiectomy.

In vitro behaviour of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells cultured on fluorohydroxyapatite-coated substrata with different roughness.

Among ceramic materials, recent interest has been risen on fluorinated hydroxyapatites, which undergo slow in vivo degradation and offer a more stable interface for osseointegration and bone fixation. Apart from the information available on the chemistry, little is known of their biological properties and, more specifically, of their interaction with bone cells. The aim of the present study has been to investigate the behaviour and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells cultured on two substrata consisting of fluorohydroxyapatite (FHA)-coated titanium and characterised by different surface roughness.