New Generation of Osteoinductive and Antimicrobial Polycaprolactone-Based Scaffolds in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Review.

With respect to other fields, bone tissue engineering has significantly expanded in recent years, leading not only to relevant advances in biomedical applications but also to innovative perspectives. Polycaprolactone (PCL), produced in the beginning of the 1930s, is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. Due to its mechanical and physicochemical features, as well as being easily shapeable, PCL-based constructs can be produced with different shapes and degradation kinetics.

Is Silver Addition to Scaffolds Based on Polycaprolactone Blended with Calcium Phosphates Able to Inhibit and Adhesion and Biofilm Formation?

spp. periprosthetic joint infections are rare but difficult-to-treat events, with a slow onset, unspecific symptoms or signs, and a significant relapse risk. Treatment with antifungals meets with little success, whereas prosthesis removal improves the outcome.

Tuning of Silver Content on the Antibacterial and Biological Properties of Poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/Biphasic Calcium Phosphate 3D-Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering.

There is a growing interest in tissue engineering, in which biomaterials play a pivotal role in promoting bone regeneration. Furthermore, smart functionalization can provide biomaterials with the additional role of preventing orthopedic infections. Due to the growing microbial resistance to antimicrobials used to treat those infections, metal ions, such as silver, thanks to their known wide range of bactericidal properties, are believed to be promising additives in developing antibacterial biomaterials.

Combination of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Biomaterials and Essential Oils to Achieve Anti-Bacterial and Osteo-Proliferative Properties for 3D-Scaffolds in Regenerative Medicine.

Biomedical implants, an essential part of the medical treatments, still suffer from bacterial infections that hamper patients' recovery and lives. Antibiotics are widely used to cure those infections but brought antibiotic resistance. Essential oils (EOs) demonstrate excellent antimicrobial activity and low resistance development risk.

DLP Fabrication of Zirconia Scaffolds Coated with HA/β-TCP Layer: Role of Scaffold Architecture on Mechanical and Biological Properties.

In order to merge high-mechanical properties and suitable bioactivity in a single scaffold, zirconia porous structures are here coated with a hydroxyapatite layer. The digital light processing (DLP) technique is used to fabricate two types of scaffolds: simple lattice structures, with different sizes between struts (750, 900 and 1050 µm), and more complex trabecular ones, these latter designed to better mimic the bone structure. Mechanical tests performed on samples sintered at 1400 °C provided a linear trend with a decrease in the compressive strength by increasing the porosity amount, achieving compressive strengths ranging between 128-177 MPa for lattice scaffolds and 34 MPa for trabecular ones.

Novel Silver-Functionalized Poly(ε-Caprolactone)/Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds Designed to Counteract Post-Surgical Infections in Orthopedic Applications.

In this study, we designed and developed novel poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based biomaterials, for use as bone scaffolds, through modification with both biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), to impart bioactive/bioresorbable properties, and with silver nitrate, to provide antibacterial protection against , a microorganism involved in prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed that the samples were characterized by square-shaped macropores, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of PCL and BCP phases, while inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) established the release of Ag in the medium (~0.15-0.

Controlling osteoblast morphology and proliferation via surface micro-topographies of implant biomaterials.

Current research on surface modifications has yielded advanced implant biomaterials. Various implant surface modifications have been shown to be promising in improving bone target cell response, but more comprehensive studies whether certain implant surface modifications can directly target cell behavioural features such as morphogenesis and proliferation are needed. Here, we studied the response of primary alveolar bone cells on various implant surface modifications in terms of osteoblast morphology and proliferation in vitro.

Role of Natural Stone Wastes and Minerals in the Alkali Activation Process: A Review.

This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment concerning alkali activation of natural stone wastes and minerals. In particular, the structure of the review is divided into two main sections in which the works dealing with alumino-silicate and carbonatic stones are discussed, respectively. Alumino-silicate stones are generally composed of quartz and feldspars, while carbonatic stones are mainly made of calcite and dolomite.

Novel calcium phosphate/PCL graded samples: Design and development in view of biomedical applications.

Scaffolds for bone tissue engineering require a combination of bioactivity and bioresorption at the sample surface and high mechanical properties in the bulk. This work presents a novel calcium phosphate (CaP)/polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with graded composition and porosity fraction. The scaffold is made of (i) a dense hydroxyapatite (HA)/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) core, (ii) a macroporous HA/β-TCP transition layer and (iii) a macroporous PCL/(HA/β-TCP) external layer.

Cellular transcriptional response to zirconia-based implant materials.

Objective: To adequately address clinically important issues such as osseointegration and soft tissue integration, we screened for the direct biological cell response by culturing human osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts on novel zirconia-based dental implant biomaterials and subjecting them to transcriptional analysis.

Methods: Biomaterials used for osteoblasts involved micro-roughened surfaces made of a new type of ceria-stabilized zirconia composite with two different topographies, zirconium dioxide, and yttria-stabilized zirconia (control). For fibroblasts smooth ceria- and yttria-stabilized zirconia surface were used.

Towards long lasting zirconia-based composites for dental implants: Transformation induced plasticity and its consequence on ceramic reliability.

Unlabelled: Zirconia-based composites were developed through an innovative processing route able to tune compositional and microstructural features very precisely. Fully-dense ceria-stabilized zirconia ceramics (84vol% Ce-TZP) containing equiaxed alumina (8vol%AlO) and elongated strontium hexa-aluminate (8vol% SrAlO) second phases were obtained by conventional sintering. This work deals with the effect of the zirconia stabilization degree (CeO in the range 10.

Environmentally-Friendly Dense and Porous Geopolymers Using Fly Ash and Rice Husk Ash as Raw Materials.

This paper assesses the feasibility of two industrial wastes, fly ash (FA) and rice husk ash (RHA), as raw materials for the production of geopolymeric pastes. Three typologies of samples were thus produced: (i) halloysite activated with potassium hydroxide and nanosilica, used as the reference sample (HL-S); (ii) halloysite activated with rice husk ash dissolved into KOH solution (HL-R); (iii) FA activated with the alkaline solution realized with the rice husk ash (FA-R). Dense and porous samples were produced and characterized in terms of mechanical properties and environmental impact.

Role of structural barriers for carotenoid bioaccessibility upon high pressure homogenization.

A specific approach to investigate the effect of high pressure homogenization on the carotenoid bioaccessibility in tomato-based products was developed. Six different tomato-based model systems were reconstituted in order to target the specific role of the natural structural barriers (chromoplast substructure/cell wall) and of the phases (soluble/insoluble) in determining the carotenoid bioaccessibility and viscosity changes upon high pressure homogenization. Results indicated that in the absence of natural structural barriers (carotenoid enriched oil), the soluble and insoluble phases determined the carotenoid bioaccessibility upon processing whereas, in their presence, these barriers governed the bioaccessibility.

Microbial adhesion on novel yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) implant surfaces with nitrogen-doped hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H:N) coatings.

Objectives: Biomaterial surfaces are at high risk for initial microbial colonization, persistence, and concomitant infection. The rationale of this study was to assess the initial adhesion on novel implant surfaces of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans upon incubation.

Materials And Methods: The tested samples were 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) samples with nitrogen-doped hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H:N) coating (A) and 3Y-TZP samples coated with ceria-stabilized zirconia-based (Ce-TZP) composite and a-C:H:N (B).

Structural Ceramic Nanocomposites: A Review of Properties and Powders' Synthesis Methods.

Ceramic nanocomposites are attracting growing interest, thanks to new processing methods enabling these materials to go from the research laboratory scale to the commercial level. Today, many different types of nanocomposite structures are proposed in the literature; however, to fully exploit their exceptional properties, a deep understanding of the materials' behavior across length scales is necessary. In fact, knowing how the nanoscale structure influences the bulk properties enables the design of increasingly performing composite materials.

Towards long lasting zirconia-based composites for dental implants. Part I: innovative synthesis, microstructural characterization and in vitro stability.

In order to fulfill the clinical requirements for strong, tough and stable ceramics used in dental applications, we designed and developed innovative zirconia-based composites, in which equiaxial α-Al2O3 and elongated SrAl12O19 phases are dispersed in a ceria-stabilized zirconia matrix. The composite powders were prepared by an innovative surface coating route, in which commercial zirconia powders were coated by inorganic precursors of the second phases, which crystallize on the zirconia particles surface under proper thermal treatment. Samples containing four different ceria contents (in the range 10.

Al₂O₃/ZrO₂/Y₃Al₅O Composites: A High-Temperature Mechanical Characterization.

An Al₂O₃/5 vol%·ZrO₂/5 vol%·Y₃Al₅O (YAG) tri-phase composite was manufactured by surface modification of an alumina powder with inorganic precursors of the second phases. The bulk materials were produced by die-pressing and pressureless sintering at 1500 °C, obtaining fully dense, homogenous samples, with ultra-fine ZrO₂ and YAG grains dispersed in a sub-micronic alumina matrix. The high temperature mechanical properties were investigated by four-point bending tests up to 1500 °C, and the grain size stability was assessed by observing the microstructural evolution of the samples heat treated up to 1700 °C.

Enzymatic cell wall degradation of high-pressure-homogenized tomato puree and its effect on lycopene bioaccessibility.

Background: High-pressure homogenization disrupts cell structures, assisting carotenoid release from the matrix and subsequent micellarization. However, lycopene bioaccessibility of tomato puree upon high-pressure homogenization is limited by the formation of a process-induced barrier. In this context, cell wall-degrading enzymes were applied to hydrolyze the formed barrier and enhance lycopene bioaccessibility.

Co-Precipitation of YAG Powders for Transparent Materials: Effect of the Synthesis Parameters on Processing and Microstructure.

The fabrication of transparent polycrystalline Y₃Al₅O (YAG) is still a challenge, requiring the achievement of highly pure and fully dense, homogeneous materials. An important role is played by the powder characteristics: pure, fine and unagglomerated powders are essential for achieving full density and the required microstructural features. Keeping in mind these requirements, the aim of this work was to investigate the role of different synthesis parameters during co-precipitation, which is widely used to prepare YAG powders for transparent devices.

Lycopene and β-carotene transfer to oil and micellar phases during in vitro digestion of tomato and red carrot based-fractions.

The natural structural barriers (i.e. chromoplast substructure and cell wall) in conjunction with the carotenoid hydrophobicity were investigated as factors that may play a role governing the carotenoid transfer efficiency from the tomato and red carrot matrices into the oil and micellar phases during digestion.

Surface Coating of Oxide Powders: A New Synthesis Method to Process Biomedical Grade Nano-Composites.

Composite and nanocomposite ceramics have achieved special interest in recent years when used for biomedical applications. They have demonstrated, in some cases, increased performance, reliability, and stability , with respect to pure monolithic ceramics. Current research aims at developing new compositions and architectures to further increase their properties.

Issues in nanocomposite ceramic engineering: focus on processing and properties of alumina-based composites.

Ceramic nanocomposites, containing at least one phase in the nanometric dimension, have received special interest in recent years. They have, in fact, demonstrated increased performance, reliability and lifetime with respect to monolithic ceramics. However, a successful approach to the production of tailored composite nanostructures requires the development of innovative concepts at each step of manufacturing, from the synthesis of composite nanopowders, to their processing and sintering.

Role of carotenoid type on the effect of thermal processing on bioaccessibility.

Cell walls and chromoplast substructures constitute natural structural barriers governing carotenoid bioaccessibility. In order to enhance carotenoid bioaccessibility, thermal processes were applied to fractions surrounded by different levels of structural barriers. The matrices studied were orange carrots, red carrots, red tomatoes and atomic red carrots.

Optimized Slurries for Spray Drying: Different Approaches to Obtain Homogeneous and Deformable Alumina-Zirconia Granules.

Spray drying is widely used for producing granulated feed materials for compaction process, which is the current industrial method for manufacturing alumina-zirconia femoral heads. The optimization of the granules compaction behavior requires the control of the slurry rheology. Moreover, for a dual-phase ceramic suspension, the even phase distribution has to be kept through the atomization step.