A microporous surface containing SiN/Ta microparticles of PEKK exhibits both antibacterial and osteogenic activity for inducing cellular response and improving osseointegration.

As an implantable biomaterial, polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) exhibits good mechanical strength but it is biologically inert while tantalum (Ta) possesses outstanding osteogenic bioactivity but has a high density and elastic modulus. Also, silicon nitride (SN) has osteogenic and antibacterial activity. In this study, a microporous surface containing both SN and Ta microparticles on PEKK (STP) exhibiting excellent osteogenic and antibacterial activity was created by sulfonation.

Improvement of rBMSCs Responses to Poly(propylene carbonate) Based Biomaterial through Incorporation of Nanolaponite and Surface Treatment Using Sodium Hydroxide.

Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) has aroused extensive attention in the biomaterial field because of its excellent biocompatibility and appropriate degradability, but surface hydrophobicity and bioinertness limit its applications for bone repair and tissue engineering. In this study, a bioactive PPC/laponite (LAP) nanocomposite (PL) was prepared by a melt-blending method, and a microporous surface on PPC and PL (PT and PLT) was created by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment. The results demonstrated that the surface roughness, hydrophilicity, surface energy, and degradability as well as protein adsorption of PLT were obviously improved compared with PPC.

Silk-Inspired β-Peptide Materials Resist Fouling and the Foreign-Body Response.

The functions of implants like medical devices are often compromised by the host's foreign-body response (FBR). Herein, we report the development of low-FBR materials inspired by serine-rich sericin from silk. Poly-β-homoserine (β-HS) materials consist of the hydrophilic unnatural amino acid β-homoserine.

Incorporation of molybdenum disulfide into polyetheretherketone creating biocomposites with improved mechanical, tribological performances and cytocompatibility for artificial joints applications.

To improve mechanical, tribological and biological performances of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for artificial joints applications, molybdenum disulfide (MoS, MS) nanosheets were incorporated into PEEK to fabricate MS/PEEK biocomposites (MPC) with MS content of 4 w% (MPC4) and 8 w% (MPC8). The results revealed that the MS nanosheets with the size of about 400 nm and sheet thickness of about 70 nm were distributed into PEEK matrix, and surface roughness as well as hydrophilicity of MPC increased with the MS content increasing. Moreover, the compressive strength and shore hardness of the MPC were accordingly enhanced.

Influences of sodium tantalite submicro-particles in polyetheretherketone based composites on behaviors of rBMSCs/HGE-1 cells for dental application.

Dental implanted materials require excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility as well as integration with bone tissue and gingival tissue to achieve early loading and long-term stability. In this study, cubic shape sodium tantalite (ST) submicro-particles with the size of around 180 nm were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and ST/polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites (TPC) with ST content of 20 w% (TPC20) and 40 w% (TPC40) were prepared by melting blend. The results showed that the compressive strength, thermal properties, surface roughness, hydrophilicity and surface energy as well as adsorption of proteins on TPC40 were also significantly enhanced compared with TPC20 and PEEK.

Evaluation of absorbable hemostatic agents of polyelectrolyte complexes using carboxymethyl starch and chitosan oligosaccharide both in vitro and in vivo.

Absorbable hemostatic agents with a high hemostatic efficacy play an important role in surgical and severely traumatic hemostasis. In the present study, by applying polyelectrolyte assembly, polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), using carboxymethyl starch (CMS) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), with controllable physicochemical properties were prepared and optimized for hemorrhage control. Particle size, zeta potential, morphology and water absorption of the PECs with different CMS/COS ratios were systematically evaluated.

Stimulation of cell responses and bone ingrowth into macro-microporous implants of nano-bioglass/polyetheretherketone composite and enhanced antibacterial activity by release of hinokitiol.

Poor osteogenesis and bacterial infection lead to the failure of implants, thus enhancements of osteogenic activity and antibacterial activity of the implants have significances in orthopedic applications. In this study, macro-microporous bone implants of nano-bioglass (nBG) and polyetheretherketone (PK) composite (mBPC) were fabricated. The results indicated that the mBPC with the porosity of around 70% exhibited interconnected macropores (sizes of about 400 μm) and micropores (sizes of about 10 μm).

Lithium doped silica nanospheres/poly(dopamine) composite coating on polyetheretherketone to stimulate cell responses, improve bone formation and osseointegration.

Osseointegration is crucial for early fixation as well as long-term success of orthopedic implants. Bioactive composite containing lithium doping silica nanospheres (LSNs) and poly(dopamine) (PDA) were coated on polyetheretherketone (PK) surface (LPPK), and effects of the LSNs/PDA composite (LPC) coating on the biological properties of LPPK were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that LPPK with improved bioactivity remarkably promoted apatite mineralization in simulated body fluid (SBF) compared with PDA coated on PK (PPK) and PK.

Macro-mesoporous composites containing PEEK and mesoporous diopside as bone implants: characterization, in vitro mineralization, cytocompatibility, and vascularization potential and osteogenesis in vivo.

Bone implants of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) have become increasingly popular in the orthopedic field but its bioinertness and poor osteogenic properties significantly limit its applications for bone regeneration and osseointegration with host bone. In this study, by incorporation of mesoporous diopside (MD) into the PEEK matrix, macro-mesoporous PEEK/MD (PM) composites as bone implants with interconnected macropores of 300-400 μm were fabricated using the method of cold press-sintering and salt-leaching. The results showed that the compressive strength, porosity and water absorption of the porous PM composites significantly increased with an increase in the MD content.

Tuning of the surface biological behavior of poly(L-lactide)-based composites by the incorporation of polyelectrolyte complexes for bone regeneration.

Poly(L-lactide)(PLLA)-based composites have been widely used for tissue regeneration. Novel polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) consisted of carboxymethyl starch sodium (CMS) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) was fabricated and evaluated. The results suggested that the CMS/COS-PECs (CC-PECs) distinguished from the original polymers alone, presenting an amorphous structure.

Nanoporosity improved water absorption, in vitro degradability, mineralization, osteoblast responses and drug release of poly(butylene succinate)-based composite scaffolds containing nanoporous magnesium silicate compared with magnesium silicate.

Bioactive composite macroporous scaffold containing nanoporosity was prepared by incorporation of nanoporous magnesium silicate (NMS) into poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) using solvent casting-particulate leaching method. The results showed that the water absorption and in vitro degradability of NMS/PBSu composite (NMPC) scaffold significantly improved compared with magnesium silicate (MS)/PBSu composite (MPC) scaffold. In addition, the NMPC scaffold showed improved apatite mineralization ability, indicating better bioactivity, as the NMPC containing nanoporosity could induce more apatite and homogeneous apatite layer on the surfaces than MPC scaffold.

Influences of mesoporous zinc-calcium silicate on water absorption, degradability, antibacterial efficacy, hemostatic performances and cell viability to microporous starch based hemostat.

Efficacious hemostatic agents have significant potential application in visceral organ or large vessel arterial injure. In this study, mesoporous zinc-calcium silicate (m-ZCS) was synthesized, and microporous starch (MS) based hemostatic agents of m-ZCS/MS composites for hemorrhage control was fabricated. The results showed that the incorporation of m-ZCS into MS significantly enhanced the water absorption and degradability of the composites, which were dependent on the m-ZCS content.

Osseointegration of nanohydroxyapatite- or nano-calcium silicate-incorporated polyetheretherketone bioactive composites in vivo.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) exhibits appropriate biomechanical strength as well as good biocompatibility and stable chemical properties but lacks bioactivity and cannot achieve highly efficient osseointegration after implantation. Incorporating bioceramics into the PEEK matrix is a feasible approach for improving its bioactivity. In this study, nanohydroxyapatite (n-HA) and nano-calcium silicate (n-CS) were separately incorporated into PEEK to prepare n-HA/PEEK and n-CS/PEEK biocomposites, respectively, using a compounding and injection-molding technique, and the in vitro degradation characteristics were evaluated.

In vitro degradability, bioactivity and primary cell responses to bone cements containing mesoporous magnesium-calcium silicate and calcium sulfate for bone regeneration.

Mesoporous calcium sulfate-based bone cements (m-CSBC) were prepared by introducing mesoporous magnesium-calcium silicate (m-MCS) with specific surface area (410.9 m² g(-1)) and pore volume (0.8 cm³ g(-1)) into calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH).

Improvement of bioactivity, degradability, and cytocompatibility of biocement by addition of mesoporous magnesium silicate into sodium-magnesium phosphate cement.

A novel mesoporous magnesium-based cement (MBC) was fabricated by using the mixed powders of magnesium oxide, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, and mesoporous magnesium silicate (m-MS). The results indicate that the setting time and water absorption of the MBC increased as a function of increasing m-MS content, while compressive strength decreased. In addition, the degradability of the MBC in a solution of Tris-HCl and the ability of apatite formation on the MBC were significantly improved with the increase in m-MS content.

Biocompatibility, degradability, bioactivity and osteogenesis of mesoporous/macroporous scaffolds of mesoporous diopside/poly(L-lactide) composite.

Bioactive mesoporous diopside (m-DP) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) composite scaffolds with mesoporous/macroporous structure were prepared by the solution-casting and particulate-leaching method. The results demonstrated that the degradability and bioactivity of the mesoporous/macroporous scaffolds were significantly improved by incorporating m-DP into PLLA, and that the improvement was m-DP content-dependent. In addition, the scaffolds containing m-DP showed the ability to neutralize acidic degradation products and prevent the pH from dropping in the solution during the soaking period.

Preparation, characterization, and in vitro osteoblast functions of a nano-hydroxyapatite/polyetheretherketone biocomposite as orthopedic implant material.

A bioactive composite was prepared by incorporating 40 wt% nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) into polyetheretherketone (PEEK) through a process of compounding, injection, and molding. The mechanical and surface properties of the nHA/PEEK composite were characterized, and the in vitro osteoblast functions in the composite were investigated. The mechanical properties (elastic modulus and compressive strength) of the nHA/PEEK composite increased significantly, while the tensile strength decreased slightly as compared with PEEK.

Development of nanofluorapatite polymer-based composite for bioactive orthopedic implants and prostheses.

Fluorapatite with low solubility is a promising biomaterial due to its structure, which is similar to hydroxyapatite. In this study a bioactive composite of nanofluorapatite (n-FA) and polyamide 12 (PA12) was fabricated. The results revealed that the mechanical properties (such as compressive strength and elastic modulus), hydrophilicity, and antibacterial properties of n-FA/PA12 composite were obviously improved by adding n-FA into PA12 as compared with PA12.

Preparation, characterization, in vitro bioactivity, and cellular responses to a polyetheretherketone bioactive composite containing nanocalcium silicate for bone repair.

In this study, a nanocalcium silicate (n-CS)/polyetheretherketone (PEEK) bioactive composite was prepared using a process of compounding and injection-molding. The mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and in vitro bioactivity of the composite, as well as the cellular responses of MC3T3-E1 cells (attachment, proliferation, spreading, and differentiation) to the composite, were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of the composites were significantly improved by the addition of n-CS to PEEK.

In vitro degradability, bioactivity and cell responses to mesoporous magnesium silicate for the induction of bone regeneration.

Mesoporous magnesium silicate (m-MS) was synthesized, and the in vitro degradability, bioactivity and primary cell responses to m-MS were investigated. The results suggested that the m-MS with mesoporous channels of approximately 5nm possessed the high specific surface area of 451.0m(2)/g and a large specific pore volume of 0.

Preparation and properties of BSA-loaded microspheres based on multi-(amino acid) copolymer for protein delivery.

A multi-(amino acid) copolymer (MAC) based on ω-aminocaproic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, L-alanine, L-lysine, L-glutamate, and hydroxyproline was synthetized, and MAC microspheres encapsulating bovine serum albumin (BSA) were prepared by a double-emulsion solvent extraction method. The experimental results show that various preparation parameters including surfactant ratio of Tween 80 to Span 80, surfactant concentration, benzyl alcohol in the external water phase, and polymer concentration had obvious effects on the particle size, morphology, and encapsulation efficiency of the BSA-loaded microspheres. The sizes of BSA-loaded microspheres ranged from 60.

Tissue engineering scaffolds of mesoporous magnesium silicate and poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) composite.

Mesoporous magnesium silicate (m-MS) and poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL) composite scaffolds were fabricated by solvent-casting and particulate leaching method. The results suggested that the incorporation of m-MS into PCL-PEG-PCL could significantly improve the water adsorption of the m-MS/PCL-PEG-PCL composite (m-MPC) scaffolds. The in vitro degradation behavior of m-MPC scaffolds were determined by testing weight loss of the scaffolds after soaking into phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and the result showed that the degradation of m-MPC scaffolds was obviously enhanced by addition of m-MS into PCL-PEG-PCL after soaking for 10 weeks.