BMSCs-laden mechanically reinforced bioactive sodium alginate composite hydrogel microspheres for minimally invasive bone repair.

Minimally invasive, efficient, and satisfactory treatment for irregular and lacunar bone defects is still a challenge. Alginate hydrogels serve as promising stem cell (SC) delivery systems for bone regeneration but are limited by low cellular viability, poor osteogenic differentiation, and insufficient mechanical support. Herein, we developed a BMSCs-laden mechanically reinforced bioactive sodium alginate composite hydrogel microspheres (BCHMs) system via a microfluidic method that possesses 1) a uniform size and good injectability to meet clinical bone defects with complex shapes, 2) high cellular viability maintenance and further osteogenic induction capacity, and 3) improved mechanical properties.

Preparation and physicochemical characterization of whitlockite/PVA/Gelatin composite for bone tissue regeneration.

This work used a straightforward solvent casting approach to synthesize bone whitlockite (WH) based PVA/Gelatin composites. WH nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using the wet precipitation method, followed by their addition into the PVA/Gelatin matrix at concentrations from 1% to 10%. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared PVA/Gelatin/WH composite was carried out using ATR-FTIR, Optical profilometry, a Goniometer, a Universal tensile testing machine (UTM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.

Novel cytotoxicity study of strontium (Sr) doped iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles aided with ibuprofen for drug delivery applications.

This work is aimed at studying the drug delivery applications of iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles with strontium (Sr) doping with varying molar ratios prepared by the co-precipitation route. The impact of increased strontium content on the particle size and magnetic properties was investigated. The impending of these nanoparticles for drug loading, drug release, and their respective cytotoxicity was also inspected.

Advances in Gelatin Bioinks to Optimize Bioprinted Cell Functions.

Gelatin is a widely utilized bioprinting biomaterial due to its cell-adhesive and enzymatically cleavable properties, which improve cell adhesion and growth. Gelatin is often covalently cross-linked to stabilize bioprinted structures, yet the covalently cross-linked matrix is unable to recapitulate the dynamic microenvironment of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), thereby limiting the functions of bioprinted cells. To some extent, a double network bioink can provide a more ECM-mimetic, bioprinted niche for cell growth.

Novel Method for the Production of Titanium Foams to Reduce Stress Shielding in Implants.

Titanium foams have potential applications in orthopedic and dental implants because of their low elastic modulus and good bone in-growth properties. In the present study, a novel method for the preparation of three-dimensional interconnected microporous titanium foams has been developed. This method is based on the insertion of a filler metal into the titanium metal by arc melting, followed by its removal by an electrochemical dealloying process for the development of foams.

Emerging Methods in Biosensing of Immunoglobin G-A Review.

Human antibodies are produced due to the activation of immune system components upon exposure to an external agent or antigen. Human antibody G, or immunoglobin G (IgG), accounts for 75% of total serum antibody content. IgG controls several infections by eradicating disease-causing pathogens from the body through complementary interactions with toxins.

Effects of L-valine in layer diets containing 0.72% isoleucine.

In a previous study with LSL-LITE layers (-23 to 30-week-old), isoleucine at 0.72% and 0.84% produced values for FCR at 1.

Liquid Crystal Based Binding Assay for Detecting HIV-1 Surface Glycoprotein.

Surface protein gp-120 of HIV-1 virus plays an important role in the infection of HIV-1, but detection of gp-120 during the early stage of infection is very difficult. Herein, we report a binding bioassay based on an RNA aptamer B40t77, which binds specifically to gp-120. The bioassay is built upon a hydrophobic glass slide with surface immobilized gp-120.

Detection of lead in soil implying sample heating and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

The emission line intensities enhancement and sensitivity of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been a subject of great interest for the last several years to improve the detection of the trace elements in soil and other environmental samples. Among several other methodologies, LIBS of the heated targets is emerging as one of the effective techniques to achieve the objective. We have investigated the effect of target heating (room temperature, 100°C, and 200°C) on the emission enhancement and plasma parameters of the laser-produced plasma on the soil sample containing 80 ppm lead.

Synthesis, Characterization and Process Optimization of Bone Whitlockite.

Whitlockite, being the second most abundant bio-mineral in living bone, finds huge applications in tissue regeneration and implants and its synthesis into its pure form has remained a challenge. Although precipitation of whitlockite phase has been reported recently in many publications, effects of various parameters to control such phase as well as conditions for the bulk preparation of this extremely important bio-mineral have not been investigated so far. In this work, we report the precipitation of pure whitlockite phase using common precursors.

Preparation of PBS/PLLA/HAP Composites by the Solution Casting Method: Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility.

The use of biodegradable polymeric scaffolds for tissue regeneration is becoming a common practice in the clinic. Therefore, an inclined trend is developing with regards to improving the mechanical properties of these scaffolds. Here, we aim to improve the mechanical properties of poly (butylene succinate) (PBS)/poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) blends by incorporating hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP) in the blends to form composites.

Elemental composition analysis of granite rocks using LIBS and LA-TOF-MS.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the raw granite rocks acquired from deposits in the Hunza district, Gilgit area of Pakistan were studied using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-TOF-MS). The optical emission spectra of the granite rocks used in artificial jewelry and for flooring tiles show the emission lines of (Si, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Al, Na, and Li) and (Si, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Al, Ti, Na, Ba, and Li), respectively. The mass spectra of these granite rocks were also studied with the LA-TOF-MS, revealing analogous elemental compositions.

UV-irradiated parylene surfaces for proliferation and differentiation of PC-12 cells.

PC-12 cells originate from neuroblastic cells, which have an ability to differentiate into neuronlike cells. In this work, the purpose was to estimate the influence of microenvironments on cell attachment and neuritogenesis capacity of PC-12 cells on parylene-N and parylene-C films with and without ultraviolet (UV) light treatment. The estimate of total cell number after incubation for 72h, the ratio of adherent to suspended cells, counting of neurite outgrowths on parylene-N or parylene-C films after UV exposure suggested that these films were suitable for proliferation as well as differentiation of PC-12 cells.