VCAM-1 targeted nanocarriers of shRNA-Smad3 mitigate endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition triggered by high glucose concentrations and osteogenic factors in valvular endothelial cells.

Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) of valvular endothelial cells (VEC) is a key process in the development and progression of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). High expression of the Smad3 transcription factor is crucial in the transition process. We hypothesize that silencing Smad3 could hinder EndMT and provide a novel treatment for CAVD.

Fine-Scale Haplotype Mapping Reveals an Association of the Gene with Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women.

Introduction: The Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated () gene encodes a demethylase, which modulates RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and plays a regulatory role in adipocyte differentiation and the pathogenesis of human obesity.

Methods: To understand the potential role of in osteoporosis (OP), we investigated five single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in intron 1 (rs8057044, rs8050136, rs9939609, rs62033406, and rs9930506) of the gene, and a missense SNV i.e.

Photo-crosslinked chitosan-gelatin xerogel-like coating onto "cold" plasma functionalized poly(lactic acid) film as cell culture support.

This paper reports on biofunctionalisation of a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) film by surface activation through cold plasma treatment followed by coating with a chitosan-gelatin xerogel. The UV cross-linking of the xerogel precursor was simultaneously performed with the fixation onto the PLA support. This has a strong effect on surface properties, in terms of wettability, surface free energy, morphology and micromechanical features.

Osteoblast responsive biosilica-enriched gelatin microfibrillar microenvironments.

Engineering of scaffolds for bone regeneration is often inspired by the native extracellular matrix mimicking its composite fibrous structure. In the present study, we used low loadings of diatomite earth (DE) biosilica to improve the bone regeneration potential of gelatin electrospun fibrillar microenvironments. We explored the effect of increasing the DE content from 1 % to 3 % and 5 %, respectively, on the physico-chemical properties of the fibrous scaffolds denoted FG_DE1, FG_DE3, FG_DE5, regarding the aqueous media affinity, stability under simulated physiological conditions, morphology characteristics, and local mechanical properties at the surface.

New 3D Printed Scaffolds Based on Walstromite Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method.

This study explores the potential utilization of walstromite (BaCaSiO) as a foundational material for creating new bioceramics in the form of scaffolds through 3D printing technology. To achieve this objective, this study investigates the chemical-mineralogical, morphological, and structural characteristics, as well as the biological properties, of walstromite-based bioceramics. The precursor mixture for walstromite synthesis is prepared through the sol-gel method, utilizing pure reagents.

Tri-Component Hydrogel as Template for Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite Deposition Using Alternate Soaking Method for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications.

Composite hydrogels containing apatite-like particles can act as scaffolds for osteoblast proliferation, with applications in bone tissue engineering. In this respect, porous biocompatible hydrogels were obtained from chitosan, oxidized pullulan, and PVA in different ratios. The stability of the hydrogels was ensured both by covalent bonds between aldehyde groups of oxidized pullulan and free amino groups of chitosan, and by physical bonds formed during freeze-thaw cycles and lyophilization.

Biomimetic Nanocarriers of Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators for Resolution of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis (ATH) is a systemic disease characterized by a chronic inflammatory process and lipid deposition in the arterial walls. The chronic inflammation within ATH lesions results, at least in part, from the failed resolution of inflammation. This process is controlled actively by specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), namely lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins.

Nanocarriers of shRNA-Runx2 directed to collagen IV as a nanotherapeutic system to target calcific aortic valve disease.

Runx2 is a key transcription factor involved in valvular interstitial cells (VIC) osteodifferentiation, a process actively entwined with the calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). We hypothesize that a strategy intended to silence Runx2 could be a valuable novel therapeutic option for CAVD. To this intent, we aimed at (i) developing targeted nanoparticles for efficient delivery of short hairpin (sh)RNA sequences specific for Runx2 to the aortic valve employing a relevant mouse model for CAVD and (ii) investigate their therapeutic potential in osteoblast-differentiated VIC (oVIC) cultivated into a 3D scaffold.

New Mesoporous Silica Materials Loaded with Polyphenols: Caffeic Acid, Ferulic Acid and p-Coumaric Acid as Dietary Supplements for Oral Administration.

In this study, two types of mesoporous silica with different pore structures and volumes were synthesized by the soft-templating method. The two types of mesoporous silica, type MCM-41 and MCM-48, were loaded with three polyphenols-caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and trans-ferulic acid-in the same ratio of mesoporous silica:polyphenol (1:0.4 /).

Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles in the SiO-PO-CaO-MO (M=Mg, Zn) System: Synthesis and Properties.

Mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) are widely recognized for their ability to bond to hard tissue, while the ions released from the BG structure enhance specific cellular pathways. In this study, the SiO-PO-CaO-MgO-ZnO system was used to successfully synthesize MBGNs by a microemulsion-assisted sol-gel method. The MBGNs calcinated at 600 °C/3 h had a typical phosphosilicate structure together with a poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAp).

3D Printed Composite Scaffolds of GelMA and Hydroxyapatite Nanopowders Doped with Mg/Zn Ions to Evaluate the Expression of Genes and Proteins of Osteogenic Markers.

As bone diseases and defects are constantly increasing, the improvement of bone regeneration techniques is constantly evolving. The main purpose of this scientific study was to obtain and investigate biomaterials that can be used in tissue engineering. In this respect, nanocomposite inks of GelMA modified with hydroxyapatite (HA) substituted with Mg and Zn were developed.

Processing of Calcium Magnesium Silicates by the Sol-Gel Route.

In this work, calcium magnesium silicate ceramics were processed through the sol-gel method in order to study the crystalline and morphological properties of the resulting materials in correlation with the compositional and thermal parameters. Tetraethyl orthosilicate and calcium/magnesium nitrates were employed as sources of cations, in ratios specific to diopside, akermanite and merwinite; they were further subjected to gelation, calcination (600 °C) and thermal treatments at different temperatures (800, 1000 and 1300 °C). The properties of the intermediate and final materials were investigated by thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement.

Folic acid-decorated PEGylated magnetite nanoparticles as efficient drug carriers to tumor cells overexpressing folic acid receptor.

The improved drug delivery systems (DDS) are needed for the targeted delivery of their therapeutic cargo (biologically active protein/peptide molecules, nucleic acids, vaccines, etc.) to diseased cells. Thus, we aimed to develop magnetite nanoparticles (FeO), stabilized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and decorated (surface-functionalized) with folic acid (FA) (FeO@PEG@FA) to ensure targeted internalization in cells expressing the folic acid receptors (FR).

Antitumor Properties of a New Macrocyclic Tetranuclear Oxidovanadium(V) Complex with 3-Methoxysalicylidenvaline Ligand.

A wide variety of metal-based compounds have been obtained and studied for their antitumor activity since the intensely used cytostatic drugs (e.g., cisplatin) failed to accomplish their expected pharmacological properties.

Mesoporous Silica Materials Loaded with Gallic Acid with Antimicrobial Potential.

This paper aimed to develop two types of support materials with a mesoporous structure of mobile crystalline matter (known in the literature as MCM, namely MCM-41 and MCM-48) and to load them with gallic acid. Soft templating methodology was chosen for the preparation of the mesoporous structures-the cylindrical micelles with certain structural characteristics being formed due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic intermolecular forces which occur between the molecules of the surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-CTAB) when a minimal micellar ionic concentration is reached. These mesoporous supports were loaded with gallic acid using three different types of MCM-gallic acid ratios (1:0.

Bio-Responsive Carriers for Controlled Delivery of Doxorubicin to Cancer Cells.

The cellular internalization of drug carriers occurs via different endocytic pathways that ultimately involve the endosomes and the lysosomes, organelles where the pH value drops to 6.0 and 5.0, respectively.

VCAM-1 Targeted Lipopolyplexes as Vehicles for Efficient Delivery of shRNA-Runx2 to Osteoblast-Differentiated Valvular Interstitial Cells; Implications in Calcific Valve Disease Treatment.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a progressive inflammatory disorder characterized by extracellular matrix remodeling and valvular interstitial cells (VIC) osteodifferentiation leading to valve leaflets calcification and impairment movement. Runx2, the master transcription factor involved in VIC osteodifferentiation, modulates the expression of other osteogenic molecules. Previously, we have demonstrated that the osteoblastic phenotypic shift of cultured VIC is impeded by Runx2 silencing using fullerene (C60)-polyethyleneimine (PEI)/short hairpin (sh)RNA-Runx2 (shRunx2) polyplexes.

Study of Wear Phenomenon of a Dental Milling Cutter by Statistical-Mathematical Modeling Based on the Experimental Results.

The wear phenomenon of a dental milling cutter is studied based on experimental results and data and validated by statistical-mathematical modeling. The results of the statistical-mathematical modeling by the interpolation of the experimental results (data) regarding the wear of the dental milling cutter analyzed and obtained in the work process are presented in this paper. These results (data) are important because they lead to polynomial functions which by interpolation approximate very well the dependent parameter, specifically the wear process (mass lost due to dental milling cutter wear, ), considered in the experimental program.

3D Printable Composite Biomaterials Based on GelMA and Hydroxyapatite Powders Doped with Cerium Ions for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

The main objective was to produce 3D printable hydrogels based on GelMA and hydroxyapatite doped with cerium ions with potential application in bone regeneration. The first part of the study regards the substitution of Ca ions from hydroxyapatite structure with cerium ions (CaCe(PO)(OH), xCe = 0.1, 0.

Bisphenol A Adsorption on Silica Particles Modified with Beta-Cyclodextrins.

This study presents the synthesis of silica particles bearing two beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) (beta-cyclodextrin-BCD-OH and diamino butane monosubstituted beta-cyclodextrin-BCD-NH). The successful synthesis of the BCD-modified silica was confirmed by FT-IR and TGA. Using contact angle measurements, BET analysis and SEM characterization, a possible formation mechanism for the generation of silica particles bearing BCD derivatives on their surface was highlighted.

Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO(MgO)-CaO-SiO-PO Bioglass Obtained by Sol-Gel Method in Presence of Surfactant Agent.

Bioglass (BG) is a class of biomaterials increasingly approached in biomedical applications, such as in regeneration of hard tissues, due to the properties of bioactivity, osteoinductivity, osteoconductivity, but also the high rate of biodegradation, both in vitro and in vivo. The present paper addresses the obtaining of bioglasses from the ZnO(MgO)-CaO-SiO-PO system by the sol-gel method and the use of a surfactant to ensure a specific surface or high open porosity, starting from S53P4 bioglass (53% SiO, 23% NaO, 20% CaO, 4% PO), also known as BoneAlive. The precursor powders were analyzed from the phase composition point of view by complex thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction, the vitreous powders were assessed from the compositional point of view by X-ray diffraction, morpho-structural by scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area and the pore size dimension by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, dispersion by laser granulometry, and also cell biology and surface mineralization tests were performed by immersion in SBF (simulated body fluid).

Synthesis of High-Performance CSA Cements as Low Carbon OPC Alternative.

Starting from natural raw materials, cements based calcium sulphoaluminate (CSA) clinkers have been successfully obtained as an eco-friendly alternative to ordinary Portland cement. CSA-based cements with ye'elimite as the main phase have been produced over the years and are widely used today. In this regard, the present paper considers the study of hydration processes for CSA pastes prepared with a water/cement ratio of 0.

Coatings Based on Phosphate Cements for Fire Protection of Steel Structures.

Fire events in buildings can cause losses to human life and important material damage, therefore a great deal of attention is paid nowadays to fire prevention. Buildings based on steel structures are especially affected in the event of a fire, due to the important loss of load-bearing capability when steel is heated at temperatures higher than 500 °C. Therefore, one possible method to mitigate the deleterious effect of fire is to protect steel structures from direct heating by applying protective coatings.

The Solidification/Stabilization of Wastewater (From a Landfill Leachate) in Specially Designed Binders Based on Coal Ash.

The aim of this study is to assess the possibility to solidify/stabilize a liquid waste from a municipal waste landfill using binders based on coal ash (fly ash and bottom ash) and specially designed cements for waste treatment (INERCEM). The leaching test proved that all cementitious systems are efficient for the solidification/stabilization of the studied wastes and can reduce the leaching potential of heavy metals present in both liquid waste and coal ash. Therefore, these wastes cease to be a source of environmental pollution.