Publications by authors named "Walboomers X"

Graphene-based materials (GBMs) hold strong promise to restore the spinal cord microenvironment and promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Nanocomposites consisting of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and adipose tissue-derived extracellular matrix (adECM) are known to promote neuronal growth in vitro and to evoke a biocompatible response in vivo when implanted on top of the intact spinal cord. In this study, pristine adECM and adECM-rGO nanocomposites are implanted directly after hemisection SCI in rats.

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Background: Tooth wear is the loss of dental hard tissue due to chemical and mechanical processes, and its prevalence ranges from 13 to 80 % in the general population. Management depends on understanding potential risk factors; however, the role of saliva as one of them is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between salivary pH and flow, and tooth wear in patients referred to a specialized dental clinic for tooth wear management.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Emerging research highlights that osteoclasts (OCs) have important roles in both bone formation and regeneration, beyond their traditional function of bone resorption, but their lifecycle and characteristics are still not fully understood.
  • - Osteoclasts originate from osteoclast precursors (OCPs) derived from erythromyeloid progenitors (EMPs) during embryonic development and shift to being primarily sourced from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) postnatally, with their absence leading to serious bone structure issues.
  • - The paper also discusses the challenges in isolating pure OC cultures and understanding their in vivo functions, as they interact closely with the immune system and blood vessels, and it offers insights into OCP
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Treating bone infections with common antibiotics is challenging, since pathogens like can reside inside macrophages. To target these intracellular bacteria, we have proposed nanoparticles (NPs) as drug carriers. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of hydroxyapatite and gelatin NPs, selected in view of their bone mimicry and potential for targeted delivery, as carriers for the antibacterial agents zinc and vancomycin.

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Despite the immense need for effective treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), no successful repair strategy has yet been clinically implemented. Multifunctional biomaterials, based on porcine adipose tissue-derived extracellular matrix (adECM) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), were recently shown to stimulate neural stem cell growth and differentiation. Nevertheless, their functional performance in clinically more relevant conditions remains largely unknown.

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Objective: Literature was systematically reviewed to identify salivary characteristics and their association with tooth wear.

Data: A protocol was developed a priori (PROSPERO CRD42022338590). Established systematic review methods were used for screening, data extraction, and synthesis.

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Introduction: There has recently been a surge of interest in mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) as multi-functional nanocarriers for application in bone-reconstructive and -regenerative surgery. Their excellent control over their structural and physicochemical properties renders these nanoparticles suitable for the intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents to combat degenerative bone diseases, such as bone infection, or bone cancer. Generally, the therapeutic efficacy of nanocarriers strongly depends on the efficacy of their cellular uptake, which is determined by numerous factors including cellular features and the physicochemical characteristics of nanocarriers, particularly surface charge.

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Polyisocyanopeptide (PIC) hydrogels are proposed as promising wound dressings. These gels are thermo-sensitive, allow application as a cold liquid, and rely on gelation through body heat. It is supposed that the gel can be easily removed by reversing the gelation and washing it away with a cold irrigation solution.

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The current development of microfluidics-based microphysiological systems (MPSs) will rapidly lead to a paradigm shift from traditional static 2-dimensional cell cultivation towards organized tissue culture within a dynamic cellular milieu. Especially organs-on-a-chip (OoCs) can very precisely re-create the mechanical and unique anatomical structures of the oral environment. This review provides an introduction to such technology, from commonly used chip materials and fabrication methods to the application of OoC in in vitro culture.

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Efficient intracellular drug delivery in nanomedicine strongly depends on ways to induce cellular uptake. Conjugation of nanoparticles (NPs) with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) is a known means to induce uptake endocytosis. Here, we functionalized NPs consisting of either poly(d,l-lactide--glycolide) (PLGA) or polyethene glycol (PEG)-PLGA block-copolymer with a lactoferrin-derived cell-penetrating peptide (hLF).

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Bone tissue engineering (BTE) has made significant progress in developing and assessing different types of bio-substitutes. However, scaffolds production through standardized methods, as required for good manufacturing process (GMP), and post-transplant in vivo monitoring still limit their translation into the clinic. 3D printed 5% GelMA scaffolds have been prepared through an optimized and reproducible process in this work.

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Objectives: This study was aimed to comparatively evaluate new bone formation into the pores of a flexible titanium fiber mesh (TFM) applied on the surface of implant.

Methods: Twenty-eight custom made cylindrical titanium implants (4 ×10 mm) with and without a layer of two different types of TFM (fiber diameter of 22 µm and 50 µm, volumetric porosity ~70%) were manufactured and installed bilaterally in the femoral condyles of 14 rabbits. The elastic modulus for these two TFM types was ~20 GPa and ~5 GPa respectively, whereas the solid titanium was ~110 GPa.

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The large number of animal models used in spinal cord injury (SCI) research complicates the objective selection of the most appropriate model to investigate the efficacy of biomaterial-based therapies. This systematic review aims to identify a list of relevant animal models of SCI by evaluating the confirmation of SCI and animal survival in all published SCI models used in biomaterials research up until April 2021. A search in PubMed and Embase based on "spinal cord injury," "animal models," and "biomaterials" yielded 4606 papers, 393 of which were further evaluated.

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Scaling and root planning is a key element in the mechanical therapy used for the eradication of biofilm, which is the major etiological factor for periodontitis and peri-implantitis. However, periodontitis is also a host mediated disease, therefore, removal of the biofilm without adjunctive therapy may not achieve the desired clinical outcome due to persistent activation of the innate and adaptive immune cells. Most recently, even the resident cells of the periodontium, including periodontal ligament fibroblasts, have been shown to produce several inflammatory factors in response to bacterial challenge.

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The aim of this study was to develop a third-generation modular mandible endoprosthesis that would experience less stress concentration at its stems compared to earlier generations, thereby minimizing micromotion and achieving long-term stability. In this three-piece modular design, different degrees of movement were incorporated between the endoprosthesis module interfaces. It was hypothesized that this unique feature would minimize stress concentration at the stems and hence promote osseointegration during the early phase of implantation.

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In periodontal treatment, topical adjunctive therapy with antimicrobials or anti-inflammatory agents is frequently applied. However, currently available drug carrier biomaterials often exhibit poor perfusion into small crevices, such as the deep and irregular periodontal pockets, due to relatively high viscosity. Moreover, high polymer concentrations of the polymer can potentially be cytotoxic upon confined local administration.

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Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of lipoxin-type A4 (LXA4) on bacterial-induced osteoclastogenesis.

Material And Methods: Human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) in coculture with osteoclast precursors (RAW264.7 cells) were exposed to bacterial stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation.

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In periodontal treatment, patient differences in disease phenotype and treatment responses are well documented. Therefore, therapy duration and dosage should be tailored to the requirements of individual patients. To facilitate such personalized medication, a tunable and controllable system is needed to deliver drugs directly into the diseased periodontal pockets.

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With the need of rapid healing and long-term stability of dental implants, the existing Ti-based implant materials do not meet completely the current expectation of patients. Low elastic modulus Ti-alloys have shown superior biocompatibility and can achieve comparable or even faster bone formation in vivo at the interface of bone and the implant. Porous structured Ti alloys have shown to allow rapid bone ingrowth through their open structure and to achieve anchorage with bone tissue by increasing the bone-implant interface area.

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Porous titanium fiber mesh (TFM) is considered a suitable scaffold material for bone reconstruction. Also, TFM can be used to cover the surface of bone-anchored devices, that is, orthopedic or dental implants. The titanium fiber size has an effect of the stiffness as well as porosity of the titanium mesh, which can influence the behavior of bone forming cells.

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Wound dressings are traditionally used to protect a wound and to facilitate healing. Currently, their function is expanding. There is an urgent need for new smart products that not only act as a protective barrier but also actively support the wound healing process.

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Background: Gingival tissue attachment is known to be important for long-term prognosis of implants. This in vitro study evaluated the gingival attachment to zirconia implants and zirconia implants modified with sol-gel derived TiO coatings.

Methods: Zirconia endodontic posts (n = 23) were used to function as implants that were inserted into the center of full-thickness porcine gingival explants (n = 31).

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Adequate sterilization procedures for soft biomaterials such as hydrogels are known to be challenging. These materials are delicate in structure, making them sensitive to harsh conditions and prone to damage. In this study, a suitable sterilization method for hydrogels composed of tri(ethylene glycol)-functionalized polyisocyanopeptides (PIC) was explored.

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Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) for the treatment of periodontitis in an in vitro model.

Methods: Human PDLCs were challenged with Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evoke an inflammatory response.

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The ultimate challenge of tissue engineering research is the translation of experimental knowledge into clinical application. In the preclinical testing phase of any new therapy, animal models remain the gold standard. Therefore, the methodological choice of a suitable model is critical to meet the requirements for a safe clinical application of the developed treatment.

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