Abstract The osseointegration of titanium implants within the host tissue holds crucial importance. The introduction of functional coatings at tissue—implant interface enhances the bioactivity of titanium implants, improves their therapeutic outcomes, and enhances the effectiveness of treatments. In this study, we focused on enhancing the bioactivity of titanium-based implant materials by coating the titanium surfaces with chitosan microspheres, which are loaded with osseointegration-promoting agent dexamethasone (DEX). Initially, chitosan microspheres were successfully produced, followed by D ..read more

Abstract Despite the attractive combinations of cell/surface interactions, biocompatibility, and good mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V, there is still a need to enhance the early stages of cell/surface integration that are associated with the implantation of biomedical devices into the human body. This paper presents a novel, easy and reproducible method of nanoscale and nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on Ti-6Al-4V. The resulting nanoscale coatings/nanostructures are characterized using a combination of Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispers ..read more

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of collagen-polyurethane-dextran hydrogels. Abstract Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious complication of uncontrolled diabetes, emphasizing the need to develop wound healing strategies that are not only effective but also biocompatible, biodegradable, and safe. We aimed to create biomatrices composed of semi-interpenetrated polymer networks of collagen, polyurethane, and dextran, to enhance the wound healing process. The hydrogels were extensively characterized by various analytical techniques, including analysis of their structure, crysta ..read more

The present study evaluates the effects of a borosilicate bioactive glass (BG) that was doped with the pro-angiogenic copper (Cu). In vitro, the addition of copper significantly improved cytocompatibility, osteogenic differentiation and pro-angiogenic response of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs). In vivo, addition of Cu had only limited effects on defect regeneration and vascularization in a rodent critical sized femoral defect model when compared to the non-supplemented BG. Abstract The 0106-B1-bioactive glass (BG) composition (in wt %: 37.5 SiO2, 22.6 CaO, 5.9 Na ..read more

Abstract Critically-sized segmental bone defects represent significant challenges requiring grafts for reconstruction. 3D-printed synthetic bone grafts are viable alternatives to structural allografts if engineered to provide appropriate mechanical performance and osteoblast/osteoclast cell responses. Novel 3D-printable nanocomposites containing acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) or methacrylated AESO (mAESO), polyethylene glycol diacrylate, and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) were produced using masked stereolithography. The effects of volume fraction of nHA and methacrylation of AESO on intera ..read more

Radiation cross-linked scaffold (RCS) presents a novel approach for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP), characterized by stable mechanical properties and a porous structure that supports the preservation of alveolar ridge dimensions and the histological integrity of bone tissue. Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the properties of radiation cross-linked collagen scaffold (RCS) and its efficacy for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP). RCS was prepared from collagen dispersion by electron beam irradiation and freeze-drying. The microstructure, swelling ratio, area alteration and mechanical pro ..read more

Abstract When delivering cells on a scaffold to treat a bone defect, the cell seeding technique determines the number and distribution of cells within a scaffold, however the optimal technique has not been established. This study investigated if human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) transduced with a lentiviral vector to overexpress bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and loaded on a scaffold using dynamic orbital shaker could reduce the total cell dose required to heal a critical sized bone defect when compared with static seeding. Human ASCs were loaded onto a collagen/biphasic ceramic sc ..read more

Abstract The physiological mechanism of bone tissue regeneration is intricately organized and involves several cell types, intracellular, and extracellular molecular signaling networks. To overcome the drawbacks of autografts and allografts, a number of synthetically produced scaffolds have been manufactured by integrating ceramics, polymers, and their hybrid-composites. Considering the fact that natural bone is composed primarily of collagen and hydroxyapatite, ceramic-polymer composite materials seem to be the most viable alternative to bone implants. Here, in this experimental study, copoly ..read more

Biologically sourced molecules can be used as both initiators (riboflavin and curcumin) and synergists (amino acids) in visible light-based photopolymerization reactions. The use of bio-sourced molecules as alternativesto cytotoxic, synthetic photoinitiators can increase the safety and sustainability of photopolymerization, which is particularly important in biomedical applications. Abstract The use of photopolymerization is expanding across a multitude of biomedical applications, from drug delivery to bioprinting. Many of these current and emerging photopolymerization systems employ visible ..read more

Abstract Translational research in biomaterials and immunoengineering is leading to the development of novel advanced therapeutics to treat diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and viral infections. Dendritic cells (DCs) are at the center of these therapeutics given that they bridge innate and adaptive immunity. The biomaterial system developed herein uses a hydrogel carrier to deliver immunomodulatory DCs for amelioration of autoimmunity. This biomaterial vehicle is comprised of a poly (ethylene glycol)-4 arm maleimide (PEG-4MAL) hydrogels, conjugated with the immunosuppressive cytokine, in ..read more