Task-Based Automatic Evaluation of People with Intellectual Disabilities Performed on a Robotic Table Soccer.

This paper is concerned with the automatic evaluation of selected tasks performed by people with intellectual Disabilities. According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) system, subjects must be divided into two groups: group with no difficulty (N) and group with difficulty (D) being this classification based on performances obtained in a conventional table (CT) soccer. Three tasks, with different levels of difficulty, were proposed for performance evaluation. Experimental results were obtained on the basis of the task execution in both a CT and a robotics table (RT) soccer. All participants were able to perform tasks with the joystick on the RT soccer and the automatic evaluation system identified differences in reaction times with and without red color flag in the participants, on RT soccer. One of the tasks was completely performed by all the participants by using the RT soccer.

Highly adherent bioactive glass thin films synthetized by magnetron sputtering at low temperature.

Thin (380-510 nm) films of a low silica content bioglass with MgO, B(2)O(3), and CaF(2) as additives were deposited at low-temperature (150°C) by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering onto titanium substrates. The influence of sputtering conditions on morphology, structure, composition, bonding strength and in vitro bioactivity of sputtered bioglass films was investigated. Excellent pull-out adherence (~73 MPa) was obtained when using a 0.3 Pa argon sputtering pressure (BG-a). The adherence declined (~46 MPa) upon increasing the working pressure to 0.4 Pa (BG-b) or when using a reactive gas mixture (~50 MPa). The SBF tests clearly demonstrated strong biomineralization features for all bioglass sputtered films. The biomineralization rate increased from BG-a to BG-b, and yet more for BG-c. A well-crystallized calcium hydrogen phosphate-like phase was observed after 3 and 15 days of immersion in SBF in all bioglass layers, which transformed monotonously into hydroxyapatite under prolonged SBF immersion. Alkali and alkali-earth salts (NaCl, KCl and CaCO(3)) were also found at the surface of samples soaked in SBF for 30 days. The study indicated that features such as composition, structure, adherence and bioactivity of bioglass films can be tailored simply by altering the magnetron sputtering working conditions, proving that this less explored technique is a promising alternative for preparing implant-type coatings.

Rheological, microstructural, and in vitro characterization of hybrid chitosan-polylactic acid/hydroxyapatite composites.

In this work, hybrid chitosan/hydroxyapatite composites material were developed and characterized. The polymer matrix was first dissolved in polylactic acid, and then hydroxyapatite (HA) was added as filler material. The effects of the added amounts of a crosslinking agent (genipin) and of the concentrations of lactic acid, and of the presence of HA powder on the evolution of rheological properties were evaluated. A significant decrease of gelation time with increasing amounts of crosslinking agent was observed, the effect being even more pronounced in the presence of HA. The chitosan matrix and the composites with a chitosan/HA weight ratio of 2/5 were characterized using microstructural analysis and in vitro tests. The formation of large pore sizes in the chitosan-based scaffolds was favored by low concentrations of lactic acid and genipin. The in vitro tests in synthetic body fluid revealed an extensive formation of an apatitic layer onto the surface of the chitosan/HA composite scaffolds crosslinked with genipin.

Suitability evaluation of sol-gel derived Si-substituted hydroxyapatite for dental and maxillofacial applications through in vitro osteoblasts response.

UNLABELLED: Si-hydroxyapatite (Si-HAP) has been used in orthopedic, dental, and maxillofacial surgery as a bone substitute. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of Si substitution into the hydroxyapatite matrices and evaluate the biocompatibility effects of Si-HAP material in vitro with human osteoblasts. METHODS: Silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HAP) bioceramic materials were prepared by incorporating small amounts of silicon into the structure of hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAP] through a sol-gel method. A series of silicon substitutions ranging from 0, 1, 3 and 5 mol%, which are comparable to the measured silicon contents in natural bone, were performed. RESULTS: Single-phase Si-HAP was obtained upon calcining the as-prepared powders up to 800 degrees C since no secondary phases, such as tricalcium phosphate (TCP), tetracalcium phosphate (TeCP) or calcium oxide (CaO), were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. The effects of silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HAP) materials towards the responses of human osteoblast-like (HOB) cells were investigated and compared with pure hydroxyapatite. SIGNIFICANCE: The Si-HAP indicated a significant increase in cell growth density with culture time irrespective of the amount of Si substituted in HAP. A high Si content (5 mol%) appears to promote rapid bone mineralization, since large amount of calcium phosphate minerals started to develop across the ECM by day 31 for a sample containing 5 mol% Si. On the other hand, a high Si content may result in fast dissolution of the material, owing to a decrease of HAP crystallite size, which might not be ideal for cell attachment for prolonged time periods. An optimum level of Si appears to exist at 3 mol%, which balances these effects.

Bone ingrowth in macroporous Bonelike for orthopaedic applications.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological behaviour of porous scaffold structures of Bonelike which is suitable for either direct clinical use or tissue engineering applications. Porous cylindrical specimens 8x10mm were implanted in the lateral aspect of the tibia of 13 patients (mean age 54 years), during osteotomy surgery for the treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Implanted cylinders were retrieved at the same time as the removal of the blade plates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Scanning electron microscopy and histological evaluations were performed to observe the biological responses of human bone tissue to porous Bonelike. The penetration depth was determined for all implantation periods, and after 6 months it was already possible to see new bone in the centre of the implanted cylinders, which gives 100% of penetration depth for all implantations periods except for 3 months when bone could only be seen in the peripherical region. Regarding the percentage of the area covered by new bone calculated from two-dimensional histological sections, values of 53+/-15, 76+/-12 and 88+/-9% were achieved for 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. Due to its structural features porous Bonelike permitted effective vascularization and bone ingrowth, and therefore was fully osteointegrated as shown in the histological surveys. A slow biomaterial degradation with implantation time is envisaged since the material has displayed surface degradation. Bonelike scaffolds show potential for complete ingrowth of osseous tissue and restoration of vascularization throughout the defected site.

3D chitosan-gelatin-chondroitin porous scaffold improves osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

A porous 3D scaffold was developed to support and enhance the differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into osteoblasts in vitro. The 3D scaffold was made with chitosan, gelatin and chondroitin and it was crosslinked by EDAC. The scaffold physicochemical properties were evaluated. SEM revealed the high porosity and interconnection of pores in the scaffold; rheological measurements show that the scaffold exhibits a characteristic behavior of strong gels. The elastic modulus found in compressive tests of the crosslinked scaffold was about 50 times higher than the non-crosslinked one. After 21 days, the 3D matrix submitted to hydrolytic degradation loses above 40% of its weight. MSC were collected from rat bone marrow and seeded in chitosan-gelatin-chondroitin 3D scaffolds and in 2D culture plates as well. MSC were differentiated into osteoblasts for 21 days. Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were followed weekly during the osteogenic process. The osteogenic differentiation of MSC was improved in 3D culture as shown by MTT assay and alkaline phosphatase activity. On the 21st day, bone markers, osteopontin and osteocalcin, were detected by the PCR analysis. This study shows that the chitosan-gelatin-chondroitin 3D structure provides a good environment for the osteogenic process and enhances cellular proliferation.

Hydrothermal growth of hydroxyapatite scaffolds from aragonitic cuttlefish bones.

Scaffolds of AB-type carbonated hydroxyapatite (HA) were successfully produced via hydrothermal transformation (HT) of aragonitic cuttlefish bones at 200 degrees C. The transformation was seemingly complete after 9 h of HT and no intermediate products were registered. Beyond low production cost, worldwide availability, and natural-biological origin of raw materials, the produced scaffolds preserved the initial structure of cuttlefish bone, featuring good biocompatibility in osteoblasts tests and ideal pore size ( approximately 80 microm in width and approximately 100 microm in height) and interconnectivity for supporting biological activities, such as bone tissue growth and vascularization. The highly channeled structure and the use of fresh cuttlefish bones favored the diffusion of the reaction solution towards the aragonite resulting in fast kinetics (after 1 h, hydroxyapatite was the dominant crystalline phase).

Scaffolds for bone restoration from cuttlefish.

Scaffolds of pure hydroxyapatite suitable for either direct clinical use or tissue-engineering applications were successfully produced via hydrothermal transformation of aragonite, obtained from fresh cuttlefish bones, at 200 degrees C followed by sintering. Beyond low production cost, worldwide availability and natural-biological origin of raw materials, the produced scaffolds have ideal pore size and interconnectivity features suitable for supporting biological activities, such as bone tissue growth and vascularization. Bioactivity in vitro tests were excellent: (a) rapid and pronounced formation of hydroxyapatite occurred when the scaffolds were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF), and (b) outstanding proliferation of osteoblasts was registered. The produced scaffolds can be machined and shaped very easily at any stage of processing. Therefore, these ceramic scaffolds can satisfy both bioactivity demands and the requirements for shaping of tailor-made individualized implants, especially for randomly damaged bones.