Surface Modification of Ti6Al4V ELI Titanium Alloy by Poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) and Risedronate Sodium.

With the simultaneous increase in the number of endoprostheses being performed, advances in the field of biomaterials are becoming apparent-whereby the materials and technologies used to construct implants clearly improve the implants' quality and, ultimately, the life of the patient after surgery. The aim of this study was to modify the titanium alloy Ti6Al4V ELI used in the construction of hip joint endoprostheses. This is why the continuous development of biomaterials is so important. This paper presents the results of research for a new application of polymer poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) as a drug release layer, placed on the surface of a titanium alloy. The obtained layers were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy (spectra and maps), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (spectra and maps), contact angle measurements as well as scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy imaging and topography analysis. The results confirmed that the polymer layer obtained on the plate surface after the alkali heat treatment process is much better-it binds much more polymer and thus the applied drug. In addition, a longer and more gradual release of the drug was observed for the alkali heat treatment modification than for H2O2 solution.

Emotional and cognitive states of geriatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic - an observational study.

Introduction: The authors of the study assessed the emotional and cognitive state of geriatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and tried to answer the question: were there any differences in this state in geriatric patients at different stages of the pandemic? Material and methods: The study included 518 patients of 60 years old and above of the Department of Geriatrics in Warsaw. To collect data, the following tools of psychological measurement were applied: the Mini-Mental State Examination scale and Geriatric Depression Scale. In order to test the differences in the means between the groups, a Chi-square test (with Yates's correction for continuity when the class size did not exceed 8 items) was used. For the comparison of the three groups, the Kruskal-Wallis (ANOVA) test was performed. Results: It was found that the majority of geriatric patients (73% of respondents) do not show symptoms of depressed mood. But there are statistically significant differences in the results of the patients' cognitive state tests depending on the time of examination. Patients examined before the pandemic tended to demonstrate a better cognitive state than patients at the beginning of the pandemic and in its later stages. Nevertheless, there are no significant differences in the cognitive functioning of patients examined at the beginning and later in the pandemic. Conclusions: The number of geriatric patients with symptoms of depression significantly increased when visits of relatives prohibition were introduced. However, the number of patients with depression returned to its previous level later in the pandemic.This phenomenon may indicate psychological adaptation to the situation. The presented results of observation suggest that the introduction of limitations is less important than the particular perception of one's situation and adaptation to that.

Chitosan hydrogel modified with lanthanum as a drug delivery system for epigallocatechin gallate: Investigation of hydrogel - drug interaction by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy.

In the presented work, chitosan hydrogel modified with lanthanum was obtained for the first time. The hydrogel was used as a carrier in the controlled release of epigallocatechin gallate. The work proved the effectiveness of drug sorption by hydrogel and controlled release in simulated body fluids. The drug was released slowly and in a controlled manner from the carrier. The research techniques used in this work (FT-IR spectroscopy and imaging, Raman spectroscopy, SEM/EDS) allowed to confirm the successful retention of EGCG on the hydrogel surface. On the basis of the EDS mapping, it was possible to confirm the even distribution of the lanthanum ions. Using FT-IR imaging, we verified that the drug was evenly distributed on the entire surface of the prepared material. The antifungal effectiveness of the material has been proven on several types of fungi. The research proved that the prepared material is capable of long-term release of the active substance and has antifungal properties. As a result, the prepared material can be successfully used as an implantable hydrogel or a coating in, e.g. titanium implants.

Chitosan modified with lanthanum ions as implantable hydrogel for local delivery of bisphosphonates.

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects many people around the world. One group of drugs used to treat it are bisphosphonates. However, they have poor bioavailability and many side effects. Therefore, research around the world is focused on developing bisphosphonate delivery systems. In this paper, we would like to present the design of a hydrogel material with chitosan matrix modified with lanthanum, that could serve as an implantable hydrogel capable of sustained and slow release of Zoledronate. Various research techniques were used to characterize the materials, and the swelling ratio and water solubility were also tested. The conducted research proved that the prepared hydrogel is capable of the long-term release of the Zoledronate. Thanks to this, the prepared material can be successfully used as an implantable hydrogel or a coating on titanium implants for the local delivery of drugs.

Formation of the octadecylphosphonic acid layer on the surface of Ti6Al4V ELI titanium alloy and analysis using Raman spectroscopy.

Increasing life expectancy, a sedentary lifestyle and bone diseases all contribute to an increasing demand for endoprostheses. Currently, the service life of a knee prosthesis is 10-17 years on average, depending on the patient's weight and activity. In addition, the most common reasons for revision operations after implantation are prosthesis loosening and infections resulting from the lack of implant-bone connection. That is why it is so important to constantly search for new materials or improve the current methods of obtaining biomaterials and modifying their surfaces. The main goal of the research is to improve the bonding of hydroxyapatite (HA) on the surface of titanium alloy, which is used in the construction of endoprostheses. At this stage of the research, octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) deposited on the surface of the Ti6Al4V ELI alloy was analyzed. To verify the layer, HA attachment (the precipitation process) was first checked, and then the modified plates were immersed in a synthetic body fluid (SBF) to simulate the conditions in the living organism. At each stage of the study, the samples were analyzed using: SEM, EDS and Raman spectroscopy - spectral measurements and surface mapping were performed. The study were supplemented by the measurements of the contact angle - checking the wettability of the surface, which is important for the analysis of biomaterials and surface roughness measurements by confocal microscopy. The results shows that ODPA it increases the amount of precipitation of HA when dipped in SBF. Another interesting finding is that the addition of ODPA to the annealed titanium alloy restricts the precipitation of HA on its surface.