Novel barium-doped-baghdadite incorporated PHBV-PCL composite fibrous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Bioceramic/polymer composites have dragged a lot of attention for treating hard tissue damage in recent years. In this study, we synthesized barium-doped baghdadite (Ba-BAG), as a novel bioceramic, and later developed fibrous composite poly (hydroxybutyrate) co (hydroxyvalerate)- polycaprolactone (PHBV-PCL) scaffolds containing different amounts of baghdadite (BAG) and Ba-BAG, intended to be used in bone regeneration. Our results demonstrated that BAG and Ba-doped BAG powders were synthesized successfully using the sol-gel method and their microstructural, physicochemical, and cytotoxical properties results were evaluated. In the following, PHBV/PCL composite scaffolds containing different amounts of BAG and Ba-BAG (1, 3, and 5 wt%) were produced by the wet electrospinning method. The porosity of scaffolds decreased from 78% to 72% in Ba-BAG-incorporated PHBV/PCL scaffolds. The compressive strength of the scaffolds was between 4.69 and 9.28 kPa, which was increased to their maximum values in the scaffolds with Ba-BAG. The presence of BAG and Ba-BAG in the polymer scaffolds resulted in increasing bioactivity, and it was introduced as a suitable way to control the degradation rate of scaffolds. The presence of the BAG component was a major reason for higher cell proliferation in reinforced PHBV/PCL polymeric scaffolds, while Ba existence played its influential role in the higher osteogenic activity of cells on Ba-BAG incorporated PHBV/PCL scaffolds. Thus, the incorporation of Ba-BAG bioceramic materials into the structure of polymeric PHBV/PCL scaffolds promoted their various properties, and allow these scaffolds to be used as promising candidates in bone tissue engineering applications.

3D porous bioceramic based boron-doped hydroxyapatite/baghdadite composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Making composite scaffolds is one of the well-known methods to improve the properties of scaffolds used in bone tissue engineering. In this study, novel ceramic-based 3D porous composite scaffolds were successfully prepared using boron-doped hydroxyapatite, as the primary component, and baghdadite, as the secondary component. The effects of making composites on the properties of boron-doped hydroxyapatite-based scaffolds were investigated in terms of physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties. The incorporation of baghdadite contributed to making more porous scaffolds (over 40%) with larger surface area and micropore volumes. The produced composite scaffolds almost solved the low degradation problem of boron-doped hydroxyapatite through the exhibition of higher biodegradation rates, which matched the degradation rate appropriate for the gradual transfer of loads from implants to newly formed bone tissues. Besides higher bioactivity, enhanced cell proliferation, as well as higher osteogenic differentiation (in scaffolds with baghdadite weight greater than 10%), were observed in composite scaffolds due to both physical and chemical modifications that occurred in composite scaffolds. Although our composite scaffolds were slightly weaker than boron-doped hydroxyapatite, their compressive strengths were higher than almost all composite scaffolds made by baghdadite incorporation in the literature. In fact, boron-doped hydroxyapatite provided a base for baghdadite to show mechanical strength suitable for cancellous bone defect treatments. Eventually, our novel composite scaffolds converged the advantages of both components to satisfy the various requirements needed for bone tissue engineering applications and take us one step forward on the road to fabricating an ideal scaffold.

Effect of storage time on mechanical properties of extended-pour irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Recent commercial extended-pour irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials (EPIHIMs) claim to maintain dimensional stability up to 120 hours. However, data regarding their mechanical properties and performance after 120 hours of storage are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to test the elastic recovery, strain in compression, and tear strength properties of 5 commercially available EPIHIMs, immediately after preparation and after 120 hours of storage under specific storage conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 150 specimens were prepared in accordance with the ISO 21563:2013 standard from 5 commercially available EPIHIMs (Blueprint Xcreme, Kromopan, Alginmax, Hydrogum 5, and Alginelle). The specimens were subjected to elastic recovery, strain in compression, and tear strength tests immediately after specimen preparation (n=5) and after 120 hours of storage inside clear plastic zipper bags held at 23 °C (n=5). Data were analyzed with a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test for brand and duration parameters. Normality of data was analyzed with the Shapiro-Wilk test. The Duncan test or Games-Howell test was used for multiple comparisons (α=.05). RESULTS: Elastic recovery and strain in compression values of the EPIHIMs tested were affected by brand and duration parameters (P<.001). Tear strength values of the EPIHIMs tested were affected by brand (P<.001); however, they were not affected by duration (P>.05). Data distribution was normal except for Alginmax in terms of the elastic recovery values and Blueprint Xcreme in terms of the strain in compression values (P<.05). Significant interactions were present between brand and duration for the strain in compression and tear strength values of the EPIHIMs tested (P<.05). Statistically significant difference was not found among mean elastic recovery values of the tested EPIHIM brands (P<.001). Moreover, a statistically significant increase was present in elastic recovery values of the tested EPIHIMs after 120 hours of storage (P<.001). Statistically significant difference was not found among mean strain in compression values of the tested EPIHIM brands tested immediately after preparation (P>.05). However, 120 hours of storage led both to a statistically significant decrease in mean strain in compression values of the tested EPIHIMs (P<.001) except for Alginelle (P>.05) and a statistically significant difference among mean strain in compression values of the tested EPIHIM brands (P<.001). Storage time did not influence mean tear strength values of the EPIHIMs tested (P>.05). However, statistically significant differences were present among mean tear strength values of the tested EPIHIM brands tested immediately after preparation (P<.001) and after 120 hours of storage (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite variations in elastic recovery, strain in compression, and tear strength properties of the EPIHIMs tested, all the materials fulfilled the requirements to comply with the ISO 21563:2013 standard even after 120 hours of storage.