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Biomedical subjects

S N Nazhat

Publications and source records attributed to S N Nazhat.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Polylactic acid-phosphate glass composite foams as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Phosphate glass (PG) of the composition 0.46(CaO)-0.04(Na(2)O)-0.5(P(2)O(5)) was used as filler in poly-L-lactic acid (PLA) foams developed as degradable scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The effect of PG on PLA was assessed both in bulk and porous composite foams. Composites with various PG content (0, 5, 10, and 20 wt %) were melt-extruded, and either compression-molded or foamed through supercritical CO(2). Dynamic mechanical analysis on the bulk composites showed that incorporating 20 wt % PG resulted in a significant increase in storage modulus. Aging studies in deionized water in terms of weight loss, pH change, and ion release inferred that the degradation was due to PG dissolution, and dependent on the amount of glass in the composites. Foaming was only possible for composites containing 5 and 10 wt % PG, as an increase in PG increased the foam densities; however, the level of porosity was maintained above 75%. PLA-T(g) in the foams was higher than those obtained for the bulk. Compressive moduli showed no significant reinforcement with glass incorporation in either expansion direction, indicating no anisotropy. Biocompatibility showed that proliferation of human fetal bone cells was more rapid for PLA compared to PLA-PG foams. However, the proliferation rate of PLA-PG foams were similar to those obtained for foams of PLA with either hydroxyapatite or beta-tricalcium phosphate.

Biocompatible Materials↗

The surface functionalization of 45S5 Bioglass-based glass-ceramic scaffolds and its impact on bioactivity.

The first and foremost function of a tissue engineering scaffold is its role as a substrate for cell attachment, and their subsequent growth and proliferation. However, cells do not attach directly to the culture substrate; rather they bind to proteins that are adsorbed to the scaffold's surface. Like standard tissue culture plates, tissue engineering scaffolds can be chemically treated to couple proteins without losing the conformational functionality; a process called surface functionalization. In this work, novel highly porous 45S5 Bioglass-based scaffolds have been functionalized applying 3-AminoPropyl-TriethoxySilane (APTS) and glutaraldehyde (GA) without the use of organic solvents. The efficiency and stability of the surface modification was assessed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The bioactivity of the functionalized scaffolds was investigated using simulated body fluid (SBF) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the aqueous heat-treatment applied at 80 degrees C for 4 hrs during the surface functionalization procedure accelerated the structural transition of the crystalline Na2Ca2Si3O9 phase, present in the original scaffold structure as a result of the sintering process used for fabrication, to an amorphous phase during SBF immersion. The surface functionalized scaffolds exhibited an accelerated crystalline hydroxyapatite layer formation upon immersion in SBF caused by ion leaching and the increased surface roughness induced during the heat treatment step. The possible mechanisms behind this phenomenon are discussed.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Real-time monitoring of the setting reaction of brushite-forming cement using isothermal differential scanning calorimetry.

The setting behavior of a brushite-forming cement (beta-tricalcium phosphate/mono calcium monophosphate) was investigated using an indentation technique (the Gillmore needles method) and isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The two objectives of the study were to investigate whether DSC could be used to real-time monitor a fast-setting calcium phosphate cement (CPC) and to determine if it is possible to correlate DSC results directly with conventional setting-time measurements. Best-fit linear correlation analysis revealed that both the initial and final setting time (T(i) and T(f)) measured by indentation were strongly correlated to the maximum heat flow measured with DSC. It seems therefore possible to predict the setting times, usually achieved with user dependent indentation methods, of this specific fast setting CPC on the basis of objective DSC measurements. The drawbacks of DSC, however, are its overall complexity and expense and the fact that only exothermal reactions can be investigated in comparison to the Gillmore needles method, furthermore, it is not possible to monitor the complete reaction as the first 2 or 3 min are lost due to sample preparation and apparatus set up.

Bone Cements↗

Mechanical properties of highly porous PDLLA/Bioglass composite foams as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

This study developed highly porous degradable composites as potential scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. These scaffolds consisted of poly-D,L-lactic acid filled with 2 and 15 vol.% of 45S5 Bioglass particles and were produced via thermally induced solid-liquid phase separation and subsequent solvent sublimation. The scaffolds had a bimodal and anisotropic pore structure, with tubular macro-pores of approximately 100 microm in diameter, and with interconnected micro-pores of approximately 10-50 microm in diameter. Quasi-static and thermal dynamic mechanical analysis carried out in compression along with thermogravimetric analysis was used to investigate the effect of Bioglass on the properties of the foams. Quasi-static compression testing demonstrated mechanical anisotropy concomitant with the direction of the macro-pores. An analytical modelling approach was applied, which demonstrated that the presence of Bioglass did not significantly alter the porous architecture of these foams and reflected the mechanical anisotropy which was congruent with the scanning electron microscopy investigation. This study found that the Ishai-Cohen and Gibson-Ashby models can be combined to predict the compressive modulus of the composite foams. The modulus and density of these complex foams are related by a power-law function with an exponent between 2 and 3.

Anisotropy↗

Effect of iron on the surface, degradation and ion release properties of phosphate-based glass fibres.

Phosphate-based glass fibres (PGF) have the unique characteristic of being completely soluble in an aqueous environment, releasing bioactive and biocompatible ions. They have been proposed as tissue engineering scaffolds for craniofacial skeletal muscle regeneration, where myoblasts are seeded directly onto the fibres. Studies have shown that these cells have a preference in their initial attachment to fibres of certain composition and size, which in turn control the rate of degradation. This study investigated the relationship between the surface properties, degradation properties and ion release (cationic and anionic species) by altering the chemical composition of the PGF. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) was incorporated into glasses containing P2O5 (50 mol%), CaO (30 mol%) and Na2O (20 mol%). Six glass compositions with Fe2O3 ranging from 0 to 5 mol% by replacing the equivalent Na2O mol% were investigated. Contact angle measurements showed that polar interactions occurring on the glass surfaces diminished with increasing Fe2O3 content. This behaviour was reflected in the estimated surface energies of the glasses, where the overall surface energy decreased with increasing Fe2O3 content due to the decrease in polar or acid/base component. The incorporation of up to 5 mol% Fe2O3 into PGF resulted in a significant reduction in the degradation rate (by two orders of magnitude), which can be related to the formation of more hydration resistant P-O-Fe bonds. However, the degradation rate increased with decreasing fibre diameter (comparing average diameters of 31.6 +/- 6.5 microm versus 13.1 +/- 1.3 microm) for a given mass of fibre, and this is related to the surface area to volume ratio. Taken together the results suggest that fibres with the larger diameters and containing 3-5 mol% Fe2O3 could initially be a more durable scaffold than ones with 1 or 2 mol% Fe2O3 for initial cell attachment.

Absorbable Implants↗

Characterisation of antibacterial copper releasing degradable phosphate glass fibres.

Phosphate-based glass fibres (PGF) of the general formula Na(2)O-CaO-P(2)O(5) are degradable in an aqueous environment, and therefore can function as antibacterial delivery systems through the inclusion of ions such as copper. In this study, PGF with varying amounts of copper oxide (CuO) were developed for potential uses in wound healing applications. PGF with 0, 1, 5 and 10 mol% CuO were produced with different diameters and characterised in terms of structural and antibacterial properties. The effect of CuO and fibre pulling speed on the glass properties were investigated using rapid differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. The effect of two fibre diameters on short-term (3 h) attachment and killing against Staphylococcus epidermidis were investigated and were related to their rate of degradation in deionised water, as well as copper ion release measured using ion chromatography. Thermal analysis showed that there was a significant increase in the PGF glass transition temperature as the CuO content increased. There was a significant decrease in the rate of degradation with increasing CuO content and an increase in fibre diameter. Over 6 h, both the amount and rate of copper ions released increased with CuO content, as well as a reduction in fibre diameter thus increasing the surface area to volume ratio. There was a decrease in the number of viable staphylococci both attached to the CuO-containing fibres and in the surrounding environment.

Absorbable Implants↗

Quantification of anion and cation release from a range of ternary phosphate-based glasses with fixed 45 mol% P2O5.

This article reports on the use of ion chromatography (IC) to investigate extensively the release profiles of both cations and anions and characterize the relationship between composition and degradation for a ternary-based Na(2)O-CaO-P(2)O(5) glass system developed as biomaterials. Studies are carried out on glasses with the formula 45P(2)O(5)-55(xCaO-Na(2)O) in deionized water, where x = 30, 35, and 40 mol%, using a cumulative release method, where the solution is changed at regular intervals. Degradation behavior is linear with time where the degradation rate shows an initial decrease with increasing CaO content. This rate then increases with a further addition of CaO. Cation release profiles follow similar trends to the degradation rates. Anion release profiles show a decrease for the PO(4) and linear polyphosphate (P(2)O(7) and P(3)O(10)) species with increasing CaO content. This decrease is attributed to the cross-linking of the Ca(2+) ions. In contrast, the cyclic P(3)O(9) anion exhibits the highest amount of anionic release, which demonstrates similar trends to the cations. These release patterns suggest that the cyclic P(3)O(9) species dominate the degradation rates. The proposed mode of degradation is a hydrolysis reaction, with the cyclic metaphosphate undergoing acid/base catalysis. The pH remains constant for the 30 and 35 mol% CaO glasses, and drops to about 5.5 for the 40 mol% composition. By using a response factor, it is possible to semiquantitatively analyze the additional peaks observed in the chromatograms. Suggestions are also put forward as to the identity of some of these unidentified peaks.

Absorbable Implants↗

Silica-filled elastomer/methacrylate systems as soft liners.

Denture soft lining materials are compliant cushions used at the oral tissue-denture interface. They are generally required to have sufficient compliance to redistribute mastication load, as well as an adequate modulus for long-term dimensional stability and control over the water uptake. This study investigated the effect of using silane treated fumed silica as a filler on the properties of experimental soft lining materials based on blends of isoprene-styrene (SIS) block co-polymer and mixtures of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 1,6-hexandiol dimethacrylate (HDMA). The overall elastomer/monomer ratios were maintained, whereas the monomers ranged from 10 to 60% HDMA. The silica filler level was maintained at 10 wt% with respect to SIS. The properties investigated were the dynamic mechanical parameters of storage modulus (E') and tan delta as a function of temperature and the quasi-static mechanical parameters of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation to break (Eb) as well as absorption properties that were carried out in water and saline. In both unfilled and filled systems there was an increase in E' and a decrease in tan delta with an increase in HDMA. Silica addition tended to increase E' and substantially reduce tan delta in materials with less than 20% HDMA. UTS decreased with filler and HDMA content, however, Eb was greater for filled systems. Generally, in the long term, the water uptake decreased with increasing HDMA content and E'. The silanated silica further reduced the water uptake, indicating a cross-linking effect, thus increasing the restraining force on droplet growth. The uptake in saline was significantly reduced indicating an osmotically controlled uptake process.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Comparative study of bone cements prepared with either HA or alpha-TCP and functionalized methacrylates.

The properties of bone cements prepared with both hydroxyapatite (HA) and alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) and methacrylates containing acidic or basic groups are the main interest of this article. The presence of methacrylic acid or diethyl amino ethyl methacrylate as comonomers in the bone cement and both ceramic types as filler were found not to affect the amount of residual monomer, which was generally less than 4.5 wt%. In contrast, setting times, maximum temperature, and glass transition temperature were found to be composition dependent. For samples with acidic comonomer, a faster setting time, a higher maximum temperature, and higher glass transition temperatures were observed compared to those with the basic comonomer. The presence of the fillers slightly increased the setting time but did not affect the other parameters. The mechanical properties of the filled bone cements depended mainly on composition and type of testing. Both HA or alpha-TCP filled systems fulfilled the minimum compressive strength required for bone cement application, although a significantly lower value was observed for the alkaline comonomer systems. The minimum bending strength was not satisfied by any of these formulations. The tensile and shear strength of these composites ranged from 20 to 37.9 and from 18 to 27 MPa, respectively. In all cases it was higher for bone cements containing methacrylic acid. The results of this study suggest that the properties of dry unfilled bone cements prepared with MAA are comparable to CMW 3 in mechanical terms but inferior in their setting properties.

Bone Cements↗

Effect of triphenyl bismuth on glass transition temperature and residual monomer content of acrylic bone cements.

Self-curing acrylic bone cements are widely used in the fixation of prosthetic implants in orthopaedic surgery. Commercial bone cements are rendered radiopaque by the addition of heavy metal salts of barium and zirconia. The addition of barium sulphate adversely affects the mechanical strength and fracture toughness of bone cement and despite the fact that it has low solubility in water; its slow release and subsequent toxicity have caused concern. In an earlier study triphenyl bismuth (TPB) was found to be a viable alternative as a radiopaque agent in acrylic bone cements, which provided enhanced homogeneity. In this study we report the effect of the inclusion of TPB on the thermal properties of PMMA-based bone cements using both conventional DSC and Modulated Temperature DSC. Furthermore, analysis of the residual monomer contents is reported analysed by NMR spectroscopy in order to ascertain the influence of TPB on the polymerisation reaction. The glass transition temperature (Tg) determined by DSC showed that the values decreased with the addition of increasing amounts of TPB through both blending and dissolution methods; however, the method of incorporating TPB did not influence Tg. The magnitude of reduction was dependent of the amount of TPB and was greatest in the case of highest concentration of TPB used. A TPB melting peak was observed in the 25 wt% TPBBC, suggesting a limit to the solubility of TPB. The residual monomer analysis showed that at 10 and 15% by weight of TPB in the cement caused no significant changes in the residual monomer content but 25 wt% of TPB exhibited a significantly higher residual monomer content.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Effect of filler content on mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of particulate biphasic calcium phosphate--polylactide composites.

A bioabsorbable self-reinforced polylactide/biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) composite is being developed for fracture fixation plates. One manufacturing route is to produce preimpregnated sheets by pulling polylactide (PLA) fibres through a suspension of BCP filler in a PLA solution and compression moulding the prepreg to the desired shape. To aid understanding of the process, interactions between the matrix and filler were investigated. Composite films containing 0-0.25 volume fraction filler, produced by solvent casting, were analysed using SEM, tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Homogeneous films could be made, although some particle agglomeration was seen at higher filler volume fractions. As the filler content increased, the failure strain decreased due to a reduction in the amount of ductile polymer present and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) decreased because of agglomeration and void formation at higher filler content. The matrix glass transition temperature increased due to polymer chain adsorption and immobilization onto the BCP particles. Complex damping mechanisms, such as particle-particle agglomeration, may exist at the higher BCP volume fractions.

Algorithms↗

Mechanical strength of tooth fragment reattachment.

The aim of this study was static and fatigue test investigation of the strength of a tooth fragment reattached with adhesives to the tooth body. Central bovine incisor teeth were used, and standardized fragments were obtained by cutting the incisal edge of the selected teeth. All the fragments were reattached using a multistep dentine adhesive system, and the specimens were randomly divided into two groups (A and B). Group B specimens underwent a further dental treatment: a circumferential double chamfer prepared around the external cut interface was filled with light cured composite restorative resin. Static and fatigue bending tests were performed and linear elastic equations were used to analyze and compare the strength of the treated teeth. The results indicated that the static and fatigue bending properties were improved by using reinforcement with composite restorative resin.

Acrylic Resins↗

Dynamic mechanical characterization of biodegradable composites of hydroxyapatite and polylactides.

The thermo-mechanical analysis of some novel, totally bioactive, three-component composite systems intended for the repair and augmentation of bone has been performed. The composites are composed of hydroxyapatite (HA), particulate reinforced biodegradable polylactic acid (PDLLA), with a second reinforcing phase of semi-crystalline, unidirectional fibers of polylactic acid (PLLA) homopolymer. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) applied small-strain cyclic deformations to simulate physiological loading. The effect of the two fillers on the glass transition temperature of the matrix (Tg-PDLLA) and on the viscoelastic parameters, storage modulus (EI), and tan delta were analyzed. Thermal characterization with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was compared to the DMA data. It was established that the addition of HA and/or PLLA fibers increased EI, both below and above Tg-PDLLA. The combination of both reinforcing agents was the most effective. The damping was reduced with the addition of HA alone and in combination with PLLA fibers. Tg-PDLLA was increased by the addition of HA, PLLA fibers, and the combination of the two reinforcing agents. The magnitude of the increase in Tg-PDLLA was similar for both types of reinforcement.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Blends of isoprene-styrene/methacrylate monomer systems as denture soft lining material.

This work further develops the concept of using an elastomer gelled with methacrylate monomers to produce a methacrylate-based soft lining material without the use of a plasticizer. An isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymer was mixed with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 1,6-hexandiol dimethacrylate (HDMA). The HDMA was used as a cross-linking agent. The elastomer/monomer ratios were maintained at 50/50 whereas the monomers ranged from 0 to 100%) HDMA. Mechanical properties and water absorption/desorption characteristics were used to assess the effect of varying the monomer compositions. The results indicated that phase separation took place, in particular at high HDMA content. This significantly increased the Young's modulus and decreased the elongation to break. Generally, the water uptake tended to decrease with increasing HDMA content, reflecting the effect of modulus. Second absorption cycles gave higher uptake values compared to the first. Formulations with a high amount of HDMA gave materials with modulus values too high for soft lining applications. This suggests that the optimum formulation requires a compromise between modulus and water uptake.

Absorption↗

Isoprene-styrene copolymer elastomer and tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate mixtures for soft prosthetic applications.

Novel elastomer/methacrylate systems have been developed for potential soft prosthetic applications. Mixtures of varying compositions of an isoprene-styrene copolymer elastomer and tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (SIS/THFMA) formed one-gel systems and were heat cured with a peroxide initiator. The blends were characterised in terms of sorption in deionised water and simulated body fluids (SBF), tensile properties and viscoelastic parameters of storage modulus and tan delta, as well as glass transition temperatures using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). DMA data gave two distinct peaks in tan delta, a lower temperature transition due to the isoprene phase in SIS and one at high temperature thought to be a combination of THFMA and the styrene phase in SIS. The tensile data showed a clear phase inversion within the mid range compositions changing from plastic to elastomeric behaviour. The sorption studies in deionised water showed a two stage uptake with an initial Fickian region that was linear to t 1/2 followed by a droplet growth/clustering system. The slope of the linear region was dependent on the composition ratio. The extent of overall uptake was osmotically dependent as all materials equilibrated at a much lower uptake in SBF. The diffusion coefficients were found to be concentration dependent.

Absorption↗

Dynamic mechanical characterization of hydroxyapatite reinforced polyethylene: effect of particle size.

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to characterize biomedical composites consisting of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) particulate reinforced polyethylene (PE). The effects of the HA volume fraction, temperature and HA particle on the storage modulus (E(I)) and damping (tan delta) were investigated. Increasing HA volume fractions increased E(I) and decreased tan delta. E(I) was found to be linearly related to the Young's modulus values obtained from quasi-static tensile tests. Relative modulus and damping studies showed that the viscoelastic behavior of unfilled PE was different to that of the filled matrix due to the presence of thermally induced tensile stresses in the matrix at the filler-matrix interface.

Journal Article↗

Development and characterisation of silver-doped bioactive glass-coated sutures for tissue engineering and wound healing applications.

A novel silver-doped bioactive glass powder (AgBG) was used to coat resorbable Vicryl (polyglactin 910) and non-resorbable Mersilk surgical sutures, thereby imparting bioactive, antimicrobial and bactericidal properties to the sutures. Stable and homogeneous coatings on the surface of the sutures were achieved using an optimised aqueous slurry-dipping technique. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to investigate the viscoelastic parameters of storage modulus and tandelta and thermal transitions of the as-received and composite (coated) sutures. The results generally showed that the bioactive glass coating did not affect the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of the sutures. The in vitro bioactivity of the sutures was tested by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). After only 3 days of immersion in SBF, bonelike hydroxyapatite formed on the coated suture surfaces, indicating their enhanced bioactive behaviour. Resorbable sutures with bioactive coatings as fabricated here, in conjunction with 3-D textile technology, may provide attractive materials for producing 3-D scaffolds with controlled porosities for tissue engineering applications. The bactericidal properties imparted by the Ag-containing glass coating open also new opportunities for use of the composite sutures in wound healing and body wall repair.

Absorbable Implants↗