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Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 June 2024) | Viewed by 22789

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jacopo Barberi

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
Interests: protein adsorption; titanium; surface characterization; resorbable implants; bone regeneration; natural molecule coating

Dr. Sara Ferraris

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
Interests: biomaterials; metallic materials; surface modifications; surface functionalization; surface characterizations; coatings; joining; titanium; aluminum foams; natural molecules
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomaterials have been used for thousands of years to repair and substitute damaged tissues. However, it is just in the last few decades that the progress in materials science and the continuously improved knowledge on the human body’s biology and physiology have allowed us to tackle biologically active materials. Materials engineers and scientists aim to develop materials that can actively interact with the physiological environment, achieving tissue regeneration and restoration by stimulating cells at a molecular level. New technological advancements permit the manufacturing of devices with enhanced properties, both functional and structural, for the stimulation of tissue restoration through topography, mechanical, chemical, and electrical signals. Loading a material with biologically active inorganic or organic compounds, drugs, and biological molecules is a very promising strategy to achieve the time-modulated simulation of cells through on-demand and local release.

This Special Issue is set to highlight the newest advances and research on third- and fourth-generation biomaterials, including, but not limited to, metals, polymers, bioceramics and glasses, composites, drug-loaded nanomaterials, surface modifications and coatings, and strategies to improve implant biocompatibility. Novel manufacturing techniques, advanced surface characterizations, and biological in vitro validation approaches for the assessment of the in vivo performance of biomaterials are also of great value regarding the discussed topic.

We kindly invite you to contribute to this Special Issue with your full papers, reviews, or communications on innovative biocompatible and bioactive materials for tissue contact and regeneration.

Dr. Jacopo Barberi
Dr. Sara Ferraris
Guest Editors

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Keywords

biomaterials
tissue engineering
scaffolds
bioactive coatings
manufacturing of biomaterials
surface modifications of biomaterials
biomaterials characterization

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Anticancer Potential of Zinc and Magnesium Alloys: From Base Materials to Nanocoated Titanium Implants

by Andrij Milenin, Łukasz Niedźwiedzki, Karolina Truchan, Grzegorz Guzik, Sławomir Kąc, Grzegorz Tylko and Anna Maria Osyczka

Materials 2024, 17(13), 3365; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133365 - 8 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1167

Abstract

In this work, we show the in vitro anticancer potential of surgical wires, obtained from zinc (ZnMg0.004) or magnesium (MgCa0.7) alloys by spatial technology comprising casting, extrusion, and final drawing processes. We also present the selective anticancer effects of applied soluble multilayer nanocoatings of zinc and magnesium onto titanium surfaces using the pulse laser deposition method. In the latter, the titanium samples were produced via 3D printing using the selective laser melting method and coated with various combinations of zinc and magnesium layers. For cytotoxicity studies, human dental pulp-derived stem cells (hDPSCs) and human osteosarcoma SaOS-2 cell line were used as representatives of healthy and cancer cells. Cells were examined against the 0.3–3.0 cm²/mL material extract ratios obtained from experimental and steel surgical wires, the latter being the current clinical industry standard. The MgCa0.7 alloy wires were approx. 1.5 times more toxic to cancer cells at all examined extract ratios vs. the extracts from steel surgical wires that exhibited comparable toxicity towards healthy and cancer cells. The ZnMg0.004 alloy wires displayed increased toxicity towards cancer cells with decreasing extract ratios. This was also reflected in the increased anticancer effectiveness, calculated based on the viability ratio of healthy cells to cancer cells, from 1.1 to 4.0 times. Healthy cell viability remained at 80–100%, whereas cancer cell survival fluctuated at 20–75%, depending on the extract ratio. Furthermore, the culture of normal or cancer cells on the surface of Zn/Mg-coated titanium allowed us to select combinations of specific coating layers that yielded a comparable anticancer effectiveness to that observed with the experimental wires that ranged between 2 and 3. Overall, this work not only demonstrates the substantial anticancer properties of the studied wires but also indicates that similar anticancer effects can be replicated with appropriate nanocoatings on titanium samples. We believe that this work lays the groundwork for the future potential development of the category of new implants endowed with anticancer properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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15 pages, 3008 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Optimization of Polydimethylsiloxane-Modified Composite Synthesis and Its Impact on Collagen Interactions: Perspectives for Biomedical Applications

by Leszek Kadziński and Bogdan Banecki

Materials 2024, 17(5), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17051045 - 24 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1008

Abstract

This research explores how silica composites modified with polydimethylsiloxane interact with collagen, aiming to enhance their application in the biomedical field. By adjusting the amount of polydimethylsiloxane in these composites, we evaluated their capacity to bind with collagen, an essential feature for biomaterials used in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Our findings reveal that incorporating polydimethylsiloxane into silica composites significantly boosts collagen attachment, indicating strong binding interactions. Notably, the collagen adhered to the composites maintains its natural structure, ensuring its functionality and compatibility with living tissues. This aspect is critical for biomaterials that support cell growth and regeneration in tissue scaffolds. Additionally, this study investigates how the viscosity of polydimethylsiloxane influences collagen binding, offering insights into the tailoring of composite properties for better biological performance. This work highlights the potential of polydimethylsiloxane-modified silica composites in creating innovative biomaterials for regenerative medicine and targeted therapeutic delivery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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16 pages, 6615 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Design, Stereolithographic 3D Printing, and Characterization of TPMS Scaffolds

by Roberta Gabrieli, Raphael Wenger, Marco Mazza, Enrica Verné and Francesco Baino

Materials 2024, 17(3), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030654 - 29 Jan 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

Anatomical and functional tissue loss is one of the most debilitating problems and involves a great cost to the international health-care sector. In the field of bone tissue, the use of scaffolds to promote tissue regeneration is a topic of great interest. In this study, a combination of additive manufacturing and computational methods led to creating porous scaffolds with complex microstructure and mechanical behavior comparable to those of cancellous bone. Specifically, some representative models of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs) were 3D-printed through a stereolithographic technique using a dental resin. Schwarz primitive and gyroid surfaces were created computationally: they are characterized by a complex geometry and a high pore interconnectivity, which play a key role in the mechanism of cell proliferation. Several design parameters can be varied in these structures that can affect the performance of the scaffold: for example, the larger the wall thickness, the lower the elastic modulus and compressive strength. Morphological and mechanical analyses were performed to experimentally assess the properties of the scaffolds. The relationship between relative density and elastic modulus has been analyzed by applying different models, and a power-law equation was found suitable to describe the trend in both structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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13 pages, 5795 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Characterization of Tannic Acid-Coated AZ31 Mg Alloy for Biomedical Application and Comparison with AZ91

by Jacopo Barberi, Muhammad Saqib, Anna Dmitruk, Jörg Opitz, Krzysztof Naplocha, Natalia Beshchasna, Silvia Spriano and Sara Ferraris

Materials 2024, 17(2), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020343 - 10 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1319

Abstract

Magnesium alloys are promising materials for bioresorbable implants that will improve patient life and reduce healthcare costs. However, their clinical use is prevented by the rapid degradation and corrosion of magnesium, which leads to a fast loss of mechanical strength and the formation of by-products that can trigger tissue inflammation. Here, a tannic acid coating is proposed to control the degradation of AZ31 and AZ91 alloys, starting from a previous study by the authors on AZ91. The coatings on the two materials were characterized both by the chemical (EDS, FTIR, XPS) and the morphological (SEM, confocal profilometry) point of view. Static degradation tests in PBS and electrochemical measurements in different solutions showed that the protective performances of the tannic acid coatings are strongly affected by the presence of cracks. The presence of fractures in the protective layer generates galvanic couples between the coating scales and the metal, worsening the corrosion resistance. Although degradation control was not achieved, useful insights on the degradation mechanisms of coated Mg surfaces were obtained, as well as key points for future studies: it resulted that the absence of cracks in protective coatings is of uttermost importance for novel biodegradable implants with proper degradation kinetics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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17 pages, 6274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polyvinylpyrrolidone–Alginate Film Barriers for Abdominal Surgery: Anti-Adhesion Effect in Murine Model

by Anna A. Forysenkova, Mariya V. Konovalova, Inna V. Fadeeva, Olga S. Antonova, Olga D. Kotsareva, Tatiana K. Slonskaya, Julietta V. Rau and Elena V. Svirshchevskaya

Materials 2023, 16(16), 5532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16165532 - 9 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1367

Abstract

Surgical operations on the peritoneum are often associated with the formation of adhesions, which can interfere with the normal functioning of the internal organs. The effectiveness of existing barrier materials is relatively low. In this work, the effectiveness of soluble alginate–polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-Alg) and non-soluble Ca ion cross-linked (PVP-Alg-Ca) films in preventing these adhesions was evaluated. Experiments in vivo were performed on mice via mechanical injury to the adjacent peritoneum wall and the caecum, followed by the application of PVP-Alg or PVP-Alg-Ca films to the injured area. After 7 days, samples from the peritoneal wall and caecum were analyzed using histology and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). It was shown that the expression of genes responsible for adhesion formation in the caecum in the PVP-Alg group was comparable to that in the control group, while in the PVP-Alg-Ca group, it increased by 5–10 times. These results were consistent with the histology: in the PVP-Alg group, the adhesions did not form, while in the PVP-Alg-Ca group, the adhesions corresponded to five points on the adhesion scale. Therefore, the formation of intraperitoneal adhesions can be effectively prevented by non-crosslinked, biodegradable PVP-Alg films, whereas cross-linked, not biodegradable PVP-Alg-Ca films cause inflammation and adhesion formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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13 pages, 8766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties of PMMA-Based Composite Bone Cement Containing Silver-Doped Bioactive and Antibacterial Glass Particles with Different Particles Sizes

by Marta Miola, Giovanni Lucchetta and Enrica Verné

Materials 2023, 16(13), 4499; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16134499 - 21 Jun 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1761

Abstract

In the present work, antibacterial composite bone cement was designed by introducing a bioactive and antibacterial glass into a commercial formulation. The effect of glass particles’ addition on the curing parameters of the polymeric matrix was evaluated; moreover, the influence of the glass particle size on the glass dispersion, compressive and bending strength, bioactivity, and antibacterial effect was estimated. The results evidence a delay in the polymerization kinetics of the composite cement, which nevertheless complies with the requirements of the ISO standard. Morphological characterization provides evidence of good dispersion of the glass in the polymeric matrix and its exposition on the cement surface. The different glass grain sizes do not affect the composites’ bioactivity and compressive strength, while a slight reduction in bending strength was observed for samples containing glass powders with greater dimensions. The size of the glass particles also appears to have an effect on the antibacterial properties, since the composites containing larger glass particles do not produce an inhibition halo towards the S. aureus strain. The obtained results demonstrate that, by carefully tailoring the glass amount and size, a multifunctional device for artificial joint fixing, temporary prostheses, or spinal surgery can be obtained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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11 pages, 3212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

¹H NMR and EPR Spectroscopies Investigation of Alginate Cross-Linking by Divalent Ions

by Anna A. Forysenkova, Valeria A. Ivanova, Inna V. Fadeeva, Georgy V. Mamin and Julietta V. Rau

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2832; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072832 - 2 Apr 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2089

Abstract

Alginate is a natural polymer widely applied in materials science, medicine, and biotechnology. Its ability to bind metal ions in order to form insoluble gels has been comprehensively used to create capsules for cell technology, drug delivery, biomedical materials, etc. To modify and predict the properties of cross-linked alginate, knowledge about the mechanism of alginate binding with metal ions and the properties of its gels is necessary. This article presents the results obtained by proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for alginate containing calcium and strontium (alkaline earth metal diamagnetic) ions and by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for alginate with copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) (transition metal paramagnetic) ions. It was found that in the case of calcium (Ca) and Mn ions, their concentration does not affect their distribution in the alginate structure and the cross-linking density. In the case of strontium (Sr) and Cu ions, their number affects the number of binding sites and, accordingly, the cross-linking density. Thus, the cross-linking of alginate depends mainly on the characteristics of specific cations, while the nature of the bond (ionic or coordination type) is less important. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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Review

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21 pages, 5832 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Biodegradable and Biocompatible Synthetic Polymers Used in Skin Wound Healing

by Ruojiao Xu, Yifeng Fang, Zhao Zhang, Yajie Cao, Yujia Yan, Li Gan, Jinbao Xu and Guoying Zhou

Materials 2023, 16(15), 5459; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16155459 - 3 Aug 2023

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 3941

Abstract

The treatment of skin wounds caused by trauma and pathophysiological disorders has been a growing healthcare challenge, posing a great economic burden worldwide. The use of appropriate wound dressings can help to facilitate the repair and healing rate of defective skin. Natural polymer biomaterials such as collagen and hyaluronic acid with excellent biocompatibility have been shown to promote wound healing and the restoration of skin. However, the low mechanical properties and fast degradation rate have limited their applications. Skin wound dressings based on biodegradable and biocompatible synthetic polymers can not only overcome the shortcomings of natural polymer biomaterials but also possess favorable properties for applications in the treatment of skin wounds. Herein, we listed several biodegradable and biocompatible synthetic polymers used as wound dressing materials, such as PVA, PCL, PLA, PLGA, PU, and PEO/PEG, focusing on their composition, fabrication techniques, and functions promoting wound healing. Additionally, the future development prospects of synthetic biodegradable polymer-based wound dressings are put forward. Our review aims to provide new insights for the further development of wound dressings using synthetic biodegradable polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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16 pages, 2324 KiB

Open AccessReview

Silicon Nitride Ceramics: Structure, Synthesis, Properties, and Biomedical Applications

by Robert B. Heimann

Materials 2023, 16(14), 5142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16145142 - 21 Jul 2023

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6685

Abstract

Silicon nitride ceramics excel by superior mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties that render the material suitable for applications in several technologically challenging fields. In addition to high temperature, high stress applications have been implemented in aerospace gas turbines and internal combustion engines as well as in tools for metal manufacturing, forming, and machining. During the past few decades, extensive research has been performed to make silicon nitride suitable for use in a variety of biomedical applications. This contribution discusses the structure–property–application relations of silicon nitride. A comparison with traditional oxide-based ceramics confirms that the advantageous mechanical and biomedical properties of silicon nitride are based on a high proportion of covalent bonds. The present biomedical applications are reviewed here, which include intervertebral spacers, orthopedic and dental implants, antibacterial and antiviral applications, and photonic parts for medical diagnostics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials for Medical Applications)

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