Influence of Copper-Strontium Co-Doping on Bioactivity, Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity of Mesoporous Bioactive Glass

Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) is an extensively studied biomaterial used for the healing of bone defects. Its biological applications can be tailored by introducing metallic ions, such as strontium (Sr) and copper (Cu), which can enhance its functionalities, including osteogenetic, angiogenetic and antibacterial functionalities. In this study, Cu and Sr ions were co-doped (ratio 1:1) with x = 0.5, 1 and 2 mol% each in glass with an intended nominal composition of 80SiO2-(15-2x)CaO-5P2O5-xCuO-xSrO and synthesized with an evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA)-based sol-gel technique. XRD confirmed the amorphous nature of the glass, while compositional analysis using ICP-OES confirmed the presence of dopant ions with the required amounts. A TEM study of the MBG powders showed fringes that corresponded to the formation of a highly ordered mesoporous structure. The Cu-Sr-doped MBG showed a positive effect on apatite formation when immersed in SBF, although the release of Cu and Sr ions was relatively slow for 1 mol% of each co-dopant, which signified a stable network structure in the glass. The impact of the Cu and Sr ions on the osteoblast-like cell line MG-63 was assessed. At the particle concentrations of 1 wt./vol.% or lower, the cell viability was above 50%. An antibacterial test was conducted against Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria. With a sequential increase in the co-doped ion content in the glass, the zone of inhibition for bacteria increased. The results suggest that the doping of MBG with Cu and Sr ions at up to 2 mol% can result in tailored sustained release of ions to enhance the applicability of the studied glass as a functional biomaterial for bone regeneration applications.European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant number 739566VEGA 1/0191/2

Democratic Architecture – Kamenný vrch

The bachelor thesis intends to add a new perspective to the area of Kamenný vrch, which is currently dominated by a residential function. The urban design defines the center of the site, thus responding to the lack of a unified public space for the inhabitants. The designed mixed-use building is located in the southeast of the area and includes residential units on the upper floors, a vertical farm, and a market. The vertical farm and market bring new work opportunities to the area and are an interesting tourist attraction. The functions and form of the building are primarily influenced by the noise pollution from the surrounding roads and the orientation to the cardinal points

Democratic Architecture – Kamenný vrch

The bachelor thesis intends to add a new perspective to the area of Kamenný vrch, which is currently dominated by a residential function. The urban design defines the center of the site, thus responding to the lack of a unified public space for the inhabitants. The designed mixed-use building is located in the southeast of the area and includes residential units on the upper floors, a vertical farm, and a market. The vertical farm and market bring new work opportunities to the area and are an interesting tourist attraction. The functions and form of the building are primarily influenced by the noise pollution from the surrounding roads and the orientation to the cardinal points

Glass production in the Middle Ages from Italy to Central Europe: the contribution of archaeometry to the history of technology

The present paper reports and discusses data obtained by a combined archaeological and archaeometric study carried out on an assemblage of selected Medieval glass finds from the Monastery of St. Severus in Classe (Ravenna, Italy) and ascribable to the 13–16th CE. Glassware belonging to three main typological groups was selected for this study: ampoules, nuppenbecher and kropfflasche. Such a choice mainly stems from the intent to evaluate typological and compositional affinities of these peculiar vessel typologies with the same forms unearthed in different regions of Central Europe, as a starting point for a possible reconstruction of trade contacts between Italy and Central Europe. Archaeological contextualisation of the site and chrono-typological study of glass vessels were associated to ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) analyses, performed to characterise the composition of the glassy matrix (major and minor components as well as trace elements). The results, elaborated according to the archaeometric glass classification and provenancing of raw materials, shed new light on glass production in late Medieval times and can be broaden framed as a starting point for interpreting relations and exchanges between geographical areas and related cultures

Electrospun PCL Fiber Mats Incorporating Multi-Targeted B and Co Co-Doped Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles for Angiogenesis

Vascularization is necessary in tissue engineering to keep adequate blood supply in order to maintain the survival and growth of new tissue. The synergy of biologically active ions with multi-target activity may lead to superior angiogenesis promotion in comparison to single-target approaches but it has been rarely investigated. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mats embedded with B and Co co-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles (BCo.BGNs) were fabricated as a tissue regeneration scaffold designed for promoting angiogenesis. BCo.NBGs were successfully prepared with well-defined spherical shape using a sol-gel method. The PCL fiber mats embedding co-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles were fabricated by electrospinning using benign solvents. The Young’s moduli of the nanoparticle containing PCL fiber mats were similar to those of the neat fiber mats and suitable for scaffolds utilized in soft tissue repair approaches. The mats also showed non-cytotoxicity to ST-2 cells. PCL fiber mats containing BCo.BGNs with a relatively high content of B and Co promoted the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor to a greater extent than PCL fiber mats with a relatively low B and Co contents, which demonstrates the potential of dual ion release (B and Co) from bioactive glasses to enhance angiogenesis in soft tissue engineering

Glass production in the Middle Ages from Italy to Central Europe: the contribution of archaeometry to the history of technology

The present paper reports and discusses data obtained by a combined archaeological and archaeometric study carried out on an assemblage of selected Medieval glass finds from the Monastery of St. Severus in Classe (Ravenna, Italy) and ascribable to the 13–16th CE. Glassware belonging to three main typological groups was selected for this study: ampoules, nuppenbecher and kropfflasche. Such a choice mainly stems from the intent to evaluate typological and compositional affinities of these peculiar vessel typologies with the same forms unearthed in different regions of Central Europe, as a starting point for a possible reconstruction of trade contacts between Italy and Central Europe. Archaeological contextualisation of the site and chrono-typological study of glass vessels were associated to ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) analyses, performed to characterise the composition of the glassy matrix (major and minor components as well as trace elements). The results, elaborated according to the archaeometric glass classification and provenancing of raw materials, shed new light on glass production in late Medieval times and can be broaden framed as a starting point for interpreting relations and exchanges between geographical areas and related cultures