Fibroblast biological activity on poly(l-lactide) and poly(l-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate)

Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) is acknowledged biocompatible polyester. However, it possesses high crystallinity/brittleness/stiffness and requires long time for complete degradation. In the current study we present data on PLTMC, a copolymer of L-lactide and trimethylene carbonate (TMC). Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) is characterised by good mechanical properties and rapid degradation rate and for this it might possess new desired features for medical applications. During the experiments, adhesion and activity of fibroblasts cultured on PLLA and PLTMC were studied and compared during two time points of 3 and 5 days. On day 3, the number of adherent fibroblasts was compromised when fibroblasts were cultured in the presence of PLTMC but the proper adherence was recovered by day 5. The same pat-tern was observed when we evaluated some activity parameters of fibroblasts. In particular, the release of proteins and nitric oxide was studied as the increased levels of the mediators might indicate unwanted inflammatory-like condition. Overall, the results suggest that the synthesized PLTMC initially shows unwanted effects on fibroblasts but with the time these effects are abolished. Therefore PLTMC seems to represent a new material that is non-cytotoxic and compatible with the living cells

Porous titanium scaffolds with modified surface: in vitro cell biology assessment

Interaction of host cells with a biomaterial surface is important for biocompatibility and thus is essential for biomedical applications. Therefore investigations are undertaken to scrutinize for an appropriate surface coating with physical and chemical properties minimizing undesirable activation of immunological response. For this the current study was aimed at examining the effects of different surface modifications of titanium by its coating with ceramic materials - hydroxyapatite, bioglass and CaO-SiO2on osteoblast morphology and secretory activity. Titanium is known for its excellent mechanical properties but its surface has low bioactivity. We report that CaO-SiO2coating decreased a number of attached osteoblasts and altered their morphology. Moreover, the ceramic coatings temporarily upregulated release of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (all of them) and TNF-α (CaO-SiO2). However, overall the levels of the cytokines were low. In contrast, levels of neutrophil-attracting chemokine IL-8 were the highest. IL-8 was produced mostly by cells incubated with hydroxyapatite titanium coating in contrary to those incubated with either bioglass or CaO-SiO2titanium modifications. In conclusion, the titanium coated with ceramics such as hydroxyapatite or bioglass had the best effect on cell adhesion; however, hydroxyapatite might potentially stimulate destructive neutrophils while CaO-SiO2-coating has a negative effect on cell adhesion

Chemical modification of poly ε-caprolactone with wollastonite and its influence on biological properties of osteoblast like-cells MG-63

PCL (poly-ε-caprolactone) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer of aliphatic polyester group. However, PCL does not effectively bind to the bone in contrast to bioactive inorganic compounds such as wollastonite. For this wollastonite (WS) is regarded as a potential bioactive material for bone tissue engeenering although its main drawback is brittlennes. Therefore we synthesized polymer nanocomposite materials composed of poly-ε-caprolactone and wollastonite (PCL/wollastonite) containing either 0.5% or 5% of the latter modifying filler. And we aimed to verify biological properties of the nanocomposite PCL/WS materials, in comparison to the pure PCL, on cultures of osteoblast-like cells MG-63. The study revealed that the adherence of the osteoblast-like cells to the tested materials was enhanced by the PCL modification (PCL/5WS > PCL/0.5WS > PCL) while cell viability/proliferation was not altered. Furthermore, the activity of alkaline phosphatase indicative of osteoblast differentiation (maturation) was enhanced when the cells were cultured with either PCL/5WS or PCL/0.5WS. Overall, our results indicate that PCL-modified wollastonite improves biological properties of the basic biomaterial suggesting its potential usefulness/application for the bone tissue regeneration

The effect of titanium alloy modified with a-C:N:H and a-SiCxNY(H) coatings on adhesion and immune response of human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells

The study was conducted in order to determine the effects of modified titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) surfaces on the biological response of a human osteoblast-like cell line. MG-63 cells were cultured on disk-shaped Ti-alloys: unmodified, and covered with a-C:N:H or a-SiCxNy(H) layers. Interactions between materials and cells were examined through determination of cells adhesion and secretion of cytokines involved in the development of immune response

The membrane with polylactide and hyaluronic fibers for skin substitute

Skin substitutes are heterogeneous group of scaffolds (natural or synthetic) and cells. We hypothesize that nanofibers with layer composition made of polylactide (PLA) and sodium hyaluronate (HA) obtained using electrospinning method are a good matrix for cell adhesion and proliferation. Methods: Optimal conditions of electrospinning of PLA and HA nanofibers to create layered compositions (PLA membrane covered with HA nonwovens) were determined by modifying parameters such as the appropriate amount of solvents, polymer concentration, mixing temperature and electrospinning process conditions. By changing the parameters, it was possible to control the diameter and properties of both polymer fibers. The spinning solution were characterized by surface tension and rheology. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to determine the morphology and fiber diameters: PLA and HA. Structure of the PLA/HA nonwoven was analyzed using spectroscopy (FTIR/ATR). Biocompatibility of the nonwoven with fibroblasts (ECM producers) was assessed in the in vitro conditions. Results: The results showed that stable conditions for the formation of submicron PLA fibers were obtained using a 13% wt. solution of the polymer, dissolved in a 3:1 mixture of DCM:DMF at 45 °C. The hyaluronic fibers were prepared from a 12% wt. solution of the polymer dissolved in a 2:1 mixture of ammonia water and ethyl alcohol. All materials were biocompatible but to a different degree. Conclusions: The proposed laminate scaffold was characterized by a hydrophobic-hydrophilic domain surface with a maintained fiber size of both layers. The material positively underwent biocompatibility testing in contact with fibroblasts

Potential of cultural ecosystem services in postglacial landscape from the beneficiaries’ perspective

The paper presents the results of a questionnaire carried out among landscape users in Suwałki and Augustów Region concerning the perception of goods of nature. Respondents were asked to assign services to 7 ecosystem types (deciduous forest, coniferous forest, swamp forest, grasslands, croplands, wetlands, water bodies) and rank them in order of importance. Our intention was to show the potential/capacity of each ecosystem type to deliver four cultural ecosystem services: sport and recreation, inspiration for creative work, education and science and spiritual experience in the view of local community and tourists

Potencjał ekosystemów do świadczenia usług zaopatrzeniowych i regulacyjnych w krajobrazie młodoglacjalnym

The general objective of the study was to present different methods for identification and assessment of ecosystem services provided by various ecosystems in postglacial landscape. Our study focused on ecosystem-oriented approach in which the potential of ecosystems to deliver goods and services was analyzed. Other approaches, e.g. society-oriented (dealing with goods and services demands) or process-oriented (focused on uptake of goods and services) were applied only additionally.W niniejszym artykule zaprezentowano wyniki badań nad przestrzennym zróżnicowaniem potencjału ekosystemów do dostarczania wybranych usług zaopatrzeniowych i regulacyjnych. Każde z wybranych do prezentacji świadczeń (cztery usługi zaopatrzeniowe – plony zbóż, miód, biomasa zwierząt kopytnych, zapas drewna na pniu; jedna usługa regulacyjna –sekwestracja węgla w glebie) jest przykładem innego podejścia do definiowania i obliczania wskaźników określających potencjał do świadczenia usług. Wyniki zróżnicowania przestrzennego potencjałów przedstawiono na mapach, obejmujących trzy gminy z Polski północno-wschodniej

Świadczenia ekosystemowe w krajobrazie młodoglacjalnym. Podstawowe założenia i metoda badań

W artykule przedstawiono założenia teoretyczne i metodologię badań projektu finansowanego przez Narodowe Centrum Nauki (2012/07/B/ST10/04344) zatytułowanego “Świadczenia ekosystemowe w krajobrazie młodoglacjalnym – ocena zasobów, zagrożeń i wykorzystania”. Celem projektu jest zastosowanie koncepcji usług ekosystemowych do oceny wartości potencjałowej środowiska przyrodniczego i kulturowego w dostarczaniu ES w trzech gminach (Nowinka, Giby, Suwałki), położonych na obszarze młodoglacjalnym.Nonetheless, to date, there has been rather a small number of scientific papers which verified in a comprehensive manner the methodological assumptions of the ES concept as a conglomerate of material and non-material benefits derived by human from natural environment and cultural heritage. Such scientific approach to ES concept has been adopted and implemented in the project “Ecosystem services in young glacial landscape – assessment of resources, threats and use” supported by National Science Centre (2012/07/ B/ST10/04344), carried out in Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences since 2012. This article presents the project objectives, assumptions and research methodology