Organic–Inorganic Surface Modifications for Titanium Implant Surfaces

This paper reviews current physicochemical and biochemical coating techniques that are investigated to enhance bone regeneration at the interface of titanium implant materials. By applying coatings onto titanium surfaces that mimic the organic and inorganic components of living bone tissue, a physiological transition between the non-physiological titanium surface and surrounding bone tissue can be established. In this way, the coated titanium implants stimulate bone formation from the implant surface, thereby enhancing early and strong fixation of bone-substituting implants. As such, a continuous transition from bone tissue to implant surface is induced. This review presents an overview of various techniques that can be used to this end, and that are inspired by either inorganic (calcium phosphate) or organic (extracellular matrix components, growth factors, enzymes, etc.) components of natural bone tissue. The combination, however, of both organic and inorganic constituents is expected to result into truly bone-resembling coatings, and as such to a new generation of surface-modified titanium implants with improved functionality and biological efficacy

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Calcium phosphate and silicate-based nanoparticles:history and emerging trends

Calcium phosphates (CaPs) and silicate-based bioglasses have been extensively studied since the early 1970s due to their unique capacity to bind to host bone, which led to their clinical translation and commercialization in the 1980s. Since the mid-1990s, researchers have synthesized nanoscale CaP and silicate-based particles of increased specific surface area, chemical reactivity, and solubility, which offer specific advantages compared to their bulk counterparts. This review provides a critical perspective on the history and emerging trends of these two classes of ceramic nanoparticles. Their synthesis and functional properties in terms of particle composition, size, shape, charge, dispersion, and toxicity are discussed as a function of relevant processing parameters. Specifically, emerging trends such as the influence of ion doping and mesoporosity on the biological and pharmaceutical performance of these nanoparticles are reviewed in more detail. Finally, a broad comparative overview is provided on the physicochemical properties and applicability of CaP and silicate-based nanoparticles within the fields of (i) local delivery of therapeutic agents, (ii) functionalization of biomaterial scaffolds or implant coatings, and (iii) bioimaging applications. This review provides a critical perspective on the history and emerging trends of the two main classes of bioceramic nanoparticles, that is, calcium phosphate (CaP) and silicate-based nanoparticles. While most reviews in literature focus on either CaP or silicate-based nanoparticles, our review evaluates both classes of bioceramic nanoparticles simultaneously. This combined review offers the opportunity to analyze differences and similarities with respect to the historic development and emerging trends within both fields of bioceramics research

Surface functionalization of polylactic acid fibers with alendronate groups does not improve the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced calcium phosphate cements

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) are frequently used as synthetic bone substitute, but their intrinsic low fracture toughness impedes their application in highly loaded skeletal sites. However, fibers can be used to reduce the brittleness of these CPCs provided that the affinity between the fibers and cement matrix facilitates the transfer of loads from the matrix to the fibers. The aim of the present work was to improve the interface between hydrophobic polylactic acid (PLA) microfibers and hydrophilic CPC. To this end, calcium-binding alendronate groups were conjugated onto the surface of PLA microfibers via different strategies to immobilize a tunable amount of alendronate onto the fiber surface. CPCs reinforced with PLA fibers revealed toughness values which were up to 50-fold higher than unreinforced CPCs. Nevertheless, surface functionalization of PLA microfibers with alendronate groups did not improve the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced CPCs

Alginate-hydroxypropylcellulose hydrogel microbeads for alkaline phosphatase encapsulation

There is a growing interest in using proteins as therapeutics agents. Unfortunately, they suffer from limited stability and bioavailability. We aimed to develop a new delivery system for proteins. ALP, a model protein, was successfully encapsulated in the physically cross-linked sodium alginate/hydroxypropylcellulose (ALG-HPC) hydrogel microparticles. The obtained objects had regular, spherical shape and a diameter of similar to 4 mu m, as confirmed by optical microscopy and SEM analysis. The properties of the obtained microbeads could be controlled by temperature and additional coating or crosslinking procedures. The slow, sustained release of ALP in its active form with no initial burst effect was observed for chitosan-coated microspheres at pH = 7.4 and 37 degrees C. Activity of ALP released from ALG/HPC microspheres was confirmed by the occurance of effectively induced mineralization. SEM and AFM images revealed formation of the interpenetrated three-dimensional network of mineral, originating from the microbeads' surfaces. FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed formation of hydroxyapatite

Surface functionalization of polylactic acid fibers with alendronate groups does not improve the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced calcium phosphate cements

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) are frequently used as synthetic bone substitute, but their intrinsic low fracture toughness impedes their application in highly loaded skeletal sites. However, fibers can be used to reduce the brittleness of these CPCs provided that the affinity between the fibers and cement matrix facilitates the transfer of loads from the matrix to the fibers. The aim of the present work was to improve the interface between hydrophobic polylactic acid (PLA) microfibers and hydrophilic CPC. To this end, calcium-binding alendronate groups were conjugated onto the surface of PLA microfibers via different strategies to immobilize a tunable amount of alendronate onto the fiber surface. CPCs reinforced with PLA fibers revealed toughness values which were up to 50-fold higher than unreinforced CPCs. Nevertheless, surface functionalization of PLA microfibers with alendronate groups did not improve the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced CPCs