Covalent vectored binding of functional proteins by bifunctional crosslinking at silicone interfaces

One-Step Synthesis of Dynamically Shaped Stiff Nanorods Using Soft Silicone Materials to Control Water Repulsion and Collection

One-dimensional silicone nanostructures, such as filaments, wires, and tubes, have attracted significant attention, owing to their remarkable application capabilities in a large range of material and surface science. However, the soft mechanical properties of silicone cause vulnerability and irregularity in the synthesized structures, which limits their applications. Herein, a simple, solvent-free, and efficient dynamic Droplet Assisted Growth and Shaping (d-DAGS) strategy is proposed for the one-step synthesis and in situ control of the shape of silicone nanostructures. The special designed bamboo-shaped silicone nanorods (SNRs) that are produced by the repetitive dynamic regulation of growth conditions, concomitant with the periodic purging and injection of precursors, exhibit highly-regular and tunable structure with a specific number of segments, indicating that they can be tailor-made according to the requirements of various properties. The enhanced mechanical stiffness and chemical durability strongly support their excellent performances in water-resistance under both static and dynamic wetting conditions. The SNRs significantly promote buoyancy and self-cleaning properties; and exhibit very high water-harvesting efficiency compared with existing designs. Notably, the well-structured ultra-long rods with an ultrahigh aspect ratio (≈176) can also be fabricated by the d-DAGS method, and they can remain standing straight upwards and regular, even though they consist of flexible silicone.

Bio-functionalization of grade V titanium alloy with type I human collagen for enhancing and promoting human periodontal fibroblast cell adhesion - an in-vitro study

Surface modification of medical grade V titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) with biomolecules is an important and vital step for tailoring it for various biomedical applications. Present study investigates theinfluence of type I human collagen (T1HC) bio-conjugation through a three stage process. Polished grade V titanium alloy discs were functionalizedwith free OH group by means of controlled heat and alkali treatment followed by coating of 3-aminopropyltriethoxy (APTES) silane couplingagent. T1HC were bio-conjugated through 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDCNHS)coupling reaction. At each stage, grade V titanium alloy surfaces were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Xrayphotoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FTIR and XPS studies confirms thecovalent attachment of APTES with titanium alloy surface while terminalamine groups of APTES remained free for further attachment of T1HCthrough covalent bond. Aqueous stability of bio-conjugated titanium discsat various pH and time intervals (i.e. at pH of 5.5, 6.8 and 8.0 at timeinterval of 27 and 48h) confirmed the stability of T1HC bioconjugated collagen on titanium surface. Further human periodontalfibroblast cell line (HPdlF) culture revealed enhanced adhesion on theT1HC bio-conjugated surface compared to the polystyrene and polishedgrade V titanium alloy surfaces.

Comparison of the postoperative incidence rate of capsular contracture among different breast implants: a cumulative meta-analysis

Background

A large number of clinical studies have reported that the different materials used in breast implants were a possible cause of the different incidence rates of capsular contracture observed in patients after implantation. However, this theory lacks comprehensive support from evidence-based medicine, and considerable controversy remains.

Objectives

In this study, a cumulative systematic review examined breast augmentation that used implants with textured or smooth surfaces to analyze the effects of these two types of implants on the occurrence of postoperative capsular contracture.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of literature databases, including PubMed and EMBASE, for clinical reports on the incidence of capsular contracture after the implantation of breast prostheses. We performed a cumulative meta-analysis on the incidence of capsular contracture in order from small to large sample sizes and conducted subgroup analyses according to the prosthetic material used, the implant pocket placement, the incision type and the duration of follow-up. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as the final pooled statistics.

Results

This meta-analysis included 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two retrospective studies. The cumulative comparison of textured and smooth breast implants showed statistical significance at 2.13 (95% CI, 1.18-3.86) when the fourth study was entered into the analysis. With the inclusion of more reports, the final results indicated that smooth breast implants were more likely to be associated with capsular contracture, with statistical significance at 3.10 (95% CI, 2.23-4.33). In the subgroup analyses, the subgroups based on implant materials included the silicone implant group and the saline implant group, with significant pooled statistical levels of 4.05 (95% CI, 1.97-8.31) and 3.12 (95% CI, 2.19-4.42), respectively. According to implant pocket placement, a subglandular group and a submuscular group were included in the analyses, and only the subglandular group had a statistically significant pooled result of 3.59 (95% CI, 2.43-5.30). Four subgroups were included in the analyses according to incision type: the inframammary incision group, the periareolar incision group, the transaxillary incision group and the mastectomy incision group. Among these groups, only the pooled results of the inframammary and mastectomy incision groups were statistically significant, at 2.82 (95% CI, 1.30-6.11) and 2.30 (95% CI, 1.17-4.50), respectively. Three follow-up duration subgroups were included in the analyses: the one-year group, the two- to three-year group and the ≥five-year group. These subgroups had statistically significant results of 4.67 (95% CI, 2.35-9.28), 3.42 (95% CI, 2.26-5.16) and 2.71 (95% CI, 1.64-4.49), respectively.

Conclusion

In mammaplasty, the use of textured implants reduces the incidence of postoperative capsular contracture. Differences in implant pocket placement and incision type are also likely to affect the incidence of capsular contracture; however, this conclusion awaits further study.

Capsular contracture by silicone breast implants: possible causes, biocompatibility, and prophylactic strategies

The most common implanted material in the human body consists of silicone. Breast augmentation and breast reconstruction using silicone-based implants are procedures frequently performed by reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons. A main complication of this procedure continues to be the development of capsular contracture (CC), displaying the result of a fibrotic foreign body reaction after the implantation of silicone. For many years, experimental and clinical trials have attempted to analyze the problem of its etiology, treatment, and prophylaxis. Different theories of CC formation are known; however, the reason why different individuals develop CC in days or a month, or only after years, is unknown. Therefore, we hypothesize that CC formation, might primarily be induced by immunological mechanisms along with other reasons. This article attempts to review CC formation, with special attention paid to immunological and inflammatory reasons, as well as actual prophylactic strategies. In this context, the word “biocompatibility” has been frequently used to describe the overall biological innocuousness of silicone in the respective studies, although without clear-cut definitions of this important feature. We have therefore developed a new five-point scale with distinct key points of biocompatibility. Hence, this article might provide the basis for ongoing discussion in this field to reduce single-publication definitions as well as increase the understanding of biocompatibility.