In vitro cytotoxicity of E-glass fiber weave preimpregnated with novel biopolymer

Synthesis and Characterization of Polyamide of Trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline used as Porogen Filler in Acrylic Bone Cement

The aim of this study was to synthesize on a larger scale, an experimental polyamide based on an amino acid of trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline. The polyamide of trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline has been used as porogen filler (i.e., a hydrophilic pore generating material) in nondegradable acrylic bone cement. In in vitro studies, this hydrophilic filling component has been shown to form porosity within the acrylic bone cement in an aqueous environment. The formation of in situ porosity in the acrylic polymer matrix is believed to improve the fixation between the cement and the living bone. Namely, a porous structure can support bone ingrowth and strengthen the mechanical connection between the acrylic bone cement and the bone. The monomer, trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline methyl ester, was prepared from trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline by means of two steps, and the monomer was then polymerized to polyamide of trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline. The polymerization was carried out using a melt polycondensation method. The molecular weights (Mψ) of the produced polyamides were between 1800 and 3600. The products were characterized by FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of fiber reinforced composite bonded retainers and flexible spiral wires retainers in simulated high and low cariogenic environments

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of fiber reinforced composite bonded retainers in comparison with flexible spiral wires (FSWs) under high and low cariogenic-simulated environments using human oral fibroblasts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four types of bonded retainers were evaluated: (1) reinforced with glass fibers: Interlig (Angelus), (2) reinforced with polyethylene fibers: Connect (Kerr), (3) reinforced with quartz fibers: Quartz Splint UD (RTD), and (4) FSW. Twenty specimens of each sample group were prepared with the same surface area and halved. Next, half of them were placed in a high cariogenic environment 60 min in 10% lactic acid 3 times a day and remained in Fusayama Meyer artificial saliva for the rest of the day) and the other half were placed in a low cariogenic environment 20 min in 10% lactic acid 3 times a day and remained in Fusayama Meyer artificial saliva for the rest of the day) for 1, 7 and 30 days. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (α =0.05).

RESULTS

During the 1(st) month, cytotoxicity reduced gradually. In the low cariogenic-simulated environment, the cytotoxicity of all of the groups were reported to be mild at day 30 and the difference between them was significant (P = 0.016). In the same period in the high cariogenic-simulated environment, the cytotoxicity of Connect and Quartz Splint was mild, and they had lower cytotoxicity than the other groups. Meanwhile, Interlig had moderate (52%) and FSW had severe cytotoxicity (22%) and the difference between the groups was also significant (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

FSW retainers are not recommended in those at high-risk for dental caries. However, in those at low-risk, there is no difference from the standpoint of cytotoxicity.

Cytotoxicity of coated and uncoated fibre-reinforced composites

OBJECTIVE

Currently, there are many fibre-reinforced composites (FRCs) available which differ in the type and volume fraction of fibres, pre-treatment of fibres and matrix composition. The aims of this in vitro investigation were to determine whether there is a difference in biocompatibility of FRCs and if coating FRCs with resin composites influences their cytotoxic potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five different FRC materials were tested which were either uncoated or coated with flowable or viscous resin composite. Artificial saliva extracts were prepared according to USP-XXIII and ISO-10993 to determine cytotoxicity by testing cell viability and growth of primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) using MTT assay, LIVE/DEAD(®) assay and cell proliferation assay. The influence of eluates on fibres of the cytoskeleton was investigated by vimentin, tubulin and actinin immunostainings. A two-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's post-hoc test, which included the factors FRC material and coating procedure, was performed to assess cytotoxicity.

RESULTS

All extracts of FRC materials displayed minor cytotoxic potential on HGF cell viability, cell proliferation and integrity of the cytoskeleton. The type of FRC material significantly influenced cell viability (MTT assay) (p < 0.0001), whereas neither the presence of a coating nor the type of coating material resulted in altered cell viability. Distribution and organization of cytosolic fibres was not affected after HGF exposure to eluates.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of knowledge about the leaching behaviour of commonly available fully pre-impregnated FRCs and their interactions with coating materials. The coating of FRCs with resin composite materials did not impact biocompatibility.

In vitro antimicrobial properties of silver-polysaccharide coatings on porous fiber-reinforced composites for bone implants

Biostable fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) implants prepared from bisphenol-A-dimethacrylate and triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate resin reinforced with E-glass fibers have been successfully used in cranial reconstructions in 15 patients. Recently, porous FRC structures were suggested as potential implant materials. Compared with smooth surface, porous surface allows implant incorporation via bone ingrowth, but is also a subject to bacterial attachment. Non-cytotoxic silver-polysaccharide nanocomposite coatings may provide a way to decrease the risk of bacterial contamination of porous FRC structures. This study is focused on the in vitro characterization of the effect porosity on the antimicrobial efficiency of the coatings against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a series of microbiological tests (initial adhesion, antimicrobial efficacy, and biofilm formation). Characterization included confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of porosity on the initial attachment of S. aureus was pronounced, but in the case of P. aeruginosa the effect was negligible. There were no significant effects of the coatings on the initial bacterial attachment. In the antimicrobial efficacy test, the coatings were potent against both strains regardless of the sample morphology. In the biofilm tests, there were no clear effects either of morphology or of the coating. Further coating development is foreseen to achieve a longer-term antimicrobial effect to inhibiting bacterial implant colonization.

Craniofacial bone reconstruction with bioactive fiber-reinforced composite implant

BACKGROUND

A novel, bioactive, fiber-reinforced composite implant is a solution to address the shortcomings in craniofacial bone reconstruction. A longitudinal clinical investigation with a follow-up time of 4 years was conducted.

METHODS

A cranial bone reconstruction with the implant was performed on 12 patients. In these patients, the reasons for craniotomies resulting in craniofacial bone defects were traumatic and spontaneous intracranial bleeding as well as infections to the primary reconstruction material. The implant material consisted of a supporting fiber-reinforced framework, porous inner layers, and a bioactive glass (BG; S53P4) filling. The framework and the porous layers were made of a bisphenol-a-glycidyl methacrylate and triethyleneglycoldi-methacrylate (pBisGMA-pTEGDMA) resin matrix, which was reinforced with silanized E-glass.

RESULTS

In clinical examinations and skull X-rays, the implants were in original positions providing the expected functional and aesthetic outcome at all time points.

CONCLUSION

The implants functioned appropriately, which would provide a potential solution for craniofacial bone reconstruction in the future.

Effects of heat treatment of wood on hydroxylapatite type mineral precipitation and biomechanical properties in vitro

Wood is a natural fiber reinforced composite. It structurally resembles bone tissue to some extent. Specially heat-treated birch wood has been used as a model material for further development of synthetic fiber reinforced composites (FRC) for medical and dental use. In previous studies it has been shown, that heat treatment has a positive effect on the osteoconductivity of an implanted wood. In this study the effects of two different heat treatment temperatures (140 and 200 degrees C) on wood were studied in vitro. Untreated wood was used as a control material. Heat treatment induced biomechanical changes were studied with flexural and compressive tests on dry birch wood as well as on wood after 63 days of simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion. Dimensional changes, SBF sorption and hydroxylapatite type mineral formation were also assessed. The results showed that SBF immersion decreases the biomechanical performance of wood and that the heat treatment diminishes the effect of SBF immersion on biomechanical properties. With scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis it was shown that hydroxylapatite type mineral precipitation formed on the 200 degrees C heat-treated wood. An increased weight gain of the same material during SBF immersion supported this finding. The results of this study give more detailed insight of the biologically relevant changes that heat treatment induces in wood material. Furthermore the findings in this study are in line with previous in vivo studies.

A fiber-reinforced composite prosthesis restoring a lateral midfacial defect: a clinical report

This clinical report describes the use of a glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) substructure to reinforce the silicone elastomer of a large facial prosthesis. The FRC substructure was shaped into a framework and embedded into the silicone elastomer to form a reinforced facial prosthesis. The prosthesis is designed to overcome the disadvantages associated with traditionally fabricated prostheses; namely, delamination of the silicone of the acrylic base, poor marginal adaptation over time, and poor simulation of facial expressions.

Biomimetic mineralization of partially bioresorbable glass fiber reinforced composite

The aim of this study was to investigate the biomimetic mineralization on the surface of a glass fiber reinforced composite with partially resorbable biopolymer matrix. The E-glass fibers were preimpregnated with a novel biopolymer of poly(hydroxyproline) amide, and further impregnated in the monomer system of bis-phenyl glycidyl dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA)--triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), which formed interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) with the preimpregnation polymer. After light-initiated polymerization of the monomer system, the rhombic test specimens (n = 6) were immersed in the simulated body fluid (SBF) with the bioactive glass for 24 h, and then the apatite nuclei were allowed to grow for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days in the SBF. The control test specimens (n = 3) were immersed in SBF without the bioactive glass. According to the scanning electron microscope (SEM), a mineral layer was formed on the surface of all the specimens, which were immersed with bioactive glass. The layer was thickened by the prolonged immersion time to a uniform layer. The Ca/P atomic ratio of the mineral varied between 1.30 and 1.54 as analyzed by the energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra gave signals for the mineral, which are characteristic of both bone-like apatite and orthocalciumphosphate. In conclusion, the mineral layer was formed on the surfaces of the specimens by biomimetic mineralization, the mineral being a mixture of bone-like apatite, orthocalciumphosphate and other calcium phosphates.