Chemical Modification as a Method of Improving Biocompatibility of Carbon Nonwovens

Development and characterization of cornstarch-based bioplastics: Influence of fructose concentration and titanium dioxide (TiO2) variations on structural, chemical bonding, and nutrient-related properties of mung bean plants

This study investigates an environmentally friendly bioplastic made from cornstarch with fructose and different amounts of titanium dioxide (TiO2). The research focuses on its physical, chemical bonding, and nutritional properties. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that TiO2 influences diffraction peaks, affecting the crystal size, with the smallest size of 12.54 nm observed in Sample (II) containing 0.1 g of TiO2. Fourier transform infrared analysis shows slight shifts in the stretching of the -OH groups, indicating consistent elemental composition. The mechanical properties of the bioplastic for Sample (I) lacking TiO2 exhibits the highest Young's modulus of 1.02593 MPa and a tensile strength of 0.1345 MPa. In terms of biodegradation, the cornstarch-based bioplastic decomposes by approximately 80 % in soil after 28 days, aided by moisture and soil microorganisms. Water resistance analysis of the cornstarch-based bioplastic indicates that the sample containing 0.1 g of TiO2 exhibits the highest percentage, with 66.66 % absorption after 120 s. Nutrient concentration analysis using mung bean plants shows increased levels of calcium, potassium, and iron in samples with TiO2, particularly in Sample (II) containing 0.1 g of TiO2, which has significantly higher nutrient content, namely 2.15 % calcium, 1.99 % potassium, and 424.46 ppm iron.

Coating Methods of Carbon Nonwovens with Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid and Its Conjugates with BMP Fragments

The cross-linking of polysaccharides is a universal approach to affect their structure and physical properties. Both physical and chemical methods are used for this purpose. Although chemical cross-linking provides good thermal and mechanical stability for the final products, the compounds used as stabilizers can affect the integrity of the cross-linked substances or have toxic properties that limit the applicability of the final products. These risks might be mitigated by using physically cross-linked gels. In the present study, we attempted to obtain hybrid materials based on carbon nonwovens with a layer of cross-linked hyaluronan and peptides that are fragments of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). A variety of cross-linking procedures and cross-linking agents (1,4-butanediamine, citric acid, and BDDE) were tested to find the most optimal method to coat the hydrophobic carbon nonwovens with a hydrophilic hyaluronic acid (HA) layer. Both the use of hyaluronic acid chemically modified with BMP fragments and a physical modification approach (layer-by-layer method) were proposed. The obtained hybrid materials were tested with the spectrometric (MALDI-TOF MS) and spectroscopic methods (IR and 1H-NMR). It was found that the chemical cross-linking of polysaccharides is an effective method for the deposition of a polar active substance on the surface of a hydrophobic carbon nonwoven fabric and that the final material is highly biocompatible.

Molecular Research on Oral Diseases and Related Biomaterials: A Journey from Oral Cell Models to Advanced Regenerative Perspectives

Oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer affect millions of people worldwide. Much research has been conducted to understand the pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases and translate this knowledge into therapeutics. This review aims to take the reader on a journey from the initial molecular discoveries to complex regenerative issues in oral medicine. For this, a semi-systematic literature search was carried out in Medline and Web of Science databases to retrieve the primary literature describing oral cell models and biomaterial applications in oral regenerative medicine. First, an in vitro cell model of gingival keratinocytes is discussed, which illustrates patho- and physiologic principles in the context of oral epithelial homeostasis and carcinogenesis and represents a cellular tool to understand biomaterial-based approaches for periodontal tissue regeneration. Consequently, a layered gradient nonwoven (LGN) is described, which demonstrates that the key features of biomaterials serve as candidates for oral tissue regeneration. LGN supports proper tissue formation and obeys the important principles for molecular mechanotransduction. Furthermore, current biomaterial-based tissue regeneration trends, including polymer modifications, cell-based treatments, antimicrobial peptides and optogenetics, are introduced to represent the full spectrum of current approaches to oral disease mitigation and prevention. Altogether, this review is a foray through established and new concepts in oral regenerative medicine and illustrates the process of knowledge translation from basic molecular and cell biological research to future clinical applications.