Conditioning of 3D Printed Nanoengineered Ionic-Covalent Entanglement Scaffolds with iP-hMSCs Derived Matrix

Additive manufacturing is a promising method for producing customized 3D bioactive constructs for regenerative medicine. Here, 3D printed highly osteogenic scaffolds using nanoengineered ionic-covalent entanglement ink (NICE) for bone tissue engineering are reported. This NICE ink consists of ionic-covalent entanglement reinforced with Laponite, a 2D nanosilicate (nSi) clay, allowing for the printing of anatomic-sized constructs with high accuracy. The 3D printed structure is able to maintain high structural stability in physiological conditions without any significant swelling or deswelling. The presence of nSi imparts osteoinductive characteristics to the NICE scaffolds, which is further augmented by depositing pluripotent stem cell-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) on the scaffolds. This is achieved by stimulating human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iP-hMSCs) with 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzanilide, a PPARγ inhibitor that enhances Wnt pathway, resulting in the deposition of an ECM characterized by high levels of collagens VI and XII found in anabolic bone. The osteoinductive characteristics of these bioconditioned NICE (bNICE) scaffolds is demonstrated through osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells. A significant increase in the expression of osteogenic gene markers as well as mineralized ECM are observed on bioconditioned NICE (bNICE) scaffolds compared to bare scaffolds (NICE). The bioconditioned 3D printed scaffolds provide a unique strategy to design personalized bone grafts for in situ bone regeneration.

Nanoengineered Ionic-Covalent Entanglement (NICE) Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting

We introduce an enhanced nanoengineered ionic-covalent entanglement (NICE) bioink for the fabrication of mechanically stiff and elastomeric 3D biostructures. NICE bioink formulations combine nanocomposite and ionic-covalent entanglement (ICE) strengthening mechanisms to print customizable cell-laden constructs for tissue engineering with high structural fidelity and mechanical stiffness. Nanocomposite and ICE strengthening mechanisms complement each other through synergistic interactions, improving mechanical strength, elasticity, toughness, and flow properties beyond the sum of the effects of either reinforcement technique alone. Herschel-Bulkley flow behavior shields encapsulated cells from excessive shear stresses during extrusion. The encapsulated cells readily proliferate and maintain high cell viability over 120 days within the 3D-printed structure, which is vital for long-term tissue regeneration. A unique aspect of the NICE bioink is its ability to print much taller structures, with higher aspect ratios, than can be achieved with conventional bioinks without requiring secondary supports. We envision that NICE bioinks can be used to bioprint complex, large-scale, cell-laden constructs for tissue engineering with high structural fidelity and mechanical stiffness for applications in custom bioprinted scaffolds and tissue engineered implants.

Hybrid nonlinear photoacoustic and reflectance confocal microscopy for label-free subcellular imaging with a single light source

Nonlinear photoacoustic microscopy is capable of achieving subcellular optically resolved absorption contrast in three dimensions but cannot provide structural context for the acquired images. We have developed a dual-modality imaging system that combines the optical absorption contrast of a nonlinear photoacoustic microscope with the optical scattering contrast of a reflectance confocal microscope. By integrating the confocal detection optics into the optical setup of the nonlinear photoacoustic microscope, the two systems were co-registered and may be acquired at the same time and with the same light source. Simultaneous images of fixed erythrocytes and fibroblasts were measured to demonstrate the complementary information that is provided by the two modalities.

Photocrosslinkable and elastomeric hydrogels for bone regeneration

Nanocomposite biomaterials are extensively investigated for cell and tissue engineering applications due their unique physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Here, we investigated the mechanical, rheological, and degradation properties of photocrosslinkable and elastomeric nanocomposite hydrogels from nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). The addition of nHAp resulted in a significant increase in mechanical stiffness and physiological stability. Cells readily adhere and proliferate on the nanocomposite surfaces. Cyclic stretching of cells on the elastomeric nanocomposites revealed that nHAp elicited a stronger alignment response in the direction of strain. In vitro studies highlight enhanced bioactivity of nanocomposites as determined by alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity. Overall, the elastomeric and photocrosslinkable nanocomposite hydrogels can be used for minimally invasive therapy for bone regeneration.

Cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease related to the R1441G mutation in LRRK2

OBJECTIVE

The neuropsychological characteristics of patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) associated with R1441G mutation in the LRRK2 gene (R1441G-PD) are not well known. The aim of this study was to examine the cognitive status and mood of R1441G-PD patients.

METHODS

Thirty patients with R1441G-PD were compared with thirty idiopathic PD (i-PD) patients who were matched by age, sex, education, disease onset age and duration, using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological test, and considering the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) criteria for the diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI) and dementia (PD-Dementia).

RESULTS

The mean scores in the depression and anxiety scales were similar in the two groups. Depressive symptoms were detected in 31.8% of R1441G-PD and 25% of i-PD patients and anxiety symptoms were evident in 4.5% and 15%, respectively, but the differences were not significant. The only neuropsychological test on which there was a significantly worse performance in the R1441G-PD group was the Boston naming test but the difference became not significant when Bonferroni's correction was applied. The prevalence of PD-MCI was 30% in both R1441G-PD and i-PD, with no differences in the number and type of domains altered given that executive function, memory and attention were mainly affected. PD-Dementia was diagnosed in 13.3% (n = 4) of R1441G-PD and 26.7% (n = 8) of i-PD patients (difference was not significant).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, significant differences were not detected between R1441G-PD and i-PD in cognitive, depression and anxiety scales, or PD-MCI and PD-Dementia prevalence, and the cognitive profile was identical in the two groups.

Shear strength of dentin and dentin bonded composites

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to compare the shear strength of dentin with the shear strength of dentin bonded composites, and to determine how variables such as composite strength and blade width used during shear testing influence shear strength values.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dentin test samples (n = 36) were made by milling the anatomical molar crowns to a shape similar to a composite rod bonded to a flat dentin surface. Dentin bonding was accomplished by bonding composites to flat dentin surfaces (n = 72) using Scotchbond MP and Z100 (n = 36) or Silux Plus (n = 36) composites. Shear testing was conducted using a guillotine-like device with a flat blade embracing half the dentin or composite cylinders. The blade thickness was either 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, or 1.50 mm. Six samples per material and blade thickness were tested. In addition to the above study, the bond strength of Z100 (n = 6) and Silux (n = 6) bonded with Scotchbond MP and tested with an orthodontic edgewire loop were also tested and compared with the bond strength of the Z100 and Silux samples tested with the 0.5 thick blade. All shear testing was done at a load rate of 0.5 mm/min. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test.

RESULTS

The shear strength values when tested with the blades were: dentin = 39.7 +/- 13.0 MPa, Z100 = 29.3 +/- 7.2 MPa, and Silux = 21.1 +/- 4.9 MPa; each group had significantly different values (p < 0.05). The blade thickness had no significant effect on strength (p = 0.471). Comparing the 0.5-mm-wide blade with the edge wire (width = 0.45 mm) revealed a significant difference (p = 0.0014) favoring the blade. Z100 performed better than Silux (p = 0.0014).

CONCLUSION

The shear strength of the tested bonding agent is significantly lower than the shear strength of dentin. The shear strength depends on testing method (blade vs loop) and composite material.

Calcium leaching from dentin and shear bond strength after etching with phosphoric acid of different concentrations

Based on the H2O-P2O5-CaO phase diagram, we hypothesize that a phosphoric acid concentration around 27 wt% leaches most calcium from dentin. We also hypothesize that bond strength is affected by resin infiltration, and that resin infiltration becomes incomplete when calcium leakage exceeds a certain value. Dentin disks were cut from human molars. Eight phosphoric acid concentrations were prepared (15.7-51.2 wt%). For each acid group, there were four etch time subgroups (15, 30, 60 and 120 s). The dentin disks were etched in acid and rinsed in water for times corresponding to 15 s, 30 s, 60 s and 120 s. The calcium concentrations were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Composite cylinders were bonded to the remaining parts of the teeth using the same etching protocol, and shear bond strength was determined. The 29.2 wt% group demonstrated the highest and the 15.7 wt% group the lowest calcium leaching value. Even though there were trends towards lower bond strength for longer etch times, a statistically significant difference was only found between 30 and 120 s. There was no significant correlation between calcium leaching and bond strength. The results support the tested hypothesis that the highest leaching value would be around 27 wt% phosphoric acid.