Synthesis and applications of graphene oxide aerogels in bone tissue regeneration: a review

Development of biocompatible porous supports is a promising strategy in the field of tissue engineering for the repair and regeneration of bone tissues with severe damage. Graphene oxide aerogels (GOAs) are excellent candidates for the manufacture of these systems due to their porosity, ability to imitate bone structure, and mechanical resistance, and according to their surface chemical reactivity, they can facilitate osseointegration, osteogenesis, osteoinduction and osteoconduction. In this review, synthesis of GOAs from the most primary source is described, and recent studies on the use of these functionalized carbonaceous foams as scaffolding for bone tissue regeneration are presented.     

Effects of swimming associated with risedronate in osteopenic bones: An experimental study with ovariectomized rats

Physical activity and risedronate sodium have effects on metabolic bone diseases, maintaining the integrity of bone tissue. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of swimming associated with risedronate as a prophylactic means in osteopenic bone of ovariectomized rats. A total of 24 animals of the Wistar strain were used and separated into four groups containing six animals: Ovariectomy (OVX), ovariectomy and swimming (OVXS), ovariectomy and risedronate (OVXM), ovariectomy, risedronate and swimming (OVXMS). The effectiveness of the treatments were evaluated using the tibia by means of biomechanical, radiographic, histomorphometric analyzes. Statistical analysis was performed by the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05). The OVXM and OVXMS groups showed higher values ​​compared to OVX in maximum strength and rigidity. Microscopic analysis showed increased trabecular bone in the OVXM group in relation to the others, and in the OVXMS compared to OVXS. Proximal densitometry in the OVXM and OVXMS groups showed higher values than the OVX and OVXS groups. There were no significant differences in overall densitometry. In conclusion, when comparing the prophylactic means, risedronate was able to preserve bone mass significantly, unlike exercise where an improvement of bone tissue was observed, although not significant, and when swimming and risedronate are combined the result was even better.     

LAXS investigation of finger phantoms

Osteoporosis is a bone condition that is caused mainly by the degradation of trabecular and cortical bone resulting in the decrease of bone strength and eventually leads to bone fracture. A low angle X-ray scattering (LAXS) system that uses mainly the coherent scattering process for the characterisation of materials was constructed to study such bone conditions. Several finger phantoms were fabricated to simulate bone of varying densities. The LAXS method was able to identify the changes in bone density quite well by comparing energy dispersive X-ray diffraction patterns as well as the angular patterns. Quantitative information can be extracted from such patterns that relate to bone loss. Signature patterns at low exposure times were produced in order to reduce the dose received with reasonable identification power but at slightly higher statistical errors compared with long exposure patterns. Use of other parameters to increase the sensitivity was attempted.     

复合生物材料的研究进展

从力学性能的改善和降解速率的可调度等角度,总结了复合生物材料与单一组分的材料相比,在生物医学领域应用中所表现出的综合使用性能的优越性。综述了复合生物材料,特别是用于骨修复的各类有机／无机复合材料近年来的研究进展状况。提出将与人骨中磷灰石微晶类似的羟基磷灰石纳米粒子与可降解聚酯材料进行复合,能够得到具有优越骨诱导性能并且能够降解的新型骨修复材料。这方面的研究代表了有机／无机复合生物材料领域新的发展方向。     

Location of type B carbonate ion in type A-B carbonate apatite synthesized at high pressure

The structure of a complex, disordered type A-B carbonate apatite (CAp) of approximate composition Ca₁₀(PO₄)_6−y(CO₃)_x+(3/2)y(OH)_2−2x, x-0.7, y-0.6, synthesized at 3 GPa, 1400°C has been determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy at room temperature and pressure. Crystal data are: hexagonal, space group P6₃/m, Z=1; a=9.5143(3), c=6.8821(2) Å, V=539.5 Å³, and R=0.025. There are three structural locations for the carbonate ion. The channel carbonate is mainly in the closed vertical configuration of the structure, with two of its oxygen atoms close to the c-axis (A1 carbonate; IR bands at 1541 and 1449 cm⁻¹), but subordinate amounts are also located in an open vertical configuration (A2 carbonate; IR bands at 1563 and 1506 cm⁻¹). The type B carbonate ion is located close to the sloping faces of the PO₄ tetrahedron (IR bands at 1474 and 1406 cm⁻¹), confirming earlier inferences from polarized IR spectra.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel elastomeric poly(D,L-lactide urethane) maleate composites for bone tissue engineering

Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel 4-arm poly(lactic acid urethane)-maleate (4PLAUMA) elastomer and its composites with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) as potential weight-bearing composite. The 4PLAUMA/nHA ratios of the composites were 1:3, 2:5, 1:2 and 1:1. FTIR and NMR characterization showed urethane and maleate units integrated into the PLA matrix. Energy dispersion and Auger electron spectroscopy confirmed homogeneous distribution of nHA in the polymer matrix. Maximum moduli and strength of the composites of 4PLAUMA/nHA, respectively, are 1973.31 ± 298.53 MPa and 78.10 ± 3.82 MPa for compression, 3630.46 ± 528.32 MPa and 6.23 ± 1.44 MPa for tension, 1810.42 ± 86.10 MPa and 13.00 ± 0.72 for bending, and 282.46 ± 24.91 MPa and 5.20 ± 0.85 MPa for torsion. The maximum tensile strains of the polymer and composites are in the range of 5–93%, and their maximum torsional strains vary from 0.26 to 0.90. The composites exhibited very slow degradation rates in aqueous solution, from approximately 50% mass remaining for the pure polymer to 75% mass remaining for composites with high nHA contents, after a period of 8 weeks. Increase in ceramic content increased mechanical properties, but decreased maximum strain, degradation rate, and swelling of the composites. Human bone marrow stem cells and human endothelial cells adhered and proliferated on 4PLAUMA films and degradation products of the composites showed little-to-no toxicity. These results demonstrate that novel 4-arm poly(lactic acid urethane)-maleate (4PLAUMA) elastomer and its nHA composites may have potential applications in regenerative medicine.     

高龄老年男性腰椎骨密度独立相关因素的研究

目的 通过分析高龄老年（≥80岁）男性腰椎骨密度（LBMD）的独立相关因素,寻找提高高龄老年男性LBMD 的方法。方法 对1066例高龄老年男性进行LBMD测定、血液生化、骨代谢和生殖激素等指标的检测,运用多元回归分析筛选高龄老年男性LBMD 的独立相关因素。结果 高龄老年男性LBMD的独立相关因素有体重指数（β=0.018,P＜0.01）、I型胶原羧基端肽β特殊序列（β=-0.226,P＜0.01）、慢性阻塞性肺疾病（β=-0.047,P＜0.01）、雌二醇（β=0.002,P＜0.01）。结论 维持合理的体重指数和雌二醇水平,降低血清I型胶原羧基端肽β特殊序列水平,积极防治慢性阻塞性肺疾病,可能是提高高龄老年男性LBMD的重要方法。     

Synthesis of Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Ureas Using Unsymmetrical Diaryl Carbonates

Appropriately substituted unsymmetrical diaryl carbonates react smoothly with primary amines to give the carbamates derived by nucleophilic displacement of the less electron rich aromatic substituent. Subsequent treatment of the carbamates with primary and secondary amines gives either symmetrical or unsymmetrical ureas in excellent yield and the overall process can be carried out as a “one pot” operation. Acetonitrile is the preferred solvent and addition of DBU facilitates the carbamate → urea transformation.     

L-Arginine/nanofish bone nanocomplex enhances bone regeneration via antioxidant activities and osteoimmunomodulatory properties

In this study,a promising strategy has been developed to promote bone regeneration by combining antioxidant activities and osteoimmunomodulatory properties.Herein,an L-arginine/nanofish bone(Arg/NFB) nanocomplex has been prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo.The Arg/NFB nanocomplex possesses good antioxidant activities and could modulate the polarization of non-activated macrophage into different types and induce the secretion of pre-inflammato ry,anti-inflammatory,osteogenic as well as angiogenic cytokines.Additionally,the regulated immune microenvironment can enhance the osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryo osteoblast precursor cells(MC3 T3-E1) and angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs),leading to the improved formation of mineralized nodules,alkaline phosphatase activity and angiogenic effects.In vivo results with cranial defect models reveal that the treatment of Arg/NFB nanocomplex exhibited significant improvement of new bone formation and angiogenesis.All the results demonstrate Arg/NFB nanocomplex with antioxidant activities and osteoimmunomodulatory properties could be a new idea for developing the next generation of bone regeneration biomaterials.     

Biodegradable thermogel as culture matrix of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for potential cartilage tissue engineering

Poly（lactide-co-glycolide）-poly（ethylene glycol）-poly（lactide-co-glycolide）（PLGA-PEG-PLGA） triblock copolymer was synthesized through the ring-opening polymerization of LA and GA with PEG as macroinitiator and stannous octoate as catalyst. The amphiphilic copolymer self-assembled into micelles in aqueous solutions, and formed hydrogels as the increase of temperature at relatively high concentrations（〉 15 wt%）. The favorable degradability of the hydrogel was confirmed by in vitro and in vivo degradation experiments. The good cellular and tissular compatibilities of the thermogel were demonstrated. The excellent adhesion and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells endowed PLGA-PEGPLGA thermogelling hydrogel with fascinating prospect for cartilage tissue engineering.