Papers by Author: D.C. Ireland

Abstract: Fine nanoapatite relics were deposited on glass substrates by electrohydrodynamic atomisation, using nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), nano-carbonated hydroxyapatite (nCHA) and nanosilicon- substituted hydroxyapatite (nSiHA) suspensions. These electrosprayed nanoapatites were evaluated in-vitro using simulated body fluid (SBF) and human osteoblast (HOB) cells. The SBF study revealed that newly-formed apatite layers were observed on the surface of the relics. Furthermore, enhanced HOB cell growth was observed on each of the nanoapatites at all time points. Hence, this work demonstrated that electrosprayed nanoapatites offer considerable potential as biomaterials.

Abstract: Human osteoclasts derived from CD14+ precursors were cultured on discs of stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (HA) and carbonate substituted hydroxyapatite (CHA) of varying carbonate contents. Resorption of the ceramic increased with increasing carbonate content up to 2.35 wt. %. Development of osteoclasts is qualitatively different on ceramics compared to dentine, occurring in discrete, confluent subpopulations, which suggests local cell signalling may be important in the process. Resorption appears to drive further development of osteoclasts. Controlling carbonate content may be one way of controlling the rate of resorption of synthetic HA ceramics.

Abstract: The object of this study was to investigate the effect of the concentration of orthosilicic acid (0, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10µM) on gene expression in human osteoblast cells isolated from trabecular bone. This was measured using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to quantify messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. Results showed that while collagen type I mRNA expression was increased by the addition of up to 10µM orthosilicic acid, ALP message was suppressed over time and osteocalcin levels were decreased.