Papers by Author: F.J. Monteiro

Abstract: Cell behaviour such as adhesion, morphology, proliferation and functional activity are highly influenced by surface properties including hydrophobicity, roughness, texture and morphology. These surface properties may be controlled using a mixture of additive coating techniques to produce glass coatings by sol-gel process and soft lithography on dental ceramics. The purpose of this work was to compare cell adhesion and early orientation of Human Bone Marrow (HBM) cells cultured on micro-patterned (micro-PGC) and on flat glass coatings (FGC) produced by sol-gel processing. Spin coating was used to apply SiO2 flat coatings on glass substrates as model surfaces. Photolithography was applied to produce master patterns with microscale dimensions. A moulding technique was used to print micropatterned SiO2 glass coatings produced by a sol-gel process. The coatings were then sintered, sterilized and cultured with HBM cells derived from primary cultures, using a standardized protocol, for 1 and 7 days. Cell morphology and orientation were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Flat and MPGC with line shaped features were produced. Cells presented a typical osteoblastic morphology on flat surfaces while slimmer, preferentially oriented and more elongated morphologies could be seen on line micro-patterned surfaces. HBM cells cultured on flat glass coatings showed increased tendency to spread and to assume more randomized proliferation when compared to the cells on the micro-patterned glass coatings. Micro-patterned glass coatings showed higher orientation control and smaller delay in the rate of proliferation, in early stages of in vitro culture as compared to flat coatings. These preliminary studies revealed that Micro-PGC induce significant morphological changes and controlled orientation of HBM cells during early stages of cell proliferation.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate ceramics are widely used as bone substitutes since they are biocompatible and bioactive. Having a chemical composition close to natural bone, calcium phosphate ceramics are promising bone substitute materials in orthopaedics, maxillofacial surgery and dentistry. Hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) are the most commonly used calcium phosphates, because their calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratios are close to that of natural bone and they are relatively stable in physiological environment. HA is a major constituent of bone materials and is resorbed after a long time of residence in the body. In this work, highly porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds were produced by polymer replication method and their properties evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and micro computerized tomography ()-CT).

Abstract: Calcium phosphate ceramics are widely used as bone substitutes since they are biocompatible and bioactive. Given that their chemical composition is close to natural bone, calcium phosphate ceramics are promising bone substitute materials in orthopaedics, maxillofacial surgery and dentistry. Hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) are the most commonly used calcium phosphates, because their calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratios are close to that of natural bone and they are relatively stable in physiological environment. Furthermore, other critical parameters must be accomplished when designing a biomaterial for bone regeneration, namely: pore size, shape and interconnectivity [1]. Porosity is one of the most important factors since it influences the adhesion, migration nutrient supply and ultimately, proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, HA scaffolds with controlled porosity were obtained and their capacity to support human and rat mesenchymal stem cells attachment and proliferation was evaluated.

Abstract: This study concerns the preparation and characterisation of microspheres associating alginate and two different types of hydroxyapatite (HA), which are intended to be used as drug delivery systems and bone regeneration matrices. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA-1 and HA-2) were prepared using a chemical precipitation synthesis based on H3PO4, Ca(OH)2 and a surfactant, SDS (sodium dodecylsulphate), as starting reagents. These two powders of nanoHA and alginate were used to prepare two different types of microspheres. Both powders and microspheres were characterised using FTIR, TEM, SEM, mercury porosimetry analysis and X-ray diffraction Results show that pure hydroxyapatite (HA) and mixtures of HA/β-TCP in the nanometre range were obtained from both HA syntheses. Microspheres with different characteristics were obtained from these two types of hydroxyapatite.

Abstract: Biocompatibility has long been associated with surface microtopography, microtexture and microchemistry. The surface topography ultimately affects the nature and the strength of the interactions that occur at biomaterial-biological environment (cell adhesion, mobility, spreading and proliferation). Thus, it is necessary to produce and work with controlled microtopographical surfaces that present reproducible microdomains of a dimension similar to that of the biological elements of interest (for instance, cells). [1] There are a number of substrates that already have been studied (such as silicone, polystyrene, poly-L-lactic acid and titanium coated polystyrene) in terms of surface topography. [2] However, few studies are related to hydroxyapatite substrates. As it is well established, hydroxyapatite is a well known ceramic that is extremely used in medical applications, namely implants and coatings. In this work, the surface topography of dense hydroxyapatite substrates was altered by using KFr excimer laser. Excimer lasers produce high-intensity, pulsed ultraviolet radiation and are especially well suited for materials processing due to their large beam cross-section area, which permits using mask projection technologies to process relatively large areas in a single step.[3]

Abstract: Dense and porous hydroxyapatite materials aimed at being used in controlled drug delivery, were characterised and studied in order to evaluate their ability to adsorb and release sodium ampicillin in a controlled manner, as a model for a drug delivery system, potentially applicable associated to surgery for the treatment of bone defects. These porous materials should also have adequate mechanical strength to withstand manipulation and sculpturing in surgery room. Adsorption and release profiles were obtained for a range of porous materials, leading to higher adsorption rates and more adequate release profiles than for dense materials.

Abstract: The adsorption behaviour of sodium ampicillin to dense and porous hydroxyapatite as been extensively studied through the obtention of an adsorption isotherm. This isotherm was produced at body temperature, and a wide range of antibiotic solutions was used. The adsorption behaviour was measured by UV spectroscopy. The shape of the isotherm for the two forms of the material, dense and porous, indicates that the adsorption behaviour of the antibiotic seems to be different; however, this is due to the adsorption taking place within the pores of the porous material, thus showing a larger amount of antibiotic adsorbed.