Papers by Author: Sandra C.P. Cachinho

Abstract: Mineralization experiments on glasses of the Si-Ca-P-Mg system were carried out for 7 days in carbonated simulated inorganic plasma (CSIP) buffered with CO2/HCO3 -. This method enables physiological buffering of the solution within the 7.3–7.4 pH interval by maintaining a HCO3 - concentration between 24 and 27 mmol.L-1, which is the normal concentration range in blood plasma. XRD, SEM/EDS and FTIR were used to characterise the glass surfaces. All glasses exhibited an apatite-like deposit whose Ca/P ratio was dependent on glass composition.

Abstract: A study is reported on the influence of surface morphology, chemistry and albumin adsorption on the in vitro mineralization of titanium. Albumin is the most abundant protein in plasma and was chosen as a pre-incubation medium for titanium substrates previously conditioned by mechanical, thermal and chemical treatment. Subsequent mineralization studies were performed in carbonated simulated inorganic plasma (CSIP) physiologically buffered with CO2/HCO3 -. The results indicate that surface morphology and albumin adsorption contribute to the development of a B-carbonated apatite deposit and, furthermore, that the buffer system may alter the role of albumin in mineralization.