Papers by Keyword: Implant Coating

Abstract: Surface biofunctionalization is a common strategy to improve the material-tissue interface of inert implant surfaces. In this context we coated alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) ceramics after titanium plasma spraying with two different porous calcium phosphate layers and subsequently functionalized the obtained surfaces either with an RGD containing cell adhesion peptide sequence or a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-glycosaminoglycan complex. We studied initial cell adhesion densities, integrin expression, and alkaline phosphatase activity as an osteogenic marker of the coatings in vitro in comparison to the non-functionalized ATZ ceramics to evaluate the bone ingrowth potential of these biofunctionalized implant coatings.

Abstract: Success in surgical joint replacements has resulted in a huge demand amongst patients. Coupled with the lowered average age of patients requiring hip replacements, younger patients are demanding longer life expectancy from such devices. The increasing need and demand for more durable implants have led to new formulations of high performance nanomaterials (materials with basic structural units of 1-100 nm). Nanotubes in particular have shown great promise because they: 1) have sizes that approach biological structures and 2) possess efficient channels for displaying chemistries relevant to living systems at high densities and well-controlled spatial distribution. Helical rosette nanotubes (HRN) are a new class of soft organic nanomaterials composed of a guanine-cytosine building block that self-assembles in aqueous environments into stable nanotubular structures with an inner diameter of ~1.1 nm. HRN can be decorated with biologically active chemical functionalities such as cell attracting peptide fragments. Previously, we have showed that HRN coated Ti can enhance OB attachment. In addition, proteins were seen to interact favorably with HRN networks in a manner favorable toward OB attachment. Furthermore, in the absence of proteins, HRN were seen to play the role of proteins in promoting OB attachment. The studies herein, attempt to understand the role of the lysine clusters on HRN toward OB attachment. Results show that OB do respond to lysine and molecular orientation considerations were shown to be important. Detailed structural considerations from molecular modeling further present the possibility of topographical influences (nanotube network architecture) towards OB attachment.

Abstract: A huge variety of nano-objects, allowing specific reactions at well-defined positions can be generated using oxo-molybdenum compounds based building blocks and fragments. On the other side, the use of suphur-based interfaces as metal-based organic materials is a new area with many potential applications in medicine, particularly as implants. In that respect, as precursors for building new materials with pronounced characteristics five new dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of the general formula [MoO2(Rdtc)2] have been used in the present work. Their predicted geometries optimized by the MO calculations are in excellent agreement with the reported crystal structure data, and therefore can be used as models for docking study between complexes and biomolecules. In silico screening for complex-protein interaction will be able to predict behavior of such materials implanted in living systems.