Benchtop plasma treatment of titanium surfaces enhances cell response

ObjectiveModifications to implant surface properties, including topography, chemistry, and wettability, alter immune response, osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs), and implant integration in vivo. Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment has been used to sterilize surfaces and remove adsorbed carbon, improving wettability. However, unless it is used immediately prior to placement, ambient atmospheric hydrocarbons rapidly adhere to the surface, thereby reducing its hydrophilicity. Moreover, this method is not practical in many clinical settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an on-site benchtop modification technique for implants at time of placement, consisting of a DBD plasma that is used to sterilize implants that are pre-packaged in a vacuum. Effects of the plasma-treatment on implant surface properties and cellular response of MSCs and osteoblasts were assessed in vitro.MethodsTitanium-aluminum-vanadium implant surfaces were grit-blasted (GB) or grit-blasted and acid-etched (AE), and packaged under vacuum. AE surfaces were also plasma-treated using the benchtop device (GB + AE) and then removed from the vacuum. GB surface morphology was altered with AE but AE microroughness was not changed with the plasma-treatment. Plasma-treatment increased the surface wettability, but did not alter surface atomic concentrations of titanium, oxygen, or carbon.ResultsMSCs and osteoblast-like cells (MG63 s) produced increased concentrations of osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteoprotegerin after plasma-treatment of AE surfaces compared to non-plasma-treated AE surfaces; production of IL6 was reduced and IL10 was. Aging GB + AE surfaces for 7 days after plasma-treatment but still in the vacuum environment reduced the effectiveness of plasma on cellular response.SignificanceOverall, these data suggest that application of benchtop plasma at the time of implant placement can alter the surface free energy of an implant surface without modifying surface chemical composition and enhance the differentiation and activity of MSCs and osteoblasts that are in contact with these implant surfaces.     

不同表面处理的纯钛对血小板黏附特性的影响

目的:观察钛-血小板相互作用时不同表面处理的纯钛对血小板黏附特性的影响。方法:将商业纯钛片制备成4种不同表面形貌的样本,即抛光表面、酸蚀表面、大颗粒喷砂加酸蚀表面、碱热处理表面,样本经扫描电镜观察及静态接触角分析后,在其表面滴加新鲜制备的富血小板血浆,30 min后进行扫描电镜观察。结果:大颗粒喷砂加酸蚀表面黏附的血小板最多,且形变明显;酸蚀表面血小板的黏附量也较多,但形变较少,以球形居多;抛光表面和碱热处理表面黏附的血小板很少,局部甚至缺无。结论:纯钛表面复杂的微形貌有利于血小板的黏附,钛表面的润湿性对血小板的黏附特性也有影响,亲水性表面不利于血小板的黏附。     

Wettability and kinetics of hydroxyapatite precipitation on a laser-textured Ca–P bioceramic coating

Surface-textured calcium phosphate coatings at four different length scales were synthesized on titanium-based alloys using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser system by a direct melting technique. The textures were obtained by varying the laser spot overlap with a change in laser traverse speed. Surface roughness measurements of the textured coatings carried out using a white light interferometer indicated a decrease in roughness with increasing laser scan speed. Wettability of the coated samples measured using a static sessile drop technique demonstrated an increased hydrophilicity with increasing laser scan speed. The influence of such textures and the associated surface roughness on the precipitation kinetics of hydroxyapatite (HA) during immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) was the prime focus of the present paper. The mineralized samples obtained after immersion in SBF were characterized using X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy to understand the kinetics of HA precipitation. The results thereafter confirmed that the precipitation kinetics of HA was strongly modulated by the varying surface roughness.     

Physical and biological properties of yam as a saliva substitute

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the viscosity and wettability of a water-soluble extract of yam and its effects on lysozyme and peroxidase activities.

Design

Human whole saliva, yam tuber, hen egg-white lysozyme, and bovine lactoperoxidase were used. Viscosity was measured with a cone-and-plate digital viscometer, while wettability was determined by measuring the contact angle. Lysozyme activity was determined by the turbidimetric method. Peroxidase activity was determined using the NbsSCN assay. Hydroxyapatite beads were used as a solid-phase.

Results

The viscosity of the yam solution was proportional to its concentration, with diluted yam solutions at 1:5 and 1:10 in simulated salivary buffer displaying similar viscosity values to unstimulated whole saliva and stimulated whole saliva, respectively. The contact angle of yam solution was not significantly different according to the tested materials or yam concentrations. Contact angles of yam solutions on acrylic resin were higher than those of human saliva. Yam affected lysozyme and peroxidase activities, and those effects were different on the hydroxyapatite surface versus in solution. Hydroxyapatite-adsorbed yam increased subsequent adsorption of lysozyme and peroxidase.

Conclusion

We objectively confirmed the similarity of the viscoelastic properties of yam and human saliva, suggesting a role for yam in the development of effective saliva substitutes.     

Towards a methodology for the effective surface modification of porous polymer scaffolds

A novel low-pressure radio-frequency plasma treatment protocol was developed to achieve the effective through-thickness surface modification of large porous poly (d,l-lactide) (PDLLA) polymer scaffolds using air or water: ammonia plasma treatments. Polymer films were modified as controls. Scanning electron micrographs and maximum bubble point measurements demonstrated that the PDLLA foams have the high porosity, void fraction and interconnected pores required for use as tissue engineering scaffolds. The polymer surface of the virgin polymer does contain acidic functional groups but is hydrophobic.

Following exposure to air or water: ammonia plasma, an increased number of polar functional groups and improved wetting behaviour, i.e. hydrophilicity, of wet surfaces was detected. The number of polar surface functional groups increased (hence the decrease in water contact angles) with increasing exposure time to plasma. The change in surface composition and wettablility of wet polymer constructs was characterised by zeta potential and contact angle measurements. The hydrophobic recovery of the treated PDLLA polymer surfaces was also studied. Storage of the treated polymer constructs in ambient air caused an appreciable hydrophobic recovery, whereas in water only partial hydrophobic recovery occurred. However, in both cases the initial surface characteristics decay as function of time.     

Radiofrequency-generated glow discharge treatment: potential benefits for polyester ligaments

 This multicenter study has revealed that treating a woven polyethylene terephthalate (polyester) ligament with a radiofrequency (RF)-generated glow discharge (RFGD) produces marked benefits in terms of increased cell attachment and proliferation on the implant surface. In vitro tests of the same material revealed that the number of synovial fibroblasts attached to the treated samples after 14 days was four times that of the untreated material. Many of the cells were spread over the surface of a single filament, and some formed bridges between one filament and the next. The incorporation of [³H]-thymidine by synovial stromal cells (a measure of the amount of cell division) growing on the treated material was five times that on the untreated samples. The amount of DNA present on the treated material was also found to be almost an order of magnitude greater than that on untreated samples. This increase in cell attachment and proliferation is almost certainly related to a notable increase in wettability of the polyester surface induced by treatment. Mechanical tests revealed that, for ligaments with a nominal ultimate tensile strength of 2100 N, RF-generated glow treatment reduced the ligament's strength by 12% but increased its stiffness by 15%. After a medium-term fatigue test (10.8 million cycles), however, there appeared to be recovery of the mechanical properties, with the strength and stiffness of untreated and treated samples being essentially the same. After exhaustive fatigue tests (more than 62 million cycles) the residual strength of the treated ligaments was only 9% lower than that of the unfatigued and untreated ligaments. Received: July 1, 2002 / Accepted: October 22, 2002 Acknowledgments. The authors thank Xiros plc for providing ligament samples. We also thank the following individuals for their contribution to the work described in this study: Mr. Les Johnson, School of Textile Industries, University of Leeds, for carrying out wettability tests; Dr. David Woolley, Department of Medicine, University of Manchester for supplying cells for the study at Yorkshire Regional Tissue Bank; Mr. John Tresnan, Xiros plc, for carrying out the mechanical tests. We especially acknowledge the contribution of Sangjin Kang to the work carried out at the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds. Offprint requests to: J.R.J. Rowland     

喷砂联合飞秒激光蚀刻对纯钛表面理化性能的影响

目的 纯钛表面喷砂处理后,利用飞秒激光蚀刻形成表面周期性微结构,初步评价其表面理化性能。方法 12个直径10 mm、厚4 mm的纯钛圆片样本,根据表面处理方式,随机分为喷砂组（S组）、喷砂酸蚀组（SA组）、喷砂飞秒激光蚀刻组（SL组）。采用扫描电镜（SEM）、X射线能谱仪（EDS）、激光共聚焦显微镜（CLSM）、高温润湿角测量仪,分析3种钛表面的表面形貌、化学成分、粗糙度及润湿性。采用 SPSS19.0 软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果 SEM及CLSM观察显示,飞秒激光在喷砂钛表面蚀刻出均匀整齐的周期性微米级结构,SL组钛表面呈二级粗糙度复合结构。EDS分析显示,SL组钛表面Al元素减少（SL组4.37%SA组0.32>S组0）。表面粗糙度测量显示,SL组钛表面粗糙度显著增大 [SL组（7.33±0.38）μm>SA组（1.08±0.12）μm>S组（1.05±0.14）μm]（P<0.001）;表面静态接触角测量显示,SL组钛表面静态接触角显著减小 [SL组（34.4±2.5）°P<0.001）。结论 喷砂联合飞秒激光蚀刻纯钛表面具有优良的理化性能,是一种具有潜力的钛种植体表面改性技术。     

Wettability of denture relining materials under water storage over time

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Poor wettability of denture relining materials may lead to retention problems and patient discomfort.

PURPOSE

Purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate wettability of nine denture relining materials using contact angle measurements under air and water storage over time.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Nine denture relining materials were investigated in this study. Two heat-curing polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) denture base materials: Vertex RS, Lang, one self-curing polyethyl-methacrylate (PEMA) chairside reline resin: Rebase II, six silicone relining materials: Mucopren soft, Mucosoft, Mollosil® plus, Sofreliner Touch, GC Reline™ Ultrasoft, Silagum automix comfort were used in this experiment. Contact angles were measured using high-resolution drop shape analysis system (DSA 10-MK2, KRUESS, Germany) under three conditions (in air after setting, 1 hour water storage, and 24 hours water storage). Nine materials were classified into three groups according to material composition (Group 1: PMMA, Group 2: PEMA, Group 3: Silicone). Mean values of contact angles were compared using independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA, followed by a Scheffe''s post hoc analysis (α= 0.01).

RESULTS

Contact angles of materials tested after air and water storage increased in the following order: Group 1 (PMMA), Group 2 (PEMA), Group 3 (Silicone). Heat-cured acrylic denture base resins had more wettability than silicone relining materials. Lang had the highest wettability after 24 hours of water storage. Silicone relining materials had lower wettability due to their hydrophobicity. Wettability of all denture relining materials, except Rebase II and Mollosil® plus, increased after 24 hours of water storage.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional heat-cured resin showed the highest wettability, therefore, it can be suggested that heat-cured acrylic resin is material of choice for denture relining materials.     

Hydrophobicity of graphene as a driving force for inhibiting biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Objective

To evaluate the surface and wettability characteristics and the microbial biofilm interaction of graphene coating on titanium.

Tailoring the biologic responses of 3D printed PEEK medical implants by plasma functionalization

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of two plasma surface treatments on the biologic responses of PEEK medical implants manufactured by fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing technology.MethodsThis study created standard PEEK samples using an FFF 3D printer. After fabrication, half of the samples were polished to simulate a smooth PEEK surface. Then, argon (Ar) or oxygen (O₂) plasma was used to modify the bioactivity of FFF 3D printed and polished PEEK samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a profilometer were used to determine the microstructure and roughness of the sample surfaces. The wettability of the sample surface was assessed using a drop shape analyzer (DSA) after plasma treatment and at various time points following storage in a closed environment. Cell adhesion, metabolic activity, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of SAOS-2 osteoblasts were evaluated to determine the in vitro osteogenic activity.ResultsSEM analysis revealed that several spherical nanoscale particles and humps appeared on sample surfaces following plasma treatment. The wettability measurement demonstrated that plasma surface treatment significantly increased the surface hydrophilicity of PEEK samples, with only a slight aging effect found after 21 days. Cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and differentiation of SAOS-2 osteoblasts were also up-regulated after plasma treatment. Additionally, PEEK samples treated with O₂ plasma demonstrated a higher degree of bioactivation than those treated with Ar.SignificancePlasma-modified PEEK based on FFF 3D printing technology was a feasible and prospective bone grafting material for bone/dental implants.