Thermodynamic aspects of fibroblastic spreading on diamond-like carbon films containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles

The Applicability of a Drop Penetration Method to Measure Contact Angles on TiO2 and ZnO Nanoparticles

In this study, six solvents (water, diiodomethane, bromonaphthalene, formamide, ethanol and ethylene glycol) were examined for three nanoparticle substrates, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (21 nm and 100 nm), with the goal of assessing the suitability of a modified drop penetration method (DPM) for orders of magnitude smaller particles. Nanoparticles were compressed into flat discs and the solvent dropped on the surface while the image with time was recorded. Contact angles were in reasonable agreement with literature over the range of 20–80°, but failed to provide acceptable results for surface energy components. It was necessary to eliminate certain solvents and substrates not meeting the selection criteria.

Analyses of Biofilm on Implant Abutment Surfaces Coating with Diamond-Like Carbon and Biocompatibility

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface free energy (SFE), wetting and surface properties as well as antimicrobial, adhesion and biocompatibility properties of diamond-like carbon (DLC)-coated surfaces. In addition, the leakage of Escherichia coli through the abutment-dental implant interface was also calculated. SFE was calculated from contact angle values; R a was measured before and after DLC coating. Antimicrobial and adhesion properties against E. coli and cytotoxicity of DLC with human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were evaluated. Further, the ability of DLC-coated surfaces to prevent the migration of E. coli into the external hexagonal implant interface was also evaluated. A sterile technique was used for the semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (semi-quantitative PCR). The surfaces showed slight decreases in cell viability (p<0.05), while the SFE, R a, bacterial adhesion, antimicrobial, and bacterial infiltration tests showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). It was concluded that DLC was shown to be a biocompatible material with mild cytotoxicity that did not show changes in R a, SFE, bacterial adhesion or antimicrobial properties and did not inhibit the infiltration of E. coli into the abutment-dental implant interface.

Bone formation controlled by biologically relevant inorganic ions: role and controlled delivery from phosphate-based glasses

The role of metal ions in the body and particularly in the formation, regulation and maintenance of bone is only just starting to be unravelled. The role of some ions, such as zinc, is more clearly understood due to its central importance in proteins. However, a whole spectrum of other ions is known to affect bone formation but the exact mechanism is unclear as the effects can be complex, multifactorial and also subtle. Furthermore, a significant number of studies utilise single doses in cell culture medium, whereas the continual, sustained release of an ion may initiate and mediate a completely different response. We have reviewed the role of the most significant ions that are known to play a role in bone formation, namely calcium, zinc, strontium, magnesium, boron, titanium and also phosphate anions as well as copper and its role in angiogenesis, an important process interlinked with osteogenesis. This review will also examine how delivery systems may offer an alternative way of providing sustained release of these ions which may effect and potentiate a more appropriate and rapid tissue response.