3D hydrogel/ bioactive glass scaffolds in bone tissue engineering: Status and future opportunities

Repairing significant bone defects remains a critical challenge, raising the clinical demand to design novel bone biomaterials that incorporate osteogenic and angiogenic properties to support the regeneration of vascularized bone. Bioactive glass scaffolds can stimulate angiogenesis and osteogenesis. In addition, natural or synthetic polymers exhibit structural similarity with extracellular matrix (ECM) components and have superior biocompatibility and biodegradability. Thus, there is a need to prepare composite scaffolds of hydrogels for vascularized bone, which incorporate to improve the mechanical properties and bioactivity of natural polymers. In addition, those composites' 3-dimensional (3D) form offer regenerative benefits such as direct doping of the scaffold with ions. This review presents a comprehensive discussion of composite scaffolds incorporated with BaG, focusing on their effects on osteo-inductivity and angiogenic properties. Moreover, the adaptation of the ion-doped hydrogel composite scaffold into a 3D scaffold for the generation of vascularized bone tissue is exposed. Finally, we highlight the challenges and future of manufacturing such biomaterials.

Does the Vitamin D Deficiency Have Any Role in Severity or Prolongation of Seizure? A Pilot Study in Iran

Background:

Based on previous studies, vitamin D deficiency could lead to nerve stimulation. The purpose of the present study was to determine frequency and duration of seizures in children with idiopathic epilepsy in two groups; normal level of vitamin D versus decreased level of vitamin D.

Methods:

This pilot, comparative study was carried out in Zanjan University of Medical Sciences on total 40 children aging between 2 to 12 years old (23 male and 17 female) with the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy. All patients were receiving anti-epileptic drugs. The initial questionnaire was completed by each parent. Total 40 epileptic cases were examined in close follow-ups every three months, during total 9 months. Meanwhile, the frequency and duration of each seizure were recorded in questionnaire at every three-month period. Vitamin D blood samples were analyzed at the beginning of the study and after 9 months following the study. Serum levels of Vitamin D were analyzed by ELISA method (Elecsys2010, RocheCo, Germany; STAR FAX; 2100), simultaneously, Vitamin D level <30 ng/ml (nanogram per milliliter) was defined as Vitamin D deficiency. Cases were divided into two groups based on Vitamin D level. The frequency and duration of convulsions were compared in patients with normal level of vitamin D versus children with decreased level of vitamin D. Data were analyzed by Chi-square and t-test methods.

Results:

In all 40 patients, vitamin D level less than 30 ng/ml was detected in 32% (13 patients) at the beginning of study and 35% (14 patients) in 9 months later (13 patients were common between the two groups). There was no significant relationship between the frequency of seizures, the duration of seizures and vitamin D levels in patients. The relationship between positive family history of epilepsy and the number of seizures was reported significant. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency was higher in female cases in final evaluation.

Conclusion:

In the present study, a considerable correlation was detected between the frequency of seizures and positive history of seizure in the family. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency was higher in female cases in final analysis. No significant relationship was detected between the number of seizures, the mean duration of seizures and serum level of Vitamin D in children who received anticonvulsant drugs. However, vitamin D deficiency in patients was not overlooked in order to prevent known complications. We recommend a randomized clinical trial in the future with an adequate sample size. Moreover, a non-epileptic control group in study would be useful.