Chitosan—A versatile semi-synthetic polymer in biomedical applications

This review outlines the new developments on chitosan-based bioapplications. Over the last decade, functional biomaterials research has developed new drug delivery systems and improved scaffolds for regenerative medicine that is currently one of the most rapidly growing fields in the life sciences. The aim is to restore or replace damaged body parts or lost organs by transplanting supportive scaffolds with appropriate cells that in combination with biomolecules generate new tissue. This is a highly interdisciplinary field that encompasses polymer synthesis and modification, cell culturing, gene therapy, stem cell research, therapeutic cloning and tissue engineering. In this regard, chitosan, as a biopolymer derived macromolecular compound, has a major involvement. Chitosan is a polyelectrolyte with reactive functional groups, gel-forming capability, high adsorption capacity and biodegradability. In addition, it is innately biocompatible and non-toxic to living tissues as well as having antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor activity. These features highlight the suitability and extensive applications that chitosan has in medicine. Micro/nanoparticles and hydrogels are widely used in the design of chitosan-based therapeuticsystems. The chemical structure and relevant biological properties of chitosan for regenerative medicine have been summarized as well as the methods for the preparation of controlled drug release devices and their applications.     

含镁羟基磷灰石、磷酸三钙复合生物陶瓷涂层的研究

通过溶胶凝胶法在钛合金基体上合成了含镁羟基磷灰石/β-磷酸三钙陶瓷复合涂层．研究表明,羟基磷灰石相与β-磷酸三钙相共同存在于600℃烧结的复合涂层中．X射线光电子能谱分析显示,镁离子已合成到涂层之中．在模拟体液中,在复合涂层表面沉积出了较为明显的新生类骨层．使用MG63细胞进行培养试验,结果显示涂层具有良好的细胞亲和性．试验结果表明：含镁羟基磷灰石／β-磷酸三钙复合涂层具有良好的生物活性,有望在医疗实践中作为人工骨质材料得到广泛应用．     

Corrosion process of pure magnesium in simulated body fluid

The chemical and physical processes of magnesium in simulated body fluid (SBF) were investigated. The corrosion rate of magnesium was measured after 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days of immersion, respectively. It was found that the corrosion rate decreased with increasing immersion time, while the pH of SBF changed inversely. Network-like cracks and pits were the main damages resulting from corrosion, and the localized buildup of chloride ions was the major cause of pit formation.     

Phase composition and in-vitro bioactivity of plasma sprayed calcia stabilized zirconia coatings

Zirconia coatings stabilized with different calcia content (12.8 mol%, 16 mol% and 30 mol%) were fabricated on titanium alloy substrates using atmospheric plasma spraying technology. The in-vitro bioactivity of coatings was evaluated by simulated body fluid (SBF) soaking test. The morphology and phase composition of the coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micro Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results showed that the apatite was formed on the surface of the calcia stabilized zirconia coatings soaked in SBF for 28 days and the formation ability of apatite decreased with the increase in calcia content of the coating. The bioactivity of zirconia coatings was thought to be related to the Zr-OH formed on their surfaces during the phase transformation in the presence of water. Osteoblast-like MG63 cells were cultured on the surfaces of the coatings to evaluate their cytocompatibility. Results showed that MG63 cell grew and proliferated well on all coating surfaces, indicating that plasma sprayed calcia stabilized ZrO₂ coatings were cytocompatible.     

Dissolution properties of different compositions of biphasic calcium phosphate bimodal porous ceramics following immersion in simulated body fluid solution

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bimodal porous ceramics were prepared from a mixture of fine powders of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) with varying HAp/β-TCP ratios. Two types of HAp powders and one type of β-TCP powder were used to produce porous BCP bioceramics with HAp/β-TCP weight ratios of 20/80, 40/60, and 80/20. Dissolution tests were performed to compare the dissolution properties of BCP-based bioceramics with different structural properties. Porous ceramic samples of approximately 0.5 g were individually soaked in 30 ml of simulated body fluid (SBF) solution at 36.5 °C for 1, 3, 7 and 10 days, respectively. The calcium content of the SBF solution was analyzed by ICP. The porous bodies were filtered, dried, and characterized using SEM, XRD, and FT-IR. The results indicate that the sample structural properties seem to have a greater effect than the storage environment on the dissolution properties.     

模拟体液法合成晶须状类骨纳米羟基磷灰石的研究

通过增加模拟体液中钙盐和磷盐的浓度，在模拟体液中合成了晶须状类骨纳米羟基磷灰石（HAp）粉体。利用X射线衍射（XRD）和红外吸收光谱（FTIR）分析粉体的物相组成和基本特征，利用透射电子显微镜（TEM）和高分辨透射电子显微镜（HRTEM）观察晶须的形貌、尺寸与生长方向，将粉体在500～900℃不同温度下热处理，研究其热稳定性。结果表明，晶须状羟基磷灰石的平均长径比为25：1（长100nm，直径4nm），晶须沿c轴方向生长；热处理温度超过700℃，羟基磷灰石易发生分解。     

镁表面改性及其在仿生体液中的耐蚀行为

对纯度为99.9%的纯镁表面改性,以提高纯镁在仿生模拟体液(SBF)中的耐腐蚀性能.其过程为:室温下将纯镁在初始pH值为9.3的过饱和NaHCO3-MgCO3混合溶液中浸泡24 h,然后在773 K保温10 h;再将试样放入(37±0.5)℃的SBF溶液中浸泡14 d.X射线衍射分析表明:纯镁在NaHCO3-MgCO3混合溶液中浸泡后,表层主要为MgCO3·3H2O晶体;热处理后,MgCO3·3H2O晶体转变成MgCO3和Mg(OH)2的混合物.EDS分析表明,距表面厚约20 μm的基体被氧化,形成了耐蚀氧化层.经碱热处理的试样在SBF溶液中浸泡14 d后,经X荧光能谱(XPF)分析可知表层沉积出Ca/P摩尔比为1.858的钙磷基沉淀.本阶段实验表明,碱热处理可以显著提高纯镁在仿生环境下的耐腐蚀性能.     

In vitro biomimetic deposition of apatite on alkaline and heat treated Ti6A14V alloy surface

Titanium alloy (Ti6A14V) substrates, having the ability of biomimetic calcium phosphate-based materials, especially hydroxyapatite deposition in a simulated body fluid (SBF) means of chemical treatment (alkaline treatment) and subsequent heat treatment, was studied. The effects of alkaline treatment time, concentration and heat treatment temperature on the formation of calcium phosphate (carbonate-hydroxyapatite) on Ti6A14V surface were examined. For this purpose, the metallic substrates were treated in 0, 5 and 10 M NaOH solutions at a temperature of 60 or 80°C for 1 and 3 days. Subsequently the substrate was heat-treated at 500, 600 and 700°C for 1 h for consolidation of the sodium titanate hydrogel layer. Finally, they were soaked in SBF for 1 and 3 days. The substrate surfaces were characterized by the techniques commonly used for bulk material such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thin film X-ray diffraction (TF-XRD). With regard to the SEM and TF-XRD results, the optimum process consists of 3 days soaking in 5 M NaOH in 80°C and subsequent heat treatment at 600°C for 1h. It is worth mentioning that the results showed that the apatite formed within 3 days on the specimen surfaces, however, there was no sign of apatite formation in the control samples (without alkaline and heat treatment) which was treated for up to 3 days immersion in SBF.     

溶胶-凝胶生物玻璃多孔材料显微结构和生物活性的扫描电镜及红外光谱分析

本文利用溶胶．凝胶法制备了CaO-P2O5-SiO，系统生物活性玻璃，并以其为原料制备了用于骨修复及骨组织工程支架的块状生物活性材料。利用体外实验方法(invitro)结合x射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和傅立叶变换红外光谱分析(FTIR)技术对不同烧结工艺制备的材料结构、晶相和生物活性的影响进行了分析研究。研究表明，经800℃和1100℃烧结5min的两种材料均有硅磷酸钙Ca5(PO4)2SjO4微晶相析出。烧结温度越高，析出微晶相的体积比例越大，材料的生物活性则越低。在模拟生理溶液中碳酸羟基磷灰石(HCA)只在烧结体中的玻璃颗粒表面形成，而在其硅磷酸钙Ca5(PO4)2SiO4微晶相表面未发现HCA形成。     

Tribological characteristics of boronized niobium for biojoint applications

Boride coatings on corrosion-resistant refractory metals are potentially used as implanting materials. In this research, we investigated wear mechanisms of boride coatings on pure niobium using a pin-on-disk tribometer in two different conditions i.e. in dry and using a simulated body fluid (SBF). Surface morphology studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows the compressed boride layer with indistinguishable regions such as coating intermediate transition layer and the substrate. The surface analysis after wear tests was conducted using an atomic force microscope (AFM). It was found that, in dry condition, the boride coating underwent deformation wear, and debris formed and accumulated at both ends of the track due to adhesion. In presence of SBF, the coating shows different mode of failure. The tribo-chemical wear dominates the wear mode.