[en] Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) fibers containing carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) nanoparticles with different CHA amounts (5, 10 and 15 wt%) were electrospun with the aid of ultrasonic power for dispersing the nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy results showed that the distribution of CHA within the CHA/PHBV nanocomposite fibers was homogeneous when the CHA content was 10 wt%. Slight particle agglomeration occurred when the CHA content was 15 wt%. The diameters of the electrospun CHA/PHBV nanocomposite fibers and PHBV polymer fibers were around 3 μm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis further confirmed the presence of CHA in CHA/PHBV nanocomposite fibers. Both PHBV and CHA/PHBV fibrous membranes exhibited similar tensile properties. Compared with PHBV solvent-cast film, the PHBV fibrous membrane was hydrophobic but the incorporation of CHA nanoparticles dramatically enhanced its wettability. In vitro studies revealed that both types of electrospun fibrous membranes (PHBV and CHA/PHBV) supported the proliferation of human osteoblastic cells (SaOS-2). The alkaline phosphatase activity of SaOS-2 cells seeded on the CHA/PHBV fibrous membranes was higher than that of the cells seeded on the PHBV fibrous membranes after 14 days of cell culture. The electrospun CHA/PHBV nanocomposite fibrous membranes show promises for bone tissue engineering applications.

[en] In this investigation, plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID) was used to fabricate a (Ti, O, N)/Ti coating on NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) to improve its long-term biocompatibility and wear resistance. The surface morphology, composition and roughness of uncoated and coated NiTi SMA samples were examined. Energy dispersive X-ray elemental mapping of cross-sections of (Ti, O, N)/Ti coated NiTi SMA revealed that Ni was depleted from the surface of coated samples. No Ni was detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on the surface of coated samples. Furthermore, three-point bending tests showed that the composite coating could undergo large deformation without cracking or delamination. After 1 day cell culture, SaOS-2 cells on coated samples spread better than those on uncoated NiTi SMA samples. The proliferation of SaOS-2 cells on coated samples was significantly higher at day 3 and day 7 of cell culture.

[en] (Ti, O)/Ti, (Ti, N)/Ti and (Ti, O, N)/Ti composite coatings were fabricated on NiTi shape memory alloy via plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID). Surface morphology of samples was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cross-sectional morphology indicated that the PIIID-formed coatings were dense and uniform. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the phase composition of samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results showed that the surface of coated NiTi SMA samples was Ni-free. Nanoindentation measurements and pin-on-disc tests were carried out to evaluate mechanical properties and wear resistance of coated NiTi SMA, respectively. For the in vitro biological assessment of the composite coatings in terms of cell morphology and cell viability, osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells and breast cancer MCF-7 cells were cultured on NiTi SMA samples, respectively. SaOS-2 cells attached and spread better on coated NiTi SMA. Viability of MCF-7 cells showed that the PIIID-formed composite coatings were noncytotoxic and coated samples were more biocompatible than uncoated samples. - Highlights: ► PIIID-formed coatings were fabricated on NiTi SMA to improve its biocompatibility. ► Microstructure, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of coatings were investigated. ► All PIIID-formed composite coatings were noncytotoxic and cytocompatible.

[en] Protein transduction domains (PTD) have been identified to have the capacity to facilitate molecular cargo to translocate through cell membrane. This study aims to utilize the cell membrane penetrating ability of octaarginine oligopeptide, a simplified prototype of the PTD, to enhance the transfection efficiency of chitosan. Octaarginine-modified chitosan (R₈-CS) was synthesized as a gene transfer carrier by carbodiimide chemistry. The structure and composition of R₈-CSs were characterized using FTIR and ¹H NMR. Agarose gel electrophoresis assay showed that R₈-CS could efficiently condense the DNA. The particle size of R₈-CS/DNA complexes were determined to be around 100–200 nm. The nanoparticle complexes exhibited a spherical and compact morphology. R₈-CS demonstrated higher transfection activity and lower cytotoxicity as compared to the unmodified chitosan and also showed good serum resistance.

[en] Nickel-titanium shape memory alloys (NiTi) are useful materials in orthopedics and orthodontics due to their unique super-elasticity and shape memory effects. However, the problem associated with the release of harmful Ni ions to human tissues and fluids has been raising safety concern. Hence, it is necessary to produce a surface barrier to impede the out-diffusion of Ni ions from the materials. We have conducted acetylene, nitrogen and oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) into NiTi alloys in an attempt to improve the surface properties. All the implanted and annealed samples surfaces exhibit outstanding corrosion and Ni out-diffusion resistance. Besides, the implanted layers are mechanically stronger than the substrate underneath. XPS analyses disclose that the layer formed by C₂H₂ PIII is composed of mainly TiC _x with increasing Ti to C concentration ratios towards the bulk. The nitrogen PIII layer is observed to be TiN, whereas the oxygen PIII layer is composed of oxides of Ti⁴⁺, Ti³⁺ and Ti²⁺

[en] Nickel-titanium shape memory alloys are useful orthopedic biomaterials on account of its super-elastic and shape memory properties. However, the problem associated with out-diffusion of harmful nickel ions in prolonged use inside the human body raises a critical safety concern. Titanium oxide films are deemed to be chemically inert and biocompatible and hence suitable to be the barrier layers to impede the leaching of Ni from the NiTi substrate to biological tissues and fluids. In the work reported in this paper, we compare the anti-corrosion efficacy of oxide films produced by atmospheric-pressure oxidation and oxygen plasma ion implantation. Our results show that the oxidized samples do not possess improved corrosion resistance and may even fare worse than the untreated samples. On the other hand, the plasma-implanted surfaces exhibit much improved corrosion resistance. Our work also shows that post-implantation annealing can further promote the anti-corrosion capability of the samples

[en] Nickel-titanium shape memory alloys (NiTi) have potential applications as orthopedic implants because of their unique super-elastic properties and shape memory effects. However, the problem of out-diffusion of harmful Ni ions from the alloys during prolonged use inside a human body must be overcome before they can be widely used in orthopedic implants. In this work, we enhance the corrosion resistance of NiTi using carbon plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIII and D). Our corrosion and simulated body fluid tests indicate that either an ion-mixed amorphous carbon coating fabricated by PIII and D or direct carbon PIII can drastically improve the corrosion resistance and block the out-diffusion of Ni from the materials. Results of atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicate that both C₂H₂-PIII and D and C₂H₂-PIII do not roughen the original flat surface to an extent that can lead to degradation in corrosion resistance