OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress of bioactive scaffolds in the repair and regeneration of osteoporotic bone defects. METHODS: Recent literature on bioactive scaffolds for the repair of osteoporotic bone defects was reviewed to summarize various types of bioactive scaffolds and their associated repair methods. RESULTS: The application of bioactive scaffolds provides a new idea for the repair and regeneration of osteoporotic bone defects. For example, calcium phosphate ceramics scaffolds, hydrogel scaffolds, three-dimensional (3D)-printed biological scaffolds, metal scaffolds, as well as polymer material scaffolds and bone organoids, have all demonstrated good bone repair-promoting effects. However, in the pathological bone microenvironment of osteoporosis, the function of single-material scaffolds to promote bone regeneration is insufficient. Therefore, the design of bioactive scaffolds must consider multiple factors, including material biocompatibility, mechanical properties, bioactivity, bone conductivity, and osteogenic induction. Furthermore, physical and chemical surface modifications, along with advanced biotechnological approaches, can help to improve the osteogenic microenvironment and promote the differentiation of bone cells. CONCLUSION With advancements in technology, the synergistic application of 3D bioprinting, bone organoids technologies, and advanced biotechnologies holds promise for providing more efficient bioactive scaffolds for the repair and regeneration of osteoporotic bone defects.
Humans ; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry* ; Bone Regeneration ; Osteoporosis/therapy* ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Calcium Phosphates/chemistry* ; Osteogenesis ; Ceramics ; Cell Differentiation ; Hydrogels ; Bioprinting ; Bone and Bones

Dental pulp-dentin complex defects remain a major unresolved problem in oral medicines. Clinical therapeutic methods including root canal therapy and vital pulp therapy are both considered as conservative strategies, which are incapable of repairing the pulp-dentin complex defects. Although biomaterial-based strategies show remarkable progress in antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pulp regeneration, the important modulatory effects of nerves within pulp cavity have been greatly overlooked, making it challenging to achieve functional pulp-dentin complex regeneration. In this study, we propose an injectable bioceramics-containing composite hydrogel in combination of Li-Ca-Si (LCS) bioceramics and gelatin methacrylate matrix with photo-crosslinking properties. Due to the sustained release of bioactive Li, Ca and Si ions from LCS, the composite hydrogels possess multiple functions of promoting the neurogenic differentiation of Schwann cells, odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells, and neurogenesis-odontogenesis couples in vitro. In addition, the in vivo results showed that LCS-containing composite hydrogel can significantly promote the pulp-dentin complex repair. More importantly, LCS bioceramics-containing composite hydrogel can induce the growth of nerve fibers, leading to the re-innervation of pulp tissues. Taken together, the study suggests that LCS bioceramics can induce the innervation of pulp-dentin complex repair, offering a referable strategy of designing multifunctional filling materials for functional periodontal tissue regeneration.
Dental Pulp/drug effects* ; Hydrogels/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Ceramics/pharmacology* ; Dentin/drug effects* ; Biocompatible Materials/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Gelatin ; Regeneration/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Injections ; Humans ; Odontogenesis/drug effects*

OBJECTIVES: The mechanism of the odontogenic differentiation of apical papillary cells (APCs) stimulated by bioactive glass 45S5 is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of autophagy on the odontogenic differentiation of APCs stimulated by bioactive glass 45S5. METHODS: APCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, and the cell origin was identified by flow cytometry. The culture medium was prepared with 1 mg/mL 45S5, and its pH and ion concentration were determined. The experiments were divided into control, 45S5, and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) 45S5 groups. In the 45S5 group, APCs were induced to culture with 1 mg/mL 45S5. In the 3-MA 45S5 group, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was added to 1 mg/mL 45S5. Protein immunoblotting assay (Western blot) was used to detect the expression of autophagy-associated proteins of microtubule-associated protein 1 light-chain 3β (LC3B) and P62 after 24 h of induction culture in each group. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of bone sialoprotein (BSP), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) after 7 d of induction culture. Cellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining analyzed cellular ALP activity at 7 d of induction, and alizarin red staining evaluated the formation of mineralized nodules at 21 d of induction. RESULTS: The pH of the 45S5 extract culture medium was 8.65±0.01, which was not significantly different from that of the control group (P>0.05). The silicon ion concentration of the 45S5 induction culture medium was (1.56±0.07) mmol/L, which was higher than that of the control group (0.08±0.01) mmol/L (P<0.05). The calcium ion concentration of the 45S5 induction culture was (1.57±0.15) mmol/L, which was not significantly different from that of the control group (P>0.05). Western blot results showed that LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio increased and P62 expression decreased in the 45S5 group compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). By contrast, the ratio decreased and the expression increased in the 3-MA 45S5 group compared with those in the 45S5 group (P<0.05). RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of BSP, Runx2, DMP-1, and DSPP enhanced in the 45S5 group compared with that in the control group (P<0.05), but the expression decreased in the 3-MA 45S5 group compared with that in the 45S5 group (P<0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of ALP staining and alizarin red staining showed that the ALP activity was enhanced, and the formation mineralized nodule increased in the 45S5 group compared with those in the control group. The ALP activity weakened, and the formation mineralized nodules were reduced in the 3-MA 45S5 group compared with that those in the 45S5 group. CONCLUSIONS Cell autophagy participates in the odontogenic differentiation of APCs induced by 1 mg/mL 45S5 in vitro.
Autophagy/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Odontogenesis/drug effects* ; Dental Papilla/cytology* ; Humans ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/metabolism* ; Glass/chemistry* ; Cells, Cultured ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/metabolism* ; Ceramics/pharmacology* ; Adenine/pharmacology* ; Sialoglycoproteins/metabolism* ; Phosphoproteins/metabolism* ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein/metabolism* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism* ; RNA-Binding Proteins

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to use 3D prin-ting technology based on the principle of stereo lithography apparatus (SLA) to shape dental lithium disilicate ceramics and study the effects of different slurry proportions on the microstructure and properties of heat-treated samples. METHODS: The experimental group comprised lithium disilicate ceramics manufactured through SLA 3D printing, and the control group comprised lithium disilicate ceramics (IPS e.max CAD) fabricated through commercial milling. An array of different particle sizes of lithium disilicate ceramic powder materials (nano and micron) was selected for mixing with photocurable acrylate resin. The proportion of experimental raw materials was adjusted to prepare five groups of ceramic slurries for 3D printing (Groups S1-S5) on the basis of rheological properties, stability, and other factors. Printing, debonding, and sintering were conducted on the experimental group with the optimal ratio, followed by measurements of microstructure, crystallographic information, shrinkage, and mechanical properties. RESULTS: Five groups of lithium disilicate ceramic slurries were prepared, of which two groups with high solid content (75%) (Groups S2 and S3) were selected for 3D printing. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results showed that lithium disilicate was the main crystalline phase in Groups S2 and S3, and its microstructure was slender, uniform, and compact. The average grain sizes of Groups S2 and S3 were (559.79±84.58) nm and (388.26±61.49) nm, respectively (P<0.05). Energy spectroscopy revealed that the samples in the two groups contained a high proportion of Si and O elements. After heat treatment, the shrinkage rate of the two groups of ceramic samples was 18.00%-20.71%. Test results revealed no statistical difference in all mechanical properties between Groups S2 and S3 (P>0.05). The flexural strengths of Groups S2 and S3 were (231.79±21.71) MPa and (214.86±46.64) MPa, respectively, which were lower than that of the IPS e.max CAD group (P<0.05). The elasticity modulus of Groups S2 and S3 were (87.40±12.99) GPa and (92.87±19.76) GPa, respectively, which did not significantly differ from that of the IPS e.max CAD group (P>0.05). The Vickers hardness values of Groups S2 and S3 were (6.53±0.19) GPa and (6.25±0.12) GPa, respectively, which were higher than that of the IPS e.max CAD group (P<0.05). The fracture toughness values of Groups S2 and S3 were (1.57±0.28) MPa·m^0.5 and (1.38±0.17) MPa·m^0.5, respectively, which did not significantly differ from that of the IPS e.max CAD group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of lithium disilicate ceramic powders with different particle sizes can yield a slurry with high solid content (75%) and suitable viscosity and stability. The dental lithium disilicate ceramic material is successfully prepared by using 3D printing technology. The 3D-printed samples show a small shrinkage rate after heat treatment. Their microstructure conforms to the crystal phase of lithium disilicate ceramics, and their mechanical properties are close to those of milled lithium disilicate ceramics.
Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Dental Porcelain/chemistry* ; Ceramics/chemistry* ; Materials Testing ; Particle Size

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the apical sealing properties of three endodontic sealers, namely, C-Root SP (C-R), iRoot SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB) in vitro. METHODS: Eighty-two single-rooted premolars and anterior teeth were prepared by using M3 machine with nickel-titanium file and randomly divided into six experimental groups (n=12) and two control groups (n=5). Group A1: single-cone technique (SC)+C-R; group B1: SC+iRoot SP; group C1: SC+GFB; group A2: single-cone with ultrasonic activation (SU)+C-R; group B2: SU+iRoot SP; group C2: SU +GFB; group D: positive control group, and group E: negative control group. Dye penetration length and lateral root canal filling in each group were measured by dye penetration test. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the interface between gutta pertscha, root canal sealer, and dentin wall. Dye penetration length was measured and analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and data on lateral root canal filling were evaluated using Chi-square. RESULTS: The dye penetration length in group A1 was lower than that in groups C1 and A2 (P<0.05) but was not significantly different from the other groups (P>0.05). Lateral root canal filling was not significantly different among all groups (P>0.05). SEM showed that GFB was slightly better than C-R and iRoot SP in binding to gutta pertcha and dentin wall. CONCLUSIONS GFB, C-R, and iRoot SP demonstrate excellent apical sealing ability. Under the conditions tested in this study, SU did not yield significantly improve the apical sealing ability of the three root canal sealers.
Root Canal Filling Materials/chemistry* ; Humans ; Gutta-Percha ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Root Canal Obturation/methods* ; Ceramics ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Drug Combinations

3D printing technology has great advantages in small batch and personalized customization, so it has attracted much attention in the biomedical field. The consumables available for 3D printing include polymer, metal, ceramic and derived materials. Biomedical ceramics, with high melting point and poor toughness, are the most difficult materials to be used in 3D printing. The progress of 3D printing ceramic preparation process using ceramic powder, ceramic slurry, ceramic wire, ceramic film and other different raw materials as consumables are reviewed, and the surface roughness, size, density and other parameters of ceramics prepared by SLS, 3DP, DIW, IJP, SL, DLP, FDM, LOM and other different processes are compared. The study also summarizes the clinical application status of 3D printed bioceramics in the field of hard tissue repair such as bone tissue engineering scaffolds and dental prostheses. The SL ceramic additive manufacturing technology based on the principle of UV polymerization has better manufacturing precision, forming quality and the ability to prepare large-size parts, and can also endow bioceramics with better biological properties, mechanical properties, antibacterial, tumor treatment and other functions by doping trace nutrients and surface functional modification. Compared with the traditional subtractive manufacturing process, the bioceramics prepared by 3D printing not only have good mechanical properties, but also often have better biocompatibility and osteoconductivity.
Bone and Bones ; Ceramics ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds

OBJECTIVE: In order to solve the problem that the existing oxygen production technology cannot simultaneously produce pure oxygen, high-purity oxygen, ultra-pure oxygen, and the modular expansion of oxygen production capacity, a new type of electrochemical ceramic membrane oxygen production system was discussed and developed. METHODS: Through the design of the ceramic membrane stack, airflow distributor, heater, double spiral exchanger, thermal insulation sleeve, control panel, control box and auxiliary system in the electrochemical ceramic membrane oxygen generator, a modular oxygen production system is formed. RESULTS: The modular design can produce pure oxygen, high-purity oxygen and ultra-pure oxygen to meet various oxygen consumption needs. CONCLUSIONS The electrochemical ceramic membrane oxygen production system is a new type of oxygen production technology. The main components have no moving parts, no noise, and no pollution. It can produce pure oxygen, high-purity oxygen and ultra-pure oxygen on site, with small size, light weight, and module combination which is suitable for convenient expansion and installation of oxygen consumption.
Oxygen ; Ceramics ; Technology

Objective: To study the correlation between ceramic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and explore its related risk factors. Methods: In January 2021, five representative ceramic enterprises were selected from Chancheng District, Nanhai District, Gaoming District and Sanshui District of Foshan City. The ceramic workers who came to Chancheng Hospital of Foshan First People's Hospital for physical examination from January to October 2021 were selected as the research objects, and 525 people were included. Conduct questionnaire survey and pulmonary function test. Logistic regresion was performed to analyze the influencing facters of COPD among ceramic workers. Results: The subjects were (38.51±1.25) years old, 328 males and 197 females, and the detection rate of COPD was 9.52% (50/525). The incidence of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, chronic cough, wheezing and chest tightness, the detection rates of abnormal lung age, abnormal lung function and COPD in males were higher than those in females (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that male, age, working years, smoking status and family history of COPD were the risk factors for COPD among ceramic workers (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The ceramic workers are the high risk population of COPD. We should do a good job in health education, and do a regular physical examination to find the changes of lung function in time, and prevent the occurrence of COPD as soon as possible.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Ceramics ; Health Education ; Hospitals ; Physical Examination

OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term follow-up effect and complications of ceramic on ceramic (CoC) interface and ceramic on polyethyleneon ceramic (CoP) interface in primary total hip arthroplasty, and provide clinical evidence. METHODS: Search PubMed, EMBase, the CoChrane Library databases, Web of science, Wanfang database, and CNKI from January 2000 to September 2021, screening and inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the long-term efficacy and complications of CoC interface and CoP interface in total hip arthroplasty. Literature screening, quality evaluation and data extraction were carried out according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, using Review Manager 5.3 statistical software. The software was used to perform statistical analysis on joint function, revision, prosthesis fracture, abnormal joint noise, and prosthesis wear rate after CoC or CoP. RESULTS: Seven RCTs studies were included, including 390 cases of hips with CoC artificial joints and 384 cases of hips with CoP artificial joints. The long-term joint function improvement of CoC and CoP artificial joints was similar and there was no significant differences, with an average difference was MD=0.63, 95%CI=(-1.81, 3.07), P=0.61. About the postoperative complications, CoC artificial joints have higher incidence rate of abnormal joint noise, with odds ratio (OR)=11.05, 95%CI=(2.04, 59.84), P=0.005. CoP artificial joints wear faster, with an average MD=-87.11, 95%CI=(-114.40, -59.82), P<0.000 1. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the replacement-related complications such as joint dislocation, prosthesis loosening, osteolysis, and the rate of prosthesis revision caused by various reasons. CONCLUSION The clinical function results and complications of CoC artificial joints are comparable to those of CoP artificial joints. Although CoP artificial joint prosthesis has a faster wear rate, it does not affect joint function and increase complications, and there is no abnormal joint noise. CoC is expensive and the long-term efficacy is equivalent to CoP. Clinicians should consider cost performance when choosing CoC.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods* ; Hip Prosthesis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Prosthesis Design ; Polyethylene ; Prosthesis Failure ; Reoperation ; Ceramics ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study microstructure, friction and wear behaviors of silicon-lithium spray coating on the surface of zirconia ceramics and to preliminarily evaluate its esthetic so as to provide support and guidance for the clinical application. METHODS: Zirconia ceramic specimens were randomly divided into three groups: coating group (two subgroups), polishing group (two subgroups), and glazing group (four subgroups), with 10 samples in each subgroup. The two subgroups of coating group were the zirconia ceramics with the untreated and preliminary polishing surfaces sprayed with silicon-lithium coating, respectively. The two subgroups of polishing group were preliminary polishing and fine polishing of zirconia ceramics, respectively. The four subgroups of glazing group were preliminarily polished zirconia ceramics glazed with Biomic and Stain/Glaze products, respectively; and untreated zirconia ceramics glazed with Biomic and Stain/Glaze products, respectively. The above 8 subgroups of zirconia ceramic specimens were used as friction pairs with 80 steatite ceramics for 50 000 chewing cycles under 50 N vertical load and artificial saliva lubrication using chewing simulation. Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the microstructure of the surface and section of the coating group, and the thickness of the coating and glazing were measured. The linear roughness of the coating and polishing groups was mea-sured using a laser confocal scanning microscope. Vickers hardness was measured using a microhardness tester and the esthetic of zirconia ceramic full crown sprayed with silicon-lithium coating was preliminarily evaluated. White light interferometer was used to measure the width, the maximum depth and the volume of the wear scars of each group, and the wear depth of steatite ceramics and wear rate of zirconia ceramic specimens were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test and Dunn's multiple comparisons test were used to analyze the wear depth of each group (α=0.05). RESULTS: The microstructures of the silica-lithium spray coatings on the untreated and preliminarily polished zirconia ceramic surfaces showed the protruding defects, and the line roughness of coating group was larger than that of the polishing group. The median thickness of the silica-lithium spray coating on the preliminarily polished zirconia ceramic was 13.0 μm (interquartile range, IQR: 11.6, 17.9), while that of the silica-lithium spray coating on the untreated zirconia ceramic was 4.4 μm (IQR: 4.1, 4.7). The Vickers hardness and wear rate of the coating group were between the polishing group and the glazing group. The wear depths of the wear scars of steatite ceramics were the glazing group, coating group, and polishing group in descending order, and there was statistically significant difference between glazing and polishing groups (P < 0.05). With the increase of polishing procedure, the wear depth of steatite ceramics decreased in each subgroups. The orders of maximum depth and volume of wear scars of zirconia ceramic were the glazing group, coating group, and polishing group in descending order, and there was statistically significant difference in the maximum depth of wear scars between glazing and polishing groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The silica-lithium spray coating on the zirconia ceramic, can be used as a new method for zirconia ceramic surface treatment, because it can increase the esthetic of zirconia ceramics compared with polishing and reduce the wear of steatite ceramics compared with glazing.
Humans ; Silicon ; Materials Testing ; Friction ; Lithium ; Cicatrix ; Surface Properties ; Silicon Dioxide ; Zirconium/chemistry* ; Ceramics ; Dental Porcelain