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

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the filling effects of three biomaterial root canal sealers [iRoot SP, C-Root SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB)] by using Micro-CT. METHODS: Sixty single-canal detached premolars were selected. After crown amputation, their uniform working length was set at 12 mm and prepared to a 06 taper 30# with M3 nickel-titanium file. The samples were randomly divided into six groups with different sealers and obturation techniques: iRoot SP+single-cone technique (SC), C-Root SP+SC, GFB+SC, iRoot SP+single cone-mediated ultrasonic technique (SU), C-Root SP+SU, and GFB+SU. Samples were scanned by Micro-CT, and the total and segmented filling rates were calculated with Mimics 22.0 software after 3D reconstruction. RESULTS: The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers was higher than 90%. The overall and coronal third and middle third segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SC, C-Root SP+SC was higher than that of group GFB+SC (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SC and C-Root SP+SC (P>0.05). On the apical third, no significant difference was found among each group (P>0.05). The overall and segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU was higher than that of GFB+SU (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU (P>0.05). The filling rate of the apical 1/3 of group C-Root+SC was lower than that of group C-Root+SU (P<0.01), and the filling rate of the coronal 1/3 of group GFB+SC was higher than that in the GFB+SU (P<0.01). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found in other filling rate of two obturation techniques (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers using SC and SU are satisfactory. iRoot SP and C-Root SP have similar filling rates, which are significantly higher than that of GFB. C-Root SP combined with SU technique can improve the filling quality of the root apical.
Root Canal Filling Materials ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Humans ; Root Canal Obturation/methods* ; Gutta-Percha ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Drug Combinations ; Dental Pulp Cavity/diagnostic imaging* ; Bicuspid

Growth factors (GFs) are a class of peptides that facilitate cell growth by binding to specific receptors on the cell membrane. With unique properties, GFs are widely applied in the repair of injured tissue. To address the limitations associated with natural peptide-based GFs and recombinant GFs, researchers have developed diverse GF mimetics. This article offers a comprehensive review on common types of GFs and their applications in tissue repair and summarizes the features of GF mimetics currently under development. The aim is to provide valuable references for promoting the application of GFs in regenerative medicine.
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Regenerative Medicine/methods* ; Animals ; Wound Healing/drug effects* ; Biomimetic Materials

In recent years, the rapid development of transportation and sports industries, coupled with the accelerated population aging in China, has led to a steady increase in the incidence of articular cartilage injuries, wear, and degenerative changes. Currently, the clinical treatment options for cartilage defects primarily include conservative therapies and surgical interventions, both of which have certain limitations. Cartilage tissue engineering (CTE), as a novel technology, provides an infinite prospect for cartilage regeneration and repair. Because of the abilities of scaffolds to mimic the natural cartilage structure, exhibit excellent biocompatibility and biomimetic mechanical properties, and promote cell adhesion and proliferation, scaffolds are considered effective delivery systems for growth factors, genes, and drugs. This review summarizes the clinical treatments for cartilage defects and their limitations, discusses the materials and preparation techniques of scaffolds used in CTE, with a particular focus on drug-loaded scaffold delivery systems in cartilage repair and regeneration, and offers a perspective on the future application of drug-loaded CTE. The aim is to provide theoretical guidance and new approaches for the repair of cartilage defects.
Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Regeneration ; Cartilage, Articular/physiology* ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials

Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) shows significant efficacy against hema-tological malignancies but is limited in solid tumors due to poor homing, immunosuppre-ssion, and potential toxicity. Biomaterials spanning from nano- to macroscales-including nanoparticles, microspheres/micropatches, and hydrogels-offer unique advantages for ex vivo cell engineering, in vivo delivery, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, nanoparticles enable gene delivery, artificial antigen-presenting cell engi-neering, and immune microenvironment remodeling. Microspheres/micropatches improve immune cell expansion, targeted activation, and localized retention. Hydrogels enhance ACT via in situ genetic engineering, 3D culture support, and cytokine co-delivery. This review summarizes advances in biomaterial-enhanced ACT, highlighting their potential to improve delivery efficiency, amplify antitumor responses, and reduce toxicity. These insights may accelerate the clinical translation of ACT for solid tumors.
Humans ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry* ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods* ; Nanoparticles ; Hydrogels ; Adoptive Transfer/methods* ; Animals

Myocardial infarction is a cardiovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. Hydrogel biomaterials mimicking the extracellular matrix have recently been shown to demonstrate excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, favorable biodegradability, and multifunctionality, showcasing significant potential for treatment of myocardial infarction. Hydrogels can provide mechanical support to the damaged myo-cardium, alleviating pathological remodeling. Moreover, their porous structure makes them ideal carriers for localized and sustained drug delivery. Hydrogels derived from various matrices-including polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, decellularized extracellular matrix, and synthetic polymers-exhibit distinct properties in terms of biocompatibility, mechanical performance, and drug delivery capacity. These hydrogels support tissue regeneration and enable targeted release of diverse therapeutics, meeting the various therapeutic demands for myocardial repair. In the infarcted myocardial microenvironment, endogenous signals such as low pH, specific enzyme expression, and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species can trigger responsive drug release from hydrogels, while external physical stimuli-such as ultrasound, light, and magnetic fields-can also be employed to precisely control the release process, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing systemic side effects. This review summarizes recent advances in hydrogel-based drug delivery systems for treatment of myocardial infarction, focusing particularly on the characteristics and advantages of different hydrogel materials for myocardial repair. Furthermore, the responsive drug release behavior of hydrogels is analyzed in the context of the cardiac injury microenvironment, providing a reference for future research.
Hydrogels/chemistry* ; Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Biocompatible Materials ; Drug Carriers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biocompatibility of porous WE43 magnesium alloy scaffolds manufactured by 3D printing technology and to observe its effect in treating femoral defects in New Zealand white rabbits. METHODS: In vitro cytotoxicity test was performed using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from Sprague Dawley (S-D) rats. According to the different culture media, the cells were divided into 100% extract group, 50% extract group, 10% extract group and control group. After culturing for 1, 3 and 7 days, the cell activity of each group was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). In the in vivo experiment, 3.0-3.5 kg New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Experimental group, bone cement group and blank group, with 9 rabbits in each group. Each rabbit underwent surgery on the left lateral femoral condyle, and a bone defect with a diameter of 5 mm and a depth of 6 mm was created using a bone drill. The experimental group was implanted with WE43 magnesium alloy scaffolds, the bone cement group was implanted with calcium sulfate bone cement, and the blank group was not implanted. Then 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery, 3 rabbits in each group were euthanized by carbon dioxide anesthesia, and the femur and important internal organs were sampled. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) scanning was performed on the left lateral femoral condyle. Sections of important internal organs were prepared and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Hard tissue sections were made from the left lateral femoral condyle and stained with methylene blue acid fuchsin and observed under a microscope. RESULTS: In the cytotoxicity test, the cell survival rate in the 100% extract group was higher than that in the control group (140.56% vs. 100.00%, P < 0.05) on 1 day of culture; there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in cell survival rate among the groups on 3 days of culture; the cell survival rate in the 100% extract group was lower than that in the control group (68.64% vs. 100.00%, P < 0.05) on 7 days of culture. Micro-CT scanning in the in vivo experiment found that most of the scaffolds in the experimental group had been degraded in 4 weeks, with very few high-density scaffolds remaining. In 12 weeks, there was no obvious stent outline. In 4 weeks, a certain amount of gas was generated around the WE43 magnesium alloy scaffold, and the gas was significantly reduced from 8 to 12 weeks. Hard tissue sections showed that a certain amount of extracellular matrix and osteoid were generated around the scaffolds in the experimental group in 4 weeks. In the bone cement group, most of the calcium sulfate bone cement had been degraded. In 8 weeks, the osteoid around the scaffold and its degradation products in the experimental group increased significantly. In 12 weeks, new bone was in contact with the scaffold around the scaffold in the experimental group. There was less new bone in the bone cement group and the blank group. CONCLUSION The porous WE43 magnesium alloy scaffold fabricated by 3D printing process has good biocompatibility and good osteogenic properties, and has the potential to become a new material for repairing bone defects.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Alloys/chemistry* ; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry* ; Magnesium/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Biocompatible Materials ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Femur/surgery* ; Rats ; Absorbable Implants ; Male ; Bone Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the filling quality of single cone obturation in root canal model with irregular structure (Hus&Kim Ⅴ, Yin Ⅱ-type isthmus) which established by 3D printing technology using slices and radiographic methods, in order to provide reference for clinical practice. METHODS: (1) Extracted fresh premolars with Hus&Kim Ⅴ and Yin-type Ⅱ isthmus were collected and scanned by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), then standard root canal models were designed and printed. Rhodamine B staining and bias fitting were used to verify the availability of the models. (2) 30 root canal models were randomly divided into 3 groups according to different filling methods (n=10). CONTROL GROUP: vertical compaction obturation; Experimental group 1: single cone obturation with 0.06-taper cone (30#); Experimental group 2: single cone obturation with 0.04-taper cone (35#), GuttaFlow 2 as canal sealers. Slices were taken at 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm from the root apex in the direction perpendicular to the long axis of the root and observed under a stereomicroscope to calculate the percentage of filling area (PAV), percentage of gutta-percha-filled area (PGFA), percentage of sealer filled area (PSFA). (3) On the basis of the above results, two groups (n=4) were selected to further analyze the filling quality by micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), the filling volume of main root canal and the isthmus were obtained, and the percentage of filling volume (PFV) was calculated. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the differences between the groups, and Tukey' s multiple comparison was used to compare the data between the groups and within the groups. RESULTS: (1) Rhodamine B staining solution could overflow the apical foramen, and the main root canal system and the isthmus area were stained, showed no remnants of support material. The 3D standard deviation of the printed model data was 0.03 mm, and the average fitting distance was 0.02 mm. (2) The PFA of the two experimental groups were both significantly lower than that of the control group (F=45.04, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference of the PFA at apical 2 and 4 mm between the two experimental groups (P>0.01), but at the middle and coronal portions of the root canal (6, 8 mm), the PFA of the experimental group 1 was higher than that of the experimental group 2 (P < 0.01). PFA in the apical 2, 4 mm of the two experimental groups were both lower than that in the middle and coronal portions 6, 8 mm of the canal (P < 0.01). There was no difference in the PGFA and PSFA between the two experimental groups at the apical 2, 4 mm (F=2.383, P>0.01). (3) The results of Micro-CT showed that the PFV of the experimental group 1 was statistically different with the control group (F=47.33, P < 0.01). The PFV of the experimental group 1 was 54.33%±4.35% in the isthmus and 78.31%±4.21% in the main root canal, which were both lower than the PFV of the control group of 76.48%±4.89% (isthmus) and 86.90%±3.29% (main root canal, P < 0.01). The PFV of the main root canal in the experimental group 1 was higher than that in the isthmus (P < 0.01), while there was no difference between the isthmus and the main root canal in the control group (P>0.01). CONCLUSION In the irregular root canal structure with isthmus, using large-taper gutta-percha can improve the filling quality of the middle and upper part of the canal, but the percentage of filling volume in the isthmus is lower than that of the main canal, and more technical improvements are needed.
Humans ; Root Canal Obturation/methods* ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Root Canal Filling Materials ; Dental Pulp Cavity/diagnostic imaging* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; In Vitro Techniques ; Gutta-Percha ; Bicuspid

Collagen membrane has attracted much attention from researchers due to its excellent properties such as wide source, degradable absorption, and low immunogenicity. However, they are limited by poor mechanical stability and rapid degradation. To enhance their physicochemical properties and biological functions, researchers have developed various strategies, including cross-linking, incorporation of growth factors or drugs, combination with other biomaterials, optimization of composition and structure, and substitution with marine-derived collagen. These advances aim to expand the clinical applications of collagen membranes in oral medicine. With the urgent demand for high-performance biomaterials in oral medicine, summarizing recent progress on collagen membranes provides valuable insights into their mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and limitations, offering reference for optimized design and broader clinical use. Furthermore, further trends may include integrating advanced manufacturing technologies to develop personalized collagen membranes, which could significantly improve therapeutic outcomes in oral diseases.
Collagen/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry* ; Membranes, Artificial ; Oral Medicine/methods* ; Tissue Engineering/methods*

Bone repair remains an important target in tissue engineering, making the development of bioactive scaffolds for effective bone defect repair a critical objective. In this study, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds incorporated with processed pyritum decoction (PPD) were fabricated using three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted freeze-casting. The produced composite scaffolds were evaluated for their mechanical strength, physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, in vitro pro-angiogenic activity, and in vivo efficacy in repairing rabbit femoral defects. They not only demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties, enhanced mechanical strength, and good biosafety but also significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and aggregation of pro-angiogenic human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vivo studies revealed that all scaffold groups facilitated osteogenesis at the bone defect site, with the β-TCP scaffolds loaded with PPD markedly enhancing the expression of neurogenic locus Notch homolog protein 1 (Notch1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteopontin (OPN). Overall, the scaffolds developed in this study exhibited strong angiogenic and osteogenic capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. The incorporation of PPD notably promoted the angiogenic-osteogenic coupling, thereby accelerating bone repair, which suggests that PPD is a promising material for bone repair and that the PPD/β-TCP scaffolds hold great potential as a bone graft alternative.
Calcium Phosphates/chemistry* ; Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Rabbits ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Humans ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Osteogenesis ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Biomimetic Materials ; Cell Proliferation ; Angiogenesis