M. Erol

The pro-angiogenic properties of multi-functional bioactive glass composite scaffolds

The angiogenic properties of micron-sized (m-BG) and nano-sized (n-BG) bioactive glass (BG) filled poly(D,L lactide) (PDLLA) composites were investigated. On the basis of cell culture work investigating the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by human fibroblasts in contact with composite films (0, 5, 10, 20 wt %), porous 3D composite scaffolds, optimised with respect to the BG filler content capable of inducing angiogenic response, were produced. The in vivo vascularisation of the scaffolds was studied in a rat animal model and quantified using stereological analyses. The prepared scaffolds had high porosities (81-93%), permeability (k = 5.4-8.6 x 10⁻⁹ m²) and compressive strength values (0.4-1.6 MPa) all in the range of trabecular bone. On composite films containing 20 wt % m-BG or n-BG, human fibroblasts produced 5 times higher VEGF than on pure PDLLA films. After 8 weeks of implantation, m-BG and n-BG containing scaffolds were well-infiltrated with newly formed tissue and demonstrated higher vascularisation and percentage blood vessel to tissue (11.6-15.1%) than PDLLA scaffolds (8.5%). This work thus shows potential for the regeneration of hard-soft tissue defects and increased bone formation arising from enhanced vascularisation of the construct.

Characterization of a glass-ceramic produced from thermal power plant fly ashes

Abstract Glass-ceramic materials were developed from fly ash samples obtained from Cayirhan Thermal Power Plant in Turkey. On the basis of DTA analyses, nucleation experiments were carried out at 680°C for 5, 10 and 15 h whereas crystallization experiments were performed at 924°C for 20 min. Crystallized samples were cooled in the furnace. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed the presence of only the diopside [Ca(Mg,Al)(Si,Al) 2 O 6 ] phase in the produced glass-ceramic samples and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations showed the presence of a homogeneously dispersed phase. The results of the Vickers microhardness tests indicated that the hardness values of the fly ash based glass-ceramic decreased with the increases in holding time at the nucleation temperature. In addition, wear resistance of fly ash-based glass-ceramics decreased with holding time at the nucleation temperature.

Copper-releasing, boron-containing bioactive glass-based scaffolds coated with alginate for bone tissue engineering

The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize new boron-containing bioactive glass-based scaffolds coated with alginate cross-linked with copper ions. A recently developed bioactive glass powder with nominal composition (wt.%) 65 SiO2, 15 CaO, 18.4 Na2O, 0.1 MgO and 1.5 B2O3 was fabricated as porous scaffolds by the foam replica method. Scaffolds were alginate coated by dipping them in alginate solution. Scanning electron microscopy investigations indicated that the alginate effectively attached on the surface of the three-dimensional scaffolds leading to a homogeneous coating. It was confirmed that the scaffold structure remained amorphous after the sintering process and that the alginate coating improved the scaffold bioactivity and mechanical properties. Copper release studies showed that the alginate-coated scaffolds allowed controlled release of copper ions. The novel copper-releasing composite scaffolds represent promising candidates for bone regeneration.

Crystallization behaviour of glasses produced from fly ash

Abstract The crystallization behaviour of fly ash based glass samples annealed at 600°C for 2 and 10 h was investigated by DTA, XRD and SEM. On the basis of DTA, nucleation experiments of two glass samples were carried out at 680 and 687°C for 5 h and crystallization experiments were performed at 924 and 892°C for 20 min. The Avrami constant for both glass samples was calculated as 4, which indicates bulk crystallization, predicted by the Ozawa equation. Using the modified Kissinger equation, activation energies of crystal growth were determined as 318 and 312 kJ/mol for samples annealed at 2 and 10 h, respectively. Single peak analysis technique proved that the activation energy is independent of DTA heating rate. SEM observations indicated that the produced glass–ceramic samples have fine grained microstructure. The crystallized phase was identified as diopside [Ca(Mg,Al)(Si,Al)2O6] by X-ray diffraction analysis. The results of Vickers microhardness tests showed that the hardness values of the produced glass–ceramic samples decreased with the increase in holding time at the annealing temperature.

Neocellularization and neovascularization of nanosized bioactive glass-coated decellularized trabecular bone scaffolds

In this study, the in vivo recellularization and neovascularization of nanosized bioactive glass (n-BG)-coated decellularized trabecular bone scaffolds were studied in a rat model and quantified using stereological analyses. Based on the highest amount of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secreted by human fibroblasts grown on n-BG coatings (0-1.245 mg/cm(2)), decellularized trabecular bone samples (porosity: 43-81%) were coated with n-BG particles. Grown on n-BG particles at a coating density of 0.263 mg/cm(2), human fibroblasts produced 4.3 times more VEGF than on uncoated controls. After 8 weeks of implantation in Sprague-Dawley rats, both uncoated and n-BG-coated samples were well infiltrated with newly formed tissue (47-48%) and blood vessels (3-4%). No significant differences were found in cellularization and vascularization between uncoated bone scaffolds and n-BG-coated scaffolds. This finding indicates that the decellularized bone itself may exhibit growth-promoting properties induced by the highly interconnected pore microarchitecture and/or proteins left behind on decellularized scaffolds. Even if we did not find proangiogenic effects in n-BG-coated bone scaffolds, a bioactive coating is considered to be beneficial to impart osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties to decellularized bone. n-BG-coated bone grafts have thus high clinical potential for the regeneration of complex tissue defects given their ability for recellularization and neovascularization.

In vitro bioactivity and crystallization behavior of bioactive glass in the system SiO2-CaO-Al2O3-P2O5-Na2O-MgO-CaF2

In this study, bioactivity of glass in the system SiO2-CaO-Al2O3-P2O5-Na2O-MgO-CaF2 was investigated. For this purpose, a glass sample was prepared by the traditional melting method. Crystallization behavior of bioactive glass was also investigated using differential thermal analyses. The Avrami constant of bioactive glass sample calculated according to the Ozawa equation was 3.72 ± 0.4, which indicates bulk crystallization. Using the Matusita-Sakka and the Kissinger equations, activation energy of crystal growth was determined as (394 ± 17) kJ mol−1 and (373 ± 12) kJ mol−1, respectively. These results indicate that the crystallization activation energy data of bioactive glass obtained in this study are accurate and reliable. Bioactivity of the resultant glass sample was analyzed by immersion in simulated body fluid. Scanning electron microscopy, thin film X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma techniques were used to monitor changes in the glass surface and the simulated body fluid composition. The results revealed that a hydroxyapatite layer was formed on the glass surface after 21 days of immersion in SBF. Formation of the hydroxyapatite layer confirmed the bioactivity of the glass in the system SiO2-CaO-Al2O3-P2O5-Na2O-MgO-CaF2. In addition, physical and mechanical properties of the sample were measured to determine changes in the properties with the immersion time. The results show that bioactive glass maintained its strength during the immersion in a simulated body fluid solution.

Investigation of Strontium Effect on the Bioactive Behavior of Glasses in the System SiO2-CaO-P2O5-Na2O-SrO

In this study, it was aimed to produce bioactive glasses (SiO2-CaO-P2O5-Na2O-SrO) with the substitution of strontium in different weight percentages. Physical, thermal, and in vitro biological properties of the glasses were studied and compared to each other. In vitro simulated body fluid studies were performed to investigate the bioactivity of the produced glass samples. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma techniques were used to monitor changes in the glass surface and SBF composition. The results showed that all glasses favored precipitation of calcium phosphate layer when they were soaked in SBF; however bioactivity of the glasses increased with the increase of strontium content in the glasses.

The Recycling of the Coal Fly Ash in Glass Production

The recycling of fly ash obtained from the combustion of coal in thermal power plant has been studied. Coal fly ash was vitrified by melting at 1773 K for 5 hours without any additives. The properties of glasses produced from coal fly ash were investigated by means of Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. DTA study indicated that there was only one endothermic peak at 1003 K corresponding to the glass transition temperature. XRD analysis showed the amorphous state of the glass sample produced from coal fly ash. SEM investigations revealed that the coal fly ash based glass sample had smooth surface. The mechanical, physical and chemical properties of the glass sample were also determined. Recycling of coal fly ash by using vitrification technique resulted to a glass material that had good mechanical, physical and chemical properties. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results showed that the heavy metals of Pb, Cr, Zn and Mn were successfully immobilized into the glass. It can be said that glass sample obtained by the recycling of coal fly ash can be taken as a non-hazardous material. Overall, results indicated that the vitrification technique is an effective way for the stabilization and recycling of coal fly ash.