Maria Sonmez

Multifunctional materials for bone cancer treatment

The purpose of this review is to present the most recent findings in bone tissue engineering. Special attention is given to multifunctional materials based on collagen and collagen–hydroxyapatite composites used for skin and bone cancer treatments. The multi-functionality of these materials was obtained by adding to the base regenerative grafts proper components, such as ferrites (magnetite being the most important representative), cytostatics (cisplatin, carboplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, paclitaxel, doxorubicin), silver nanoparticles, antibiotics (anthracyclines, geldanamycin), and/or analgesics (ibuprofen, fentanyl). The suitability of complex systems for the intended applications was systematically analyzed. The developmental possibilities of multifunctional materials with regenerative and curative roles (antitumoral as well as pain management) in the field of skin and bone cancer treatment are discussed. It is worth mentioning that better materials are likely to be developed by combining conventional and unconventional experimental strategies.

SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATIONS OF Fe3O4/SiO2 CORE-SHELL MATERIALS.

Multifunctional nanoparticles based on magnetite/silica core-shell, consisting of iron oxides coated with silica matrix doped with fluorescent components such as organic dyes (fluorescein isothiocyanate - FITC, Rhodamine 6G) or quantum dots, have drawn remarkable attention in the last years. Due to the bi-functionality of these types of nanoparticles (simultaneously having magnetic and fluorescent properties), they are successfully used in highly efficient human stem cell labeling, magnetic carrier for photodynamic therapy, drug delivery, hyperthermia and other biomedical applications. Another application of core-shell-based nanoparticles, in which the silica is functionalized with aminosilanes, is for immobilization and separation of various biological entities such as proteins, antibodies, enzymes etc. as well as in environmental applications, as adsorbents for heavy metal ions. In vitro tests on human cancerous cells, such as A549 (human lung carcinoma), breast, human cervical cancer, THP-1 (human acute monocytic leukaemia) etc. , were conducted to assess the potential cytotoxic effects that may occur upon contact of nanoparticles with cancerous tissue. Results show that core-shell nanoparticles doped with cytostatics (cisplatin, doxorubicin, etc.), are easily adsorbed by affected tissue and in some cases lead to an inhibition of cell proliferation and induce cell death by apoptosis. The goal of this review is to summarize the advances in the field of core-shell materials, particularly those based on magnetite/silica with applicability in medicine and environmental protection. This paper briefly describes synthesis methods of silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles (Stöber method and microemulsion), the method of encapsulating functional groups based on aminosilanes in silica shell, as well as applications in medicine of these types of simple or modified nanoparticles for cancer therapy, MRI, biomarker immobilization, drug delivery, biocatalysis etc., and in environmental applications (removal of heavy metal ions and catalysis).

Composite scaffolds based on silver nanoparticles for biomedical applications

This paper presents the synthesis, characterisation, and in vitro testing of homogenous and heterogeneous materials containing silver nanoparticles (nanoAg). Three types of antiseptic materials based on collagen (COLL), hydroxyapatite (HA), and collagen/hydroxyapatite (COLL/HA) composite materials were obtained. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was realized by chemical reaction as well as plasma sputtering deposition. The use of chemical reduction allows the synthesis of homogenous materials while the plasma sputtering deposition can be easily used for the synthesis of homogeneous and heterogeneous support. Based on the in vitro assays clear antiseptic activity against Escherichia coli was relieved even at low content of nanoAg (10 ppm).

Magnetite: from synthesis to applications.

In this review the synthesis, functionalization and some applications of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) were highlighted. It is our intention to highlight the correlations between the synthesis routes, related synthesis parameters, functionalization strategies and the properties expected for the materials containing MNPs. The uses of MNPs are strongly influenced by the properties of the materials. Therefore this review is trying to discuss the applications of the magnetite and magnetite based nanomaterials by taking into account all the factors that can influence the properties of the final materials and consequently their potential applications.

Mimicking the morphology of long bone

AbstractThe aim of this work was to mimic the stratified structure of the median region of long bones. Starting from this desideratum, more COLL/HA composite materials with different morphology were synthesized and characterized, each of these materials mimicking one layer of long bone (endo- and periosteum, compact and cancellous bony tissue). Stratified bone grafts were obtained by assembling these layers; the obtained grafts were similar to the median region of long bones. Even though, natural bones have a more complex microstructure, this is a pioneering work since for the first time a stratified COLL/HA composite material similar to bone was produced.

Nanostructured biomaterials with antimicrobial properties.

The present review is intended to bring together the main advances in the field of nanostructured biomaterials with antimicrobial properties. It is generally accepted that the discovery of antibiotics was of great importance but, nowadays new antimicrobial agents are needed and/or their better administration routes. The limitation of the use of antibiotics is essential because of the following reasons: the excessive use of antibiotics leads to the development of antibiotic resistant microorganisms; there are some alternatives for many types of infections, many of these alternatives being less toxic and do not lead to antibiotic similar resistance. In compliance with the above presented, the use of antibiotic is recommended to be eliminated (when alternatives are available) or to be reduced by using combined therapy when possible or to administrate these drugs through targeted or loco-regional drug delivery systems.

Antitumoral materials with regenerative function obtained using a layer-by-layer technique

A layer-by layer technique was successfully used to obtain collagen/hydroxyapatite-magnetite-cisplatin (COLL/HAn-Fe3O4-CisPt, n=1–7) composite materials with a variable content of hydroxyapatite intended for use in the treatment of bone cancer. The main advantages of this system are the possibility of controlling the rate of delivery of cytostatic agents, the presence of collagen and hydroxyapatite to ensure more rapid healing of the injured bone tissue, and the potential for magnetite to be a passive antitumoral component that can be activated when an appropriate external electromagnetic field is applied. In vitro cytotoxicity assays performed on the COLL/HAn-Fe3O4-CisPt materials obtained using a layer-by layer method confirmed their antitumoral activity. Samples with a higher content of hydroxyapatite had more antitumoral activity because of their better absorption of cisplatin and consequently a higher amount of cisplatin being present in the matrices.

Mesoporous materials used in medicine and environmental applications.

Mesoporous materials synthesized in the presence of templates, are commonly used for environment and medical applications. Due to the properties it holds, mesoporous silica nanoparticles is an excellent material for use in medical field, biomaterials, active principles delivery systems, enzyme immobilization and imaging. Their structure allows embedding large and small molecules, DNA adsorption and genetic transfer. Using mesoporous silica nanoparticles for delivery of bioactive molecules can protect them against degradation under physiological conditions, allow controlled drugs release and minimize side effects on healthy tissues. Cellular tests performed on mesoporous silica nanoparticles demonstrate that MSNs cytotoxicity is dependent on the size and concentration and suggests the use of larger size nanoparticles is optimal for medical applications. Mesoporous materials possess high biological compatibility, are non-toxic and can be easily modified by functionalizing the surface or inside the pores by grafting or co-condensation method. The structure, composition and pores size of this material can be optimized during synthesis by varying the stoichiometric reactants, reaction conditions, nature of the templates molecules or by functionalization method.

MAGNETIC CORE SHELL STRUCTURES: from 0D to 1D assembling

Material research and development studies are focused on different techniques of bringing out nanomaterials with desired characteristics and properties. From the point of view of materials development, nowadays scientists are strongly focused on obtaining materials with predefined characteristics and properties. The morphology control seems to be a determinant factor and increasing attention is devoted to this aspect. At this moment it is possible to engineer the materials features by using different methods and materials combination for both medical and industrial applications. In the applications of chemistry and synthesis, biology, mechanics, optics solar cells and microelectronics tailoring the adjustable parameters of stoichiometry, chemical structure, shape and segregation are evaluated and opens new fields. Because of the magnetic features of nanoparticles and durable particle size, less than 100 nm, this study is aiming to describe their uses in practical applications. Thats why the whole hydrodynamic magnetic core shell topic will be reviewed on this paper. Additionally, the properties acting in general sight in solid-state physics are utilized for material selection and for defining issue connecting the core, shell structure and their producing properties. Here, in the study of core/shell nanoparticle various physical and chemical synthesis routes and the effect of electrospun method are briefly discussed. Starting from a real void of the scientific literature, the existent data related to the 1D magnetic electrospun materials are reviewed. The perspectives in the medical, environmental or energetic sector is great and bring some real advantages related to the 0D core@shell structures because both mechanical and biological properties are dependent on the morphology of the materials.

Extended release of vitamins from magnetite loaded polyanionic polymeric beads

Here we explore a novel approach of increasing the release duration of folic and ascorbic acid from magnetite entrapped into calcium-alginate beads. Synthesis and characterization of magnetite-vitamins complexes are reported. The magnetite-vitamins complexes were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, BET and DTA-TG. Also calcium-alginate magnetic beads were prepared by dripping a mixture of sodium alginate with magnetite-vitamins complexes into calcium chloride solution. Extended release profile of the two experimental models was evaluated and quantified by UV-vis.