Richard Balint

Osteoblasts and their applications in bone tissue engineering

Tissue engineering is an emerging therapy that offers a new solution to patients suffering from bone loss. It utilizes cells derived from such sources as a patients own bone or bone marrow, which are laboratory-isolated, grown (so they multiply in number), and placed onto a degradable material, or scaffold, that has mechanical/chemical properties appropriate to the bone section that it is replacing. The cells plus the scaffold are then grown in a container, or bioreactor, which is necessary as it provides the correct environment required for the cells to proliferate, differentiate, and to produce extracellular matrix. The following review focuses on the use of osteoblasts for bone tissue engineering.

Optimal Contrast Agent Staining of Ligaments and Tendons for X-Ray Computed Tomography

X-ray computed tomography has become an important tool for studying the microstructures of biological soft tissues, such as ligaments and tendons. Due to the low X-ray attenuation of such tissues, chemical contrast agents are often necessary to enhance contrast during scanning. In this article, the effects of using three different contrast agents—iodine potassium iodide solution, phosphotungstic acid and phosphomolybdic acid—are evaluated and compared. Porcine anterior cruciate ligaments, patellar tendons, medial collateral ligaments and lateral collateral ligaments were used as the basis of the study. Three samples of each of the four ligament/tendon types were each assigned a different contrast agent (giving a total of twelve samples), and the progression of that agent through the tissue was monitored by performing a scan every day for a total period of five days (giving a total of sixty scans). Since the samples were unstained on day one, they had been stained for a total of four days by the time of the final scans. The relative contrast enhancement and tissue deformation were measured. It was observed that the iodine potassium iodide solution penetrated the samples fastest and caused the least sample shrinkage on average (although significant deformation was observed by the time of the final scans), whereas the phosphomolybdic acid caused the greatest sample shrinkage. Equations describing the observed behaviour of the contrast agents, which can be used to predict optimal staining times for ligament and tendon X-ray computed tomography, are presented.

Electroactive biomaterials: Vehicles for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents for drug delivery and tissue regeneration

ABSTRACT Electrical stimulation for delivery of biochemical agents such as genes, proteins and RNA molecules amongst others, holds great potential for controlled therapeutic delivery and in promoting tissue regeneration. Electroactive biomaterials have the capability of delivering these agents in a localized, controlled, responsive and efficient manner. These systems have also been combined for the delivery of both physical and biochemical cues and can be programmed to achieve enhanced effects on healing by establishing control over the microenvironment. This review focuses on current state‐of‐the‐art research in electroactive‐based materials towards the delivery of drugs and other therapeutic signalling agents for wound care treatment. Future directions and current challenges for developing effective electroactive approach based therapies for wound care are discussed.