Traditional bone repair materials, such as titanium, polyetheretherketone, and calcium phosphate, exhibit limitations, including poor biocompatibility and incongruent mechanical properties. In contrast, ceramic-polymer composite materials combine the robust mechanical strength of ceramics with the flexibility of polymers, resulting in enhanced biocompatibility and mechanical performance. In recent years, researchers worldwide have conducted extensive studies to develop innovative composite materials and manufacturing processes, with the aim of enhancing the bone repair capabilities of implants. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in ceramic-polymer composite materials, as well as in 3D printing and surface modification techniques for composite materials, with the objective of offering valuable insights to improve and facilitate the clinical application of ceramic-polymer composite materials in the future.
ObjectiveTo investigate whether the technical modifications regarding the risk factors related to the partial necrosis of the distally pedicled sural flap could reduce the partial necrosis rate of the flap.MethodsA clinical data of 254 patients (256 sites) (modified group), who used modified technique to design and cut distally pedicled sural flaps to repair the distal soft tissue defects of the lower limbs between April 2010 and December 2019, was retrospectively analyzed. Between April 2001 and March 2010, 175 patients (179 sites) (control group) who used the traditional method to design and cut the skin flap to repair the distal soft tissue defects of the lower limbs were compared. Various technical modifications were used to lower the top-edge of the flap, reduce the length-width ratio (LWR) of the flap and width of the skin island. There was no significant difference in gender, age, etiology, duration from injury to operation, site and area of the soft tissue defect between groups (P>0.05). The length and width of the skin island and adipofascial pedicle, the total length of the flap and LWR, and the pivot point position were measured and recorded. The top-edge of the flap was determined according to the division of 9 zones in the posterior aspect of the lower limb. The occurrence of partial necrosis of the flap and the success rate of defect reconstruction were observed postoperatively.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the length and width of the skin island, the length of the adipofascial pedicle, total length and LWR of the flap, and pivot point position of the flap between groups (P>0.05). The width of the adipofasical pedicle in modified group was significant higher than that in control group (t=–2.019, P=0.044). The top-edge of 32 flaps (17.88%) in control group and 31 flaps (12.11%) in modified group were located at the 9th zone; the constituent ratio of the LWR more than 5∶1 in modified group (42.58%, 109/256) was higher than that in control group (42.46%, 76/179); and the constituent ratio of width of skin island more than 8 cm in control group (59.78%, 107/179) was higher than that in modified group (57.42%, 147/256). There was no significant difference in the above indicators between groups (P>0.05). In control group, 155 flaps (86.59%) survived completely, 24 flaps (13.41%) exhibited partial necrosis. Among them, 21 wounds healed after symptomatic treatments, 3 cases were amputated. The success rate of defects reconstruction was 98.32% (176/179). In modified group, 241 flaps (94.14%) survived completely, 15 flaps (5.86%) exhibited partial necrosis. Among them, 14 wounds healed after symptomatic treatments, 1 case was amputated. The success rate of defect reconstruction was 99.61% (255/256). The partial necrosis rate in modified group was significantly lower than that in control group (χ2=7.354, P=0.007). There was no significant difference in the success rate between the two groups (P=0.310). All patients in both groups were followed up 1 to 131 months (median, 9.5 months). All wounds in the donor and recipient sites healed well.ConclusionThe partial necrosis rate of the distally based sural flap can be decreased effectively by applying personalized modified technical for specific patients.
RNA can be labeled by more than 170 chemical modifications after transcription, and these chemical modifications are collectively referred to as RNA modifications. It opened a new chapter of epigenetic research and became a major research hotspot in recent years. RNA modification regulates the expression of genes from the transcriptome level by regulating the fate of RNA, thus participating in many biological processes and disease occurrence and development. With the deepening of research, the diversity and complexity of RNA modification, as well as its physiological significance and potential as a therapeutic target, can not be ignored.
Objective To summarize the research progress of biocompatibility and surface modification of nickel titanium shape memory alloys (Ni-Ti SMA). Methods The relative researches about Ni-Ti SMA at home and abroad were reviewed, collated, analyzed, and summarized. Results At present, Ni-Ti SMA as an internal fixation material has been widely used in clinic. It has the following advantages: the super elasticity, the shape memory characteristic, the good wear resistance, and the strong corrosion resistance. It also can effectively avoid the internal fixator rupture caused by stress shielding. After surface modification, the biocompatibility of Ni-Ti SMA has been improved. Conclusion The Ni-Ti SMA is the most promising alloy material for the long-term internal fixator because of its excellent material properties.
ObjectiveTo analyze effects of histone demethylase Jumonji-domaincontaining protein 3 (JMJD3) in macrophages in order to provide a new target for treatment of macrophage-related inflammatory reactions, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplantation rejection.MethodThe related literatures of researches on the effects of JMJD3 in the macrophages in recent years were searched and reviewed.ResultsThe macrophages played the important roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis and host response, clearing pathogens and apoptotic cells, and promoting tissue repair and wound healing. The JMJD3 could regulate the balance of M1 and M2 types of macrophages through the different ways and had different effects on the polarization of M2 macrophages when it was stimulated by the different extracellular substances. In some immune diseases and wound repairing, the JMJD3 could not only promote the inflammatory responses, but also polarize the M2 macrophages so as to inhibit the inflammation and promote the tissue repair. Clinically, the JMJD3 expression might be different in the different diseases and its low or high expression both might be involved in the occurrence of diseases.ConclusionHistone demethylase enzyme JMJD3 is involved in macrophage polarization and expression of inflammatory genes, but there are still many problems that require further to be investigated.
Objective To summarize the physicochemical properties, manufacturing technique, and biological characteristics of porous tantalum and its application progress and related problems in spinal surgery. Methods The domestic and foreign related literature about porous tantalum was summarized and analyzed. Results Porous tantalum is characterized by high porosity, high coefficient of friction, low elastic modulus, good biocompatibility, and superior osseointegration capability. Its manufacture methods include chemical vapor deposition and infiltration technique, foam impregnation and powder metallurgy technique, and heat treatment method. Good clinical efficacy has achieved in the application of porous tantalum interbody fusion Cage in cervical and lumbar fusion surgery, but there is controversy in spinal fusion rate, especially in cervical fusion rate. Surface modification can increase the osseointegration capability of porous tantalum and intervertebral bony fusion. Conclusion Good clinical efficacy has achieved in the application of porous tantalum interbody fusion Cage in lumbar fusion surgery, while there is a dispute in cervical fusion surgery. In order to further observation, studies with more patients and longer follow-up would be needed.
OBJECTIVE: To modify the surface of poly(D,L-lactide) film by anhydrous ammonia gaseous plasma treatment. METHODS: The changes of contact angles were measured and surface energy were calculated. Mouse 3T3 fibroblast cells were cultured on plasma modified and control poly(D,L-lactide) films. RESULTS: It was found that the hydrophilicity and surface energy of the materials have been increased after plasma treatment. Cell culture results showed that ammonia plasma treatment could promote the cell attachment and cells growth. After 4 days culture, the cells on the plasma treated films were 2-folds quantitatively compared with that of the control films. CONCLUSION: Ammonia plasma treatment can improve the cell affinity to poly(D,L-lactide).
ObjectiveThe antibacterial properties of porous medical implant materials were reviewed to provide guidance for further improvement of new medical implant materials.MethodsThe literature related to the antibacterial properties of porous medical implant materials in recent years was consulted, and the classification, characteristics and applications, and antibacterial methods of porous medical implant materials were reviewed.ResultsPorous medical implant materials can be classified according to surface pore size, preparation process, degree of degradation in vivo, and material source. It is widely used in the medical field due to its good biocompatibility and biomechanical properties. Nevertheless, the antibacterial properties of porous medical implant materials themselves are not obvious, and their antibacterial properties need to be improved through structural modification, overall modification, and coating modification.ConclusionAt present, coating modification as the mainstream modification method for improving the antibacterial properties of porous medical materials is still a research hotspot. The introduction of new antibacterial substances provides a new perspective for the development of new coated porous medical implant materials, so that the porous medical implant materials have a more reliable antibacterial effect while taking into account biocompatibility.
Due to its special sequence structure, spider silk protein has unique physical and chemical properties, mechanical properties and excellent biological properties. With the expansion of the application value of spider silk in many fields as a functional material, progress has been made in the studies on the expression of recombinant spider silk proteins through many host systems by gene recombinant techniques. Recombinant spider silk proteins can be processed into high performance fibers, and a wide range of non-fibrous morphologies. Moreover, for their excellent biocompatibility and low immune response they are ideal for biomedical applications. Here we review the process and mechanism of preparation in vitro, chemistry and genetic engineering modification on recombinant spider silk protein.