Graphene is an excellent filler for the development of reinforced composites. This study evaluated bone cement composites of graphene oxide (GO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based on the proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and the anabolic and catabolic effects of the incorporation of GO on osteoblast cells at a genetic level. Surface wettability and roughness were also evaluated at different GO concentrations (GO1: 0.024 wt% and GO2: 0.048 wt%) in the polymer matrix. Fabricated specimens were tested to (a) observe cell proliferation and (b) identify the effectiveness of GO on the expression of bone morphogenic proteins. Early osteogenesis was observed based on the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the genetic expression of the run-related transcription factor 2. Moreover, bone strengthening was determined by examining the collagen type 1 alpha–1 gene. The surface roughness of the substrate material increased following the addition of GO fillers to the resin matrix. It was found that over a period of ten days, the proliferation of hBMSCs on GO2 was significantly higher compared to the control and GO1. Additionally, quantitative colorimetric mineralization of the extracellular matrix revealed greater calcium phosphate deposition by osteoblasts in GO2. Furthermore, alizarin red staining analysis at day 14 identified the presence of mineralization in the form of dark pigmentation in the central region of GO2. The modified GO–PMMA composite seems to be promising as a bone cement type for the enhancement of the biological activity of bone tissue.

Magnesium and its alloys have gained significant prominence as promising biomaterials for healthcare applications due to their advantageous mechanical properties, notably their compatibility with bone tissue. Despite these advantages, their rapid rate of corrosion in physiological environments remains a substantial barrier, leading to the formation of hydrogen gas and elevation of pH levels that impede the process of tissue healing. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) has emerged as an effective surface treatment to improve the corrosion resistance of magnesium as it creates a protective oxide layer. Recent studies have revealed that the incorporation of hydroxyapatite (HA) and alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles into PEO coatings significantly enhances the mechanical and electrochemical properties of magnesium alloys, improving biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and surface hardness. This research aims to investigate and optimize the corrosion resistance and mechanical performance of a HA-Al₂O₃ composite coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy, with a focus on composition, morphology, adhesion, and corrosion resistance via advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical testing. Preliminary results demonstrate significant improvements in surface hardness and corrosion resistance, highlighting the potential for this composite coating to enhance the longevity and performance of magnesium-based biomedical implants.

Skin grafting is a widely used technique for treating extensive skin injuries such as chronic ulcers, wounds, and burns. Traditional grafting techniques face various challenges, including limited availability, risk of infection, donor site morbidity, and immune rejection. Due to their tailored properties, synthetic skin grafts offer a promising alternative solution to these challenges. This study aims to fabricate polymer blends by integrating the bioactivity of chitosan, derived from natural polymer (chitin), with the mechanical resilience of synthetic polymers—poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Two Polymer blends, 30CHI:70(PVA/PEG) and 20CHI:80(PVA/PEG), were prepared through physical crosslinking. The pH‐responsive and hydrophilic behavior of the blends was evaluated in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) solution to mimic physiological conditions. Different characterization tests, including tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), pH sensitivity, contact angle, antibacterial, cytotoxicity, and thermal analysis, revealed that the 20CHI:80(PVA/PEG) blend demonstrated mechanical resilience, superior hydrophilicity, and pH responsiveness compared to other blends. This polymer also exhibited low shrinkage, controlled swelling, and excellent biocompatibility, making it a suitable candidate for skin graft applications. However, in vivo evaluations are needed to further validate the clinical potential of this blend. The findings of this study highlight the potential of material integration for developing biocompatible, versatile, and viable polymer blends for advanced tissue engineering applications.

This laboratory study set out to characterize Calcium Phosphate (CaP) based bone cements with added Zinc Oxide (ZnO) embedded in Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Bone cements with varying percentages of CaP mixed with and without varying percentages of ZnO in PMMA were fabricated by one-step polymerization by reacting equimolar ratios of MMA powder and acrylic resin. Neat-PMMA was used as control throughout the experiment. Fabricated samples were tested for their contact angle measurement, surface roughness, nanohardness, elastic modulus, and also their chemical characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used as a statistical method, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. It was found that increasing CaP content elevated the hydrophobicity of the composites while mechanical properties increased with the increase of CaP. On the contrary, the addition of ZnO did not show any significant effect. The optimal concentration was observed to be at 20% CaP loading where the mechanical properties were balanced with the hydrophilic nature of CaP. It was also noted that different wt.% of ZnO and CaP did not affect the physicochemical characteristics of the composites. The PMMA-CaP composites demonstrated encouraging results and necessitate further studies to ascertain the implementation of these bone cements clinically.

Background: This study is focused to establish a relationship between poor muscle activity face by obese individuals due to the change in stiffness of the intramuscular mass of the lower limb. This issue is also common among athletes and physically active teenagers. Objective: The study is aimed at a subject assessment diagnosis technique named as Strain Elastography (SE)to measure muscle strain. Further, Finite Element Modelling (FEM) technique is used to investigate the strain and/or deformations generated in the Achilles Tendon (AT) models which were categorized according to their Body Mass Index (BMI) through computationally applied loadings. Methods: Total 54 volunteers with an average age of 21.85 ± 1.28 years were categorized into three groups according to their BMI (kg/m2); under BMI < 18.5 (n=14), normal BMI = 18.5-24.9 (n=20) and over BMI/obese > 25.0 (n=20). Additionally, multiple correlational analyses were performed between full range of BMI values and SE outcome. Results: Presence of significant difference (p<0.05) was measured between different categories for BMI, BFMI, FFMI, DLFC, tendon length, tendon thickness and SR. Moreover, multiple correlational analyses and scatter plot strengthen the results. For FEM simulations, the maximum deformation was observed at the proximal end of the tendon in all three groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that change in tendon stiffness and resulting change in tendon structure was visualized with increased BMI. Moreover, obese individuals are more prone to tendon injury due to the increment in tendon thickness which causes bulging of the AT due to higher loads.