Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is the most commonly used biomaterial in modern bone regeneration studies because of its chemical similarity to bone, biocompatibility with different polymers, osteoconductivity, low cost, and lack of immune response. However, to overcome the disadvantages of HAp, which include fragility and low mechanical strength, current studies typically focus on property modification through the addition of other materials. Objective. To develop and evaluate the biocompatibility of a HAp material extracted from eggshells and modified with silicon (Si) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA). Materials and Methods. An in vitro experimental study in which a HAp material prepared from eggshells was synthesized by wet chemical and conventional chemical precipitation. Subsequently, this material was reinforced with Si/PLGA using the freezing/lyophilization method, and then osteoblast cells were seeded on the experimental material (HAp/Si/PLGA). To analyse the biocompatibility of this composite material, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) techniques were used. PLGA, bovine bone/PLGA (BB/PLGA), and HAp/PLGA were used as controls. Results. A cellular viability of 96% was observed for the experimental HAp/Si/PLGA material as well as for the PLGA. The viability for the BB/PLGA material was 90%, and the viability for the HAp/PLGA was 86%. Cell adhesion was observed on the exterior surface of all materials. However, a continuous monolayer and the presence of filopodia were observed over both external and internal surface of the experimental materials. Conclusions. The HAp/Si/PLGA material is highly biocompatible with osteoblastic cells and can be considered promising for the construction of three-dimensional scaffolds for bone regeneration in dentistry.

Background. Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial infectious disease, where multiple bacteria, such asPorphyromonas gingivalis,Prevotella intermedia, andFusobacterium nucleatumare implicated. The main purpose of researching natural products is to find substances or compounds with antimicrobial activity.Aim. The objective of this work was to determine antimicrobial activity from extracts and obtained fractions fromPiper marginatumJacq andIlex guayusaLoes onP. gingivalisATCC 33277,F. nucleatumATCC 25586, andP. intermediaATCC 25611.Methods. Total ethanol extracts were obtained from both plants. Fractions were obtained from total ethanol extracts with amberlite as a stationary phase employing hexane, acetone, and ethanol-water as solvents. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical characterization was performed on total ethanol extracts from both plants. Antimicrobial activity from total ethanol extracts and fractions from both plants were evaluated onP. gingivalisATCC 33277,F. nucleatumATCC 25586, andP. intermediaATCC by the well diffusion method with Wilkins–Chalgren agar.Results.Piper marginatumJacq total ethanol extract presented antimicrobial activity against all three bacteria, whereasIlex guayusaLoes was only efficient againstP. gingivalisATCC 33277 andP. intermediaATCC 25611, with inhibition halos from 9.3 to 30 mm.Ilex guayusaLoes obtained fractions presented antimicrobial activity against all three microorganisms evaluated, with inhibition halos ranging from 9.7 to 18.7 mm. In regards toPiper marginatumJacq fractions, inhibition halos were between 8.3 and 19 mm, against all three microorganisms evaluated; only hexane fraction did not present antimicrobial activity againstF. nucleatumATCC 25586.Conclusion.Piper marginatumJacq andIlex guayusaLoes total ethanol extracts and fractions presented outstanding antimicrobial activity againstP. gingivalisATCC 33277,P. intermediaATCC 25611, andF. nucleatumATCC 25586.

Objective: To evaluate the association between MSX1 CA polymorphism and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±P) in a group of patients from Operation Smile Colombia. Design: Four alleles from MSX1 CA microsatellite sequence were analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out. The amplifications were performed by Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) in ABI PRISM 310 genetic analyzer. Chi-square and odds ratio tests were used to determine the association between genotype frequencies and the risk to the cleft lip/palate in a Colombian group population. Setting: Operation Smile Colombia. Participants: Ninety-four affected patients (49 men and 45 women with CL±P) and 93 control individuals (43 men and 50 women). Results: A significant statistical difference (p < .0106) was found between the patients who carried allele 3 and CL±P. In addition, allele 4 (heterozygous and homozygous form) was the most frequent in CL±P (74%) patients and in the control group (82%). Conclusions: These findings show a positive association between the MSX1 CA polymorphism and CL±P in a Colombian group population.

One of the main focuses of tissue engineering is to search for tridimensional scaffold materials, complying with nature’s properties for tissue regeneration. Determining material biocompatibility is a fundamental step in considering its use. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze osteoblast cell adhesion and viability on different materials to determine which was more compatible for future bone regeneration. Tridimensional structures were fabricated with hydroxyapatite, collagen, and porous silica. The bovine bone was used as material control. Biocompatibility was determined by seeding primary osteoblasts on each tridimensional structure. Cellular morphology was assessed by SEM and viability through confocal microscopy. Osteoblast colonization was observed on all evaluated materials’ surface, revealing they did not elicit osteoblast cytotoxicity. Analyses of four different materials studied with diverse compositions and characteristics showed that adhesiveness was best seen for HA and viability for collagen. In general, the results of this investigation suggest these materials can be used in combination, as scaffolds intended for bone regeneration in dental and medical fields.