Miriam López-Álvarez

Dr. Miriam López-Álvarez

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

19Years (2008-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 September 2012 in Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
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CRC. Rodríguez‐Valencia
C. Rodríguez‐Valencia
MLMiriam López-Álvarez
Miriam López-Álvarez
BCB. Cochón‐Cores
B. Cochón‐Cores
IPI. Pereiro
I. Pereiro
JSJulia Serra
Julia Serra
PGPío Gonzalez
Pío Gonzalez

1 January 2018 in Surface and Coatings Technology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BHB.M. Hidalgo-Robatto
B.M. Hidalgo-Robatto
MLMiriam López-Álvarez
Miriam López-Álvarez
AAAndreia Azevedo
Andreia Azevedo
JDJ. Dorado
J. Dorado
JSJ. Serra
J. Serra
PGP. González
P. González

1 October 2022 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SDSara Pérez Davila
Sara Pérez Davila
LGLaura González-Rodríguez
Laura González-Rodríguez
RLRaquel Lama López
Raquel Lama López
MLMiriam López-Álvarez
Miriam López-Álvarez
Ana L. OliveiraAna L. Oliveira
Ana L. Oliveira
PGPío Gonzalez
Pío Gonzalez
Polylactic acid (PLA) has become one of the most commonly used polymers in medical devices given its biocompatible, biodegradable and bioabsorbable properties. In addition, due to PLA’s thermoplastic behaviour, these medical devices are now obtained using 3D printing technologies. Once obtained, the 3D-printed PLA devices undergo different sterilisation procedures, which are essential to prevent infections. This work was an in-depth study of the physicochemical changes caused by novel and conventional sterilisation techniques on 3D-printed PLA and their impact on the biological response in terms of toxicity. The 3D-printed PLA physicochemical (XPS, FTIR, DSC, XRD) and mechanical properties as well as the hydrophilic degree were evaluated after sterilisation using saturated steam (SS), low temperature steam with formaldehyde (LTSF), gamma irradiation (GR), hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (HPGP) and CO2 under critical conditions (SCCO). The biological response was tested in vitro (fibroblasts NCTC-929) and in vivo (embryos and larvae wild-type zebrafish Danio rerio). The results indicated that after GR sterilisation, PLA preserved the O:C ratio and the semi-crystalline structure. Significant changes in the polymer surface were found after HPGP, LTSF and SS sterilisations, with a decrease in the O:C ratio. Moreover, the FTIR, DSC and XRD analysis revealed PLA crystallisation after SS sterilisation, with a 52.9% increase in the crystallinity index. This structural change was also reflected in the mechanical properties and wettability. An increase in crystallinity was also observed after SCCO and LTSF sterilisations, although to a lesser extent. Despite these changes, the biological evaluation revealed that none of the techniques were shown to promote the release of toxic compounds or PLA modifications with toxicity effects. GR sterilisation was concluded as the least reactive technique with good perspectives in the biological response, not only at the level of toxicity but at all levels, since the 3D-printed PLA remained almost unaltered.

13 December 2008 in Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
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Journal Article
Closed access
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MLMiriam López-Álvarez
Miriam López-Álvarez
ESE. L. Solla
E. L. Solla
PGPío Gonzalez
Pío Gonzalez
JSJulia Serra
Julia Serra
BLB. León
B. León
RRRui M. Reis
Rui M. Reis

1 January 2011 in Journal of the European Ceramic Society
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Rafael ComesañaRafael Comesaña
Rafael Comesaña
Fernando LusquiñosFernando Lusquiños
Fernando Lusquiños
JVJesús del Val
Jesús del Val
TMT. Malot
T. Malot
MLMiriam López-Álvarez
Miriam López-Álvarez
JPJuan Pou
Juan Pou

1 September 2011 in Acta Biomaterialia
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Rafael ComesañaRafael Comesaña
Rafael Comesaña
Fernando LusquiñosFernando Lusquiños
Fernando Lusquiños
JVJesús del Val
Jesús del Val
MLMiriam López-Álvarez
Miriam López-Álvarez
FMFelix Quintero Martinez
Felix Quintero Martinez
JPJuan Pou
Juan Pou