Methotrexate (MTX), as a pharmaceutical, is frequently used in tumor chemotherapy and is also a part of the established treatment of a number of autoimmune inflammatory disorders. Radiolabeled MTX has been studied as a tumor-diagnostic agent in a number of published studies. In the present study, the potential use of technetium-99m-labelled MTX (Tc-99m-MTX) as a radiotracer was investigated for the identification of inflammatory target sites. The labelling of MTX was carried out via a Tc-99m-gluconate precursor. Evaluation studies included in vitro stability, plasma protein binding assessment, partition-coefficient estimation, in vivo scintigraphic imaging and ex vivo animal experiments in an animal inflammation model. MTX was successfully labelled with Tc-99m, with a radiochemical purity of >95%. Stability was assessed in plasma, where it remained intact up to 85% at 4 h post-incubation, while protein binding of the radiotracer was observed to be similar to 50% at 4 h. These preclinical ex vivo and in vivo studies indicated that Tc-99m-MTX accumulates in inflamed tissue, as well as in the spinal cord, joints and bones; all areas with relatively high remodeling activity. The results are promising, and set the stage for further work on the development and application of Tc-99m-MTX as a radiotracer for inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Biomaterials have been used for more than a century in the human body to improve body functions and replace damaged tissues. Currently approved and commonly used metallic biomaterials such as, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chromium and other alloys have been found to have adverse effects leading in some cases, to mechanical failure and rejection of the implant. The physical or chemical nature of the degradation products of some implants initiates an adverse foreign body reaction in the tissue. Some metallic implants remain as permanent fixtures, whereas others such as plates, screws and pins used to secure serious fractures are removed by a second surgical procedure after the tissue has healed sufficiently. However, repeat surgical procedures increase the cost of health care and the possibility of patient morbidity. This study focuses on the development of magnesium based biodegradable alloys/metal matrix composites (MMCs) for orthopedic and cardiovascular applications. The Mg alloys/MMCs possessed good mechanical properties and biocompatible properties. Nine different compositions of Mg alloys/MMCs were manufactured and surface treated. Their degradation behavior, ion leaching, wettability, morphology, cytotoxicity and mechanical properties were determined. Alloying with Zn, Ca, HA and Gd and surface treatment resulted in improved mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, reduced cytotoxicity, lower pH and hydrogen evolution. Anodization resulted in the formation of a distinct oxide layer (thickness 5-10 μm) as compared with that produced on mechanically polished samples (~20-50 nm) under ambient conditions. It is envisaged that the findings of this research will introduce a new class of Mg based biodegradable alloys/MMCs and the emergence of innovative cardiovascular and orthopedic implant devices.

Orientador: Celso Aparecido Bertran / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T10:56:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Campos_DaniellaDiasPalombinode_D.pdf: 44951379 bytes, checksum: 1a18d9ffcb14751022a3de58b577f652 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Sistemas auto-organizados, preparados com surfactantes nonilfenil etoxilados com diferentes tamanhos de cadeia etoxilada, foram utilizados para sintetizar nanopartículas de hidroxiapatita (HAP - Ca5(PO4)3OH), que é o fosfato de cálcio majoritariamente presente nos tecidos mineralizados dos vertebrados. O efeito do tamanho do grupo etoxilado do surfactante foi avaliado tanto na formação dos sistemas auto-organizados quanto nas propriedades das partículas de HAP precipitadas in situ nestes sistemas. Cristais líquidos hexagonal reverso, lamelar, hexagonal e cúbicos foram formados, nesta ordem, a medida que surfactantes com maiores grupos etoxilados foram empregados. Os fosfatos de cálcio sintetizados em todos os sistemas auto-organizados apresentaram-se na forma de nanohastes, de modo que as nanohastes formadas nas fases anisotrópicas (cristais líquidos hexagonais e lamelares) apresentaram diâmetros mais uniformes quando comparadas àquelas sintetizadas nos sistemas auto-organizados isotrópicos. O diâmetro das hastes de HAP comparado com as dimensões dos sistemas auto-organizados sugere que estas se formaram pela aglomeração orientada de partículas ainda menores de HAP, o que foi evidenciado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM-FEG). Estes resultados, em conjunto com medidas de tempo de relaxação transversal (T2) do hidrogênio das moléculas de água presentes nos sistemas auto-organizados, permitem propor que a limitação do tamanho das nanopartículas de HAP seja conseqüência da limitação da difusão iônica in situ e que a morfologia de hastes é resultante da autoorganização das fases. / Abstract: Self-assembled systems from nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants were prepared using surfactants with different hydrophilic chain lengths. These systems were used to synthesize hydroxyapatite (HAP - Ca5(PO4)3OH) nanoparticles, the main constituent of vertebrates mineralized tissues. The surfactant hydrophilic length influence was evaluated both on the self-assembled systems formation and on the properties of HAP nanoparticles which were obtained by in situ precipitation in these systems. As the surfactant hydrophilic length increased different liquid crystals were formed in this sequence: reverse hexagonal, lamellar, normal hexagonal and cubic mesophases. HAP nanoparticles synthesized in all selfassembled systems had morphology of rods. Particles precipitated in the anisotropic systems (hexagonal and lamellar liquid crystals) had more uniform diameters compared to particles precipitated in the isotropic systems (cubic liquid crystals). The HAP nanorods diameters were bigger than the repetition distances of the self-assembled systems. This occurrence, evidenced by SEM-FEG micrographs of the HAP nanoparticles, suggests that the nanorods were formed by even smaller HAP particles which were previously confined in the hydrophilic domains of the phases, and after the surfactant removal they were neatly clustered as induced by the self-assembled systems. These results along with the transversal relaxation times measurements (T2) for hydrogen in water molecules belonging self-assembled systems, allow us to propose the following: there is a reduced ionic diffusion within the liquid crystals hydrophilic domains and it is the cause for the size particles limitation and the particles morphology is influenced by the self-assembling of the systems. / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutora em Ciências

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(エネルギー科学) / 甲第22796号 / エネ博第410号 / 新制||エネ||78(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院エネルギー科学研究科エネルギー基礎科学専攻 / (主査)教授 坂口 浩司, 教授 佐川 尚, 准教授 高井 茂臣 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Energy Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

This work deals with bioceramic materials based of hydroxyapatite, bioglass and their composites. These materials are commonly used in medicine, especially as hard tissue substituents. They can be prepared by different types of syntheses, from which the most common were picked for this work – precipitation of hydroxyapatite and sol-gel method for bioglass. Thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction were used for characterization of prepared powders. This thesis studies mostly their features within the composite materials, which were foamed for better bone stimulation. Properties and possibility in bio application of materials is firstly studied through their interaction in simulated body fluids, which mimics ionic concentration of human plasma. Experimental part covers synthesis of ceramic powders, their characterization, preparation of mixtures and scaffolds foamed through in situ foaming, their sintering at ideal temperatures, characterization of porosity and phase changes due to sintering. Basic tests of apatite formation ability were provided by incubation of prepared scaffolds in simulated body fluid for 3, 7, 14 and 21 days and their assay in scanning electron microscopy. Changes in concentration of Ca2+ a PO4 3- ions as well as in weight of the specimen were tracked within the incubation period.

Biodegradable metallic materials for medical applications have received considerable attention in recent years. The main reason is that they provide high potential for fabrication of temporal orthopedic implants such as bone fixation devices. Magnesium is an excellent candidate for fabrication of biodegradable implants due to its biocompatibility, mechanical properties similar to human bone and relevance for biological body functions. The fast degradation rate of magnesium and its biodegradable alloys in physiological environment limits its clinical application. Another attractive material in the field of biodegradable materials is zinc, which is among the essential elements in human body. Zinc exhibits an excellent corrosion resistance, and inferior biocompatibility compared to with magnesium. Hence, surface modification to form a hard, dense/porous, biocompatible and corrosion resistant modified layer has become an interesting topic in magnesium base biomaterials. Since hydroxyapatite is well tolerated by living organisms and in addition, improves the bone growth, it appears to be excellent candidate for such coatings on surface of biodegradable materials (e.g. Mg, Zn). This thesis is focused on comparison of corrosion behavior of pure non ferrous metals (Mg, Zn) and metals coated with hydroxyapatite, in simulated body fluids. The present approach is the use of modified atmospheric plasma spray technology to produce the hydroxyapatite coatings – suspension spraying. Composition and structure of the coatings and corrosion products were studied by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive microanalyzer and X-ray diffraction. Corrosion of Mg and Zn samples was monitored by weight loss and determined by X ray and micro-tomography. The application of the HA coating resulted in decrease of corrosion rate of pure Mg. The corrosion rate of coated Mg samples was lower by 27,3 % in comparison with the corrosion rate of pure non coated Mg. Corrosion degradation of uncoated and coated Zn samples was minimal. The aplication of HA on the non ferrous surface appears to be a very promising method to improve corrosion and biological properties of these biodegradable materials.

When the big joints like a knee or hip joint are damaged, the solution of this problem is an artificial substitute. The replacement of damaged joints with endoprotesis helps to reduce the pain and to move normally. In the design of the implant is necessary to fulfil all requirements on the properties of the material. The surface of implant is important, because it is directly connected to bone tissue. After implantation, the negative effect include infection, inflammation or release of the implant due to limited osseointegration, may appear. The osseointegration can be improved by modifying the material surface. This thesis is focused on development and evaluation of advanced materials imitating the bone structure, especially nanoroughness and the presence of biomimetic component, such as hydroxyapatite. In this study is evaluated adhesion, proliferation, viability, differentiation, and synthesis of specific proteins of human osteoblasts like Saos-2 on titanium modified with nanotubes and plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite compared with smooth surfaces. Key words: titanium, nanotubes, osteoblasts, hydroxyapatite, nanoroughness

Biomaterials are defined as non-viable materials whose functions strives to interact with biological systems, this makes biomaterials suitable for medical devices and applications. Biomaterials biological properties must be thoroughly investigated and evaluated in order to be approved for clinical usage. In vitro studies are used to characterize the materials biological properties, if promising results are achieved in vitro, in vivo studies may be performed to ensure that the material can interact with living animal models in the intended way. However, for a biomaterial such as calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite there is a gap between results observed in vitro and in vivo studies. Microfluidic systems have been highlighted as a possible evaluation model to achieve reliable results for in vitro studies. The aim of this thesis was to compare and evaluate a biomaterial- on-a-chip, i.e., a biomaterial integrated in a dynamic microfluidic system, with a traditional static in vitro system in the regards of drug release and protein adsorption. Two chemically identical calcium-deficient hydroxyapatites but with different topographies were integrated in the microfluidic system and manufactured as discs for static evaluation. Results from drug release and protein adsorption studies showed different behaviours for dynamic and static control, which is significant since it indicates that the outcome of the characterization correlates to the evaluation model used.

The thesis deals with the precipitation synthesis of nanoparticle hydroxyapatite with goal to study the influence of reaction conditions on the morphology of the particles. The theoretical part is focused on biomaterials, bioceramics and phosphates characterization. Further the work is focused on hydroxyapatite, its characteristics and possible synthesis in particular. The synthesis of hydroxyapatite precipitation is described in the experimental part. Syntheses were performed at a reaction temperature of 0-80 °C at pH = 8-11, at the aging time of 0-24 h, in the presence of surfactant and the chelating agent and with the post-precipitation hydrothermal or ultrasonic treatment. For characterization of the prepared powders, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser diffraction (LD) and the analysis of the specific surface area (BET) were used. Pure hydroxyapatite powders or a mixture of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate were prepared by precipitation syntheses. HA particle morphology was strongly affected by the reaction temperature – with increasing temperature the larger particles with a clearer morphology were formed, mostly in the rod shape. Postprecipitation hydrothermal treatment had a significant influence on the morphology of HA particles – it caused the formation of spherical or slightly elongated particles. The reaction medium of water/ethanol significantly affected the particle morphology – it inhibited the particle growth.

The present thesis work is focused on the low-temperature transformation of food industry wastes like mussel shells into nanocrystalline ions-substituted hydroxyapatite powder, having similarities with natural bone apatite, on the consolidation of such powder by cold sintering, and on the physicochemical characterization of the raw materials, synthesised powders and sintered pellets. Nonetheless the evaluation of the mechanical and biological properties was carried out to address cold sintered bodies to possible scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications. Mussel shells, like other biogenic source of calcium carbonate/phosphate, have the attractive of being a “zero”-cost raw material because they are a waste, but also of having trace elements (Mg, Na, Sr, etc.) which, if found in a bioceramic, have a positive effect on the biological properties. Therefore, mussel shell-derived hydroxyapatite could resemble the mineralized bone tissue, being natural apatite nanometric, ion substituted and with low crystalline tenor. In the first part of the manuscript, two production methods were explored: mechanochemistry and dissolution-precipitation synthesis. Mechanochemistry was carried out at room temperature by directly mixing crushed mussel shells with phosphoric acid in a ball mill. Nanocrystalline multi-ions substituted hydroxyapatite was produced after 4 h of milling and drying at 150°C. Conversely, dissolution-precipitation synthesis was carried out in two steps: the dissolution of crushed mussel shells by adding phosphoric and chloric acid occurred at room temperature, whereas the precipitation of calcium phosphates induced by soda solution, occurred at 45°C. Dissolution-precipitation was further implemented to produce a homogeneous composite material in a single-step by introducing chitosan (in a 2/5/10 wt%) during the dissolution step. The idea was to produce a composite material able to mimic the natural bone tissue composition. In the second part of the manuscript, cold sintering was investigated for the consolidation of the synthesised hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite-based composites at a maximum temperature of 200 °C to avoid phase transformation, limit grain growth and preserve the osteoconduction of the bioceramic materials. The effect of the main process parameters such as solvent amount, pressure, temperature and holding time was discussed. Pressure-solution creep and plastic deformation were pointed out as the fundamental consolidation mechanisms in cold sintering, the pressure playing the major role. With a synergistic combination of pressure (600 MPa), temperature (200°C) and liquid phase (20 wt%) it was possible to consolidate hydroxyapatite above 80% relative density in only 15 min. Furthermore, pressure and temperature act a complementary agent during cold sintering. In fact, it was possible to consolidate nanometric HAp and HAp/chitosan composites above 90% relative density by increasing the applied pressure up to 1.5 GPa at room temperature. The mechanical properties of cold sintered pellets were investigated, and resulted in a flexural bending strength and Vickers microhardness, respectively, of 45 MPa and 1.1 GPa for pure hydroxyapatite and of 55 MPa and 0.8 GPa for HAp/chitosan composite. In the frame of bone tissue engineering applications, cold sintered bodies were also preliminarily tested in vitro to establish their bioactivity, their cellular viability through cytotoxicity assessment, and the ability to sustain cells adhesion, osteogenic differentiation. And extracellular matrix mineralization.