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Graphical abstract Highlights • Silicon-coated TNT coatings were successfully fabricated by anodization and EBE. • The combination of titania nanotubes and silicon enhances osteogenic activity. • Higher silicon amounts on coated TNTs resulted in the greatest osteogenic activity. Abstract In this study, titania nanotubes (TNTs) incorporating silicon (Si) were formed on Ti disks using anodization and electron beam evaporation (EBE) technology to improve the osteogenic activity. The amount of Si was exquisitely adjusted by controlling the duration of EBE to optimize the biofunctionality. As the Si was incorporated, the samples exhibited hydrophilic surfaces. Long lasting and controllable Si release was observed from the EBE-modified samples without cytotoxicity. Moreover, initial cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells were evaluated. The results showed a notable enhancement of spreading, osteogenesis and differentiation of cells on silicon-coated TNTs (Si-TNTs). In particular, samples with highest amount of silicon (∼5.93% Si) displayed greatest augmentation of ALP activity, osteogenic-related gene expression and mineralization compared to the others in the present study. It was indicated that the modification with TNTs and appropriated Si content resulted in enhanced osteoblastic spreading, proliferation and differentiation, and therefore has the potential for future applications in the field of orthopedics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO 2 nanotubes prepared by electrochemical anodization have received considerable attention in the biomedical field. In this work, different amounts of gold nanoparticles were immobilized onto TiO 2 nanotubes using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane as coupling agent. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to investigate the surface morphology and composition. Photoluminescence spectra and surface zeta potential were also measured. The obtained results indicate that the surface modified gold nanoparticles can significantly enhance the electron storage capability and reduce the surface zeta potential compared to pristine TiO 2 nanotubes. Moreover, the surface modified gold nanoparticles can stimulate initial adhesion and spreading of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells as well as proliferation, while the osteogenous performance of TiO 2 nanotubes will not be reduced. The gold-modified surface presents moderate antibacterial effect on both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . It should be noted that the surface modified fewer gold nanoparticles has better antibacterial effect compared to the surface of substantial modification of gold nanoparticles. Our study illustrates a composite surface with favorable cytocompatibility and antibacterial effect and provides a promising candidate for orthopedic and dental implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a promising implantable material, poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) possesses similar elastic modulus to that of cortical bones yet suffers from bio-inertness and poor osteogenic properties, which limits its application as orthopedic implants. In this work, calcium is introduced onto PEEK surface using calcium plasma immersion ion implantation (Ca-PIII). The results obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm the modified layer with varying contents of calcium are formed on PEEK surfaces. Water contact angle measurements reveal the increasing hydrophobicity of both Ca-PIII treated surfaces. In vitro cell adhesion, viability assay, alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen secretion analyses disclose improved the adhesion, proliferation, and osteo-differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) on Ca-PIII treated surfaces. The obtained results indicate that PEEK surface with enhanced osteogenic activity can be produced by calcium incorporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Si-incorporated TiO 2 nanopores films were prepared by anodization and silicon plasma immersion ion implantation. The microstructure and phase composition of the films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrophilicity of the films was evaluated using water contact angle measurement and MG63 cells were cultured on the films to investigate the cytocompatibility. The results showed that the concentration and depth of silicon on the Si-incorporated TiO 2 nanopores films increased with the duration time of implantation. Both the as-annealed and Si-incorporated nanopores films exhibited good hydrophilicity and cytocompatibility, while the TiO 2 nanopores films implanted silicon for 1.0 h showed higher proliferation rate and vitality of MG63 cells than others, indicating a great potential application for titanium implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent evidence demonstrates that vessel involvement is crucial in various bone remodeling situations, indicating that blood vessel formation within or surrounding the implant is essential for establishment of rigid implant fixation. In this work, the ability of the silicon-doped porous TiO 2 coatings fabricated via plasma electrolyte oxidation method (PEO) to enhance the angiogenic potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were investigated. The cellular responses of HUVECs on the silicon-doped porous TiO 2 coatings were studied through cell proliferation, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, and angiogenic-associated gene (VEGF, HIF-1α and HGF) expression analysis. The results show that small amount of silicon significantly enhanced angiogenic activity of HUVECs, while larger amount of silicon appears excessive. Hence, the silicon-doped TiO 2 coating offers a potential solution to improve bone vascularization to achieve efficient osseointegration and restoration of function after implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]