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In the present work, bioactive nanoclay-TiO2 (NC-T) bio-nanocomposite scaffolds containing different TiO2 weight fractions are fabricated spacer for bone tissue engineering applications via the space holder technique using NaCl particles as the. The microstructure, surface morphology (porosity) and bioactivity potential of the manufactured bio-nanocomposite scaffolds are examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) techniques. The scaffold with optimized mechanical properties is predicted as NC-15wt%T with proper interconnected porosity and micro/macro pore size within the range of 1–2 (μm) and 3–5 (μm), respectively. Also, its mechanical properties including compressive strength, elastic modulus and crystallite size are extracted equal to 5.74 MPa, 438 MPa and 70–120 nm, respectively. The feasibility of the fabricated scaffolds for bioactive bone tissue engineering application (apatite deposition) is also evaluated using simulated body fluid (SBF) and physiological saline (PS) solutions. At the end, the nonlinear bending and vibration characteristics of an axially loaded beam-type bone implant made of the NC-T/NaCl bio-nanocomposite scaffolds are predicted analytically. In general view, the obtained results indicate that the NC-15wt%T/NaCl bio-nanocomposite scaffold may have excellent advantages for future research in bone regenerative applications.

Background: Expansion and differentiation of stem cells relies on the soluble materials as well as the physical conditions of their microenvironment. Several methods have been studied in attempt to enhance the growth and differentiation rates of different adult stem cells extracted from different sources. Objectives: The purpose was to improve the three-dimensional (3D) culture condition of the semi-permeable polymeric beads for encapsulation of the human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) by modifying the ratio of the alginate-gelatin composition. Materials and Methods: Following isolation and characterization of hADSCs by flow cytometry and their functional differentiation, encapsulation in the alginate and alginate/gelatin compositions were performed. Moreover, the stability, swelling, size frequency, growth kinetics, and cytotoxicity of the beads were measured to meet proper condition in the designed experimental and control culture conditions. Finally, the growth rates of the cells in different experimental groups and control were measured and analyzed statistically. Results: Viability decreased in 2 and 3 percent alginate once compared to 1% alginate in beads (p£0.05). Moreover swelling of the beads in the alginate/gelatin compositions (50:50 and 70:30) were higher than the pure alginate beads (p£ 0.05). Finally, the cell growth rate in alginate/gelatin (50:50) beads was significantly higher than alginate and alginate/gelatin (70:30) beads (p£0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggested for the first time that the composite of alginate/gelatin beads with the ratio of 50:50 might provide a suitable culture condition for the encapsulation and in vitro expansion of the hADSCs.

In the current study, bio-nanocomposites scaffolds including natural hydroxyapatite (n-HA) composed with different weight fractions of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) are fabricated using the space holder technique. After that, the manufactured samples are coated with gelatin polymer loaded with ibuprofen drug. Via experimental methods, the mechanical properties (fracture toughness and compressive strength) of n-HA-CuO bio-nanocomposite scaffolds are achieved corresponding to various weight fractions of the CuO-NPs. Also, the electrical conductivity and cell viability of the fabricated scaffolds are evaluated using the scan electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Thereafter, based upon the extracted mechanical properties, nonlinear mechanical behaviors of beam-type implants made of the prepared n-HA-CuO bio-nanocomposites are predicted analytically. The cell viability and electrical conductivity evaluation demonstrate that on the free surface of all bio-nanocomposite scaffolds, there is a thin layer of apatite carbonate; however, the thickness of this layer in the sample containing 5wt% CuO-NPs is lower than other ones. It is seen that the adherence of ibuprofen's penetration into the gelatin polymer is weak which leads to two explosive release stages. For the lower weight fraction of CuO-NPs, the release of ibuprofen becomes significant.

Post-surgical infection is one of the essential problems in bone scaffolds that is usually treated with antibiotics. This issue may be related to the poor blood supply for bone tissue due to high concentrations of drug. In the current study, the effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the antibacterial behavior of the nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (n-HA) scaffolds coated by gelatin-ibuprofen (GN-IBO) is evaluated. To this end, the bio-nanocomposite scaffolds are fabricated via the space holder technique and then characterized with the aid of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The compressive strength, fracture toughness, porosity, elastic modulus as the mechanical properties, and the apatite formation, biodegradation, drug release and wettability beside the roughness as the biological properties are predicted. The obtained experimental results indicate that the bio-nanocomposite scaffolds containing 10 wt% ZnO has suitable mechanical and biological properties. After that, an analytical model is developed to predict the nonlinear instability and vibration responses of an axially loaded sandwich plate-type implants made of the fabricated n-HA-ZnO bio-nanocomposites coated by GN-IBO thin film corresponding to various weight fractions of ZnO nanoparticles. It is found that ZnO peaks in the positions of 2θ are equal to 31.6 ° , 33.6 ° , 34 ° , 46.4 ° , and 62 ° , which represent the crystalline characteristics. Also, it is revealed that through addition of ZnO nanoparticles, the hardness and elastic modulus as well as the bone formation and biodegradation rate of the bio-nanocomposite scaffold enhance, while its drug release in the phosphate buffer solution detected with UV spectrum reduces. It is found that by increasing the ZnO weight fraction, the critical axial buckling load of the sandwich bio-nanocomposite implant enhances, and it buckles at lower axial shortening. However, it is seen that for higher value of wt% ZnO, its influence on the critical buckling load decreases.