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Polymer-based composite scaffolds are an attractive class of biomaterials due to their suitable physical and mechanical performance as well as appropriate biological properties. When such composites contain osteoinductive ceramic nanopowders, it is possible, in principle, to stimulate the seeded cells to differentiate into osteoblasts. However, reproducibly fabricating and developing an appropriate niche for cells' activities in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds remains a challenge using conventional fabrication techniques. Additive manufacturing provides a new strategy for the fabrication of complex 3D structures. Here, an extrusion-based 3D printing method was used to fabricate the Alginate (Alg)/Tri-calcium silicate (C

The outbreak rate of human coronaviruses (CoVs) especially highly pathogenic CoVs is increasing alarmingly. Early detection of these viruses allows treatment interventions to be provided more quickly to people at higher risk, as well as helping to identify asymptomatic carriers and isolate them as quickly as possible, thus preventing the disease transmission chain. The current diagnostic methods such as RT-PCR are not ideal due to high cost, low accuracy, low speed, and probability of false results. Therefore, a reliable and accurate method for the detection of CoVs in biofluids can become a front-line tool in order to deal with the spread of these deadly viruses. Currently, the nanomaterial-based sensing devices for detection of human coronaviruses from laboratory diagnosis to point-of-care (PoC) diagnosis are progressing rapidly. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have revolutionized the field of biosensors because of the outstanding optical and electrochemical properties. In this review paper, a detailed overview of AuNP-based biosensing strategies with the varied transducers (electrochemical, optical, etc.) and also different biomarkers (protein antigens and nucleic acids) was presented for the detection of human coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS-CoV and lowly pathogenic CoVs. The present review highlights the newest trends in the SARS-CoV-2 nanobiosensors from the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic until 2022. We hope that the presented examples in this review paper convince readers that AuNPs are a suitable platform for the designing of biosensors.

From long ago, orthopedists and physicians are trying to deal with bone diseases and disorders, while today, in the regenerative medicine field, bone scaffolds are being in attendance. Although there were common methods for fabricating bone scaffolds, such as foam casting and gas foaming, additive manufacturing (AM) techniques have been considered for producing bone scaffolds due to some appealing features such as creating a hierarchical structure, regular and controlled porosity, and designing of the complicated structures. AM techniques are divided into three categories, including extrusion-based, powder-based, and vat polymerization (light-based) techniques. Among the AM methods, the robocasting technique as an extrusion-based method is highly regarded for designing high-strength scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration owing to special features, for instance, a low-volume binder and the ability to print all types of ceramic materials as well as metals and polymers. This study discusses the robocasting method, as well as the essential parameters that are involved in 3D printing of the ideal scaffold with this method, such as the material, the structure of the robotic device, the printing parameters, the properties of the ideal paste or ink, the role of binder and its types in robocasting, and the rheological properties required in robocasting method. Also, future prospects and clinical applications of this technique were reviewed.

Many studies have been devoted to investigating the potential of guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes for bone defect reconstruction. Regardless of approaches for treating damaged bone tissues, a beneficial therapeutic strategy has remained a challenge. In this study, a novel GBR membrane with polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) containing different concentrations of metformin (Met) for improving osteogenic properties was developed. The membranes were evaluated for their hydrophilicity, degradation rate, swelling ratio, drug release, mechanical properties, and biological responses. The results showed a significant increase in hydrophilicity, swelling ratio, and degradation rate and no significant changes in mechanical properties of PCL/PVA membranes with Met concentration enhancement. A decrease in cell viability cultured on the surface of the PCL/PVA membrane was seen when the amount of Met was changed from 10 to 15 wt %. The results of the in vitro quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) also confirmed the higher secretion of osteogenic-related genes in a PCL/PVA/Cell/10 wt % Met scaffold than in the PCL/PVA/Cell sample. Therefore, further in vivo studies were conducted using the electrospun PCL/PVA membrane containing human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) and 10% Met. Histopathological and histomorphometric results confirmed that PCL/PVA/hEnSCs/10 wt % Met has excellent potential to differentiate hEnSCs into osteogenic lineages and bone regeneration in calvarial defects of rats. The results of this study confirm the high potential of the PCL/PVA/10 wt % Met fibrous membrane preseeded with hEnSCs in GBR applications.

The human amniotic membrane (HAM) has been viewed as a potential regenerative material for a wide variety of injured tissues because of its collagen-rich content. High degradability of HAM limits its wide practical application in bone tissue engineering. In this study, the natural matrix of the decellularized amniotic membrane was developed by the double diffusion method. The results confirmed a reduction of the amniotic membrane's degradability because of the deposition of calcium and phosphate ions during the double diffusion process. Real-time PCR results showed a high expression of osteogenesis-related genes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) cultured on the surface of the developed mineralized amniotic membrane (MAM). Further in vivo experiments were conducted using an MAM preseeded with ADMSCs and a critical-size rat calvarial defect model. Histopathological results confirmed that the MAM + cell sample has excellent potential in bone regeneration.

Engineering scaffolds that can not only act as a vehicle for stem cell delivery but also support axon regeneration, may significantly improve the treatment outcome of spinal cord injury (SCI). In t...

In this study, we introduced a novel and modified method to synthesize photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogel. Three methacrylated samples under two concentrations of methacrylic anhydride and using ...

In the current study, electrospun poly(e-caprolactone)-gelatin (PCL-Gel) fibrous scaffolds containing magnesium oxide (MgO) particles and preseeded with human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) were developed to use as wound care material in skin tissue engineering applications. Electrospun fibers were fabricated using PCL-Gel (1:1 [wt/wt]) with different concentrations of MgO particles (1, 2, and 4 wt%). The fibrous scaffolds were evaluated regarding their microstructure, mechanical properties, surface wettability, and in vitro and in vivo performances. The full-thickness excisional wound model was used to evaluate the in vivo wound healing ability of the fabricated scaffolds. Our findings confirmed that the wounds covered with PCL-Gel fibrous scaffolds containing 2 wt% MgO and preseeded with hEnSCs have nearly 79% wound closure ability while sterile gauze showed 11% of wound size reduction. Our results can be employed for biomaterials aimed at the healing of full-thickness skin wounds.

Bioengineering of tissues and organs has the potential to generate functional replacement organs. However, achieving the full-thickness vascularization that is required for long-term survival of living implants has remained a grand challenge, especially for clinically sized implants. During the pre-vascular phase, implanted engineered tissues are forced to metabolically rely on the diffusion of nutrients from adjacent host-tissue, which for larger living implants results in anoxia, cell death, and ultimately implant failure. Here it is reported that this challenge can be addressed by engineering self-oxygenating tissues, which is achieved via the incorporation of hydrophobic oxygen-generating micromaterials into engineered tissues. Self-oxygenation of tissues transforms anoxic stresses into hypoxic stimulation in a homogenous and tissue size-independent manner. The in situ elevation of oxygen tension enables the sustained production of high quantities of angiogenic factors by implanted cells, which are offered a metabolically protected pro-angiogenic microenvironment. Numerical simulations predict that self-oxygenation of living tissues will effectively orchestrate rapid full-thickness vascularization of implanted tissues, which is empirically confirmed via in vivo experimentation. Self-oxygenation of tissues thus represents a novel, effective, and widely applicable strategy to enable the vascularization living implants, which is expected to advance organ transplantation and regenerative medicine applications. ispartof: ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS vol:31 issue:42 ispartof: location:Germany status: published

Currently, the development of biosensors is an urgent need due to the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the limitations of current standard methods for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Hence, many researchers have focused on the design of high-performance biosensors for measuring coronavirus genes. In this study, a voltammetric genosensor was developed for the determination of SARS-CoV-2 RdRP gene based on the format of cDNA probe/Au@CD core-shell NPs/graphite nanocrystals (GNCs)/paper electrode. For the first time, graphite nanocrystals were used in the electrochemical biosensor design. This genosensor was exposed to different concentrations of virus gene and then the hybridization between cDNA probe and RdRP gene was monitored by redox-active toluidine blue (TB). With increasing the RdRP concentration, the reduction peak current of TB enhanced in a linear range of 0.50 pM-12.00 nM according to the regression equation of I (μA) = 7.60 log C

Microneedle arrays (MNAs) have been used for decades to deliver drugs transdermally and avoid the obstacles of other delivery routes. Hydrogels are another popular method for delivering therapeutics because they provide tunable, controlled release of their encapsulated payload. However, hydrogels are not strong or stiff, and cannot be formed into constructs that penetrate the skin. Accordingly, it has so far been impossible to combine the transdermal delivery route provided by MNAs with the therapeutic encapsulation potential of hydrogels. To address this challenge, a low cost and simple, but robust, strategy employing MNAs is developed. These MNAs are formed from a rigid outer layer, 3D printed onto a conformal backing, and filled with drug-eluting hydrogels. Microneedles of different lengths are fabricated on a single patch, facilitating the delivery of various agents to different tissue depths. In addition to spatial distribution, temporal release kinetics can be controlled by changing the hydrogel composition or the needles' geometry. As a proof-of-concept, MNAs are used for the delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Application of the rigid, resin-based outer layer allows the use of hydrogels regardless of their mechanical properties and makes these multicomponent MNAs suitable for a range of drug delivery applications.

The principal purpose of tissue engineering is to stimulate the injured or unhealthy tissues to revive their primary function through the simultaneous use of chemical agents, cells, and biocompatible materials. Still, choosing the appropriate protein as a growth factor (GF) for tissue engineering is vital to fabricate artificial tissues and accelerate the regeneration procedure. In this study, the angiogenesis and osteogenesis-related proteins' interactions are studied using their related network. Three major biological processes, including osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and angiogenesis regulation, were investigated by creating a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network (45 nodes and 237 edges) of bone regeneration efficient proteins. Furthermore, a gene ontology and a centrality analysis were performed to identify essential proteins within a network. The higher degree in this network leads to higher interactions between proteins and causes a considerable effect. The most highly connected proteins in the PPI network are the most remarkable for their employment. The results of this study showed that three significant proteins including prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), TEK receptor tyrosine kinase (TEK), and fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) were involved simultaneously in osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and their positive regulatory. Regarding the available literature, the results of this study confirmed that PTGS2 and FGF18 could be used as a GF in bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications to promote angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Nevertheless, TEK was not used in BTE applications until now and should be considered in future works to be examined in-vitro and in-vivo.

In the current study, electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)-gelatin (PCL-Gel) fibrous scaffolds containing magnesium oxide (MgO) particles and preseeded with human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) were developed to use as wound care material in skin tissue engineering applications. Electrospun fibers were fabricated using PCL-Gel (1:1 [wt/wt]) with different concentrations of MgO particles (1, 2, and 4 wt%). The fibrous scaffolds were evaluated regarding their microstructure, mechanical properties, surface wettability, and in vitro and in vivo performances. The full-thickness excisional wound model was used to evaluate the in vivo wound healing ability of the fabricated scaffolds. Our findings confirmed that the wounds covered with PCL-Gel fibrous scaffolds containing 2 wt% MgO and preseeded with hEnSCs have nearly 79% wound closure ability while sterile gauze showed 11% of wound size reduction. Our results can be employed for biomaterials aimed at the healing of full-thickness skin wounds.

Context: The major aim of tissue engineering is inducing of the body’s mechanisms to regenerate damaged tissues to original condition and task. Scaffolds are 3D porous constructs which provide a cellular microenvironment needed for tissue engineering. Choosing a biomaterial with proper biological, physical, and mechanical properties is of great importance in tooth tissue engineering. Thus, the current study reviews the properties of different polymers and ceramics for use as scaffolds in tooth dental regeneration. Evidence Acquisition: The current study searched databases such as Elsevier, Wiley, Google Scholar, and PubMed in English from 1972 to 2018. After going through the required process, 29 articles were eventually confirmed and enrolled in this review paper. Conclusions: The results of this work confirmed that thanks to having the ability to provide suitable amounts of interconnected porosities, high ratio of surface area to volume, proper mechanical strength, and different geometries required for tissue engineering, polymers are a good option for regeneration of tooth tissues. Although bioceramics such as calcium phosphate and glasses have good biocompatibility and bioactivity, their poor mechanical properties and low degradation rate limit their extensive use in tooth tissue regeneration.

Alginate scaffolds are extensively used in bone and cartilage tissue engineering because of their chemical similarity to the extracellular matrix. However, for the successful replacement of hard tissue, the properties of alginate scaffolds should be tailored. In this study, for the first time, we optimized the porosity, degradation rate, mechanical, and osteogenic properties of alginate scaffolds by the freeze-drying method. The freeze-drying method was used to prepare different concentrations of alginate scaffolds (4, 8, and 16% (w/v)). Their porosity, mechanical properties, surface-wetting behavior, and osteogenic properties were characterized. The results showed that the 8% (w/v) alginate scaffold had an interconnected porosity of about 80%, a hydrophilic surface with a contact angle of water on the surface of 39o ± 0.56, and compressive strength of 2.7 MPa. This concentration of alginate also showed the degradation rate of 70% in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM) with fetal bovine serum. The periodontal ligament stem cells culture results confirmed that the 8% alginate scaffold had good biocompatibility and cell differentiation ability and it could enhance cell ingrowth and attachment. These results showed that the modified 8% (w/v) alginate scaffold is a good candidate in cartilage and bone tissue replacement.

Removing malignant bone tumors results in critical size bone defects. These voids in bones should be filled by a proper scaffold that not only can support cell ingrowth and bone regeneration but also it has to show a desirable ability in long-term releasing anticancer drugs in order to prevent the growth of remaining cancer cells. Applying this scaffold can significantly improve the outcome of bone tumors treatment. In this study, a novel way is proposed for immobilization of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded polycaproloactone (PCL) microparticles on the hardystonite (HT) scaffold surfaces. High interconnected porous HT scaffolds with immobilized DOX-encapsulated PCL microparticles can be successfully fabricated by modified water/oil/water method. In the present work, we verify a slow release of DOX over 30 days from PCL microparticles inside HT scaffold. Our developed HT scaffolds with the long-term release of DOX are more effective in reduction of Saos-2 cancer cells viability and induce higher degrees of apoptosis compared to DOX dip coated HT scaffolds. Encapsulating DOX into PCL microparticles significantly improves the anti-tumor activity of DOX by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Our results suggest that by immobilization of polymeric vehicles on the ceramic scaffold for controlled drug release, we can achieve high efficiency in apoptosis of cancer cells.

The hydrogel efficacy of taurine-loaded chitosan nanoparticle/alginate hydrogel was investigated for controlled release of the taurine substrate, which is known as an antioxidative drug. The composition of the fabricated hydrogels was explored by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The swelling ability and degradation rate of hydrogels were also analyzed in phosphate-buffered saline at the physiological condition and alginate lyase for a period of 21 days. Moreover, morphologies and structure of hydrogels and cells were determined using a scanning electron microscope. The possible cytotoxicity of the fabricated hydrogel was carried out by seeding endometrial stem cells on hydrogels. The results demonstrated that hydrogel of chitosan nanoparticle/alginate hydrogel successfully controlled the release of taurine. We observed that the chitosan nanoparticle/alginate hydrogel possessed adjust swelling ability and degradation rate as compared to neat alginate hydrogel. The results proved that the chitosan nanoparticle/alginate hydrogel is non-cytotoxic and could be utilized as a promising composition in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.

In the present study, a two-step sintering (TSS) method has been used to improve the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, drug release, and osteogenesis abilities of hardystonite (HT) ceramic scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. The average particle size of HT scaffold is kept lower than 80 nm and is reached higher than 130 nm by using two-step and conventional sintering methods, respectively. The compressive strengths of the prepared nanocrystalline HT scaffolds were found to be significantly higher than those of the micro-structure HT and currently available hydroxyapatite scaffolds. A comparative analysis of cell viability and live/dead staining of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in nano- and micro-structured HT scaffolds and their drug release potentiation was carried out. The results showed that the nano-structured HT scaffolds have higher cell viability, biocompatibility and longer-term doxorubicin (DOX) release potential than the micro-structured ones. The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses showed that the expression of adhesion and differentiation supporting genes were significantly higher in nano-structured HT scaffolds as compared to the micro-structured ones. The results of qRT-PCR also showed that the mRNA expression level of ERK1/2 and P38 MAPK from hMSCs were significantly higher in nano-structured HT scaffolds than the micro-structured ones. These results potentially open new aspects for using nano-structured scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications.

In this paper, a new High-Step-Up DC-DC Converter is introduced for application in PV systems. The provided topology includes a boost converter using coupled inductors to increase the voltage gain. It has advantages such as continuous input current, high efficiency, the use of three-winding coupled inductors for raising the voltage gain, the use of the soft-switching method to reduce the losses on the diodes and reduce voltage stress on the switch, as well as eliminate the problem of reverse recovery diodes. The only switch on this Converter is switched under Zero-Current-Switching (ZCS), and also, all the diodes are switched on and off under Zero-Current-Switching. The voltage stress on the switch and all the diodes is much lower than the output voltage, and this makes the efficiency of this converter higher than 95%.

Fluorescent quantum dots (QDs), defined by a diameter size of

Unique nanosized designed ceramic powders, Fe-doped hardystonite (Fe-HT) with the chemical composition of Ca1.85Fe0.15ZnSi2O7 (0.15Fe-HT) and Ca1.75Fe0.25ZnSi2O7 (0.25Fe-HT), were synthesized by the sol–gel method in order to develop a multifunctional bioactive powder for hyperthermic and tissue engineering applications. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to investigate the structural characterization of the obtained powders. The results showed that nanocrystalline single-phase Fe-HT powders were successfully synthesized by sol–gel method. The prepared nanopowders had structural properties such as crystallite size (~53 nm), crystallinity degree (~55 %) and lattice strain (~0.355 %) for 0.15Fe-HT and crystallite size (~40 nm), crystallinity degree (~41 %) and lattice strain (~0.401 %) for 0.25Fe-HT. The obtained Fe-HT nanopowders are expected to be a suitable candidate for tissue engineering and also hyperthermia-based cancer therapy.

The main aim of this study was to improve the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration by an artificial neural guidance conduit (NGC) as a carrier to transplant allogeneic Schwann cells (SCs) and curcumin encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (nanocurcumin). The conduit was prepared by poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and surface-modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes (mMWCNT) and filled with SCs and nanocurcumin. SCs play an important role in the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve and controlled curcumin release can decrease SCs apoptosis, and enhance the regeneration and functional recovery of injured peripheral nerves. The mechanical properties, contact angle, and cell biocompatibility experiments showed that the optimized concentration of mMWCNT inside PLLA wall of conduits was 0.15 wt%. The drug release experiments showed slower release of curcumin from nanocurcumin samples compared to nanocurcumin encapsulated inside NGC wrapped fibrin gel sample. It was found that simultaneous using of both SCs and curcumin inside NGC had a significant role in sciatic nerve regeneration in vivo. Histological examination revealed a significant increase in the number of axons in injured sciatic nerve following treatment by SCs and nanocurcumin compared to negative control group. Histological evaluation also revealed a significant decrease in the number of vessels in fibrin groups compared to positive control group. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the reaction time and sciatic functional index (SFI) values of rats with injured sciatic nerve treated by NGC/SCs/nanocurcumin sample and autograft sample. In conclusion, our results strongly showed that PLLA/mMWCNT nanofibrous conduit filled with fibrin gel containing SCs and nanocurcumin is a proper strategy for improving nerve regeneration after a nerve transaction in the rat.

There is urgency for the development of nanomaterials that can meet emerging biomedical needs. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) offer high magnetic moments and surface-area-to-volume ratios that make them attractive for hyperthermia therapy of cancer and targeted drug delivery. Additionally, they can function as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and can improve the sensitivity of biosensors and diagnostic tools. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have resulted in the realization of the next generation of MNPs suitable for these and other biomedical applications. This review discusses methods utilized for the fabrication and engineering of MNPs. Recent progress in the use of MNPs for hyperthermia therapy, controlling drug release, MRI, and biosensing is also critically reviewed. Finally, challenges in the field and potential opportunities for the use of MNPs toward improving their properties are discussed.

Hyperthermia-increasing temperature of cancerous tissue for a short period of time-is considered as an effective treatment for various cancer types such as malignant bone tumors. Superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic particles have been studied for their hyperthermic properties in treating various types of cancers. The activation of magnetic nanoparticles by an alternating magnetic field is currently being explored as a technique for targeted therapeutic heating of different tumors and is being studied as an adjuvant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In the case of bone cancers, to increase the efficiency of treatment in the hyperthermia therapy, employed materials should support bone regeneration as well. Magnetite is one of the most attractive magnetic nanoceramics used in hyperthermia application. However, biocompatibility and bioactivity of this material have raised questions. There is a high demand for extremely efficient hyperthermia materials which are equally biocompatible to non-tumor cells and tissues. We report the development of a biocompatible and bioactive material with desirable magnetic properties that show excellent hyperthermia properties and can be used for destruction of the cancerous tissue in addition to supporting tissue regeneration for treatment of bone tumors. In the current study, iron (Fe3+)-containing HT nanostructured material was prepared, and its biocompatibility, bioactivity, and hyperthermia abilities were studied. The developed materials showed effective hyperthermic properties with increased biocompatibility as compared to magnetite.

Hyperthermia and local drug delivery have been proposed as potential therapeutic approaches for killing cancer cells. The development of bioactive materials such as Hardystonite (HT) with magnetic and drug delivery properties can potentially meet this target. This new class of magnetic bioceramic can replace the widely used magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, whose long-term biocompatibility is not clear. Magnetic HT can be potentially employed to develop new ceramic scaffolds for bone surgery and anticancer therapies. With this in mind, a synthesis procedure was developed to prepare multifunctional bioactive scaffold for tissue engineering, hyperthermia and drug delivery applications. To this end, iron (Fe3+)-containing HT scaffolds were prepared. The effect of Fe on biological, magnetic and drug delivery properties of HT scaffolds were investigated. The results showed that obtained Fe-HT is bioactive and magnetic with no magnetite or maghemite as secondary phases. The Fe-HT scaffolds obtained also possessed high specific surface areas and demonstrated sustained drug delivery. These results potentially open new aspects for biomaterials aimed at regeneration of large-bone defects caused by malignant bone tumors through a combination of hyperthermia, local drug delivery and osteoconductivity.

Microvascular anastomosis is a common part of many reconstructive and transplant surgical procedures. While venous anastomosis can be achieved using microvascular anastomotic coupling devices, surgical suturing is the main method for arterial anastomosis. Suture-based microanastomosis is time-consuming and challenging. Here, we fabricated dissolvable sugar-based stents as an assistive tool for facilitating surgical anastomosis. The non-brittle sugar-based stent holds the vessels together during the procedure and will be dissolved upon the restoration of the blood flow. The incorporation of sodium citrate minimized the chance of thrombosis. The dissolution rate and the mechanical properties of the sugar-based stent can be tailored between 4 to 8 minutes. To enable the fabrication of stents with desirable geometries and dimensions, three-dimensional (3D) printing was utilized to fabricate the stents. The effectiveness of the printed sugar-based stent was assessed ex vivo. The fabrication procedure is fast and can be performed in the operating room.

Iranian traditional Bazaars are not just physical settings for everyday commercial activities. They are places of communal life especially for women and provide the main daily sources of their outdoor recreations. The research hypothesize that there is a serious lack of sensitivity to the cultural values, especially for women within modern Iranian market places. In this regard, the aim of this research was in filling this gap and describing the relationship between women communal life and urban public spaces. To reach the aim, this study was conducted among middle-aged Iranian women within the Iranian traditional Bazaar of Isfahan (as the most public urban space in the Iranian cities). To increase the accuracy of findings, the data collection methods through triangulation were unobtrusive behavioral observation of women communal life within two selected settings, semi-structured single face to face women interviews (n=24), semi-structured focus group interviews (n=5), and taking photographs. In order to analyze the collected data, a qualitative content analysis and descriptive analysis were used. The finding of the research showed that the social settings of traditional Isfahan Bazaar are proper for women communal life functionally.

This work deals with the biocompatibility of dense nano- and micro-structured Hydroxyapatite/Titania composites prepared by two step and conventional sintering, respectively. By application of two step sintering, it was shown that the final grain size of HA-15 wt.% TiO2 is maintained lower than 100 nm while by the application of conventional sintering it reaches higher than 100 nm. Biocompatibility of the dense bulks was evaluated by cell attachment and proliferation experiments. Cell morphology, and viability on each nano- and micro-structured Hydroxyapatite/Titania composites were examined at different time points. The nanostructured HA/Titania dense bulk exhibited higher cell viability than a microstructured one. In addition, the effects of ionic products from nano- and micro-structured bulk dissolution on osteoblasts were studied. The MTT test confirmed that the products from nanostructured HA/Titania dense bulk significantly promoted osteoblast proliferation within a certain concentration range.