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Introduction: The new conceptualization for compassion towards others includes kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. Self-compassion could be related to compassion through different psychological processes. The current study aimed to explore the mediating effect of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between self-compassion and compassion for others. Method: The research method was correlational and the statistical population consisted of all online responders in Iran above the age of 18, in the year 2021. An online sample of 412 individuals (M=37.89, SD=9.06, 18-64; 57.5% females) were selected using convenience sampling, and completed the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), developed by Neff in 2003, the Compassion Scale (CS), developed by Pommier in 2011 and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERS), developed by Garnefski et al. in 2001. In order to analyze data, descriptive statistics, correlation matrix and structural equation modeling were used with SPSS 21 and AMOS 22. Results: The results indicated that self-compassion and compassion were positively correlated. Furthermore, structural equation modeling revealed that self-compassion was only indirectly related to compassion for others through the mediating role of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (p<0.05). However, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies did not play a mediating role in this relationship (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that adaptive emotion regulation strategies appear to have a central role in explaining the relationship between self-compassion and compassion towards others. Selfcompassion can be targeted when designing intervention programs to cultivate compassion and promote adaptive emotion regulation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This paper describes the fabrication of a new porous 3D-printed scaffold composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyether-ether ketone (PEEK) micro-particles for bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications. Methods In order to improve the compatibility of the reinforcing PEEK powder with polycaprolactone, the PEEK powder was surface-modified by an amino-silane coupling agent. After modification, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the chemical reaction between PEEK and silane coupling agent. In order to increase the compressive modulus of the 3D printed PCL scaffold, 10% silane-modified PEEK was incorporated into the PCL polymeric matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for cell morphology and attachment evaluation. Results The results indicated that the silane coupling agent was successfully grafted onto the particle surface. The compressive modulus of PCL scaffold increased by incorporating the silane-modified PEEK, despite having higher porosity, compared with the pure PCL scaffolds. Addition of amino-silane had a positive impact on cell response, and that surface modification led to improved particle dispersion. Conclusion In conclusion, it seems that the incorporation of surface-modified PEEK micro-particles into the PCL porous scaffold could enhance its mechanical properties, and may be applicable for the management of large bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in three-dimensional printing technology have led to a rapid expansion of its applications in tissue engineering. The present study was designed to develop and characterize an in vitro multi-layered human alveolar bone, based on a 3D printed scaffold, combined with tissue engineered oral mucosal model. The objective was to incorporate oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line spheroids to the 3D model at different anatomical levels to represent different stages of oral cancer. Histological evaluation of the 3D tissue model revealed a tri-layered structure consisting of distinct epithelial, connective tissue, and bone layers; replicating normal oral tissue architecture. The mucosal part showed a well-differentiated stratified oral squamous epithelium similar to that of the native tissue counterpart, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 13 and 14. Histological assessment of the cancerous models demonstrated OSCC spheroids at three depths including supra-epithelial level, sub-epithelial level, and deep in the connective tissue-bone interface. The 3D tissue engineered composite model closely simulated the native oral hard and soft tissues and has the potential to be used as a valuable in vitro model for the investigation of bone invasion of oral cancer and for the evaluation of novel diagnostic or therapeutic approaches to manage OSCC in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to study the degradation and biological characteristics of the three-dimensional porous composite scaffold made of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/nano-fluorhydroxyapatite microsphere using sintering method for potential bone tissue engineering. Our previous experimental results demonstrated that poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/nano-fluorhydroxyapatite composite scaffold with a ratio of 4:1 sintered at 90ºC for 2 h has the greatest mechanical properties and a proper pore structure for bone repair applications. The weight loss percentage of both poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/nano-fluorhydroxyapatite and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds demonstrated a monotonic trend with increasing degradation time, that is, the incorporation of nano-fluorhydroxyapatite into polymeric scaffold could lead to weight loss in comparison with that of pure poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid). The pH change for composite scaffolds showed that there was a slight decrease until 2 weeks after immersion in simulated body fluid, followed by a significant increase in the pH of simulated body fluid without a scaffold at the end of immersion time. The mechanical properties of composite scaffold were higher than that of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold at total time of incubation in simulated body fluid; however, it should be noted that the incorporation of nano-fluorhydroxyapatite into composite scaffold leads to decline in the relatively significant mechanical strength and modulus during hydrolytic degradation. In addition, MTT assay and alkaline phosphatase activity results defined that a general trend of increasing cell viability was seen for poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/nano-fluorhydroxyapatite scaffold sintered by time when compared to control group. Eventually, experimental results exhibited poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/nano-fluorhydroxyapatite microsphere-sintered scaffold is a promising scaffold for bone repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to develop chitosan/gelatin/keratin composite containing hydrocortisone sodium succinate as a buccal mucoadhesive patch to treat desquamative gingivitis, which was fabricated through an environmental friendly process. Mucoadhesive films increase the advantage of higher efficiency and drug localization in the affected region. In this research, mucoadhesive films, for the release of hydrocortisone sodium succinate, were prepared using different ratios of chitosan, gelatin and keratin. In the first step, chitosan and gelatin proportions were optimized after evaluating the mechanical properties, swelling capacity, water uptake, stability, and biodegradation of the films. Then, keratin was added at different percentages to the optimum composite of chitosan and gelatin together with the drug. The results of surface pH showed that none of the samples were harmful to the buccal cavity. FTIR analysis confirmed the influence of keratin on the structure of the composite. The presence of a higher amount of keratin in the composite films resulted in high mechanical, mucoadhesive properties and stability, low water uptake and biodegradation in phosphate buffer saline (pH = 7.4) containing 104 U/ml lysozyme. The release profile of the films ascertained that keratin is a rate controller in the release of the hydrocortisone sodium succinate. Finally, chitosan/gelatin/keratin composite containing hydrocortisone sodium succinate can be employed in dental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, a systematic analysis of the impact of calcination temperature on the structural and biological characteristics of titania nanotube synthesized during alkaline hydrothermal transformation of TiO2under atmospheric conditions has been evaluated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, MTT assay, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. XRD results revealed that annealing of titania nanotube led to appear anatase phase which completely converted to this phase at 650°C that display the deterioration of layered structure and the breakdown of walls of titanate. Finally, biological evaluation indicated clearly that TiO2nanotubes promote the adhesion and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells in comparison with TiO2nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this research, TiO2-derived nanotubes were obtained when TiO2nanopowders were treated chemically with NaOH aqueous solution at various reaction temperatures and subsequently, washing with HCl aqueous solution. While increasing temperature, the morphology altered from spherical particles to sheets at 90°C and then to nanotubes when temperature became higher. Therefore, the reaction temperature is a key factor in elucidating the aspect ratio of tubes, whereby specific surface area varied from 66 m2/g for TiO2nanopowders and reached 337 m2/g for synthesized nanotube at 150°C that are expected to have great potentials for biomedical applications. Also, X-ray diffraction results clearly showed the conversion particle to tube of including Na2Ti3O7phase. Electron microscopy micrographs presented the needle-shaped materials with a tubular structure, less than 50 nm in diameter and with length of few hundred nanometers, as well as scroll-like structure and multilayered. Eventually, the 1D prepared structures displayed a remarkable stability during heating and remaining composition even up to 600°C. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]