https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/60 2026-07-25T02:54:53Z https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8270 Alkaline Ozonation-Induced TiO2 Nanoscaffold on Titanium Alloy for Surface-Mediated Osteogenic Guidance Winiecki, Mariusz; Krawczyk, Piotr; Reczyńska-Kolman, Katarzyna; Pudełko-Prażuch, Iwona; Pamuła, Elżbieta; Trzciński, Marek Numerous surface modification strategies, particularly nanoengineering approaches, have been explored to tailor the physicochemical and topographical properties of titanium surfaces in order to enhance osteogenic responses at the implant interface. In this study, we propose an alkaline ozonation strategy as a novel approach to generate nanostructured TiO2 layers on Ti-6Al-4V alloy surfaces. Titanium discs were treated in a 6 M KOH solution under continuous bubbling of ozone, allowing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for oxidative surface restructuring. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of a homogeneous three-dimensional TiO2 nanonetwork composed of intertwined nanofibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the oxidative reconstruction of the Ti alloy surface. The fraction of Ti4+ species characteristic of TiO2 increased markedly from 44.2 at% to 92.2 at%, accompanied by a strong reduction in Ti0 (from 40.2 at% to 5.8 at%) and Ti3+ (from 15.7 at% to 2.1 at%). Concomitantly, lattice oxygen associated with Ti–O–Ti bonding increased from 48 at% to 78 at% as deduced from the O 1s signal, while the surface carbon content decreased from 48 at% to 18 at%. The modification induced a pronounced increase in surface hydrophilicity, with the water contact angle decreasing from 85° to 32° and the surface free energy increasing from 40.8 mJ/m2 to 69.8 mJ/m2. In vitro studies demonstrated good cytocompatibility and enhanced osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells, with twice as much alkaline phosphatase activity after 14 days and mineralization of the extracellular matrix after 28 days than those on TCPS, and also significantly higher than those on the nonmodified Ti alloy control. These findings indicate that the generated three-dimensional TiO2 nanonetwork acts as a surface-confined nanoscaffold providing nanoscale cues that promote osteogenic cell responses on titanium implant surfaces. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8241 Antibacterial and Antifungal Tannic Acid Coating on Plasma-Activated Titanium Alloy Surface Winiecki, Mariusz; Stepczyńska, Magdalena; Walczak, Maciej; Soszczyńska, Ewelina; Twarużek, Magdalena; Bociaga, Dorota; Trzcinski, Marek; Michalska-Sionkowska, Marta; Moraczewski, Krzysztof Titanium (Ti) alloys, renowned for their exceptional physicochemical properties and high biocompatibility, are widely utilized in orthopedic and dental implants; however, their lack of intrinsic antimicrobial activity significantly increases the risk of implant-associated infections, often leading to severe complications and implant failure. Developing antimicrobial coatings on Ti implants is therefore a promising strategy. In this study, tannic acid (TA) coatings were deposited by immersing Ti alloy surfaces—beforehand activated by low-temperature oxygen plasma—in TA solutions at 2, 5, and 8 wt%. Coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle (WCA) measurements, and Folin–Ciocalteu release assays, and their cytocompatibility and antimicrobial performance were assessed in vitro. Surface characterization confirmed the formation of uniform TA layers, and WCA measurements indicated enhanced hydrophilicity relative to unmodified Ti (82.0° ± 3.6°), with values decreasing as TA concentration increased (from 35.2° ± 3.2° for 2% TA to 26.6° ± 2.8° for 8% TA). TA release profiles exhibited an initial burst followed by sustained diffusion, with 5% and 8% coatings releasing significantly more TA than 2% coatings. Coatings containing ≥ 5% TA demonstrated bactericidal activity—achieving > 2-log10 reductions—against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and also showed inhibitory effects against Candida albicans. Importantly, all coatings remained cytocompatible with NIH/3T3 fibroblasts, and the released tannic acid hydrolysis products (particularly gallic acid) enhanced their proliferation. These findings indicate that plasma-activated titanium surfaces coated with ≥5 wt% tannic acid impart broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy and hold potential to reduce implant-associated infections and improve long-term outcomes in orthopedic and dental applications. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8226 The changes in selected properties of flax fibre-reinforced biocomposites affected by plant modifier concentration Pawłowska, Alona; Stepczyńska, Magdalena The application of the sustainable materials is one of the basic steps towards environmentally friendly and resource-efficient society. The aim of the study was to characterise the effects of the natural plant modifier concentration on properties of the biocomposites. The paper describes the influence of tannic acid (TA) concentration on flax fibre-reinforced biocomposites. The prepared biocomposites contained polylactide in 20 wt% and flax fibres (Linum usitatissimum) in 80 wt%, while the modifier concentrations varied from 1 % to 10 %. The manufacturing methods included extrusion and injection moulding of the biocomposites. The evaluation of the effects of modifier concentration on selected parameters of biocomposites was conducted using mechanical tests - tensile tests, thermomechanical - dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermal tests - differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). Additionally, biocidal and wettability studies were conducted. The examination results revealed, that 5 % is an optimum concentration of modifier which positively affected both mechanical and biocidal properties. The efficient use of modifiers can help in natural resources conversion and minimization of environmental impacts. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8215 Micro-CT Assessment During Embedding of Prototype Ti Alloy Multi-Spiked Connecting Scaffold in Subchondral Trabecular Bone of Osteoarthritic Femoral Heads, Depending on Host BMI Uklejewski, Ryszard; Winiecki, Mariusz; Patalas, Adam; Mietliński, Patryk; Zawadzki, Paweł; Dąbrowski, Mikołaj The prototype of a biomimetic multi-spiked connecting scaffold (MSC-Scaffold) represents an essential innovation in the fixation in subchondral trabecular bone of components for a new generation of entirely cementless hip resurfacing arthroplasty (RA) endoprostheses. In designing such a functional biomaterial scaffold, identifying the microstructural and mechanical properties of the host bone compromised by degenerative disease is crucial for proper post-operative functioning and long-term maintenance of the endoprosthesis components. This study aimed to explore, depending on the occurrence of obesity, changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the subchondral trabecular bone in femoral heads of osteoarthritis (OA) patients caused by the MSC-Scaffold embedding. Computed microtomography (micro-CT) scanning of femoral heads from OA patients was conducted before and after the mechanical embedding of the MSC-Scaffold. Bone morphometric parameters such as bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular number (Tb.N) for regions surrounding the MSC-Scaffold were computed, and the mechanical properties such as bone density (ρB), bone compressive strength (S), and the Young’s modulus (E) within these regions were calculated. A statistically significant increase in BV/TV (by 15.0% and 24.9%) and Tb.Th (by 13.1% and 42.5%) and a decrease in Tb.N (by 15.2% and 23.6%) were observed, which translates to an increase in ρB (by 15.0% and 24.9%), S (by 28.8% and 49.5%), and E (by 18.0% and 29.8%) in non-obese patients and obese patients, respectively. These changes in properties are favorable for the mechanical loads’ transfer from the artificial joint surface via the MSC-Scaffold to the periarticular trabecular bone of the OA femoral head in the postoperative period. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z