https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/60 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 02:02:56 GMT 2026-04-08T02:02:56Z 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. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8241 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. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8226 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. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8215 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8158 Stiffness and pre-stretching estimation from indentation test of hyperelastic membrane Fąs, Tomasz; Kazimierska-Drobny, Katarzyna; Kaczmarek, Mariusz Obtaining precise data on the mechanical properties of soft materials, often in the form of thin, pre-tensioned membranes, is crucial, especially when conventional testing methods have limited applicability. The article focuses on an innovative method for estimating the Young's modulus and pre-stretching the membranes using the indentation method, assuming an isotropic, incompressible hyperelastic material. The parameters were estimated for two models of indenter-membrane contact: with perfect slip and without slip. Experimental tests were performed for pre-stretched latex membranes glued to a stiffer ring to minimize the effect of attachment on membrane deformation. In order to validate the estimation method, the predictions of the model with the determined mechanical parameters were compared with the results of indentation tests with a liquid layer under the membrane. The discussion shows the consistency of the estimation results with the literature results for small latex deformations, and indicates the advantages and numerous limitations of the approach, especially related to the choice of the material model. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repozytorium.ukw.edu.pl///handle/item/8158 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z