The aim of the work is to establish if maleic anhydride copolymer acts as a grain growth modulator and/or as a biocompatible functionalisation agent for hydroxyapatite. Experimental work was developed in three directions: nanocomposites synthesis, nanocomposites characterization and citotoxicity tests on nanocomposites. Maleic anhydride copolymer – HAp nanocomposites were prepared by in situ functionalisation in hydrothermal conditions and were characterized by chemical quantitative analysis, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, specific surface area and picnometric densities. Chemical bonding between the copolymer carboxyl groups and calcium ions of HAp induced a peak of 1577 cm-1 on the FT-IR analysis. Following the evolution of this characteristic peak with the hydrothermal synthesis conditions (different temperatures and pressures) and corroborates the results with XRD and SEM analysis it was pointed out the copolymer grain growth modulator behaviour. Citotoxicity studies in vitro on mice fibroblast cultures were performed. The results proved the biocompatibility of new hybrid –polymer nanocomposites.

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In this paper, a hydrothermal method of high-pressure and low-temperature synthesis conditions is presented as a simple single-step technique to obtain crystalline nanoparticles of iron oxides. The aim of this work has been to demonstrate the influence of the main synthesis parameters on the formation of nanosized Fe2O3 particles using statistical methods and to establish the most significant effects. Based on mathematical pre-modeling calculations, the best reaction conditions for the hydrothermal process have been chosen, and controlled crystalline nanostructures of iron oxides could be prepared

Purpose To test the nanostructured hydroxyapatite as an augmenting material to expand the orbit after initial placement of a porous implant. Methods Nanostructured hydroxyapatite powder mixed with blood was surgically introduced in the scleral sac of 6 eviscated rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus europaeus) after previous placing of a porous hydroxyapatite integrated implant (proved by CT scan). CT scans were done at 1, 2 and 3 months postsurgical to demonstrate the integration of the injected material in the porous implant. The scleral sac wes removed after 3 months and histopathologic examination plus CD31 +  (as a marker of neovascularization and osteosinthesis) were performed. Results CTscans performed at 1, 2 and 3 months postoperatively and the rapid development of CD31 +  osteoclasts and vascular tissue pleade for a good integration of the new material in the previous porous hydroxyapatite implant. Conclusions This method can be used for enhancing the volume of a small scleral sac with a previous hidroxyapatite implant. Further studies should be performed.

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