Poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) porous scaffolds were modified with collagen type I (PLGA/coll) or hydroxyapatite (PLGA/HAp) and implanted in rabbits osteochondral defects to check their biocompatibility and bone tissue regeneration potential. The scaffolds were fabricated using solvent casting/particulate leaching method. Their total porosity was 85% and the pore size was in the range of 250–320 µm. The physico-chemical properties of the scaffolds were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), sessile drop, and compression tests. Three types of the scaffolds (unmodified PLGA, PLGA/coll, and PLGA/HAp) were implanted into the defects created in New Zealand rabbit femoral trochlears; empty defect acted as control. Samples were extracted after 1, 4, 12, and 26 weeks from the implantation, evaluated using micro-computed tomography (µCT), and stained by Masson–Goldner and hematoxylin-eosin. The results showed that the proposed method is suitable for fabrication of highly porous PLGA scaffolds. Effective deposition of both coll and HAp was confirmed on all surfaces of the pores through the entire scaffold volume. In the in vivo model, PLGA and PLGA/HAp scaffolds enhanced tissue ingrowth as shown by histological and morphometric analyses. Bone formation was the highest for PLGA/HAp scaffolds as evidenced by µCT. Neo-tissue formation in the defect site was well correlated with degradation kinetics of the scaffold material. Interestingly, around PLGA/coll extensive inflammation and inhibited tissue healing were detected, presumably due to immunological response of the host towards collagen of bovine origin. To summarize, PLGA scaffolds modified with HAp are the most promising materials for bone tissue regeneration.

Background Degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint might be associated with ageing and/or with the loss of occlusal support. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the inclination of the posterior slope of the articular eminence changes in association with: (i) ageing in patients with maintained occlusal support zones (OSZs); and (ii) the loss of OSZs in elders. Methods In this retrospective radiological study, selected orthopantomograms were allocated into the following groups: I—age 18–35, maintained OSZs, II—age 36–60, maintained OSZs, III—age >60, at least one OSZ per side maintained, IV—age >60, loss of all OSZs. The inclination of the articular eminence was measured relative to the Frankfort plane. Results The mean values of the inclination of the slope of the articular eminence amounted 34.05° ± 5.17°, 36.68° ± 5.65°, 34.86° ± 6.26° and 26.31° ± 5.12° for group I, II, III and IV respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups I to III. Group IV differed significantly from each of the previous groups. Conclusions Flattening of the articular eminence is associated with the loss of OSZs rather than ageing.

In this paper a computer vision system is proposed for automatic examination of implant placements based on the maxillary radiograph images. To find rotated and scale changed implants the system does template matching in the extended log-polar space. Matching is proposed to be performed in the anisotropic scale-space, starting from the coarse level. The precise location of an implant is then refined based on the fine level of this space. The two processes are additionally controlled by the contour images which delineate exact positions of implants and other dental works.