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Topic Review
Osteoimmunomodulatory Biomaterials
The critical role of the immune system in host defense against foreign bodies and pathogens has been long recognized. With the introduction of a new field of research called osteoimmunology, the crosstalk between the immune and bone-forming cells has been studied more thoroughly, leading to the conclusion that the two systems are intimately connected through various cytokines, signaling molecules, transcription factors and receptors.
  • 1.0K
  • 11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Polymers–HA Composite
Hydroxyapatite (HA), especially in the form of HA nanoparticles (HANPs), has excellent bioactivity, biodegradability, and osteoconductivity and therefore has been widely used as a template or additives for drug delivery in clinical applications, such as dentistry and orthopedic repair. Due to the atomically anisotropic distribution on the preferred growth of HA crystals, especially the nanoscale rod-/whisker-like morphology, HA can generally be a good candidate for carrying a variety of substances. HA is biocompatible and suitable for medical applications, but most drugs carried by HANPs have an initial burst release. In the adsorption mechanism of HA as a carrier, specific surface area, pore size, and porosity are important factors that mainly affect the adsorption and release amounts.
  • 1.0K
  • 09 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Synthetic Biodegradable Polymers for Antibacterial Applications
Synthetic biodegradable polymers are considered biocompatible and highly safe and have found numerous applications in the biomedical field. Due to the degradable nature of polymer implants, they can be removed at the end of the functional life of the implant without surgical intervention. In tissue engineering, synthetic biodegradable polymers usually provide suitable mechanical properties and facilitate cell proliferation and differentiation, making it an excellent material for scaffolds. Synthetic polymers have the advantage of being easy to process and mold, so there are more possibilities in terms of usage properties. Synthetic biodegradable polymers usually have no inherent antimicrobial ability. Therefore, the antimicrobial activity of synthetic polymers can be effectively improved by mixing with antimicrobial substances. 
  • 1.0K
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Biomimetic Mineralization for Enamel and Dentin
The tooth, including enamel and dentin, is a prominent biomineral that is produced by the biomineralization of living organisms. In clinical dentistry, traditional remineralization is achieved by using fluoride to enhance the deposition of calcium phosphate on the enamel surface, which is called an acid-resistant layer of fluorapatite. Despite this method having been successful in hardening enamel, the structure of this mineral layer is disordered and loose, and distinct from the natural enamel. Inspired by the process of natural enamel formation, strategies of biomimetic remineralization have been proposed and developed for several decades. These strategies include simulating in-body mineralization conditions, such as the enamel disks immersed in simulated body fluid, to mimic the function of the proteins involved in the biomineralization of the tooth, and constructing a mineralization front similar to that observed during the formation of calcified tissue. These methods allow the regrowth of HAP crystals on the enamel surface in an attempt to replicate the complex structure of the tooth and restore its mechanical properties.
  • 999
  • 14 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Fabrication of Magnetic Polymeric Micelles
Hybrid nanoarchitectures such as magnetic polymeric micelles (MPMs) are among the most promising nanotechnology-enabled materials for biomedical applications combining the benefits of polymeric micelles and magnetic nanoparticles within a single bioinstructive system. MPMs are formed by the self-assembly of polymer amphiphiles above the critical micelle concentration, generating a colloidal structure with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell incorporating magnetic particles (MNPs) in one of the segments. MPMs have been investigated most prominently as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as heat generators in hyperthermia treatments, and as magnetic-susceptible nanocarriers for the delivery and release of therapeutic agents. The versatility of MPMs constitutes a powerful route to ultrasensitive, precise, and multifunctional diagnostic and therapeutic vehicles for the treatment of a wide range of pathologies. 
  • 997
  • 20 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Applications of Pullulan-Based Biomaterials
Polysaccharide polymers have been used to fabricate wound dressings. The applications of biopolymers, such as chitin, gelatin, pullulan, and chitosan, have greatly expanded in the biomedical field due to their non-toxic, antibacterial, biocompatible, hemostatic, and nonimmunogenic properties. Most of these polymers have been used in the form of foams, films, sponges, and fibers in drug carrier devices, skin tissue scaffolds, and wound dressings. Currently, special focus has been directed towards the fabrication of wound dressings based on synthesized hydrogels using natural polymers. The high-water retention capacity of hydrogels makes them potent candidates for wound dressings as they provide a moist environment in the wound and remove excess wound fluid, thereby accelerating wound healing. The incorporation of pullulan with different, naturally occurring polymers, such as chitosan, in wound dressings is currently attracting much attention due to the antimicrobial, antioxidant and nonimmunogenic properties. Despite the valuable properties of pullulan, it also has some limitations, such as poor mechanical properties and high cost. However, these properties are improved by blending it with different polymers. Additionally, more investigations are required to obtain pullulan derivatives with suitable properties in high quality wound dressings and tissue engineering applications. 
  • 993
  • 21 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Drug Delivery Systems for Dry Eye
Dry eye disease (DED) is a widespread and frequently reported multifactorial ocular disease that not only causes ocular discomfort but also damages the cornea and conjunctiva. Topical administration is the most common treatment modality for DED. Due to the existence of multiple biological barriers, instilled drugs generally exhibit short action times and poor penetration on the ocular surface. To resolve these issues, several advanced drug delivery systems have been proposed.
  • 990
  • 22 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Calcium Phosphate Cements as Carriers of Functional Substances
Interest in calcium phosphate cements as materials for the restoration and treatment of bone tissue defects is still high. Despite commercialization and use in the clinic, the calcium phosphate cements have great potential for development. Existing approaches to the production of calcium phosphate cements as drugs are analyzed. 
  • 988
  • 12 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Hydrogel in Bone/Cartilage Regeneration
Hydrogel is a polymer matrix containing a large amount of water. It is similar to extracellular matrix components. It comes into contact with blood, body fluids, and human tissues without affecting the metabolism of organisms. It can be applied to bone and cartilage tissues. 
  • 986
  • 16 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Calculations on Ion Channels
Ion channels are proteins that allow the passage of ions across biological membranes; particularly important cations include Na+, K+, and Ca++. Nerve impulse transmission involves Na+ and K+ channels; the advantages of quantum calculations are discussed.
  • 986
  • 14 May 2021
Topic Review
Oxide Bioceramic Composites
Ceramic composites based on alumina and zirconia have found a wide field of application in the present century in orthopedic joint replacements, and their use in dentistry is spreading. The development of this class of bioceramic composites was started in the 1980s, but the first clinical applications of the total hip replacement joint were introduced in the market only in the early 2000s. Since then, several composite systems were introduced in joint replacements. These materials are classified as Zirconia-Toughened Alumina if alumina is the main component or as Alumina-Toughened Zirconia when zirconia is the main component. In addition, some of them may contain a third phase based on strontium exa-aluminate. The flexibility in device design due to the excellent mechanical behavior of this class of bioceramics results in a number of innovative devices for joint replacements in the hip, the knee, and the shoulder, as well in dental implants.
  • 983
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Radiopaque Crystalline, Non-Crystalline and Nanostructured Bioceramics
Radiopacity is sometimes an essential characteristic of biomaterials that can help clinicians perform follow-ups during pre- and post-interventional radiological imaging. Due to their chemical composition and structure, most bioceramics are inherently radiopaque but can still be doped/mixed with radiopacifiers to increase their visualization during or after medical procedures. The radiopacifiers are frequently heavy elements of the periodic table, such as Bi, Zr, Sr, Ba, Ta, Zn, Y, etc., or their relevant compounds that can confer enhanced radiopacity. Radiopaque bioceramics are also intriguing additives for biopolymers and hybrids, which are extensively researched and developed nowadays for various biomedical setups. 
  • 983
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Biomedical Application of Silk-Based Cryogels
There is a need to develop the next generation of medical products that require biomaterials with improved properties. The versatility of various gels has pushed them to the forefront of biomaterials research. Cryogels, a type of gel scaffold made by controlled crosslinking under subzero or freezing temperatures, have great potential to address many current challenges. Unlike their hydrogel counterparts, which are also able to hold large amounts of biologically relevant fluids such as water, cryogels are often characterized by highly dense and crosslinked polymer walls, macroporous structures, and often improved properties. 
  • 982
  • 04 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Additive Manufactured Magnesium-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering
Additive manufacturing (AM) is an important technology that led to a high evolution in the manufacture of personalized implants adapted to the anatomical requirements of patients. Due to a worldwide graft shortage, synthetic scaffolds must be developed. Regarding this aspect, biodegradable materials such as magnesium and its alloys are a possible solution because the second surgery for implant removal is eliminated. Magnesium (Mg) exhibits mechanical properties, which are similar to human bone, biodegradability in human fluids, high biocompatibility, and increased ability to stimulate new bone formation.
  • 981
  • 05 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Chitosan-Based Self-Healing Hydrogel
Biocompatible self-healing hydrogels are new-generation smart soft materials that hold great promise in biomedical fields. Chitosan-based self-healing hydrogels, mainly prepared via dynamic imine bonds, have attracted broad attention due to their mild preparation conditions, excellent biocompatibility, and self-recovery ability under a physiological environment.
  • 981
  • 26 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Milled Dental Surface Integrity
Surface integrity is a multiphysics (biological, mechanical, optical, chemical, esthetic, etc.) and multiscale (from nm to mm) concept. It is defined as the residual signature left on the surface by the manufacturing or post-treatment process and permits correlating the process with the expected surface functionalities. Thanks to the advances made in mechanical engineering, the concept of surface integrity has been transposed to dentistry and oral science. The surface integrity concept transposed to fixed dental prostheses is presented in this article. The main components of surface integrity and their correlations within the triptych of surface integrity–process–clinical functionalities are presented.
  • 978
  • 31 May 2021
Topic Review
Development of Agricultural-Based Nano-Structured Aerogels
Aerogels are an exceptional form of porous materials with extraordinary unique properties. The aerogel has been fabricated from different inorganic and organic materials and incorporated with a variety of novel compounds for specific applications and to enhance its performance in the desired application. 
  • 978
  • 02 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Third Dimension in Cancer
From the development of self-aggregating, scaffold-free multicellular spheroids to the inclusion of scaffold systems, 3D models have progressively increased in complexity to better mimic native tissues. The inclusion of a third dimension in cancer models allows researchers to zoom out from a significant but limited cancer cell research approach to a wider investigation of the tumor microenvironment. This model can include multiple cell types and many elements from the extracellular matrix (ECM), which provides mechanical support for the tissue, mediates cell-microenvironment interactions, and plays a key role in cancer cell invasion. Both biochemical and biophysical signals from the extracellular space strongly influence cell fate, the epigenetic landscape, and gene expression. Specifically, a detailed mechanistic understanding of tumor cell-ECM interactions, especially during cancer invasion, is lacking.
  • 977
  • 22 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Fabrication of Polymersomes: A Macromolecular Architecture in Nanotherapeutics
In consideration of the issues of drug delivery systems, the artificial vesicle structures composed of block copolymers called polymersomes recently gained considerable attention. The possibility of tuning the mechanical parameter and increasing the scale-up production of polymersomes led to its wide application in healthcare. Bearing in mind the disease condition, the structure and properties of the polymersomes could be tuned to serve the purpose. Furthermore, specific ligands can be incorporated on the vesicular surface to induce smart polymersomes, thus improving targeted delivery. The synthesis method and surface functionalization are the two key aspects that determine the versatility of biological applications as they account for stability, specific targeting, degradability, biocompatibility, and bioavailability. A perfectly aligned polymer vesicle can mimic the cells/organelles and function by avoiding cytotoxicity. This supramolecular structure can carry and deliver payloads of a wide range, including drugs, proteins, and genes, contributing to the construction of next-generation therapeutics. These aspects promote the potential use of such components as a framework to approach damaged tissue while maintaining healthy environments during circulation. 
  • 973
  • 20 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Nanocarriers for Active Food Packaging
Active packaging improves a packaging system’s effectiveness by actively integrating additional components into the packaging material or the headspace around the packaging. Consumer demand and awareness have grown enough to replace chemical agents with natural active agents. Essential oils (EOs) are extensively distributed throughout nature but at low levels and sometimes with poor recovery yields, which poses an issue with their application in food.
  • 971
  • 21 Feb 2023
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