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Topic Review
Natural Polymer-Based Hydrogels
Hydrogels prepared from natural polymer have attracted extensive attention in biomedical fields such as drug delivery, wound healing, and regenerative medicine due to their good biocompatibility, degradability, and flexibility.
  • 732
  • 31 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Squaraine-Based Fluorescent Materials
Squaraine dyes (SQs) are a peculiar class of cyanine dyes. One of the biggest structure differences between SQs and other types of cyanine dyes is that SQs contain an electron-deficient square ring at the center of the polymethine chain, leading to a quadrupolar donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) structure with a unique resonance-stabilized zwitterionic feature, as shown ina. In addition, the central square ring can make the polymethine chain rigid and planar to resist the photoisomerization and oxidation, and thus SQs intrinsically exhibit a greater stability over other cyanines.
  • 729
  • 27 May 2022
Topic Review
Types of Synthetic Materials in Bone Grafts
To decide which material is most appropriate for a given procedure, it is necessary not only to have a good understanding of the biological function (osteogenesis, osteoinduction, and osteoconduction) of each material but also to consider the patient condition, as this is an essential criterion for the incorporation of any bone graft. Bone grafts are evolving and undergoing innumerable changes and there has long been talk of synthetic bone grafts and bone substitutes to the detriment of autologous, allogeneic, or even xenogeneic grafts.
  • 729
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Two Grain Refinement Modes for Treating Metallic Materials
Metallic materials have been widely used as orthopedic implants in clinics for their good mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, but their slow osseointegration rate is still one of the main issues causing implantation failure. Grain refinement has recently attracted wide attention for its effective improvement of cell–material interaction for biometals.
  • 726
  • 26 May 2022
Topic Review
Stabilization of Hexa-Histidine-Containing Organophosphorus Hydrolase
Organophosphorus hydrolase, containing a genetically introduced hexahistidine sequence (His6-OPH) can hydrolyze various  substrates, such as  organophosphorus pesticides and chemical warfare agents, mycotoxins, and N-acyl homoserine lactones. The application of various carrier materials (metal-organic frameworks, polypeptides, bacterial cellulose, polyhydroxybutyrate, succinylated gelatin, etc.) for the immobilization and stabilization of His6-OPH by various methods, enables creation of biocatalysts with various properties and potential uses, in particular, as antidotes, recognition elements of biosensors, in fibers with chemical and biological protection, dressings with antimicrobial properties, highly porous sorbents for the degradation of toxicants, including in flow systems, etc. Immobilized variants of His6-OPH are characterized by increased stability, and the hydrolytic process of destruction of many substrates can be carried out in wider temperature and pH ranges than when using a free form of the enzyme. The variation in methods and carriers for the immobilization of His6-OPH makes it possible to create a wide palette of biocatalysts, significantly expanding the boundaries of enzyme use.
  • 725
  • 14 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Array Configuration Amplifies TENG Energy Collection
Array-designed triboelectric nanogenerators (AD-TENGs) have firmly established themselves as state-of-the-art technologies for adeptly converting mechanical interactions into electrical signals. Central to the AD-TENG’s prowess is its inherent modularity and the multifaceted, grid-like design that pave the way to robust and adaptable detection platforms for wearables and real-time health monitoring systems.
  • 718
  • 07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds
Bone is a complex biologic tissue, which is extremely relevant for various physiological functions, in addition to movement, organ protection, and weight bearing. The repair of critical size bone defects is a still unmet clinical need, and over the past, material scientists have been expending efforts to find effective technological solutions, based on the use of scaffolds. In this context, biomimetics which is intended as the ability of a scaffold to reproduce compositional and structural features of the host tissues, is increasingly considered as a guide for this purpose. However, the achievement of implants that mimic the very complex bone composition, multi-scale structure, and mechanics is still an open challenge. Indeed, despite the fact that calcium phosphates are widely recognized as elective biomaterials to fabricate regenerative bone scaffolds, their processing into 3D devices with suitable cell-instructing features is still prevented by insurmountable drawbacks. With respect to biomaterials science, new approaches maybe conceived to gain ground and promise for a substantial leap forward in this field. 
  • 718
  • 01 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Applications of Antimicrobial Carbon Dots
Frequent bacterial/fungal infections and occurrence of antibiotic resistance pose increasing threats to the public and thus require the development of new antibacterial/antifungal agents and strategies. Carbon dots (CDs) have been well demonstrated to be promising and potent antimicrobial nanomaterials and serve as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics.
  • 717
  • 27 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation
Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) respond to the characteristics of their surrounding microenvironment, i.e., their extracellular matrix (ECM). The possibility of mimicking the ECM offers the opportunity to elicit specific cell behaviors. The control of surface properties of a biomaterial at the scale level of the components of the ECM has the potential to effectively modulate cell response. Ordered nanoscale silicon pillar arrays were fabricated using reverse micelles of block copolymers on full wafers, with standard deviations lower than 15%. Bioactive synthetic peptides were covalently grafted on nanoarrays to evaluate possible synergies between chemistry and topography on osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Functionalization with RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) and BMP-2 (bone morphogenetic protein-2) mimetic peptides lead to an enhancement of osteogenic differentiation. Bare nanopillar arrays of reduced pitch were found to promote faster hMSC differentiation. These findings highlight the relevance of investigating possibilities of engineering in vitro systems which can be fine-tuned according to the envisaged cell response. 
  • 714
  • 07 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Valorising Agricultural Residues through Pelletisation
The agricultural sector and its related production chains are good sources of residual biomass. The pelletisation represents an effective alternative in order to valorise these agricultural wastes. Statistics show that over 60% of the available tree pruning comes from vine and olive cultivations, justifying several authors’ interest in the energetic valorisation of this biomass material. Pelletisation increases bulk, energy density and energy content, making this fuel close to traditional fuels such as coal.
  • 714
  • 16 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Nanomaterials Assisted Growth Factors Activation/Delivery for Bone Repair
Bone regeneration is a comprehensive process that involves different stages, and various growth factors (GFs) play crucial roles in the entire process. GFs are widely used in clinical settings to promote bone repair; however, the direct application of GFs is often limited by their fast degradation and short local residual time. Additionally, GFs are expensive, and their use may carry risks of ectopic osteogenesis and potential tumor formation. Nanomaterials have shown great promise in delivering GFs for bone regeneration, as they can protect fragile GFs and control their release. 
  • 711
  • 03 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Cell-Surface Interactions on Arginine-Rich CPPs Allow for Internalization
Cellular uptake of biologically active molecules is a significant obstacle to developing drug design and controlled drug delivery. For instance, it is hard for the monoclonal antibodies to penetrate the cell membrane and enter the cell due to their large molecular weight. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been discovered to deliver chemical drugs, nucleic acids, and macromolecules to permeate cell membranes, creating a novel route for exogenous substances to enter cells.
  • 710
  • 24 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Calcium Carbonate as a Drugs Controlled Release Carrier
A drug carrier usually refers to a tool that can carry the effective ingredients of drugs into the human body. The drug-controlled release system prepared by a new drug carrier can allow the gradual release of the drug in the human body at a stable rate, thus decreasing the frequency of administration and reducing the toxicity and side effects thereof; however, existing drug carriers generally have problems such as low drug loading, poor biocompatibility, stability, and specificity, each of which could be improved. Calcium carbonate can be used as a sustained-release carrier of active substances, with good biocompatibility, biodegradability, low cost, easy preparation, and broad application prospects. 
  • 710
  • 28 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Geopolymer Materials for Bone Tissue Applications
Geopolymers (alkali-activated materials) are amorphous inorganic polymeric systems with aluminosilicate bases produced by alkalinising natural or waste substances, such as metallurgical, industrial, urban, and agricultural wastes. There is increasing academic interest in geopolymer materials for biomedical applications.
  • 708
  • 02 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Phototheranostics Using Erythrocyte-Based Particles
There has been a recent increase in the development of delivery systems based on red blood cells (RBCs) for light-mediated imaging and therapeutic applications. These constructs are able to take advantage of the immune evasion properties of the RBC, while the addition of an optical cargo allows the particles to be activated by light for a number of promising applications. 
  • 706
  • 24 May 2021
Topic Review
Polysaccharide- and Aliphatic Polyester-Based Packaging
Food packaging plays an imperative role in the food processing sector by safeguarding foods from their point of harvesting until the moment of consumption.
  • 706
  • 01 Apr 2024
Topic Review
Combustion Synthesis of Magnetic Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications
Combustion synthesis is a green, energy-saving approach that permits an easy scale-up and continuous technologies. This process allows for synthesizing various nanoscale materials, including oxides, nitrides, sulfides, metals, and alloys. 
  • 705
  • 03 Jul 2023
Topic Review
In Vitro Drug Release Methods for Drug-Eluting Stents
The drug release profile of drug-eluting stents (DESs) is affected by a number of factors, including the formulation, design, and physicochemical properties of the utilized material. DES has been around for twenty years and despite its widespread clinical use, and efficacy in lowering the rate of target lesion restenosis, it still requires additional development to reduce side effects and provide long-term clinical stability. Unfortunately, for analyzing these implants, there is still no globally accepted in vitro test method. This is owing to the stent’s complexity as well as the dynamic arterial compartments of the blood and vascular wall. The former is the source of numerous biological, chemical, and physical mechanisms that are more commonly observed in tissue, lumen, and DES. As a result, universalizing bio-relevant apparatus, suitable for liberation testing of such complex implants is difficult.
  • 702
  • 27 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Defining Bioplastics
A “plastic” by definition is a polymer-based formulation, which consists of one or more polymers (homopolymer, copolymers, blends) plus additives and fillers. “Bioplastics” are either biobased and/or biodegradable, at least to a certain degree and as per a given definition (standard, test method).
  • 700
  • 29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Yeast Particles Encapsulation Methods for Terpene Release Duration
Terpenes and essential oils are materials of great commercial use due to their broad spectra of antibacterial, antifungal, membrane permeation enhancement and antioxidant biological properties, as well as for their use as flavors and fragrances. Yeast particles (YPs) are 3–5 µm hollow and porous microspheres, a byproduct of some food-grade yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) extract manufacturing processes, that have been used for the encapsulation of terpenes and essential oils with high payload loading capacity (up to 500% weight) and efficiency, providing stability and sustained-release properties. 
  • 698
  • 12 Jun 2023
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