Investigation of novel HCV therapies: Boscia angustifalia & Boscia senegalensis extracts loaded on galactosylated chitosan nanoparticles synthesized by eco-friendly method for HCV treatment.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of chronic liver diseases including chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Treatment of HCV has evolved from early interferon monotherapy to the current all-oral regimens using direct-acting antivirals. However, antiviral resistance has become a critical issue in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C after receiving therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) with a 0.

Antiviral Electrospun Polyamide Three-Layered Mask Filter Containing Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Black Seed Oil.

Upon the tremendous spread of coronavirus, there is a need to develop biodegradable, multifunctional, antiviral masks that can be safely used without polluting the environment as conventional surgical masks do. In this study, a three-layered mask filter is designed and fabricated. The first two layers contain electrospun polyamide with dispersed nanoparticles (NPs) of TiO and ZnO prepared via breakdown anodization.

Self-Healing Properties of Bioinspired Amorphous CaCO/Polyphosphate-Supplemented Cement.

There is a strong interest in cement additives that are able to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of cracks in concrete that cause corrosion of the reinforcement. Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), a natural polymer that is synthesized by bacteria, even those on cement/concrete, can increase the resistance of concrete to progressive damage from micro-cracking. Here we use a novel bioinspired strategy based on polyP-stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) to give this material self-healing properties.

A multicompartment vascular implant of electrospun wintergreen oil/ polycaprolactone fibers coated with poly(ethylene oxide).

Background: The aim of the present study was to fabricate double layered scaffolds of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The electrospun PCL fibers were functionalized with wintergreen oil (WO) as a novel approach to prevent vascular grafts failure due to thrombosis by adjusting biomaterial-blood interactions.

Methods: PCL tubular scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning approach and coated with PEO as a hydrophilic polymer.

High biocompatibility and improved osteogenic potential of amorphous calcium carbonate/vaterite.

In human bone, amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is formed as a precursor of the crystalline carbonated apatite/hydroxyapatite (HA). Here we describe that the metastable ACC phase can be stabilized by inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) that is also used as a phosphate source for the non-enzymatic carbonate/phosphate exchange during HA formation. This polymer was found to suppress the transformation of ACC into crystalline CaCO at a percentage of 5% [w/w] ("CCP5") with respect to CaCO and almost completely at 10% [w/w] ("CCP10").

Safety evaluation of a bioglass-polylactic acid composite scaffold seeded with progenitor cells in a rat skull critical-size bone defect.

Treating large bone defects represents a major challenge in traumatic and orthopedic surgery. Bone tissue engineering provides a promising therapeutic option to improve the local bone healing response. In the present study tissue biocompatibility, systemic toxicity and tumorigenicity of a newly developed composite material consisting of polylactic acid (PLA) and 20% or 40% bioglass (BG20 and BG40), respectively, were analyzed.