Tailoring the Structure and Physico-Chemical Features of Cellulose-Based Hydrogels Using Multi-Epoxy Crosslinking Agents.

Hydrogel features can be designed and optimized using different crosslinking agents to meet specific requirements. In this regard, the present work investigates the physico-chemical features of cellulose-based hydrogels, designed by using different epoxy crosslinkers from the same glycidyl family, namely epichlorohydrin (ECH), 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TMPTGE). The effect of the crosslinker's structure (from simple to branched) and functionality (mono-, bi- and tri-epoxy groups) on the hydrogels' features was studied.

Morphological Evaluation of Supramolecular Soft Materials Obtained through Co-Assembly Processes.

Low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) are compounds with an intrinsic tendency to self-assemble forming various supramolecular architectures via non-covalent interactions. Considering that the development of supramolecular assemblies through the synergy of molecules is not entirely understood at the molecular level, this study introduced a Fmoc-short peptide and four Fmoc-amino acids as building blocks for the self-assembly/co-assembly process. Hence, we investigated the formation of supramolecular gels starting from the molecular aggregation following two triggering approaches: solvent/co-solvent method and pH switch.

Insight into the Latest Medical Applications of Nanocellulose.

Nanocelluloses (NCs) are appealing nanomaterials that have experienced rapid development in recent years, with great potential in the biomedical field. This trend aligns with the increasing demand for sustainable materials, which will contribute both to an improvement in wellbeing and an extension of human life, and with the demand to keep up with advances in medical technology. In recent years, due to the diversity of their physical and biological properties and the possibility of tuning them according to the desired goal, these nanomaterials represent a point of maximum interest in the medical field.

Aromatherapeutic and Antibacterial Properties of Cotton Materials Treated with Emulsions Containing Peppermint Essential Oil ().

The objective of the work was to obtain materials with aromatherapeutic and antibacterial properties by applying emulsions based on peppermint essential oil (PEO) onto cotton fabric. For this purpose, some emulsions based on PEO incorporated in various matrices (chitosan + gelatin + beeswax; chitosan + beeswax; gelatin + beeswax and gelatin + chitosan) were prepared. Tween 80 was used as a synthetic emulsifier.

3D Matrices for Enhanced Encapsulation and Controlled Release of Anti-Inflammatory Bioactive Compounds in Wound Healing.

Current trends in the development of wound dressings are oriented towards the use of biopolymer-based materials, due to their unique properties such as non-toxicity, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability, properties that have advantageous therapeutic characteristics. In this regard, the present study aims to develop hydrogels based on cellulose and dextran (CD) and to reveal their anti-inflammatory performance. This purpose is achieved by incorporating plant bioactive polyphenols (PFs) in CD hydrogels.

Influence of Gel Stage from Cellulose Dissolution in NaOH-Water System on the Performances of Cellulose Allomorphs-Based Hydrogels.

Novel hydrogels were prepared starting from different cellulose allomorphs (cellulose I, II, and III), through a swelling stage in 8.5% NaOH aqueous solution, followed by freezing at low temperature (−30 °C), for 24 h. After thawing at room temperature, the obtained gels were chemical cross-linked with epichlorohydrin (ECH), at 85 °C.

Natural Polymers in Heart Valve Tissue Engineering: Strategies, Advances and Challenges.

In the history of biomedicine and biomedical devices, heart valve manufacturing techniques have undergone a spectacular evolution. However, important limitations in the development and use of these devices are known and heart valve tissue engineering has proven to be the solution to the problems faced by mechanical and prosthetic valves. The new generation of heart valves developed by tissue engineering has the ability to repair, reshape and regenerate cardiac tissue.

Advanced Functional Materials Based on Nanocellulose for Pharmaceutical/Medical Applications.

Nanocelluloses (NCs), with their remarkable characteristics, have proven to be one of the most promising "green" materials of our times and have received special attention from researchers in nanomaterials. A diversity of new functional materials with a wide range of biomedical applications has been designed based on the most desirable properties of NCs, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and their special physicochemical properties. In this context and under the pressure of rapid development of this field, it is imperative to synthesize the successes and the new requirements in a comprehensive review.

Cellulose-Based Hydrogels as Sustained Drug-Delivery Systems.

Hydrogels, three-dimensional (3D) polymer networks, present unique properties, like biocompatibility, biodegradability, tunable mechanical properties, sensitivity to various stimuli, the capacity to encapsulate different therapeutic agents, and the ability of controlled release of the drugs. All these characteristics make hydrogels important candidates for diverse biomedical applications, one of them being drug delivery. The recent achievements of hydrogels as safe transport systems, with desired therapeutic effects and with minimum side effects, brought outstanding improvements in this area.

New Green Hydrogels Based on Lignin.

The development of various green materials from lignin, which is most often considered as waste, is of prime interest from environmental and economic points of view. In the last years, only few studies regarding the use of lignin as a backbone component in the hydrogels have been made. The potential efficacy of lignin in hydrogels with particular emphasis on synthesis and characterization was investigated.

Physically and chemically cross-linked cellulose cryogels: Structure, properties and application for controlled release.

Porous cellulose matrices were prepared via cellulose dissolution in 8wt% NaOH-water, physical gelation and chemical cross-linking with epichlorohydrin (ECH), coagulation in water and lyophilisation. Cellulose and cross-linker concentration were varied. The behaviour of gels upon coagulation and the swelling of cryogels in water were analysed.

The influence of supramolecular structure of cellulose allomorphs on the interactions with cellulose-binding domain, CBD3b from Paenibacillus barcinonensis.

The interaction of recombinant cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) of endoglucanase Cel9B from Paenibacillus barcinonensis with different cotton cellulose allomorphs (I, II and III) has been investigated, in order to bring new insights regarding the CBD adsorption and desorption processes. The highest CBD adsorption capacity was recorded for cellulose I, confirming the affinity of proteins to the most crystalline substrate. The weakening and splitting of the hydrogen bonds within cellulose structure after CBD adsorption, as well as a decrease of the crystallinity degree were identified by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and XRD.

Synthesis and characterization of some cellulose/chondroitin sulphate hydrogels and their evaluation as carriers for drug delivery.

Mixed hydrogels based on natural, biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharides, such as cellulose (C) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) in various mixing ratios were prepared by a crosslinking technique and characterized by swelling behaviour, FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, toxicity and biocompatibility tests. The mixed cellulose/chondroitin sulphate hydrogels have been loaded with 7-[2-nitroxiacetyl-oxy-3-(4-acetyl-amino-phenoxy)-propyl]-8-morpholino-1,3-dimethyl-xanthine, a novel nitric oxide donor compound with a lower toxicity and a higher anti-inflammatory activity than its parent molecules, paracetamol and theophylline. Swelling and release kinetics have been also studied.

The effect of the cellulose-binding domain from Clostridium cellulovorans on the supramolecular structure of cellulose fibers.

The cellulose-binding domain (CBD) is the second important and the most wide-spread element of cellulase structure involved in cellulose transformation with a great structural diversity and a range of adsorption behavior toward different types of cellulosic materials. The effect of the CBD from Clostridium cellulovorans on the supramolecular structure of three different sources of cellulose (cotton cellulose, spruce dissolving pulp, and cellulose linters) was studied. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to record amides I and II absorption bands of cotton cellulose treated with CBD.