In vitro combinatorial anticancer effects of 5-fluorouracil and curcumin loaded N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles toward colon cancer and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies.

Colon cancer is the third most leading causes of death due to cancer worldwide and the chemo drug 5-fluorouracil's (5-FU) applicability is limited due to its non-specificity, low bioavailability and overdose. The efficacy of 5-FU in colon cancer chemo treatment could be improved by nanoencapsulation and combinatorial approach. In the present study curcumin (CUR), a known anticancer phytochemical, was used in combination with 5-FU and the work focuses on the development of a combinatorial nanomedicine based on 5-FU and CUR in N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (N,O-CMC NPs).

Fabrication and characterization of chitosan/gelatin/nSiO2 composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

A 3D nanocomposite scaffold of chitosan, gelatin and nano-silica was fabricated by lyophilization to test the hypothesis that incorporation of nano-SiO2 could produce a better candidate for bone tissue engineering compared to pure chitosan and chitosan/gelatin scaffolds. The prepared scaffold was characterized using SEM and FTIR. Porosity, density, swelling, degradation, mechanical integrity, biomineralization and protein adsorption studies, favored it in comparison to the conventional chitosan and chitosan/gelatin scaffolds.

Fabrication and characterization of multiscale electrospun scaffolds for cartilage regeneration.

Recently, scaffolds for tissue regeneration purposes have been observed to utilize nanoscale features in an effort to reap the cellular benefits of scaffold features resembling extracellular matrix (ECM) components. However, one complication surrounding electrospun nanofibers is limited cellular infiltration. One method to ameliorate this negative effect is by incorporating nanofibers into microfibrous scaffolds.

Fabrication of electrospun poly (lactide-co-glycolide)-fibrin multiscale scaffold for myocardial regeneration in vitro.

Myocardial tissue engineering is one of the most promising treatment strategies to restore heart function after a massive heart attack. The biomaterials, cells, and scaffold design play important roles in engineering of heart tissue. In this study, we have developed a fibrin-based multiscale electrospun composite scaffold for myocardial regeneration.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of microporous chitosan hydrogel/nanofibrin composite bandage for skin tissue regeneration.

In this work, we have developed chitosan hydrogel/nanofibrin composite bandages (CFBs) and characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The homogeneous distribution of nanofibrin in the prepared chitosan hydrogel matrix was confirmed by phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin staining. The mechanical strength, swelling, biodegradation, porosity, whole-blood clotting, and platelet activation studies were carried out.

In vitro evaluation of electrospun PCL/nanoclay composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a widely accepted synthetic biodegradable polymer for tissue engineering, however its use in hard tissue engineering is limited because of its inadequate mechanical strength and low bioactivity. In this study, we used halloysite nanoclay (NC) as an inorganic filler material to prepare PCL/NC fibrous scaffolds via electrospinning technique after intercalating NC within PCL by solution intercalation method. The obtained nanofibrous mat was found to be mechanically superior to PCL fibrous scaffolds.

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan/chondroitin sulfate/nano-SiO2 composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Chitosan, a natural polymer, is a biomaterial which is known to be osteoconductive but lacking in mechanical strength. In this work, to further enhance the mechanical property and biocompatibility of chitosan, we combined it with both chondroitin sulfate, a natural glycosaminoglycan found in bone, and nano-SiO2. The composite scaffold of chitosan/chondroitin sulfate/nano-SiO2 was fabricated by lyophilization.

Fibrin nanoconstructs: a novel processing method and their use as controlled delivery agents.

Fibrin nanoconstructs (FNCs) were prepared through a modified water-in-oil emulsification-diffusion route without the use of any surfactants, resulting in a high yield synthesis of fibrin nanotubes (FNTs) and fibrin nanoparticles (FNPs). The fibrin nanoconstructs formed an aligned structure with self-assembled nanotubes with closed heads that eventually formed spherical nanoparticles of size ~250 nm. The nanotubes were typically ~700 nm long and 150-300 nm in diameter, with a wall thickness of ~50 nm and pore diameter of about 150-250 nm.

A novel method for the fabrication of fibrin-based electrospun nanofibrous scaffold for tissue-engineering applications.

In this study, fibrin, which is superior to fibrinogen in both structural and functional properties, has for the first time been electrospun successfully into uniform nano fibers resembling the extracellular matrix (ECM). The methods of fabrication and characterization of this unique scaffold are presented. Using poly (vinyl) alcohol as an "electrospinning-driving" polymer, we have developed a novel method for the fabrication of fibrin into a nanofibrous scaffold for various tissue-engineering applications starting from human-plasma-derived fibrinogen and thrombin and combining these ingredients within the syringe of an electrospinning setup under high voltage.

Multifunctional chitin nanogels for simultaneous drug delivery, bioimaging, and biosensing.

In this work, we developed biodegradable chitin nanogels (CNGs) by controlled regeneration method. For multifunctionalization, we have conjugated CNGs with MPA-capped-CdTe-QDs (QD-CNGs) for the in vitro cellular localization studies. In addition, the Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) was loaded on to QD-CNGs (BSA-QD-CNGs).

Chitin scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Tissue engineering/regeneration is based on the hypothesis that healthy stem/progenitor cells either recruited or delivered to an injured site, can eventually regenerate lost or damaged tissue. Most of the researchers working in tissue engineering and regenerative technology attempt to create tissue replacements by culturing cells onto synthetic porous three-dimensional polymeric scaffolds, which is currently regarded as an ideal approach to enhance functional tissue regeneration by creating and maintaining channels that facilitate progenitor cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. The requirements that must be satisfied by such scaffolds include providing a space with the proper size, shape and porosity for tissue development and permitting cells from the surrounding tissue to migrate into the matrix.

Regulation of angiogenesis in the primate endometrium: vascular endothelial growth factor.

Unlike other tissues, endometrial vessels are unique because their functions are primarily orchestrated under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones, estradiol and progesterone. Although there is controversy in the literature on the expression of steroid hormone receptors in endometrial endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, it is believed that the actions of estradiol and progesterone are primarily mediated by paracrine interactions between the vascular and other cells of the endometrium. However, the regulatory mechanisms and local factors involved in mediating these paracrine interactions are not fully understood.