model of bacterial biofilm mineralization in complex humid environments: a proof of concept study.

Background: Bacteria in physiological environments can generate mineralizing biofilms, which are associated with diseases like periodontitis or kidney stones. Modelling complex environments presents a challenge for the study of mineralization in biofilms. Here, we developed an experimental setup which could be applied to study the fundamental principles behind biofilm mineralization on rigid substrates, using a model organism and in a tailored bioreactor that mimics a humid environment.

Properties and role of interfaces in multimaterial 3D printed composites.

In polyjet printing photopolymer droplets are deposited on a build tray, leveled off by a roller and cured by UV light. This technique is attractive to fabricate heterogeneous architectures combining compliant and stiff constituents. Considering the layer-by-layer nature, interfaces between different photopolymers can be formed either before or after UV curing.

The Open Challenge of Modeling Complex and Multi-Microbial Communities in Three-Dimensional Niches.

The comprehension of the underlying mechanisms of the interactions within microbial communities represents a major challenge to be faced to control their outcome. Joint efforts of , and ecological models are crucial to controlling human health, including chronic infections. In a broader perspective, considering that polymicrobial communities are ubiquitous in nature, the understanding of these mechanisms is the groundwork to control and modulate bacterial response to any environmental condition.

Engineering biological gradients.

Biological gradients profoundly influence many cellular activities, such as adhesion, migration, and differentiation, which are the key to biological processes, such as inflammation, remodeling, and tissue regeneration. Thus, engineered structures containing bioinspired gradients can not only support a better understanding of these phenomena, but also guide and improve the current limits of regenerative medicine. In this review, we outline the challenges behind the engineering of devices containing chemical-physical and biomolecular gradients, classifying them according to gradient-making methods and the finalities of the systems.

Cutaneous Side Effects of Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Advanced Melanoma.

Melanoma is one of the most fatal cancers, and its incidence is increasing worldwide. Thanks to the better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma, recently new targeted agents have been developed. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge of clinical presentation, mechanisms, and management of the most common cutaneous side effects observed during treatment with targeted and immunological therapies approved for advanced melanoma.