Mechanical properties of soft hydrogels: assessment by scanning ion-conductance microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

The growing interest in biomimetic hydrogels is due to their successful applications in tissue engineering, 3D cell culturing and drug delivery. The major characteristics of hydrogels include swelling, porosity, degradation rate, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties. Poor mechanical properties can be regarded as the main limitation for the use of hydrogels in tissue engineering, and advanced techniques for its precise evaluation are of interest.

The search for an optimal tissue-engineered urethra model for clinical application based on preclinical trials in male animals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising avenue for reconstructive urology, though only a limited number of tissue-engineered urethral constructs have advanced to clinical testing. Presently, there exists a dearth of agreement regarding the most promising constructs deserving of implementation in clinical practice. The objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive analysis of preclinical trials findings of a tissue-engineered urethra and to identify the most promising constructs for future translation into clinical practice.

The Therapeutic Potential of Exosomes vs. Matrix-Bound Nanovesicles from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Osteoarthritis Treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with limited therapeutic options, where inflammation plays a critical role in disease progression. Extracellular vesicles (EV) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have shown potential as a therapeutic approach for OA by modulating inflammation and alleviating degenerative processes in the joint. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects for the treatment of OA of two types of EV-exosomes and matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBV)-both derived from the human umbilical cord MSC (UC-MSC) via differential ultracentrifugation.

Current State and Challenges of Tissue and Organ Cryopreservation in Biobanking.

Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in the cryopreservation of various tissues and cells, yet several challenges persist. This review evaluates the current state of cryopreservation, focusing on contemporary methods, notable achievements, and ongoing difficulties. Techniques such as slow freezing and vitrification have enabled the successful preservation of diverse biological materials, including embryos and ovarian tissue, marking substantial progress in reproductive medicine and regenerative therapies.

Advancing wound healing by hydrogel-based dressings loaded with cell-conditioned medium: a systematic review.

Background: Wound healing represents a complex biological process, critically important in clinical practice due to its direct implication in a patient's recovery and quality of life. Conservative wound management frequently falls short in providing an ideal environment for the optimal tissue regeneration, often resulting in extended healing periods and elevated risk of infection and other complications. The emerging biomaterials, particularly hydrogels, have shown substantial promise in addressing these challenges by offering properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the ability to cure wound environment.