Anisotropic patterns of nanospikes induces anti-biofouling and mechano-bactericidal effects of titanium nanosurfaces with electrical cue.

Anti-microbial nanopatterns have attracted considerable attention; however, its principle is not yet fully understood, particularly for inorganic nanopatterns. Titanium nanosurfaces with dense and anisotropically patterned nanospikes regulate biological functions with multiple physical stimulations, which may be because of the nanopattern-induced alternation of surface physical properties. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial capability of titanium nanosurfaces and their mechanisms.

Injectable hyaluronate-L- cysteine gel potentiates photothermal therapy in osteosarcoma via vorinostat-copper cell death.

The prognosis for osteosarcoma patients, a devastating malignancy affecting young individuals, remains grim despite multimodal therapeutic advances. Recently, the advent of cuproptosis, a novel programmed cell death, offers hope in fighting osteosarcoma. In this study, we introduce SAHA@{[Cu(HA-Cys)]Cl}, an injectable hyaluronate-L-cysteine hydrogel that integrates both copper ions (Cu) and vorinostat (SAHA) for the possible therapeutic effect.

Nanoplatform for synergistic therapy constructed via the co-assembly of a reduction-responsive cholesterol-based block copolymer and a photothermal amphiphile.

The goal of combination cancer therapy, including chemo-phototherapy, is to achieve highly efficient antitumor effects while minimizing the adverse reactions associated with conventional chemotherapy. Nevertheless, enhancing the contribution of non-chemotherapeutic strategies in combination therapy is often challenging because this requires multiple active ingredients to be encapsulated in a single delivery system. However, most commonly used photothermal reagents are challenging to be loaded in large quantities and have poor biocompatibility.

5-Hydroxytryptophan artificial synaptic vesicles across the blood-brain barrier for the rapid-acting treatment of depressive disorder.

Conventional antidepressants are slow to work and have serious side effects and poor response rates. As a precursor to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) can be safely increased in concentration and rapidly metabolized into 5-HT in the brain, but the effectiveness of 5-HTP is severely limited due to its short half-life and lack of targeting. To traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and achieve effective targeting, we designed a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive artificial synaptic vesicles functionalized with an aptamer and loaded with 5-HTP and IR780.

An advanced chitosan based sponges dressing system with antioxidative, immunoregulation, angiogenesis and neurogenesis for promoting diabetic wound healing.

Promoting wound nerve regeneration and synchronously initiating angiogenesis are critical factors in the healing process of diabetic wounds. However, existing research on diabetic wounds mainly focuses on angiogenesis, bacterial infection and reactive oxygen species, often failing to coordinate neurogenesis and angiogenesis. To coordinate the symbiosis of nerves and blood vessels in the diabetic wounds, we successfully designed a multifunctional chitosan (CS)-based sponges by regulating the structure of CS specifically for diabetic wound healing.

Multifunctional layered microneedle patches enable transdermal angiogenesis and immunomodulation for scarless healing of thermal burn injuries.

Thermal burn injuries induce substantial alterations in the immune compositions and anatomical structures in the skin, which are characterized by strong inflammatory responses and thick eschar formation on the wound surface. These traits challenge current treatment paradigms due to insufficient drug penetration into affected tissues and the unsatisfactory wound regeneration. Herein, we report a layered microneedle (MN) patch for addressing these challenges in burn injury healing.

Nanomaterials at the forefront of antimicrobial therapy by photodynamic and photothermal strategies.

In the face of the increasing resistance of microorganisms to traditional antibiotics, the development of innovative treatment methods is becoming increasingly urgent. Nanophototherapy technology can precisely target the infected area and achieve synergistic antibacterial effects in multiple modes. This phototherapy method has shown significant efficacy in treating diseases caused by drug-resistant bacteria, especially in the elimination of biofilms, where it has demonstrated strong dissolution capabilities.

Bioactive ECM-mimicking nerve guidance conduit for enhancing peripheral nerve repair.

Extensive research efforts are being directed towards identifying alternatives to autografts for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) with engineered nerve conduits (NGCs) identified as having potential for PNI patients. These NGCs, however, may not fulfill the necessary criteria for a successful transplant, such as sufficient mechanical structural support and functionalization. To address the aforementioned limitations of NGCs, the present investigation explored the development of double cross-linked hydrogels (o-CSMA-E) that integrate the biocompatibility of porcine tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) with the antimicrobial and conductive properties of methacrylated quaternary chitosan.

Regenerative medicine: Hydrogels and mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

Hydrogels, that are crosslinked polymer networks, can absorb huge quantities of water and/or biological fluids. Their physical properties, such as elasticity and soft tissue, together with their biocompatibility and biodegradability, closely resemble living tissues. The versatility of hydrogels has fuelled their application in various fields, such as agriculture, biomaterials, the food industry, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Commercially available bioinks and state-of-the-art lab-made formulations for bone tissue engineering: A comprehensive review.

Bioprinting and bioinks are two of the game changers in bone tissue engineering. This review presents different bioprinting technologies including extrusion-based, inkjet-based, laser-assisted, light-based, and hybrid technologies with their own strengths and weaknesses. This review will aid researchers in the selection and assessment of the bioink; the discussion ranges from commercially available bioinks to custom lab-made formulations mainly based on natural polymers, such as agarose, alginate, gelatin, collagen, and chitosan, designed for bone tissue engineering.

Engineering gene-activated bioprinted scaffolds for enhancing articular cartilage repair.

Untreated articular cartilage injuries often result in severe chronic pain and dyskinesia. Current repair strategies have limitations in effectively promoting articular cartilage repair, underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. A gene-activated matrix (GAM) is a promising and comprehensive therapeutic strategy that integrates tissue-engineered scaffold-guided gene therapy to promote long-term articular cartilage repair by enhancing gene retention, reducing gene loss, and regulating gene release.

Harnessing hydrogen sulfide in injectable hydrogels that guide the immune response and osteoclastogenesis balance for osteoporosis treatment.

Elevated levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and a dysregulated osteoclastogenesis balance frequently characterize the microenvironment of osteoporosis, which impedes the processes of healing and repair. Existing treatment approaches are limited in scope and rely primarily on factors and drugs. An injectable hydrogel designed for the ROS-responsive release of HS gas is presented in this study.

MSCs-derived ECM functionalized hydrogel regulates macrophage reprogramming for osteoarthritis treatment by improving mitochondrial function and energy metabolism.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that affects the entire joint, with synovial inflammation being a major pathological feature. Macrophages, as the most abundant immune cells in the synovium, have an M1/M2 imbalance that is closely related to the occurrence and development of OA. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to effectively suppress inflammation in the treatment of OA, but they still pose issues such as immune rejection and tumorigenicity.

A novel nanomedicine integrating ferroptosis and photothermal therapy, well-suitable for PD-L1-mediated immune checkpoint blockade.

Immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint blockade has emerged as a promising treatment strategy; however, the therapeutic efficacy is limited by the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here, we developed a novel immune-activated nanoparticle (Fc-SS-Fe/Cu) to address the issue of insufficient immune infiltration. Specifically, the structure of Fc-SS-Fe/Cu collapsed in response to the tumor microenvironment, the ferrocene and disulfide bonds and the released Fe/Cu ions can effectively generate ·OH and deplete GSH to increase oxidative stress, thereby inducing ferroptosis.

Nickel-titanium alloy porous scaffolds based on a dominant cellular structure manufactured by laser powder bed fusion have satisfactory osteogenic efficacy.

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy is a widely utilized medical shape memory alloy (SMA) known for its excellent shape memory effect and superelasticity. Here, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology was employed to fabricate a porous NiTi alloy scaffold featuring a topologically optimized dominant cellular structure that demonstrates favorable physical and superior biological properties. Utilizing a porous structure topology optimization method informed by the stress state of human bones, two types of cellular structures-compression and torsion-were designed, and porous scaffolds were produced via LPBF.

A high-water retention, self-healing hydrogel thyroid model for surgical training.

The evaluation of thyroid lesions through Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) is a common procedure that requires advanced hand manipulation skills. Conventional training models for this procedure lack essential features such as tactile sensation and the ability to repeat punctures similar to those of real organs. To improve the quality of training, we have developed a hydrogel thyroid model that possesses features such as high-water retention and self-healing properties.

Multifunctional hydrogels loaded with tellurium nanozyme for spinal cord injury repair.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in severe neurological deficits due to disrupted neural pathways. While the spinal cord possesses limited self-repair capabilities, recent advancements in hydrogel-based therapies have shown promise. Polyphenol-based hydrogels, known for their neuroprotective properties, offer a suitable microenvironment for neural regeneration.

Injectable microgels containing genetically engineered bacteria for colon cancer therapy through programmed Chemokine expression.

Chemokines are emerging as important targets for cancer immunotherapy due to their role in regulating immune cell migration and activation within the tumor microenvironment. Effective delivery and sustained presence of chemokines at the tumor site is essential for recruiting and activating immune cells to exert anti-tumor effects. In this study, we report a genetically engineered bacterial cell factory designed for the continuous production of chemokine CCL21 in a controlled manner.

Oxygen-controllable injectable hydrogel alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration by balancing extracellular matrix metabolism.

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, situated at the core of intervertebral discs, have acclimated to a hypoxic environment, orchestrating the equilibrium of extracellular matrix metabolism (ECM) under the regulatory influence of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Neovascularization and increased oxygen content pose a threat, triggering ECM degradation and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). To address this, our study devised an oxygen-controllable strategy, introducing laccase into an injectable and ultrasound-responsive gelatin/agarose hydrogel.