BioMOF@cellulose Glycerogel Scaffold with Multifold Bioactivity: Perspective in Bone Tissue Repair.

The development of new biomaterials for musculoskeletal tissue repair is currently an important branch in biomedicine research. The approach presented here is centered around the development of a prototypic synthetic glycerogel scaffold for bone regeneration, which simultaneously features therapeutic activity. The main novelty of this work lies in the combination of an open meso and macroporous nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)-based glycerogel with a fully biocompatible microporous bioMOF system (CaSyr-1) composed of calcium ions and syringic acid.

Nanofibrous ε-Polycaprolactone Matrices Containing Nano-Hydroxyapatite and L. Extract: Physicochemical and Biological Characterization for Oral Applications.

Oral bone defects occur as a result of trauma, cancer, infections, periodontal diseases, and caries. Autogenic and allogenic grafts are the gold standard used to treat and regenerate damaged or defective bone segments. However, these materials do not possess the antimicrobial properties necessary to inhibit the invasion of the numerous deleterious pathogens present in the oral microbiota.

Nanocarrier of α-Tocopheryl Succinate Based on a Copolymer Derivative of (4,7-dichloroquinolin-2-yl)methanol and Its Cytotoxicity against a Breast Cancer Cell Line.

In order to improve the water solubility and, therefore, bioavailability and therapeutic activity of anticancer hydrophobic drug α-tocopherol succinate (α-TOS), in this work, copolymers were synthesized via free radicals from QMES (1-[4,7-dichloroquinolin-2-ylmethyl]-4-methacryloyloxyethyl succinate) and VP (N-vinyl-2-pirrolidone) using different molar ratios, and were used to nanoencapsulate and deliver α-TOS into cancer cells MCF-7. QMES monomer was chosen because the QMES pendant group in the polymer tends to hydrolyze to form free 4,7-dichloro-2-quinolinemethanol (QOH), which also, like α-TOS, exhibit anti-proliferative effects on cancerous cells. From the QMES-VP 30:70 (QMES-30) and 40:60 (QMES-40) copolymers obtained, it was possible to prepare aqueous suspensions of empty nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with α-TOS by nanoprecipitation.

In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Ulvan Polysaccharides from .

One of the main bioactive compounds of interest from the species is the sulfated polysaccharide ulvan, which has recently attracted attention for its anticancer properties. This study investigated the cytotoxic activity of ulvan polysaccharides obtained from in the following scenarios: (i) in vitro against healthy and carcinogenic cell lines (1064sk (human fibroblasts), HACAT (immortalized human keratinocytes), U-937 (a human leukemia cell line), G-361 (a human malignant melanoma), and HCT-116 (a colon cancer cell line)) and (ii) in vivo against zebrafish embryos. Ulvan exhibited cytotoxic effects on the three human cancer cell lines tested.

Antimicrobial polymeric biomaterials based on synthetic, nanotechnology, and biotechnological approaches.

Antimicrobial resistance is the main threat to biomaterial failure with a huge impact on National Health Systems and patients' quality of life. Materials engineering and biotechnology have experienced great advances and have converged in the development of new and more sophisticated biomimetic systems with antimicrobial properties. In this sense, polymeric biomaterials play and will play a key role in the development of new antimicrobial devices for biomedical applications.

Optimization of the Rheological Properties of Self-Assembled Tripeptide/Alginate/Cellulose Hydrogels for 3D Printing.

3D printing is an emerging and powerful technique to create shape-defined three-dimensional structures for tissue engineering applications. Herein, different alginate-cellulose formulations were optimized to be used as printable inks. Alginate (Alg) was chosen as the main component of the scaffold due to its tunable mechanical properties, rapid gelation, and non-toxicity, whereas microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was added to the hydrogel to modulate its mechanical properties for printing.

Compressed Lateral and anteroposterior Anatomical Systematic Sequences «CLASS»: compressed MRI sequences with assessed anatomical femoral and tibial ACL's footprints, a feasibility study.

Purpose: This study's main objective is to assess the feasibility of processing the MRI information with identified ACL-footprints into 2D-images similar to a conventional anteroposterior and lateral X-Ray image of the knee. The secondary aim is to conduct specific measurements to assess the reliability and reproducibility. This study is a proof of concept of this technique.

Sucrose-Responsive Intercommunicated Janus Nanoparticles Network.

Inspired by biological systems, the development of artificial nanoscale materials that communicate over a short distance is still at its early stages. This work shows a new example of a cooperating system with intercommunicated devices at the nanoscale. The system is based on the new sucrose-responsive Janus gold-mesoporous silica (Janus Au-MS) nanoparticles network with two enzyme-powered nanodevices.

Chitosan - Rosmarinic acid conjugates with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and photoprotective properties.

Rosmarinic acid is an attractive candidate for skin applications because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective functions, however, its poor bioavailability hampers its therapeutic outcome. In this context, synthesis of polymer conjugates is an alternative to enlarge its applications. This work describes the synthesis of novel water-soluble chitosan - rosmarinic acid conjugates (CSRA) that have great potential for skin applications.

Oregano Essential Oil Micro- and Nanoencapsulation With Bioactive Properties for Biotechnological and Biomedical Applications.

Due to the preservative, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and therapeutic properties of oregano essential oil (OEO), it has received an emerging interest for biotechnological and biomedical applications. However, stability and bioactivity can be compromised by its natural volatile and hydrophobic nature, and by external factors including light, heat, or oxygen. Therefore, micro- and nanoencapsulation are being employed to guarantee oregano oil protection from outside aggressions and to maximize its potential.

Paclitaxel-loaded polymeric nanoparticles based on α-tocopheryl succinate for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: murine model.

The prognosis of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is generally poor. New treatments are required to supplement the current standard of care. Paclitaxel (PTX), an effective chemotherapeutic for HNSCC, has serious side effects.

Hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated naproxen-nanoparticles selectively target breast cancer stem cells through COX-independent pathways.

Cytotoxic chemotherapy continues to be the main therapeutic option for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Several studies have reported a significant association between chronic inflammation, carcinogenesis and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC). We hypothesized that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs targeted to the CSC population could help reducing tumor progression and dissemination in otherwise hard to treat metastatic breast cancer.

Emerging Biofabrication Techniques: A Review on Natural Polymers for Biomedical Applications.

Natural polymers have been widely used for biomedical applications in recent decades. They offer the advantages of resembling the extracellular matrix of native tissues and retaining biochemical cues and properties necessary to enhance their biocompatibility, so they usually improve the cellular attachment and behavior and avoid immunological reactions. Moreover, they offer a rapid degradability through natural enzymatic or chemical processes.

Modulation of Inflammatory Mediators by Polymeric Nanoparticles Loaded with Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

The first-line treatment of osteoarthritis is based on anti-inflammatory drugs, the most currently used being nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors and corticoids. Most of them present cytotoxicity and low bioavailability in physiological conditions, making necessary the administration of high drug concentrations causing several side effects. The goal of this work was to encapsulate three hydrophobic anti-inflammatory drugs of different natures (celecoxib, tenoxicam and dexamethasone) into core-shell terpolymer nanoparticles with potential applications in osteoarthritis.

Sniffing speeds up chemical detection by controlling air-flows near sensors.

Most mammals sniff to detect odors, but little is known how the periodic inhale and exhale that make up a sniff helps to improve odor detection. In this combined experimental and theoretical study, we use fluid mechanics and machine olfaction to rationalize the benefits of sniffing at different rates. We design and build a bellows and sensor system to detect the change in current as a function of odor concentration.

Amphiphilic polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and biocompatibility studies.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are two related processes common to many diseases. Curcumin is a natural compound with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, among others, that is recently being used as a natural occurring product alternative to traditional drugs. However, it has a hydrophobic nature that compromises its solubility in physiological fluids and its circulation time and also presents cytotoxicity problems in its free form, limiting the range of concentrations to be used.

Chitosan-stabilized silver nanoclusters with luminescent, photothermal and antibacterial properties.

The aim of this paper is to achieve in situ photochemical synthesis of silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) stabilized by the multiple-amine groups of chitosan (Ch@AgNCs) with luminescent and photothermal properties. Ch@AgNCs were obtained by applying a fast and simple methodology previously described by our group. Direct functionalization of AgNCs with chitosan template provided new nanohybrids directly in water solution, both in the presence or absence of oxygen.

Anti-staphylococcal hydrogels based on bacterial cellulose and the antimicrobial biopolyester poly(3-hydroxy-acetylthioalkanoate-co-3-hydroxyalkanoate).

Polymeric hydrogels from bacterial cellulose (BC) have been widely used for the development of wound dressings due to its water holding capacity, its high tensile strength and flexibility, its permeability to gases and liquids, but lacks antibacterial activity. In this work, we have developed novel antimicrobial hydrogels composed of BC and the antimicrobial poly(3-hydroxy-acetylthioalkanoate-co-3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHACOS). Hydrogels based on different PHACOS contents (20 and 50 wt%) were generated and analysed through different techniques (IR, DSC, TGA, rheology, SEM and EDX) and their bactericidal activity was studied against Staphylococcus aureus.

Anti-Inflammatory Polymeric Nanoparticles Based on Ketoprofen and Dexamethasone.

Polymeric nanoparticles that combine dexamethasone and naproxen reduce inflammation and synergistically inhibit Interleukin-12b () transcription in macrophages. This effect can be the result of a cyclooxygenase-dependent or a cyclooxygenase-independent mechanism. The aim of this work is to obtain potent anti-inflammatory polymeric nanoparticles by the combination of dexamethasone and ketoprofen, one of the most efficient cyclooxygenase-inhibitors among non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, with appropriate hydrodynamic properties to facilitate accumulation and co-release of drugs in inflamed tissue.

An Experimental and Numerical Investigation to Characterize an Aerospace Composite Material with Open-Hole Using Non-Destructive Techniques.

In this study, the open-hole quasi-static tensile and fatigue loading behavior of a multidirectional CFRP thick laminate, representative of laminates used in the aerospace industry, is studied. Non-destructive techniques such as infrared thermographic (IRT) and digital image correlation (DIC) are used to analyze the behavior of this material. We aim at characterizing the influence of the manufacturing defects and the stress concentrator through the temperature variation and strain distribution during fatigue and quasi-static tests.

Some Practical Considerations for Compression Failure Characterization of Open-Cell Polyurethane Foams Using Digital Image Correlation.

(1) Background: Open-cell polyurethane foam mechanical behavior is highly influenced by microstructure. The determination of the failure mechanisms and the characterization of the deformation modes involved at the micro scale is relevant for accurate failure modeling. (2) Methods: We use digital image correlation (DIC) to investigate strain fields of open-cell polyurethane foams of three different densities submitted to compression testing.

Polymeric Nanoparticles that Combine Dexamethasone and Naproxen for the Synergistic Inhibition of Il12b Transcription in Macrophages.

Recent studies have demonstrated in vivo synergistic immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory capacity of dexamethasone (Dx) and naproxen (NAP) in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. However, the molecular basis of this synergistic effect is barely understood. The low solubility of these drugs and their adverse effects hamper their efficacy on the treatment of inflammatory processes making nanoparticulated systems promising candidates to overcome these drawbacks.

Siloxane-inorganic chemical crosslinking of hyaluronic acid - based hybrid hydrogels: Structural characterization.

HA-based hybrid hydrogels were successfully developed. The polysaccharide (HA) chains were chemically modified and hybridized via amidation of their carboxylic groups with aminosilane molecules. HA-polysaccharide chains were crosslinked by a 3D siloxane organic-inorganic matrix via sol-gel.

Anti-inflammatory Surface Coatings Based on Polyelectrolyte Multilayers of Heparin and Polycationic Nanoparticles of Naproxen-Bearing Polymeric Drugs.

Immune response to biomaterials can produce chronic inflammation and fibrosis leading to implant failure, which is related to the surface properties of the biomaterials. This work describes the preparation and characterization of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings that combine the anti-inflammatory activity of heparin as polyanion with the potential release of Naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug from polymeric nanoparticles (NP) with cationic surface charge. The polyelectrolyte multilayers were characterized by physical methods to estimate multilayer growth, thickness, zeta potential, and topography.