Multifunctional bilayer nanofibrous membrane enhances periodontal regeneration via mesenchymal stem cell recruitment and macrophage polarization.

The continuous stimulation of periodontitis leads to a decrease in the number of stem cells within the lesion area and significantly impairing their regenerative capacity. Therefore, it is crucial to promote stem cell homing and regulate the local immune microenvironment to suppress inflammation for the regeneration of periodontitis-related tissue defects. Here, we fabricated a novel multifunctional bilayer nanofibrous membrane using electrospinning technology. The dense poly(caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers served as the barrier layer to resist epithelial invasion, while the polyvinyl alcohol/chitooligosaccharides (PVA/COS) composite nanofiber membrane loaded with calcium beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB-Ca) acted as the functional layer. Material characterization tests revealed that the bilayer nanofibrous membrane presented desirable mechanical strength, stability, and excellent cytocompatibility. In vitro, PCL@PVA/COS/HMB-Ca (P@PCH) can not only directly promote rBMSCs migration and differentiation, but also induce macrophage toward pro-healing (M2) phenotype-polarization with increasing the secretion of anti-inflammatory and pro-healing cytokines, thus providing a favorable osteoimmune environment for stem cells recruitment and osteogenic differentiation. In vivo, the P@PCH membrane effectively recruited host MSCs to the defect area, alleviated inflammatory infiltration, and accelerated bone defects repair. Collectively, our data indicated that the P@PCH nanocomposite membrane might be a promising biomaterial candidate for guided tissue regeneration in periodontal applications.

Preparation of multifunctional and mechanically-reliable smart wood infiltrated with cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite.

Multifunctional transparent woods have recently attracted a great interest as efficient products for many applications, such as smart window and smart packaging. Herein, a transparent wood with several desirable properties, including flame-retardant activity, ultraviolet shielding, superhydrophobicity, good roughness, durability and photostability was developed. The current photoluminescent wood showed a remarkable capacity to keep releasing light in the dark for extended durations. Multifunctional transparent wood was prepared by infiltrating a delignified wooden bulk with a combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), cellulose nanocrystals, and rare-earth strontium aluminate nanoparticles (RSAN). Cellulose nanocrystals were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose, and used as reinforcement nanofiller to enhance the mechanical strength of the polyvinyl alcohol matrix and a dispersant agent to avoid agglomeration of RSAN. RSAN displayed diameters of 8-16 nm, while cellulose nanocrystals displayed lengths of 75-150 nm and diameters of 5-10 nm. According to photoluminescence spectra and the colorimetric space coordinates reported by the CIE Lab parameters, the transparent wood changed color to bright green when exposed to UV irradiation. For the produced phosphorescent wood surfaces, an absorption band was detected at 365 nm to generate an emission band at 519 nm.

Targeting TGFß receptor-mediated snail and twist: WSG, a polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum, and it-based dissolvable microneedle patch suppress melanoma cells.

Cutaneous melanoma is a lethal skin cancer variant with pronounced aggressiveness and metastatic potential. However, few targeted medications inhibit the progression of melanoma. Ganoderma lucidum, which is a type of mushroom, is widely used as a non-toxic alternative adjunct therapy for cancer patients. This study determines the effect of WSG, which is a water-soluble glucan that is derived from G. lucidum, on melanoma cells. The results show that WSG inhibits cell viability and the mobility of melanoma cells. WSG induces changes in the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers. WSG also downregulates EMT-related transcription factors, Snail and Twist. Signal transduction assays show that WSG reduces the protein levels in transforming growth factor ß receptors (TGFßRs) and consequently inhibits the phosphorylation of intracellular signaling molecules, such as FAK, ERK1/2 and Smad2. An In vivo study shows that WSG suppresses melanoma growth in B16F10-bearing mice. To enhance transdermal drug delivery and prevent oxidation, two highly biocompatible compounds, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), are used to synthesize a dissolvable microneedle patch that is loaded with WSG (MN-WSG). A functional assay shows that MN-WSG has an effect that is comparable to that of WSG alone. These results show that WSG has significant potential as a therapeutic agent for melanoma treatment. MN-WSG may allow groundbreaking therapeutic approaches and offers a novel method for delivering this potent compound effectively.

Enhancement of Solubility, Stability, Cellular Uptake, and Bioactivity of Curcumin by Polyvinyl Alcohol.

The biological activities and related mechanisms of curcumin, a major polyphenolic compound in turmeric, the rhizome of Curcuma longa, have been extensively investigated. Due to its poor solubility in water, the analysis of curcumin's biological activities is limited in most aqueous experimental systems. In the present study, the effects of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a dietary-compatible vehicle, on the solubility, stability, cellular uptake, and bioactivities of curcumin were investigated. Curcumin solubility was improved significantly by PVA; the color intensity of curcumin aqueous solution in the presence of PVA increased concentration-dependently with its peak shift to a shorter wavelength. Improved suspension stability and photostability of curcumin in an aqueous solution were also observed in the presence of PVA, even at 62.5 µg/mL. The scavenging activities of curcumin against DPPH, ABTS, AAPH radicals, and nitric oxide were enhanced significantly in the presence of PVA. PVA at 250 µg/mL also significantly enhanced the cytotoxic activity of curcumin against both HCT 116 colon cancer and INT 407 (HeLa-derived) embryonic intestinal cells by reducing the IC50 from 16 to 11 µM and 25 to 15 µM, respectively. PVA improved the cellular uptake of curcumin in a concentration-dependent manner in INT 407 cells; it increased the cellular levels more effectively at lower curcumin treatment concentrations. The present results indicate that PVA improves the solubility and stability of curcumin, and changes in these chemical behaviors of curcumin in aqueous systems by PVA could enhance the bioavailability and pharmacological efficacy of curcumin.

Resveratrol-Ampicillin Dual-Drug Loaded Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Polyvinyl Alcohol Biomimic Electrospun Nanofiber Enriched with Collagen for Efficient Burn Wound Repair.

Background: The healing of burn wounds is a complicated physiological process that involves several stages, including haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling to rebuild the skin and subcutaneous tissue integrity. Recent advancements in nanomaterials, especially nanofibers, have opened a new way for efficient healing of wounds due to burning or other injuries. Methods: This study aims to develop and characterize collagen-decorated, bilayered electrospun nanofibrous mats composed of PVP and PVA loaded with Resveratrol (RSV) and Ampicillin (AMP) to accelerate burn wound healing and tissue repair. Results: Nanofibers with smooth surfaces and web-like structures with diameters ranging from 200 to 400 nm were successfully produced by electrospinning. These fibres exhibited excellent in vitro properties, including the ability to absorb wound exudates and undergo biodegradation over a two-week period. Additionally, these nanofibers demonstrated sustained and controlled release of encapsulated Resveratrol (RSV) and Ampicillin (AMP) through in vitro release studies. The zone of inhibition (ZOI) of PVP-PVA-RSV-AMP nanofibers against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) was found 31±0.09 mm and 12±0.03, respectively, which was significantly higher as compared to positive control. Similarly, the biofilm study confirmed the significant reduction in the formation of biofilms in nanofiber-treated group against both S. aureus and E. coli. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis proved the encapsulation of RSV and AMP successfully into nanofibers and their compatibility. Haemolysis assay (%) showed no significant haemolysis (less than 5%) in nanofiber-treated groups, confirmed their cytocompatibility with red blood cells (RBCs). Cell viability assay and cell adhesion on HaCaT cells showed increased cell proliferation, indicating its biocompatibility as well as non-toxic properties. Results of the in-vivo experiments on a burn wound model demonstrated potential burn wound healing in rats confirmed by H&E-stained images and also improved the collagen synthesis in nanofibers-treated groups evidenced by Masson-trichrome staining. The ELISA assay clearly indicated the efficient downregulation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 inflammatory biomarkers after treatment with nanofibers on day 10. Conclusion: The RSV and AMP-loaded nanofiber mats, developed in this study, expedite burn wound healing through their multifaceted approach.

Fabrication of 3D chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/brushite nanofibrous scaffold for bone tissue engineering by electrospinning using a novel falling film collector.

Despite its advantages, electrospinning has limited effectiveness in 3D scaffolding due to the high density of fibers it produces. In this research, a novel electrospinning collector was developed to overcome this constraint. An aqueous suspension containing chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers was prepared employing a unique falling film collector. Suspension molding by freeze-drying resulted in a 3D nanofibrous scaffold (3D-NF). The mineralized scaffold was obtained by brushite deposition on 3D-NF using wet chemical mineralization by new sodium tripolyphosphate and calcium chloride dihydrate precursors. The 3D-NF was optimized and compared with the conventional electrospun 2D nanofibrous scaffold (2D-NF) and the 3D freeze-dried scaffold (3D-FD). Both minor fibrous and major freeze-dried pore shapes were present in 3D-NFs with sizes of 16.11-24.32 µm and 97.64-234.41 µm, respectively. The scaffolds' porosity increased by 53 % to 73 % compared to 2D-NFs. Besides thermal stability, mineralization improved the 3D-NF's ultimate strength and elastic modulus by 2.2 and 4.7 times, respectively. In vitro cell studies using rat bone marrow mesenchymal cells confirmed cell infiltration up to 290 µm and scaffold biocompatibility. The 3D-NFs given nanofibers and brushite inclusion exhibited considerable osteoinductivity. Therefore, falling film collectors can potentially be applied to prepare 3D-NFs from electrospinning without post-processing.

Borate bonds-containing pH-responsive chitosan hydrogel for postoperative tumor recurrence and wound infection prevention.

Chitosan has been widely used in biomedical fields due to its good antibacterial properties, excellent biocompatibility, and biodegradability. In this study, a pH-responsive and self-healing hydrogel was synthesized from 3-carboxyphenylboronic acid grafted with chitosan (CS-BA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The dynamic boronic ester bonds and intermolecular hydrogen bonds are responsible for the hydrogel formation. By changing the mass ratio of CS-BA and PVA, the tensile stress and compressive stress of hydrogel can controlled in the range of 0.61 kPa - 0.74 kPa and 295.28 kPa - 1108.1 kPa, respectively. After doping with tannic acid (TA)/iron nanocomplex (TAFe), the hydrogel successful killed tumor cells through the near infrared laser-induced photothermal conversion and the TAFe-triggered reactive oxygen species generation. Moreover, the photothermal conversion of the hydrogel and the antibacterial effect of CS and TA give the hydrogel a good antibacterial effect. The CS-BA/PVA/TAFe hydrogel exhibit good in vivo and in vitro anti-tumor recurrence and antibacterial ability, and therefore has the potential to be used as a powerful tool for the prevention of local tumor recurrence and bacterial infection after surgery.

Biologically active sodium pentaborate pentahydrate and Hypericum perforatum oil loaded polyvinyl alcohol: chitosan membranes.

In this study, sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (NaB) and Hypericum perforatum (HP) oil were incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CH) polymer blend to obtain membranes by solution casting method. In order to see the synergistic effects of NaB and HP oil on the biological and physical properties of the membranes NaB and HP oil were incorporated into membrane matrix in different ratios. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that no significant bond formation between the bioactive components and the PVA:CH matrix. According to mechanical test results, Young's Modulus and elongation at break decreased from 426 MPa to 346 MPa and 52.23 % to 15.11 % for neat PVA:CH membranes and NaB and HP oil incorporated PVA:CH (PVA:CH@35NaB:HP) membranes, respectively. Antimicrobial activity tests have shown the membranes were over 99 % effective against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, underlining their potential for infection control. Cytocompatibility assay performed with Human Dermal Fibroblast (HDFa) cells highlight the biocompatibility of the membranes, revealing 74.84 % cell viability after 72 h. The properties of NaB and HP oil doped PVA:CH based membranes obtained from these experiments reveal the promise of a versatile membrane for applications in wound healing, tissue engineering and other biomedical fields.

Robust construction of polyvinyl alcohol intercalated graphene oxide nanofiltration membrane for desalination via pervaporation.

The construction and modification of a Graphene Oxide (GO) membrane, incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked with maleic acid (MA) and supported by a nylon membrane, have been successfully completed. Systematic variations in PVA and MA concentrations were conducted to achieve membranes with favorable characteristics, stability, and excellent desalination performance. Optimization studies utilizing the Central Composite Design (CCD) revealed that the most optimal desalination results were obtained with 10 mL of PVA (0.1 mg mL-1) and 0.9 M of MA (GO-MA0.9-PVA10/Nylon membrane). Experimental findings demonstrated that the inclusion of PVA and MA resulted in an increased interlayer distance of GO and enhanced membrane stability. The addition of PVA increases GO membrane hydrophilicity, while the addition of MA reduces membrane hydrophilicity. The GO-MA0.9-PVA10/Nylon membrane exhibited the highest desalination performance, boasting a rejection value exceeding >99.9% and a permeance of 18.76 kg m-2.h-1 under 1% NaCl feed at a temperature of 50 °C. This membrane demonstrated consistent desalination performance stability over an extended period of up to 70 h. Moreover, it exhibited durability through 8 cycles of 24-h usage with washing treatment. In conclusion, the GO-MA0.9-PVA10/Nylon membrane is strongly recommended for practical applications, outperforming other membrane options based on the comprehensive evaluation of its stability and desalination efficiency.

Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Extract as a Natural Additive in Food Packaging Biodegradable Films to Improve Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Physicochemical Properties.

In this study, biodegradable active films were prepared from potato starch and polyvinyl alcohol at different proportions, mixed with acetone extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HS) and using glycerol as a plasticizer. Functional properties, antimicrobial, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Potato starch films with a proportion of polyvinyl alcohol up to 50% and HS extract had significant antioxidant capacity and antibacterial effect against most of the analyzed strains. Adding polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and HS extract improved the mechanical performance and reduced water vapor permeability of the materials. The active biobased films with HS extract presented good physicochemical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. These materials are considered as suitable for food packaging, and the active compounds in the roselle extract are a natural antibacterial option for the food area. The materials based entirely on biodegradable products are an excellent alternative when developing and marketing biobased materials, minimizing the environmental impact of food packaging.

Preservation of chilled beef using active films based on bacterial cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol with the incorporation of Perilla essential oil Pickering emulsion.

In this study, Perilla essential oil (PEO) Pickering emulsions, prepared using soybean protein isolate-chitosan nanoparticles (SPI-CSNPs) as emulsifiers (SCEO), were used to improve the performance of bacterial cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol (BC/PVA) films for application in chilled beef preservation. The SCEO has a smaller particle size (185 nm), higher viscosity, a more uniform dispersion and was more stable at an oil phase volume fraction of 80 %. An increase in the films' surface roughness and in the hydrogen bonding between SCEO and the films' matrix was also observed, resulting in a lower tensile strength (TS, 94.75-62.02 MPa) and higher elongation at break (EAB, 26.78-55.62 %). Moreover, the thermal stability, water vapor permeability, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the composite films improved as the SCEO content increased. Furthermore, the Pickering emulsion method was effective in preventing the loss of PEO during storage. Overall, one particular composite film, BP/SCEO3, could prolong the shelf life of chilled beef by up to 14 days, and hence was promising for food preservation.

Mussel-inspired antimicrobial hydrogel with cellulose nanocrystals/tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles for enhanced calvarial bone regeneration.

Bacterial infection is a serious challenge in the treatment of open bone defects, and reliance on antibiotic therapy may contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. To solve this problem, this study developed a mineralized hydrogel (PVA-Ag-PHA) with excellent antibacterial properties and osteogenic capabilities. Silver nanoparticles (CNC/TA@AgNPs) were greenly synthesized using natural macromolecular cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and plant polyphenolic tannins (TA) as stabilizers and reducing agents respectively, and then introduced into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polydopamine-modified hydroxyapatite (PDA@HAP) hydrogel. The experimental results indicate that the PVA-Ag-PHA hydrogel, benefiting from the excellent antibacterial properties of CNC/TA@AgNPs, can not only eliminate Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, but also maintain a sustained sterile environment. At the same time, the HAP modified by PDA is uniformly dispersed within the hydrogel, thus releasing and maintaining stable concentrations of Ca2+ and PO43- ions in the local environment. The porous structure of the hydrogel with excellent biocompatibility creates a suitable bioactive environment that facilitates cell adhesion and bone regeneration. The experimental results in the rat critical-sized calvarial defect model indicate that the PVA-Ag-PHA hydrogel can effectively accelerate the bone healing process. Thus, this mussel-inspired hydrogel with antibacterial properties provides a feasible solution for the repair of open bone defects, demonstrating the considerable potential for diverse applications in bone repair.

Polypropylene mesh coated with hyaluronic acid/polyvinyl alcohol composite hydrogel for preventing bowel adhesion.

Polypropylene (PP) mesh is the most widely used prosthetic material in hernia repair. However, the efficacy of implanted PP mesh is often compromised by adhesion between viscera and PP mesh. Thus, there is a recognized need for developing an anti-adhesive PP mesh. Here, a composite hydrogel coated PP mesh with the prevention of adhesion after hernia repair was designed. The composite hydrogel coating was prepared from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) by using the freezing-thawing (FT) method. To overcome the shortcoming of the long time of the traditional freezing-thawing method, a small molecule 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPA) was introduced to promote the formation of composite hydrogel. The as-prepared composite hydrogel coating displayed modulus more closely resembling that of native abdominal wall tissue. In vitro studies illustrated that the resulting meshes showed excellent coating stability, hemocompatibility, and non-cytotoxicity. In vivo experiments using a rat abdominal wall defect model demonstrated that the composite hydrogel coated PP mesh could prevent the formation of adhesion, alleviate the inflammatory response, and reduce the deposition of collagen around the damaged tissue. These disclosed results manifested that the PP mesh coated with HA/PVA composite hydrogel might be a promising application in preventing adhesion for hernia repair.

A novel approach in biomedical engineering: The use of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel encapsulating human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for enhanced osteogenic differentiation and angiogenesis in bone regeneration.

Developing effective methods for alveolar bone defect regeneration is a significant challenge in orthopedics. Exosomes from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSC-Exos) have shown potential in bone repair but face limitations due to undefined application methods and mechanisms. To address this, HUMSC-Exos were encapsulated in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel (Exo@PVA) to create a novel material for alveolar bone repair. This combination enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) more effectively than Exos alone. Additionally, Exo@PVA significantly improved alveolar bone regeneration and defect repair in rats. The microRNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p) in Exo@PVA, identified through the GEO database and analyzed via in silico methods, played a crucial role. miR-21-5p promoted BMSC osteogenic differentiation by inhibiting WWP1-mediated KLF5 ubiquitination and enhanced HUVEC angiogenesis by targeting ATP2B4. These findings underscore the potential of an Exo-based approach with PVA hydrogel scaffolds for bone defect repair, operating through the miR-21-5p/WWP1/ATP2B4 signaling axis.

NIR-activated electrospun nanodetonator dressing enhances infected diabetic wound healing with combined photothermal and nitric oxide-based gas therapy.

Diabetic wounds pose a challenge to healing due to increased bacterial susceptibility and poor vascularization. Effective healing requires simultaneous bacterial and biofilm elimination and angiogenesis stimulation. In this study, we incorporated polyaniline (PANI) and S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) into a polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, and hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (PVA/CS/HTCC) matrix, creating a versatile wound dressing membrane through electrospinning. The dressing combines the advantages of photothermal antibacterial therapy and nitric oxide gas therapy, exhibiting enduring and effective bactericidal activity and biofilm disruption against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the membrane's PTT effect and NO release exhibit significant synergistic activation, enabling a nanodetonator-like burst release of NO through NIR irradiation to disintegrate biofilms. Importantly, the nanofiber sustained a uniform release of nitric oxide, thereby catalyzing angiogenesis and advancing cellular migration. Ultimately, the employment of this membrane dressing culminated in the efficacious amelioration of diabetic-infected wounds in Sprague-Dawley rats, achieving wound closure within a concise duration of 14 days. Upon applying NIR irradiation to the PVA-CS-HTCC-PANI-GSNO nanofiber membrane, it swiftly eradicates bacteria and biofilm within 5 min, enhancing its inherent antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties through the powerful synergistic action of PTT and NO therapy. It also promotes angiogenesis, exhibits excellent biocompatibility, and is easy to use, highlighting its potential in treating diabetic wounds.

Metal organic framework-based polymeric hydrogel: A promising drug delivery vehicle for the treatment of breast cancer.

The constraints associated with current cancer therapies have inspired scientists to develop advanced, precise, and safe drug delivery methods. These delivery systems boost treatment effectiveness, minimize harm to healthy cells, and combat cancer recurrence. To design advanced drug delivery vehicle with these character, in the present manuscript, we have designed a self-healing and injectable hybrid hydrogel through synergistically interacting metal organic framework, CuBTC with the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). This hybrid hydrogel acts as a localized drug delivery system and was used to encapsulate and release the anticancer drug 5-Fluorouracil selectively at the targeted site in response to the physiological pH. The hydrogel was formed through transforming the gaussian coil like matrix of PVA-CuBTC into a three-dimensional network of hydrogel upon the addition of crosslinker; borax. The biocompatible character of the hydrogel was confirmed through cell viability test. The biocompatible hybrid hydrogel then was used to encapsulate and studied for the pH responsive release behavior of the anti-cancer drug, 5-FU. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the drug-loaded hydrogel was evaluated against MCF-7 and HeLa cells. The study confirms that the hybrid hydrogel is effective for targeted and sustained release of anticancer drugs at cancer sites.

Engineering polyvinyl alcohol microspheres with capability for use in photothermal/chemodynamic therapy for enhanced transarterial chemoembolization.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely recognized as a non-surgical treatment approach for advanced liver cancer, combining chemotherapy with the blockage of blood vessels supplying the tumor. To enhance the efficacy of TACE and address chemotherapy resistance, there is growing interest in the development of multifunctional embolic microspheres. In this study, multifunctional PVA microspheres, which encapsulate MIT as a chemotherapeutic drug, PPY as a photothermal agent, and Fe3O4 as a chemodynamic therapy agent, were prepared successfully. The results demonstrated that the developed multifunctional PVA microspheres not only exhibit favorable drug release, photothermal therapy, and chemodynamic therapy performance, but also show a promising synergistic therapeutic effect both in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, the engineered multifunctional PVA microspheres hold tremendous promise for enhancing TACE effectiveness and have the potential to overcome limitations associated with traditional liver cancer treatments.

Berberis integerrima bioactive molecules loaded in chitosan-based electrospun nanofibers for soybean oil oxidative protection.

Natural bioactive molecules such as phenolic acids and alkaloids play a crucial role in preserving the quality and safety of food products, particularly oils, by preventing oxidation. Berberis integerrima, a rich source of such antioxidants, has been explored in this study for its potential application in soybean oil preservation. Electrospun nanofibers, composed of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan, were fabricated and loaded with an alcoholic extract of Berberis integerrima. The antioxidant activity of Berberis integerrima was evaluated, and the phenolic compounds contributing to its efficacy were identified and quantified. The physicochemical properties of the polyvinyl alcohol /chitosan/Berberis integerrima nanofibers, including morphology, crystallinity, functional groups, and thermal stability, were characterized. The results revealed that the polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/Berberis integerrima nanofibers exhibited high antioxidant capacity and improved the stability of Berberis integerrima, indicating their potential as effective and biodegradable materials for food preservation. This study underscores the potential of harnessing natural antioxidants from Berberis integerrima in nanofibers to enhance the quality and safety of soybean oil.

Effects of PVA and yerba mate extract on extruded films of carboxymethyl cassava starch/PVA blends for antioxidant and mechanically resistant food packaging.

Global concerns over environmental damage caused by non-biodegradable single-use packaging have sparked interest in developing biomaterials. The food packaging industry is a major contributor to non-degradable plastic waste. This study investigates the impact of incorporating different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and yerba mate extract as a natural antioxidant into carboxymethyl cassava starch films to possibly use as active degradable packaging to enhance food shelf life. Films with starch and PVA blends (SP) at different ratios (SP radios of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30) with and without yerba mate extract (Y) were successfully produced through extrusion and thermoforming. The incorporation of up to 20 wt% PVA improved starch extrusion processing and enhanced film transparency. PVA played a crucial role in improving the hydrophobicity, tensile strength and flexibility of the starch films but led to a slight deceleration in their degradation in compost. In contrast, yerba mate extract contributed to better compost degradation of the blend films. Additionally, it provided antioxidant activity, particularly in hydrophilic and lipophilic food simulants, suggesting its potential to extend the shelf life of food products. Starch-PVA blend films with yerba mate extract emerged as a promising alternative for mechanically resistant and active food packaging.

Locationally activated PRP via an injectable dual-network hydrogel for endometrial regeneration.

Enhancing the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for endometrial regeneration is challenging, due to its limited mechanical properties and burst release of growth factors. Here, we proposed an injectable interpenetrating dual-network hydrogel that can locationally activate PRP within the uterine cavity, sustained release growth factors and further address the insufficient therapeutic efficacy. Locational activation of PRP is achieved using the dual-network hydrogel. The phenylboronic acid (PBA) modified methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) dispersion chelates Ca2+ by carboxy groups and polyphenol groups, and in situ crosslinked with PRP-loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) dispersion by dynamic borate ester bonds thus establishing the soft hydrogel. Subsequently, in situ photo-crosslinking technology is employed to enhance the mechanical performance of hydrogels by initiating free radical polymerization of carbon-carbon double bonds to form a dense network. The PRP-hydrogel significantly promoted the endometrial cell proliferation, exhibited strong pro-angiogenic effects, and down-regulated the expression of collagen deposition genes by inhibiting the TGF-ß1-SMAD2/3 pathway in vitro. In vivo experiments using a rat intrauterine adhesion (IUA) model showed that the PRP-hydrogel significantly promoted endometrial regeneration and restored uterine functionality. Furthermore, rats treated with the PRP-hydrogel displayed an increase in the number of embryos, litter size, and birth rate, which was similar to normal rats. Overall, this injectable interpenetrating dual-network hydrogel, capable of locational activation of PRP, suggests a new therapeutic approach for endometrial repair.