In Vitro and In Vivo Biocompatibility of Bacterial Cellulose.

Bacterial cellulose is a unique biomaterial produced by various species of bacteria that offers a range of potential applications in the biomedical field. To provide a cost-effective alternative to soft-tissue implants used in cavity infills, remodeling, and subdermal wound healing, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility of native bacterial cellulose were investigated. Cytotoxicity was assessed using a metabolic assay on Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts and INS-1832/13 rat insulinoma. Results showed no cytotoxicity, whether the cells were seeded over or under the bacterial cellulose scaffolds. Biocompatibility was performed on Sprague-Dawley rats (males and females, 8 weeks old) by implanting bacterial cellulose membranes subcutaneously for 1 or 12 weeks. The explanted scaffolds were then sliced and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological characterization. The first series of results revealed acute and chronic inflammation persisting over 12 weeks. Examination of the explants indicated a high number of granulocytes within the periphery of the bacterial cellulose, suggesting the presence of endotoxins within the membrane, confirmed by a Limulus amebocyte lysate test. This discovery motivated the development of non-pyrogenic bacterial cellulose scaffolds. Following this, a second series of animal experiments was done, in which materials were implanted for 1 or 2 weeks. The results revealed mild inflammation 1 week after implantation, which then diminished to minimal inflammation after 2 weeks. Altogether, this study highlights that unmodified, purified native bacterial cellulose membranes may be used as a cost-effective biomedical device provided that proper endotoxin clearance is achieved.

Additive manufacturing and in vitro study of biological characteristics of sulfonated polyetheretherketone-bioactive glass porous bone scaffolds.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a high-performance special engineering plastic, has gradually been used in bone substitutes due to its wear resistance, acid and alkali resistance, non-toxicity, radiolucency, and modulus close to that of human bone. However, its stable biphenyl structure determines strong biological inertness, thus artificial interventions are required to improve the biological activity of fabricated PEEK parts for better clinical applications. This study developed a novel strategy for grafting bioactive glass (BAG) onto the surface of PEEK through sulfonation reaction with concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4), aiming to improve the bioactivity of printed porous bone scaffolds manufactured by fused deposition modeling (FDM) to meet clinical individual needs. In vitro biological study was conducted on sulfonated polyetheretherketone-bioactive glass (SPEEK-BAG) scaffolds obtained by this strategy. The results demonstrated that the optimal modification condition was a 4-hour sulfonation reaction with 1 mol/L concentrated H2SO4 at high temperature and high pressure. The scaffold obtained under this condition showed minimal cytotoxicity, and the Ca/P molar ratio, yield compressive strength, and compressive modulus of this scaffold were 2.94 ± 0.02, 62.78 MPa, and 0.186 GPa respectively. The hydrophilicity and the biomineralization ability of PEEK modified by the proposed strategy were substantially improved. The SPEEK-BAG bone scaffolds exhibited excellent biocompatible properties, suggesting that the sulfonation reaction and BAG effectively enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. The presented method provides an innovative, highly effective, and customized strategy to improve the biocompatibility and bone repair ability of printed PEEK bone scaffolds for virous biomedical applications.

Biocompatibility, antimicrobial efficacy, and therapeutic potential of cobalt carbonate nanoparticles in wound healing, sex hormones, and metabolic regulation in diabetic albino mice.

Nanotechnology enables the manipulation of materials at the nanoscale, offering innovative solutions in various fields. Nanoparticles, with their small size and unique properties, have significant applications in the biomedical filed. The current study was designed to assess the biological applications of self-synthesized cobalt carbonate (CoCO3) nanoparticles. The crystalline structure and chemical composition of the CoCO3-NPs were confirmed by SEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques. We observed the 16.58 nm size of novelly synthesized CoCO3 NPS. The scanning electron microscope study confirmed a uniform cubic spinel structure. The biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity were checked in an invitro setup. We exposed albino mice to these synthesized NPs to study wound healing and metabolic effects. The results of biocompatibility analysis indicated hemolytic activity in a dose-dependent way, which showed no cytotoxic effect except at a higher concentration. Furthermore, the results showed enhanced wound healing processes in CoCO3-NP-treated albino mice as compared to the control group. CoCO3-NPs have considerable effect on the thyroid hormone and insulin levels in albino mice. The levels of T3, T4, and insulin were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Interactions between CoCO3-NPs and thyroxine and insulin were confirmed through molecular docking. We confirmed the antimicrobial efficiency of the nanoparticles using MIC values and zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus aureus. Despite their concentration-dependent biocompatibility concerns, the results are promising, as CoCO3-NPs hold potential for use in medical practice, particularly in advanced wound management and microbe inhibition.

Functionalization of silk with actinomycins from Streptomyces anulatus BV365 for biomedical applications.

Silk, traditionally acclaimed as the "queen of fiber," has been widely used thanks to its brilliant performance such as gentleness, smoothness and comfortableness. Owing to its mechanical characteristics and biocompatibility silk has a definitive role in biomedical applications, both as fibroin and fabric. In this work, the simultaneous dyeing and functionalization of silk fabric with pigments from Streptomyces anulatus BV365 were investigated. This strain produced high amounts of orange extracellular pigments on mannitol-soy flour agar, identified as actinomycin D, C2 and C3. The application of purified actinomycins in the dyeing of multifiber fabric was assessed. Actinomycins exhibited a high affinity towards protein fibers (silk and wool), but washing durability was maintained only with silk. Acidic condition (pH5) and high temperature (65°C) facilitated the silk dyeing. The morphologies and chemical components of the treated silk fabrics were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed the pigments bind to the silk through interaction with the carbonyl group in silk fibroin rendering the functionalized, yet surface that does not cause skin irritation. The treated silk exhibited a remarkable antibacterial effect, while the biocompatibility test performed with 3D-reconstructed human epidermis model indicated safe biological properties, paving the way for future application of this material in medicine.

Multifunctional nitrogen-sulfur codoped carbon quantum dots: Determining reduced glutathione, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and cell imaging.

In this study, nitrogen-sulfur codoped carbon quantum dots (N-S/CQDs) with various functions and properties were synthesized through a one-step method utilizing citric acid and cysteine as reaction substrates. The fluorescence of N-S/CQDs can be specifically quenched by permanganate ion (MnO4 -), and the quenched fluorescence can be recovered by the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH). A fluorescence sensing system based on N-S/CQDs@MnO4 - was developed and successfully applied for the determination of GSH in pharmaceutical preparations. Additionally, N-S/CQDs demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 32 µg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive bacterium) and 64 µg/ml against Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacterium). N-S/CQDs also proved effective for cell imaging, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility. These findings underscore the multifunctional characteristics and promising application potential of N-S/CQDs. Furthermore, this study provides a solid foundation for the development of multifunctional carbon quantum dots and the expansion of their applications in various fields.

Exploiting lignin-based nanomaterials for enhanced anticancer therapy: A comprehensive review and future direction.

Lignin, a renewable and abundant natural polymer, has emerged as a promising candidate for anticancer therapy due to its unique properties and biocompatibility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the utilization of lignin-based nanomaterials for enhancing anticancer drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes. A detailed examination of the literature reveals several synthesis methods, including nanoprecipitation, microemulsion, and solvent exchange, which produce lignin nanoparticles with improved drug solubility and bioavailability. The anticancer mechanisms of lignin nanoparticles, such as the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induction of apoptosis, and enhanced cellular uptake, are also explored. Lignin nanoparticles loaded with drugs like curcumin, doxorubicin, camptothecin, and resveratrol have demonstrated the ability to improve drug efficacy, selectively target cancer cells, overcome multidrug resistance, and minimize toxicity in both in vitro and in vivo studies. These nanoparticles have shown significant potential in suppressing tumor growth, inducing cell death through apoptotic pathways, and enhancing the synergistic effects of combination therapies, such as chemo-phototherapy. Future research directions include optimizing lignin nanoparticle formulations for clinical applications, refining targeted delivery mechanisms to cancer cells, and conducting thorough biocompatibility and toxicity assessments. Overall, this review highlights the significant progress made in utilizing lignin-based nanomaterials for cancer therapy and outlines promising areas for further exploration in this rapidly evolving field.

Biocompatibility of Water-Dispersible Pristine Graphene and Graphene Oxide Using a Close-to-Human Animal Model: A Pilot Study on Swine.

Graphene-based materials (GBMs) are of considerable interest for biomedical applications, and the pilot study on the toxicological and immunological impact of pristine graphene (GR) and graphene oxide (GO) using swine as a close-to-human provides valuable insights. First, ex vivo experiments are conducted on swine blood cells, then GBMs are injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into swine. Hematological and biochemical analyses at various intervals indicate that neither GO nor GR cause systemic inflammation, pro-coagulant responses, or renal or hepatic dysfunction. Importantly, no systemic toxicity is observed. Analysis of a panel of 84 immune-related genes shows minimal impact of GO and GR. The animals are sacrificed 21 days post-injection, and transient absorption imaging and Raman mapping show the presence of GO and GR in the mesentery only. Histological evaluation reveals no signs of alterations in other organs. Thus, clusters of both materials are detected in the mesentery, and GO aggregates are surrounded only by macrophages with the formation of granulomas. In contrast, modest local reactions are observed around the GR clusters. Overall, these results reveal that i.p. injection of GBMs resulted in a modest local tissue reaction without systemic toxicity. This study, performed in swine, provides essential guidance for future biomedical applications of graphene.

Biocompatibility and osteogenic assessment of experimental fluoride-doped calcium-phosphate cements on human dental pulp stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of some specific experimental calcium phosphate cements doped with different fluoride salts (FDCPCs) concentrations on the basal functions of human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs). Furthermore, this study also examined the migration, as well as the mineralisation through osteogenic differentiation. METHODS: Experimental FDCPCs were formulated using different concentrations of calcium/sodium fluoride salts [(5 wt%: VS5F), (10 wt%: VS10F), (20 wt%: VS20F)]. A fluoride-free calcium phosphate (VS0F) was used as a control. The hDPSCs were assessed to evaluate their self-renewal and migration activity in the presence of eluates of the different FDCPCs. A viability assay in osteogenic conditions was carried out, along with the differentiation potential through Alkaline Phosphatase Activity (ALP), and Alizarin Red Staining (ARS). Moreover, the gene expression of specific markers (RUNX2, ALP, COL1α1, OCN, OPN, DSPP, MEPE, and DMP-1) was also evaluated. RESULTS: All the tested FDCPD had no influence on cell migrations, but they caused a decrease in cell viability in osteogenic conditions when not diluted. Conversely, the eluants of VS20F showed a positive effect on stem cell differentiation. This result was corroborated through ALP activity, ARS assay. Moreover, upregulation of specific gene markers such as RUNX2, DMP-1, and DSPP was observed in hDPSCs, especially when treated with VS20F. SIGNIFICANCE: The experimental FDCPC tested in this study exhibits a dose-dependent capacity to promote mineralisation in osteogenic environment. The FDCPC-VS20F seems to be the most promising experimental material suitable for developing of pulp-capping materials with osteogenic and bioactive properties.

The impact of the physicochemical properties of calcium phosphate ceramics on biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we have focused on biocompatibility and osteoinductive capacity analysis of self-manufactured single-phase (HAP) and two-phase (HAP and ß-ТСР) bioactive ceramics with various chemical modifications (Fig. 1). RESULTS: We demonstrate a reduction in solubility for all analyzed composite after the treatment with H2O and H2O2, accompanied by an enhancement in adsorption activity. This modification also resulted in an increase in micro- and macroporosity, along with a rise in the open porosity. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells demonstrated excellent cell adhesion and survival when cultured with these ceramics. Calcium phosphate ceramics (H-500, HT-500, and HT-1 series) stimulated alkaline phosphatase expression, promoted calcium deposition, and enhanced osteopontin expression in ADSCs, independently inducing osteogenesis without additional osteogenic stimuli. These findings underscore the promising potential of HAP-based bioceramics for bone regeneration/reconstruction.

Insights into the biocompatibility of biodegradable metallic molybdenum for cardiovascular applications-a critical review.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The gold standard of treatment is the implantation of a permanent stent implant that is often associated with complications such as thrombus formation, vascular neointimal response, and stent fracture, which altogether decrease the long-term safety and efficacy of the stent. Biodegradable metallic materials have become an attractive alternative because of the ability to facilitate a more physiological healing response while the metal degrades. Recently, Molybdenum (Mo) has been considered as a potential candidate due to its excellent mechanical and medical imaging properties. Moreover, the biomedical research studies performed to date have shown minimal adverse effects in vitro and in vivo. However, there are still concerns of toxicity at high doses, and the impact of the biochemical mechanisms of Mo on material performance especially in pathophysiological environments are yet to be explored. Mo is an essential co factor for enzymes such as xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) that plays a critical role in vascular homeostasis and ACD progression. Herein, this review will focus on the biochemistry of Mo, its physiological and pathological effects with an emphasis on cardiovascular disease as well as the recent studies on Mo for cardiovascular applications and its advantages over other biodegradable metals. The limitations of Mo research studies will also be discussed and concluded with an outlook to move this revolutionary metallic biomaterial from the bench to the bedside.

Mitigating adverse effects of Cu-containing intrauterine devices using a highly biocompatible Cu5Fe alloy.

Copper-containing intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD) are adopted by worldwide women for contraception with the advantages of long-term effectiveness, reversibility and affordability. However, adverse effects occur in the initial implantation stage of Cu-IUD in uterine because of the burst release of Cu2+. To minimize the burst release, in this study, we designed a series of Cu-Fe alloys with 0.5 wt%, 1 wt% and 5 wt% Fe and also further produced ultrafine grained (UFG) structure for these alloys via equal-channel angular pressing. The microstructures and properties of the coarse grained (CG) Cu, CG Cu-Fe alloys and UFG Cu-Fe alloys were systematically investigated, including grain structure and phase compositions, metallic ions release behavior, electrochemical corrosion performance, and in vitro cytotoxicity. With careful comparison and selection, we chose the CG Cu-5Fe and UFG Cu-5Fe for in vivo tests using rat model, including tissue biocompatibility, in vivo corrosion behavior, and contraceptive effectiveness. Moreover, the corrosion mechanism of the Cu-5Fe alloy and its improved biocompatibility was discussed. Both CG and UFG Cu-5Fe alloys exhibited dramatic suppression of Cu2+ release in simulated uterine fluid for the long-term immersion process. The in vivo tissue compatibility was significantly improved with both CG and UFG Cu-5Fe alloys implanted in the rats' uterine while the high contraceptive efficacy was well maintained. Due to the superior biocompatibility, the CG and UFG Cu-5Fe alloys can be the promising candidate material for Cu-IUD. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A highly biocompatible Cu-Fe alloy was designed and fabricated for Cu-containing intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD). With 5 wt% Fe, the burst release of Cu2+ is inhibited due to the formed galvanic cell of Cu and Fe, resulting in earlier release of Fe3+. As Fe is the most abundant essential trace element of human body, it can mitigate the toxic effects of Cu2+, thus significantly improving both in vitro cell compatibility and in vivo tissue compatibility. More importantly, the Cu-5Fe alloy exhibits 100 % contraceptive efficiency as the CG Cu, but with greatly reduced adverse effects to the uterus tissues. An advanced Cu-IUD can be developed using Cu-Fe alloys.

Mechanical Properties, Microstructure, Degradation Behavior, and Biocompatibility of Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Fe and Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Mg Guided Bone Regeneration Barrier Membranes Prepared Using a Powder Metallurgy Method.

Pure zinc exhibits low mechanical properties, making it unsuitable for use in guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes. The present study focused on the preparation of Zn alloy GBR films using powder metallurgy, resulting in Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Fe and Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Mg alloy GBR films. The tensile strength of the pure Zn GBR film measured 85.9 MPa, while an elongation at break was 13.5%. In contrast, Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Fe and Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Mg alloy GBR films demonstrated significantly higher tensile strengths of 145.3 and 164.4 MPa, respectively, whereas elongations at break were 30.2% and 19.3%. The addition of Ti, Fe, and Mg substantially enhanced the mechanical properties of the zinc alloys. Corrosion analysis revealed that Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Fe and Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Mg alloy GBR membranes exhibited corrosion potentials of -1.298 and -1.316 V, respectively, with corresponding corrosion current densities of 12.11 and 13.32 µA/cm2. These values were translated to corrosion rates of 0.181 and 0.199 mm/year, indicating faster corrosion rates compared to pure Zn GBR membranes, which displayed a corrosion rate of 0.108 mm/year. Notably, both Zn-based alloy GBR membranes demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility, with a cytotoxicity rating of 0-1 in 25% leachate. Additionally, these membranes exhibited favorable osteogenic ability, as evidenced by the quantitative bone volume/tissue volume ratios (BV/TV) of new bone formation, which reached 30.3 ± 1.4% and 65.5 ± 1.8% for the Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Fe and Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Mg alloy GBR membranes, respectively, after 12 weeks of implantation. These results highlighted the significant potential for facilitating new bone growth. The proposed Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Fe and Zn-0.5Ti-0.5Mg alloy GBR membranes showed promise as viable biodegradable materials for future clinical studies.

Biocompatibility analysis of titanium bone wedges coated by antibacterial ceramic-polymer layer.

This paper presents the surface treatment results of titanium, veterinary bone wedges. The functional coating is composed of a porous oxide layer (formed by a plasma electrolytic oxidation process) and a polymer poly(sebacic anhydride) (PSBA) layer loaded with amoxicillin (formed by dip coatings). The coatings were porous and composed of Ca (4.16%-6.54%) and P (7.64%-9.89% determined by scanning electron microscopy with EDX) in the upper part of the implant. The titanium bone wedges were hydrophilic (54° water contact angle) and rough (surface area (Sa):1.16 µm) The surface tension determined using diiodomethane was 68.6 ± 2.0° for the anodized implant and was similar for hybrid coatings: 60.7 ± 2.2°. 12.87 ± 0.91 µg/mL of amoxicillin was released from the implants during the first 30 min after immersion in the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. This concentration was enough to inhibit the Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC12228 growth. The obtained inhibition zones were between 27.3 ± 2.1 mm-30.7 ± 0.6 mm when implant extract after 1 h or 4 h immersion in PBS was collected. Various implant biocompatibility analyses were performed under in vivo conditions, including pyrogen test (3 rabbits), intracutaneous reactivity (3 rabbits, 5 places by side), acute systemic toxicity (20 house mice), and local lymph node assay (LLNA) (20 house mice). The extracts from implants were collected in polar and non-polar solutions, and the tests were conducted according to ISO 10993 standards. The results from the in vivo tests showed, that the implant's extracts are not toxic (mass body change below 5%), not sensitizing (SI < 1.6), and do not show the pyrogen effect (changes in the temperature 0.15ºC). The biocompatibility tests were performed in a certificated laboratory with a good laboratory practice certificate after all the necessary permissions.

Biofabrication of Nanosilver From Punica granatum Peel Extract and Their Anticoagulant Applications.

For utilizing biodegradable waste as a natural source for nanofabrication, this study was designed to highlight a simple, sustainable, safe, environmentally friendly, and energy consumption reduction waste management approach using hot aqueous extract of Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel waste (PPE) to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (PPE-AgNPs). The fabrication of biosynthesized nanosilver was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscope (AFM). The initial pale brown color change upon adding silver nitrate to PPE confirmed bioreduction. For PPE, the absorption spectrum for UV-vis spectroscopy in the visible light region was 230-290 nm, while for PPE-AgNPs, the graph shows that surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrum for nanosilver at 360-460 nm. The XRD analysis proved that the PPE-AgNPs were crystalline in nature. The SEM micrograph revealed that silver nanoparticles were sphere-shaped, homogenous accumulations with particle size in the range of 21.63-30.97 ± 0.4 nm. The EDX data analysis also proved the presence of a sharp peak of silver element with 8.83% weight at 3 keV. The 3D AFM images of Ag nanoparticles illustrated that the diameter is around 7.20-14.80 nm with a median of 7.16 ± 1.3 nm and the root mean square (RMS) value corresponds to 1.40 ± 0.4 nm. The PPE-AgNPs efficiently exhibited a potent antioxidant and dose-dependent DPPH inhibition action. Visual and microscopic observations of fresh human blood when treated with 25, 50, 75, and 100 µg/mL of PPE-AgNPs were proven to be biocompatible with no morphological changes and no coagulation. This study predicts that PPE can be utilized to synthesize biocompatible nanosilver.

Fabrication of 3D bioactive melt electrowriting composite scaffold with high osteogenic potential.

A key challenge in using melt electrowriting (MEW) technology is incorporating large amounts of bioactive inorganic materials, such as hydroxyapatite (HA). In the present study, following optimization of the fabrication parameters, 40 %-HA (HA40) nanoparticles were pre-mixed into medical-grade polycaprolactone (PCL) and processed using the MEW (MEW) technique to mimic the structure and function of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) for bone regeneration. The HA40 fibrous composite scaffolds showed continuous writing and obtained a well-connected and orderly stacked fibre with a small diameter size (67 ± 8.5 µm). A major result of the present study was the successful enrichment and accumulation of the HA particles, which mostly occurred on the MEW fibre external surfaces. This design allows for direct interfacial interaction with human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). We systematically investigated the behaviour and function of hPDLCs on the HA40 composite scaffold, alongside parameters related to mineralization. The HA40 scaffold demonstrated significantly higher metabolic activity and enhanced expression of osteopontin compared to PCL-only scaffolds, as well as increased levels of ALP and COL1. The study's findings demonstrate that bioactive composite scaffolds, incorporating 40 % HA into m-PCL via MEW, effectively enhance the biological response of the ECM and are promising for potential applications in bone regeneration.

Docetaxel-tethered di-Carboxylic Acid Derivatised Fullerenes: A Promising Drug Delivery Approach for Breast Cancer.

Docetaxel (DTX) has become widely accepted as a first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer; however, the frequent development of resistance provides challenges in treating the disease.C60 fullerene introduces a unique molecular form of carbon, exhibiting attractive chemical and physical properties. Our study aimed to develop dicarboxylic acid-derivatized C60 fullerenes as a novel DTX delivery carrier. This study investigated the potential of water-soluble fullerenes to deliver the anti-cancer drug DTX through a hydrophilic linker. The synthesis was carried out using the Prato reaction. The spectroscopic analysis confirmed the successful conjugation of DTX molecules over fullerenes. The particle size of nanoconjugate was reported to be 122.13 ± 1.63 nm with a conjugation efficiency of 76.7 ± 0.14%. The designed conjugate offers pH-dependent release with significantly less plasma pH, ensuring maximum release at the target site. In-vitro cell viability studies demonstrated the enhanced cytotoxic nature of the developed nanoconjugate compared to DTX. These synthesized nanoscaffolds were highly compatible with erythrocytes, indicating the safer intravenous route administration. Pharmacokinetic studies confirmed the higher bioavailability (~ 6 times) and decreased drug clearance from the system vis-à-vis plain drug. The histological studies reveal that nanoconjugate-treated tumour cells exhibit similar morphology to normal cells. Therefore, it was concluded that this developed formulation would be a valuable option for clinical use.

Manipulating Silver Nanoparticles with Biomolecular Corona Secreted from Vertebrates to Improve the Loading Capacity and Biocompatibility.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as nanoagents in biomedical fields, while it is still challenging to improve their loading capacity and biocompatibility in microcarrier delivering systems. Herein, the physicochemical properties of AgNPs were manipulated by forming biomolecular corona derived from bovine serum albumin (AC), and three organisms at various trophic levels: Chlorella sp. (BC1), Daphnia magna (BC2), and zebrafish (BC3). Proteins were identified by chemical composition analysis as the dominant components adsorbed on the surface of AgNPs. Proteomics indicated that AgNPs preferred to bind with low molecular weight (<50 kDa) and hydrophobic proteins with more positively charged residues. Consequently, AC and BC3 displayed stronger adsorption affinity on the surface of AgNPs than BC1 and BC2. Modifications by AC and BC3 effectively alleviated the oxidative stress and cell cycle arrest of AgNPs due to their superior antioxidative ability. However, BC3 with lower hydrophobicity enabled AgNPs to be more biocompatible than AC at subcellular level. Moreover, AC could significantly improve the loading capacity of AgNPs by Chlorella through enhancing caveolin-mediated endocytosis. Notably, owing to the adsorption of abundant Ca2+-binding proteins, BC3-AgNPs could also be internalized by microalgae via Ca2+-dependent clathrin-mediated endocytosis, which makes it a promising approach to deliver AgNPs. The results of this study would provide insights into the development of an efficient strategy to deliver AgNPs based on the microalgae carrier without altering its original properties and functionality.

Using hardystonite as a biomaterial in biomedical and bone tissue engineering applications.

Widespread adoption for substitutes of artificial bone grafts based on proper bioceramics has been generated in recent years. Among them, calcium-silicate-based bioceramics, which possess osteoconductive properties and can directly attach to biological organs, have attracted substantial attention for broad ranges of applications in bone tissue engineering. Approaches exist for a novel strategy to promote the drawbacks of bioceramics such as the incorporation of Zn2+, Mg2+, and Zr4+ ions into calcium-silicate networks, and the improvement of their physical, mechanical, and biological properties. Recently, hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7) bioceramics, as one of the most proper calcium-silicate-based bioceramics, has presented excellent biocompatibility, bioactivity, and interaction. Due to its physical, mechanical, and biological behaviors and ability to be shaped utilizing a variety of fabrication techniques, hardystonite possesses the potential to be applied in biomedical and tissue engineering, mainly bone tissue engineering. A notable potential exists for the newly developed bioceramics to help therapies supply clinical outputs. The promising review paper has been presented by considering major aims to summarize and discuss the most applicable studies carried out for its physical, mechanical, and biological behaviors.

4D printing and optimization of biocompatible poly lactic acid/poly methyl methacrylate blends for enhanced shape memory and mechanical properties.

This study introduces a novel approach to 4D printing of biocompatible Poly lactic acid (PLA)/poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) blends using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The goal is to optimize PMMA content, nozzle temperature, raster angle, and printing speed to enhance shape memory properties and mechanical strength. The materials, PLA and PMMA, are melt-blended and 4D printed using a pellet-based 3D printer. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) assess the thermal behavior and compatibility of the blends. The ANN model demonstrates superior prediction accuracy and generalization capability compared to the RSM model. Experimental results show a shape recovery ratio of 100% and an ultimate tensile strength of 65.2 MPa, significantly higher than pure PLA. A bio-screw, 4D printed with optimized parameters, demonstrates excellent mechanical properties and shape memory behavior, suitable for biomedical applications such as orthopaedics and dental implants. This research presents an innovative method for 4D printing PLA/PMMA blends, highlighting their potential in creating advanced, high-performance biocompatible materials for medical use.

Melanin and Light.

Melanin is responsible, in Nature, for photoprotection, for this reason it is expected to be poorly photoreactive. However, the photo-reactivity of melanin and related materials is well documented. Here we discuss some relevant recent examples to demonstrate that, indeed, the actual mechanism of interaction of melanin with light is complex and still not completely understood. Photochemical and photothermal processes are involved, giving a contribution that strongly depends on light wavelength and intensity. Moreover, some interesting experiments demonstrated that photochemical reactivity of melanin related compounds is likely to be indirect, in the sense that the effect of light is to increase the number of radical species rather than creating photoreactive excited state. These suggestions open-up new perspectives in the interpretation of the role of melanin in photoprotection and in the design of new melanin based photoactive materials for energy conversion, environmental remediation, and nanomedicine. Further complication is given by the role of atmospheric oxygen and humidity in the photoinduced processes. Beside this complexity of behavior makes it difficult a systematic understanding of the interaction of melanin with light, it surely strongly contributes to make the properties of melanin and related materials unique.