Evaluation of the effects of three designs of oxygenators with integrated filters on clinical and haematological outcomes at an Australasian cardiothoracic unit.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machines have oxygenators with integrated filters and unique biocompatible coatings to combat systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and mitigate coagulopathy. Contemporary oxygenators have undergone comparative studies; however, our study aimed to identify the most appropriate oxygenator for our regional Cardiothoracic unit in Australasia. METHODS: A prospective audit consecutively recruited one-hundred and fifty patients undergoing cardiac surgery at Waikato Hospital, New Zealand between the periods of 29th January 2018 and 31st July 2018. Fifty patients were recruited for each oxygenator arm: Sorin INSPIRE' (Group-S); Terumo CAPIOX'FX (Group-T); and Medtronic Affinity Fusion' (Group-M). The clinical outcomes were transfusions, chest drain output, reoperation and length of hospital stay (LOHS). Routine blood testing protocol included: haemoglobin, protein, albumin, white cell count (WCC), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet count and coagulations tests including international normalized ratio (INR). RESULTS: Comparing Groups S, T and M there was no statistical difference in chest drain output (650 vs. 500 vs. 595 ml respectively, p = 0.45), transfusions (61 vs. 117 vs. 70 units, p = 0.67), reoperation (6 vs. 8 vs. 12%, p = 0.99) and LOHS (median 7.4 vs. 7.6 vs. 9.5 days, p = 0.42). Group-T had fewer SIRS cases but similar increase in CRP (p = 0.12) and WCC (p = 0.35). Group-M had a significant rise in post-op INR (p = 0.005) but no associated increase in chest drain output (p = 0.62). Group-S and -M required more 4%-albumin and Group-T had more transfusions. Only fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion had a significant relationship with LOHS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Biochemically, there was slight difference among the oxygenators which did not translate into clinical difference in outcomes. The oxygenator design and perfusionist choice aided in our decision-making process.

Creation of a Composite Bioactive Coating with Antibacterial Effect Promising for Bone Implantation.

When creating titanium-containing bone implants, the bioactive coatings that promote their rapid engraftment are important. The engraftment rate of titanium implants with bone tissue depends significantly on the modification of the implant surface. It is achieved by changing either the relief or the chemical composition of the surface layer, as well as a combination of these two factors. In this work, we studied the creation of composite coatings with a two-level (the micro- and nanolevel) hierarchy of the surface relief, which have bioactive and bactericidal properties, which are promising for bone implantation. Using the developed non-lithographic template electrochemical synthesis, a composite coating on titanium with a controlled surface structure was created based on an island-type TiO2 film, silver and hydroxyapatite (HAp). This TiO2/Ag/HAp composite coating has a developed surface relief at the micro- and nanolevels and has a significant cytological response and the ability to accelerate osteosynthesis, and also has an antibacterial effect. Thus, the developed biomaterial is suitable for production of dental and orthopedic implants with improved biomedical properties.

Microstructure and Selected Properties of Advanced Biomedical n-HA/ZnS/Sulfonated PEEK Coatings Fabricated on Zirconium Alloy by Duplex Treatment.

In this work, sulfonated polyetheretherketone (S-PEEK)-based coatings, nanocrystalline ZnS and hydroxyapatite (n-HA) particles were developed on Zr-2.5Nb zirconium alloy substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) combined with subsequent heat treatment. The properties of suspensions and deposition kinetics were studied. Cationic chitosan polyelectrolyte ensured the stabilization of the suspension and allowed for the co-deposition of all coating components on the cathode. The heating of the coated samples at a temperature of 450 °C and slow cooling resulted in sulfonation of the PEEK and the formation of dense coatings. The coatings were characterized by high roughness, hardness, modulus of elasticity and adhesion strength. The coatings revealed mild hydrophilicity, improved the electrochemical corrosion resistance of the alloy and induced the formation of hydroxyapatite with a cauliflower-like morphology on its surface during the Kokubo test. This work explored the great development potential of advanced sulfonated PEEK-based coatings, incorporating antibacterial and bioactive components by EPD combined with heat treatment to stimulate the surface properties of zirconium alloy for prospective dental and orthopedic applications. The antibacterial and osteoconductive properties of the obtained coatings should be further investigated.

Osteocytes Influence on Bone Matrix Integrity Affects Biomechanical Competence at Bone-Implant Interface of Bioactive-Coated Titanium Implants in Rat Tibiae.

Osseointegration is a prerequisite for the long-term success of implants. Titanium implants are preferred for their biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Nonetheless, the need for early and immediate loading requires enhancing these properties by adding bioactive coatings. In this preclinical study, extracellular matrix properties and cellular balance at the implant/bone interface was examined. Polyelectrolyte multilayers of chitosan and gelatin or with chitosan and Hyaluronic acid fabricated on titanium alloy using a layer-by-layer self-assembly process were compared with native titanium alloy. The study aimed to histologically evaluate bone parameters that correlate to the biomechanical anchorage enhancement resulted from bioactive coatings of titanium implants in a rat animal model. Superior collagen fiber arrangements and an increased number of active osteocytes reflected a significant improvement of bone matrix quality at the bone interface of the chitosan/gelatin-coated titan implants over chitosan/hyaluronic acid-coated and native implants. Furthermore, the numbers and localization of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the reparative and remodeling phases suggested a better cellular balance in the chitosan/Gel-coated group over the other two groups. Investigating the micro-mechanical properties of bone tissue at the interface can elucidate detailed discrepancies between different promising bioactive coatings of titanium alloys to maximize their benefit in future medical applications.

Towards a Bioactive Food Packaging: Poly(Lactic Acid) Surface Functionalized by Chitosan Coating Embedding Clove and Argan Oils.

Here we introduce a new method aiming the immobilization of bioactive principles onto polymeric substrates, combining a surface activation and emulsion entrapment approach. Natural products with antimicrobial/antioxidant properties (essential oil from Syzygium aromaticum-clove and vegetal oil from Argania spinosa L-argan) were stabilized in emulsions with chitosan, a natural biodegradable polymer that has antimicrobial activity. The emulsions were laid on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a synthetic biodegradable plastic from renewable resources, which was previously activated by plasma treatment. Bioactive materials were obtained, with low permeability for oxygen, high radical scavenging activity and strong inhibition of growth for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli bacteria. Clove oil was better dispersed in a more stable emulsion (no separation after six months) compared with argan oil. This leads to a compact and finely structured coating, with better overall properties. While both clove and argan oils are highly hydrophobic, the coatings showed increased hydrophilicity, especially for argan, due to preferential interactions with different functional groups in chitosan. The PLA films coated with oil-loaded chitosan showed promising results in retarding the food spoilage of meat, and especially cheese. Argan, and in particular, clove oil offered good UV protection, suitable for sterilization purposes. Therefore, using the emulsion stabilization of bioactive principles and immobilization onto plasma activated polymeric surfaces we obtained a bioactive material that combines the physical properties and the biodegradability of PLA with the antibacterial activity of chitosan and the antioxidant function of vegetal oils. This prevents microbial growth and food oxidation and could open new perspectives in the field of food packaging materials.

Behaviour of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells on Amine Plasma-Coated Materials with Various Chemical Structures and Morphologies.

Amine-coated biodegradable materials based on synthetic polymers have a great potential for tissue remodeling and regeneration because of their excellent processability and bioactivity. In the present study, we have investigated the influence of various chemical compositions of amine plasma polymer (PP) coatings and the influence of the substrate morphology, represented by polystyrene culture dishes and polycaprolactone nanofibers (PCL NFs), on the behavior of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Although all amine-PP coatings improved the initial adhesion of VSMCs, 7-day long cultivation revealed a clear preference for the coating containing about 15 at.% of nitrogen (CPA-33). The CPA-33 coating demonstrated the ideal combination of good water stability, a sufficient amine group content, and favorable surface wettability and morphology. The nanostructured morphology of amine-PP-coated PCL NFs successfully slowed the proliferation rate of VSMCs, which is essential in preventing restenosis of vascular replacements in vivo. At the same time, CPA-33-coated PCL NFs supported the continuous proliferation of VSMCs during 7-day long cultivation, with no significant increase in cytokine secretion by RAW 264.7 macrophages. The CPA-33 coating deposited on biodegradable PCL NFs therefore seems to be a promising material for manufacturing small-diameter vascular grafts, which are still lacking on the current market.

Results of deformity correction in children with X-linked hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets by external fixation or combined technique.

BACKGROUND: The operative procedures to correct multiplanar bone deformities may be indicated for prevention of secondary orthopaedic complications in children with X-linked hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets (XHPR). Different problems related to surgical correction were reported: increased rate of non-union, delayed union, recurrent deformity, deep intramedullary infection, refracture, nerve palsy, and pin tract infection. The aim of this retrospective study was comparison of results of correction in children with XHPR who underwent the treatment with either the Ilizarov device alone or a combined technique: the Ilizarov fixator with flexible intramedullary nailing (FIN) with hydroxyapatite bioactive coating and FIN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 47 cases (children of age under 14 years) affected by XHPR. Simultaneous deformity correction in femur and tibia was performed with the Ilizarov device (group I) or the combined method (group II). This article is based on the results of a historical comparative retrospective study from the same institution. RESULTS: The duration of external fixation is noted to be shorter applying the combined technique: 124.7 days (group I) vs 87.4 days (group II). In both groups deformity correction was achieved with a proper alignment. Nevertheless, while a child continues to grow during long-term follow-up, deviations of the mechanic axis from the centre of the knee joint have been developing again and values of mLDFA, mMPTA have become pathologic in the most of the cases. In group I location of a newly developed deformity resembled a pre-operative one, whereby both diaphyseal and metaphyseal parts were deformed. In group II in all the cases an apex of deformity was located in distal metadiaphyseal zone of the femur and proximal metadiaphyseal zone of the tibia. It is important to note that all of those in group II were out of the zone of the intramedullary nail. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous correction of femoral and tibial deformities by means of circular external fixators is preferable. Application of a combined osteosynthesis allows to considerably reduce the duration of external fixation and decrease the number of complications. There were no recurrent deformities in parts of bone reinforced by intramedullary nails.

Photothermal driven BMSCs osteogenesis and M2 macrophage polarization on polydopamine-coated Ti3C2 nanosheets/poly(vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene) nanocomposite coatings.

Mild thermal stimulation plays an active role in bone tissue repair and regeneration. In this work, a bioactive polydopamine/Ti3C2/poly(vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene) (PDA/Ti3C2/P(VDF-TrFE)) nanocomposite coating with excellent near-infrared light (NIR)-triggered photothermal effect was designed to improve the osteogenic ability of implants. By incorporating dopamine (DA)-modified Ti3C2 nanosheets into the P(VDF-TrFE) matrix and combining them with alkali initiated in situ polymerization, the resulting PDA/Ti3C2/P(VDF-TrFE) nanocomposite coating gained high adhesion strength on Ti substrate, excellent tribological and corrosion resistance properties, which was quite important for clinical application of implant coatings. Cell biology experiments showed that NIR-triggered mild thermal stimulation on the coating surface promoted cell spreading and growth of BMSCs, and also greatly upregulated the osteogenic markers, including Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN). Simultaneously, the synthesis of heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) was significantly promoted by the mild thermal stimulation, which strengthened the specific interaction between HSP47 and collagen Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ), thereby activating the integrin-mediated MEK/ERK osteogenic differentiation signaling pathway. In addition, the results also showed that the mild thermal stimulation induced the polarization of macrophages towards M2 phenotype, which can attenuate the inflammatory response of injured bone tissue. Antibacterial results indicated that the coating exhibited an outstanding antibacterial ability against S. aureus and E. coli. Conceivably, the versatile implant bioactive coatings developed in this work will show great application potential for implant osseointegration.

Considerations of growth factor and material use in bone tissue engineering using biodegradable scaffolds in vitro and in vivo.

Bone tissue engineering aims to harness materials to develop functional bone tissue to heal 'critical-sized' bone defects. This study examined a robust, coated poly(caprolactone) trimethacrylate (PCL-TMA) 3D-printable scaffold designed to augment bone formation. Following optimisation of the coatings, three bioactive coatings were examined, i) elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), ii) poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA), fibronectin (FN) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) applied sequentially (PEA/FN/BMP-2) and iii) both ELP and PEA/FN/BMP-2 coatings applied concurrently. The scaffold material was robust and showed biodegradability. The coatings demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) osteogenic response in vitro in alkaline phosphatase gene upregulation and alkaline phosphatase production. The PCL-TMA scaffold and coatings supported angiogenesis and displayed excellent biocompatibility following evaluation on the chorioallantoic membrane assay. No significant (p < 0.05) heterotopic bone formed on the scaffolds within a murine subcutaneous implantation model, compared to the positive control of BMP-2 loaded collagen sponge following examination by micro-computed tomography or histology. The current studies demonstrate a range of innovative coated scaffold constructs with in vitro efficacy and clearly illustrate the importance of an appropriate in vivo environment to validate in vitro functionality prior to scale up and preclinical application.

Aloe vera/Chitosan-Based Edible Film with Enhanced Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Thermal, and Barrier Properties for Sustainable Food Preservation.

Food bioactive packaging has received increasing attention from consumers and the food industry for its potential to reduce food waste and environmental issues. Several materials can be used to produce edible films/coats; however, bio-based, cost-effective, and sustainable coatings have gained a high reputation these days. For instance, Aloe vera gel (AV) is a promising bio-based material for edible coatings and films; therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the film-forming abilities of AV and Chitosan (CH) combination as a potential active food packaging material. The physicochemical and mechanical characteristics of formed films of various combinations were prepared at different concentrations, i.e., CH (0.5% w/v), AV (100%), CH:AV (75:25), and CH:AV (60:40). The results showed significant differences among all the prepared edible films wherein these differences were mainly on account of incorporating AV gel. The rheological and antioxidant properties of the formulations improved with the inclusion of AV gel. The films composed of CH:AV (60:40) positively affected the water solubility, thermal properties, and water vapour permeability of the edible films. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the films composed of CH:AV, (60:40) were amorphous and had smooth morphology. Further, the edible film solutions were applied to fresh figs (Ficus carica) to investigate their role in preserving fruits during storage. A significant reduction in microbial growth was found in coated fruits after 28 days of cold storage. The films composed of CH and AV showed overall improved results compared to the CH (0.5%, w/v). Therefore, the used formulations (CH:AV, 60:40) can form a sustainable film that has the potential to be utilized for fresh product preservation to maintain its quality and shelf life.

Bioactive coating provides antimicrobial protection through immunomodulation and phage therapeutics.

Medical implant-associated infections (IAI) is a growing threat to patients undergoing implantation surgery. IAI prevention typically relies on medical implants endowed with bactericidal properties achieved through surface modifications with antibiotics. However, the clinical efficacy of this traditional paradigm remains suboptimal, often necessitating revision surgery and posing potentially lethal consequences for patients. To bolster the existing anti-IAI arsenal, we propose herein a chitosan-based bioactive coating, i.e., ChitoAntibac, which exerts bacteria-inhibitory effects either through immune modulation or phage-directed microbial clearance, without relying on conventional antibiotics. The immuno-stimulating effects and phage-induced bactericidal properties can be tailored by engineering the loading dynamic of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which polarizes macrophages towards the proinflammatory subtype (M1) with enhanced bacterial phagocytosis, and Staphylococcal Phage K, resulting in rapid and targeted pathogenic clearance (>99.99%) in less than 8 h. Our innovative antibacterial coating opens a new avenue in the pursuit of effective IAI prevention through immuno-stimulation and phage therapeutics.

Effects of orthogonal dual-frequency ultrasound-assisted treatment combined with bioactive coating containing Melissa officinalis L. essential oil on changes in quality, lipid, and protein of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during cold storage.

How to reduce the quality loss of aquatic products during storage is a topic worth exploring. This study proposed a method combining orthogonal dual-frequency ultrasound-assisted treatment (20 kHz vertically, 40 kHz horizontally, 400 W) with bioactive coating (Melissa officinalis L. essential oil-carboxymethyl chitosan-locust bean gum) and discussed the effects of this combined treatment on the quality, lipid, and protein of large yellow croaker during cold storage (4 °C). The results showed that both ultrasound-assisted treatment (US) and bioactive coating (CMCS) significantly inhibited microbial growth and quality deterioration in the fish, with the combined treatment group (US+CMCS) showing the best effect. The shelf life of large yellow croaker in the control group (CK) was 6 d, while the shelf life for US, CMCS, and US+CMCS treatments was 12 d, 12 d, and 18 d, respectively. Additionally, the combined treatment inhibited lipid oxidation and effectively delayed the oxidative degradation of protein in the large yellow croaker during cold storage. Therefore, the method of orthogonal dual-frequency ultrasound-assisted treatment (20 kHz vertically, 40 kHz horizontally, 400 W) combined with bioactive coating (Melissa officinalis L. essential oil-carboxymethyl chitosan-locust bean gum) proposed in this study was a promising approach for the preservation of aquatic products during storage.

Preparation and Characterization of Diamond-like Carbon Coatings for Biomedical Applications-A Review.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are generally used in biomedical applications, mainly because of their tribological and chemical properties that prevent the release of substrate ions, extend the life cycle of the material, and promote cell growth. The unique properties of the coating depend on the ratio of the sp3/sp2 phases, where the sp2 phase provides coatings with a low coefficient of friction and good electrical conductivity, while the share of the sp3 phase determines the chemical inertness, high hardness, and resistance to tribological wear. DLC coatings are characterized by high hardness, low coefficient of friction, high corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. These properties make them attractive as potential wear-resistant coatings in many compelling applications, including optical, mechanical, microelectronic, and biomedical applications. Another great advantage of DLC coatings is that they can be deposited at low temperatures on a variety of substrates and can thus be used to coat heat-sensitive materials, such as polymers. Coating deposition techniques are constantly being improved; techniques based on vacuum environment reactions are mainly used, such as physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This review summarizes the current knowledge and research regarding diamond-like carbon coatings.

Biphasic Bioceramic Obtained from Byproducts of Sugar Beet Processing for Use in Bioactive Coatings and Bone Fillings.

This study focuses on developing hydroxyapatite synthesized from a CaCO3-rich byproduct of sugar beet processing called Carbocal® using a hydrothermal reactor. The purpose of this biomaterial is to enhance the osteoinductivity of implantable surfaces and serve as a bone filler, providing a sustainable and economically more affordable alternative. This research involved compositional analysis and micro- and macrostructural physicochemical characterization, complemented with bioactivity and live/dead assays. The biphasic nature of the Carbocal®-derived sample was significant within the context of the bioactivity concept previously proposed in the literature. The bioactivity of the biomaterial was demonstrated through a viability test, where the cell growth was nearly equivalent to that of the positive control. For comparison purposes, the same tests were conducted with two additional samples: hydroxyapatite obtained from CaCO3 and commercial hydroxyapatite. The resulting product of this process is biocompatible and possesses properties similar to natural hydroxyapatite. Consequently, this biomaterial shows potential as a scaffold in tissue engineering and as an adhesive filler to promote bone regeneration within the context of the circular bioeconomy in the geographical area proposed.

Titanium-Dioxide-Nanoparticle-Embedded Polyelectrolyte Multilayer as an Osteoconductive and Antimicrobial Surface Coating.

Bioactive surface coatings have retained the attention of researchers and physicians due to their versatility and range of applications in orthopedics, particularly in infection prevention. Antibacterial metal nanoparticles (mNPs) are a promising therapeutic, with vast application opportunities on orthopedic implants. The current research aimed to construct a polyelectrolyte multilayer on a highly porous titanium implant using alternating thin film coatings of chitosan and alginate via the layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique, along with the incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs), for antibacterial and osteoconductive activity. These mNPs were characterized for their physicochemical properties using quartz crystal microgravimetry with a dissipation system, nanoparticle tracking analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Their cytotoxicity and osteogenic differentiation capabilities were assessed using AlamarBlue and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, respectively. The antibiofilm efficacy of the mNPs was tested against Staphylococcus aureus. The LbL polyelectrolyte coating was successfully applied to the porous titanium substrate. A dose-dependent relationship between nanoparticle concentration and ALP as well as antibacterial effects was observed. TiO2NP samples were also less cytotoxic than their AgNP counterparts, although similarly antimicrobial. Together, these data serve as a proof-of-concept for a novel coating approach for orthopedic implants with antimicrobial and osteoconductive properties.

Brushite-coated Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy promotes the osteogenesis of vertebral laminae through IGF2/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys have been extensively investigated in orthopedic implants due to their suitable mechanical strength and high biocompatibility. However, no studies have reported whether Mg alloys can be used to repair lamina defects, and the biological mechanisms regulating osteogenesis are not fully understood. The present study developed a lamina reconstruction device using our patented biodegradable Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy (JDBM), and brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O, Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, DCPD) coating was developed on the implant. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we evaluated the degradation behavior and biocompatibility of DCPD-JDBM. In addition, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms by which it regulates osteogenesis. In vitro, ion release and cytotoxicity tests revealed that DCPD-JDBM had better corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. We found that DCPD-JDBM extracts could promote MC3T3-E1 osteogenic differentiation via the IGF2/PI3K/AKT pathway. The lamina reconstruction device was implanted on a rat lumbar lamina defect model. Radiographic and histological analysis showed that DCPD-JDBM accelerated the repair of rat lamina defects and exhibited lower degradation rate compared to uncoated JDBM. Immunohistochemical and qRT-PCR results showed that DCPD-JDBM promoted osteogenesis in rat laminae via IGF2/PI3K/AKT pathway. This study shows that DCPD-JDBM is a promising biodegradable Mg-based material with great potential for clinical applications.

Fabrication and Characterization of Bioactive Gelatin-Alginate-Bioactive Glass Composite Coatings on Porous Titanium Substrates.

In this research work, the fabrication of biphasic composite implants has been investigated. Porous, commercially available pure Ti (50 vol % porosity and pore distributions of 100-200, 250-355, and 355-500 µm) has been used as a cortical bone replacement, while different composites based on a polymer blend (gelatin and alginate) and bioactive glass (BG) 45S5 have been applied as a soft layer for cartilage tissues. The microstructure, degradation rates, biofunctionality, and wear behavior of the different composites were analyzed to find the best possible coating. Experiments demonstrated the best micromechanical balance for the substrate containing 200-355 µm size range distribution. In addition, although the coating prepared from alginate presented a lower mass loss, the composite containing 50% alginate and 50% gelatin showed a higher elastic recovery, which entails that this type of coating could replicate the functions of the soft tissue in areas of the joints. Therefore, results revealed that the combinations of porous commercially pure Ti and composites prepared from alginate/gelatin/45S5 BG are candidates for the fabrication of biphasic implants not only for the treatment of osteochondral defects but also potentially for any other diseases affecting simultaneously hard and soft tissues.

3D-printed high-density polyethylene scaffolds with bioactive and antibacterial layer-by-layer modification for auricle reconstruction.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a promising material for the development of scaffold implants for auricle reconstruction. However, preparing a personalized HDPE auricle implant with favorable bioactive and antibacterial functions to promote skin tissue ingrowth is challenging. Herein, we present 3D-printed HDPE auricle scaffolds with satisfactory pore size and connectivity. The layer-by-layer (LBL) approach was applied to achieve the improved bioactive and antibacterial properties of these 3D printed scaffolds. The HDPE auricle scaffolds were fabricated using an extrusion 3D printing approach, and the individualized macrostructure and porous microstructure were both adjusted by the 3D printing parameters. The polydopamine (pDA) coating method was used to construct a multilayer ε-polylysine (EPL) and fibrin (FIB) modification on the surface of the 3D HDPE scaffold via the LBL self-assembly approach, which provides the bioactive and antibacterial properties. The results of the in vivo experiments using an animal model showed that LBL-coated HDPE auricular scaffolds were able to significantly enhance skin tissue ingrowth and ameliorate the inflammatory response caused by local stress. The results of this study suggest that the combination of the 3D printing technique and surface modification provides a promising strategy for developing personalized implants with biofunctional coatings, which show great potential as a scaffold implant for auricle reconstruction applications.

Chitosan-cinnamon essential oil/sodium alginate-TiO2 bilayer films with enhanced bioactive retention property: Application for mango preservation.

The bilayer anti-ultraviolet preservation films were developed successfully by incorporating the cinnamon essential oil (CEO) to chitosan (CH) as the bioactive layer, and incorporating the TiO2 to sodium alginate (SA) as the protective layer. The addition of CEO improved the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the films. The addition of TiO2 enhanced the bioactive retention property of the films. Remarkably, CS-0.6 film had better water vapor permeability (WVP) and mechanical properties, but CS-1.2 film had better antioxidant and antibacterial properties. After 10 d of storage, the CS-0.6 group of mangoes maintained the highest firmness of 17.62 ± 0.85 N and the highest total phenol content of 254.40 ± 4.14 mg/100 g. It also had the lowest lipoxygenase activity of 5.00 ± 1.66 10-3 U/kg. The obtained research results revealed that the developed CH/SA based bilayer film incorporated with CEO and TiO2 could be used as a multifunctional packaging material to maintain the freshness of harvested mangoes.

Impact of a Carboxymethyl Cellulose Coating Incorporated with an Ethanolic Propolis Extract on the Quality Criteria of Chicken Breast Meat.

Recently, the demand for composite edible coatings has increased significantly as a new trend to confront the serious processing and storage problems that always arise regarding chicken meat. We aim to develop a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coating containing various concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4%) of an ethanolic propolis extract (EPE) to maintain the quality and extend the shelf life of chicken breast meat stored at 2 °C for 16 days. The influence of the CMC and EPE coating on the physicochemical and microbiological quality parameters of chicken breast meat, e.g., pH, color, metmyoglobin (MetMb), lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, TBARS), and microbiological and sensory analyses, was studied. Significantly lower weight loss and pH (p ≤ 0.05) were noted in the coated samples compared with the uncoated samples (control) over the storage period. MetMb content was significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.05) in the coated samples compared to the control. Additionally, the addition of EPE to CMC was more effective in inhibiting microbial growth, preventing lipid oxidation, and keeping the overall acceptability of coated chicken breast meat compared to the control. This work presents CMC and EPE as alternative preservatives to produce active packaging coatings.