Biomaterials in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials and Devices for Healthcare Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 12363

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physiology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: physiology; inflammation; carcinogenesis; medical imaging; transplantation; molecular signaling; MR spectroscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Embryology, Faculty of Dentistry, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: dentin-pulp complex; biomaterials; salivary research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid technological and medical advances of our times have significantly improved the field of functional biomaterials, offering new applications and uses in various domains. There is an increasing interest in developing newer, safer, more efficient, and more reliable implants for medical applications. Furthermore, various biomaterials are continuously developed for a wide range of medical use, including in vitro and in vivo diagnosis, the modulation of the host response or microenvironment, and multiple therapeutic applications. However, any biomaterial must be thoroughly investigated and tested before approval for human use.

This Special Issue will host papers related to recent developments in the medical use of biomaterials, and it will include but not be limited to biocompatibility; advances in biomedical devices; natural materials with medical applications; compounds used in medical imaging; and the immune response to biomaterials.

Dr. Cristian Scheau
Prof. Dr. Andreea Didilescu
Prof. Dr. Constantin Caruntu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomedical devices
  • medical implants
  • dental implants
  • implant imaging
  • immune response
  • biocompatibility
  • dental materials
  • nanoparticles
  • contrast agents
  • natural materials

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 169 KiB  
Editorial
Innovative Biomaterials: The Cornerstone of Next-Generation Medical Solutions
by Cristian Scheau, Andreea Cristiana Didilescu and Constantin Caruntu
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(8), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15080218 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1054
Abstract
Over the past decade, 3D printing has gained traction in the medical field, and research has started to concentrate on discovering and developing new printing techniques and novel materials usable in this complex field [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

16 pages, 2163 KiB  
Article
High-Speed Fluorescence Imaging Corroborates Biological Data on the Influence of Different Nozzle Types on Cell Spray Viability and Formation
by Miriam Heuer, Mehdi Stiti, Volker Eras, Julia Scholz, Norus Ahmed, Edouard Berrocal and Jan C. Brune
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(5), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15050126 - 14 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 995
Abstract
Treating severe dermal disruptions often presents significant challenges. Recent advancements have explored biological cell sprays as a promising treatment, but their success hinges on efficient cell delivery and complete wound coverage. This requires a good spray distribution with a small droplet size, high [...] Read more.
Treating severe dermal disruptions often presents significant challenges. Recent advancements have explored biological cell sprays as a promising treatment, but their success hinges on efficient cell delivery and complete wound coverage. This requires a good spray distribution with a small droplet size, high particle number, and ample surface coverage. The type of nozzle used with the spray device can impact these parameters. To evaluate the influence of different nozzles on spray characteristics, we compared air-assisted and unassisted nozzles. The unassisted nozzle displayed small particle size, high particle number, good overall coverage, high cell viability, preserved cell metabolic activity, and low cytotoxicity. Air-assisted nozzles did not perform well regarding cell viability and metabolic activity. Flow visualization analysis comparing two different unassisted nozzles using high-speed imaging (100 kHz frame rate) revealed a tulip-shaped spray pattern, indicating optimal spray distribution. High-speed imaging showed differences between the unassisted nozzles. One unassisted nozzle displayed a bi-modal distribution of the droplet diameter while the other unassisted nozzle displayed a mono-modal distribution. These findings demonstrate the critical role of nozzle selection in successful cell delivery. A high-quality, certified nozzle manufactured for human application omits the need for an air-assisted nozzle and provides a simple system to use with similar or better performance characteristics than those of an air-assisted system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 4406 KiB  
Article
Applications of Cu2+-Loaded Silica Nanoparticles to Photothermal Therapy and Tumor-Specific Fluorescence Imaging
by Ji-Ho Park, Yejin Sung, SeongHoon Jo, Seung Ho Lee, Ju Hee Ryu, In-Cheol Sun and Cheol-Hee Ahn
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(4), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15040081 - 25 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1681
Abstract
Copper-based nanomaterials have been employed as therapeutic agents for cancer therapy and diagnosis. Nevertheless, persistent challenges, such as cellular toxicity, non-uniform sizes, and low photothermal efficiency, often constrain their applications. In this study, we present Cu2+-loaded silica nanoparticles fabricated through the [...] Read more.
Copper-based nanomaterials have been employed as therapeutic agents for cancer therapy and diagnosis. Nevertheless, persistent challenges, such as cellular toxicity, non-uniform sizes, and low photothermal efficiency, often constrain their applications. In this study, we present Cu2+-loaded silica nanoparticles fabricated through the chelation of Cu2+ ions by silanol groups. The integration of Cu2+ ions into uniformly sized silica nanoparticles imparts a photothermal therapy effect. Additionally, the amine functionalization of the silica coating facilitates the chemical conjugation of tumor-specific fluorescence probes. These probes are strategically designed to remain in an ‘off’ state through the Förster resonance energy transfer mechanism until exposed to cysteine enzymes in cancer cells, inducing the recovery of their fluorescence. Consequently, our Cu2+-loaded silica nanoparticles demonstrate an efficient photothermal therapy effect and selectively enable cancer imaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

28 pages, 6643 KiB  
Review
Unveiling Nanoparticles: Recent Approaches in Studying the Internalization Pattern of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Mono- and Multicellular Biological Structures
by Teodora Eliana Petcov, Mihai Straticiuc, Decebal Iancu, Dragoș Alexandru Mirea, Roxana Trușcă, Paul Emil Mereuță, Diana Iulia Savu, George Dan Mogoșanu, Laurențiu Mogoantă, Roxana Cristina Popescu, Verena Kopatz and Sorin Ion Jinga
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(6), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15060169 - 19 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1453
Abstract
Nanoparticle (NP)-based solutions for oncotherapy promise an improved efficiency of the anticancer response, as well as higher comfort for the patient. The current advancements in cancer treatment based on nanotechnology exploit the ability of these systems to pass biological barriers to target the [...] Read more.
Nanoparticle (NP)-based solutions for oncotherapy promise an improved efficiency of the anticancer response, as well as higher comfort for the patient. The current advancements in cancer treatment based on nanotechnology exploit the ability of these systems to pass biological barriers to target the tumor cell, as well as tumor cell organelles. In particular, iron oxide NPs are being clinically employed in oncological management due to this ability. When designing an efficient anti-cancer therapy based on NPs, it is important to know and to modulate the phenomena which take place during the interaction of the NPs with the tumor cells, as well as the normal tissues. In this regard, our review is focused on highlighting different approaches to studying the internalization patterns of iron oxide NPs in simple and complex 2D and 3D in vitro cell models, as well as in living tissues, in order to investigate the functionality of an NP-based treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 2937 KiB  
Review
Biomaterials Adapted to Vat Photopolymerization in 3D Printing: Characteristics and Medical Applications
by Iosif-Aliodor Timofticiuc, Octavian Călinescu, Adrian Iftime, Serban Dragosloveanu, Ana Caruntu, Andreea-Elena Scheau, Ioana Anca Badarau, Andreea Cristiana Didilescu, Constantin Caruntu and Cristian Scheau
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15010007 - 22 Dec 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3188
Abstract
Along with the rapid and extensive advancements in the 3D printing field, a diverse range of uses for 3D printing have appeared in the spectrum of medical applications. Vat photopolymerization (VPP) stands out as one of the most extensively researched methods of 3D [...] Read more.
Along with the rapid and extensive advancements in the 3D printing field, a diverse range of uses for 3D printing have appeared in the spectrum of medical applications. Vat photopolymerization (VPP) stands out as one of the most extensively researched methods of 3D printing, with its main advantages being a high printing speed and the ability to produce high-resolution structures. A major challenge in using VPP 3D-printed materials in medicine is the general incompatibility of standard VPP resin mixtures with the requirements of biocompatibility and biofunctionality. Instead of developing completely new materials, an alternate approach to solving this problem involves adapting existing biomaterials. These materials are incompatible with VPP 3D printing in their pure form but can be adapted to the VPP chemistry and general process through the use of innovative mixtures and the addition of specific pre- and post-printing steps. This review’s primary objective is to highlight biofunctional and biocompatible materials that have been adapted to VPP. We present and compare the suitability of these adapted materials to different medical applications and propose other biomaterials that could be further adapted to the VPP 3D printing process in order to fulfill patient-specific medical requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1876 KiB  
Review
The Role of Natural Compounds in Optimizing Contemporary Dental Treatment—Current Status and Future Trends
by Dana Gabriela Budala, Maria-Alexandra Martu, George-Alexandru Maftei, Diana Antonela Diaconu-Popa, Vlad Danila and Ionut Luchian
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(5), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14050273 - 14 May 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3047
Abstract
For a long period of time, natural remedies were the only ailment available for a multitude of diseases, and they have proven effective even after the emergence of modern medicine. Due to their extremely high prevalence, oral and dental disorders and anomalies are [...] Read more.
For a long period of time, natural remedies were the only ailment available for a multitude of diseases, and they have proven effective even after the emergence of modern medicine. Due to their extremely high prevalence, oral and dental disorders and anomalies are recognized as major public health concerns. Herbal medicine is the practice of using plants with therapeutic characteristics for the purpose of disease prevention and treatment. Herbal agents have made a significant entry into oral care products in recent years, complementing traditional treatment procedures due to their intriguing physicochemical and therapeutic properties. There has been a resurgence of interest in natural products because of recent updates, technological advancements, and unmet expectations from current strategies. Approximately eighty percent of the world’s population uses natural remedies, especially in poorer nations. When conventional treatments have failed, it may make sense to use natural drugs for the treatment of pathologic oral dental disorders, as they are readily available, inexpensive, and have few negative effects. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and applications of natural biomaterials in dentistry, to gather relevant information from the medical literature with an eye toward its practical applicability, and make suggestions for the directions for future study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop