Polymeric Hydrogels for Biomedical Application

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 2322

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Electron Accelerators Laboratory, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomiștilor St., 077125 Măgurele, Romania
Interests: polymers; hydrogels; radiation; crosslinking; biocompatibility; biomaterials; wound dressing
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Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea
Interests: polymers; hydrogels; crosslinking; drug delivery; wound healing; tissue Engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in polymeric hydrogel research, focusing on synthesis, characterization, and multifaceted applications. By harnessing innovative synthesis techniques. The applications of polymeric hydrogels are wide-ranging and impactful. Biomedical applications include drug/gene delivery for precision therapy, wound healing/dressing, tissue engineering, and 3D-printed scaffolds for regenerative medicine.

This Special Issue invites original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that delve into the diverse aspects of polymeric hydrogels. Topics of interest include:

  • Novel synthesis strategies and design principles for polymeric hydrogels
  • Advances in characterizing hydrogel structures and properties
  • Responsive and functional hydrogels for various biomedical applications
  • Industrial implementations and technological innovations utilizing polymeric hydrogels

We welcome contributions that will not only deepen our understanding of polymeric hydrogels but also inspire novel applications across disciplines. This collection of work promises to foster collaboration, stimulate further research, and accelerate the translation of polymeric hydrogel research into real-world solutions.

Dr. Ion Cosmin Călina
Dr. Muhammad Asim Raza
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • polymers
  • hydrogels
  • crosslinking
  • radiation
  • biocompatibility
  • drug delivery
  • wound healing
  • tissue engineering

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3875 KiB  
Article
Improvement of Adsorption Capacity by Refined Encapsulating Method of Activated Carbon into the Hollow-Type Spherical Bacterial Cellulose Gels for Oral Absorbent
by Aya Hirai, Kaito Sato, Toru Hoshi and Takao Aoyagi
Gels 2024, 10(11), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10110723 - 8 Nov 2024
Abstract
To reduce the risk of adsorption of granular activated carbon (AC) in the gastrointestinal tract, we successfully prepared a hollow-type spherical bacterial cellulose gel encapsulated with AC (ACEG) and evaluated its pH tolerance and adsorption capacity. The bacterial cellulose gel membrane of ACEG [...] Read more.
To reduce the risk of adsorption of granular activated carbon (AC) in the gastrointestinal tract, we successfully prepared a hollow-type spherical bacterial cellulose gel encapsulated with AC (ACEG) and evaluated its pH tolerance and adsorption capacity. The bacterial cellulose gel membrane of ACEG features a three-dimensional mesh structure of cellulose fibers, allowing the selective permeation of substances based on their size. In this study, the preparation method of ACEGs was investigated, and the indole saturation adsorption capacity of the obtained gel was measured. We modified the gel culture nucleus gel from calcium alginate gel to agar gel, facilitating the encapsulation of previously challenging particles. The new preparation method used sodium hydroxide solution for sterilization and dissolution to remove the debris of Komagataeibacter xylinus, which was feared to remain in the bacterial cellulose membrane. This treatment was also confirmed to have no effect on the adsorption capacity of the AC powder. Therefore, this new preparation method is expected not only to improve the performance of ACEGs but also to be applied to a wide range of adsorbent-encapsulated hollow-type bacterial cellulose gels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Hydrogels for Biomedical Application)
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19 pages, 7427 KiB  
Article
The Influence of the Structural Architecture on the Swelling Kinetics and the Network Behavior of Sodium-Alginate-Based Hydrogels Cross-Linked with Ionizing Radiation
by Ion Călina, Maria Demeter, Gabriela Crăciun, Anca Scărișoreanu and Elena Mănăilă
Gels 2024, 10(9), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10090588 - 12 Sep 2024
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Abstract
The present work discusses the influence of the structural architecture of sodium alginate–co-acrylic acid–poly(ethylene) oxide hydrogels, crosslinked through electron beam (e-beam) radiation processing. The most important properties of the hydrogels were studied in detail to identify a correlation between the architecture of the [...] Read more.
The present work discusses the influence of the structural architecture of sodium alginate–co-acrylic acid–poly(ethylene) oxide hydrogels, crosslinked through electron beam (e-beam) radiation processing. The most important properties of the hydrogels were studied in detail to identify a correlation between the architecture of the hydrogels and their properties. Furthermore, the effect of sodium alginate (NaAlg) concentration, the amounts of the polymer blend, and the size of the samples on hydrogel properties were investigated. The results show that the hydrogels cross-linked (0.5% and 1% NaAlg) with 12.5 kGy exhibit improved physicochemical properties. High gel fraction levels (exceeding 83.5–93.7%) were achieved. Smaller hydrogel diameter (7 mm) contributed to a maximum swelling rate and degree of 20.440%. The hydrogel network was dependent on the hydrogels’ diameter and the amount of polymer blend used. The hydrogels best suited the first-order rate constants and exhibited a non-Fickian diffusion character with diffusion exponent values greater than 0.5. This study indicates that the cross-linked hydrogel has good properties, particularly because of its high degree of swelling and extensive stability (more than 180 h) in water. These findings show that hydrogels can be effectively applied to the purification of water contaminated with metals, dyes, or even pharmaceuticals, as well as materials with a gradual release of bioactive chemicals and water retention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Hydrogels for Biomedical Application)
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Review

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18 pages, 3229 KiB  
Review
Polymeric Dural Biomaterials in Spinal Surgery: A Review
by Taoxu Yan, Junyao Cheng, Qing He, Yifan Wang, Chuyue Zhang, Da Huang, Jianheng Liu and Zheng Wang
Gels 2024, 10(9), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10090579 - 6 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Laminectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure by orthopedic and neurosurgeons, aimed at alleviating nerve compression and reducing pain. However, in some cases, excessive proliferation of fibrous scar tissue in the epidural space post-surgery can lead to persistent and intractable lower back pain, [...] Read more.
Laminectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure by orthopedic and neurosurgeons, aimed at alleviating nerve compression and reducing pain. However, in some cases, excessive proliferation of fibrous scar tissue in the epidural space post-surgery can lead to persistent and intractable lower back pain, a condition known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). The persistent fibrous tissue causes both physical and emotional distress for patients and also makes follow-up surgeries more challenging due to reduced visibility and greater technical difficulty. It has been established that the application of biomaterials to prevent epidural fibrosis post-lumbar surgery is more beneficial than revision surgeries to relieve dural fibrosis. Hydrogel-based biomaterials, with their excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and injectability and tunable mechanical properties, have been increasingly introduced by clinicians and researchers. This paper, building on the foundation of epidural fibrosis, primarily discusses the strategies for the preparation of natural and polymeric biomaterials to prevent epidural fibrosis, their physicochemical properties, and their ability to mitigate the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts. It also emphasizes the challenges that need to be addressed to translate laboratory research into clinical practice and the latest advancements in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Hydrogels for Biomedical Application)
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