Search Results (8,612)

Background: The treatment of wounds remains a significant clinical challenge, particularly in chronic and infected wounds, where delayed healing often results in complications. Recent advances in biomaterials have highlighted the potential of polymer-based scaffolds as promising platforms for wound management due to their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix, support tissue regeneration, and provide a moist environment conducive to healing. Objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in the design and application of polymer-based scaffolds loaded with essential oil (EO) components, emphasizing their role in promoting effective wound healing. Methods: Relevant literature on polymeric scaffolds and EO-based bioactive agents was systematically reviewed, focusing on studies that investigated the biological activities, fabrication techniques, and therapeutic performance of EO-loaded scaffolds in wound management. Results: Findings from recent studies indicate that EO components, particularly monoterpenoids such as thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol, exhibit remarkable antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties that accelerate wound healing. When incorporated into polymer matrices, these components enhance scaffold biocompatibility, antimicrobial efficacy, and tissue regeneration capacity through synergistic interactions. Conclusion: The integration of essential oil components into polymeric scaffolds represents a promising strategy for developing multifunctional wound dressings. Such systems combine the structural advantages of polymers with the therapeutic benefits of EOs, offering an effective platform for accelerating healing and preventing wound infections. Full article

Hydrogel scaffolds have emerged as pivotal materials in regenerative medicine due to their biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. However, conventional fabrication techniques often lack the precision required to create complex architectures, limiting their effectiveness in tissue engineering. This review explores advanced laser-based fabrication methods, such as two-photon polymerization, laser-induced forward transfer, selective laser sintering/melting, and laser direct writing, which offer unparalleled resolution and control over scaffold geometry. These techniques enable the production of intricate 3D structures tailored to specific clinical needs, from vascular networks to patient-specific implants. We analyze the principles, advantages, and limitations of each method, highlighting their biomedical applications and the challenges of scalability, material compatibility, and cost. By bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical implementation, laser-based technologies hold significant promise for advancing personalized medicine and tissue regeneration. Full article

Chitosan-based hydrogels are used in the adsorption of pharmaceutical compounds from water. The adsorption process of diclofenac and naproxen on chitosan hydrogels cross-linked with glutaraldehyde has been studied theoretically and experimentally. According to the thermodynamic properties, the adsorption processes were spontaneous and endothermic, due to the negative values of Gibbs free energy, and the enthalpies of formation were positive. Furthermore, the different systems were studied by electrostatic potential maps, where the functional groups (amino and hydroxyl) represented the active sites of the hydrogel. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained for diclofenac and naproxen was 108.85 and 97.22 mg/g, respectively, at a temperature of 308.15 K. On the other hand, the adsorbent was characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) before and after the adsorption of the drugs to confirm the binding of the adsorbates on the surface of the material. Full article

In this work, hydrogel nanocomposites, as films, were prepared by embedding cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂NPs) within xanthan gum (Xn)/poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA) matrices. Their physicochemical properties were tuned by adjusting the ratio between components and thermal treatment conditions. The cross-linking of the polymer network was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), thermal analysis, and swelling behavior. Morphological features were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while optical properties were investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Undoped films displayed high transparency (~80% transmittance at 400 nm), with thermal cross-linking determined only slight yellowing and negligible changes in absorption edge (300 ± 2 nm). In contrast, CeO₂NPs incorporation increased reflectance and introduced a new absorption threshold around 400 ± 2 nm, indicating nanoparticle–matrix interactions that modify optical behavior. Sorption studies with Methylene Blue (MB) and Crystal Violet (CV) dyes highlighted the influence of nanoparticle content and cross-linking on functional performance, with thermally treated samples showing the highest efficiency (~97–98% MB and 71–83% CV removal). Overall, the results demonstrate how structural tailoring and cross-linking control the characteristics of Xn/PVA/CeO₂ nanocomposites, providing insight into their design as multifunctional hydrogel materials for environmental applications. Full article

The effect of varying sodium alginate (SA) concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%; SA1–SA3) on the encapsulation of tangerine (Citrus reticulata Blanco ‘Cho Khun’) peel extract (TPE, 0.5% w/v) into hydrogel beads was evaluated. Overall, the results showed that increasing SA concentration significantly altered bead characteristics: lightness (L*) decreased from 56.35 to 45.57, red-green axis (a*) shifted negatively from −1.32 to −6.87, and yellow-blue axis (b*) increased from −17.81 to 6.41. Moisture content (97.85% to 93.16%) and water activity (0.96 to 0.93) declined with higher SA, while hardness increased (4.12 to 5.17 g). ζ-potential values shifted from −29.10 mV (SA1) to −39.10 mV (SA3), confirming enhanced electrostatic stabilization. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic alginate functional groups, and morphological analysis showed smoother, denser beads at higher SA concentrations. Phenolic (47.86–48.51 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW) and flavonoid (34.02–36.68 mg QE g⁻¹ DW) contents were well-retained, supporting antioxidant activities (DPPH 70.34–72.54%; ABTS 65.66–66.91%). Antimicrobial tests demonstrated > 4-log reductions against E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Sensory evaluation revealed that higher SA concentrations improved texture and taste. Overall, SA encapsulation, particularly at 3%, effectively stabilized TPE, preserving its functional properties for potential food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Self-healing hydrogels, a novel class of “smart” hydrogels, possess the ability to autonomously restore their network structure and mechanical properties following damage through the reconnection of a fractured three-dimensional network via reversible interactions. This characteristic enhances their safety and durability, exhibiting significant potential in biomedicine. The key determinants of self-healing hydrogels are their mechanical strength and healing efficiency. Ideally, these hydrogels exhibit both high mechanical strength and good healing efficiency. Nevertheless, an inverse relationship between the mechanical strength and self-healing efficiency of self-healing hydrogels typically exists. Thus, research is currently focused on the development of self-healing hydrogels that combine good biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, and good self-healing efficiency. This review focuses on the research progress that is being made regarding the mechanical properties and self-healing capabilities of self-healing hydrogels, where we aim to achieve a balance between self-healing performance and mechanical strength. We outline the evaluation methods for assessing self-healing performance, followed by providing a summary of recent advancements in the mechanical strength and self-healing efficiency of external-stimulus-triggered self-healing hydrogels and autonomous self-healing hydrogels. Finally, we address the challenges and prospects for the future development of self-healing hydrogels. Full article

Establishing a simple and effective method for the visual detection of formaldehyde plays an important role in environmental emergency monitoring. In this work, L-cysteine-stabilized copper clusters were synthesized via a green, mild, and facile one-step preparation method. Through the optimization of reaction conditions, including reactant concentration and pH, the clusters exhibited stable red fluorescence. Upon exposure to formaldehyde, the fluorescence intensity of copper clusters gradually quenched with increasing formaldehyde concentration, enabling the development of a visual detection method that was successfully applied to analyze formaldehyde samples in air. Furthermore, by immobilizing the copper clusters into hydrogels, the visual detection performance and portability of the material were significantly enhanced. This method offers the advantages of simple preparation and rapid and accurate determination, demonstrating potential for semi-quantitative field detection of formaldehyde in emergency scenarios. Full article

Various therapeutic approaches have been explored to speed up wound healing, with angiogenesis being a crucial factor in this process and skin repair. This study shows that a polysaccharide extracted from the red alga Osmundea pinnatifida (PSOP) can promote angiogenesis and accelerate healing. The structural properties of PSOP were investigated using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier–transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–-visible spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a refractive index detector. Additionally, the in vitro antioxidant activity of PSOP was evaluated using the reducing power assay, total antioxidant capacity measurement, and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging tests. The PSOP extract exhibited significant pro-angiogenic effects in the avian chorioallantoic membrane model. Furthermore, the efficacy of PSOP-based hydrogels for wound healing was assessed in vivo using an excision wound model in Wistar rats. The results indicated accelerated wound healing, increased collagen deposition, and enhanced tissue regeneration. Computational studies suggest that the observed wound healing and pro-angiogenic effects may be attributed to the affinity of the PSOP units for cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor. These findings support the potential use of PSOP as a bioactive agent in wound care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Understanding the interactions between nanoparticles and mucosal tissues is crucial for the development of advanced drug delivery systems, as the diffusion behavior of nanoparticles through mucus is strongly influenced by their size and surface properties, and the viscoelastic nature of the hydrogel matrix. In this study, we investigated the impact of nanoparticle size, surface charge, and hydrogel crosslinking density on nanoparticle diffusion in a mucus model in vitro. Method: Citrate-stabilized and PEGylated 30 and 100 nm gold nanoparticles were used as a model of nanoparticle and their diffusion through mucus-mimicking mucin-based hydrogels of two different crosslinking densities was assessed. Results: Citrate-stabilized 30 nm nanoparticles demonstrated greater diffusion in hydrogels mimicking native mucus compared to more densely crosslinked ones, reaching approximately 50.3 ± 0.2% diffusion within the first 5 min of the assay. This size-dependent effect was not observed for the 100 nm citrate-stabilized nanoparticles, which showed limited diffusion in both hydrogel types. To confer different surface charge, gold nanoparticles were functionalized by the conjugation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives of identical molecular weight with different terminal moieties (neutral, and positively and negatively charged) to modulate the surface charge and assess their interaction with the negatively charged mucin matrix. PEGylated particles exhibited significantly greater mobility than their citrate-stabilized counterparts, regardless of size or hydrogel density owing to the muco-penetration effect of PEG. Among PEGylated particles, the neutral and negatively charged 30 nm variants demonstrated higher diffusion than the positively charged ones due to weaker interactions with the negatively charged mucin hydrogel. For the 100 nm particles, the neutral PEGylated nanoparticles exhibited greater diffusion than their positively charged counterparts. Conclusions: Overall findings could provide valuable insights into the more rational design of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems targeting mucosal tissues. Full article

Accurate and rapid extraction of pesticide residues in fruits is crucial for timely food safety monitoring. However, conventional extraction methods remain labor-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring hours for sample preparation. Here, we present a porous hydrogel microneedle (HMN) patch integrated with an automated insertion applicator as a highly efficient platform for the rapid extraction of peach juice for imidacloprid residue detection. The HMN patch, composed of polymethyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride (PMVE/MA) polymer, was fabricated with high porosity by adjusting the porogen content. Under optimized porogen content of 3% NaHCO₃, the developed HMN patch exhibited ultrahigh extraction efficiency, achieving a 40-fold water absorption capacity and extracting 0.6% (w/w) peach solids of its weight within 5 min. The extracted juice could be readily recovered through a simple elution process and was directly compatible with both high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and lateral flow assays. Compared with conventional destructive methods, the HMN platform offers a scalable, high-efficiency, and user-friendly solution for high-throughput pesticide extraction. The integration of the automated applicator further enhances consistency, minimizes user variability, and facilitates on-site monitoring of pesticide residues, providing a practical pathway for field-deployable food safety monitoring. Full article

Musculoskeletal disorders are a major cause of lameness in horses, often necessitating innovative regenerative strategies to restore joint function and improve quality of life. This study investigated the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), ozonized PRP, hyaluronic acid, paracetamol, and polyacrylamide hydrogel (NOLTREX^®) on the behavior of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from equine synovial fluid. Synovial fluid samples were collected under strict cytological criteria to ensure viability, followed by in vitro expansion and phenotypic characterization of MSCs. Cultures were supplemented with the tested preparations, and cellular proliferation and viability were evaluated at 24 h, 72 h, and 7 days. PRP significantly promoted MSC proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with maximal effect at 10%. Hyaluronic acid stimulated growth, most pronounced at 1 mg/mL, while paracetamol induced a concentration-dependent proliferative response, strongest at 100 μg/mL. NOLTREX displayed a biphasic effect, initially inhibitory at high concentrations but stimulatory at 7 days. Ozonized PRP showed concentration-dependent redox activity, with lower doses maintaining viability and higher doses producing an initial suppression followed by delayed stimulation. Collectively, these findings support the therapeutic potential of PRP and related biologic preparations as intra-articular regenerative therapies in equine medicine, while underscoring the importance of dose optimization and standardized protocols to facilitate clinical translation. Full article

Hydrogels are crosslinked polymer chains that form a three-dimensional network, widely used for wound dressing due to their ability to absorb significant amounts of fluid. This study aimed to develop a hydrogel patch for wound dressing with self-healing properties, particularly for joints and stretchable body parts, providing a physical barrier while maintaining an optimal environment for wound healing. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na CMC) were crosslinked with borax, which reacts with the active hydroxyl groups in both polymers to form a hydrogel. The patches were loaded with ciprofloxacin HCl (CIP), a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to prevent and treat various types of wound infections. Hydrogels were subjected to rheological, morphological, antimicrobial, self-healing, ex vivo release, swelling, cytotoxicity, wound healing, and stability studies. The hydrogels exhibited shear-thinning, thixotropic, and viscoelastic properties. Microscopic images of the CIP hydrogel patch showed a porous, crosslinked matrix. The antimicrobial activity of the patch revealed antibacterial effectiveness against five types of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, demonstrating a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.05 μg/mL against E. coli. The swelling percentage was found to be 337.4 ± 12.7%. The cumulative CIP release percentage reached 103.7 ± 3.7% after 3 h, followed by zero-order release kinetics. The stability studies revealed that the crossover point shifted toward higher frequencies after 3 months of storage at room temperature, suggesting a relaxation in the hydrogel bonds. The cytotoxicity study revealed that the CIP hydrogel patch is non-cytotoxic. Additionally, the in vivo study demonstrated that the CIP hydrogel patch possesses wound-healing ability. Therefore, the CIP PVA/Na CMC/Borax patch could be used in wound dressing. Full article

Conductive hydrogels (CHs) have attracted significant attention in the fields of flexible electronics, human–machine interaction, and electronic skin (e-skin) due to their self-adhesiveness, environmental stability, and multi-stimuli responsiveness. However, integrating these diverse functionalities into a single conductive hydrogel system remains a challenge. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylamide (PAM) were used as the dual-network matrix, lithium chloride and MXene were added, and a simple immersion strategy was adopted to synthesize a multifunctional MXene-based conductive hydrogel in a glycerol/water (1:1) binary solvent system. A subsequent investigation was then conducted on the hydrogel. The prepared PVA/PAM/LiCl/MXene hydrogel exhibits excellent tensile properties (~1700%), high electrical conductivity (1.6 S/m), and good self-healing ability. Furthermore, it possesses multimodal sensing performance, including humidity sensitivity (sensitivity of −1.09/% RH), temperature responsiveness (heating sensitivity of 2.2 and cooling sensitivity of 1.5), and fast pressure response/recovery times (220 ms/230 ms). In addition, the hydrogel has successfully achieved real-time monitoring of human joint movements (elbow and knee bending) and physiological signals (pulse, breathing), as well as enabled monitoring of spatial pressure distribution via a 3 × 3 sensor array. The performance and versatility of this hydrogel make it a promising candidate for next-generation flexible sensors, which can be applied in the fields of human health monitoring, electronic skin, and human–machine interaction. Full article

A polyamidoamine-based hydrogel (H-M-GLY) and its montmorillonite-based composite (H-M-GLY/MMT) were studied as selective cleaning materials for cultural heritage conservation. H-M-GLY was synthesized from a glycine-based polyamidoamine oligomer with acrylamide terminals (M-GLY) through radical polymerization at pH 7.3 and had a basic character. The M-GLY oligomer was in turn synthesized from N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide and glycine in a 1:0.85 molar ratio. H-M-GLY/MMT was obtained by cross-linking a 1:0.1—weight ratio—M-GLY/MMT mixture at pH 4.0, to promote polyamidoamine-MMT interaction. The composite hydrogel absorbed less water than the plain hydrogel and proved tougher, due to montmorillonite’s electrostatic interactions with the positively charged M-GLY units. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that MMT was uniformly dispersed throughout the hydrogel. Both hydrogels were subjected to ink bleeding tests on papers written with either iron gall or India ink. Microscopic observation revealed neither bleeding nor release of hydrogel fragments. Being basic, H-M-GLY successfully deacidified the surface of aged paper. H-M-GLY/MMT, swollen in a 1:9 ethanol/water solution, was found to be effective in removing wax, known to trap carbonaceous particles and form dark stains on artistic artifacts. This study demonstrates the great potential of polyamidoamine-based hydrogels as versatile selective cleaning systems for cellulosic and other cultural heritage materials. Full article

Dynamic compression (DC) bioreactors are widely used to mimic joint loading and study how human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) respond to mechanical cues. However, it remains unclear whether DC alone is sufficient to induce chondrogenesis or how such cues interact during construct maturation. In this study, hMSCs were encapsulated in fibrin hydrogels at different cell densities and subjected to DC without, during, or after TGF-β3-mediated chondrogenic induction. DC alone modestly increased SOX9 expression but failed to upregulate key cartilage matrix genes such as ACAN and COL2A1, indicating that mechanical stimulation alone is insufficient to initiate chondrogenesis. When mechanical stimulation was coupled with TGF-β3, a more mature chondrogenic phenotype was observed for high cell seeding densities (HD). To simulate a post-implantation scenario, we applied DC following growth factor withdrawal and observed marked downregulation of SOX9, ACAN, and COL2A1 in low-density (LD) constructs. This reduction was not observed in HD constructs, which maintained a more stable chondrogenic phenotype under loading. These findings show that construct maturation critically influences mechanoresponsiveness and suggest that immature grafts may not tolerate mechanical stimulation. DC bioreactors may therefore serve not only to support cartilage engineering but also to predict in vivo graft performance. Full article