Search

Zein, which accounts for around 80% of the total protein composition in corn, is a biocompatible and biodegradable substance derived from renewable sources. Although insoluble in water, its amphiphilic characteristics are utilized to generate nanoparticles, nanofibers, microparticles, and even films. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated the potential of zein as a prospective biomaterial to develop fibrous scaffolds for biomedical functions owing to its biocompatibility, fibrous formation, and encapsulating qualities. Fabrication of zein‐based fibrous scaffolds for biomedical applications is achieved by a wide variety of techniques, including electrospinning, wet spinning, freeze drying, and additive manufacturing. This article overviews current advancements in manufacturing techniques for zein‐based fibrous scaffolds. In addition, it summarizes the most recent biomedical applications and research activities utilizing zein‐based fibrous scaffolds. Overall, zein is proposed as a potential biomaterial for the production of fibrous scaffolds that stimulate cell adhesion and proliferation in a number of exciting biomedical applications due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and other unique features related to its structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypropylene (PP) based hernia mesh often shows multiple post‐surgery complications due to lack of biocompatibility, poor cell attachment, and unwanted tissue adhesion. These limitations can be addressed by material designing and surface modification of a mesh with side‐specific properties such as the visceral side (facing intestine) with low protein and cell attachment and the parietal side (facing incision) with improved cell attachment properties for normal healing. However, the development of dual‐sided mesh is very challenging because of its porous structure. Herein, a dual‐sided biocompatible mesh with protein anti‐adsorption and cell attachment properties on two different sides is developed by grafting highly hydrophilic 2‐methcryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer (PMPC) on the plasma‐activated visceral side, while the parietal side is coated with bioactive chitosan and functionalized nanodiamond (Chi/FND) using a temporary polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mold. The PMPC‐grafted side demonstrated excellent resistance to protein adsorption (96% reduction compared to PP) and cell attachment. However, the bioactive coating on the parietal side has significantly improved cell attachment and proliferation properties. In addition, both sides confirmed the presence of the respective biomaterials after an accelerated degradation study for 28 days. Hence, the newly developed dual‐sided mesh by semi‐solid polymer mold (SSPM) method is a promising candidate to address the long‐existing multiple issues of hernia mesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypropylene (PP) mesh is most commonly used for the treatment of hernia and pelvic floor construction. However, some of the patients have a few complications after surgery due to the rejection or infection of the implanted meshes. The poor biocompatibility of PP mesh, low wettability results in poor cell attachment/proliferation and restricts the loading of antibacterial agent, leading to a slow healing process and high risk of infection after surgery. Here in this study, a new technique has been employed to develop a novel antimicrobial and biocompatible PP mesh modified with bioactive chitosan and functionalized nanodiamond (FND) for infection inhibition and acceleration of the healing process. An oxygen plasma treatment PP mesh was used then chitosan was strongly attached to the surface of the PP fibers. Subsequently, FND as an antibacterial agent was loaded into the chitosan modified PP fiber to provide desired antibacterial functions. The meshes were characterised with XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, water contact angle, confocal, and optical microscopy. The modified PP mesh with chitosan and FND showed a significant increase in its hydrophilicity and L929 fibroblast cell attachment. Furthermore, the modified mesh exhibited great antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli. Therefore, the newly developed technique to modify PP mesh could be a promising technique to generate a biocompatible PP mesh to accelerate the healing process and reduce the risk of infection after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biocompatibility of materials is the determining factor for them to be applied in biomedical areas. Nanodiamond (ND) has gained increasing interest in this area due to its biocompatibility, ease of surface functionalization and excellent mechanical performance. ND has been widely used to reinforce biopolymers, and the resultant biocomposites have found applications in bone tissue engineering, chemotherapeutic drug delivery, and wound healing. Fluorescent ND, when combined with biopolymers, is serving for bioimaging and sensing applications. Herein, we contribute a description of ND, recent trends in its adoption for biopolymers, functionalization methods, amalgamation techniques of ND with biopolymers, potential applications of these composites in the biomedical field and future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Biodegradable polyurethanes offer advantages in the design of injectable or preformed scaffolds for tissue engineering and other medical implant applications. We have developed two-part injectable prepolymer systems (prepolymer A and B) consisting of lactic acid and glycolic acid based polyester star polyols, pentaerythritol (PE) and ethyl lysine diisocyanate (ELDI). This study reports on the formulation and properties of a series of cross linked polyurethanes specifically developed for orthopaedic applications. Prepolymer A was based on PE and ELDI. Polyester polyols (prepolymer B) were based on PE and dl-lactic acid (PEDLLA) or PE and glycolic acid (PEGA) with molecular weights 456 and 453, respectively. Several cross linked porous and non-porous polyurethanes were prepared by mixing and curing prepolymers A and B and their mechanical and thermal properties, in vitro (PBS/37°C/pH 7.4) and in vivo (sheep bi-lateral) degradation evaluated. The effect of incorporating β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP, 5microns, 10wt.%) was also investigated. The cured polymers exhibited high compressive strength (100–190MPa) and modulus (1600–2300MPa). β-TCP improved mechanical properties in PEDLLA based polyurethanes and retarded the onset of in vitro and in vivo degradation. Sheep study results demonstrated that the polymers in both injectable and precured forms did not cause any surgical difficulties or any adverse tissue response. Evidence of new bone growth and the gradual degradation of the polymers were observed with increased implant time up to 6months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]