Gelatin Fibers Research Articles

Chitosan and ibuprofen grafted electrospun polylactic acid/gelatin membrane mitigates inflammatory response.

Electrospun membranes with biomimetic fibrous structures and high specific surfaces benefit cell proliferation and tissue regeneration but are prone to cause chronic inflammation and foreign body response (FBR). To solve these problems, we herein report an approach to functionalize electrospun membranes with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory components to modulate inflammatory responses and improve implantation outcomes. Specifically, electrospun polylactic acid (PLA)/gelatin (Gel) fibers were grafted with chitosan (CS) and ibuprofen (IBU) via carbodiimide chemistry. Our results show that the surface modification strategy endows electrospun membranes with moderate antibacterial activities and sustained release of anti-inflammatory drugs. The electrospun PLA/Gel-CS-IBU membrane showed good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by suppressing M1 polarization and promoting M2 polarization of macrophages in vitro. Similarly, it induced significantly milder chronic inflammatory responses in vivo than unmodified electrospun membranes. Given the good anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, this strategy might improve the biological performance of electrospun membranes as implants in clinics.

Anatomical and Physicochemical Attributes of Endemic Medicinal Plant Species Vincetoxicum capparidifolium (Wight & Arn.) Kuntze, Apocynaceae

ABSTRACTVincetoxicum capparidifolium (Wight & Arn.) Kuntze [=Tylophora capparidifolia (Wight & Arn.) Kuntze], belonging to the family Apocynaceae, is a medicinal plant species endemic to the southern Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. The current study sought to investigate the macroscopic, organoleptic, microscopic, physicochemical, and proximate compositional aspects of the fresh and powdered leaf and stem portions of V. capparidifolium. The anatomical peculiarities of the leaf parts reveal a hypostomatic nature with paracytic stomata, the epidermis being made up of thin‐walled cells covered with a thick cuticle (5.9 μm), and the hypodermis comprising angular collenchyma cells. The petiole is oval/rounded‐ellipse with abundant nonglandular multicellular trichomes ascending from the epidermis. The hypodermis is composed of collenchymatous cells containing many calcium oxalate crystals and silica bodies. Bicollateral vascular bundles with internal and external phloem characterize the leaf, stem, and petiole parts. The stem is covered by a thin cuticle, chlorenchymatous hypodermis, and large gelatinous fiber bundles (124.29 × 81.71 μm). Secondary growth in the stem is characterized by the development of periderm and lignified vascular tissues. Bicollateral vascular bundles are overlaid by irregular sclerenchyma patches (7.07 × 5.36 μm), a parenchymatous cortex, and pith composed of thin‐walled parenchyma cells. Scanning electron microscopic study of powdered plant parts disclosed the presence of fiber in the stem and a trace outline of leaf epidermal cells. X‐ray diffraction analysis specified indefinite crystallinity in the plant powder (57.038–69.500 nm). Thorough examination of pH, ash content, and percentage of crude lipid confirms that V. capparidifolium exhibits sufficient quality and purity.

Comparing solution blow spinning and electrospinning methods to produce collagen and gelatin ultrathin fibers: A review.

Ultrathin fibers have been used to design functional nanostructured materials for technological and biomedical applications. Combining the use of renewable and compatible sources with the emerging alternative SBS (solution blow spinning) technique opens new opportunities for material applications. In this review, we introduce the benefits of SBS over the classical electrospinning technique by following studies that use collagen or gelatin. SBS offers distinct advantages over electrospinning in the preparation of ultrathin fibers based on natural proteins, including the absence of high-voltage sources and the possibility of using fewer toxic solvents. Notably, there is also the prospect of using SBS directly in injured tissues, opening new strategies for in situ structure assembly SBS is a suitable approach to produce fibers at the nanoscale that can be tailored to distinct diameters by blending or simply adjusting experimental conditions. The focus on producing collagen or gelatin fibers contributes to designing highly biocompatible mats with potential for promoting cellular growth and implantation, even though their applications can be found also in food packaging, energy, and the environment. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the topic is essential to evaluate the current strategies regarding these materials and allow for their expanded production and advanced applications.

Cartilage defect repair in a rat model via a nanocomposite hydrogel loaded with melatonin-loaded gelatin nanofibers and menstrual blood stem cells: an in vitro and in vivo study

Cartilage damage caused by injuries or degenerative diseases remains a major challenge in the field of regenerative medicine. In this study, we developed a composite hydrogel system for the delivery of melatonin and menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) to treat a rat model of cartilage defect. The composite delivery system was produced by incorporation of melatonin into the gelatin fibers and dispersing these fibers into calcium alginate hydrogels. Various characterization methods including cell viability assay, microstructure studies, degradation rate measurement, drug release, anti-inflammatory assay, and radical scavenging assay were used to characterize the hydrogel system. MenSCs were encapsulated within the nanocomposite hydrogel and implanted into a rat model of full-thickness cartilage defect. A 1.3 mm diameter drilled in the femoral trochlea and used for the in vivo study. Results showed that the healing potential of nanocomposite hydrogels containing melatonin and MenSCs was significantly higher than polymer-only hydrogels. Our study introduces a novel composite hydrogel system, combining melatonin and MenSCs, demonstrating enhanced cartilage repair efficacy, offering a promising avenue for regenerative medicine.Graphical

Characterization of Fibers Prepared by Centrifugal Spinning from Biotechnologically Derived Chicken Gelatin.

The application of biopolymer-based materials is increasing due to better sustainability and environmental protection properties. Gelatin fibers have a specific surface and high porosity, which is why their use in medicine and the food industry is being researched. This article explores the potential of centrifugal spinning to produce gelatin fibers. Gelatin for fiber preparation was obtained from a non-traditional source of collagen (chicken by-products) using a unique enzymatic process. The fiber quality was compared with those prepared from gelatins produced from traditional collagen tissues (porcine, bovine). The results showed that fibers cross-linked with glutaraldehyde vapor preserved their structure even in contact with water. Using a cross-linker controlled swelling ability and solubility while maintaining the fiber structure. On the contrary, uncross-linked gelatin fibers were water soluble due to a high surface-to-volume ratio, facilitating water penetration and dissolution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided a clearer picture of the morphology of gelatin fibers obtained by centrifugal spinning. Differences in the amount of bonding depending on the raw material used and the presence of a cross-linker were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The overall results showed that chicken gelatin is a suitable alternative to gelatins from traditional sources and can be used for preparing food and pharmaceutical packaging and coatings, fibers, or bioprinting of 3D matrices.

Fibrin-like calcium release 3D gelatin fiber hemostatic scaffold for interventional surgery

Hemostasis plays a critical role in wound treatment and surgical operations. Blood coagulation can be facilitated by both physical coagulation, involving fibrin and platelets, and chemical coagulation, promoted by calcium ion release. In this study, we fabricated a 3D gelatin fiber and calcium-releasing gelatin sponge (GFGS) to promote the hemostatic process at the wound site. Fibrin-like gelatin fibers electrospun on an ethanol bath were able to form 2–5 µm fibers that maintained a 3D structure and did not dissolve in water. These fibers, which were not densely packed, created a porous space that could entangle with red blood cells, thereby expanding the binding sites. The uncrosslinked gelatin sponge undergoes dissolution upon contact with blood, facilitating blood infiltration and the localized release of calcium ions to enhance the coagulation process. The GFGS demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and hemostatic effects, reducing blood loss by five times compared to regular gauze in a 3 mm diameter wound. By modifying the collector of the electrospinning device and the crosslinking methods, we were able to create a scaffold where gelatin fibers do not adhere to each other and maintain a 3D structure. Additionally, by crosslinking the gelatin to release calcium ions, we were able to enhance the hemostatic effect. This is expected to rapidly prevent and treat wounds occurring after interventional surgeries.

Comparative Anatomical Analysis of Bark Structure in 10 Quercus Species.

Detailed anatomical features of bark are used and interpreted in plant taxonomy, phylogenetics, and other areas of plant science. However, the delicate nature of bark cells, combined with the difficulty of obtaining high-quality sections and reliable data, limits the potential for utilizing and processing bark. In this study, the anatomical structure of the bark of 10 Quercus species growing in Yunnan Province, China, was characterized in detail. The results indicate that the anatomical features of the barks of 10 Quercus spp. show a certain degree of consistency. Specifically, sieve tubes are distributed in solitary elements or in small groups, mostly as compound sieve plates containing 2-8 sieve areas, suggesting that Quercus spp. may occupy a conservative evolutionary position. Additionally, for the first time, this study reports the presence of simple sieve plates in the sieve tube elements of Quercus phloem. Each sieve tube element has a companion cell on one side. The companion cell strands contain 2-7 cells. Axial parenchyma is diffuse, with parenchyma strands typically consisting of 4-7 cells; druses are present within chambered crystalliferous cells. Phloem rays are of two distinct sizes and often exhibit dilatation and sclerification, and the ray composition consists of procumbent cells. Sclerenchyma is composed of fibers and sclereids, both of which contain prismatic crystals. Most of the fibers are gelatinous fibers, which are distributed in discontinuous tangential bands of about five cells in width. Sclereids appear in clusters. The presence of sclerenchyma provides mechanical support to the bark, reducing the collapse of the phloem. Periderm usually consists of around 10-30 layers of phellem, and Quercus acutissima and Q. variabilis can reach dozens or hundreds layers. The phelloderm typically consists of from two to five layers, with Q. variabilis having up to ten or more layers. The filling tissue of lenticels in all Quercus species is nonstratified (homogeneous) and largely nonsuberized. Overall, this study enriches our comprehension of Quercus bark anatomy, elucidating evolutionary patterns, functional adaptations, and ecological ramifications within this significant botanical genus.

A COBRA family protein, PtrCOB3, contributes to gelatinous layer formation of tension wood fibers in poplar.

Angiosperm trees usually develop tension wood (TW) in response to gravitational stimulation. TW comprises abundant gelatinous (G-) fibers with thick G-layers primarily composed of crystalline cellulose. Understanding the pivotal factors governing G-layer formation in TW fiber remains elusive. This study elucidates the role of a Populus trichocarpa COBRA family protein, PtrCOB3, in the G-layer formation of TW fibers. PtrCOB3 expression was upregulated, and its promoter activity was enhanced during TW formation. Comparative analysis with wild-type trees revealed that ptrcob3 mutants, mediated by Cas9/gRNA gene editing, were incapable of producing G-layers within TW fibers and showed severely impaired stem lift. Fluorescence immunolabeling data revealed a dearth of crystalline cellulose in the tertiary cell wall (TCW) of ptrcob3 TW fibers. The role of PtrCOB3 in G-layer formation is contingent upon its native promoter, as evidenced by the comparative phenotypic assessments of pCOB11::PtrCOB3, pCOB3::PtrCOB3, and pCOB3::PtrCOB11 transgenic lines in the ptrcob3 background. Overexpression of PtrCOB3 under the control of its native promoter expedited G-layer formation within TW fibers. We further identified 3 transcription factors that bind to the PtrCOB3 promoter and positively regulate its transcriptional levels. Alongside the primary TCW synthesis genes, these findings enable the construction of a 2-layer transcriptional regulatory network for the G-layer formation of TW fibers. Overall, this study uncovers mechanistic insight into TW formation, whereby a specific COB protein executes the deposition of cellulose, and consequently, G-layer formation within TW fibers.

Caffeic Acid Encapsulated Centrifugally Spun Antioxidant Fibers: Characterization and Incorporation in Cakes

AbstractThe primary aim of this study was to formulate a cake with high antioxidant activity through the incorporation of centrifugally spun gelatin-based fiber which was enriched with caffeic acid. Characterization analyses were conducted to evaluate fibers with different concentrations of caffeic acid (2% and 4%), while simultaneously the effects of thermal and citric acid crosslinking on the physical and functional properties of the encapsulated fibers were investigated. The study revealed varying encapsulation efficiencies of caffeic acid in gelatin fibers (56.34–94.55%), markedly affected by substantial reduction of thermal crosslinking, contrasting with citric acid’s minimal impact. Additionally, citric acid increased total phenolic content (TPC), but thermal treatment notably decreased antioxidant activity (AOA) due to its impact on radical scavenging and phenolic group dissociation. The addition of citric acid significantly reduced water vapor permeability by 22% suggesting an induced crosslinking in both thermal-treated caffeic acid and citric acid samples. The study highlighted reduced AOA and phenolic content in thermally treated fibers (thermally treated gelatin with 2% caffeic acid vs thermally treated gelatin with 4% caffeic acid), suggesting lower water solubility and improved thermal stability with approximately 24% remaining weight after thermogravimetric analysis. Despite this, cakes with thermally treated fibers had higher AOA due to improved heat resistance of fibers. Generally, adding fibers to cakes decreased hardness and pH while increasing TPC, AOA, and volume index, showing a novel approach using centrifugally spun fibers to enrich foods with antioxidants.

Wound Dressings from Electrospun Gelatin Fibres Coated with Zinc Oxide nano Particles

Traditional wound dressings require frequent replacement, are prone to bacterial growth and cause a lot of environmental pollution. Therefore, biodegradable and antibacterial dressings are eagerly desired. In this paper, gelatin/ZnO fibers were first prepared by side-by-side electrospinning for potential wound dressing materials. The morphology, composition, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), particle size analyzer (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetry (TGA) and Incucyte™ Zoom system. The results show that ZnO particles are uniformly dispersed on the surface of gelatin fibers and have no cytotoxicity. In addition, the gelatin/ZnO fibers exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) with a significant reduction of bacteria to more than 90%. Therefore, such a biodegradable, nontoxic and antibacterial fiber has excellent application prospects in wound dressing.

Osteoblast responsive biosilica-enriched gelatin microfibrillar microenvironments

Engineering of scaffolds for bone regeneration is often inspired by the native extracellular matrix mimicking its composite fibrous structure. In the present study, we used low loadings of diatomite earth (DE) biosilica to improve the bone regeneration potential of gelatin electrospun fibrillar microenvironments. We explored the effect of increasing the DE content from 1 % to 3 % and 5 %, respectively, on the physico-chemical properties of the fibrous scaffolds denoted FG_DE1, FG_DE3, FG_DE5, regarding the aqueous media affinity, stability under simulated physiological conditions, morphology characteristics, and local mechanical properties at the surface. The presence of biosilica generated composite structures with lower swelling degrees and higher stiffness when compared to gelatin fibers. Increasing DE content led to higher Young modulus, while the stability of the protein matrix in PBS, at 37 °C, over 21 was significantly decreased by the presence of diatomite loadings. The best preosteoblast response was obtained for FG_DE3, with enhanced mineralization during the osteogenic differentiation when compared to the control sample without diatomite. 5 % DE in FG_DE5 proved to negatively influence cells' metabolic activity and morphology. Hence, the obtained composite microfibrillar scaffolds might find application as osteoblast-responsive materials for bone tissue engineering.

Pharmacognostical Investigation of Ipomoea digitata Linn. roots to aid Identification and Standardization

Ipomoea digitata Linn. belongs to family Convolvulaceae with the synonym elephant potato is commonly known as Bilaikand in Hindi. It is an extensive perennial climber, with large ovoid or elongated tuberous roots. Root part of the plant is used to cure various aliments by the locals and tribes in different part of India. The present study involves detailed pharmacognostical investigation of the root with an objective to facilitate proper identification and standardisation of the herbal drug and formulations. Microscopy of the transverse sections, proximate analysis which includes moisture content, ash values and extractive values were determined. The preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, gums, amino acids, proteins, fixed oils, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins. Microscopic analysis shows presence of narrow angular six primary xylem strands, xylem vessel are of 200-450µm in diameter, phloem composed of tangential blocks of gelatinous fibres, 50µm wide secretory cannals, cortex has four or five layers of parenchymatous cells and abundant prismatic 5µm wide calcium oxalate crystals in the ground parenchyma. The obtained parameters will be of great help in the authentication and standardization of the drug.

Controlled Stiffness of Direct-Write, Near-Field Electrospun Gelatin Fibers Generates Differences in Tenocyte Morphology and Gene Expression.

Tendinopathy is a leading cause of mobility issues. Currently, the cell-matrix interactions involved in the development of tendinopathy are not fully understood. In vitro tendon models provide a unique tool for addressing this knowledge gap as they permit fine control over biochemical, micromechanical, and structural aspects of the local environment to explore cell-matrix interactions. In this study, direct-write, near-field electrospinning of gelatin solution was implemented to fabricate micron-scale fibrous scaffolds that mimic native collagen fiber size and orientation. The stiffness of these fibrous scaffolds was found to be controllable between 1 MPa and 8 MPa using different crosslinking methods (EDC, DHT, DHT+EDC) or through altering the duration of crosslinking with EDC (1 h to 24 h). EDC crosslinking provided the greatest fiber stability, surviving up to 3 weeks in vitro. Differences in stiffness resulted in phenotypic changes for equine tenocytes with low stiffness fibers (∼1 MPa) promoting an elongated nuclear aspect ratio while those on high stiffness fibers (∼8 MPa) were rounded. High stiffness fibers resulted in the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) and proteoglycans (possible indicators for tendinopathy) relative to low stiffness fibers. These results demonstrate the feasibility of direct-written gelatin scaffolds as tendon in vitro models and provide evidence that matrix mechanical properties may be crucial factors in cell-matrix interactions during tendinopathy formation.

Polyhydroxybutyrate-based osteoinductive mineralized electrospun structures that mimic components and tissue interfaces of the osteon for bone tissue engineering.

Scaffolds for bone tissue engineering should enable regeneration of bone tissues with its native hierarchically organized ECM and multiple tissue interfaces. To achieve this, inspired by the structure and properties of bone osteon, we fabricated polyhydroxybutyrate-based mineralized electrospun fibrous scaffolds. After studying multiple polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-based fibers, we chose 7%PHB/1%Gelatin fibers (PG) to fabricate mineralized fibers that mimic mineralized collagen fibers in bone. The mineralized PG (mPG) surface had a rough, hydrophilic layer of low crystalline calcium phosphate which was biocompatible to BMSCs, induced their proliferation and was osteoinductive. Subsequently, by modulating the electrospinning process, we fabricated mPG-based novel higher order fibrous scaffolds that mimic the macroscale geometries of osteons of bone ECM. Inspired by the aligned collagen fibers in bone lamellae, we fabricated mPG scaffolds with aligned fibers that could direct anisotropic elongation of mBMSCs. Further, we fabricated electrospun mPG-based osteoinductive tubular constructs which can mimic cylindrical bone components like osteons or lamellae or be used as long bone analogues based on their dimensions. Finally, to regenerate tissue interfaces in bone, we introduced a novel bi-layered scaffold-based approach. An electrospun bi-layered tubular construct that had PG in the outer layer and 7%PHB/0.5%Polypyrrole fibers (PPy) in the inner layer was fabricated. The bi-layered tubular construct underwent preferential surface mineralization only on its outer layer. This outer mineralized layer supported osteogenesis while the inner PPy layer could support neural cell growth. Thus, the bi-layered tubular construct may be used to regenerate haversian canal in the osteons which hosts nerve fibers. Overall, the study introduced novel techniques to fabricate biomimetic structures that can regenerate components of bone osteon and its multiple tissue interfaces. The study lays foundation for the fabrication of a modular scaffold that can regenerate bone with its hierarchical structure and complex tissue interfaces.

Simulation of the bone remodelling microenvironment by calcium compound-loaded hydrogel fibrous membranes for in situ bone regeneration.

The endowment of guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes with the ability to activate the endogenous regenerative capability of bone to regenerate bone defects is of clinical significance. Herein we explored the preparation of the calcium compound (CC) (calcium sulfate (CaSL), calcium hydrophosphate (CaHP), or tricalcium phosphate (TCaP)) loaded ultrathin silk fibroin (SF)/gelatin (G) fibre membranes via electrospinning as the GBR membranes to regenerate the calvarial bone defects. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that the CaSL-loaded ultrathin fibrous membranes could simulate optimally the bone remodelling microenvironment in comparison with the CaHP- and TCaP-loaded fibrous membranes, displaying the highest activity to regulate the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Also, the in vivo experiments demonstrated that the CaSL-loaded fibrous membranes presented the highest intrinsic osteoinduction to guide in situ regeneration of bone. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments demonstrated that the as-prepared composite fibrous membranes possessed good degradability. In summary, our results suggested that the CaSL-loaded fibrous membranes with high intrinsic osteoinduction and good degradability have potential to translate into clinical practice.

Gelatin from specific freshwater and saltwater fish extracted using six different methods: Component interactions, structural characteristics, and functional properties

Dry-salting, wet-salting, trypsin, pepsin, acid, and heat methods were used to extract the gelatin from a few saltwater (snakehead) and freshwater (shark) fish skins, and their structural and functional properties and components were then investigated. The results show that enzyme techniques produce fish skin gelatin with a robust triple-helix organization and a sponge-like mesh structure, exhibiting good water absorption(10.67%), fat binding(10.63%), and emulsification properties(89.37 m2/g). The gelatin fiber length and height of shark gelatin extracted by wet salt method were the highest with 617.77 ± 44.04 nm and 17.30 ± 1.45 nm, respectively. Shark skin gelatin produced via heat methods and blackfish skin produced via trypsin exhibits impressive thermal stability, its Tm value was 77.5 °C and 75.7 °C respectively. heatly extracted snakehead and shark gelatin has a high gel strength with 3.06 ± 0.04 N and 3.14 ± 0.04 N. A more in-depth component analysis demonstrates that blackfish skin and shark skin gelatins contain 14 and 9 different forms of collagen proteins, respectively, according to a more thorough component study. Different varieties of gelatin also have other extracellular matrix elements. Notably, trypsin-derived gelatin from shark and blackfish skin has been shown to include biglycan and member 3 (NESH)-binding protein b. The co-assembly of type II improved the gel strength and thermal stability of the gelatin and type XI collagen. Biglycan and decorin can promote the growth of dense network structures. These findings will significantly contribute to the customized applications of fish gelatin and the mechanistic clarification of synthetic biology.

Characterization of Microbial Decay and Microbial Communities in Waterlogged Archaeological Rosewood (Dalbergia Species)

While numerous studies have examined microbial attacks on waterlogged archaeological wood, limited information is available regarding microbial attacks in waterlogged tropical hardwoods submerged in marine environments. In this context, we explored microbial attacks in waterlogged archaeological rosewood (Dalbergia species), a tropical hardwood species that was submerged in the Yellow Sea for approximately 700 years, using various microscopic techniques and next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods. Based on morphological features, Type-I soft rot decay was identified as the main decay type. Most fibers in waterlogged archaeological rosewood studied were gelatinous (G) fibers of tension wood and the mode of soft rot decay differed from fibers without the G-layer. Differences in decay resistance between vessel/axial parenchyma cells and fibers were not obvious. Vestured- and simple pit membranes showed higher decay resistance than vessel and axial parenchyma cell walls, respectively. Microbial community analysis by NGS revealed the dominance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota in the fungal community. Various bacterial communities were also identified, although no prominent signs of bacterial decay were noted. The identified bacterial communities markedly differed from those reported previously in terms of their composition and abundance. Together, our results offer detailed insights into the microbial types and communities responsible for degrading waterlogged archaeological rosewood, contributing to a better understanding of microbial attacks in tropical hardwoods exposed to marine environments.

Fiber-reinforced gelatin/β-cyclodextrin hydrogels loaded with platelet-rich plasma-derived exosomes for diabetic wound healing

Diabetic complications with high-glucose status (HGS) cause the dysregulated autophagy and excessive apoptosis of multiple-type cells, leading to the difficulty in wound self-healing. Herein, we firstly developed fiber-reinforced gelatin (GEL)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) therapeutic hydrogels by the modification of platelet-rich plasma exosomes (PRP-EXOs). The GEL fibers that were uniformly dispersed within the GEL/β-CD hydrogels remarkably enhanced the compression strengths and viscoelasticity. The PRP-EXOs were encapsulated in the hydrogels via the covalent crosslinking between the PRP-EXOs and genipin. The diabetic rat models demonstrated that the GEL/β-CD hydrogels and PRP-EXOs cooperatively promoted diabetic wound healing. On the one hand, the GEL/β-CD hydrogels provided the biocompatible microenvironments and active components for cell adhesion, proliferation and skin tissue regeneration. On the other hand, the PRP-EXOs in the therapeutic hydrogels significantly activated the autophagy and inhibited the apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). The activation of autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis in HUVECs and HSFs induced the blood vessel creation, collagen formation and re-epithelialization. Taken together, this work proved that the incorporation of PRP-EXOs in a wound dressing was an effective strategy to regulate autophagy and apoptosis, and provide a novel therapeutic platform for diabetic wound healing.

NHS-POx-loaded patch versus fibrin sealant patch in a porcine robotic liver bleeding model

BackgroundThe management of bleeding is paramount to any surgical procedure. With the increased use of less invasive laparoscopic and robotic methods, achieving hemostasis can be challenging since the surgeons cannot manually apply hemostatic agents directly onto bleeding tissue. In this study, we assessed the use of a pliable hemostatic sealant patch comprising fibrous gelatin carrier impregnated with poly(2-oxazoline) (NHS-POx) for hemostasis in robotic liver resection in a porcine bleeding model.MethodsThe NHS-POx-loaded patch (GATT-Patch), was first evaluated in a Feasibility Study to treat surgical bleeding in 10 lesions, followed by a Comparative Study in which the NHS-POx patch was compared to a standard-of-care fibrin sealant patch (TachoSil), in 36 lesions (superficial, resection, or deep injuries mimicking metastasectomies). For each lesion type, the NHS-POx and fibrin sealant patches were used in an alternating fashion with 18 lesions treated with NHS-POx and 18 with the fibrin patch. Animal preparation and surgical procedures were consistent across studies. The primary outcome was time to hemostasis (TTH) within 3 min for the Feasibility Study and within 5 min for the Comparative Study.ResultsIn the Feasibility Study, 8 of the 10 NHS-POx-treated lesions achieved hemostasis at 30 s and 3 min. In the Comparative Study, all 18 NHS-POx patch-treated lesions and 9 of the 18 fibrin sealant patch-treated lesions achieved hemostasis at 5 min. Median TTH with NHS-POx vs fibrin sealant patch was 30 vs 300 s (P < 0.001).ConclusionsIn this animal study, hemostasis during robotic liver surgery was achieved faster and more often with the NHS-POx loaded vs fibrin sealant patch.

Novel electrospun nanofibers based on gelatin/oxidized xanthan gum containing propolis reinforced by Schiff base cross-linking for food packaging.

Gelatin-based electrospun fibers are promising materials for food packaging but suffer from high hydrophilicity and weak mechanical properties. To overcome these limitations, in the current study, gelatin-based nanofibers were reinforced by using oxidized xanthan gum (OXG) as a crosslinking agent. The nanofibers' morphology was investigated through SEM, and the observations showed that the fibers' diameter was decreased by enhancing OXG content. The resultant fibers with more OXG content exhibited high tensile stress so the optimal sample obtained showed a tensile stress of 13.24±0.76MPa, which is up to 10 times more than neat gelatin fiber. Adding OXG to gelatin fibers reduced water vapor permeability, water solubility, and moisture content properties while increasing thermal stability and porosity. Additionally, the nanofibers containing propolis displayed a homogenous morphology with high antioxidant and antibacterial activities. In general, the findings suggested that the designed fibers could be used as a matrix for active food packaging.