Mechanical Properties Of Scaffolds Research Articles

A nanofibrous polycaprolactone/collagen neural guidance channel filled with sciatic allogeneic schwann cells and platelet-rich plasma for sciatic nerve repair.

Sciatic nerve damage, a common condition affecting approximately 2.8% of the US population, can lead to significant disability due to impaired nerve signal transmission, resulting in loss of sensation and motor function in the lower extremities. In this study, a neural guidance channel was developed by rolling a nanofibrous scaffold produced via electrospinning. The scaffold's microstructure, biocompatibility, biodegradation rate, porosity, mechanical properties, and hemocompatibility were evaluated. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) activated with 30,000 allogeneic Schwann cells (SCs) was injected into the lumen of the channels following implantation into a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. Recovery of motor function, sensory function, and muscle re-innervation was assessed using the sciatic function index (SFI), hot plate latency time, and gastrocnemius muscle wet weight loss. Results showed mean hot plate latency times of Autograft: 7.03, PCL/collagen scaffolds loaded with PRP and SCs (PCLCOLPRPSCs): 8.34, polymer-only scaffolds (PCLCOL): 10.66, and untreated animals (Negative Control): 12.00. The mean SFI values at week eight were Autograft: -49.30, PCLCOLPRPSCs: -64.29, PCLCOL: -75.62, and Negative Control: -77.14. The PCLCOLPRPSCs group showed a more negative SFI compared to the Autograft group but performed better than both the PCLCOL and Negative Control groups. These findings suggest that the developed strategy enhanced sensory and functional recovery compared to the negative control and polymer-only scaffold groups.

KH571 construct interfacial molecular bridge in calcium silicate/TMPTA/HDDA scaffolds for improving mechanical properties, biodegradability and photopolymerization

Digital Light Processing (DLP) offers the potential for personalized bone implants. Within this method, the interfacial bonding capacity of inorganic/organic materials and the solid-phase content of the slurry emerge as primary factors influencing scaffolds mechanical properties. In this research, KH571 was applied to establish an interfacial “molecular bridge”, adopting in situ coupling technology to forge stable covalent bonds between calcium silicate (CSi) and KH571. Chemical grafting, surface photografting, and photopolymerization techniques were then utilized to construct a photo-crosslinked network by CSi-KH571-TMPTA/HDDA slurry, thereby transforming the weak physical connections at the interface into strong chemical bonds. Consequently, the curing capacity and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were enhanced. Further control grain size, crystal phase transition, and shrinkage of CSi-KH571 scaffolds, post-treatment sintering processes were employed, resulting in scaffolds with a high content of β-CSi. Moreover, the optimal process parameters were selected concerning grafting rate, chemical composition, microscopic morphology, crystalline transformation, dimensional accuracy, mechanical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility of CSi-KH571. The elastic modulus and compressive properties of CSi25-55 scaffolds exhibited a notable improvement of 29.71 % and 59.30 %, respectively, compared to CSi-50 scaffolds. By regulating the phase composition of CSi, CSi25-55 scaffolds were designed to possess a controllable degradation. In vitro cell culture experiments validated its excellent biocompatibility and promoted the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as well as the deposition of bone matrix. Herein, a novel and sustainable approach has been promoted for enhancing the interfacial bonding capacity of inorganic/organic materials and the solid-phase content of printing slurry, which lays the foundation for the printing of high-resolution degradable bioceramic scaffolds.

Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed PLA Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration

Abstract The growing interest in biodegradable scaffolds for bone regeneration created a need to investigate new materials suitable for scaffold formation. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a polymer commonly used in biomedical engineering, e.g. in tissue engineering as a biodegradable material. However, the mechanical behavior of PLA along its degradation time is still not explored well. For this reason, the mechanical properties of PLA scaffolds affected by incubation in physiological medium needs to be investigated to show the potential of PLA to be used as a material for biodegradable scaffold formation. The purpose of this research is to determine the mechanical properties of PLA scaffolds before and after incubation, and to apply constitutive material models for further behavior prediction. Two sets of PLA scaffolds were printed by the 3D printer “Prusa i3 MK3S” and sterilized by ultraviolet light and ethanol solution. The first set of specimens was incubated in DMEM (Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium) for 60, 120, and 180 days maintaining 36.5 °C temperature. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds were determined after performing the compression test in the “Mecmesin MultiTest 2.5-i” testing stand with a force applied at two different speed modes. The obtained data was curve fitted with the hyperelastic material models for a model suitability study. The second set of specimens was incubated in PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline) for 20 weeks and used in a polymer degradation study. The obtained results show that the mechanical properties of PLA scaffolds do not decrease during incubation in physiological medium for a predicted new bone tissue formation period, though hydrolysis starts at the very beginning and increases with time. PLA as a material seems to be suitable for the use in bone tissue engineering as it allows to form biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds with high mechanical strength, required for effective tissue formation.

Evaluation of Post-Processing on Additive Manufactured Bioresorbable Polymers for Medical Devices.

Additive manufacturing (AM) has seen massive growth in the medical device sector and an increase in the clearance of devices. Many challenges still exist in the design, development, and clinical use of AM-fabricated devices, notably the processing, annealing, and sterilization of resorbable polymers. In addition, the use of these materials continues to grow in medical devices and scaffold technologies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM). Specifically, this study focused on the scaffold mechanical properties post-processing and throughout a simulated resorption (in vitro) study. Herein, we evaluated three (3) materials that span a range of mechanical properties and degradation rates relating to a range of tissue healing rates and mechanical properties affording the opportunity of biomimetic potentials, Caproprene 100M, Lactoflex 7415, and Lactoprene 100M. These bioresorbable polymers were additively manufactured into scaffold forms of Type V tensile bars to investigate post-processing parameters. A range of heat treatments were then performed after the AM process to induce a range of semicrystalline morphologies, and subsequently, two different sterilization techniques were performed, one based on super critical carbon dioxide and another using electron beam radiation. It was statistically shown that the heat treatment parameters and the sterilization method had statistically significant effects on the scaffold properties of each material. While material differences were responsible for the majority of the mechanical property breadth, techniques utilizing analysis of variance allowed the observation of significant effects and interactions associated with heat treatment, sterilization, and material parameters (alpha = 0.05). The characterization of the sample groups provided insight into the process-structure-property-performance relationships of the resorbable scaffold samples. It was established that the post-processing impacted the scaffold structures, and therefore, sterilization and heat treatment selections should be included within initial design considerations alongside material selection as critical for device development, especially when AM bioresorbable scaffolds for TERM.

Electrospinning Aligned SF/Magnetic Nanoparticles-Blend Nanofiber Scaffolds for Inducing Skeletal Myoblast Alignment and Differentiation.

In the realm of skeletal muscle tissue engineering, anisotropic materials that emulate natural tissues show substantial promise. Electrospun scaffolds, mimicking the fibrillar structure of the extracellular matrix, are commonly employed but often fall short in achieving optimal alignment and mechanical strength. Silk fibroin has emerged as a versatile material in tissue engineering, valued for its biocompatibility, mechanical robustness, and biodegradability. However, conventional electrospinning methods of SF result in randomly oriented fibers, limiting their efficacy. In this work, we developed a straightforward method to fabricate directional tissue scaffolds using silk fibroin. By integrating a magnetic field collecting device and incorporating Fe3O4 nanoparticles into the spinning solution, we successfully produced well-aligned silk nanofiber scaffolds. These aligned fibers not only improved scaffold orientation and mechanical properties but also exhibited magnetic responsiveness. The aligned SF scaffolds effectively guided the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells along the fiber direction. Cultured on these scaffolds, myoblast C2C12 cells demonstrated oriented growth, highlighting the potential of aligned SF fibers in advancing skeletal muscle engineering for biomedical applications.

A Novel Hydrogel Sponge for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture

Background/Objectives: Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technologies allow us to overcome the constraints of two-dimensional methods in different fields like biochemistry and cell biology and in pharmaceutical in vitro tests. In this study, a novel 3D hydrogel sponge scaffold, composed of a crosslinked polyacrylic acid forming a porous matrix, has been developed and characterized. Methods: The scaffold was obtained via an innovative procedure involving thermal treatment followed by a salt-leaching step on a matrix-containing polymer along with a gas-forming agent. Based on experimental design for mixtures, a series of formulations were prepared to study the effect of the three components (polyacrylic acid, NaHCO3 and NaCl) on the scaffold mechanical properties, density, swelling behavior and morphological changes. Physical appearance, surface morphology, porosity, molecular diffusion, transparency, biocompatibility and cytocompatibility were also evaluated. Results: The hydrogel scaffolds obtained show high porosity and good optical transparency and mechanical resistance. The scaffolds were successfully employed to culture several cell lines for more than 20 days. Conclusions: The developed scaffolds could be an important tool, as such or with a specific coating, to obtain a more predictive cellular response to evaluate drugs in preclinical studies or for testing chemical compounds, biocides and cosmetics, thus reducing animal testing.

Osteogenic Potential and Long-Term Enzymatic Biodegradation of PHB-based Scaffolds with Composite Magnetic Nanofillers in a Magnetic Field.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from musculoskeletal damage, thus using the largest proportion of rehabilitation services. The limited self-regenerative capacity of bone and cartilage tissues necessitates the development of functional biomaterials. Magnetoactive materials are a promising solution due to clinical safety and deep tissue penetration of magnetic fields (MFs) without attenuation and tissue heating. Herein, electrospun microfibrous scaffolds were developed based on piezoelectric poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and composite magnetic nanofillers [magnetite with graphene oxide (GO) or reduced GO]. The scaffolds' morphology, structure, mechanical properties, surface potential, and piezoelectric response were systematically investigated. Furthermore, a complex mechanism of enzymatic biodegradation of these scaffolds is proposed that involves (i) a release of polymer crystallites, (ii) crystallization of the amorphous phase, and (iii) dissolution of the amorphous phase. Incorporation of Fe3O4, Fe3O4-GO, or Fe3O4-rGO accelerated the biodegradation of PHB scaffolds owing to pores on the surface of composite fibers and the enlarged content of polymer amorphous phase in the composite scaffolds. Six-month biodegradation caused a reduction in surface potential (1.5-fold) and in a vertical piezoresponse (3.5-fold) of the Fe3O4-GO scaffold because of a decrease in the PHB β-phase content. In vitro assays in the absence of an MF showed a significantly more pronounced mesenchymal stem cell proliferation on composite magnetic scaffolds compared to the neat scaffold, whereas in an MF (68 mT, 0.67 Hz), cell proliferation was not statistically significantly different when all the studied scaffolds were compared. The PHB/Fe3O4-GO scaffold was implanted into femur bone defects in rats, resulting in successful bone repair after nonperiodic magnetic stimulation (200 mT, 0.04 Hz) owing to a synergetic influence of increased surface roughness, the presence of hydrophilic groups near the surface, and magnetoelectric and magnetomechanical effects of the material.

Development of Scaffolds with Chitosan Magnetically Activated with Cobalt Nanoferrite: A Study on Physical-Chemical, Mechanical, Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Behavior.

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the development of 3D chitosan-x-cobalt ferrite scaffolds (x = 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%) with interconnected porosity for potential biomedical applications. The objective was to evaluate the effects of magnetic particle incorporation on the scaffolds' structural, mechanical, magnetic, and biological properties, specifically focusing on their biocompatibility and antimicrobial performance. Methods: Scaffolds were synthesized using freeze-drying, while cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were produced via a pilot-scale combustion reaction. The scaffolds were characterized for their physical and chemical properties, including porosity, swelling, and mechanical strength. Hydrophilicity was assessed through contact angle measurements. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated using time kill kinetics and agar diffusion assays, and biocompatibility was confirmed through cytotoxicity tests. Results: The incorporation of cobalt ferrite increased magnetic responsiveness, altered porosity profiles, and influenced swelling, biodegradation, and compressive strength, with a maximum value of 87 kPa at 7.5 wt% ferrite content. The scaffolds maintained non-toxicity and demonstrated bactericidal activity. The optimal concentration for achieving a balance between structural integrity and biological performance was found at 7.5 wt% cobalt ferrite. Conclusions: These findings suggest that magnetic chitosan-cobalt ferrite scaffolds possess significant potential for use in biomedical applications, including tissue regeneration and advanced healing therapies. The incorporation of magnetic properties enhances both the structural and biological functionalities, presenting promising opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches in reconstructive procedures.

Strontium-Modified porous attapulgite composite hydrogel scaffold with advanced angiogenic and osteogenic potential for bone defect repair

Nano-attapulgite (nano-ATP) has shown potential in promoting mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) adhesion, growth and osteogenic gene expression. In this study, we investigated a 3D-bioprinted porous Sr-ATP (strontium-doped nano-ATP)/GelMA/chitosan composite hydrogel scaffold for bone regeneration. The experiment was divided into four groups based on the concentration of Sr-ATP: control (0%), 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%. The primary novelty of our research lies in the incorporation of Sr-ATP, which enhances the biological and mechanical properties of scaffolds. Additionally, we utilized a stable Pickering emulsion templating technique combined with 3D printing to fabricate the scaffold, ensuring a uniform and stable porous structure. The biological and mechanical properties of the scaffold were evaluated in vitro, and its potential to promote angiogenesis and osteogenesis was assessed in vivo using cranial defect model. Our results indicate that the scaffold presents a promising solution for bone formation in bone defects, demonstrating significant improvements in both angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

3D Printed PLA Porous Scaffolds with Engineered Cell Size and Porosity Promote the Effectiveness of the Kelvin Model for Bone Tissue Engineering

AbstractIn this study, the aim is to investigate the effect of engineering the cell size and porosity of 3D‐printed poly lactic acid (PLA) porous scaffolds from the Kelvin model for bone tissue engineering applications. The Kelvin model is used as a bone tissue scaffold with different cell sizes and porosities. PLA, as a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, is used to fabricate these scaffolds using the FDM technique. A compression test is used to evaluate the mechanical properties of scaffolds. The MTT assay has been used to investigate cell viability. For osteogenic differentiation studies, ALP activity and ARS assays are used. Increasing the porosity reduces the mechanical properties of the scaffold. While increasing the cell size at constant porosity increases the Young's modulus and yield stress in the samples, it is also observed that, in high porosities, the increase in cell size weakens the mechanical properties. Also, Kelvin model scaffolds help the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of cells and have no toxic effect. It is demonstrated that this approach promotes the effectiveness of the Kelvin architecture for bone tissue engineering. As a result, designing the most suitable model based on cell size and porosity for the treatment process in the targeted area could be promising.

Biofabrication of aminated nanocellulose reinforced polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan nanofibrous scaffold for sustained release of diltiazem hydrochloride

In the modern environment conscious era, there has been a huge demand for the effective green method to fabricate biomaterials for sustained transdermal release of diltiazem hydrochloride to treat hypertension and cardiac failure. In this vein, the present study explores the amination of waste jute sourced nanocellulose (ANC) and its effect as a reinforcing filler to design electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan based polymeric nanofibrous scaffold for drug delivery. The characterization results of FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) confirm the successful chemical modification of nanocellulose (NCC). SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) results indicate the morphological modifications in ANC due to grafting. ANC enhances the mechanical properties of scaffold and sustains the release of the loaded drug to 67.89±3.39% as compared to the pure PVA/chitosan scaffold of 92.63±4.63% over a period of 72 h as shown by the results of in-vitro drug release study. Moreover, the incorporation of 0.5 % ANC improves the anti-bacterial activity against both gram-positive (97.4±4.87%, reduction in viable cells count) and gram-negative bacteria (98.5±4.93%, reduction in viable cells count). Further, the skin irritation and MTT assay authenticate the biocompatibility of the developed scaffold. The overall findings hence prove the efficacy of the engineered scaffold as a potential transdermal patch for sustained drug delivery applications.

Synthesis and characterization of injectable thermosensitive hydrogel based on Pluronic-grafted silk fibroin copolymer containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as potential for bone tissue engineering

Injectable hydrogels are promising for bone tissue engineering due to their minimally invasive application and adaptability to irregular defects. This study presents the development of pluronic grafted silk fibroin (PF-127-g-SF), a temperature-sensitive graft copolymer synthesized from SF and modified PF-127 via a carbodiimide coupling reaction. The PF-127-g-SF copolymer exhibited a higher sol-gel transition temperature (34 °C at 16 % w/v) compared to PF-127 (23 °C), making it suitable for injectable applications. It also showed improved flexibility and strength, with a yielding point increase from <10 % to nearly 30 %. Unlike PF-127 gel, which degrades within 72 h in aqueous media, the PF-127-g-SF copolymer maintained a stable gel structure for over two weeks due to its robust crosslinked hydrogel network. Incorporating hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HA) into the hydrogel reduced pore size and decreased swelling and degradation rates, extending structural stability to four weeks. Increasing n-HA concentration from 0 % to 20 % reduced porosity from 80 % to 66 %. Rheological studies indicated that n-HA enhanced the scaffold's strength and mechanical properties without altering gelation temperature. Cellular studies with MG-63 cells showed that n-HA concentration influenced cell viability and mineralization, highlighting the scaffold's potential in bone tissue engineering.

ECM-Mimicking Strontium-Doped Nanofibrous Microspheres for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration in Osteoporosis.

Regenerating periodontal defects in osteoporosis patients presents a significant clinical challenge. Unlike the relatively straightforward regeneration of homogeneous bone tissue, periodontal regeneration requires the intricate reconstruction of the cementum-periodontal ligament-alveolar bone interface. Strontium (Sr)-doped biomaterials have been extensively utilized in bone tissue engineering due to their remarkable pro-osteogenic attributes. However, their application in periodontal tissue regeneration has been scarcely explored. In this study, we synthesized an innovative injectable Sr-BGN/GNM scaffold by integrating Sr-doped bioactive glass nanospheres (Sr-BGNs) into the nanofiber architecture of gelatin nanofiber microspheres (GNMs). This design, mimicking the natural bone extracellular matrix (ECM), enhanced the scaffold's mechanical properties and effectively controlled the sustained release of Sr ions (Sr2+), thereby promoting the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and ECM secretion of PDLSCs and BMSCs, as well as enhancing vascularization in endothelial cells. In vivo experiments further indicated that the Sr-BGNs/GNMs significantly promoted osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Moreover, the scaffold's tunable degradation kinetics optimized the prolonged release and pro-regenerative effects of Sr2+ in vivo, matching the pace of periodontal regeneration and thereby facilitating the regeneration of functional periodontal tissues under osteoporotic conditions. Therefore, Sr-BGNs/GNMs emerge as a promising candidate for advancing periodontal regeneration strategies.

Fabrication and Evaluation of PCL/PLGA/β-TCP Spiral-Structured Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Natural bone is a complex material that has been carefully designed. To prepare a successful bone substitute, two challenging conditions need to be met: biocompatible and bioactive materials for cell proliferation and differentiation, and appropriate mechanical stability after implantation. Therefore, a hybrid Poly ε-caprolactone/Poly(lactic-co-glycolide)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PCL/PLGA/β-TCP) scaffold has been introduced as a suitable composition that satisfies the above two conditions. The blended PCL and PLGA can improve the scaffold's mechanical properties and biocompatibility compared to single PCL or PLGA scaffolds. In addition, the incorporated β-TCP increases the mechanical strength and osteogenic potential of PCL/PLGA scaffolds, while the polymer improves the mechanical stability of ceramic scaffolds. The PCL/PLGA/β-TCP scaffold is designed using spiral structures to provide a much better transport system through the gaps between spiral walls than conventional cylindrical scaffolds. Human fetal osteoblasts (hFOBs) were cultured on spiral PCL/PLGA/β-TCP (PPBS), cylindrical PCL/PLGA/β-TCP (PPBC), and cylindrical PCL scaffolds for a total of 28 days. The cell proliferation, viability, and osteogenic differentiation capabilities were analyzed. Compared with PCL and PPBC scaffolds, the PPBS scaffold exhibits great biocompatibility and potential to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation and, therefore, can serve as a bone substitute for bone tissue regeneration.

Aligned polycaprolactone/polyaniline electrospun nanofibers for directing neural stem cell differentiation and neuron arrangement

The use of engineered biomimetic substrates combined with neural stem cells (NSCs) constitutes a promising approach to develop reliable in vitro models of the nervous tissue. The fabrication of scaffolds with suitable compositional, topographical, and electrical properties is crucial for directing neural cell adhesion, differentiation, and arrangement. Herein, we propose the development of electroconductive polycaprolactone/polyaniline (PCL/PANI) electrospun mats as functional substrates for NSC culture. A rotating drum collector was employed to obtain fibers with aligned geometry. According to the results, the increase in alignment contributed to the reduction of fiber diameter and the increase of scaffold mechanical properties in terms of elastic modulus and tensile strength. In vitro experiments demonstrated the ability of PCL/PANI membranes to support NSC attachment and growth, as well as significantly foster neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, the presence of an aligned pattern was shown to effectively influence the arrangement of NSC-derived neurons, confirming the potential of this substrate for the design of a physiologically relevant culture platform for in vitro investigation of the nervous tissue.

Impact of Hydroxyapatite on Gelatin/Oxidized Alginate 3D-Printed Cryogel Scaffolds.

Fabrication of scaffolds via 3D printing is a promising approach for tissue engineering. In this study, we combined 3D printing with cryogenic crosslinking to create biocompatible gelatin/oxidized alginate (Gel/OxAlg) scaffolds with large pore sizes, beneficial for bone tissue regeneration. To enhance the osteogenic effects and mechanical properties of these scaffolds, we evaluated the impact of hydroxyapatite (HAp) on the rheological characteristics of the 2.86% (1:1) Gel/OxAlg ink. We investigated the morphological and mechanical properties of scaffolds with low, 5%, and high 10% HAp content, as well as the resulting bio- and osteogenic effects. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a reduction in pore sizes from 160 to 180 µm (HAp-free) and from 120 to 140 µm for both HAp-containing scaffolds. Increased stability and higher Young's moduli were measured for 5% and 10% HAp (18 and 21 kPa, respectively) compared to 11 kPa for HAp-free constructs. Biological assessments with mesenchymal stem cells indicated excellent cytocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation in all scaffolds, with high degree of mineralization in HAp-containing constructs. Scaffolds with 5% HAp exhibited improved mechanical characteristics and shape fidelity, demonstrated positive osteogenic impact, and enhanced bone tissue formation. Increasing the HAp content to 10% did not show any advantages in osteogenesis, offering a minor increase in mechanical strength at the cost of significantly compromised shape fidelity.

3D Porous Edible Scaffolds from Rye Secalin for Cell-Based Pork Fat Tissue Culturing.

Cellular agriculture holds hope for a sustainable alternative to conventional meat, yet multiple technical challenges remain. These include the large-scale production of edible scaffolds and culturing methods for fat tissues, which are key to meat texture, flavor, and nutritional values. Herein. we disclose our method in the facile fabrication of sponge-like plant protein scaffolds by applying commercial sugar cubes as highly permeable templates. The prepared secalin scaffolds feature a high porosity of 85-90%, fully interconnected pores, and high water stability. The mechanical properties of scaffolds could be tuned by varying sugar-to-protein weight ratio and post-water annealing treatment. Moreover, murine preadipocytes (3T3-L1) and porcine adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) readily infiltrate, adhere, proliferate, and differentiate on the secalin scaffolds to develop a fat tissue morphology. A cultured fat tissue was produced by culturing porcine ADSCs for 12 days, which remarkably resembles conventional porcine subcutaneous adipose tissue in appearance, texture, flavor, and fatty acid profiles. The research demonstrates the great potential of sponge-like secalin scaffolds for cultured fat tissue production.

Engineering biomimetic scaffolds for bone regeneration: Chitosan/alginate/polyvinyl alcohol-based double-network hydrogels with carbon nanomaterials

In this study, new types of hybrid double-network (DN) hydrogels composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CH), and sodium alginate (SA) are introduced, with the hypothesis that this combination and incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) will enhance osteogenetic differentiation and the structural and mechanical properties of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications. Initially, the impact of varying mass ratios of the PVA/CH/SA mixture on mechanical properties, swelling ratio, and degradability was examined. Based on this investigation, a mass ratio of 4:6:6 was determined to be optimal. At this ratio, the hydrogel demonstrated a Young's modulus of 47.5 ± 5 kPa, a swelling ratio of 680 ± 6 % after 3 h, and a degradation rate of 46.5 ± 5 % after 40 days. In the next phase, following the determination of the optimal mass ratio, CNTs and GNPs were incorporated into the 4:6:6 composite resulting in a significant enhancement in the electrical conductivity and stiffness of the scaffolds. The introduction of CNTs led to a notable increase of 36 % in the viability of MG63 osteoblast cells. Additionally, the inhibition zone test revealed that GNPs and CNTs increased the diameter of the inhibition zone by 49.6 % and 52.6 %, respectively.

DESIGN AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF 3D-PRINTED POROUS POLYLACTIC ACID/HYDROXYAPATITE SCAFFOLDS

Different designs of three-dimensional (3D) structures have gained increasingly significant in bone tissue engineering. For scaffolds, having appropriate porosity and adequate mechanical properties is crucial. The porosity and mechanical properties of scaffolds are higly influenced by their 3D modeled design. By evaluating the mechanical properties of scaffolds with various designs, it can be confirmed that they could serve as an important platform for the regeneration of damaged bone tissue. In this study, a diverse range of unit cells and lattice structures featuring different pore structures of polylactic acid (PLA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) based scaffolds were modeled and designed. Structural analyses of the designed models were conducted in a simulation environment and their mechanical properties were compared with similar studies. The results suggest that PLA/HA-based scaffolds with different designs hold high potential for applications in bone tissue engineering.

Biodegradable electrospun poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone)/polyethylene glycol/bioactive glass composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

The field of tissue engineering has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, driven by the pursuit of innovative solutions to address the challenges of bone regeneration. In this study, we developed an electrospun composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering. The composite scaffold is made of a blend of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), with the incorporation of calcined and lyophilized silicate-chlorinated bioactive glass (BG) particles. Our investigation involved a comprehensive characterization of the scaffold's physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, alongside an evaluation of its biological efficacy employing alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The incorporation of PEG and BG resulted in elevated swelling ratios, consequently enhancing hydrophilicity. Thermal gravimetric analysis confirmed the efficient incorporation of BG, with the scaffolds demonstrating thermal stability up to 250°C. Mechanical testing revealed enhanced tensile strength and Young's modulus in the presence of BG; however, the elongation at break decreased. Cell viability assays demonstrated improved cytocompatibility, especially in the PLCL/PEG+BG group. Alizarin red staining indicated enhanced osteoinductive potential, and fluorescence analysis confirmed increased cell adhesion in the PLCL/PEG+BG group. Our findings suggest that the PLCL/PEG/BG composite scaffold holds promise as an advanced biomaterial for bone tissue engineering.