In vitro degradation and in vivo biocompatibility of chitosan-poly(butylene succinate) fiber mesh scaffolds
In tissue engineering, the evaluation of the host response to the biomaterial implantation must be assessed to determine the extent of the inflammatory reaction. We studied the degradation of poly(butylene succinate) and chitosan in vitro using lipase and lysozyme enzymes, respectively. The subcutaneous implantation of the scaffolds was performed to assess tissue response. The type of inflammatory cells present in the surrounding tissue, as well as within the scaffold, was determined histologically and by immunohistochemistry. In the presence of lipase or lysozyme, the water uptake of the scaffolds increased. Based on the ...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - February 21, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Costa-Pinto, A. R., Martins, A. M., Castelhano-Carlos, M. J., Correlo, V. M., Sol, P. C., Longatto-Filho, A., Battacharya, M., Reis, R. L., Neves, N. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

In vitro and in vivo characterization of a fully resorbable and composite surgical mesh
Fully resorbable and composite synthetic meshes are intended to provide advantages over nonabsorbable synthetic meshes, such as minimization of visceral adhesions and improved biocompatibility, but the inflammatory response to these materials has not previously been fully characterized. We compared resorbable and composite synthetic meshes using in vitro characterization and evaluated the host response in a nonhuman primate acute abdominal wall defect. After a 2-week in vitro incubation, resorbable synthetic mesh mechanical strength decreased to 0.12 ± 0.09 N (0.25% of initial strength), which preceded acidification...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - February 21, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Sandor, M., Scott, N., Edwards, M., Qi, S., De Deyne, P. G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Preparation of complex porous scaffolds via selective laser sintering of poly(vinyl alcohol)/calcium silicate
In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol)/calcium silicate (CaSiO3) composite scaffolds with fully interconnected porous structures and customized shapes were successfully fabricated via selective laser sintering. The microstructure, porosity, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were characterized. Based on the results, CaSiO3 particles were well dispersed and embedded in the poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix after sintering. The compressive strength increased with increasing the content of CaSiO3 up to 15 wt%, and then decreased with further increasing CaSiO3 content to 20 wt%. Our study also revealed that the scaffolds could no...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - February 21, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Shuai, C.-j., Mao, Z.-z., Han, Z.-k., Peng, S.-p. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Preparation of collagen porous scaffolds with controlled and sustained release of bioactive insulin
In this study, hybrid scaffolds of collagen and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microbeads were prepared by introducing insulin-releasing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microbeads into collagen porous scaffolds. Insulin-incorporated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microbeads of two distinct sizes, 19.4 ± 1.6 and 4.4 ± 0.9 µm, were used to prepare the hybrid scaffolds. The scaffolds had controlled pore structure, and the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microbeads were well distributed on the pore walls of the scaffolds. The scaffolds had a lower initial burst and a more stable insulin release than did the free ...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - February 21, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Nanda, H. S., Kawazoe, N., Zhang, Q., Chen, S., Chen, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Succinylated polysaccharide-based thermosensitive polyelectrostatic complex for protein drug delivery
The objective of this study was to develop a thermosensitive polyelectrostatic complex, based on polysaccharides, as carriers for long-term protein delivery. We developed a thermosensitive polyelectrostatic complex formed through combined electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The copolymer (succinylated pullulan -poly(l-lactide)) showed thermosensitivity in aqueous solution and complexed with protein (lysozyme) via electrostatic attractions and hydrophobic interactions at physiological temperature which formed a thermosensitive polyelectrostatic complex. The particle size of the thermosensitive polyelectrostatic comp...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 8, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Jung, Y.-S., Park, W., Na, K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Swelling, strength, and biocompatibility of acrylate-based superporous hydrogel hybrids
A hydrogel hybrid of chemically cross-linked hydroxyethyl acrylate interpenetrated with physically cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose was prepared as a superporous structure with swelling rates ranging from a few seconds to minutes depending on the swelling medium. A new method was adopted to evaluate the swelling capacity and rate in superporous hydrogel hybrid using a modified texture analyzer. Based on the extensive data acquisition, swelling data at any time point were obtainable and fit into a Voigt viscoelastic model. Moreover, the two mechanisms by which a superporous hydrogel hybrid swells in an aqueous medium wer...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 8, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Omidian, H., Mastropietro, D., Kandalam, U. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Sequential ionic and thermogelation of chitosan spherical hydrogels prepared using superhydrophobic surfaces to immobilize cells and drugs
Chitosan is soluble in acidic media, which makes it incompatible for the encapsulation of cells and pH-sensitive molecules. In this work, a mild chitosan-based system with two sequential gelation steps is proposed, where the model drug dexamethasone and L929 cells are immobilized inside hydrogel beads. Superhydrophobic surfaces were used to produce the spherical hydrogel particles that provided favorable conditions to encapsulate cells or bioactive agents. First, the chitosan acidic solution was neutralized with β-glycerophosphate at room temperature to pH 6.2. Suspended cells (or dexamethasone) in the formulation wer...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 8, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Lima, A. C., Correia, C. R., Oliveira, M. B., Mano, J. F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A preliminary study on amelogenin-loaded electrospun scaffolds
This study introduces the first attempts of incorporating amelogenin within an electrospun scaffold. Amelogenin was extracted from porcine unerupted tooth buds and electrospun with poly(glycolic acid) and poly(-caprolactone). Protein release kinetics, mechanical properties, fiber diameter, mineralization potential, and cell adhesion properties of the amelogenin-blended scaffolds were studied and compared to the electrospun poly(glycolic acid) and poly(-caprolactone) controls. Electrospun scaffolds loaded with amelogenin were incubated in phosphate buffer saline. Protein quantification and morphological and mechanical analy...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 8, 2014 Category: Research Authors: McCool, J. M., Rodriguez, I. A., Sell, S. A., Han, Y., Bowlin, G. L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Combination of silica nanoparticles with hydroxyapatite reinforces poly (L-lactide acid) scaffolds without loss of bioactivity
In this study, poly(l-lactide acid) composites combining two types of fillers, mesoporous silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and hydroxyapatite, were developed to reinforce the poly(l-lactide acid) scaffold without any loss of bioactivity. A 5% addition of SiO2 nanoparticles to hydroxyapatite nanopowder and subjecting the scaffold formulation to double sonication increased the Young’s modulus from 5 MPa (pure poly(l-lactide acid) scaffold) to almost 7 MPa (poly(l-lactide acid)/hydroxyapatite/SiO2 scaffold). In addition, the composite was able to deposit a layer of biomimetic hydroxyapatite both on the surface and interior o...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 8, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Guerzoni, S., Deplaine, H., El Haskouri, J., Amoros, P., Pradas, M. M., Edlund, U., Ferrer, G. G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite composite electret membranes enhance cell proliferation and osteoblastic expression in vitro
This study not only provides evidence for the potential clinical application of our novel membranes but also could be used as a strategy for chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite scaffolds. (Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers)
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 8, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Qu, Y., Ao, D., Wang, P., Wang, Y., Kong, X., Man, Y. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Corrigendum
This corrigendum is in reference to the manuscript "Enzymatically cross-linked injectable gelatin gel as osteoblast delivery vehicle" Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers July 2012 27: 342-355, DOI: 10.1177/0883911512444713, by Ashley A Amini and Lakshmi S Nair. (Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers)
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - November 7, 2013 Category: Research Tags: Corrigendum Source Type: research

Antibiofilm activity of quercetin-encapsulated cytocompatible nanofibers against Candida albicans
In this study, nanofibers against pro dimorphic fungal sessile growth were developed. Quercetin was successfully encapsulated within poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)–poly(-caprolactone) nanofibers using an electrospinning technique. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, and Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometer were used to confirm the formation as well as encapsulation of quercetin within the nanofibers. These fabricated nanofibers were further evaluated to determine the effectiveness of the antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans. The cytocompatibility of quercetin-encapsulate...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - November 7, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Vashisth, P., Nikhil, K., Pemmaraju, S. C., Pruthi, P. A., Mallick, V., Singh, H., Patel, A., Mishra, N. C., Singh, R. P., Pruthi, V. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effect of anti-TGF-{beta}2 surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane on lens epithelial cell markers of posterior capsule opacification
Posterior capsule opacification is the most common complication of cataract surgery. Lens epithelial cells remaining in the capsular bag following surgery can undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and migrate from the anterior to the posterior capsule, leading to fibrosis, capsular wrinkling, and ultimately vision loss. Transforming growth factor-beta 2 has been shown to play a major role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Covalent tethering of anti-transforming growth factor-beta 2 to the surface of the intraocular lens material may inhibit epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the subsequent events, thus ...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - November 7, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Amoozgar, B., Fitzpatrick, S. D., Sheardown, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Biodegradable poly(butylene-carbonate) porous membranes for guided bone regeneration: In vitro and in vivo studies
Poly(butylene-carbonate) is a potential alternative to poly(-caprolactone) for biomedical application. Although mechanical properties of porous poly(butylene-carbonate) membranes were inferior to poly(-caprolactone), its contact angles (47.41° ± 1.17°) were lower than poly(-caprolactone) (77.24° ± 0.54°) (p < 0.001). It degraded faster than poly(-caprolactone) during a 10-week in vitro experiment (p < 0.01). Moreover, it had excellent bioactivity during simulated body fluid immersion. Cell spreading on poly(butylene-carbonate) was better than that on poly(-caprolactone). Cell behavior te...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - November 7, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Xia, Y., Yao, J., Shao, C.-h., Shen, X.-y., Xie, L.-Z., Chen, G., Peng, S.-s., Zhang, F.-m., Gu, N. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Directional migration of vascular smooth muscle cells guided by synergetic surface gradient and chemical pattern of poly(ethylene glycol) brushes
Directional migration of cells in vitro can mimic corresponding biological events in vivo, which provides a way to determine the cascade responses in the tissue regeneration process and develop novel criteria for the design of tissue-inductive biomaterials. In this work, a density gradient of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) brushes (from 0.37 to 0.95 chains/nm2) on plain and striped pattern surfaces was fabricated, using a dynamically controlled reaction process, and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. Adhesion and migration behavior of vascular smooth muscle ce...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - November 7, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Wu, J., Mao, Z., Han, L., Xi, J., Zhao, Y., Gao, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research