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Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2020) | Viewed by 59445

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Roman A. Surmenev

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Guest Editor

Physical Materials Science and Composite Materials Centre, Research School of Chemical and Biomedical Technologies, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
Interests: polymer composites; piezoelectric response; ferroelectric polymers; piezoelectric applications; energy harvesting; magnetoelectric effect; biomedical materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Maria Surmeneva

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Guest Editor

Physical Materials Science and Composite Materials Centre, Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 30 Lenina Avenue, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
Interests: additive manufacturing; bioactive materials; biomaterials; electron beam melting; metallic alloys; electrospinning; polymer-based scaffolds; hybrids

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer materials in the form of scaffolds, films, and different hybrids to be used in the field of regenerative medicine have been extensively studied to cover the increasing demand of clinical doctors. Different materials have been developed using various approaches, such as electrospinning (including needless, melt, etc.), solution casting, freeze-drying, etc. Particular attention in literature has been given to the fabrication of composite scaffolds and thin films, which allow stimulating regeneration processes of a new particular tissue or serving as a delivery tool for different bioactive drugs, biomolecules, which in turn allow accelerating tissue healing processes. Nevertheless, increasing population and number of traumas or diseases requires speeding up processes of novel materials development and shorten the way from fabrication to clinical application. Thus, novel approaches and materials should be elaborated in the coming years to meet this increasing demand of new materials with tailored properties. Additionally, it should be mentioned that the medicine of the future is personalized, i.e., custom-made implants should be made on demand using additive manufacturing technologies.

The main topics of the current Special Issue are as follows:

Electrospun polymer scaffolds, including hybrid ones for biomedical applications;
Treatment or modifications of scaffolds and thin films to improve their functionalities;
In vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials of the developed polymer materials;
Additive manufacturing of different biomedical implants made of polymers and hybrids;
Piezoelectric composite scaffolds and thin films for biomedical applications;
Topical reviews on the subject of the state-of-the-art and challenges in the field of polymer composites and thin films.

Assoc. Prof. Roman A. Surmenev
Dr. Maria Surmeneva
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

electrospinning
hybrid polymer scaffolds
piezoelectric biocomposites
biomedical materials
polymer films
wound dressing
composites
biomedical applications

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 5281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Insight into the Mechanism of Drug Release from Poly(d,l-lactide) Film by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

by Natalia A. Chumakova, Elena N. Golubeva, Sergei V. Kuzin, Tatiana A. Ivanova, Igor A. Grigoriev, Sergey V. Kostjuk and Mikhail Ya. Melnikov

Polymers 2020, 12(12), 3046; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12123046 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2435

Abstract

A novel approach based on convolution of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra was used for quantitative study of the release kinetics of paramagnetic dopants from poly(d,l-lactide) films. A non-monotonic dependence of the release rate on time was reliably recorded. The release regularities were compared with the dynamics of polymer structure changes determined by EPR, SEM, and optic microscopy. The data obtained allow for the conclusion that the main factor governing dopant release is the formation of pores connected with the surface. In contrast, the contribution of the dopant diffusion through the polymer matrix is negligible. The dopant release can be divided into two phases: release through surface pores, which are partially closed with time, and release through pores initially formed inside the polymer matrix due to autocatalytic hydrolysis of the polymer and gradually connected to the surface of the sample. For some time, these processes co-occur. The mathematical model of the release kinetics based on pore formation is presented, describing the kinetics of release of various dopants from the polymer films of different thicknesses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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11 pages, 3307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production of Porous Films Based on Biodegradable Polyesters by the Casting Solution Technique Using a Co-Soluble Porogen (Camphor)

by Anatoly Nikolayevich Boyandin, Ljublyana Mikhailovna Dvoinina, Aleksey Grigorievich Sukovatyi and Anna Alekseevna Sukhanova

Polymers 2020, 12(9), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12091950 - 28 Aug 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3128

Abstract

Porous films have been prepared from degradable polymers—poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) and a blend of these polymers (1:3)—by adding porogen (camphor) to the polymer solution at 10%, 30% or 50% of the total mass of the polymer and porogen, and leaching it out afterwards. After the rinse, camphor content in films decreased to about 0.025%. The structure, physical/mechanical and biological properties of the films were investigated as dependent on their composition and porosity, which varied depending on the amount of camphor added. The surface of PHB films was porous, the PCL films were relatively smooth, and the PHB/PCL films had an intermediate structure. The addition of camphor increased the thickness (from 35 to 45 µm, from 40 to 80 µm and from 20 to 65 µm for PHB, PCL and PHB/PCL, respectively) and porosity (from 4.2(±3.6)% to 50.0(±12.8)%, from 6.4(±5.5)% to 54.5(±6.0)% and from 4.9(±4.8)% to 51.5(±5.8)%, respectively) of the films. The introduction (and removal) of 10% camphor into the PHB and PHB/PCL films led to an approximately twofold increase in the polar component of the free surface energy (from 5.4 ± 0.38 to 11.8 ± 1.33 and from 2.7 ± 0.13 to 5.2 ± 0.09 mN/m, respectively) but in other cases, on the contrary, a decrease in this indicator was registered. The increase of camphor addition from 0% to 50% gradually impaired mechanical properties of the films: so, Young’s modulus decreased from 3.6 to 1.8 GPa, from 0.30 to 0.12 GPa and from 0.50 to 0.20 GPa for PHB, PCL and PHB/PCL, respectively. At the same time, the water vapor transmission rate considerably increased from 197.37 ± 23.62 to 934.03 ± 114.34 g/m²/d for PHB films; from 1027.99 ± 154.10 to 7014.62 ± 280.81 g/m²/d for PCL films; and from 715.47 ± 50.08 to 4239.09 ± 275.54 g/m²/d for PHB/PCL films. Results of biocompatibility testing in the culture of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells showed that for the most of experimental samples cell adhesion and proliferation were comparable or superior to the corresponding parameters on the initial nonporous films. The best results were obtained for PHB films where at Day 3 of the experiment the registered cell density for experimental samples arrived at 2.66(±0.26) × 10⁵ cells/cm² versus 1.29(±0.33) × 10⁵ cells/cm² in the control. So, the proposed method can be used to construct highly porous cell scaffolds for cellular engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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13 pages, 5323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Sensory Properties of Layered Phospholipid-Graphene Films Due to the Curvature of Graphene Layers

by Michael M. Slepchenkov and Olga E. Glukhova

Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1710; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081710 - 30 Jul 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2393

Abstract

This article is devoted to the in silico study of the sensory properties of mono- and bilayer phospholipid-graphene films with planar and curved graphene sheets. The DPPC (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) molecules are considered as phospholipid structures. These molecules are part of lipid bilayers, liposomes and cell membranes. To find a way to improve the sensory properties of phospholipid-graphene films, we studied the effect of the curvature of the graphene sheet on the charge transfer and electrical conductivity of the films. The distribution of the electron charge density over the film atoms was calculated using the self-consistent-charge density-functional tight-binding method (SCC-DFTB). The calculation of the current through phospholipid-graphene films was carried out within the framework of the Landauer–Buttiker formalism using the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green function technique. As a result of the calculations, the optimal configuration of the arrangement of DPPC molecules between two graphene layers was established. This configuration provides the maximum possible increase in current to 1 μA at low voltages of ~0.2 V and is achieved for curved graphene with a radius of curvature of ~2.7 nm at individual points of graphene atomic network. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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19 pages, 7952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomimetic Composite Scaffold Based on Naturally Derived Biomaterials

by Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Adriana Petruta Serban, Adrian Ionut Nicoara, Roxana Trusca, Vladimir Lucian Ene and Florin Iordache

Polymers 2020, 12(5), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12051161 - 19 May 2020

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 3319

Abstract

This paper proposes the development of a biomimetic composite based on naturally derived biomaterials. This freeze-dried scaffold contains a microwave-synthesized form of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HAp), using the interwoven hierarchical structure of eggshell membrane (ESM) as bio-template. The bone regeneration capacity of the scaffold is enhanced with the help of added tricalcium phosphate from bovine Bone ash (BA). With the addition of Gelatin (Gel) and Chitosan (CS) as organic matrix, the obtained composite is characterized by the ability to stimulate the cellular response and might accelerate the bone healing process. Structural characterization of the synthesized HAp (ESM) confirms the presence of both hydroxyapatite and monetite phases, in accordance with the spectroscopy results on the ESM before and after the microwave thermal treatment (the presence of phosphate group). Morphology studies on all individual components and final scaffold, highlight their morphology and porous structure, characteristics that influence the biocompatibility of the scaffold. Porosity, swelling rate and the in vitro cytotoxicity assays performed on amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC), demonstrate the effective biocompatibility of the obtained materials. The experimental results presented in this paper highlight an original biocomposite scaffold obtained from naturally derived materials, in a nontoxic manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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14 pages, 3054 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polycaprolactone Films Modified by L-Arginine for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultivation

by Yuliya Nashchekina, Alina Chabina, Alexey Nashchekin and Natalia Mikhailova

Polymers 2020, 12(5), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12051042 - 2 May 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2803

Abstract

This article describes the modification conditions and properties of polymer films obtained using a solution of poly(ε-caprolactone) modified with arginine. We investigated the effects on the surface and biological properties of films created using various arginine concentrations and temperature conditions during the modification process. We found that both increasing the arginine concentration of the treatment solution or the temperature of the treatment reaction increased the arginine content of the film. Following a cellular cultivation period of 3 days, greater levels of cell proliferation were observed on all modified poly(ε-caprolactone) films compared to unmodified polymer films. Experiments using fluorescence microscopy showed that the modification conditions also had a significant effect on cellular spreading and the organization of the actin cytoskeleton following 2 h of cultivation. The degree of spreading and actin cytoskeleton organization observed in cells on these modified polymer films was superior to that of the control films. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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18 pages, 2755 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Clindamycin Hydrochloride Loaded De-Esterified Low-Methoxyl Mango Peel Pectin Film Used as a Topical Drug Delivery System

by Tanpong Chaiwarit, Pornchai Rachtanapun, Nutthapong Kantrong and Pensak Jantrawut

Polymers 2020, 12(5), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12051006 - 27 Apr 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4950

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to develop a low-mexthoxyl pectin (LMP) from mango peel pectin through a de-esterification method for use as a film forming agent. The prepared de-esterified pectin (DP) was compared to commercial LMP (cLMP) which possessed a 29% degree of esterification (DE). Mango peel pectin was extracted from ripe Nam Dokmai mango peel using the microwave-assisted extraction method. Pectin derived from the mango peel was classified as a high mexthoxyl pectin (79% DE) with 75% of galacturonic acid (GalA) content. A de-esterification experiment was designed by central composite design to plot the surface response curve. Our prepared DP was classified as LMP (DE 29.40%) with 69% GalA. In addition, the Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) spectra of the DP were similar to cLMP and the pectin backbone was not changed by the de-esterification process. Strikingly, the cLMP and DP films showed non-significant differences between their physical properties (p > 0.05) with respect to the puncture strength (13.72 N/mm² and 11.13 N/mm² for the cLMP and DP films, respectively), percent elongation (2.75% and 2.52% for the cLMP and DP films, respectively), and Young’s modulus (67.69 N/mm² and 61.79 N/mm² for the cLMP and DP films, respectively). The de-esterified pectin containing clindamycin HCl (DPC) and low-methoxyl pectin containing clindamycin HCl (cLMPC) films demonstrated 93.47% and 98.79% of drug loading content. The mechanical properties of the cLMPC and DPC films were improved possibly due to their crystal structures and a plasticizing effect of clindamycin HCl loaded into the films. The DPC film exhibited a drug release profile similar to that of the cLMPC film. Our anti-bacterial test of the films found that the cLMPC film showed 41.11 and 76.30 mm inhibitory clear zones against Staphylococcus aureus and Cutibacterium acnes, respectively. The DPC film showed 40.78 and 74.04 mm clear zones against S. aureus and C. acnes, respectively. The antibacterial activities of the cLMPC and DPC films were not significantly different from a commercial clindamycin solution. The results of this study suggest that mango peel pectin can be de-esterified and utilized as an LMP and the de-esterified pectin has the potential for use as a film forming agent, similar to cLMP. In addition, the remarkable use of de-esterified mango peel pectin to prepare films, as shown by our study, holds a great promise as an alternative material for anti-bacterial purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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12 pages, 2244 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Solid-State Synthesis of Water-Soluble Chitosan-g-Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Copolymers

by Tatiana S. Demina, Aisylu V. Birdibekova, Eugenia A. Svidchenko, Pavel L. Ivanov, Anastasia S. Kuryanova, Tikhon S. Kurkin, Zulfar I. Khaibullin, Galina P. Goncharuk, Tatiana M. Zharikova, Sankarprasad Bhuniya, Christian Grandfils, Peter S. Timashev and Tatiana A. Akopova

Polymers 2020, 12(3), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12030611 - 7 Mar 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4021

Abstract

Graft copolymers of chitosan with cellulose ether have been obtained by the solid-state reactive mixing of chitin, sodium hydroxide and hydroxyethyl cellulose under shear deformation in a pilot twin-screw extruder. The structure and composition of the products were determined by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The physicochemical properties of aqueous solutions of copolymers were studied as a function of the composition, and were correlated to the mechanical characteristics of the resulting films to assess the performance of new copolymers as coating materials, non-woven fibrous materials or emulsifiers for interface stabilization during the microparticle fabrication process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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7 pages, 1057 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Bacteriostatic Effect of Piezoelectric Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate and Polyvinylidene Fluoride Polymer Films under Ultrasound Treatment

by Ivan S. Vatlin, Roman V. Chernozem, Alexander S. Timin, Anna P. Chernova, Evgeny V. Plotnikov, Yulia R. Mukhortova, Maria A. Surmeneva and Roman A. Surmenev

Polymers 2020, 12(1), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010240 - 20 Jan 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4337

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria stimulates the development of new treatment approaches. Piezoelectric-catalysis has attracted much attention due to the possibility to effectively provide antibacterial effect via generation of reactive oxygen species. However, the influence of the surface charge or potential of a piezopolymer on bacteria has not been sufficiently studied so far. This study reports the fabrication and characterization of thin films of piezoelectric polyhydroxybutyrate, polyvinylidene fluoride, and polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene as well as non-piezoelectric polycaprolactone polymers fabricated using solution casting approach. The piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) and surface electric peak-to-peak potential generated by the cyclic mechanical stress applied to the films were measured. Neither any toxic effect of the polymer films nor ultrasound influence on Escherichia coli bacteria behavior is observed. However, significant inhibition of the growth of bacteria is revealed during mechanical stimulation of piezoelectric samples via ultrasound treatment. Thus, this study demonstrates clear bacteriostatic effect of piezoelectric polymers for different tissue engineering applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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19 pages, 8897 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Bilayer PLA/Chitosan Nanofibrous Scaffolds Doped with ZnO, Fe₃O₄, and Au Nanoparticles with Bioactive Properties for Skin Tissue Engineering

by Julia Radwan-Pragłowska, Łukasz Janus, Marek Piątkowski, Dariusz Bogdał and Dalibor Matýsek

Polymers 2020, 12(1), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010159 - 8 Jan 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4918

Abstract

Burns affect almost half a million of Americans annually. In the case of full-thickness skin injuries, treatment requires a transplant. The development of bioactive materials that promote damaged tissue regeneration constitutes a great alternative to autografts. For this reason, special attention is focused on three-dimensional scaffolds that are non-toxic to skin cells and can mimic the extracellular matrix, which is mainly composed of nanofibrous proteins. Electrospinning, which enables the preparation of nanofibers, is a powerful tool in the field of biomaterials. In this work, novel hybrid poly (lactic acid)/chitosan biomaterials functionalized with three types of nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully developed. ZnO, Fe₃O₄, and Au NPs were investigated over their morphology by TEM method. The top layer was obtained from PLA nanofibers, while the bottom layer was prepared from acylated chitosan. The layers were studied over their morphology by the SEM method and their chemical structure by FT-IR. To verify their potential in burn wound treatment, the scaffolds’ susceptibility to biodegradation as well as moisture permeability were calculated. Also, biomaterials conductivity was determined in terms of electrostimulation. Finally, cytotoxicity tests were carried out by XTT assay and morphology analysis using both fibroblasts cell line and primary cells. The hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds displayed a great potential in tissue engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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Review

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19 pages, 2292 KiB

Open AccessReview

Progress in the Applications of Smart Piezoelectric Materials for Medical Devices

by Angelika Zaszczyńska, Arkadiusz Gradys and Paweł Sajkiewicz

Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2754; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112754 - 22 Nov 2020

Cited by 86 | Viewed by 9237

Abstract

Smart piezoelectric materials are of great interest due to their unique properties. Piezoelectric materials can transform mechanical energy into electricity and vice versa. There are mono and polycrystals (piezoceramics), polymers, and composites in the group of piezoelectric materials. Recent years show progress in the applications of piezoelectric materials in biomedical devices due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Medical devices such as actuators and sensors, energy harvesting devices, and active scaffolds for neural tissue engineering are continually explored. Sensors and actuators from piezoelectric materials can convert flow rate, pressure, etc., to generate energy or consume it. This paper consists of using smart materials to design medical devices and provide a greater understanding of the piezoelectric effect in the medical industry presently. A greater understanding of piezoelectricity is necessary regarding the future development and industry challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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20 pages, 1711 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hydrophilic Surface Functionalization of Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering

by Beata Niemczyk-Soczynska, Arkadiusz Gradys and Pawel Sajkiewicz

Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2636; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112636 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 78 | Viewed by 5197

Abstract

Electrospun polymer nanofibers have received much attention in tissue engineering due to their valuable properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradation ability, appropriate mechanical properties, and, most importantly, fibrous structure, which resembles the morphology of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. However, they are usually hydrophobic and suffer from a lack of bioactive molecules, which provide good cell adhesion to the scaffold surface. Post-electrospinning surface functionalization allows overcoming these limitations through polar groups covalent incorporation to the fibers surface, with subsequent functionalization with biologically active molecules or direct deposition of the biomolecule solution. Hydrophilic surface functionalization methods are classified into chemical approaches, including wet chemical functionalization and covalent grafting, a physiochemical approach with the use of a plasma treatment, and a physical approach that might be divided into physical adsorption and layer-by-layer assembly. This review discusses the state-of-the-art of hydrophilic surface functionalization strategies of electrospun nanofibers for tissue engineering applications. We highlighted the major advantages and drawbacks of each method, at the same time, pointing out future perspectives and solutions in the hydrophilic functionalization strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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30 pages, 4737 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Polymer- and Hybrid-Based Biomaterials for Interstitial, Connective, Vascular, Nerve, Visceral and Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering

by Anatolii Abalymov, Bogdan Parakhonskiy and Andre G. Skirtach

Polymers 2020, 12(3), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12030620 - 9 Mar 2020

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 6720

Abstract

In this review, materials based on polymers and hybrids possessing both organic and inorganic contents for repairing or facilitating cell growth in tissue engineering are discussed. Pure polymer based biomaterials are predominantly used to target soft tissues. Stipulated by possibilities of tuning the composition and concentration of their inorganic content, hybrid materials allow to mimic properties of various types of harder tissues. That leads to the concept of “one-matches-all” referring to materials possessing the same polymeric base, but different inorganic content to enable tissue growth and repair, proliferation of cells, and the formation of the ECM (extra cellular matrix). Furthermore, adding drug delivery carriers to coatings and scaffolds designed with such materials brings additional functionality by encapsulating active molecules, antibacterial agents, and growth factors. We discuss here materials and methods of their assembly from a general perspective together with their applications in various tissue engineering sub-areas: interstitial, connective, vascular, nervous, visceral and musculoskeletal tissues. The overall aims of this review are two-fold: (a) to describe the needs and opportunities in the field of bio-medicine, which should be useful for material scientists, and (b) to present capabilities and resources available in the area of materials, which should be of interest for biologists and medical doctors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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20 pages, 5993 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Solvent-Free Approaches for the Processing of Scaffolds in Regenerative Medicine

by Víctor Santos-Rosales, Ana Iglesias-Mejuto and Carlos A. García-González

Polymers 2020, 12(3), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12030533 - 2 Mar 2020

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5064

Abstract

The regenerative medicine field is seeking novel strategies for the production of synthetic scaffolds that are able to promote the in vivo regeneration of a fully functional tissue. The choices of the scaffold formulation and the manufacturing method are crucial to determine the rate of success of the graft for the intended tissue regeneration process. On one hand, the incorporation of bioactive compounds such as growth factors and drugs in the scaffolds can efficiently guide and promote the spreading, differentiation, growth, and proliferation of cells as well as alleviate post-surgical complications such as foreign body responses and infections. On the other hand, the manufacturing method will determine the feasible morphological properties of the scaffolds and, in certain cases, it can compromise their biocompatibility. In the case of medicated scaffolds, the manufacturing method has also a key effect in the incorporation yield and retained activity of the loaded bioactive agents. In this work, solvent-free methods for scaffolds production, i.e., technological approaches leading to the processing of the porous material with no use of solvents, are presented as advantageous solutions for the processing of medicated scaffolds in terms of efficiency and versatility. The principles of these solvent-free technologies (melt molding, 3D printing by fused deposition modeling, sintering of solid microspheres, gas foaming, and compressed CO₂ and supercritical CO₂-assisted foaming), a critical discussion of advantages and limitations, as well as selected examples for regenerative medicine purposes are herein presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Scaffolds and Thin Films for Biomedical Applications: State-of-the-Art and Challenges)

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