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Biomaterials and Their Composites for Biomedical Applications and Beyond

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2024 | Viewed by 6678

Special Issue Editors

School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64849, Mexico
Interests: biomaterials; nanomedicine; immunotherapy; advanced drug delivery formulations; biomedical applications; drug delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Immunology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grade Valley, McAllen, TX 78503, USA
Interests: cancer therapy; drug delivery; drug targeting; infectious disease; micelle; nanoparticles; nanotechnology; polymers; targeted therapies; HIV; antibody engineering; antibody–drug conjugates
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Biomaterials are extensively used for biomedical applications due to their inimitable physicochemical properties, biodegradation, and biocompatibility. Biomedical applications include drug delivery, bone/tissue engineering, bioimaging, biosensing, medical devices, skin regeneration, pharmaceuticals, beauty products, environmental remediation, etc. Biomaterials cover a broad range of materials, such as silk, collagen, gelatin, chitosan, cellulose, zein protein, fibrin, agarose, alginate, hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan), and many more. These biomaterials are comprehensively used for bone, cartilage, ligament, heart, vasculature, nerve, liver, artificial skin patches, hernial repair, and nanomedicine, etc. However, these biomaterials are burdened by poor mechanical properties. Therefore, it is important to crosslink the biomaterials or mechanical robust nanomaterials incorporated into biomaterials to provide biocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties without sacrificing their bioactivity. The development of these biocomposite materials with tailored characteristics is a key point and challenge to apply in the health sector. Thus, these biomaterials and their composites are an captivating topic that can be explored and developed for a wide range of modern applications. This Special Issue addresses the current progress in this research field, focusing on the development of biomaterials and their composites for biomedical applications and beyond.

This Special Issue welcomes novel scientific research addressing the synthesis, characterization, and progress regarding the physicochemical properties of a wide range of biomaterials and their composites.

Explorations of biomaterials and their composites for biomedical applications and beyond are welcome. We invite submissions of research articles, mini-reviews, reviews, and perspective articles on themes such as, but not limited to:

  • Biomaterials and their composites-based formulations;
  • Advanced functional biomaterials;
  • Preparation, characterizations, and testing of biomaterials/biocomposites;
  • 3D/4D-printing of biomaterials/biocomposites;
  • Biomedical devices made out of biomaterials/biocomposites;
  • Biomedical scaffolds for biomedical applications and beyond;
  • Biomaterials-based nanoparticles, thin films, nanofibers, hydrogels, aerogels, etc.;
  • Biomaterials-based systems for bioimaging and biosensing;
  • Biomaterials for regeneration medicine;
  • Biomaterials-based health care tools.

Overall, it is expected that this Special Issue will enable the gathering of new collaborations and motivate new generations to engage in the development of biomaterials/their composites for biomedical applications and beyond.

Dr. Narsimha Mamidi
Dr. Murali Mohan Yallapu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • biomaterials
  • bio-composite materials
  • biomedical applications
  • nerve-tissue engineering
  • 3D/4D printing
  • biomedical engineering
  • nanomedicine
  • biocompatibility
  • cytotoxicity factors

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 9418 KiB  
Article
Influence of Lavender Essential Oil on the Physical and Antibacterial Properties of Chitosan Sponge for Hemostatic Applications
by Daniela Gheorghiță, Iulian Antoniac, Horațiu Moldovan, Aurora Antoniac, Elena Grosu, Ludmila Motelica, Anton Ficai, Ovidiu Oprea, Eugeniu Vasile, Lia Mara Dițu and Anca Daniela Raiciu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216312 - 14 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1834
Abstract
Uncontrollable bleeding continues to stand as the primary cause of fatalities globally following surgical procedures, traumatic incidents, disasters, and combat scenarios. The swift and efficient management of bleeding through the application of hemostatic agents has the potential to significantly reduce associated mortality rates. [...] Read more.
Uncontrollable bleeding continues to stand as the primary cause of fatalities globally following surgical procedures, traumatic incidents, disasters, and combat scenarios. The swift and efficient management of bleeding through the application of hemostatic agents has the potential to significantly reduce associated mortality rates. One significant drawback of currently available hemostatic products is their susceptibility to bacterial infections at the bleeding site. As this is a prevalent issue that can potentially delay or compromise the healing process, there is an urgent demand for hemostatic agents with antibacterial properties to enhance survival rates. To mitigate the risk of infection at the site of a lesion, we propose an alternative solution in the form of a chitosan-based sponge and antimicrobial agents such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and lavender essential oil (LEO). The aim of this work is to provide a new type of hemostatic sponge with an antibacterial barrier against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms: Staphylococcus epidermidis 2018 and Enterococcus faecalis VRE 2566 (Gram-positive strains) and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031 and Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 (Gram-negative strains). Full article
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20 pages, 3457 KiB  
Article
Effect of Functional Nanoporous TiO2 Film Obtained on Ti6Al4V Implant Alloy to Improve Resistance in Biological Solution for Inflammatory Conditions
by Lidia Benea, Anca Ravoiu Lupu, Iulian Bounegru and Petrica Vizureanu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8529; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108529 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1326
Abstract
The metallic titanium-based biomaterials are sensitive to corrosion-induced degradation in biological fluids in the presence of inflammatory conditions containing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excess ROS induces oxidative modification of cellular macromolecules, inhibits protein function, and promotes cell death. In addition, ROS could promote [...] Read more.
The metallic titanium-based biomaterials are sensitive to corrosion-induced degradation in biological fluids in the presence of inflammatory conditions containing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excess ROS induces oxidative modification of cellular macromolecules, inhibits protein function, and promotes cell death. In addition, ROS could promote implant degradation by accelerating the corrosive attack of biological fluids. The functional nanoporous titanium oxide film is obtained on titanium alloy to study the effect on implant reactivity in biological fluid with reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide, which are present in inflammations. The TiO2 nanoporous film is obtained by electrochemical oxidation at high potential. The untreated Ti6Al4V implant alloy and nanoporous titanium oxide film are comparatively evaluated for corrosion resistance in biological solution by Hank’s and Hank’s doped with hydrogen peroxide by electrochemical methods. The results showed that the presence of the anodic layer significantly improved the resistance of the titanium alloy to corrosion-induced degradation in biological solutions under inflammatory conditions. Full article
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13 pages, 5877 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effects of Silicate-Platelet Supporting Ag and ZnO, Offering High Antibacterial Activity and Low Cytotoxicity
by Chih-Hao Chang, Li-Hui Tsai, Yi-Chen Lee, Wei-Cheng Yao and Jiang-Jen Lin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7024; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087024 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1398
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are remarkably able to eliminate microorganisms, but induce cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are considered to have a wide bactericidal effect with weak cytotoxicity. In this study, both zinc oxide nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles were co-synthesized [...] Read more.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are remarkably able to eliminate microorganisms, but induce cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are considered to have a wide bactericidal effect with weak cytotoxicity. In this study, both zinc oxide nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles were co-synthesized on a nano-silicate platelet (NSP) to prepare a hybrid of AgNP/ZnONP/NSP. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the formation of nanoparticles on the NSP. Synthesized ZnONP/NSP (ZnONP on NSP) was confirmed by the absorption peaks on UV-Vis and XRD. AgNP synthesized on ZnONP/NSP was also characterized by UV-Vis, and ZnONP/NSP showed no interference with synthesis. The images of TEM demonstrated that NSP provides physical support for the growth of nanoparticles and could prevent the inherent aggregation of ZnONP. In antibacterial tests, AgNP/ZnONP/NSP exhibited more efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) than ZnONP/NSP (ZnONP was synthesized on NSP) and AgNP/NSP (AgNP was synthesized on NSP). In cell culture tests, 1/10/99 (weight ratio) of AgNP/ZnONP/NSP exhibited low cytotoxicity for mammalian cells (>100 ppm). Therefore, AgNP/ZnONP/NSP, containing both AgNP and ZnONP, with both strong antibacterial qualities and low cytotoxicity, showed potentially advantageous medical utilizations due to its antibacterial properties. Full article
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20 pages, 5725 KiB  
Article
Alginate Beads Containing Cerium-Doped Mesoporous Glass and Curcumin: Delivery and Stabilization of Therapeutics
by Debora Carrozza, Gianluca Malavasi, Erika Ferrari and Maria Cristina Menziani
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(1), 880; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010880 - 03 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1488
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, its genesis and progression are caused by homeostatic errors, and reactive oxygen species play a major role in promoting aberrant cancer homeostasis. In this scenario, curcumin could be an interesting candidate due to its versatile [...] Read more.
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, its genesis and progression are caused by homeostatic errors, and reactive oxygen species play a major role in promoting aberrant cancer homeostasis. In this scenario, curcumin could be an interesting candidate due to its versatile antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-HIV, and anti-infection properties. Nonetheless, the major problem related to its use is its poor oral bioavailability, which can be overcome by encapsulating it into small particles, such as hydrogel beads containing mesoporous silica. In this work, various systems have been synthesized: starting from mesoporous silica glasses (MGs), cerium-containing MGs have been produced; then, these systems have been loaded with 4 to 6% of curcumin. Finally, various MGs at different compositions have been included in alginate beads. In vitro studies showed that these hybrid materials enable the stabilization and effective delivery of curcumin and that a synergic effect can be achieved if Ce3+/Ce4+ and curcumin are both part of the beads. From swelling tests, it is possible to confirm a controlled curcumin release compartmentalized into the gastrointestinal tract. For all beads obtained, a curcumin release sufficient to achieve the antioxidant threshold has been reached, and a synergic effect of cerium and curcumin is observed. Moreover, from catalase mimetic activity tests, we confirm the well-known catalytic activity of the couple Ce3+/Ce4+. In addition, an extremely good radical scavenging effect of curcumin has been demonstrated. In conclusion, these systems, able to promote an enzymatic-like activity, can be used as drug delivery systems for curcumin-targeted dosing. Full article
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