Search Results (447)

Hydrogels are hydrophilic, soft polymer networks with high water content and mechanical properties that are tunable; they are also biocompatible. Therefore, as biomaterials, they are of interest to modern medicine. In this review, the main applications of hydrogels in essential clinical applications are discussed. Chemical, physical, or hybrid crosslinking of either synthetic or natural polymers allow for the precise control of hydrogels’ physicochemical properties and their specific characteristics for certain applications, such as stimuli-responsiveness, drug retention and release, and biodegradability. Hydrogels are employed in gynecology to regenerate the endometrium, treat infections, and prevent pregnancy. They show promise in cardiology in myocardial infarction therapy through injectable scaffolds, patches in the heart, and medication delivery. In rheumatoid arthritis, hydrogels act as drug delivery systems, lubricants, scaffolds, and immunomodulators, ensuring effective local treatment. They are being developed, among other applications, as antimicrobial coatings for stents and radiotherapy barriers for urology. Ophthalmology benefits from the use of hydrogels in contact lenses, corneal bandages, and vitreous implants. They are used as materials for chemoembolization, tumor models, and drug delivery devices in cancer therapy, with wafers of Gliadel presently used in clinics. Applications in abdominal surgery include hydrogel-coated meshes for hernia repair or Janus-type hydrogels to prevent adhesions and aid tissue repair. Results from clinical and preclinical studies illustrate hydrogels’ diversity, though problems remain with mechanical stability, long-term safety, and mass production. Hydrogels are, in general, next-generation biomaterials for regenerative medicine, individualized treatment, and new treatment protocols. Full article

In recent years, microneedles (MNs), an innovative transdermal drug delivery system, have demonstrated significant advantages in treating diverse skin diseases. The stratum corneum (SC), with its ‘brick-mortar’ structure, is the main barrier to drug penetration into the skin. MNs—including solid, coated, hollow, dissolving, and hydrogel-forming types—penetrate it minimally to form temporary micro-channels, enabling efficient delivery of a wide range of therapeutic agents. These include small molecules, biologics, nanoparticles, and photosensitizers, among others. This technology has been effectively applied in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, acne, scars, melanoma, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. By avoiding stimulation of dermal blood vessels and nerves, MNs offer low pain and high patient compliance. These advantages underscore their broad clinical potential for dermatologic therapy. Future studies must optimize material selection, drug-carrying efficiency, and scale-up production to facilitate clinical translation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Joint arthroplasty revision and comorbidities are considered two increased risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), a complication that may lead to prolonged hospital stay, continued antibiotic therapy, and serious consequences, including amputation and, in extreme cases, death of the patient. DAC^® is an absorbable barrier in the form of a gel that, when applied as a coating, protects implants from bacterial colonization. The aim of this case–control study was to explore whether the device could decrease the risk of PJI in a cohort of patients who underwent arthroplasty revision and were affected by comorbidities. Methods: We carried out a retrospective 1:1-matched case–control investigation in 96 patients who underwent arthroplasty revision between January 2023 and December 2024; these patients had at least 6 months of follow-up, had comorbidities, and were treated with DAC^® gel. The control group consisted of 96 subjects who received standard of care. Demographics, comorbidities, type of arthroplasty, adverse event onset, and incidence of PJI were recorded for all patients. Results: No significant differences in relevant demographics, type of arthroplasty revision, or number or type of comorbidities, except for smoking, were observed between the two groups. At 6-month follow-up, no PJIs were recorded in the DAC^® treatment group, whereas five (5.2%) PJIs were observed in the control group (p = 0.0235). No adverse event or impairment of implant osseointegration related to the use of DAC^® was observed. Conclusions: The DAC^® bioabsorbable hydrogel acts as a physical barrier when applied over an arthroplasty revision implant, protecting it from bacterial adhesion and preventing biofilm formation. Full article

In recent years, apatite-based materials have garnered significant interest, particularly for applications in tissue engineering. Apatite is most commonly employed as a coating for metallic implants, as a component in composite materials, and as scaffolds for bone and dental tissue regeneration. Among its various forms, hydroxyapatite (HAP) is the most widely used, owing to its natural occurrence in human and animal hard tissues. An emerging area of research involves the use of fluoride-substituted apatite, particularly fluorapatite (FAP), which can serve as a direct fluoride source at the implant site, potentially offering several biological and therapeutic advantages. However, substituting HAP with FAP may lead to unforeseen changes in material behavior due to the differing physicochemical properties of these two calcium phosphate phases. This study investigates the effects of replacing hydroxyapatite with fluorapatite in ceramic–polymer composite materials incorporating β-1,3-glucan as a bioactive polymeric binder. The β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide was selected for its proven biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to form stable hydrogels that promote cellular interactions. Nitrogen adsorption analysis revealed that FAP/glucan composites had a significantly lower specific surface area (0.5 m²/g) and total pore volume (0.002 cm³/g) compared to HAP/glucan composites (14.15 m²/g and 0.03 cm³/g, respectively), indicating enhanced ceramic–polymer interactions in fluoride-containing systems. Optical profilometry measurements showed statistically significant differences in profile parameters (e.g., Rp: 134 μm for HAP/glucan vs. 352 μm for FAP/glucan), although average roughness (Ra) remained similar (34.1 vs. 27.6 μm, respectively). Microscopic evaluation showed that FAP/glucan composites had smaller particle sizes (1 μm) than their HAP counterparts (2 μm), despite larger primary crystal sizes in FAP, as confirmed by TEM. XRD analysis indicated structural differences between the apatites, with FAP exhibiting a reduced unit cell volume (524.6 ų) compared to HAP (528.2 ų), due to substitution of hydroxyl groups with fluoride ions. Spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, Raman, ³¹P NMR) confirmed chemical shifts associated with fluorine incorporation and revealed distinct ceramic–polymer interfacial behaviors, including an upfield shift of PO₄³⁻ bands (964 cm⁻¹ in FAP vs. 961 cm⁻¹ in HAP) and OH vibration shifts (3537 cm⁻¹ in FAP vs. 3573 cm⁻¹ in HAP). The glucan polymer showed different hydrogen bonding patterns when combined with FAP versus HAP, as evidenced by shifts in polymer-specific bands at 888 cm⁻¹ and 1157 cm⁻¹, demonstrating that fluoride substitution significantly influences ceramic–polymer interactions in these bioactive composite systems. Full article

Poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate)s (PCBMA) belongs to a class of zwitterionic polymers that offer promising alternatives to polyethylene glycol (PEG) in biomedical applications. This review highlights how the unique zwitterionic structure of PCBMA dictates its strong antifouling behavior, low immunogenicity, and sensitivity to environmental stimuli such as pH and ionic strength. These features make PCBMA promising for designing advanced systems suited for complex biological environments. This review describes PCBMA-based materials—ranging from hydrogels, nanogels, and surface coatings to drug carriers and protein conjugates—and critically evaluates their performance in drug delivery, tissue engineering, diagnostics, and implantable devices. Comparative studies demonstrated that PCBMA consistently outperformed other zwitterionic polymers and PEG in resisting protein adsorption, maintaining bioactivity of conjugated molecules, and ensuring long circulation times in vivo. Molecular dynamics simulations provide additional information into the hydration shells and conformational behaviors of PCBMA in aqueous dispersions. These insights underscore PCBMA’s broad potential as a promising high-performance material for next generation healthcare technologies. Full article

Polymers have long been central to modern materials science, but their durability has also made them major contributors to environmental pollution. A new generation of bio-based and nanostructured polymers is now reshaping this field, offering materials that are functional, reversible, and sustainable. This review examines their role across three interconnected domains: cultural heritage conservation, the protection of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), and environmental sustainability. In heritage science, polymers are moving away from synthetic resins toward renewable systems such as chitosan, nanocellulose, and PLA, which provide stability while remaining reversible and compatible with delicate substrates. In agriculture, biodegradable coatings, controlled-release carriers, and edible films are improving MAP protection, extending shelf life, and reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides. In environmental applications, polymers are being reinvented as solutions rather than problems—through degradable mulches, functional hydrogels, and nanocomposites that clean soils and waters within a circular economy framework. Looking across these domains reveals strong synergies. The same principles—biodegradability, multifunctionality, and responsiveness—apply in each context, turning polymers from passive barriers into intelligent, adaptive systems. Their future success will depend not only on chemistry but also on life-cycle design, policy alignment, and public trust, making polymers key enablers of sustainability. Full article

Alginate hydrogels are promising tissue engineering biomaterials due to their biocompatibility and structural similarity to the extracellular matrix, but their poor mechanical strength, rapid degradation, and lack of bioactivity limit applications. To address this, a novel oxidized alginate/polyacrylamide/silica nanoparticle–gelatin (OA/PAAm/SiO₂-GT) composite hydrogel was developed using an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) strategy, reinforced with silica nanoparticles and coated with gelatin. The influence of SiO₂ content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, swelling behavior, biodegradability, biomineralization, and cytocompatibility of the composite hydrogel was systematically investigated. Experimental results revealed that SiO₂ nanoparticles interacted with the polymer matrix within the composite hydrogel. With increasing content of SiO₂, the porosity of the OA/PAAm/SiO₂-GT composite hydrogel gradually decreased, while the mechanical properties exhibited a trend of initial enhancement followed by reduction, with maximum compressive strength at a SiO₂ content of 1.0% (w/v). Moreover, the incorporation of SiO₂ nanoparticles effectively modulated the swelling behavior, biodegradability, and biomineralization capacity of the composite hydrogel under in vitro conditions. Meanwhile, the OA/PAAm/SiO₂-GT composite hydrogel supported favorable cell adhesion and proliferation, optimal at a SiO₂ content of 0.5% (w/v). Furthermore, with increasing concentration of SiO₂ nanoparticles, the intracellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity progressively increased, suggesting a promotive effect of SiO₂ nanoparticles on the osteogenic differentiation of MG63 cells. Therefore, the incorporation of SiO₂ nanoparticles into the OA/PAAm IPN matrices provides an effective means to tailor its biological properties, rendering it great potential for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering. Full article

This study presents a pH-responsive drug delivery platform, created based on naproxen-loaded zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) and kaolin-ZIF (Kao@ZIF) nanocarriers embedded in a 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffold coated with a gelatin hydrogel. The PLA discs were designed as structural tissue models to simulate localized drug release. Kaolin (Kao), a basic mineral in the kaolin group that includes halloysite, was selected as a chemically stable and biocompatible adsorbent to enhance ZIF integrity and system reliability. To address the concerns about the safety and reproducibility of nanoscale materials in biomedical applications, structurally stable ZIF and Kao@ZIF nanocarriers were synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, SEM-EDS, and LC-M/MS, measuring drug loading efficiencies over 90% for ZIF and slightly higher for Kao@ZIF. In vitro release profiles showed strong pH sensitivity, with greater naproxen release at acidic pH (5.4) and more sustained release from Kao@ZIF. Cytotoxicity assays using L929 fibroblasts demonstrated improved biocompatibility, with cell viabilities of approximately 75% for ZIF–naproxen, 82% for Kao@ZIF–naproxen, and 90% for gelatin-coated PLA–Kao@ZIF scaffolds, for 24 h incubation. Incorporating kaolin-stabilized ZIF nanocarriers into 3D-printed biodegradable scaffolds offers a promising and safer approach for pH-sensitive, tissue-targeted drug delivery, while laying the groundwork for future studies involving halloysite-derived nanotubular systems. Full article

The global issues of resource depletion and environmental pollution have led to increased interest in a circular bioeconomy focusing on converting renewable biomass into functional biomaterials. This article explores the transformative potential of hemicellulosic biogels as a sustainable platform to address critical societal challenges, such as water scarcity, food solutions and environmental pollution. Derived from hemicelluloses, an abundant and underutilized polysaccharide in lignocellulose biomass, these biogels offer a fundamentally new approach to developing high-performance, ecofriendly based materials. The review examines their development, characterization, and diverse applications in water treatment, food, agriculture, adhesive and coating systems. In water treatment, these gels exhibit exceptional performance, demonstrating a maximum NaCl uptake of 0.26 g/g and rapid pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics for desalination. They also show high selectivity for heavy metal removal, with a remarkable binding capacity for lead if 2.9 mg/g at pH 5. For adhesive and coating applications, hemicellulose crosslinked with ammonium zirconium carbonate (AZC) forms water-resistant gels that significantly enhance paper properties, including gloss, smoothness, liquid resistance, and adhesive strength. Furthermore, hemicellulosics exhibit controlled biodegradation in physiological solutions while maintaining their mechanical integrity, underscoring their broad application promise. Overall, this review highlights how hemicellulose-based hydrogels can transform a low-value byproduct from biorefinery into high-performance solutions, contributing significantly to a sustainable economy. Full article

Hydrogel films are a promising class of materials due to their peculiar property of retaining water as well as responding to external stimuli. In contrast with conventional hydrogels, films provide enhanced responsiveness along with greater compliance to be integrated into devices as well as on surfaces. This review is designed to comprehensively explore the many aspects of hydrogel films. It covers the principles of gelation; preparation methods, such as solvent casting, spin coating, and photolithography; and characterization. This review also presents the most common polymers (both natural and synthetic) utilized for the preparation of the hydrogel, the systems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes and hybrid metal–organic structure, that can be used as additives and the aspects related to the biocompatibility of hydrogels. In the second part, this review discusses the potential applications of hydrogel films and the challenges that still need to be overcome. Particular attention is given to biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering, but environmental and agricultural uses are also explored. Finally, this review presents recent examples of real-world applications of hydrogel films and explores the possibility they have for a wide variety of needs. Full article

The growing challenge of biofilm-associated infections in dentistry necessitates advanced solutions. This review highlights the potential of smart bioactive and antibacterial materials—bioactive glass ceramics (BGCs), silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-doped polymers, and pH-responsive chitosan coatings—in transforming restorative dentistry. BGCs reduce biofilms by >90% while promoting bone integration. AgNP-polymers effectively combat S. mutans and C. albicans but require controlled dosing (<0.3 wt% in PMMA) to avoid cytotoxicity. Chitosan coatings enable pH-triggered drug release, disrupting acidic biofilms. Emerging innovations like quaternary ammonium compounds, graphene oxide hybrids, and 4D-printed hydrogels offer on-demand antimicrobial and regenerative functions. However, clinical translation depends on addressing cytotoxicity, standardizing antibiofilm testing (≥3-log CFU/mL reduction), and ensuring long-term efficacy. These smart materials pave the way for self-defending restorations, merging infection control with tissue regeneration. Future advancements may integrate AI-driven design for multifunctional, immunomodulatory dental solutions. Full article

Hydrogel materials have become an efficient, bioactive, and multifunctional alternative with great potential for biomedical applications. In this work, photoactive films were successfully designed for optical processing, and their photoactivity was tested in photodynamic therapy (PDT), such as antimicrobial patches. The stimulus-response hydrogel films are made of a hydrophilic polymer based on vinyl monomers, specifically 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylamide (AAm), in a 1:1 molar ratio, along with the photochromic agent, 3,3-dimethylindolin-6′-nitrobenzoespiropirano (BSP), and a crosslinking agent, N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA). These hydrogel films were successfully created using the photoinitiator 2-hydroxy-4′-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone (IRGACURE 2959), MBA, and BSP in different concentrations (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mol%), which were later tested in photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the photosensitizer Ru(bpy)₂²⁺ against Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that, while free Ru(bpy)₂²⁺ needed concentrations of 4–8 µg/mL to eliminate methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) strains, only partial inactivation was achieved for methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains. The addition of the hydrogel films with BSP improved their effectiveness, lowering the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to 2 µg/mL to fully inactivate MSSA and MRSA strains. These findings demonstrate that the combined use of hydrogel films containing BSP and Ru(bpy)₂²⁺ within a hydrogel matrix not only boosts antimicrobial activity but also highlights the potential of these photoactive films as innovative photosensitive antimicrobial coatings. This synergistic effect of BSP and Ru(bpy)₂²⁺ indicates that these materials are promising candidates for next-generation antimicrobial coatings and creative photosensitive materials. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a relapsing–remitting condition resulting in chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Present methods are either inadequate or not viable for continuous tracking of disease progression in individuals. In this study, we present the development towards an implantable biosensor for detecting interleukin-6 (IL-6), an important cytokine implicated in IBD. The optimised sensor design includes a gold surface functionalised with a known IL-6-specific aptamer, integrating a recognition sequence and an electrochemical redox probe. The IL-6 aptasensor demonstrated a sensitivity of up to 40% and selectivity up to 10% to the IL-6 target in vitro. Sensors were found to degrade over 7 days when exposed to recombinant IL-6, with the degradation rate rapidly increasing when exposed to intestinal mucosa. A feasibility in vivo experiment with a newly designed implantable gut sensor array confirmed rapid degradation over a 5-h implantation period. We achieved up to a 93% reduction in sensor degradation rates, with a polyvinyl alcohol–methyl acrylate hydrogel coating that aimed to reduce nonspecific interactions in complex analytes compared to uncoated sensors. Degradation was linked to desorption of the monolayer leading to breakage of gold thiol bonds. While there are key challenges to be resolved before a stable implantable IBD sensor is realised, this work highlights the potential of aptamer-based biosensors as effective tools for long-term diagnostic monitoring in IBD. Full article

Pancreatic calculi, a common complication of chronic pancreatitis, significantly contribute to ductal obstruction, increased intraductal pressure, and debilitating abdominal pain. Although endoscopic pancreatic duct stenting alleviates ductal stenosis, conventional stents lack litholytic functionality, limiting their therapeutic efficacy. To address this challenge, we developed a drug-eluting pancreatic duct stent coated with a carboxymethyl chitosan methacrylate (CMCSMA)-based hydrogel utilizing 50% w/v citric acid (CA) as a litholytic agent. Polydopamine (PDA) interlayer was employed to enhance interfacial adhesion between the hydrogel and the stent surface. The CMCSMA hydrogel exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, including rapid gelation, excellent compressive strength (229.2 ± 14.8 kPa), hemocompatibility, and cytocompatibility. In vitro release studies revealed sustained CA release, achieving 66.3% cumulative release within 72 h. The hydrogel-coated stent demonstrated superior litholytic activity, dissolving over 90% of pancreatic calculi within 24 h. These results underscore the potential of CMCSMA-CA hydrogel-coated stents as a biocompatible and effective local drug delivery platform for targeted pancreatic duct litholysis. Full article