Search Results (97)

Programmable peptide hydrogels represent advanced supramolecular biomaterials featured with customizable molecular sequences and tunable self-assembly behaviors, which can biomimetically reconstruct the structural and microenvironmental complexity of native extracellular matrix. This review systematically elaborates the molecular engineering advances of programmable peptide hydrogels following a hierarchical logic from fundamental mechanisms to translational applications. We first interpret the intrinsic self-assembly mechanisms driven by non-covalent interactions and the regulatory effects of typical external microenvironmental stimuli. On this basis, we summarize core rational design principles, covering stimuli-responsive structural optimization, biofunctional modification, and the tunable regulation of physical properties, degradability and immunogenicity. Furthermore, we correlate multi-scale structural features (nanostructures, porous architecture and mechanical properties) with their versatile biomedical functions, and comprehensively discuss their cutting-edge applications in tissue regeneration, targeted drug and gene delivery, cell-mediated therapy, immunomodulation, and anti-infective treatment. Finally, we identify critical translational barriers including batch-to-batch inconsistency, immunogenic risks, and in vivo performance instability, and highlight future directions involving multi-stimuli-responsive systems, artificial intelligence-assisted design, computational modeling, and hybrid material construction. This work systematically clarifies the structure–property–function relationship of peptide hydrogels, and underscores their great potential as next-generation platforms for precision regenerative medicine and targeted disease intervention. Full article

Intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) is widely recognized as a major contributor to discogenic low back pain (LBP), imposing a substantial burden on global public health and socioeconomic systems. Growing evidence confirms that disrupted redox homeostasis, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and oxidative stress act as major convergent mechanisms that propagate inflammatory cascades, nucleus pulposus cell dysfunction, and extracellular matrix degradation. Although conventional conservative therapies and surgical interventions are clinically effective in relieving macrostructural compression, they remain limited in resolving localized molecular dysregulation. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising strategy for overcoming the limitations of traditional therapy for IVDD. This review provides an analysis of four categories of antioxidant nanotherapies for IVDD, including inorganic functional nanozymes, bioactive nanomaterials, stimuli-responsive nanosystems, and nanocomposite scaffolds. We elaborate on their mechanisms in scavenging excessive ROS, restoring redox equilibrium, protecting mitochondrial function, and ameliorating oxidative stress-induced degeneration. Integrating structural biomimicry with microenvironmental responsiveness enables the engineering of composite nanosystems with multi-pathway ROS-scavenging capabilities. Therefore, these platforms emerge as promising therapeutic strategies for arresting IVDD progression. Finally, we discuss the key obstacles to clinical translation. Overall, this review provides insights into the development of redox-targeted therapies. Full article

Steady-state visual evoked potential-based brain–computer interfaces (SSVEP-BCIs) are widely applied in non-invasive brain–computer interaction, yet traditional single-frequency coding suffers from scarce frequency resources and degraded accuracy in multi-target tasks. The partitioned backlight mode (PB-M) supports SSVEP spatial coding, while systematic investigations on its inherent backlight crosstalk are still lacking. This study develops a PB-M-based SSVEP-BCI system to explore crosstalk mechanisms. Each participant completed 90 valid trials with 18 stimuli and five repetitions each. The results verify inter-partition crosstalk, which can reduce recognition accuracy under narrow frequency intervals and non-isolated layouts, and gaze position can modulate non-target SSVEP responses. Classification accuracy was calculated by valid correct trial ratios, and the information transfer rate (ITR) was computed using standard BCI formulas, yielding 87.50% accuracy and 48.75 bits/min ITR. Full exhaustive classification testing across all 18 stimulus targets was not implemented, where core classification validation was performed on partially selected targets. The proposed frequency reuse strategy shows promising potential to improve SSVEP-BCI performance based on empirical experimental data, providing valid references for multi-target BCI design. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has rapidly evolved into a controlling platform for the fabrication of patient-specific biomedical implants, with growing importance in advanced drug delivery systems. Beyond structural tissue engineering, bioprinted constructs now function as programmable therapeutic depots capable of localized, sustained, and stimuli-responsive drug release. This review focuses on recent biomaterial design strategies that enable precise control over drug encapsulation, retention, and release kinetics within 3D bioprinted architectures. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of bioinks, including crosslinking density, porosity, degradation behavior, viscoelasticity, and swelling characteristics, directly influence drug loading efficiency and release dynamics under physiological conditions. The rational tuning of these parameters allows the development of constructs that provide spatially controlled and temporally regulated therapeutic delivery. Recent advances in predictive modeling, such as finite element modeling (FEM), data-driven machine learning approaches, and ML, have significantly improved the ability to correlate material composition, printing parameters, and structural geometry with drug diffusion and degradation-mediated release mechanisms. These tools facilitate the optimization of printing variables including extrusion pressure, nozzle diameter, and layer resolution to ensure structural fidelity while maintaining therapeutic functionality. Emerging strategies incorporating multi-material printing, gradient architectures, and stimuli-responsive biomaterials have expanded the potential of 3D bioprinting for combination therapies and personalized medicine. This review discusses key challenges in translating bioprinted drug delivery systems into clinical applications, including the standardization of drug release characterization methods, and long-term stability assessment. Full article

Polymer-based dressings constitute an important class of macromolecular biomaterials enabling controlled drug delivery and enhanced wound healing performance. This review summarizes recent advances in the design, fabrication, and functionalization of polymer dressings, with emphasis on natural and synthetic polymer systems applied in biomedical topical and transdermal drug administration. Key material properties, including biocompatibility, mechanical stability, porosity, and degradation behavior, are discussed in relation to drug loading capacity and release kinetics. Current fabrication strategies, such as electrospinning, hydrogel formation, casting, and multilayer assembly, are critically evaluated with respect to structural control and scalability. Particular attention is given to antimicrobial and stimuli-responsive platforms capable of dynamic interaction with the wound microenvironment. Furthermore, challenges related to long-term stability, regulatory requirements, and clinical translation are addressed. By integrating recent experimental findings, this review highlights essential structure–function relationships governing polymer dressing performance and provides design guidelines for next-generation macromolecular topical and transdermal care systems with improved multifunctionality and clinical applicability. Full article

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) activates the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), triggering anti-inflammatory signaling and providing essential nucleotides for the salvage pathway, thereby helping bypass metabolic bottlenecks and promoting tissue repair. Combining PDRN with biochemical agents and physical stimuli represents a significant shift in medical treatment, moving from monotherapy to an integrated, multi-target regenerative approach. These combinatorial strategies effectively address the limitations of PDRN, such as its rapid degradation and diffusion, by simultaneously meeting the structural, metabolic, and signaling needs of injured tissues. The mechanism of action for PDRN involves a synergistic effect with hyaluronic acid, amplification of growth factors (e.g., Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)), and enhancements from extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and lasers. This results in a notable acceleration of the repair process for chronic wounds, musculoskeletal disorders, and neurological injuries. As intelligent delivery systems like responsive hydrogels and sustainable L-PDRN production continue to advance, these synergistic protocols are poised to redefine global standards of care in regenerative medicine and esthetic dermatology. Future clinical success will hinge on the standardization of sequence-specific protocols and large-scale validation to ensure long-term safety and efficacy. Full article

The transition toward sustainable food packaging requires the integration of biodegradable materials with functional bioactivity. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a naturally abundant polyphenol, has emerged as a multifunctional compound with the capacity to simultaneously modulate polymer structure and impart active and intelligent functionalities. This review critically examines recent advances in CGA-containing packaging systems, covering fabrication strategies from physical incorporation and chemical grafting to nanostructured and stimuli-responsive architectures. The analysis reveals that CGA plays a dual role. At the molecular level, it regulates the polymer network structure through hydrogen bonding, covalent interactions, and conformational rearrangement. This, in turn, influences mechanical strength, barrier performance, and optical properties. Functionally, CGA provides antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, although its effectiveness depends strongly on the incorporation strategy and concentration. Notably, nanostructured systems and conjugation approaches enable controlled release and enhanced stability. These methods overcome limitations associated with rapid diffusion and environmental degradation, including oxidation, UV exposure, and pH-related instability. Despite these advances, key challenges remain, including CGA instability, uncontrolled release behavior, and limited regulatory and scalability data. Furthermore, while CGA is well established in active packaging, its application in intelligent systems remains limited in the literature, with only a few studies reported on its intelligent applications. Overall, this review highlights the structure–function relationships governing CGA-containing packaging systems and outlines future directions for the rational design of cost-effective, scalable, and multifunctional packaging systems, positioning CGA as a promising component in sustainable strategies for food preservation and waste reduction. Full article

Peripheral nerve injuries cause profound medical and socioeconomic consequences. Despite substantial microsurgical advances, including nerve autografting, nerve transfers, and the commercial availability of effective conduits, functional recovery remains incomplete for most patients. Current outcomes underscore the need for novel adjunctive therapies capable of enhancing axonal regeneration, accelerating reinnervation, and mitigating denervation-induced target atrophy. Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor widely used in organ transplantation, has emerged as a potent immunomodulatory and neuroregenerative agent. However, its systemic use is constrained by severe dose-limiting toxicities and metabolic derangements. This limitation has driven a paradigm shift toward localized tacrolimus delivery, leveraging biomaterials to achieve therapeutic drug concentrations at the repair site while minimizing systemic toxicity. This review synthesizes the state-of-the-art advances in biomaterial-based tacrolimus local delivery systems. We highlight biological mechanisms underlying tacrolimus-mediated neuroregeneration and immunomodulation. Engineering strategies including nerve conduits, wraps, injectable hydrogels, electrospun scaffolds, and stimuli-responsive carriers are discussed, with attention to polymeric composition, fabrication technologies, degradation kinetics, and pharmacological performance. We also explored the regulatory, manufacturing, and scalability challenges inherent to drug–device combination products. Finally, we identify emerging directions including multimodal biomaterials that integrate tacrolimus with trophic factors, extracellular vesicles, or bioelectrical stimulation. Collectively, biomaterial-enabled tacrolimus delivery represents a transformative strategy to bridge traditional nerve surgical repair and functional recovery. This review provides a roadmap for future interdisciplinary innovation at the interface of biomaterials science, neurobiology, pharmacology, and surgery. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that imposes an increasing global health burden. Conventional pharmacological treatments are often limited by systemic side effects and insufficient drug accumulation at inflamed intestinal sites. Enzyme-responsive polymeric drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations by enabling site-specific and controlled drug release within the pathological microenvironment of the colon. This review summarizes recent advances in enzyme-responsive polymeric platforms designed for IBD therapy. We first discuss the altered enzymatic landscape in the intestinal microenvironment of IBD, including host-derived inflammatory enzymes such as esterases, matrix metalloproteinases, and hyaluronidase, as well as microbiota-derived enzymes such as azoreductase, cellulase, and amylase. These enzymes provide intrinsic biological triggers for selective polymer degradation and drug release. We then categorize enzyme-responsive polymeric delivery systems according to the enzymes involved and highlight representative material design strategies, including polymer prodrugs, core–shell nanocarriers, enzyme-degradable hydrogels, and polysaccharide-based carriers. Particular emphasis is placed on the multifunctional roles of polymers that enable targeted delivery, mucosal adhesion, and therapeutic synergy through bioactive degradation products. Finally, current challenges and future directions toward multi-stimuli-responsive systems and clinically translatable polymeric nanomedicine for precision IBD therapy are discussed. Full article

Chronic wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure injuries affect millions of patients worldwide and cost healthcare systems in the order of $150 billion annually, yet treatment options have changed less than the scale of the problem would suggest. Biofilm formation, documented in up to 78% of chronic wounds, is a central cause: bacteria embedded in extracellular polymeric matrices tolerate antimicrobial concentrations up to 1000-fold higher than planktonic cells and sustain a chronic inflammatory state that actively prevents tissue repair. Hydrogels, crosslinked polymer networks with high water content and tunable physicochemical properties, have been widely studied as platforms for addressing these challenges, though the distance between laboratory results and clinical practice remains considerable. While recent reviews have summarized hydrogel materials or antimicrobial strategies in isolation, this review takes a different approach: we treat infection, biofilm persistence, and impaired regeneration as interconnected processes that must be addressed simultaneously, and we examine biofilm management as a distinct therapeutic target rather than merely a subset of antimicrobial delivery. We analyze hydrogel-based wound care across three integrated domains: design principles (natural, synthetic, and hybrid polymer systems; crosslinking strategies; and stimuli-responsive architectures), antimicrobial delivery (silver, antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, natural agents, and controlled-release systems), and biofilm management (nanoparticle-mediated disruption, enzymatic EPS degradation, photodynamic approaches, quorum-sensing inhibition, and anti-adhesive surface engineering). For each area, we critically evaluate what the preclinical evidence supports, where it falls short, and what would be needed to bridge the gap to clinical application. Translation remains uneven. Among the many FDA- and EMA-cleared hydrogel dressings currently in clinical use, most are simple moisture-retaining or silver-containing formulations, while the multifunctional systems that dominate the research literature are at earlier stages of development. We discuss the main translational priorities, including more predictive preclinical models, long-term nanomaterial safety, harmonized outcome reporting, manufacturing scalability, and health economic evidence, as areas where further work can meaningfully accelerate clinical adoption. Full article

Soil degradation in both agricultural and urban environments is accelerating due to intensive land use, plastic pollution, construction practices, and climate change, threatening ecosystem stability, food security, and carbon storage capacity. This review synthesizes current advances in biopolymeric materials as regenerative alternatives to conventional soil management approaches. Biopolymers derived from natural sources—including polysaccharides, proteins, and lignin-based compounds—are examined for their multifunctional roles in improving soil structure, enhancing water retention, optimizing nutrient delivery, stabilizing slopes, and supporting pollutant immobilization. Recent developments highlight the emergence of stimuli-responsive hydrogels, controlled-release fertilizer matrices, and composite soil conditioners capable of simultaneously addressing water stress, salinity, erosion, and contamination. In parallel, biodegradable agricultural films and in-soil degradable materials offer pathways to reduce microplastic accumulation while maintaining agronomic performance. Beyond agriculture, bio-based construction materials and bio-receptive design strategies extend biopolymeric interventions into the built environment, promoting soil permeability, microbial diversity, and circular material flows. The review emphasizes the need for context-specific formulation, long-term field validation, and life-cycle assessment to ensure environmental safety and scalability. By integrating soil science, polymer chemistry, and regenerative design, biopolymeric systems are described here as tools for restoring soil health and fostering resilient urban–rural ecosystems under conditions of environmental change. Full article

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most extensively investigated biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications, owing to its tunable degradation kinetics, established biocompatibility, and regulatory approval. In implantology, PLGA-based systems have emerged as versatile platforms for scaffolds, coatings, and localized drug delivery, aimed at enhancing osseointegration and tissue regeneration. This review provides a focused and up-to-date analysis of PLGA applications in dental and orthopedic implantology, with particular emphasis on advances reported over the past decade. Unlike previous reviews that predominantly address general drug delivery or broad tissue engineering applications, this work establishes a direct correlation between polymer composition (LA:GA ratio), processing strategies, and biological outcomes, including degradation behavior, mechanical performance, and host response. Special attention is given to multifunctional PLGA systems incorporating antibiotics, growth factors, and bioactive nanoparticles, highlighting their role in improving antibacterial efficacy and osteogenesis. Emerging technologies such as nanostructured composites, additive manufacturing, and stimuli-responsive delivery platforms are critically evaluated. Key limitations—including acidic degradation by-products, burst release kinetics, and translational barriers—are discussed in the context of clinical applicability. By integrating physicochemical design with biological performance and recent clinical trends (2024–2025), this review proposes a framework for the rational development of next-generation PLGA-based implant systems. Full article

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and stimuli-responsive hydrogels are advanced functional materials whose hybridization yields CQD-enhanced stimuli-sensitive hydrogels, opening new interdisciplinary avenues for smart material applications. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in these composites, focusing on synthetic strategies, structure–property modulation mechanisms, and practical applications. Distinct from existing reviews that either investigate CQDs or hydrogels independently or discuss their composites in a single research field, this work features core novelties in integration strategy, application scope and critical analysis: it systematically compares the advantages, limitations and applicable scenarios of three typical CQD–hydrogel integration approaches (physical entrapment, in situ synthesis, covalent conjugation), comprehensively covers the multi-field application progress of the composites and conducts in-depth cross-field analysis of their common scientific issues and technical bottlenecks. By incorporating CQDs, the composites achieve remarkable performance optimizations: 40% improved mechanical toughness, sub-ppm-level heavy metal-sensing sensitivity, and over 80% organic dye photocatalytic degradation efficiency, addressing pure hydrogels’ inherent limitations of insufficient strength and single functionality. These enhancements enable sophisticated applications in biomedical field (real-time biosensing, controlled drug delivery), environmental remediation (pollutant detection/degradation), energy storage, and flexible electronics. The synergistic interplay between CQDs and hydrogels facilitates precise single/multi-stimulus responsiveness (pH, temperature, light), a pivotal advance for precision medicine and intelligent environmental monitoring. Despite promising progress, the large-scale practical application of CQD–hydrogel composites still faces prominent challenges: the difficulty in scalable fabrication with the uniform dispersion of CQDs in hydrogel matrices, poor long-term stability of most composites under physiological cyclic stress (service life < 6 months in practical tests), and low accuracy in discriminating multi-stimuli in complex real-world matrices. Future research should prioritize biomass-based eco-friendly CQD synthesis, machine learning-aided multimodal responsive systems, and 3D bioprinting for scalable manufacturing. Full article

Chitin-based hydrogels have emerged as a versatile and sustainable material with significant potential in biomedical, environmental, and energy applications. Derived from the abundant biopolymer chitin, these hydrogels exhibit exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable physicochemical properties. This review highlights advances in chitin-based hydrogels, focusing on solvent systems, crosslinking strategies, and structural modifications to enhance mechanical strength, swelling, and stimuli responsiveness. Key applications include wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and environmental remediation, where their high-water retention, enzymatic degradability, and eco-friendly nature are particularly advantageous. Furthermore, innovations such as nanoparticle incorporation and chemical derivatization (e.g., carboxymethylation, hydroxypropylation) have expanded their utility in energy devices and smart sensors. Despite these advances, challenges remain in optimizing the energy efficiency of production methods for industrial scalability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of chitin-based hydrogels, offering insights into future directions for research and development in this promising field. Full article

Collagen, the most abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, has emerged as a cornerstone biomaterial in drug delivery and regenerative medicine due to its intrinsic biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity. Engineering collagen into microspheres transforms its functionality beyond bulk scaffolds by increasing surface area, enabling minimally invasive delivery, and providing precise control over degradation, mechanical properties, and therapeutic release. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of collagen-based microspheres, with a particular focus on their dual role as biomimetic microenvironments and delivery systems. Recent advances in fabrication strategies, including emulsification, microfluidics, spray-drying, and electrospraying, are discussed in the context of scalability, size control, and payload encapsulation. Composite approaches that incorporate bioactive minerals, polysaccharides, or synthetic polymers are highlighted for their ability to enhance mechanical performance and biological function. We further examine characterization frameworks that link microscale structure and physicochemical properties to biological outcomes, with emphasis on how collagen microspheres replicate key structural, mechanical, and signaling features of native tissue microenvironments. Collagen microspheres have demonstrated broad utility as controlled delivery platforms, cell-instructive microcarriers, and injectable systems for tissue regeneration, including applications in bone, cartilage, skin, and nerve repair, as well as advanced wound care and localized cancer therapy. Finally, we critically assess current challenges related to scalable manufacturing, sterilization compatibility, and batch reproducibility, and outline emerging solutions such as recombinant collagen, advanced biofabrication, and stimuli-responsive systems. Collectively, collagen microspheres represent a powerful and adaptable platform poised to advance next-generation regenerative and therapeutic technologies. Full article