Search Results (8,964)

Chronic wounds remain a significant clinical challenge due to persistent inflammation and impaired tissue repair. Anti-inflammatory agents play a pivotal role in wound management by reducing excessive inflammation, preventing further tissue damage, and creating a microenvironment conducive to healing. Among them, Ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is effective in modulating inflammation. However, its systemic administration is associated with adverse effects, highlighting the need for localized and controlled delivery systems. Gelatin-based carriers provide important advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, cost-effectiveness, and the ease of chemical modification to tailor drug release profiles. In this pioneering study, gelatin-based microspheres crosslinked with tannic acid were developed to achieve sustained topical release of Ketoprofen. The microparticle system was produced through the single water-in-oil emulsification process and optimized by varying homogenization speed, crosslinking time, and molar ratio. Morphological, physicochemical, functional, and biological characterizations were conducted. The optimized formulation yielded spherical microspheres (5–35 µm) with high crosslinking efficiency and a controlled drug release profile over time. COX inhibition assays provided preliminary evidence that released Ketoprofen-retained inhibitory activity under the assay conditions, while cytocompatibility tests supported the short-term compatibility of the system within the tested concentration range. A qualitative wound-model test provided preliminary evidence of powder hydration, film formation, and macroscopic retention. Overall, tannic acid-crosslinked gelatin microspheres represent a biocompatible and promising platform for localized drug delivery of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory in wound management. Full article

Glycans attached to host glycoproteins play an important role in regulating oral microbial colonization and maintaining community balance. Our previous studies revealed that children exhibit lower levels of α2-3 sialylated glycan structures (SAα2-3Gal) than adults, raising the possibility that this age-associated glycan deficiency contributes to the heightened cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans. In this study, sialylated glycoproteins (Sia-GP) and corresponding desialylated controls (DeSia-GP and α2,3-DeSia-GP) were prepared from bovine milk-derived glycoproteins to investigate the functional contribution of SAα2-3Gal. Their effects on S. mutans were evaluated by assessing bacterial growth, acid production, biofilm formation and extracellular polysaccharide synthesis, while a human oral keratinocytes (HOK cells) infection model was used to examine epithelial cell viability, wound healing, and infection-associated inflammatory responses. The results showed that Sia-GP exerted only a transient inhibitory effect on early bacterial growth without affecting final biomass, but significantly attenuated acidogenic activity, biofilm formation, and extracellular polysaccharides production in a concentration-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects were markedly attenuated following removal of α2-3-linked sialic acids, demonstrating the essential role of SAα2-3Gal. In addition, Sia-GP alleviated S. mutans-induced cellular damage in HOK cells by improving cell viability, colony formation, and migration, while suppressing infection-associated inflammatory signaling. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SAα2-3Gal effectively limits multiple virulence traits of S. mutans and attenuates S. mutans-induced damage in oral epithelial cells. This study provides mechanistic insights into glycan-mediated regulation of host–microbe interactions and suggests that the naturally low abundance of SAα2-3Gal in children may increase their susceptibility to S. mutans infection and caries development. Full article

Background and Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are increasingly prescribed for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. While these agents provide substantial metabolic benefits, concerns have emerged regarding their effects on nutritional status and potential implications for perioperative outcomes. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A structured literature search was conducted from 2 May 2026 to 8 June 2026 examining GLP-1RA therapy, nutritional status, body composition and surgical outcomes. Eligible studies included investigations of postoperative outcomes associated with GLP-1RA use, nutritional and body composition effects of GLP-1RAs, associations between nutritional abnormalities and surgical outcomes, and perioperative nutritional optimisation strategies. Data were extracted and synthesised narratively. Results: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Four major themes were identified: (1) nutritional and body composition changes associated with GLP-1RA therapy, (2) effects of malnutrition, sarcopenia, myosteatosis and micronutrient deficiencies on surgical outcomes, (3) postoperative outcomes associated with GLP-1RA use, and (4) perioperative nutritional assessment and optimisation strategies. GLP-1RA therapy was consistently associated with reduced energy intake, inadequate protein intake, micronutrient deficiencies and loss of lean body mass. These abnormalities overlap with recognised risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes. Despite this, clinical studies generally reported neutral or favourable postoperative outcomes among GLP-1RA users, particularly in arthroplasty and hand surgery populations, although increased wound-healing complications were reported in selected plastic surgery cohorts. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that GLP-1RAs do not consistently worsen postoperative outcomes; however, their use is associated with nutritional and body composition changes that may influence perioperative recovery. Nutritional assessment and optimisation may therefore represent an important component of perioperative care in patients receiving GLP-1RA therapy. Full article

Chronic and diabetic wounds are characterized by persistent inflammation, excessive oxidative stress, and impaired cellular responses, collectively leading to delayed tissue repair. This study aimed to evaluate a thermoresponsive gel incorporating Aloe vera (AV) extracts and silk fibroin (SF), focusing on its biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-regenerative potential. The AV: SF mixture and gel formulation were evaluated in macrophage-like THP-1 cells, and human diabetic dermal fibroblasts (HDdF) under non-induced and LPS/IL-6/TNF-α-induced inflammatory conditions. Both formulations maintained high cell viability across all cell types, indicating good biocompatibility. Under inflammatory conditions, both the AV: SF mixture and gel significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels and suppressed TNF-α and IL-1β secretion. In addition, NF-κB p65 activation was attenuated in both macrophage-like THP-1 cells and HDdF. Macrophage-like THP-1 cells displayed the M2 (CD80^low/CD206^high) phenotype, indicating modulation of macrophage polarization toward wound remodeling and repair. Overall, the AV: SF-based gel system demonstrated coordinated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-regenerative effects in vitro. These findings support its potential as a multifunctional biomaterial for modulating inflammation-associated cellular dysfunction in chronic and diabetic wound environments. Full article

Skeletal muscle serves as the direct executor of movement, and the proliferation and migration capacities of its constituent cells represent the key physiological foundation determining equine endurance and speed. Previous whole-transcriptome analysis has shown that Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) is significantly upregulated in Yili horses following racing and is involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway; however, its specific regulatory mechanism in equine skeletal muscle cells remains unclear. This study utilized primary equine skeletal muscle cells as a model. By constructing an IGF1 overexpression plasmid and screening efficient siRNA interference sequences, we employed RT-qPCR and Western Blot techniques to verify gene expression and the activation level of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were used to detect cell proliferation viability, and cell scratch assays were conducted to evaluate migration capacity, aiming to clarify the regulatory effect of IGF1 on the phenotype and function of equine skeletal muscle cells. Functional experiments demonstrated that IGF1 overexpression significantly promoted the proliferation viability (p < 0.0001) and migration rate (p < 0.0001) of equine skeletal muscle cells, whereas knockdown of IGF1 significantly inhibited these cellular capabilities. Mechanistic studies revealed that IGF1 overexpression significantly increased Akt phosphorylation. Notably, IGF1 exerted its biological functions in conjunction with the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In conclusion, IGF1 enhances cell proliferation and wound-healing capacity of primary equine skeletal muscle cells, which correlates with its ability to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This study is the first to reveal the critical role of IGF1 in equine skeletal muscle biology at the cellular level, providing experimental evidence for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of athletic performance in Yili horses. It also offers novel potential targets for the molecular breeding of sport horses and interventions for injury repair. Full article

Chronic wounds constitute a major clinical and socioeconomic burden owing to prolonged inflammation, persistent bacterial infection, impaired angiogenesis, and defective extracellular matrix remodeling. Advanced wound dressings have traditionally been developed to promote tissue regeneration, control bacterial infection, and restore the wound microenvironment. Recent advances have focused on multifunctional biomaterials integrating regenerative, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and controlled drug-delivery properties. Within this context, antiviral biointerface engineering has emerged as a promising, although still exploratory, materials-engineering perspective rather than an established function of wound dressings. Hydrogel–metal–organic framework (MOF) hybrid polymer composites have emerged as versatile platforms for multifunctional wound dressings. Hydrogels provide hydrated three-dimensional matrices with tunable porosity, swelling behavior, mechanical compliance, and biocompatibility, whereas MOFs contribute high surface area, adjustable pore architectures, chemically tailorable active sites, and controlled ion release. Their integration generates synergistic systems whose performance is governed by structure–function relationships involving polymer crosslinking density, MOF dispersion, pore hierarchy, interfacial adhesion, swelling dynamics, and surface functionalization. Collectively, these parameters regulate mass transport, mechanical stability, therapeutic delivery, and cytocompatibility while potentially influencing virus–material interactions through engineered biointerfaces. Current evidence indicates that direct experimental demonstrations of antiviral performance in hydrogel–MOF wound dressing systems remain limited. Accordingly, antiviral biointerface functions should be regarded as emerging engineering opportunities requiring further experimental validation before clinical translation. This review critically analyzes the structure–function engineering principles governing hydrogel–MOF hybrid systems and examines how established regenerative functions may be integrated with emerging antiviral biointerface concepts. Unlike previous reviews focused primarily on drug delivery, antibacterial activity, or tissue engineering, this review emphasizes the relationships between polymer architecture, MOF chemistry, interfacial design, and transport phenomena while explicitly distinguishing experimentally supported evidence from prospective mechanistic concepts. Particular attention is given to current limitations, translational challenges, and future directions for the rational design of next-generation multifunctional hydrogel–MOF wound dressings. Full article

Fascia serves as both a mechanical scaffold and a progenitor cell reservoir critical for wound healing and tissue regeneration. This study developed an In Situ Induced Fascial Analogue (iFA) via low-growth-factor Matrigel injection into mouse subcutaneous fascia, using silicone as a control. At 14 days, histological and ultrastructural analyses showed that the iFA possessed an organized collagen architecture comparable to native fascia, distinct from the dense fibrous capsules in controls. qPCR and immunofluorescence revealed a pro-reparative macrophage-associated microenvironment characterized by increased CD206 expression and demonstrated the enrichment of CD34⁺/PDGFRα⁺ co-expressing telocytes (TCs) within the iFA, consistent with their characteristic molecular and ultrastructural features. Ex vivo assays demonstrated cell migratory activity, and in vivo wound healing assays showed that iFA-derived cells significantly accelerated wound closure and re-epithelialization. This study established a structurally biomimetic fascial analogue enriched with CD34⁺/PDGFRα⁺ TCs that avoids pathological fibrosis, providing a novel in situ engineering strategy for generating fascia-like tissues and a platform for future regenerative research. Full article

Probiotic strains with multifunctional skin-beneficial properties represent promising candidates for next-generation cosmetic ingredients. In this study, a systematic stepwise screening strategy was applied to an in-house bacterial library comprising 302 isolates to identify candidates with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound-healing, and skin barrier-supportive activities. From this library, 33 strains were selected based on preliminary assessments and subjected to comprehensive in vitro evaluation. Cell viability and cytotoxicity assays confirmed the safety of all selected strains in RAW264.7 macrophages and HaCaT keratinocytes. Several strains exhibited strong DPPH radical scavenging activity and significantly inhibited nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Among the selected candidates, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus DM073 demonstrated the most potent anti-inflammatory activity, whereas Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DM043 exhibited the greatest wound-healing capacity. All five selected strains displayed antimicrobial activity against Cutibacterium acnes. Furthermore, selected strains, particularly Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DM175 and Ligilactobacillus salivarius DM079, enhanced the expression of skin barrier-related genes, including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin (OCLN), claudin-1 (Cla-1), and filaggrin (FLG), and partially restored their expression under TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced inflammatory conditions. Selected strains also reduced the expression of inflammatory chemokines in stimulated keratinocytes. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the selected probiotic strains possess complementary multifunctional activities associated with skin health. In particular, DM073 exhibited superior anti-inflammatory activity, DM043 showed strong wound-healing potential, and DM175 demonstrated remarkable skin barrier-supportive effects. These strain-specific properties support their potential application in the development of probiotic-derived postbiotic cosmetic ingredients for skin soothing, barrier reinforcement, skin recovery, and microbiome-friendly skincare formulations. Further studies are warranted to evaluate their efficacy and safety in advanced skin models and clinical cosmetic applications. Full article

Nanobiochar has attracted increasing attention as a redox-active carbon nanomaterial with potential applications beyond its traditional roles in environmental remediation and adsorption technologies. When integrated into hydrogel matrices, nanobiochar may provide a unique combination of physicochemical and biological functionalities, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation, antimicrobial activity, high adsorption capacity, and localized therapeutic delivery. Such properties are particularly relevant to emerging wound-healing and regenerative medicine applications; however, the biological mechanisms governing the performance of nanobiochar–hydrogel systems remain poorly understood. Because direct studies on nanobiochar–hydrogel therapeutic systems remain scarce, this review integrates evidence from the limited nanobiochar literature together with evidence from studies on conventional biochar, hydrogel biomaterials, and related carbon nanomaterial to critically evaluate emerging biological mechanisms and identify future research priorities. This review combines bibliometric analysis with mechanistic evaluation to assess the potential of nanobiochar–hydrogel systems as therapeutic biomaterials while highlighting critical knowledge gaps limiting their development. Bibliometric findings reveal that research on biochar–hydrogel composites is dominated by environmental remediation, adsorption processes, and material characterization, whereas investigations addressing biological responses and therapeutic functionality remain limited. Building upon these observations, this review examines nanobiochar surface chemistry, electron transfer behavior, and redox-active properties that may influence ROS regulation at biological interfaces. Particular emphasis is placed on biointerface interactions, including protein adsorption, protein corona formation, cellular uptake pathways, and the influence of hydrogel-mediated exposure on biological responses. The review further evaluates potential antimicrobial mechanisms, redox-sensitive signaling pathways, cytocompatibility assessment strategies, and the behavior of nanobiochar-containing systems under physiologically relevant conditions. Current evidence indicates a strong reliance on chemical antioxidant assays and short-term viability measurements, while mechanistic investigations involving intracellular ROS regulation, inflammatory signaling, mitochondrial function, and gene expression responses remain scarce. Collectively, the literature discussed in this article highlights the substantial gap between material development and biological validation and provides a framework for future studies aimed at evaluating the suitability of nanobiochar–hydrogel systems for wound-healing and regenerative applications. Full article

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan that is found within the body and has both structural and signaling functions in the extracellular matrix. HA is biocompatible and biodegradable; it has a high water content and binds directly to certain cell-surface proteins. Due to these characteristics, it is considered a promising component for the design of biomaterials for regenerative wound healing. This review covers the most recent findings on the use of HA-based biomaterials in soft tissue repair, while also incorporating earlier, foundational studies relevant to the field, focusing on HA’s characteristics, cellular interactions, design, and preclinical and clinical results. The physicochemical characteristics of HA and their influence on cellular responses and tissue regeneration are discussed to show how material properties can be adjusted for specific therapeutic purposes. There have been great advances in chemically modified composite scaffolds and HA matrices, which offer better mechanical stability and controlled degradation. At the same time, new delivery systems have been built using HA, from nanoparticles to gene delivery platforms and growth factors, and these have given the material an active role as a therapeutic agent rather than just a passive one. This narrative review covers the clinical evidence for the effectiveness of commercial products for acute and diabetic wounds, as well as burns and chronic wounds, and discusses where their use is indicated. In the end, the current limitations of the research and future applications and directions are discussed. Full article

Periodontal diseases are highly prevalent conditions characterized by chronic inflammation, which leads to progressive destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Conventional therapies, including scaling and root planing, grafting, and surgical procedures, are effective in controlling infection but show limited regenerative capacity. In this context, hydrogels—three-dimensional, highly hydrated polymeric biomaterials that mimic the extracellular matrix—have emerged as promising tools in periodontal regeneration. These materials can be engineered to modulate mechanical properties, porosity, and the delivery of bioactive molecules. Hydrogels can function as barrier membranes for guided tissue regeneration, scaffolds for stem cell support, and carriers for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic agents, enabling sustained and localized drug release. Recent studies have demonstrated their potential to inhibit bacterial biofilms, enhance osteogenic differentiation, and reduce inflammation in preclinical models. However, challenges remain regarding mechanical stability in the oral environment, controlled and sequential release of therapeutic agents, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness. Overall, hydrogels represent a promising adjunct in regenerative periodontal therapy, although further research is required to support their translation into routine clinical practice. Full article

Peripheral facial palsy is often attributed to idiopathic Bell’s palsy, but secondary structural causes should be considered when local red flags are present. A 61-year-old man with a 40-pack-year smoking history and former betel quid chewing presented with a verrucous-appearing mass involving the left oral commissure and buccal mucosa, intermittent purulent discharge from the lesion, progressive left facial swelling, and ipsilateral lower-motor-neuron facial palsy with lagophthalmos. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a left buccal/oral-cavity lesion with ipsilateral parotid duct obstruction. He underwent tracheostomy, wide excision, left supraomohyoid neck dissection, and radial forearm free-flap reconstruction. Pathology confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, pT2N0, cM0 (stage II), with perineural invasion; surgical margins were negative, and lymphovascular invasion was not identified. At follow-up, wound healing was satisfactory and purulent discharge had resolved, but lower-motor-neuron facial palsy persisted; adjuvant radiotherapy was recommended. This case emphasizes that lower-motor-neuron facial palsy with an oral mass, purulent discharge, facial swelling, or salivary-duct obstruction should prompt careful oral examination and head-and-neck imaging. Full article

Programmable hydrogel actuators represent an innovative group of adaptive soft matter systems, which are able to respond to external stimuli with controllable mechanical movements for biomedical and bioengineering purposes. Natural silk fibroin (SF) is known to be a peculiar biomaterial, since it can exhibit controllable β-sheet-induced structural transitions, hierarchical self-assemblies, high biocompatibility, and mechanical adaptability, thus representing an ideal candidate for the development of dynamic hydrogels. In contrast to earlier reviews which focused more on SF hydrogel synthesis or biomedical applications, this review presents a mechanism-based understanding of programmable bioactuation by carefully correlating molecular design, network formation, stimuli responsiveness, and macroscopic deformation. Recent developments in SF hydrogel actuators are critically compared in terms of actuation principles, deformation behaviors, response dynamics, mechanical robustness, and functionalization, noting the natural compromise between fast response, strength generation, and durability in such materials. Novel concepts like nanocomposite materials, bioinspired designs, shape memory systems, and 4D printing are described as efficient ways to improve programmable deformation and functionality in soft materials. In addition, the biomedical opportunities of responsive SF hydrogels in wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, wearable biosensors, and soft robots are critically discussed in relation to existing barriers for translation into practice. Combining mechanistic understanding with the comparative assessment of the performance of hydrogels is a basis for developing a complete rationale for the design of the next generation of SF hydrogel actuators and smart shape deformations. Full article

Clays, historically employed in traditional medical practices, have recently gained prominence within contemporary biomedical science, especially in the context of wound healing, due to advancements in nanotechnology and materials science. This review article investigates the physicochemical characteristics, biological processes, and therapeutic functions of clay materials—including bentonite, halloysite nanotubes, palygorskite, sepiolite, and synthetic clays like Laponite—in diverse wound-healing applications. These materials play a crucial role in the wound-healing process, including stopping bleeding, controlling inflammation, protecting against infection, and rebuilding tissue. They work through both passive and active methods. The layered or fibrous structure of these materials allows for efficient drug loading, controlled release, and mechanical support when used in hydrogels, films, and advanced drug delivery systems. Preclinical and initial clinical investigations have substantiated the biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, and regenerative capabilities of these systems, although they have also revealed several challenges concerning toxicity, regulatory categorization, and standardization. Consequently, clay-based systems present a potentially valuable multifunctional platform for advancing next-generation wound-treatment therapies, necessitating additional translational and clinical research. Full article

Tissue adhesives are gaining increasing attention as efficient alternatives to conventional wound closure methods, yet their clinical translation is often hindered by insufficient wet adhesion and inadequate biocompatibility. Drawing inspiration from nature’s robust wet-adhesion strategies, particularly dynamic covalent interactions and reversible crosslinking, we report a family of bioinspired composite hydrogels fabricated from 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid-grafted polyethylenimine (4-CPBA-PEI) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) that serve as versatile bioadhesives. The polyethylenimine with different molecular weights (18,000, 70,000, and 100,000 Da) was used to prepare the 4-CPBA-PEI derivatives via EDC/NHS-mediated amidation. The resulting hydrogels exhibited three-dimensional interconnected porous networks with tunable pore dimensions and equilibrium swelling ratios (ranging from 400% to 700%), closely correlated with the PEI molecular weight. Rheological measurements confirmed typical viscoelasticity, shear-thinning behavior, and outstanding self-healing performance, which are mainly attributed to hydrogen bonds and dynamic borate ester bonds in the network. The hydrogels firmly adhered to the surfaces of diverse matrices, such as glass, rubber, metal, plastic, wood, human skin, and wet mouse organs. Additionally, the obtained hydrogels exhibited high 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical-scavenging activity (>85%), excellent hemocompatibility (hemolysis rate < 0.5%), and potent intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity. Cytocompatibility studies using NIH 3T3 fibroblasts demonstrated low cytotoxicity and favorable cytocompatibility. This biomimetic design yields multifunctional hydrogels that integrate tunable physical properties, wet-surface attachment, self-healing, antioxidant activity, and good biocompatibility, suggesting their potential as wound dressing candidates. Full article