Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shuaiwei Yuan, Tianwen Dai, Xinyue Jiang, Huawei Zou, Pengbo Liu
Summary: By constructing a semi-IPN structure, a transparent hydrogel with EMI shielding performance and good mechanical properties was fabricated. The addition of lithium chloride improved the dehydration resistance and flexibility of the hydrogel, and it also exhibited attractive electrical conductivity.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Qianzhu Lin, Yao Hu, Chao Qiu, Xiaojing Li, Shangyuan Sang, David Julian McClements, Long Chen, Jie Long, Xueming Xu, Jinpeng Wang, Zhengyu Jin
Summary: The study developed peanut protein-polysaccharide semi-interpenetrating networks to improve the printing properties of hydrogels for 3D food printing. The results showed that the addition of carrageenan and gellan gum increased the storage modulus and fracture stress of the composite hydrogels. The composite hydrogels could be used as recyclable edible inks for 3D food printing and change color in response to alterations in pH for 4D food printing.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhaoyang Jin, Hongwei Zhou, Jialiang Lai, Xilang Jin, Hanbin Liu, Ping Wu, Weixing Chen, Aijie Ma
Summary: This study successfully developed hydrogel sensors with self-recoverability, stretchability, and sensitivity by introducing a ternary semi-interpenetrating network structure. The improved performance of the hydrogels was achieved through the introduction of the ternary semi-interpenetrating structure, leading to the fabrication of high-performance strain sensors and pressure sensors. Furthermore, the potential of wireless sensors was demonstrated through the integration of sensors into a Bluetooth signal transmission and reception system.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qian Chen, Yuanhao Sima, Zhihao Liu, Yang Wang, Lan Shen, Chaoqun Zhang, Huichao Yan
Summary: Two semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels, P(AAN-co-AAM)-SF and P(AA-co-AAM)-SF, were developed by blending silk fibroin with sodium acrylate or acrylic acid followed by UV-initiated free-radical copolymerization. These silk fibroin composite hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical properties and anti-drying abilities, showing potential as biological materials.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Defu Li, Tobias Goeckler, Ute Schepers, Samanvaya Srivastava
Summary: This article introduces a strategy to enhance the performance of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) hydrogels by interlacing the PEC network with a covalently crosslinked polymer network. The resulting PEC-IPN hydrogels exhibit improved mechanical strength, swelling characteristics, and stability in saline environments, while preserving the salt-responsiveness of the PEC network. This approach has broad applications in biomedicine and paves the way for the creation of self-assembled hybrid materials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saeed Ismaeilimoghadam, Mehdi Jonoobi, Alireza Ashori, Afsaneh Shahraki, Bahareh Azimi, Serena Danti
Summary: In this study, the practical properties of sodium alginate-based hydrogels were improved by grafting with acrylic acid and incorporating cellulose nanocrystals. The interpenetrating and semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels showed excellent absorption performance and cost savings, making them suitable for adult incontinence pads.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiufang Zhu, Zelin Wang, Jian Ren, Najla Almasoud, Zeinhom M. El-Bahy, Taghrid S.Alomar, Chun Zhang, Jun Zhang, Juying Zhou, Mufang Li, Dong Wang, Ilwoo Seok, Xingkui Guo
Summary: Developing efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment technologies is crucial for addressing global environmental issues. This study presents a novel graphene/polyacrylamide interpenetrating network hydrogel for wastewater adsorption. By combining graphene and polyacrylamide, the hydrogel demonstrates enhanced efficiency and performance in wastewater treatment.
ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Alireza Mohammadinia, Parisa Rahimzadeh Oskooei, Arul Arulrajah
Summary: A numerical model was developed to simulate the macro- and micromechanical properties of lightly cement stabilized recycled concrete aggregates. The results showed that the model performed well in estimating the stress-strain behavior of cemented RCA samples and changes in void ratio.
TRANSPORTATION GEOTECHNICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rongbin Chen, Shanbin Yang, Bing Liu, Youlin Liao
Summary: The study investigates the potential application of sodium carboxymethylcellulose/gelatin semi-interpenetrating hydrogels as an environmentally friendly adsorbent for dyes. The hydrogels were prepared using citric acid as a cross-linking agent and characterized through various techniques. The adsorption performance of the hydrogel on methylene blue was studied, and the results showed optimal adsorption conditions and high removal rates. The hydrogel demonstrated good reusability and can be used as an efficient adsorbent for wastewater treatment.
Article
Polymer Science
Muhammad Suhail, Yi-Han Hsieh, Arshad Khan, Muhammad Usman Minhas, Pao-Chu Wu
Summary: A new type of aspartic acid/alginic acid-co-poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels was developed for the controlled delivery of ibuprofen, exhibiting pH-dependent swelling and drug release properties. Various analytical techniques confirmed the structural properties and stability of the hydrogels.
Article
Polymer Science
Muhammad Suhail, Yi-Han Hsieh, Yu-Fang Shao, Muhammad Usman Minhas, Pao-Chu Wu
Summary: Ketorolac tromethamine is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for managing severe pain, requiring multiple doses to maintain therapeutic levels. However, multiple doses can lead to complications, prompting the development of a polymeric-controlled drug delivery system. In this study, a pH-sensitive hydrogel network was successfully developed as a suitable carrier for the controlled delivery of Ketorolac tromethamine.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhuojun Dai, Xiaoyu Yang, Feilun Wu, Lihua Wang, Kun Xiang, Pengcheng Li, Qingqing Lv, Jinhui Tang, Anders Dohlman, Lei Dai, Xiling Shen, Lingchong You
Summary: Cell-mediated living fabrication has the potential to create materials with versatile, programmable functions. In this study, living materials consisting of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks were engineered using bacteria encapsulated in polymeric microcapsules. These materials enhance mechanical properties and anchor effector proteins for diverse applications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Annalisa La Gatta, Virginia Tirino, Marcella Cammarota, Marcella La Noce, Antonietta Stellavato, Anna Virginia Adriana Pirozzi, Marianna Portaccio, Nadia Diano, Luigi Laino, Gianpaolo Papaccio, Chiara Schiraldi
Summary: This study evaluated for the first time the combination of enzymatically crosslinked gelatin with hyaluronan and biotechnological chondroitin in enhancing osteogenic potential. The results showed that the combination improved the expression of osteogenic proteins and accelerated the formation of calcified matrix, indicating a promising approach for fastening bone deposition.
REGENERATIVE BIOMATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Arif Ali Baig Moghal, Mohammed Ashfaq, Ali Abdul Kareem Hamood Al-Obaid, Mohammad Farid Abbas, Ahmed Mohammed Al-Mahbashi, Abdullah Ali Shaker
Summary: The study reveals that delay in compaction results in an increase in hydraulic conductivity and compressibility of soils, while the unconfined compressive strength decreases with the increase in delay period.
ROAD MATERIALS AND PAVEMENT DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Julia da Silva Menezes, Felipe A. M. Loureiro, Veronica M. de A. Calado, Ana Maria Rocco
Summary: This study aims to investigate the thermal behavior of semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) membranes used as a base of proton conductive polymeric membrane for Fuel Cells. The thermal properties of the membranes were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, and the best fitting reaction mechanism was determined. The results showed that these membranes have good potential as a solid electrolyte.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Arkadiusz Jozefczak, Krzysztof J. Opielinski, Rafal Bielas, Piotr Pruchnicki, Mariusz Bulkowski, Artur Jedrzak, Ivo Safarik, Peter Kopcansky
Summary: Nanoparticles have various applications in therapeutic procedures, but accurately controlling their therapeutic efficiency and localized consequences remains challenging. In this study, we propose the use of ultrasound transmission tomography (UTT) measurements to improve the control of nanomaterials as mediators in therapy. By testing different nanomaterials in tissue-mimicking phantoms, we found that UTT is sensitive to the presence of magnetic nanoparticle-based nanomaterials and induced temperature rises. This combination of ultrasound-based imaging and nanomaterials as mediators offers a new theranostic approach.
Article
Soil Science
Ivo Safarik, Jitka Prochazkova
Summary: In this study, magnetically responsive minerals were isolated from soil samples and demonstrated peroxidase-like activity. High temperature treatment did not significantly decrease the enzyme activity, instead causing an increase after multiple thermal treatments. Therefore, peroxidase activity in soil is attributed to both enzymatic and inorganic peroxidase-mimetic minerals. This research defines a new field called soil nanozymology for studying soil-related nanozymes and enzyme-mimetic materials.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chryso Lambride, Vasileios Vavourakis, Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
Summary: This study proposes a computer simulation method for simulating local drug delivery in brain cancer treatment. By studying the distribution of drugs under different pathophysiological conditions, it provides useful insights for effective brain cancer treatment.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Thomas Fischer, Martina Marchetti-Deschmann, Ana Cristina Assis, Michal Levin Elad, Manuel Algarra, Marko Barac, Iva Bogdanovic Radovic, Flavio Cicconi, Britt Claes, Nunzianda Frascione, Sony George, Alexandra Guedes, Cameron Heaton, Ron Heeren, Violeta Lazic, Jose Luis Lerma, Maria del Valle Martinez de Yuso Garcia, Martin Nosko, John O'Hara, Ilze Oshina, Antonio Palucci, Aleksandra Pawlaczyk, Aistyna Zelena Pospiskova, Marcel de Puit, Ksenija Radodic, Mara Repele, Mimoza Ristova, Francesco Saverio Romolo, Ivo Safarik, Zdravko Siketic, Janis Spigulis, Malgorzata Iwona Szynkowska-Jozwik, Andrei Tsiatsiuyeu, Joanna Vella, Lorna Dawson, Stefan Roediger, Simona Francese
Summary: This study investigated the feasibility of using different imaging methods for forgery detection through simulating a forensic scenario. The results showed that correct forensic statements can only be achieved by the complementary application of different methods.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Andreas Stylianou, Fotios Mpekris, Chrysovalantis Voutouri, Antonia Papoui, Anastasia Constantinidou, Evros Kitiris, Michalis Kailides, Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
Summary: Tumors undergo mechanical property changes during cancer progression, and targeting components of the tumor microenvironment to normalize tumor mechanical properties can enhance drug delivery. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to assess nanomechanical properties of tumor biopsies, showing sensitivity to changes in tumor mechanical properties during treatment. This has the potential to develop biomarkers for treatment prediction and monitoring.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Review
Fisheries
Orhan Tufan Eroldogan, Brett Glencross, Lucie Novoveska, Susana P. Gaudencio, Buki Rinkevich, Giovanna Cristina Varese, Maria de Fatima Carvalho, Deniz Tasdemir, Ivo Safarik, Soren Laurentius Nielsen, Celine Rebours, Lukic Bilela Lada, Johan Robbens, Evita Strode, Berat Z. Haznedaroglu, Jonne Kotta, Ece Evliyaoglu, Juliana Oliveira, Mariana Girao, Marlen I. Vasquez, Ivana Cabarkapa, Sladana Rakita, Katja Klun, Ana Rotter
Summary: Aquaculture has been rapidly growing, leading to increased demand for alternative feed ingredients. Circular adaptation of current feed ingredients is crucial for sustainable aquaculture. This review assesses the use of marine organisms as viable biological feed resources and highlights the importance of developing circular economy value chains.
REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Petri Ch Papaphilippou, Oana Maria Marinica, Eugenia Tanasa, Fotios Mpekris, Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos, Vlad Socoliuc, Theodora Krasia-Christoforou
Summary: Functionalized electrospun polymer microfibrous membranes were prepared and further surface-functionalized with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to fabricate magnetoactive nanocomposite fibrous adsorbents. These magnetic-functionalized fibrous adsorbents exhibited significantly improved adsorption efficacy and could be recovered and regenerated magnetically.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chrysovalantis Voutouri, Fotios Mpekris, Myrofora Panagi, Connor Krolak, Christina Michael, John D. Martin, Michalakis A. Averkiou, Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
Summary: Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but many patients do not benefit and may experience severe toxicities. This study shows that ultrasound imaging can be used to predict the response to immunotherapy by assessing tumor stiffness and perfusion. The researchers found correlations between ultrasound-derived measures of tumor stiffness and perfusion and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition. These findings suggest that ultrasound biomarkers can be used in combination with mechanotherapeutics for more effective cancer treatment.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Andreas G. Hadjigeorgiou, Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
Summary: This study developed an experimental and computational approach to calculate growth-induced, residual stresses in solid tumors and applied it to breast, pancreatic, and fibrosarcoma tumor models. The average magnitude of residual stresses ranged from 3.31 to 10.88 kPa and they were non-uniformly distributed within the tumor tissue. The mechanical properties of the tumors were found to be associated with the spatial profile of stress, providing insights into the mechanical behavior of tumors.
BIOMECHANICS AND MODELING IN MECHANOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Konstantinos Tzirakis, Christos Panagiotis Papanikas, Vangelis Sakkalis, Eleftheria Tzamali, Yannis Papaharilaou, Alfonso Caiazzo, Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos, Vasileios Vavourakis
Summary: This paper presents a continuum-based finite element framework built on high performance computing and open-source libraries for simulating glioblastoma progression in both 2D and 3D brain models. The framework accurately and efficiently evaluates the impact of vascular density, cancer cell invasiveness and aggressiveness, phenotypic transition potential, and tumor-induced angiogenesis on the evolution of glioblastoma. Individualized simulations using magnetic resonance imaging data are also conducted to study the complex dynamics of the disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
David Ernst, Marek Kolencik, Martin Sebesta, Luba Durisova, Hana Duranova, Samuel Ksinan, Ramakanth Illa, Ivo Safarik, Ivan Cerny, Gabriela Kratosova, Veronika Zitniak Curna, Jana Ivanic Porhajasova, Maria Babosova, Huan Feng, Edmund Dobrocka, Marek Bujdos, Kristyna Zelena Pospiskova, Shadma Afzal, Nand K. K. Singh, Sasikumar Swamiappan, Elena Aydin
Summary: Gold nanoparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles enhance sunflower physiology and yield, while iron oxide nanoparticles have insignificant effects. Further research is needed to understand the long-term environmental and agricultural sustainability of nanoparticle applications.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Aleksandra Ivanoska-Dacikj, Yesim Oguz-Gouillart, Gaffar Hossain, Muslum Kaplan, Caglar Sivri, Jose Vicente Ros-Lis, Daiva Mikucioniene, Muhammad Usman Munir, Nuray Kizildag, Serkan Unal, Ivo Safarik, Esra Akgul, Nida Yildirim, Ayse Celik Bedeloglu, Omer Faruk Unsal, Gordon Herwig, Rene M. Rossi, Peter Wick, Pietro Clement, A. Sezai Sarac
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the textile and apparel industry. Despite the negative effects, such as supply chain disruptions and decreased demand, it has also accelerated the digitalization trend and the use of functional materials in the industry. This review paper focuses on the development of smart and advanced textiles in response to the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, including monitoring and sensing capabilities through electrospun nanofibers and nanogenerators, as well as improved antiviral capabilities in medical textiles. The paper also highlights challenges in personal protective equipment disposal and provides an overview of new smart textile-based products for controlling and reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arkadiusz Jozefczak, Katarzyna Kaczmarek, Rafal Bielas, Jitka Prochazkova, Ivo Safarik
Summary: Magneto-responsive textiles have recently gained importance in various fields, including biomedical engineering. Most research has focused on single magnetic fibers and physical characterization of magnetic textiles. In this study, we engineered materials with magnetic properties from simple woven and non-woven textiles, which can potentially be used as a smart magnetic platform for heating treatments. Experiments showed that the temperature increase in tissue-mimicking phantoms depended on factors such as the type of textile material, concentration of magnetic nanoparticles, and number of layers covering the phantom. The achieved temperature elevation with magnetic textiles is sufficient for potential applications in magnetic hyperthermia therapies and heating patches or bandages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ioannis G. Theodorou, Fotios Mpekris, Paris Papagiorgis, Myrofora Panagi, Maria Kalli, Louiza Potamiti, Kyriacos Kyriacou, Grigorios Itskos, Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
Summary: Gold nanoparticles with a bipyramidal shape were developed for enhanced fluorescence imaging and targeted drug delivery to triple-negative breast tumors. The nanoparticles demonstrated the ability to be combined with various therapeutics and targeting agents, showing great potential for clinical applications in cancer treatment. Furthermore, cell-targeted multifunctional nanomaterials can provide precise early-stage diagnosis and local therapeutic delivery to specific cell types, making them promising tools for the diagnosis and treatment of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.
