Review
Chemistry, Physical
Azin Rashidy Ahmady, Pakshid Hosseinzadeh, Atefeh Solouk, Somaye Akbari, Adrianna M. Szulc, Bogumil E. Brycki
Summary: Gemini surfactants, composed of two cationic monomers linked together, have high surface activity and can decrease water surface tension due to their unique structure. They possess outstanding properties, such as antibacterial activity, unique aggregation behavior, and interaction with biomacromolecules. These properties can be tailored by adjusting the structure of the surfactant. Gemini surfactants demonstrate higher performance efficacy and lower toxicity compared to their monomeric counterparts. However, biocompatibility remains a limitation, leading researchers to develop alternative gemini surfactants based on amino acids and sugars.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaochun Yin, Meixia Du, Zhongming Sun, Hai Zhu, Pei Xu, Huiyao Wang
Summary: Keratin/chitosan hybrid hydrogels were developed by integrating keratin with chitosan through alkaline freeze-thaw cycles. The resulting hydrogels exhibited honeycomb-like structures and excellent mechanical properties. Hydrogel C, with a keratin/chitosan ratio of 3/2, showed the highest compressive stress and strain. It also demonstrated effective controlled release profiles for different drugs at varying pH and temperatures.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Hussein E. Rozan, Guangsheng Wu, Zhongzheng Zhou, Qinfeng Li, Mohamed Sharaf, Xiguang Chen
Summary: In this study, a hydroxybutyl chitosan/diatom biosilica/doxycycline composite hydrogel was developed, which exhibited significant antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. It could promote wound healing and show potential for clinical applications.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhichang Du, Gangnan Zhao, Anyang Wang, Wei Sun, Shengli Mi
Summary: The paper introduces a microfluidic contact lens that integrates a microchannel and a micropump to achieve drug release through the mechanical action of blinking. Experimental results demonstrate the controllability of liquid release and the good flexibility, light transmittance, and biocompatibility of the microfluidic contact lens. The liquid exchange between the eye and the contact lens provides potential for personalized medicine.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qunhui Hu, Yongjie Yuan, Zhonghuan Wu, Hongwei Lu, Nanwen Li, Hailiang Zhang
Summary: This study developed surface modified TFC RO membranes and investigated the effect of different types of ionic groups on membrane fouling and scaling performances. The modified membranes showed improved hydrophilicity and changed zeta potential compared to the pristine membrane. The research provides insights for the development of anti-fouling and anti-scaling membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nur Safitri, Nurlaela Rauf, Dahlang Tahir
Summary: This review discusses the advantages of using hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp NPs) as drug carriers, including their ability to specifically target affected tissues and reduce side effects. The article explores various synthesis methods of HAp NPs, the bonding or interaction between the active ions of HAp NPs and the atoms of the drug, the effect of surface morphology on drug loading and release, and addresses current limitations and future challenges.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ahmed Aido, Olena Zaitseva, Harald Wajant, Matej Buzgo, Aiva Simaite
Summary: By linking anti-Fn14 antibodies to gold nanoparticles, researchers were able to uncover strong agonistic activity in the antibody molecules presented on the nanoparticles, suggesting a potential for immunotherapeutic applications by exploiting this method.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anupam Sarma
Summary: Protein-based biomaterials, particularly keratin-based biomaterials, have emerged as a promising alternative due to their cell-to-cell interaction, structural support, and cellular identification properties. Keratins, as naturally generated macromolecules, have inherent biological activity and biocompatibility, and can self-assemble into structures that control cellular behavior. Therefore, keratin biomaterials have found applications in wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and other medical fields.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing Li, Hongli Duan, Yan Liu, Lu Wang, Xing Zhou
Summary: Obesity is a global public health issue, and there is an urgent need for alternative treatment strategies. Only a handful of drugs are currently approved for clinical obesity treatment. Biomaterials have promising applications in obesity treatment.
Article
Biophysics
Lumin Yang, Xiaoduo Zhao, Jing Zhang, Shuanhong Ma, Lei Jiang, Qiangbing Wei, Meirong Cai, Feng Zhou
Summary: In this study, a novel biomimetic nanoparticles lubricant, CS-PS, was synthesized and demonstrated to have excellent lubrication performance and drug carrier properties, making it a promising option for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hongyu Yang, Ming Zhao, Dandan Xing, Jian Zhang, Ting Fang, Faxing Zhang, Zhihao Nie, Yaming Liu, Lihua Yang, Ji Li, Dongkai Wang
Summary: The number of people with eye diseases has increased due to the use of electronics. However, the bioavailability of eye drops remains low. Therefore, the development of contact lenses that can deliver drugs for extended periods without affecting vision has become a focus of research. This article reviews the physical and chemical properties of drug-laden contact lenses, the development and classification of contact lenses, and the characteristics of commonly used materials. It also discusses methods to overcome the problems of high burst and short release duration using drug-laden contact lenses, and predicts the future direction of contact lens research.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Tina Lovrec-Krstic, Kristjan Orthaber, Uros Maver, Tomislav Sarenac
Summary: The field of ophthalmology is rapidly expanding with the increasing incidence of eye-related diseases. Due to an aging population and climate change, the number of ophthalmic patients will continue to rise, leading to potential under-treatment. Drug-loaded contact lenses provide a promising alternative to eye drops for ocular therapy, potentially transforming clinical practice. This review focuses on current roles, materials, drug binding, and future developments of contact lenses in ocular drug delivery.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yue Luo, Luying Liu, Yuzhen Liao, Ping Yang, Xiaoqi Liu, Lei Lu, Jiang Chen, Chao Qu
Summary: In this study, a multifunctional baicalin-modified contact lens was developed to modulate the ocular surface microenvironment and promote corneal epithelial cell repair.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nagi M. El-Shafai, Shaymaa Shawky, Ibrahim M. El-Mehasseb, Maged A. El-Kemary
Summary: The research focused on the application of sandwich nanohybrid of nano-PVA and nano-chitosan in water treatment and drug adsorption, revealing their potential effects through tests on photocatalytic activity and release efficiency. Additionally, studies on cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties were conducted.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lianghui Zhao, Jike Song, Yongle Du, Cong Ren, Bin Guo, Hongsheng Bi
Summary: Traditional ophthalmic drugs face problems of low bioavailability and potential side effects. Contact lens-based drug delivery systems have gained popularity due to their sustained drug delivery, improved bioavailability, and reduced side effects. Various methods have been successfully applied to drug-loaded contact lenses, extending the drug release time. This review discusses the latest developments in contact lens-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Omid Akhavan, Hossein Baharvand, Maryam Saadati, Hossein Fazli, Shiva Nemati
Summary: Ultrathin MoS2-MoO3-x heterojunction nanosheets were used as biocompatible and visible light-sensitive stimulator layers for controlled differentiation of human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) into nervous lineages. The differentiation of hNPCs was increased on MoS2-MoO3-x due to biophysical cues and further increased on rGO/MoS2-MoO3-x due to a synergistic effect induced by the rGO. MoO3-x domains induced p-type doping in MoS2-MoO3-x, while photostimulation led to higher differentiation into glial cells. The presence of rGO in rGO/MoS2-MoO3-x promoted ultrafast electron transfer and increased neuronal differentiation of hNPCs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mohammad Soleimani, Kasra Cheraqpour, Raghuram Koganti, Seyed Mahbod Baharnoori, Ali R. Djalilian
Summary: The corneal epithelium consists of nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells, which undergo a significant turnover rate. The limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) located in the basal epithelial layer of the limbus play a crucial role in maintaining corneal homeostasis. The limbal stem cell niche (LSCN), composed of various cells, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules, provides the microenvironment necessary for the proper functioning of LESCs. Damage to the LSCN can lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and conjunctivalization of the cornea. This review summarizes the basics of LSCN and discusses current and emerging bioengineering strategies for LSCN restoration to combat LSCD.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Effat Nekoueiyfard, Fatemeh Radmanesh, Hossein Baharvand, Athar Mahdieh, Hamid Sadeghi-Abandansari, Rassoul Dinarvand
Summary: The main goal of many researchers is to introduce an intelligent pharmaceutical nanocarrier for targeted drug release and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. In this study, a reduction-sensitive flower-like magnetomicelle containing doxorubicin (DOX) and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) was synthesized by self-assembly of an amphiphilic triblock copolymer. The innovative design showed high drug loading content, reduced drug release in physiological conditions, fast degradation at the targeted site, and burst release of more drug content at an earlier time. Comparative studies demonstrated that the DOX-loaded magnetomicelle (D-LMM) exhibited superior cellular uptake and toxicity behavior on human breast adenocarcinoma cells compared to non-reduction sensitive control group, free DOX, and a commercial liposomal DOX product.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ali Aghajani, Morteza Ehsani, Ramin Khajavi, Mohammadreza Kalaee, Davood Zaarei
Summary: Bio-epoxy composites with boron nitride (BN) and modified BN nano-scale filler were analyzed for their morphology, thermal properties, mechanical properties, thermomechanical properties, and conductivity. The results showed that the modified bio-epoxy composites exhibited increased thermal conductivity and mechanical stability.
IRANIAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Amirhesam Arabsorkhi-Mishabi, Mojgan Zandi, Fahimeh Askari, Mohamad Pezeshki-Modaress
Summary: Different polycaprolactone (PCL) soft blocks were incorporated into poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) structure to prepare a series of PGS-based elastomers with varied chemical compositions and mechanical properties. The PGS and PGS-co-PCL elastomers were prepared through thermal curing without any catalysts. The synthesized PGS-co-PCL elastomers exhibited tunable mechanical properties in the range of soft tissues and showed promising potential in biomedical applications and soft tissue engineering.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shahrzad Pashapour Yeganeh, Davood Zaarei, Morteza Ehsani, Mohammadreza Kalaee, Abdolrasul Oromiehie
Summary: For many years, Bisphenol A (BPA) based epoxy resins have been used as coating material for foodstuff cans because of their appropriate properties. Recently, with attention to the harmful health effects of BPA derivatives, limitation of the usage of epoxy resins has escalated. In this research, different nanocomposite coatings based on hybrid resinous materials containing different amounts of epoxy and polyester and silica nanoparticles were formulated using Taguchi experimental design method. The migration properties of formulated coatings were investigated based on the standard methods. The results showed that the 45 wt.% replacement of epoxy by polyester resin in combination with 2 wt. % of nano silica had no inverse effect on needed mechanical, physical and chemical properties of optimized formulation and, at the same time, migration of BPA and toxic materials were in the acceptable ranges, based on the EN1186-EU 10:2011 standard.
JOURNAL OF MACROMOLECULAR SCIENCE PART A-PURE AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Nahid Mansouri-Kivaj, Abdoreza Nazari, Fereshteh Esfandiari, Faezeh Shekari, Marefat Ghaffari, Mohammad Pakzad, Hossein Baharvand
Summary: Transplantation of homogenous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and specific extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from MSCs can contribute to endometrial repair and restoration of reproductive function. They inhibit fibrosis and inflammation, enhance cell proliferation, and regulate molecular markers related to endometrial receptivity. Compared to heterogeneous parental MSCs, clonal MSCs are more efficient in restoring reproductive function, and EV20K is a more cost-effective option for preventing Asherman syndrome.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saeed Abbasalizadeh, Sahab Babaee, Reza Kowsari-Esfahan, Zahra Mazidi, Yichao Shi, Jake Wainer, Joaquim M. S. Cabral, Robert Langer, Giovanni Traverso, Hossein Baharvand
Summary: Organoid medicine has made significant progress in the past decade as a novel therapeutic approach for addressing unmet medical needs, such as chronic liver disease. Through the use of scalable and xeno-free differentiation platforms, hepatic progenitors, mesenchymal stromal cells, and endothelial cells are generated from human pluripotent stem cell lines to produce vascularized liver organoids. A scalable microfluidic system is developed to generate cells-loaded microcapsules, which support cell proliferation and the self-organization of liver organoids using a self-biodegradable peptide hydrogel. These vascularized hepatobiliary organoids exhibit key functional features similar to fetal and adult liver tissue, making them promising for liver organoid medicine and drug development.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Azadeh Amini, Faezeh Shekari, Sara Assar Kashani, Nasim Eslami, Abdoreza Nazari, Nahid Tofigh, Koorosh Shahpasand, Hamid Akbari Javar, Hossein Baharvand
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic effects of clonal mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (cMSC-EVs) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment. The results showed that cMSC-EVs efficiently improved cognitive function in TBI animal models, reduced cis p-tau and cleaved caspase3 protein expression, and increased p-PI3K expression. Moreover, cMSC-EVs were able to effectively load an anti-cis p-tau antibody, suggesting their potential use in antibody delivery for passive immunotherapy.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sara Assar Kashani, Roghayeh Navabi, Azadeh Amini, Mostafa Hajinasrollah, Yaser Jenab, Shahram Rabbani, Abdoreza Nazari, Mohammad Pakzad, Maedeh Moazenchi, Mohammad Jafari Atrabi, Zakieh Samsonchi, Maryam Hezavehei, Elham Hosseini-Beheshti, Faezeh Shekari, Ensiyeh Hajizadeh-Saffar, Hossein Baharvand
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a clonal population of mesenchymal stem cells (cMSC) and their extracellular vesicles (cMSC-EV) subpopulations in vitro and in a type 1 diabetes non-human primate model. The results showed that EV-S110K induced β-cell proliferation and reduced blood glucose levels, inflammatory cytokines, while increasing regulatory T cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Mohammad Shadabfar, Morteza Ehsani, Hossein Ali Khonakdar, Majid Abdouss
Summary: This study successfully prepared a novel conducting polymer nanocomposite by chemically modifying carbon nanotubes and using carboxymethyl cellulose. The results showed improved dispersion and electrochemical properties for the nanocomposite containing oxidized carbon nanotubes.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Morteza Zarrabi, Mohammad Amin Shahrbaf, Masoumeh Nouri, Faezeh Shekari, Seyedeh-Esmat Hosseini, Seyed-Mohammad Reza Hashemian, Rasoul Aliannejad, Hamidreza Jamaati, Naghmeh Khavandgar, Hediyeh Alemi, Hoda Madani, Abdoreza Nazari, Azadeh Amini, Seyedeh Nafiseh Hassani, Fatemeh Abbasi, Neda Jarooghi, Nasrin Fallah, Leila Taghiyar, Meysam Ganjibakhsh, Ensiyeh Hajizadeh-Saffar, Massoud Vosough, Hossein Baharvand
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapy using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in COVID-19 patients. The results showed that MSCs and their EVs can significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients, with no serious adverse events.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Afshin Noori, Mohammad Reza Mokhber Dezfouli, Sarah Rajabi, Fatemeh Ganji, Zahra Ghezelayagh, Elie El Agha, Hossein Baharvand, Sirous Sadeghian Chaleshtori, Yaser Tahamtani
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of a sheep lung dECM-derived scaffold on differentiation and maturation of ESC-derived lung progenitor cells. The results showed that the dECM-derived scaffold improved cell differentiation and enhanced the expression of lung progenitor cell marker genes, compared to the dECM-derived hydrogel and fibronectin-coated plates.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sharif Moradi, Stefan Guenther, Samira Soori, Ali Sharifi-Zarchi, Carsten Kuenne, Vahid Khoddami, Pouya Tavakol, Susanne Kreutzer, Thomas Braun, Hossein Baharvand
Summary: This study identifies several microRNAs (miRNAs) that are crucial in the efficient generation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from inner cell mass (ICM). The expression profiles of these miRNAs change dynamically during ESC formation, with significant contributions from miRNAs in the Dlk1-Dio3 locus. Functional investigations reveal that certain miRNAs promote ESC formation, while others inhibit it. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the role of miRNAs during ESC derivation.
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Behnoosh Tayebi, Mohammad Molazem, Mahnaz Babaahmadi, Erfan Ebrahimi, Mostafa Hajinasrollah, Farhad Mostafaei, Nima Makvand Gholipour, Hossein Baharvand, Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad, Seyedeh-Nafiseh Hassani, Ensiyeh Hajizadeh-Saffar
Summary: This study compared the advantages of ultrasound-guided percutaneous approach and open-surgery method in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced disc degeneration model. The results showed that the ultrasound-guided method can better mimic the chronic characteristics of low back pain and is more ethically accepted.
