Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sam Briggs, Scott Herting, Grace Fletcher, Rachel Gruenbaum, Duncan J. Maitland
Summary: This article presents a method for fabricating shape memory electrospun polyurethane and discusses strategies to improve material properties. Such materials have potential benefits in medical applications and can be directed for specific uses based on their characteristics.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yanhuai Ding, Cong Zhang, Wenbin Liao, Jinfeng Peng
Summary: In this paper, TiO2 nanoparticles were used to improve the mechanical properties of PU nanofibers through electrospinning technology. The elastic modulus of a single PU nanofiber was measured using in-situ three-point bending test based on atomic force microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of electrospun TiO2-modified PU nanofibers as separators for Li-ion batteries were investigated. The results show that the mechanical properties of TiO2-modified PU nanofibers were enhanced by ultrafine TiO2 nanoparticles. The TiO2-modified PU separators exhibited good rate capability and cycling performance in Li-ion batteries compared to the raw ones.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jia Zheng, Qianwen Yang, Xiaoqi Shi, Zhigang Xie, Junli Hu, Yichun Liu
Summary: By controlling the process parameters, the properties of pectin nanofiber mats can be effectively regulated to meet the requirements of various biomedical applications.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Tamara Calvo-Correas, Miriam Benitez, Izaskun Larraza, Lorena Ugarte, Cristina Pena-Rodriguez, Arantxa Eceiza
Summary: Different ways to valorise discarded TPU ear tags from the livestock sector were studied, including mechanical processing and 3D printing. The results showed that these methods were effective in recycling TPU waste and obtaining materials suitable for printing and electrospinning.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Julen Vadillo, Izaskun Larraza, Tamara Calvo-Correas, Loli Martin, Christophe Derail, Arantxa Eceiza
Summary: In this study, shape-customized scaffolds based on waterborne polyurethane-urea (WBPUU) were prepared using direct ink writing 3D-printing and freeze-drying techniques. The addition of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) during the synthesis of WBPUU and the immersion of printed constructs in CaCl2 prior to freeze-drying promoted ionic crosslinking and enhanced the printing performance and shape fidelity of the scaffolds. The CNC addition resulted in a more homogeneous porous structure and increased swelling capacity of the scaffolds. The CNC also reinforced the printed systems, increasing the compression modulus. Crosslinked samples exhibited a rigid shell, leading to stiffer scaffolds with lower water absorption and improved thermal stability. These findings demonstrate the potential of post-printing processes for tuning the mechanical properties and widening the applications of these scaffolds.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Donya Razzaghi, Mostafa Rezaei, Amin Babaie
Summary: The study shows that the PU-GPCL electrospun nanofiber mat containing 1% of GPCL nanosheets could be selected as a potential candidate for wound dressing application, as it exhibits good mechanical properties and cell biocompatibility.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Kun Cong, Zhenhui Liu, Jiyu He, Rongjie Yang
Summary: Polyether polyurethane elastomers and polytriazole polyethylene oxide elastomers showed differences in mechanical properties and flame-retardancy. However, the novel modified PTPET/GAP-MDI-DBAMP elastomer exhibited excellent thermal stability and mechanical strength after curing with an altered terminal hydroxyl group.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cheng Ding, Jing Ma, Yingxue Teng, Shanshan Chen
Summary: This study prepared small-diameter polyurethane artificial blood vessels through electrospinning and improved their biological properties through plasma treatment. The results showed that plasma treatment increased the proportion of oxygen-containing functional groups on the sample surface, improved its wettability, and promoted cell infiltration and proliferation. Additionally, plasma treatment reduced the risk of platelet adhesion. However, longer plasma treatment time led to decreased mechanical properties of the samples.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Guoqiang Hao, Xia Li, Shuchuan Wang, Shirong Wang, Moonhee Ryu, Jingxia Yang
Summary: In order to enhance the mechanical and anticorrosion ability of carbon nanotubes (CNT), CNT were dispersed into homemade silicone-polyurethane (SPU) resin, but before mixing with SPU, CNT were modified using four different approaches. The modified CNT with SiO2-TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited the best mechanical properties and chemical resistance, with a significantly lower corrosion current density compared to unmodified CNT. This may be attributed to the increased roughness of the CNT surface caused by the covered SiO2-TiO2 nanoparticles, which improves their dispersion in SPU resin.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Baohua Liu, Jian Wang, Yin Zhang, Dayu Liu, Yunfeng Zhang
Summary: In this study, gelatin/oxidized poly(2-hydroxyethylacrylate) (G/OP) composite films were prepared and investigated for their structures and properties. The addition of OP improved the UV light barrier properties, hydrophobicity, and flexibility of gelatin films, making the composite films potentially suitable for food packaging applications.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Hyejin Kim, Kyung Jin Lee
Summary: Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) has been widely used in various fields for its elasticity, abrasion resistance, and processability. A post-crosslinking method is proposed in this study to adjust the mechanical properties of TPU by using different types and amounts of crosslinkers, simplifying the tedious optimization of the synthetic process.
Article
Polymer Science
Jiao Ding, Ruihao Lai, Wenjie Chen, Ming He, Guodian Zhu, Suqing Huang, Guoqiang Yin
Summary: The waste feather keratin (FK)-based nanofibers were successfully prepared by electrospinning and citric acid (CA) vapor modification, significantly improving the thermal stability and tensile strength. The modification with CA vapor showed better performance in terms of hydrophobicity and mechanical properties compared to H2O vapor modification.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhuo Wang, Su Bin Kang, Sung Wook Won
Summary: This study proposes a dissolution-modification-reforming method to convert PVC waste into highly efficient adsorbents (PEI/PVC NFMs) for the removal of ionic pollutants from water. The results show that increasing the mass ratio of PEI to PVC enhances the adsorption performance of PEI/PVC NFMs and improves their stability and recyclability in acidic and alkaline environments. The PEI/PVC NFM also exhibits good adsorption potential for various ionic pollutants.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Eleonora Bianchi, Marco Ruggeri, Barbara Vigani, Elena Del Favero, Caterina Ricci, Cinzia Boselli, Antonia Icaro Cornaglia, Cesar Viseras, Silvia Rossi, Giuseppina Sandri
Summary: Tendon disorders are common and painful conditions. Current treatment methods often involve surgery, which requires addressing the issue of scar tissue. This study developed nanofibrous scaffolds made of thermoplastic polyurethane, enriched with cerium oxide nanoparticles and chondroitin sulfate, to support tissue regeneration. The scaffolds exhibited excellent mechanical properties, promoted cell adhesion and proliferation, and showed potential as platforms for tendon regeneration.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Alaitz Etxabide, Alireza Akbarinejad, Eddie W. C. Chan, Pedro Guerrero, Koro de la Caba, Jadranka Travas-Sejdic, Paul A. Kilmartin
Summary: The rheological properties of gelatin-based solutions containing different concentrations of ribose and/or glycerol were studied, as well as their effects on the properties of the electrospun mats. Heat treatment and glycerol addition resulted in improved water stability, decreased solubility, and increased water absorption capacity of the mats. The mats also released antioxidant compounds with DPPH radical scavenging activity.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Neda Aslankoohi, Shigang Lin, Kibret Mequanint
Summary: This study introduced dexamethasone-loaded organic-inorganic hybrid microparticles as a standalone osteogenic differentiation inducer. The microparticles supported cell adhesion and proliferation in culture, and induced osteogenic differentiation of stem cells without the need for any additional differentiation media supplements. Therefore, the fluorescent PEA-BG hybrid microparticles show promise as a standalone biomaterial for bone regeneration.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Meng Wang, Shigang Lin, Kibret Mequanint
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of using synthesized polymers and electrospun scaffolds to enhance differentiation of iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells into smooth muscle cells, providing a feasible strategy for engineering functional vascular tissues.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuqing Liu, Ge Guan, Yinghao Li, Ju Tan, Panke Cheng, Mingcan Yang, Bingyun Li, Quan Wang, Wen Zhong, Kibret Mequanint, Chuhong Zhu, Malcolm Xing
Summary: This study proposes a hydrophobic adhesive UIHA that can perform in the presence of body fluids. The gelation of the hydrophobic fluid enables strong bonding to tissues and exceptional water resistance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rudolf Dreyer, Rueben Pfukwa, Stefan Barth, Roger Hunter, Bert Klumperman
Summary: Proteins can be conjugated with synthetic molecules in various ways. The SNAP-tag technology, based on a fusion protein of interest and an enzyme tag, enables the conjugation reaction. This technology uses the O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) enzyme to selectively react with O6-benzylguanine (BG) substrates, frequently used for introducing fluorescent tags. Utilizing the SNAP-tag technology, site-specific conjugation of polymers to proteins can be greatly improved, especially with the use of polymers synthesized via reversible deactivation radical polymerization to introduce a BG end group.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Daniel A. Kusza, Roger Hunter, Georgia Schafer, Muneerah Smith, Arieh A. Katz, Catherine H. Kaschula
Summary: Garlic is a medicinal plant and spice with health-promoting effects. This study designed a biotin-ajoene probe to identify the protein targets of ajoene in breast cancer cells and discovered the mechanism and pathways associated with its anticancer activity.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Allan M. Huysamen, Olaolu E. Fadeyi, Grace Mayuni, Dennis M. Dogbey, Neelakshi Mungra, Fleury A. N. Biteghe, Natasha Hardcastle, Dharanidharan Ramamurthy, Olusiji A. Akinrinmade, Krupa Naran, Susan Cooper, Dirk Lang, Wolfgang Richter, Roger Hunter, Stefan Barth
Summary: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are bifunctional molecules that combine the targeting potential of monoclonal antibodies with the cancer-killing ability of cytotoxic drugs. However, their clinical sustainability and effectiveness are hindered by poor tumor penetration, undefined chemical linkages, unpredictable pharmacokinetic profiles, and heterogeneous mixtures of products.
Article
Biophysics
Elizabeth Kruse, Tamer Abdalrahman, Philippe Selhorst, Thomas Franz
Summary: This study aimed to develop a mathematical model to explore the interactions between HIV particles and host cells, and investigate the effects of mechanical and morphological parameters on the engulfment process. The results showed that low invagination force and high ligand-receptor energy are associated with high virion entry ability. Changes during virion maturation and localized membrane features of immune cells also influence the engulfment energy. The developed mathematical model offers potential for improving the prevention and treatment of viral infections.
BIOMECHANICS AND MODELING IN MECHANOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Riham K. Ahmed, Tamer Abdalrahman, Neil H. Davies, Fred Vermolen, Thomas Franz
Summary: Cells mechanically interact with their environment to sense various mechanical cues and this has profound effects on cellular behavior, including motility. This study aims to develop a mathematical model to predict the motility of individual cells in a colony on planar elastic substrates. The model takes into account cell-substrate interaction, substrate deformation from neighboring cells, and other factors such as friction, randomness, and cell death and division. The model can accurately simulate collective cell motility on planar elastic substrates and has the potential to be extended to other cell and substrate shapes and the inclusion of chemotactic cues.
BIOMECHANICS AND MODELING IN MECHANOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Y. D. Motchon, Kevin L. Sack, M. S. Sirry, M. Kruger, E. Pauwels, D. Van Loo, A. De Muynck, L. Van Hoorebeke, Neil H. Davies, Thomas Franz
Summary: This study developed a three-dimensional finite element model of a rat heart with left ventricular infarction and microstructurally dispersed biomaterial. The effect of injectate stiffness on cardiac mechanics was investigated through parametric simulations. The study found that increasing injectate stiffness led to a decrease in myocardial strain and injectate principal strains. The developed model has potential for further research on cellular injectates and mechanotransduction in the infarcted heart.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chimwemwe Msosa, Tamer Abdalrahman, Thomas Franz
Summary: This study developed a mathematical model to describe the mechanical factors involved in the invasion of a merozoite into an erythrocyte. The study found that the force exerted by the merozoite and the damage to the erythrocyte membrane affect the efficiency of invasion.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Kalin I. I. Penev, Matt Mulligan, Kibret Mequanint
Summary: This study aimed to minimize the dose rate effect of a tetrazolium salt dispersed within a gellan gum matrix by optimizing the concentrations of the salt and gum and adding various agents. The results showed successful minimization of the dose rate effect without sacrificing dosimeter integrity or sensitivity.
Article
Oncology
Ghodeejah Higgins, Faatiemah Higgins, Jade Peres, Dirk M. Lang, Tamer Abdalrahman, Muhammad H. Zaman, Sharon Prince, Thomas Franz
Summary: Cell stiffness and TBX3 expression are biomarkers of melanoma metastasis in 2D environments. Soft extracellular environments are more favorable for tumor growth. TBX3 mediates collective cell migration and tumor growth in the early VGP disease stage but plays a lesser role in the later metastatic stage of melanoma.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Neelakshi Mungra, Fleury A. N. Biteghe, Zaria Malindi, Allan M. M. Huysamen, Maryam Karaan, Natasha S. S. Hardcastle, Rubina Bunjun, Shivan Chetty, Krupa Naran, Dirk Lang, Wolfgang Richter, Roger Hunter, Stefan Barth
Summary: This study engineered a CSPG4-targeting ADC using SNAP-tag technology, which demonstrated selective delivery of drugs to TNBC cells through in vitro experiments, and showed its cell-killing ability on target cells.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
A. K. Daramola, O. A. Akinrinmade, E. A. Fajemisin, K. Naran, N. Mthembu, S. Hadebe, F. Brombacher, A. M. Huysamen, O. E. Fadeyi, R. Hunter, S. Barth
Summary: This study explored a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of asthma caused by house dust mite allergen. The researchers developed and evaluated two different proDer p 1-based fusion proteins that selectively killed Der p 1 reactive cells. The results showed promising potential for the treatment of patients with house dust mite-driven allergic asthma.
IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rebeca Arambula-Maldonado, Kibret Mequanint
Summary: Electrically conductive polymers and carbon-based materials have great potential as biomaterials in bone tissue engineering. This review discusses the in vitro and in vivo performances of carbon-based conductive materials and their applications as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, as well as summarizes the cellular processing mechanisms of these materials.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)