Explore the vast range of titles available.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by impaired insulin secretion, sensitivity, and hyperglycemia. Diabetic wounds are one of the significant complications of T2DM owing to its difficulty in normal healing, resulting in chronic wounds. In the present work, PCL/PVA, PCL/PVA/PCL, and metformin-loaded, PCL/PVA-Met and PCL/PVA-Met/PCL hybrid scaffolds with different designs were fabricated using 3D printing. The porosity and morphological analysis of 3D-printed scaffolds were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The scaffolds’ average pore sizes were between 63.6 ± 4.0 and 112.9 ± 3.0 μm. Molecular and chemical interactions between polymers and the drug were investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical, thermal, and degradation analysis of the scaffolds were undertaken to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of the scaffolds. Owing to the structure, PCL/PVA/PCL sandwich scaffolds had lower degradation rates than the bi-layer scaffolds. The drug release of the metformin-loaded scaffolds was evaluated with UV spectrometry, and the biocompatibility of the scaffolds on fibroblast cells was determined by cell culture analysis. The drug release in the PCL/PVA-Met scaffold was sustained till six days, whereas in the PCL/PVA-Met/PCL, it continued for 31 days. In the study of drug release kinetics, PCL/PVA-Met and PCL/PVA-Met/PCL scaffolds showed the highest correlation coefficients (R2) values for the first-order release model at 0.8735 and 0.889, respectively. Since the layered structures in the literature are mainly obtained with the electrospun fiber structures, these biocompatible sandwich scaffolds, produced for the first time with 3D-printing technology, may offer an alternative to existing drug delivery systems and may be a promising candidate for enhancing diabetic wound healing.

This study investigates the usage of electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-3D printing for the fabrication of bacterial cellulose (BC)/polycaprolactone (PCL) patches loaded with different antibiotics (amoxicillin (AMX), ampicillin (AMP), and kanamycin (KAN)) for transdermal delivery. The composite patches demonstrated facilitated drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of drugs along with extended drug release profiles. Release curves were also subjected to model fitting, and it was found that drug release was optimally adapted to the Higuchi square root model for each drug. They performed a time-dependent and diffusion-controlled release from the patches and followed Fick’s diffusion law by the Korsmeyer–Peppas energy law equation. Moreover, produced patches demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) strains, so they could be helpful in the treatment of chronic infectious lesions during wound closures. As different tests have confirmed, various types of antibiotics could be loaded and successfully released regardless of their types from produced BC/PCL patches. This study could breathe life into the production of antibiotic patches for local transdermal applications in wound dressing studies and improve the quality of life of patients.

Tissue engineering is an evolving multi-disciplinary field with cutting-edge technologies and innovative scientific perceptions that promise functional regeneration of damaged tissues/organs. Tissue engineered medical products (TEMPs) are biomaterial-cell products or a cell-drug combination which is injected, implanted or topically applied in the course of a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure. Current tissue engineering strategies aim at 3D printing/bioprinting that uses cells and polymers to construct living tissues/organs in a layer-by-layer fashion with high 3D precision. However, unlike conventional drugs or therapeutics, TEMPs and 3D bioprinted tissues are novel therapeutics and need different regulatory protocols for clinical trials and commercialization processes. Therefore, it is essential to understand the complexity of raw materials, cellular components, and manufacturing procedures to establish standards that can help to translate these products from bench to bedside. These complexities are reflected in the regulations and standards that are globally in practice to prevent any compromise or undue risks to patients. This review comprehensively describes the current legislations, standards for TEMPs with a special emphasis on 3D bioprinted tissues. Based on these overviews, challenges in the clinical translation of TEMPs & 3D bioprinted tissues/organs along with their ethical concerns and future perspectives are discussed.

Background Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from adipose tissue is a rich and accessible source of regenerative cells, including adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). SVF is most commonly isolated from lipoaspirate via enzymatic digestion, a process that is costly and considered ‘more than minimal manipulation’ by the United States Food and Drug Administration. In contrast, mechanically based isolation techniques have gained attention as a simpler, faster, and regulatory-compliant alternative, making them increasingly appealing for clinical applications. Main text This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the outcomes of mechanical methods for harvesting SVF from human adipose tissue. Key parameters assessed included cell yield, viability, surface marker expression, and differentiation capacity. Additionally, split-sample studies were analysed descriptively to compare mechanical and enzymatic isolation approaches, thereby reducing variability in tissue source and preparation. A narrative synthesis was performed for all eligible studies (k = 22), and a single-arm meta-analysis of pooled outcomes of mechanical protocols was conducted for total cell yield and expression of CD34, CD73, and CD105 markers, depending on data availability. Mechanical isolation approaches varied considerably, but most high-performing protocols involved dedicated devices or systems. Meta-analysis revealed a pooled mean SVF cell yield of 11.96 × 10 4 cells/ml. The pooled expression levels of CD105 (4.08%) and CD73 (11.63%) indicated the presence of ADSC-associated markers, while CD34 (8.70%) reflected vascular and hematopoietic progenitor subpopulations commonly found in SVF. Mechanically isolated SVF cells demonstrated retained viability (up to 98%) and multilineage differentiation capacity, supporting their potential in regenerative applications. Furthermore, the retention of immunomodulatory and migratory functions may facilitate the integration of transplanted cells into host tissue environments. Conclusion Mechanical SVF isolation methods can demonstrate comparable cell viability and differentiation potential and may outperform enzymatic protocols in terms of ADSC content and some functional properties (migration, immunomodulation). The main drawback of mechanical approaches is relatively lower total cell yield. The emergence of specialised devices for mechanical SVF isolation represents a key trend in the field. Continued efforts towards methodology and reporting standardisation are required to improve reproducibility and clinical reliability.

This study demonstrates the development and application of a novel workflow for designing and fabricating orthoses, using a combination of 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies. The workflow is applied to a clinically relevant translational case study in a patient with a neurological disorder and complex clinical needs. All traditional and commercial approaches to helping the patient’s cervical instability and resulting ‘head-drop’ had previously failed, with associated progressive deterioration in the patient’s clinical state and posture. The workflow was developed to design and fabricate a bespoke device for this patient with no viable alternative therapy. The workflow was developed to generate 3D printable geometry from obtained 3D scan data. The workflow includes algorithms to relax geometry, distribute material efficiently and for variational cutting of orthosis padding material. The 3D patient scan was validated against actual measurements to ensure accuracy of measurements. A total of four prototypes were produced with each iteration being improved based on patient and clinical feedback. There was a progressive improvement in subjective feedback through each iteration at sites of discomfort and overall comfort score. There was a marked improvement in the patient’s posture with correction at the cervical and lumbar spine with the 3D-printed padded collar being worn for 4 hour periods. This study has implications for the rapid production of personalised orthoses which can help reduce patient waiting time, improve patient compliance, reduce pain and reduce further deterioration. The workflow could form the basis for an integrated process, whereby a single hospital visit results in a bespoke orthosis optimised and personalised for each patient.

Background Dropped Head Syndrome (DHS) is a neurological condition characterized by severe head and neck muscle atrophy, leading to difficulties in maintaining a straight gaze and experiencing severe neck pain during daily activities. Standard off-the-shelf cervical orthotic devices (Neck Collars) often fail to provide adequate support for patients with DHS. This feasibility study aimed to develop and implement a novel feedback-incorporated workflow for creating personalized 3D printed (Powder Bed Fusion) cervical orthotic devices for six DHS patients with varying pathologies. Case presentation A tailored workflow was devised and executed to produce bespoke 3D printed cervical orthotic devices for 6 DHS patients. The effectiveness of the collars in supporting patients during activities and reducing neck pain was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively using validated patient support questionnaires, Neck Disability Index, Visual Analog Score for Neck Pain, Global Cervical Angles (GCA), and Vertical Chin Brow Angles (VCBA) before and after intervention. Various clinical and design parameters were analysed to evaluate the collars’ efficacy in supporting patients and reducing neck pain. Patients exhibited an increase in GCA and a decrease in VCBA when using the collars as compared to their previous condition without those. The Visual Analog Score for Neck Pain decreased over the 6-month follow-up period, indicating positive implementation of the bespoke collars. Conclusion The personalized design and functionality of the 3D printed collars significantly improved patients’ quality of life, representing a significant advancement in rehabilitative and supportive healthcare interventions. This pilot study lays the groundwork for further large-scale cohort studies.

Silk has been consistently popular throughout human history due to its enigmatic properties. Today, it continues to be widely utilized as a polymer, having first been introduced to the textile industry. Furthermore, the health sector has also integrated silk. The Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) holds the record for being the most sustainable, functional, biocompatible, and easily produced type among all available SF sources. SF is a biopolymer approved by the FDA due to its high biocompatibility. It is versatile and can be used in various fields, as it is non-toxic and has no allergenic effects. Additionally, it enhances cell adhesion, adaptation, and proliferation. The use of SF has increased due to the rapid advancement in tissue engineering. This review comprises an introduction to SF and an assessment of the relevant literature using various methods and techniques to enhance the tissue engineering of SF-based hydrogels. Consequently, the function of SF in skin tissue engineering, wound repair, bone tissue engineering, cartilage tissue engineering, and drug delivery systems is therefore analysed. The potential future applications of this functional biopolymer for biomedical engineering are also explored.

Multiple prevalent diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA), for which there is no cure or full understanding, affect the osteochondral unit; a complex interface tissue whose architecture, mechanical nature and physiological characteristics are still yet to be successfully reproduced in vitro. Although there have been multiple tissue engineering-based approaches to recapitulate the three dimensional (3D) structural complexity of the osteochondral unit, there are various aspects that still need to be improved. This review presents the different pre-requisites necessary to develop a human osteochondral unit construct and focuses on 3D bioprinting as a promising manufacturing technique. Examples of 3D bioprinted osteochondral tissues are reviewed, focusing on the most used bioinks, chosen cell types and growth factors. Further information regarding the applications of these 3D bioprinted tissues in the fields of disease modelling, drug testing and implantation is presented. Finally, special attention is given to the limitations that currently hold back these 3D bioprinted tissues from being used as models to investigate diseases such as OA. Information regarding improvements needed in bioink development, bioreactor use, vascularisation and inclusion of additional tissues to further complete an OA disease model, are presented. Overall, this review gives an overview of the evolution in 3D bioprinting of the osteochondral unit and its applications, as well as further illustrating limitations and improvements that could be performed explicitly for disease modelling.

Aim This study compares the precision, accuracy, and user experience of 3D body surface scanning of human subjects using the Artec Leo hand-held scanner and the iPad Pro as 3D scanning devices for capturing cervical and craniofacial data. The investigation includes assessing methods for correcting 'dropped head syndrome' during scanning, to demonstrate the ability of the scanner to be used to reconstruct body surface of patients. Methods Eighteen volunteers with no prior history of neck weakness were scanned three times in three different positions, using the two different devices. Surface area, scanning time, and participant comfort scores were evaluated for both devices. Precision and accuracy were assessed using Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Intra-Class Correlation Coefficients (ICC). Results Surface area comparisons revealed no significant differences between devices and positions. Scanning times showed no significant difference between devices or positions. Comfort scores varied across positions. MAD analysis identified chin to chest measurements as having the highest variance, especially in scanning position 3. However, no statistical differences were found. MAPE results confirmed accuracy below 5% error for both devices. ICC scores indicated good reliability for both measurement methods, particularly for chin to chest measurements in positions 1 and 3. Conclusion The iPad Pro using the Qlone app demonstrates a viable alternative to the Artec Leo, particularly for capturing head and neck surface area within a clinical setting. The scanning resolution, with an error margin within ±5%, is consistent with clinically accepted standards for orthosis design, where padding and final fit adjustments allow for bespoke devices that accommodate patient comfort. This study highlights the comparative performance of the iPad, as well as suggests two methods which can be used within clinics to correct head drop for scanning.