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Great efforts are focused on the development of safe nano-carriers for the treatment of cancer in order to overcome some of the typical limitations of conventional therapies [...].Great efforts are focused on the development of safe nano-carriers for the treatment of cancer in order to overcome some of the typical limitations of conventional therapies [...].

Linear polyamides, known as nylons, are a class of synthetic polymers with a wide range of applications due to their outstanding properties, such as chemical and thermal resistance or mechanical strength. These polymers have been used in various fields: from common and domestic applications, such as socks and fishing nets, to industrial gears or water purification membranes. By their durability, flexibility and wear resistance, nylons are now being used in addictive manufacturing technology as a good material choice to produce sophisticated devices with precise and complex geometric shapes. Furthermore, the emergence of triboelectric nanogenerators and the development of biomaterials have highlighted the versatility and utility of these materials. Due to their ability to enhance triboelectric performance and the range of applications, nylons show a potential use as tribo-positive materials. Because of the easy control of their shape, they can be subsequently integrated into nanogenerators. The use of nylons has also extended into the field of biomaterials, where their biocompatibility, mechanical strength and versatility have paved the way for groundbreaking advances in medical devices as dental implants, catheters and non-absorbable surgical sutures. By means of 3D bioprinting, nylons have been used to develop scaffolds, joint implants and drug carriers with tailored properties for various biomedical applications. The present paper aims to collect evidence of these recently specific applications of nylons by reviewing the literature produced in recent decades, with a special focus on the newer technologies in the field of energy harvesting and biomedicine.

The rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria represents one of the most critical challenges in modern healthcare and has stimulated intense research into alternative antimicrobial strategies. Antibacterial hydrogels have emerged as versatile biomaterials due to their high water content, tunable physicochemical properties, and ability to function as multifunctional platforms for drug delivery and tissue regeneration. This review analyzes recent advances in antibacterial hydrogel systems through a conceptual framework based on three complementary pillars: biological antibacterial agents, inorganic functional components, and structural material engineering. Biological strategies, particularly bacteriophage-based approaches, provide highly specific antibacterial activity capable of targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens and disrupting bacterial biofilms. Inorganic components such as hydroxyapatite nanoparticles contribute additional functionalities including drug adsorption, modulation of the ionic microenvironment, and osteoconductive behavior relevant for bone-related infections. Structural design strategies based on electrospinning enable the fabrication of fibrous architectures that enhance mechanical stability, regulate therapeutic release, and mimic extracellular matrix organization. The integration of these three pillars within multifunctional hydrogel platforms offers promising opportunities for developing advanced antibacterial biomaterials capable of addressing infection control while supporting tissue regeneration.

The development of effective drug delivery systems (DDSs) is important for cancer and infectious disease treatment to overcome low bioavailability, rapid clearance and the toxicity of the therapeutic towards non-targeted healthy tissues. This review discusses how PEGylation, the attachment of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecules to nanoparticles (NPs), enhances drug pharmacokinetics by creating a “stealth effect”. We provide the synthesis methods for several PEG derivatives, their conjugation with NPs, proteins and characterization using modern analytical tools. This paper focuses particularly on covalent conjugation and self-assembly strategies for successful PEGylation and discusses the influence of PEG chain length, density and conformation on drug delivery efficiency. Despite the PEGylation benefits, there are several challenges associated with it, including immunogenicity and reduced therapeutic efficacy due to accelerated blood clearance. Therefore, the balance between PEGylation benefits and its immunogenic risks remains a critical area of investigation.

Porous biodegradable scaffolds provide a physical substrate for cells allowing them to attach, proliferate and guide the formation of new tissues. A variety of techniques have been developed to fabricate tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds, among them the most relevant is the thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS). This technique has been widely used in recent years to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) TE scaffolds. Low production cost, simple experimental procedure and easy processability together with the capability to produce highly porous scaffolds with controllable architecture justify the popularity of TIPS. This paper provides a general overview of the TIPS methodology applied for the preparation of 3D porous TE scaffolds. The recent advances in the fabrication of porous scaffolds through this technique, in terms of technology and material selection, have been reviewed. In addition, how properties can be effectively modified to serve as ideal substrates for specific target cells has been specifically addressed. Additionally, examples are offered with respect to changes of TIPS procedure parameters, the combination of TIPS with other techniques and innovations in polymer or filler selection.

This review presents a comprehensive update of the biopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), emphasizing its production, properties, and applications. The overall biosynthesis pathway of PHBV is explored in detail, highlighting recent advances in production techniques. The inherent physicochemical properties of PHBV, along with its degradation behavior, are discussed in detail. This review also explores various blends and composites of PHBV, demonstrating their potential for a range of applications. Finally, the versatility of PHBV-based materials in multiple sectors is examined, emphasizing their increasing importance in the field of biodegradable polymers.

Poly(alkylene dicarboxylate)s constitute a family of biodegradable polymers with increasing interest for both commodity and speciality applications. Most of these polymers can be prepared from biobased diols and dicarboxylic acids such as 1,4-butanediol, succinic acid and carbohydrates. This review provides a current status report concerning synthesis, biodegradation and applications of a series of polymers that cover a wide range of properties, namely, materials from elastomeric to rigid characteristics that are suitable for applications such as hydrogels, soft tissue engineering, drug delivery systems and liquid crystals. Finally, the incorporation of aromatic units and α-amino acids is considered since stiffness of molecular chains and intermolecular interactions can be drastically changed. In fact, poly(ester amide)s derived from naturally occurring amino acids offer great possibilities as biodegradable materials for biomedical applications which are also extensively discussed.

Nylons 6,7, 8,7 and 10,7 have been synthesized by interfacial polycondensation and characterized. Thermal properties and thermally induced structural transitions have been evaluated to complement the reported data on nylon 4,7. Therefore, the complete even–odd series derived from pimelic acid is here fully characterized, in order to insist on their peculiar structural polymorphism. Real-time WAXD synchrotron experiments were conducted during heating, cooling and reheating processes. Basically, three structures were involved: a modified α-form, a distorted pseudohexagonal form and a pseudohexagonal form. The modified α-form was stable up to relatively low temperatures (i.e., lower than 140 °C), was mainly produced by solution crystallization and was progressively disfavored when the number of methylene groups of the diamine moiety increased. A progressive transition from the modified α-form to the distorted pseudohexagonal structure was observed during heating. Also, a continuous reverse transition was detected on cooling, although the yield on the modified α-form was low. A Brill transition towards a pseudohexagonal structure was observed in all cases. This transition was reversible, although with some hysteresis degree. Oriented fiber patterns corresponding to the distorted pseudohexagonal structure were obtained by melt stretching. In all cases, the 00l reflections appeared with a meridional orientation and indicated a shortening close to 0.05 nm/amide group with respect to the expected values for fully extended conformations.

Hydrogels based on polysaccharide and protein natural polymers are of great interest in biomedical applications and more specifically for tissue regeneration and drug delivery. Cellulose, chitosan (a chitin derivative), and collagen are probably the most important components since they are the most abundant natural polymers on earth (cellulose and chitin) and in the human body (collagen). Peptides also merit attention because their self-assembling properties mimic the proteins that are present in the extracellular matrix. The present review is mainly focused on explaining the recent advances on hydrogels derived from the indicated polymers or their combinations. Attention has also been paid to the development of hydrogels for innovative biomedical uses. Therefore, smart materials displaying stimuli responsiveness and having shape memory properties are considered. The use of micro- and nanogels for drug delivery applications is also discussed, as well as the high potential of protein-based hydrogels in the production of bioactive matrices with recognition ability (molecular imprinting). Finally, mention is also given to the development of 3D bioprinting technologies.