Journal of Materials Chemistry B最新文献

Hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are being investigated as therapeutics for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock, when red blood cells (RBCs) are unavailable. Researchers have investigated different techniques to impart antioxidant properties to HBOCs, in order to mitigate oxidative damage observed after hemorrhagic shock resuscitation. In our previous work, we have investigated the coating of Hb with polydopamine (PDA) and have shown that PDA-coated Hb exhibits antioxidant properties while retaining its oxygen transport properties. Since the PDA coating is biodegradable and cell-free Hb in circulation is toxic, in our current study, we explore PDA coating of tense (T-) and relaxed (R-) state polymerized human hemoglobin (PolyHb). Similar to our previous study on PDA coating of CO-bound human Hb, CO binding of T- and R-state PolyHb significantly reduced metHb formation of the PDA coated PolyHb. PDA coating of PolyHb resulted in enhanced antioxidant properties of PDA–PolyHb as measured by the reducing power, radical scavenging, ferryl oxidation, and catalase activity. T-state PolyHb demonstrated moderate changes in O₂ transport properties after PDA coating, with both T- and R-state PolyHb exhibiting higher auto-oxidation rates after PDA coating. A slight increase in hydrodynamic diameter and a moderate decrease in thermal stability for both PDA-coated PolyHbs were observed compared to the precursor PolyHbs. T- and R-state PDA-coated PolyHb show promise as potential oxygen carriers with antioxidant properties, yet further optimization is needed to limit changes in oxygen transport properties.

Prolonged outdoor exposure to sunlight and infrared radiation induces localized wound overheating and excessive exudation, aggravating inflammation and infection while significantly impeding healing. Regrettably, most existing wound dressings lack the essential functionalities to facilitate healing under such conditions. To address this limitation, we develop a multifunctional Janus dressing by continuous electrospinning, incorporating PVDF-b-PTFE, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and TiO₂ nanoparticles. The synergistic interaction among these components endows the dressing with a solar reflectivity of 99.8% and a mid-infrared emissivity of 98.7%, enabling a sub-ambient cooling effect that reduces the temperature by up to 17.6 °C under direct sunlight. This effect is beneficial in preventing overheating and the associated complications of wounds. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles under sunlight provides the dressing with superior antibacterial capability (nearly 100% antibacterial rate), which mitigates infection risks. Furthermore, the hierarchical structure confers asymmetric wettability and achieves effective exudate management. Thanks to these multifunctional attributes, the Janus dressing significantly accelerates the healing of sunlight-exposed wounds, as validated in a rat full-thickness skin defect model under high-temperature sunlight. Collectively, this work not only tackles wound overheating in outdoor settings but also provides an innovative strategy and a theoretical foundation for the development of intelligent wound dressings.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability; however, current treatments are limited by systemic side effects and the need for frequent administration. Herein, a sustained intra-articular delivery system was developed by encapsulating Platycodin D (PD), a bioactive saponin derived from Platycodon grandiflorus, into PLGA microspheres and further integrating them with a thermosensitive hydrogel to enhance joint retention and therapeutic efficacy. In this study, a PD-loaded microsphere gel (PD-MS-gel) was constructed by combining optimized PD-loaded microspheres (PD-MS) with a thermosensitive gel, and the particle size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and drug loading (DL) were systematically evaluated. The biocompatibility and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capability of PD-MS-gel were determined in C28/I2 chondrocytes, and its therapeutic performance was investigated in an OA rat model by assessing body weight, knee swelling, and histological changes. The optimized PD-MS exhibited a uniform spherical morphology with a mean particle size of 41.52 ± 1.46 µm, an EE of 76.55%, and a DL of 5.68%. PD-MS-gel achieved sustained drug release for more than 10 days, effectively reduced burst release, and displayed a sol–gel transition temperature of 34 °C. In vitro experiments demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility and enhanced ROS scavenging activity, while in vivo results confirmed that PD-MS-gel significantly alleviated OA symptoms, reduced joint swelling, and promoted cartilage repair. Collectively, this microsphere–hydrogel composite system integrates sustained release with prolonged joint retention, offering a promising materials-based strategy for intra-articular OA therapy.

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a cornerstone UV-filtering material, yet its intrinsic photocatalytic activity continues to raise concerns regarding safety and photostability in cosmetic applications. Here, we introduce a quantum-dot (QD) surface passivation approach that transforms photoactive rutile TiO₂ into a safe-by-design (SbD) nanomaterial without compromising its UV-protection efficiency. Ultrathin Al(OH)₃ QDs (<5 nm) are selectively nucleated on TiO₂ surfaces via a scalable aqueous synthesis, forming discontinuous passivation domains that suppress surface photoactivity through localised charge trapping and recombination control. Comprehensive spectroscopy and microscopy analyses reveal preserved crystal integrity and a >90% reduction in photocatalytic activity. The resulting nanocomposites demonstrate preserved biocompatibility, reduced phototoxicity, and superior transparency when integrated into prototype sunscreen formulations. This study establishes a generalizable framework for nanoscale photocatalytic suppression via selective quantum-dot passivation, advancing ceramic-based nanomaterials for safe, sustainable UV protection and beyond.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the effects of nonlinear vibrational regimes on the structural and functional integrity of reduced graphene oxide- hydroxyapatite (rGO-HA) scaffolds fabricated via extrusion-based 3D-printing. A coupled Van der Pol-Duffing oscillator model was developed to simulate vibrational dynamics during deposition, and its influence was experimentally validated using MEMS accelerometry and scaffold characterization. rGO-HA composite powders were synthesized via hydrothermal methods and formulated into inks with varying HA content. Scaffolds printed under vibrational excitation exhibited pronounced morphological defects, including anisotropic pore geometry, surface cracking, and disrupted layer alignment. Elemental mapping revealed compositional heterogeneity, while pore size analysis indicated increased defect density. Mechanical testing showed a ∼17% reduction in compressive strength, and electrical conductivity declined by ∼78% under vibrational conditions, attributed to disrupted graphene networks and poor interfacial bonding. Comparative analyses confirmed the detrimental impact of dynamic perturbations on scaffold fidelity. These findings underscore the critical importance of vibration control in biofabrication and offer a predictive framework for optimizing scaffold performance in tissue engineering and smart biomaterial applications.

Random-pattern skin flaps are commonly used in plastic surgery to close skin defects, but necrosis often occurs in the distal portions of flaps due to insufficient blood supply, which severely limits their clinical utility. Thus, we developed a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-loaded injectable hydrogel to promote local angiogenesis to improve skin flap survival. The hydrogel, composed of gelatin and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, is obtained via microbial transglutaminase (mTG)-catalyzed crosslinking and hydrogen bonding. By adjusting the concentrations of gelatin and hyaluronic acid, the properties of the injectable hydrogel, including gelation time, internal pore size, swelling rate and degradation rate, were tuned and slow and sustained release of VEGF from the hydrogel was achieved. Benefiting from the ability of the gelatin–hyaluronic acid (Gel-HA) hydrogel to induce HUVEC proliferation and migration, and the enhanced bioactivity of VEGF when loaded in the Gel-HA hydrogel, the combination of Gel-HA hydrogel and VEGF synergistically promotes angiogenesis. Moreover, in a rat dorsal random skin flap model, the VEGF-loaded Gel-HA hydrogel was easily injected into the skin flap, significantly reducing necrosis and enhancing blood perfusion in skin flap areas. Therefore, this VEGF-loaded Gel-HA hydrogel could be an effective, easily prepared platform for rapid vascularization and ischemic flap repair, and it also has potential for clinical applications for other ischemic tissues.

Elevated butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) levels are recognized as an indicator of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a finding supported by clinical trials. Technologies that utilize BChE as a biomarker for diagnosing T2DM are currently under development, yet few fluorescent probes have been explored in this field. Fluorescence imaging offers several advantages including ease of operation, rapid detection speed, and high sensitivity. Consequently, the development of a fluorescent probe capable of detecting BChE activity for T2DM holds significant importance. However, there is a lack of a specific fluorescent probe to detect the BChE level across multi-models, including cellular systems, zebrafish, and mice with T2DM. Herein, we designed a fluorescent probe that is specifically responsive to BChE, enabling effective detection of changes in BChE levels. The probe demonstrated outstanding sensitivity, specificity, and photostability, with its fluorescence intensity remaining largely unaffected by pH values. The probe effectively detected changes in cellular BChE levels induced by various inducers and successfully identified variations in the abdominal fluorescence signal in zebrafish treated with these inducers. Furthermore, the probe was employed to assess BChE levels in the tissues of the T2DM mouse model. The probe facilitates a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM and provides a powerful diagnostic tool for potential therapeutic targets.

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health challenge, accounting for over 340 000 deaths annually. Consequently, there is an urgent need for localized drug delivery systems that can effectively eradicate cancer cells while avoiding the systemic toxicity associated with traditional chemotherapy. This study introduces dynamic hydrogels composed of drug-loaded unimolecular micelles, reversibly cross-linked via boronic ester linkages, to provide a safe and effective anticervical cancer in vivo monotherapy using nifuratel. In an animal model, a 14-day regimen of just two doses reduced average tumor volume by up to 95.2% while maintaining stable body weight. Notably, a 60% complete cure rate was achieved in the investigated mice. Comprehensive biochemical analysis (including C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, ALAT and AST aminotransferases, and total protein, etc.) alongside histopathological examinations confirmed the therapy's safety, showing no systemic toxicity or organ damage. The dynamic nature of the polymer network enabled intratumoral injection of the hydrogel. The unimolecular micelles, based on 3-star-[(poly(benzyl glycidyl ether)-block-(polyglyceryl glycerol ether)], PBGE–PGGE, significantly enhanced nifuratel's solubility and bioavailability in aqueous media. Achieving an effective and selective in vivo response was found to be dependent on the precise molar ratio of hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic segments and optimal drug loading. Tensile detachment testing revealed superior mucoadhesive strength of hydrogels at wet conditions up to 11.8 kPa, ensuring stable and controlled drug transport at the tissue site. Furthermore, ex vivo permeability studies using rabbit and porcine membranes demonstrated effective tissue penetration up to 60% after 48 h. This is the first report of a nifuratel carrier providing safe and effective monotherapy of cervical cancer in an in vivo model. These results suggest that nifuratel-loaded dynamic hydrogels constructed of copolyethers constitute a breakthrough delivery system for gynecology, ensuring low-dose, selective therapy of cervical cancer, with significant potential for clinical application.

Correction for ‘Matrix-bound Tenascin-C directs neuronal differentiation through stiffness-tuned MeHA hydrogels mimicking the spinal cord microenvironment’ by Rounak Pokharel et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1039/d6tb00247a.

Current biodegradable polymers for absorbable tissue ligation clips suffer from not possessing rigidity and toughness simultaneously compared with polyoxymethylene (POM) clips. To overcome the limitations, two series of biodegradable copolymers of poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(L-lactide) with random and block architectures were designed and synthesized. Compared with random copolymer P(CL-r-LLA), diblock copolymer PCL-b-PLLA exhibited higher crystallinity and superior mechanical strength. The copolymers with 15 mol% CL composition were selected for further study, denoted as RP15 (random) and BP15 (block). The BP15 clips achieved a closure force of 27.9 ± 1.4 N, comparable to commercial POM clips (29.0 ± 2.4 N), while also offering biodegradability. The degradation studies showed that BP15 clips degraded slowly, maintaining structural integrity and sustained closure functionality for up to two weeks, which was essential for safe tissue ligation. Subcutaneous implantation in rats further confirmed that BP15 clips exhibited favorable performances, demonstrating their potential as a promising biodegradable alternative to POM for use as an absorbable tissue ligation clip.