Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials最新文献

{"title":"Polypyrrole Incorporation Modulates the Structural, Electrochemical, and Biological Performance of Oxidized Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels","authors":"Yu-Chun Chen,&nbsp;Han-Wei Chang,&nbsp;Wen-Yu Su,&nbsp;Ching-Yun Chen","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70130","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jbm.b.70130","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Skin wound repair involves coordinated cellular activities regulated by both biochemical and bioelectrical cues. In this study, an electroactive hydrogel system based on oxidized hyaluronic acid (oxi-HA) crosslinked with adipic dihydrazide (ADH) and incorporated with polypyrrole (PPy) was developed and systematically evaluated. The effects of PPy incorporation on hydrogel structure, physicochemical properties, electrochemical behavior, and cellular responses were investigated. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed successful PPy incorporation within the oxi-HA network, while preserving an interconnected porous structure at low PPy content. Increasing PPy concentration reduced swelling capacity and altered degradation behavior, indicating a transition toward a denser network. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated a PPy-dependent increase in conductivity and electrochemical behavior, accompanied by increased peak-to-peak separation (Δ<i>E</i>_p) at higher PPy content, indicating changes in electrochemical behavior that warrant further investigation. In vitro studies showed that hydrogels with moderate PPy incorporation (PPy-4) maintained high cytocompatibility (&gt; 95%) and supported fibroblast proliferation, whereas excessive PPy content was associated with reduced cell viability. Under daily low-intensity electrical stimulation (20 μA, 5 min/day), PPy-4 hydrogels further enhanced fibroblast proliferation, migration, and upregulated wound-healing–related gene expression (PDGF-A, FGF-2, and TGF-β1). These results indicate that the incorporation of in situ polymerized PPy modulates the structural and electrochemical properties of oxi-HA hydrogels and is associated with composition-dependent differences in cellular responses under electrical stimulation. This study provides an in vitro proof-of-concept for the development of oxi-HA/PPy/ADH hydrogel systems with composition-dependent electroactive properties.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148436775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Combined Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin and Chitosan Ameliorate Healing of Colon Anastomosis in a Model of Rabbit","authors":"Mohammed Albahrawy,&nbsp;Marwa Abass,&nbsp;Esam Mosbah,&nbsp;Walaa Awadin,&nbsp;Mohamed El-Henawey,&nbsp;Ekramy Elmorsy,&nbsp;Adel Zaghloul,&nbsp;Gamal Karrouf","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70129","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jbm.b.70129","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Intestinal anastomosis is among the most regularly performed operations in gastrointestinal surgery. However, poor wound healing at anastomotic locations, particularly in the colon, leads to severe complications, increased need for reoperation, prolonged hospital admissions, and greater mortality rates. This study aims to investigate the effect of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) coupled with chitosan (CH) on the healing of colonic anastomoses in rabbits. A full colonic transection followed by anastomosis was done in 36 rabbits. In the control group, no adjunctive substance was applied. In the treatment group, two L-PRF matrices were wrapped and fastened around the anastomosis site, followed by careful application of 1 mL of 1% CH solution. Healing was examined clinically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically on postoperative days 7, 14, and 28. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant improvements in the treatment group compared to the control group, including better radiographic stenosis scores, higher mechanical bursting pressures, and superior histological healing scores (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) at all examined time points. We conclude that L-PRF combined with CH significantly enhanced colonic anastomotic healing in rabbits, as evidenced by increased submucosal collagen deposition, accelerated mucosal re-epithelialization, enhanced angiogenesis, reduced adhesion formation, and decreased anastomotic stenosis compared to controls.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148436740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantitative and Structural Characterization of Streptococcus mutans Biofilms on Dental Restorative Materials Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Machine Learning","authors":"Krishna Kumar Kungumaraj,&nbsp;Sivashankari Rajasekaran,&nbsp;Bao Huynh,&nbsp;Jack Ferracane,&nbsp;Jens Kreth,&nbsp;Ana Paula Fugolin","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70125","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jbm.b.70125","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study compared four biofilm fixation protocols for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and their compatibility with Fiji-based image analysis, and introduced a complementary approach for SEM biofilm cross-section analysis to be used when assessing the antimicrobial activity of dental restorative materials. In the first phase, resin composite discs (8 × 2 mm) were characterized for degree of conversion and surface roughness, then incubated with renilla-reporter <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> for 1 and 24 h. Metabolic activity was assessed by luciferase assay, and biofilms were fixed using four protocols based on buffered formalin and/or glutaraldehyde, with or without graded ethanol dehydration, prior to SEM imaging. In parallel, biofilm cross-sections were analyzed using resin bars incubated under different conditions. In the second phase, the most effective fixation protocol was validated using antimicrobial-containing restorative materials, including two resin composites and a glass ionomer cement. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). The results demonstrated that biofilm fixation protocols significantly influence SEM image quality, biofilm architectural features, and quantitative measurements obtained through image analysis. In conclusion, standardized biofilm fixation using glutaraldehyde combined with graded ethanol dehydration and coupled with machine-learning augmented analysis of SEM images is essential for producing superior image resolution to enable clearer discrimination among bacterial cells, biofilm matrix, and material surfaces, and improved sensitivity in detecting architectural differences, particularly in biofilm cross-sections.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148404748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Large-Pore 3D-Printed PLA/HA/CDHA Gyroid Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration: Effect of Unit-Cell Period in a Rabbit Calvarial Defect Model","authors":"Milda Vitosyte,&nbsp;Egidijus Simoliunas,&nbsp;Milda Alksne,&nbsp;Marius Didziokas,&nbsp;Carlos Manuel Martínez-Cáceres,&nbsp;Victoria Martínez Abenza,&nbsp;Mantas Liudvinaitis,&nbsp;Dovile Proskute,&nbsp;Vygandas Rutkunas,&nbsp;Ieva Gendviliene","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70128","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jbm.b.70128","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To evaluate late-stage bone regeneration in rabbit calvarial critical-size defects treated with 3D-printed PLA/HA/CDHA gyroid scaffolds with unit-cell periods of 0.9 or 1.2 mm, versus empty defects. In this randomized exploratory within-animal preclinical study, 12 calvarial defects were created in New Zealand White rabbits and allocated to PLA/HA/CDHA gyroid scaffolds with a 0.9-mm unit-cell period (<i>n</i> = 5), PLA/HA/CDHA gyroid scaffolds with a 1.2-mm unit-cell period (<i>n</i> = 4), or empty negative controls (<i>n</i> = 3). Healing was assessed after 12 weeks by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry. At 12 weeks there was no statistically detectable difference in regenerated bone volume between groups; given the limited sample size and wide variances, this finding does not constitute evidence of equivalence. Both scaffold designs supported bone formation within the defects and showed descriptively thicker peripheral bone rims on histology than empty controls. Histomorphometric new bone area was 2.30 ± 1.16 mm² in the 0.9-mm group and 2.43 ± 1.15 mm² in the 1.2-mm group, compared with 1.17 ± 1.10 mm² in controls. Vascularized surface was descriptively higher in scaffold-treated defects, with the highest mean value in the 1.2-mm group. Spatial analyses suggested more center-directed bone advancement in scaffold-treated defects, particularly in the 1.2-mm group. Spatial analyses suggested a scaffold-associated bottom-to-top (dural-side) pattern of bone advancement, while the two scaffold architectures performed similarly across bone and vascular outcomes. Although bone volume did not differ significantly between the 0.9- and 1.2-mm groups, equivalence cannot be inferred. Further longitudinal studies are needed to optimize architected composite scaffolds for craniofacial bone regeneration and dental augmentation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148404711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biomechanical Performance of Zirconia–Calcium Silicate–Silver Hybrid Dental Crown Under Static and Transient Dynamic Loading: A Finite Element and TOPSIS-Based Multi-Criteria Evaluation","authors":"R. Manimaran,&nbsp;Sumit Pramanik,&nbsp;Sandipan Roy","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.70123","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>All ceramic dental crowns are widely used in posterior restorations; however, their long-term biomechanical performance remains limited by stiffness mismatch and inadequate stress distribution under functional loading. This study aims to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of zirconia–calcium silicate–silver hybrid crown materials under static and transient dynamic loading conditions and to identify optimal compositions using a multi criteria decision making framework. A three-dimensional finite element model of a crown and tooth with bone system was developed, incorporating nine hybrid compositions (C1–C9) with experimentally derived material properties. Static and transient dynamic loading were applied to simulate physiological mastication. Biomechanical outputs, including von Mises stress and total deformation, were integrated with mechanical properties (hardness, fracture toughness, and elastic modulus) using the TOPSIS method. Results showed that crown stress ranged from 7.46 to 9.78 MPa under static loading and increased to 7.54–10.46 MPa under dynamic conditions (3%–7% increase). Monolithic zirconia exhibited significantly higher stress (up to 19.32 MPa). The periodontal ligament demonstrated a stress reduction of approximately 25%–30% under dynamic loading, indicating its damping role. Deformation remained nearly constant (0.200 mm) across all materials. TOPSIS ranking identified C5 (Ci = 0.777) and C9 (Ci = 0.711) as optimal candidates. The findings demonstrate that hybrid compositions with balanced stiffness improve stress distribution and biomechanical compatibility. The integrated FEA–TOPSIS approach provides a robust framework for optimizing dental restorative materials under realistic loading conditions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148343344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synthesis, Characterization, and Implantation of Ferulic Acid-Loaded Chitosan/Aloe vera Hydrogels in Rat Full-Thickness Wound Model","authors":"Arash Goodarzi,&nbsp;Abbas Zakeri Bazmandeh,&nbsp;Ali Reaza Tavassoli,&nbsp;Abdolmajid Ghasemian,&nbsp;Azam Bozorgi,&nbsp;Fariba Noori","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.70120","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Chronic wounds are clinical challenges characterized by delayed healing and persistent inflammation. Tissue engineering offers novel strategies to enhance skin regeneration and restore tissue homeostasis. In the present study, we fabricated FA-loaded Cs/Av hydrogel scaffolds and evaluated their effect on wound healing in a full-thickness wound model in rats. A temperature-sensitive chitosan/<i>Aloe vera</i> (Av, 1%, 2%, 4% w/v) hydrogel was prepared and loaded with ferulic acid (FA, 50 μM). The physicochemical characteristics of hydrogels were evaluated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water absorption, degradation, and antibacterial activity assessments. Wound closure and histopathological demonstrations were assessed in a rat full-thickness wound model on Days 5, 10, and 14. SEM analysis revealed that scaffolds were highly porous with interconnected pores ranging from 110 to 180 μm. FTIR data confirmed the incorporation of FA and Av. Water uptake, degradation rate, and antibacterial activity increased proportionally to Av concentration, reaching 519%, 48%, and 30.66 mm, respectively, in FA-Cs/Av 4% scaffolds. Wound closure was accelerated by 67% and 91% on Days 10 and 14 in FA-Cs/Av 4% hydrogel. Histological assessments showed that implanted scaffolds improved skin regeneration by reducing inflammation and enhancing angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization in treated groups. FA-Cs/Av scaffolds provide a multifunctional platform for repairing chronic wounds, with excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, and controlled hydration and degradation, which could be considered for therapeutic purposes in the future.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148343406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Double-Crosslinked SIS-Derived Collagen/Alginate Hydrogel With Antibacterial and Pro-Regenerative Activities for Soft Tissue Repair","authors":"Yunan Yue,&nbsp;Guiyu Xu,&nbsp;Bin Li,&nbsp;Jianjun Peng","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70122","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jbm.b.70122","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A double-crosslinked antibacterial hydrogel (CS-Zn) was developed using small intestinal submucosa-derived collagen (SIS-Col), sodium alginate (SA), and zinc ions (Zn²⁺), and its potential for soft-tissue repair was systematically investigated. Through physical blending and ionic crosslinking, the hydrogel formed a dual-network structure with a tunable three-dimensional porous architecture, favorable mechanical properties, and good biocompatibility. In vitro studies demonstrated low cytotoxicity toward L929 cells and effective antibacterial activity against <i>E. coli</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>. In animal models, the hydrogel significantly promoted wound closure, angiogenesis, and organized collagen deposition in full-thickness skin wounds. In addition, preliminary evaluation of the myocardial ischemic injury model suggested that it had potential to improve tissue remodeling. In general, these findings indicate that CS Zn hydrogel is a promising multifunctional biomaterial and can be used for soft tissue repair.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148301823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Promote Antimicrobial Activity and Modulate Inflammation in Escherichia coli-Infected Wounds","authors":"Rubya Pereira Zaccaron,&nbsp;Rusilania Tozi Barbieri,&nbsp;Laura de Roch Casagrande,&nbsp;Igor Ramos Lima,&nbsp;Gabrielli Martins,&nbsp;Camila da Costa,&nbsp;Isabella Aguiar Cardoso,&nbsp;Ellen de Pieri,&nbsp;Luiz César Guarita-Souza,&nbsp;Ricardo Andrez Machado-De-Ávila,&nbsp;Anand Thirupathi,&nbsp;Paulo Cesar Lock Silveira","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70102","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jbm.b.70102","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Silver and gold nanoparticles promote antimicrobial activity and modulate inflammation in <i>Escherichia coli</i>-infected wounds. Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups (<i>n</i> = 12). Epithelial wounds were induced and contaminated with <i>E. coli</i>, followed by topical treatment for 8 days. Treatment with Cur-Ag NPs, Cur-Au NPs, and Cur-Ag-Au NPs significantly increased wound contraction compared to the contaminated wound group (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). The Cur-Ag-Au NPs group showed a marked reduction in inflammatory infiltrate, accompanied by a significant decrease in IL-1<i>β</i> levels (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) and increased levels of IL-10 and TGF-<i>β</i> (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Oxidative stress parameters were significantly improved, with reduced nitrite levels (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) and increased glutathione (GSH) levels (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Additionally, treated groups exhibited a significant reduction in <i>E. coli</i> colony-forming units between days 3 and 7 (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), indicating antimicrobial activity. These findings demonstrate that biosynthesized AgNPs and AuNPs exert significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, contributing to enhanced tissue repair in infected wounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jbm.b.70102","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148301877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strut Thickness and Species-Specific Healing Are Key Considerations in Developing Zinc-Based Biodegradable Arterial Stents","authors":"Lea M. Morath,&nbsp;Shebeer A. Rahim,&nbsp;Cole A. Baker,&nbsp;Shobana Santhanam,&nbsp;Deirdre E. J. Anderson,&nbsp;Alex M. LaMere,&nbsp;Lindy G. Oujiri,&nbsp;Greet Kerckhofs,&nbsp;Grzegorz Pyka,&nbsp;Monica T. Hinds,&nbsp;Shu Q. Liu,&nbsp;Jaroslaw W. Drelich,&nbsp;Jeremy Goldman","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70104","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jbm.b.70104","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Zinc-based biodegradable stents offer a promising solution for temporary vascular support, aiding in vessel healing while reducing long-term complications such as thrombosis and restenosis. This study examined three zinc-based alloys: AMZ (Zn–4.0Ag–0.6Mn–0.1Zr), ACMZ (Zn–3.5Ag–0.5Cu–0.7Mn–0.1Zr), and CMM (Zn–1.0Cu–0.6Mn–0.05 Mg), all featuring reduced wire diameters of 0.12 mm. The focus was on their microstructure, mechanical performance, thrombogenicity, and in vivo biocompatibility. The alloys were processed through cold drawing and heat treatment, resulting in ultra-fine-grained structures measuring less than 1 μm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the presence of strengthening intermetallic phases (AgZn₃, CuZn₄, and MnZn₁₃), while a uniform elemental distribution indicated solid solution strengthening. Heat treatment enhanced ductility, especially in the AMZ and ACMZ alloys, without compromising tensile strength. In vitro hemocompatibility assays showed low thrombogenicity for these alloys, with lower fibrin and FXIIa generation compared to clinical control materials. Ex vivo assessments of platelet and fibrin attachment revealed similar results to those observed with pure zinc controls. In vivo implantation of the stent materials into the abdominal aortas of mice and rats produced distinct species-specific immune responses. Mice exhibited significant inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, and necrosis, raising potential concerns about their biocompatibility in this model. In contrast, implants in rats resulted in only mild inflammation and limited neointimal growth, with no signs of necrosis. This suggests a more favorable and controlled healing response in rats. Morphometric analysis of Verhoeff–Van Gieson-stained cross-sections indicated that the 0.12 mm wires produced significantly less neointimal growth compared to previously tested 0.25 mm implants in rats, highlighting the advantages of smaller implant dimensions. Overall, these findings support the use of refined zinc-based alloys with smaller struts for next-generation biodegradable stents. However, the inflammatory response observed in mice emphasizes the necessity for careful selection of models in preclinical testing.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148295223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Injectable Thermosensitive Placental ECM–Copper Hydrogel With Endothelial Progenitor Cells for Pressure Ulcer Repair","authors":"Motahareh Rajabi Fomeshi,&nbsp;Mazaher Gholipourmalekabadi,&nbsp;Fatemeh Eskandari,&nbsp;Zahid Hussain,&nbsp;Nushin Karkuki Osguei,&nbsp;Renjun Pei,&nbsp;Ali Samadikuchaksaraei","doi":"10.1002/jbm.b.70121","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jbm.b.70121","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pressure ulcers remain challenging to treat because ischemia, extracellular matrix disruption, and impaired angiogenesis create a wound microenvironment that limits effective regeneration. Here, an injectable thermosensitive hydrogel has been developed based on human placenta-derived soluble extracellular matrix (sECM) and low-dose copper sulfate (CuSO₄), combined with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), to address multiple aspects of this pathology. Hydrogels were formulated using methylcellulose and characterized for rheological properties, swelling, degradation, and microstructure. EPC phenotype, viability, and proliferative activity were assessed by flow cytometry, live/dead staining, and MTT assay. Therapeutic performance was evaluated in a magnet-induced ischemic pressure ulcer model using macroscopic and histological analyses. Incorporation of sECM and CuSO₄ modified gelation behavior, improved mechanical properties, and increased pore size. Low-dose CuSO₄ (0.1% w/v) supported EPC viability and proliferation, whereas higher concentrations were cytotoxic. In vivo, hydrogels containing EPCs markedly accelerated wound closure, reducing wound area to 32.72% ± 1.04% at day 7, 11.33% ± 1.46% at day 14, and 1.24% ± 0.66% at day 21, compared with 17.35% ± 0.68% residual wound area in controls at day 21. Histological analysis further demonstrated enhanced tissue regeneration, with increased hair follicle density (up to 10 ± 0.63 vs. 1 ± 0.6 in controls) and greater collagen deposition (up to 85.26% ± 0.75% vs. 74.32% ± 0.75% in controls). These findings indicate that a placental ECM–copper hydrogel incorporating EPCs provides a promising biomaterial approach for pressure ulcer repair by combining structural support with pro-angiogenic and cellular contributions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15269,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials","volume":"114 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148295150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}