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Abstract: This study enhances the bioactivity of polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds for tissue engineering by functionalizing them with oxidized hyaluronic acid glycine-peptide conjugates to improve endothelial cell adhesion and growth. Hyaluronic acid was conjugated with a glycine-peptide to create a bioactive interface on PCL (static water contact angle, SCA(H2O): 98°). The scaffolds were fabricated using a melt extrusion 3D printing technique. The HA-glycine peptide conjugates were oxidized and immobilized on aminolyzed PCL via Schiff-base chemistry, introducing hydrophilicity (SCA(H2O): 21°), multiple functional groups, and a negative zeta potential (-12.04 mV at pH 7.4). A quartz crystal microbalance confirmed chemical conjugation and quantified the mass (8.5-10.3 mg m-2) of oxidized HA-glycine on PCL. The functionalized scaffolds showed enhanced swelling, improved mechanical properties (2-fold increase in strength, from 26 to 51 MPa), and maintained integrity during degradation. In-vitro experiments demonstrated improved endothelial cell adhesion, proliferation and viability, suggesting the potential for vascularized tissue constructs.
Keywords: 3D printing, polycaprolactone, hyaluronic acid
Published in DKUM: 19.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent the basis of novel clinical concepts in cellular therapy and tissue regeneration. Therefore, the isolation of MSCs from various tissues has become an important endeavour for stem cell biobanking and the development of regenerative therapies. Paravertebral adipose tissue is readily exposed during spinal procedures in children and could be a viable source of stem cells for therapeutic applications. Here, we describe the first case of MSCs isolated from paravertebral adipose tissue (PV-ADMSCs), obtained during a routine spinal surgery on a child. Using quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry, we show that PV-ADMSCs have different levels of stem marker expression compared to the MSCs from other sources while having the highest proliferation rate. Furthermore, we evaluate the multipotency of PV-ADMSCs by the three-lineage (adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic) differentiation and compare it to the multipotency of MSCs from other sources. It was found that the PV-ADMSCs have a strong osteogenic potential in particular. Taken together, our data indicate that PV-ADMSCs meet the criteria for successful cell therapy, defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT), and thus, could provide a source of MSCs that is relatively easy to isolate and expand in culture. Due to their strong osteogenic potential, these cells provide a promising basis, especially for orthopaedic applications.
Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, paediatric surgery, paravertebral adipose tissue, regenerative medicine, stem marker expression, osteogenic potential, differentiation
Published in DKUM: 16.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 9
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Abstract: Diplomsko delo se osredotoča na analizo krožnega gospodarstva gradbene industrije v Sloveniji s posebnim poudarkom na primeru javnega podjetja Nigrad, d. o. o. V teoretičnem okviru so najprej definirani osnovni koncepti krožnega gospodarstva in gradbenih odpadkov. Poudarjeni so pomen ponovne uporabe in recikliranja odpadkov ter zakonske zahteve, ki urejajo to področje v Sloveniji. V teoretičnem delu sta najprej predstavljena zgodovina zbiranja in predelave gradbenih odpadkov ter trenutno stanje nastajanja teh odpadkov. V nadaljevanju je povzet zakonodajni okvir odpadkov in krožnega gospodarstva v Sloveniji. Kot študija primera je v praktičnem delu naloge predstavljen princip krožnega gospodarstva na primeru javnega podjetja Nigrad, d. o. o. V praktičnem delu naloge so najprej predstavljene rešitve podjetja za predelavo in ponovno uporabo gradbenih odpadkov. Nato so analizirani materialni vhodi in izhodi, ki so bili realizirani v zadnjih dveh letih delovanja podjetja. V zaključku naloge so podani ključna spoznanja in predlogi za izboljšanje ravnanja z gradbenimi odpadki v podjetju ter spodbujanje krožnega gospodarstva v praksi.
Keywords: gradbeništvo, krožno gospodarstvo, gradbeni odpadki, ponovna uporaba odpadkov
Published in DKUM: 05.09.2024; Views: 60; Downloads: 2
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Abstract: Despite medical advances, skin-associated disorders continue to pose a unique challenge to physicians worldwide. Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, with more than one million new cases reported each year. Currently, surgical excision is its primary treatment; however, this can be impractical or even contradictory in certain situations. An interesting potential alternative could lie in topical treatment solutions. The goal of our study was to develop novel multilayer nanofilms consisting of a combination of polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA), polyhydroxypropyl methacrylate (PHPMA), sodium deoxycholate (NaDOC) with incorporated superparamagnetic iron–platinum nanoparticles (FePt NPs), and the potent anticancer drug (5-fluorouracil), for theranostic skin cancer treatment. All multilayer systems were prepared by spin-coating and characterised by atomic force microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle measurement. The magnetic properties of the incorporated FePt NPs were evaluated using magnetisation measurement, while their size was determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Drug release performance was tested in vitro, and formulation safety was evaluated on human-skin-derived fibroblasts. Finally, the efficacy for skin cancer treatment was tested on our own basal-cell carcinoma cell line.
Keywords: nanomaterials, bimodal therapy, topical skin treatmen, magnetic nanoparticles, thin films, skin cancer, methacrylates
Published in DKUM: 04.07.2024; Views: 98; Downloads: 17
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Abstract: This study presents an innovative wound dressing system that offers a highly effective therapeutic solution for treating painful wounds. By incorporating the widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, we have created an active wound dressing that can provide targeted pain relief with ease. The drug was embedded within a biocompatible matrix composed of polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate and polyhydroxypropyl methacrylate. The multilayer structure of the dressing, which allows for sustained drug release and an exact application, was achieved through the layer-by-layer coating technique and the inclusion of superparamagnetic iron platinum nanoparticles. The multilayered dressings’ physicochemical, structural, and morphological properties were characterised using various methods. The synergistic effect of the incorporated drug molecules and superparamagnetic nanoparticles on the surface roughness and release kinetics resulted in controlled drug release. In addition, the proposed multilayer wound dressings were found to be biocompatible with human skin fibroblasts. Our findings suggest that the developed wound dressing system can contribute to tailored therapeutic strategies for local pain relief.
Keywords: wound dressings, pain relief, superparamagnetic nanoparticles, methacrylate
Published in DKUM: 19.04.2024; Views: 485; Downloads: 469
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