For cell transplantation into damaged tissues, viable cells must be delivered to the defect site in a suitable carrier. However, the hypoxic and nutrient-limited environment in the carrier can induce massive cell death. The aims of this study were to increase the viability and regulate the behavior of osteoprogenitor cells encapsulated in alginate hydrogels through control of the gel microstruc...

One of the major drawbacks found in most bone tissue engineering approaches developed so far consists in the lack of strategies to promote vascularisation. Some studies have addressed different issues that may enhance vascularisation in tissue engineered constructs, most of them involving the use of growth factors (GFs) that are involved in the restitution of the vascularity in a damaged zone. ...

In an attempt to find a more efficient technique for biodegradation of the recalcitrant Reactive Black 5 (RB-5) dye, a composite xylan-polyvinyl alcohol (xylan-PVOH) hydrogel was used to immobilize laccase from the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor. Xylan was prepared from the black liquor of pulp and paper effluent, and it was esterified with citric acid prior to cross-linking with polyviny...

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may have the potential to enhance articular cartilage regeneration through release of growth factors including transforming growth factor isoforms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for PRP to stimulate chondrogenic differentiation in three-dimensional PRP hydrogel constructs. Allogenic PRP was prepared using a double centrifugation protocol w...

Pectin fragments have powerful anti-metastatic properties but the molecular structure of the active component(s) is still unknown. Pectin hydrogels are used to encapsulate drugs for oral drug delivery. This polysaccharide is not digested in the upper intestinal tract but its degradation in the colon releases oligomers with potential bioactivity. Here we tested the release of pectin fragments in...

Micro-environmental restriction effects to yeast cell growth obtained within Ca-alginate microbeads are considered. It is complex phenomenon influenced by: (1) relaxation of expanded polymer network around the cellular clusters, (2) forces generated by cell growth inside the beads and (3) interactions between solvent, network parts and cells. The resulting effects are measured experimentally by...

Templating processes for creating polymerized hydrogels are reviewed. The use of contact photonic crystals and of non-contact colloidal crystalline arrays as templates are described and applications to chemical sensing and device fabrication are illustrated. Emulsion templating is illustrated in the formation of microporous membranes, and templating on reverse emulsions and double emulsions is ...

We have developed a novel solid-phase extraction (SPE) system utilizing a temperature-responsive polymer hydrogel-modified stationary phase. Aminopropyl silica beads (average diameter, 40 - 64 μm) were coated with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-based thermo-responsive hydrogels. Butyl methacrylate (BMA) and N,N-dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPAAm) were used as the hydrophobic and cat...