Lovin K. John,  Ramu Murugan^*,  Sarat Singamneni,  Banu Pradheepa Kamarajan

, 0(0): 00014. https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00014

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) in additive manufacturing has emerged as a potential technology in the development of tissue engineering scaffolds of precise, complex geometries. The choice of material and process parameters is significant in determining their properties, such as mechanical strength. Polymer-ceramic composites with exceptional bioactivity have the potential for FFF applications in fabricating scaffolds. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) composite scaffolds reinforced with silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) particles in various weight ratios (97:03, 95:05, and 93:07 weight%) were developed using FFF technology. Taguchi’s orthogonal array and grey relational analysis were employed to optimize three parameters (polymer-reinforcement ratio, infill density, and layer thickness) to analyze mechanical strength – through tensile, compressive, flexural, and impact tests – surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy, and biocompatibility through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assay). The optimal formulation of 95:05 wt.%, 0.17 mm layer height, and 100% infill density demonstrated superior mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 47.52 MPa, flexural strength of 67.3 MPa, compressive strength of 71.57 MPa, and impact strength of 2.63 kJ/m². Analysis of variance revealed layer thickness as the most influential factor (41.7%) impacting mechanical properties, followed by PLA: Si3N4 ratio and infill density. MTT assay and immunofluorescent staining analysis revealed that the optimal formulations enhanced cell viability and proliferation compared to controls. 

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Zhidao Xia^*

, 0(0): 00057. https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00057

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Yuliya Kulikova^*,  Stanislav Sukhikh,  Anastasiia Zhikhreva,  Svetlana Noskova,  Olga Babich

, 0(0): 00013. https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00013

Burns are serious injuries commonly treated using dressings and tissue-engineered biological or synthetic skin substitutes. Collagen is a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering due to its biochemical composition and structure. This study comparatively examined the properties of collagen derived from the jellyfish Aurelia aurita and Rhopilema hispidum under varying temperature conditions, alongside collagen from other animal sources. The potential application of jellyfish-derived collagen in burn and wound treatment was assessed based on these analyses. The molecular weight of jellyfish collagen ranged from 105 kDa to 240 kDa. The isoelectric point was 5.19 for R. hispidum and 4.90 for A. aurita. Compared to animal and avian collagen, jellyfish collagen exhibited a lower denaturation temperature. It was inferior in hydrophilicity, hydration degree, mechanical strength, and solubility, indicating a need for additional modification before use in tissue engineering. Microscopic analysis revealed a highly porous structure in both jellyfish species. Pore sizes for A. aurita ranged from 57.1 μm to 256.7 μm with wall thicknesses of 58.2 – 241.7 μm; for R. hispidum, pore sizes ranged from 57.1 μm to 337.6 μm and wall thicknesses from 48.7 μm to 163.6 μm. In vitro studies using human umbilical vein endothelial cells demonstrated enhanced migration on the 1^st day in the presence of jellyfish collagen, indicating a lack of cytotoxicity. In vivo mouse model experiments showed rapid collagen assimilation when sutured subcutaneously. Minor inflammation observed in R. hispidum-based sponges was likely due to inadequate sterilization. These findings indicate that A. aurita and R. hispidum are viable marine sources of collagen and hold significant promise for future applications in regenerative medicine and wound healing.

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Jinxiang Shang,  Hangyang Xu,  Lu Xie,  He Lv,  Fei Wang,  Cong Jin,  Wenqing Liang,  Songou Zhang^*

, 0(0): 00004. https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.24.00004

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is recognised as a debilitating condition that often leads to considerable disability and functional limitations. Exosomes, which can be derived from various cell types including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, dental pulp stem cells, and macrophages, play a pivotal role in the post- SCI landscape. Collectively, it has been observed that these exosomes can modulate the immune response following SCI, regulate the inflammatory environment, inhibit secondary tissue damage, and support neuronal survival and axonal regrowth. However, it is noted that exosomes from different sources exhibit distinct characteristics. Therefore, it is deemed essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current knowledge and research directions regarding exosomes in SCI to foster the development of effective therapeutic interventions. In this bibliometric analysis, we conducted to search retrieve pertinent articles from the Web of Science Core Collection and identify pivotal publications, authors, institutions, countries, and keywords that have contributed significantly to the field. This bibliometric analysis offers a thorough examination of the present knowledge landscape and prevailing research trends pertaining to exosomes in the context of SCI. It acts as a valuable asset, catering not only to researchers but also to clinicians and policymakers engaged in research on SCI and therapeutic advancement. Ultimately, this knowledge mapping can advance our understanding of exosome biology and pave the way for innovative interventions to improve outcomes for individuals affected by SCI. 

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Xiaoyan Qin,  Ni Jiang^*,  Chaoyong Liu^*

, 0(0): 00015. https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00015

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