Endytiastuti Endytiastuti, Retno Ardhani, Bidhari Pidhatika, Yogi A. Swasono, Reza P. Rudianto, Juni Handajani, Ghadah A. Al-qatta, Iwa S. R. Sudarso, Fauzi Mh Busra

doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00059

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) has a long history as an agent to induce hard tissue regeneration in teeth. However, its high solubility requires inefficient repeated applications. Its alkalinity has two-sided effects: antibacterial property, but simultaneously compromises cell viability. This study prepared a composite of gelatin/chitosan to deliver Ca(OH)₂ using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the crosslinker. The chemical and physical properties of the composite were compared with unmodified Ca(OH)₂ aloneusing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, followed by an investigation into the release or dissolution of Ca²⁺ from both materials. A total of 16 Wistar rats were allocated to receive either the composite or Ca(OH)₂ after dental pulp exposure. Regenerative potential was assessed after 7 and 14 days by histological evaluation of odontoblast-like cell numbers and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) expression, with statistical analysis performed at a 95% confidence level. The gelatin/chitosan/Ca(OH)₂/TEOS composite was successfully synthesized and exhibited controlled Ca²⁺ release. The results demonstrated a higher odontoblast-like cell proliferation and stronger TGF-β1 expression in the composite-treated group after 7 days of application, indicating a more intensive regeneration than the Ca(OH)₂ control. After 14 days, the number of odontoblast-like cells in both groups did not differ significantly. However, TGF-β1 expression was significantly more pronounced. In conclusion, the incorporation of Ca(OH)₂ into a gelatin/chitosan matrix using TEOS as a crosslinker successfully decreases its solubility without impairing the ability to induce dental pulp regeneration. 

Maxius Gunawan, Kurnia Sari Setio Putri, Annalisa Tirella, Jittima Amie Luckanagul, David G. Fernig, Veerakiet Boonkanokwong

doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00055

Pulmonary delivery systems are potential routes for numerous lung-related disease treatments. The pulmonary delivery system can be utilised for local deposition and systemic application due to its large surface area and high vascularisation within the alveolar epithelium. This can lead to high permeability and bioavailability of drugs. This review explores the utilisation of conventional nanostructured lipid carriers in pulmonary delivery system applications. Due to their high entrapment efficiency, stability, and biocompatibility, nanostructured lipid carriers can be used as drug carriers through the pulmonary delivery system. Using nanostructured lipid carriers can enhance drug deposition into deeper lungs, improve bioavailability and efficacy, provide sustained and controlled release profiles of drugs, enhance antimicrobial activity, enhance cellular uptake and penetration, and improve bioavailability. However, conventional nanostructured lipid carriers have a major drawback: low selectivity in target cells. The non-selective properties of these carriers can lead to potential side effects, high toxicity, and reduced effectiveness. Therefore, recent applications of functionalised nanostructured lipid carriers have been evaluated through in vitro and in vivo studies to prove their safety and effectiveness in pulmonary-targeted delivery. Nanostructured lipid carriers have been functionalised to improve their selectivity and effectiveness. This review discusses various functionalised nanostructured lipid carriers through surface modification and their mechanism, including hydrophilic polymers, polysaccharides, peptides and proteins, small molecules, surfactants, genes, antibodies, and pH-sensitive polymers. Furthermore, key case studies in clinical translation are examined to illustrate the practical applications and progress of these advanced nanocarriers. This review also discusses the potential challenges in development, including pulmonary-specific targeting, toxicity, and immunogenicity concerns, as well as production and scalability challenges. Moreover, developing functionalised nanocarriers presents new opportunities by highlighting effective strategies to address existing challenges and accelerate their progression from experimental research to clinical translation.

Zhidao Xia

2025, 6(3): 230–231. doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00178

Prerna Vats, Bhavika Baweja, Chainsee Saini, Ashok Kumar, Rajeev Nema

doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00111

Aurora kinase B (AURKB), a regulator of mitosis, is associated with aggressive breast cancer (BRCA) and poor patient outcomes, although its exact role remains unclear. This study performed an in silico analysis to investigate AURKB expression, regulation, and prognostic relevance in BRCA. Differential expression of AURKB was evaluated using the University of Alabama Cancer Database (UALCAN), the Encyclopedia of RNA Interactomes (ENCORI), OncoDB, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2), and TCGAnalyzeR v1.0. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier plotter database, and subtype-specific associations were examined using the TCGA portal, the Tumor-Immune System Interactions and Drug Bank database, Breast Cancer Gene- Expression Miner v5.0 (bc-GenExMinerv5.0), UALCAN, and ENCORI. AURKB’s role in biological processes and metastasis was studied using the Cancer Single-cell State Atlas, TNMplot, and ExploRRNet. Transcription factors associated with AURKB were analyzed using Enrichr, ENCORI, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource, GEPIA2, OncoDB, UALCAN, and bc-GenExMinerv5.0. MicroRNAs were examined using miRNet, Transcriptome Alterations in Cancer Omnibus, CancerMIRNome, and ENCORI, while long non-coding RNAs were studied using ENCORI, OncoDB, UALCAN, and TCGAnalyzeR v1.0. Elevated AURKB levels were linked to decreased distant metastasis-free survival (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.71), relapse-free survival (HR = 1.43), and overall survival (HR = 1.45). AURKB transcripts also showed elevated expression in BRCA with a log₂ fold change of 3.03. A novel competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was identified, where AURKB correlated positively with E2F1 (r = 0.806) and TMPO-AS1 (r = 0.610) but negatively with hsa-let-7b-5p (r = −0.452). TMPO-AS1 also showed a negative correlation with hsa-let-7b-5p (r = −0.204). High E2F1 expression was associated with worse OS (HR = 1.53), whereas higher hsa-let- 7b-5p levels were linked to better prognosis (HR = 0.68). Binding affinity predictions supported interactions between hsa-let-7b-5p and AURKB, E2F1, ESR1, PGR, and TMPO-AS1 (−16.40, −90, −50, −90, and −40 kcal/mol, respectively). Overall, AURKB dysregulation through this ceRNA network may promote BRCA progression, offering potential for new prognostic biomarkers and personalized therapies. 

Jia Yang, Weitao Man, Kaiyuan Yang, Zheng Cao, Chao Ma, Kunkoo Kim, Zhe Meng, Yaosai Liu, Yuzhe Ying, Jie Zhang, Zide Wang, Yang Lu, Xiaolei Zhang, Guihuai Wang, Xiumei Wang

2025, 6(3): 334–344. doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.24.00079

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to partial or complete loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. We have previously shown that the transplantation of hierarchically aligned fibrin nanofibre hydrogel scaffolds (AFGs) facilitates robust neuroregeneration and functional recovery in rat and dog SCI models. Given these positive results, we aimed to evaluate the biosafety and efficacy of AFGs in a non-human primate SCI model before exploring its potential in the clinic. In the present study, no significant adverse reactions were observed over 24 weeks following AFG implantation into 1-cm gaps in the hemisected thoracic spinal cords of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Scaffold implantation also reduced cystic cavity formation and encouraged axonal sprouting across the lesion site. Notably, detailed histological analysis demonstrated that AFG promoted high-density, sequential, and aligned nerve fibre regeneration, resulting in remyelination and vascularisation, ultimately leading to remarkable motor function recovery. These results indicate that AFG transplantation exhibits reliable biocompatibility and effectiveness in promoting spinal cord repair in a non-human primate SCI model. Owing to the similarities in genetics and physiology between non-human primates and humans, AFG transplantation therapy is likely suitable for use in human spinal cord repair.