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- Photocrosslinkable electrospun fiber meshes for tissue engineering applicationsPublication . Ferreira, Paula; Santos, Patrícia; Alves, P.; Carvalho, Marco António Paulo de; Sá, Kevin; Miguel, Sónia P.; Correia, Ilídio Joaquim Sobreira; Coimbra, Patrícia Manuela AlmeidaElectrospun polymeric meshes are known to exhibit promising properties for the regeneration of several soft tissues. Herein, electrospun polymeric meshes were prepared from blends of polycaprolactone and functionalized gelatin. The meshes were then photocrosslinked under UV light using Irgacure® 2959 as the photoinitiator, aiming to improve membranes’ stability in biological fluids. Moreover, meshes suitability to be used as vascular grafts was evaluated by characterizing their chemical/physical properties as well as their haemo and biocompatibility in vitro. The obtained results show that the blended polymeric meshes are biodegradable and those with a higher content of gelatin display a lower water contact angle. Blood compatibility studies showed that the photocrosslinked membranes are haemocompatible, i.e. they display low values of thrombogenicity and do not trigger any haemolytic effect. Also, Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts cells were incubated in the presence of the produced membranes and they were able to adhere and proliferate, thus revealing the biocompatibility of the photocrosslinked meshes.
- 3D scaffolds coated with nanofibers displaying bactericidal activity for bone tissue applicationsPublication . Sá, Kevin; Figueira, Daniela Sofia Rodrigues; Miguel, Sónia P.; Correia, Tiago R.; Silva, Abílio Manuel Pereira da; Correia, I.J.Bone-limited capacity to fully repair large defects requires the development of new implants. In this context, new approaches have been used to promote bone regeneration and also to avoid the side effects associated with the therapeutics currently used in the clinic. Herein, 3D tricalcium phosphate/alginic acid scaffolds were produced and then coated with an electrospun mesh loaded with two different antibacterial agents, silver nanoparticles, and salicylic acid. The obtained results showed that the produced scaffolds have suitable mechanical properties, swelling, biodegradation, biomineralization activity, enhanced cellular adhesion/proliferation and bactericidal activity, and features essential for bone regeneration.
- Photocrosslinkable Nanofibrous Asymmetric Membrane Designed for Wound DressingPublication . Alves, P.; Santos, Marta; Mendes, Sabrina; Miguel, Sónia; Sá, Kevin; Cabral, C.S.D.; Correia, I.J.; Ferreira, PaulaRecently, the biomedical scientists who are working in the skin regeneration area have proposed asymmetric membranes as ideal wound dressings, since they are able to reproduce both layers of skin and improve the healing process as well as make it less painful. Herein, an electrospinning technique was used to produce new asymmetric membranes. The protective layer was composed of a blending solution between polycaprolactone and polylactic acid, whereas the underlying layer was comprised of methacrylated gelatin and chitosan. The chemical/physical properties, the in vitro hemo- and biocompatibility of the nanofibrous membranes were evaluated. The results obtained reveal that the produced membranes exhibited a wettability able to provide a moist environment at wound site. Moreover, the membranes' hemocompatibility and fibroblast cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation at the surface of the membranes were also noticed in the in vitro assays. Such results highlight the suitability of these asymmetric membranes for wound dressing applications.