by Ryan L Dimmock  , Xuyiling Wang  , Yibin Fu  , Alicia J El Haj  and Ying Yang

Received: 09 December 2019;  Published: 28 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2001005

Advancements in surface engineering and material fabrication techniques have enabled the creation and replication of naturally occurring surface topographies or the extrapolation of natural patterns to become achievable targets. Polymers are used extensively in the field of biomedical sciences for containment, handling, and as cell culture substrates. It is well established that several polymers exhibit good biocompatibility for cell culture, with properties that include exhibiting minimal to no cytotoxicity and be [...]

by Maria Alonso-González  , José Fernando Rubio-Valle  , Victor Perez-Puyana  , Mercedes Jiménez-Rosado  and Alberto Romero

Received: 01 November 2019;  Published: 26 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2001004

The present study deals with the development of scaffolds based on gelatin (G) and/or chitosan (CH) through modifications in the central processing method. This process consists of the fabrication of a hydrogel which is, then submitted to a freeze-drying stage. To compare the effects of the different modifications, the mechanical properties of the various systems were characterized, employing both dynamic compressive strain and frequency sweep tests. In addition, their porosity as well as the structure and fiber di [...]

by Satoshi Migita  and Tomoya Yamaguchi

Received: 18 September 2019;  Published: 14 January 2020;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2001003

The surface roughness of titanium could regulate various cellular functions such as survival and growth. In the context of cell adhesion to materials, cell spreading and cell shape are also closely linked to various cellular functions. Previously, we found that Ti substrate with a 100-nm scale surface roughness reduced cell survival. However, effects of surface roughness on cell shape were not investigated. Herein, we quantified the initial adhesion behavior of osteoblasts on a Ti substrate with ~100 nm scale surfa [...]

by Fabrice Debbasch

Received: 15 October 2019;  Published: 06 January 2020;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2001002

A relativistic Wigner function for free Discrete Time Quantum Walks (DTQWs) on the square 2D space-time lattice is defined. The transport equation obeyed by the relativistic Wigner function is derived in terms of discrete derivatives and degenerates in the continuum limit into the transport equation obeyed by the Wigner function of 2D Dirac fermions. The first corrections to the continuous equation induced by the discreteness of the lattice are also determined and the similarities with non-quantum relativistic tran [...]

by Hassan-Ali Hakemi  and Ghazal Hakemi

Received: 05 December 2019;  Published: 03 January 2020;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2001001

In this study, we explored the phase equilibria in blends of a nematic liquid crystal monomer and a nematic liquid crystal flexible polymer within the whole composition of the phase diagram. The crystal-nematic and nematic-isotropic transition temperatures, as well as the transition enthalpies and entropies, indicated the total miscibility in this mesogenic blend system. We also extracted an empirical axial ratio of 4.52 for the polymer from the nematic-isotropic transitions of the blends. Further, from the biphasi [...]

by Andrew Weems  , Wenyan Li  , Duncan Maitland  and Luz Marina Calle

Received: 12 September 2019;  Published: 31 December 2019;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.1904008

Biomedical applications of shape memory polymers (SMPs) are limited by their biostability, degradability, and possible toxicity risks after implantation. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were used to increase the oxidative biostability (increase time until degradation occurs) using antioxidants and to induce oxidative degradation through incorporation of hydrogen peroxide-containing MSNs with modified surfaces. The presented results confirm increased oxidative stability using antioxidants, and alternatively, [...]

by Naiwei Chi  , Shuyao Zheng  , Elwin Clutter  and Rong Wang

Received: 30 October 2019;  Published: 18 December 2019;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.1904007

Background:Diabetic patients suffer from chronic wounds partly due to altered function of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts of diabetic patients synthesize collagen I (COLI) at a much higher level than collagen III (COLIII), resulting in delayed tissue granulation and, consequently, a delay in the overall wound healing process. Methods:We aimed to revive the matrix protein productivity of diabetic fibroblasts by employing aligned, electrically conductive and biocompatible spider silk-CNT fibers as a cell culture matrix to m [...]

by Sana Sandhu  , Anindita Arpa  , Xi Chen  , Rahul Kumar  and Justyn Jaworski

Received: 15 September 2019;  Published: 25 November 2019;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.1904006

Increasing interest in bacterial cellulose due to the huge potential which exists for the development of this new biomaterial for medical applications has been met with recent growth in research in engineering this unique microbial manufactured material. The mechanical properties, porosity, and biocompatibility of bacterial cellulose derived biomaterials are particularly attractive for use in wound healing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery applications. Advances in synthetic biology and soft materials engineer [...]

by Taise M. Manhabosco  , Shaul Aloni  , Tevye R. Kuykendall  , Sara M. Manhabosco  , Ana Bárbara Batista  , Jaqueline S. Soares  , Ana Paula M. Barboza  , Alan. B. de Oliveira  , Ronaldo J. C. Batista  and Jeffrey J. Urban

Received: 06 September 2019;  Published: 29 October 2019;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.1904005

Tin telluride (SnTe) ultrathin films were deposited electrochemically on polycrystalline and monocrystalline gold substrates using the electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (ECALE) method. The electrochemical behaviors of Sn and Te were studied systematically by means of cyclic voltammetry. Cyclic voltammetry curves for Sn displayed a broad peak in the region between -0.15 V and -0.35 V, which was related to the under-potential deposition (UPD), while the curves for Te displayed a peak at 0.3 V for Te UPD. X-ray pho [...]

by Lia Ofek  , Daniella Goder  and Meital Zilberman

Received: 31 July 2019;  Published: 11 October 2019;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.1904004

Background:Wound management is an important field in medical care, as annually, millions of wounds require treatment worldwide. Soy protein is highly biocompatible, easily processed, and a relatively cheap natural polymer, which can be used for wound dressing applications. Methods:In this study, solvent cast soy protein films, plasticized by glycerol and cross-linked by glyoxal, were thermally treated and their mechanical properties were evaluated as a function of various processing parameters. Samples were then lo [...]