Background: Bio-based and biodegradable plastics are considered as plastics of the future owing to their ability to decompose under various environmental conditions. However, their effects on the soil microbiome are poorly characterised. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of an important bio-based and biodegradable plastic, polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA), on soil microbial diversity and community composition using high-resolution molecular technique (Illumina sequencing) targeting all three microbial domains: archaea, bacteria, and fungi.Results: Adding high load of PBSA to soil (6% (w/w)) caused a significant decline in archaeal (13%) and fungal (45%) richness and substantial changes in both bacterial (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria) and fungal (Eurotiomycetes, Sordariomycetes, Leotiomycetes, and Dothideomycetes) community composition compared with no PBSA addition to soil. The combined effects of PBSA and (NH₄)₂SO₄fertilisation on the soil microbiome were much greater than the effects of PBSA alone. We only detected opportunistic human pathogens in low abundance on PBSA and in the surrounding soil. However, some plant pathogenic fungi were detected and/or enriched on the PBSA films and in surrounding soil. Apart from plant pathogens, many potential microbial control agents and plant growth-promoting microorganisms were also detected/enriched owing to PBSA addition. Adding high load of PBSA together with (NH₄)₂SO₄fertilisation can either eliminate some plant pathogens or enrich specific pathogens, especiallyFusarium solani, which is economically important.Conclusions: We conclude that high load of bio-based and biodegradable PBSA plastic may negatively affect soil microbiome.

Bio-based and biodegradable plastics such as mulching films are widely used in agricultural field sites. However, there are limited studies of their impact on plant development and health even though an important soil-borne plant pathogen F. solani has been reported to associate with various types of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, especially polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA). To evaluate the influence of PBSA amendment in soils on plant development and health, F. solani and mung bean (V. radiata) were used as models in a modified petri-dish test using soil suspensions. Mung bean seeds were incubated in suspensions with two dilutions (high vs. low dilution with low vs. high PBSA amendment) of soils pre-incubated 1 year with PBSA under different treatments (combinations of N fertilizer (ammonium sulfate) and PBSA load) in the modified petri dish test. Plant development and disease incidence were recorded with both microscopic and molecular techniques (specific PCR and Illumina amplicon sequencing). Treatment with PBSA and N fertilizer in non-sterile soil suspensions strongly increased the disease caused by F. solani on V. radiata at both low and high soil dilution. At high soil dilution, the F. solani disease incident was 67.5% while at the low dilution the disease incidence reached 92.5%. In contrast, in treatments PBSA but without N fertilizer, non F. solani disease was observed. Apart from F. solani infection, other soil fungi can also infect the mung bean seedlings, especially at low soil dilution levels. Nevertheless, based on this short-term study, we found no evidence that PBSA alone can significantly increase the overall disease incidence.

Osteoconductive silk fibroin (SF) binders were fabricated for the bone repair of an alveolar cleft defect. Binders were prefigureared by mixing different ratios of a mixture of random coils and SF aggregation with SF fibrils: 100:0 (SFB100), 75:25 (SFB75), 50:50 (SFB50), 25:75 (SFB25), and 0:100 (SFB0). The gelation, molecular organization, structures, topography, and morphology of the binders were characterized and observed. Their physical, mechanical, and biological properties were tested. The SF binders showed gelation via self-assembly of SF aggregation and fibrillation. SFB75, SFB50, and SFB25 had molecular formation via the amide groups and showed more structural stability than SFB100. The morphology of SFB0 demonstrated the largest pore size. SFB0 showed a lowest hydrophilicity. SFB100 showed the highest SF release. SFB25 had the highest maximum load. SFB50 exhibited the lowest elongation at break. Binders with SF fibrils showed more cell viability and higher cell proliferation, ALP activity, calcium deposition, and protein synthesis than without SF fibrils. Finally, the results were deduced: SFB25 demonstrated suitable performance that is promising for the bone repair of an alveolar cleft defect.

Numerous eye diseases are linked to biomechanical dysfunction of the retina. However, the underlying forces are almost impossible to quantify experimentally. Here, we show how biomechanical properties of adult neuronal tissues such as porcine retinae can be investigated under tension in a home-built tissue stretcher composed of nanostructured TiO₂ scaffolds coupled to a self-designed force sensor. The employed TiO₂ nanotube scaffolds allow for organotypic long-term preservation of adult tissues ex vivo and support strong tissue adhesion without the application of glues, a prerequisite for tissue investigations under tension. In combination with finite element calculations we found that the deformation behavior is highly dependent on the displacement rate which results in Young’s moduli of (760–1270) Pa. Image analysis revealed that the elastic regime is characterized by a reversible shear deformation of retinal layers. For larger deformations, tissue destruction and sliding of retinal layers occurred with an equilibration between slip and stick at the interface of ruptured layers, resulting in a constant force during stretching. Since our study demonstrates how porcine eyes collected from slaughterhouses can be employed for ex vivo experiments, our study also offers new perspectives to investigate tissue biomechanics without excessive animal experiments.

Wound healing is a delicate, complex and challenging medical process. Hydrogel is a material that possesses properties aligned with the ideal characteristics required for wound dressings. Its mechanical properties, derived from the interconnection of fibers, closely resemble those of soft tissues regarding moisture retention, secretion absorption, and oxygen permeability. Additionally, hydrogels can be tailored to perform various functions, such as crosslinking with other materials and loading drugs, bioactive compounds and growth factors. This review focuses on the fabrication of multifunctional hydrogel wound dressings using both natural and synthetic biological materials, including silk fibroin, chitosan, alginate, cellulose, hyaluronic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, each exhibiting distinct properties that enhance their efficacy as wound dressings. Consequently, this review highlights significant advancements in developing more effective hydrogel wound dressings. HIGHLIGHTS Chronic wounds have a significant impact on patient well-being; thus, the use of hydrogel-based wound dressings can significantly influence the rate and quality of the wound healing process. The design of hydrogel should also reduce inflammation, eliminate infection, promote healing process, and exploit mechanical qualities to absorb exudates. By incorporating bioactive molecules such as growth factors and antibacterial agents into hydrogel scaffolds, wound healing process can be enhanced. Before clinical trials, novel hydrogels require biocompatibility, mechanical, moisture retention, and animal model studies to ensure efficacy and safety. By addressing the research gap and proposing the direction of future wound dressing development, it would improve the patient outcomes for chronic wound treatment. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT