The PRHD@MnFe₂O₄ binary hybrids have shown a potential for applications in the biomedical field. The polymer cover/shell provides sufficient surface protection of magnetic nanoparticles against adverse effects on the biological systems, e.g., it protects against Fenton’s reactions and the generation of highly toxic radicals. The heating ability of the PRHD@MnFe₂O₄ was measured as a laser optical density (LOD) dependence either for powders as well as nanohybrid dispersions. Dry hybrids exposed to the action of NIR radiation (808 nm) can effectively convert energy into heat that led to the enormous temperature increase ΔT 170 °C (>190 °C). High concentrated colloidal suspensions (5 mg/mL) can generate ΔT of 42 °C (65 °C). Further optimization of the nanohybrids amount and laser parameters provides the possibility of temperature control within a biologically relevant range. Biological interactions of PRHD@MnFe₂O₄ hybrids were tested using three specific cell lines: macrophages (RAW 264.7), osteosarcoma cells line (UMR-106), and stromal progenitor cells of adipose tissue (ASCs). It was shown that the cell response was strongly dependent on hybrid concentration. Antimicrobial activity of the proposed composites against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed, showing potential in the exploitation of the fabricated materials in this field.

Osteoporosis is characterized by the reduction of bone mineral density and the weakness of the bone strength leading to fractures. Searching for new compounds that stimulate bone activity and their ability to reconstruct seems to be a promising tool in osteoporosis treatment. Here, we performed analyses comparing the impact of polyrhodanine (PRHD) and its derivatives on the viability (anti-proliferative tests), morphology and mitochondrial network (confocal microscopy) towards pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cell line) and osteoclasts (4B12 cell line). Moreover, we assessed the expression of genes associated with the apoptosis, inflammation and osteogenic differentiation by qPCR technique. Our results clearly demonstrated that PRHD and its modification at ratio 10/90 significantly improves the pre-osteoblast’s proliferative abilities, while reducing osteoclast function. The observed effects were strongly correlated with the cytoskeleton and mitochondrial network development and arrangement. Additionally, the expression profile of genes revealed enhanced apoptosis of osteoclasts in the case of PRHD and its modification at ratio 10/90. Moreover, in this case we also observed strong anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated by decreased expression of Il1b, Tnfa and Tgfb in pre-osteoblasts and osteoclasts. On the other hand, enhanced expression of the markers associated with bone remodeling, namely, osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCL) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), seem to confirm the role of PRHD@MnFe₂O₄ in the promotion of differentiation of pre-osteoblasts through the ALP-OPN-OCL axis. Based on these observations, PRHD@MnFe₂O₄ could be a potential agent in osteoporosis treatment in future, however, further studies are still required.

The prevalence of osteoporosis in recent years is rapidly increasing. For this reason, there is an urgent need to develop bone substitutes and composites able to enhance the regeneration of damaged tissues which meet the patients’ needs. In the case of osteoporosis, personalized, tailored materials should enhance the impaired healing process and restore the balance between osteoblast and osteoclast activity. In this study, we fabricated a novel hybrid material (Co_0.5Mn₀.₅Fe₂O₄@PMMA) and investigated its properties and potential utility in the treatment of osteoporosis. The material structure was investigated with X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance, FTIR-ATR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and selected area (electron) diffraction (SAED). Then, the biological properties of the material were investigated with pre-osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) and pre-osteoclasts (4B12) and in the presence or absence of magnetic field, using RT-qPCR and RT-PCR. During the studies, we established that the impact of the new hybrids on the pre-osteoblasts and pre-osteoclasts could be modified by the presence of the magnetic field, which could influence on the PMMA covered by magnetic nanoparticles impact on the expression of genes related to the apoptosis, cells differentiation, adhesion, microRNAs or regulating the inflammatory processes in both murine cell lines. In summary, the Co_0.5Mn₀.₅Fe₂O₄@PMMA hybrid may represent a novel approach for material optimization and may be a way forward in the fabrication of scaffolds with enhanced bioactivity that benefits osteoporotic patients.

Foams containing PLLA, HAP, and Fe ₃ O ₄ were obtained using TIPS technique with high responsiveness toward AMF and NIR stimulation.

This study investigates the incorporation of powdered Baltic amber (AbW) as a filler in poly(lactic acid) (PLA) via melt mixing under a temperature processing window defined above the glass transition of amber and below its degradation onset. The extruded composites were pelletized, showing homogeneous dispersion and a brownish hue that increased with amber content. The composites were characterized in terms of melt flow rate (MFR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results provided a basis for defining subsequent processing parameters via cast film extrusion and injection molding at temperatures up to 200 °C. The resulting samples were further characterized to assess color change, thermal behavior, molecular weight (GPC), rheological response, and morphology (SEM). No significant differences were observed in the properties of injection molded and extruded film composites. Changes in color and transparency were primarily driven by amber content and sample thickness. Amber incorporation did not interfere with PLA thermal behavior or stability. Incorporation of amber into PLA reduced the melt viscosity, with only minor variations on the molecular weight, suggesting an effect associated with low molecular weight components (LMW) present in amber. These findings expand the current understanding of amber–polymer interactions and highlight the role of amber in modulating the processability of biopolymers systems.