Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a unique microbial biopolymer with a huge number of significant applications in the biomedical field, including bone tissue engineering. The present study proposes to obtain and characterize BC hybrid composites with calcium phosphate as biocompatible and bioactive membranes for bone tissue engineering. BC precursor membranes were obtained in static culture fermentation, and after purification, were oxidized to obtain 2,3-dialdehyde bacterial cellulose (DABC). Calcium phosphate-BC oxidized membranes were produced by successive immersion in precursor solutions under ultrasonic irradiation. The samples were characterized for their physicochemical properties using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD), solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS ¹³C NMR), and complex thermal analysis. In vitro cell studies were also performed to evaluate the influence of modified morphological characteristics on cell adhesion and proliferation. The results showed an increase in porosity and biodegradability for DABC hybrid composites compared with BC. In vitro cell studies have revealed that both hybrid composites favor cell adhesion to the surface. The new BC and DABC hybrid composites with calcium phosphate could be considered promising materials for bone tissue regeneration.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a polysaccharide produced by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with a strictly aerobic metabolism, having a huge number of significant applications in the biomedical field. This study investigates the development of bacterial cellulose (BC)-based composite systems that incorporate cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO₂ NPs) used as antibacterial agents to enhance wound healing, particularly for burn treatments. The innovation of this study resides in the integration of CeO₂ NPs synthesized by using a precipitation method using both chemical and green reducing agents, ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) and turmeric extract (TE), in BC membranes composed of ultrathin nanofibers interwoven into a three-dimensional network appearing as a hydrogel mass. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the effective deposition of this agent onto the BC matrix. Antibacterial activity tests against E. coli and B. subtilis indicated strong inhibition for the composites synthesized following these routes, particularly for the BC-CeO₂-TE-OH sample, processed by employing both precipitating agents. Cytotoxicity evaluations showed no inhibition of cell activity. Additionally, loading the composites with dexamethasone endowed them with analgesic release over 4 h, as observed through ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), while the FTIR spectra revealed a sustained drug presence post-release. These findings highlight BC-based films as promising candidates for advanced wound care and tissue engineering applications.

The skin is a complex and selective system from the perspective of permeability to substances from the external environment. Microemulsion systems have demonstrated a high performance in encapsulating, protecting and transporting active substances through the skin. Due to the low viscosity of microemulsion systems and the importance of a texture that is easy to apply in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields, gel microemulsions are increasingly gaining more interest. The aim of this study was to develop new microemulsion systems for topical use; to identify a suitable water-soluble polymer in order to obtain gel microemulsions; and to study the efficacy of the developed microemulsion and gel microemulsion systems in the delivery of a model active ingredient, namely curcumin, into the skin. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram was developed using AKYPO^® SOFT 100 BVC, PLANTACARE^® 2000 UP Solution and ethanol as a surfactant mix; caprylic/capric triglycerides, obtained from coconut oil, as the oily phase; and distilled water. To obtain gel microemulsions, sodium hyaluronate salt was used. All these ingredients are safe for the skin and are biodegradable. The selected microemulsions and gel microemulsions were physicochemically characterized by means of dynamic light scattering, electrical conductivity, polarized microscopy and rheometric measurements. To evaluate the efficiency of the selected microemulsion and gel microemulsion to deliver the encapsulated curcumin, an in vitro permeation study was performed.

Bone defects remain a significant clinical challenge, creating a severe need for advanced biomaterials for tissue regeneration. This study addresses this issue by developing 3D-printed composite hydrogels containing alginate, gelatine, and resorbable calcium phosphates (monetite and brushite) for bone tissue engineering. The scaffolds were fabricated using extrusion-based 3D printing and evaluated for their morphology, porosity, mechanical strength, swelling, degradation, and in vitro mineralization, while their cytocompatibility was assessed using LIVE/DEAD cell viability assays. The key findings demonstrate that calcium phosphate incorporation enhanced the mechanical stability by 15–25% compared to the controls, and mineral deposition increased significantly in the composite scaffolds. The developed hydrogels are bioactive and represent promising, customizable scaffolds for bone regeneration. These results support their further investigation as viable alternatives to traditional bone grafts for clinical bone tissue engineering applications.

Bone defects remain a significant clinical challenge, creating a severe need for advanced biomaterials for tissue regeneration. This study addresses this need by developing and characterizing 3D-printed composite hydrogels composed of alginate, gelatin, and resorbable calcium phosphates (monetite and brushite) for bone tissue engineering. A series of scaffolds was fabricated using extrusion-based 3D printing and systematically evaluated for morphology, porosity, mechanical strength, swelling, degradation, and in vitro mineralization. The inclusion of calcium phosphates enhanced the mechanical stability and promoted mineral deposition within the hydrogel matrix, while cytocompatibility was assessed using LIVE/DEAD cell viability assays. These findings indicate that the developed 3D-printed hydrogels are bioactive, constituting promising, customizable scaffolds suitable for bone regeneration, offering a viable alternative to traditional bone grafts. The results support further investigation of these materials for clinical applications in bone tissue engineering.

Resistance to chemotherapy is a problem of major social and economic importance, when looking at factors like the decrease in life expectancy, the associated therapeutic costs, and a significant number of cancers that resist current chemotherapy. The development of chemotherapeutics for all theoretically possible tumor variants is an approach that requires unreasonable resources. We propose a theoretical model that serves the purpose of overcoming resistance to chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer therapy. The model describes a gene delivery system based on liposomes, which are optically guided to the tumor’s location. The main aim of the gene delivery system is inhibiting the activity of enzymes involved in drug metabolism, hence offering the opportunity to use inexpensive chemotherapeutics that are already on the market. This model will reduce the costs of chemotherapy and will assure a positive outcome for patients.