This study investigates 3D extrusion bioinks for cartilage tissue engineering by characterizing the physical properties of 3D-printed scaffolds containing varying alginate and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentrations. We systematically investigated the effects of increasing PVA and alginate concentrations on swelling, degradation, and the elastic modulus of printed hydrogels. Swelling decreased significantly with increased PVA concentrations, while degradation rates rose with higher PVA concentrations, underscoring the role of PVA in modulating hydrogel matrix stability. The highest elastic modulus value was achieved with a composite of 5% PVA and 20% alginate, reaching 0.22 MPa, which approaches that of native cartilage. These findings demonstrate that adjusting PVA and alginate concentrations enables the development of bioinks with tailored physical and mechanical properties, supporting their potential use in cartilage tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.

Contemporary advances in bioengineering and materials science have substantially improved the viability of medical implants. The demand for optimized implant technologies has led to the development of advanced coatings that enhance biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, and durability. Implant manufacturers and surgeons must anticipate both biological and mechanical challenges when implementing devices for patient use. Key areas of concern include infection, corrosion, wear, immune response, and implant rejection; regulatory and economic considerations must also be addressed. Materials science developments are optimizing the integration of established materials such as biometrics, composites, and nanomaterials, while also advancing fabrication-based innovations including plasma functionalization, anodization, and self-assembled monolayers. Emerging smart and stimuli-responsive surface technologies enable controlled drug delivery and real-time implant status communication. These innovations enhance osseointegration, antimicrobial performance, and overall device functionality across orthopedic, dental, and cardiovascular applications. As implant design continues to shift toward personalized, responsive systems, advanced coating technologies are poised to deliver significantly improved long-term clinical outcomes for patients.

Background/Objectives: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to evaluate the impact of food is medicine (FIM) programs, such as medically tailored groceries (MTGs) to treat hypertension among diverse populations. Partnerships between academic centers’ student-run organizations (SROs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) offer critical safety nets for historically underserved groups, positioning these organizations to effectively undertake FIM programs among populations disproportionately affected by hypertension. We conducted an unblinded pilot RCT whose objectives were to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an SRO-coordinated, CBO-partnered MTGs intervention targeting blood pressure (BP) and food insecurity (FI) in underserved groups. Methods: Adult Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx patients in Durham, North Carolina, where essential hypertension and FI were randomized (parallel arm, computerized 1:1 ratio) to 12 weeks of home-delivered, hypertension-focused MTGs plus in-person nutrition education sessions with compensation (intervention) versus data collection sessions with compensation (control). We offered transportation, childcare, and home visits to facilitate session attendance. The primary outcomes were the eligibility, enrollment, and retention rates (feasibility), and the survey feedback from the participants and CBO partners (acceptability). The secondary outcomes included the changes in the mean BP and median FI score with associated 95% confidence intervals. Results: Medical record screening identified 1577 eligible participants. Of the 94 reached to confirm eligibility, 77 met the enrollment criteria, and 50 were randomized (82% post-screen eligibility, 65% enrollment). A conventional content analysis of 15 participant surveys and CBO partner feedback affirmed the acceptability, noting intervention components that enhanced the retention (e.g., home delivery, transportation support, home visits). Pre–post analyses of secondary outcomes for 13/25 intervention and 15/25 control participants completing ≥2 sessions ≥2 months apart were performed. The intervention was associated with an average change in systolic BP of −14.2 mmHg (−27.5, −4.5) versus −3.5 mmHg (−11.7, 5.9) in the control group. The FI scores improved by −2 (−2.2, −0.5) in the intervention group and −1 (−1.3, −0.2) in the control group. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: SRO-CBO partnerships could be feasible and acceptable avenues for conducting FIM trials among underserved populations. This multi-component FIM approach enhanced the study equity by addressing the participants’ disease-related social needs and warrants expansion into a powered RCT.

Surface engineering and architectural design represent key frontiers in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) implant development. This narrative review examines biointegration strategies, focusing on porous structures, surface modification techniques, and emerging smart technologies. Optimal porous architectures with 300–600 µm pore sizes facilitate bone ingrowth and osseointegration, while functionally graded structures address regional biomechanical demands. Surface modification encompasses bioactive treatments (such as calcium phosphate coatings), topographical modifications (including micro/nanotexturing), antimicrobial approaches (utilizing metallic ions or antibiotic incorporation), and wear-resistant technologies (such as diamond-like carbon coatings). Multifunctional approaches combine strategies to simultaneously address infection prevention, enhance osseointegration, and improve wear resistance. Emerging technologies include biodegradable scaffolds, biomimetic surface nanotechnology, and intelligent sensor-based monitoring systems. While many innovations remain in the research stage, they demonstrate the potential to establish TAA as a comprehensive alternative to arthrodesis. Successful implant design requires integrated surface engineering tailored to the ankle joint’s demanding biomechanical and biological environment

Background/Objectives: Patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) or neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) experience vertigo, confusion, and syncope. Compression garments help reduce venous pooling in these patients, thereby increasing cardiac output. We aimed to determine end-user opinions of compression products intended to alleviate symptoms for POTS and nOH. Methods: This was a survey study sampling participants diagnosed with POTS or nOH. The data collected included demographics, medical history, and compression garments previously used. The participants rated their most frequently used garment across comfort, aesthetic appeal, ease of use, durability, cost-effectiveness, efficacy, and consistency on the Likert scale (1–5). One-way ANOVA was used to compare the design criteria ratings across garments. For all tests α = 0.05. Results: Of the 330 POTS and 28 nOH participants surveyed (mean age 37.9, mean BMI 27.5, 95.0% women, 90.5% White), 354 (98.9%) reported trying at least one compression garment since their diagnosis. The majority of participants reported using leg compression most frequently rather than shapewear or abdominal compression (65.4% vs. 20.1% vs. 13.4%, respectively). Approximately 67.0% of participants tried multiple product types. Shapewear was reported to have greater concealability compared to abdominal or leg compression garments (mean 3.43 vs. 2.90 vs. 2.91, respectively; p < 0.01). Shapewear and abdominal compression were rated to be less comfortable compared to leg compression (2.67 vs. 2.94 vs. 3.05, respectively; p = 0.03). Conclusions: The existing compression products do not fully meet needs of individuals with POTS or nOH, as evidenced by participant ratings on multiple domains. There is potential consumer demand for novel adjustable abdominal compression garments that are low-profile and comfortable when disengaged.