Surface functionalization of polymer scaffolds is a method used to improve interactions of materials with cells. A frequently used method for polyesters is aminolysis reaction, which introduces free amine groups on the surface. In this study, nanofibrous scaffolds and films of three different polyesters–polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL), and poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) were subjected to this type of surface modification under the same conditions. Efficiency of aminolysis was evaluated on the basis of ninhydrin tests and ATR–FTIR spectroscopy. Also, impact of this treatment on the mechanical properties, crystallinity, and wettability of polyesters was compared and discussed from the perspective of aminolysis efficiency. It was shown that aminolysis is less efficient in the case of nanofibers, particularly for PCL nanofibers. Our hypothesis based on the fundamentals of classical high speed spinning process is that the lower efficiency of aminolysis in the case of nanofibers is associated with the radial distribution of crystallinity of electrospun fiber with more crystalline skin, strongly inhibiting the reaction. Moreover, the water contact angle results demonstrate that the effect of free amino groups on wettability is very different depending on the type and the form of polymer. The results of this study can help to understand fundamentals of aminolysis-based surface modification.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) approaches have recently been getting much of researchers’ attention. The growing interest in these methods results from the fast development of machine learning algorithms in the last few years, especially artificial neural networks. In this review, we pay attention to the need and benefits that ML approaches can bring to tissue engineering (TE). We critically evaluate the possibilities of using the ML approaches in the tissue engineering field. We consider various paths of its utility in the TE, such as scaffold design, predicting the biological response to the scaffold, optimizing drug delivery approaches, supporting image analysis, and modeling scaffold in vivo performance. The current status of ML implementation is presented and supported by many study examples. On the other hand, we analyze the present difficulties and challenges in implementing ML approaches to tissue engineering, including the quality of published data, databases and repositories availability, the need for experiment and results publishing standardization, and ethical issues. Additionally, we assess the available natural language processing tools that could support TE research. Graphical abstract

Aminolysis treatment improves L929 cell–scaffold interaction. It is possible to reach compromise between the concentration of NH ₂ groups and mechanical properties change.

This study was conducted as a first step in obtaining eco-friendly fibres for medical applications using a synthesised oligomer poly(glycerol succinate) (PGSu) as an additive for synthetic poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly (L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL). The effects of the oligomer on the structure formation, morphology, crystallisation behaviour, and mechanical properties of electrospun bicomponent fibres were investigated. Nonwovens were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing. The molecular structure of PLLA fibres is influenced by the presence of PGSu mainly acting as an enhancer of molecular orientation. In the case of semicrystalline PLCL, chain mobility was enhanced by the presence of PGSu molecules, and the crystallinity of bicomponent fibres increased in relation to that of pure PLCL. The mechanical properties of bicomponent fibres were influenced by the level of PGSu present and the extent of crystal formation of the main component. An in vitro study conducted using L929 cells confirmed the biocompatible character of all bicomponent fibres.

Sodium aluminophosphate glasses were evaluated for their bone repair ability. The glasses belonging to the system 45Na ₂ O– x Al ₂ O ₃ ‐(55‐ x )P ₂ O ₅ , with x  = (3, 5, 7, 10 mol%) were prepared by a melt‐quenching method. We assessed the effect of Al ₂ O ₃ content on the properties of Na ₂ O–Al ₂ O ₃ –P ₂ O ₅ ( NAP ) glasses, which were characterized by density measurements, DSC analyses, solubility, bioactivity in simulated body fluid and cytocompatibility with MG ‐63 cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation of calcium‐free Na ₂ O–Al ₂ O ₃ –P ₂ O ₅ system glasses as bioactive materials for bone tissue engineering.