![]() ![]() Extrusion-based 3D printing was effectively introduced to address the deficiency of regular micro and macroporosity of the particulate-leached as well as micromoulded PGS patch attempts. Therefore, the commonly applied and well-established salt-leaching technique was used as a comparable reference method to produce highly porous, sponge-like scaffolds. In addition to an electrically conductive ECM-like fibre structure, a successful cardiac patch needs to exhibit biomechanical properties close to the human myocardium. In addition, detailed analysis of electrical bulk conductivities of PANi containing cast gelatin films highlighted a profound effect of the intrinsically conductive polymer, as average conductivity values of 1.5 mS/cm were observed, three times higher values than those of pure gelatin films. Thermoanalytical measurements (TGA, DSC) proved a protein-stabilising effect of gelatin by polyaniline and a generally improved thermal stability of the fibres. ![]() Chemical characterisation, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and UV-VIS spectroscopy measurements confirmed a successful introduction of the protonated conductive emeraldine salt form of PANi into the fibrous structure. It was found that by incorporating the electrically conductive polymer, both in powder form and by in situ polymerisation, the average fibre diameter of electrospun mats decreased by a factor of two, indicating an enhanced conductivity of the spinning solutions. Results were then compared with electrospun fibre mats, where polyaniline in emeraldine base powder form was successfully incorporated in gelatin before electrospinning. To introduce and electrospin polyaniline containing gelatin, a novel in situ polymerisation technique for PANi directly in the gelatin spinning solution was conceived and analysed. Since polyaniline occurs in diverse variations with differences in morphology and electrical conductivity, two main polymerisation routes were discussed and compared. In the present work, several biomaterial-based approaches have been developed using electrospinning of gelatin-polyaniline (PANi) combinations as well as highly porous poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) substrates for the fabrication of 3D structured support patches for cardiac tissue engineering (CTE) applications. Due to the limited regenerative capacity of the myocardium and the shortage of donor organs, myocardial tissue engineering offers alternative strategies to produce functional myocardial tissue. One of the most common causes of death worldwide are cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction. C90/10 PVA/CNC mats were deemed the most effective from the tested group and, thus, a potentially effective option for chronic wound treatments. Cytocompatibility evaluations attested to these mats' safety. Tiger 17 showed excellent capacity in accelerating clotting. Antimicrobial assessments demonstrated the peptide-doped mat's effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pexiganan contributed mostly for such outcome. Pexiganan with an extra cysteine group was functionalized onto the mats via hydroxyl-polyethylene glycol 2-maleimide, while Tiger 17 was physisorbed to preserve its cyclic conformation. Despite the incorporation of CNC having reduced the mats' mechanical performance, it improved the mats' surface energy and its structural stability over time. Miscibility between polymers was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal evaluations. ![]() Crosslinking increased the mats' fiber diameters but maintained their bead-free morphology. In this research, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous mats reinforced with cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), at 10 and 20% v/v ratios, were produced by electrospinning, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde vapor and doped with specialized peptides. Different dressings have been developed to prevent microbial propagation, but an effective, all-in-one (cytocompatible, antimicrobial and promoter of healing) solution is still to be uncovered. Infection is a major issue in chronic wound care. ![]()
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