Gustavo Abel Abraham

A novel strategy for preventing urogenital tract infections is the incorporation of beneficial strains into the design of vaginal probiotic products. This study aimed to incorporate Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1332-nanofibres on feminine hygiene devices (tampons and pantyliners) and textile substrate using different electrospinning setups. The use of agitation in the electrospinning collector system proved to be an optimal strategy for coating tampons. Moreover, the setup with an uniaxial translational nozzle and a conventional collector system was appropriate for coating pantyliners and textile substrates. The incorporation of lactobacilli immobilised in nanofibres onto the devices was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, yielding measurements similar to those of non-immobilised cells (length ∼2,118 nm; width ∼741 nm). The viable cell number of lactobacilli was around 10 ⁷ -10 ⁸ cfu/tampon, pantyliner, or gr textile substrate and was maintained after one-year of storage under refrigeration conditions. L. rhamnosus CRL1332 immobilised nanofibres preserved its acidifying capability. The samples demonstrated chemical and thermal stability over time under refrigerated and vacuum-packed conditions. Different electrospinning systems proved to be novel and suitable for designing functional vaginal products with viable L. rhamnosus CRL1332 through simple and effective steps. These lactobacilli-coated devices could serve as effective vaginal probiotic delivery systems, promoting the reconstitution of the vaginal microbiota and improving feminine hygiene and health.

Here, we report a facile, reproducible, fully aqueous route to fabricate citric acid–crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite hydrogels incorporating polyaniline nanoparticles (PANI-NP) of ca. 200 nm mean diameter and polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.2, synthesized directly in water. Nanocomposites incorporating 2, 3, and 5% w/w PANI-NP were thoroughly characterized in terms of thickness (obtaining materials of approximately 500 µm), morphology, spectroscopic and thermal properties, surface properties, swelling behavior, and nanomechanical behavior assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) operating in Peak Force Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (PF-QNM) mode. Incorporation of PANI-NP progressively increased the elastic modulus of the composites (from 794 MPa for neat PVA to values exceeding several GPa at 3–5% w/w loading) and modified swelling capacity to values as low as 140% (from 247% for neat PVA), reflecting nanoscale interfacial interactions. Notably, the hydrogel composites exhibited significant photothermal activity under low-power near-infrared (NIR) LED irradiation (850 nm, 90 mW cm⁻²), achieving temperature increases of up to 13.7 °C even at low PANI-NP loadings, with a stable and reproducible response across multiple heating–cooling cycles. Overall, this work establishes a straightforward, water-based fabrication platform for structurally stable, photothermally active nanocomposites with promising potential in light-responsive smart material applications.

Pharmaceutical formulations based on polymeric micro/nanoparticles offer multiple advantages for drug delivery applications

Electrospun polymeric scaffolds with core–shell architectures enable precise control over component distribution, release kinetics, and mechanical reinforcement, making them attractive for biomedical applications. However, plant‐protein based systems remain limited by poor aqueous stability and the need for toxic crosslinkers. This work introduces an inverted coaxial electrospun scaffold composed of a soy protein isolate (SPI)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) shell and a poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) core—an architecture not previously reported. The design exposes bioactive SPI at the fiber surface while maintaining integrity through the PCL core, achieving the rarely realized combination of surface bioactivity and structural stability. Oxidized sucrose, a natural and non‐toxic crosslinker, combined with thermal treatment, provides a green route to water‐stable, protein‐rich fibers without compromising morphology or biocompatibility. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed uniform fiber diameters (~570 to 670 nm) and preserved interfaces after crosslinking. Surface analysis confirmed SPI/PEO predominance, while swelling and degradation in PBS showed intermediate behavior between PCL and SPI‐only meshes. Human dermal fibroblasts exhibited high viability, absence of cytotoxicity, and alignment‐dependent morphology. Overall, these SPI/PEO‐PCL scaffolds combine bioactivity, tunable fiber orientation and sustainable fabrication, highlighting their potential as temporary extracellular matrices for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

A key challenge in tissue engineering is developing scaffolds that balance mechanical strength and bioactivity. Segmented poly(esterurethanes) (SPEU) are versatile polymers widely used in biomedical applications, particularly in the fabrication of elastomeric scaffolds for tissue engineering. Their mechanical properties and degradation rates can be tailored by modifying their chemical composition and morphology. However, the inherent hydrophobicity of SPEU often limits cell adhesion and proliferation, affecting their biocompatibility. To address this issue, surface modification, such as controlled dip‐coating in gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), was explored in this work to enhance cell‐material interactions. 3D‐printed SPEU60 structures (with 60% hard segment content) are fabricated, surface‐modified, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and goniometry. The ability of these scaffolds to support cell adhesion, proliferation, and viability, is evaluated in vitro using lentivirus transfected green fluorescent 3T3‐L1 murine preadipocyte cells. Results from these biological activity assays demonstrate that the GelMA coating significantly enhances the cellular response. In conclusion, these GelMA‐SPEU60 structures can be considered extracellular matrices suitable for tissue engineering applications.

Background/Objectives: In this work, expanded electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofiber mats incorporating tetracycline-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were fabricated for antimicrobial wound dressing applications. Methods: MSNs with high surface area were synthesized and efficiently loaded with tetracycline, achieving sustained drug release. These nanoparticles were then embedded into both conventional (2D) and gas-expanded (3D) electrospun PVA mats. Results: The gas-foaming process significantly enhanced the mat’s thickness, promoting improved nanoparticle loading and diffusion properties. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the structural integrity, thermal stability, and successful drug incorporation within the hybrid scaffolds. Antimicrobial tests against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated excellent bactericidal effects, with superior inhibition observed in 3D mats due to their higher drug loading capacity and faster drug release related to the expanded structure. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential of combining electrospinning, gas expansion, and nanocarriers to engineer advanced, drug-loaded fibrous scaffolds for wound healing.

Hydrogel/electrospun polymer nanofiber composites (HENC) integrate the advantages of both components. Hydrogels provide high water content, biocompatibility, and tunable drug release, while electrospun nanofibers offer a high surface area, loading capacity, customizable morphology, and opportunities for functionalization. Nanofibers can also be incorporated into hydrogels as 3D-printable inks. Together, these features create biomimetic composites that modulate drug release and mimic native tissues. This article reviews electrospinning fundamentals, limitations, preparation methods for HENC, and their applications in drug delivery, as well as future perspectives for developing advanced functional materials with improved therapeutic efficacy, controlled release kinetics, and broad biomedical adaptability.