Sriwijaya University

This study optimizes biocomposite filaments composed of polylactic acid (PLA), magnesium (Mg), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) for bone scaffold applications via 3D printing.Using Response Surface Methodol., extrusion parameters including temperature, screw speed, and Mg and PEG proportions were optimized to achieve a consistent filament diameter of 1.75 mm, meeting 3D printing standardsExtrusion temperature significantly influenced filament diameter by reducing PLA viscosity at higher temperaturesScrew speed impacted diameter uniformity and d., while Mg enhanced filament strength but posed challenges in uniform distribution.PEG improved flexibility, mitigating Mg-induced stiffness.SEM revealed voids and uneven Mg inclusions, indicating areas for process enhancement.These findings advance the development of optimized biocomposite filaments, providing a foundation for improved fabrication techniques in bone tissue engineering.

Osteoarthritis (OA) remains a major clinical challenge due to the lack of effective treatments capable of halting disease progression. Chronic synovial inflammation and cartilage degradation are hallmark features, wherein galectin-3 (Gal-3), a β-galactoside-binding lectin, plays a pivotal upstream role by driving M1 macrophage activation and chondrocyte apoptosis. Modified citrus pectin (MCP), a natural Gal-3 binder, possesses therapeutic potential but is hindered by rapid clearance and limited joint retention. Herein, we present oxidized MCP (oxMCP), structurally reprogrammed MCP, that functions as a Gal-3-sequestering and crosslinkable matrix. This transformation was achieved via periodate oxidation, which introduced dialdehyde groups for Schiff base crosslinking with N, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC), while simultaneously enhancing Gal-3 affinity by reducing the molecular weight, increasing the chain flexibility, and exposing β-(1 → 4)-galactan motifs. These changes markedly amplified Gal-3-associated bioactivities, including M1 macrophage suppression and chondroprotection. The resulting oxMCP/NOCC hydrogel was further integrated with berberine (BBR), a cationic alkaloid with M2-polarizing activity, which reinforced the hydrogel network via non-covalent interactions and empowered the M2-polarizing capacity. The oxMCP/NOCC/BBR hydrogel exhibited excellent self-healing, low swelling, slow degradation, and sustained drug release, key features for intra-articular delivery. In vitro, it suppressed oxidative stress, matrix degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis while promoting macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. In vivo, intra-articular administration alleviated synovial inflammation and preserved cartilage in a rat OA model. This work transformed MCP from a short-acting Gal-3 blocker into a durable, bioactivity-enhanced therapeutic platform with immunomodulatory and cartilage-protective capabilities, offering a transformative strategy for a localized pathology-adaptive OA intervention.

Essential oils (EOs) contain diverse volatile constituents but are poorly soluble in water, limiting their direct use in food-active packaging. Pickering emulsions of essential oils stabilized by cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) (hereafter EO/CNC-PEs) offer robust, surfactant-free carriers for bioactive molecules. This article reviews interfacial mechanisms and formulation variables that govern the EO/CNC-PEs stability and their effects on food packaging performance. Stability arises from CNCs' adsorption at the EOs-water interface, forming a rigid particle shell. Combined steric and electrostatic barriers (quantified by zeta potential, ζ) suppress droplet coalescence, while pH and ionic strength modulate ζ value via deprotonation and electrostatic screening. The droplet size is controlled by the CNCs and EOs concentration, the EOs type, and storage, and increasing CNCs typically reduces size until interfacial coverage saturates, whereas excess EOs increases size due to incomplete coverage. Electrostatic repulsion from anionic CNCs reduces droplet aggregation, improving PEs stability and dispersion. When loaded into packaging materials, EO/CNC-PEs modify mechanical behavior and enhance ultraviolet (UV) blocking, antimicrobial, and antioxidant performance, while increasing opacity. They often reduce water vapor transmission rates and enable controlled (sustained) release of EOs' bioactive compounds. Critical factors influencing the properties of active packaging are also discussed. Overall, leveraging EO/CNC-PEs enhances EOs bioactivity and helps maintain the quality and extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and meat products.