Modeling Analysis of Silk Fibroin/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanofibrous Membrane under Uniaxial Tension

Application of the Electrospinning Technique in Electrochemical Biosensors: An Overview

Electrospinning is a cost-effective and flexible technology for producing nanofibers with large specific surface areas, functionalized surfaces, and stable structures. In recent years, electrospun nanofibers have attracted more and more attention in electrochemical biosensors due to their excellent morphological and structural properties. This review outlines the principle of electrospinning technology. The strategies of producing nanofibers with different diameters, morphologies, and structures are discussed to understand the regulation rules of nanofiber morphology and structure. The application of electrospun nanofibers in electrochemical biosensors is reviewed in detail. In addition, we look towards the future prospects of electrospinning technology and the challenge of scale production.

A biomimetic hyaluronic acid‐silk fibroin nanofiber scaffold promoting regeneration of transected urothelium

This study was designed to investigate the regulatory effect of hyaluronic acid (HA)—coating silk fibroin (SF) nanofibers during epithelialization of urinary tract for urethral regeneration. The obtained electrospun biomimetic tubular HA‐SF nanofiber scaffold is composed of a dense inner layer and a porous outer layer in order to mimic adhesion and cavernous layers of the native tissue, respectively. A thin layer of HA‐gel coating was fixed in the inner wall to provide SF nanofibers with a dense and smooth surface nano‐topography and higher hydrophilicity. Compared with pure SF nanofibers, HA‐SF nanofibers significantly promoted the adhesion, growth, and proliferation of primary urothelial cells, and up‐regulate the expression of uroplakin‐3 (terminal differentiation keratin protein in urothelium). Using the New Zealand male rabbit urethral injury model, the scaffold composed of tubular HA‐SF nanofibers could recruit lumen and myoepithelial cells from the adjacent area of the host, rapidly reconstructing the urothelial barrier in the wound area in order to keep the urinary tract unobstructed, thereby promoting luminal epithelialization, smooth muscle bundle structural remodeling, and capillary formation. Overall, the synergistic effects of nano‐topography and biophysical cues in a biomimetic scaffold design for effective endogenous regeneration.

Preparation and characterization of a novel composite membrane of natural silk fiber/nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan for guided bone tissue regeneration

Natural silk fiber (SF) was introduced into the chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite (CS/n-HA) system to fabricate a novel guided bone tissue regeneration (GBR) membrane. The effect of different treatment methods (degummed, un-degummed, or dissolved SF) and different contents of SF on the properties of the CS/n-HA composite membrane was investigated. Results demonstrated that the degummed SF/CS/n-HA composite membrane with a weight ratio of 2:6:2 possessed the highest mechanical strength, where SF supported the composite membrane as a skeleton frame in the form of primeval state, while the un-degummed SF and dissolved SF had weaker reinforce effect due to the poor interface or poor interaction between SF and CS, and the dissolved SF/CS/n-HA composite membrane displayed the fastest degradation. However, the three SF could all improve the cell biocompatibility of the CS/n-HA composite membrane. Conclusively, the study revealed that degummed SF could in situ reinforce the CS/n-HA composite membrane with a simple and green processing method, which would provide an important guidance significant to develop a novel GBR membrane.

Electrospinning of Hyaluronan Using Polymer Coelectrospinning and Intermediate Solvent

In the current study, we present methods of sodium hyaluronate, also denoted as hyaluronan (HA), nanofiber fabrication using a direct-current (DC) electric field. HA was spun in combination with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) and as a pure polymer. Nonaggressive solvents were used due to the possible use of the fibers in life sciences. The influences of polymer concentration, average molecular weight (Mw), viscosity, and solution surface tension were analyzed. HA and PVA were fluorescent-labeled in order to examine the electrospun structures using fluorescence confocal microscopy. In this study, two intermediate solvent mixtures that facilitate HA electrospinning were found. In the case of polymer co-electrospinning, the effect of the surfactant content on the HA/PVA electrospinning process, and the effect of HA Mw on HA/PEO nanofiber morphology, were examined, respectively.