Nanoengineered Shear-Thinning Hydrogel Barrier for Preventing Postoperative Abdominal Adhesions

More than 90%of surgical patients develop postoper-ative adhesions,and the incidence of hospital re-admissions can be as high as 20%.Current adhesion barriers present limited efficacy due to difficulties in application and incompatibility with minimally invasive interventions.To solve thisclinical limitation,we developed an injectable and sprayable shear-thinning hydrogel barrier(STHB)composed of silicate nanoplatelets and poly(ethylene oxide).We optimized this technology to recover mechanical integrity after stress,enabling its delivery though inject-able and sprayable methods.We also demonstrated limited cell adhesion and cytotoxicity to STHB compositions in vitro.The STHB was then tested in a rodent model of peritoneal injury to determine its e cacy preventing the formation of postoperative adhesions.After two weeks,the peritoneal adhesion index was used as a scoring method to determine the formation of postoperative adhesions,and STHB formulations presented superior e cacy compared to a commercially available adhesion barrier.Histological and immunohistochemical examination showed reduced adhesion formation and minimal immune infiltration in STHB formulations.Our technology demonstrated increased e cacy,ease of use in complex anatomies,and compatibility with di erent delivery methods,providing a robust universal platform to prevent postoperative adhesions in a wide range of surgical interventions.

Conductive ionic liquid/chitosan hydrogels for neuronal cell differentiation

To regulate cell behaviors and promote nerve function recovery,three-dimensional(3D)conductive hydrogel can transmit intercellular electrical signals,and effectively provide the cell survival environment.However,produc-ing hydrogels with simultaneous high conductivity,favorable biocompatibility,and tissue-matching properties remains a challenge for spinal cord injury(SCI)treatment.Here,a conductive,multifunctional,and biocompati-ble VPImBF4 ionic liquid(IL)with photosensitive chitosan-based hydrogel(pCM@IL)is developed.The pCM@IL hydrogel exhibits a 3D microporous structure that could maintain cell viability and improve cell growth.Elas-tic modulus,conductivity,and biodegradability of the pCM@IL hydrogels are investigated with tissue-matching mechanical properties.The pCM@IL conductive hydrogels synergistically enhance neuronal cell proliferation and promote neuronal cells differentiation via upregulates synapse gene(Tubulin𝛽3,GAP43,Synaptophysin)expression.Furthermore,in vivo studies of the pCM@IL conductive hydrogels as implants demonstrate low-inflammation and neovascularize promotion and appropriate biodegradable properties.The developed pCM@IL conductive hydrogel is a promising therapeutic scaffold biomaterial for SCI repair.