Despite considerable advances in microsurgical techniques over the past decades, bone tissue remains a challenging arena to obtain a satisfying functional and structural restoration after damage. Through the production of substituting materials mimicking the physical and biological properties of the healthy tissue, tissue engineering strategies address an urgent clinical need for therapeutic alternatives to bone autografts. By virtue of their structural versatility, polymers have a predominant role in generating the biodegradable matrices that hold the cells in situ to sustain the growth of new tissue until integration into the transplantation area (i.e., scaffolds). As compared to synthetic ones, polymers of natural origin generally present superior biocompatibility and bioactivity. Their assembly and further engineering give rise to a wide plethora of advanced supporting materials, accounting for systems based on hydrogels or scaffolds with either fibrous or porous architecture. The present review offers an overview of the various types of natural polymers currently adopted in bone tissue engineering, describing their manufacturing techniques and procedures of functionalization with active biomolecules, and listing the advantages and disadvantages in their respective use in order to critically compare their actual applicability potential. Their combination to other classes of materials (such as micro and nanomaterials) and other innovative strategies to reproduce physiological bone microenvironments in a more faithful way are also illustrated. The regeneration outcomes achieved in vitro and in vivo when the scaffolds are enriched with different cell types, as well as the preliminary clinical applications are presented, before the prospects in this research field are finally discussed. The collection of studies herein considered confirms that advances in natural polymer research will be determinant in designing translatable materials for efficient tissue regeneration with forthcoming impact expected in the treatment of bone defects.

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Natural Polymeric Scaffolds in Bone Regeneration

This book presents the state-of-the-art knowledge on bamboo.n It starts with an introduction to the plantrs biology, its taxonomy, habitat, morphology and growth. The cultivation of bamboo is discussed in terms of silviculture, pests and diseases, and harvesting techniques. The book is completed by a comprehensive presentation of the properties of bamboo, its utilization and its preservation. 
	Bamboo is the fastest-growing and most versatile plant on Earth. For centuries it has played an indispensible part in the daily life of millions of people in tropical countries. In recent decades it has gained increasing importance as a substitute for timber. 
	The book was developed as a reference text for scientists, professionals, and graduate students with a strong interest in this unique plant

Bamboo: The Plant and its Uses

A Review of Property Enhancement Techniques for Carrageenan-based Films and Coatings.

Effect of the incorporation of antimicrobial/antioxidant proteins on the properties of potato starch films.

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01726063/document

A generic model for the shallow velocity structure of volcanoes

The effects of chemical treatment on the surface characteristics of sisal fibres and their physical/mechanical properties have been investigated. The sisal fibre was extracted by manually beating the sisal leaves with a smooth edged stick followed by chemical modification of the fibres using alkaline treatment method with NaOH at different concentrations and time intervals and at a constant temperature of 65 oC. The surface morphology and physical and mechanical characteristics of the treated and untreated sisal fibre samples was studied. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs revealed the rough surface topography of the sisal fibres caused by alkali modification which increased with increased concentration. Furthermore it was observed that fibre tenacity increases with increase in NaOH concentration. However, beyond 20 % NaOH concentration, decrease in tenacity is observed. Fibre breaking extension increases with increase in NaOH concentration. Moisture regain decreases with increase in NaOH concentration.

/pdf/physical-and-mechanical-properties-of-1x4xcrisr3.pdf

Mohammed Mustafa

Papers

Physical and Mechanical Properties of