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BME Horizon (BMEH, Online ISSN 2972-449X) is an international, peer-reviewed journal, open-access journal, published quarterly and owned by Science Exploration Press. The Journal dedicated to advancing research and innovation in the field of biomedical engineering and its interdisciplinary applications. The journal provides a platform for cutting-edge research that bridges the gap between engineering, biology, medicine, and environmental science to address contemporary challenges in healthcare and sustainability. more >
Articles
Photocurable bioinks for the fabrication of bone scaffold in bone tissue engineering
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Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is pivotal for addressing bone defects. It integrates biomaterials, cells, and bioactive factors to mimic the natural bone microenvironment, thereby promoting bone regeneration and repair. In this system, scaffolds provide ...
MoreBone tissue engineering (BTE) is pivotal for addressing bone defects. It integrates biomaterials, cells, and bioactive factors to mimic the natural bone microenvironment, thereby promoting bone regeneration and repair. In this system, scaffolds provide physical support and nutrient transport for cells. Three-dimensional (3D) printing revolutionizes BTE by fabricating customized scaffolds tailored to individual patients. As the cornerstone of 3D bioprinting, bioinks must meet strict biocompatibility and printability requirements to drive BTE advancement. In this review, we first explore the principles, advantages, and limitations of various bioprinting techniques. Furthermore, we also summarized recent breakthroughs and merits of three key photo-crosslinking reactions, including photoinitiated free radical crosslinking, photoclick crosslinking, and photo-conjugation crosslinking. Moreover, this review focused on the properties of natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and calcium phosphate-based inorganic materials in bioink formulation, as well as their BTE applications. Finally, a concise outlook on the future advancement of photocurable bioinks was provided.
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Lei Nie, ... Peng Ding
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2026.0015 - February 04, 2026
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This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Bioprinting and Biomaterials: Innovations for Regenerative Medicine
Calcification: From pathological process to therapeutic strategy
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Pathological calcification is typically regarded as a pathological endpoint, representing the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in tissues. With the continuous advancement of research, scientists have explored novel therapeutic strategies involving ...
MorePathological calcification is typically regarded as a pathological endpoint, representing the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in tissues. With the continuous advancement of research, scientists have explored novel therapeutic strategies involving the induced calcification of tumor cells, demonstrating its potential therapeutic capabilities. Recently, a pioneering study on the use of induced calcification to treat bacterial infections has been reported. This commentary first introduces the classification, etiology, and treatment of pathological calcification. Then, the antibacterial effects of induced calcification therapy through the delicately designed antibacterial agent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are generally demonstrated and discussed. The underlying mechanism of induced calcification for the treatment of chronic lung infections and chronic osteomyelitis caused by MRSA is revealed from the perspectives of bacterial energy metabolism and immune modulation. At the end of this commentary, challenges and future directions for induced calcification therapy are also briefly presented.
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Chi Zhang, ... Lihui Yuwen
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2026.0016 - February 04, 2026
Nanofiber membrane induced macrophage polarization for osteoarthritis treatment: Progressive research and future prospects
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease driven by synovial inflammation and immune dysregulation, especially in the knee joint. Macrophages play a key role in innate immunity and can differentiate into pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory ...
MoreOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease driven by synovial inflammation and immune dysregulation, especially in the knee joint. Macrophages play a key role in innate immunity and can differentiate into pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes, which have a significant impact on the progression of OA. Electrospun nanofiber membranes, as a promising biomaterial, can regulate the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. This article systematically reviews the immune microenvironment of OA, the mechanism of macrophage polarization, and the role of nanofiber membranes in the treatment of OA. In conclusion, the continuous development of nanofiber membrane technology will greatly change the future of OA treatment and provide more effective and efficient solutions for patients.
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Xuliang Wang, Guojie Xu
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2026.0014 - January 30, 2026
Recent advancements in the surface architecture of graphene-based field-effect transistors for sensitive and selective protein sensing in complex media
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When focusing on enhancing specificity, selectivity, and reproducibility of a powerful transducer, such as graphene-based field effect transistors (gFETs), the surface architecture is nearly as important as the bioreceptor, and plays a pivotal role, especially ...
MoreWhen focusing on enhancing specificity, selectivity, and reproducibility of a powerful transducer, such as graphene-based field effect transistors (gFETs), the surface architecture is nearly as important as the bioreceptor, and plays a pivotal role, especially for sensing in complex real-world media. Maximizing analyte-receptor binding efficiency and boosting signal transduction require careful consideration of the charge and size of the bioreceptor and the implementation of strategies for bioreceptor configuration optimization, and concepts to prevent non-specific binding. Antifouling strategies for gFETs commonly include the integration of polyethylene glycol or creating barriers against unwanted proteins and molecules via the formation of functional coatings on the device surface. Recently, special approaches have been proposed, such as coating graphene with co-polymers or hydrogels. This perspective article will discuss how the unique properties of these materials can be leveraged to improve gFET sensor sensitivity, selectivity, and performance towards protein biomarkers.
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Sabine Szunerits, ... Rabah Boukherroub
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2026.0013 - January 26, 2026
Advances in antimicrobial materials for metal implant surfaces
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Bacterial infections caused by biomaterials represent a significant challenge in the clinical management of implants. Implant infections not only lead to surgical failure, prolong patient hospital stays, and increase healthcare costs, but may also trigger ...
MoreBacterial infections caused by biomaterials represent a significant challenge in the clinical management of implants. Implant infections not only lead to surgical failure, prolong patient hospital stays, and increase healthcare costs, but may also trigger severe complications and even pose a threat to the patient’s life. Research on antimicrobial materials for metal implant surfaces holds significant importance. By developing antimicrobial coatings for implant surfaces or utilizing inherently antimicrobial metallic materials, bacterial adhesion and growth on implant surfaces can be effectively suppressed, thereby reducing infection rates and improving the success rate of implant surgeries. Simultaneously, the development of antimicrobial materials also contributes to advancing medical materials science, offering new approaches and methodologies for antimicrobial design in other medical devices. This holds broad application prospects and significant socioeconomic benefits.
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Jinshu Wang, ... Chengliang Yang
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2026.0012 - January 22, 2026
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This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Metallic Biomaterials
Maintenance management strategies for medical equipment in healthcare institutions: a review
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A large amount of medical equipment is now extensively utilized in healthcare institutions to assist clinical practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. And the applications of such advanced and sophisticated medical equipment have greatly ...
MoreA large amount of medical equipment is now extensively utilized in healthcare institutions to assist clinical practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. And the applications of such advanced and sophisticated medical equipment have greatly improved the quality of patient care, significantly alleviated the sufferings of patients, and facilitated their rehabilitation. Nevertheless, failures and malfunctions of medical equipment have compromised its reliability and effectiveness as well as jeopardizing the safety of patients and clinical staffs. And a majority of the failures can be attributed to the insufficient and inappropriate maintenance. Therefore, it is imperative to implement effective maintenance management to ensure that medical equipment is in its optimal function, and thereby mitigating the clinical risk resulted by adverse events. The presented review mainly discussed the maintenance strategies of medical equipment including corrective maintenance, preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance. In order to replace the fixed-interval of preventive maintenance, we systematically discussed methods to adjust the maintenance period. Additionally, two strategies to predicting future failures of medical equipment through processing and analyzing the maintenance data obtained from the historical maintenance logs and condition data collected by the embedded sensors are elaborated. Besides, the classification and life cycle of medical equipment are also summarized.
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Zhensheng Lin, ... Benan Zou
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2024.135 - November 12, 2024
Progress in the flexible and stretchable epidermal electrodes for wearable ECG monitoring
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As the primary skin-contact interface in wearable electrocardiograph (ECG) devices, epidermal electrodes play a pivotal role in determining both signal quality and biocompatibility. With continuous advancements in materials science and structural engineering, ...
MoreAs the primary skin-contact interface in wearable electrocardiograph (ECG) devices, epidermal electrodes play a pivotal role in determining both signal quality and biocompatibility. With continuous advancements in materials science and structural engineering, next-generation flexible and stretchable bioelectrodes have emerged, enabling long-term ECG monitoring and offering superior signal-to-noise ratios compared to conventional clinical electrodes. Their performance in ensuring reliable signal acquisition and user comfort is primarily governed by key interfacial mechanical and electrical properties, including mechanical compliance (i.e., flexibility and stretchability), interfacial adhesion (i.e., conformability and adhesion strength), and electrical characteristics (i.e., contact impedance). In recent years, significant progress has been made in enhancing the signal acquisition capabilities of flexible and stretchable bioelectrodes by optimizing these critical interfacial attributes. This review highlights the latest advances in conformable epidermal electrodes, encompassing traditional wet electrodes, flexible dry electrodes, novel dry electrodes based on organic electrochemical transistors, and integrated wearable systems. We systematically examine strategies for improving skin-electrode interface performance in ECG monitoring. Finally, we discuss ongoing challenges and future directions to advance epidermal electrode technologies for next-generation wearable healthcare applications.
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Junfei Ji, ... Lei Zhang
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2025.0004 - August 05, 2025
3D printing of cellulose-based biomaterials: A review
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With the development of 3D printing technologies, cellulose has been explored to realize its sophisticated geometry fabrication in this field for a variety of applications. This review focuses specifically on the latest research progress of 3D printing cellulose ...
MoreWith the development of 3D printing technologies, cellulose has been explored to realize its sophisticated geometry fabrication in this field for a variety of applications. This review focuses specifically on the latest research progress of 3D printing cellulose by discussing the characteristics of cellulose materials, different 3D printing technologies, and their optimal performance for applications in various fields like biomedicine, food packaging, and tissue engineering. The challenges of preparing 3D printing “ink” of cellulose using dissolved cellulose or nanocellulose are introduced. Finally, the corresponding applications of cellulose using 3D printing are classified and the strategies to optimize production performance are provided.
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Jincheng Huang, Lei Li
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2025.0001 - January 08, 2025
The gel effect: Enhancing diabetic foot ulcer healing through hydrogel innovations
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Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes and often result in amputation. Traditional wound care methods have limitations in addressing the complex pathophysiology of DFUs. Hydrogel dressings, a type of biomaterial, have emerged ...
MoreDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes and often result in amputation. Traditional wound care methods have limitations in addressing the complex pathophysiology of DFUs. Hydrogel dressings, a type of biomaterial, have emerged as promising candidates for treating DFUs due to their biocompatibility, ability to retain moisture, and potential to incorporate therapeutic agents. Hydrogels create a moist environment, promote cell migration, and reduce inflammation, thereby supporting wound healing. Incorporating bioactive molecules, such as growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents, can further enhance the effectiveness of hydrogels. Additionally, stem cells can be loaded into hydrogels to improve tissue regeneration and help modulate the wound microenvironment. Recent advancements in hydrogel technology have also led to the development of smart hydrogels that can respond to changes in wound conditions, such as glucose levels and pH. These intelligent dressings offer personalized care by delivering targeted treatments based on real-time wound data. This review explores the mechanisms behind DFU development, the role of hydrogels in wound healing, and recent progress in hydrogel technologies for personalized DFU care.
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Ghadeer Almarzooq, ... G. Roshan Deen
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2025.0003 - May 28, 2025
Recent advances of 2D nanomaterials integrated 3D-printed scaffolds for bone repair and regeneration
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Bone defects represent a significant orthopedic challenge, with associated disorders continue to pose clinical difficulties. In the biomedical field, advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing technology have established bone tissue engineering ...
MoreBone defects represent a significant orthopedic challenge, with associated disorders continue to pose clinical difficulties. In the biomedical field, advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing technology have established bone tissue engineering (BTE) scaffolds as a promising approach for effective treatment. These scaffolds not only provide structural support for cells but also serve as templates to guide bone tissue regeneration. In recent years, owing to their exceptional physicochemical properties, two-dimensional nanomaterials (2D NMs) have garnered increasing attention and have been widely explored as additives in the fabrication of BTE scaffolds. This review centers on the most recent developments in the combination of 2D NMs and 3D printing for BTE applications. It begins with a concise summary of the common synthesis and surface modification methods of 2D NMs. Then, it offers a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in their use within BTE. Finally, it discusses current challenges and future perspectives regarding the application of 2D NMs-based 3D-printed scaffolds in bone tissue regeneration.
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Zhiyuan Niu, ... Shuping Peng
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2025.0002 - April 24, 2025
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This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Bioprinting and Biomaterials: Innovations for Regenerative Medicine
Maintenance management strategies for medical equipment in healthcare institutions: a review
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A large amount of medical equipment is now extensively utilized in healthcare institutions to assist clinical practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. And the applications of such advanced and sophisticated medical equipment have greatly ...
MoreA large amount of medical equipment is now extensively utilized in healthcare institutions to assist clinical practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. And the applications of such advanced and sophisticated medical equipment have greatly improved the quality of patient care, significantly alleviated the sufferings of patients, and facilitated their rehabilitation. Nevertheless, failures and malfunctions of medical equipment have compromised its reliability and effectiveness as well as jeopardizing the safety of patients and clinical staffs. And a majority of the failures can be attributed to the insufficient and inappropriate maintenance. Therefore, it is imperative to implement effective maintenance management to ensure that medical equipment is in its optimal function, and thereby mitigating the clinical risk resulted by adverse events. The presented review mainly discussed the maintenance strategies of medical equipment including corrective maintenance, preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance. In order to replace the fixed-interval of preventive maintenance, we systematically discussed methods to adjust the maintenance period. Additionally, two strategies to predicting future failures of medical equipment through processing and analyzing the maintenance data obtained from the historical maintenance logs and condition data collected by the embedded sensors are elaborated. Besides, the classification and life cycle of medical equipment are also summarized.
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Zhensheng Lin, ... Benan Zou
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2024.135 - November 12, 2024
Progress in the flexible and stretchable epidermal electrodes for wearable ECG monitoring
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As the primary skin-contact interface in wearable electrocardiograph (ECG) devices, epidermal electrodes play a pivotal role in determining both signal quality and biocompatibility. With continuous advancements in materials science and structural engineering, ...
MoreAs the primary skin-contact interface in wearable electrocardiograph (ECG) devices, epidermal electrodes play a pivotal role in determining both signal quality and biocompatibility. With continuous advancements in materials science and structural engineering, next-generation flexible and stretchable bioelectrodes have emerged, enabling long-term ECG monitoring and offering superior signal-to-noise ratios compared to conventional clinical electrodes. Their performance in ensuring reliable signal acquisition and user comfort is primarily governed by key interfacial mechanical and electrical properties, including mechanical compliance (i.e., flexibility and stretchability), interfacial adhesion (i.e., conformability and adhesion strength), and electrical characteristics (i.e., contact impedance). In recent years, significant progress has been made in enhancing the signal acquisition capabilities of flexible and stretchable bioelectrodes by optimizing these critical interfacial attributes. This review highlights the latest advances in conformable epidermal electrodes, encompassing traditional wet electrodes, flexible dry electrodes, novel dry electrodes based on organic electrochemical transistors, and integrated wearable systems. We systematically examine strategies for improving skin-electrode interface performance in ECG monitoring. Finally, we discuss ongoing challenges and future directions to advance epidermal electrode technologies for next-generation wearable healthcare applications.
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Junfei Ji, ... Lei Zhang
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2025.0004 - August 05, 2025
3D printing of cellulose-based biomaterials: A review
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With the development of 3D printing technologies, cellulose has been explored to realize its sophisticated geometry fabrication in this field for a variety of applications. This review focuses specifically on the latest research progress of 3D printing cellulose ...
MoreWith the development of 3D printing technologies, cellulose has been explored to realize its sophisticated geometry fabrication in this field for a variety of applications. This review focuses specifically on the latest research progress of 3D printing cellulose by discussing the characteristics of cellulose materials, different 3D printing technologies, and their optimal performance for applications in various fields like biomedicine, food packaging, and tissue engineering. The challenges of preparing 3D printing “ink” of cellulose using dissolved cellulose or nanocellulose are introduced. Finally, the corresponding applications of cellulose using 3D printing are classified and the strategies to optimize production performance are provided.
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Jincheng Huang, Lei Li
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2025.0001 - January 08, 2025
Personalized 3D-printed bone plates in fracture management: recent advances and future perspectives
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This review examines recent advances and applications of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in orthopedic fracture management, with a particular focus on its transformative role in personalized treatment strategies. The introduction of patient-specific ...
MoreThis review examines recent advances and applications of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in orthopedic fracture management, with a particular focus on its transformative role in personalized treatment strategies. The introduction of patient-specific 3D-printed implants and fracture plates has markedly improved surgical outcomes by reducing operative time, enhancing anatomical alignment, and promoting bone healing. By enabling the fabrication of customized implants, 3D printing provides an innovative approach for managing complex fractures and bone defects, particularly in cases where conventional methods are inadequate. Key benefits discussed include the development of tailored fracture plates, bone scaffolds, and bioactive materials that support bone regeneration. The review also explores the potential of emerging technologies such as four-dimensional printing and bioprinting, which allow for the creation of dynamic implants capable of adapting to biological changes and facilitating tissue regeneration. In addition, the integration of artificial intelligence into preoperative planning and implant design is highlighted for its contribution to improving surgical precision and individualized treatment. This review consolidates the latest advancements while also addressing challenges, including high production costs and regulatory barriers, that must be overcome for widespread clinical adoption. In conclusion, the future of orthopedic fracture management is expected to be significantly reshaped by the continuous evolution of 3D printing technologies, offering more personalized, effective, and efficient solutions for patients. As these innovations progress, 3D printing is anticipated to play a pivotal role in advancing orthopedic surgery and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
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Wenchuan Li
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2025.0005 - September 16, 2025
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This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Metallic Biomaterials
The gel effect: Enhancing diabetic foot ulcer healing through hydrogel innovations
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Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes and often result in amputation. Traditional wound care methods have limitations in addressing the complex pathophysiology of DFUs. Hydrogel dressings, a type of biomaterial, have emerged ...
MoreDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes and often result in amputation. Traditional wound care methods have limitations in addressing the complex pathophysiology of DFUs. Hydrogel dressings, a type of biomaterial, have emerged as promising candidates for treating DFUs due to their biocompatibility, ability to retain moisture, and potential to incorporate therapeutic agents. Hydrogels create a moist environment, promote cell migration, and reduce inflammation, thereby supporting wound healing. Incorporating bioactive molecules, such as growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents, can further enhance the effectiveness of hydrogels. Additionally, stem cells can be loaded into hydrogels to improve tissue regeneration and help modulate the wound microenvironment. Recent advancements in hydrogel technology have also led to the development of smart hydrogels that can respond to changes in wound conditions, such as glucose levels and pH. These intelligent dressings offer personalized care by delivering targeted treatments based on real-time wound data. This review explores the mechanisms behind DFU development, the role of hydrogels in wound healing, and recent progress in hydrogel technologies for personalized DFU care.
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Ghadeer Almarzooq, ... G. Roshan Deen
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2025.0003 - May 28, 2025
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Submission Deadline: 31 Aug 2026
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Submission Deadline: 30 Jun 2026
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Recent Advances in Metallic Biomaterials
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Research Frontiers in Smart and Biomimetic Biomaterials
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