Additionally, SRμCT uses monochromatic, high-flux X-ray beams to provide high-resolution and high-contrast imaging of bone samples. This allows the quantification of small microstructural features (e.g. osteocyte lacunae, canals, trabeculae, microcracks) and direct gray value compositional mapping (e.g. mineral quantification, cement lines) with greater speed and fidelity than lab-based micro-computed tomography. In this article, we review how SRμCT has been applied to bone research to elucidate the mechanisms by which bone aging, disease, and other factors affect bone fragility and resistance to fracture.Highly swelling polymers, i.e. superabsorbent hydrogels, are hydrophilic, three dimensional networks that can easily absorb a significant amount water, fluid or drug. They are widely used in various applications such as foods, cosmetics, and medical devices. Bone cements are used in orthopaedics as a filling biomaterial or as a grout enhancing the embedding of a prosthesis into bone and fixation is achieved by mechanical interlock with metal or bone surfaces. Recently, hydrophilic bone cements have attracted the attention for bone tissue-engineering applications. Here a bone cement containing an acrylic hydrogel (HEMA) as a liquid phase and a blend of corn starch, cellulose acetate and bioceramic filler as a solid phase is investigated by means of a mixture design which is a special topic within statistical Design of Experiments (DoE). Output variables of interest, complex shear modulus, compressive modulus and swelling rate related to rheological, mechanical and swelling properties respectively, are measured for each cement formulation. Applying the mixture design strategy enables to assess the impact of the three powder components on each variable of interest and to determine the optimal formulation in order to achieve the required properties of this HEMA-based bone cement, especially the rheology adapted to the desired clinical application, but also appropriate mechanical and swelling properties.The biomedical applications of physically entangled polymeric hydrogels are generally limited due to their weak mechanical properties, rapid swelling and dissolution in physiologically relevant environment. Chemical crosslinking helps stabilizing hydrogel structure and enhancing mechanical properties, thereby allowing a higher stability in phisiological environment. In this context, it is known that the mechanical properties of the hydrogel are affected by both the molecular weight (MW) of the starting polymer and the concentration of the crosslinker. Here, our aim was to assess the influence of polymer MW and concentration in the precursor solution on the mechanical features of the final hydrogel and their influence on cells-material interaction. In detail, 3D synthetic matrices based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) at two molecular weights (PEG 700 and PEG 3400) and at three different concentrations (10, 20, 40 w/v %), which were photopolymerized using darocour as an initiator, were studied. Thehat posses higher viscoelastic properties in shear.Cellulose constitutes most of a plant's cell wall, and it is the most abundant renewable polymer source on our planet. Given the hierarchical structure of cellulose, nanocellulose has gained considerable attention as a nano-reinforcement for polymer matrices in various industries (medical and healthcare, oil and gas, packaging, paper and board, composites, printed and flexible electronics, textiles, filtration, rheology modifiers, 3D printing, aerogels and coating films). Herein, nanocellulose is considered as a sustainable nanomaterial due to its substantial strength, low density, excellent mechanical performance and biocompatibility. Indeed, nanocellulose exists in several forms, including bacterial cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose and nanofibrillated cellulose, which results in biodegradable and environmentally friendly bionanocomposites with remarkably improved material properties. This paper reviews the recent advances in production, physicochemical properties, and structural characterization of nanocelluloses. It also summarises recent developments in several multifunctional applications of nanocellulose with an emphasis on bionanocomposite properties. Besides, various challenges associated with commercialisation and economic aspects of nanocellulose for current and future markets are also discussed inclusively.Even though bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatment option of obesity, post-surgical weight loss is not always ensured, especially in the long term, when many patients experience weight regain. Bariatric procedures are largely based on surgeon's expertise and intra-operative decisions, while an integrated in-silico approach could support surgical activity. The effects of bariatric surgery on gastric distension, which activates the neural circuitry promoting satiety, can be considered one of the main factors in the operation success. This aspect can be investigated trough computational modelling based on the mechanical properties of stomach tissues and structure. Selleckchem VT107 Mechanical tests on gastric tissues and structure from people with obesity are carried out, as basis for the development of a computational model. The samples are obtained from stomach residuals explanted during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy interventions. Uniaxial tensile and stress relaxation tests are performed in different directions and inflation tests are carried out on the entire stomach residual. Experimental results show anisotropic, non-linear elastic and time-dependent behavior. In addition, the mechanical properties demonstrate to be dependent on the sample location within the stomach. Inflation tests confirm the characteristics of time-dependence and non-linear elasticity of the stomach wall. Experimental activities developed provide a unique set of data about the mechanical behavior of the stomach of patients with obesity, considering both tissues and structure. This data set can be adopted for the development of computational models of the stomach, as support to the rational investigation of biomechanical aspects of bariatric surgery.