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ABSTRACTCancer tissues are a heterogeneously multifaceted assembly. Understanding the relationship of tumors with their microenvironment is also required to understand the tumor progression and metastasis better. Like tumors, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is heterogeneous, offering numerous mechanobiological, mechanochemical, and mechanophysical cues. Biomaterials impersonating extracellular matrix (ECM) properties must provide the mechanical cues cells get from their 3D extracellular environment. Pore size is one imperative yet less studied ECM factor implicated in the invasion and migration of the tumor. Several techniques are used to control the pore size of biomaterials constructed for a distinct tissue. Electrospinning is one of the most steadfast techniques for producing scaffolds with the preferred pore size. A comprehensive interpretation of ECM pore size would contribute toward a better understanding of the reciprocal interaction between pore size and tumor progression and can be used as a promising target for cancer treatments. In this review, we abridged the knowledge pertaining to (1) ECM and pore size, (2) the importance of pore size and its interplay with cancer, and (3) current advancement in the field of biomaterials to study pore size. Overall, this review will cover the effect of pore size on tumor cell behavior concerning electrospinning.

Blood vessels are fully lined on the heart and sternum. Massive bleeding following heart surgery significantly reduces the effectiveness of anti-adhesion materials, resulting in severe tissue adhesion. Adverse outcomes in the follow-up surgery can also be brought on by post-operative adhesion. In this study, a sandwich-like scaffold was developed. Hemostatic sponges made of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose make up the top and bottom layers. An anti-adhesion fibrous membrane with poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid and polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid block copolymer made up the intermediate layer. As a physical barrier, the intermediate layer preserved the morphological integrity for more than a week. Following hemostasis, the layers of the sponges and the blood clot may degrade quickly, reducing the inflammation and fibrin deposition around the wound. This sandwich-like scaffold potentially has hemostasis and anti-adhesion properties that lower the activation level of coagulation factors and lessen bleeding.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a clinical problem with high morbidity that can cause severe damage. Surgical suturing or implants are usually required due to the slow speed and numerous factors affecting repair after PNI. An autologous nerve graft is the gold standard for PNI repair among implants. However, there is a potential problem of the functional loss of the donor site. Therefore, tissue-engineered nerve biomaterials are often used to bridge the gap between nerve defects, but the therapeutic effect is insufficient. In order to enhance the repair effect of nerve biomaterials for PNI, researchers are seeking to combine various stimulation elements, such as the addition of biological factors such as nerve growth factors or physical factors such as internal microstructural modifications of catheters and their combined application with physical stimulation therapy. Physical stimulation therapy is safer, is more convenient, and has more practical features than other additive factors. Its feasibility and convenience, when combined with nerve biomaterials, provide broader application prospects for PNI repair, and has therefore become a research hot spot. This paper will review the combined application of physical stimulation and biomaterials in PNI repair in recent years to provide new therapeutic ideas for the future use of physical stimulation in PNI repair.