This article presents a review of the kinetic studies on the cure reactions of thermosetting resins. The emphasis is placed on those conducted using the thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry. Two important categories of kinetic models are discussed and some existing parameter estimation techniques are presented. A variety of factors affecting the cure reactions, including the formulation of cure and process variables, are discussed. At the end, two different approaches in modeling the chemoviscosity of polymeric reactive systems are presented and some existing chemorheological models developed based on these approaches are briefly reviewed.

The repair of osteochondral defects requires a tissue engineering approach that aims at mimicking the physiological properties and structure of two different tissues (cartilage and bone) using specifically designed scaffold-cell constructs. Biphasic and triphasic approaches utilize two or three different architectures, materials, or composites to produce a multilayered construct. This article gives an overview of some of the current strategies in multiphasic/gradient-based scaffold architectures and compositions for tissue engineering of osteochondral defects. In addition, the application of finite element analysis (FEA) in scaffold design and simulation of in vitro and in vivo cell growth outcomes has been briefly covered. FEA-based approaches can potentially be coupled with computer-assisted fabrication systems for controlled deposition and additive manufacturing of the simulated patterns. Finally, a summary of the existing challenges associated with the repair of osteochondral defects as well as some recommendations for future directions have been brought up in the concluding section of this article.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been the subject of many studies in recent years, ranging from basic science that looks into MSCs properties to studies that aim for developing bioengineered tissues and organs. Adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been the focus of most studies due to the inherent potential of these cells to differentiate into various cell types. Although, the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of cellular differentiation. These cells are another attractive stem cell source because of their ability to be reprogramed, allowing the generation of multiple cell types from a single cell. This paper briefly covers various types of stem cell sources that have been used for tissue engineering applications, with a focus on bone regeneration. Then, an overview of some recent studies making use of MSC-seeded 3D scaffold systems for bone tissue engineering has been presented. The emphasis has been placed on the reported scaffold properties that tend to improve MSCs adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation outcomes.

Tissue engineering makes use of 3D scaffolds to sustain three-dimensional growth of cells and guide new tissue formation. To meet the multiple requirements for regeneration of biological tissues and organs, a wide range of scaffold fabrication techniques have been developed, aiming to produce porous constructs with the desired pore size range and pore morphology. Among different scaffold fabrication techniques, thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method has been widely used in recent years because of its potential to produce highly porous scaffolds with interconnected pore morphology. The scaffold architecture can be closely controlled by adjusting the process parameters, including polymer type and concentration, solvent composition, quenching temperature and time, coarsening process, and incorporation of inorganic particles. The objective of this review is to provide information pertaining to the effect of these parameters on the architecture and properties of the scaffolds fabricated by the TIPS technique.

Treatment of bone defects caused by trauma or disease is a major burden on human healthcare systems. Although autologous bone grafts are considered as the gold standard, they are limited in availability and are associated with post-operative complications. Minimally invasive alternatives using injectable bone cements are currently used in certain clinical procedures, such as vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty. Nevertheless, given the high incidence of fractures and pathologies that result in bone voids, there is an unmet need for injectable materials with desired properties for minimally invasive procedures. This paper provides an overview of the most common injectable bone cement materials for clinical use. The emphasis has been placed on calcium phosphate cements and acrylic bone cements, while enabling the readers to compare the opportunities and challenges for these two classes of bone cements. This paper also briefly reviews antibiotic-loaded bone cements used in bone repair and implant fixation, including their efficacy and cost for healthcare systems. A summary of the current challenges and recommendations for future directions has been brought in the concluding section of this paper.