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Analysis of institutional authors

Serra TAuthorOrtiz-Hernandez MAuthorEngel EAuthorPlanell JAuthorNavarro MCorresponding Author
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Article

Relevance of PEG in PLA-based blends for tissue engineering 3D-printed scaffolds

Publicated to:Materials Science & Engineering C-Materials For Biological Applications. 38 55-62 - 2014-05-01 38(), DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2014.01.003

Authors: Serra, T; Ortiz-Hernandez, M; Engel, E; Planell, JA; Navarro, M

Affiliations

Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies. Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia - Author
CIBER BBN, Barcelona, Spain - Author
CIBER Bioingenieria, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina - Author
Inst Bioengn Catalonia IBEC, Barcelona 08028, Spain - Author
Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia - Author
Instituto de Bioingeniería de Cataluña - Author
RA_Biomaterials, Implants i Engenyeria de Teixits. Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia - Author
Tech Univ Catalonia UPC, Barcelona, Spain - Author
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - Author
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Abstract

Achieving high quality 3D-printed structures requires establishing the right printing conditions. Finding processing conditions that satisfy both the fabrication process and the final required scaffold properties is crucial. This work stresses the importance of studying the outcome of the plasticizing effect of PEG on PLA-based blends used for the fabrication of 3D-direct-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. For this, PLA/PEG blends with 5, 10 and 20% (w/w) of PEG and PLA/PEG/bioactive CaP glass composites were processed in the form of 3D rapid prototyping scaffolds. Surface analysis and differential scanning calorimetry revealed a rearrangement of polymer chains and a topography, wettability and elastic modulus increase of the studied surfaces as PEG was incorporated. Moreover, addition of 10 and 20% PEG led to non-uniform 3D structures with lower mechanical properties. In vitro degradation studies showed that the inclusion of PEG significantly accelerated the degradation rate of the material. Results indicated that the presence of PEG not only improves PLA processing but also leads to relevant surface, geometrical and structural changes including modulation of the degradation rate of PLA-based 3D printed scaffolds. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords
3d-printingpolylactic acidrapid prototypingscaffold3d-printingInterferometryLactic acidMechanical phenomenaMicroscopy, atomic forceMicroscopy, electron, scanningPoly(lactide)PolyestersPolyethylene glycolsPolylactic acidPolymersPorosityRapid prototypingScaffoldSurface characterizationTemperatureTissue engineeringTissue scaffolds

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Materials Science & Engineering C-Materials For Biological Applications due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2014, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Mechanical Engineering.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations provided by WoS (ESI, Clarivate), it yields a value for the citation normalization relative to the expected citation rate of: 3.86. This indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Weighted Average of Normalized Impact by the Scopus agency: 6.3 (source consulted: FECYT Feb 2024)
  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 21.82 (source consulted: Dimensions May 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-05-22, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 162
  • Scopus: 187
  • Europe PMC: 45
  • OpenCitations: 173
Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-05-22:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 352.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 352 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 3.

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Serra, Tiziano) and Last Author (Navarro Toro, Melba).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Navarro Toro, Melba.