Photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogels and their biomedical applications

Chitosan is a bioactive macromolecule with a wide variety of applications due to its excellent biological properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity, and so forth. This highlight focuses on the preparation of photoactive chitosans, the formation of photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogels, and the related photopolymerization mechanisms. Moreover, the great potential applications of photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogels for human tissues are also discussed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1862–1871     

温敏性P(St-NIPAM)/PNIPAM-Ag复合微凝胶制备及性能研究

通过无皂乳液聚合和种子乳液聚合两步法合成苯乙烯与N-异丙基丙烯酰胺共聚物/聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺[P(St-NIPAM)/PNIPAM]核-壳结构复合微凝胶, 再以其为模板在硝酸银水溶液中充分溶胀, 并以乙醇为还原剂, 在NH₃气氛条件下还原, 制备得到高分子微凝胶负载纳米银P(St-NIPAM)/PNIPAM-Ag的复合微凝胶材料. 通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅里叶变换红外光谱仪(FT-IR)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、热分析(TGA)、紫外-可见分光光度计(UV-vis)、激光粒度分析等手段对复合微凝胶进行结构、组成和性质表征. 研究结果表明, 复合纳米银后的P(St-NIPAM)/PNIPAM-Ag复合微凝胶仍具有温敏性, 且其温度敏感性随壳层中复合纳米银含量的增加而减弱. P(St-NIPAM)/PNIPAM-Ag复合微凝胶对对硝基苯酚的还原反应具有良好的催化活性, 在45 min内基本将对硝基苯酚催化还原为对氨基苯酚.     

相转变温度范围窄的聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)温敏性微凝胶

采用间歇式、半间歇式和连续式无皂乳液聚合(SFEP)法合成温敏性聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)(PNIPAM)微凝胶。连续式或半间歇式SFEP法合成的PNIPAM微凝胶相转变温度范围明显地比间歇式SFEP法合成的窄,其中又以连续式SFEP法的效果最明显。相同交联剂用量的情况下,连续式SFEP法合成的PNIPAM微凝胶的粒径和溶胀比最大,而间歇式SFEP法合成的最小。通过研究微凝胶合成过程中溶胀比随反应时间的变化关系,证明了连续式或半间歇式SFEP法合成的PNIPAM微凝胶具有比较均匀的内部交联结构。     

Porous graphitic carbon sorbents in biomedical and environmental applications

This review is written as a privilege of the work of Professor Mietek Jaroniec on surface phenomena, adsorption, chromatographic separations, chemistry of conventional and ordered nanoporous materials. The problems of the porous graphitic carbon (PGC) application in analytical field are presented. Special attention is paid on possibilities of use PGC as a specific sorbent and packing material for selective isolation and analytes enrichment from complex matrices by means of liquid-solid extraction techniques (SPE, SPME, MSPD) and as particular stationary phase in analytical chromatographic columns. Surface and adsorption properties as well as a unique mechanism of retention on porous graphitized carbon sorbents are described. As supplement the examples of application in biomedical and environmental area are added.     

Structure and pH‐sensitive properties of poly (vinylidene fluoride) membrane changed by blending poly (acrylic acid) microgels

pH‐sensitive poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) microgels membranes are prepared by phase inversion of the N, N‐dimethylformamide solution containing PAA microgels and PVDF in aqueous solution. The composition and structure of the blend membrane are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, thermo gravimetric analysis, field‐emission scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The results indicate the surface and cross section of the blend membranes have a porous structure with PAA microgels immobilized inside the pore and on the membrane surface. The blend PVDF membranes exhibit pH‐sensitive water flux, with the most drastic change in permeability observed between pH 3.7 and 6.3. The blend membranes are fouled by bovine serum albumin, and their antifouling property is enhanced by increasing PAA microgels, mainly derived from the improved hydrophilic property. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neopenthyl glycol containing poly(propylene terephthalate)s: structure–properties relationships

Poly(propylene/neopenthyl terephthalate) random copolymers (PPT‐PNT) and poly(neopenthyl terephthalate) (PNT) were synthesized and subjected to molecular characterization. Afterwards, the polyesters were examined by TGA, DSC, andX‐ray. The copolymers, which displayed a good thermal stability, at room temperature appeared as semicrystalline materials: the main effect of copolymerization was a lowering in the amount of crystallinity and a decrease of the melting temperature with respect to homopolymer PPT. XRD measurements allowed the identification of the PPT crystalline structure in all cases. Amorphous samples were obtained after melt quenching, with the exception of PPT‐PNT5, and an increment of T_g as the content of NT units is increased was observed due to the effect of the side methylene groups in the polymeric chain. The Wood equation described well T_g‐composition data. Lastly, the presence of a rigid‐amorphous phase was evidenced in the copolymers, whose amount depended on composition and on thermal treatment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 170–181, 2008     

含铅聚合物微凝胶与硫化氢反应前后在良溶剂中的分子扩散行为

用溶液聚合法制备出轻度交联的含铅微凝胶,用光子相关光谱技术测定其在良溶剂中与H₂S反应前、后的扩散行为,由外推法得到在浓度无限稀时的分子扩散系数,给出微凝胶的流体力学半径。结果表明:相同量的含铅微凝胶在不同的初始浓度下与H₂S反应,生成含PbS纳米微粒的凝胶;但其体积增大不同,这说明H₂S与含铅微凝胶的反应既可以在分子内也可以在分子间进行,分子间的反应使含硫化铅微凝胶扩散系数随浓度的变化曲线的线性范围变小。     

The electrophoresis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel particles

 The electrophoretic mobility of a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel containing carboxylic groups has been measured as a function of the ionic strength, between 0.1 and 100 mM NaCl, over the temperature range 2545 ^∘C. The mobility data obtained have been evaluated using different models, including the porous-sphere, the soft-plate and the soft-sphere models as well as the hard-sphere model developed by Henry and later refined by O'Brien and White. The “porous” or “soft” behaviour is evident at lower temperatures, whereas at higher temperatures none of the models can fully explain the observed behaviour. It is suggested that the discrepancies at higher temperatures can be partly ascribed to the neglect of the relaxation effect in the “soft” models. Received: 30 June 1999/Accepted in revised form: 12 October 1999     

Bacterial synthesized metal and metal salt nanoparticles in biomedical applications: An up and coming approach

In the present scenario, metal nanoparticles have elicited a great deal of interest in biomedical applications because of their unique properties and antimicrobial potentials. Over the past few years, the green nanotechnology has materialized as a momentous approach for the synthesis and fabrication of noble metal salt and metal nanoparticles. The green route synthesis exploits diverse reducing and stabilizing agents from bacterial resources for the successful synthesis of metal nanoparticles. This review mainly focuses on the biosynthesis of the most commonly studied metal and metal salt nanoparticles such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, copper, cadmium, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, zinc sulphate, cadmium sulphide and many more. These noble nanoparticles can be exploited in pharmaceutical industry as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents, targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, biosensors, etc.     

Modeling the structure-property relationships of nanoneedles: A journey toward nanomedicine

Innovative biomedical techniques operational at the nanoscale level are being developed in therapeutics, including advanced drug delivery systems and targeted nanotherapy. Ultrathin needles provide a low invasive and highly selective means for molecular delivery and cell manipulation. This article studies the geometry and the stability of a family of packed carbon nanoneedles (CNNs) formed by units of 4, 6, and 8 carbons, by using quantum chemistry computational modeling methods. At the limit of infinite-length, these CNNs might act as semiconductors, especially when the number of terminal units is increased. CNNs are also potentially able to stabilize ions around their structure. Therefore, due to the apolar characteristics of CNNs and their ability to carry ionic species, they would be suitable to act as drug carriers through nonpolar biologic media.     

含铅聚合物微凝胶与硫化氢反应前后在良溶剂中的分子扩散行为

用溶液聚合法制备出轻度交联的含铅微凝胶,用光子相关光谱技术测定其在良溶剂中与H2S反应前、后的扩散行为,由外推法得到在浓度无限稀时的分子扩散系数,给出微凝胶的流体力学半径。结果表明:相同量的含铅微凝胶在不同的初始浓度下与H2S反应,生成含PbS纳米微粒的凝胶；但其体积增大不同,这说明H2S与含铅微凝胶的反应既可以在分子内也可以在分子间进行,分子间的反应使含硫化铅微凝胶扩散系数随浓度的变化曲线的线性范围变小。     

新型核壳结构水凝胶的合成与表征

以羟丙基纤维素为模板,在水溶液中合成了不含表面活性剂的聚甲基丙烯酸（PMAA）纳米水凝胶。再以该PMAA纳米水凝胶为模板,合成了具有pH和温度双重敏感的聚甲基丙烯酸/聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺（PMAA-PNIPA）核壳结构纳米水凝胶。对纳米水凝胶的形态、结构、pH以及温度敏感性的表征结果表明,纳米水凝胶粒径为338.8～407.9 nm,并随交联剂用量的增加而减小,其体积相转变具有良好的pH及温度响应性,这种绿色合成的生物相容性新型核壳结构纳米水凝胶具有极为广泛的应用前景。     

A correlation of conductivity medium and bioparticle viability on dielectrophoresis-based biomedical applications

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) bioparticle research has progressed from micro to nano levels. It has proven to be a promising and powerful cell manipulation method with an accurate, quick, inexpensive, and label-free technique for therapeutic purposes. DEP, an electrokinetic phenomenon, induces particle movement as a result of polarization effects in a nonuniform electrical field. This review focuses on current research in the biomedical field that demonstrates a practical approach to DEP in terms of cell separation, trapping, discrimination, and enrichment under the influence of the conductive medium in correlation with bioparticle viability. The current review aims to provide readers with an in-depth knowledge of the fundamental theory and principles of the DEP technique, which is influenced by conductive medium and to identify and demonstrate the biomedical application areas. The high conductivity of physiological fluids presents obstacles and opportunities, followed by bioparticle viability in an electric field elaborated in detail. Finally, the drawbacks of DEP-based systems and the outlook for the future are addressed. This article will aid in advancing technology by bridging the gap between bioscience and engineering. We hope the insights presented in this review will improve cell suspension medium and promote DEP-viable bioparticle manipulation for health-care diagnostics and therapeutics.     

Temperature-Triggered Modification of Polymer- Solvent Interactions: From Fluid-to-Gel Transitions to Particle Capture

Temperature-responsive polymers are of considerable interest in the literature. In this work the ability to combine temperature-responsive polymer-solvent interactions with architectural control to achieve a range of macroscopic effects is considered. The first part of the work considers poly(DEA) (N,N-dieth ylacrylamide) microgel particles. The particles exhibit temperature-triggered particle collapse at temperatures more than ca. 27 °C. As a consequence concentrated temperature-responsive microgel dispersions change from gels to fluids when heated. The opposite effect is observed when dispersions or emulsions are stabilised by temperature-responsive polymer surfactants. Recent results involving a gel-forming castor oil-in-water emulsion are considered. The gelled emulsion releases a model drug (lidocaine) according to first-order kinetics. We extend the principle of temperature-triggered control of particle-surface interactions to test a new approach for immobilising particles on surfaces. The method consists of electrodepositing Laponite particles onto a carbon surface, grafting of poly(NIPAM) (N-isopropylacrylamide) onto the deposited particles and then increasing the temperature of the modified surface to trigger capture of dispersed polystyrene particles. This new approach uses chemistry that is potentially applicable to any conductive surface.     

Multifunctional polyesters as new candidate materials for biomedical applications. Synthesis and structural characterization

The present work was aimed at the development of functional polymeric materials to be used in the targeted delivery of proteic drug and tissue engineering fields. The adopted strategy was based on the design of special polymer classes whose structures and functionality could be easily modified by finely tuned synthetic procedures. Poly(ether ester)s containing H-bonding units were chosen as promising materials for the proposed applications. Commercially available precursors were successfully used for the synthesis of symmetrical diesters containing different H-bonding groups (amide, carbamate, and urea moieties). In all cases, pure products were obtained in good yields. Bulk polycondensation of the monomeric precursors with different mixtures of 1,4-butanediol and PEG 1000 diol afforded a variety of high molecular weight polymeric structures. Physical-chemical characterization of the polymers indicates that their thermal, mechanical, and swelling properties can be tailored by a proper selection of the H-bonding group and of the composition of the feed mixture.     

Graft copolymers having hydrophobic backbone and hydrophilic branches. XI. Preparation and thermosensitive properties of polystyrene microspheres having poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) branches on their surfaces

Thermosensitive microspheres with 0.4–1.2 μm diameter consisting of a polystyrene core and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (polyNIPAAm) branches on their surfaces were prepared by the free radical polymerization of a polyNIPAAm macromonomer and styrene in ethanol. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) of the microsphere surface suggested that polyNIPAAm chains were favorably located on the surface of the microspheres. The morphology of the microspheres was observed by transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and the particle size of was estimated by submicron particle analyzer. The molecular weight of the polyNIPAAm macromonomer, the ratio of the macromonomer and styrene, and the polymerization temperature affected the particle size. Thermosensitive properties of polyNIPAAm-coated polystyrene microspheres were evaluated by the turbidity of their dispersion solutions and the hydrodynamic size of the miocrospheres. The transmittance in dispersion solutions changed clearly, similar to oligoNIPAAm and polyNIPAAm macromonomers. In addition, the particle size of microspheres decreased with rising temperature. These results were explained by the thermosensitivity of polyNIPAAm branches on the microsphere surface. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

纳米TiO2/聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺复合水凝胶的合成及其表征

通过利用偶联剂和超声分散将TiO₂表面功能化, 在其表面引入烯键, 与聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺在交联剂存在下共聚, 制备了不同纳米TiO₂含量的聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺复合水凝胶．采用红外光谱、扫描电镜、紫外光谱、热重分析、动态粘弹谱仪等表征了复合水凝胶的微观结构和形貌, 测试了复合凝胶材料对紫外线的吸收、热稳定性、机械强度及其韧性. 结果表明: 纳米TiO₂粒子的引入, 使得复合凝胶材料对紫外线吸收效果显著, 凝胶的稳定性、机械强度及韧性得到明显改善.     

Structural studies of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) microgels: Effect of SDS surfactant concentration in the microgel synthesis

Thermoresponsive colloidal microgels were prepared by polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in the presence of a crosslinking monomer, N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide, in water with varying concentrations (<CMC) of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS). Volume phase transitions of the prepared microgels were studied in D₂O by ¹H NMR spectroscopy including the measurements of spin–lattice (T₁) and spin–spin (T₂) relaxation times for the protons of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) at temperature range 22–50 °C. In addition, microcalorimetry, turbidometry, dynamic light scattering, and electrophoretic mobility measurements were used to characterize the aqueous microgels. As expected, increasing SDS concentration in the polymerization batch decreased the hydrodynamic size of an aqueous microgel. Structures with high mobilities at temperatures above the LCST of PNIPAM were observed in the microgels prepared with small amount of SDS, as indicated by the relaxation times of different PNIPAM protons. It was concluded that the high mobility at high temperatures is in connection to a mobile surface layer with polyelectrolyte nature and with high local LCST. High SDS concentration in the synthesis was observed to prevent the formation of permanent, solid PNIPAM particles. The results from different characterization methods indicated that PNIPAM microgels prepared in high SDS concentrations appear to be more homogeneously structured than their correspondences prepared in low SDS concentration. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 3305–3314, 2006     

交联聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)/(海藻酸钠/聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺))半互穿网络水凝胶的制备及其溶胀性能

将线性聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)(PNIPAAm)和海藻酸钠(SA)分子同时引入到PNIPAAm凝胶中,制备了交联聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)/(海藻酸钠/聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺))半互穿网络(Cr-PNIPAAm/(SA/PNIPAAm)semi-IPN)水凝胶。在弱碱性条件下(pH=7.4),改变SA与线性PNIPAAm的质量比对Cr-PNIPAAm/(SA/PNIPAAm)semi-IPN水凝胶的溶胀度没有太大的影响。在酸性条件下(pH=1.0),其溶胀度随着SA与线性PNIPAAm质量比的减小而增大。由于亲水性SA与线性PNIPAAm的协同作用,Cr-PNIPAAm/(SA/PNIPAAm)semi-IPN水凝胶的消溶胀速率得到很大提高。