Poly{dl-lactide-b-[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth)acrylate)]} block copolymers. Synthesis,characterization, micellization behavior in aqueous solutions and encapsulation of model hydrophobic compounds

A series of well-defined poly{dl -lactide-b-[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth)acrylate)]} (PDLLA-b-POEG[M]A) functional amphiphilic diblock copolymers was synthesized by employing a multistep procedure involving: (a) ring-opening polymerization of dl -lactide using n-decanol and stannous octoate as the initiating system, (b) esterification reaction of the PDLLA hydroxyl end groups with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide, (c) atom transfer radical polymerization of OEG(M)A with the newly created bromoisobutyryl initiating site, and (d) incorporation of biotin or folic acid at the POEGA chain ends using click chemistry. The products were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and SEC analysis. The aggregation behavior of the synthesized block copolymers was investigated by dynamic light scattering at 25°C in aqueous solutions. The hydrophobic model compounds Nile red and pyrene were efficiently incorporated into the copolymer aggregates in aqueous solutions. High partition coefficient values were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Hybrid systems for oral delivery of a therapeutic neuropeptide

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Acetate anion-selective encapsulation in the ellipsoidal cavity of symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril

Four symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril-based compounds have been prepared and characterised by X-ray crystallography. Their crystal structures displayed the acetate anion-selective encapsulating capability of symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril. The host–guest interaction between the symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril and the acetate anion in aqueous solution has also been observed by variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Rotaxane‐Like Structures Threaded through the Pores of Hollow Porous Nanocapusles

Nanocapsules with molecules threaded through the porous shells may lead to advanced cell‐mimicking functional devices. Herein, we show the feasibility of synthesizing such hybrid nanostructures by using vesicle‐templated polymer nanocapsules with controlled nanopores. Ship‐in‐a‐bottle assembly inside a nanocapsule created an internal unit. An external unit was then connected to an entrapped internal unit through pre‐attached linker threaded through a nanopore in the shell of the nanocapsule. Both internal and external units are larger than the pore size and cannot cross the shell, producing a rotaxane‐like structure. Successful synthesis was achieved with fairly short linkers (six and ten carbon atoms in a chain), creating an opportunity for facile synthesis of functional devices capable of cross‐shell communication.     

Magnetic Polymer Composite Particles Via In situ Inverse Miniemulsion Polymerization Process

We aimed at preparing magnetic iron oxide particles by the oxidation-precipitation method in order to encapsulate these particles in polymer matrices composed of poly(acrylamide-styrene sulfonic acid sodium salt). Nanocomposites were synthesized by the incorporation of surface treated magnetic nanoparticles in the synthesized polymers via in situ inverse mini-emulsion polymerization process. The study parameter was the ionic monomer content in the synthesized polymers. The structure and the morphology of the magnetic nanogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR and XRD showed that pure magnetite was formed and successfully encapsulated in the composite nanoparticles. The polymer encapsulation could reduce the susceptibility to leaching and could protect the magnetite particle surfaces from oxidation. The ionic monomer content had a great effect on the magnetization behavior. Magnetite prepared by the oxidation precipitation method, of 50 nm mean particle size, was embedded successfully into the polymer nanogels with a reasonable magnetic response, as proved by vibrating sample magnetometer measurement. Magnetic nanocomposites were proven to be super-ferromagnetic materials.     

Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticle-encapsulated β-cyclodextrin against human opportunistic pathogens

Silver nanoparticles were synthesised by reducing silver acetate with a long-chain aliphatic amine. β-Cyclodextrin (CD)-stabilised silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesised and characterised by the UV–vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis. This system was examined for their antifungal activity against opportunistic human pathogens such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor ramosissimus and Chrysosporium species. This study clearly demonstrates that the present system is a powerful antifungal agent against human opportunistic pathogenic fungi.     

Synthesis,characterisation and antibacterial applications of water-soluble,silver nanoparticle-encapsulated β-cyclodextrin

This paper describes a simple method for the synthesis of water-soluble, silver nanoparticle-encapsulated β-cyclodextrin by phase transfer of silver nanoparticles from organic to aqueous phase using β-cyclodextrin as a capping agent. β-Cyclodextrin–silver nanoparticle inclusion complex was purified, characterised by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses and tested in vitro against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The silver nanoparticle-encapsulated β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex displayed considerable antimicrobial activity and stability.

     

Encapsulation of Phenolphthalein pH-Indicator into a Sol-Gel Matrix

Transparent monolithic silica doping with phenolphthalein has been prepared via the acid-catalyzed sol-gel reactions of tetraethylorthosilicate in the presence of phenolphthalein. The immobilized phenolphthalein pH-indicator shows similar behavior as its solution counterpart. The UV/Vis spectra indicate that the phenolphthalein retains its structure during the sol-gel reactions in terms of response to pH. The phenolphthalein can be regarded as uniformly distributed in the silica matrix. This observation has been confirmed using polarized microscopy.     

Small‐Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) Study of Magneto‐Vesicles

Small‐angle neutron scattering from magneto‐vesicles (MVs) prepared by extrusion was studied. Contrast variation allowed the determination of structure and sizes of the vesicles and the encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles, respectively. The results from MVs synthesized with a 0.3% volume fraction of citrate‐coated magnetic nanoparticles are compared to those of similarly prepared vesicles of the neutral lipid 1,2‐Dioleoyl‐sn‐Glycero‐3‐Phosphocholine (DOPC) (without magnetic particles), and magnetic particles not encapsulated in vesicles. It is observed that the bilayers of the as‐prepared MVs, and the encapsulated nanoparticles retain their structural properties, highlighting the suitability of the MVs for applications.     

Development of Phosphatidylethanolamine Liposomes That Efficiently Retain Encapsulated Vinorelbine Bitartrate

A hydrophilic and temperature-induced degradation drug, vinorelbine bitartrate (VB)-loaded phosphatidylethanolamin sterically stabilized liposomes (PSLs) were prepared by the thin film hydration method. Liposomes were made of phosphatidylethanolamine: cholesteryl: oleic acid (PE: CHOL: OA, 6:4:3 mass/mass). The mean particle size of the PSLs ranged from 600 to 650 nm. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images displayed that the shape of the PSLs was multilamellar vesicles with smooth surface. The highest entrapment efficiency (EE) and drug loading capacity (DL) could reach up to 81.2 and 16.6%, respectively. The studies of drug release showed that the drug release could last for much more than 48 hours. The PSLs was evaluated by comparing the rate of release of encapsulated VB in different phosphate buffer solution (PBS).