Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

A molecular zipping/unzipping nano-vehicles sensitive to tumor extracellular pH
A new class of pH-responsive multivalent host–guest interactions to manipulate polypeptide-based nano-vehicles was developed. Poly(l-lysine) (poly(Lys)) grafted with β-cyclodextrin and 2,3-dimethylmaleic acid was coupled with oleic acid. This new polymer was utilized to fabricate pH-responsive nano-vehicles for antitumor drug doxorubicin delivery. The host–guest (zipping) interaction between β-cyclodextrin and 2,3-dimethylmaleic acid moieties and the hydrophobic interaction between the oleic acid molecules contributed to form self-assembled nano-vehicles. 2,3-Dimethylmaleic acid moieties were highly d...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - July 9, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Lee, J. O., Lee, M. J., Kim, D., Lee, E. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of multi-walled carbon nanotube/biodegradable polymer nanocomposite for bone defects repair
Biomaterials are extensively used in bone defect recovery caused by bone diseases. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes have been reported to reinforce synthetic polymeric materials. The aim of the study is to test poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) loaded with different amounts of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to fabricate nanocomposites. Mechanical, mineralization, and degradation properties were studied in vitro. The proliferation and differentiation of rat bone marrow stem cells were studied to determine biocompatibility in vivo. The incorporation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes greatly increased the mechanical pro...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - July 9, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Li, J.-L., Yang, Z., Loo, W. T., Xiao, X., Zhang, D., Cheung, M. N., Tsang, W. W., Ng, E. L., Wang, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable amphiphilic polymers and nanoparticles with high protein-loading capacity
Multiblock copolymers containing carboxyl groups in the side-chains and at the chain ends were prepared from ABA triblock copolymers of -caprolactone, or lactide (as A block), and ethylene glycol (as B block). ABAn multiblock copolymers were prepared after chain-end functionalization and chain extension with pyromellitic dianhydride. A series of polymers were synthesized by varying the poly(ethylene glycol) and polyester molecular weight and the chirality of the lactide. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis was used to confirm free carboxyl groups in the polymer backbone and at the chain ends. Thermal analysis indicated tha...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - July 9, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Solimando, A., Dessy, A., Alderighi, M., Altomare, A., Chiellini, F., Solaro, R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Sustained release of antibiotics from uniform poly ({varepsilon}-caprolactone) microspheres prepared by a simple fluidic device with a tapered glass capillary
Uniform poly(-caprolactone) microspheres containing a variety of water-soluble antibiotics, such as tobramycin, vancomycin, and gentamicin, were prepared by a simple fluidic device with a pristine or tapered glass capillary. Each type of antibiotic was dispersed in an organic solvent by ball-milling prior to microsphere preparation. The poly(-caprolactone) organic solution containing the powder of each antibiotic was introduced as the discontinuous phase into the fluidic device, where an aqueous phase containing surfactant served as the continuous phase. The poly(-caprolactone) microspheres were obtained after solvent evap...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - July 9, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Ryu, T.-K., Jun, D.-R., Kim, S. E., Choi, S.-W. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Thermo-triggered drug delivery from polymeric micelles of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide)-b-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) for tumor targeting
Novel temperature-sensitive micelles, possessing a core-shell structure, were successfully fabricated and evaluated as possible systems for targeting anticancer drugs to solid tumors. The amphiphilic block copolymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide)-b-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) was used to achieve a stimuli-responsive on/off release and spatial specificity. The anticancer drug methotrexate, which is poorly water soluble, was used as the model. Fourier transform–infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography, and critical micelle concentration were used to ...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - July 9, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Sun, F., Wang, Y., Wei, Y., Cheng, G., Ma, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Prevention of catheter infection using a biodegradable tissue adhesive composed of human serum albumin and disuccinimidyl tartrate
A new material was prepared to reduce catheter infection composed of a flocked silicone sheet (AmTiO2NP-F) with TiO2 nanoparticle–immobilized poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers modified with surface amino groups. This system was used in conjunction with a tissue adhesive composed of disuccinimidyl tartrate and human serum albumin. At a fixed disuccinimidyl tartrate content of 0.2 mmol in human serum albumin solution, AmTiO2NP-F bonded well with collagen-based casing (a model material for skin), with bond strength increasing to a maximum of 38 w/v% human serum albumin. The adhesive bonded AmTiO2NP-F to subcutaneous t...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - May 26, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Taguchi, T., Okada, M., Kogai, Y., Masuda, M., Shimomura, Y., Inoue, M., Ito, T., Hamahata, T., Funatogawa, K., Kirikae, T., Furuzono, T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Degradable poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels: Synthesis, physico-chemical properties and in vitro characterization
Designing degradable hydrogels is complicated by the structural and temporal complexities of the gel and evolving tissue. A major challenge is to create scaffolds with sufficient mechanical properties to restore initial function while simultaneously controlling temporal changes in the gel structure to facilitate tissue formation. Poly(ethylene glycol) was used in this work, to form biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels with hydrolyzable poly-l-lactide segments in the backbone. Non-degradable poly(ethylene glycol) was also introduced in the formulation to obtain control of the degradation profile that encompas...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - May 26, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Saez-Martinez, V., Olalde, B., Martinez-Redondo, D., Braceras, I., Morin, F., Valero, J., Castro, B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Immuno- and hemocompatibility of amino acid pairing peptides for potential use in anticancer drug delivery
Amino acid pairing peptide-based nanoparticles were recently introduced as promising carriers for hydrophobic anticancer drugs. The AC8 peptide, n-FEFQFNFK-c, is based on the amino acid pairing (AAP) design with 8 amino acids and hence the designated name AAP8. The nanoparticles (NPs) AAP8 have modified either on the C-terminal or on both terminal, by conjugation with diethylene glycol (DEG) . Here, the in vitro biocompatibilities of the NPs and their modified versions were compared and the potential of these NPs as carriers for the hydrophobic anticancer drug pirarubicin was determined as well as the peptide-drug co-assem...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - May 26, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Naahidi, S., Jafari, M., Logan, M., Edalat, F., Khademhosseini, A., Dixon, B., Chen, P. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Construction and in vitro testing of a multilayered, tissue-engineered meniscus
A novel three-dimensional construct was designed to serve as a substitute for the natural meniscus tissue, and tested in vitro. The design consisted of mats of aligned collagen micro/nanofibers, entrapped within a macroporous poly(l-lactic acid)/poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) foam coated with Ca+2-cross-linked alginic acid. Fibrochondrocytes derived from human meniscus were tested in vitro to study cell attachment and proliferation. After a 21-day culture, the cells populating the constructs were shown to produce extracellular matrix components specific for fibrocartilages, such as collagen Types I and II and aggrecan....
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - May 26, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Bahcecioglu, G., Buyuksungur, A., Kiziltay, A., Hasirci, N., Hasirci, V. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Biotin-triggered release and transfection of DNA complexes immobilized on a substrate via biotin-avidin interaction
In this study, the highly specific biotin–avidin interaction was used to immobilize DNA complexes to a substrate. An excess of biotin was added to trigger the dissociation of DNA complexes from the substrate to mediate their release and transfection. Biotin-grafted-polyethyleneimine/DNA complexes with N/P ratio of 5 were prepared with diameter of 170.2 nm and -potential of 16.1 mV. The DNA immobilized substrates were fabricated using a biotin–avidin–biotin sandwich model, which were characterized by atom force microscope and fluorescent microscope. Compared to DNA immobilization by physical adsorption, a ...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - May 26, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Wang, C., Li, L., Ma, L., Li, B., Gao, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Polymeric prodrugs of ampicillin as antibacterial coatings
A novel ampicillin prodrug containing two carboxylic acid functionalities was synthesized by reacting ampicillin with acyl chloride in the presence of base. This prodrug was subsequently converted into a poly(anhydride-amide) via solution polymerization. The polymer, which chemically incorporates the ampicillin prodrug into the polymeric backbone, was developed as a film to prevent infections associated with medical devices by controlled, localized release of antimicrobials. The robust polymer coatings exhibiting strong adhesion to stainless steel were produced under elevated temperature and reduced pressure. The in vitro ...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - May 26, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Prudencio, A., Stebbins, N. D., Johnson, M., Song, M., Langowski, B. A., Uhrich, K. E. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Modulating the release of drugs from alginate matrices with the addition of gelatin microbeads
Injectable drug-loaded matrices and controlled release technology offer numerous advantages over conventional dosages. Cross-linkable alginate hydrogels have been proposed for in vivo injection, but their large initial burst release of encapsulated drugs represents a limitation for the transition to the clinical phase. To reduce this effect, a new drug delivery system was prepared by combining uncross-linked, drug-loaded gelatin microbeads with cross-linkable alginate solution. Gelatin microbeads ranging from 5 to 50 µm were obtained depending on gelatin concentration, stirring rate, and emulsifying time. The release...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - May 26, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Qian, Q., Bonani, W., Maniglio, D., Chen, J., Migliaresi, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Xanthan gum inhibits cartilage degradation by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 expressions in experimental osteoarthritis
In this study, the effects of xanthan gum on chondrocytes apoptosis were evaluated using the labeling assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, to determine the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, 3, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 using immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay in cartilage of papain-induced rabbit osteoarthritis model. Compared to the negative control group, intra-articular injection of xanthan gum, once every 2 weeks for 5 weeks significantly inhibited chondrocytes apoptosis and matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 protein expression le...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - February 21, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Han, G.-Y., Mei, X.-F., Ling, P.-X., Guo, Y.-W., Zhu, X.-Q., Shao, H.-R., Liu, F., Zhang, T.-M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effects of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers on the structure and function of key blood components
This study focuses on the effects of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (G3, G4, G5, G5–OH) on the structure and function of key blood components, in order to elucidate the impacts of the dendrimers on the aggregation, morphology, lysis of human red blood cells, structural and conformational change as well as polymerization of fibrinogen, and the coagulation of blood tissue. The poly(amidoamine) dendrimers caused aggregation, morphological changes, and lysis of red blood cells, depending on the dendrimer concentration, generation, and surface functional groups. All the dendrimers induced fibrinogen structural and conformati...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - February 21, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Fu, Y., Hu, R., Li, C., Wang, Q., Liu, Z., Xue, W. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Preparation and characterization of native poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) microspheres from Bacillus subtilis MTCC 9763
In this study, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production by Bacillus subtilis MTCC 9763 was optimized for different physical and chemical parameters. A 90% poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) accumulation was achieved with 2% fructose and 0.5% ammonium sulfate as carbon and nitrogen sources. The effective accumulation occurred at pH 7. The poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) content of dry cell weight increased to 87% at 36 h of incubation. The synthesized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. The oil-in-water solvent evaporation technique was used to fabricate the poly(3-h...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - February 21, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Saranya, S., Radha, K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research