Article
Polymer Science
Luis M. Araque, Claudio J. Perez, Antonia Infantes-Molina, Enrique Rodriguez-Castellon, Guillermo J. Copello, Juan M. Lazaro-Martinez
Summary: Two responsive PEI hydrogels (P1.5E and P2E) with different cross-linking degrees were synthesized using a click reaction and without organic solvents. The hydrogel's swelling and rheological behavior were dependent on the cross-linking degree, and the hydrogels showed stimuli-responsive behavior to pH or ionic strength changes. The hydrogels also exhibited adsorption capacity for methyl orange (MO) dye and Cu2+ ions, with P1.5E showing higher sorption capacities. Germination experiments with lettuce seeds confirmed that the hydrogels did not release toxic molecules.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Sandrine Laquerbe, Julien Es Sayed, Cedric Lorthioir, Christophe Meyer, Testuharu Narita, Guylaine Ducouret, Patrick Perrin, Nicolas Sanson
Summary: A water-soluble supramolecular cross-linker based on a terpyridine-iron(II) bis-complex was designed and used for one-step synthesis of metallo-supramolecular hydrogels through copolymerization with acrylamide monomers in water. The synthesized hydrogels exhibited similar rheological behavior as chemically crosslinked acrylamide networks but showed differences in structure at low length scales. The supramolecular cross-linker behaved similarly to a permanent bond at observed time scales and the physical-chemical properties of the gel could be controlled from supramolecular gel properties to polymer solution properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Dongdong Lu, Mingning Zhu, Jing Jin, Brian R. Saunders
Summary: Thermally- and pH-responsive microgels and hydrogels were prepared and characterized. The Q and VPTT values of the gels can be precisely regulated by adjusting the MAA content and pH. The mechanical properties and swelling behavior of the DX MGs can be altered by adding different ions, providing insights for designing and controlling the properties of multi-responsive MGs and DX MGs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xi Hu, Yu Sun, Xiaoqi Zhou, Bo Zhang, Hanxi Guan, Fan Xia, Shuangying Gui, Xueqian Kong, Fangyuan Li, Daishun Ling
Summary: Drug loading affects the rigidity of polymeric micelles, and micelles with moderate drug loading exhibit higher cellular uptake and cytotoxicity. NMR measurements reveal the impact of drug loading on micellar rigidity.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hua Sun, Yan He, Zonghua Wang, Qionglin Liang
Summary: Analysis of skeletal networks in smart hydrogels is crucial for guiding the design and applications of soft materials. Different response mechanisms in hydrogels can be utilized for applications such as biochemical detection, cell mechanics sensing, and drug delivery systems.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark Annunziato, Muhamed N. H. Eeza, Narmin Bashirova, Ariel Lawson, Joerg Matysik, Daniel Benetti, Martin Grosell, John D. Stieglitz, A. Alia, John P. Berry
Summary: Brevetoxins are neurotoxins associated with harmful algal blooms, with research on toxicity mechanisms and biomarkers aiding in understanding environmental impacts. Metabolic profiling using HRMAS NMR on zebrafish embryos exposed to PbTx-2 revealed acute embryotoxicity in both zebrafish and mahi-mahi at environmentally relevant concentrations. Metabolomics studies provided insight into potential biomarkers and toxicity pathways at environmentally relevant toxin levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Valeria Vanoli, Sara Delleani, Mose Casalegno, Fabio Pizzetti, Pooyan Makvandi, Havard Haugen, Andrea Mele, Filippo Rossi, Franca Castiglione
Summary: Hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid and agarose-carbomer have attracted attention as drug delivery systems. The structure of the polymer network greatly affects the release capability of these materials. Using HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy, this study investigated the motion of drugs within the hydrogels and found evidence of superdiffusive motion, which may be responsible for the faster release of sodium salicylate.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Laura Rijns, Joris W. Peeters, Simone I. S. Hendrikse, Marle E. J. Vleugels, Xianwen Lou, Henk M. Janssen, E. W. Meijer, Patricia Y. W. Dankers
Summary: This research reveals the importance of molecular dynamics and gel dynamics in cellular spreading. Epithelial cells are insensitive to gel dynamics, while fibroblasts are sensitive to the gel dynamics in soft gels and dependence on gel stiffness.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Roberto Vittorio Pivato, Filippo Rossi, Monica Ferro, Franca Castiglione, Francesco Trotta, Andrea Mele
Summary: Cyclodextrin nanosponges (CDNS) are 3D nanoporous polymers formed by reacting beta-cyclodextrin with suitable bifunctional cross-linkers, which can be used as biomaterials for controlled drug delivery due to their nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The release kinetics of a drug carrier in CDNS hydrogels are influenced by the nanoarchitectonics of the hydrogel and the interactions between drug and polymer across the 3D network.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dominic S. Schirra, Max Hirschmann, Iliya A. Radulov, Matthias Lehmann, Christina M. Thiele
Summary: The application of anisotropic parameters in NMR-spectroscopy enables the acquisition of spatial and angular information complementary to conventional isotropic NMR-measurements. PBPMLG, a recently discovered polyglutamate-based alignment medium, exhibits thermoresponsive behavior in the lyotropic liquid crystalline phase, offering potential for deeper understanding of the alignment process. Investigating the thermoresponsive behavior by synthesizing deuterated PBPMLG-isotopologues and their subsequent analyses using H-2 NMR-spectroscopy have revealed new insights in the alignment process.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Todor T. Koev, Hannah C. Harris, Sara Kiamehr, Yaroslav Z. Khimyak, Frederick J. Warren
Summary: This study investigates the influence of starch hydrogel bulk structural and molecular level parameters on their properties as drug delivery platforms, as well as their interactions with gastrointestinal conditions and the large intestinal microbiota. It is found that the choice of starch can be modified to fine tune the corresponding hydrogel's pharmacokinetic profile.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Mohammad Alwahsh, Robert Knitsch, Rosemarie Marchan, Joerg Lambert, Christian Hoerner, Xiaonan Zhang, Berthold Schalke, De-Hyung Lee, Elena Bulut, Thomas Graeter, German Ott, Katrin S. Kurz, Gerhard Preissler, Sebastian Schoelch, Joviana Farhat, Zhihan Yao, Carsten Sticht, Philipp Stroebel, Roland Hergenroeder, Alexander Marx, Djeda Belharazem
Summary: This study is the first metabolomics investigation on thymic epithelial tumors, which identified differential metabolic profiles among different subtypes and predicted activated metabolic pathways. These findings provide new insights for the treatment of aggressive thymomas and thymic carcinomas.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Mustapha El Hariri El Nokab, Alessia Lasorsa, Khaled O. Sebakhy, Francesco Picchioni, Patrick C. A. van der Wel
Summary: Alginate hydrogels are versatile materials with diverse applications in biomedicine and food industry. The formation of hydrogel involves cross-linking with calcium ions and hydration of alginate groups. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is used to detect and study water molecules in re-hydrated alginate hydrogels, revealing the different water phases and the effects of calcium cross-linking on water-filled macropores.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Francesca Nardelli, Emilia Bramanti, Alessandro Lavacchi, Silvia Pizzanelli, Beatrice Campanella, Claudia Forte, Enrico Berretti, Angelo Freni
Summary: This study investigated the thermal stability and corrosion effects of a promising ionic liquid (IL) to be used as an advanced heat transfer fluid in solar thermal energy applications. Degradation tests were conducted on IL samples in contact with different metals, and various analytical techniques were employed to verify the occurrence of degradation processes due to aging.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dora C. S. Costa, Patricia D. C. Costa, Maria C. Gomes, Amit Chandrakar, Paul A. Wieringa, Lorenzo Moroni, Joao F. Mano
Summary: This study reports a versatile method to convert non-thermoresponsive hydrogels into thermoresponsive systems with shape memory ability. By embedding a thermoresponsive polyurethane mesh into different hydrogel networks, hydrogel composites with good shape fixity and recovery ability were achieved. This method has significant implications for conveying shape memory properties to hydrogels in various biological and nonbiological applications.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Marin Simeonov, Antonia Monova, Bistra Kostova, Elena Vassileva
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2017)
Article
Polymer Science
Ivan Lesov, Zhulieta Valkova, Elena Vassileva, George S. Georgiev, Konstans Ruseva, Marin Simeonov, Slavka Tcholakova, Nikolai D. Denkov, Stoyan K. Smoukov
Article
Polymer Science
Konstans Ruseva, Petar Nedkov, Radostina Alexandrova, Desislav Dinev, Pavletta Shestakova, Plamen Hristov, Elena Vassileva
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2019)
Article
Polymer Science
Konstans Ruseva, Kristina Ivanova, Katerina Todorova, Margarita Gabrashanska, Dolores Hinojosa-Caballero, Tzanko Tzanov, Elena Vassileva
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Polymer Science
Marin Simeonov, Angela Gussiyska, Jasmina Mironova, Denitsa Nikolova, Anton Apostolov, Kostadinka Sezanova, Elena Dyulgerova, Elena Vassileva
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Polymer Science
Konstans Ruseva, Kristina Ivanova, Katerina Todorova, Ivelin Vladov, Vesselin Nanev, Tzanko Tzanov, Dolores Hinojosa-Caballero, Maya Argirova, Elena Vassileva
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Iveta Yankova, Pavletta Shestakova, Rui L. Reis, Iva Pashkuleva, Elena Vassileva
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Denitsa Nikolova, Marin Simeonov, Christo Tzachev, Anton Apostolov, Lachezar Christov, Elena Vassileva
Summary: The study aimed to develop PECs based on chitosan and sodium alginate as a drug delivery system for sustained release of diclofenac sodium. Various techniques were used to investigate the structure and properties of the complexes and to assess drug entrapment efficiency and release profiles. The fibrillar form of the chitosan/alginate PECs was found to have specific control over diclofenac release, making them suitable for controlled drug delivery.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dilyana Georgieva, Denitsa Nikolova, Elena Vassileva, Bistra Kostova
Summary: This study explores chitosan-based nanoparticles as potential delivery vehicles for galantamine hydrobromide (GH) via intranasal administration. The nanoparticles showed high loading efficiency and prolonged release of the drug. After 1 year of storage, the stability of the GH-loaded nanoparticles was also demonstrated.
Article
Polymer Science
Marin Simeonov, Anton Atanasov Apostolov, Milena Georgieva, Dimitar Tzankov, Elena Vassileva
Summary: Novel composite hydrogels based on poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/polyacrylamide pseudo-interpenetrating polymer networks (pIPNs) and magnetite were prepared through in situ precipitation of Fe3+/Fe2+ ions within the hydrogel structure. The size of the magnetite crystallites depended on the hydrogel composition, and an interaction between the hydrogel matrix and Fe ions influenced the formation of magnetite particles. The composite hydrogels exhibited pH and ionic strength responsiveness as well as superparamagnetic properties, demonstrating the potential of pIPNs as matrices for controlled inorganic particle deposition in polymer nanocomposite production.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marin Simeonov, Bistra Kostova, Elena Vassileva
Summary: In this study, novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were synthesized and studied as potential drug delivery systems for dermal application. The addition of a highly hydrophilic polymer increased the swelling ability of the IPNs, resulting in improved drug entrapment efficiency and drug loading capacity.
Article
Polymer Science
Konstans Ruseva, Katerina Todorova, Tanya Zhivkova, Rositsa Milcheva, Dimitar Ivanov, Petar Dimitrov, Radostina Alexandrova, Elena Vassileva
Summary: The study presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel triple stimuli responsive interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) based on two polyzwitterionic networks. The IPN hydrogel can expand or shrink in response to changes in temperature, pH, and salt concentration. It has good mechanical stability and exhibits non-cytotoxicity and antibiofouling activity against various bacteria. The in vivo behavior suggests that this smart material has great potential as a biomaterial.
Article
Polymer Science
Denitsa Nikolova, Christo Tzachev, Lachezar Christov, Elena Vassileva
Summary: The study presents the development of novel hydrogels for the delivery of timolol maleate (TM) in contact lenses. The copolymer networks showed different swelling kinetics depending on the composition, with VP hydrophilicity and SB physical network playing important roles. The loading efficiency of TM slightly increased with an increase in VP monomeric units, while the release of TM was prolonged with an increase in SB monomeric units. The transparency of the hydrogels was also studied, showing their potential as materials for soft contact lenses.
Article
Polymer Science
Kristina Grigorova, Bistra Kostova, Dilyana Georgieva, Anton Apostolov, Elena Vassileva
Summary: Nowadays, modern pharmaceutical investigations focus on designing and producing drug delivery systems that achieve prolonged and controlled drug delivery. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) for diclofenac sodium delivery.
Article
Polymer Science
Alexander Bonchev, Marin Simeonov, Pavletta Shestakova, Radosveta Vasileva, Rositsa Titorenkova, Anton Apostolov, Elena Dyulgerova, Elena Vassileva
Summary: Dental caries is a common chronic disease caused by bacteria, and developing new materials for remineralization is a promising approach in advanced dental materials. In this study, hybrid materials based on PDMAEMA/Carbomer 940 microgels with in situ deposited calcium phosphates were developed, and their potential for remineralizing artificial caries lesions was confirmed.
