Article
Chemistry, Physical
Aleksandr Buglakov, Valentina V. Vasilevskaya
Summary: Amphiphilic polymers in mixed solvents can form fibrils and gels through cononsolvency effect. The gelation mechanism is dependent on solvent interactions, and the morphology of the resulting fibrillar gel can be controlled by changing binary solvent composition. This study provides insights into the formation and properties of fibrillar gels, which can be useful for controlling synthetic matrix morphologies in tissue engineering.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiaying Zhang, Fengjiao Chen, Dingle Yu, Zhenjiang Liang, Fanjia Dai, Hongze Liang, Haiyan Li, Hui Tan, Lingling Zhao
Summary: Chitosan-based injectable hydrogels with dual-reversible covalent bonds were developed for precise insulin release. These hydrogels contain glucose-sensors/responsive elements and exhibit high sensitivity and rapid responsiveness to glucose level changes. Evaluation in hyperglycemic mice showed that the hydrogel system had excellent glycemic control ability and maintained blood glucose levels in a normal range for up to 11 days after a single administration, indicating its potential application in insulin replacement therapy for diabetes mellitus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco Scarel, Silvia Marchesan
Summary: Cyclodipeptides and 2,5-diketopiperazines have gained great interest for their diverse biological activities and self-assembly properties into gels, showing resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis. Latest research focuses on their synthesis, self-assembly, and innovative applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Vahid Jabbari, Abhijit H. Phakatkar, Azadeh Amiri, Alireza Ghorbani, Reza Shahbazian-Yassar
Summary: The ability to control the structure and properties of molecular self-assemblies is essential for customizing their functionality. However, the mechanisms behind the evolution from molecules to self-assembled structures remain unresolved. In this study, graphene liquid cell transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the formation and evolution of nanoscale polymer micelles during polymerization-induced self-assembly. The proposed spinodal decomposing mechanism provides new insights into understanding the complex process of self-assembly in amphiphilic molecules.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aleksandr Buglakov, Valentina V. Vasilevskaya
Summary: This paper discusses the self-assembly of fibrillar networks in concentrated solutions of macromolecules with amphiphilic structures, highlighting the ability of certain macromolecules to form fibrillar gels that can be customized for specific applications. The findings have implications for the development of synthetic analogues of extracellular matrices in tissue engineering, fibrotic disease treatment, and cell encapsulation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Xu, Changzhu Lv, Qiangqiang Shi, Jialin Zhang, Ning Wang, Guoying Zhang, Jinming Hu, Shiyong Liu
Summary: Discrete polymers are a valuable tool for studying chain structure, self-assembly behavior, and functional applications. However, the development of discrete polymers with self-immolative properties is limited. In this study, we synthesized a library of self-immolative oligourethanes through stepwise growth, which exhibited cascade depolymerization and selective cleavage properties. These oligourethanes also displayed different morphologies and morphological transitions in aqueous media and upon thermal annealing.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Avinash Kumar, Anuradha, Arka Biswas, Suresh K. Jewrajka
Summary: This study reports an injectable hydrogel system with inherent antimicrobial property for sustained release of hydrophobic/hydrophilic therapeutics. By controlling the alkyl chain length and the degree of alkylation of PDMA, the hydrogel's antimicrobial activity, loading capacity, and sustained release performance can be optimized.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Eduardo Anaya-Plaza, Ahmed Shaukat, Inka Lehtonen, Mauri A. Kostiainen
Summary: The strategy of combining biomolecules and synthetic components to develop biohybrids is becoming increasingly popular for preparing highly customized and biocompatible functional materials, allowing the excellent properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to be applied to biomedical applications. The resulting well-defined composites of CNTs conjugated with relevant biomolecules enable the exploitation of nanoscale properties at the micro- and macroscale, with potential applications in tissue engineering, sensors, and wearable electronics. This review presents the underlying chemistry behind the CNT-based biohybrid materials and discusses the future directions of the field.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ryohei Yoshisaki, Shinya Kimura, Masashi Yokoya, Masamichi Yamanaka
Summary: The synthesis of amphipathic ureas with maltose moiety and their ability to form supramolecular hydrogels were studied, revealing that the gelation ability depends on the chain length of the alkyl group of the amphiphilic urea. Amphipathic urea with a longer alkyl chain showed higher gelation ability in the formation of hydrogels.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Navneet Bhullar, Sunita Rani, Kamlesh Kumari, Dhiraj Sud
Summary: This study demonstrates the solvothermal synthesis of amphiphilic chitosan-based semi-interpenetrating (CAT-SIPH) hydrogel for controlled release of the organophosphate pesticide, triazophos. The optimized CAT-SIPH hydrogel exhibits promising swelling behavior and is effective as a pesticide carrier for controlled release onto loamy soil.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Atsuya Yaguchi, Hirotsugu Hiramatsu, Atsuya Ishida, Mio Oshikawa, Itsuki Ajioka, Takahiro Muraoka
Summary: Insertion of central alkylene chains in peptides can enhance beta-sheet hydrogen bonds and modulation of packing order, leading to the formation of hydrogels with increased stiffness. However, amphiphilic peptides bearing internal alkylene chains longer than C2 show decreased cell-adhesive properties.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
A. Yaguchi, H. Hiramatsu, A. Ishida, M. Oshikawa, I Ajioka, T. Muraoka
Summary: The cover of this issue showcases the nanofiber formation of an amphiphilic peptide with a central alkylene chain that exhibits non-cell adhesive properties, by the group of Takahiro Muraoka at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and collaborators.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fengjiao Zhang, Sufeng Zhang, Rui Lin, Shuyuan Cui, Xiaokai Jing, Sergiu Coseri
Summary: This study successfully synthesized an injectable and self-healing pH-responsive hydrogel that can be used as a carrier for drug delivery systems. The hydrogel exhibited notable mechanical properties, good self-healing ability, pH responsiveness, and excellent antibacterial properties. It also showed a high drug loading capacity and sustained drug release behavior, as well as good cytocompatibility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jason S. Kahn, Oleg Gang
Summary: Nanoparticles with unique properties have a wide range of potential applications, and DNA nanotechnology allows for programmable assembly to control particle organization in 1D, 2D, and 3D structures, enabling the creation of designer nanomaterials.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Thomas J. Neal, Andrew J. Parnell, Stephen M. King, Deborah L. Beattie, Martin W. Murray, Neal S. J. Williams, Simon N. Emmett, Steven P. Armes, Sebastian G. Spain, Oleksandr O. Mykhaylyk
Summary: A series of amphiphilic statistical copolymers were synthesized with varying hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, which self-assembled into well-defined spherical nanoparticles in aqueous solution. The PSC model was used to describe the relationship between copolymer composition and nanoparticle size, while contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering revealed partial phase separation within the nanoparticles. This study demonstrates the potential for using such statistical copolymers to control and predict nanoparticle size in various industrial applications.
Article
Microscopy
M. Roding, C. Fager, A. Olsson, C. Von Corswant, E. Olsson, N. Loren
Summary: A segmentation method for FIB-SEM data from ethyl cellulose porous films was developed using scale-space features and a random forest classifier, enabling quantitative characterization and optimization of material structure for controlled release applications. The method, although demonstrated on porous polymer films, can be applied to other soft porous materials imaged by FIB-SEM, providing publicly available data and software to facilitate further development of segmentation methods.
JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Microscopy
Victor Wahlstrand Skarstrom, Annika Krona, Niklas Loren, Magnus Roding
Summary: A new approach called DeepFRAP is developed in this work, utilizing machine learning for parameter estimation in FRAP. By training deep neural network regression models using simulated data, especially for predicting the diffusion coefficient, the neural networks are able to estimate parameters much faster than conventional least squares methods. The performance of the neural network estimation framework is comparable to least squares estimation on simulated data, and shows excellent agreement in simple experimental validation.
JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sandra Barman, Cecilia Fager, Magnus Roding, Niklas Loren, Christian von Corswant, Eva Olsson, David Bolin, Holger Rootzen
Summary: This study introduced a new measure, geodesic channel strength, to capture a different type of bottleneck effect caused by many paths coinciding in the same pore, along with the development of new variants of pore size measures. The combination of new and existing measures provided important insights into connectivity and anisotropies in pore structures, which were visualized using a new method of layered images.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microscopy
Fredrik Skarberg, Cecilia Fager, Francisco Mendoza-Lara, Mats Josefson, Eva Olsson, Niklas Loren, Magnus Roding
Summary: Phase-separated polymer films are commonly used as coatings around pharmaceutical oral dosage forms to facilitate controlled drug release. By controlling the structure of the porous network in the films, drug release can be tailored. The implementation of convolutional neural networks for image data segmentation in combination with FIB-SEM provides a promising approach for further development in this field.
JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Philip Townsend, Emanuel Larsson, Tomas Karlson, Stephen A. Hall, Malin Lundman, Per Bergstrom, Charlotta Hanson, Niklas Loren, Tobias Geback, Aila Sarkka, Magnus Roding
Summary: The research explores the relationship between fiber structure and properties using a virtual fiber model as a replacement for real material. 3D image data sets of a sample fibrous material are obtained via X-ray microtomography to estimate parameters for generating virtual fiber structures. Experimental results demonstrate good agreement between the virtual structure and physical material in terms of permeability.
COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Philip Townsend, Torben Nilsson Pingel, Niklas Loren, Tobias Geback, Eva Olsson, Aila Sarkka, Magnus Roding
Summary: This study used FIB-SEM imaging to analyze the microstructure of paperboard coatings and developed a three-dimensional model to simulate the irregular geometry of particles in the coating, demonstrating a good agreement between real and virtual structures in terms of geometrical measures and mass transport properties. The model development facilitates exploration of the relationship between structure and properties.
COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Heyang Zhang, Jeroen Bussmann, Florian H. Huhnke, Joke Devoldere, An-Katrien Minnaert, Wim Jiskoot, Friedhelm Serwane, Joachim Spatz, Magnus Roding, Stefaan C. De Smedt, Kevin Braeckmans, Katrien Remaut
Summary: The study shows that packaging different mRNA encoding into the same lipoplexes is crucial for efficient delivery into individual cells. On the other hand, mixtures of lipoplexes containing only one type of mRNA tend to result in large variations in uptake and expression levels among individual cells.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Benedikt Prifling, Magnus Roeding, Philip Townsend, Matthias Neumann, Volker Schmidt
Summary: This paper investigates the influence of 3D microstructure on the effective properties of functional materials, establishing relationships between microstructure and mass transport properties. Analytical prediction formulas, artificial neural networks, and convolutional neural networks are used for the first time to compare these three statistical learning approaches on the same dataset. The diversity and size of the dataset are crucial for determining the generality of the relationships and for robust training of convolutional neural networks.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Magnus Roding, Victor Wahlstrand Skarstrom, Niklas Loren
Summary: In this study, the effective diffusivity of spinodal decomposition-like structures with tunable anisotropy is predicted using a convolutional neural network. By incorporating the predictions into an approximate Bayesian computation framework for inverse problems, computationally efficient design of microstructures with prescribed diffusivity in all three directions is achieved.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Magnus Roding, Piotr Tomaszewski, Shun Yu, Markus Borg, Jerk Ronnols
Summary: This study develops a framework for analyzing SAXS data from disordered materials and predicts length scales and volume fractions accurately using machine learning. It also provides fast computational methods and avoids the burden of conventional model fitting.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pierre Carmona, Jens Poulsen, Jan Westergren, Torben Nilsson Pingel, Magnus Roding, Eileen Lambrechts, Herlinde De Keersmaecker, Kevin Braeckmans, Aila Sarkka, Christian von Corswant, Eva Olsson, Niklas Loren
Summary: This study investigated the formation and properties of multilayer ethylcellulose/hydroxypropylcellulose films by simulating the industrial process. The results showed that the porosity and structure of the films were influenced by the ratio of EC/HPC and spin speed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gustav Persson, Emmy Jarsvall, Magnus Roding, Renee Kroon, Yadong Zhang, Stephen Barlow, Seth R. Marder, Christian Muller, Eva Olsson
Summary: This study utilizes electron tomography to determine the spatial distribution of molecular dopants in organic semiconductors at the sub-nanometer scale. The distribution is found to be heterogeneous and dependent on dopant concentration. Different shapes and sizes of nanoclusters are formed at different dopant concentrations. The study highlights the importance of detailed information on dopant distribution for accurate simulations of charge transport in doped organic semiconductors.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pierre Carmona, Christian von Corswant, Magnus Roding, Aila Sarkka, Eva Olsson, Niklas Loren
Summary: By investigating the structure evolution and shrinkage process of ethylcellulose/hydroxypropylcellulose films, it was found that the phase-separated structure transitions from 3D to nearly 2D during film shrinkage, and the thickness of the film increases with increasing hydroxypropylcellulose content.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pierre Carmona, Magnus Roding, Aila Sarkka, Christian von Corswant, Eva Olsson, Niklas Loren
Summary: The evolution and coarsening kinetics of porous phase-separated ethylcellulose/hydroxypropylcellulose films produced by spin-coating have been investigated in this study. Bicontinuous structures were found for a certain range of EC:HPC ratio, and two main coarsening mechanisms were identified: interfacial tension-driven hydrodynamic growth for bicontinuous structures and diffusion-driven coalescence for discontinuous structures. These findings provide valuable insights into the morphology development and potential applications of thin EC/HPC films for controlled drug release.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pierre Carmona, Magnus Roding, Aila Sarkka, Christian von Corswant, Eva Olsson, Niklas Loren
Summary: This study investigates the structural evolution of porous phase-separated films made of EC and HPC using spin-coating technique. By adjusting spin-coating parameters and the EC : HPC ratio, precise control over the characteristic length scale and film thickness of the final phase-separated structure can be achieved. The results show correlations between film thickness and spin speed, providing insights into the mechanisms responsible for morphology development and enhancing the ability to customize thin EC/HPC film structures.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyuan Shi, Yong Hu, Xin Li
Summary: Controlled drug delivery systems that can respond to mechanical force offer a unique solution for on-demand drug activation and release. Among various mechanical stimuli, ultrasound (US) has advantages in achieving spatiotemporally controlled drug release. Traditional US-triggered drug release relies on heat-induced phase transitions or chemical transformations, while the cutting-edge approach of Sonopharmacology leverages polymer mechanochemistry. The remaining challenges and potential future directions in this field are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lijie Zheng, Yuanzheng Chen, Xun Gu, Yingying Li, Hanqing Zhao, Wenjun Shao, Tao Ma, Chuanbin Wu, Qingqing Wang
Summary: In this study, a novel dosage form consisting of dissolving microneedles and an adhesive transdermal patch was developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the combination of drugs delivered by this dosage form effectively reduced joint inflammation and damage.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kyungjik Yang, Hwa Seung Han, Seung Hwan An, Kyung Hoon Park, Keonwook Nam, Shinha Hwang, Yuyeon Lee, Sung Yeon Cho, Taehyung Kim, Deokyeong Choe, Sang Won Kim, Wonkyu Yu, Hyunah Lee, Jiyong Park, Sangguan You, Dong- Gyu Jo, Ki Young Choi, Young Hoon Roh, Jae Hyung Park
Summary: This study developed CP-loaded CS microcapsules to enhance the oral bioavailability of CP through controlled gastrointestinal delivery. The optimized microcapsules exhibited desirable physicochemical properties, showed anti-photoaging effects via antioxidant activity, and achieved controlled release in the gastrointestinal tract. This research provides a simple and economical approach for enhancing the oral bioavailability of CP for customized bioactive compound administration.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huiyang Li, Shuo Liu, Wenjin Dai, Bingmei Yao, Yong Zhou, Sujia Si, Hairong Yu, Riguang Zhao, Fang Jin, Liqun Jiang
Summary: Changes in bodily fluid pressures are crucial in diseases like high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Researchers have developed hydrostatic pressure-sensitive multivesicular liposomes (PSMVLs) that can release drugs in response to pressure changes, with potential applications in HAPE treatment. Animal experiments showed that this system provides better protection for lung tissues and respiratory function, reducing the occurrence of pulmonary edema.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Hu, Hongbing Lan, Yinmei Tian, Xiaonan Li, Mengmeng Wang, Jiao Zhang, Yulin Yu, Wei Chen, Li Kong, Yuanyuan Guo, Zhiping Zhang
Summary: Coacervate droplets formed through liquid-liquid phase separation have potential as delivery vesicles for therapeutics. However, their lack of physiological stability and membranes are challenges. In this study, polylysine-polynucleotide complex coacervate droplets with favorable stability were formulated to concentrate molecules and nanoparticles. Phospholipid membranes were further coated on the droplets to create coacervate-based artificial protocells (ArtPC) with membrane-like structures. These biofunctional ArtPC effectively reduced blood uric acid levels and prevented renal injuries.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaowei Wang, Hongwei Lu, Fang Luo, Dan Wang, Apeng Wang, Xuelei Wang, Wenkai Feng, Xiaobo Wang, Jiayi Su, Mingliang Liu, Guimin Xia
Summary: Four novel lipid-like GEM diesters were synthesized and encapsulated into liposomes to improve the antitumor efficacy of Gemcitabine. The liposomes loaded with dimyristoyl GEM (LipodmGEM) showed enhanced cellular uptake, improved inhibition of cell migration, and a greatly extended half-life compared to free Gemcitabine. LipodmGEM successfully enriched the drug in the tumor and exhibited excellent anticancer efficacy in vivo with negligible systemic toxicity.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pengyu Li, Jieyi Pan, Yating Dong, Yingying Sun, Yalong Wang, Kang Liao, Yili Chen, Xin Deng, Shihui Yu, Haiyan Hu
Summary: Chronic pulmonary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious public health problem with high mortality rates. In this study, infection-microenvironment responsive nanoparticles were developed to eradicate biofilms and inhibit virulence. These nanoparticles showed promising results in treating chronic pulmonary infections.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yajing Sun, Ze Lu, John A. Taylor, Jessie L. S. Au
Summary: A recent development in cancer chemotherapy is the use of cytotoxics to induce tumor-specific immune response through immunogenic cell death (ICD). This study describes a method that utilizes immunostaining and machine-learning to identify cells with ecto-CRT in intact 3-dimensional tissues. The method was successfully applied to study drug-induced ICD in human bladder cancer.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rafat Ali, Shantanu Sen, Rohil Hameed, Aamir Nazir, Sandeep Verma
Summary: This review provides a focused overview of emerging strategies for delivering gasotransmitters in a controlled and sustained manner to reestablish neurophysiological homeostasis.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Chen, Xinyi Zhang, Jinshen Zhang, Zhaoxia Wang, Guilan Zhu, Ming Geng, Jinmiao Zhu, Yajun Chen, Wei Wang, Youcui Xu
Summary: In this study, a multifunctional responsive hydrogel system was developed for synergistic reoxygenation and chemo/photothermal therapy. The hydrogel system showed both therapeutic effects against metastatic breast cancer and wound infection, making it a promising strategy for treating and preventing tumor recurrence and associated wound infection.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baoshan Huang, Na Zhang, Xinying Qiu, Rui Zeng, Shuimiao Wang, Mengxia Hua, Qing Li, Kaihui Nan, Sen Lin
Summary: This study revealed that robust ROS can oxidize mitochondrial DNA (ox-mtDNA) and cause its release into the cytosol, resulting in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. By using the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 and a novel mitochondria-targeted nanoparticle (SkQ1 NP), it was found that mitochondrial ROS scavenging could in situ inhibit DED-induced mtDNA oxidation and suppress NLRP3-mediated inflammation.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenqi Liu, Cheng Hu, Linyu Long, Shuyi He, Wen Zhang, Zhicun Wang, Li Yang, Yunbing Wang
Summary: Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality, and current treatment methods have limitations. This study developed a smart carrier that can release different therapeutic substances for different pathological processes, effectively improving cardiac function, promoting cardiac repair, and preventing ventricular remodeling.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)