Search results for " hydrogel"
showing 10 items of 277 documents
Tension causes structural unfolding of intracellular intermediate filaments
2020
AbstractIntermediate filament (IF) proteins are a class of proteins that constitute different filamentous structures in mammalian cells. As such, IF proteins are part of the load-bearing cytoskeleton and support the nuclear envelope. Molecular dynamics simulations have shown that IF proteins undergo secondary structural changes to compensate mechanical loads, which has been confirmed by experimental in vitro studies on IF hydrogels. However, the structural response of intracellular IF to mechanical load has yet to be elucidated in cellulo. Here, we use in situ nonlinear Raman imaging combined with multivariate data analysis to quantify the intracellular secondary structure of the IF cytoske…
New nanobiohybrid engineering composed of titanate nanoribbons for regenerative medicine
2012
This research work is devoted to new nanohybrid engineering composed of titanate nanoribbons for regenerative medicine. Over a first phase, nanoribbons were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment and their morphological, structural and chemical features were defined. A fine characterization by means of different techniques of transmission electron microscopy mainly enabled to determine their thickness; dimension which had never been measured so far. Subsequently, titanate nanoribbons were functionalized by different home-made heterobifunctional PEG. Those polymers present at one of their extremities specific functional groups being able to couple with numerous biological molecules. Some coll…
Nanohydrogel Formation within the Halloysite Lumen for Triggered and Sustained Release
2018
An easy strategy to obtain nanohydrogels within the halloysite nanotube (HNTs) lumen was investigated. Inorganic reverse micelles based on HNTs and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromides were dispersed in chloroform, and the hydrophilic cavity was used as a nanoreactor to confine the gel formation based on alginate cross-linked by calcium ions. Spectroscopy and electron microscopy experiments proved the confinement of the polymer into the HNT lumen and the formation of calcium-mediated networks. Biological tests proved the biocompatibility of the hybrid hydrogel. The nanogel in HNTs was suitable for drug loading and sustained release with the opportunity of triggered burst release by chemical …
Chemical modification of halloysite nanotubes for controlled loading and release.
2020
Clay minerals have been used for medical purposes from ancient times. Among them, the halloysite nanotube, an aluminosilicate of the kaolin group, is an emerging nanomaterial which possesses peculiar chemical characteristics. By means of suitable modifications, such as supramolecular functionalization or covalent modifications, it is possible to obtain novel nanomaterials with tunable properties for several applications. In this context the covalent grafting of suitable organic moieties on the external surface or in the halloysite lumen has been exploited to improve the loading and release of several biologically active molecules. The resulting hybrid nanomaterials have been applied as drug…
Keratin/alginate hybrid hydrogels filled with halloysite clay nanotubes for protective treatment of human hair
2022
Keratin/alginate hydrogels filled with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have been tested for the protective coating of human hair. Preliminary studies have been conducted on the aqueous colloidal systems and the corresponding hydrogels obtained by using Ca2+ ions as crosslinkers. Firstly, we have investigated the colloidal properties of keratin/alginate/HNTs dispersions to explore the specific interactions occurring between the biomacromolecules and the nanotubes. Then, the rheological properties of the hydrogels have been studied highlighting that the keratin/alginate interactions and the subsequent addition of HNTs facilitate the biopolymer crosslinking. Finally, human hair samples have been t…
Gellan gum-based delivery systems of therapeutic agents and cells.
2020
The purpose of this review is to make a summary of high quality research trends using gellan gum (GG) as a polymeric constituent for the design of innovative drug delivery systems and devices for biomedical applications, such as cell therapy and regenerative medicine. The use of gellan gum is described both in its native form and as chemically functionalized derivatives or physically mixed with natural or synthetic materials. Starting from a systematic study of recent research works, the main properties of the native polysaccharide have been highlighted and therefore some improvements have been focused thanks to the design of chemically functionalized derivatives and the use of composite ma…
Ethanol vapor optical sensors based on polystyrene opals infiltrated with hydrogel
2013
Oxygen permeability of hydrogel contact lenses with organosilicon moieties
2002
Oxygen transport through two extended wear (day and night) hydrogel contact lenses that contain organosilicon moieties (balafilcon A and lotrafilcon A) was studied in the hydrate (hydrogel) and dry (xerogel) states. The water uptake increased the oxygen permeability [(Dk)app] and transmissibility [Dk/L(av)] coefficients of the dry materials by about 70%. The (Dk)app for the hydrated lenses was determined following the so-called stack procedure. The values obtained were 107 +/- 4 barrer for balafilcon A and 141 +/- 5 barrer for lotrafilcon A, about 5-10 times larger than those previously reported for conventional (without organosilicon moieties) extended wear hydrogels contact lenses. The Dk…