Search results for "Gels"

Hyaluronic Acid-g-Copolymers: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

2013

The aim of this chapter is to review hyaluronic acid (HA) graft copolymers focusing in the description of chemical strategies employed for their synthesis, characterization procedures, and applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical field. Usually biocompatible synthetic polymers and peptides with therapeutic activity are grafted to HA to modify in appropriate way the physicochemical properties of the starting polysaccharide for a specific purpose and at the same time to exploit its biological role, biocompatibility, and targeting ability toward cells with receptors for HA. The use of such HA graft copolymers in the production of nanocarriers or hydrogels for modified drug release and sca…

Probing the Folding of Peptide–Polymer Conjugates Using the π-Dimerization of Viologen End-Groups

2020

The synthesis of a foldable viologen-functionalized peptide–polymer conjugate is presented. The ABA-type triblock conjugate with a PEG polymer was capped with a FHFHF pentapeptide sequence and further modified with a viologen building block at both chain ends. The pH-responsive peptide domains fold into an intermediate structure inducing close proximity of the viologen units, which upon a reduction step form π-dimers of the radical cation. Overall the intramolecular folding and intermolecular self-assembly process leads to the formation of supramolecular nanorods. Mixing of viologen-peptide–polymer conjugates with unfunctionalized conjugates leads to crosslinking of the nanorods and hydroge…

Transient Hydrogels Mediated by Redox-Switchable Supramolecular Polymerization

2017

Spatial and temporal control in multi-stimuli-responsive materials are critical properties to advance and optimize functional soft matter in order to mimic key features of living systems. In this contribution, I will discuss our methodology in developing non-equilibrium states in supramolecular materials. We have expanded our concept of charge regulated s–sheet self-assembly of alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acids in order to introduce redox-switchable properties. An interplay of pH- and oxidation-stimuli, promoted by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) thus leads to transient supramolecular polymerizations of methionine containing amphiphiles, with tuneable lifet…

Traģiskās sajūtas koncepts Migela de Unamuno darbā "Par dzīves traģisko sajūtu"

2019

Bakalaura darbā “Dzīves traģiskās sajūtas koncepts Migela de Unamuno darbā “Par dzīves traģisko sajūtu”” tiek aplūkots traģiskās sajūtas koncepts un to veidojošie nosacījumi. Šī jēdziena analīzes procesā ietverta Unamuno ideja par cilvēku un tā pazīmēm: cilvēka kā konkrētas būtnes eksistence, vēlme pēc nemirstības un konflikts starp racionalitāti un iracionalitāti. Bakalaura darbā tiek pētītas arī traģiskās sajūtas izpausmes modernisma laikmetā un Dieva ideja. Darba procesā ņemtas vērā ne tikai Unamuno idejas, bet arī tām piemītošas pazīmes: autora darba stils, valoda, kā arī to saistība ar viņa biogrāfiju.

Functionalization of nanoparticles in specific targeting and mechanism release

2017

The development of various nanotechnologies have provided a new field of research, which allows the manipulation of molecular components of matter and covers a vast array of nanodevices. The “smart” multifunctional nanostructures should work as customizable, targeted drug-delivery vehicles capable of carrying large doses of therapeutic agents into malignant cells. Some nanomedical approaches are based on the use of functionalized nanoparticles (NPs), not only to reduce toxicity and side effects of drugs but, also in potential the biological barriers crossing on, such as: the blood–brain barrier, different cellular compartments, including the nucleus. Currently, many materials are used for n…

Non-stoichiometric dicationic organic salts form supramolecular gels

Current Trends in Advanced Alginate-Based Wound Dressings for Chronic Wounds

2021

Chronic wounds represent a major public health issue, with an extremely high cost worldwide. In healthy individuals, the wound healing process takes place in different stages: inflammation, cell proliferation (fibroblasts and keratinocytes of the dermis), and finally remodeling of the extracellular matrix (equilibrium between metalloproteinases and their inhibitors). In chronic wounds, the chronic inflammation favors exudate persistence and bacterial film has a special importance in the dynamics of chronic inflammation in wounds that do not heal. Recent advances in biopolymer-based materials for wound healing highlight the performance of specific alginate forms. An ideal wound dressing shou…

The dynamics of aroma release during consumption of candies of different structures, and relationship with temporal perception

2011

 ; We investigated the role of both candy texture and eating technique (melting or chewing) on the dynamics of aroma release. One novelty of this type of analysis was the simultaneous application of instrumental and sensory analysis. Four candy textures were established based on their storage modulus at 1 Hz by varying the gelatine content between 0 and 15% w/w. The in vivo release of three aroma compounds was monitored using Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry and with a trained panel of testers. The gelatine content had no significant effect on the headspace/product partition and diffusion properties of the aroma compounds. The highest in vivo release for all aroma compounds was ob…

Studies of network structure and dynamics of e-beam crosslinked PVPs: From macro to nano

2011

Much interest has been paid to develop a variety of radiation-crosslinked hydrated polymeric materials, which swell in water but do not dissolve, as biocompatible materials used for wound healing, drug delivery system, surface-coating material for medically used devices, etc. With the aim of establishing design rules to produce hydrogels of controlled size at the nanoscale and desired internal network structure using conventional electron accelerators and set-ups, here we attempt a description in terms of structural and dynamic properties of polymer networks generated through e-beam irradiation of aqueous solutions of the same model polymer, a commercial grade poly(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone), sub…

Large-scale manufacturing of radiation sculptured therapeutic nanogels

2013

Nanogels (NGs), or small particles formed by physically or chemically crosslinked polymer networks, represent a niche in the development of “smart” nanoparticles for drug delivery and diagnostics. Yet, they offerunique advantages over other systems, including a large and flexible surface for multivalent bio-conjugation; an internal 3D aqueous environment for incorporation and protection of (bio)molecular drugs; the possibility to entrap light-activemolecules, metal or mineral nanoparticles for imaging or phototherapeutic purposes; stimuli-responsiveness to achieve temporal and/or site control of the release function and biocompatibility. The availability of inexpensive, robust and versatile…