Search results for "Polymers."
showing 10 items of 3543 documents
Mechanical properties of blends of low density polyethylene with isotactic polypropylene II. effect of mixing temperature and rate
1989
Abstract The effects of mixing temperature and rate on tensile properties of some blends of low density polyethylene with isotactic polypropylene have been studied. Results, with those presented previously on the effect of mixing time, indicate significant effects of mixing parameters and suggest the need to find an “optimum mixing procedure” for each kind of blend.
Synthesis and In Vitro Evaluation of Defined HPMA Folate Conjugates: Influence of Aggregation on Folate Receptor (FR) Mediated Cellular Uptake
2010
In this article we report the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of well-defined, folate functionalized and fluorescently labeled polymers based on the clinically approved N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide (HPMA). The polymers were prepared applying the RAFT polymerization method as well as the reactive ester approach. The molecular weights of the polymers synthesized were around 15 and 30 kDa. The total content of conjugated folate varied from 0, 5, and 10 mol %. The cellular uptake of these polymers was investigated in the folate receptor (FR)-positive human nasopharyngeal epidermal carcinoma (KB-3-1) and FR-negative human lung epithelial carcinoma (A549) cancer cell lines. In FR-positive…
Multifunctional Poly(ethylene glycol)s
2011
In the rapidly evolving multidisciplinary field of polymer therapeutics, tailored polymer structures represent the key constituent to explore and harvest the potential of bioactive macromolecular hybrid structures. In light of the recent developments for anticancer drug conjugates, multifunctional polymers are becoming ever more relevant as drug carriers. However, the potentially best suited polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), is unfavorable owing to its limited functionality. Therefore, multifunctional linear copolymers (mf-PEGs) based on ethylene oxide (EO) and appropriate epoxide comonomers are attracting increased attention. Precisely engineered via living anionic polymerization and d…
Compromised integrity of excised porcine intestinal epithelium obtained from the abattoir affects the outcome of in vitro particle uptake studies
2002
Excised porcine intestinal tissue obtained from the local abattoir was studied for its suitability to examine the uptake and transport of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles in Peyer's (PP) and non-Peyer's patch (NPP) tissue in vitro. Incubation of such tissue with fluorescent PLGA and polystyrene particles revealed negligible uptake into the intercellular space with no noticeable difference between PP and NPP tissue. Similarly, yeast cells, which were used as a positive control for selective uptake into PP tissue, were found in the subepithelial area of both PP and NPP tissue. Therefore we examined the morphological integrity of the tissue for the duration of the experiments…
Biodegradable Protein Nanocontainers
2015
The application of synthetic polymers for drug delivery often requires tremendous efforts to ensure biocompatibility and -degradation. To use the body's own substances can help to overcome these problems. Herein, we present the first synthesis of nanocontainers entirely composed of albumin proteins. These protein nanocontainers (PNCs) were loaded with hydrophilic compounds and release of the payload is triggered through natural lysis in vitro in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs). No aggregation of PNCs in human blood plasma was observed, indicating stability for blood circulation. As the PNCs were readily taken up by moDCs, they are considered as a promising delivery platform f…
Polymeric monolithic microcartridges with gold nanoparticles for the analysis of protein biomarkers by on-line solid-phase extraction capillary elect…
2020
In this study, polymeric monoliths with gold nanoparticles (AuNP@monolith) were investigated as microcartridges for the analysis of protein biomarkers by on-line solid-phase extraction capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (SPE-CE-MS). “Plug-and-play” microcartridges (7 mm) were prepared from a glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-based monolithic capillary column (5 cm x 250 µm i.d.), which was modified with ammonia and subsequently functionalized with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The performance of these novel microcartridges was evaluated with human transthyretin (TTR), which is a protein related to different types of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathies (FAP). Protein retention depended on…
Conductive nanostructures of MMX chains
2010
Crystals of [Pt-2(n-pentylCS(2))(4)I] show a transition from semiconductor to metallic with the increase of the temperature (conductivity is 0.3-1.4 S.cm(-1) at room temperature) and a second metallic metallic transition at 330 K, inferred by electrical conductivity measurements. X-ray diffraction studies carried out at different temperatures (100, 298, and 350 K) confirm the presence of three different phases. The valence-ordering of these phases is analyzed using structural, magnetic, and electrical data. Density functional theory calculations allow a further analysis of the band structure derived for each phase. Nanostructures adsorbed on an insulating surface show electrical conductivit…
Coordination networks incorporating halogen-bond donor sites and azobenzene groups
2016
Two Zn coordination networks, {[Zn(1)(Py)2]2(2-propanol)}n (3) and {[Zn(1)2(Bipy)2](DMF)2}n (4), incorporating halogen-bond (XB) donor sites and azobenzene groups have been synthesized and fully characterized. Obtaining 3 and 4 confirms that it is possible to use a ligand wherein its coordination bond acceptor sites and XB donor sites are on the same molecular scaffold (i.e., an aromatic ring) without interfering with each other. We demonstrate that XBs play a fundamental role in the architectures and properties of the obtained coordination networks. In 3, XBs promote the formation of 2D supramolecular layers, which, by overlapping each other, allow the incorporation of 2-propanol as a gues…
Assessing incentives to increase digital payment acceptance and usage: A machine learning approach.
2022
An important step to achieve greater financial inclusion is to increase the acceptance and usage of digital payments. Although consumer adoption of digital payments has improved dramatically globally, the acceptance and usage of digital payments for micro, small, and medium-sized retailers (MSMRs) remain challenging. Using random forest estimation, we identify 14 key predictors out of 190 variables with the largest predictive power for MSMR adoption and usage of digital payments. Using conditional inference trees, we study the importance of sequencing and interactions of various factors such as public policy initiatives, technological advancements, and private sector incentives. We find tha…
The Largest Synthetic Structure with Molecular Precision: Towards a Molecular Object
2010
Pushing the limits: A 200A - 10 Da structurally defined, linear macromolecule (PG5) has a molar mass, cross-section dimension, and cylindrical shape that are comparable to some naturally occurring objects, such as amyloid fibrils or certain plant viruses. The macromolecule is resistant against flattening out on a surface; the picture shows PG5 embracing the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).