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Polymer Concentration (polymer + concentration)
Selected AbstractsProtein separations using polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings with molecular micelles in open tubular capillary electrochromatographyELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 4 2008Candace A. Luces Abstract Novel polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings for enhanced protein separations in open tubular CEC (OT-CEC) are reported. Use of four cationic polymers (poly- L -lysine, poly- L -ornithine, poly- L -lysine-serine, and poly- L -glutamic acid-lysine), and three anionic molecular micelles, sodium poly(N -undecanoyl- L -leucyl-alaninate) (poly- L -SULA), sodium poly(N -undecanoyl- L -leucyl-valinate) (poly- L -SULV), and sodium poly(undecylenic sulfate) (poly-SUS) were investigated in PEM coatings for protein separations. The simultaneous effects of cationic polymer concentration, number of bilayers, temperature, applied voltage, and pH of the BGE on the separation of four basic proteins (,-chymotrypsinogen A, lysozyme, ribonuclease A, and cytochrome c) were analyzed using a Box Behnken experimental design. The influence of NaCl on the run-to-run reproducibility was investigated for PEM coatings containing each cationic polymer. All coatings exhibited excellent reproducibilities with a %RSD of the EOF less than 1% in the presence of NaCl. Optimal conditions were dependent on both the cationic and anionic polymers used in the PEM coatings. Poly- L -glutamic acid-lysine produced the highest resolution and longest migration time. The use of molecular micelles to form PEM coatings resulted in better separations than single cationic coatings. Chiral poly- L -SULA and poly- L -SULV resulted in higher protein resolutions as compared to the achiral, poly-SUS. Furthermore, the use of poly- L -SULV reversed the elution order of lysozyme and cytochrome c when compared to poly- L -SULA and poly-SUS. [source] Polymer Scaffolds for Small-Diameter Vascular Tissue EngineeringADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 17 2010Haiyun Ma Abstract To better engineer small-diameter blood vessels, a few types of novel scaffolds are fabricated from biodegradable poly(L -lactic acid) (PLLA) by means of thermally induced phase-separation (TIPS) techniques. By utilizing the differences in thermal conductivities of the mold materials and using benzene as the solvent scaffolds with oriented gradient microtubular structures in the axial or radial direction can be created. The porosity, tubular size, and the orientational direction of the microtubules can be controlled by the polymer concentration, the TIPS temperature, and by utilizing materials of different thermal conductivities. These gradient microtubular structures facilitate cell seeding and mass transfer for cell growth and function. Nanofibrous scaffolds with an oriented and interconnected microtubular pore network are also developed by a one-step TIPS method using a benzene/tetrahydrofuran mixture as the solvent without the need for porogen materials. The structural features of such scaffolds can be conveniently adjusted by varying the solvent ratio, phase-separation temperature, and polymer concentration to mimic the nanofibrous features of an extracellular matrix. These scaffolds were fabricated for the tissue engineering of small-diameter blood vessels by utilizing their advantageous structural features to facilitate blood-vessel regeneration. [source] Antioxidant Activity of Degradable Polymer Poly(trolox ester) to Suppress Oxidative Stress Injury in the CellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2010Paritosh P. Wattamwar Abstract Oxidative stress is a pathological condition that has been implicated as a central player in a variety of diseases, including vascular and neurodegenerative diseases. More recently, oxidative stress has also been shown to be involved in the biological incompatibility of many materials, especially at the nanoscale. As such, there is a critical need for new biomaterials that can inhibit this response, improving the compatibility of medical devices. In this work, trolox, a synthetic antioxidant and water-soluble analogue of Vitamin E, is polymerized to form an oxidation active polymer as a new class of biomaterial. Synthesized poly(trolox ester) polymers were formulated into nanoparticles using a single emulsion technique, and their size was controlled by changing the polymer concentration in the organic solvent. Nanoparticle cytotoxicity, protective effects against cellular oxidative stress, and degradation kinetics were all evaluated. Poly(trolox ester) nanoparticles were found to have little to no cytotoxicity and were capable of suppressing cellular oxidative stress induced by cobalt nanoparticles. In vitro degradation studies of poly(trolox ester) nanoparticles indicate that the antioxidant activity of nanoparticles was derived from its enzymatic degradation to release active antioxidants. [source] Temperature-Induced Hydrogels Through Self-Assembly of Cholesterol-Substituted Star PEG- b -PLLA Copolymers: An Injectable Scaffold for Tissue Engineering,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2008Koji Nagahama Abstract Partially cholesterol-substituted 8-arm poly(ethylene glycol)- block -poly(L -lactide) (8-arm PEG- b -PLLA-cholesterol) has been prepared as a novel star-shaped, biodegradable copolymer derivative. The amphiphilic 8-arm PEG- b -PLLA-cholesterol aqueous solution (polymer concentration, above 3,wt%) exhibits instantaneous temperature-induced gelation at 34,°C, but the virgin 8-arm PEG- b -PLLA does not, irrespective of concentration. Moreover, an extracellular matrix (ECM)-like micrometer-scale network structure has been created with favorable porosity for three-dimensional proliferation of cells inside the hydrogel. This network structure is mainly attributed to specific self-assembly between cholesterol groups. The 10 and 20,wt% hydrogels are eroded gradually in phosphate buffered saline at 37,°C over the course of a month, and after that the gel becomes completely dissociated. Moreover, L929 cells encapsulated into the hydrogel are viable and proliferate three-dimensionally inside the hydrogels. Thus, in-vitro cell culture studies demonstrate that 8-arm PEG- b -PLLA-cholesterol is a promising candidate as a novel injectable cellular scaffold. [source] Cover Picture: Hierarchically Organized Superstructure Emerging from the Exquisite Association of Inorganic Crystals, Organic Polymers, and Dyes: A Model Approach Towards Suprabiomineral Materials (Adv. Funct.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 9 2005Mater. Abstract Suprabiomineral materials possessing hierarchically organized superstructures are investigated by Imai and Oaki on p.,1407. Inorganic crystals, organic polymers, and functional dyes have assembled via a simple biomimetic route into a superstructure that contains six different tiers, from the macroscale to the nanoscale. The hierarchy originates from the strong interaction between crystals and polymers and the diffusion-controlled conditions. The versatile role of the polymer is found to be essential for the construction of a superstructure. This approach promises to generate novel types of functional materials with controllable structures and properties. We report a novel hierarchically organized superstructure emerging from an exquisite association of inorganic crystals, organic polymers, and dyes. The resultant K2SO4/poly(acrylic acid) composite includes five different tiers from the nanoscopic to the macroscopic. An additional new tier leading to functionality is formed by the incorporation of organic dyes that are organized in a nanospace. The emergent superstructure and properties are designed through changes in polymer concentration. The multiple roles of the polymer realize the generation of the architecture at each size scale. This model approach should be widely applicable to other systems, allowing for the preparation of innovative materials by an appropriate combination of crystals, polymers, and functional molecules. [source] Use of associating polymers as multifunctional thickeners: studies of Their structure in aqueous solutions via nmr, qels, fluorescence, And rheology measurementsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 5 2007Katsunori Yoshida The solution properties of an associating polymer were studied by NMR, quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS), fluorescence, and rheology measurements. An associative thickening (AT) polymer was designed having a nonionic poly(ethylene oxide) backbone with long alkyl chains at both ends to achieve high viscosity even at relatively high salt concentrations and over a wide pH range. This study focuses on the associative state of the polymer in aqueous solutions at various polymer concentrations. In a fluorescence probe study using pyrene a spectral change in the I3/I1 ratio was observed for pyrene at a polymer concentration (Cp) of 3 x 10 -4%, indicating an apparent critical concentration (cmc) of the amphiphilic polymer. The viscosity, self-diffusion coefficient (Dsel), and hydrodynamic size (Rh) distribution measurements at various Cp all suggest that there is a second transition at Cp, 0.4%. Although we observed the discontinuity in viscosity, Dsel, and Rh at Cp, 0.4%, no changes in the relaxation times (T1 and T2) were recognized for either the alkyl chain or the ethylene oxide moiety of the polymer at C p= 0.1,1%. These data suggest that there are no structural changes or phase transitions at Cp, 0.4%, but that intermicellar networks are presumably formed by bridging of the end alkyl groups of the polymer, which is driven by hydrophobic forces. Because the polymer forms networks by hydrophobic interaction and the polymer itself is nonionic, the viscosity of the polymer solution was influenced very little by either the addition of salt or a pH change, as would be expected. The dynamic viscoelastic study revealed that the polymer solution exhibits a single mode Maxwell type relaxation behavior with a terminal relaxation time of about 0.61 s, which imparts a unique flow appearance to the polymer solutions. The time course measurements of the dynamic elastic modulus of the stratum corneum revealed that the polymer has excellent potential for skin softening. It was concluded that the associative thickening polymer not only is a useful thickener with a salt and pH tolerance but also has beneficial skincare effects. [source] Critical opalescence points to thermodynamic instability: relevance to small-angle X-ray scattering of resorcinol,formaldehyde gel formation at low pHJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2008Cedric J. Gommes During the formation at low pH of resorcinol,formaldehyde gels with a structure in the micrometre range, small-angle X-ray scattering exhibits a non-monotonic intensity variation as a function of reaction time. The data are analyzed in terms of scattering by statistical fluctuations of polymer concentration, the amplitude of which is maximal close to the critical point for phase separation between polymer and solvent. The data do not carry any morphological information, but they unambiguously show that the driving force of the gel formation is a thermodynamic instability of the polymerizing solution. [source] A novel microencapsulation of neem (Azadirachta Indica A. Juss.) seed oil (NSO) in polyelectrolyte complex of ,-carrageenan and chitosanJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2009Nirmala Devi Abstract Microcapsules containing neem (Azadirachta Indica A. Juss.) seed oil (NSO) were prepared by encapsulation of natural liquid pesticide NSO in a polyelectrolyte complex of ,-carrageenan and chitosan. The optimum ratio between carrageenan and chitosan to form a stable polyelectrolyte complex was found as 1 : 0.36. The microencapsulation method for NSO loading was also optimized. SEM study demonstrated that the surface of the microcapsules became more irregular as oil loading increased. The release rates of NSO were studied by varying the percentage of oil loading, concentration of cross-linking agent, and polymer concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study confirmed the complex formation between ,-carrageenan and chitosan. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FTIR study indicated the absence of any significant interaction between polyelectrolyte complex of ,-carrageenan -chitosan and NSO. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] Preparation of poly(ether sulfone) nanofibers by gas-jet/electrospinningJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008Yi Lin Abstract Poly(ether sulfone) (PES) nanofibers were prepared by the gas-jet/electrospinning of its solutions in N,N -dimethylformamide (DMF). The gas used in this gas-jet/electrospinning process was nitrogen. The morphology of the PES nanofibers was investigated with scanning electron microscopy. The process parameters studied in this work included the concentration of the polymer solution, the applied voltage, the tip,collector distance (TCD), the inner diameter of the needle, and the gas flow rate. It was found from experimental results that the average diameter of the electrospun PES fibers depended strongly on these process parameters. A decrease in the polymer concentration in the spinning solutions resulted in the formation of nanofibers with a smaller diameter. The use of an 18 wt % polymer solution yielded PES nanofibers with an average diameter of about 80 nm. However, a morphology of mixed bead fibers was formed when the concentration of PES in DMF was below 20 wt % during gas-jet/electrospinning. Uniform PES nanofibers with an average diameter of about 200 nm were prepared by this electrospinning with the following optimal process parameters: the concentration of PES in DMF was 25 wt %, the applied voltage was 28.8 kV, the gas flow was 10.0 L/min, the inner diameter of the needle was 0.24 mm, the TCD was 20 cm, and the flow rate was 6.0 mL/h. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008 [source] Storage of biodegradable polymers by an enriched microbial community in a sequencing batch reactor operated at high organic load rateJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2005Davide Dionisi Abstract The production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from organic acids by mixed bacterial cultures using a process based on aerobic enrichment of activated sludge, that selects for mixed microbial cultures able to store PHAs at high rates and yields, is described. Enrichment resulted from the selective pressure established by periodic feeding the carbon source in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR); a mixture of acetic, lactic and propionic acids was fed at high frequency (2 hourly), high dilution rate (1 d,1), and at high organic load rate (12.75 g chemical oxygen demand (COD) L,1 d,1). The performance of the SBR was assessed by microbial biomass and PHA production as well as the composition and polymer content of the biomass. A final batch stage was used to increase the polymer concentration of the excess sludge produced in the SBR and in which the behaviour of the biomass was investigated by determining PHA production rates and yields. The microbial biomass selected in the SBR produced PHAs at high rate [278 mg PHAs (as COD) g biomass (as COD),1 h,1, with a yield of 0.39 mg PHAs (as COD) mg removed substrates (as COD),1], reaching a polymer content higher than 50% (on a COD basis). The stored polymer was the copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(HB/HV)], with an HV fraction of 18% mol mol,1. The microbial community selected in the SBR was analysed by DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). The operating conditions of the SBR were shown to select for a restricted microbial population which appeared quite different in terms of composition with respect to the initial microbial cenosis in the activated sludge used as inoculum. On the basis of the sequencing of the major bands in the DGGE profiles, four main genera were identified: a Methylobacteriaceae bacterium, Flavobacterium sp, Candidatus Meganema perideroedes, and Thauera sp. The effects of nitrogen depletion (ie absence of growth) and pH variation were also investigated in the batch stage and compared with the SBR operative mode. Absence of growth did not stimulate higher PHA production, so indicating that the periodic feed regime fully exploited the storage potential of the enriched culture. Polymer production rates remained high between pH 6.5 and 9.5, whereas the HV content in the stored polymer strongly increased as the pH value increased. This study shows that polymer composition in the final batch stage can readily be controlled independently from the feed composition in the SBR. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] The effect of macromolecular crowding on protein aggregation and amyloid fibril formation,JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR RECOGNITION, Issue 5 2004Larissa A. Munishkina Abstract Macromolecular crowding is expected to have several significant effects on protein aggregation; the major effects will be those due to excluded volume and increased viscosity. In this report we summarize data demonstrating that macromolecular crowding may lead to a dramatic acceleration in the rate of protein aggregation and formation of amyloid fibrils, using the protein ,-synuclein. The aggregation of ,-synuclein has been implicated as a critical factor in development of Parkinson's disease. Various types of polymers, from neutral polyethylene glycols and polysaccharides (Ficolls, dextrans) to inert proteins, are shown to accelerate ,-synuclein fibrillation. The stimulation of fibrillation increases with increasing length of polymer, as well as increasing polymer concentration. At lower polymer concentrations (typically up to ,100,mg/ml) the major effect is ascribed to excluded volume, whereas at higher polymer concentrations evidence of opposing viscosity effects become apparent. Pesticides and metals, which are linked to increased risk of Parkinson's disease by epidemiological studies, are shown to accelerate ,-synuclein fibrillation under conditions of molecular crowding. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Protein partitioning and transport in supported cationic acrylamide-based hydrogelsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2003Shawn M. Russell The partitioning and transport of myoglobin in cationic, acrylamide-based hydrogels are studied by a microscopic visualization method. Homogeneous cationic gels are synthesized inside fused-silica capillaries with a square section, which allow a direct determination of protein concentration profiles during transient adsorption and desorption. Diffuse, self-similar profiles are observed and used to determine the equilibrium protein binding capacity and the protein diffusivity in the gel. Mass-transfer rates are found to be essentially independent of the external solution concentration, but to vary dramatically with the gel polymer concentration. A Fickian diffusion model with a flux based on the adsorbed-phase concentration gradient is consistent with the experimentally determined concentration profiles for both positive and negative protein concentration steps. The equilibrium and rate parameters determined for the capillary-supported gels also compare favorably with those obtained from macroscopic measurements using composite ion-exchange media comprising similar gels held within the pores of porous silica particles. [source] Optimal carbon source switching strategy for the production of PHA copolymersAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2001Nikolaos V. Mantzaris During polymerization in a nongrowing cell population of Ralstonia eutropha, alternating between two different carbon sources (fructose and fructose/valeric acid) could lead to the production of block copolymers consisting of blocks of homo-poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV) copolymer. The problem of finding the optimal number of carbon source switches and corresponding switching times that maximize the final concentration of diblock copolymers (PHB-PHBV and PHBV-PHB) was addressed. It was mathematically formulated in the mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) framework, which allows the decomposition of the original problem into the primal and master problems. The primal problem corresponds to the original problem for a fixed number of carbon source switches, whereas the master problem consists of finding the number of carbon source switches that maximizes the optimum solutions of all possible primal problems. The global optimum was obtained for 39 carbon source switches. It corresponds to a mass fraction of 50.6% of final diblock copolymer concentration over the final total polymer concentration. [source] Multivariate modeling of encapsulation and release of an ionizable drug from polymer microspheresJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 12 2009Hagar I. Labouta Abstract In the formulation of polymer microspheres (MSs) loaded with verapamil hydrochloride (VRP), a low molecular weight ionizable drug, by W/O/W emulsification, the pH of the external aqueous phase proved to be a primary determinant of both IE and drug release behavior. Increasing the pH of the external aqueous phase enhanced IE (,100% at pH 8.4). This was associated with a considerable increase in initial release rate at pH 1.2. Two multivariate methods, factorial analysis (FA) and artificial neural network (ANN), were used to investigate the impact of the combined effect of the external phase pH and other parameters (polymer concentration and initial drug load) on MS characteristics; IE, initial drug release, MS size and yield. FA indicated that the external aqueous phase pH affected all responses, with a particularly strong correlation with IE in addition to a combined synergistic effect with polymer concentration on MS size. ANN showed better internal and external predictive ability of responses compared to FA. The ANN model developed in the study can be successfully used for multivariate modeling of the encapsulation and release of VRP and similar drug salts from hydrophobic polymer MSs prepared by multiple emulsification in addition to other MS characteristics. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:4603,4615, 2009 [source] Anomalous properties of spray dried solid dispersionsJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 12 2009Hisham Al-Obaidi Abstract The use of solid dispersions for oral dosage forms can increase the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs. Spray drying is one process that can be used to prepare solid dispersions. Spray dried solid dispersions of griseofulvin, poly[N -(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylate] (PHPMA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared from acetone and water. When methanol was substituted for water, the morphology, stability and dissolution properties of the solid dispersion changed dramatically. The glass transition temperature for the ternary solid dispersion (GF, PHPMA, and PVP) shifted from 83°C (acetone/water) to 103°C for the acetone/methanol system. These differences in the dispersions are thought to derive from conformational variations of the polymers in solution prior to spray drying. Both PHPMA and PVP formed globules in solution of a size range between 16 and 33 nm. The effect of drug and polymer concentration in solution (before spray drying) on the properties of the solid dispersion was studied. It was found that solid dispersions that were prepared using lower concentrations of drug and polymers in solutions resulted in the formation of particles that display a lower relaxation rate. This result supports the hypothesis that the polymer conformation may significantly change the properties of the solid dispersion. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:4724,4737, 2009 [source] Quality by design: Optimization of a liquid filled pH-responsive macroparticles using Draper-Lin composite designJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 7 2009Hasan Rafati Abstract In this study, pH responsive macroparticles incorporating peppermint oil (PO) were prepared using a simple emulsification/polymer precipitation technique. The formulations were examined for their properties and the desired quality was then achieved using a quality by design (QBD) approach. For this purpose, a Draper-Lin small composite design study was employed in order to investigate the effect of four independent variables, including the PO to water ratio, the concentration of pH sensitive polymer (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate), acid and plasticizer concentrations, on the encapsulation efficiency and PO loading. The analysis of variance showed that the polymer concentration was the most important variable on encapsulation efficiency (p,<,0.05). The multiple regression analysis of the results led to equations that adequately described the influence of the independent variables on the selected responses. Furthermore, the desirability function was employed as an effective tool for transforming each response separately and encompassing all of these responses in an overall desirability function for global optimization of the encapsulation process. The optimized macroparticles were predicted to yield 93.4% encapsulation efficiency and 72.8% PO loading, which were remarkably close to the experimental values of 89.2% and 69.5%, consequently. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:2401,2411, 2009 [source] Textural profiling and statistical optimization of crosslinked calcium-alginate-pectinate-cellulose acetophthalate gelisphere matricesJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 12 2002Viness Pillay Abstract A 25 factorial design was employed to statistically evaluate the textural properties of a crosslinked calcium-alginate-pectinate-cellulose acetophthalate gelisphere system. In accordance with the factorial matrix, gelispheres were formulated by titrating a combination polymeric solution comprised of sodium alginate, pectin and/or cellulose acetophthalate into an inducer solution (crosslinking agent) consisting of calcium and/or acetate ions. A Texture Analyzer was used to profile the gelisphere matrices for their resilience in the unhydrated and hydrated states, the fracture energy involved in matrix rupture, and the matrix hardness achieved with different levels of crosslinking. Significantly different textural properties were found among the crosslinked formulations. In particular, the unhydrated matrix resilience was selected as a parameter for optimization of the gelisphere formulation because of its large impact on drug release modulation, matrix integrity, and sensitivity to the crosslinking process. Resilience increased with increasing polymer concentration, irrespective of the polymer combination. Furthermore, resilience was not significantly influenced by the concentration of the crosslinking agents, but rather by the application of a higher polymer concentration in the crosslinking reaction; again irrespective of the polymer combination. In addition to the use of a factorial design, artificial neural modeling was employed to predict the textural properties based on the factorial matrix as a statistically suitable data source. Neural networks appeared to be a strong competitor of factorial regression for the prediction of textural data. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 91:2559,2570, 2002 [source] Dissolution of artemisinin/polymer composite nanoparticles fabricated by evaporative precipitation of nanosuspensionJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010Mitali Kakran Abstract Objectives An evaporative precipitation of nanosuspension (EPN) method was used to fabricate composite particles of a poorly water-soluble antimalarial drug, artemisinin, with a hydrophilic polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), with the aim of enhancing the dissolution rate of artemisinin. We investigated the effect of polymer concentration on the physical, morphological and dissolution properties of the EPN-prepared artemisinin/PEG composites. Methods The original artemisinin powder, EPN-prepared artemisinin nanoparticles and artemisinin/PEG composites were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dissolution testing and HPLC. The percentage dissolution efficiency, relative dissolution, time to 75% dissolution and mean dissolution time were calculated. The experimental drug dissolution data were fitted to various mathematical models (Weibull, first-order, Korsemeyer,Peppas, Hixson,Crowell cube root and Higuchi models) in order to analyse the release mechanism. Key findings The DSC and XRD studies suggest that the crystallinity of the EPN-prepared artemisinin decreased with increasing polymer concentration. The phase-solubility studies revealed an AL -type curve, indicating a linear increase in drug solubility with PEG concentration. The dissolution rate of the EPN-prepared artemisinin and artemisinin/PEG composites increased markedly compared with the original artemisinin powder. Conclusions EPN can be used to prepare artemisinin nanoparticles and artemisinin/PEG composite particles that have a significantly enhanced dissolution rate. The mechanism of drug release involved diffusion and erosion. [source] pH-responsive ampholytic terpolymers of acrylamide, sodium 3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoate, and (3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride.JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 13 2004Abstract The solution properties of low-charge-density ampholytic terpolymers of acrylamide, sodium 3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoate, and (3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride were studied as functions of the solution pH, ionic strength, and polymer concentration. Terpolymers with low charge densities, large charge asymmetries, or both exhibited excellent solubility in deionized (DI) water, and higher charge density terpolymers were readily dispersible in DI water; however, the higher charge density terpolymer solutions separated into polymer-rich and polymer-poor phases upon standing over time. Charge-balanced terpolymers exhibited antipolyelectrolyte behavior at pH values greater than or equal to the ambient pH (6.5 ± 0.2); the same terpolymers behaved increasingly as cationic polyelectrolytes with decreasing solution pH because of the protonation of the 3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoate (AMB) repeat units. Unbalanced terpolymers generally exhibited polyelectrolyte behavior, although the effects of intramolecular electrostatic attractions (i.e., polyampholyte effects) on the hydrodynamic volume of the unbalanced terpolymer coils were evident at certain values of the solution pH and salt concentration. The dilute-solution behavior of the terpolymers correlated well with the behavior predicted by several polyampholyte solution theories. In the semidilute regime, solution viscosities increased with increasing terpolymer charge density, and this indicated a significant enhancement of the solution viscosity by intermolecular electrostatic associations. Upon the addition of NaCl, semidilute-solution viscosities tended to decrease because of the disruption of the intermolecular electrostatic associations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3252,3270, 2004 [source] The influence of polymer concentration, applied voltage, modulation depth and pulse frequency on DNA separation by pulsed field CEJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 17-18 2010Zhenqing Li Abstract DNA fragments (0.1,10,kbp (kbp, kilo base pair)) separation by square-wave pulsed field CE in hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC, 1300,K) polymer was performed in this work. The effects of polymer concentration, pulse field strength, pulse frequency and modulation depth were investigated. We found that low HEC (about 0.1%) concentration is suitable for the separation of small DNA fragments (<1,kbp), whereas higher HEC concentration (>0.5%) is appropriated for high-mass DNA molecular (>1,kbp) separation. The mobility of DNA fragments is nearly linearly related to average separation voltage under pulsed field conditions. Higher modulation depth is suited to separate the longer DNA fragments and lower modulation depth favors the resolution of short DNA fragments. Thus, the intermediate modulation depth (100%) and pulse frequency (about 31.3,Hz) are prerequisite for high-resolution DNA separation. [source] Biodegradable Polymeric Microcarriers with Controllable Porous Structure for Tissue EngineeringMACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 12 2009Xudong Shi Abstract Porous microspheres fabricated by biodegradable polymers show great potential as microcarriers for cell cultivation in tissue engineering. Herein biodegradable poly(DL -lactide) (PLA) was used to fabricate porous microspheres through a modified double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The influence of fabrication parameters, such as the stirring speed of the primary and secondary emulsion, the polymer concentration of the oil phase, and solvent type, as well as the post-hydrolysis treatment of the porous structure of the PLA microspheres are discussed. Good attachment and an active spread of MG-63 cells on the microspheres is observed, which indicates that the PLA microspheres with controllable porous structure are of great potential as cell delivery carriers for tissue engineering. [source] Continuous Distribution Kinetics for Photopolymerization of Alkyl MethacrylatesMACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 9 2009Ravikrishnan Vinu Abstract The photopolymerization of methyl, ethyl, butyl, and hexyl methacrylates in solution was studied. The effect of initial initiator and monomer concentrations on the time evolution of polymer concentration, , and PDI was examined. The reversible chain addition and , -scission, and primary radical termination steps were included in the mechanism along with the classical steps. The rate equations were derived using continuous distribution kinetics and solved numerically to fit the experimental data. The regressed rate coefficients compared well with the literature data. The model predicted the instantaneous increase in and PDI to steady state values. The rate coefficients exhibited a linear increase with the size of alkyl chain of the alkyl methacrylates. [source] (Mini)emulsion Polymerization: Effect of the Segregation Degree on Polymer ArchitectureMACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2007Iker González Abstract A continuous loop reactor was used for the production of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylic acid (AA) pressure sensitive adhesive by both emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization. Similar high monomer conversions were achieved in both processes, but striking differences in polymer architecture were found. A mathematical model was used to analyze these differences concluding that because the costabilizer suppressed monomer diffusion from miniemulsion droplets, the average polymer concentration in the polymerization loci was lower in the miniemulsion process. This resulted in less chain transfer to polymer, and hence in lower sol molecular weight and gel content. [source] Structure and dynamics of silica-filled polymers by SANS and coherent SAXSMACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, Issue 1 2002Erik Geissler Random crosslinking in elastomers gives birth to local variations in the crosslink density. When the network is swollen in a low-molecular-weight solvent, competition between the osmotic pressure and the local elastic constraints transforms these variations into differences in polymer concentration, the range and amplitude of which can be measured by small-angle X-ray or neutron scattering (SAXS or SANS). In filled systems, the distribution both of the polymer and of the elastic constraints is modified. By varying the proportion of deuterated solvent in the network, the scattering function of the polymer can be distinguished from that of the filler using SANS. Such measurements yield not only the internal surface area of the filler particles but also the fraction of that surface in contact with the polymer. The recently developed technique of quasi-elastic SAXS detects slow dynamic processes at wave vectors larger than those accessible with visible light lasers. This technique is used to investigate the dynamics of filler particles in uncrosslinked polymer melts. It is directly shown that the structural reorganization process of the filler following an external mechanical perturbation is diffusion-controlled. [source] Thermodynamic Modeling of Polymer Solution InterfaceMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 2 2009Majid Ghiass Abstract A new method is presented to characterize the interfacial concentration field and interfacial tension between equilibrium polymer solution phases, using readily accessible equilibrium concentration data. The new method is tested and validated using experimental data from different polystyrene solutions and it consists of i) calculation of a universal expression for the concentration gradient coefficient based on the Cahn-Hilliard model and the Wolf interfacial tension master equation, and ii) development of a highly accurate algebraic function (Kappa distribution) that, for a given equilibrium polymer concentration set, yields the essentially exact interfacial profile predicted by the classical gradient theory for polymer solutions. [source] Magnetic resonance imaging of spatially resolved acrylamide photopolymerizationMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2003Tom J. Lees Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging was employed to examine spatially and temporally resolved photopolymerization of acrylamide gels. Fast exchange between free and bound water results in single exponential T2 decay, where 1/T2 scales linearly with polymer concentration. Measured T2s are sensitive to the experimental conditions; however, the 1/T2 relationship to polymer concentration allows a straightforward interpretation of image contrast changes during photopolymerization. The polymer appears to form at a nearly constant rate until the monomer concentration is significantly depleted. Conventional spin-echo images and quantitative CPMG-weighted spin-echo images were acquired. Photopolymerization of a partially masked sample produced a sharp transition (1 mm width) between polymer and monomer regions of the sample. The image intensity is uniform throughout the illuminated region of the sample, indicating uniform polymer formation. Interrupting the illumination quenches polymer formation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The influence of the extensional viscosity of very low concentrations of high molecular mass water-soluble polymers on atomisation and droplet impactPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 5 2008Peter A Williams BACKGROUND: Water-soluble polymers are increasingly added to herbicide and pesticide formulations at very low concentrations (100,1000 mg L,1) in order to control the spray characteristics, notably to reduce spray drift and influence droplet bounce. The incorporation of polymeric adjuvants improves the efficacy of the spray solutions, thus enabling crop growers to maximise the performance of agrochemical sprays at lower dose rates of active ingredient. It is important to establish a fundamental understanding of how polymers influence the processes involved in droplet deposition. RESULTS: The shear and extensional viscosities of a series of high molecular mass (Mw) poly(acrylamides) (Mw , 106,107) have been determined at very low concentrations (100,1000 mg L,1). The polymer solutions demonstrated typical shear thinning characteristics under shear, and strain hardening behaviour under extension above a critical strain rate. The presence of the polymers was shown to increase the size of droplets produced in atomisation using an agricultural spray nozzle, as measured by laser diffraction. This was attributed to the increase in the extensional viscosity at the strain rates generated under pressure in the spray nozzle and was a function of both polymer concentration and Mw. In addition, the presence of polymer was found to have a significant influence on droplet bounce. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of very low concentrations of high molecular mass poly(acrylamides) significantly influences the size of droplets formed on atomisation and subsequent bounce characteristics. Large extensional viscosities generated above a critical strain rate are responsible for both processes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Preparation of ultrafine fibrous zein membranes via electrospinningPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2005Takanori Miyoshi Abstract Zein is a protein in corn gluten meal. It has been investigated for use as a structural material because it is renewable and biodegradable. Potential applications of zein include use in coating, film and fiber. In this paper, ultrafine fibrous zein membranes were produced by electrospinning of an 80 wt% ethanol aqueous solution. The morphology of fibers was affected by parameters such as polymer concentration and electric field. As the concentration of the solution increased, wrinkled beads became fewer and fibers became thicker. Fibers were mainly generated above a polymer concentration of 21 wt% with an electric field of 15 kV. However, with a 30 kV field fibers were already generated above 18 wt%. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Formation and characterization of polymersomes made by a solvent injection methodPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 6 2007M. E. Yildiz Abstract In this article a solvent injection method is described for vesicle formation using poly(butadiene)- b-poly(acrylic acid) diblock copolymers as the amphiphilic molecules. Vesicles composed of polymer bilayers are commonly referred to as polymersomes. Solvent injection is shown to be a rapid method for polymersome formation suitable to make large volumes of polymersome solution. The method can be manipulated to obtain a wide range of vesicle sizes depending on the polymer concentration and preparation conditions. Polymersome solutions in this study are characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), fluorescent microscopy, and electron microscopy. Polymersome sizes range from tens of nanometers to several microns. The membrane thickness of smaller polymersomes is found to lie between 14,20,nm. Larger polymersomes are found to have somewhat thicker membranes. The procedure involves the addition of polymers dissolved in an organic solvent to a stirred aqueous solution. The formation of polymersomes by this method is proposed to be governed by the limited mutual solubility of the two solvents and the simultaneous diffusion of solvent and water out of and in to initially formed organic solvent droplets. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rheology control by modulating hydrophobic and inclusive associations of side-groups in poly (acrylic acid)ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009Jie Wang Abstract In this article we demonstrated that the viscosities of modified poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) solutions were tunable by modulating the hydrophobic and inclusion association between alkyl groups and ,-cyclodextrin (,-CD) groups grafted to PAA. The viscosity can be controlled by changing the host,guest molar ratio, alkyl chain length, polymer concentration, salt concentration, pH value, temperature, or addition of native ,-CD. A viscosity maximum for inclusive polymer networks constructed by mixing hydrophobically modified PAA (HMPAA) and ,-CD,modified PAA (,-CDPAA) appeared at the alkyl : ,-CD molar ratio of 1:1, which implies the inclusion association between HM and ,-CD grafts is binary. Longer side chain length or higher polymer concentration led to higher viscosity for aqueous HMPAA solution with only hydrophobic association or its mixture with ,-CDPAA with inclusion association. Monotonically increasing the ionic strength or pH value resulted in a viscosity maximum due to the competition between electrostatic repulsion and hydrophobic or inclusive association. The hydrophobic interactions of alkyl groups could be masked by native ,-CD, and the networks of HMPAA and ,-CDPAA mixture deconstructed upon addition of native ,-CD molecules. The storage modulus and loss modulus of hydrophobic HMPAA and inclusive HMPAA + ,-CDPAA solutions obey time,temperature superposition. The horizontal and vertical temperature shift factors obeyed a simple-exponential Arrhenius relationship, where the activation energies for hydrophobic association system were found to be 3.4 and , 12.1 kJ/mol, and for inclusive association system 53.9 and , 2.9 kJ/mol, respectively. 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