Eco-friendly polyurethane acrylate (PUA)/natural filler-based composite as an antifouling product for marine coating.

In the current study, the polyurethane acrylate (PUA) polymer was synthesized by the addition reaction between an isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and cured by polyol. Different properties of the synthesized PUA were determined through diverse analysis methods. The polyurethane acrylate (PUA)/natural filler-based composite (rhizome water extract of Costus speciosus) was prepared as an antifouling agent.

Stabilization of a hyaluronate-associated gene delivery system using calcium ions.

A "DPH" ternary complex consisting of plasmid DNA (pDNA), intracellularly degradable polyethyleneimine, and hyaluronic acid (HA) is a promising non-viral gene carrier with low toxicity and good gene transfection efficiency. HA plays a key role in providing an optimal balance between DNA protection and release, but it causes aggregation due to the entanglement of HA chains of neighbouring DPH particles. Here we report that the addition of an optimal level of Ca successfully prevents particle aggregation and maintains a relatively small size.

A strategy to deliver genes to cystic fibrosis lungs: a battle with environment.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) sputum, a tenacious biopolymer network accumulating in the airways, critically interferes with the effectiveness of pulmonary gene delivery. To overcome this challenge, nanoparticulate ternary gene-polymer complexes were encapsulated in inhalable dry microparticles containing mannitol. When applied on a layer of artificial sputum, which comprised major components of CF sputum such as DNA and mucin, mannitol microparticles rapidly dissolved in it and enhanced transport of nanoparticles across the sputum layer.

Challenges and advances in the development of inhalable drug formulations for cystic fibrosis lung disease.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem genetic disorder, which usually results in significant respiratory dysfunction. At present there is no cure for CF, but advances in pharmacotherapy have gradually increased the life expectancy of CF patients. As many drugs used in the therapy of CF are delivered by inhalation, the demand for effective and convenient inhalational CF drug formulations will grow as CF patients live longer.

Development of inhalable dry powder formulation of basic fibroblast growth factor.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a promising agent for therapy of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We aim to develop an inhalable powder formulation of bFGF, which may provide a safe, effective, and convenient way of delivering bFGF to the disease-ridden lungs. Development of a bFGF dry powder formulation is constrained by the poor stability of bFGF and the uncertainty in compatibility of the protein with carrier excipients.