Smart Hydrogels: Preparation, Characterization, and Determination of Transition Points of Crosslinked -Isopropyl Acrylamide/Acrylamide/Carboxylic Acids Polymers.

Smart hydrogels (SH) were prepared by thermal free radical polymerization of -isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm), acrylamide (AAm) with acrylic acid (A) or maleic acid (M), and ,'-methylene bisacrylamide. Spectroscopic and thermal characterizations of SHs were performed using FTIR, TGA, and DSC. To determine the effects of SHs on swelling characteristics, swelling studies were performed in different solvents, solutions, temperatures, pHs, and ionic strengths.

A digital image analysis study on the disintegration kinetics of reticular fibers in the ethylene glycol-induced rat liver tissue.

Ethylene glycol (EG), the raw material of polyethylenterephthalate, which is the most consumed plastic in the world, has low toxicity, but its metabolites are toxic. EG metabolites can cause acidosis, fibrosis, and eventually cirrhosis in the liver. This study aimed to investigate the effect of EG on rat liver and to determine the quantitative values of the disintegration of reticular fibers (RF) in the liver with the dose duration and to investigate the changes by digital image analysis (DIA).

Poly(acrylamide/vinylsulfonic acid) hydrogel for invertase immobilization.

Poly (acrylamide/vinylsulfonic acid) PA/VSA and poly (acrylamide) PA hydrogels were prepared by free radical polymerization in the presence of a crosslinker, to be used as a support for the invertase enzyme. Spectrophotometric, thermal analysis methods, swelling, and diffusion experiments were used for the characterization of hydrogels. SEM images show that the hydrogels have a smooth, homogeneous, highly porous and spongy morphology.

Effects of diabetes on apoptosis and mitosis in rat hippocampus.

Diabetes contributes to neurological dysfunction including peripheral nerve diseases, stroke and dementia. We investigated the effects of diabetes on apoptosis and mitosis in the hippocampal CA1 region. Rats were given diabetes by injection of streptozotocin (STZ).

A study of digital image analysis on the acrylamide derivative monomers induced apoptosis in rat cerebrum.

Nowadays, apoptosis is mostly evaluated visually in histological studies. By using the quantitative digital image analysis, this study aimed to investigate the effect of acrylamide-based monomers (acrylamide [AAm], methacrylamide [MAAm], N-isopropylacrylamide [NIPAm]) on the cerebrum tissues in rats, which are the most common water-soluble monomers in the production of polymeric hydrogels used as biomaterials. The Wistar albino rats weighing ~220-240 g were divided into control and three test groups.

Acrylamide-sepiolite based composite hydrogels for immobilization of invertase.

Novel composite hydrogels, poly(acrylamide)-sepiolite (PAS), poly(acrylamide/acrylic acid)-sepiolite (PAAS), and poly(acrylamide/itaconic acid)-sepiolite (PAIS) were prepared and used for the immobilization of invertase. The parameters of equilibrium swelling, diffusional exponent, and diffusion coefficient of these hydrogels were calculated from swelling experiments. Invertase was immobilized onto PAS, PAAS, and PAIS and immobilized invertases (PASI, PAASI, and PAISI) were prepared.

Dynamic swelling behavior of gamma-radiation induced polyelectrolyte poly(AAm-co-CA) hydrogels in urea solutions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the equilibrium swelling properties in urea solutions of gamma-radiation induced polyelectrolyte copolymeric hydrogels consisting of acrylamide (AAm) and crotonic acid (CA). Poly(acrylamide-co-crotonic acid), poly(AAm-co-CA) hydrogels containing different amounts of CA were obtained in the form of rods after radiation. Swelling experiments were performed in aqueous urea solutions at 25 degrees C, gravimetrically.

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of IPN hydrogels for antibiotic release.

We prepared new ternary interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPN) systems containing chitosan, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(acrylamide) polymers. IPNs were synthesized by radical polymerization of acrylamide monomers in presence of glutaraldehyde (G) and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinkers and the other polymers. These IPNs were named as C-P-A.

pH-sensitive chitosan films for baker's yeast immobilization.

Dried baker's yeast cells were immobilized on a chitosan film, which is a natural polymer. Prepared chitosan films were treated with glutaraldehyde to facilitate the immobilization of the cells. The effects of the amount of glutaraldehyde, incubation time, pH, and temperature on immobilization were investigated.