Characterization and in vitro degradation of poly(2,3-(1,4-diethyl tartrate)-co-2,3-isopropyliden tartrate).

In the present study, a less known polyester based on tartaric acid was characterized with respect to its degradation mechanism. Poly(2,3-(1,4-diethyl tartrate)-co-2,3-isopropyliden tartrate) (PTA) differs from commonly used biodegradable polyesters, such as poly(lactides-co-glycolides) (PLGA) by the presence of additional cleavable bonds in the polymer side chains. This modification results in different polymer properties and influences polymer degradation.

In vitro and in vivo correlation of buserelin release from biodegradable implants using statistical moment analysis.

Here we investigated the possibility to develop different levels of correlation between in vitro drug release profiles and in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters for three Buserelin implant formulations. The in vitro and in vivo data were analyzed using model-independent and model-dependent methods. Since diffusion, dissolution and erosion effects influence drug release in most cases a simple kinetic model is unlikely to explain the overall in vivo release behavior.

Hydrolytic degradation of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) films: effect of oligomers on degradation rate and crystallinity.

Oligomers are thought to accelerate the hydrolytic degradation of devices prepared from poly(lactide-co-glycolide), PLGA, due to their increased number of carboxylic end groups. To experimentally verify this hypothesis, two D,L-lactic acid oligomers having molecular weights close to their critical limit of solubility were synthesized and incorporated into PLGA films in three concentrations (0, 10, and 30% w/w). All films were translucent, rather flexible and initially amorphous.

Characterization of a homologous series of D,L-lactic acid oligomers; a mechanistic study on the degradation kinetics in vitro.

A series of low molecular weight polymers of D,L-lactic acid has been synthesized. The oligomers were characterized with respect to molecular weight, glass transition temperature and solubility. The number average molecular weight of the oligomers ranged from 290 to 1320Da.

Collective response of an array of rotating particles to fluctuating confining forces.

We study the influence of fluctuations of confining forces on the rotation patterns in a dense array of cylinders. Our theoretical studies are motivated by new results from detailed time-resolved experimental measurements. In order to calculate the system's evolution in time at each moment, a molecular-dynamics code adapted to the system is developed.