Synthesis and Examination of Nanocomposites Based on Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) for Medicinal Use.

Preparation of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) based nanocomposites using different approaches such as synthesis with water as the porogen, filling of polymer matrix by silica and formation of interpenetrating polymer networks with polyurethane was demonstrated. Incorporation of various biologically active compounds (BAC) such as metronidazole, decamethoxin, zinc sulphate, silver nitrate or amino acids glycine and tryptophan into nanocomposites was achieved. BAC were introduced into the polymer matrix either (1) directly, or (2) with a solution of colloidal silica, or (3) through immobilization on silica (sol-densil).

Probing the silica surfaces by red blood cells.

Background: The polymorphic forms of silica (silicon dioxide; SiO(2)) interact with the cell membranes of many mammalian cells, including red blood cells (RBCs), causing hemolysis. The electrostatic factor, which is believed to be a major contributor to the silica-cell contact, might have potential interest for the study of cell surface properties. The surface properties of SiO(2) particles are also of interest.

Stimulatory effect of aerosil on algal growth.

Unicellular green alga represents not only a convenient model for its biochemical and physiological studies but also a sensitive system to test the effects of various environmental factors. Algae cells of two strains, SA-3 strain (exsymbiotic from Paramecium bursaria) and Chlorella vulgaris c-27, were asynchronously cultured in the presence of 0.01% Aerosil A-300.