Environmentally Friendly o-Cresol-Furfural-Formaldehyde Resin as an Alternative to Traditional Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins for Paint Industry.

This paper describes studies on the preparation of an o-cresol-furfural-formaldehyde resin in the presence of an alkaline catalyst and its modification with n-butanol or 2-ethylhexanol. The novelty of this research is to obtain a furfural-based resin of the resole type and its etherification. Such resins are not described in the literature and also are not available on the market.

Poly(sebacic acid) microparticles loaded with azithromycin as potential pulmonary drug delivery system: Physicochemical properties, antibacterial behavior, and cytocompatibility studies.

Recurrent bacterial infections are a common cause of death for patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Herein, we present the development of the degradable poly(sebacic acid) (PSA) microparticles loaded with different concentrations of azithromycin (AZ) as a potential powder formulation to deliver AZ locally to the lungs. We characterized microparticle size, morphology, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, interaction PSA with AZ and degradation profile in phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

Highly Branched Betulin Based Polyanhydrides for Self-Assembled Micellar Nanoparticles Formulation.

Polyanhydrides based on betulin are promising materials for use in controlled drug delivery systems. Due to the broad biological activity of betulin derivatives and lack of toxicity in vitro and in vivo, these polymers can be used both as polymeric prodrug and as carriers of other biologically active compounds. In this study, we develop a novel amphiphilic branched polyanhydrides synthesized by the two-step melt polycondensation of betulin disuccinate (DBB) and a tricarboxylic derivative of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG_COOH).

Emulsion Explosives: A Tutorial Review and Highlight of Recent Progress.

Emulsion explosives (EE) have been commercially available in various forms for over 50 years. Over this period, the popularity and production technology of this class of energetic materials have been developing constantly. Despite this rapid rise to prominence and, in some applications, prevalence over traditional energetic materials, remarkably little information is available on the physicochemical and energetic properties of these materials and factors affecting those properties.

Biodegradable and Bioactive Carriers Based on Poly(betulin disuccinate--sebacic Acid) for Rifampicin Delivery.

This paper describes the preparation and characterization of polymer-drug systems based on polymeric microspheres obtained from poly(betulin disuccinate--sebacic acid). The active compound that was coupled to the betulin-based carriers was rifampicin (RIF), an ansamycin drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Poly(betulin disuccinate--sebacic acid) microspheres were prepared using a solvent evaporation technique from copolymers obtained by polycondensation of betulin disuccinate () and sebacic acid ().

Novel Sensitizing Agent Formulation for Bulk Emulsion Explosives with Improved Energetic Parameters.

Bulk emulsion explosives, although they are very convenient and safe to use, also have disadvantages, with the main one being the relatively low power in relation to cartridged emulsion explosives or classic nitroesters (e.g., dynamites).

Bioactive Betulin and PEG Based Polyanhydrides for Use in Drug Delivery Systems.

In the course of this study, a series of novel, biodegradable polyanhydrides based on betulin disuccinate and dicarboxylic derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) were prepared by two-step polycondensation. These copolymers can be used as carriers in drug delivery systems, in the form of microspheres. Betulin and its derivatives exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activity, including cytotoxic activity, which makes them promising substances for use as therapeutic agents.

Anticancer activity of functional polysuccinates with N-acetyl-cysteine in side chains.

The synthesis and characteristics of functional polyesters with a potential anticancer activity have been described, followed by a post-modification process of biologically active polymers. First, biodegradable functional polysuccinates possessing pendant allyl groups, that are susceptible to thiol-ene reaction, were obtained by polyaddition of succinic anhydride and allyl glycidyl ether. The functionality of such polyesters was regulated by replacing a part of unsaturated glycidyl ether with saturated ones.

Novel polymeric derivatives of betulin with anticancer activity.

In order to provide novel polymeric biomaterials for chemotherapeutic purposes, in this paper we described the synthesis and the characterization of the physicochemical properties of a betulin-based polyanhydride exhibiting anti-cancer effects. The polyanhydride was obtained by a melt polycondensation of a disuccinate betulin (3,28-di--succinyl betulin), and was thoroughly characterized through H NMR and C NMR spectroscopies, correlation spectroscopy, heteronuclear single quantum correlation, size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and FT-IR spectroscopy. It was confirmed, that the obtained polyanhydride undergoes hydrolytic degradation, releasing disuccinate betulin as a degradation product.

The novel semi-biodegradable interpenetrating polymer networks based on urethane-dimethacrylate and epoxy-polyester components as alternative biomaterials.

Purpose: This paper presents the pilot study aimed at the development of new full interpenetrating polymer networks based on urethane- dimethacrylate and biodegradable epoxy-polyester as the proposition of new biomaterials with gradually emerging porosity.

Methods: The urethane-dimethacrylate monomer was obtained from 4,4'-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) and tetraethylene glycol monomethacrylate. The redox-initiating system was employed for its radical polymerization.

Novel bioactive polyester scaffolds prepared from unsaturated resins based on isosorbide and succinic acid.

In this study new biodegradable materials obtained by crosslinking poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate) (PSAGE) with oligo(isosorbide maleate) (OMIS) and small amount of methyl methacrylate were investigated. The porous scaffolds were obtained in the presence of a foaming system consisted of calcium carbonate/carboxylic acid mixture, creating in situ porous structure during crosslinking of liquid formulations. The maximum crosslinking temperature and setting time, the cured porous materials morphology as well as the effect of their porosity on mechanical properties and hydrolytic degradation process were evaluated.

In vitro release of model compounds with different hydrophilicity from poly(ester-anhydride) microspheres.

Poly(ester-anhydride) microspheres were prepared using emulsion solvent evaporation technique from two copolymers obtained by polycondensation of sebacic acid (SBA) and oligo(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate) terminated with carboxyl groups (OSAGE). The SBA content in copolymers was 90 or 70 w/w %, respectively. The size of microspheres obtained was in the range of 2-4 microm (small microspheres) or 12-31 microm (large ones) and depended on stirring conditions used in emulsion formulation process, as well as on concentration of polymer solution used.

Preliminary studies on the hydrolytic degradation and biocompatibility of poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate).

In the present paper the synthesis and selected properties of functional aliphatic poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate) (PSAGE) are described. This polyester was synthesized by melt co-polymerization of succinic anhydride and allyl glycidyl ether in the presence of benzyltrimethylammonium chloride as catalyst. The chain structure of PSAGE and its end-groups was characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Characterization of new biodegradable bone cement compositions based on functional polysuccinates and methacrylic anhydride.

New biodegradable poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene)succinate-based materials were obtained by cross-linking poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene)succinate (PSAGE) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic anhydride (MAAH). The aim of this study was to examine the influence of MAAH/MMA ratio and incorporation of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) filler on the maximum curing temperature, setting time, compressive strength and modulus of the cured materials, as well as on their hydrolytic degradation. The latter was characterized by determination of the weight loss and observation of changes in samples morphology by SEM.

Evaluation of oligo(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylates effects on the properties of new biodegradable bone cement compositions.

New injectable, in situ curable liquid formulations consisting of biodegradable aliphatic polyester, i.e., poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene)succinate (PSAGE), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and hydrophilic oligo(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylates (OEGDMA) were investigated.