Synthesis of Thermoresponsive Chitosan--Poly(-isopropylacrylamide) Hybrid Copolymer and Its Complexation with DNA.

A hybrid synthetic-natural, thermoresponsive graft copolymer composed of poly(-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) side chains, prepared via RAFT polymerization, and a chitosan (Chit) polysaccharide backbone, was synthesized via radical addition-fragmentation reactions using the "grafting to" technique, in aqueous solution. ATR-FTIR, TGA, polyelectrolyte titrations and H NMR spectroscopy were employed in order to validate the Chit--PNIPAM copolymer chemical structure. Additionally, H NMR spectra and back conductometric titration were utilized to quantify the content of grafted PNIPAM side chains.

Tri-Component Hydrogel as Template for Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite Deposition Using Alternate Soaking Method for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications.

Composite hydrogels containing apatite-like particles can act as scaffolds for osteoblast proliferation, with applications in bone tissue engineering. In this respect, porous biocompatible hydrogels were obtained from chitosan, oxidized pullulan, and PVA in different ratios. The stability of the hydrogels was ensured both by covalent bonds between aldehyde groups of oxidized pullulan and free amino groups of chitosan, and by physical bonds formed during freeze-thaw cycles and lyophilization.

Suprachoroidal Injection: A Novel Approach for Targeted Drug Delivery.

Treating posterior segment and retinal diseases poses challenges due to the complex structures in the eye that act as robust barriers, limiting medication delivery and bioavailability. This necessitates frequent dosing, typically via eye drops or intravitreal injections, to manage diseases, often leading to side effects with long-term use. Suprachoroidal injection is a novel approach for targeted drug delivery to the posterior segment.

Hydrogel Beads of Amidoximated Starch and Chitosan as Efficient Sorbents for Inorganic and Organic Compounds.

The synthesis of hydrogel beads involving natural polymers is, nowadays, a leading research area. Among natural polymers, starch and chitosan represent two biomolecules with proof of efficiency and low economic impact in various utilization fields. Therefore, herein, the features of hydrogel beads obtained from chitosan and three sorts of starch (potato, wheat and rise starches), grafted with acrylonitrile and then amidoximated, were deeply investigated for their use as sorbents for heavy metal ions and dyes.