Bio-sorbent from castor oil polyurethane foam containing cellulose-halloysite nanocomposite for removal of manganese, nickel and cobalt ions from water.

In order to mitigate the contamination of water with heavy metals, caused by mining dam failures in Brumadinho and Mariana in Brazil, eco-friendly bio-based castor oil polyurethane foams, containing a cellulose-halloysite green nanocomposite were prepared. Polyurethane foams containing none (PUF-0), 5%wt (PUF-5), and 10%wt (PUF-10) of the nanocomposite were obtained. The application of the material in aqueous media was verified through an investigation of the efficiency of adsorption, the adsorption capacity, and the adsorption kinetics in pH= 2 and pH= 6.

Nanofiber-coated implants: Development and safety after intravitreal application in rabbits.

Intravitreal injections are the preferred choice for drug administration to the posterior segment of the eye. However, the required frequent injections may cause complications to the patient and low adherence to the treatment. Intravitreal implants are able to maintain therapeutic levels for a long period.

Polymeric film containing pomegranate peel extract as a promising tool for the treatment of candidiasis.

Polymeric films containing pomegranate peel extract (PPE) can act as a drug-delivery platform for topical treatment of candidiasis. The composition, mechanical resistance, and antifungal activity of a polymeric film containing PPE at 1.25 mg.

Polymeric films containing pomegranate peel extract based on PVA/starch/PAA blends for use as wound dressing: In vitro analysis and physicochemical evaluation.

Chronic wounds constitute a serious public health problem, and developing pharmaceutical dosage forms to ensure patient comfort and safety, as well as optimizing treatment effectiveness, are of great interest in the pharmaceutical, medical and biomaterial fields. In this work, the preparation of films based on blends of poly(vinyl alcohol), starch and poly(acrylic acid), polymers widely used as pharmaceutical excipients, and pomegranate peel extract (PPE), a bioactive compound with antimicrobial and healing activities relevant to the use as a bioactive wound dressing, was proposed. Initially, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the PPE was investigated by an in vitro method.

Ocular biocompatibility of dexamethasone acetate loaded poly(ɛ-caprolactone) nanofibers.

Electrospinning technique has been explored to produce nanofibers incorporated with drugs as alternative drug delivery systems for therapeutic purposes in various organs and tissues. Before such systems could potentially be used, their biocompatibility must be evaluated. In this study, dexamethasone acetate-loaded poly(ɛ-caprolactone) nanofibers (DX PCL nanofibers) were developed for targeted delivery in the vitreous cavity in the treatment of retinal diseases.

Biodegradable core-shell electrospun nanofibers containing bevacizumab to treat age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative ocular disease that affects the central retina. It is considered the main cause of blindness and loss of vision worldwide. Angiogenic factors are associated with AMD, which has led to the use of antiangiogenic drugs, such as bevacizumab, to treat the disease using frequent intravitreal injections.

Amphotericin B-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanofibers: An Alternative Therapy Scheme for Local Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an inflammation localized in the vulvovaginal area. It is mostly caused by Candida albicans. Its treatment is based on the systemic and local administration of antifungal drugs.

Electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) matrices containing silver sulfadiazine complexed with β-cyclodextrin as a new pharmaceutical dosage form to wound healing: preliminary physicochemical and biological evaluation.

Cooperation between researchers in the areas of medical, pharmaceutical and materials science has facilitated the development of pharmaceutical dosage forms that elicit therapeutic effects and protective action with a single product. In addition to optimizing pharmacologic action, such dosage forms provide greater patient comfort and increase success and treatment compliance. In the present work, we prepared semipermeable bioactive electrospun fibers for use as wound dressings containing silver sulfadiazine complexed with β-cyclodextrin in a poly(Ɛ-caprolactone) nanofiber matrix aiming to reduce the direct contact between silver and skin and to modulate the drug release.

Improved Cytotoxic Effect of Doxorubicin by Its Combination with Sclareol in Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Suspension.

This work aims to develop, characterize, and evaluate the anticancer activity of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) containing doxorubicin (DOX), an antitumoral from the antracycline class, and sclareol (SC), a lipophilic labdene diterpene (SLN-DOX-SC). The SLN were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Small Angle X-ray Diffraction (SAXS), in vitro release, transmission electron microscopy, and polarized light microscopy. Evaluation of cell viability was performed in two cell cultures: MCF-7 (human breast cancer) and 4T1 (murine breast cancer).

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Dexamethasone Controlled Released From Anterior Suprachoroidal Polyurethane Implants on Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis in Rats.

Purpose: Targeted drug delivery to the ocular tissues remains a challenge. Biodegradable intraocular implants allow prolonged controlled release of drugs directly into the eye. In this study, we evaluated an anterior suprachoroidal polyurethane implant containing dexamethasone polyurethane dispersions (DX-PUD) as a drug delivery system in the rat model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU).

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Retinoic Acid and Lauric Acid as an Alternative for Topical Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.

Topical therapy is the first choice for the treatment of mild to moderate acne and all-trans retinoic acid is one of the most used drugs. The combination of retinoids and antimicrobials is an innovative approach for acne therapy. Recently, lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid, has shown strong antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes.

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable polyurethane films based on HDI with hydrolyzable crosslinked bonds and a homogeneous structure for biomedical applications.

Synthetic biodegradable polymers are considered strategic in the biomaterials field and are used in various applications. Among the polymers used as biomaterials, polyurethanes (PUs) feature prominently due to their versatility and the ability to obtain products with a wide range of physical and mechanical properties. In this work, new biodegradable polyurethane films were developed based on hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and glycerol as the hard segment (HS), and poly(caprolactone) triol (PCL triol) and low-molecular-weight poly(ethylene glycol) PEG as the soft segment (SS) without the use of a catalyst.

In vitro and in vivo ocular biocompatibility of electrospun poly(ɛ-caprolactone) nanofibers.

Biocompatibility is a requirement for the development of nanofibers for ophthalmic applications. In this study, nanofibers were elaborated using poly(ε-caprolactone) via electrospinning. The ocular biocompatibility of this material was investigated.

Montmorillonite clay based polyurethane nanocomposite as substrate for retinal pigment epithelial cell growth.

The subretinal transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE cells) grown on polymeric supports may have interest in retinal diseases affecting RPE cells. In this study, montmorillonite based polyurethane nanocomposite (PU-NC) was investigated as substrate for human RPE cell growth (ARPE-19 cells). The ARPE-19 cells were seeded on the PU-NC, and cell viability, proliferation and differentiation were investigated.

Development of biodegradable polyurethane and bioactive glass nanoparticles scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.

The development of polymer/bioactive glass has been recognized as a strategy to improve the mechanical behavior of bioactive glass-based materials. Several studies have reported systems based on bioactive glass/biopolymer composites. In this study, we developed a composite system based on bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGNP), obtained by a modified Stöber method.

Controlled release of triamcinolone acetonide from polyurethane implantable devices: application for inhibition of inflammatory-angiogenesis.

The purpose of this study was to develop triamcinolone acetonide-loaded polyurethane implants (TA PU implants) for the local treatment of different pathologies including arthritis, ocular and neuroinflammatory disorders. The TA PU implants were characterized by FTIR, SAXS and WAXS. The in vitro and in vivo release of TA from the PU implants was evaluated.

Controlled release of dexamethasone acetate from biodegradable and biocompatible polyurethane and polyurethane nanocomposite.

Polyurethanes and polyurethane nanocomposites can be applied to control the release of drugs previously incorporated into these materials. In this study, dexamethasone acetate (ACT) was incorporated into biodegradable and biocompatible polyurethane and polyurethane containing montmorillonite nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic technique showed no strong interactions between drug and polymers.

[Bioceramic and polymeric bioactive composite implants in orbit zygomatic complex reconstruction: a new prospect for biomaterials].

Purpose: To evaluate through clinical and tomographic parameters implant behavior in orbital zygomatic reconstruction in six patients.

Methods: The subjects for this preliminary study consisted of six anophthalmic socket patients (3 patients presented residual orbital zygomatic deformities after complex facial fractures and 3 patients presented orbital zygomatic retraction after enucleation and radiotherapy to treat retinoblastoma in infancy). These deformities were surgically corrected with this composite implant.

[Experimental comparative study of bioactive composite with polymeric matrix for applications to oculoplastic surgery for tissue replacement].

Purpose: To compare two new biomaterials: Composite 10% (Engineering School--Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais-UFMG-Brazil) and Composite 20% (Engineering School--Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais-UFMG-Brazil), with two similar materials as control: Medpor (Porex Surgical Inc.--USA) e Polipore (Homus Com. Ind.

[Correlation between degree of conversion, microhardness and inorganic content in composites].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between degree of conversion and microhardness in dental composites, as well as the effect of the inorganic content and type of photo-curing unit on these parameters. Three indirect composites (Artglass, Solidex and Zeta LC) were polymerized by means of three different laboratorial units (UniXS, Solidilite and an experimental device). For each material, fifteen samples were prepared using a metal matrix.