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Research on Synthesis and Application of Polymer Materials

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2024) | Viewed by 4918

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: pharmaceutical chemistry; drug design; organic chemistry; cell biology; material synthesis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue delves into the cutting-edge advancements and insights in the realm of polymer materials, exploring their synthesis, properties, and diverse applications across various fields. The contributions within this Special Issue encompass a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from novel synthesis techniques and structural characterization to innovative applications in fields such as medicine, environment, electronics, packaging, and beyond. As we delve into the multidisciplinary nature of polymer science, this Special Issue serves as a platform to showcase the collaborative efforts of researchers and practitioners, shedding light on the pivotal role that polymer materials play in shaping our modern world. Join us on a journey through the fascinating landscape of polymer research and its ever-expanding influence on technology and innovation.

Dr. Chiara Zagni
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • polymer
  • composites
  • biopolymer
  • sustainable polymer
  • environmental
  • drug delivery
  • tissue engineering
  • energy
  • battery
  • polymer coating
  • packaging
  • hybrid material

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 4843 KiB  
Article
Characterization of HPMC and PEG 400 Mucoadhesive Film Loaded with Retinyl Palmitate and Ketorolac for Intravaginal Administration
by Maryel E. Hernández-González, Claudia A. Rodríguez-González, Laura E. Valencia-Gómez, Juan F. Hernández-Paz, Florida Jiménez-Vega, Mauricio Salcedo and Imelda Olivas-Armendáriz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12692; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312692 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 698
Abstract
Intravaginal drug administration offers several advantages over other routes, primarily bypassing the initial stages of metabolism. Additionally, this route has demonstrated both local and systemic effects. Mucoadhesive polymeric systems can be utilized to prevent dose loss due to the mucous barriers and the [...] Read more.
Intravaginal drug administration offers several advantages over other routes, primarily bypassing the initial stages of metabolism. Additionally, this route has demonstrated both local and systemic effects. Mucoadhesive polymeric systems can be utilized to prevent dose loss due to the mucous barriers and the formation of wet cavities. This study employed various techniques to evaluate the performance and characteristics of a mucoadhesive film composed of HPMC-PEG 400 containing retinyl palmitate and ketorolac molecules. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was employed to analyze the porous structure of the film. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was conducted at different temperatures to assess thermal stability. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze the functional groups and intermolecular interactions between the film and the drug. Swelling and weight loss tests indicated that the film disintegrated within 3–4 days. UV-VIS spectroscopy was used for drug release evaluation based on the Higuchi equation. Additionally, the surface wetting properties were assessed through contact angle measurements. The system’s biocompatibility was confirmed using the MTT assay. Finally, adhesion and glide tests demonstrated the film’s interaction with porcine uterine tissue. This study shows that the HPMC-PEG 400 film containing retinyl palmitate molecules interacts effectively with tissue and could be considered a novel tool for treating damaged epithelial tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Synthesis and Application of Polymer Materials)
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13 pages, 4307 KiB  
Article
HEMA-Lysine-Based Cryogels for Highly Selective Heparin Neutralization
by Tommaso Mecca, Fabiola Spitaleri, Rita La Spina, Sabrina Gioria, Valentina Giglio and Francesca Cunsolo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6503; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126503 - 13 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1004
Abstract
Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and its low-molecular-weight fragments (LMWH) are widely used as anticoagulants for surgical procedures and extracorporeal blood purification therapies such as cardiovascular surgery and dialysis. The anticoagulant effect of heparin is essential for the optimal execution of extracorporeal blood circulation. However, [...] Read more.
Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and its low-molecular-weight fragments (LMWH) are widely used as anticoagulants for surgical procedures and extracorporeal blood purification therapies such as cardiovascular surgery and dialysis. The anticoagulant effect of heparin is essential for the optimal execution of extracorporeal blood circulation. However, at the end of these procedures, to avoid the risk of bleeding, it is necessary to neutralize it. Currently, the only antidote for heparin neutralization is protamine sulphate, a highly basic protein which constitutes a further source of serious side events and is ineffective in neutralizing LMWH. Furthermore, dialysis patients, due to the routine administration of heparin, often experience serious adverse effects, among which HIT (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia) is one of the most severe. For this reason, the finding of new heparin antagonists or alternative methods for heparin removal from blood is of great interest. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a set of biocompatible macroporous cryogels based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and L-lysine with strong filtering capability and remarkable neutralization performance with regard to UFH and LMWH. These properties could enable the design and creation of a filtering device to rapidly reverse heparin, protecting patients from the harmful consequences of the anticoagulant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Synthesis and Application of Polymer Materials)
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Review

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24 pages, 4672 KiB  
Review
Fabrication and Biomedical Application of Alginate Composite Hydrogels in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Review
by Xiuqiong Chen, Ting Wu, Yanan Bu, Huiqiong Yan and Qiang Lin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(14), 7810; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25147810 - 17 Jul 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2456
Abstract
Nowadays, as a result of the frequent occurrence of accidental injuries and traumas such as bone damage, the number of people causing bone injuries or fractures is increasing around the world. The design and fabrication of ideal bone tissue engineering (BTE) materials have [...] Read more.
Nowadays, as a result of the frequent occurrence of accidental injuries and traumas such as bone damage, the number of people causing bone injuries or fractures is increasing around the world. The design and fabrication of ideal bone tissue engineering (BTE) materials have become a research hotspot in the scientific community, and thus provide a novel path for the treatment of bone diseases. Among the materials used to construct scaffolds in BTE, including metals, bioceramics, bioglasses, biomacromolecules, synthetic organic polymers, etc., natural biopolymers have more advantages against them because they can interact with cells well, causing natural polymers to be widely studied and applied in the field of BTE. In particular, alginate has the advantages of excellent biocompatibility, good biodegradability, non-immunogenicity, non-toxicity, wide sources, low price, and easy gelation, enabling itself to be widely used as a biomaterial. However, pure alginate hydrogel as a BTE scaffold material still has many shortcomings, such as insufficient mechanical properties, easy disintegration of materials in physiological environments, and lack of cell-specific recognition sites, which severely limits its clinical application in BTE. In order to overcome the defects of single alginate hydrogels, researchers prepared alginate composite hydrogels by adding one or more materials to the alginate matrix in a certain proportion to improve their bioapplicability. For this reason, this review will introduce in detail the methods for constructing alginate composite hydrogels, including alginate/polymer composite hydrogels, alginate/bioprotein or polypeptide composite hydrogels, alginate/bioceramic composite hydrogels, alginate/bioceramic composite hydrogels, and alginate/nanoclay composite hydrogels, as well as their biological application trends in BTE scaffold materials, and look forward to their future research direction. These alginate composite hydrogel scaffolds exhibit both unexceptionable mechanical and biochemical properties, which exhibit their high application value in bone tissue repair and regeneration, thus providing a theoretical basis for the development and sustainable application of alginate-based functional biomedical materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Synthesis and Application of Polymer Materials)
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