A novel photo-crosslinkable, biocompatible, fouling resistant, UV-assisted coating composed of ZnO nanoparticles in methacrylate end-terminal PLA- block -PEG copolymers for combatting implant-associated infections.

In this article we describe the preparation and characterization of a water-triggered shape memory polymer (SMP) family, PCL–PEG based thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). Upon immersion in water, water molecules selectively swelled the hydrophilic PEG domains, resulting in durable hydrogels with strain-to-failure values greater than 700%. Dry samples fixed in a temporary shape underwent watertr...

A novel membrane contactor method was used to produce size-controlled poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) copolymer micelles composed of diblock copolymers with different average molecular weights, Mn (9200 or 10,400 Da) and hydrophilic fractions, f (0.67 or 0.59). By injecting 570 L m(-2) h(-1) of the organic phase (a 1 mg mL(-1) solution of PEG-PCL in tetrahydrofuran) through a...

The administration of poorly water-soluble drugs represents a relevant problem due to the low body fluids transport efficiency through hydrophilic hydrogels. Star-shaped co-polymers, i.e., amphiphilic polymers such as those with hydrophobic core and outer shell, can be used improve weak interactions drugs, benefits in terms controlled delivery. In this work, two different four-arm star-shaped P...

In this work, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) semicrystalline networks were prepared by photo-cross-linking of methacrylated macromonomers with different molecular weights and in proportions to obtain amphiphilic materials capable displaying properly designed shape memory effects. Networks based on PCL 10 kDa PEG 3 showed suitable thermal mechanical properties well-separa...

Electrospinning is an effective method in preparing polymeric nanofibrous drug delivery systems (DDSs) for topical wound healing and skin burn therapy applications. The aim of the present study was to investigate a new synthetic graft copolymer (Soluplus) as a hydrophilic carrier polymer in electrospinning of nanofibrous DDSs. Soluplus (polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glyco...

BACKGROUND Multidrug resistance remains a major obstacle to successful cancer chemotherapy. Some chemical multidrug resistance inhibitors, such as ciclosporin and verapamil, have been reported to reverse resistance in tumor cells. However, the accompanying side effects have limited their clinical application. In this study, we have developed a novel drug delivery system, ie, a polyethyleneglyco...

Background Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) can enhance posterolateral spinal fusion (PLSF). The minimum effective dose that may stimulate mesenchymal stem cells however remains unknown. Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polylactic acid (PLA) was combined with recombinant human BMP2 (rhBMP2). We in vitro evaluated proliferation, differentiation, and osteogenic genes of bon...

BACKGROUND Efficient bone regeneration using recombinant human morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is needed to reduce side effects caused by high-dose BMP-2 use. The composite material of polylactic acid–polyethene glycol (PLA-PEG) for sustained release and an osteogenic nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) can contribute efficient BMP-2. STUDY DESIGN An experimental in vitro vivo study. PURPOSE objective t...

Micelles derived from poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) diblock copolymers (HO-PCLn-b-PEG32-RX, R = -O(CH2)3S(CH2)2-; X = -CO2(-), -SO3(-), -NH3(+)) show corona charge selective degradation catalyzed by P. cepacia lipase isoforms.