Mucoadhesive delivery systems. I. Evaluation of mucoadhesive polymers for buccal tablet formulation

Different types of mucoadhesive polymers, intended for buccal tablet formulation, were investigated for their comparative mucoadhesive force, swelling behavior, residence time and surface pH. The selected polymers were carbopols (CP934, and CP940), polycarbophil (PC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) and pectin representing the anionic type, while chitosan (Ch) as cationic polymer and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) as a non-ionic polymer. Results revealed that polyacrylic acid derivatives (PAA) showed the highest bioadhesion force, prolonged residence time and high surface acidity. SCMC and chitosan ensured promising bioadhesive characteristics, whilst HPMC and pectin exhibited weaker bioadhesion. Different polymer combinations as well as formulations were evaluated to improve the mucoadhesive performance of the tablets. Bioadhesive tablet formulations containing either 5% CP934, 65% HPMC and 30% spray-dried lactose or 2% PC, 68% HPMC and 30% mannitol showed optimum mucoadhesion and suitable residence time. SCMC, when formulated individually, exhibited promising bioadhesion, acceptable swelling, convenient residence time and surface pH. In-vivo trials of these formulations proved non-irritative and prolonged residence of the mucoadhesive tablets on human buccal mucosa for 8 to 13 h.     

Application of MoS2 thin film in multi-wavelength and Q-switched EDFL

Multi-wavelength and Q-switched EDFLs are demonstrated using a MoS₂ thin film as stabilizer and saturable absorber, respectively. For a multi-wavelength output, a 50-m-long PCF is incorporated into the cavity to induce unstable multi-wavelength oscillation and a MoS₂ thin film is further incorporated into the cavity to achieve stable multi-wavelength. The laser generates 11 lasing wavelengths with constant spacing of 0.47 nm at pump power of 250 mW. In the case of the Q-switched EDFL, MoS₂ thin film is utilized as a saturable absorber. Q-switched operation occurrs at a threshold pump power of 28.86–51.48 mW and the spectrum is centered at 1561.15 nm. The pulse repetition rate showed increasing trend from 18.57–30.72 kHz whereas the pulse width decreased from 53.85–32.54 μs in the Q-switched pump power range. The highest pulse energy of 30.73 nJ is obtained at pump power of 51.48 mW.     

Effect of filler load and high-energy ball milling process on properties of plasticized wheat gluten/olive pomace biocomposite

The increase of particles surface area can optimize the dispersion state of biocomposite components and enhance their properties. First in this paper, we aimed to elaborate a novel biocomposite without any treatments. Plasticized wheat gluten (WG), was filled with 0–20% of olive pomace (OP) powder. The second objective was the improvement of biocomposite properties using physical treatment. High-energy ball milling process was applied on the blend of wheat gluten and olive pomace powders (MPs). The grinding effect of particle shape, size and distribution in biocomposite was characterised by particle size distribution using a laser-light diffraction and by SEM analysis. The cryo-fractured surface of selected films, mechanical properties, moisture absorption and thermal properties of both biocomposites were described in details. It was found that the sensitivity of biocomposites to moisture absorption was reduced with the increase of filler content after the applying of high-energy ball milling process. The thermal stability of OP biocomposite decreased with the increase of loading, while that of MPs was unaffected by high-energy ball milling process. This process affects the physical and morphological characteristics of the powders. The mechanical properties were improved by grinding process at filler content lower than15%.     

Graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto hemicellulose using ceric ammonium nitrate

The ability of ceric ammonium nitrate to induce graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto hemicellulose was investigated. The graft yield depends on monomer and initiator concentrations as well as reaction time and temperature. Chemical analysis of the reaction product of hemicellulose and acrylonitrile in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate revealed that the ceric ammonium nitrate acted as initiator for polymerization of acrylonitrile and as oxidizing agent for hemicellulose. Proof for grafting of hemicellulose was provided through IR analysis.     

Mechanical properties of paper sheets prepared from partially cyanoethylated wood pulp

Cyanoethylated of wood pulp was carried out at different conditions including acrylonitrile concentration, time, and temperature of the reaction. Some mechanical properties of paper sheets prepared from the cyanoethylated wood pulp were examined. Cyanoethylated paper sheets acquired higher breaking length, fold number, and burst factor than the untreated paper sheets irrespective of the conditions used for cyanoethylation. On the other hand, the tear factor of cyanoethylated paper sheets was generally lower than that of the untreated control through under certain conditions cyanoethylation brought about substantial improvement in tear factor. The water retention value and beating time are decreased depending upon the condition of cyanoethylation used.     

A study of wet and dry strength properties of unaged and hygrothermally aged paper sheets reinforced with biopolymer composites

Biopolymers and their composites were added during the formation of unbleached Kraft bagasse pulp paper sheets to improve the mechanical strength properties of the produced hand sheets. The biopolymers (cellulose, chitosan, and chitosan‐cellulose composite) were either crosslinked or noncrosslinked and they were added in series of concentrations from 0.1% to 1.5%. The characterization of the samples using the Fourier transform infrared (IR) technique identified differences in the intensities of the characteristic IR absorption bands for chitosan, cellulose, and their composites, these differences are due to the various degrees of hydrogen bonding. The surface morphology of the biopolymers composites and the treated paper sheets were studied using SEM technique. Both the equilibrium moisture sorption and the diffusion coefficient of the paper sheets containing 1% additives were evaluated at regular time intervals. The long‐term stability of the treated paper with biopolymers was verified by exposing the treated and the untreated sheets to hygrothermal ageing. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40761.     

Surface treatment with amino acids of porous collagen based scaffolds to improve cell adhesion and proliferation

The purpose of this study was to improve the biocompatibility of glutaraldehyde (GA) cross‐linked chitosan coated collagen scaffold for cartilage tissue regeneration. In order to prevent the potential toxicity of GA, we treated the designed scaffold with either glutamic acid or glycine. Amino acid treated scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Afterward, chondrocyte interaction with the composite scaffold was investigated assessing cell adhesion and proliferation using Hoechst staining and MTT cell proliferation assay, respectively. The SEM analyses of the scaffolds’ surface and cross‐section confirmed the adhesion of amino acids on the surface of the scaffolds. We also observed that scaffolds’ porosity was reduced due to the coverage of the pores by chitosan and amino acids, leading to low porosity. The use of amino acid improved the chondrocyte adhesion and proliferation inside the scaffolds’ pores when cells were cultured onto the chitosan‐coated collagen scaffolds. Overall, our in vitro results suggest the use of amino acid to improve the biocompatibility of natural polymer composite scaffold being crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Such scaffold has improved mechanical properties; biocompatibility thus may be useful for tissue regeneration such as cartilage.

     

Use of radiation grafted PVC–acrylamide membranes in radioactive waste treatment

Acrylamide monomer (AAm) was grafted onto poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films using γ‐radiation to produce high performance functional membranes which can be employed as ion‐exchangers. The preparation and characterization of the synthetic membranes are investigated. To elucidate their possible applications, some selected properties have been studied. In addition, thermal properties have been studied using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry; X‐ray diffraction has been used to determine changes in polymer morphology. The selectivity of such membranes towards different radionuclides has also been investigated. On the basis of these investigations, the applicability of the prepared membranes is determined and discussed. The prepared PVC‐g‐PAAm has a great tendency to remove ⁶⁰Co from a radioactive liquid waste containing both ⁶⁰Co and ¹³⁷Cs. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry