Elastomeric Protein Bioactive Eutectogels for Topical Drug Delivery

Therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDES) are an emerging family of eutectic mixtures gaining increasing interest in the biomedical space. The immobilization of THEDES into polymer networks allows bioactive eutectogels to expand their application scope to topical drug delivery. Herein, this work presents the first set of elastomeric eutectogels constructed by supporting a therapeutic eutectic system with skin permeation ability in a protein scaffold dynamically crosslinked by a natural polyphenol. In this ionic eutectic, gelatin undergoes gelation through an unexpected mechanism in striking contrast with classical hydrogels, which is herein thoroughly studied. Interestingly, the polyphenol controls the conformation of the protein structure, enabling tuning up the mechanical and viscoelastic behavior of the dynamic eutectogel networks from elastic to hyperelastic. The resultant protein eutectogels exhibit strain-hardening behavior, thermoreversible gel-to-sol transition, and excellent adhesive performance. Furthermore, these versatile materials retain the bioactivity of the liquid THEDES and favor skin occlusion, assisting the delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances in ex vivo porcine skin in a time-dependent penetration process. These ultrastretchable eutectogels show new interplays between protein scaffolds and eutectic mixtures, paving the way for innovative therapeutic soft materials.     

Enhancing the stability and crystallinity of CsPbIBr2 through antisolvent engineering

All inorganic lead-based perovskites containing bromine-iodine alloys, such as CsPbIBr_2, have arisen as one of the most attractive candidates for absorber layers in solar cells. That said, there remains a large gap when it comes to film and crystal quality between the inorganic and hybrid perovskites. In this work, antisolvent engineering is employed as a simple and reproducible method for improving CsPbIBr₂ thin films. We found that both the antisolvent used and the conditions under which it was applied have a measurable impact on both the quality and stability of the final product. We arrived at this conclusion by characterising the samples using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–visible and photoluminescence measurements, as well as employing a novel system to quantify stability. Our findings, and the application of our novel method for quantifying stability, demonstrate the ability to significantly enhance CsPbIBr₂ samples, produced via a static one-step spin coating method, by applying isopropanol 10 s after commencing the spin programme. The antisolvent quenched CsPbIBr₂ films demonstrate both improved crystallinity and an extended lifespan.

     

Mechanochemical synthesis of ternary chalcogenide chalcostibite CuSbS2 and its characterization

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - In this work, the very rapid one-step mechanochemical synthesis of nanocrystalline ternary chalcogenide chalcostibite CuSbS2 prepared from...     

Market concentration in the Spanish turbot aquaculture sector: A regional analysis

This paper analyses the regional evolution of the market structure in the Spanish turbot industry, which is the leading turbot producer in Europe, using different concentration rates. The analysis is performed considering several factors that have influenced the evolution of the sector, the most important being the application of technology, business strategies and the institutional framework. The results confirm a process of concentration. Starting from an initial phase in which the sector was composed of a considerable number of small companies, this industry has evolved towards a situation in which only two large firms dominate the market.     

Functionalization in solution of polypropylene with a maleinized hyperbranched polyol polyester: Structural,thermal, rheological,and mechanical properties

The functionalization of polypropylene (PP) with a maleinized hyperbranched polyester polyol (MHBP) was performed in solution to obtain PP-g-MHBPs. The degree of functionalization (FD) increased with MHBP and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) contents, but the contact angle followed an opposite behavior. The sample obtained with the proportion of 9.0 wt % MHBP and 2.0 wt % DCP and presented the highest FD value. An FD value of 2.4 wt %, produced a reduction of 19° on the contact angle. It was observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that the PP-g-MHBPs obtained by employing 3.0 wt % of MHBP, exhibited a slight reduction of the melting temperature (T_m) with the increase in the amounts of FD and DCP. Some FD values obtained in this study are higher than those obtained both commercial and noncommercial grades of PP functionalized with maleic anhydride. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 46932.     

Decoration of Squalenoyl-Gemcitabine Nanoparticles with Squalenyl-Hydroxybisphosphonate for the Treatment of Bone Tumors

Therapeutic perspectives of bone tumors such as osteosarcoma remain restricted due to the inefficacy of current treatments. We propose here the construction of a novel anticancer squalene-based nanomedicine with bone affinity and retention capacity. A squalenyl-hydroxybisphosphonate molecule was synthetized by chemical conjugation of a 1-hydroxyl-1,1-bisphosphonate moiety to the squalene chain. This amphiphilic compound was inserted onto squalenoyl-gemcitabine nanoparticles using the nanoprecipitation method. The co-assembly led to nanoconstructs of 75 nm, with different morphology and colloidal properties. The presence of squalenyl-hydroxybisphosphonate enhanced the nanoparticles binding affinity for hydroxyapatite, a mineral present in the bone. Moreover, the in vitro anticancer activity was preserved when tested in commercial and patient-treated derived pediatric osteosarcoma cells. Further in vivo studies will shed light on the potential of these nanomedicines for the treatment of bone sarcomas.