We put forth our opinion regarding the enhanced plasticity and modulation of mechanical properties of polymeric films obtained through electrospinning process in this article. In majority of the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and packaging applications, it is desirable that polymer based matrices should be soft, flexible, and have a moderate toughness. In order to convert inflexible and brittle polymers, adjuvants in the form of plasticizers are added to improve the flexibility and smoothness of solvent casted polymer films. However, many of these plasticizers are under scrutiny for their toxic effects and environmental hazards. In addition, plasticizers also increase the cost of end products. This has motivated the scientific community to investigate alternate approaches. The changes imparted in membrane casted by electrospinning were tried to be proved by SEM, Mechanical property study, DSC and XRD studies. We have showed dramatic improvement in flexibility of poly(ε-caprolactone) based nanofiber matrix prepared by electrospinning method whereas solvent casting method without any plasticizer produced very brittle, inflexible film of PCL. Modulation capacity of mechanical properties is also recorded. We tried to support our opinion by citing several similar findings available in the open literature. The electrospinning method helps in plasticization and in tuning mechanical properties.
Carbon dots doped with sulfur and nitrogen (S,N-CDs) were utilised to design a paper-stripe based fluorescent probe for the detection of bilirubin. The S,N-CDs were synthesized through a microwave assisted route by using citric acid as carbon source and L-cysteine as a source of nitrogen and sulfur. The S,N-CDs exhibit bright blue fluorescence emission with a peak at 452 nm. Fluorescence is quenched by Fe(III) but selectively restored by bilirubin. The quenched fluorescent probe exhibit significant selectivity and sensitivity for bilirubin in the 0.2 nM to 2 nM concentration range, with a 0.12 nM detection limit. The method was applied to the determination of bilirubin in spiked human serum and urine samples. The method was used to design a paper based test stripe as a point of care device for visual bilirubin detection. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of sulphur and nitrogen doped carbon dots whose fluorescence is quenched by Fe(III) and turned on by bilirubin. Photograph of the corresponding system under day light and UV shows the feasibility of the phenomenon. The applicability of the assay was further extended by impregnating the probe on a filter paper.
Fibrin nanoconstructs (FNCs) were prepared through a modified water-in-oil emulsification-diffusion route without the use of any surfactants, resulting in a high yield synthesis of fibrin nanotubes (FNTs) and fibrin nanoparticles (FNPs). The fibrin nanoconstructs formed an aligned structure with self-assembled nanotubes with closed heads that eventually formed spherical nanoparticles of size ~250 nm. The nanotubes were typically ~700 nm long and 150-300 nm in diameter, with a wall thickness of ~50 nm and pore diameter of about 150-250 nm. These constructs showed high stability against aggregation indicated by a zeta potential of -44 mV and an excellent temperature stability upto 200 °C. Furthermore, they were found to be enzymatically degradable, thereby precluding any long term toxicity effects. These unique fibrin nanostructures were analyzed for their ability to deliver tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive drug that is used widely to prevent the initial phase of tissue rejection during allogenic transplantation surgeries. Upon conjugation with tacrolimus, a drug encapsulation efficiency of 66% was achieved, with the in vitro release studies in PBS depicting a sustained and complete drug release over a period of one week at the physiological pH of 7.4. At a more acidic pH, the drug release was very slow, suggesting their potential for oral-intestinal drug administration as well. The in vivo drug absorption rates analyzed in Sprague Dawley rats further confirmed the sustained release pattern of tacrolimus for both oral and parenteral delivery routes. The novel fibrin nanoconstructs developed using a green chemistry approach thus proved to be excellent biodegradable nanocarriers for oral as well as parenteral administrations, with remarkable potential also for delivering specific growth factors in tissue engineering scaffolds.
In this work, we have developed chitosan hydrogel/nanofibrin composite bandages (CFBs) and characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The homogeneous distribution of nanofibrin in the prepared chitosan hydrogel matrix was confirmed by phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin staining. The mechanical strength, swelling, biodegradation, porosity, whole-blood clotting, and platelet activation studies were carried out. In addition, the cell viability, cell attachment, and infiltration of the prepared CFBs were evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. It was found that the CFBs were microporous, flexible, biodegradable, and showed enhanced blood clotting and platelet activity compared to the one without nanofibrin. The prepared CFBs were capable of absorbing fluid and this was confirmed when immersed in phosphate buffered saline. Cell viability studies on HUVECs and HDF cells proved the nontoxic nature of the CFBs. Cell attachment and infiltration studies showed that the cells were found attached and proliferated on the CFBs. In vivo experiments were carried out in Sprague-Dawley rats and found that the wound healing occurred within 2 weeks when treated with CFBs than compared to the bare wound and wound treated with Kaltostat. The deposition of collagen was found to be more on CFB-treated wounds compared to the control. The above results proved the use of these CFBs as an ideal candidate for skin tissue regeneration and wound healing.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.