Polycationic polymers and DNA form soluble complexes in aqueous solution, which allows the transfer of genetic material into cells. Therefore, these chemically-modified polymers are of interest for use in studies aimed at better transfection efficiency and gene expression along with reduced cytotoxicity. In this study, branched poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) was modified by alkylation with n-alkyl groups (n = 4, 6, 8 and 12 carbons). The polyplexes formed through interaction of the modified PEIs and calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) were investigated using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, ethidium bromide fluorescence emission, circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques along with the determination of the zeta potential and viscosity. According to the results obtained, the formation of ctDNA-PEI polyplexes occurs in three steps. Firstly, when a small amount of polyelectrolyte is present the ctDNA chains are partially compacted. Subsequently, with the addition of more polyelectrolyte, the complexes have a null charge density and micrometric size. Lastly, with a higher concentration of PEI, the ctDNA is fully compacted by the PEI chains, leading to positively charged complexes with R values in the range of 52.0-86.0 nm. The viscosity and SAXS analysis suggested that the unmodified PEI exhibits the strongest interaction and promotes the best ctDNA condensation.

Filmes reticulados de gelatina (Gel), caseína (Cas) e a mistura Gel/Cas (1:1, m/m) foram estudados em termos das propriedades térmicas, morfológicas e absorção de água e quanto ao perfil de permeação de p-hidroxiacetanilida (p-HAA ) como fármaco modelo. O grau de reticulação por 1-etil-3-(3-cloridrato) dimetilaminopropil carbodiimida (EDC) foi de 90,6% para filmes de Gel e cerca de 70% para filmes de Cas e misturas Gel/Cas (1:1, m/m). A total solubilidade dos filmes não-reticulados foi reduzida para somente 21 -22% após reticulação com EDC. Apesar do alto grau de reticulação, o intumescimento dos filmes de Gel (87,2%) foi praticamente o dobro do determinado para filmes de Gel/Cas (1:1, m/m) e Cas. A taxa de permeação de p-HAA seguiu a ordem Gel > Gel/Cas @ Cas para filmes reticulados, ou seja, um comportamento consistente com o maior intumescimento da Gel em relação aos outros dois sistemas estudados. Os menores valores de permeação observados para filmes de Cas e Gel/Cas, sugerem que estes sistemas podem ser utilizados para controlar a permeação de fármacos. Considerando os diferentes modelos matemáticos aplicados, os sistemas estudados não mostraram um bom ajuste relativamente a equação de primeira ordem e somente uma parcial correlação com as equações de ordem zero e do modelo de Higuchi. No entanto, uma boa correlação (r 2 > 0,99) foi obtida utilizando a equação da lei das potências (valores de n = 0,70 -0,87), indicando que a permeação de p-HAA através dos filmes foi controlada principalmente pelo mecanismo de difusão.Cross-linked films of gelatin (Gel), casein (Cas) and their (1:1, m/m) mixture (Gel/Cas) were studied in terms of their thermal, morphological and water absorption properties and the permeation profile of p-hydroxyacetanilide (p-HAA) as a model drug. The degrees of cross-linking by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) were 90.6% for Gel films and approximately 70% for Cas and Gel/Cas films. The totally soluble non cross-linked films achieved only 21 -22% of solubility after cross-linking with EDC. Despite the high cross-linking degree, the swelling of Gel films (87.2%) was practically twice that determined for Gel/Cas and Cas films. The permeation rate of p-HAA followed the order Gel > Gel/Cas @ Cas for cross-linked films, which is consistent with the Gel film showing a greater swelling than the other two systems studied. Lower permeation rates were observed for Cas and Gel/Cas films, suggesting that these could be used as rate-controlling systems for drug permeation. For the different mathematical models applied, the systems studied did not show a good fit with the first-order equation and only a partial fit with the zero-order equation and Higuchi's model. However, good correlations (r 2 > 0.99) were obtained using the power law equation (n = 0.70 -0.87), indicating that the p-HAA permeation through the films was mainly controlled by a diffusion mechanism.Keywords: gelatin, casein, films, cross-linking, drug permeation Introduction Gelatin (Gel), which is obtain...

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