Impregnation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) grafts with BMP-2 loaded functional nanoparticles for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament.

Current artificial ligaments based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are associated with some disadvantages due to their hydrophobicity and low biocompatibility. In this study, we aimed to modify the surface of PET using polyethylene glycol (PEG)-terminated polystyrene (PS)-linoleic nanoparticles (PLinaS-g-PEG-NPs). We accomplished that BMP-2 in two different concentrations encapsulated in nanoparticles with an efficiency of 99.71 ± 1.5 and 99.95 ± 2.8%. While the dynamic contact angle of plain PET surface reduced from 116° to 115° after a measurement periods of 10 s, that of PLinaS-g-PEG-NPs modified PET from 80° to 17.5° within 0.35 s. According to in vitro BMP2 release study, BMP-2 was released 13.12 ± 1.76% and 45.47 ± 1.78% from 0.05 and 0.1BMP2-PLinaS-g-PEG-NPs modified PET at the end of 20 days, respectively. Findings from this study revealed that BMP2-PLinaS-g-PEG-NPs has a great potential to improve the artificial PET ligaments, and could be effectively applied for ACL reconstruction.

Gold and Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles Modified Poly-Propylene Poly-Ethylene Glycol Membranes in Poly (ε-Caprolactone) Conduits Enhance Nerve Regeneration in the Sciatic Nerve of Healthy Rats.

Reconstruction of nerve defects is a clinical challenge. Autologous nerve grafts as the gold standard treatment may result in an incomplete restoration of extremity function. Biosynthetic nerve conduits are studied widely, but still have limitations. Here, we reconstructed a 10 mm sciatic nerve defect in healthy rats and analyzed nerve regeneration in poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) conduits longitudinally divided by gold (Au) and gold-cobalt oxide (AuCoO) nanoparticles embedded in poly-propylene poly-ethylene glycol (PPEG) membranes (AuPPEG or AuCoOPPEG) and compared it with unmodified PPEG-membrane and hollow PCL conduits. After 21 days, we detected significantly better axonal outgrowth, together with higher numbers of activated Schwann cells (ATF3-labelled) and higher HSP27 expression, in reconstructed sciatic nerve and in corresponding dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in the AuPPEG and AuCoOPPEG groups; whereas the number of apoptotic Schwann cells (cleaved caspase 3-labelled) was significantly lower. Furthermore, numbers of activated and apoptotic Schwann cells in the regenerative matrix correlated with axonal outgrowth, whereas HSP27 expression in the regenerative matrix and in DRGs did not show any correlation with axonal outgrowth. We conclude that gold and cobalt-oxide nanoparticle modified membranes in conduits improve axonal outgrowth and increase the regenerative performance of conduits after nerve reconstruction.

Designing siRNA-conjugated plant oil-based nanoparticles for gene silencing and cancer therapy.

In this study, the anticancer activities of two siRNA carriers were compared using a human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A549). Firstly, poly(styrene)-graft-poly(linoleic acid) (PS-g-PLina) and poly(styrene)-graft-poly(linoleic acid)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PS-g-PLina-g-PEG) graft copolymers were synthesized by free-radical polymerization. PS-PLina and PS-PLina-PEG nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by solvent evaporation method and were then characterized. The size was found as 150 ± 10 nm for PS-PLina and 184 ± 6 nm for PS-PLina-PEG NPs. The NPs were functionalized with poly(l-lysine) (PLL) for c-myc siRNA conjugation. siRNA entrapment efficiencies were found in the range of 4-63% for PS-PLina-PLL and 6-42% for PS-PLina-PEG-PLL NPs. The short-term stability test was realised for 1 month. siRNA release profiles were also investigated. In vitro anticancer activity of siRNA-NPs was determined by MTT, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy analyses. Obtained findings showed that both NPs systems were promising as siRNA delivery tool for lung cancer therapy.

Effects of polymer-based, silver nanoparticle-coated silicone splints on the nasal mucosa of rats.

Infection is a serious complication after nasal packing that otolaryngologists seek to avoid. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of silver (Ag) nanoparticle, which serves as antimicrobial agents, with nasal tampons. The study design is an experimental animal model and the setting is tertiary referral center. Twenty-four rats were randomized into the following four groups: (1) control group (n = 6); (2) silicone nasal splint (SNS) group (n  =  6); (3) polypropylene-grafted polyethylene glycol (PP-g-PEG) amphiphilic graft copolymer-coated SNS group (n  =  6); and (4) Ag nanoparticle-embedded PP-g-PEG (Ag-PP-g-PEG) amphiphilic graft copolymer-coated SNS group (n  =  6). These tampons were applied to rats for 48 h, after which they were removed in a sterile manner, and the rats were sacrificed. The nasal septa of the rats were excised, and assessments of tissue changes in the nasal mucosa were compared among the groups. The removed tampons were microbiologically examined, and quantitative analyses were made. When the groups were compared microbiologically, there were no significant differences in bacterial colonization rates of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. among the three groups (p = 0.519), but there was a statistically significant difference among bacterial colonization rates of Heamophilus parainfluenzae and Corynebacterium spp. (p = 0.018, p = 0.004). We found that H. parainfluenzae grew less robustly in the Ag-PP-g-PEG than the PP-g-PEG group (p = 0.017). However, we found no significant difference between the Ag-PP-g-PEG and SNS groups, or between the SNS and PP-g-PEG groups. The growth of Corynebacterium spp. did not differ significantly between the Ag-PP-g-PEG and SNS groups (p = 1.000). When Group 4 was compared with Group 2, the former showed less inflammation. Compared with other tampons, Ag-PP-g-PEG amphiphilic graft copolymer-coated silicone nasal tampons caused less microbiological colonization and inflammation. Therefore, the use of these tampons may prevent secondary infections and reduce the risk of developing complications by minimizing tissue damage.

Concanavaline A conjugated bacterial polyester-based PHBHHx nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for breast cancer therapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic potential of curcumin-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) PHBHHx nanoparticles (CUR-NPs) and concanavaline A conjugated curcumin-loaded NPs (ConA-CUR-NPs) for breast cancer treatment. The size and zeta potential of prepared NPs were about 228 ± 5 nm and -23.3 mV, respectively. The entrapment efficiencies of polymer/drug weight ratios, 1.25CUR-NPs, 2.5CUR-NPs, 5CUR-NPs, ConA-1.25CUR-NPs, ConA-2.5CUR-NPs and ConA-5CUR-NPs were found to be ≈68, 55, 45, 70, 60 and 51%, respectively. Optimized NPs formulations in the freeze-dried form were assessed with their short-term stability for 30 days of storage at 4 °C and 25 °C. Anticancer activity of ConA-CUR-NPs was proved by MTT assay and reconfirmed by double staining and flow cytometry results. The anticancer activity of ConA-CUR-NPs was measured in human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB 231) in vitro, and the results revealed that the ConA-CUR-NPs had better tumor cells decline activity.

Extraction and preconcentration of lead (II) in various water and food samples by orbital shaker-assisted magnetic solid phase extraction method using a new magnetic poly linoleic acid-polystyrene-PDMS block copolymer.

The aim of this study was to develop a practical orbital shaker-assisted magnetic solid phase extraction (OSA-MSPE) method for the determination of lead by FAAS. A new magnetic poly linoleic acid-polystyrene-polydimethylsiloxane (PSt-PLina-PDMS) hydrophobic graft copolymer was synthesized and characterized by NMR, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, DSC, TGA, BET and used as adsorbent for the extraction of Pb (II). This adsorbent can be used at least 50 times without any decrease of its adsorption properties for the adsorption and elution of analyte ions. Several analytical parameters including pH, adsorbent amount, sample volume, shaking time, etc. were optimized. Multivariate optimization was used for the investigation of different parameters. The linear range at optimum operating condition was 1.7-84 µg L-1. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.5 µg L-1, 1.7 µg L-1, respectively. Intraday and interday relative standard deviation (RSD %), enhancement factor (EF) and adsorbent capacity were found as 1.9%, 3.3%, 166.7, 50 mg g-1, respectively. OSA-MSPE method was tested with certified reference materials including LGC-6010 (Hard Drinking Water), NCS ZC73032 Celery and CS-M-3 Control Sample Microelements in Mushroom Powder for the accuracy. Experimental results for lead were confirmed with certified values. Present method was successfully applied to various liquid and solid food samples. The OSA-MSPE method has some important features such as selective, sensitive, low LOD, LOQ and RSD, pre-concentration factor (PF) and high enhancement factor (EF). High tolerance limits against matrix ions were achieved.

Synthesis of fully bio-based poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)-oligo-2-ethyl oxazoline conjugates.

This work refers to the synthesis and characterization of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)-b-oligo (2-ethyl oxazoline) (oligoEtOx). Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-ethyl oxazoline yielded poly (2-ethyl oxazoline) (oligoEtOx) with a hydroxyl end. Carboxylic acid-terminated PHB was reacted with oligoEtOx via dicyclohexylcarbodiimide chemistry to obtain PHB-b-oligoEtOx conjugates. The obtained PHB-b-oligoEtOx conjugates were successfully characterized by 1H- and 13C NMR, FTIR, DSC, and size exclusion chromatography. PHB-b-oligoEtOx conjugates can be promising biologic active materials.

Determination of chromium in foodstuffs by using novel adsorbent in vortex assisted-dispersive solid phase micro-extraction method: An application of multivariate techniques.

A new graft copolymer composed of polystyrene and polylinoleic acid (PLinas) with the sodium salt of iminodiacetate (Ida) was synthesized and used as an adsorbent. The vortex-assisted dispersive solid-phase micro-extraction (VA-dSPµE) method was used for the extraction and pre-concentration of chromium. Multivariate methodologies, such as factorial design and 3D surface plots, were applied for screening and optimizing effective extraction parameters. The influence of diverse analytical parameters, such as pH, sample volume, and interfering ions, on the extraction of chromium was studied. The calibration standard curve exhibited a linear range from 0.01 to 0.50 µg L-1. The relative standard deviation and limit of detection were found to be 1.65 % and 0.003 µg L-1, respectively. Extraction recoveries were found in the range of 96 to 99 % by using certified reference materials (CRMs). The adsorbent capacity of PLinas-Ida was found to be 112 mg g-1. The VA-dSPµE method demonstrated its effectiveness in the pre-concentration and determination of chromium within samples of foodstuffs by graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS).

Synthesis of poly vinyl chloride/chlorinated polypropylene-active natural substance derivatives for potential packaging materials application. Tannic acid, menthol and lipoic acid.

A novel one step route for the synthesis of tannic acid, lipoic acid and menthol functionalized polyvinyl chloride, PVC, (PVC-Tann, PVC-Lip, PVC-Mnt) and chlorinated polypropylene, PP-Cl, (PP-Mnt, PP-Lip) was applied imparting antioxidative properties to the newly-formed materials. The resulting modified polymers were characterized by stress-strain mechanical measurement, 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. Linseed oil, owing to its high linolenic acid content, was used to track the autoxidation process. The chloride functional groups were reacted with the hydroxyl/carboxylic acid of the natural compounds in the presence of a base. Linseed oil was poured into the natural compound functionalized PVC covered Petri dish to undergo autoxidation under white light. Each of the PVC- and PP-Cl-based polymers was active in delaying autoxidation. The PP-Mnt series and PP-Lip polymers all delayed autoxidation by 8 days over the PP-Cl precursor material. The autoxidation process was further confirmed by monitoring peroxide formation in the exposed linseed oil samples through differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis.

Novel silver-morphine-functionalized polypropylene (AgPP-mrp) nanocomposite for the degradation of dye removal by multivariate optimization approach.

As a novel adsorbent, an opioid silver-morphine-functionalized polypropylene was synthesized through a one-pot reaction at room temperature and successfully used for the simple one-pot photocatalytic degradation catalyst of methyl orange removal from wastewater. UV spectral analysis reveals a special reference to the excitation of surface plasmon resonance as the main characteristic of the polymer-Ag nanocomposite in toluene solution peak at 420 nm in AgPP-mrp catalyst. The 1H NMR spectrum showed no sign of Ag NP peaks revealing small size distribution in the channels of morphine-functionalized polypropylene polymer. The morphology of silver nanoparticle-doped polymer through scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) reveals PP-mrp with continuous matrix and Ag NPs (0.87 wt%). Furthermore, photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange was investigated on AgPP-mrp catalyst spectrophotometrically under solar irradiation in waste effluent, demonstrating high degradation efficiency. According to experimental findings, silver nanoparticles (AgPP-mrp) achieved high degradation capacities of 139 mg/g equivalent to 97.4% of photodegradation in a little period of time (35 min), as associated with previously stated materials and follow pseudo-second-order kinetic degradation tail of a high regression coefficient (R2 = 0.992). The suggested techniques offer a linear reaction for MO over the pH range of 1.5 to 5 and a degradation temperature of 25 to 60 °C. Central composite design and response surface methodology statistics recommend pH of the reaction medium and time as important variables for methyl orange degradation on AgPP-mrp photocatalytic. AgPP-mrp on the photocatalytic phenomenon based on heterojunction catalytic design producing electron holes (e-), as well as superoxides for the successful degradation of methyl orange.

Ultra-Sensitive Determination of Cadmium in Food and Water by Flame-AAS after a New Polyvinyl Benzyl Xanthate as an Adsorbent Based Vortex Assisted Dispersive Solid-Phase Microextraction: Multivariate Optimization.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a very toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal even at low levels and it is naturally present in water as well as in food. Methods: A new polyvinyl benzyl xanthate (PvbXa) was synthesized and used as a new adsorbent in this work. It contains pendant sulfide groups on the main polystyryl chain. Using this new adsorbent, PvbXa, a vortex-assisted dispersive solid-phase microextraction (VA-dSPµE) procedure was developed for the determination of cadmium from food and water samples via flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Synthesized PvbXa was characterized by 1H Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The different parameters of pH, sample volume, mixing type and time, sorbent amount, and eluent time were optimized using standard analytical methods. Results: The optimized method for assessment of Cd in food and water samples shows good reliability. The optimum conditions were found to be a 0.20-150 µg L-1 linear range, 0.06 µg L-1 LOD, 0.20 µg L-1 LOQ, 4.3 RSD %, and a preconcentration factor of 160. Conclusions: The statistically experimental variables were utilized using a central composite design (CCD). The present method is a low-cost, simple, sensitive, and very effective tool for the recovery of Cd.

Ultrasound assisted dispersive solid phase microextraction using polystyrene-polyoleic acid graft copolymer for determination of Sb(III) in various bottled beverages by HGAAS.

A new polyoleic acid-polystyrene (PoleS) block/graft copolymer was synthesized and applied as adsorbent for ultrasound assisted dispersive solid phase microextraction (UA-DSPME) of Sb(III) in different bottled beverages and analysis using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS). Adsorption capacity of the PoleS was 150 mg g-1. Several sample preparation parameters such as sorbent amount, solvent type, pH, sample volume and shaking time were optimized (based on central composite design (CCD) approach) and evaluated in respect to the recovery of Sb(III). The method revealed a high tolerance limit of matrix ions presence. Under optimized conditions, linearity range, the limit of detection, the limit of quantitation, extraction recovery, enhancement factor, preconcentration factor were 5-800 ng L-1, 1.5 ng L-1, 5.0 ng L-1, 96%, 82, 90, respectively. Accuracy of the UA-DSPME method was confirmed based on different certified reference materials and standard addition method. Factorial design was utilized to estimate the influences of variables of recovery of Sb(III).

The efficacy of silver-embedded polypropylene-grafted polyethylene glycol-coated ventricular catheters on prevention of shunt catheter infection in rats.

PURPOSE: Catheter-related infection is a major complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt in children. The aim of this study is to determine inflammatory response and the efficacy of polypropylene-grafted polyethylene glycol (PP-g-PEG) copolymer and silver nanoparticle-embedded PP-g-PEG (Ag-PP-g-PEG) polymer-coated ventricular catheters on the prevention of catheter-related infections on a new experimental model of ventriculoperitoneal shunt in rats. METHODS: Thirty six Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups: group 1, unprocessed sterile silicone catheter-embedded group; group 2, sterile PP-g-PEG-coated catheter group; group 3, sterile Ag-PP-g-PEG-coated catheter group; group 4, infected unprocessed catheter group; group 5, infected PP-g-PEG-coated catheter group; and group 6, infected Ag-PP-g-PEG-coated catheter group, respectively. In all groups, 1-cm piece of designated catheters were placed into the cisterna magna. In groups 4, 5, and 6, all rats were infected with 0.2 mL of 10 × 10(6) colony forming units (CFU)/mL Staphylococcus epidermidis colonies before the catheters were placed. Thirty days after implantation, bacterial colonization in cerebrospinal fluid and on catheter pieces with inflammatory reaction in the brain parenchyma was analyzed quantitatively. RESULTS: Sterile and infected Ag-PP-g-PEG-covered groups revealed significantly lower bacteria colony count on the catheter surface (ANOVA, 0 ± 0, p < 0.001; 1.08 ± 0.18, p < 0.05, respectively). There was moderate inflammatory response in the parenchyma in group 4, but in groups 5 and 6, it was similar to that of the sterile group (ANOVA, 16.33 ± 3.02, p < 0.001; 4.00 ± 0.68, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The PP-g-PEG, especially Ag-PP-g-PEG polymer-coated ventricular catheters are more effective in preventing the catheter-related infection and created the least inflammatory reaction in the periventricular parenchyma.

Synthesized of poly(vinyl benzyl dithiocarbonate-dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate) block copolymer as adsorbent for the vortex-assisted dispersive solid phase microextraction of patulin from apple products and dried fruits.

A new and novel poly(vinyl benzyl dithiocarbonate-dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate) block copolymer (Pvb-DMA-Xa) as adsorbent was synthesized for the vortex-assisted dispersive solid phase microextraction (VA-DSPME) of patulin from apple products and dried fruits using Uv-visible spectrophotometer. The characterization of synthesized Pvb-DMA-Xa block copolymer was performed with Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) technique. Analytical characteristics such as pH, sorbent amount, adsorption time, eluent type and its volume, desorption time and adsorption capacity were optimized. Limit of detection (3Sb/m) and limit of quantitation (10Sb/m) were found 0.3 and 1.0 ng mL-1. Linear dynamic range (LDR), relative standard deviation (RSD) and recovery values were found in the range of 1-30 ng mL-1, 2.1-2.7 % and 93.5-97.3 %, respectively. Enhancement factor (EF) was found 193. The accuracy of the method was confirmed with standard addition method and analyzing of samples by reference method.

Synthesized of a novel xanthate functionalized polypropylene as adsorbent for dispersive solid phase microextraction of caffeine using orbital shaker in mixed beverage matrices.

A newly synthesized xanthate functionalized chlorinated polypropylene (PP-Xa) was used as adsorbent for the orbital shaker based on dispersive solid phase microextraction (OS-DSPME) of caffein from several tea, coffee, energy drink, coca-cola and chocolate samples using UV-vis. spectrophotometer. Synthesized PP-Xa was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). Various parameters like pH, PP-Xa amount, extraction time, type of eluent and its volume were optimized. Linear range, detection limit (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), relative standard deviation (RSD), recovery values, and enrichment factor (EF) were found 90-1000 µgL-1, 27.3 µg L-1, 90 µg L-1, 1.9-2.6%, 98 ± 2%, and 167, respectively. Adsorption capacity of PP-Xa was found 271.9 mg g-1. Standard addition and reference method were used for confirm the accuracy of present method.

Herceptin-conjugated magnetic polystyrene-Agsbox nanoparticles as a theranostic agent for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor, which has derived from cells of the breast. Further, a relatively rapid metastasis, and resistance development against all the conventional drug combinations are major clinical issues in breast cancer patients as well as limitations like toxicity, genetic mutation, and metastasis make difficult the use of conventional therapy methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and local surgery. Therefore, considering the urgent needs, and high death rate in breast cancer cases, the development of new diagnosis and treatment regimens which diagnosed at the early stage and protected normal tissues required for clinical applications. Recently, the combination of tumor diagnosis and treatment within a single platform is a novel perspective, and magnetic nanoparticles are potential candidate owing to their low toxic effect, biocompatibility, biological degradability, superior magnetic properties, and targeting ability to overcome the problems of conventional diagnosis and therapy techniques. Considering these restrictions and requirements, the goal of this research was to investigate the potential of an innovative theranostic agent, which is soybean oil-based polystyrene (PS)-g-soybean oil graft copolymer containing AgNPs (PS-Agsbox) for treatment and MRI-based diagnosis of cancer. Herein, we designed targeted magnetic PS-Agsbox nanoparticles carrying thymoquinone (TQ) that is known for its anticancer potential against breast cancer, and herceptin (HER), which is to bind to the HER2 receptor protein on the surface of HER2-positive tumor cells, and acts by blocking the effects of it. We have successfully demonstrated selective binding, effective uptake of HER-conjugated magnetic PS-Agsbox nanoparticles into MDA-MB-231 (human breast carcinoma cells, a HER2-underexpressing cell line) and SKBR-3 (human breast cancer cells, a HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cell line) cell lines while no effect against L929 (mouse fibroblast cell line). Moreover, the magnetic resonance (MRI) properties of HER-conjugated magnetic PS-Agsbox nanoparticles were also confirmed.

Synthesis of polystyrene-polyricinoleic acid copolymer containing silver nano particles for dispersive solid phase microextraction of molybdenum in water and food samples.

Polystyrene-polyricinoleic acid copolymer containing silver nano particles (AgPSrici) was synthesized and used in separation of molybdenum from different aqueous and foodstuff samples during a dispersive-µ-solid phase extraction approach. The synthesized nano particles were verified using Fourier transform infraredspectroscopy. An electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry has been used for measurement of the studied ions. AgPSrici amount pH, sample volume, elution solvent kind, and the time of extraction were the effective parameters that were optimized by one-variable-at-one-time method. Analytical data of the method was calculated and limit of detection, relative standard deviation, limit of quantification were 0.022 µg L-1, 2.9%, 150, and 0.066 µg L-1, respectively. The synthesized adsorption capacity was obtained 170 mg g-1.Accuracy of the method was studied by performing the method on certified reference materials and the presence of different interfering ions was studied. Molybdenum content of different water and foodstuffs was determined by the introduced method.

Soft tissue response to the presence of polypropylene-G-poly(ethylene glycol) comb-type graft copolymers containing gold nanoparticles.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the soft tissue response of the pure and Au-embedded PPg-PEG. PP-g-PEG2000, PP-g-PEG4000, Au-PP-g-PEG2000, and AuPP-g-PEG4000 were obtained via chlorination of polypropylene and polyethylene glycol in the presence of a base with a "grafting onto" technique. Solvent cast films of these four copolymers with PP as a control group were embedded into five different rats. After 30 days of implantation, microscopic evaluation of inflammation and SEM analysis were done. PP had the most intense inflammatory reaction among the other polymers. PP-PEG block copolymers with high molecular weight and gold-nanoparticles-embedded ones revealed mild inflammatory reaction independently. SEM assessment revealed punched hole-like defects on the surface of all polymer samples except for PP. Graft copolymers with PEG, especially Au-attached ones, have favorable soft tissue response, and inflammatory reaction becomes milder as the number of PEG side chains increases.

Synthesis of a novel tannic acid-functionalized polypropylene as antioxidant active-packaging materials.

This work focuses on the synthesis of novel tannin-functionalized polypropylene copolymers that are designed to inhibit the oxidation of vegetable oils for potential use as packaging materials. An empty glass Petri dish (control), a chlorinated polypropylene-coated glass Petri dish (control) and a series of the tannin-functionalized polypropylene coated glass Petri dishes overlaid with linseed oil were exposed to air and additional white light. Oligomerization of the oxidized linseed oil was assessed by measuring the flow properties of the exposed oil using a viscometer. The antioxidant effect of the tannic acid grafted polypropylene copolymers (PP-Tann) retarded oligomerization of the linseed oil. The molar mass of the linoleic acid overlaid onto the PP-Tann films was the lowest among the tested samples after each time period indicating that tannin-grafted polypropylene may be a promising packaging material for vegetable oils.

A new analytical approach for preconcentration, separation and determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in real samples using a new adsorbent: Synthesis, characterization and application.

A green and efficient analytical approach was reported for simultaneous preconcentration, and separation of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in water, vegetables, and barbecue samples by dispersive solid-phase microextraction prior to their determination using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A new poly-3-hydroxy butyrate-polyvinyl triethyl ammonium chloride comb-type amphiphilic cationic block copolymer (PHBvbNCl) was synthesized and characterized. Main variables such as pH, sorbent amount, adsorption time, eluent type, desorption time, and sample volume were optimized. Detection limits and working ranges for Pb(II) and Cd(II) were 0.03 µg L-1, 0.15 µg L-1, 0.1-250 µg L-1 and 0.5-375 µg L-1, respectively. Enhancement factor for Pb (II) and Cd (II) were 114 and 98. The adsorption capacity of PHBvbNCl for Pb(II) and Cd(II) was 175.2 mg g-1 and 152.9 mg g-1. After the accuracy of the method was confirmed by the analysis of certified reference materials, it was successfully applied to real samples. Finally, the analytical performance of the present method was compared with other methods.