Fabrication and Characterization of Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Blend Electrospun Fibers Loaded with Amoxicillin for Tunable Delivering.

Blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), loaded with different amounts of Amoxicillin antibiotic (AMOX) were electrospun to investigate their release properties and obtain a controlled and tuneable release. The processing parameters for electrospinning were set up and reliable membranes were obtained. Morphology and thermal behaviour were found dependent on the component ratio as well as on the incorporated drug amount. A very different release kinetics of the two pristine polymers, very rapid for PCL and very slow for PLA, reflected in intermediate release time. However comparing the release amount with that predicted by the mixture rule a preferential incorporation of AMOX into PLA can be inferred.

Reinforcing Efficiency of Recycled Carbon Fiber PLA Filament Suitable for Additive Manufacturing.

The use of 3D printing technology for manufacturing new products based on sustainable materials enables one to take advantage of secondary raw materials derived from recycling. This work investigates the structural performances of 3D printing composite filaments based on polylactic acid (PLA), as a matrix, reinforced by recycled carbon fiber (rCF). Carbon fibers were recovered from industrial scraps by a patented thermal process and used to produce thermoplastic composite filaments for additive manufacturing without any additional treatment and additives. The influence of the recovered carbon fiber (rCF) content on the thermal properties, mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites was studied in the range of 3-20 wt%. The recorded TGA curves exhibited a one-stage weight loss within the temperature range 290-380 °C for all samples and the residual rCF content was in good agreement with the theoretical fiber loading. The Young modulus of the extruded filaments strongly increased below a critical content (5 wt%), while at higher content the improvement was reduced. An increase in the storage modulus of 54% compared to neat PLA 3D printed sample resulted in a printed specimen with a higher rCF content. SEM images highlighted a strong rCF prevailing alignment in the direction of the extrusion flow, creating almost unidirectional reinforcement inside the filament. These findings suggest that homogeneous composite filaments reinforced with well-dispersed recycled CF without additional chemical modification and additives are suitable materials for additive manufacturing. The effect of rCF topological distribution within the material on the mechanical performances has been discussed, highlighting that the isolated fibers could efficiently transfer loads with respect to the percolated 3D network and have been correlated with the microstructure.

Preparation, characterization and antibacterial activity of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) electrospun fibers loaded with amoxicillin for controlled release in biomedical applications.

Amoxicillin (AMOX) was successfully encapsulated at different concentrations into poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) by the electrospinning technique, and mats of non-woven fibers were obtained and characterized in terms of morphology, in vitro release and antibacterial properties. The scanning electron microscopy evidenced the nanofibrous structure of the pristine PCL, composed of individual, uniform, and randomly oriented fibres with an average diameter ranging around 0.8 micron. The addition of amoxicillin at different concentrations (3, 5 and 7 wt%) did not evidence change in the fiber morphology. The release curves, for all samples, present mainly two stages: a first stage, quick as a "burst," is followed by a second slow stage. The burst was analyzed as a function of amoxicillin concentration and thickness of the membranes, and values corresponding to absence of burst were individuated. In the second stage the release was found very slow extending up to months for the most concentrated sample. The antibacterial activity of the electrospun fibers was effective to inhibit in different proportions Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. The properties of the filled membranes and their capability for local delivery of antibiotics make them suitable for biomedical applications.

Antibacterial Nanostructured Coatings.

Nanomaterials, which by definition must have at least one of their constituents at the nanoscale, can display unique optical, magnetic, electrical, mechanical, and other properties [...].

Fabrication and Characterization of Bio-Nanocomposites Based on Halloysite-Encapsulating Grapefruit Seed Oil in a Pectin Matrix as a Novel Bio-Coating for Strawberry Protection.

In the framework of designing a novel bio-coating for the preservation of fresh fruits, this paper reports the design, preparation, and characterization of novel bio-nanocomposites based on pectin loaded with grapefruit seed oil (GO), a natural compound with antimicrobial properties, encapsulated into halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). The vacuum-based methodology was used for the encapsulation of the oil into the hollow area of the nanotubes, obtaining nano-hybrids (HNT-GO) with oil concentrations equal to 20, 30, and 50 wt%. Physical properties (thermal, mechanical, barrier, optical) were analyzed. Thermal properties were not significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the filler, while an improvement in mechanical performance (increase in elastic modulus, stress at breaking, and deformation at breaking up to 200%, 48%, and 39%, respectively, compared to pure pectin film) and barrier properties (increase in water permeability up to 480% with respect to pure pectin film) was observed. A slight increase in opacity was detected without significantly compromising the transparency of the films. The release of linoleic acid, the main component of GO, was followed for 21 days and was correlated with the amount of the hybrid filler, demonstrating the possibility of tailoring the release kinetic of active molecules. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the prepared bio-composites as an active coating, fresh strawberries were coated and compared to uncoated fruit. Qualitative results showed that the fabricated novel bio-coating efficiently extended the preservation of fresh fruit.

Design and Manufacturing of Antibacterial Electrospun Polysulfone Membranes Functionalized by Ag Nanocoating via Magnetron Sputtering.

Antibacterial properties of engineered materials are important in the transition to a circular economy and societal security, as they are central to many key industrial areas, such as health, food, and water treatment/reclaiming. Nanocoating and electrospinning are two versatile, simple, and low-cost technologies that can be combined into new advanced manufacturing approaches to achieve controlled production of innovative micro- and nano-structured non-woven membranes with antifouling and antibacterial properties. The present study investigates a rational approach to design and manufacture electrospun membranes of polysulfone (PSU) with mechanical properties optimized via combinatorial testing from factorial design of experiments (DOE) and endowed with antimicrobial silver (Ag) nanocoating. Despite the very low amount of Ag deposited as a conformal percolating nanocoating web on the polymer fibers, the antimicrobial resistance assessed against the Gram-negative bacteria E. coli proved to be extremely effective, almost completely inhibiting the microbial proliferation with respect to the reference uncoated PSU membrane. The results are relevant, for example, to improve antifouling behavior in ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis in water treatment.

Tungsten disulfide nanotubes enhance flow-induced crystallization and radio-opacity of polylactide without adversely affecting in vitro toxicity.

Treatment of vascular disease, from peripheral ischemia to coronary heart disease (CHD), is poised for transformation with the introduction of transient implants designed to "scaffold" regeneration of blood vessels and ultimately leave nothing behind. Improved materials could expand the use of these devices. Here, we examine one of the leading polymers for bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS), polylactide (PLA), as the matrix of nanocomposites with tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanotubes (WSNT), which may provide mechanical reinforcement and enhance radio-opacity. We evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity using vascular cells, flow-induced crystallization and radio-opacity of PLA-WSNT nanocomposites at low WSNT concentration. A small amount of WSNT (0.1 wt%) can effectively promote oriented crystallization of PLA without compromising molecular weight. And radio-opacity improves significantly: as little as 0.5 to 1 wt% WSNT doubles the radio-opacity of PLA-WSNT relative to PLA at 17 keV. The results suggest that a single component, WSNT, has the potential to increase the strength of BRS to enable thinner devices and increase radio-opacity to improve intraoperative visualization. The in vitro toxicity results indicate that PLA-WSNT nanocomposites are worthy of investigation in vivo. Although substantial further preclinical studies are needed, PLA-WSNT nanocomposites may provide a complement of material properties that may improve BRS and expand the range of lesions that can be treated using transient implants. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bioresorbable Scaffolds (BRSs) support regeneration of arteries without permanent mechanical constraint. Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) is the structural material of the first approved BRS for coronary heart disease (ABSORB BVS), withdrawn due to adverse events in years 1-3. Here, we examine tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanotubes (WSNT) in PLA to address two contributors to early complications: (1) reinforce PLLA (enable thinner BRS), and (2) increase radiopacity (provide intraoperative visibility). For BRS, it is significant that WSNT disperse, remain dispersed, reduce friction and improve mechanical properties without additional chemicals or surface modifications. Like WS2 nanospheres, bare WSNT and PLA-WSNT nanocomposites show low cytotoxicity in vitro. PLA-WSNT show enhanced flow-induced crystallization relative to PLA, motivating future study of the processing behavior and strength of these materials.

Multifunctional Bioactive Resin for Dental Restorative Materials.

Resin-based composites are widely used as dental restorative materials due to their excellent properties. They must have high modulus, high hardness, and be chemically inert while minimizing moisture uptake. To fulfill these higher standard prerequisites and properties, continuous improvements in each of their components are required. This study develops novel composites with multiple biofunctions. Light-cured Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental resin (RK)/layered double hydroxide intercalated with fluoride ions (LDH-F)/calcium bentonite (Bt) hybrid composites were prepared. The loading ratio of LDH-F to Bt was varied, ranging from 2.5/2.5 to 10/10 parts per hundred RK and structural, mechanical, and biological properties were studied. The incorporation of even small mass fractions (e.g., 2.5 wt % of LDH-F and 2.5 wt % of Bt) in RK dental resin significantly improved the mechanical properties of the pristine resin. The synthetized materials showed antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against three bacterial strains isolated from healthy volunteers' saliva (Streptococcus spp., Bacteroides fragilis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis) without affecting its ability to induce dental pulp stem cells differentiation into odontoblast-like cells. The capability to balance between the antibiofilm activity and dental pulp stem cells differentiation in addition with improved mechanical properties make these materials a promising strategy in preventive and restorative dentistry.

Amniotic epithelial stem cell biocompatibility for electrospun poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(ε-caprolactone), poly(lactic acid) scaffolds.

Three biodegradable thermoplastic polymers, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) (PLA) and poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), have been used to produce nonwovens scaffolds with uniform micrometer fibres. Scaffolds' physical and morphological characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Contact-Angle test. Morphological investigations revealed that all produced fibres were randomly orientated with interconnected pores ranging between 5 and 12µm in diameter. An average fibre diameter of 1.5, 0.75 and 1.2µm was found for PCL, PLA and PLGA, respectively. Moreover, experiments were designed to verify whether the fabricated electrospun substrates were biocompatible for ovine amniotic epithelial stem cells (oAECs) under in vitro conditions. Cell adhesion, survival, spatial organization on fibres, proliferation index, and DNA quantification after 48h culture, showed an enhanced adhesion and proliferation, especially for PLGA scaffolds. The favourable interaction between oAECs and the fibrous scaffolds was attributed to the greatly improved porosity and pore size distribution of the electrospun scaffolds. In addition, AECs can be considered ideal for tissue engineering especially when using biocompatible and opportunely produced scaffolds.

Electrospun fibers as potential carrier systems for enhanced drug release of perphenazine.

Solubility represents an important challenge for formulation of drugs, because the therapeutic efficacy of a drug depends on the bioavailability and ultimately on its solubility. Low aqueous solubility is one of the main issues related with formulation design and development of new molecules. Many drug molecules present bioavailability problems due to their poor solubility. For this reason there is a great interest in the development of new carrier systems able to enhance the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs. In this work, fibers containing an insoluble model drug and prepared by an electrospinning method, are proposed and evaluated to solve this problem. Two hydrophilic polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (Plasdone® K29/32) and polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus®) were used to increase the water solubility of perphenazine. The physico-chemical characterization suggests that the drug loaded in the fibers is in the amorphous state. Both polymeric carriers are effective to promote the drug dissolution rate in water, where this active pharmaceutical ingredient is insoluble, due to the fine dispersion of the drug into the polymeric matrices, obtained with this production technique. In fact, the dissolution profiles of the fibers, compared to the simple physical mixture of the two components, and to the reference commercial product Trilafon® 8mg tablets, show that a strong enhancement of the drug dissolution rate can be achieved with the electrospinning technique.

Polymorphic solidification of Linezolid confined in electrospun PCL fibers for controlled release in topical applications.

Poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) membranes loaded with Linezolid, chemically N-[[(5S)-3-[3-fluoro-4-(4-morpholinyl)phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]acetamide (empirical formula C16H20FN3O4) have been prepared by electrospinning technique, at different Linezolid concentrations (0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5%, w/w). Structural characterization, morphological analysis and the study of the mechanical properties have been performed on loaded membranes and compared with neat PCL membranes. Linezolid embedded in the membranes is prevalently amorphous, with a low crystallinity showing a different polymorphic form respect to the usual Form I and Form II. The release kinetics of the drug were studied by spectrophotometric analysis (UV-vis). It allowed to discriminate between Linezolid molecules on the surface and encapsulated into the fibers. The antibacterial activity of the electrospun membranes was effective to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. The properties of the loaded membranes and their capability for local delivery of the antibiotic make them good candidates as drug release devices for topical use.

Adipose-derived stem cells cultivated on electrospun l-lactide/glycolide copolymer fleece and gelatin hydrogels under flow conditions - aiming physiological reality in hypodermis tissue engineering.

INTRODUCTION: Generation of adipose tissue for burn patients that suffer from an irreversible loss of the hypodermis is still one of the most complex challenges in tissue engineering. Electrospun materials with their micro- and nanostructures are already well established for their use as extracellular matrix substitutes. Gelatin is widely used in tissue engineering to gain thickness and volume. Under conventional static cultivation methods the supply of nutrients and transport of toxic metabolites is controlled by diffusion and therefore highly dependent on size and porosity of the biomaterial. A widely used method in order to overcome these limitations is the medium perfusion of 3D biomaterial-cell-constructs. In this study we combined perfusion bioreactor cultivation techniques with electrospun poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (P(LLG)) and gelatin hydrogels together with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) for a new approach in soft tissue engineering. METHODS: ASCs were seeded on P(LLG) scaffolds and in gelatin hydrogels and cultivated for 24 hours under static conditions. Thereafter, biomaterials were cultivated under static conditions or in a bioreactor system for three, nine or twelve days with a medium flow of 0.3ml/min. Viability, morphology and differentiation of cells was monitored. RESULTS: ASCs seeded on P(LLG) scaffolds had a physiological morphology and good viability and were able to migrate from one electrospun scaffold to another under flow conditions but not migrate through the mesh. Differentiated ASCs showed lipid droplet formations after 21 days. Cells in hydrogels were viable but showed rounded morphology. Under flow conditions, morphology of cells was more diffuse. DISCUSSION: ASCs could be cultivated on P(LLG) scaffolds and in gelatin hydrogels under flow conditions and showed good cell viability as well as the potential to differentiate. These results should be a next step to a physiological three-dimensional construct for soft tissue engineering and regeneration.

Fabrication, Physico-Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Characterization of Budesonide-Loaded Electrospun Fibers for Drug Targeting to the Colon.

The objective of this study was to fabricate and characterize electrospun fibers loaded with budesonide with the aim of controlling its release in the gastrointestinal tract. Budesonide is a nonhalogenated glucocorticosteroid drug, highly effective in the treatment of some inflammatory bowel diseases with local action throughout ileum and colon. At this aim, Eudragit® S 100, a polymer soluble at pH > 7, commonly used for enteric release of drugs, has been successfully spun into ultrafine fibers loaded with Budesonide (B) at 9% and 20% (w/w) using the electrospinning process. The physico-chemical characterization by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermal analyses indicated the amorphous nature of budesonide in the electrospun systems. Dissolution rate measurements using a pH-change method showed negligible drug dissolved at pH 1.0 and sustained release at pH 7.2. Therefore, the pharmaceutical systems proposed, made of fibers, represent an effective method for drug targeting to terminal ileum and colon with the aim of improving the local efficacy of this drug.

Effect of layered double hydroxide intercalated with fluoride ions on the physical, biological and release properties of a dental composite resin.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was the preparation of a new fluoride-releasing dental material characterized by a release of fluoride relatively constant over time without any initial toxic burst effect. This type of delivery is obtained by a matrix controlled elution and elicits the beneficial effect of a low amount of fluoride on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) towards mature phenotype. METHODS: The modified hydrotalcite intercalated with fluoride ions (LDH-F), used as filler, was prepared via ion exchange procedure and characterized by X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. The LDH-F inorganic particles (0.7, 5, 10, 20wt.%) were mixed with a photo-activated Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (45/55wt/wt) matrix and novel visible-light cured composites were prepared. The dynamic thermo-mechanical properties were determined by dynamic mechanical analyzer. The release of fluoride ions in physiological solution was determined using a ionometer. Total DNA content was measured by a PicoGreen dsDNA quantification kit to assess the proliferation rate of hDPSCs. Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) was measured in presence of fluoride resins. RESULTS: Incorporation of even small mass fractions (e.g. 0.7 and 5wt.%) of the fluoride LDH in Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental resin significantly improved the mechanical properties of the pristine resin, in particular at 37°C. The observed reinforcement increases on increasing the filler concentration. The release of fluoride ions resulted very slow, lasting months. ALP activity gradually increased for 28 days in hDPSCs cell grown, demonstrating that low concentrations of fluoride contributed to the cell differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: The prepared composites containing different amount of hydrotalcite filler showed improved mechanical properties, slow fluoride release and promoted hDPSCs cell proliferation and cell differentiation.

Modified hydrotalcite-like compounds as active fillers of biodegradable polymers for drug release and food packaging applications.

This review treats the recent patents and related literature, mainly from the Authors laboratories, on biomedical and food packaging applications of nano-composites constituted of biodegradable polymers filled with micro or nano crystals of organically modified Layered Double Hydroxides of Hydrotalcite type. After a brief outline of the chemical and structural aspects of Hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlc) and of their manipulation via intercalation of functional molecular anions to obtain materials for numerous, sometime unexpected applications, the review approaches the theme in three separated parts. Part 1 deals with the synthetic method used to prepare the pristine Mg-Al and Zn-Al HTlc and with the procedures of their functionalization with anti-inflammatory (diclofenac), antibacterial (chloramphenicol hemisuccinate), antifibrinolytic (tranexamic acid) drugs and with benzoates with antimicrobial activity. Procedures used to form (nano) composites of polycaprolactone, used as an example of biodegradable polymer, and functionalized HTlc are also reported. Part 2 discusses a patent and related papers on the preparation and biomedical use of a controlled delivery system of the above mentioned pharmacologically active substances. After an introduction dealing with the recent progress in the field of local drug delivery systems, the chemical and structural aspects of the patented system constituted of a biodegradable polymer and HTlc loaded with the active substances will be presented together with an extensive discussion of the drug release in physiological medium. Part 3 deals with a recent patent and related papers on chemical, structural and release property of antimicrobial species of polymeric films containing antimicrobial loaded HTlc able to act as active packaging for food products prolonging their shelf life.

New polymeric composites based on poly(-caprolactone) and layered double hydroxides containing antimicrobial species.

Benzoate (Bz), 2,4-dichlorobenzoate (BzDC), and p- and o-hydroxybenzoate (p- and o-BzOH) anions with antimicrobial activity have been intercalated into [Zn(0.65)Al(0.35)(OH)(2)](NO(3))(0.35).0.6H(2)O, layered double hydroxide (LDH), via anion-exchange reactions. The composition of the obtained intercalation compounds, determined by chemical, thermogravimetric, and ion chromatographic analyses, indicates that benzoate and benzoate derivative anions replace the nitrate counteranions, almost completely. Information on the interactions of the intercalated anions with the inorganic layer have been obtained from Fourier transform IR absorption spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction of the samples. It has been found that both the nature and the position of the aromatic ring substituents affect the value of the basal distance and the host-guest hydrogen bond network. Knowledge of the chemical composition, basal distance, and van der Waals dimensions of the guests has finally allowed the proposal of structural models of the intercalation compounds that have been used as fillers of poly(caprolactone), a biodegradable polymer. Films of polymeric composites were obtained by hot-pressing the powders of polymer and filler previously milled by a high-energy ball milling procedure. X-ray diffraction analysis and optical and scanning electron microscopy of the composites indicate that the LDH samples containing BzDC anions are delaminated into the polymeric matrix, whereas those containing p-BzOH anions maintain for the most part the crystal packing and give rise to microcomposites. Intermediate behavior was found for LDH modified with Bz and o-BzOH anions because exfoliated and partly intercalated composites were obtained. Preliminary antimicrobial tests indicate that the composites are able to inhibit the Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth of 40% in comparison with the growth in a pure culture medium. The composites can be studied as the model for "active packaging" systems because of the antimicrobial properties of the anions anchored to the LDH layer.

Nanometric dispersion of a Mg/Al layered double hydroxide into a chemically modified polycaprolactone.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) was chemically modified by grafting maleic anhydride on it, through a radical reaction induced by benzoyl peroxide as initiator. To improve the grafting degree, a second unsaturated comonomer such as glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) has been added, demonstrating a good reactivity in melt grafting without leading to long grafted chains. The quantitative determination of grafted maleic anhydride, performed by FTIR analysis, revealed a grafting weight percentage of 9.5 +/- 0.9, and the NMR characterization made it possible to propose a structure for the grafted polymer (PCLgMA). The modified polymer was analyzed by DSC and X-ray diffraction, showing a structural organization even better than that of the pristine polymer. An exchange reaction with a layered double hydroxide (LDH), hydrotalcite-like solid in the nitrate form, led to the disappearance of the crystalline basal peak of LDH in the X-ray diffractograms, suggesting a possible exfoliation of the inorganic sample. An oxidative etching on the composite surface followed by atomic force microscopy analysis made it possible to enlighten the lamellar structure in the pristine sample. In the composite sample, the well identifiable narrow fissures homogeneously distributed on the surface demonstrate that nanometer stacks of LDH sheets, embedded in a highly textured PCLgMA matrix, are present in the composite sample. The comparison of X-ray diffractograms and AFM analysis suggests either a partial exfoliation or an intercalation of the polymer in a lamellar texture with a basal spacing higher than 5 nm. In any case, the process of ionic exchange between nitrate LDH and PCLgMA led to the formation of nanocomposites, in which no large hydrotalcite aggregates are present. This is an interesting method to obtain a direct intercalation of the modified polymer into the inorganic solid with a simple ionic exchange reaction.