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Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic... Jun 2024This study aimed to present an innovative method for synthesizing pH-thermo-glucose responsive poly(NIPA--DMAEMA)-PBA hydrogel nanoparticles via single-step aqueous free...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to present an innovative method for synthesizing pH-thermo-glucose responsive poly(NIPA--DMAEMA)-PBA hydrogel nanoparticles via single-step aqueous free radical polymerization.
METHODS
The synthesis process involved free radical polymerization in an aqueous solution, and the resulting nanoparticles were characterized for their physical and chemical properties by H NMR, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Insulin-loaded poly(NIPA--DMAEMA)-PBA hydrogel nanoparticles were prepared and evaluated for their insulin capture and release properties at different pH and temperature, in addition to different glucose concentrations, with the release profile of insulin quantitatively evaluated using the Bradford method.
RESULTS
H NMR results confirmed successful PBA incorporation, and DLS outcomes consistently indicated a transition to a more hydrophobic state above the Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) of NIPA and DMAEMA. While pH responsiveness exhibited variation, insulin release generally increased with rising pH from acidic to neutral conditions, aligning with the anticipated augmentation of anionic PBA moieties and increased hydrogel hydrophilicity. Increased insulin release in the presence of glucose, particularly for formulations with the lowest mol % PBA, along with a slight increase for the highest mol % PBA formulation when increasing glucose from 1 to 4 mg/mL, supported the potential of this approach for nanoparticle synthesis tailored for glucose-responsive insulin release.
CONCLUSIONS
This work successfully demonstrates a novel method for synthesizing responsive hydrogel nanoparticles and underscores their potential for controlled insulin release in response to glucose concentrations. The observed pH-dependent insulin release patterns and the influence of PBA content on responsiveness highlight the versatility and promise of this nanoparticle synthesis approach for applications in glucose-responsive drug delivery systems.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Poly(NIPA) nanoparticles containing PBA moieties are normally synthesized in two or more steps in the presence of organic solvents. Here we propose a new method for the synthesis of multiresponsive hydrogel poly(NIPA--DMAEMA)-PBA nanoparticles in aqueous medium in a single reaction to provide a fast and effective strategy for the production of glucose-responsive multi-systems in aqueous media from free radical polymerization.
PubMed: 38932860
DOI: 10.1007/s40200-024-01421-7 -
Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic... Jun 2024This study aimed to assess the relationship between metabolic control factors, socio-demographic characteristics, personality traits, and self-perceived health status in...
Correlation between socio-demographic characteristics, metabolic control factors and personality traits with self-perceived health status in patients with diabetes: A cross-sectional study.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to assess the relationship between metabolic control factors, socio-demographic characteristics, personality traits, and self-perceived health status in diabetes.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 318 patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes (DM). Participants completed a questionnaire-based survey, which included the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised to measure five personality dimensions and the SF-12 survey to assess self-perceived health status. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the data, with socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data, and nutrition status as independent variables, and self-perceived health status (categorized as poor or good condition) as the dependent variable. Unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between personality traits (high vs. low) and metabolic control factors (good control vs. bad control) with health status scores.
RESULTS
60.7% of the participants with diabetes in the study described their health as "good." The results indicated that female gender (OR: 0.314, 95%CI: 0.105-0.938, = 0.038), age > 60 years (OR: 0.263, 95%CI: 0.117-0.592, = 0.001), comorbidities (OR: 0.314, 95%CI: 0.178-0.556, = 0.001), DM complications (OR: 0.531, 95%CI: 0.337-0.838, = 0.007), diabetic neuropathy (OR: 0.562, 95%CI: 0.356-0.886, = 0.013), and diabetic ulcer (OR: 0.130, 95%CI: 0.023-0.747, = 0.022) were independent variables associated with a "poor" health status. However, regular physical activity (OR: 3.144, 95%CI: 1.209-8.175, = 0.019) and a healthy nutritional diet (OR: 2.456, 95%CI: 1.421-4.245, < 0.001) were associated with a higher likelihood of a "good" self-perceived health status.
CONCLUSION
Preventive programs and interventions aimed at improving self-perceived health among patients with diabetes should focus on increasing regular physical activity and promoting a healthy nutritional status. These actions should be particularly targeted towards female and older patients with higher neuroticism traits.
PubMed: 38932851
DOI: 10.1007/s40200-023-01354-7 -
Journal of Clinical Nursing Jun 2024The coexistence of frailty and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the older population heightens the risk of adverse events. However, research on functional and wellness...
BACKGROUND
The coexistence of frailty and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the older population heightens the risk of adverse events. However, research on functional and wellness factors associated with frailty in this population is limited.
PURPOSE
To investigate the associations of physical performance, functional dependency, physical activity, nutritional status, sleep, self-perceived health and depression with frailty in community-dwelling older adults with coexisting frailty and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional.
METHODS
The study included 123 community-dwelling older adults (73.7 ± 6.0 years) with pre-frailty/frailty and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery), functional dependency (Barthel Index and Lawton & Brody), physical activity and inactivity (GeneActiv wrist-worn accelerometer), malnutrition risk (Mini Nutritional Assessment), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), self-perceived health (EuroQoL 5-Dimension 3-Level) and depression (Yesavage 15-item-Geriatric-Depression-Scale) were evaluated through personal interviews. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to categorize the variables into components, and logistic regressions were used to propose the best-fitted model for each component.
RESULTS
The PCA identified four components: (i) physical performance, with gait speed and leg mean velocity as the main variables associated with frailty; (ii) balance, showing significant associations with monopodal balance; (iii) daily activities, with moderate to vigorous physical activity and the Lawton and Brody score as the main variables associated with frailty within this component; and (iv) wellness factors, with nutritional status, self-perceived health and depression score as the primary variables associated with frailty.
CONCLUSIONS
This research underscores the significance of physical function and daily activities as protective factors against frailty in community-dwelling older adults with coexisting frailty and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The health dimension contributes both protective and risk factors, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments in managing frailty in this population.
REPORTING METHOD
The study adhered to the STROBE checklist.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
No patient or public contribution.
PubMed: 38932443
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.17336 -
Polymers Jun 2024The aim of this study was to obtain three experimental resin-based cements containing GO and HA-Ag for posterior restorations. The samples (S0, S1, and S2) shared the...
The aim of this study was to obtain three experimental resin-based cements containing GO and HA-Ag for posterior restorations. The samples (S0, S1, and S2) shared the same polymer matrix (BisGMA, TEGDMA) and powder mixture (bioglass (LaO and Sr-Zr), quartz, GO, and HA-Ag), with different percentages of graphene oxide (0%, 0.1%, 0.2% GO) and silver-doped hydroxyapatite (10%, 9.9%, 9.8% HA-Ag). The physical-chemical properties (water absorption, degree of conversion), mechanical properties (DTS, CS, FS), structural properties (SEM, AFM), and antibacterial properties (, , , , and ) were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties, except for the diametral tensile test, increased with the rise in the %GO. After 28 days, water absorption increased with the rise in the %GO. The surface structure of the samples did not show major changes after water absorption for 28 days. The antibacterial effects varied depending on the samples and bacterial strains tested. After increasing the %GO and decreasing the %HA-Ag, we observed a more pronounced antibacterial effect. The presence of GO, even in very small percentages, improved the properties of the tested experimental cements.
PubMed: 38932093
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121743 -
Polymers Jun 2024Recently, clothing development 3D printing and the evaluation of its physical characteristics have been explored. However, few studies have tackled thermal comfort,...
Heat and Moisture Transfer Depending on 3D-Printed Thermoplastic Polyurethane and Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Foam and the Presence of Holes for 3D Printing Clothing Development.
Recently, clothing development 3D printing and the evaluation of its physical characteristics have been explored. However, few studies have tackled thermal comfort, which is a major contributor to the wearers' comfort. Therefore, this study was designed to suggest effective materials and hole sizes for clothing obtained by 3D printing to maintain a comfortable clothing environment. In particular, two main variables, namely five different materials and three-hole sizes, were analyzed. All samples were placed on a hot plate (36 °C), and their surface temperature and humidity were measured for 10 min. The samples with only thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) achieved the largest temperature change of 3.2~4.8 °C, whereas those with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam exhibited the lowest temperature change of -0.1~2.0 °C. Similarly, the samples with only TPU showed the greatest humidity change of -0.7~-5.5%RH. Moreover, the hole size had a larger effect on humidity change than material type. The samples with large holes achieved the largest humidity change of -4.4%RH, whereas the samples without holes had the smallest humidity change of -1.5%RH after 10 min ( < 0.001). Based on these results, various combinations of materials and hole sizes should be considered to fit the purpose of 3D printing clothing.
PubMed: 38932034
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121684 -
Polymers Jun 2024Conversion of chemical feedstocks derived from fossil fuels to virgin polymer, manufacturing of plastics in coal-dependent economies, and increasing consumption of... (Review)
Review
Conversion of chemical feedstocks derived from fossil fuels to virgin polymer, manufacturing of plastics in coal-dependent economies, and increasing consumption of virgin polymers for plastics packaging contribute significantly to environmental issues and the challenges we face. Nowadays, promoting sustainable development has become the consensus of more and more countries. Among them, the recycling of multilayer packaging is a huge challenge. Due to the complexity of its structure and materials, as well as the limitations of existing recycling frameworks, currently, multilayer packaging cannot be commercially recycled thus resulting in a series of circular economy challenges. It is undeniable that multilayer packaging offers many positive effects on products and consumers, so banning the use of such packaging would be unwise and unrealistic. Developing the appropriate processes to recycle multilayer packaging is the most feasible strategy. In recent years, there have been some studies devoted to the recycling process of multilayer packaging. Many of the processes being developed involve the use of solvents. Based on the recycled products, we categorised these recycling processes as solvent-based recycling, including physical dissolution and chemical depolymerisation. In physical dissolution, there are mainly two approaches named delamination and selective dissolution-precipitation. Focusing on these processes, this paper reviews the solvents developed and used in the last 20 years for the recycling of polymers from multilayer packaging waste and gives a summary of their advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, product quality, ease of processing, and environmental impact. Based on existing research, one could conclude that solvent-based recycling methods have the potential to be commercialised and become part of a standard recycling process for polymer-based multilayer packaging. The combined use of multiple solvent-based recycling processes could be a breakthrough in achieving unified recycling of multilayer packaging with different components.
PubMed: 38932020
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121670 -
Polymers Jun 2024Polymers have a wide range of applications depending on their composition, size, and architecture. Varying any of these three characteristics can greatly impact the...
Polymers have a wide range of applications depending on their composition, size, and architecture. Varying any of these three characteristics can greatly impact the resulting chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. While many techniques are available to determine polymer composition and size, determining the exact polymer architecture is more challenging. Herein, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) methods are utilized to derive crucial architectural information about dithiol-yne comb polymers. Based on their unique fragmentation products and IM drift times, dithiol-yne oligomers with distinct architectures were successfully differentiated and characterized. Additionally, experimental collision cross-sections (Ω) derived via IM-MS were compared to theoretically extracted Ω values from molecular dynamics simulated structures to deduce the architectural motif of these comb oligomers. Overall, this work demonstrates the benefits of combining various mass spectrometry techniques in order to gain a complete understanding of a complex polymer mixture.
PubMed: 38932016
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121665 -
Polymers Jun 2024Particleboards have gained attention in the global market. Understanding their physical-mechanical behavior in the current technological context is essential due to...
Particleboards have gained attention in the global market. Understanding their physical-mechanical behavior in the current technological context is essential due to adhesive polymerization, which depends on variables such as pressing time and temperature. Today, the use of nanoparticles has become a plausible option for improving the properties of polymers used in wood-based composites. This study evaluates the influences of the addition of non-commercial 0.5% aluminum oxide (AlO) and aluminum oxide copper (CuO) nanoparticles using a greener route with a lower environmental impact obtaining a urea-formaldehyde (UF)-based polymeric adhesive to manufacture particle composites of var. wood. Regarding characterizations, the resin properties analyzed were viscosity, gel time, and pH, as well as panel properties, including density, moisture content, thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and thermal conductivity. The results were compared with scientific publications and standards. The addition of nanoparticles interfered with viscosity, and all treatments indicated a basic pH. It was not possible to determine the gel time after 10 min. Nanoparticles added to the polymers in the internal layer did not cause an improvement in the swelling properties in terms of thickness, with no significant statistical difference for density and moisture content. The increase from 150 °C to 180 °C may have caused an improvement in all physical-mechanical properties, indicating that the higher temperature positively influenced the polymerization of the formaldehyde-based adhesive. Therefore, the additions of both nanoparticles (0.5% in each condition) led to a limitation in the material influence with respect to physical-mechanical performance.
PubMed: 38932002
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121652 -
Polymers Jun 2024The physical properties as well as thermal and electrical stability of copper particles can be improved by surface protection, which mainly depends on the coating...
The physical properties as well as thermal and electrical stability of copper particles can be improved by surface protection, which mainly depends on the coating material. Our study was, therefore, focused on the rheological, thermal, mechanical and electrical characterization of polymer composites by comparing uncoated (Cu), silver-coated (Cu@Ag) and silica-coated (Cu@Si) copper flakes in low-density polyethylene at various volume concentrations (up to 40%). Interactions among particles were investigated by rheological properties, as these indicate network formation (geometrical entanglement), which is important for mechanical reinforcement as well as establishing an electric pathway (electrical percolation). The results showed that geometrical and electrical percolation were the same for Cu and Cu@Si, ~15%, while, surprisingly, Cu@Ag exhibited much lower percolation, ~7.5%, indicating the fusion of the Ag coating material, which also decreased crystal growth (degree of crystallinity). Furthermore, the magnitude of the rheological and mechanical response remained the same for all investigated materials, indicating that the coating materials do not provide any load transfer capabilities. However, they profoundly affect electron transfer, in that, Cu@Ag exhibited superior conductivity (74.4 S/m) compared to Cu (1.7 × 10 S/m) and Cu@Si (1.5 × 10 S/m). The results obtained are important for the design of advanced polymer composites for various applications, particularly in electronics where enhanced electrical conductivity is desired.
PubMed: 38931970
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121620 -
Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Combinations of different drugs are formulated in autoinjectors for parenteral administration against neurotoxic war agents. In this work, the effects on the chemical...
Combinations of different drugs are formulated in autoinjectors for parenteral administration against neurotoxic war agents. In this work, the effects on the chemical stability of the following three variables were studied: (i) type of drug combination (pralidoxime, atropine, and midazolam versus obidoxime, atropine, and midazolam); (ii) pH (3 versus 4); and (iii) type of elastomeric sealing material (PH 701/50 C BLACK versus 4023/50 GRAY). Syringes were stored at three different temperatures: 4, 25, and 40 °C. Samples were assayed at different time points to study the physical appearance, drug sorption on the sealing elastomeric materials, and drug content in solution. Midazolam was unstable in all tested experimental conditions. Drug adsorption was observed in both types of sealing elastomeric materials and was significantly ( < 0.01) dependent on the lipophilicity of the drug. The most stable formulation was the combination of pralidoxime and atropine at pH 4 with the elastomeric sealing material 4023/50 GRAY.
PubMed: 38931941
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060820