Sharif Digital Repository

Novel types of highly swelling hydrogels (superabsorbent) were prepared by grafting crosslinked poly acrylic acid-co-2-hydroxyethylmetacrylate (PAA-co-HEMA) chains onto starch through a free radical polymerization method. The effect of grafting variables (i.e., concentration of methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), acrylic acid/2-hydroxy methymetacrylate (AA/HEMA) weight ratio, ammonium persulfate (APS), starch, neutralization percent, were systematically optimized to achieve a hydrogel with a maximum swelling capacity. The superabsorbent (SAP) formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The controlled-release behavior of... 

A new sensor for simultaneous determination of peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide using silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) as a chromogenic reagent is introduced. The silver nanoparticles have the catalytic ability for the decomposition of peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide; then the decomposition of them induces the degradation of silver nanoparticles. Hence, a remarkable change in the localized surface plasmon resonance absorbance strength could be observed. Spectra-kinetic approach and artificial neural network was applied for the simultaneous determination of peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Linear calibration graphs were obtained in the concentration range of (8.20×10-5 to... 

A method based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by on-fiber derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS) for determination of phenol in air was developed. Three different types of SPME fibers, polar and non-polar poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were synthesized using sol-gel technology and their feasibility to the sampling of phenol were investigated. Different derivatization reagents for post on-fiber derivatization of phenol were studied. Important parameters influencing the extraction and derivatization process such as type of fiber coating, type and volume of derivatizing reagent, derivatization time and temperature,... 

A thermosensitive copolymer was synthesized by graft copolymerization of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) copolymers onto the surface of chitosan membranes. Acryloyl chloride was used as a coupling reagent for the covalent attachment of PLGA to the chitosan membranes. FTIR spectroscopy and DSC analysis were used to characterize the resulting graft copolymer. Thermosensitive swelling behaviors of the copolymer were investigated as well. The membranes exhibited reversible swelling-shrinking behavior; higher swelling ratios were obtained observed at higher temperatures. Drug permeation studies were carried out using vancomycin hydrochloride and betamethasone sodium phosphate as the model... 

In this study, injectable PEG-based hydrogels containing Laponite particles with mechanical and structural properties close to the natural articular cartilage are introduced. The nanocomposites are fabricated by imide ring opening reactions utilizing synthesized copolymers containing PEG blocks and nanoclay through a two-step thermal poly-(amic acid) process. Butane diamine is used as nucleophilic reagent and hydrogels with interconnected pores with sizes in the range of 100–250 µm are prepared. Improved viscoelastic properties compared with the conventional PEG hydrogels are shown. Evaluation of cell viability utilizing human mesenchymal stem cells determines cytocompatibility of the... 

Degenerative disc disease, associated with discrete structural changes in the peripheral annulus and vertebral endplate, is one of the most common pathological triggers of acute and chronic low back pain, significantly depreciating an individual's quality of life and instigating huge socioeconomic costs. Novel emerging therapeutic techniques are hence of great interest to both research and clinical communities alike. Exogenous crosslinking, such as Genipin, and platelet-rich plasma therapies have been recently demonstrated encouraging results for the repair and regeneration of degenerated discs, but there remains a knowledge gap regarding the quantitative degree of effectiveness and... 

Aim: In this study, a nanosponge structure was synthesised with capability of encapsulating curcumin as a model polyphenolic compound and one of the herbal remedies that have widely been considered due to its ability to treat cancer. Methods: FTIR, DSC and XRD techniques were performed to confirm the formation of the inclusion complex of the nanosponge-drug. Results: DSC and XRD patterns showed an increasing stability and a decreasing crystallinity of curcumin after formation of inclusion complex. Encapsulation efficiency was 98% (w/w) and a significant increase was observed in loading capacity (184% w/w). The results of cytotoxicity assessments demonstrated no cell toxicity on the healthy... 

To enhance physicomechanical properties and bioactivity of fibrous membranes for wound dressing and tissue engineering applications, novel composite scaffolds consisting of fibrous mats and thermosensitive hydrogel particles were prepared by concurrent electrospinning and electrospraying technique. The composite scaffolds were composed of keratin/bacterial cellulose fibers (150 ± 43 nm) which are hybridized with hydrogel particles (500 nm to 2 μm) based on nonionic triblock copolymers conjugated with Tragacanth gum (TG). FTIR and H-NMR studies indicated ester reactions between carboxylated copolymers and TG through carbodiimide crosslinker chemistry. The hydrogel particles were uniformly... 

Herein, some (modified) paper–based substrates were prepared and utilized as extractive phases in a microfluidic device and their extraction performances examined for analytes with different polarities. Reagents including hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS), phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTES), (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and 3–(2,3–epoxypropoxy) propyltrimethoxysilane (EPPTMOS) were implemented for the modification process. Due to the induction of different silane functional groups, it was anticipated to have various interactions for the tested analytes. Eventually, the prepared paper sheets were used as extractive phases for solid–phase extraction within a microfluidic system. The... 

Cell lysis is an essential primary step in cell assays. In the process of cell lysis, the cell membrane is destroyed and the substances inside the cell are extracted. By utilizing a droplet-based microfluidic platform for cell lysis, the mixer unit that is required for mixing lysis reagents with the cells can be excluded, and thus, the complexity of the fabrication process is reduced. In addition, lysing the cells within the droplets will prevent the cells from exposure to the channel walls, and as a result, cleanliness of the samples and the device is maintained. In this study, cell lysis within the droplets and the parameters affecting the efficiency of this process are investigated using... 

Silica-supported boron trifluoride (BF3·SiO2) is an efficient, readily available and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles using benzil, an aromatic aldehyde and an amine in the presence of ammonium acetate. This one-pot procedure is very simple, affording good to excellent yields. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved  

Polymer supported reagents have found many applications in recent years. Scientists in research laboratories of agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries now routinely utilize these compounds to prepare ensembles of small organic molecules for screening. This review is aimed to highlight some of the most important applications of these promising materials in organic synthesis. Furthermore, an extensive listing of polymeric reagents that were recently used in organic synthesis is included. © Springer-Verlag 2007  

An efficient and simple method for the reduction of aldehydes, ketones and acid chlorides has been accomplished by using NaBH4-solid LiClO 4 in mild conditions at ambient temperature with complete chemoselectivity in reduction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. The reaction is fast with high yield and simple workup. Copyright © Taylor & Francis, Inc  

Chitosan is a natural polymer with acceptable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical stability; hence, it has been widely appraised for drug and gene delivery applications. However, there has been no comprehensive assessment to tailor-make chitosan cross-linkers of various types and functionalities as well as complex chitosan-based semi- and full-interpenetrating networks for drug delivery systems (DDSs). Herein, various fabrication methods developed for chitosan hydrogels are deliberated, including chitosan crosslinking with and without diverse cross-linkers. Tripolyphosphate, genipin and multi-functional aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and epoxides are common cross-linkers used in...