• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2014

Background: Hydrogels are a class of polymers that can absorb water or biological fluids and swell to several times their dry volume, dependent on changes in the external environment. In recent years, hydrogels and hydrogel nanocomposites have found a variety of biomedical applications, including drug delivery and cancer treatment. The incorporation of nanoparticulates into a hydrogel matrix can result in unique material characteristics such as enhanced mechanical properties, swelling response, and capability of remote controlled actuation. Materials and Methods: In this work, synthesis of hydrogel nanocomposites containing magnetic nanoparticles are studied. At first, magnetic nanoparticles ($Fe_3O_4$) with an average size 10 nm were prepared. At second approach, thermo and pH-sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide -co-methacrylic acid-co-vinyl pyrrolidone) (NIPAAm-MAA-VP) were prepared. Swelling behavior of co-polymer was studied in buffer solutions with different pH values (pH=5.8, pH=7.4) at $37^{\circ}C$. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles ($Fe_3O_4$) and doxorubicin were incorporated into copolymer and drug loading was studied. The release of drug, carried out at different pH and temperatures. Finally, chemical composition, magnetic properties and morphology of doxorubicin-loaded magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites were analyzed by FT- IR, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The results indicated that drug loading efficiency was increased by increasing the drug ratio to polymer. Doxorubicin was released more at $40^{\circ}C$ and in acidic pH compared to that $37^{\circ}C$ and basic pH. Conclusions: This study suggested that the poly (NIPAAm-MAA-VP) magnetic hydrogel nanocomposite could be an effective carrier for targeting drug delivery systems of anti-cancer drugs due to its temperature sensitive properties.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.97-103
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• 2017

In this study, the functional hydrogel ophthalmic lens containing tungsten oxide nanoparticles, 2,4-dihydroxy benzophenone and 2-hydroxy-4-(methacryloyloxy) benzophenone were manufactured. HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), MMA (methyl methacrylate), AA(acrylic acid), the cross-linker EGDMA (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), the initiator AIBN (azobisisobutyronitrile) and the functional additives including tungsten oxide nanoparticles, 2,4-dihydroxy benzophenone, and 2-hydroxy-4-(methacryloyloxy) benzophenone were used respectively. The measurements of water content and refractive index of the sample was decreased and increased, respectively. And also, the UV transmittance of produced lens containing 2,4-dihydroxy benzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-(methacryloyloxy) benzophenone and tungsten oxide nanoparticles was measured. Based on the results of this study, it is judged that the performance improvement increased over time when 2-hydroxy-4-(methacryloyloxy) benzophenone was used as an additive, while the use of tungsten oxide nanoparticles influenced on blue-ray-blocking effect of the hydrophilic lens.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.623-632
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• 2007

Thermosensitive nanoparticles were prepared via the self-assembly of two different $poly({\varepsilon}-caprolactone)$-based block copolymers of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-b-$poly({\varepsilon}-caprolactone)$ (PNPCL) and poly(ethylene glycol)-b-$poly({\varepsilon}-caprolactone)$ (PEGCL). The self-aggregation and thermosensitive behaviors of the mixed nanoparticles were investigated using $^1H-NMR$, turbidimetry, differential scanning microcalorimetry (micro-DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and fluorescence spectroscopy. The copolymer mixtures (mixed nanoparticles, M1-M5, with different PNPCL content) formed nano-sized self-aggregates in an aqueous environment via the intra- and/or intermolecular association of hydrophobic PCL chains. The microscopic investigation of the mixed nanoparticles showed that the critical aggregation concentration (cac), the partition equilibrium constants $(K_v)$ of pyrene, and the aggregation number of PCL chains per one hydrophobic microdomain varied in accordance with the compositions of the mixed nanoparticles. Furthermore, the PNPCL harboring mixed nanoparticles evidenced phase transition behavior, originated by coil to the globule transition of PNiPAAm block upon heating, thereby resulting in the turbidity change, endothermic heat exchange, and particle size reduction upon heating. The drug release tests showed that the formation of the thermosensitive hydrogel layer enhanced the sustained drug release patterns by functioning as an additional diffusion barrier.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.735-740
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to fabricate an ophthalmic lens by copolymerizing two types of carbon nanotubes and hydrophilic hydrogel lens materials, and to investigate its application as an ophthalmic lens material by analyzing its physical properties and antimicrobial effect. For polymerization, HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), EGDMA (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), a crosslinking agent, and AIBN (azobisisobutyronitrile), an initiator, are used as a basic combination, and a single-walled carbon nanotube and a single-walled, carboxylic-acid-functionalized carbon nanotube are used as additives. To analyze the physical properties, the water content, refractive index, breaking strength, and antimicrobial effect of the fabricated lenses are measured. The fabricated lenses satisfies all the basic properties of the basic hydrogel ophthalmic lens. The water content increases with increasing amount of additive and decreases with addition of 0.2 % ratio of nanoparticles. The refractive index is inversely proportional to the water content result. As a result of the antimicrobial test of the fabricated lens, the addition of carbon nanotubes shows an excellent antimicrobial effect. Therefore, it is considered that the fabricated lens can be applied as a functional material for basic ophthalmic hydrogel lenses.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.573-578
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• 2006

Three different, polymer-platinum conjugates (hydrogels, microparticles, and nanoparticles) were synthesized by complexation of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (cisplatin) with partially succinylated glycol chitbsan (PSGC). Succinic anhydride was used as a linker to introduce cisplatin to glycol chitosan (GC). Succinylation of GC was investigated systematically as a function of the molar ratio of succinic anhydride to glucosamine, the methanol content in the reaction media, and the reaction temperature. By controlling the reaction conditions, water-soluble, partially water-soluble, and hydrogel-forming PSGCs were synthesized, and then conjugated with cisplatin. The complexation of cisplatin with water-soluble PSGC via a ligand exchange reaction of platinum from chloride to the carboxylates induced the formation of nano-sized aggregates in aqueous media. The hydrodynamic diameters of PSGC/cisplatin complex nano-aggregates, as determined by light scattering, were 180-300 nm and the critical aggregation concentrations (CACs), as determined by a fluorescence technique using pyrene as a probe, were $20-30{\mu}g/mL$. The conjugation of cisplatin with partially water-soluble PSGC, i.e., borderline between water-soluble and water-insoluble PSGC, produced micro-sized particles $<500{\mu}m$. Cisplatin-complexed PSGC hydrogels were prepared from water-insoluble PSGCs. All of the cisplatin-incorporated, polymer matrices released platinum in a sustained manner without any significant initial burst, suggesting that they may all be useful as slow release systems for cisplatin. The release rate of platinum increased with the morphology changes from hydrogel through microparticle to nanoparticle systems.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.408-420
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• 2016

This study proposes an alternative approach for the use of chitosan silver-based dressing for the control of foot infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria. Sixty-five bacterial isolates were isolated from 40 diabetic patients. Staphylococcus aureus (37%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.5%) were the predominant isolates in the ulcer samples. Ten antibiotics were in vitro tested against diabetic foot clinical bacterial isolates. The most resistant S. aureus and P. aeruginosa isolates were then selected for further study. Three chitosan sources were tested individually for chelating silver nanoparticles. Squilla chitosan silver nanoparticles (Sq. Cs-Ag⁰) showed the maximum activity against the resistant bacteria when mixed with amikacin that showed the maximum synergetic index. This, in turn, resulted in the reduction of the amikacin MIC value by 95%. For evaluation of the effectiveness of the prepared dressing using Artemia salina as the toxicity biomarker, the LC₅₀ was found to be 549.5, 18,000, and 10,000 μg/ml for amikacin, Sq. Cs-Ag⁰, and dressing matrix, respectively. Loading the formula onto chitosan hydrogel dressing showed promising antibacterial activities, with responsive healing properties for the wounds in normal rats of those diabetic rats (polymicrobial infection). It is quite interesting to note that no emergence of any side effect on either kidney or liver biomedical functions was noticed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1229-1238
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• 2024

This study aimed to develop and assess a chitosan biomedical antibacterial gel ZincOxide-GrapheneOxide/Chitosan/β-Glycerophosphate (ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP) loaded with nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene oxide (GO), known for its potent antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and sustained drug release. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were modified and integrated with GO sheets to create 1% and 3% ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogels based on ZnO-GO to Chitosan (CS) mass ratio. Gelation time, pH, structural changes, and microscopic morphology were evaluated. The hydrogel's antibacterial efficacy against Porphyromonas gingivalis, biofilm biomass, and metabolic activity was examined alongside its impact (MC3T3-e1). The findings of this study revealed that both hydrogel formulations exhibited temperature sensitivity, maintaining a neutral pH. The ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP formulation effectively inhibited P. gingivalis bacterial activity and biofilm formation, with a 3% ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP antibacterial rate approaching 100%. MC3T3-e1 cells displayed good biocompatibility when cultured in the hydrogel extract.The ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogel demonstrates favorable physical and chemical properties, effectively preventing P. gingivalis biofilm formation. It exhibits promising biocompatibility, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for managing and preventing peri-implantitis, subject to further clinical investigations.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2006

Incorporation of bioactive compounds such as vitamins, probiotics, bioactive peptides, and antioxidants into Nutrient Delivery System (NDS) for 'nanofood' provides simple way to develop novel functional foods that may have physiological benefits or reduce risks of diseases. As vital nutrient in nanofood, proteins possess unique functional properties including ability to form gels and emulsions, which allow them to be ideal nanofood materials for encapsulation of bioactive compounds. Based on protein physico-chemical properties, this review describes potential role of nanofood materials for development of NDS in hydrogel form, micro-or nano-particles. Applications of these nanofood materials to protect delivery-sensitive nutraceutical compounds are illustrated, and impacts of particle size on release properties are emphasized.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2016

The hydrophilic ophthalmic lens with addition of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) and Ag nanoparticles were manufactured. And also, the cross-linker ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and the initiator azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) were used for polymerization. The polymerization of the hydrogel lens material was conducted through thermal polymerization in 100 ℃ for 1h. The optical and physical characteristics of hydrogel lens were evaluated by measuring water content, refractive index and optical transmittance. The water content of sample containing HEA, HEMA and HPMA was in the average of 82.12%, 37.06% and 21.57%, respectively. And also, refractive index of the sample containing HEA, HEMA and HPMA was in the average of 1.3540, 1.4330 and 1.4649, respectively. In case of the optical properties of the sample, the results showed that the near-UV transmittance was 82.67%, 80.32% and 79.83%, and the visible transmittance was 89.72%, 88.24% and 86.89%, respectively. And also, optical transmittance of the sample containing Ag nanoparticles showed that the near-UV transmittance of 10.59% and visible transmittance of 43.74% were obtained. From the results, the molecular length influenced on the water content and refractive index of the polymerized material.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2011

Silver nano-particles (AgNPs) have attracted much attention for centuries due to their unique optical properties, electrical conductivities, oxidative catalysis, and antibacterial effect. In this study, AgNPs have been prepared by using aqueous $AgNO_3$ solution in the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels. PVA and PEG powders were dissolved in deionized water, and then irradiated by a gamma-ray with a radiation dose of 50 kGy to make hydrogels. PVA/PEG hydrogels were dipped into $1.0{\times}10^{-2}M$ $AgNO_3$ solution for 1 hour. After that, the swollen hydrogels were irradiated by gamma-ray for the formation of AgNPs. FE-SEM is used to observe the formation of AgNPs as a function of the content of PEG and the irradiation dose. Also, AgNPs in the PVA/PEG hydrogels were monitored by UV-Vis. It is observed that the content of PEG and gamma-ray irradiation in the hydrogel is crucial to the formation of AgNPs. Finally, antibacterial tests indiacted that the hydrogel containing silver nanoparticle has antibacterial activity.