Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) has been proposed to be a potential candidate to be used as biomaterial. However, its poor processability, high brittleness and rigidity have limited its applicability. Transesterification reactions with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), one of the most promising biomedical materials, emerge as an attractive alternative to improve its mechanical properties. In this work, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-b-ε-caprolactone) (PHB-b-PCL) was prepared straightforwardly by transesterification of the parent homopolymers by reactive extrusion in the presence of stannous octanoate. After purification by solvent fractionation, PHB-b-PCL was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of carbon (13C NMR) and hydrogen (1H NMR) and, subsequently, submitted to electrospinning. The results indicate that PHB was modified, showing lower crystallinity as compared to the original homopolymers. The electrospun mats are tough and flexible and analysis by scanning electron microscopy indicates the formation of uniformly smooth morphology with average fiber diameter of 900-1200 nm and voids in the range between a few microns up to a few tens of microns, suitable for cell diffusion in biomedical applications.

Abstract Local administration of toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), agonist cytidine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODNs), and CD40 ligand (CD40L) can decrease ligature-induced periodontal inflammation and bone loss in wild type (WT) mouse. Objective: This study aimed to explore whether such effect is dependent on TLR9 signaling. Material and Methods: Purified spleen B cells isolated from WT C57BL/6J mice and TLR9 knockout (KO) mice were cultured for 48 hours under the following conditions: CD40L, CpG+CD40L, CpG at low, medium and high doses. We determined B cell numbers using a hemocytometer at 24 h and 48 h. Percentages of CD1dhiCD5+ B cells were detected by flow cytometry. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA expression and protein secretion were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and by ELISA, respectively. The silk ligature was tied around the maxillary second molars for 14 days, during which the CpG+CD40L mixture or PBS was injected into palatal gingiva on days 3, 6, and 9. Results: For both WT and TLR9 KO mice, CpG significantly induced B cell proliferation, increased IL-10 mRNA expression and protein secretion of IL-10 but reduced CD1dhiCD5+ B cells population; local injection of CpG+CD40L mixture significantly decreased alveolar bone loss and the number of TRAP-positive cells adjacent to the alveolar bone surface, and significantly increased the gingival mRNA expression of IL-10 and decreased RANKL and IFN-γ mRNA expression. Conclusions: These results indicated that CpG plus CD40L decreased periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in a TLR9-independent manner in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis.

Um novo material contendo grupos fluoreno e quinolina foi obtido por síntese direta através da reação de Suzuki e mostrou-se ser facilmente solúvel em solventes orgânicos comuns. A estrutura química da macromolécula foi confirmada através da caracterização por medidas de ressonância magnética nuclear de 1H (1H NMR), infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), análise termogravimétrica (TGA) e cromatografia de permeação em gel (GPC). Em solução, o material apresentou duas absorções máximas em 314 e 245 nm, juntamente com um alto rendimento quântico de fluorescência (82%) e uma emissão máxima em 419 nm. O band gap do material foi estimado em cerca de 2,60 eV por voltametria cíclica, entretanto o band gap óptico para o filme fino determinado por espectroscopia UV-Vis apresentou valor maior, 3,10 eV. A divergência foi atribuída a interações de transferência de carga, devido à presença de grupos doador e aceptor no copolímero.

A new oligomer having fluorenylene and quinolinylene groups was straightforwardly synthesized by Suzuki reaction and proven to be readily soluble in common organic solvents. The chemical structure of the copolymer was confirmed and characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. In solution, the oligomer presented two absorption maxima at 314 and 245 nm, along with a high fluorescence quantum yield (82%), characterized by an emission maximum at 419 nm. The band gap of the material was estimated to be around 2.60 eV by cyclic voltammetry, however the optical band gap for the thin film observed by UV-Vis spectroscopy was 3.10 eV. The divergence was attributed to charge transfer interactions due to the presence of donor and acceptor units in the copolymer.

Neste trabalho, foram sintetizados copolímeros à base de estireno (STY), divinilbenzeno (DVB) e metacrilato de metila (MMA) com propriedades magnéticas pela técnica de polimerização em suspensão. Os copolímeros foram caracterizados quanto a sua morfologia, ao teor de ferro incorporado, a densidade aparente, a distribuição de tamanho de partículas e as suas propriedades magnéticas. Foi avaliado o efeito da concentração de MMA sobre as características das partículas poliméricas obtidas. Copolímeros que não utilizaram MMA foram, em geral, os que apresentaram maior incorporação de ferro e melhor controle morfológico. Quando a temperatura foi alterada de 80 ºC para 70 ºC e a velocidade de agitação de 480 rpm para 360 rpm, houve aumento no teor de ferro incorporado nas partículas poliméricas.

In this work, copolymers based on styrene (STY), divinylbenzene (DVB) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) with magnetic properties were synthesized using the suspension polymerization technique. The copolymers were characterized according to morphology, iron content incorporated, bulk density, particle size distribution and magnetic properties. The effect of MMA content on the characteristics of polymeric particles was investigated. Generally, copolymers without MMA presented the biggest iron content incorporated and the best morphologic control. When the temperature was decreased from 80 ºC to 70 ºC and the stirring speed was reduced from 480 rpm to 360 rpm the iron content in the polymeric particles increased.

This paper describes the preparation of magnetic copolymer obtained from suspension polymerization of styrene (Sty) and divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of iron particles treated and not treated with oleic acid. The magnetic copolymers were characterized according to their morphology, particle size distribution and magnetic properties. The results show that incorporation of iron particles significantly changed the particles’ morphology. All samples presented higher saturation magnetization than the values reported in the literature and the particle size distribution was more monodisperse when the polymerization was conducted with 5%wt of benzoyl peroxide (BPO).

Commercial copolymers based on styrene and divinylbenzene containing sulfonic acid groups were used as support for the incorporation of silver nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were obtained in situ by the reduction of Ag+ by using hydroxylamine in the presence of a protective agent. These materials were characterized with determination of the silver content and their morphological characteristics. The antibacterial activity of the final products against Escherichia coli was evaluated and the results show that the synthesized copolymers had antibacterial effect varying from 54 to 100%. The most efficient composite was made with small, well distributed particles.