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Abstract: Extremely fast release of diltiazem hydrochloride (water soluble, anti anginal drug used to treat chest pain) together with its faster erosion has been the primary problem in conventional oral therapy. It has been addressed in this paper by encapsulating the drug in electron beam irradiated various poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel membranes and delivering it through transdermal route. Results show excellent control over the release of diltiazem hydrochloride through these membranes subject to their physico-mechanicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Structural and regulatory components in the spinous processes neurons are still not fully understood. While the presence, regulation and function of actin cytoskeleton are now well established, involvement of microtubule cytoskeleton is only now being studied. In spite of biochemical, genetic and anatomical evidence, neurobiologists have experienced difficulties to even establish the physical presence and to demonstrate the functional relevance of “filamentous microtubules” in the spines. However, recent studies have demonstrated that filamentous microtubules regularly invade most spines. Moreover, functional aspects like stabilization and maturation of spines can be directly correlated with the presence of these microtubules; low doses of microtubule stabilizers can induce as many as 50% more spines. Clinically, knowledge of microtubule active drugs is extremely important, especially in the area of oncology, where they are commonly used as anti-neoplastic agents. Unfortunately, a major dose-limiting side effect of this class of drugs is a painful peripheral neuropathy. We review the recent concept of microtubules in the spine, and also critically analyze their role in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rapid osseointegration between implant and bone tissue for early loading of a prosthesis with sufficient primary stability depends on the surface characteristics of the implant. The development and characterization of suitable surface coatings on dental implants is a major challenge. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the osteogenic potential and cytotoxicity of unmodified zirconia, acid-etched zirconia, bioactive glass–coated zirconia, and tamarind kernel polysaccharide with hydrophilic acrylic acid (TKP-AA) hydrogel-coated zirconia. Thirty-six disks each of unmodified zirconia, acid-etched, 45S5 bioactive glass–coated, and TKP-AA hydrogel-coated zirconia were evaluated for osteogenic potential and cytotoxic effect by using human osteoblast Saos-2 cells. The surface topography of the disks and the morphology of the cells grown on these surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy (n=3). The cell attachment was evaluated by confocal imaging (n=3). The cytotoxic effect was evaluated by cell viability assay (n=9). Osteoblast maturation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase assay (n=9) and cell mineralization by alizarin red staining (n=9). ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparison post hoc tests were used to evaluate the statistical significance of the intergroup differences in these characteristics (α=.05). The surface modifications resulted in distinct changes in the surface morphology of zirconia disks and the growth of Saos-2 cells. Zirconia disks coated with TKP-AA promoted higher proliferation of osteoblasts compared with unmodified disks (P <.001). Similarly, the surface modifications significantly increased the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts as compared with uncoated zirconia (P <.001). However, the rate of differentiation to osteoblasts was similar among the surface modifications. Acid-etched and TKP-AA-coated disks promoted mineralization of osteoblasts to the same extent, except bioactive glass coating, which significantly increased the rate of mineralization (P <.001). Surface modification of zirconia by acid etching and coating with Bioglass or TKP-AA hydrogel resulted in the improved growth and differentiation of osteoblasts. TKP-AA hydrogel coating promoted the proliferation of osteoblasts, whereas Bioglass coating showed better mineralization. TKP-AA hydrogel coating is a promising candidate for improving the osseointegration of dental implants that warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patho-physiologies related to skin are diverse in nature such as burns, skin ulcers, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis etc. which impose severe bio-medical problems and thus enforce requirement of new and healthy skin prepared through tissues engineering methodologies. However, fully functional and biodegradable matrix for attachment, growth, proliferation and differentiation of the relevant cells is not available. In the present study, we introduce a set of hydrogels synthesized by incorporation of a synthetic monomer (Hydroxyethlmethacryate) with a semi-synthetic polymer backbone (carboxy methyl tamarind, CMT) in different mole ratios. We termed these materials as CMT:HEMA based hydrogels and these were characterized by different physico-chemical techniques, namely by X-Ray Diffraction, SEM and Dynamic Light Scattering. Biocompatibility studies with HaCaT, NIH-3T3 and mouse dermal fibroblasts confirm that this material is biocompatible. MTT assay further confirmed that this material does not have any cytotoxic effects. Assays for mitochondrial functionality such as ATP assay and mitochondrial reactive oxygen (ROS) generation also suggest that this material is safe and does not have any cytotoxicity. Hemolytic assay with red blood cells and acute skin irritation test on SD Rats confirmed that this material is suitable for ex-vivo application in future. We suggest that this hydrogel is suitable for in-vivo applications and may have clinical and commercial importance against skin disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable hydrophobic membranes were prepared in-situ from the composites of poly (diethylene glycol dimethacrylate) grafted carboxymethyl guargum (CMG-g-PDEGDMA)/carboxy functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (f-MWCNT). The composite membranes were applied for transdermal delivery of hydrophobic diclofenac sodium. The uniform dispersion of f-MWCNT resulted into stronger–matrix filler interaction, particularly at 1 wt.% f-MWCNT concentration. The membrane was most hydrophobic and least drug eluting. At higher f-MWCNT loading i.e. at 2 and 3 wt.% the membranes were less hydrophobic and faster drug eluting as a consequence of relatively poor matrix–filler interaction and copolymer wrapping. The most hydrophobic formulation (1 wt.%) had released 16.4% of the encapsulated drug, while the least (3 wt.%) had released 42% after 20 h study in a Franz diffusion cell under physiological condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Polysaccharide based hydrogel. [•] Bone precursor cells. [•] Cell adhesion. [•] Novel extracellular matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Green, hydrophobic device for controlled transdermal release of diclofenac sodium was designed from in situ nanosilica/acrylic acid grafted guargum membranes. Best grafting condition was assigned and nanocomposites were formed in situ using varying proportions of aqueous nanosilica sol. Nanocomposite/drug conjugates were formed by bringing down the medium pH from 9.0 to 7.0. The conjugates were characterized through infrared and solid state NMR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, hydro-swelling, surface contact angle, viscometry and biocompatibility. Most balanced property was exhibited by the membrane containing 1wt% nanosilica. It also had shown the highest encapsulation efficacy vis-à-vis slowest release as compared to others during experimentation in a Franz diffusion cell. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Design of a hybrid material of guargum and hyperbranched polymer by grafting. • Hybrid material proved to be an efficient water-absorbing polymer. • Hybrid material served as a gelling agent for the culture of cyanobacteria. • Hybrid material served as an effective medium for plant growth. This study reports the synthesis of an unprecedented bio-based aquasorbent guargum-g-hyperbranched poly (acrylic acid); bGG-g-HBPAA by employing graft-copolymerization and "Strathclyde methodology" simultaneously in emulsion and its possible use as a sustainable nutrient bed for the effective growth of Anabaena cylindrica and Vigna radiata seedlings. The formation of bGG-g-HBPAA and the presence of hyperbranched architectures was confirmed from XRD, FTIR, 13C NMR, solubility, intrinsic viscosity, BET surface area/ pore size, SEM and rheology analyses. The synthesized grade with a branching percent of 65.4% and a swelling percentage of 13,300% facilitated maximum growth of the cultured species as compared to guargum and its linear graft. Semi synthetic bGG-g-HBPAA culture medium was optically transparent, dried at a controlled rate, held a huge amount of water for growth, provided sufficient space for unhindered growth and featured dimensional stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]