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Polymers
Special Issues
Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications
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Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 15730

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniela Predoi

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Guest Editor
National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor Street, No. 405A, P.O. Box MG 07, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Interests: biomaterials; biomedical applications; biotechnology; environmental applications; food industry; hydroxyapatite; magnetic properties; iron oxide nanoparticles; structural properties; surface properties; antimicrobial properties; antimicrobial coatings; pharmaceutical applications; colloidal properties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Regis Guegan

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Science and Engineering, Global Center for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
Interests: layered materials; confinement effects; surfactants; liquid crystals; colloidal association; hybrid materials; polymer; environmental applications
Prof. Dr. Mircea Beuran

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Guest Editor
1. Department of General Surgery, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari, Sector 5, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
2. Emergency Hospital Floreasca Bucharest, 8 Calea Floreasca, 014461 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: abdominal surgery; laparoscopic surgery; minimally invasive surgery; gastrointestinal surgery; colorectal surgery; hernia surgery; advance laparoscopic surgery; surgical oncology; cancer surgery; hepatobiliary surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, due to the tremendous progress in the material science field, nanotechnology can be successfully implemented for finding solutions to existing needs in the biomedical, medical, pharmaceutical, food industry, and IT fields. Furthermore, applications of polymer nanotechnology have been increasingly studied due to polymers’ outstanding properties and their multipurpose uses. Recent studies have emphasized that polymer-based nanomaterials exhibited outstanding chemical and physical properties, compared with ceramic or metal nanomaterials. Thus, in recent years, significant efforts have been made to develop new and improved nanocomposites based on biocompatible polymers that have the ability to be used in biomedical applications. In this context, this Special Issue will be focused on polymer-based nanocomposites for biomedical applications.

Prof. Dr. Daniela Predoi
Prof. Dr. Regis Guegan
Prof. Dr. Mircea Beuran
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3043 KiB  
Communication
3D Printed Masks for Powders and Viruses Safety Protection Using Food Grade Polymers: Empirical Tests
by Ruben Foresti, Benedetta Ghezzi, Matteo Vettori, Lorenzo Bergonzi, Silvia Attolino, Stefano Rossi, Giuseppe Tarabella, Davide Vurro, Didier von Zeppelin, Salvatore Iannotta, Andrea Zappettini, Guido Maria Macaluso, Michele Miragoli, Marcello Giuseppe Maggio, Cosimo Costantino, Stefano Selleri and Claudio Macaluso
Polymers 2021, 13(4), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13040617 - 18 Feb 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3531
Abstract
The production of 3D printed safety protection devices (SPD) requires particular attention to the material selection and to the evaluation of mechanical resistance, biological safety and surface roughness related to the accumulation of bacteria and viruses. We explored the possibility to adopt additive [...] Read more.
The production of 3D printed safety protection devices (SPD) requires particular attention to the material selection and to the evaluation of mechanical resistance, biological safety and surface roughness related to the accumulation of bacteria and viruses. We explored the possibility to adopt additive manufacturing technologies for the production of respirator masks, responding to the sudden demand of SPDs caused by the emergency scenario of the pandemic spread of SARS-COV-2. In this study, we developed different prototypes of masks, exclusively applying basic additive manufacturing technologies like fused deposition modeling (FDM) and droplet-based precision extrusion deposition (db-PED) to common food packaging materials. We analyzed the resulting mechanical characteristics, biological safety (cell adhesion and viability), surface roughness and resistance to dissolution, before and after the cleaning and disinfection phases. We showed that masks 3D printed with home-grade printing equipment have similar performances compared to the industrial-grade ones, and furthermore we obtained a perfect face fit by customizing their shape. Finally, we developed novel approaches to the additive manufacturing post-processing phases essential to assure human safety in the production of 3D printed custom medical devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications)
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18 pages, 5848 KiB  
Article
Well Defined Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)-Fe3O4/Poly(Vinyl Pivalate) Core–Shell Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles: Design and Evaluation of In Vitro Cytotoxicity Activity Against Cancer Cells
by Graciane Resende, Gabriel V. S. Dutra, Maria S. B. Neta, Olacir A. Araújo, Sacha B. Chaves and Fabricio Machado
Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2868; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122868 - 30 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3104
Abstract
The objective of this work is to develop and characterize polymeric nanoparticles with core–shell morphology through miniemulsion polymerization combined with seeded emulsion polymerization, aiming at the application in the treatment of vascular tumors via intravascular embolization. The synthesis of the core–shell nanocomposites was [...] Read more.
The objective of this work is to develop and characterize polymeric nanoparticles with core–shell morphology through miniemulsion polymerization combined with seeded emulsion polymerization, aiming at the application in the treatment of vascular tumors via intravascular embolization. The synthesis of the core–shell nanocomposites was divided into two main steps: (i) Formation of the core structure, consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate)/magnetic oxide coated with oleic acid (OM-OA) via miniemulsion and (ii) shell structure produced through seeded emulsion polymerization of vinyl pivalate. Nanocomposites containing about 8 wt.% of OM-OA showed high colloidal stability, mean diameter of 216.8 nm, spherical morphology, saturation magnetization (Ms) of 4.65 emu·g−1 (57.41 emu·g−1 of Fe3O4), preserved superparamagnetic behavior and glass transition temperature (Tg) of 111.8 °C. TEM micrographs confirmed the obtaining of uniformly dispersed magnetic nanoparticles in the PMMA and that the core–shell structure was obtained by seeded emulsion with Ms of 1.35 emu·g−1 (56.25 emu·g−1 of Fe3O4) and Tg of 114.7 °C. In vitro cytotoxicity assays against murine tumor of melanoma (B16F10) and human Keratinocytes (HaCaT) cell lines were carried out showing that the core–shell magnetic polymeric materials (a core, consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate)/Fe3O4 and, a shell, formed by poly(vinyl pivalate)) presented high cell viabilities for both murine melanoma tumor cell lines, B16F10, and human keratinocyte cells, HaCaT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications)
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19 pages, 8026 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Characterisation of Poly(methyl metacrylate)-Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposites for Denture Bases
by Mariusz Cierech, Marcin Szerszeń, Jacek Wojnarowicz, Witold Łojkowski, Jolanta Kostrzewa-Janicka and Elżbieta Mierzwińska-Nastalska
Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2655; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112655 - 11 Nov 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2410
Abstract
Introduction of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) aims to improve the mechanical, microbiological and tribological properties of dental prosthesis bases. The aim of the research was to assess the polymerisation time and the change in the colour of [...] Read more.
Introduction of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) aims to improve the mechanical, microbiological and tribological properties of dental prosthesis bases. The aim of the research was to assess the polymerisation time and the change in the colour of the new biomaterial. Samples with the 1 wt% and 2 wt% content of TiO2 additionally modified by ultrasounds were created. The effectiveness of ultrasounds was assessed by comparing the average size of conglomerates in a liquid acrylic resin monomer by means of a dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. The biomaterial structure was assessed by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The colour change was analysed by means of a colorimetric test and provided in the CIE (Commission internationale de l’éclairage) L*a*b* and RGB (Red Green Blue) colour palette. It was observed during the DLS test that the ultrasonic homogenisation process caused an increase in the suspension heterogeneity. The EDS analysis confirmed the presence of nanoparticles sized below 100 nm, which constitutes a ground for calling the new biomaterial a nanocomposite. The addition of TiO2 NPs as well as the ultrasounds result in the reduction of the average PMMA polymerisation time. The obtained data reveal that the addition of both 1 wt% and 2 wt% causes a considerable change in the PMMA colour: its whitening. To summarise, the reduced polymerisation time of the new biomaterial fully enables performance of standard procedures related to creation of dental prosthesis bases. Due to the considerable change in the colour, the clinical application is limited to performance of repairs or relining of the prosthesis, where the new material is located in an unaesthetic zone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications)
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17 pages, 6611 KiB  
Article
Multicomponent Non-Woven Fibrous Mats with Balanced Processing and Functional Properties
by Tatiana S. Demina, Anastasia S. Kuryanova, Polina Y. Bikmulina, Nadejda A. Aksenova, Yuri M. Efremov, Zulfar I. Khaibullin, Pavel L. Ivanov, Nastasia V. Kosheleva, Peter S. Timashev and Tatiana A. Akopova
Polymers 2020, 12(9), 1911; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12091911 - 25 Aug 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2455
Abstract
The mimicking of the architectonics of native tissue, biodegradable non-woven fibrous mats is one of the most promising forms of scaffolding for tissue engineering. The key properties needed for their successful application in vivo, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, morphology, mechanical properties, etc., rely [...] Read more.
The mimicking of the architectonics of native tissue, biodegradable non-woven fibrous mats is one of the most promising forms of scaffolding for tissue engineering. The key properties needed for their successful application in vivo, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, morphology, mechanical properties, etc., rely on their composition and appropriate 3D structure. A multicomponent system based on biodegradable synthetic (polycaprolactone, oligo-/polylactide) and natural (chitosan, gelatin) polymers, providing the desired processing characteristics and functionality to non-woven mats fabricated via the electrospinning technique, was developed. The solid-state reactive blending of these components provided a one-step synthesis of amphiphilic graft copolymer with an ability to form stable ultra-fine dispersions in chlorinated solvents, which could be successfully used as casting solvents for the electrospinning technique. The synthesized graft copolymer was analyzed with the aim of fractional analysis, dynamic laser scattering, FTIR-spectroscopy and DSC. Casting solution characteristics, namely viscosity, surface tension, and electroconductivity, as well as electrospinning parameters, were studied and optimized. The morphology, chemical structure of the surface layer, mechanical properties and cytocompatibility were analyzed to confirm the appropriate functionality of the formed fibrous materials as scaffolds for tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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20 pages, 2770 KiB  
Review
Advances in Nano-Enabled Platforms for the Treatment of Depression
by Fadzai P. Mutingwende, Pierre P. D. Kondiah, Philemon Ubanako, Thashree Marimuthu and Yahya E. Choonara
Polymers 2021, 13(9), 1431; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091431 - 29 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3356
Abstract
Nanotechnology has aided in the advancement of drug delivery for the treatment of several neurological disorders including depression. Depression is a relatively common mental disorder which is characterized by a severe imbalance of neurotransmitters. Several current therapeutic regimens against depression display drawbacks which [...] Read more.
Nanotechnology has aided in the advancement of drug delivery for the treatment of several neurological disorders including depression. Depression is a relatively common mental disorder which is characterized by a severe imbalance of neurotransmitters. Several current therapeutic regimens against depression display drawbacks which include low bioavailability, delayed therapeutic outcome, undesirable side effects and drug toxicity due to high doses. The blood–brain barrier limits the entry of the drugs into the brain matrix, resulting in low bioavailability and tissue damage due to drug accumulation. Due to their size and physico-chemical properties, nanotechnological drug delivery systems present a promising strategy to enhance the delivery of nanomedicines into the brain matrix, thereby improving bioavailability and limiting toxicity. Furthermore, ligand-complexed nanocarriers can improve drug specificity and antidepressant efficacy and reduce drug toxicity. Biopolymers and nanocarriers can also be employed to enhance controlled drug release and reduce the hepatic first-pass effect, hence reducing the dosing frequency. This manuscript reviews recent advances in different biopolymers, such as polysaccharides and other nanocarriers, for targeted antidepressant drug delivery to the brain. It probes nano-based strategies that can be employed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressants through the oral, intranasal, and parenteral routes of administration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications)
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