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G Engler L, Farias NC, S Crespo J, Gately NM, Major I, Pezzoli R, Devine DM. Designing Sustainable Polymer Blends: Tailoring Mechanical Properties and Degradation Behaviour in PHB/PLA/PCL Blends in a Seawater Environment. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2874. [PMID: 37447519 DOI: 10.3390/polym15132874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodegradable polyesters are a popular choice for both packaging and medical device manufacture owing to their ability to break down into harmless components once they have completed their function. However, commonly used polyesters such as poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and polycaprolactone (PCL), while readily available and have a relatively low price compared to other biodegradable polyesters, do not meet the degradation profiles required for many applications. As such, this study aimed to determine if the mechanical and degradation properties of biodegradable polymers could be tailored by blending different polymers. The seawater degradation mechanisms were evaluated, revealing surface erosion and bulk degradation in the blends. The extent of degradation was found to be dependent on the specific chemical composition of the polymer and the blend ratio, with degradation occurring via hydrolytic, enzymatic, oxidative, or physical pathways. PLA presents the highest tensile strength (67 MPa); the addition of PHB and PCL increased the flexibility of the samples; however, the tensile strength reduced to 25.5 and 18 MPa for the blends 30/50/20 and 50/25/25, respectively. Additionally, PCL presented weight loss of up to 10 wt.% and PHB of up to 6 wt.%; the seawater degradation in the blends occurs by bulk and surface erosion. The blending process facilitated the flexibility of the blends, enabling their use in diverse industrial applications such as medical devices and packaging. The proposed methodology produced biodegradable blends with tailored properties within a seawater environment. Additionally, further tests that fully track the biodegradation process should be put in place; incorporating compatibilizers might promote the miscibility of different polymers, improving their mechanical properties and biodegradability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo G Engler
- PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
- Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Caxias do Sul, Francisco Getúlio Vargas Street, 1130, Caxias do Sul 95070-560, Brazil
| | - Naiara C Farias
- PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
| | - Janaina S Crespo
- PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
- Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Caxias do Sul, Francisco Getúlio Vargas Street, 1130, Caxias do Sul 95070-560, Brazil
| | - Noel M Gately
- Applied Polymer Technologies Gateway, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
| | - Ian Major
- PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
| | - Romina Pezzoli
- Applied Polymer Technologies Gateway, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
| | - Declan M Devine
- PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
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Farias NC, Major I, Devine D, Brennan Fournet M, Pezzoli R, Farshbaf Taghinezhad S, Hesabi M. Multiple recycling of a
PLA
/
PHB
biopolymer blend for sustainable packaging applications: Rheology‐morphology, thermal, and mechanical performance analysis. POLYM ENG SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.25962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naiara C. Farias
- Material Research Institute Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) Athlone Ireland
| | - Ian Major
- Material Research Institute Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) Athlone Ireland
| | - Declan Devine
- Material Research Institute Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) Athlone Ireland
| | - Margaret Brennan Fournet
- Material Research Institute Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) Athlone Ireland
| | - Romina Pezzoli
- Applied Polymer Technologies Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) Athlone Ireland
| | | | - Mohammadnabi Hesabi
- Material Research Institute Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) Athlone Ireland
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Chen Y, Neff M, McEvoy B, Cao Z, Pezzoli R, Murphy A, Gately N, Jnr MH, Rowan NJ, Devine DM. 3D printed polymers are less stable than injection moulded counterparts when exposed to terminal sterilization processes using novel vaporized hydrogen peroxide and electron beam processes. POLYMER 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.121870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Fallon M, Halligan S, Pezzoli R, Geever L, Higginbotham C. Synthesis and Characterisation of Novel Temperature and pH Sensitive Physically Cross-Linked Poly (N-vinylcaprolactam-co-itaconic Acid) Hydrogels for Drug Delivery. Gels 2019; 5:E41. [PMID: 31470691 PMCID: PMC6787750 DOI: 10.3390/gels5030041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies involving poly N-vinylcaprolactam (PNVCL) and itaconic acid (IA) have synthesised the hydrogels with the presence of a solvent and a crosslinker, producing chemically crosslinked hydrogel systems. In this study, however, temperature sensitive PNVCL was physically crosslinked with a pH-sensitive comonomer IA through ultraviolet (UV) free-radical polymerization, without the presence of a solvent, to produce hydrogels with dual sensitivity. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy indicated successful polymerisation of the hydrogels. The temperature and pH sensitivity of the hydrogels was investigated. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the gels was determined using the UV spectrometry and it was found that the incorporation of IA decreased the LCST. Rheology was conducted to investigate the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels, with results indicating IA that enhances the mechanical properties of the gels. Swelling studies were carried out at ~20 °C and 37 °C in different buffer solutions simulating the gastrointestinal tract (pH 2.2 and pH 6.8). In acidic conditions, the gels showed gradual increase in swelling while remaining structurally intact. While in basic conditions, the gels had a burst in swelling and began to gradually degrade after 30 min. Results were similar for drug release studies. Acetaminophen was incorporated into the hydrogels. Drug dissolution studies were carried out at 37 °C in pH 2.2 and pH 6.8. It was found that <20% of acetaminophen was released from the gels in pH 2.2, whereas the maximum drug released at pH 6.8 was 74%. Cytotoxicity studies also demonstrated the hydrogels to be highly biocompatible. These results indicate that physically crosslinked P(NVCL-IA) gels possess dual pH and temperature sensitive properties, which may be beneficial for biomedical applications such as drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Fallon
- Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 F6D7, Ireland
| | - Shane Halligan
- Applied Polymer Technologies Gateway, Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 HD68, Ireland
| | - Romina Pezzoli
- Applied Polymer Technologies Gateway, Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 HD68, Ireland
| | - Luke Geever
- Applied Polymer Technologies Gateway, Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 HD68, Ireland
| | - Clement Higginbotham
- Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 F6D7, Ireland.
- Applied Polymer Technologies Gateway, Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 HD68, Ireland.
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Pezzoli R, Hopkins Jnr M, Direur G, Gately N, Lyons JG, Higginbotham CL. Micro-Injection Moulding of Poly(vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate) Binary and Ternary Amorphous Solid Dispersions. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:pharmaceutics11050240. [PMID: 31109108 PMCID: PMC6571625 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11050240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-injection moulding (µIM) was used for the production of enteric tablets of plasticised and unplasticised solid dispersions of poly(vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate) (PVPVA), and the effect of the mechanical and thermal treatment on the properties of the dispersions was investigated. The physical state of the systems showed to be unaltered by the µIM step, maintaining the drug in the amorphous state. The dissolution profile of the tablets showed a slower dissolution rate due to the lower surface to volume ratio compared to the extruded strands. The lack of solubility of the doses in the acidic medium as a consequence of the acidity of indomethacin (IND) was observed. However, in neutral pH the drug dissolution showed slower rates without affecting the dissolution extent, showing a potential application for the development of controlled release doses. Overall, the production of tablets of amorphous solid dispersions (ASD), coupling hot-melt extrusion (HME) and µIM, proved to be a successful approach towards a continuous automated manufacturing process to improve the aqueous solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Pezzoli
- Applied Polymer Technologies, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, N37 HD68 Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
- Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), Dublin Road, Athlone, N37 HD68 Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
| | - Michael Hopkins Jnr
- Applied Polymer Technologies, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, N37 HD68 Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
| | - Guillaume Direur
- Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, N37 HD68 Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
| | - Noel Gately
- Applied Polymer Technologies, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, N37 HD68 Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
| | - John G Lyons
- Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, N37 HD68 Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
| | - Clement L Higginbotham
- Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), Dublin Road, Athlone, N37 HD68 Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
- Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, N37 HD68 Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
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Pezzoli R, Lyons JG, Gately N, Higginbotham CL. Investigation of miscibility estimation methods between indomethacin and poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate). Int J Pharm 2018; 549:50-57. [PMID: 30016675 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The investigation of the miscibility between active pharmaceutical ingredients (API's) and polymeric excipients is of great interest for the formulation and development of amorphous solid dispersions, especially in the context of the prediction of the stability of these systems. Two different methods were applied to determine the miscibility between model compounds poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (PVPVA) and indomethacin (IND), viz. the measurement of the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the melting point depression method framed on the Flory-Huggins theory. Measurement of the glass transition temperatures of the binary blends showed the formation of an amorphous single phase system between the PVPVA and the IND regardless of the composition. Variation of Tg with the composition was well described by the Gordon-Taylor equation leading to the error of concluding lack of intermolecular interactions between the materials. Application of the Brostow-Chiu-Kalogeras-Vassilikou-Dova (BCKV) model shows a negative interaction parameter (a0) suggesting the presence of drug-drug intermolecular interactions. Application of the melting point depression method within the framework of the Flory-Huggins theory proved the miscibility of the system at temperatures close to the melting point of IND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Pezzoli
- Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Rd, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland; Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Rd, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland
| | - John G Lyons
- Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Rd, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland
| | - Noel Gately
- Applied Polymer Technology, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Rd, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland
| | - Clement L Higginbotham
- Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Rd, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland; Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Rd, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland.
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Laredo E, Newman D, Pezzoli R, Müller AJ, Bello A. A complete TSDC description of molecular mobilities in polylactide/starch blends from local to normal modes: Effect of composition, moisture, and crystallinity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Estrella Laredo
- Departamento De Física; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-a Venezuela
| | - Dinorah Newman
- Departamento De Física; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-a Venezuela
| | - Romina Pezzoli
- Departamento De Física; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-a Venezuela
| | - Alejandro J. Müller
- Grupo De Polímeros USB, Departamento De Ciencia De Los Materiales; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-a Venezuela
| | - Alfredo Bello
- Departamento De Física; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-a Venezuela
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Mombelli G, Pezzoli R, Pinoja-Lutz G, Monotti R, Marone C, Franciolli M, Walsh PC. Oral vs Intravenous Ciprofloxacin in the Initial Empirical Management of Severe Pyelonephritis or Complicated Urinary Tract Infections: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial. J Urol 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0022-5347(05)68396-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Mombelli G, Pezzoli R, Pinoja-Lutz G, Monotti R, Marone C, Franciolli M. Oral vs intravenous ciprofloxacin in the initial empirical management of severe pyelonephritis or complicated urinary tract infections: a prospective randomized clinical trial. Arch Intern Med 1999; 159:53-8. [PMID: 9892331 DOI: 10.1001/archinte.159.1.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few data on the efficacy of oral antibiotics in the initial empirical management of severe forms of urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS In a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial we compared oral (500 mg twice daily) vs intravenous ciprofloxacin (200 mg twice daily) in the initial empirical management of hospitalized patients with serious forms of UTI. Exclusion criteria were severe sepsis, inability to take oral medication, or the presence of obstruction or renal foci of suppuration. The study population included 66 women with pyelonephritis, 43 patients with community-acquired UTIs, and 32 patients with hospital-acquired UTIs. The frequency of bacteremia was 28 (42%) of 66 in the patients with pyelonephritis and 25 (33%) of 75 in those with complicated UTIs. Seventy-two patients were randomized to treatment with oral and 69 to intravenous ciprofloxacin. RESULTS There were no infection-related deaths and no patients required an early change of antibiotics because of worsening clinical status during the initial empirical phase of treatment. The mean duration of fever was 1.7 days in patients treated by the oral vs 1.9 days in patients treated by the intravenous route (P = .15). The rates of microbiological failure (3% in the oral vs 2% in the intravenous treatment group) and of unsatisfactory clinical response (4% oral vs 3% intravenous) were low. A treatment change was eventually required in 14% of the patients assigned to the oral and 7% of the patients assigned to the intravenous regimen, mainly because of the isolation of enterococci or ciprofloxacin-resistant organisms in pretherapy urine specimens. CONCLUSIONS In the hospital setting, oral ciprofloxacin is as effective as the intravenous regimen in the initial empirical management of serious UTIs, including bacteremic forms, in patients without severe sepsis, obstruction, or renal foci of suppuration. The efficacy of the oral regimen indicates a potential use for ciprofloxacin in outpatient treatment of a subset of patients currently hospitalized on account of disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Mombelli
- Ospedale Regionale, Locarno, Switzerland.
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