Engineering polyanhydride microspheres for the stabilization and controlled release of proteins

This work investigates the use of polyanhydride microspheres as drug delivery carriers for therapeutic proteins. The polymers investigated are poly(sebacic anhydride) and opolymers of poly[1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane] (poly(CPH)) and poly(SA), 20:80 (CPH:SA), 50:50 (CPH:SA), and 80:20 (CPH:SA). The model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) was encapsulated in poly(SA), 20:80 (CPH:SA), 50:50 (CPH:SA), and 80:20 (CPH:SA) microspheres to determine the feasibility of using polyanhydrides as protein carriers. Poly(SA) and 20:80 (CPH:SA) were found to stabilize the encapsulated BSA and were used for all future studies. The compatibility of three proteins (ovalbumin, lysozyme, and tetanus toxoid) with polyanhydride or polyester degradation products was invested. This work provided a rational approach for selecting compatible protein/polymer systems prior to encapsulating a protein in a polymer system. Four different microsphere fabrication techniques (water-oil-water, water-oil-oil, solid-oil-oil, and a cryogenic atomization method) were used to encapsulate ovalbumin in polyanhydride microspheres. The in vitro release kinetics, encapsulation efficiencies, and structural stability of the encapsulated and released ovalbumin were investigated. The cryogenic atomization method was determined to be superior and was used in future applications. The therapeutic protein, uterocalin, was encapsulated in polyanhydride microspheres and its biological activity upon release in vitro was measured. Uterocalin released from poly(SA) and 20:80 (CPH:SA) microspheres was biologically active. This work demonstrates that polyanhydrides microspheres are suitable drug delivery devices for therapeutic proteins

Effective comprehension strategies in the elementary classroom

This paper focuses on key fiction and nonfiction comprehension strategies and different methods for teaching these strategies in the elementary classroom. It is essential to use effective comprehension instruction within the classroom to unlock meaning and to build student success. These strategies include activating background knowledge, questioning, summarizing, and text structures

Synthesis and characterization of stimuli responsive block copolymers, self-assembly behavior and applications

Water-soluble stimuli responsive block copolymers are a rapidly emerging class of materials with great potential in biomedical and technological applications. In this work a novel class of pentablock copolymers are synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization techniques and their stimuli-responsive self-assembly properties are characterized. Aqueous solutions of these materials are observed to form micelles and hydrogels in response to changes in both temperature and pH. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and small angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS) techniques are used to investigate the nanoscale structures formed by these pentablock copolymers in solution. The gel structure and mechanical properties are investigated with SANS and rheological techniques. The multi-responsive properties of these materials are utilized to formulate a stimuli responsive drug delivery formulation that exhibits thermoreversible gelation and pH dependent release rate of model drugs

Balderdash and poppycock

This is a group of loosely related short stories. Some examine what we have done to the country of America. All of these stories are written in a humorous/satirical vein

Method of assembling a thermal expansion compensator

A thermal expansion compensator is provided and includes a first electrode structure having a first surface, a second electrode structure having a second surface facing the first surface and an elastic element bonded to the first and second surfaces and including a conductive element by which the first and second electrode structures electrically and/or thermally communicate, the conductive element having a length that is not substantially longer than a distance between the first and second surfaces

Thermal expansion compensator having an elastic conductive element bonded to two facing surfaces

A thermal expansion compensator is provided and includes a first electrode structure having a first surface, a second electrode structure having a second surface facing the first surface and an elastic element bonded to the first and second surfaces and including a conductive element by which the first and second electrode structures electrically and/or thermally communicate, the conductive element having a length that is not substantially longer than a distance between the first and second surfaces

The BEAR Surgical Technique: A Modern Approach to ACL Repair

The Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) surgical technique is a procedure still in its infancy with many unknowns regarding its effectiveness and clinical outcomes. Research has shown this surgical technique is not only capable of completely healing a mid-substance ACL tear but has been shown to have improved clinical and patient-reported outcomes when compared to traditional ACL reconstruction techniques. The purpose of this article is to review the current status of the literature and clinical implications of the BEAR technique as it compares to traditional ACL reconstruction techniques