Constitutive modelling of skin ageing

The objective of this chapter is to review the main biomechanical and structural aspects associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic skin ageing, and to present potential research avenues to account for these effects in mathematical and computational models of the skin. This will be illustrated through recent work of the authors which provides a basis to those interested in developing mechanistic constitutive models capturing the mechanobiology of skin across the life course

Chondroitin sulfates and their binding molecules in the central nervous system

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is the most abundant glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in the central nervous system (CNS) matrix. Its sulfation and epimerization patterns give rise to different forms of CS, which enables it to interact specifically and with a significant affinity with various signalling molecules in the matrix including growth factors, receptors and guidance molecules. These interactions control numerous biological and pathological processes, during development and in adulthood. In this review, we describe the specific interactions of different families of proteins involved in various physiological and cognitive mechanisms with CSs in CNS matrix. A better understanding of these interactions could promote a development of inhibitors to treat neurodegenerative diseases

Characterization and rheological properties of model alkali-soluble rheology modifiers synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization.

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Solution and latex properties of model alkali-soluble rheology modifiers, synthesized via the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer process, and the effects of the ethylene oxide chain length on the rheological properties.

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Controlled free radical polymerization in water-borne dispersion using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer.

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Synthesis of Comblike Poly(butyl methacrylate) Using Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer and an Activated Ester

Comblike polymers of poly(n-butyl methacrylate) were prepared using an activated ester-type comonomer (N-acryloxysuccinimide, NAS) to generate branch points. The conventional solution free-radical copolymerization kinetics of n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) and NAS were first investigated by following individual monomer consumption rates by 1H NMR spectrometry and reactivity ratios of BMA and NAS determined using the terminal model. The reactivity ratios so obtained are both close to 0.2; the joint confidence interval is also determined. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) was then used to grow polymers with controlled backbone and branch chain length. Because both reactivity ratios have similar values, this implies that the copolymer will have a random distribution of NAS and hence of branch points. RAFT-mediated polymerization was first used to synthesize linear poly(BMA-co-NAS) chains. Primary hydroxy-functionalized RAFT agents were then immobilized on this linear poly(BMA-co-NAS) through nucleophilic substitution on the activated ester units of the NAS. From these immobilized RAFT agents, branches were grown upon addition of a further aliquot of monomer (BMA) and initiator (AIBN). The amount of NAS in the starting BMA/NAS composition was varied without adversely affecting the uniformity of the NAS distribution along the resulting linear poly(BMA-co-NAS) backbone. This results in branched polymers whose molecular weight, branching density, and degree of polymerization of branches are all relatively narrow and controlled

Diffusion coefficients of the monomer and oligomers in hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

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