yes / Fluorescence spectroscopy on a series of aqueous solutions of poly(acrylic acid) containing a luminescent label showed that polymers with molar mass, Mn < 16.5 kDa did not exhibit a pH responsive conformational change, which is typical of higher molar mass poly(acrylic acid). Below this molar mass, polymers remained in an extended conformation, regardless of pH. Above this molar mass, a pH-dependent conformational change was observed. Diffusion-ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed that low molar mass polymers did not undergo a conformational transition, although large molar mass polymers did exhibit pH-dependent diffusion. / Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded CASE award PhD. Part funded by flocculant manufacturer SNF (UK) Ltd.

No description available.

This dissertation focuses on synthesis and characterization of graft and block copolymers containing carboxylate or phosphonate anions that are potential candidates for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and dental adhesives. Ammonium bisdiethylphosphonate (meth)acrylate and acrylamide phosphonate monomers were synthesized based on aza-Michael addition reactions. Free radical copolymerizations of these monomers with an acrylate-functional poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomer produced graft copolymers. Quantitative deprotection of the alkylphosphonate groups afforded graft copolymers with zwitterionic ammonium bisphosphonate or anionic phosphonate backbones and PEO grafts. The zwitterionic copolymers spontaneously assembled into aggregates in aqueous media. The anionic copolymers formed aggregates in DMF and DMSO, while only small amounts of aggregates were present in copolymer/methanol or copolymer/water solutions. Binding capabilities of the acrylamide phosphonic acids were investigated through interactions with hydroxyapatite. Previously our group has prepared poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PEO-b-PAA) copolymers and used these polymers as carriers for both MRI imaging agents and cationic drugs. To enhance the capabilities of those carriers in tracking and crosslinking, we have designed, synthesized and characterized amine functionalized PEO-b-PAA copolymers. First, heterobifunctional poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with three different molecular weights were synthesized. Modification on one of these afforded a PEO macroinitiator with a bromide on one end and a protected amine on the other end. ATRP polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBuA) in the presence of this initiator and a copper (I) bromide (CuBr) catalyst yielded a diblock copolymer. The copolymer was deprotected by reaction with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and formed an amine terminated H2N-PEO-b-PAA. Recently our group has utilized the novel ammonium bisdiethylphosphonate (meth)acrylate and acrylamide phosphonate copolymers to incorporate Carboplatin. The resulting complexes exhibited excellent anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells which might be related to ligand exchange of the dicarboxylate group of Carboplatin with the phosphonic acid moieties in the copolymer. Hence, complexation of small-molecule phosphonic acids with Carboplatin was investigated. Three compounds, vinylphosphonic acid, 3-hydroxypropyl ammonium bisphosphonic acid and 2-hydroxyethyl ammonium phosphonic acid were complexed with Carboplatin under acidic and neutral conditions. Covalent bonding of these acids to carboplatin was only observed under acidic pH. The covalently bonded percentage was 17%, 37% and 34%, respectively. More in-depth investigation was of great importance to further understand this complexation behavior. / Ph. D.

Nos últimos anos, intensos estudos vêm sendo realizados no que se refere a substitutos ósseos biocompatíveis e absorvíveis, notadamente os cimentos ósseos de fosfato de cálcio, para cirurgias de reconstrução e em engenharia de tecidos. Porém os cimentos de fosfato de cálcio desenvolvidos apresentam baixa resistência mecânica quando comparados com os ossos do corpo humano. Neste contexto, a busca por alternativas para minimizar esse problema tem se intensificado. A obtenção de alfa-fosfato tricálcico por outras rotas de síntese, bem como o desenvolvimento de compósitos de fosfatos de cálcio e hidrogéis têm se destacado nesse ramo. O preparo destes compósitos permite combinar excelentes propriedades como: i) osteocondutividade e capacidade de formar ligações com o tecido ósseo proporcionado pelos fosfatos de cálcio e ii) facilidade de adesão e distribuição de células no interior de scaffolds, proporcionado pelo hidrogel. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de uma nova metodologia de obtenção de alfa-fosfato tricálcico, o preparo de composições de cimentos de fosfato de cálcio e de hidrogéis, bem como a obtenção e caracterização de compósitos destes, visando o melhoramento das propriedades para aplicação como biomaterial Foi possível sintetizar alfa-fosfato tricálcico com elevado grau de pureza, utilizando-se o método de reação via úmida. Após estudos da ordem de adição e concentração dos reagentes foi possível definir os melhores parâmetros de síntese. Com isso verificou-se a influência do tempo de moagem nas propriedades dos cimentos, sendo constatado que para o fosfato de cálcio preparado pela metodologia proposta, não há necessidade de moagem adicional. Foram testadas formulações de hidrogéis utilizando N-vinil-2-pirrolidona e ou ácido acrílico, utilizando três iniciadores: azobisisobutironitrila, persulfato de amônio e 1- hidroxiciclohexil fenil cetona. Pela adição de formulações de hidrogéis ao cimento foi possível obter compósitos com maior absorção de água, mantendo as propriedades mecânicas, o que pode permitir uma melhor adesão celular ao implante sem comprometer sua estrutura. O ensaio de citotoxicidade in vitro demonstrou que o cimento sintetizado neste trabalho não apresentou efeito tóxico para as células. Mostrando, ainda, a adesão e proliferação de célulastronco mesenquimais e de uma linhagem de osteoblastos. / In the last years, intensive studies have been conducted regarding the biocompatible and resorbable bone substitutes, notably calcium phosphate bone cements, for reconstructive surgery and tissue engineering. However, the calcium phosphate cements developed exhibit low mechanical strength when compared with the bones of the human body. In this context, the search for alternatives to minimize this problem has intensified. The obtaining of alphatricalcium phosphate by others synthesis routes, as well as development of calcium phosphate and hydrogels composites has been prominent in this branch. The preparation of these composites allows to combine excellent properties such as: i) osteoconductivity and ability to form bonds with bone tissue, afforded by calcium phosphate and ii) ease of adhesion and distribution of cells in the scaffolds inside, provided by hydrogel. The aim of this work was the development of a new methodology to obtaining alpha-tricalcium phosphate, the preparation of calcium phosphate cements and hydrogels compositions, as well as the obtaining and characterization of composites of these, intended to improve the properties for application as biomaterial. It was possible to synthesize alpha-tricalcium phosphate with high purity using the wet method reaction After studies of the addition order and reagents concentration was possible to define the best synthesis parameters. With that it was verified the influence of milling time on the cements properties to being noted that for the calcium phosphate prepared by the proposed method, there is no need additional milling. Were tested hydrogel formulations using N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and/or acrylic acid, using three initiators: azobisisobutyronitrile, ammonium persulfate and 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone. By the addition of the hydrogel formulations to the cement was possible to obtain composites with higher water absorption by keeping the mechanical properties, which may permits better vascularization of the implant without compromising its structure. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the cement synthesized in this work does not show any toxic effect on the cells. Also, showing the adhesion and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells and an osteoblast line.

Nos últimos anos, intensos estudos vêm sendo realizados no que se refere a substitutos ósseos biocompatíveis e absorvíveis, notadamente os cimentos ósseos de fosfato de cálcio, para cirurgias de reconstrução e em engenharia de tecidos. Porém os cimentos de fosfato de cálcio desenvolvidos apresentam baixa resistência mecânica quando comparados com os ossos do corpo humano. Neste contexto, a busca por alternativas para minimizar esse problema tem se intensificado. A obtenção de alfa-fosfato tricálcico por outras rotas de síntese, bem como o desenvolvimento de compósitos de fosfatos de cálcio e hidrogéis têm se destacado nesse ramo. O preparo destes compósitos permite combinar excelentes propriedades como: i) osteocondutividade e capacidade de formar ligações com o tecido ósseo proporcionado pelos fosfatos de cálcio e ii) facilidade de adesão e distribuição de células no interior de scaffolds, proporcionado pelo hidrogel. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de uma nova metodologia de obtenção de alfa-fosfato tricálcico, o preparo de composições de cimentos de fosfato de cálcio e de hidrogéis, bem como a obtenção e caracterização de compósitos destes, visando o melhoramento das propriedades para aplicação como biomaterial Foi possível sintetizar alfa-fosfato tricálcico com elevado grau de pureza, utilizando-se o método de reação via úmida. Após estudos da ordem de adição e concentração dos reagentes foi possível definir os melhores parâmetros de síntese. Com isso verificou-se a influência do tempo de moagem nas propriedades dos cimentos, sendo constatado que para o fosfato de cálcio preparado pela metodologia proposta, não há necessidade de moagem adicional. Foram testadas formulações de hidrogéis utilizando N-vinil-2-pirrolidona e ou ácido acrílico, utilizando três iniciadores: azobisisobutironitrila, persulfato de amônio e 1- hidroxiciclohexil fenil cetona. Pela adição de formulações de hidrogéis ao cimento foi possível obter compósitos com maior absorção de água, mantendo as propriedades mecânicas, o que pode permitir uma melhor adesão celular ao implante sem comprometer sua estrutura. O ensaio de citotoxicidade in vitro demonstrou que o cimento sintetizado neste trabalho não apresentou efeito tóxico para as células. Mostrando, ainda, a adesão e proliferação de célulastronco mesenquimais e de uma linhagem de osteoblastos. / In the last years, intensive studies have been conducted regarding the biocompatible and resorbable bone substitutes, notably calcium phosphate bone cements, for reconstructive surgery and tissue engineering. However, the calcium phosphate cements developed exhibit low mechanical strength when compared with the bones of the human body. In this context, the search for alternatives to minimize this problem has intensified. The obtaining of alphatricalcium phosphate by others synthesis routes, as well as development of calcium phosphate and hydrogels composites has been prominent in this branch. The preparation of these composites allows to combine excellent properties such as: i) osteoconductivity and ability to form bonds with bone tissue, afforded by calcium phosphate and ii) ease of adhesion and distribution of cells in the scaffolds inside, provided by hydrogel. The aim of this work was the development of a new methodology to obtaining alpha-tricalcium phosphate, the preparation of calcium phosphate cements and hydrogels compositions, as well as the obtaining and characterization of composites of these, intended to improve the properties for application as biomaterial. It was possible to synthesize alpha-tricalcium phosphate with high purity using the wet method reaction After studies of the addition order and reagents concentration was possible to define the best synthesis parameters. With that it was verified the influence of milling time on the cements properties to being noted that for the calcium phosphate prepared by the proposed method, there is no need additional milling. Were tested hydrogel formulations using N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and/or acrylic acid, using three initiators: azobisisobutyronitrile, ammonium persulfate and 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone. By the addition of the hydrogel formulations to the cement was possible to obtain composites with higher water absorption by keeping the mechanical properties, which may permits better vascularization of the implant without compromising its structure. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the cement synthesized in this work does not show any toxic effect on the cells. Also, showing the adhesion and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells and an osteoblast line.

Nos últimos anos, intensos estudos vêm sendo realizados no que se refere a substitutos ósseos biocompatíveis e absorvíveis, notadamente os cimentos ósseos de fosfato de cálcio, para cirurgias de reconstrução e em engenharia de tecidos. Porém os cimentos de fosfato de cálcio desenvolvidos apresentam baixa resistência mecânica quando comparados com os ossos do corpo humano. Neste contexto, a busca por alternativas para minimizar esse problema tem se intensificado. A obtenção de alfa-fosfato tricálcico por outras rotas de síntese, bem como o desenvolvimento de compósitos de fosfatos de cálcio e hidrogéis têm se destacado nesse ramo. O preparo destes compósitos permite combinar excelentes propriedades como: i) osteocondutividade e capacidade de formar ligações com o tecido ósseo proporcionado pelos fosfatos de cálcio e ii) facilidade de adesão e distribuição de células no interior de scaffolds, proporcionado pelo hidrogel. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de uma nova metodologia de obtenção de alfa-fosfato tricálcico, o preparo de composições de cimentos de fosfato de cálcio e de hidrogéis, bem como a obtenção e caracterização de compósitos destes, visando o melhoramento das propriedades para aplicação como biomaterial Foi possível sintetizar alfa-fosfato tricálcico com elevado grau de pureza, utilizando-se o método de reação via úmida. Após estudos da ordem de adição e concentração dos reagentes foi possível definir os melhores parâmetros de síntese. Com isso verificou-se a influência do tempo de moagem nas propriedades dos cimentos, sendo constatado que para o fosfato de cálcio preparado pela metodologia proposta, não há necessidade de moagem adicional. Foram testadas formulações de hidrogéis utilizando N-vinil-2-pirrolidona e ou ácido acrílico, utilizando três iniciadores: azobisisobutironitrila, persulfato de amônio e 1- hidroxiciclohexil fenil cetona. Pela adição de formulações de hidrogéis ao cimento foi possível obter compósitos com maior absorção de água, mantendo as propriedades mecânicas, o que pode permitir uma melhor adesão celular ao implante sem comprometer sua estrutura. O ensaio de citotoxicidade in vitro demonstrou que o cimento sintetizado neste trabalho não apresentou efeito tóxico para as células. Mostrando, ainda, a adesão e proliferação de célulastronco mesenquimais e de uma linhagem de osteoblastos. / In the last years, intensive studies have been conducted regarding the biocompatible and resorbable bone substitutes, notably calcium phosphate bone cements, for reconstructive surgery and tissue engineering. However, the calcium phosphate cements developed exhibit low mechanical strength when compared with the bones of the human body. In this context, the search for alternatives to minimize this problem has intensified. The obtaining of alphatricalcium phosphate by others synthesis routes, as well as development of calcium phosphate and hydrogels composites has been prominent in this branch. The preparation of these composites allows to combine excellent properties such as: i) osteoconductivity and ability to form bonds with bone tissue, afforded by calcium phosphate and ii) ease of adhesion and distribution of cells in the scaffolds inside, provided by hydrogel. The aim of this work was the development of a new methodology to obtaining alpha-tricalcium phosphate, the preparation of calcium phosphate cements and hydrogels compositions, as well as the obtaining and characterization of composites of these, intended to improve the properties for application as biomaterial. It was possible to synthesize alpha-tricalcium phosphate with high purity using the wet method reaction After studies of the addition order and reagents concentration was possible to define the best synthesis parameters. With that it was verified the influence of milling time on the cements properties to being noted that for the calcium phosphate prepared by the proposed method, there is no need additional milling. Were tested hydrogel formulations using N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and/or acrylic acid, using three initiators: azobisisobutyronitrile, ammonium persulfate and 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone. By the addition of the hydrogel formulations to the cement was possible to obtain composites with higher water absorption by keeping the mechanical properties, which may permits better vascularization of the implant without compromising its structure. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the cement synthesized in this work does not show any toxic effect on the cells. Also, showing the adhesion and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells and an osteoblast line.

Humans are exposed to electrophilically reactive compounds, both formed endogenously and from exogenous exposure. Such compounds could react and form stable reaction products, adducts, at nucleophilic sites in proteins and DNA. The formation of adducts constitutes a risk for effects, such as cancer and contact allergy, and plays a role in ageing processes. Adducts to proteins offer a possibility to measure electrophilic compounds in vivo. Adductomic approaches aim to study the totality of adducts, to specific biomolecules, by mass spectrometric screening. This thesis describes the development and application of an adductomic approach for the screening of unknown adducts to N-terminal valine (Val) in hemoglobin (Hb) by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The adductomic approach is based on the FIRE procedure, a modified Edman procedure for the analysis of adducts to N-terminal Val in Hb by LC/MS/MS. The adduct screening was performed by stepwise scanning of precursor ions in small mass increments and monitoring four fragments common for derivatives of detached Val adducts, in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Samples from 12 smokers/nonsmokers were screened with the adductomic approach, and seven previously identified adducts and 19 unknown adducts were detected. A semiquantitative approach was applied for approximate quantification of adduct levels. A strategy for identifying unknown Hb adducts using adductome LC/MS/MS data was formulated and applied for the identification of unknown adducts. Identifications were based on the observed m/z of precursor ions and retention times combined with databases and Log P calculations. Hypothesized adducts were generated in vitro for comparison and matching with the corresponding unknown adducts. Five identified adducts correspond to the precursor electrophiles ethyl vinyl ketone (EVK), glyoxal, methylglyoxal, acrylic acid, and 1-octen-3-one. These adducts, except the adducts corresponding to glyoxal and methylglyoxal, have not been observed as protein adducts before.  Probable exposure sources to these electrophiles are diet and/or endogenous formation. The observation of these adducts motivate further studies to evaluate possible contributions to health risks, as well as their potential as biomarkers of exposure. The adduct from EVK was quantitatively assessed through different experiments to estimate the daily internal dose (area under the concentration-time-curve, AUC). EVK is about 2 × 103 more reactive than the reference compound acrylamide. The EVK adduct was shown to be unstable, with a relatively short half-life. The daily AUC in humans of EVK was estimated to be about 20 times lower than the corresponding AUC of acrylamide from intake via food. To confirm the observation of the detected unknown adducts and obtain a statistical foundation, analysis of unknown adducts were performed in large sets of blood samples (n = 50–120) from human cohorts. The majority of the previously detected unknown adducts were found in all analyzed samples, and the levels of many adducts showed large variations between individuals. The cause and significance of these observed variations are not yet clarified, but are of importance for the directions of future studies. In conclusion, a new approach for identification of unknown human exposure to electrophiles was developed and successfully applied. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Submitted.</p>

Le glycérol est valorisable par déshydratation en acroléine qui est un important intermédiaire chimique et peut être converti en une multitude de produits à valeur ajoutée dont l’acide acrylique qui est la base de nombreux polymères. Cette réaction est réalisée sur des catalyseurs acides comme les zéolithes protoniques qui donnent d’importants rendements initiaux en phase gazeuse (275-325°C) et à pression atmosphérique. Cependant, le principal inconvénient de ces matériaux est la désactivation rapide au cours du temps dû à la formation de dépôts carbonés appelés « coke ». L’ajout du fer sur les zéolithes H-BEA (larges pores) et H-MFI (pores moyens) a montré un effet fortement bénéfique sur cette réaction en présence d’air avec une formation supposée d’espèces actives qui permettraient de réduire de manière importante la désactivation du catalyseur et tout en favorisant la formation directe de l’acide acrylique sur la fonction métallique. Les zéolithes MFI au fer préparées par substitution isomorphe sont les plus performantes avec un rendement maximum en acide acrylique de 40% obtenu sur H-Fe3.8-Z-45 (préparé par synthèse hydrothermale). La zéolithe Np-Fe0.6-MFI-41 (préparé par traitement post-synthèse en milieu fluorure) permet d’obtenir un rendement en acroléine de plus de 80% après 24h de réaction, reproductible après régénération. Ce catalyseur est non seulement très actif, sélectif en acroléine, stable mais aussi régénérable, ce qui le place parmi les meilleurs pour ce procédé. / Glycerol is recoverable by dehydration into acrolein, which is an important chemical intermediate and can be converted into a variety of value-added products including acrylic acid that is the basis of many polymers. This reaction is carried out over acid catalysts, such as protonic zeolites which provide significant initial yields in the gas phase (275-325° C) and at atmospheric pressure. However, the main drawback of these materials is the rapid deactivation over time because of the formation of carbonaceous deposits known as "coke". The addition of iron over H-BEA (large pore) and H-MFI (mean pore) zeolites showed a highly beneficial effect on this reaction in the presence of air with an assumed formation of active species that would reduce significantly catalyst deactivation while promoting the direct formation of the acrylic acid on the metal function. H-MFI iron zeolites prepared by isomorphous substitution are the most efficient with a maximum acrylic acid yield of 40% obtained over H-Fe3.8-Z-45 (prepared by hydrothermal synthesis). Np-Fe0.6-MFI-41 zeolite (prepared by post-synthesis treatment in a fluoride medium) gives an acrolein yield of 80% after 24 hours of reaction, reproducible after regeneration. This catalyst is not only very active, selective to acrolein and stable but also regenerable, which places it among the best for this process.

Ce travail de thèse rend compte de la mise en oeuvre d’un système de synthèse en continu dupoly(acide acrylique) en milieu CO2 supercritique (15 MPa et 75 °C). Nous avons conçu undispositif microfluidique résistant aux hautes pressions permettant l’écoulement de gouttes desolution aqueuse de monomère dans une phase continue constituée d’un mélangesupercritique d’éthanol dans du CO2 et contenant l’amorceur azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN).Nous avons déterminé par spectroscopie IR la répartition des différentes espèces chimiquesdu mélange en fonction de la pression et la température, puis caractérisé la décompositionthermique de l’amorceur selon la composition du milieu réactionnel par spectroscopie UVVis.Enfin, nous avons montré que les gouttes sont comparables à des réservoirs demonomère alimentant sans cesse la phase continue. En raison de ce transfert rapide vis-à-visde la conversion de l’AA en chaîne polymère, la réaction de polymérisation s’effectuecontinûment avec un rapport molaire monomère sur amorceur constant durant tout le tempsde séjour dans le microcanal (jusqu’à 41 min). Une gamme large de masses molaires avec desindices de polymolécularité faibles a été obtenue : de 20 000 à 120 000 g.mol-1 pour 1,35 à1,70, en variant simplement les concentrations de monomère de la solution aqueuse initiale.Les paramètres expérimentaux influençant les propriétés du poly(acide acrylique) obtenu,ainsi que le lieu de la polymérisation ont été étudiés. / In this work, a continuous microfluidic device was developed to perform the synthesis ofpoly(acrylic acid) in supercritical CO2 (15 MPa and 75°C). This high pressure resistantdevice allows generating segmented flows in microcanal: an aqueous solution of monomerwas dispersed in a mixture of ethanol in CO2 containing initiator AIBN. The distribution ofdifferent components in this biphasic system has been determined by IR spectroscopyaccording to the pressure and the temperature. The thermal decomposition of AIBN indifferent reaction media has been investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy. During thereaction, the droplets were used as reservoirs which insure the transfer of monomer to thecontinuous phase. Because of this rapid transfer compared to the reaction conversion, thepolymerization reaction was carried out continuously with a constant molar ratio betweenmonomer and initiator throughout the residence time (up to 41 min). It has been showed thata large range of molecular weights of poly(acrylic acid) (20 000 and 120 000 g.mol-1) withlow polydispersity index (1.35 à 1.70) can be obtained by just changing the initial monomerconcentration in the droplets. The effect of other parameters influencing the properties ofpoly(acrylic acid) as well as the locus of polymerization have been discussed.

No description available.