O RNA de interferência (RNAi) é um processo envolvido com o silenciamento pós-transcricional de genes, sendo elucidado por moléculas de RNAs de dupla fita de 21-25 nucleotídeos, os small interfering RNA (siRNA), que ocorre naturalmente em uma ampla variedade de animais, plantas e microrganismos. Esse processo têm demonstrado potencial utilização para o tratamento de doenças em que se observa a super-expressão de genes, pois apresentam diversas vantagens como possibilidade de se utilizar esse mecanismo regulatório apenas pelo conhecimento da sequência do gene terapêutico, menores efeitos tóxicos e alta especificidade. Contudo, o principal desafio consiste no desenvolvimento de vetores seguros e eficazes que permitem a utilização do siRNA como terapia, visto que permitem a proteção do siRNA contra degradação enzimática, apresentam meia-vida prolongada na corrente sanguínea e propiciam um efetivo escape endossomal. Nesse sentido, nanopartículas de cristais líquidos associados ao polímero catiônico polietilenoimina (PEI) foram avaliadas como potenciais vetores não-virais para o siRNA específico para a proteína-1 relacionada à tirosinase (TRP-1), como alternativa para o tratamento tópico do vitiligo. Para isso, os cristais líquidos contendo o PEI foram complexados ao siRNA e avaliados quanto à estrutura líquido cristalina por microscopia de luz polarizada e por difração de raios-X a baixo ângulo (SAXS), tamanho de partícula/polidispersividade, potencial zeta e eficiência de complexação. A citotoxicidade dos sistemas foi avaliada em melanócitos melan-A pelo ensaio do MTT e por citometria de fluxo e, a avaliação da transfecção celular foi realizada por microscopia de fluorescência e por citometria de fluxo. Os diferentes sistemas contendo o polímero PEI apresentaram estruturas líquido cristalinas de fase hexagonal e de fase lamelar pela análise por SAXS, no entanto, a análise sob microscopia de luz polarizada, demonstrou estruturas de fase hexagonal, lamelar e isotrópica. A análise do tamanho de partícula mostrou a presença de sistemas nanoestruturados que foram capazes de se complexar ao siRNA na concentração de 10 ?M. Os estudos em cultura de célula demonstraram a maior viabilidade das células melan-A após tratamento com as nanodispersões líquido cristalinas formadas por monoleína (MO), ácido oleico (AO) e PEI, em relação ao polímero catiônico PEI em sua forma livre. Em relação à transfecção celular por microscopia de fluorescência e por citometria de fluxo foi possível observar a elevada eficiência de transfecção das nanodispersões líquido cristalinas formadas pelo sistema MO:AO:PEI. Resultados de inibição da expressão da proteína TRP-1 foram observadas em células melan-A por Western Blotting, após administração das nanodispersões líquido cristalinas associadas ao siRNA-TRP-1 específico. As nanodispersões liquido cristalinas estudas também proporcionaram maior liberação de siRNA na pele em modelo animal. Esses resultados, demonstram a potencial utilização desses sistemas para a terapia anti-sense de doenças cutâneas como o vitiligo, representando assim, uma importante contribuição para a terapia gênica tópica desta doença / The RNA interference (RNAi) is a process involved with the post-transcriptional gene silencing being elucidated by double-stranded RNA molecules of 21-25 nucleotides, the small interfering RNA (siRNA) that occurs naturally in a wide variety of animals, plants and microorganisms. This process has shown potential use for the treatment of diseases in which there is overexpression of genes, as they offer several advantages such as the possibility of using this regulatory mechanism just by knowing the sequence of the therapeutic gene, lower toxicity and high specificity. However, the main challenge is to develop safe and effective vectors that enable the use of siRNA as a therapy, since they allow the protection of siRNA against enzymatic degradation, have prolonged half-life in the bloodstream and provide an effective endosomal escape. Accordingly, liquid crystal nanoparticles associated with the cationic polymer polyethylenimine (PEI) were evaluated as potential non-viral vectors for specific siRNA for the protein related to tyrosinase-1 (TyRP-1) as an alternative for the topical treatment of vitiligo. For this, the liquid crystals containing PEI were complexed to siRNA and evaluated for liquid crystalline structure by polarized light microscopy and X-ray diffraction (SAXS), particle size / polydispersity index, zeta potential and complexation efficiency. The cytotoxicity of the systems was evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry in melan-A melanocytes and the evaluation of cellular uptake was performed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The different systems containing the polymer PEI exhibited liquid crystalline structures of hexagonal and lamellar phases by SAXS analysis, however, the analysis under polarized light microscopy showed liquid crystalline structures of hexagonal phase, lamellar and isotropic. The analysis of particle size showed the presence of nanostructured systems that were capable of complexing to the siRNA at concentration of 10 ?M. Studies in cell culture demonstrated a higher viability of melan-A cells after treatment with the liquid crystalline nanodispersions formed by monolein (MO), oleic acid (OA) and PEI in relation to the cationic polymer PEI in its free form. Regarding cellular uptake by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry was observed the high efficiency in uptake melan-A cells mediated by liquid crystalline nanodispersions formed by system MO:OA:PEI. Results inhibition of the expression of TyRP-1 protein were observed by Western Blotting in melan-A cells, after administration of liquid crystalline nanodispersions associated with specific siRNA-TyRP-1. The liquid crystalline nanodispersions evaluated also provided greater release of siRNA in the skin in an animal model. These results demonstrate the potential use of these systems for antisense therapy of skin diseases such as vitiligo, thus representing, an important contribution to the topical gene therapy for this disease

The objective of the proposed research is to develop novel, fully-packaged voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs), concurrent oscillators, and multi-mode filters using Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP) dielectric material that are directly applicable to simultaneous multi-band radio communication. Integrated wireless devices of the near-future will serve more diverse range of applications (computing, voice/video/data communication) and hence, will require more functionality. This research is focused on providing cost-effective and area-efficient solutions for multi-band/multi-mode oscillators and filters using system-on-package (SOP) design methodology. Silicon-based integrated circuits (ICs) provide an economical method of miniaturizing modules and hence, are attractive for multi-band applications. However, fully monolithic solutions are limited, by its high substrate losses, and marginal quality factors (Qs) of the passives, to low profile applications. Furthermore, the VCOs made on conventional packaging technologies are not very cost-effective. This thesis is directed towards developing highly optimized VCOs and filters using LCP substrate for use in multi-mode radio systems. The thesis investigates and characterizes lumped passive components on new LCP based technology feasible for VCO and filter design. The dissertation then investigates design techniques for optimizing both power consumption and the phase noise of the VCOs to be employed in commercial wireless systems. This work then investigates the temperature performance of LCP-based VCOs satisfying military standards. Another aspect of the thesis is the development of dual-band (multi-mode) oscillators. The approach is to employ existing multi-band theories to demonstrate one of the first prototypes of the oscillator. Finally, the design of multi-mode, lumped-element type filters was investigated.

Acryloyloxybenzoic acid (ABA) was prepared by the condensation reaction of acryloyl chloride with p-hydroxybenzoic acid in alkaline medium. The polymerization and grafting of ABA onto Polypropylene were anticipated to occur simultaneously in melt mixing at high temperature. The monomer showed liquid crystalline property. For a better dispersion of ABA in PP before graft copolymerization, a masterbatch of 50-50 (by weight) low density polyethylene + ABA was prepared, which was then used for 5, 10, 15 % ABA + PP mixtures in the Brabender Plasti Corder. Furthermore, these compositions were reprocessed at the same temperature in the molten state. Compression molding was used to prepare films for characterization experiments at 200 &ordm / C under 15000 psi for approximately 3-5 minutes. The graft copolymers were characterized by several techniques / DSC, FTIR, MFI, SEM and mechanical testing. In DSC thermograms the crystallization of PP was seen at approximately 160&ordm / C. An endothermic peak was also assigned to grafted PABA at 280&ordm / C . The incorporation of ABA onto the PP backbone as a graft copolymer (PABA-g-PP) at low percentages results in a possible rearrangement, where tensile strength values increased, while strain decreased. The grafting goes through thermal radicalic mechanism. MFI values were found to increase from 8.7 to 16.35 g/10 min at 10 wt % ABA, then decreased to 10.57 g/10 min at 15 wt % ABA. It is most likely that the presence of PABA produced easy orientational flow up to 10 % of ABA, but at 15 % ABA addition caused a slight decrease in MFI. The tensile test specimens were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope. None of the three samples exhibited phase separation. This observation confirms that the graft copolymerization occurrs in a homogenous manner onto PP. The brittle nature of material is observed at all three compositions.

Semi-crystalline polymers have shown increased crystalline order and size when confined in multilayered films by coextrusion1. The resulting large crystals lead to dramatic improvements in gas barrier properties. Ordered polymers whose characteristics are between that of the liquid phase and the crystalline phase are known as liquid crystalline polymers. The highly ordered mesogens in liquid crystalline polymers contribute to their exceptional bulk properties. In this research, side-chain liquid crystalline polymers were confined in multilayered films, made by either multilayer coextrusion or spin coating, with a non-liquid crystalline polymer in an attempt to improve the ordering of the liquid crystalline mesogens. The liquid crystalline behavior and morphology was studied to understand the correlation between the confinement size and the properties of the multilayer films. Commercial main chain liquid crystalline polymers and hydrogen bonded liquid crystalline polymers were also explored in this research for their use in multilayer coextrusion. / text

In this study, the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(ethylenetheraphthalate) (PET)-thermotropic liquid crystal polyester (TLCP), mixtures and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-TLCP mixtures were studied. The curing of PMMA-TLCP mixtures was done by heat, gamma radiation and microwave. The amount of TLCP in mixtures was % 0.5, 2 and 5 TLCP by weight. TLCP was synthesized by melt-acidolysis system, and PET-TLCP mixtures were prepared by using lab scale batch mixer. PMMA samples were prepared according to denture manufacturer&rsquo / s procedure. The characterization of polymer samples and mixtures were carried by FT-IR, NMR, DSC, DMA, tensile, impact, three point bending tests and light microscopy. The mixing of TLCP with PMMA yielded heterogeneous dispersions. This was observed from light micrographs. The mechanical and rheological properties of all polymers were not positively affected by inclusion of TLCP. It is also worthwhile to note that weakening of PET-TLCP mixtures were due to the thermal degradation as the thermal age of the mixtures is much higher.

In recent years,the recycling of plastic waste incerased worldwide.The basic impetus for this increase is the public awereness regarding polltuion of the environment.Many different types of recycling processes are being used to reduce the use of raw materials and to reduce energy consumption.PET recycling is one of the most important recycling processes.addition of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers has also become wide-spread in recent years to increase their mechanical properties and other selected properties.In this study,it is aimed to obtai a continous or discontinous fiber from the termotropic liquid crystalline copolyester and recycled PET blend.In this study X7G was used as a copolyester.In the polymer mixtures small amounts of liquid crystalline plymer phase resulted in significantr improvements in the mechanical properties of the fibers produced in the study.The blending method used gave an alost homogeneous poymer mixture which was unexpected tat needs further study to elaborate.The preliminary DSC,SEM, tensile testing and intrinsic viscosity measurements support this conclusion.The material obtained approached to fiber grade PET in terms of fiber forming properties which therefore can be used as a second grade fiber material.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-99).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-03-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:50:46Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_pl_me_arafcf.pdf: 2094182 bytes, checksum: 926895d5e73c0de69bc13d5a0444ffcd (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / As hipóteses mais modernas baseiam o processo de envelhecimento cutâneo em duas teorias: o intrínseco (ou cronológico) e o extrínseco (ou fotoenvelhecimento). Tanto no envelhecimento intrínseco como no extrínseco, as principais alterações da pele são caracterizadas por formação de rugas, flacidez e perda da elasticidade. O palmitato de retinol (PR) é um análogo sintético da vitamina A indicado topicamente para prevenir ou retardar algumas mudanças estruturais e funcionais da pele associadas ao processo de envelhecimento cutâneo, porém é um princípio ativo que apresenta estabilidade química limitada frente à umidade, oxigênio, ácidos, metais e exposição à luz. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema líquido-cristalino à base de silicone para a liberação prolongada e maximização da estabilidade do palmitato de retinol. Utilizando-se o método de titulação da fase aquosa, foram construídos dois diagramas ternários de fases, ambos constituídos por Procetyl AWS® (tensoativo) e água e por silicone DC 5330® (fase oleosa no diagrama 1) ou silicone DC 5329® (fase oleosa no diagrama 2). Nos estudos de estabilidade preliminar, as formulações do diagrama 1 (A, B, C e D) e do diagrama 2 (E, F, G e H) foram avaliadas nos seguintes estudos: microscopia de luz polarizada, centrifugação, pH, condutividade eletrolítica, índice de refração e reologia. Dentre estas formulações estudas preliminarmente, a formulação GPR foi selecionada para ser conduzida aos estudos posteriores após a incorporação de 1% do princípio ativo, pois demonstrou a formação de fases líquido-cristalinas evidenciadas sob luz polarizada no microscópio óptico, apresentou-se compatível com o pH fisiológico da pele, apresentou pequeno coeficiente de variação das medidas realizadas referentes aos parâmetros físico- químicos e menor capacidade de desestruturar... / Current hypotheses based on the process of skin aging in two theories: the intrinsic (or chronological) and extrinsic (or photoaging). Both in the extrinsic as intrinsic aging, the main skin disorders are characterized by wrinkles, flaccidity and loss of elasticity. Retinyl palmitate (RP) is a synthetic analogue of vitamin A given topically to prevent or delay some structural and functional changes of the skin associated with aging, but is an active principle that has limited chemical stability against moisture, oxygen, acids , metals and exposure to light. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop liquid crystalline system silicon-based for extended release and maximizing the stability of retinyl palmitate in order to optimize the use of topically active principle in the prevention and / or mitigation of aging skin. Using the method of titration of the aqueous phase, was built two ternary phase diagrams, both consist of Procetyl AWS ® (surfactant) and water and silicone DC 5330 ® (oil phase diagram 1) or silicone DC 5329 ® (phase oil in diagram 2). In preliminary studies of stability, the formulations of the diagram 1 (A, B, C and D) and the formulations of the diagram 2 (E, F, G and H) were evaluated in the following studies: polarized light microscopy, centrifugation, pH, electrolitic conductivity, refraction index and rheology. Among these formulations studied preliminarily, the formulation G RP-loaded was selected to be conducted to further studies, since it showed the formation of liquid crystalline phases evidenced by polarized light in an optical microscope, presented consistent with the physiological pH of skin, had a small coefficient of variation of measurements related to the physicochemical and less ability to disrupt the lipid bilayer of the skin due to have a lower concentration of surfactant. The validated analytical methodology for chemical quantification of retinyl... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Marlus Chorilli / Resumo: O câncer de próstata (CP) é a segunda neoplasia mais frequente entre homens no Brasil e é caracterizado por não apresentar sintomas em seus estágios iniciais, sendo diagnosticado em seu estágio avançado, o que muitas vezes dificulta o tratamento. Alguns fatores relacionados podem intensificar sua agressividade como, por exemplo, a superexpressão do receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGFR) em alguns subtipos de tumores de próstata. Neste contexto, a inibição do EGFR auxilia no combate da neoplasia, função essa que pode ser atribuída ao anticorpo monoclonal quimérico IgG1 (cetuximabe-CTX) que se liga à porção externa do EGFR, inibindo a proliferação celular, angiogênese e metástase, além de promover a apoptose. Dentre as formas de tratamento destacam-se a braquiterapia, a radioterapia e a quimioterapia utilizando o docetaxel (DTX), o qual apresenta vantagem de prolongar a sobrevivência em pacientes com CP metastático resistentes à terapia antiandrogênica. No entanto, a formulação comercial (Taxotere®) causa efeitos colaterais, como febre, anemia, retenção de líquidos, hipersensibilidades, mialgias, mucosite, neuropatias periféricas e toxidade a pele e unhas, tornando necessário o estudo de novas formas de veiculação para este fármaco Deste modo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma nanodispersão de cristal líquido (NCL) de fase cúbica baseada em álcool cetílico etoxilado 20 e propoxilado 5 como tensoativo (T), ácido oleico, DSPE-PEG-MAL e fosfatidilcolina de ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

O RNA de interferência (RNAi) é um processo envolvido com o silenciamento pós-transcricional de genes, sendo elucidado por moléculas de RNAs de dupla fita de 21-25 nucleotídeos, os small interfering RNA (siRNA), que ocorre naturalmente em uma ampla variedade de animais, plantas e microrganismos. Esse processo têm demonstrado potencial utilização para o tratamento de doenças em que se observa a super-expressão de genes, pois apresentam diversas vantagens como possibilidade de se utilizar esse mecanismo regulatório apenas pelo conhecimento da sequência do gene terapêutico, menores efeitos tóxicos e alta especificidade. Contudo, o principal desafio consiste no desenvolvimento de vetores seguros e eficazes que permitem a utilização do siRNA como terapia, visto que permitem a proteção do siRNA contra degradação enzimática, apresentam meia-vida prolongada na corrente sanguínea e propiciam um efetivo escape endossomal. Nesse sentido, nanopartículas de cristais líquidos associados ao polímero catiônico polietilenoimina (PEI) foram avaliadas como potenciais vetores não-virais para o siRNA específico para a proteína-1 relacionada à tirosinase (TRP-1), como alternativa para o tratamento tópico do vitiligo. Para isso, os cristais líquidos contendo o PEI foram complexados ao siRNA e avaliados quanto à estrutura líquido cristalina por microscopia de luz polarizada e por difração de raios-X a baixo ângulo (SAXS), tamanho de partícula/polidispersividade, potencial zeta e eficiência de complexação. A citotoxicidade dos sistemas foi avaliada em melanócitos melan-A pelo ensaio do MTT e por citometria de fluxo e, a avaliação da transfecção celular foi realizada por microscopia de fluorescência e por citometria de fluxo. Os diferentes sistemas contendo o polímero PEI apresentaram estruturas líquido cristalinas de fase hexagonal e de fase lamelar pela análise por SAXS, no entanto, a análise sob microscopia de luz polarizada, demonstrou estruturas de fase hexagonal, lamelar e isotrópica. A análise do tamanho de partícula mostrou a presença de sistemas nanoestruturados que foram capazes de se complexar ao siRNA na concentração de 10 ?M. Os estudos em cultura de célula demonstraram a maior viabilidade das células melan-A após tratamento com as nanodispersões líquido cristalinas formadas por monoleína (MO), ácido oleico (AO) e PEI, em relação ao polímero catiônico PEI em sua forma livre. Em relação à transfecção celular por microscopia de fluorescência e por citometria de fluxo foi possível observar a elevada eficiência de transfecção das nanodispersões líquido cristalinas formadas pelo sistema MO:AO:PEI. Resultados de inibição da expressão da proteína TRP-1 foram observadas em células melan-A por Western Blotting, após administração das nanodispersões líquido cristalinas associadas ao siRNA-TRP-1 específico. As nanodispersões liquido cristalinas estudas também proporcionaram maior liberação de siRNA na pele em modelo animal. Esses resultados, demonstram a potencial utilização desses sistemas para a terapia anti-sense de doenças cutâneas como o vitiligo, representando assim, uma importante contribuição para a terapia gênica tópica desta doença / The RNA interference (RNAi) is a process involved with the post-transcriptional gene silencing being elucidated by double-stranded RNA molecules of 21-25 nucleotides, the small interfering RNA (siRNA) that occurs naturally in a wide variety of animals, plants and microorganisms. This process has shown potential use for the treatment of diseases in which there is overexpression of genes, as they offer several advantages such as the possibility of using this regulatory mechanism just by knowing the sequence of the therapeutic gene, lower toxicity and high specificity. However, the main challenge is to develop safe and effective vectors that enable the use of siRNA as a therapy, since they allow the protection of siRNA against enzymatic degradation, have prolonged half-life in the bloodstream and provide an effective endosomal escape. Accordingly, liquid crystal nanoparticles associated with the cationic polymer polyethylenimine (PEI) were evaluated as potential non-viral vectors for specific siRNA for the protein related to tyrosinase-1 (TyRP-1) as an alternative for the topical treatment of vitiligo. For this, the liquid crystals containing PEI were complexed to siRNA and evaluated for liquid crystalline structure by polarized light microscopy and X-ray diffraction (SAXS), particle size / polydispersity index, zeta potential and complexation efficiency. The cytotoxicity of the systems was evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry in melan-A melanocytes and the evaluation of cellular uptake was performed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The different systems containing the polymer PEI exhibited liquid crystalline structures of hexagonal and lamellar phases by SAXS analysis, however, the analysis under polarized light microscopy showed liquid crystalline structures of hexagonal phase, lamellar and isotropic. The analysis of particle size showed the presence of nanostructured systems that were capable of complexing to the siRNA at concentration of 10 ?M. Studies in cell culture demonstrated a higher viability of melan-A cells after treatment with the liquid crystalline nanodispersions formed by monolein (MO), oleic acid (OA) and PEI in relation to the cationic polymer PEI in its free form. Regarding cellular uptake by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry was observed the high efficiency in uptake melan-A cells mediated by liquid crystalline nanodispersions formed by system MO:OA:PEI. Results inhibition of the expression of TyRP-1 protein were observed by Western Blotting in melan-A cells, after administration of liquid crystalline nanodispersions associated with specific siRNA-TyRP-1. The liquid crystalline nanodispersions evaluated also provided greater release of siRNA in the skin in an animal model. These results demonstrate the potential use of these systems for antisense therapy of skin diseases such as vitiligo, thus representing, an important contribution to the topical gene therapy for this disease