A modified oil-in-water emulsion process was developed to produce novel microporous hemi-spherical polycaprolactone (PCL) microparticles called “hemi-shells”. Through the addition of a porogen such as sodium bicarbonate into the PCL-dichloromethane oil phase and emulsification in an acidic polyvinyl alcohol aqueous phase, microporous hemi-shells formed as dichloromethane evaporated. Carbon dioxide gas evolution from the porogen reaction with the acidic aqueous phase created particles with an externally microporous shell and a large internal cavity. The hemi-shells were characterized by various methods, including scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy which were specifically used to quantify the hemi-shell yield. The final number-average particle yield of the optimised manufacturing method for particle manufacture in the 50-200 micron size range was 84%. The number-average hemi-shell yield in the same size range was 41%. These novel microparticles have potential applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

Orientador: Francisco Benedito Teixeira Pessine / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T11:11:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Barboza_AnaClaudiaRuedaNery_D.pdf: 6657696 bytes, checksum: 97ec0acb030267fe87c6983093726afb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O objetivo foi deste trabalho foi obter, caracterizar e avaliar suspensões aquosas de micropartículas poliméricas bioadesivas para liberação sustentada do antisséptico digluconato de clorexidina (CHG), trabalhando somente em meio aquoso e com substâncias reconhecidamente biocompatíveis e de baixa toxicidade, para potencial aplicação na cavidade bucal. As micropartículas foram obtidas por complexação dos polieletrólitos quitosana e alginato de sódio, com auxílio de íons cálcio, e da clorexidina. O método de obtenção desenvolvido permitiu obter suspensões com distribuição de diâmetros de partículas adequada e boa estabilidade. Através de delineamento experimental fatorial, avaliou-se o efeito dos principais componentes da suspensão sobre o diâmetro médio das micropartículas e sobre a incorporação de CHG. A liberação de CHG em meio simulador da cavidade oral (saliva artificial) ocorreu de forma gradual e por longos períodos, indicando existência de interação entre o ativo, de natureza catiônica, e as terminações aniônicas do biopolímero alginato. A cinética de liberação de sistemas onde tais interações ocorrem é complexa e sua compreensão envolve diversos fenômenos físico-químicos, que se procurou identificar e discutir. Realizou-se, de forma simplificada, a modelagem da cinética de liberação através do modelo matemático semiempírico de Peppas-Korsmeyer, o que também indicou a combinação de diferentes fenômenos influenciadores da liberação. Testes preliminares de eficácia antimicrobiana indicaram que a clorexidina do sistema de liberação sustentada manteve sua eficácia sobre os microrganismos padrão avaliados em comparação com a clorexidina livre / Abstract: The objective of this project was to obtain, characterize and evaluate aqueous suspensions of bioadhesive polymeric microparticles for sustained release of the antiseptic chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG), working in aqueous media and with substances recognized as biocompatible and of low toxicity, for potential application to the oral cavity. Microparticles were obtained by complexation of the polyelectrolytes chitosan and sodium alginate, with pre-gelation by calcium ions, and CHG. The method of obtention developed resulted in suspensions with adequate particle size distribution and good stability. Through factorial experimental design, the effect of main suspension components on the median particle diameter and CHG incorporation was evaluated. Chlorhexidine release in oral cavity simulating media (artificial saliva) occurred gradually and for extended periods, indicating the presence of interactions between the cationic active substance, and the anionic moieties of the alginate biopolymer. The release kinetics where those interactions occur is somewhat complex and its understanding involves various physicochemical phenomena that we tried to identify and discuss. Simplified modeling of the release kinetics through the Peppas-Korsmeyer semi-empirical mathematical model was done, also indicating the combination of various release-influencing phenomena. Preliminary microbiological tests indicated that sustained-release CHG kept its efficacy against standard microorganisms evaluated in comparison to free CHG / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutora em Ciências

Orientador: Lireny Aparecida Guaraldo Gonçalves / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T06:01:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mascarenhas_MariaCristinaChiarinelliNucci_D.pdf: 11179206 bytes, checksum: 71bb9c37c16718133e785f77c3b3fa2a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: O uso de gorduras vegetais em alimentos é amplo e muitas matérias primas, tecnologias e ingredientes são continuamente pesquisados em busca de funcionalidade e aspectos nutricionais mais adequados, ampliando o uso destas gorduras e melhorando a qualidade dos produtos finais. Uma das técnicas utilizadas para adequar a lenta cristalização do óleo de palma é o uso do processo de semeadura com óleos totalmente hidrogenados (OTH). O presente trabalho se refere à obtenção de cristais de OTH de soja ou de palma microencapsulados em material de parede amido de milho ¿OSA (AMM) ou maltodextrina (MD), em diversas proporções por spray drying. Estas micropartículas apresentaram tamanho de partícula (7,8-9,7µm), eficiência de encapsulação (61,8-89,6%) e morfologia características de produtos por spray dryer, além de manterem o polimorfismo original do material de recheio. Os OTH microencapsulados com quantidade de material de recheio superior (60%) apresentaram maior dificuldade de produção. Na aplicação em óleo de palma puro foram observadas a indução de cristalização e a formação de uma rede homogênea, densa e com poucos aglomerados. Os OTH de soja (45%) microencapsulados em MD e AMM inibiram a formação de polimorfos ? na mistura de óleo de palma. Os OTH microencapsulados com menor quantidade de recheio (30%), apresentaram comportamento de não liberação total do material de recheio nas aplicações, porém, atuaram como sementes de cristalização e influenciaram na transição polimórfica para forma ?. O OTH de soja (30%) microencapsulado em AMM, em sistemas de óleo de palma e açúcar auxiliou na textura e na redução de exsudação de óleo. Os OTH de soja (45%) microencapsulados em AMM e MD aplicados em emulsão A/O desempenharam papel de estruturantes e estabilizantes. Em geral, as micropartículas produzidas com AMM e OTH de soja apresentaram melhores desempenhos. A forma de dispersão ao meio dos cristais de OTH presentes nas micropartículas permitiu a formação de uma rede cristalina mais homogênea, acelerando o processo de cristalização, aumentando a consistência do óleo de palma no meio aplicado. E aos meios específicos, favoreceu a estabilidade em relação à separação de fase de emulsões, como margarinas e cremes, e reduziu a exsudação de óleo em sistemas anidros hidrofóbicos, a exemplo de recheios de biscoitos e de bombons, problemas de processo e qualidade de produto muito indesejável. Além disto, o uso destas micropartículas promove valores de consistência adequados e resistentes a oscilações térmicas, com ausência de ácidos graxos trans. Estas micropartículas podem servir como carreadoras de compostos lipofílicos com caráter nutracêutico se estes forem microencapsulados conjuntamente com o OTH, desempenhando função tecnológica e nutricional com facilidade de manuseio, estocagem e aplicação por estarem na forma de pó / Abstract: The technique of seeding is a option for the oils and fats industry to adapt to the physical characteristics of oils adding nutritional improvements and desirable consistency, expanding its application. This research refers to production of fully hydrogenated oils (FHO) by spray drying with maltodextrina (MD) and modified corn starch¿OSA (MCS) as wall materials to obtain possible seeds of crystallization. FHO of palm and soybean were used in different proportions. These particles were evaluated by mean diameter (7.8-9.7?m), efficiency of encapsulation (61.8-89.6%), polymorphism (maintained the original polymorphism corresponding material filling) and morphological characteristics (spherical form with some surface depression). In palm oil application, these particles induced crystallization and formed an homogeneous and dense crystal network with few agglomerates. FHO of soybean microencapsulated (45%) in MD and MCS inhibited the formation of the ? polymorph in palm oil. The FHO microencapsulated with smaller amount of filled material (30%) acted as seeding and polymorphic transition to influence the ? form, although it partially released the filled material in applications. FHO of soybean microencapsulated (30%) in MCS was applied in palm oil with sugar systems, enhancing the texture and the reduction of oil exudation. FHO of soybean microencapsulated (45%) with MCS and with MD were applied in W/O emulsion, in which these particles were structural network and stabilizers. In general, the particles produced using MCS as wall material and FHO of soybean as filling material showed better performance. The arrangement of the dispersion throughout the FHO crystals present in the particles allowed the formation of a more homogeneous crystal lattice, accelerating the crystallization process, increasing palm oil consistency in the applied mean. In specific means, it favored stability in relation to the separation of emulsions phase, such as margarines and creams, reducing exudation oil in hydrophobic anhydrous systems, such as fillings of cookies and candies, which is a very undesirable product quality problem. Furthermore, the use of these particles promotes consistency and temperature variation stability containing no trans fatty acids. These particles can serve as a carrier for nutraceutical lipophilic compounds if they were microencapsulated together with the FHO. Therefore these particles, which are in the powder form, can perform technological and nutritional functions allowing ease handling, storage and application / Doutorado / Tecnologia de Alimentos / Doutora em Tecnologia de Alimentos

Orientadores: Maria Angela de Almeida Meireles Petenate, Diego Tresinari dos Santos / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T12:15:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosa_MariaTherezadeMoraesGomes_D.pdf: 4902896 bytes, checksum: aef7e5c464da3869257ebd47ad538611 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: O presente trabalho de doutorado está dividido em dois temas principais, um sobre o uso da tecnologia supercrítica para a formação de partículas e outro sobre o uso do ultrassom para a formulação de emulsões. A revisão da literatura sobre o estado da arte do emprego do CO2 supercrítico para formação de micro e nanopartículas e encapsulação mostrou as potencialidades do uso desta tecnologia. A unidade usada para os experimentos de micronização via tecnologia supercrítica foi desenvolvida pelo grupo de pesquisa e validada utilizando uma substância modelo, o sal de ibuprofeno sódico. Esse fármaco foi selecionado devido às informações sobre o sistema CO2-Ibuprofeno encontradas na literatura. O efeito das condições operacionais (temperatura, pressão, vazão da solução, vazão do CO2, tipo de injetor e concentração de ibuprofeno sódico na solução etanólica) no rendimento de precipitação, teor de solvente residual, morfologia das partículas e consumo energético por unidade de produto processado foi investigado utilizando o método split-plot. Sal de ibuprofeno sódico foi micronizado com sucesso via Antissolvente Supercrítico (SAS) utilizando a unidade construída. A vazão de CO2 influenciou estatisticamente no rendimento de precipitação, enquanto que, não houve influência das condições operacionais no teor de solvente residual das partículas micronizadas. Com a apropriada seleção das condições operacionais, foi possível a obtenção de partículas de ibuprofeno sódico com morfologia de folha, sendo ideal para os processos de compressão do fármaco, com baixo teor de solvente residual e alto rendimento de precipitação. Neste trabalho também foi explorado o uso do ultrassom para a formulação de emulsões, contendo extrato rico em 'delta'-tocotrienol, com o intuito de aumentar o valor agregado deste extrato obtido das sementes de urucum por extração supercrítica com dióxido de carbono. As sementes de urucum já são valiosas pela característica de produzir pigmentos, a bixina e a norbixina. Contudo, essas sementes também vêm adquirindo notoriedade por conter outras substâncias de importância para a saúde do homem, como tocoferóis, tocotrienóis e geranil geraniol. Devido à importância desses compostos bioativos, que apresentam propriedades antioxidade, hidratante e fotoprotetora, este estudo visou o desenvolvimento de métodos para formação de emulsões permitindo a proteção desses compostos instáveis às condições adversas, aumentando assim o valor agregado dos extratos obtidos das sementes de urucum. Extrato de raiz de ginseng brasileiro, rico em saponinas, foi utilizado como biossurfactante. Adicionalmente, emulsões foram obtidas utilizando um homogeneizador tipo dispersor de fase múltipla na mesma densidade energética que foi aplicada no ultrassom. A influência do processo de emulsificação, densidade energética, concentração do biosurfactante, tipo de óleo e de biosurfactante no tamanho de gota e estabilidade da emulsão foi investigada. Os resultados indicaram que o extrato rico em saponinas pode ser uma boa opção para formulação de emulsões para aplicação em produtos alimentícios. Miniemulsões, com tamanho de gota variando entre 0,35 e 0,83 µm, foram obtidas, sendo que os menores tamanhos de gota foram observados empregando o extrato de raiz de ginseng e o ultrassom. O processo de emulsificação influenciou estatisticamente a estabilidade das emulsões / Abstract: The presented doctoral work is divided into two main themes under which one is about the use of supercritical technology for particle formation and the another one about the use of ultrasound for emulsion formulation. A literature review about the state of the art in using supercritical CO2 for micro and nanoparticles formation and encapsulation showed the potential of this technology. A homemade experimental apparatuses constructed by our research group and used for micro and nanoparticles formation has been validated using a model substance, the ibuprofen sodium salt. This drug was selected due to the literature information of the CO2-Ibuprofen system. The effect of operational conditions (temperature, pressure, CO2 flow rate, solution flow rate, injector and concentration of ibuprofen sodium in the ethanol solution) on the precipitation yield, energy consumption per unit of manufactured product, residual solvent content and particle morphology have been investigated using split-plot designs. Ibuprofen sodium salt was successfully micronized by Antisolvent Supercritical (SAS) using the constructed unit. The CO2 flow rate influenced the precipitation yield at statistically significant levels meanwhile none operating parameters did influence the residual solvent content in the micronized particles. Selecting appropriate process conditions, it has been shown to facilitate the production of homogeneous sheet-like microparticles of ibuprofen particles, the best for tableting purposes, with low residual solvent and high precipitation yield. In this work, the use of ultrasound has been also explored for fabricating microemulsion of 'delta'-tocotrienol-rich oil in order to add value to these extracts obtained from annatto seeds using supercritical extraction (SFE). The main pigments of annatto seeds are bixin and norbixin, wich are valuable natural colorants. However, these seeds have acquired notoriety by containing other important substances for human health, such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and geranylgeraniol. Due to the bioactive compounds importance, which have moisturizers, sunscreens and antioxidant properties, this study aimed to develop methods for emulsion formulation enabling the protection of these unstable compounds to adverse conditions, thus increasing the value of extracts from annatto seeds. Saponin-rich extract from Brazilian ginseng roots was used as biosurfactant. Additionally, emulsion was generated through mechanical stirring by dispax Reactor at the same energy density than ultrasound. The influence of the emulsification process, energy density, oil type, biosurfactant type and biosurfactant concentration on the size and stability of the resulting droplets was investigated. The results indicated that saponin-rich extract might be an attractive biosurfactant choice for emulsion formulations for use in food and beverage products. Mini-emulsions were obtained in this work; their droplet sizes ranged from 0.35 to 0.83 µm, saponin-rich extract and ultrasound gave the smallest droplet size. The emulsification process significantly affected the emulsion stability values / Doutorado / Engenharia de Alimentos / Doutora em Engenharia de Alimentos

The thesis has been focused on testing of micromethod of DNA isolation from leaves, fruits and fruit products. Jams were selected for the analysis of plant DNA in technologically processed foods. Plant leaves, fruits, and jams were homogenized using plastic copist in a lysis buffer containing 2% cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with 2.5M sodium chloride (NaCl). Microisolation of plant DNA was performed using poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate-co-glycidylmethacrylate) – P(HEMA-co-GMA)microparticles. Isolated the DNA concentration and purity were assessed by UV light aborbance using a spectrophotometer. After that, amplification of the DNA was tested in PCR. Primers specific for plant ribosomal DNA: 18S_for a 5,8S_rev (PCR product - 700bp), 26S_for a 26S_rev (PCR product - 220 bp), 18S_for a 18¬S_rev (PCR product - 263 bp) were used. The PCR conditions were optimized and the effect of the amplicon length on its detection was followed. PCR products were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. It was shown that DNA isolated from almost all of leaves using magnetic particles was in PCR-ready quality in contrary to the fruits. DNA amplified in PCR with primers giving short PCR products was isolated from almost all tested jams. The method must be optimalised, yet.

Ces dernières années le rôle du stroma tumoral (microenvironnement) dans la progression tumorale. De même le rôle des cellules endothéliales et de la néo-angiogenèse a été illustré dans de multiples études conduisant à la mise en place des thérapeutiques anti-angiogéniques. Cependant il est possible qu’au delà de leur simple rôle comme transporteur d’oxygène et de nutriments les cellules endothéliales jouent un véritable rôle dans la biologie tumorale en sécrétant des substances bioactives (cytokines, microparticules…). Ces médiateurs sont les acteurs actifs d’un dialogue entre cellules tumorales et cellules du stroma. Dans ce travail de thèse nous nous sommes intéressés au rôle particulier des microparticules. Nous avons pu montrer que les microparticules des cellules endothéliales avaient un effet pro-tumoral sur les cellules des cancers de l’ovaire et du sein. Elles étaient capable d’induire une tradition epithélio-mésenchymateuse. Dans la seconde étude nous avons montré que les cellules tumorales sécrétaient des microparticules capable d’activer la voie de signalisation ont/beta-catenin dans les cellules endothéliales par le recrutement de Rac1 et PAK. / In our study, we showed that microparticles participate to a complex dialogue between cancer and ECs. Our main finding showed the ability of MPs mediated cross-talk between cancer and ECs to functionalize an activated angiocrine pro-tumoral endothelial niche. Using endothelial Akt activation as a readout, we were able to differentiate MPs from cells with mesenchymal from cells with epithelial traits. Our data showed that MPs from mesenchymal-like cell lines were able to promote an activation of ECs through Akt phosphorylation, compared to MPs from epithelial-like cell lines. The overexpression of Arf6 in activated ECs is associated with quantitative changes of EC-MPs. Additionally, we were interested in determining the mechanisms that derive the activation of ECs toward supporting tumor growth and expansion. Here we showed that ovarian cancer MPs trigger β-catenin activation in ECs by inducing the upregulation of Wnt/bcatenin target genes and increasing the angiogenic proprieties. Interestingly, the activation of bcatenin in ECs was Wnt/Frizzled independent; but dependent on VE-cadherin localization disruption, bcatenin integrin activation and MMP activity.

Microparticles produced from kafirin, the sorghum grain prolamin protein, by molecular selfassembly using coacervation with acetic acid solvent are vacuolated. They have shown considerable potential for encapsulation of antioxidants and for preparation of high quality free-standing bioplastic films. However, the functional quality of these kafirin microstructures needs to be improved to exploit their potential application, particularly as biomaterials. Wet heat, transglutaminase and glutaraldehyde treatments were used to modify the physical structure and chemical properties of the kafirin microstructures. Heat treatment (50–96°C) increased microparticle average size by up to four-fold to ≈20 μm, probably due to disulphide cross-linking of kafirin proteins. The vacuoles within these microparticles enlarged up to >10-fold, probably due to greater expansion of air within the microparticles with higher temperature, as the vacuoles are probably footprints of air bubbles. As with heat treatment, glutaraldehyde (10–30%) treatment resulted in oval microparticles, up to about four-fold larger than the control, probably due to covalent glutaraldehyde-polypeptide linkage. Transglutaminase (0.1–0.6%) treatment had only slight effect on the size and shape of microparticles, probably because kafirin has very low lysine content, inhibiting transglutaminase-catalysed cross-linking through ε-(-glutamyl)-lysine bonding. Surface morphology using atomic force microscopy indicated that the microparticles apparently comprised coalesced nanostructures. With heat and transglutaminase treatments, the microparticles seemed to be composed of round nanostructures that coalesced into random irregular shapes, indicative of non-linear protein aggregation. In contrast, with glutaraldehyde treatment, the nanostructures were spindle-shaped and had a unidirectional orientation, probably due to linear alignment of the nanostructures controlled by glutaraldehyde-polypeptide linkage. Thin (<50 μm) films prepared from kafirin microparticles and conventional cast kafirin films were compared in terms of their water stability and other related properties. Films cast from microparticles were more water-stable compared to conventional kafirin films, probably because the large vacuoles within the kafirin microparticles may have enhanced protein solubility in the casting solution, thereby improving the film matrix cohesion. The films prepared from microparticles treated with glutaraldehyde were more water-stable compared to the control, despite the loss of plasticizer, probably due to formation of the covalent glutaraldehyde-polypeptide linkages. The potential of modified kafirin microparticles to bind bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP- 2) was investigated. Compared to a collagen standard, the BMP-2 binding capacity of control, heat-treated, transglutaminase-treated and glutaraldehyde-treated kafirin microparticles were 7%, 18%, 34% and 22% higher, respectively, probably mainly due to the vacuoles within the microparticles creating greater binding surface area. The safety, biodegradability and effectiveness of kafirin microparticle film and kafirin microparticle film-BMP-2 system in inducing bone growth were determined by a subcutaneous bioassay using a rat model. Kafirin microparticle film and kafirin microparticle film-BMP-2 system was non-irritant to the animals, probably because kafirin is non-allergenic. The kafirin microparticle film implants showed signs of some degradation but a large proportion of these implants was still intact by Day 28 post implantation, probably because of the low susceptibility of kafirin to mammalian proteolytic enzymes. Kafirin microparticle film-BMP-2 system did not induce bone growth, probably mainly due to low BMP-2 dosage and short study duration. Modification of kafirin microparticles by wet heat or glutaraldehyde treatment both result in increased size of the microparticles with similar gross structure. However, it is apparent that with both treatments the proteins within the pre-formed kafirin microparticles undergo some form of further assisted-assembly through different mechanisms. It seems that heat-induced disulphide cross-linking reinforces a layer around the nanostructures, probably rich in γ- kafirin polypeptides, that stabilizes the structure of the nanostructures. In contrast, glutaraldehyde-treatment appears to destabilize this structure-stabilizing layer through formation of γ-kafirin polypeptide-glutaraldehyde covalent bonding. This probably offsets the balance of attractive and repulsive forces between the different kafirin subclasses within the nanostructures, thereby resulting in collapsed nanostructures and linear realignment. A deeper understanding of the mechanism of kafirin self-assembly will be important for further development of kafirin microstructures for different applications. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Food Science / unrestricted

Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Candidate Mgr. Jana Kubačková Supervisor Assoc. Prof. Jarmila Zbytovská, Mgr., Dr. rer. nat. Co-supervisor PharmDr. Ondřej Holas, PhD. Title of Doctoral Thesis Preparation of pharmaceutical formulations based on polymeric and lipid carriers Nanomedicine allows application of nanoscaled drug delivery carriers to achieve a therapy that can be tailored in terms of e.g. controlled release, site-specific delivery and protection of an active substance. From multiple nanoplatforms available for drug delivery, advantage was taken of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers and lipids to enable targeted intracellular delivery, delivery of a poorly water-soluble drug and delivery of a sensitive macromolecule. In the study with biodegradable polymeric nanomaterial we worked with experimental poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers. The formulations were optimised for targeting to phagocytic macrophages - of size up to 300 nm and negative surface charge. For this purpose, two linear and one branched PLGA were screened in combination with one of four surfactants in low concentrations (0.1-1%). These PLGA polymers were formulated into nanoparticles and loaded with a hydrophilic fluorescent dye Rhodamine B...

Interest in rare-earth-doped crystalline materials, e.g., M(RE)F4 (M – alkali metal, RE – rare-earth metal), featuring unique optical properties such as light upconversion and downshifting is experiencing a surge due to the broad spectrum of applications that these photonic systems are facilitating. The development of reliable synthetic methods that grant rapid access to these materials is therefore of great importance. Microwave-assisted synthesis is appealing in this regard, because microwave radiation enables rapid and uniform heating of the reaction mixture and allows for rigid control of the reaction conditions, factors that facilitate the production of high-quality materials within minutes. Surprisingly, the investigation around microwave-assisted synthesis of M(RE)F4 materials featuring upconversion and downshifting luminescence is limited. Methods that have already been developed predominately target Na-based systems, despite the evidence that the Li-based analogues also display excellent optical properties. In fact, only a single microwave-assisted approach toward a nanoscale Li-based system has been reported to date, while to my knowledge, no report of a microwave-assisted synthesis of a microscale Li-based system existed prior to the commencement of the work presented in this thesis. The challenge lies in the fact that access to Li(RE)F4 is not easily achieved through a simple substitution of the alkali metal source in the established protocols that yield Na(RE)F4; rather, a complete re-optimization of the synthesis method is required. This particular challenge was successfully addressed in this work. Presented and discussed in Chapter 3 of this thesis is a rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis approach toward both upconverting and downshifting LiYF4:RE3+ microparticle systems. More specifically, it is detailed how the rigorous optimization of the reaction temperature/duration profile, initial reaction mixture pH, and ratio of the metal precursors was necessary in gaining control over the crystalline phase, morphology, and size of the microparticles under microwave-induced solvothermal conditions. Importantly, a materials growth mechanism involving the depletion of a Li-free crystal phase, followed by a particle ripening process is also proposed. Moreover, the versatility of the developed method is highlighted by showcasing how it can be extended toward the synthesis of other relevant Li- and Na-based M(RE)F4 nano- and microscale materials (i.e., LiYbF4, NaYF4, and NaGdF4) featuring upconversion luminescence. Lastly, potential challenges associated with microwave-assisted synthesis are discussed, and appropriate solutions are proposed. The upconversion and downshifting luminescence of the M(RE)F4 materials attained via the developed synthesis approach is investigated in Chapter 4. The first part of the chapter provides a general assessment of the characteristic luminescence generated by the M(RE)F4 materials featuring various RE3+ dopant systems. The second part of the chapter is devoted to a much more thorough single-particle investigation of the anisotropic luminescence behaviour exhibited by the LiYF4:RE3+ microparticles via hyperspectral imaging, polarized emission spectroscopy, and optical trapping. It is my hope that you, the reader, will find the work presented in this thesis stimulating from two vantage points – from the development of the most rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis of upconverting and downshifting M(RE)F4 nano/microscale materials reported to date, as well as from the utilization of specialized luminescence characterization techniques to provide fundamental insight into a seldom-considered luminescence property of crystalline materials such as LiYF4.

Au cours de ce travail de thèse nous avons proposé une stratégie de ciblage des macrophages alvéolaires afin d’y vectoriser des glucocorticoïdes. Une prodrogue de budésonide, le palmitate de budésonide (BP) a été synthétisée dans le but de prolonger sa demi-vie dans les poumons après inhalation. Des nanoparticules PEGylées de BP ont été développées et étudiées pour obtenir une formulation stable avec des caractéristiques physico-chimiques appropriées et un taux de charge élevé pour pénétrer dans les macrophages alvéolaires, cellules centrales dans l'inflammation pulmonaire. Des tests in vitro sur les macrophages RAW 264.7 ont confirmé l'activité anti-inflammatoire et l'absence de cytotoxicité des nanoparticules. Celles-ci ont ensuite été séchée au sein de microparticules Troyennes obtenues par atomisation-séchage afin de faciliter leur administration pulmonaire sous forme de poudres et libérer les nanoparticules à proximité des alvéoles pulmonaires. Les microparticulessphériques creuses contenant de 0 % à 20 % de nanoparticules de BP présentent des diamètres aérodynamiques et une fraction de particules fines appropriés pour la délivrance pulmonaire. Les études pharmacocinétiques in vivo montrent des concentrations élevées et prolongées de budésonide dans les poumons, avec de faibles concentrations plasmatiques. Dans la deuxième partie de cette thèse, une autre stratégie de ciblage des macrophages a été évaluée par la décoration de la surface des nanoparticules avec du mannose. Après la synthèse d'un lipide mannosylé, des nanoparticules ont été formulées et caractérisées, démontrant un taux de charge élevé et une bonne stabilité jusqu'à 30 jours. Des tests in vitro sur les macrophages RAW 264.7 ont montré que la présence du mannose à la surface augmente l'internalisation des nanoparticules d’un facteur 2 après 48 h d'incubation, par rapport aux nanoparticules PEGylées. / This work focuses on strategies to target glucocorticoids to alveolar macrophages. We have synthesized a budesonide prodrug, budesonide palmitate (BP), increasing its lipophilicity to extend drug half-life in the lungs. BP PEGylated nanoparticles were developed and studied to obtain a stable formulation with suitable physicochemical characteristics and high drug loading to enter alveolar macrophages, key players in lung inflammation. In vitro tests on RAW 264.7 macrophages confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity and absence of cytotoxicity of nanoparticles. These were then encapsulated into Trojan microparticles obtained by spray-drying to facilitate their delivery to the lung as dry powders and release nanoparticles directly to the pulmonary alveoli. Spherical hollow microparticles containing from 0 % to 20 % of BP nanoparticles presented suitable aerodynamic diameters and fine particle fraction for lung delivery. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated high and extended budesonide concentrations in the lungs, with low plasma concentrations. In the second part of this thesis, another macrophage targeting strategy was assessed by decoration of nanoparticle surface with mannose. After synthesis of a mannosylated lipid, nanoparticles were formulated and characterized, demonstrating high drug loading and stability up to 30 days. In vitro tests on RAW 264.7 macrophages showed that the presence of mannose on the surface increases nanoparticles internalization 2 fold after 48 h incubation, as compared with PEGylated nanoparticles.