Cancer is a disease that varies dramatically from person to person due to the specifics of the individual's physiology and the source of the cancer. In most cases, the origin of the cancer can be determined but metastasis can lead to tumors anywhere and thus many cancers require treatment of the whole body. Since many of the drugs that are used to treat cancer are toxic to healthy cells as well as cancerous ones, there has been considerable interest in developing ways to convey the drug specifically to the cancer cells with minimal exposure to healthy cells. Colloid drug delivery vehicles have shown considerable progress toward this end, while also reducing degradation of the drug prior to delivery to targeted sites (particularly important for oligonucleotide and protein therapeutics), and controlling release rates. Toward the end of improved drug delivery, this thesis work investigates the encapsulation of DNA in gelatin microspheres (GMS) and the subsequent temperature controlled release of the encapsulated DNA from these GMS. DNA-loaded GMS were then used as templates for colloidal satellite assemblies and the released DNA was shown to competitively displace the original partner strands of immobilized DNA on the surface of the assemblies. To support these investigations, hybridization of DNA at colloidal surfaces was also investigated using in situ measurements and found to significantly deviate from solution behavior. DNA hybridization is of particular interest as means of controlling the functionality of colloidal structures because it is uniquely reversible and tunable as well as biocompatible. Gelatin was chosen as the encapsulation matrix for its superior biocompatibility, convenient gel to liquid phase transition at ~35 oC, and economical availability.

The development of a chip-based sensor array composed of individually addressable polystyrene-polyethylene glycol and agarose microspheres has been demonstrated. The microspheres are selectively arranged in micromachined cavities localized on silicon wafers. These cavities are created with an anisotropic etch and serve as miniaturized reaction vessels and analysis chambers. The cavities possess pyramidal pit shapes with trans-wafer openings that allow for both fluid flow through the microreactors/analysis chambers as well optical access to the chemically sensitive microspheres. Identification and quantification of analytes occurs via colorimetric and fluorescence changes to receptor and indicator molecules that are covalently attached to termination sites on the polymeric microspheres. Spectral data is extracted from the array efficiently using a charge-coupled device (CCD) allowing for the near-real-time digital analysis of complex fluids. The power and utility of this new microbead array detection methodology is demonstrated here for the analysis of complex fluids containing a variety of important classes of analytes including acids, bases, metal cations, sugars and antibody reagents. The application of artificial neural network analyses to the microbead array is demonstrated in the context of pH measurements. To assess the utility of the analysis and gain an understanding of the molecular level design of the sensor, parameters such as the choice of the indicator dyes, array size, data pre-processing techniques, as well as different network types and architectures were evaluated. Additionally, the development of miniaturized chromatographic systems localized within individual polymer microspheres and their incorporation into an array is reported. The integrated chromatographic and detection concept is based on the creation of distinct functional layers within the microspheres. Such beads have been incorporated into the array platform and used for speciation and concentration determination of aqueous metal cation solutions. / text

Three epitope-mapping procedures were used to identify B-cell epitopes on Betanodaviruses: neutralisation escape mutant sequence analysis, phage display, and pepscan. Betanodaviruses have emerged as major pathogens of marine fish. These viruses are the aetiological agents of a disease referred to as viral nervous necrosis (VNN), which affects many species of fish that are economically valuable to the aquaculture industry. The identification of betanodavirus B-cell epitopes will facilitate the rational development of vaccines to counter VNN. A panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was produced using hybridoma methodology for use in each of the epitope mapping procedures. These antibodies were characterised in Western blotting, ELISA, and virus neutralisation tests. Rabbit polyclonal sera, and serum samples from nodavirus-infected fish were also used for pepscan analyses. Attempts to produce betanodavirus neutralisation escape mutants, using plaque assay or limiting dilution based methods, were not successful. Two phage libraries expressing random peptides of seven (Ph.D.7™) or twelve (Ph.D.12™) amino acids in length as fusions to the coat protein were used to identify the ligands recognised by MAbs directed against betanodavirus. Neither of these phage libraries yielded conclusive results. Phage clones containing tandem inserts were obtained after MAb selection from library Ph.D.7™. Extensive screening and nucleotide sequence analysis of MAb-selected clones from library Ph.D.12™) failed to yield a consensus sequence. Pepscan analyses were performed using the recently developed suspension array technology (SAT). This was used to map the recognition sites of MAbs and serum samples onto a panel of overlapping synthetic peptides (12mers) that mimicked the betanodavirus coat protein. The results of pepscan analyses required careful interpretation due to the binding of antibodies and serum samples to multiple peptides. However, three regions of the nodavirus coat protein were identified as containing B-cell epitopes: amino acids 1-50, 141-162, and 181-212. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies of immune responses to betanodaviruses, and to the future development of betanodavirus vaccines and diagnostic reagents.

Η Ακετονική Τριαμσινολόνη είναι ένα συνθετικό γλυκοκορτικοειδές το οποίο έχει ευρέως χρησιμοποιηθεί στη θεραπεία ενός αριθμού φλεγμονωδών και αγγειακών / εξιδρωματικών παθήσεων του οφθαλμού, χορηγούμενη υπό μορφή ένεσης παραβόλβια, υποτενόνια ή ενδοϋαλοειδικά. Δυστυχώς έχει περιορισμένο χρόνο ημιζωής με συνέπεια να είναι συχνά αναγκαίες επανειλημμένες ενέσεις για να επιτευχθεί παρατεταμένη δράση. Αυτό αυξάνει τη συχνότητα των επιπλοκών, οι οποίες σχετίζονται τόσο με το ίδιο το φάρμακο όσο και με την οδό χορήγησης. Σκοπός της μελέτης: Η παρασκευή σκληρικών συστημάτων ελεγχόμενης αποδέσμευσης Ακετονικής Τριαμσινολόνης βασιζόμενα στο βιοδιασπόμενο πολυμερές Πόλυ[γαλακτικό] (PLA) και η αξιολόγηση των in vitro/ex vivo χαρακτηριστικών τους σε σχέση με τη δυνητική χρήση τους για παρατεταμένη διασκληρική χορήγηση ΤΑ. Υλικό και Μέθοδος: Μικροσφαίρες PLA που περιείχαν ΤΑ παρασκευάστηκαν με τη μέθοδο του απλού και του διπλού γαλακτώματος. Εξετάστηκαν η μορφολογία τους, το μέγεθός τους, η επίδραση της αρχικής ποσότητας ΤΑ και της μεθόδου παρασκευής στη φόρτιση των μικροσφαιρών καθώς και η in vitro αποδέσμευση ΤΑ από αυτές. Παρασκευάστηκαν δισκία αποτελούμενα από μικροσφαίρες καθαρού PLA και ΤΑ (με αναλογία βάρους 1:1, 2:1 και 4:1 αντίστοιχα) και εξετάστηκε η in vitro καμπύλη αποδέσμευσης ΤΑ από αυτά. Αξιολογήθηκε η καμπύλη διασκληρικής διάχυσης in vitro τοποθετώντας ένα δισκίο αναλογίας PLA:TA=1:1 σε ένα δοχείο δότη και μετρώντας τη συγκέντρωση ΤΑ σε δοχείο δέκτη. To δοχείο δότης και το δοχείο δέκτης διαχωρίζονταν διαμέσου ενός τμήματος σκληρού χιτώνα κουνελιού. Σε δύο πτωματικούς οφθαλμούς κουνελιών τοποθετήθηκε επισκληρικά ένα δισκίο 1:1 PLA-ΤΑ και καλύφθηκε με ένα σκληρικό μόσχευμα. Η συγκέντρωση της ΤΑ στο υδατοειδές υγρό και στο υαλοειδές μετρήθηκε 5, 10 και 20 ημέρες μετά από την ένθεση. Aποτελέσματα: Η μέση διάμετρος των μικροσφαιρών ήταν 2 μm. H μέθοδος του διπλού γαλακτώματος καθώς και η αύξηση της αρχικής ποσότητας του φαρμάκου οδήγησε στην αύξηση της τιμής φόρτισης και ενκαψακίωσης των μικροσφαιρών. Παρατηρήθηκε παρατεταμένη για αρκετές μέρες αποδέσμευση ΤΑ από τις μικροσφαίρες, με το ρυθμό αποδέσμευσης να εξαρτάται από την περιεκτικότητά τους σε ΤΑ. H ΤΑ αποδεσμευόμενη από δισκία PLA-TA παρουσίασε παρατεταμένη αποδέσμευση, με το ρυθμό της να εξαρτάται από το λόγο PLA:TA. H TA μπόρεσε να διαπεράσει το σκληρό χιτώνα με περίπου 21% του φαρμάκου στο δοχείο δότη να έχει διαχυθεί διαμέσου του σκληρού χιτώνα μετά από 45 ημέρες. Μετά από σκληρική χορήγηση η ΤΑ εμφάνισε συγκεντρώσεις στο υδατοειδές υγρό και στο υαλοειδές σε πτωματικούς οφθαλμούς. Συμπεράσματα: Οι μικροσφαίρες και τα δισκία PLA-TA που αναπτύχθηκαν σε αυτήν τη μελέτη παρουσιάζουν παρατεταμένη και ελεγχόμενη αποδέσμευση ΤΑ, έχουν τα πλεονεκτήματα της καθιερωμένης βιοαποικοδομησιμότητας και βιοσυμβατότητας του πολυμερούς PLA, παρέχουν ευελιξία ως προς το ρυθμό αποδέσμευσης και τη συνολική δόση ΤA και παρουσιάζουν ευκολία στους χειρουργικούς χειρισμούς. Αυτά τα συστήματα φαίνεται να είναι υποσχόμενα για την ελεγχόμενη διασκληρική χορήγηση ΤΑ και δικαιολογείται η περαιτέρω μελέτη τους. / Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) is a synthetic glucocorticoid, which has been widely used to treat a number of inflammatory and vascular and/or exudative diseases of the eye, administered via a peribulbar, sub-tenon or intravitreal injection. Unfortunately, it has a limited half-life and thus repeated injections are often required to establish a prolonged effect. This increases the rate of complications, which are related to the drug itself as well as to the administration route. Study Purpose: To develop scleral controlled-release-systems of Τriamcinolone Αcetonide based on biodegradable Poly[lactide] (PLA) and evaluate their in vitro/ex vivo properties with regard to their possible application for the prolonged transscleral delivery of TA. Materials and Methods: PLA microspheres containing TA were prepared by a single or double emulsification-solvent evaporation method. Morphology, size, effect of drug input and method of microsphere preparation on drug loading, and in vitro TA release of the microspheres were investigated. Tablets consisting of blank PLA-microspheres and TA (weight ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 4:1, respectively) were developed and their release profile οf TA in vitro was evaluated. The in vitro transscleral diffusion profile was evaluated by placing a PLA-TA (1:1) tablet in a donor chamber and measuring the TA concentration in a receptor chamber. Donor and receptor chambers were separated by rabbit sclera. Two cadaver rabbit eyes received a 1:1 PLA-TA tablet episclerally, which was covered by a scleral patch. TA aqueous humor and vitreous concentrations were measured 5, 10, and 20 days post implantation. Results: Microsphere average diameter was 2 μm. The double emulsification method and increasing drug input led to an increase in microsphere drug loading and encapsulation. Sustained release of TA over several days from the microspheres in vitro was observed, with the rate of release being affected by their TA content. TA exhibited sustained release profile from the PLA-TA tablets, with the rate of release being affected by the PLA:TA ratio. TA could cross the sclera tissue in vitro, with approximately 21% of the initial drug in the donor compartment having diffused through the sclera in 45 days. Following scleral administration of the PLA-TA tablets, TA accumulated in the vitreous and aqueous humor of cadaver eyes. Conclusions: The PLA-TA microspheres and tablets developed in this study provide a sustained and controlled release of TA, provide the advantages of established biodegradability and biocompatibility of the PLA polymer, demonstrate flexibility concerning their TA release rate and total TA dosage and are easy to surgically manipulate. These systems appear promising for the controlled transscleral delivery of TA and justify further investigation.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nesta dissertação, foram estudadas a preparação e a caracterização debionanocompósitos à base de gelatina e magnetita. Sacarose foi empregada comoagente de reticulação e gelatina tipo A e gelatina tipo B foram comparadas nautilização para a preparação das microesferas por meio de emulsão água-em-óleo.As microesferas foram caracterizadas por VSM, DSC, TGA, FTIR, testes deinchamento, espectroscopia de absorção atômica, microscopia ótica e microscopiaeletrônica de varredura. Um planejamento de experimentos variando-se aconcentração de gelatina e de sacarose, a temperatura e a velocidade de agitaçãofoi realizado a fim de encontrar quais parâmetros influenciam o diâmetro dasmicroesferas. A concentração de gelatina e velocidade de agitação foram osparâmetros diretamente associados com os tamanhos de partículas. A distribuiçãode tamanho das partículas revelou que o diâmetro das microesferas variou de 5 a 60micrômetros, com predominância na faixa de 11 a 30 micrômetros. A extensão dareticulação foi aumentada com o aumento do tempo de aquecimento na etapa depreparação das microesferas. Todos os bionanocompósitos apresentaramsuperparamagnetismo. Os resultados mostraram que não há diferença significativa entre a utilização de gelatina do tipo A e gelatina do tipo B. Além disso, o estudo de reticulação degelatina revelou que, ao contrário do que diz a literatura, a sacarose não é umagente de reticulação para as cadeias proteicas, pois não foram encontradasevidências de uma reação química entre a sacarose e gelatina / The preparation and characterization of microbeads based on gelatin and magnetite are reported. Sucrose was employed as crosslinking agent and type A gelatin and type B gelatin were compared for preparation of microspheres by water-in-oil emulsion. The microbeads were characterized by VSM, DSC, FTIR, swelling ratio, atomic absorption spectroscopy and optical and scanning electronic microscopy. The influence of gelatin and sucrose concentration, temperature and stirring speed on the microbeads characteristics was studied. The gelatin concentration and stirring speed were the parameters directly associated with the particle sizes. The particle size distribution revealed that the diameter of the microspheres ranged from 5 to 60 micrometers, with predominance in the range from 11 to 30 micrometers. The extent of cross linking increased as a function of preparation heating time periods. The microbeads presented superparamagnetism. The results show that have no significant difference between the utilization of type A gelatin and type B gelatin. In addition, the gelatin crosslinking study revealed that sucrose is not a crosslinking agent because there was no evidence of chemical reaction between sucrose and gelatin

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As nanopartículas de ferritas de manganês (MnFe2O4) tem sido de grande interesse por causa de suas notáveis propriedades magnéticas doces (baixa coercividade e moderada magnetização de saturação) acompanhada com boa estabilidade química e dureza mecânica. A formação de materiais híbridos/compósito estabiliza as nanopartículas magnéticas (NPMs) e gera funcionalidades aos materiais. Entretanto, não foi encontrada na literatura uma discussão sobre a síntese e as propriedades de polímeros polares reticulados à base de ácido metacrílico contendo ferritas de manganês na matriz polimérica. Assim, o objetivo desta Dissertação foi produzir partículas esféricas poliméricas reticuladas, com boas propriedades magnéticas, à base de ácido metacrílico, estireno, divinilbenzeno e ferritas de manganês. Neste trabalho, foram sintetizados compósitos de ferrita de manganês (MnFe2O4) dispersa em copolímeros de poli(ácido-metacrílico-co-estireno-co-divinilbenzeno), via polimerização em suspensão e em semi-suspensão. Foram variados os teores de ferrita (1% e 5%) e a concentração do agente de suspensão (0,2% e 5%). Além disso, foram testadas sínteses contendo a fase orgânica pré-polimerizada, e também a mistura da ferrita na fase orgânica (FO), antes da etapa da polimerização em suspensão. Os copolímeros foram analisados quanto as suas morfologias - microscopia óptica; propriedades magnéticas e distribuição das ferritas na matriz polimérica - VSM, SEM e EDS-X; propriedades térmicas TGA; concentração de metais presentes na matriz polimérica absorção atômica. As ferritas foram avaliadas quanto à cristalografia XRD. A matriz polimérica foi avaliada pela técnica de FTIR. As amostras que foram pré-polimerizadas e as que além de pré-polimerizadas foram misturadas as ferritas de manganês na FO, apresentaram as melhores propriedades magnéticas e uma incorporação maior da ferrita na matriz polimérica. Essas rotas sintéticas fizeram com que os copolímeros não apresentassem aglomeração, e também minimizou a presença de ferritas na superfície das microesferas. Em geral, todos os copolímeros obtidos apresentaram as características de materiais magneticamente doces além do superparamagnetismo. Foi constatado que o aumento da concentração do PVA e a diminuição da concentração da ferrita fazem com que os diâmetros das microesferas decresçam. Os resultados de TGA e DTG mostraram que ao misturar as ferritas na FO, a concentração de material magnético na matriz polimérica aumenta cerca de 10%. Entretanto, somente a amostra PM2550, pré-polimerizada e com as ferritas misturadas na FO (5% de ferrita e 0,2% de PVA), apresentou potencial aplicação. Isso porque as ferritas não ficaram expostas na superfície das microesferas, ou seja, o material magnético fica protegido de qualquer ação externa / Manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles have been of great interest for their remarkable soft-magnetic properties (low coercivity, moderate saturation magnetization) and also for their good chemical stability and mechanical hardness. The formation of ferrite/polymer hybrid/composite materials not only stabilized the magnetic nanoparticles (NMPs), but also gives the materials new properties. However, it was not found in the literature neither the synthesis nor the properties of manganese ferrites in polar crosslinked polymers based on methacrylic acid. The aim of this Dissertation is to produce spherical particles of crosslinked polymers with good magnetic properties based on methacrylic acid, styrene, divinylbenzene and manganese ferrites. In this work, it was synthesized compounds of manganese ferrites (MnFe2O4) scattered at copolymers of poly(methacrylic-acid-co-styrene-co-divinylbenzene) by suspension polymerization and semi-suspension polymerization. The following parameters were evaluated: contents of ferrites (1% and 5%) and concentration of suspension agent (0,2% and 5%). Moreover, it was evaluated synthesis containing organic phases (FO) pre-polymerized and mixture of the ferrite to the organic phase, previous to the stage of suspension polymerization. The copolymers were analyzed as the morphology optical microscopy; magnetic properties and distribution of ferrites at polymeric matrix VSM, SEM e EDS-X; thermal properties TGA; concentration of ferrites at polymeric matrix atomic absorption. Ferrites were evaluated as the crystallography XRD. The pre-polymerized samples and those which the ferrites were mixed at the organic phase, showed better magnetic properties and higher ferrite incorporation at polymeric matrix. No agglomeration was found in the copolymers synthesized by these routes and also the ferrite presence was minimized on the microsphere surface. All copolymers presented soft-magnetic properties as well as superparamagnetism. It was observed that raising the suspension agent concentration and reducing ferrite concentration resulted in the decrease of the microspheres diameters. TGA and DTG results showed that mixing ferrites at the organic phase rises the concentration of magnetic materials about 10%. However, only PM2550 sample, pre-polymerized and with ferrites mixed with the organic phase (5% ferrite and 0,2% PVA), presented potential application as know ferrites presence was not detected on microspheres surface, hence, magnetic materials will be protected by any external action

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nesta dissertação, foram estudadas a preparação e a caracterização debionanocompósitos à base de gelatina e magnetita. Sacarose foi empregada comoagente de reticulação e gelatina tipo A e gelatina tipo B foram comparadas nautilização para a preparação das microesferas por meio de emulsão água-em-óleo.As microesferas foram caracterizadas por VSM, DSC, TGA, FTIR, testes deinchamento, espectroscopia de absorção atômica, microscopia ótica e microscopiaeletrônica de varredura. Um planejamento de experimentos variando-se aconcentração de gelatina e de sacarose, a temperatura e a velocidade de agitaçãofoi realizado a fim de encontrar quais parâmetros influenciam o diâmetro dasmicroesferas. A concentração de gelatina e velocidade de agitação foram osparâmetros diretamente associados com os tamanhos de partículas. A distribuiçãode tamanho das partículas revelou que o diâmetro das microesferas variou de 5 a 60micrômetros, com predominância na faixa de 11 a 30 micrômetros. A extensão dareticulação foi aumentada com o aumento do tempo de aquecimento na etapa depreparação das microesferas. Todos os bionanocompósitos apresentaramsuperparamagnetismo. Os resultados mostraram que não há diferença significativa entre a utilização de gelatina do tipo A e gelatina do tipo B. Além disso, o estudo de reticulação degelatina revelou que, ao contrário do que diz a literatura, a sacarose não é umagente de reticulação para as cadeias proteicas, pois não foram encontradasevidências de uma reação química entre a sacarose e gelatina / The preparation and characterization of microbeads based on gelatin and magnetite are reported. Sucrose was employed as crosslinking agent and type A gelatin and type B gelatin were compared for preparation of microspheres by water-in-oil emulsion. The microbeads were characterized by VSM, DSC, FTIR, swelling ratio, atomic absorption spectroscopy and optical and scanning electronic microscopy. The influence of gelatin and sucrose concentration, temperature and stirring speed on the microbeads characteristics was studied. The gelatin concentration and stirring speed were the parameters directly associated with the particle sizes. The particle size distribution revealed that the diameter of the microspheres ranged from 5 to 60 micrometers, with predominance in the range from 11 to 30 micrometers. The extent of cross linking increased as a function of preparation heating time periods. The microbeads presented superparamagnetism. The results show that have no significant difference between the utilization of type A gelatin and type B gelatin. In addition, the gelatin crosslinking study revealed that sucrose is not a crosslinking agent because there was no evidence of chemical reaction between sucrose and gelatin

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As nanopartículas de ferritas de manganês (MnFe2O4) tem sido de grande interesse por causa de suas notáveis propriedades magnéticas doces (baixa coercividade e moderada magnetização de saturação) acompanhada com boa estabilidade química e dureza mecânica. A formação de materiais híbridos/compósito estabiliza as nanopartículas magnéticas (NPMs) e gera funcionalidades aos materiais. Entretanto, não foi encontrada na literatura uma discussão sobre a síntese e as propriedades de polímeros polares reticulados à base de ácido metacrílico contendo ferritas de manganês na matriz polimérica. Assim, o objetivo desta Dissertação foi produzir partículas esféricas poliméricas reticuladas, com boas propriedades magnéticas, à base de ácido metacrílico, estireno, divinilbenzeno e ferritas de manganês. Neste trabalho, foram sintetizados compósitos de ferrita de manganês (MnFe2O4) dispersa em copolímeros de poli(ácido-metacrílico-co-estireno-co-divinilbenzeno), via polimerização em suspensão e em semi-suspensão. Foram variados os teores de ferrita (1% e 5%) e a concentração do agente de suspensão (0,2% e 5%). Além disso, foram testadas sínteses contendo a fase orgânica pré-polimerizada, e também a mistura da ferrita na fase orgânica (FO), antes da etapa da polimerização em suspensão. Os copolímeros foram analisados quanto as suas morfologias - microscopia óptica; propriedades magnéticas e distribuição das ferritas na matriz polimérica - VSM, SEM e EDS-X; propriedades térmicas TGA; concentração de metais presentes na matriz polimérica absorção atômica. As ferritas foram avaliadas quanto à cristalografia XRD. A matriz polimérica foi avaliada pela técnica de FTIR. As amostras que foram pré-polimerizadas e as que além de pré-polimerizadas foram misturadas as ferritas de manganês na FO, apresentaram as melhores propriedades magnéticas e uma incorporação maior da ferrita na matriz polimérica. Essas rotas sintéticas fizeram com que os copolímeros não apresentassem aglomeração, e também minimizou a presença de ferritas na superfície das microesferas. Em geral, todos os copolímeros obtidos apresentaram as características de materiais magneticamente doces além do superparamagnetismo. Foi constatado que o aumento da concentração do PVA e a diminuição da concentração da ferrita fazem com que os diâmetros das microesferas decresçam. Os resultados de TGA e DTG mostraram que ao misturar as ferritas na FO, a concentração de material magnético na matriz polimérica aumenta cerca de 10%. Entretanto, somente a amostra PM2550, pré-polimerizada e com as ferritas misturadas na FO (5% de ferrita e 0,2% de PVA), apresentou potencial aplicação. Isso porque as ferritas não ficaram expostas na superfície das microesferas, ou seja, o material magnético fica protegido de qualquer ação externa / Manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles have been of great interest for their remarkable soft-magnetic properties (low coercivity, moderate saturation magnetization) and also for their good chemical stability and mechanical hardness. The formation of ferrite/polymer hybrid/composite materials not only stabilized the magnetic nanoparticles (NMPs), but also gives the materials new properties. However, it was not found in the literature neither the synthesis nor the properties of manganese ferrites in polar crosslinked polymers based on methacrylic acid. The aim of this Dissertation is to produce spherical particles of crosslinked polymers with good magnetic properties based on methacrylic acid, styrene, divinylbenzene and manganese ferrites. In this work, it was synthesized compounds of manganese ferrites (MnFe2O4) scattered at copolymers of poly(methacrylic-acid-co-styrene-co-divinylbenzene) by suspension polymerization and semi-suspension polymerization. The following parameters were evaluated: contents of ferrites (1% and 5%) and concentration of suspension agent (0,2% and 5%). Moreover, it was evaluated synthesis containing organic phases (FO) pre-polymerized and mixture of the ferrite to the organic phase, previous to the stage of suspension polymerization. The copolymers were analyzed as the morphology optical microscopy; magnetic properties and distribution of ferrites at polymeric matrix VSM, SEM e EDS-X; thermal properties TGA; concentration of ferrites at polymeric matrix atomic absorption. Ferrites were evaluated as the crystallography XRD. The pre-polymerized samples and those which the ferrites were mixed at the organic phase, showed better magnetic properties and higher ferrite incorporation at polymeric matrix. No agglomeration was found in the copolymers synthesized by these routes and also the ferrite presence was minimized on the microsphere surface. All copolymers presented soft-magnetic properties as well as superparamagnetism. It was observed that raising the suspension agent concentration and reducing ferrite concentration resulted in the decrease of the microspheres diameters. TGA and DTG results showed that mixing ferrites at the organic phase rises the concentration of magnetic materials about 10%. However, only PM2550 sample, pre-polymerized and with ferrites mixed with the organic phase (5% ferrite and 0,2% PVA), presented potential application as know ferrites presence was not detected on microspheres surface, hence, magnetic materials will be protected by any external action

Neste trabalho foi feito um estudo sobre a preparação e caracterização de microesferas poliméricas à base de poli(ácido metacrílico-co-divinilbenzeno) por polimerização por precipitação. As partículas foram sintetizadas e analisadas em diferentes condições de reação. Partículas esféricas políméricas foram sintetizadas na faixa de 1,66 - 8,41 m, assim como partículas no estado de microgel. As partículas foram caracterizadas pelas técnicas de espalhamento de luz dinâmica (DLS), análise termogravimétrica (TGA), espectroscopia na região do infravermelho (FTIR), adsorção de nitrogênio pelos métodos BET (Brunauer, Emmett e Teller) e BJH (Barret, Joyner e Halenda), microscopia ótica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, e testes de razão de inchamento. A análise das partículas foi feita para verificar a influência da mudança na composição de comonômeros, grau de reticulação, relação de monômeros totais/diluentes em massa/volume (g/100 mL), e quanto à relação volumétrica de diluentes. Verificou-se que houve um aumento no tamanho das partículas e da resistência térmica com a diminuição da fração molar de MAA (ácido metacrílico). Na preparação de partículas com fração molar de 50% de MAA, e relação volumétrica acetonitrila/tolueno de 75/25, quanto maior a relação de monômeros totais/diluentes (g/100 mL), maior o tamanho e o rendimento das partículas. Com a mudança da relação volumétrica de diluentes, houve mudança nas características de porosidade, tamanho das partículas, e grau de inchamento das partículas, sendo que na relação volumétrica acetonitrila/tolueno de 50/50, houve formação de microgel / The preparation and characterization of polymeric microspheres based on poly(methacrylic acid-co-divinylbenzene) by precipitation polymerization was reported. The particles were synthesized and analyzed at different reaction conditions. Spherical polymer particles were synthesized in the range from 1,66 to 8,41 m, in addition to microgel particles. The particles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen adsorption methods by BET (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller) and BJH (Barrett, Joyner and Halenda), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and swelling ratio tests. The particles analysis was made to determine the influence of the change in comonomer composition, degree of crosslinking, ratio of total monomers/diluents by weight / volume (g/100 mL), and the volume ratio of diluents. It was found that there was an increase in particle size and thermal resistance with decreasing molar fraction of MAA (methacrylic acid). In preparing particles with the mole fraction of 50% MAA, and volume ratio acetonitrile/toluene 75/25, the larger the ratio of total monomers/diluents (g/100 mL), the larger the particle size and yield. By changing the volume ratio of diluents, there was a change in the characteristics of porosity, particle size and degree of swelling of the particles, and in the volume ratio acetonitrile / toluene of 50/50, there was microgel formation

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:19:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MARTINS_Kelly_2013.pdf: 1489805 bytes, checksum: 32aed5a1b752893511324c4670fcbcd5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-05 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / In order to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy concurrently with the enhancement of its therapeutic action is to use it on devices that enable a controlled drug release, by vectors, such as polymeric microspheres, which act as a drug carrier, modifying its distribution pattern in the organism. Paclitaxel ((Taxol®) is a drug used primarily in the treatment of ovarian, breast, lung and bladder cancer. Due to its antimitotic and antiproliferative action, there is a potential interest in cancer therapy. However, the success of this clinical application is limited to low solubility in water and toxic action. The objective of this study was to obtain and characterize physic-chemically the bioresorbable and biocompatible copolymer poly (L-co-D, L lactic acid) (PLDLA) microspheres encapsulating the paclitaxel chemotherapy. The simple emulsion technique allowed to obtain spherical microspheres, verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The average size of the microspheres PLDA pure and containing paclitaxel were, respectively, 10.3 μm ± 1.7 and 12.7 μm ± 1.3, obtained by the technique of laser light scattering (LLS). Moreover the essay of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) suggests that the drug paclitaxel is homogeneously dispersed in the microspheres PLDLA. The encapsulation efficiency of the microspheres PLDLA paclitaxel was 98.0% ± 0.3, obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The in vitro release study performed on HPLC showed initial burst release followed by a slower release, which characterizes large diameter distribution systems. PLDLA microspheres released 90% ± 4.0 of the drug paclitaxel up to 30th day of study while the degradation process occurred. Thus, the microspheres obtained PLDLA devices are promising as carriers of paclitaxel, with potential for future applications in drug delivery systems. / Uma forma de minimizar os efeitos colaterais de quimioterápicos concomitantemente ao processo de potencialização de sua ação teraupêutica é empregá-los em dispositivos de liberação controlada de drogas, por meio de veículos, como microesferas poliméricas, que agem como carreadores de fármacos, modificando seu perfil de distribuição no organismo. O paclitaxel (Taxol®) é um quimioterápico utilizado principalmente no tratamento do câncer de ovário, mama, pulmão e bexiga. Devido à sua relevante ação antimitótica e antiproliferativa, existe potencial interesse de seu uso na terapia do câncer, porém o sucesso de sua aplicação clínica é limitado devido sua baixa solubilidade em água e sua ação tóxica. O objetivo desse estudo foi o de obter e caracterizar, físico-quimicamente, microesferas do copolímero biorreabsorvível e biocompatível poli(L-co-D,L ácido láctico) (PLDLA) encapsulando o quimioterápico paclitaxel. A técnica de simples emulsão permitiu a obtenção de microesferas na forma esférica, verificado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microscopia de força atômica (AFM). O tamanho médio das microesferas de PLDLA puro e contendo paclitaxel, foi, respectivamente, de 10,3μm±1,7 e 12,7μm±1,3, obtidos pela técnica de espalhamento de luz laser (LLS). Já o ensaio de calorimetria diferencial exploratória (DSC), sugere que o fármaco paclitaxel está disperso de forma homogênea nas microesferas de PLDLA. A eficiência de encapsulação do paclitaxel nas microesferas de PLDLA foi de 98,0%±0,3, obtidos pela cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC). O estudo de liberação do fármaco in vitro realizado no HPLC apresentou liberação inicial em explosão, seguida de uma liberação mais lenta, características de microesferas que apresentam diâmetros variados. As microesferas de PLDLA liberaram 90%±4,0 do fármaco paclitaxel até o 30° dia de estudo enquanto se degradavam. Assim, as microesferas de PLDLA obtidas são dispositivos promissores como carreadores do paclitaxel, com potencial para futura aplicação em sistemas de liberação de fármacos.