1.
Poly ethylene glycol (PEG)-Related controllable and sustainable antidiabetic drug delivery systems.
Fu, Y, Ding, Y, Zhang, L, Zhang, Y, Liu, J, Yu, P
European journal of medicinal chemistry. 2021;:113372
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Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most challenging threats to global public health. To improve the therapy efficacy of antidiabetic drugs, numerous drug delivery systems have been developed. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymeric family sharing the same skeleton but with different molecular weights which is considered as a promising material for drug delivery. In the delivery of antidiabetic drugs, PEG captures much attention in the designing and preparation of sustainable and controllable release systems due to its unique features including hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Due to the unique architecture, PEG molecules are also able to shelter delivery systems to decrease their immunogenicity and avoid undesirable enzymolysis. PEG has been applied in plenty of delivery systems such as micelles, vesicles, nanoparticles and hydrogels. In this review, we summarized several commonly used PEG-contained antidiabetic drug delivery systems and emphasized the advantages of stimuli-responsive function in these sustainable and controllable formations.
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On the Future Design of Bio-Inspired Polyetheretherketone Dental Implants.
Knaus, J, Schaffarczyk, D, Cölfen, H
Macromolecular bioscience. 2020;(1):e1900239
Abstract
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising implant material because of its excellent mechanical characteristics. Although this polymer is a standard material in spinal applications, PEEK is not in use in the manufacturing of dental implants, where titanium is still the most-used material. This may be caused by its relative bio-inertness. By the use of various surface modification techniques, efforts have been made to enhance its osseointegrative characteristics to enable the polymer to be used in dentistry. In this feature paper, the state-of-the-art for dental implants is given and different surface modification techniques of PEEK are discussed. The focus will lie on a covalently attached surface layer mimicking natural bone. The usage of such covalently anchored biomimetic composite materials combines many advantageous properties: A biocompatible organic matrix and a mineral component provide the cells with a surrounding close to natural bone. Bone-related cells may not recognize the implant as a foreign body and therefore, may heal and integrate faster and more firmly. Because neither metal-based nor ceramics are ideal material candidates for a dental implant, the combination of PEEK and a covalently anchored mineralized biopolymer layer may be the start of the desired evolution in dental surgery.
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Total knee arthroplasty application of polyetheretherketone and carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone: A review.
Koh, YG, Park, KM, Lee, JA, Nam, JH, Lee, HY, Kang, KT
Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications. 2019;:70-81
Abstract
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK) have been successfully used in the field of orthopedic implants. The polymers PEEK and CFR-PEEK are resistant to fatigue strain and radiologically transparent. These have mechanical properties and are therefore suitable for a range of orthopedic applications. Polymer composites have been proposed for orthopedic applications with the potential of reducing stress-shielding, weight of the implants, wear, and risk of osteolysis. They prevent the release of metal ions by replacing the metal articulating components. The purpose of this review was to investigate the biomechanical effects, technical data, and safety of PEEK and CFR-PEEK biomaterials and evaluate their potential for new innovations in the design of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This review paper provides an overview with schematics and descriptions, specifically aimed at the development of PEEK and CFR-PEEK for TKA. The appropriate applications for femoral, tibial, and bearing components are highlighted for the optimal design of TKA composite, showing successful biomechanical effects.
4.
Interferon Alpha 2a and 2b in Ophthalmology: A Review.
Lewczuk, N, Zdebik, A, Bogusławska, J
Journal of interferon & cytokine research : the official journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research. 2019;(5):259-272
Abstract
Interferon alpha (IFN-α) is a glycoprotein with antitumor, antiviral, and immunomodulatory activity, used widely in the treatment of viral infections (hepatitis B and C, condylomata acuminata, herpes zoster, etc.), hematological disorders (leukemia, multiple myeloma, T cell lymphoma, and essential thrombocythemia), and solid tumors (clear cell carcinoma in the metastatic stage, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cervical neoplasia). Studies have proven the effectiveness of IFN-α in the treatment of ophthalmic disorders involving the anterior segment of the eye (conjunctival papilloma, squamous neoplasia, conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, Mooren's ulcer, and vernal keratoconjunctivitis) and the posterior segment of the eye (serpiginous choroidopathy, posterior uveitis, pseudophakic and diabetic cystoid macular edema, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy). The therapy with IFN-α remains a promising alternative in cases of a failing response to conventional therapy, helping to maintain or improve visual acuity, prevent vision loss, and ameliorate the prognosis of the patient. However, clinicians who decide to use IFN-α in their patients must be aware of general and ophthalmological side effects and inform their patients to undergo a systemic evaluation such as a physical examination, blood and serological tests, and a chest X-ray before the beginning of treatment. This review presents the current knowledge of the use of IFN-α, its efficacy, and properties in ophthalmological diseases, and thus may encourage clinicians to administer this drug as a treatment modality in ophthalmological diseases in the future.