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Biomedical subjects

Chaobin He

Publications and source records attributed to Chaobin He.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Dynamic and static light scattering studies on self-aggregation behavior of biodegradable amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymers in aqueous solution.

The self-aggregation behavior of two amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PHB-PEO) triblock copolymer samples with nearly identical PHB block lengths but different PEO block lengths, PEO-PHB-PEO(2000-810-2000) and PEO-PHB-PEO(5000-780-5000), was studied with dynamic and static light scattering (DLS and SLS), in combination with fluorescence spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation of polymeric micelles by the two PEO-PHB-PEO triblock copolymers was confirmed with fluorescence technique and TEM. DLS analysis showed that the hydrodynamic radius (R(h)) of the monodistributed polymeric micelles increased with an increase in PEO block length. The relative thermostability of the triblock copolymer micelles was studied by SLS and DLS at different temperatures. The aggregation number and the ratio of the radius of gyration over hydrodynamic radius were found to be independent of temperature, probably due to the strong hydrophobicity of the PHB block. The combination of DLS and SLS studies indicated that the polymeric micelles were composed of a densely packed core of hydrophobic PHB blocks and a corona shell formed by hydrophilic PEO blocks. The aggregation numbers were found to be approximately 53 for PEO-PHB-PEO(2000-810-2000) micelles and approximately 37 for PEO-PHB-PEO(5000-780-5000) micelles. The morphology of PEO-PHB-PEO spherical micelles determined by DLS and SLS measurements was further confirmed by TEM.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s with different terminal amine groups for DNA delivery.

Hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s containing tertiary amines in the core and primary, secondary, and tertiary amines in the periphery, respectively, were evaluated for DNA delivery in vitro. The same core structure facilitated the investigation on the effects of the terminal amine type on the properties of hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s for DNA delivery. The hydrolysis of the poly(amino ester)s was monitored using (1)H NMR. The results reflected that the terminal amine type had negligible effects on the hydrolysis rate but was much slower than that of linear poly(amino ester)s, probably due to the compact hyperbranched spatial structure preventing the accessibility of water. In comparison with PEI 25 K, the hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s showed much lower cytotoxicity in Cos7, HEK293, and HepG2 cells. Gel electrophoresis indicated that poly(amino ester)s could condense DNA efficiently, and the zeta potentials and sizes of the complexes formed with different weight ratios of hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s and DNA were measured. Remarkably, all the hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s showed DNA transfection efficiency comparable to PEI 25 K in Cos7, HEK293, and HepG2 cells regardless of the terminal amine type. Therefore, the terminal amine type had insignificant effects on the hydrolysis rate, cytotoxicity, DNA condensation capability, and in vitro DNA transfection efficiency of the hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s.

Animals↗

Synthesis of PtRu nanoparticles from the hydrosilylation reaction and application as catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell.

Nanosized Pt, PtRu, and Ru particles were prepared by a novel process, the hydrosilylation reaction. The hydrosilylation reaction is an effective method of preparation not only for Pt particles but also for other metal colloids, such as Ru. Vulcan XC-72 was selected as catalyst support for Pt, PtRu, and Ru colloids, and TEM investigations showed nanoscale particles and narrow size distribution for both supported and unsupported metals. All Pt and Pt-rich catalysts showed the X-ray diffraction pattern of a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure, whereas the Ru and Ru-rich alloys were more typical of a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure. As evidenced by XPS, most Pt and Ru atoms in the nanoparticles were zerovalent, except a trace of oxidation-state metals. The electrooxidation of liquid methanol on these catalysts was investigated at room temperature by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results concluded that some alloy catalysts showed higher catalytic activities and better CO tolerance than the Pt-only catalyst; Pt56Ru44/C have displayed the best electrocatalytic performance among all carbon-supported catalysts.

Electrochemistry↗

A DFT study of the amination of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes: reactivity and curvature.

The first principles density functional theory (DFT) approach (GGA-PW91/DNP) was used to study the addition reaction of methylamine to fullerenes C(50) and C(60) or single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) (5,5) and (10,0). To understand the relationship between reactivity and curvature, various addition sites have been investigated for comparisons. The DFT calculation results showed that the reaction energy of the addition of methylamine onto C(60) or the closed caps of (5,5) and (10,0) is rather low. Moreover, the reaction at a few sites even appears exothermic. However, the reaction on the perfect sidewall of the nanotubes is always endothermic, and the reaction energy is much higher than that on the caps. The energetically preferable addition sites are the carbon atoms located at the vertexes formed with five-, five-, six-membered rings on C(50) or five-, five-, seven-membered rings on defects of nanotubes. The systematic theoretical study revealed that the pyramidalization and pi-orbital misalignment could result in an increased reactivity of these pentagon-pentagon fusion sites. The reactivity depends on the pyramidalization angle, which is a quantitative measurement of the local curvature and strain of the reaction center.

Journal Article↗

Novel glassy tetra(N-alkyl-3-bromocarbazole-6-yl)silanes as building blocks for efficient and nonaggregating blue-light-emitting tetrahedral Materials.

[structure: see text] Tetrahedral precursors of tetra(N-alkyl-3-bromocarbazole-6-yl)silanes (1-3), which were amorphous with T(g) being adjustable by changing the chain length of the N-substitutent, were developed. Fluorene-conjugated glassy compound 4 and hyperbranched polymer 5 were synthesized from the precursors via Suzuki coupling reaction. 4 and 5 emitted blue light efficiently in the condensed state with high quantum efficiencies of 80 (4) and 59% (5) and small fwhm (full width at half-maximum) of 48 (4) and 55 nm (5), indicating that they did not pack into detrimental aggregates in the solid state.

Journal Article↗

Core-corona structure of cubic silsesquioxane-poly(ethylene oxide) in aqueous solution: fluorescence, light scattering, and TEM studies.

Well-defined amphiphilic cubic silsesquioxane-poly(ethylene oxide) (CSSQ-PEO) was prepared from octakis (dimethylsiloxy)octasilsesquioxane (Q8M8(H)) and allyl-PEO through a hydrosilylation reaction. The structure of CSSQ-PEO was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The amphiphilic properties and aggregation process of CSSQ-PEO in aqueous solution were investigated by fluorescence, dynamic and static light scattering (DLS and SLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) determined by fluorescence measurements was found to be 0.28 mg/mL. Combinations of DLS, SLS, and TEM studies showed the existence of core-corona micelle with hydrophobic CSSQ as the core and hydrophilic PEO as the corona in aqueous solution. The observation of two size distribution peaks from DLS measurements revealed the coexistence of small amounts of unassociated unimolecular micelles (approximately 10% of the scattered intensity) together with micellar aggregates when the CSSQ-PEO concentration was < or = 2 mg/mL. The hydrodynamic radii (R(h)) of unassociated unimolecular micelle and micellar aggregates were found to be 26 and 79 nm, respectively. A large R(g)/R(h) ratio (1.46) and the extremely small value of average chain density (4 x 10(-4) g/cm3) indicate the small hydrophobic CSSQ core was surrounded by the extended PEO coronae. The aggregation number (N(agg)) of CSSQ-PEO in aqueous solution was found to be 38 +/- 2 from SLS and 31-40 from TEM, respectively. The long PEO segments act as a spacer between the spherical aggregates, which facilitate the formation of a network-like structure at high concentration.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Preparation of highly exfoliated epoxy/clay nanocomposites by "slurry compounding": process and mechanisms.

Epoxy/clay nanocomposites with a high degree of exfoliation were achieved using a so-called "slurry-compounding" process with which the dispersed state of clay in water can be successfully transferred to an epoxy matrix. In this process sodium montmorillonite was first exfoliated and suspended in water. This suspension was further treated with acetone to form a clay-acetone slurry followed by chemical modification using silane. The modified slurry was then mixed extensively with epoxy to form epoxy/nanoclay composites. It has been shown that the morphologies of clay before and after curing are quite similar and the exfoliation process is termed "slurry compounding". Furthermore, the amount of organic modifier used is only 5 wt % of clay, in contrast to conventional organoclays which normally contain at least 25-45 wt % of organic surfactant. The resulting epoxy/nanoclay composites exhibit a high degree of clay exfoliation and a better thermal mechanical property.

Journal Article↗

Platinum nanoparticles from the hydrosilylation reaction: capping agents, physical characterizations, and electrochemical properties.

Platinum nanoparticles synthesized by a unique synthetic approach, the hydrosilylation reaction, have been reported previously. However, the interaction between the underlying platinum nanosupport and the capping agents is poorly understood. Here we continue to investigate Pt nanoparticles from the hydrosilylation reaction to address this issue and present the characterization results of nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. These characterization results conclude that two different modes of binding of the aliphatic capping agents with the platinum surface are attributed to the formation of Pt-C bonds under excess olefin concentration and Pt-Si bonds under excess hydrosilane concentration. Morphology and UV-vis spectra of the platinum nanoparticles were explored by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Moreover, electrochemical properties of the platinum nanoparticles were also studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.

Journal Article↗

Effect of heterocyclic based organoclays on the properties of polyimide-clay nanocomposites.

Polyimide-clay nanocomposites were prepared from their precursor, namely, polyamic acid, by the solution-casting method. Organomodified montmorillonite (MMT) clay was prepared by treating Na+MMT (Kunipia F) with three different intercalating agents, namely, piperazine dihydrochloride, 1,3-bis(4-piperidinylpropane) dihydrochloride and 4,4'-bipiperidine dihydrochloride at 80 degrees C. Polyamic acid solutions containing various weight percentages of organomodified MMT were prepared by reacting 4,4'-(1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diyldioxy)dianiline with bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone containing dispersed particles of organomodified MMT at 20 degrees C. Nanocomposite films were prepared from these solutions by solution casting and heated subsequently at a programmed heating rate. These films were transparent and brown in color. The extent of layer separation in nanocomposite films depends upon the chemical structure of the organoclay. These films were characterized by inherent viscosity, FT-IR, DSC, TMA, WAXD, TEM, UV, and TGA. The tensile behavior and surface energy studies were also investigated. The nanocomposite films had superior tensile properties, thermal behavior, and solvent resistance. Among the three organoclays, piperazine dihydrochloride was the best modifier.

Aluminum Silicates↗

Highly efficient luminescent organic clusters with quantum dot-like properties.

Organic clusters with uniform structure and size have been synthesized and studied. The quantum confinements on organic arms [chains shorter than exciton Bohr radii (aB)] have been confirmed by the discrete energy levels from PLE, narrow PL lines, size effect from UV, and spherical shape from TEM, as well as Raman peaks red-shifting and broadening. The results indicate the materials have QD-like properties.

Journal Article↗

Cholesteryl-grafted functional amphiphilic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hydroxylmethylacrylamide): synthesis, temperature-sensitivity, self-assembly and encapsulation of a hydrophobic agent.

A thermally responsive amphiphilic grafted copolymer comprised of hydroxyl-containing random poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hydroxylmethylacrylamide) as the hydrophilic chain and cholesteryl groups as hydrophobic side arms was developed for the controlled release of hydrophobic drugs. The polymer was temperature-sensitive with a lower critical solution temperature of 40.5 degrees C and a critical micelle concentration of 4 mg/l. Dynamic light-scattering studies showed that the amphiphilic polymer self-assembled into micelles in aqueous media with their mean sizes in the range of 25-34 nm. Transmission electron microscope studies showed that the nanoparticles prepared from the micelle solutions exhibited multiple morphologies including unusual cubic and cuboids-like shapes, and normal spherical shapes, which could be controlled by the formation conditions. Wide-angle X-ray scattering studies showed that these nanoparticles were amorphous in nature but a small crystalline phase existed and the crystallinity of particles increased with the decrease of initial formation concentration. Pyrene was employed as a model hydrophobic agent to examine the encapsulation ability of the polymer with respect to hydrophobic agents in aqueous media. The loading level of the polymer with respect to pyrene was 4.4 mg/g, indicating that the thermally responsive amphiphilic polymer would be able to be used for the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs.

Acrylic Resins↗

The effect of salt and pH on the phase-transition behaviors of temperature-sensitive copolymers based on N-isopropylacrylamide.

The salt and pH effects on the phase transition behaviors of temperature-sensitive hydrophilic and amphiphilic polymers containing copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide as hydrophilic segments were investigated by UV and dynamic light scattering studies. The polymers used for this study include two hydrophilic polymers of HO-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (1) and HO-functionalized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hydroxylmethylacrylamide) (3), and their amphiphilic derivatives of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-b-poly(D,L-lactide) (2) and cholesteryl-grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hydroxylmethylacrylamide) (4). With the increase of NaCl concentration, significant salt effects on their phase transition behaviors were observed. (1) Significant decreases in the lower critical solution temperatures of all polymers were observed, the salt effects were also characterized by a newly defined 'phase transition salt concentration'; (2) time-course UV spectroscopic studies showed that the phase transitions became faster and more complete with the increase of NaCl concentration, which were demonstrated by a newly defined 'phase transition constant'; (3) the salt exerted stronger effects on phase transition behaviors of the amphiphilic polymers than that of the hydrophilic polymers, and on polymer 4 than polymer 2. In contrast, the phase transition behaviors of the polymers were less sensitive to pH. The present studies provide important information for the design and synthesis of temperature-sensitive polymers and polymeric micelles that are important drug delivery carriers for hydrophobic drugs.

Acrylamides↗

Novel poly(amino ester)s obtained from Michael addition polymerizations of trifunctional amine monomers with diacrylates: safe and efficient DNA carriers.

Novel biodegradable poly(amino ester)s containing secondary and tertiary amines in the backbones were obtained from the Michael addition polymerizations of trifunctional amine monomers with diacrylates, and showed high transfection efficiency for the delivery of DNA comparable to those of polyethylenimine (PEI) and low cytotoxicity.

Acrylates↗

A unique spherical molecular host with D2d symmetry. A novel intramolecular kinetic equilibrium in metal ion complexation between two crown ethers.

[formula: see text] A spherical host with D2d symmetry consisting of a tetrathia[3.3.3.3]paracyclophane and two 18-crown-6 moieties was synthesized. Its crystal structure shows a central cavity with a diameter of 1.96 A and a depth of 6.75 A. A Na+ ion could rest in the cavity center but prefers core binding to external binding in one of the crown units. An intramolecular kinetic equilibrium was reached with the Na+ ion switching between the two crown units with an energy barrier of 14.1 +/- 3 kcal/mol.

Journal Article↗

PEI-g-chitosan, a novel gene delivery system with transfection efficiency comparable to polyethylenimine in vitro and after liver administration in vivo.

Polyethylenimine-graft-chitosan (PEI-g-chitosan) was synthesized by performing cationic polymerization of aziridine in the presence of water-soluble oligo-chitosan (M(n) = 3400). The absolute molecular weight and chemistry of the PEI-g-chitosan obtained were characterized using GPC, 13C and 1H NMR, respectively. The results indicated that all the amines of chitosan were grafted with oligo-PEI, and the average length of the oligo-PEI side chains was determined by the feed molar ratio of aziridne/amine in chitosan. PEI-g-chitosan of M(n) = 7400 with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.50, and PEI side chains of M(n) = 206 was prepared for gene delivery. Gel electrophoresis showed that DNA migration was retarded completely at a N/P ratio of 2.5/1, indicating good DNA condensation capability of PEI-g-chitosan. The sizes and the zeta-potentials of the complexes of PEI-g-chitosan/DNA were characterized. The cytotoxicity of PEI-g-chiotsan was evaluated, and the results reflected that PEI-g-chitosan had a lower cytotoxicity than PEI (25 K). Gene transfection efficiency of PEI-g-chitosan in HepG2, HeLa, and primary hepatocytes cells and after administration in the common bile duct of rat liver was determined. Remarkably, PEI-g-chitosan showed a higher transfection efficiency than that of PEI (25 K) both in vitro and in vivo. The systematic distribution and the distribution in liver of the gene expression of the complexes of PEI-chitosan/DNA were determined as well.

Animals↗

Poly(ester urethane)s consisting of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] and poly(ethylene glycol) as candidate biomaterials: characterization and mechanical property study.

Poly(ester urethane)s with poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (PHB) as the hard and hydrophobic segment and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the soft and hydrophilic segment were synthesized from telechelic hydroxylated PHB (PHB-diol) and PEG using 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate as a nontoxic coupling reagent. Their chemical structures and molecular characteristics were studied by gel permeation chromatography, 1H NMR, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results of differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction indicated that the PHB segment and PEG segment in the poly(ester urethane)s formed separate crystalline phases with lower crystallinity and a lower melting point than those of their corresponding precursors, except no PHB crystalline phase was observed in those with a relatively low PHB fraction. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the poly(ester urethane)s had better thermal stability than their precursors. The segment compositions were calculated from the two-step thermal decomposition profiles, which were in good agreement with those obtained from 1H NMR. Water contact angle measurement and water swelling analysis revealed that both surface hydrophilicity and bulk hydrophilicity of the poly(ester urethane)s were enhanced by incorporating the PEG segment into PHB polymer chains. The mechanical properties of the poly(ester urethane)s were also assessed by tensile strength measurement. It was found that the poly(ester urethane)s were ductile, while natural source PHB is brittle. Young's modulus and the stress at break increased with increasing PHB segment length or PEG segment length, whereas the strain at break increased with increasing PEG segment length or decreasing PHB segment length.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Evaluation of hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s of amine constitutions similar to polyethylenimine for DNA delivery.

New hyperbranched poly(amino ester)s were synthesized via A3 + 2BB'B' ' approach, represented by the Michael addition polymerization of trimethylol-propane triacrylate (TMPTA) (A3-type monomers) with a double molar 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine (AEPZ) (BB'B''-type monomer) performed in chloroform at ambient temperature. The results obtained by in situ monitoring the polymerization using NMR and MS indicated that hyperbranched poly(TMPTA1-AEPZ2) was formed via a A(B'B'')2 intermediate, and the B' ' (the formed 2 degrees amine) was kept intact in the reaction. Therefore, poly(TMPTA1-AEPZ2) contained secondary and tertiary amines in the core and primary amines in the periphery similar to polyethylenimine (PEI). The chemistry of protonated poly(TMPTA1-AEPZ2) was further confirmed by 13C NMR, and the molecular weight, the radius of gyration (Rg), and the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) were determined using GPC, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and laser dynamic light scattering (LDLS), respectively. The ratio of Rg/Rh of ca. 1.1 verified the hyperbranched structure. Protonated hyperbranched poly(TMPTA1-AEPZ2) is degradable and less cytotoxic as compared with PEI (25 K). Gel electrophoresis reflected that stable complexes could be formed from protonated hyperbranched poly(TMPTA1-AEPZ2) and DNA, and the size and xi-potential of the complexes were characterized. Remarkably, protonated hyperbranched poly(TMPTA1-AEPZ2) showed transfection efficiency comparable to PEI (25 k) for in vitro DNA delivery.

Acrylates↗