ABSTRACT
In this work, functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using two polyamine polymers, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM), were investigated by thermal analysis in order to address preparation strategies to obtain low cytotoxic compounds with the ability to conjugate micro-RNAs and, at the same time, to transfect efficiently endothelial cells. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was coupled to chemometrics as a novel analytical strategy to characterize functionalized CNTs from different preparation conditions. In particular, two starting materials were considered:very small CNTs and carboxylated CNTs (CNT-COOH) in order to examine the affinity with polymers. Chemometrics permitted to compare results from TGA and to investigate the effect of a number of factors affecting the synthesis of coated nanotubes including a different amount of involved polymer and the time required for the suspension for a satisfactory and reproducible preparation procedure. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of TGA as a tool able to address synthesis of coated CNTs to be employed as efficient drug delivery vectors in biomedical applications.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the sealing ability of the 3.0th generation of polyamidoamine dendrimer(3.0 PAMAM)on hu-man dentinal tubules.Methods:1 6 extracted premolars were cut into 2 mm thick dentin slices to establish sensitive dentin model in vitro.Then 2 samples without any treatment were selected randomly into demineralized dentin group,and the remain 1 4 dentine pills were divided into 2 groups by the random number table(n=7).Samples in the experimental group were treated with 3.0 PAMAM, those in the control group were treated with deionized water.After having immersed in the artificial saliva for 2 and 4 weeks respec-tively,the dentin slices were examined by scanning electron microscope(SEM)and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS). Results:SEM showed that the minerals on the surfaces of the dentine disks in experimental group were formed gradually with the time,the dentinal tubules were blocked 4 weeks after treatment.The minerals on the sample surface in control group were less and the dentinal tubules remained open.EDS results showed that Ca/P(1 .49 ±0.1 6)of mineral deposition in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (1 .1 8 ±0.20)(P<0.05).Conclusion:The 3.0th generation of PAMAMhas the occlu-ding ability by inducing remineralization on the dentine surface and it may be used in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.