Development of a specially tailored local drug delivery system for the prevention of fibrosis after insertion of cochlear implants into the inner ear.

A cochlear implant (CI)-associated local drug delivery system based on dexamethasone (DMS) was developed with the purpose to inhibit the growth of fibrotic tissue which influences the signal transmission from the CI to the neurons of the inner ear. For the realization of a targeted DMS delivery the following concepts were combined: modification of the silicone-based electrode carrier by incorporation of DMS and a DMS-containing polymeric coating chemically attached on the surface of the electrode carrier. It was demonstrated that the coated CI showed a high coating stability in a simulated implantation procedure. The in vitro drug release studies in a quasi-stationary model revealed a faster DMS release in the initial phase originating from the DMS-containing coatings and then a lower and sustained DMS release originating from the DMS-loaded silicone carrier. The performed in vitro biocompatibility study confirmed that the released DMS was non-toxic for cultured spiral ganglion cells.

Development of a biodegradable tissue adhesive based on functionalized 1,2-ethylene glycol bis(dilactic acid). II.

In body regions where damage and bleeding must be avoided, a substitute for mechanical tissue fixation by sutures or staplers is needed. Since tissue adhesives provide easy and fast handling they are a promising alternative. The present study reports the development and analysis of a tissue adhesive that consists of two adhesive components: hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) functionalized 1,2-ethylene glycol bis(dilactic acid) (ELA-NCO) and chitosan chloride. This composition was chosen based on preliminary studies on several chain elongation agents. The present study evaluates this adhesive system by IR-spectroscopy, tensile tests, and gel point measurements in comparison to fibrin glue. The system's in vitro biocompatibility was tested with mouse fibroblasts (L929) according to ISO 10993-5. Furthermore, an implantation study was performed in SPF-Wistar rats. The adhesive strength of manually applied mixtures or mixtures applied by double chamber syringes with a mixing extruder was determined to be significantly higher than that of fibrin glue on bovine muscle tissue at 37°C. Tensile strength increased further when exposure time of the adhesive was increased from 10 min to 48 h. The rheological gel point determination showed that the mixture of ELA-NCO/DMSO and chitosan chloride offers a time window large enough to readjust the fused joint during surgery, as opposed to fibrin glue. Additionally, the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility studies of the adhesive system revealed no toxic effects on the surrounding tissue.

Biodegradable sirolimus-loaded poly(lactide) nanoparticles as drug delivery system for the prevention of in-stent restenosis in coronary stent application.

The administration of drugs using biodegradable polymer nanoparticles as carriers has generated immense interest due to their excellent biocompatibility and the prolonged drug release. The scope of this work was to determine the applicability of sirolimus-loaded biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) nanoparticles as drug carriers to prevent restenotic processes after stent implantation. The average 250 nm sized 20%(w/w) sirolimus-loaded nanoparticles were extensively characterized with regard to in vitro degradation, biocompatibility and in vitro drug release. The particles show biphasic release kinetics consisting of a short burst release of 50%(w/w) sirolimus payload, followed by a longer, slower release phase, which are desirable for the application as a drug delivery carrier. All presented results exhibit the potential of sirolimus-loaded PDLLA nanoparticles as promising local and sustained drug delivery systems administered intraluminally to reduce in-stent restenosis after stent implantation.

Development of a biodegradable tissue adhesive based on functionalized 1,2-ethylene glycol bis(dilactic acid). I.

Tissue adhesives are a valuable alternative for mechanical tissue fixation by sutures or staples. Adhesives are desirable in body regions where damage and bleeding must be avoided. Tissue adhesives provide easy and fast handling. This study reports the development of a tissue adhesive based on 1,2-ethylene glycol bis(dilactic acid) (ELA) functionalized with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) to produce isocyanate terminated ELA-NCO which was characterized by NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. ELA-NCO together with chain elongation agents forms an adhesive system suitable for tissue fixation. Several biodegradable polymers, such as hyaluronic acid, gelatin, chitosan acetate, and chitosan chloride were tested as chain elongation agents to obtain an adhesive system and studied on bovine muscle tissue to evaluate their adhesive strength and compared to fibrin glue. Tensile strength of glued joints was determined by a Zwick universal testing machine at ambient temperature. Mixtures of ELA-NCO and chitosan acetate or chloride, showed significantly higher adhesive strength than fibrin glue. Reaction between ELA-NCO and chitosan chloride produced polyurethane was traced by FTIR spectroscopy. NMR, FTIR, and rheological measurements demonstrated that ELA-NCO and chitosan chloride can be sterilized by gamma-rays or superheated water vapor without alterations, respectively. A mixture of ELA-NCO and chitosan chloride can be useful as medical tissue adhesive.

[(Zr6B)Cl12(MeCN)6][Ph4B].1.6MeCN: an easily-accessible starting material for zirconium cluster chemistry and [(Zr6B)Cl12(Pyr6)][Ph4B].2{(PyrH)[Ph4B]}, a first reaction product.

In an attempt to produce a convenient starting material for the development of new interstitially centered, octahedral zirconium cluster compounds by solution-chemical methods, a new approach, using Na[Ph4B] to withdraw all six outer chlorides by precipitating them as NaCl, was explored. From a solution of K 2[(Zr 6B)Cl15] and Na[Ph4B] in acetonitrile, the tetraphenylborate salt [(Zr6B)Cl12(MeCN)6][Ph4B].1.6 MeCN (1) was obtained with high yield. It contains the [(Zr6B)Cl(i)12(MeCN)(a)6](+) ion (2) with an octahedral metal core. The crystal structure of 1, which possesses high solubility in several organic solvents, is reported. Treatment of 1 with pyridine gave the new cluster phase [(Zr6B)Cl12(Pyr6][Ph4B].2{(PyrH)[Ph4B]} (3), which was characterized as well by X-ray crystallography. An advantage of both title phases is that they contain Lewis acidic zirconium cluster units, which might be useful as catalysts, with the additional advantage of tuneable redox properties.

Reversible bromide-chloride exchange in zirconium cluster compounds: synthesis by means of ionic liquids, structures, and some spectral data of (EMIm)(4)[(Zr(6)Z)Br(18)] cluster phases (Z = Be, Fe).

The solid-state precursor cluster chlorides Na(4)[(Zr(6)Be)Cl(16)] and K[(Zr(6)Fe)Cl(15)] readily dissolve in Lewis-basic ionic liquids consisting of mixtures of EMIm-Br and AlBr(3) (EMIm: 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium) to give dark colored solutions. From these solutions, the cluster phases (EMIm)(4)[(Zr(6)Fe)Br(18)] (1) and (EMIm)(4)[(Zr(6)Be)Br(18)] (2) were obtained in acceptable yields. Crystallographic data of the isostructural phases are the following: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 2. The data for 1 follow: a = 10.5746(4) Angstrom, b = 22.6567(9) Angstrom, and c = 13.0260(5) Angstrom, beta = 111.279(2) degrees. The data for 2 follow: a = 10.574(2) Angstrom, b = 22.681(4) Angstrom, and c = 13.041(2) Angstrom, beta = 111.31(2) degrees. Compound 1 is the first detailed structurally characterized molecular Fe-centered zirconium bromide cluster phase. In the bromide based ionic liquid, a complete exchange of all the outer and inner chlorides by bromide takes place. Since the inverse reaction, the exchange of all bromides by chlorides, was reported before, this complete ligand exchange can be considered as reversible, with the equilibrium being largely determined by the free ligand concentration. The electronic spectra of a chloride supported cluster precursor in different ionic liquids were measured and analyzed.

Cation distribution in the zirconium chloride cluster phase Cs[(Zr6C)Cl15].

Poly[caesium [[mu6-carbido-dodecakis-mu2-chloro-hexazirconium]-tri-mu2-chloro]], Cs[(Zr6C)Cl15], crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmma. The structure is built up of two symmetry-independent [(Zr6C)Cl(i)12Cl(a)6/2] cluster units (where ;inner' and ;outer' ligands are denoted by i and a, respectively), which are three-dimensionally connected to form a cluster network through all six halogen atoms on the exo positions of each octahedral (Zr6C) metal unit, forming Cl(a-a) bridges. The caesium cations are distributed in several voids within the cluster network. 16 of the 23 independent atoms lie on crystallographic special positions.

Tetracyanoborate salts M[b(CN)4] with M = singly charged cations: properties and structures.

A series of tetracyanoborate salts M[B(CN)4] with the singly charged cations of Li+, Na+, Rb+, Cs+, [NH4]+, Tl+, and Cu+ as well as the THF solvate tetracyanoborates Na[B(CN)4] x THF and [NH4][B(CN)4] x THF were synthesized and their X-ray structures, vibrational spectra, solubilities in water, and thermal stabilities determined and compared with already known M[B(CN)4] salts. Crystallographic data for these compounds are as follows: Na[B(CN)4], cubic, Fd3m, a = 11.680(1) A, Z= 8; Li[B(CN)4], cubic, P43m, a = 5.4815(1) A, Z= 1; Cu[B(CN)4], cubic, P43m, a = 5.4314(7) A, Z= 1; Rb[B(CN)4], tetragonal, /4(1)/a, a = 7.1354(2) A, c= 14.8197(6) A, Z= 4; Cs[B(CN)4], tetragonal, /4(1)/a, a = 7.300(2) A, c = 15.340(5) A, Z= 4; [NH4][B(CN)4], tetragonal, /4(1)/a, a = 7.132(1) A, c = 14.745(4) A, Z= 4; Tl[B(CN)4], tetragonal, /4(1)/a, a = 7.0655(2) A, c = 14.6791(4) A, Z= 4; Na[B(CN)4] x THF, orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 13.908(3) A, b = 9.288(1) A, c = 8.738(1) A, Z= 4; [NH4][B(CN)4] x THF, orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 8.831(1) A, b = 9.366(2) A, c = 15.061(3) A, Z= 4. The cubic Li+, Na+, and Cu+ salts crystallize in a structure consisting of two interpenetrating independent tetrahedral networks of M cations and [B(CN)4]- ions. The compounds with the larger countercations (Rb+, Cs+, Tl+, and [NH4]+) crystallize as tetragonal, also with a network arrangement. The sodium and ammonium salts with the cocrystallized THF molecules are both orthorhombic but are not isostructural. In the vibrational spectra the two CN stretching modes A1 and T2 coincide in general and the band positions are a measure for the strength of the interionic interaction. An interesting feature in the Raman spectrum of the copper salt is the first appearance of two CN stretching modes.