A Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Carbomer Gel and Carboxymethyl Cellulose Containing Artificial Tears in Dry Eyes

The present study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of a 0.4% carbomer gel and 1% carboxymethyl cellulose （CMC） containing artificial tears in treatment of dry eye patients. Sixty subjects with mean age of 45.89 years who had symptoms and signs of dry eye were enrolled in this prospective, investigator-masked and stratified random sampling study. The subjects were divided into two parallel groups with 30 subjects （60 eyes） in each group. One group received carbomer gel, and the other group received 1% CMC containing artificial tears. Subjects received the drops 3 to 4 times or more per day for 3 months. At the first visit time, the precorneal residence time of these two drops was measured. The efficacy was assessed by comparing the subjective symptoms （ocular dry- ness, foreign body sensation, burning sensation and pain）, and the objective test results of tears breakup time, Schirmer＇s test and corneal fluorescein staining prior to the study and after the treat- ment. As a result, the ocular residence time of carbomer gel was significantly longer than that of 1% CMC （P〈0.001）. Most of the primary subjective symptoms and objective test results were improved after treatment in both carbomer gel group and 1% CMC group. As to the improvement of each symptom and objective test result, carbomer gel was more effective than 1% CMC group （P〈0.01）. In conclusion, carbomer gel had longer precorneal residence time and was more effective than 1% CMC in the treatment of patients with dry eyes.

γ⁃Fe2O3@carboxymethyl Cellulose as Potential Oral Nanomedicine for Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment on Rats

Oral iron supplements such as ferrous iron salts are major treatment agents for iron deficiency anemia(IDA)due to the convenience of large dose administration and good patient compliance.However,the gastrointestinal adverse impact caused by Fe2+stimulus and low bioavailability severely impedes its therapeutic effects.In recent years,it has been found that nano iron⁃based nanoparticles with high surface⁃to⁃volume ratio and low iron ion leakage can alleviate the toxic effect and improve the gastrointestinal absorbance.For further clinical development,nano materials need to meet the pharmaceutical quality demand.Carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)is a significant pharmaceutical ingredient applied in approved drug formulations,and polyglucosorbitol carboxymethylether(PSC)has been utilized in iron⁃based nanomedicine ferumoxytol synthesis,both of which can be firmly anchored on iron oxide by carboxyl chelation.In this work,iron oxide nanoparticles(NPs)modified with CMC were designed and synthesized,and the structure composition and physicochemical properties were distinctly characterized.Oral supplement effects on rat IDA were investigated and compared with other recently reported iron supplements including NPs modified with PSC.Results show that the oral nano iron supplement achieved the recovery of hemoglobin and serum iron level in only two weeks with high safety.The nano iron oxide modified with pharmaceutical excipients provides new potential approach for oral iron supplement available in clinics.

Preparation of urea-formaldehyde paraffin microcapsules modified by carboxymethyl cellulose as a potential phase change material

We prepared spherical microcapsules modified by carboxymethyl cellulose（CMC） with urea-formaldehyde（UF） resin as a shell material with a two-step process by in situ polymerization, and characterized the microcosmic features, chemical structure, and thermal performance of the microcapsules by SEM, FTIR, DSC, and TGA. We studied the effects of different experimental parameters of curing p H, the amounts of the emulsifier and emulsion speed. The CMC-UF microcapsules had good heat resistance and stability. The enthalpy of CMC-UF microcapsules reached 50.33 J g-1. Therefore, CMC-UF resin can be used as a potential wall material of phase change materials.

Absorption Capability Comparison of Two Kinds of Super Absorbent Resins from Carboxymethyl Cellulose

The two kinds of super absorbent resins from carboxymethyl cellulose were synthesized with the potassium persulphate and methylenebisacrylamide as initiator and cross linker respectively by radical polymerization in aqueous solution. Thestructures of the two resins were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR, scanning electron miscroscopy （SEM）, and environment scanning electron miscroscopy （ESEM）, the results indicate that the fibriform of the carboxymethyl cellulose （CMC） is disappeared and the crusslink networks in eopolymer of carboxymethyl cellulose-graft-polyacrylic acid（CMC-g-PAA） are denser than that of eopolymer of carboxymethyl cellulose-graft-poly （acrylic acid-co-N-vinyl Pyrrolidone） （CMC-g- PAA-co-PVP）. The comparison between the two resins in absorption capacities is that CMC-g-PAA is better in the water-keep capability being heated, while CMC-g-PAA-co-PVP is better in the water absorbency and salt resistance.

Synthesis and characterization of carboxymethyl cellulose/organic montmorillonite nanocomposites and its adsorption behavior for Congo Red dye

A series of carboxymethyl cellulose/organic montmorillonite （CMC/OMMT） nanocomposites with different weight ratios of carboxymethyl cellulose （CMC） to organic montmorillonite （OMMT） were synthesized under different conditions. The nanocomposites were characterized by the Fourier transform infrared （FT-IR） spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction （XRD） method, transmission electron microscope （TEM）, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, and thermal gravimetric （TG） analysis. The results showed that the introduction of CMC may have different influences on the physico-chemical properties of OMMT and intercalated-exfoliated nanostructures were formed in the nanocomposites. The effects of different reaction conditions on the adsorption capacity of samples for Congo Red （CR） dye were investigated by controlling the amount ofhexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide （CTAB）, the weight ratio of CMC to OMMT, the reaction time, and the reaction temperature. Results from the adsorption experiment showed that the adsorption capacity of the nanocomposites can reach 171.37 rag/g, with the amount of CTAB being 1.0 cation exchange capacity （CEC） of MMT, the weight ratio of CMC to OMMT being l：l, the reaction time being 6 h, and the reaction temperature being 60~C. The CMC/OMMT nanocomposite can be used as a potential adsorbent to remove CR dye from an aqueous solution.

Characterization of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Made from Bamboo Harvesting Residues

Bamboo harvesting residues are wastes by-products of bamboo industries that contain holocellulose for about 63.14%to 70.71%,which often be discarded,incinerated or buried.In this study,carboxymethyl cellulose was prepared from bamboo harvesting residues(bamboo-branch and bamboo-tip)as raw materials.The chemical composition of bamboo harvesting residues,the viscosity and degree of substitution of carboxymethyl cellulose were determined.Carboxymethyl cellulose obtained was further characterized and compared by means of FTIR,SEM,XRD and TG.Results showed that under the optimized identical conditions,the viscosity and degree of substitution of carboxymethyl cellulose from bamboo-branch and bamboo-tip were 6.0 and 78.9 mPa·s,0.75 and 0.89,respectively.Carboxymethyl cellulose obtained from bamboo-tip displayed a lower crystallinity and a better thermal stability as compared to synthetic carboxymethyl cellulose obtained from bamboo-branch and bamboo-culm.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A SILICA-SUPPORTED CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE PLATINUM COMPLEX AND ITS CATALYTIC BEHAVIORS FOR HYDROGENATI0N OF AR0MATICS

A silica-supported carboxymethylcellulose platinum complex (abbreviated as SiO_2-CMC-Pt) has been prepared and characterized by XPS. Its catalytic properties for hydro-genation of aromatic compounds were studied. The results showed that this catalystcould catalyze the hydrogenation of phenol, anisol, p-cresol, benzene and toluene to cyclo-hexanol, cyclohexyl methyl ether, p-methyl cyclohexanol, cyclohexane and methylcyclo-hexane, respectively in 100% yield at 30℃ and 1 atm. In the hydrogenation of phenol,COO/Pt ratio in SiO_2-CMC-Pt has much influence on the initial hydrogenation rate andthe selectivity for the intermediate product, cyclohexanone. The highest initial rate andthe highest yield of cyclohexanone both occur at COO/Pt ratio of 6. The complex is stableduring the reaction and can be used repeatedly.

EFFECT OF METAL IONIC SPECIES AT MINERAL SURFACES ON THE ADSORPTION OF CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE

In this research it was shown that mineral surface metal-lic sites played a decisive role in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) adsorp-tion, and surface hydrophobicity alone did not have significant effects. Both the carboxymethyl groups and the hydroxyl groups of the CMC par-ticipated in the interaction with mineral surface, with the carboxymethyl groups interacting with metal and metal hydroxyl species, and hydroxyl groups interacting with metal hydroxide species, respectively.

Preparation and Characterization of Eco-friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose Antimicrobial Nanocomposite Hydrogels

Carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels were developed through crosslinking process using eco-friendly crosslinkers such as maleic,succinic,and citric acids.Carboxymethyl cellulose was prepared from the cellulosic fraction of olive industry residues.A series of hydrogels with varying crosslinker acid concentrations,reaction times,and reaction temperatures was produced to study the swelling capacities and gel fraction of the obtained hydrogels.Additional study pertains to the preparation of antimicrobial nanocomposite hydrogels through in-situ incorporation of the silver nanoparticles during the crosslinking reaction.Silver nanoparticles were prepared by reduction of AgNO3 with leaves of Ricinus communis.The particle size of prepared silver nanoparticles was detected by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Chemical structure and morphological characterizations of the prepared hydrogels were performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX).Finally,the antimicrobial activity of the loaded silver hydrogels against Gram negative(G-ve),Gram positive(G+ve),and Candida albicans yeast was demonstrated.

Preparation of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Fibers

Carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC) fibers were produced by extruding the CMC solution into the metal salt coagulation bath and collected with a winding machine.It was found that copper chloride,ferric chloride,cerium chloride,lanthanum chloride and aluminum nitrate solution could be used as coagulation bath to prepare CMC fibers,whereas the metal salt solutions,such as nickel chloride,zinc chloride,calcium chloride and magnesium chloride,could not.The fiber formation is due to the coordination between the carboxylates of CMC and metal ion.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was applied to studying the coordination mode of CMC and metal ion.The metal salt concentration,pH value and temperature of the coagulation bath affect the tenacity and elongation of the fiber.CMC fibers show good water uptake ability and can adsorb water more than 200% of its own weight.The mechanical behaviors of CMC fiber show dependence on environment humidity.

AlCl₃Cross-Linked and Spray Dried Carboxymethyl Sago Cellulose Microspheres as Potential Carriers for the Enteric Delivery

A semisynthetic polymer of carboxymethyl sago cellulose (CMSC) was synthesized from Malaysian sago biomass and further used in the development of drug delivery system. Recently, we have reported spray-dried carboxymethyl sago cellulose (CMSC) microspheres for enteric release and dissolution enhancement of piroxicam. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to improve the enteric release property of CMSC microspheres using aluminium chloride as a cross-linker in the spray drying process and prednisolone as a model drug. CMSC microspheres loaded with prednisolone were prepared using a cross-linker concentration of 0%, 0.01%, 0.025% and 0.05%. All the drug-loaded microspheres were found to have high drug entrapment efficiencies (DEE) ranging from 99% to 106.1%. FT-IR spectroscopy has confirmed the cross-linking in CMSC microspheres as well as intact and amorphous nature of the entrapped drug. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) results have shown agglomeration of microspheres and the presence of drugs on the surface. Cross-linked microspheres have shown better efficiency than the uncross-linked microspheres in restricting drug release in stomach pH. Only about 5% of the loaded drug was released from cross-linked microspheres at pH 1.2 while 10% of the drug was released from uncross-linked microspheres. Also, cross-linked microspheres have exhibited faster drug release in pH 6.8 than the uncross-linked microspheres. Spray-dried and AlCl3 cross-linked CMSC microspheres have shown promising results in enteric drug delivery as well as dissolution enhancement.

Effect of mistletoe combined with carboxymethyl cellulose on dry eye in postmenopausal women

AIM： To investigate the protective effect of mistletoe combined with carboxymethyl cellulose eye drops on dry eye in postmenopausal women.METHODS： Sixty postmenopause female patients diagnosed of dry eye were assigned randomly to mistletoe combined with carboxymethyl cellulose eye drops treatment group（n=30） and control group treated with normal saline eye drops（n=30）. The subjective symptoms of ocular surface, Ocular Surface Disease Index（OSDI）, tear film function tests, tear protein and corneal morphology by confocal scanning microscopy were analyzed before treatment and at 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk after treatment respectively. To ensure the safety of the trial, all patients were examined with systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, urine creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen at 8 wk after treatment.RESULTS： There were no obvious differences between two groups before the treatment（P〉0.05）. In two months after the treatment, the symptoms of ocular surface, OSDI, tear protein, and tear film function were only slightly changed in normal saline eye drops group. However, all indices were improved after the treatment of mistletoe combined with carboxymethyl cellulose eye drops group（P〈0.05）. In addition, the average amount of corneal epithelium basal cells and inflammatory cells of mistletoe treated group were 3174±379 and 38±25 cells/mm2, significantly decreased as compared to the control group with 4309±612 and 158± 61 cells/mm2, respectively. In the control group, althoughnerves still maintained straight under corneal epithelium, the number of nerves were significantly decreased, as compared with normal female. In the mistletoe treated group, the number of nerves was only slightly reduced, compared with normal female.CONCLUSION： Mistletoe combined with carboxymethyl cellulose eye drops can alleviate the symptoms and signs of dry eye symptoms.

Cu(OH)_(2)/CMC one-dimensional composite-nanofiber-based electrochemical sensor for aspirin detection

Copper-based nanomaterials have been widely used in catalysis,electrodes,and other applications due to their unique electron-transfer properties.In this work,an efficient electrochemical sensor based on an electrode modified with one-dimensional Cu(OH)_(2)/carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)composite nanofibers was fabricated and investigated for the detection of aspirin.Scanning electron microscopy was employed to examine the morphological characteristics of these composite nanofibers.Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to assess the electrochemical performance of a Cu(OH)_(2)/CMC composite nanofiber-modified electrode.The findings indicate that the modified electrode has a very high sensitivity to aspirin.The observed enhanced performance could be a result of the high surface-to-volume ratio of the composite nanofibers and their superior electron-transport characteristics,which may hasten electron transfer between aspirin and the surfaces of the modified electrode.This detection technique also demonstrated strong selectivity for aspirin.These findings imply that the technique can be applied as a highly effective and selective approach to aspirin measurement in biological science.

Optical and Mechanical Properties of CMCNF-dispersed MMT/CMC-Na Nanocomposite Films: Influence of the Degree of Substitution of CMCNFs

Carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibril(CMCNF)is an effective green dispersant to prepare well-dispersed monolayer montmorillonites(MMTs)in water,thereby facilitating the preparation of a high-performance MMT/polymer nanocomposite film.However,not enough attention has been paid to correlating the degree of substitution(DS)of CMCNFs with the mechanical and optical properties of the final nanocomposite films.In this study,a series of homogeneous monolayer MMT nanoplatelet dispersions was prepared initially using CMCNFs with different DS as a dispersant,and the as-prepared CMCNF-dispersed MMT dispersions were then mixed with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC-Na)to fabricate nacre-like nanocomposite films with different contents of MMTs through self-assembly.The layered nanostructure and optical and mechanical properties of the asprepared CMCNF-dispersed MMT/CMC-Na nanocomposite films were investigated,which demonstrated that CMCNFs with lower DS have a positive effect on their optical and mechanical properties.This study sheds light on the preparation of MMT-based nanocomposite films with superior optical and mechanical properties.

Effects of water-based binders on electrochemical performance of manganese dioxide cathode in mild aqueous zinc batteries

In the majority of rechargeable batteries including lithium-ion batteries,polyvinylidene fluoride(PVdF)binders are the most commonly used binder for both anode and cathode.However,using PVdF binder requires the organic solvent of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone which is expensive,volatile,combustible,toxic,and has poor recyclability.Therefore,switching to aqueous electrode processing routes with non-toxic binders would provide a great leap forward towards the realization of ideally fully sustainable and environmentally friendly electrochemical energy storage devices.Various water-soluble binders(aqueous binders)were characterized and compared to the performance of conventional PVdF.Our study demonstrates that the electrochemical performance of Zn/MnO_(2) aqueous batteries is significantly improved by using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)binder.In addition,CMC binders offer desirable adhesion,good wettability,homogeneous material distribution,and strong chemical stability at certain pH levels(3.5-5)without any decomposition for long-cycle life.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Plectranthus Amboinicus Leaf Extract for Preparation of CMC/PVA Nanocomposite Film

In the present study,the biogenic silver nanoparticles have been synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Plectranthus amboinicus(PA),which acted as both reducing and stabilizing agents.The PA synthesized silver nanoparticles were blended with carboxymethyl cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol(CMC/PVA)biocomposite.The prepared AgNPs as well as the biogenic AgNPs incorporated CMC/PVA films were investigated using UV-visible spectrophotometry,Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),dynamic light scattering(DLS),scanning electron microscope(SEM),and X–ray diffraction(XRD).The DLS results showed that biogenic AgNPs had the average particle size of 65.70 nm with polydispersity index of 0.44.The surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs,which was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry,showed the value of 410.00 nm.These results therefore confirmed the reduction Ag+into Ag°and the formation of AgNPs in the medium.The SEM imaging showed that AgNPs was quasi-spherical and monodisperse.The XRD peaks at 33.07°,44.19°,64.58°and 77.47°confirmed the crystalline nature and presence of AgNPs.The CMC/PVA films that incorporated with AgNPs displayed best mechanical strength and morphological properties than the pure CMC/PVA film.The film of CMC/PVA-AgNPs exhibited significant antibacterial activities against Bacillus spizizenii,Staphylococcus aureus,Salmonella typhi and Escherichia Coli.

A New CMC-AA Resin/Inorganic-gel Super Absorbent Material

A super absorbent material was prepared with the super absorbent resin （ SAR ） and inorganic gel. The SAR of the carboxymethyl cellulose grafting acrylic acid （ CMC-AA ） was copolymer synthesized using the method of inverse-phase suspension polymerization. The influences of the monomer concentration, neutralization degree, the initiator, dispersion agent, cross-linking agent, reaction and drying temperature on the grafting copolymer properties were examined. Meanwhlie, its properties was investigated and the model for absorption mechanism of this absorbent composite was proposed.

Synthesis and characterization of polymeric responsive CMC/Pectin hydrogel films loaded with Tamarix aphylla extract as potential wound dressings

The fourth most predominant overwhelming type of trauma is burn injuries worldwide.Ideal wound healing dressings help in the wound healing process in a lower time with less pain.Commonly used dry wound dressing,like absorbent gauze or absorbent cotton,possess limited therapeutic effects and require repeated use,which further exaggerates patients’suffering.In contrast,hydrogels films present a promising alternative to improve healing by guaranteeing a moisture balance at the wound site.The aim of the current study was to synthesize Tamarix aphylla(T.aphylla)extract-loaded hydrogel film with Na-CMC and pectin and to study their wound healing properties.The Na-CMC/Pectin hydrogels films were synthesized and characterized for HPLC analysis,FTIR,surface morphology,rheology,tensile strength,swelling behavior,drug release kinetics,and in vivo wound healing in an animal model.FTIR confirmed the existence of strong interaction between both polymers but no interaction with the extract.SEM photographs showed successful embedding of extract in small pores of hydrogel film and showed smooth and homogenous morphology.Rheological and texture profiles indicated that hydrogels behaved as strong gels.Swelling and erosion were dependent on the amount of the CMC.HPLC showed drug content of three selected formulation(A3,E3 and S3)as 85±0.1%,82.5±0.4%and 80±0.3%,respectively.The release of the drug from the hydrogel was controlled by a Fickian diffusion mechanism.In vivo wound healing activity of hydrogel film confirmed that T.aphylla extract successfully promoted healing rate by significantly reducing(P<0.05)the size of wound closure compared to the control group,evidenced by intensive collagen formation in histopathological and biochemical analysis.The capability of these hydrogels for burn wounds could be valuable for medical uses as a new window of safe and effective medication.

Determination of trace calcium by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry

A new method for the determination of trace calcium by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry is established. It is based on the fact that chromeazurols azurol S-phenanthroline-NaCMC (CAS-phen-NaCMC) system can emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on the solid substrate in the filter paper. Ca(2+) and phenanthroline can form complex ion Ca(phen)3(2+), which will form complex [Ca(phen)3(CAS)2] with CAS. In the result, the number of CAS molecules in each spot increased, causing sharp increase of the RTP signal of the CAS-phen-NaCMC system.

Chondroitin Sulfate Fluorescence Biosensor Based on Graphere Quantum Dots Aggregating on CMC/CS Polyelectrolyte Microspheres

Here, we report an efficient fluorescence biosensor for chondroitin sulfate（CHS） based on polyelectrolyte microspheres of carboxymethyl cellulose（CMC） and chitosan（CS） composites inducing the aggregation of graphene quantum dots（GQDs）, calling CMC/CS-GQDs. The polyelectrolyte microspheres（CMC/CS microspheres） were fabricated by using anioniccationic electrostatic attraction between CMC and CS by high voltage electrostatic spray technology. The aggregating process of GQDs was based on the anionic-cationic electrostatic attraction as well. After combing with the polyelectrolyte microspheres, the fluorescence of GQDs disappeared. CHS, which widely consists in the cell surface of human beings and animals, carries a large number of negative charges on the surface. The addition of CHS enabled CHS and GQDs to compete with each other to composite with the CMC/CS microshpheres. As a result of the higher surface charge density of CHS, CMC/CS-CHS formed accompanied by the release of GQDs, and the fluorescence of the system recovered. The CHS content was detected by analyzing the system＇s fluorescence recovery, which suggested that the obtained fluorescence biosensor can accurately detect the concentration of CHS. The test results showed that the linear range of the fluorescence recovery for this biosensor with respect to CHS was 0~12.00 mg/mL, and the detection limit was 10-8 M. Besides, to test the stability of the biosensor, the CMC/CS-GQDs micropsheres persisted for one month, with a low fluorescence quenching of 9.48%. These results suggested that CMC/CS-GQDs can be utilized as efficient fluorescence biosensor for the detection of CHS. Moreover, the detection method was simple and efficient, and could be widely popularized.