“
“Purpose: To evaluate the relation between umbilical cord diameter versus pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) level in first trimester women.

Method: Cord diameter were measured and patients were divided into two groups according to frequency distribution analysis as below or above 3.7 mm for free loop diameter (FCD) and below or above 3.4 mm for cord

measurement at umbilicus (ACD). Groups were compared with each other.

Results: Strong correlations were found between ACD versus PAPP-A.

Conclusion: By using strong correlation between ACD versus PAPP-A, it may be possible to reduce unnecessary amniocentesis due to false positive screening results.”
“Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived TPCA-1 manufacturer 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) protects against oxidative stress which is important in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Three single

nucleotide polymorphisms and 1 triplet repeat polymorphism are found in the promoter region of the Nrf2 gene. Molecular haplotyping of the Nrf2 promoter region was performed using DNA obtained from the peripheral blood of 69 COPD patients. The luciferase activities of Nrf2 promoter constructs containing all possible combinations of the 4 polymorphisms were determined and found to differ among the 16 haplotypes. The haplotypes isolated from the subjects were divided into 3 groups (L: low; M: medium; H: high) on the basis of luciferase activities. The proportions of subjects belonging to global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease stage 3 or 4 decreased from the group with the LL haplotype to that with the HH haplotype. Presence of the LH or MM haplotype (hazard ratio, 3.36; this website 95% confidence BAY 63-2521 interval, 1.16-9.69), gender (0.13; 0.02-0.67), and post-bronchodilator FEV(1) value of predicted (0.95; 0.91-0.99) are significant predictors of respiratory failure development. The haplotype of the Nrf2 gene promoter affects its activity, and is associated with the severity and the development of respiratory failure in COPD.”
“Objective:

This study was undertaken to investigate the usefulness of angiogenic markers and standard laboratory parameters measurement after 20th week of pregnancy for the individual prediction of preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: A prospective designed study included 34 patients with PE and a control group of 35 uncomplicated pregnancies. Patients were recruited from 20th until 41st week of pregnancy at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital Celje, Slovenia. PlGF (placental growth factor), sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1), erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, urate, body mass index, body surface area, parity, and age were evaluated to predict the occurrence of PE based on multivariate logistic regression model.

(C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3561803]“
“Rett syndrome is a rare but severe neurological disorder typically associated with a mutation in the MECP2 gene. We describe change in gross motor function over 3 to 4 years for 70 subjects participating in the Australian Rett Syndrome Database. Linear regression was used to assess relationships with age, genotype, and general and complex gross motor skills scores measured on the Gross Motor Scale for Rett syndrome. Skills were slightly better or maintained in approximately

40% of subjects and slightly decreased in approximately 60%. Teenagers and women who walked in 2004 were less likely to lose complex skills than those younger. Girls with a p.R294X mutation were more likely to lose complex motor Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor skills, otherwise skill changes were spread across the mutation categories. In conclusion, small changes were observed over this period with greater stability of skills in teenagers and women with the ability to walk.”
“A previous study on maize F(2:3) families derived from Lo964xLo1016 highlighted one QTL in bin 1.06 (hereafter named root-yield-1.06) affecting TPX-0005 root and agronomic traits of plants grown in well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) conditions.

Starting from different F(4) families, two pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) were developed at root-yield-1.06. The objective of this study was to evaluate root-yield-1.06 effects across different water regimes, genetic backgrounds, and inbreeding levels. The NILs per se and

their crosses with Lo1016 and Lo964 were tested in 2008 and 2009 near to Bologna, with the well-watered (WW) 发现更多 and water-stressed (WS) treatments providing, on average, 70 mm and 35 mm of water, respectively. For NILs per se, the interactions QTLxwater regime and QTLxfamily were negligible in most cases; the QTL additive effects across families were significant for several traits, especially root clump weight. For NILs crosses, analogously to NILs per se, the interactions were generally negligible and the additive effects across water regimes and families were significant for most traits, especially grain yield. A meta-analysis carried out considering the QTLs described in this and previous studies inferred one single locus as responsible for the effects on roots and agronomic traits. Our results show that root-yield-1.06 has a major constitutive effect on root traits, plant vigour and productivity across water regimes, genetic backgrounds, and inbreeding levels. These features suggest that root-yield-1.06 is a valuable candidate for cloning the sequence underlying its effects and for marker-assisted selection to improve yield stability in maize.”
“The present study deals with BiFeO3 and SrRuO3 thin films deposited on large lattice mismatched substrates like LaAlO3, MgO, and SrTiO3.

Results. After 2 months, the patient presented with paraparesis due to adjacent spondylodiscitis at T10-T11. The posterior instrumentation was therefore extended up to T9, and removal of the vertebral body of T11 was carried out. After 14 months, the patient was readmitted with pain and increased inflammatory parameters due to spondylodiscitis at T8/T9. Removal of the vertebral bodies was again carried out at T8 and T9, and posterior fusion up to T5 was performed. The patient received antibiotic treatment from 2 months before the first operation up to 3 months after surgery.

Conclusion. Newly developing spondylodiscitis adjacent to a level at which a previous

spondylodiscitis has been treated surgically is a rare condition, and aggressive treatment is necessary.”
“Six new poly(amide-imide)s 8a-f containing trimethylene moiety in the main chain were synthesized by the polycondensation Ispinesib supplier reactions of 1,3-bis[4,4'-(trimellitimido) phenoxy] propane 6 with six different aromatic diamines 7a-f in a medium constituting N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, triphenylphosphite, CaCl(2), and pyridine this website as condensing agents. The polycondensation reaction produced a series of novel poly(amide-imide)s 8a-f in high yields with inherent viscosities between 0.35 and 0.63 dL/g. The resulting poly(amide-imide)s were characterized by elemental analysis, viscosity measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG), solubility

tests, and nu spectroscopy. 1,3-Bis[4,4'-(trimellitimido) phenoxy] propane 6 as a new monomer containing trimethylene moiety was synthesized using a three-step reaction. At first 1,3-bis[4,4'-nitrophenoxy] propane 3 was prepared by the reaction of 4-nitrophenol 1 with 1,3-dibromo propane 2 in DMF solution.

Then, dinitro 3 was reduced to 1,3-bis[4,4'-aminophenoxy] propane 4 by using a solution of sodium sulfite in ethanol. Finally, 1,3-bis[4,4'-(trimellitimido) phenoxy] propane 6 was prepared by the reaction of one equivalent diamine 4 with two equivalents of trimellitic anhydride 5 in a mixture of acetic acid-pyridine (3 : 2). (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci www.sellecn.cn/products/dinaciclib-sch727965.html 117: 3293-3299, 2010″
“Study Design. Cross-sectional study and systematic review of the literature.

Objective. Describe the natural history of spinopelvic alignment parameters and their behavior in patients with degenerative spinal deformity.

Summary of Background Data. Normal stance and gait requires congruence between the spine-sacrum and pelvis-lower extremities. This is determined by the pelvic incidence (PI), and 2 positional parameters, the pelvic tilt, and sacral slope (SS). The PI also affects lumbar lordosis (LL), a positional parameter. The final goal is to position the body’s axis of gravity to minimize muscle activity and energy consumption.

Methods. Two study cohorts were recruited: 32 healthy teenagers (Risser IV-V) and 54 adult patients with symptomatic spinal deformity.

The structure and chemical constituents of the MMM’s were investigated by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared

spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the membranes was assessed by DSC and TGA techniques. Crystallinity of the membranes was assessed using X-ray diffraction, and the morphological properties were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical properties were also carried out to determine the tensile strength and % of elongation at break using universal testing machine. It was found that the mechanical strength increases with increase in the zeolite content upto 15 wt % of zeolite with an optimum tensile strength of 113.31 N/mm(2). Pervaporation was carried out to asses the membrane performance, the highest flux and selectivity PLX4032 supplier click here obtained is 0.584 kg/m(2)/h and 6945 for NaCMCA20 and NaCMCA15, respectively, for a feed

composition containing 17.5 and 10 wt % of water in the feed and further swelling studies also supporting the pervaporation results. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 1521-1529, 2011″
“Transdermal delivery of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be an interesting strategy for delivering these drugs to the diseased site, but it would be ineffective due to low skin permeability. We investigated whether oleic acid (OA), a lipid penetration enhancer in poloxamer gels named poloxamer-based delivery systems (PBDS), can improve lumiracoxib (LM) delivery to/through the skin. The LM partition coefficient (K) studies were carried out in order to evaluate the

drug lipophilicity grade (K (octanol/buffer)), showing values > 1 which demonstrated its high lipophilicity. Both in vitro percutaneous absorption and skin retention studies of LM were measured in the presence or absence of OA (in different concentrations) in PBDS using porcine ear skin. The flux of in vitro Fosbretabulin percutaneous absorption and in vitro retention of LM in viable epidermis increased in the presence of 10.0% (w/w) OA in 25.0% (w/w) poloxamer gel. In vivo cutaneous irritation potential was carried out in rabbits showing that this formulation did not provide primary or cumulative cutaneous irritability in animal model. The results showed that 25.0% poloxamer gel containing 10.0% OA is potential transdermal delivery system for LM.”
“P>The plant genome is organized into chromosomes that provide the structure for the genetic linkage groups and allow faithful replication, transcription and transmission of the hereditary information. Genome sizes in plants are remarkably diverse, with a 2350-fold range from 63 to 149 000 Mb, divided into n = 2 to n = approximately 600 chromosomes. Despite this huge range, structural features of chromosomes like centromeres, telomeres and chromatin packaging are well-conserved.

42 and 99.16 % with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.97 and 0.82 %, respectively. Mean recovery was between 98.61 and 101.35 % and precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0.91 %.

Conclusion: The proposed method is simple, easy to apply, low-cost, and requires relatively inexpensive instruments. Thus, it is a suitable alternative to currently used spectrophotometric methods for the determination of losartan in bulk and solid dosage forms.”
“Traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment is now focused

on the prevention of primary injury and reduction of secondary injury. However, no single effective treatment is available as yet for the mitigation of traumatic brain damage in humans. Both chemical and environmental stresses applied before injury have been shown to induce consequent protection against post-TBI neuronal death. This concept termed “”preconditioning”" is achieved by exposure to different click here pre-injury stressors to achieve the induction of “”tolerance”" to the effect of the TBI. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this “”tolerance”" phenomenon are not fully understood in TBI, and therefore even less information is available about possible indications in clinical TBI patients. In this review, we will summarize TBI pathophysiology, and discuss existing animal studies demonstrating the efficacy of preconditioning in diffuse and focal type of TBI. We will also review

other non-TBI preconditioning studies, including ischemic, environmental, and chemical preconditioning, BI-D1870 inhibitor which maybe relevant to TBI. To date, no clinical studies exist in this field, and we speculate on possible future clinical situations, in which pre-TBI preconditioning could be considered.”
“Background: Approximately 10%-14% of ischemic strokes occur in young adults. Aims: To investigate risk factors and etiologies of strokes of young adults www.sellecn.cn/products/ly2109761.html admitted to the “”stroke unit” of Policlinico “”Gemelli” of Rome from December 2005 to January 2013. Methods: In all, 150 consecutive patients younger than 50 years diagnosed with

ischemic stroke were enrolled. Clinical evaluation consisted of a complete neurologic examination and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Diagnostic workup consisted of anamnesis, extensive laboratory, radiologic, and cardiologic examination. Stroke etiologies were classified according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment. Results: Patients’ mean age was 41 +/- 8.0 years. The most common risk factors were dyslipidemia (52.7%), smoking (47.3%), hypertension (39.3%), and patent foramen ovale (PFO, 32.8%). Large-artery atherosclerosis was diagnosed as the cause of stroke in 17 patients (11.3%). Cardioembolism was presumed in 36 patients (24%), most of them presented a PFO at transesophageal echocardiography. Small-vessel occlusion was diagnosed in 12 patients (8%); all of them were hypertensive and most of them presented additional risk factors. Forty-one patients (27.

Design: Data came from 2 Australian

population-based case-control studies conducted 10 y apart. Analyses included a total of 2049 cases and 2191 control subjects. We obtained dietary information via a food-frequency questionnaire. We estimated multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for each study by using logistic regression and combined results of the 2 studies by using random-effects models. We also assembled the published evidence in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Results: Although there was no association between total or red meat intake and ovarian cancer risk, women with the highest intake of processed meat had a significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer in the 2 LDC000067 case-control studies (combined OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.21) and the meta-analysis [7 studies; pooled relative risk (RR): 1.20; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.34]. In contrast, a frequent intake of poultry was associated with borderline significant reductions in risk in the 2 case-control studies (combined OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.03) and the meta-analysis A-769662 solubility dmso including 7 additional studies (pooled

RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.01). High fish intake was associated with a significantly reduced risk in the 2 case-control studies (combined OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.94) and a smaller borderline significant reduction in the meta-analysis (6 additional studies; pooled RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.03).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that low consumption of processed meat and higher consumption of poultry and fish may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Am J Clin Altar 2010;91:1752-63.”
“Background: The Plasmodium Cysteine Repeat Modular Proteins (PCRMP) are a family of four conserved proteins of malaria parasites, that contain a number of motifs implicated in host-parasite

interactions. Analysis of mutants of the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei lacking expression of PCRMP1 or 2 showed that these proteins are essential for targeting of P. berghei sporozoites to the mosquito salivary gland and, hence, for transmission from the mosquito to the mouse.

Methods: In this work, the role of the remaining PCRMP family members, PCRMP3 and 4, has been investigated throughout Acalabrutinib Angiogenesis inhibitor the Plasmodium life cycle by generation and analysis of P. berghei gene deletion mutants,.pcrmp3 and.pcrmp4. The role of PCRMP members during the transmission and hepatic stages of the Plasmodium lifecycle has been evaluated by light- and electron microscopy and by analysis of liver stage development in HEPG2 cells in vitro and by infecting mice with mutant sporozoites. In addition, mice were immunized with live Delta pcrmp3 and Delta pcrmp4 sporozoites to evaluate their immunization potential as a genetically-attenuated parasite-based vaccine.

Results: Disruption of pcrmp3 and pcrmp4 in P.

However, in the final model, only psychosis (OR = 1.4, CI 1.2-1.6) was significantly associated with epilepsy when controlling for neurological disorders and psychiatric conditions (e.g., stroke, dementia, brain tumor, head injury). Published by Elsevier Inc.”
“Rice blast is one of the most widespread and destructive plant diseases worldwide. Breeders have used disease resistance (R) genes that mediate fungal race-specific ‘gene-for-gene’ THZ1 molecular weight resistance to manage rice blast, but the resistance is prone to breakdown due to high pathogenic variability of blast fungus. Panicle blast 1 (Pb1) is a blast-resistance gene derived from the indica cultivar ‘Modan’. Pb1-mediated resistance, which

is characterized

by durability of resistance and adult/panicle blast resistance, has been introduced into elite varieties for commercial cultivation. We isolated the Pb1 gene by map-based cloning. It encoded a coiled-coil-nucleotide-binding-site-leucine-rich repeat (CC-NBS-LRR) protein. The Pb1 protein sequence differed from previously reported R-proteins, particularly in the NBS domain, in which the P-loop was apparently absent and some other motifs were degenerated. Pb1 was located within one of tandemly repeated 60-kb units, which presumably arose through local genome duplication. Pb1 transcript levels increased during the development of Pb1+ cultivars; this expression pattern accounts for their adult/panicle resistance. Promoter:GUS AZD5582 analysis indicated that genome duplication played Autophagy Compound Library a crucial role in

the generation of Pb1 by placing a promoter sequence upstream of its coding sequence, thereby conferring a Pb1-characteristic expression pattern to a transcriptionally inactive ‘sleeping’ resistance gene. We discuss possible determinants for the durability of Pb1-mediated blast resistance.”
“Polystyrene/Styrene-Ethylene-Propylene-Styrene/Vinyl Ester Resin (PS/SEPS/VER) blends used as matrix of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber-reinforced composites, which included both physical crosslinking points of thermoplastic resin SEPS and chemical crosslinking network of thermosetting resin PS/VER, were prepared by solution blending and hot-molding. Morphology and mechanical properties of the PS/SEPS/VER composites were investigated in this work. The microstructure of PS/SEPS/VER composites observed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was correlated with mechanical properties. It is worth noting that, stiffness increased sharply with the addition of VER within a certain range. Impact properties verified the structure that the physical crosslinking points of SEPS were immersed in the chemical crosslinking network of PS/VER. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that, incorporation of VER changed the storage modulus and loss tangent.

1063/1.3540410]”
“To obtain ideal liquid bandage polymer materials, a series of polyurethane-urea dispersions were synthesized from 4,4′-diisocyanato dicyclohexylmethane (H12MDI) and ethylene diamine with different molar ratio of polyol blend [polyethylene glycol (PEG, M-n = 2000 g/mol)/hydroxy terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS, M-n = similar to 550 g/mol)] and acetone/ethanol as a solvent. The effect of PDMS content in PEG/PDMS on the viscosity, mechanical INCB018424 chemical structure properties, water contact angle/surface energy,

insolubility in water (%), water absorption (%), equilibrium water content (%), and water vapor transmission rate (g m(-2) day(-1)) of polyurethane-urea films was investigated. As PDMS content increased, the water contact angle, insolubility

in water, and tensile strength/elastic recovery of film sample increased; however, the surface energy, water absorption (%), equilibrium water content (%), and water vapor transmission rate (g m(-2) day(-1)) of film sample decreased. By a wound-healing evaluation using a full-thickness rat model experiment, it was found that a wound covered with a typical polyurethane-urea liquid bandage film (PD2 sample) was filled with new epithelium ACP-196 Angiogenesis inhibitor without any significant adverse reactions. These results suggest that the polyurethane-urea-based liquid bandages (samples: PD2 and PD3) prepared in this study may have high potential as new wound dressing materials, which provide and maintain the adequate wet environment required to prevent scab formation and dehydration of the wound bed. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 3516-3524, 2011″
“Purpose: Selleck Wnt 抑制剂 To investigate alterations in functional connectivity in the resting brain networks in healthy elderly volunteers and patients with mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimer Disease (AD).

Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained. Forty-six patients with AD and 16 healthy elderly volunteers were prospectively examined. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect alterations in posterior cingulate

cortex (PCC) functional connectivity through a comparison of the healthy control group with three separate AD groups-mild, moderate, and severe AD. A temporal correlation method was used to obtain PCC connectivity maps.

Results: Dissociated functional connectivity between the PCC and a set of regions, including the visual cortices bilaterally, the inferior temporal cortex, the hippocampus, and especially the medial prefrontal cortex and the precuneus and/or cuneus, was observed in all AD groups. The disruption of connectivity intensified as the stage of AD progression increased. There were also regions that exhibited increased connectivity; these regions extended from left lateralized frontoparietal regions and spread to bilateral frontoparietal regions along with AD progression.

Understanding SC behavior is especially important because their adipogenic potential could represent a pathophysiological explanation for the intramuscular fat depots and associated insulin resistance that characterize many metabolic diseases and age-related sarcopenia. Moreover, SC are a therapeutic promise for neuromuscular diseases in the context of tissue engineering, representing an interesting cell source for implantation.”
“The objective of the present investigation was to prepare and evaluate ocular inserts of moxifloxacin. An ocular insert

was made from an aqueous dispersion of moxifloxacin, sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, and dibutyl Salubrinal phthalate by the film casting method. The ocular insert (5.5 mm diameter) was cross-linked by CaCl2 and was coated with Eudragit S-100, RL-100, RS-100, E-100 or L-100. The in vitro drug drainage/permeation studies were carried out using an all-glass modified Franz diffusion cell. The drug concentration and mucoadhesion time of the ocular insert were found satisfactory. Cross-linking and coating with polymers extended the drainage from

inserts. The cross-linked ocular insert coated with Eudragit RL-100 showed maximum drug permeation compared to other formulations.”
“Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, knowledge of malaria transmission across SNX-5422 rapidly proliferating urban centres and recommendations for its prevention or management remain poorly defined. This paper presents the results of an investigation into infection prevalence and treatment of recent febrile events among a slum population in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: In July 2008, a community-based malaria parasite this website prevalence survey was conducted in Korogocho slum, which forms part of the Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance system. Interviewers visited 1,069 participants at home and collected data on reported fevers experienced

over the preceding 14 days and details on the treatment of these episodes. Each participant was tested for malaria parasite presence with Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and microscopy. Descriptive analyses were performed to assess the period prevalence of reported fever episodes and treatment behaviour.

Results: Of the 1,069 participants visited, 983 (92%) consented to be tested. Three were positive for Plasmodium falciparum using RDT; however, all were confirmed negative on microscopy. Microscopic examination of all 953 readable slides showed zero prevalence. Overall, from the 1,004 participants who have data on fever, 170 fever episodes were reported giving a relatively high period prevalence (16.9%, 95% CI: 13.9%-20.5%) and higher among children below five years (20.1%, 95% CI: 13.8%-27.8%). Of the fever episodes with treatment information 54.3% ( 95% CI: 46.3%-62.2%) were treated as malaria using mainly sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine or amodiaquine, including those managed at a formal health facility.

In Spain, 3710 patients treated with statin therapy for at least 3 months were included. We compared data relating to demographic parameters and cardiovascular risk profile.

Results: Complete lipid profiles of 3617 patients were recorded. Regarding the high cardiovascular risk patients with complete lipid profiles (n = 2273), 78.9% had a disorder JNJ-26481585 in vivo in at least one of the three main lipid parameters: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

(HDLc) and/or triglycerides. LDLc was not within target levels in 61.4% of these high risk patients; HDLc was abnormal in 25.3%, and triglycerides were elevated in 37.8%. Overall, LDLc was outside the target range in 63.1%,

and 20.7% (n = 668) of those treated with statins were normal for all parameters.

Conclusions: Most patients in this study who received statin therapy, particularly those at high cardiovascular risk, were not at the normal lipid parameter levels according to cardiovascular guidelines. Although it is necessary to wait for the final results of current studies on the use of combined lipid-modifying treatments, the management of lipid levels in Spain still has potential for improvement. (C) 2010 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S. L. All rights reserved.”
“Taxol-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by solvent-evaporation technique with methoxy-added methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (MPEG-b-PCL) (PEG wt % = 18.5%) as drug carrier and MPEG-b-PCL (PEG wt % = PD98059 manufacturer 86.8%) as the additive in the outer aqueous phase. The MPEG-b-PCL copolymers were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone using Novozym 435 as biocatalyst. As a newly used additive in the outer aqueous phase, only 0.1% (w/v) MPEG-b-PCL with relatively high-PEG content was needed. The effects of feed ratio of taxol to copolymer (w/w, 5-20%) on the characters of nanoparticles and in vitro drug release were investigated.

The fabricated nanoparticles reached the Selleckchem MK-8776 highest encapsulation efficiency of 52.5% +/- 3.9% when the feed ratio was 10%. The nano-particles presented a core-shell structure in aqueous solution, and their hydrodynamic diameter ranged from 75 to 105 nm. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscope investigations exhibited that the nanoparticles had fine spherical shape and narrow particle size distribution. The size of nanoparticles did not change distinctly after incubation in pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) and pH 7.4 PBS with 10% fetal bovine serum at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The nanoparticles with drug loading around 5% could achieve a sustained drug release for 7 days. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.