[Effects of imidazolium chloride ionic liquids on the acute toxicity and weight of earthworm].

Standard contact filter paper test of OECD and artificial soil test were used to study the acute lethal effect of three imidazolium chloride ionic liquids, 1-butyl- 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim] Cl), 1-hexyl- 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Hmim] Cl), and 1-octyl- 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Omim] Cl) on earthworm (Eisenia fetida), and the weight of the earthworms was measured after subtle exposure. The 24 h-LC50 values of [Bmim] Cl, [Hmim] Cl and [Omim] Cl using the contact filter paper method were 109.60, 50.38 and 7.94 microg x cm(-2), respectively. The 48 h-LC50 values were 98.52, 39.14 and 3.61 microg x cm(-2), respectively. Using the artificial soil method, the 7 d-LC50 values of [Bmim] Cl, [Hmim] Cl and [Omim] Cl were 447.78, 245.56 and 180.51 mg x kg(-1), respectively, and the 14 d-LC50 values were 288.42, 179.75, 150.35 mg x kg(-1), respectively. There were differences in poisoning symptoms of the three ionic liquids on earthworms. The growth of Eisenia fetida was inhibited and declined with increasing ionic liquid concentration. The toxicity of ionic liquids on Eisenia fetida increased with the length of carbon chain.

[Association between serum nitric oxide level and microalbuminuria: a 1:2 matched case-control study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between serum nitric oxide and microalbuminuria. METHODS: Based on a community survey in Jinchang district Suzhou city, a 1:2 matched case-control study was performed. A total of 208 cases with microalbuminuria were recruited. The controls were selected from the same community, with the same level of income. After matched with age, gender, waist circumference and fast plasma glucose, a total of 416 controls were selected. Values of serum nitric oxide were tested for all eligible participants. The association between serum nitric oxide level and microalbuminuria were analyzed by using the multivariate conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: The mean level of serum nitric oxide was slightly lower for individuals with microalbuminuria (median, interquartile range: 27.75, 14.48 - 42.15 µmol/L) than those without (28.25, 17.40 - 43.45 µmol/L). However, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.316). RESULTS: from the multivariable conditional logistic regression model showed that serum nitric oxide level was not associated with microalbuminuria, after adjustment for all the confounders. Compared with the highest level of serum nitric oxide, the odds ratios of microalbuminuria for individuals in the 1(st), 2(nd)and 3(rd) quartiles were not significantly different, after adjustment for confounders. In pairs with hypertension, the odds of microalbuminuria were 85% higher for individuals with the lowest level of serum nitric oxide than those with the highest level (OR = 1.85, 95%CI: 0.96 - 3.57). Additionally, in pairs without hypertension, the odds of microalbuminuria was just 40% higher for individuals with the lowest level of serum nitric oxide than those with the highest level (OR = 1.40, 95%CI: 0.58 - 3.40). CONCLUSION: There was no significant correlation between serum nitric oxide and microalbuminuria in the general population in our study.

[Association between IL-10 gene polymorphisms and the outcomes of hepatitis C virus infection among high risk populations in Jiangsu province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between interleukin (IL)-10 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility or the outcomes of HCV infection among high-risk populations in Jiangsu province. METHODS: IL-10 gene SNPs were detected in 1555 subjects including 264 self-limited HCV infections. 371 persistent HCV infections and 920 healthy controls were selected through Taqman-MGB. RESULTS: After adjusted for cofounders as sex, age and high-risk population, data from logistic regression analysis showed that the distribution of IL-10 genotypes among the controls, spontaneous clearances and those with persistent infections did not show much differences. RESULTS: from further stratified analysis showed that, at the position of -819T/C, when compared with TT genotype, TC genotype had a significantly increasing chance of self-limited HCV infection among middle-aged, females and paid blood doners (adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 2.160, 1.163 - 4.011; 1.693, 1.066 - 2.688 and 4.084, 1.743 - 9.570). It also had a lower risk of progressing to persistent HCV infection among those paid blood doners (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 0.312, 0.130 - 0.747). CC genotype had a higher chance of self-limited HCV infection among people underwent blood dialysis (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 2.120, 1.071 - 4.197). RESULTS: also showed a decreased risk of progressing to persistent infection among paid blood doners (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 0.156, 0.043 - 0.566). At the position of -592A/C, when compared to AA genotype, the AC genotype had a significantly increasing chance of self-limited HCV infection among middle-aged, females and paid blood doners (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 2.176, 1.173 - 4.037; 1.659, 1.055 - 2.607; 3.704, 1.625 - 8.443) but had an increased risk of persistent HCV infection among females (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 1.525, 1.017 - 2.286). AC genotype showed an increased opportunity to progress to HCV persistent infection among drug users (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 1.845, 1.122 - 3.034) but had a reduced risk of progressing to HCV persistent infection among paid blood doners (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 0.361, 0.155 - 0.841). CC genotype had an increased opportunity to self-limited HCV infection as well as having a decreased risk of progressing to persistent infection among paid blood doners (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 3.125, 1.016 - 9.605; 0.218, 0.063 - 0.748). At the position of -1082A/G, AG/GG genotypes had an increased chance of self-limited infection among blood doners (the adjusted OR values and 95%CI were: 3.780, 1.620 - 8.820). CONCLUSION: IL-10-819T/C, -592A/C, -1082A/G SNPs might be related with the susceptibility and the outcomes of HCV infection among populations at high risk.

Evaluation of polymeric micelles from brush polymer with poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) side chains as drug carrier.

Brush polymers PHEMA-g-(PCL-b-PEG) with poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) as the backbone and poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-b-PEG) block copolymers as side chains were synthesized and evaluated as drug delivery vehicles. Two brush polymers were synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by gel permeation chromatography analyses and (1)H NMR measurements. The brush polymers self-assembled into micelles in aqueous solution, and the critical micellization concentrations of brush polymers were 2-fold lower than that of the linear diblock copolymer PCL-b-PEG with structure similar to that of the grafted side chains of brush polymers, indicating the higher aqueous stability of brush polymer micelles. The micelles were spherical with average diameters below 100 nm. Brush polymer micelles exhibited higher loading doxorubicin capacity compared with micelles from linear PCL-b-PEG block copolymer by the dialysis method, and the burst doxorubicin release from the brush polymer micelles was significantly suppressed. Doxorubicin-loaded brush polymer micelles can be effectively internalized by A549 human lung carcinoma cells and slowly released the encapsulated drug molecules as demonstrated by the drug accumulation in cytoplasm, which was opposite to free doxorubicin, which accumulated rapidly in the cell nuclei.

Shell-detachable micelles based on disulfide-linked block copolymer as potential carrier for intracellular drug delivery.

Aiming at development of a micellar nanoparticle system for intracellular drug release triggered by glutathione in tumor cells, a disulfide-linked biodegradable diblock copolymer of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) was synthesized. It formed biocompatible micelles loaded with doxorubicin in aqueous solution but detached the shell material under glutathione stimulus, resulting in rapid drug release with destruction of micellar structure. These glutathione-sensitive micelles also rapidly released the drug molecules intracellularly and led to enhanced growth inhibition to A549 tumor cells, suggesting that this nanoparticle system may have potential for improving drug delivery efficacy.

Thermoresponsive block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and polyphosphoester: thermo-induced self-assembly, biocompatibility, and hydrolytic degradation.

Novel thermoresponsive block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and polyphosphoester were synthesized, and the thermo-induced self-assembly, biocompatibility, and hydrolytic degradation behavior were studied. The block copolymers with various molecular weights and compositions were synthesized through ring-opening polymerization of 2-ethoxy-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (EEP) and 2-isopropoxy-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (PEP) using poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) as the initiator and stannous octoate as the catalyst. The obtained block polymers exhibited thermo-induced self-assembly behavior, demonstrated by dynamic light scattering and UV-vis measurements using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene as the probe. It was found that the critical aggregation temperature (CAT) of the block copolymers shifted to higher temperature with increased molecular weight of mPEG, while copolymerization with more hydrophobic monomer PEP led to lower transition temperature; thus, the CAT can be conveniently adjusted. The block copolymers did not induce significant hemolysis and plasma protein precipitation. In vitro MTT and live/dead staining assays indicated they are biocompatible, and the biocompatibility was further demonstrated in vivo by the absence of local acute inflammatory response in mouse muscle following intramuscular injection. Unlike most frequently studied thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), polyphosphoesters were hydrolytically degradable in aqueous solution that was proven by gel permeation chromatography and NMR analyses, and the degradation products were proven to be nontoxic to HEK293 cells. Therefore, with good biocompatibility and thermoresponsiveness, these biodegradable block copolymers of mPEG and polyphosphoesters are promising as stimuli-responsive materials for biomedical applications.

Self-assembled micelles of biodegradable triblock copolymers based on poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) and poly(-caprolactone) as drug carriers.

A series of novel amphiphilic triblock copolymers of poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) and poly(-caprolactone) (PEEP-PCL-PEEP) with various PEEP and PCL block lengths were synthesized and characterized. These triblock copolymers formed micelles composed of a hydrophobic core of poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) and a hydrophilic shell of poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) (PEEP) in aqueous solution. The micelle morphology was spherical, determined by transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the size and critical micelle concentration values of the micelles depended on both hydrophobic PCL block length and PEEP hydrophilic block length. The in vitro degradation characteristics of the triblock copolymers were investigated in micellar form, showing that these copolymers were completely biodegradable under enzymatic catalysis of Pseudomonas lipase and phosphodiesterase I. These triblock copolymers were used for paclitaxel (PTX) encapsulation to demonstrate the potential in drug delivery. PTX was successfully loaded into the micelles, and the in vitro release profile was found to be correlative to the polymer composition. These biodegradable triblock copolymer micelles are potential as novel carriers for hydrophobic drug delivery.