Chemosensitization of tumors via simultaneous delivery of STAT3 inhibitor and doxorubicin through HPMA copolymer-based nanotherapeutics with pH-sensitive activation

We synthesized three novel STAT3 inhibitors (S3iD1-S3iD3) possessing oxoheptanoic residue enabling linkage to HPMA copolymer carrier via a pH-sensitive hydrazone bond. HPMA copolymer conjugates bearing doxorubicin (Dox) and our STAT3 inhibitors were synthesized to evaluate the anticancer effect of Dox and STAT3 inhibitor co-delivery into tumors. S3iD1-3 and their copolymer-bound counterparts (P-S3iD1-P-S3iD3) showed considerable in vitro cytostatic activities in five mouse and human cancer cell lines with IC50 ~0.6-7.9 μM and 0.7-10.9 μM, respectively. S3iD2 and S3iD3 were confirmed to inhibit the STAT3 signaling pathway. The combination of HPMA copolymer-bound Dox (P-Dox) and P-S3iD3 at the dosage showing negligible toxicity demonstrated significant antitumor activity in B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice and completely cured 2 out of 15 mice. P-Dox alone had a significantly lower therapeutic activity with no completely cured mice. Thus, polymer conjugates bearing STAT3 inhibitors may be used for the chemosensitization of chemorefractory tumors.

Coaxial conducting polymer nanotubes: polypyrrole nanotubes coated with polyaniline or poly(p-phenylenediamine) and products of their carbonisation

Polypyrrole nanotubes were prepared by the oxidation of pyrrole with iron(III) chloride in a reaction mixture containing methyl orange. They were subsequently coated with polyaniline or poly(p-phenylenediamine) in situ during the oxidation of respective monomers in their presence. A part of the coaxial nanotubes was deprotonated using ammonia solution. The conductivity of polypyrrole nanotubes of 60 S cm

Dip TIPS as a facile and versatile method for fabrication of polymer foams with controlled shape, size and pore architecture for bioengineering applications

The porous polymer foams act as a template for neotissuegenesis in tissue engineering, and, as a reservoir for cell transplants such as pancreatic islets while simultaneously providing a functional interface with the host body. The fabrication of foams with the controlled shape, size and pore structure is of prime importance in various bioengineering applications. To this end, here we demonstrate a thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) based facile process for the fabrication of polymer foams with a controlled architecture. The setup comprises of a metallic template bar (T), a metallic conducting block (C) and a non-metallic reservoir tube (R), connected in sequence T-C-R. The process hereinafter termed as Dip TIPS, involves the dipping of the T-bar into a polymer solution, followed by filling of the R-tube with a freezing mixture to induce the phase separation of a polymer solution in the immediate vicinity of T-bar; Subsequent free-drying or freeze-extraction steps produced the polymer foams. An easy exchange of the T-bar of a spherical or rectangular shape allowed the fabrication of tubular, open- capsular and flat-sheet shaped foams. A mere change in the quenching time produced the foams with a thickness ranging from hundreds of microns to several millimeters. And, the pore size was conveniently controlled by varying either the polymer concentration or the quenching temperature. Subsequent in vivo studies in brown Norway rats for 4-weeks demonstrated the guided cell infiltration and homogenous cell distribution through the polymer matrix, without any fibrous capsule and necrotic core. In conclusion, the results show the "Dip TIPS" as a facile and adaptable process for the fabrication of anisotropic channeled porous polymer foams of various shapes and sizes for potential applications in tissue engineering, cell transplantation and other related fields.

Can thiol compounds be used as biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem contamination by cadmium?

Due to anthropogenic activities, heavy metals still represent a threat for various trophic levels. If aquatic animals are exposed to heavy metals we can obviously observe considerable toxicity. It is well known that an organism affected by cadmium (Cd) synthesize low molecular mass thiol compounds rich in cysteine (Cys), such as metallothioneins (MT) and glutathione (GSH/GSSG). The aim of this study was to summarize the effect of Cd on level of thiol compounds in aquatic organisms, and evaluate that the concentrations of thiol compounds are effective indicators of Cd water pollution and explain their potential use in biomonitoring applications.

Poly(amide-imide)s Containing Polybutadiene Blocks

Poly(amide-imide)s containing polybutadiene blocks were prepared by reaction of 4,4'-methylenedi(phenyl isocyanate) with trimellitic anhydride and α,ω-diisocyanatopolybutadiene. The polymers were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction. Incorporation of 5 wt.% of polybutadiene structures into polyimide decreases the temperature of 10% weight loss in nitrogen by 90 °C. Glass transition temperature of the polymer also decreases with the increasing content of soft polybutadiene segments, but the decrease is moderate for the contents higher than 20 wt.%. Broad amorphous halo dominates wide-angle X-ray diffractograms of all the samples, but sharper peaks of a more ordered structure were observed in definite concentration range of polybutadiene blocks. The copolymers are soluble in N-methylpyrrolidone.

The effect of transformation products of the antioxidant BHT on the initial stages of thermo- and photo-oxidation of LDPE

The effect of individual transformation products of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (1, BHT), namely, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadienone (3), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (4), and 3,5,3′,5′-tetra-tert-butylstilbenequinone (5), in the course of thermal- and photo-degradation of LDPE has been examined. Oxidative DSC studies combined with oxygen uptake measurements, IR spectroscopy data, and embrittlement tests proved to be sufficiently sensitive to detect differences in the stability of the above-mentioned samples. A comparative study revealed a pronounced stabilizing effect of 5 in LDPE thermooxidation at moderate temperatures (90–100 °C). The stabilizing action of BHT is due in part at least to its coloured transformation product. Keywords: LDPE, thermooxidation, photooxidation, transformation products of phenolic antioxidants.