Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate)-b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (P(NIPAAm-co-MPMA)-b-P(DEA)) copolymer was synthesized by reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The temperature and pH responsive schizophrenic micellization behaviors of P(NIPAAm-co-MPMA)-b-P(DEA) and the cross-linking of P(NIPAAm-co-MPMA) blocks using inorganic silica-based cross-linking strategy were investigated in detail. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the resultant core cross-linked (CCL) and shell cross-linked (SCL) micelles displayed regular spherical shapes with different sizes in N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF) and aqueous media. The structure changes of CCL and SCL micelles at different pHs and temperatures were characterized by 1H NMR. Optical absorption measurements showed that the lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) of the CCL and SCL micelles were 37.5 and 40.5 °C, respectively. In vitro drug release study showed that the drug-loaded CCL and SCL micelles displayed thermoresponsive and pH double responsive release behaviors.

Bend and stretch…︁ bend and stretch…︁ An azobenzene derivative was used to induce reversible stretching and folding of G‐quadruplex DNA upon photoirradiation (see picture). The G quadruplex formed in the presence of the trans isomer was dissociated by irradiation with UV light, and the resulting open oligomer was refolded into a G quadruplex under visible light. This nanodevice thus converts light directly into mechanical work.

BackgroundBrain abscesses continue to pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in developed and developing countries. Their aetiology and management remain complex and unclear, making improvement of treatments and outcome difficult.MethodsTo determine the demographics, management, and the variables that affect the outcome in subjects with brain abscesses treated at a single centre over an 11-year period, we retrospectively analysed data in 60 patients with brain abscesses surgically treated with stereotactically guided aspiration or open craniotomy excision in Shanghai Changzheng Hospital between January 2001 and December 2011. Such variables as age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission, clinical presentation, location, number of lesions, predisposing factors, mechanism of infection, aetiological agent, and therapy were analysed independently.ResultsOur analysis demonstrated that patient age and gender were factors that influence the occurrence of brain abscess; female patients and patients greater than 40 years of age were most likely to suffer a brain abscess. We also found that a patient’s GCS score upon admission did not influence outcome. While frequency of successful culturing of the infectious agent was low, positive cultures were obtained in only 8 of the cases (13.33%), in which the most common isolate was Streptococcus milleri. Outcome was favourable in 78.33% of the subjects, while the mortality rate was 20%. The outcome of one patient was poor due to the abscess in the basal ganglia region.ConclusionsStereotactically guided aspiration is an effective treatment for brain abscess with an overall favourable outcome. Mortality due to brain abscess was not directly related to surgery nor surgical technique. Additional studies will continue to reveal patients trends that may improve treatment for brain abscess.

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Water-soluble DNA cross-linking phenol and biphenol derivatives 3 and 6 have been synthesized by a Mannich reaction. Both of them can cross-link DNA by photoactivation using visible light (wavelength > 400 nm). Compound 6 can cross-link DNA at pH 5.0 and 7.7, whereas no cross-link was observed at pH 10.0. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicated that 6 displays a twist structure. Therefore, it could bind to DNA naturally and has potent property to cross-link DNA after photoactivation.