The application of PEG-b-PCL micelles was dampened by their inherent low drug-loading capability and relatively poor cell uptake efficiency. In this study, a series of novel PEG-b-PCL copolymers methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-γ-dimethyl maleamidic acid -ε-caprolactone) (mPEG-b-P(CL-co-DCL)) bearing different amounts of acid-labile β-carboxylic amides on the polyester moiety were synthesized. The chain structure and chemical composition of copolymers were characterized by (1)H NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). mPEG-b-P(CL-co-DCL) with critical micellar concentrations (CMCs) of 3.2-6.3 μg/mL could self-assemble into stable micelles in water with diameters of 100 to 150 nm. Doxorubicin (DOX), a cationic hydrophobic drug, was successfully encapsulated into the polymer micelles, achieving a very high loading content due to electrostatic interaction. Then the stability, charge-conversional behavior, loading and release profiles, cellular uptake and in vitro cytotoxicity of free drug and drug-loaded micelles were evaluated. The β-carboxylic amides functionalized polymer micelles are negatively charged and stable in neutral solution but quickly become positively charged at pH 6.0, due to the hydrolysis of β-carboxylic amides in acidic conditions. The pH-triggered negative-to-positive charge reversal not only resulted in a very fast drug release in acidic conditions, but also effectively enhanced the cellular uptake by electrostatic absorptive endocytosis. The MTT assay demonstrated that mPEG-b-P(CL-co-DCL) micelles were biocompatible to HepG2 cells while DOX-loaded micelles showed significant cytotoxicity. In sum, the introduction of acid-labile β-carboxylic amides on the polyester block in mPEG-b-P(CL-co-DCL) exhibited great potentials for the modifications in the stability in blood circulation, drug solubilization, and release properties, as well as cell internalization and intracellular drug release.

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a Th17 cytokine associated with inflammation, autoimmunity and defense against some bacteria, it has been implicated in many chronic autoimmune diseases including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and systemic sclerosis. However, whether IL-17 plays a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the serum IL-17 level in patients with SLE and it's associations with disease manifestations and activity. Fifty-seven patients with SLE and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited. Serum IL-17 levels were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistic analyzes were performed by SPSS 10.01. Results show that serum IL-17 levels were significantly elevated in SLE patients as compared with normal controls. Nevertheless, no associations of serum IL-17 level with clinical and laboratory parameters were found; no significant difference regarding serum IL-17 level between SLE patients with nephritis and those without nephritis was found; no significant difference was found between Less active SLE and More active SLE; Correlation analysis between serum IL-17 levels and SLEDAI showed no association. Taken together, our results indicate increased serum IL-17 levels in SLE patients, suggesting that this cytokine may trigger the inflammatory process in SLE. However, no associations of serum IL-17 level with disease manifestations were found. Therefore, further studies are required to confirm this preliminary data.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) which have self-renewal and multiple differentiation potential in vitro play important roles in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. However, long-term culture in vitro leads to senescence which results in the growth arrest and reduction of differentiation. In this study, MSC derived from human bone-marrow (BM-MSC) and umbilical cord (UC-MSC) were cultured in vitro lasted to senescence. Senescence and apoptosis detection showed that the senescent cells increased significantly but the increase of apoptosis was not significant in the long term culture. Senescence related genes p16, p21 and p53 increased gradually in BM-MSC. However, p16 and p53 reduced and then increased but with the gradual increase of p21 in UC-MSC. Adipogenic differentiation decreased whereas the propensity for osteogenic differentiation increased in senescent MSC. Real time RT-PCR demonstrated that both C/EBPα and PPARγ decreased in senescent BM-MSC. However, in UC-MSC, PPARγ decreased but C/EBPα increased in late phase compared to early phase. The study demonstrated p21 was important in the senescence of BM-MSC and UC-MSC. C/EBPα and PPARγ could regulate the balance of adipogenic differentiation in BM-MSC but only PPARγ not C/EBPα was involved in the adipogenic differentiation in UC-MSC.

Refined coal pitch is a recognized precursor to produce high-quality needle coke with its higher aromaticity, lower ash content, and a relatively narrow distribution of molecular weight. The aromatic index (f a) of refined coal pitch is one of the key roles in the production of high-quality needle coke. In order to a detailed study on the effects of f a on the microstructure and properties of needle coke, 9 kinds of refined coal pitches with varied f a were used as the raw materials to produce needle coke in this study. Briefly, 1H NMR was used to calculate the f a of each refined coal pitch. Polarizing microscope, scanning electron microscopy, microstrength tester, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum, and curve-fitted methods have been used to quantitatively examine the microstructure and microstrength of each needle coke. The results have shown that the refined coal pitch with the f a of 0.95–0.98 was the best precursor to produce high-quality needle coke.

No abstract