Staphylococcus hsinchuensis sp. nov., Isolated from Soymilk.

A novel coagulase-negative Staphylococcus strain (H164T) was isolated from soymilk in Taiwan. Comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the H164T strain is a member of the genus Staphylococcus. We used multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and phylogenomic analyses to demonstrate that the novel strain was closely related to Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus nepalensis, Staphylococcus cohnii, and Staphylococcus urealyuticus. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between H164T and its closest relatives were <95% and <70%, respectively. The H164T strain could also be distinguished from its closest relatives by the fermentation of d-fructose, d-maltose, d-trehalose, and d-mannitol, as well as by the activities of α-glucosidase and alkaline phosphatase. The major cellular fatty acids were C15:0 iso and C15:0 anteiso, and the predominant menaquinones were MK-7 and MK-8, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids and predominant menaquinones were C15:0 iso and C15:0 anteiso and MK-7 and MK-8, respectively. In conclusion, this strain represents a novel species, named Staphylococcus hsinchuensis sp. nov., with the type strain H164T (=BCRC 81404T = NBRC 116174T).

Overcoming multidrug resistance of breast cancer cells by the micellar doxorubicin nanoparticles of mPEG-PCL-graft-cellulose.

The amphiphilic block copolymer methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL) was grafted to 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) to produce nano-sized micellar nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were loaded with anti-tumor drug, doxorubicin (DOX) and the size of the DOX-loaded nanoparticles were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) in aqueous solution to be from 197.4 to 230 nm. The nanoparticles subjected to co-culture with macrophage cells showed that these nanoparticles used as drug carrier are not recognized as foreign bodies. Overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an important factor in the development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in many cancer cells. In this study, Western blot and Rhodamine 123 were used to monitor the relative P-glycoprotein expression in human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7/WT and MCF-7/ADR. The endocytosis of the DOX-loaded nanoparticles by breast cancer cells is more efficient observed under a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and a flow cytometry in MCF7/ADR cells, compared to the diffusion of the free drug into the cytoplasm of cells. Based on these findings, we concluded that the nanoparticles made from mPEG-PCL-g-cellulose were effective in overcoming P-gp efflux in MDR breast cancer cells.

Doxorubicin-loaded nanosized micelles of a star-shaped poly(ε-caprolactone)-polyphosphoester block co-polymer for treatment of human breast cancer.

Star-shaped co-polymers based on the backbone of poly(ε-caprolactone) were synthesized by a ring-opening reaction using pentaerythritol as initiator and Sn(Oct)(2) as catalyst. The star-shaped poly(ε-caprolactone) polymer was then chain extended with a terminal block of poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) to form a copolymer, poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate), when using the cyclic ethyl ethylene phosphate monomer. The amphiphilic block co-polymers can self-assemble into nanoscopic micelles with a mean diameter of 150 nm and a spherical shape. Additionally, the prepared micelles did not induce hemolysis and nitric oxide production in vitro based on nitric oxide, hemolytic tests and MTT assays. The hydrophobic micellar cores encapsulated doxorubicin (DOX) in an aqueous solution with a loading efficiency of 55.2%. The in vitro release of DOX from DOX-loaded micelles was pH dependent. DOX-loaded micelles present significantly enhanced cytotoxicity to both MCF-7/drug-sensitive and MCF-7/drug-resistant cells after second incubation. Moreover, results of confocal microscopy and flow cytometry of DOX-loaded micelles demonstrate the feasibility of this delivery system for effective therapy of drug-resistant tumours.

Nano-sized micelles of block copolymers of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-graft-2-hydroxyethyl cellulose for doxorubicin delivery.

The amphiphilic block copolymers methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) was grafted to 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose to produce the water-soluble copolymers. Doxorubicin loaded nanoparticles were prepared by dialysis method and the sizes of nanoparticles were determined by dynamic light scattering in solution and atomic force microscopes. As results the sizes were detected in a range of 197.4 to 340.7 nm. The in-vitro release of Dox was studied in phosphate and acetate buffered solution at 37 degrees C. The results showed that 43 and 53% of Dox remained after an incubation period of 7 days. The cytotoxicity of Dox loaded micelles was investigated in two different human MCF-7/wild type and MCF-7/Adriamycin drug resistant cells lines. The Dox-loaded micelles showed reduced cytotoxicity compared to free Dox in MCF-7/wild type and MCF-7/Adriamycin drug resistant cells.