A Transparent, Highly Stretchable, Autonomous Self-Healing Poly(dimethyl siloxane) Elastomer.

An innovative self-healing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer, namely, PDMS-TFB, is reported by incorporating the reversibly dynamic imine bond as the self-healing points into the PDMS networks. The PDMS-TFB elastomer features good optical transmittance (80%) in full visible light region, high stretchability (≈700%), and excellent autonomous self-healing ability at room temperature. Surprisingly, the self-healing behavior can take place in water and even at a temperature as low as -20 °C in air, showing a promising outlook for broader applications. As a proof-of-concept, this study demonstrates the use of the PDMS-TFB elastomer for preparing anticorrosion coating and adhesive layer, and also the use of such an elastomer to be the platform for fabricating the flexible interconnector and chemical sensor. Remarkably, no significant difference is observed between the pristine and healed samples. Taking full advantage of these unique properties, it is anticipated that such a PDMS-TFB elastomer shows wide applications in the fields of materials science, electronics, biology, optics, etc.

Optimization, Characterization and in vivo Evaluation of Paclitaxel-Loaded Folate-Conjugated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel (PTX) has interesting anticancer activity. However, it is insoluble in water, which seriously hinders its use in clinical. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used as an ideal drug delivery system. Therefore, we proposed a folic acid (FA) targeting drug-loaded SPIONs to reduce its adverse reaction. METHODS: To improve the hydrophilicity of PTX, the structure of PTX was modified by succinic anhydride to obtain 2'-succinate paclitaxel (SPTX). FA conjugated Polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polyethyleneimine (PEI)-SPIONs SPTX-loaded nanoparticles (SPTX@FA@PEG/PEI-SPIONs) were prepared by solvent volatilization and hydrogen bond adsorption, and the nano-formulation was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The characteristics, antitumor effect in vitro, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution of SPTX@FA@PEG/PEI-SPIONs were evaluated. RESULTS: SPTX was successfully loaded on the surface of FA@PEG/PEI-SPIONs. The formation of SPTX@FA@PEG/PEI-SPIONs was exhibited water-dispersive monodispersity with high stability by RSM, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) was 178.1±3.12 nm, particle size observed in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) was 13.01±1.10 nm, and the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading efficiency (LE) were 81.1±1.66% and 14.8±1.46%, respectively. It enhanced the stability in normal physiological condition, accelerated drug release at tumorous pH, and preferentially prolonged the circulation time. In vitro, the SPTX@FA@PEG/PEI-SPIONs significantly targeted to folate receptor (FR) positive cancers cell (HNE-1) via the receptor-ligand mediated pathway, resulting in effective cytotoxic activity. Pharmacokinetic results demonstrated that SPTX@FA@PEG/PEI-SPIONs (t1/2=3.41 h) had longer than free SPTX or PTX (t1/2=1.67 h) in rats in vivo. Tissue distribution studies showed that SPTX@FA@PEG/PEI-SPIONs were present at high levels in the liver and help in targeting the folate receptors present on the kidneys. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SPTX@FA@PEG/PEI-SPIONs offer a highly promising approach to control drug release, improve drug pharmacokinetics and actively target the nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Attachment of streptavidin-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to the PC-12 cell membrane.

Efficient attachment of magnetic nanoparticles to cell membranes plays an important role in the activation of cell membrane channels. Streptavidin (SA) was successfully modified to Poly (ethylene imine) (PEI)-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to form SA/PEI-SPIONs, which have high colloidal stability and low cytotoxicity. The SA/PEI-SPIONs were incubated with PC-12 cells which had first been cultured in a Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium 1640 containing 0.2 mg l-1 biotin for 12 h. The cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the nanoparticles were clearly attached on the cell membrane, which can be attributed to the specific binding between the SA and biotin sites on the cell surface. This work provides a simple way to attach SA-modified nanoparticles on the membranes of cells by only culturing cells in a biotin-containing medium. This work makes possible biomedical applications that require nanoparticles to target cell membranes.

Subcellular distributions of iron oxide nanoparticles in rat brains affected by different surface modifications.

The impact of the surface modification on the subcellular distribution of nanoparticles in the brain remains elusive. The nanoparticles prepared by conjugating polyethylene glycol and maleic anhydride-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Mal-SPIONs) with bovine serum albumin (BSA/Mal-SPIONs) and with Arg-Gly-Asp peptide (RGD/Mal-SPIONs) were injected into the rat substantia nigra. Observation of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples obtained 24 h after perfusion showed that abundant RGD/Mal-SPIONs accumulated in the myelin sheath, dendrites, axon terminals and mitochondria, and on cell membranes in the brain tissue near the injection site. For rats injected with BSA/Mal-SPIONs, a few nanoparticles accumulated in the myelin sheath, axon terminals, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi, and lysosomes of neurons and glial cells while least SPIONs in rats injected with Mal-SPIONs were found. TEM pictures showed some Mal-SPIONs were expelled out of the brain. RGD/Mal-SPIONs diffused extensively to the thalamus, frontal cortex, temporal lobe, olfactory bulb, and brain stem after injection. Only a few BSA/Mal-SPIONs diffused to the afore-mentioned brain areas. This work reveals different surface modifications on the iron oxide nanoparticles play crucial roles in their distribution and diffusion in the rat brains.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles modified with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and their distribution in the brain after injection in the rat substantia nigra.

The subcellular distributions of nanoparticles in the brain are important for their biological application. We synthesized and characterized the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) modified with poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyethylenimine (PEI) (PEG/PEI-SPIONs), and with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) (DMPC-SPIONs). The nanoparticles were unilaterally injected into the left substantia nigra of rat brains. The distributions of the nanoparticles in the left brains of the rats were examined by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) at 24h after the injection. Iron was found in the olfactory bulb, temporal lobe, frontal cortex, thalamus and brain stem at 24h after the injection of DMPC-SPIONs and PEG/PEI-SPIONs. In the rat substantia nigra, most DMPC-SPIONs were distributed in and on the myelin sheath around axons or on cell membranes, some were in cells. As a comparison, less iron was found in the rat brains at 24h after the injection of PEG/PEI-SPIONs. Our experiments suggest DMPC modification on SPIONs be a safe and effective method for increasing SPIONs distribution on the cell membranes. This work is encouraging for further study on using DMPC-SPIONs for efficient drug delivery or for deep brain stimulation of neurons in a magnetic field.

A new species of the genus Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Hunan and Guangxi, southeastern China.

Despite recent descriptions of multiple new species of the genus Pachytriton (Salamandridae), species richness in this China-endemic newts genus likely remains underestimated. In this study, we describe a new species of Pachytriton from northeastern Guangxi and southern Hunan, southeastern China. Both molecular analyses and morphological characters reveal that the new species can be distinguished from its congeners. The mitochondrial gene tree identified the new lineage highly divergent (uncorrected p-distance > 5.8 % by mitochondrial gene) from currently recognized species and placed it as the sister species of P. xanthospilos and P. changi. Furthermore, a nuclear gene haplotype network revealed a unique haplotype in the new populations. Statistical species delimitation using Bayes factor strongly supported the evolutionary independence of the new species from the closely-related P. xanthospilos. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a uniformly dark brown dorsum without bright orange dots or black spots; irregular orange blotches on the venter; tips of fingers and toes orange on the dorsal side; moderately developed webs on the side of digits; absence of costal grooves between the axilla and groin; and widely open vomerine tooth series.

The labeling of stem cells by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles modified with PEG/PVP or PEG/PEI.

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) co-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) (PEG/PVP-SPIONs), and PEG and poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) co-modified SPIONs (PEG/PEI-SPIONs) synthesized by thermal decomposition have been used as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents to label adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Efficient cell labeling was achieved after incubation with PEG/PVP-SPIONs and PEG/PEI-SPIONs for 12h, and the MRI of labeled cells was evaluated. The cell viability tests showed the low cytotoxicity of PEG/PVP-SPIONs and PEG/PEI-SPIONs. The cellular iron content incubated with PEG/PVP-SPIONs at a concentration of 25 µg/ml was 6.96 pg/cell, the cellular iron contents incubated with PEG/PEI-SPIONs at concentrations of 12 and 25 µg/ml were 20.16, 35.4 pg/cell, respectively. The SPIONs were located predominantly in the intracellular vesicles. The cellular iron oxide uptake was significantly high after incubation with PEG/PEI-SPIONs as compared with the commercial iron oxide agents (Feridex, Feridex@PLL, Resovist and Resovist@PLL) reported. This work demonstrates that PEG/PEI-SPIONs are the competent agents for the labeling of ADSCs.

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Modified with Tween 80 Pass through the Intact Blood-Brain Barrier in Rats under Magnetic Field.

The methods for the delivery of theranostic agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are highly required. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)), PEI (poly(ethylene imine)), and Tween 80 (polysorbate 80) (Tween-SPIONs) were prepared. We demonstrate the effective passage of tail-vein-injected Tween-SPIONs across normal BBB in rats under an external magnetic field (EMF). The quantitative analyses show significant accumulation of SPIONs in the cortex near the magnet, with progressively lower accumulation in brain tissues far from the magnet. A transmission electron microscopy picture of an ultrathin section of the rat brain displays Tween-SPIONs crossing the BBB. The comparative study confirms that both the Tween-80 modification and EMF play crucial roles in the effective passage of SPIONs across the intact BBB. However, the magnetic force alone cannot drag the SPIONs coated with PEI/PEG polymers through the BBB. The results indicate the Tween-SPIONs cross the BBB via an active penetration facilitated by EMF. This work is encouraging for further study on the delivery of drug or diagnostic agents into the parenchyma of the brain for dealing with neurological disorders by using Tween-SPIONs carriers under EMF.