Polycaprolactone nanofibres loaded with 20(S)-protopanaxadiol for in vitro and in vivo anti-tumour activity study.

In this work, 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD)-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibres were successfully fabricated by the electrospinning technique using Tween 80 as a solubilizer. Firstly, smooth and continuous nanofibres were collected using suitable solvents and appropriate spinning conditions. Secondly, nanofibre mats were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mechanical testing. Finally, nanofibrous membranes were evaluated using water contact angle, in vitro drug release, biodegradation test, in vitro and in vivo anti-tumour activity and cell apoptosis assay. Scanning electron microscopic observations indicated that the diameter of the drug-loaded nanofibres increased with the increase of drug concentration. TG analysis and mechanical test showed that nanofibres were equipped with great thermal and mechanical properties. Biodegradation test exhibited that the structure of fabricated nanofibres had a certain degree of change after 15 days. An in vitro release study showed that PPD from drug-loaded nanofibres could be released in a sustained and prolonged mode. The cytotoxic effect of drug-loaded nanofibre mats examined on human laryngeal carcinoma cells (Hep-2 cells) demonstrated that the prepared nanofibres had a remarkable anti-tumour effect. Meanwhile, the drug-loaded fibre mats showed a super anti-tumour effect in an in vivo anti-tumour study. All in all, PCL nanofibres could be a potential carrier of PPD for cancer treatment.

[Construction of degradation diagnosis system for the ecosystems in Dongtan coastal zone of Chongming, Shanghai].

Based on the "pressure-state-response (PSR)" concept model, a degradation evaluation index system was constructed for the cropland, wetland, and inshore ecosystems in Dongtan coastal zone of Chongming. By using multiplication synthesis, a combination of analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight method, the weights of each evaluation index were obtained, and, through geographical space index quantification and spatial clustering, the degradation degree of each ecological system was analyzed. The results showed that the degradation degree of Dongtan coastal ecosystems in 2005 could be spatially classified into four classes, i.e., class I, class II, class III and class IV, with the degradation degree aggravated increasingly. For the cropland, wetland, and inshore ecosystems, the weight of heavy metals was the largest, being 0.65, 0.20, and 0.26, respectively. Bird diversity index, land use degree, and Spartina alterniflora coverage also had greater effects on wetland ecosystem, and their weights were 0.26, 0.16, and 0.10, respectively. For cropland ecosystem, land use degree was also an important affecting factor, with the weight of 0.22.

[Values of marine ecosystem services in Sanggou Bay].

A valuation study was conducted in Sanggou Bay, a typical and intensive coastal aquaculture area in China Yellow Sea. The results showed that the total value of ecosystem services (VES) in Sanggou Bay was 6.07 x 10(8) Yen in 2003, with an average unit VES being 4.24 x 10(6) Yen x km(-2). Within the total VES, the provision services, regulation services, and culture services accounted for 51.29%, 17.34%, and 31.37%, respectively. Among the eight primary and secondary services valuated in Sanggou Bay, food provision services held the highest value (50.45%), followed by tourism and entertainment services (29.89%) and climate regulation services (9.18%). Harmful organism and disease control services have the lowest value (0.0017%). The aquaculture activities had greater contributions to the local social economy, environmental regulation, and social culture. Aquaculture activities, especially macro-algae farming, are of significance in maintaining and enhancing the ecosystem services.