Transparent Polymer Blends of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Poly(propylene glycol).

Polymer blends, obtained by polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of poly(propylene glycol), are investigated. Poly(propylene glycol) acts as a plasticizer, significantly lowering poly(methyl methacrylate)'s glass transition temperature and decreasing its elasticity modulus and yield stress. The mixture of methyl methacrylate with poly(propylene glycol) is more stable than its mixture with currently used poly(ethylene glycol), which leads to more uniform distribution and higher possible content of the plasticizer.

Lipid composition determines interaction of liposome membranes with Pluronic L61.

Triblock copolymers of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) of EO(n/2)PO(m)EO(n/2) type (Pluronics) demonstrate a variety of biological effects that are mainly due to their interaction with cell membranes. Previously, we have shown that Pluronics can bind to artificial lipid membranes and enhance accumulation of the anti-tumor drug doxorubicin (DOX) inside the pH-gradient liposomes and transmembrane migration (flip-flop) of NBD-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine in the liposomes composed from one component-lecithin. Here, we describe the effects caused by insertion of other natural lipids in lecithin liposomes and the significance of the lipid composition for interaction of Pluronic L61 with the membrane.