Preparation of magnetic poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microspheres with a controllable particle size based on a composite emulsion and their release properties for curcumin loading

Because of their unique magnetic features and good biocompatibility, magnetic poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres have great application potential in magnetic targeted drug‐delivery systems. In this research, magnetic PLGA microspheres with controllable particle sizes were successfully prepared from a composite emulsion with a T‐shaped microchannel reactor. A water‐in‐oil‐in‐water composite emulsion was generated by the injection of a dichloromethane/gelatin water‐in‐oil initial emulsion into the microchannel together with a coating aqueous phase, that is, the aqueous solution of glucose and poly(vinyl alcohol). The mean particle size of the microspheres could be controlled by the manipulation of the osmotic pressure difference between the internal and external aqueous phases via changes in the glucose concentration. Curcumin, a drug with an inhibitory effect on tumor cells, was used to exemplify the release properties of the magnetic PLGA microspheres. We found that the mean particle size of the microspheres ranged from 16 to 207 μm with glucose concentrations from 0 to 20 wt %. The resulting microspheres showed a rapid magnetic response, good superparamagnetism, and a considerable magnetocaloric effect, with a maximum magnetic entropy of 0.061 J·kg^?1·K^?1 at 325 K. An encapsulation efficiency of up to 77.9% was achieved at a loading ratio of 3.2% curcumin. A release ratio of 72.4% curcumin from the magnetic PLGA microspheres was achieved within 120 h in a phosphate‐buffered solution. The magnetic PLGA microspheres showed potential to be used as drug carriers for magnetic targeted tumor therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43317.     

单分散性PLGA磁性微球制备及其缓释性研究

为获得单分散性PLGA磁性微球,文中以纳米四氧化三铁明胶分散液作为内水相(W1),PLGA（聚乳酸羟基乙酸共聚物）的二氯甲烷溶液作为油相(O),PVA（聚乙烯醇）水溶液作为外水相(W2),利用T型微通道并采用复合乳液法制备PLGA磁性微球,考察流速比和油相与内水相体积比对微球制备的影响。借助FTIR、SEM及VSM（振动样品磁强计）对磁性微球组分、形貌、粒径分布和磁学性能进行表征;并以阿司匹林作为药物模型进行缓释性测试。结果表明：流速比v(W2):v(W1/O)=120:1且体积比V(O):V(W1)=2:1时可均匀成球,其粒径分布系数CV值仅为4.66%,表现出良好单分散性;此时比饱和磁化强度可达1.52emu/g,兼具优异顺磁性。制得的载药微球在60h内表现出阶段性匀速释放,且有较好磁响应性,有望用于磁响应性药物载体。     

How to circumvent untoward drug crystallization during emulsion‐templated microencapsulation process

Unwanted drug crystals often form on the surface of PLGA microspheres or in an aqueous phase when a hydrophobic drug undergoes emulsion‐templated microencapsulation processes. In our study, over 70% of progesterone crystallizes in the aqueous phase when microencapsulation proceeds with a typical oil‐in‐water solvent evaporation process. During filtration employed for microsphere recovery, unentrapped drug crystals are collected alongside with progesterone‐containing microspheres. This phenomenon accompanies unfavorable consequences on the microsphere quality. In contrast, when microspheres are prepared with a new solvent extraction‐evaporation hybrid process, it is possible to completely avoid drug crystallization. Consequently, the new microencapsulation technique yields high drug encapsulation efficiencies of ≥ 90.8%, and the resultant microspheres show a homogeneous size distribution pattern. Also, the microsphere surface is free of drug crystals. For loading hydrophobic drugs into PLGA microspheres, the new microencapsulation process reported in this study has distinct advantages over commonly used emulsion‐templated solvent evaporation processes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43768.     

Amine‐modified poly(vinyl alcohol) as a novel surfactant to modulate size and surface charge of poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles

Poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising tool for effective delivery of biomacromolecules, thanks to their biodegradability and biocompatibility properties. PLGA NPs are often synthesized by the emulsion‐solvent evaporation method and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) represents one of the most commonly used surfactants. Although PVA‐mediated synthesis of PLGA NPs is effective in tailoring NP size and stability, the resulting negative surface charge can prevent both endosomal escape and biomacromolecule release in cell cytosol. To overcome this limit, a novel amino‐modified PVA (amino‐PVA) surfactant with a cationic charge was synthesized and its potential for the formulation of PLGA NPs was investigated. In either single (oil‐in‐water) or double (water‐in‐oil‐in‐water) emulsion synthesis, different mixtures of PVA and amino‐PVA were studied, by monitoring their effects on NP size and surface charge. Optimized properties were obtained with a combination of 0.975% (w/v) of PVA with 0.025% (w/v) of amino‐PVA. This formulation was further investigated for degradation properties and cytocompatibility. High stability and low cytotoxicity make the system promising for the encapsulation and release of hydrophilic drugs and biomacromolecules. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

快速膜乳化法制备粒径均一的PLGA微球和微囊

以聚(乳酸-羟基乙酸)(PLGA)为膜材,采用快速膜乳化结合溶剂萃取法制备了胰高血糖素样肽-1(GLP-1)微囊,研究了PLGA分子量对药物装载率、药物活性和体外释放行为的影响. 制备均一微球的优化条件为过膜压力1000 kPa,过膜次数3次,外水相稳定剂聚乙烯醇浓度19 g/L,油水体积比1:5. 在此条件下,制备了粒径350 nm左右、多分散系数小于0.050的载GLP-1的PLGA微囊,GLP-1包埋率达65%以上,活性保留达85%以上,药物体外释药可达20 d.     

快速膜乳化法制备载生长激素释放肽-6的PLGA微球

采用快速膜乳化法制备了聚(乳酸-羟基乙酸)(PLGA)微球,得到制备PLGA微球的优化条件为：过膜压力5 kPa,水相中PVA浓度19 g/L,油/水相体积比1:10,该条件下所制空白微球的平均粒径约为24 mm,粒径分布系数Span<0.7. 在此基础上制备载生长激素释放肽-6(GHRP-6)微球,油相乳化剂浓度2.5 g/L、外水相中NaCl浓度10 g/L条件下所制载GHRP-6微球包埋率最高可达85%,初乳制备方式对药物包埋率及体外释放行为均有较大影响,超声法制备的初乳所得微球内部结构紧密,药物包埋率较高(85%),但释药缓慢;而均质法制备的初乳所得微球内部结构疏松,药物包埋率较低(76.8%),但在体外释放更完全.     

Full factorial design‐of‐experiments for preparation of crosslinked dextran microspheres

This work describes full factorial design‐of‐experiment methodology for exploration of effective parameters on physical properties of dextran microspheres prepared via an inverse emulsion (W/O) technique. Microspheres were prepared by chemical crosslinking of dextran dissolved in internal phase of the emulsion using epichlorohydrin. The input parameters were dextran concentration in the aqueous phase, crosslinking ratio, and concentrations of sodium hydroxide and span 80 as the reaction catalyst and surfactant, respectively. Chemical structure of the resulting microspheres was analyzed spectroscopically using Fourier‐transform infrared technique. Final decomposition temperature, mean particle size and its distribution and equilibrium swelling ratio were selected as output responses. Microspheres with smooth surface were obtained according to scanning electron micrographs. It was found that an increase in dextran concentration in the aqueous internal phase increases mean particle diameter of the resulting microspheres, significantly. Moreover, water uptake capacity for the microspheres was dependent on both the dextran concentration and crosslinking ratio. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Ethylenediamino bridged bis(β‐cyclodextrin)/ poly(DL‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) nanoparticles prepared by modified double emulsion method: Effect of polyvinyl alcohol on nanoparticle properties

This study continues long‐standing efforts to develop protein delivery systems based on cyclodextrin‐conjugated polyester in our laboratory. The crude products of ethylenediamino bridged bis(β‐cyclodextrin)‐conjugated poly(DL ‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) were used in this study to make full use of unreacted reactant. With bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein, the encapsulation effects (the encapsulation efficiency and particle size) of nanoparticles were similar to those of using pure conjugated products. Besides, a water‐in‐oil‐in‐water emulsification technique was conveniently modified. By adding polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the internal aqueous phase, a more stabilized emulsion was formed. Consequently, less PVA (～ 0.05%) was needed in the outer aqueous phase and less PVA (0.14 g/g nanoparticles) remained in the nanoparticles. This modification resulted in improved encapsulation efficiency (～ 89–94%) of BSA and an enlarged particle size (340–390 nm). Furthermore, the burst release of BSA at the 1st day was less pronounced (7–12% of the encapsulated amount) than that of nanoparticles with no PVA added in the internal aqueous phase. Degradation studies using transmission electron microscope and gel permeation chromatography suggested that the mechanism for protein release was mainly through nanoparticles erosion. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation of biocompatible magnetite-PLGA composite nanoparticles using supercritical fluid extraction of emulsions

We report a new strategy for the production via supercritical fluid extraction of emulsion of biocompatible magnetic nanocomposite particles made of magnetite nanocrystals dispersed in a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) matrix. Ricinoleic acid-stabilized magnetic nanocrystals have been prepared via coprecipitation of two iron salts in alkaline environment, and subsequently dispersed in a solution of PLGA in dichloromethane. The obtained oil phase has then been dispersed in an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in order to obtain a kinetically stable oil-in-water miniemulsion. The solvent was finally extracted via supercritical fluid extraction of emulsions. The continuous extraction of dichloromethane by means of supercritical CO₂ leads directly to a stable suspension of magnetite-PLGA composite nanoparticles in water. The influence of those parameters affecting the final particle size distribution and morphology, primarily emulsifier amount and magnetite content, has been investigated, so as to optimize the process. Analysis of the products, performed through light scattering and electron microscopy, indicates that narrower size distributions are obtained with larger amounts of emulsifier and lower amounts of magnetite. The morphology of the particles tends to be of Janus type, with the magnetite accumulated on one hemisphere of the particle. The proposed approach is suitable for the preparation of large quantities of high-quality magnetite-PLGA composite nanoparticles for biomedical applications.     

Modeling and closed‐loop control of particle size and initial burst of PLGA biodegradable nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery

An in‐house computer code based on artificial intelligence has been developed and applied in modeling and closed‐loop optimization of release behavior of Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) biodegradable particles. A series of micro‐ and nanoparticles were prepared via water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion to be loaded with albumin–fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate as a typical drug. The interrelationship between input variables (molecular weight of polymer and stabilizer, polymer concentration, and sonication rate) and outputs (PLGA particle size and percentage of initial burst) was uncovered with the aid of artificial neural network modeling. The regression analysis confirmed acceptable correlation coefficients for the aforementioned responses, where the PLGA molecular weight played the most important role among the studied variables. Input variables needed to minimize PLGA size and PLGA initial burst were then obtained via multiobjective optimization performed by a genetic algorithm. PLGA nanoparticles were checked for particle size and particle size distribution using scanning electron micrographs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45145.     

Preparation of phospholipid oil‐in‐water microspheres by microchannel emulsification technique

A novel microchannel (MC) emulsification technique for producing super‐monodisperse microspheres (MS) was recently proposed. In this study, we investigated the formation of monodisperse oil‐in‐water (O/W)‐MS using lecithin and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) as surfactant by applying the MC emulsification technique. When we used lecithin to produce O/W‐MS, we observed coalescence of the formed MS and the continuous outflow of the oil phase through the MC. This was probably due to the insufficient interfacial activity of lecithin and the subsequent wetting of the MC surface by the oil phase during the emulsification process. The monodisperse O/W‐MS could not be produced when lecithin was used as the only surfactant. However, we successfully produced monodisperse O/W‐MS by using hydrophilic LPC dissolved in the water phase. Also, a more stable emulsification process producing monodisperse O/W‐MS was found using lecithin in the oil phase and LPC in the water phase. The monodisperse O/W‐MS production was improved by a special surface oxidation treatment of the MC plate.     

Intrinsic factor and vitamin B12 complex‐loaded poly[lactic‐co‐(glycolic acid)] microspheres: preparation,characterization and drug release

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin required by all mammals. Absorption of vitamin B12 is facilitated by binding of intrinsic factor–vitamin B₁₂ complex to specific receptors in the ileum. In humans a deficiency of this vitamin or a lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anaemia. The major objective of the present study was to prepare intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex‐loaded poly[lactic‐co‐(glycolic acid)] (PLGA)‐based microparticles and to investigate their release kinetics. RESULTS: PLGA copolymer was synthesized by the ring‐opening polymerization method and characterized using gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H NMR. The glass transition temperature measurement showed a single T_g at 40 °C. The intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex‐loaded PLGA microspheres were prepared by a water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion solvent extraction/evaporation technique. An environmental scanning electron microscopy investigation demonstrated that the PLGA particles had a mean particle diameter of 38 µm. Interestingly, different drug release patterns (bi‐ and triphasic ones) were observed for vitamin B12‐loaded and intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex‐loaded microspheres. In contrast to the rapid release of vitamin B12 by itself, in vitro release tests showed that intrinsic factor and vitamin B12 in the complex were released from PLGA microspheres in a sustained manner over 15 days. CONCLUSION: PLGA microspheres can be an effective carrier for the intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and characterization of novel semi‐interpenetrating 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐g‐chitosan copolymeric microspheres for sustained release of indomethacin

A novel semi‐interpenetrating (semi‐IPN) graft copolymer of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with chitosan (CS) has been prepared in the form of microspheres, using water‐in‐oil (W/O) emulsion technique. Microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffractometry (X‐RD) to confirm the crosslinking and polymorphism of indomethacin (IDM). The X‐RD and DSC techniques indicated a molecular‐level dispersion of IDM in the IPN matrix. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) taken at the cross section of the microspheres have shown rough surfaces around the microspheres. The sustained release characteristics of the matrices for IDM, an anti‐inflammatory drug, were investigated in pH 7.4 media. Particle size and size distribution of the microspheres were studied by laser light diffraction particle size analyzer. The drug was released in a sustained manner for up to 12 h. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Synthesis of biocompatible and degradable microspheres based on 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate via microfluidic method

Monodisperse poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate), p‐HEMA, microspheres in size ranging from 16 to 340 (μm) were synthesized by in situ emulsion photopolymerization of HEMA monomer with polyethylene glycol diacrylate (p‐EGDA) by means of a three‐dimensional microfluidic flow‐focusing device. An aqueous solution of HEMA, p‐EGDA as chain extender and UV‐photoinitiator serving as dispersed phase formed microdroplets in a continuous oil phase mainly consisting of n‐heptane. A downward coaxial orifices design in the device led to confinement of the reaction admixtures thread to central axis of the microchannels. This design strategy could solve the wetting problem of dispersed phase with the microchannels leading to a successful production of monodisperse microspheres with size variation of less than 4%. The effects of concentration of p‐EGDA, surfactant, and flow rate ratios on microsphere size were examined. It was observed that increasing the concentration of p‐EGDA slightly increases the size whereas increasing the flow rate ratios of continuous to dispersed phase effectively decreases the size of microspheres. The rapid continuous synthesis of p‐HEMA based microspheres via the microfluidic route with reliable control over size, size distribution, and composition opens new doors for mass production of biocompatible and degradable polymeric microspheres for enormous biotechnological applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40925.     

Novel methyl cellulose‐grafted‐acrylamide/gelatin microspheres for controlled release of nifedipine

Naturally available carbohydrate polymers such as methylcellulose (MC) and gelatin (Ge) have been widely studied in the previous literature for controlled release (CR) applications. In this study, methyl cellulose‐g‐acrylamide/gelatin (MC‐g‐AAm/Ge) microspheres were prepared by water‐in‐oil (W/O) emulsion method and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde to encapsulate with nifedipine (NFD), an antihypertensive drug. The microspheres prepared were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and laser particle size analyzer. DSC thermograms of NFD‐loaded AAm‐MC/Gel microspheres confirmed the molecular level distribution of NFD in the matrix. SEM indicated the formation of spherical particles. Swelling experiments supported the drug diffusion characteristics and release data of the matrices. Cumulative release data were analyzed using an empirical equation to understand the nature of transport of drug through the matrices. Controlled release characteristics of the matrices for NFD were investigated in pH 7.4 media. Drug was released in a controlled manner up to 12 h. Particle size and size distribution of the microspheres as studied by laser light diffraction particle size analyzer indicated their sizes to be around 120 μm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Thermosensitive nanoparticles prepared from poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐acrylamide‐vinilpyrrolidone) and its blend with poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) for efficient drug delivery system

Temperature‐responsive polymers have become increasingly attractive as carrier for the injectable drug delivery systems. In the present work, we have studied the preparation of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐acrylamide‐vinilpyrrolidone) (NIPAAm‐AAm‐VP terpolymer) nanoparticulated terpolymer and its blend with poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide, PLGA; molar ratio of lactide/glycolid 1/3). Thermosensitive terpolymer, poly(NIPAAm‐AAm‐VP) was prepared by free‐radical polymerization in aqueous solution. The nanoparticles of poly(NIPAAm‐AAm‐VP) and its blend with PLGA containing naltrexone were prepared using the evaporation and w/o emulsion‐solvent evaporation methods, respectively. Nanoparticles prepared from terpolymer‐PLGA blend at low polymer concentration (5%) shows larger particle size (>300 nm) and higher drug content%. Various types of nanoparticles showed a burst release of less than 10% after 24 h . The results suggest that by regulating different variables, desired release profiles of naltrexone can be achieved using a blend of PLGA‐poly(NIPAAm‐AAm‐VP) nanoparticulate system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and characterization of imidazole‐functionalized microspheres

The preparation of imidazole‐functionalized latex microspheres by a two‐stage emulsion copolymerization process and their characterization are reported on. Emulsifier‐free emulsion copolymerization of styrene (St) and 1‐vinyl imidazole (VIMZ) exhibited bimodal particle size distributions caused by secondary homogeneous nucleation process. However, secondary nucleation can be avoided by using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a stabilizer at a concentration below its cmc (critical micelle concentration). This would result in the formation of monodisperse latex particles. The final particle size diameter depended on the concentration of CTAB as well as the amount of VIMZ. To control the amount of the functional imidazole groups on the latex particle surfaces, independent of the latex diameters, without secondary nucleation of particles, the seeded emulsion copolymerization of styrene and VIMZ was explored as a second‐stage polymerization at different concentrations and ratios of monomers in the presence of the previously prepared monodisperse poly(styrene‐co‐1‐vinyl imidazole) seed latex particles. The concentration of imidazole functional groups on the surface of the latex particles could also be varied through the rearrangement of hydrophilic imidazole groups by varying the second‐stage monomer addition process such as the utilization of monomer‐swollen seed particles or a shot addition of monomers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120:5753–5762, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of air‐stable magnetic Fe composites microspheres of narrow size distribution

Air‐stable Fe magnetic nanoparticles entrapped within carbon and porous crosslinked polystyrene microspheres of narrow size distribution were prepared by the following sequential steps: (1) Polystyrene/poly(divinyl benzene) and polystyrene/poly(styrene‐divinyl benzene) uniform micrometer‐sized composite particles were prepared by a single‐step swelling of uniform polystyrene template microspheres dispersed in an aqueous continuous phase with emulsion droplets of dibutyl phthalate containing the monomers divinyl benzene and styrene and the initiator benzoyl peroxide. The monomers within the swollen polystyrene template microspheres were then polymerized by raising the temperature to 73°C; (2) Porous poly (divinyl benzene) and poly(styrene‐divinyl benzene) uniform crosslinked microspheres were prepared by dissolution of the polystyrene template part of the former composite particles; (3) Uniform magnetic poly(divinyl benzene)/Fe and poly(styrene‐divinyl benzene)/Fe composite microspheres were prepared by entrapping Fe(CO)₅ within the porous crosslinked microspheres, by suction of the Fe complex into the dried porous particles, followed by decomposition of the encapsulated Fe(CO)₅ at 200°C in Ar atmosphere; (4) Uniform magnetic air‐stable C/Fe composite microspheres were prepared similarly, apart from changing the decomposition temperature from 200 to 600°C. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Efficient Encapsulation of a Water-Soluble Molecule into Lipid Vesicles Using W/O/W Multiple Emulsions via Solvent Evaporation

We developed a novel method for preparing lipid vesicles with high entrapment efficiency and controlled size using water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) multiple emulsions as vesicle templates. Preparation consists of three steps. First, a water‐in‐oil (W/O) emulsion containing to‐be‐entrapped hydrophilic molecules in the water phase and vesicle‐forming lipids in the oil phase was formulated by sonication. Second, this W/O emulsion was introduced into a microchannel emulsification device to prepare a W/O/W multiple emulsion. In this step, sodium caseinate was used as the external emulsifier. Finally, organic solvent in the oil phase was removed by simple evaporation under ambient conditions to afford lipid vesicles. The diameter of the prepared vesicles reflected the water droplet size of the primary W/O emulsions, indicating that vesicle size could be controlled by the primary W/O emulsification process. Furthermore, high entrapment yields for hydrophilic molecules (exceeding 80 % for calcein) were obtained. The resulting vesicles had a multilamellar vesicular structure, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.     

Preparation and characterization of micron‐sized magnetic microspheres by one‐step suspension polymerization

Micron‐sized magnetic microspheres with different functional groups were prepared by one‐step suspension copolymerization of styrene, divinyl benzene, and methyl methacrylate in the presence of oleic acid‐coated magnetic nanoparticles. In the present work, we used benzoyl peroxide as an initiator and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA‐1788; degree of polymerization: 1,700; degree of hydrolysis: 88%) as a stabilizer. We also added acrylamide (AM) monomer in the aqueous phase and methacrylic acid (MAA) in the oil phase. The morphology and properties of the resulting magnetic microspheres were examined by optical micrographs (OMs), vibrating‐sample magnetometer (VSM), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT IR). The results showed the three products have uniform and spherical form with superparamagnetism and well dispersion. Moreover, we found that monomer AM had a little contribution to the copolymerization, and MAA could strikingly decrease the diameter of the final microspheres. The magnetic microspheres with functional groups could be linked well with the IgG‐FITC. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007