Aliphatic polycarbonates have drawn attention as biodegradable polymers that can be applied to a broad range of resorbable medical devices. In particular, poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC), its ...copolymers, and its derivatives are currently studied due to their unique degradation characteristics that are different from those of aliphatic polyesters. Furthermore, their flexible and hydrophobic nature has driven the application of PTMC-based polymers to soft tissue regeneration and drug delivery. This review presents the diverse applications and functionalization strategies of PTMC-based materials in relation to recent advances in medical technologies and their subsequent needs in clinical settings.
This review presents recent examples of applications and functionalization strategies of poly(trimethylene carbonate), its copolymers, and its derivatives to exploit the unique physicochemical properties of the aliphatic polycarbonate backbone.
Context. The interstellar medium (ISM) in starburst galaxies contains many chemical elements that are synthesised by core-collapse supernova explosions. By measuring the abundances of these metals, ...we can study the chemical enrichment within the galaxies and the transportation of metals into the circumgalactic environment through powerful outflows. Aims. We performed a spectral analysis of the X-ray emissions from the core of M 82 using the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) on board XMM-Newton to accurately estimate the metal abundances in the ISM. Methods. We analysed over 300 ks of RGS data observed with 14 position angles, covering a cross-dispersion width of 80 arcsec. We employed multi-temperature thermal plasma components in collisional ionisation equilibrium (CIE) to reproduce the observed spectra, each of which exhibited a different spatial broadening. Results. The O VII band CCD image shows a broader distribution that those for the O VIII and Fe-L bands. The O VIII line profiles have a prominent double-peaked structure that corresponds to the north- and southward outflows. The O VII triplet feature exhibits marginal peaks. A single CIE component that is convolved with the O VII band image approximately reproduces the spectral shape. A CIE model combined with a charge-exchange emission model also successfully reproduces the O VII line profiles. However, the ratio of these two components varies significantly with the observed position angles, which is physically implausible. Spectral fitting of the broadband spectra suggests a multi-temperature phase in the ISM that is approximated by three components at 0.1, 0.4, and 0.7 keV. Notably, the 0.1 keV component exhibits a broader distribution than the 0.4 and 0.7 keV plasmas. The derived abundance pattern shows super-solar N/O, solar Ne/O and Mg/O, and half-solar Fe/O ratios. These results indicate the chemical enrichment by core-collapse supernovae in starburst galaxies.
PLA nanocomposites based on organically modified montmorillonites at 5% w/w loading were prepared by melt blending using an internal mixer and then degraded in a commercial compost. The addition of ...nanoclays was found to increase the PLA degradation rate, especially for the highest dispersed clay in the polymer matrix. Biodegradation by microorganisms isolated from the compost showed the bacterium
Bacillus licheniformis as one of the responsible for PLA biodegradation in compost. It was also found that clays can influence the polymer bacterial degradation depending on their chemical structure and affinity of the bacterium towards the clay.
We argue that features of hadron production in relativistic nuclear collisions, mainly at CERN-SPS energies, may be explained by the existence of three forms of matter: Hadronic Matter, Quarkyonic ...Matter, and a Quark–Gluon Plasma. We suggest that these meet at a triple point in the QCD phase diagram. Some of the features explained, both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively, include the curve for the decoupling of chemical equilibrium, along with the non-monotonic behavior of strange particle multiplicity ratios at center of mass energies near 10 GeV. If the transition(s) between the three phases are merely crossover(s), the triple point is only approximate.
Volcanic acidification creates extreme soil conditions, where rhizotoxicity from extremely low pH (2-3) and high Al
strongly inhibit plant growth. C. angustisquama is a dominant extremophyte in ...highly acidic solfatara fields, where no other vascular plants can survive. Here we investigated the key abiotic stressor determining survival of this extremophyte. Soil analyses and topographic surveys were conducted to examine the effects of low pH and Al
, two major abiotic stressors in acidic soils, on the occurrence of C. angustisquama in solfatara fields. Hydroponic culture experiments were also performed to test its growth responses to these stressors. In field surveys, the spatial distribution of soil pH was consistent with vegetation zonation within a solfatara field. In contrast, soil exchangeable Al content was overall low due to strong eluviation. Statistical analysis also supported the significant role of soil pH in determining the distribution of C. angustisquama in a solfatara field. Furthermore, hydroponic culture experiments revealed a higher tolerance of C. angustisquama to low pH than a sister species, especially in the range pH 2-3, corresponding to the pH values of the actual habitats of C. angustisquama. Conversely, no significant interspecific difference was detected in Al
tolerance, indicating that both species had high Al
tolerance. This study suggests that low pH is a critical abiotic stressor leading to formation of the extremophyte in highly acidic solfatara fields. In contrast, C. angustisquama displayed high tolerance to Al
toxicity, probably acquired prior to speciation.
PLA and its nanocomposite films based on modified montmorillonite (CLO30B) or fluorohectorite (SOM MEE) and unmodified sepiolite (SEPS9) were processed at a clay loading of 5 wt% and hydrolytically ...degraded at 37 and 58 °C in a pH 7.0 phosphate-buffered solution. An effective hydrolytic degradation for neat PLA and nanocomposites was obtained at both temperatures of degradation, with higher extent at 58 °C due to more extensive micro-structural changes and molecular rearrangements, allowing a higher water absorption into the polymer matrix.
The addition of CLO30B and SEPS9 delayed the degradation of PLA at 37 °C due to their inducing PLA crystallization effect and/or to their high water uptake reducing the amount of water available for polymer matrix hydrolysis. The presence of SOM MEE also induced polymer crystallization, but it was also found to catalyze hydrolysis of PLA. Concerning hydrolysis at 58 °C, the presence of any nanoparticle did not significantly affect the degradation trend of PLA, achieving similar molecular weight decreases for all the studied materials. This was related to the easy access of water molecules to the bulk material at this temperature, minimizing the effect of polymer crystallinity clay nature and aspect ratio on the polymer degradation.
Abstract Introduction The velocities of the lateral shear waves (Vs; m s−1 ) generated by an acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) correlate with Young's modulus. Therefore, ARFI can be used as a ...new method to evaluate tissue elasticity. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of ARFI imaging and the differences in placental elasticity in complicated cases. Methods The study population included 115 patients between 26 and 41 weeks gestation, who were divided into three groups, namely normal, fetal growth restriction (FGR) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). After delivery, the Vs values of the placenta were measured ex vivo . After ARFI imaging, microscopic examination was performed, the Vs values were compared among the three groups and the relationship between the Vs values and neonatal birthweight Z -score was investigated. Results No histological changes were noted even after ARFI imaging. The Vs values in the FGR group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (1.94 ± 0.74 and 1.31 ± 0.35 m s−1 , respectively; p < 0.05). The Vs values demonstrated a significant negative correlation with the Z -score. Moreover, as the Z -score became lower, the Vs values became higher in the range of Z -scores under −0.5 standard deviation (SD). Discussion We speculate that the increased Vs values in the FGR group may have been caused by histological changes, and that a more severe FGR might result in increased Vs values. Conclusion ARFI imaging was observed to have no apparent histological damage to the placental tissue. Ex vivo placentas from the FGR group were significantly more firm. Moreover, Vs values and Z -scores of birthweight had a significant negative correlation. Additional investigations are needed about the utility of this method for the evaluation of placental function in vivo.
The diagnosis of gall bladder mucoceles (GM) in dogs has become increasingly frequent in veterinary medicine. Primary breed-specific hyperlipidaemia is reported in Shetland Sheepdogs and Miniature ...Schnauzers, breeds in which GM are known to occur more frequently than in other breeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between GM and hyperlipidaemia in dogs. The study design was a retrospective case control study. Medical records of dogs diagnosed with GM at the Veterinary Medical Centre of The University of Tokyo between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2012, were reviewed.
Fifty-eight dogs with GM and a record of either serum cholesterol, triglyceride, or glucose concentrations were included in the study. Hypercholesterolaemia (15/37 cases; odds ratio OR: 2.92; 95% confidence interval CI: 1.02–8.36) and hypertriglyceridaemia (13/24 cases; OR: 3.55; 95% CI:1.12–15.91) showed significant association with GM. Pomeranians (OR: 10.69), American Cocker Spaniels (OR: 8.94), Shetland Sheepdogs (OR: 6.21), Miniature Schnauzers (OR: 5.23), and Chihuahuas (OR: 3.06) were significantly predisposed to GM. Thirty-nine out of 58 cases had at least one concurrent disease, including pancreatitis (five cases), hyperadrenocorticism (two cases), and hypothyroidism (two cases). A significant association between GM and hyperlipidaemia was confirmed, suggesting that hyperlipidaemia may play a role in the pathogenesis of GM.
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