The assembly mechanism of Zein/EGCG/PEG nanoparticles in a water system and their adsorption behavior at the oil-water interface.

In this study, the self-assembly mechanism of Zein/(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate/polyethylene glycol (Zein/EGCG/PEG) composite nanoparticles and their interface adsorption behavior at the oil-water interface were investigated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and conformation analysis demonstrated that there were electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions between Zein and EGCG, physical entanglement between PEG and Zein, and hydrogen bond interaction between EGCG and PEG. The nanoparticles accumulated at the oil-water interface, and there was an obvious interface layer between oil phase and water phase, as indicated by confocal laser scanning microscope and scanning electron microscope. The adsorbing of Zein/EGCG/PEG nanoparticles at the oil-water interface was confirmed by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation. Further findings confirmed that Zein/EGCG/PEG nanoparticles could serve as stabilizers for oleogels with self-supporting structure, viscoelastic solid behavior and temperature response characteristics. The current research offered a novel approach to enhance protein interface characteristics and create food-grade emulsifiers and oleogelators.

Single-ion-conducted covalent organic framework serving as Li-ion pump in polyethylene oxide-based electrolyte for robust solid-state Li-S batteries.

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based electrolytes are widely used for building solid-state lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries but suffer from poor lithium-ion (Li+) transportation kinetics. Here, a lithium-sulfonated covalent organic framework (TpPa-SO3Li) was synthesized and functionalized as a Li+ pump in a PEO-based solid-state electrolyte to fabricate robust Li-S batteries. The designed TpPa-SO3, Li with its porous skeleton and abundant lithium sulfonate groups not only provided iontransport channels but also enhanced the fast migration of Li+. The PEO composite electrolyte containing 5 %-TpPa-SO3Li exhibited a notable ionic conductivity of 6.28 × 10-4 S cm-1 and an impressive Li+ transference number of 0.78 at 60 °C. As a result, Li-Li symmetric batteries with the optimized PEO/TpPa-SO3Li composite electrolyte stably cycled for 300 h, with a minimal overpotential of only 100 mV at 0.5 mA cm-2. Moreover, the customized solid-state Li-S batteries based on PEO/TpPa-SO3Li were stable for 600 cycles at 60 oC with a high Coulombic efficiency of approximately 98 %. This study provides a promising strategy for introducing covalent-organic-framework (COF)-based Li+ pumps to build robust solid-state Li-S batteries.

Auricle reconstruction with autologous costal cartilage versus polyethylene implants in microtia patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Auricle reconstruction is among the most challenging procedures in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and the choice of framework material is a critical decision for both surgeons and patients. This meta-analysis compared the outcomes of autologous auricle reconstruction using costal cartilage with those of alloplastic reconstruction using porous polyethylene implants. METHODS: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Embase databases to retrieve articles published between January 2000 and June 2024. The outcomes analyzed included postoperative complications such as framework exposure, infection, skin necrosis, hematoma, and hypertrophic scars, as well as patient satisfaction. The proportions of reconstructive outcomes from each selected study were statistically analyzed using the "metaprop" function in R software. RESULTS: Fourteen articles met our inclusion criteria. The group undergoing polyethylene implant reconstruction exhibited higher rates of framework exposure, infection, and skin necrosis, whereas the autologous reconstruction group experienced higher rates of hematoma and hypertrophic scars. Of all the complications, framework exposure was the only one to show a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.0001). In terms of patient satisfaction, those who underwent autologous cartilage reconstruction reported a higher rate of satisfaction, although this difference did not reach statistical significance in the meta-analysis (p = 0.076). CONCLUSION: There is no statistically significant difference in postoperative complications such as infection, hematoma, skin necrosis, and hypertrophic scars between auricle reconstructions using autologous costal cartilage and those using polyethylene implants. However, reconstructions with polyethylene implants show a significantly higher rate of framework exposure.

Comparative study of the catalytic performance of physically mixed and sequentially utilized γ-alumina and zeolite in methanol-to-propylene reactions.

This study aimed to investigate the catalytic performance of H-ZSM-5 zeolite compared with physically mixed and sequentially used synthesized γ-alumina and zeolite in the methanol-to-propylene (MTP) reaction. A facile, green and cost-effective method was first applied to prepare a mesoporous γ-Al2O3 support using a combination of sol-gel and hydrothermal methods via a few consecutive steps. This process was carried out using aluminium nitrate and polyethylene glycol with different molecular weights as non-ionic surfactants. X-ray diffraction, transmission electon microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, ammonia temperature programmed desorption and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis were then used to characterize the prepared γ-Al2O3 catalyst. Afterwards, the catalytic activity of the commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolite (Si/Al = 200) and the effect of the presence of the γ-alumina physically mixed and unmixed with the zeolite were also researched in the MTP reaction. Accordingly, methanol conversion and product selectivity were monitored via gas chromatography. The physically mixed mesoporous γ-Al2O3 and H-ZSM-5 zeolite exhibited the highest catalytic activity in terms of both conversion and selectivity at 400°C. To our knowledge, this research represents the first documented use of γ-alumina and zeolite simultaneously as catalysts in the MTP reaction within the English literature. It is hoped that this work will offer valuable insights for advancing the development of catalytic systems in methanol conversion processes.

Replacing poly(ethylene glycol) with RAFT lipopolymers in mRNA lipid nanoparticle system for effective gene delivery.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as promising carriers to efficiently transport mRNA into cells for protein translation, as seen with the mRNA vaccines used against COVID-19. However, they contain a widely used polymer - poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) - which lacks the functionality to be easily modified (which could effectively control the physicochemical properties of the LNPs such as its charge), and is also known to be immunogenic. Thus, it is desirable to explore alternative polymers which can replace the PEG component in mRNA LNP vaccines and therapeutics, while still maintaining their efficacy. Herein, we employed reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation to synthesise five PEG-lipid alternatives that could stabilise LNPs encapsulating mRNA or pDNA molecules. Importantly, the resultant RAFT lipopolymer LNPs exhibit analogous or higher in vivo gene expression and antigen-specific antibody production compared to traditional PEG-based formulations. Our synthesis strategy which allows the introduction of positive charges along the lipopolymer backbone also significantly improved the in vivo gene expression. This work expands the potential of RAFT polymer-conjugated LNPs as promising mRNA carriers and offers an innovative strategy for the development of PEG-free mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.

Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of four most consumed fish species in Giresun, the Southeastern Black Sea.

Microplastic studies investigating concentrations in water are numerous, but the majority of microplastics settle and are retained in sediment, and higher concentrations are regularly reported in sediments. Thus, MPs accumulation may be more threatening to benthic fish living in sediments than to pelagic fish. The presence, abundance and diversity of microplastics were investigated by collecting samples from two pelagic, European anchovy, and horse mackerel and two benthic fish species, red mullet, and whiting that are popularly consumed in Giresun province of Türkiye, located on the southern coast of the Black Sea. Visual classification and chemical compositions of microplastics was performed using a light microscope and ATR-FTIR spectrophotometry, consecutively. The overall incidence and mean microplastics abundance in sampled fishes were 17 and 1.7 ± 0.18 MP fish-1, respectively. MPs were within the range of 0.026-5 mm in size. In most of the cases, the MP was black in color with 41%. With the rates of 56%, polypropylene was the predominant polymer type. The most dominant MP type was identified as fiber followed by fragments and pellets. The relationship between MP amounts in fish and Fulton condition factor was not strong enough to establish a cause-effect relationship.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of pH and glutathione dual-responsive drug delivery system based on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems based on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) for drug release encounter inherent challenges. In this research, a novel pH and glutathione (GSH) dual-responsive system, CPT-S-S-NaCMC@ZIF-8/SP-PEG, was constructed. Firstly, the prodrug CPT-S-S-OH was synthesized and combined with NaCMC to form GSH-responsive micelles CPT-S-S-NaCMC, significantly enhancing the drug loading and grafting rates to 63.79 % and 91.99 %, respectively. Subsequently, zinc ions and dimethylimidazole can be assembled into porous materials (ZIF-8) on the surface of the micelles. This system exhibits dual pH-GSH responsiveness and effectively reduces the drug release from 84.76 % to 28.71 % at pH = 7.4. Moreover, incorporating pH-responsive spiropyran (SP)-modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) can reduce drug leakage to 16.09 % at pH = 7.4 and exhibit good fluorescence intensity at 722 nm.

A novel strategy for spinal cord reconstruction via vascularized allogeneic spinal cord transplantation combine spinal cord fusion.

AIMS: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) pose persistent challenges in clinical practice due to the secondary injury. Drawing from our experience in spinal cord fusion (SCF), we propose vascularized allogeneic spinal cord transplantation (vASCT) as a novel approach for SCI, much like organ transplantation has revolutionized organ failure treatment and vascularized composite-tissue allotransplantation has addressed limb defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 24 dogs were paired and underwent vASCT, with donor spinal cord grafts and polyethylene glycol (PEG) application for SCF. The experimental group (n = 8) received tacrolimus and methylprednisolone, while the control group (n = 4) received only methylprednisolone. Safety and efficacy of vASCT were evaluated through electrophysiology, imaging, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The experimental group showed substantial recovery in hind limb motor function. Imaging revealed robust survival of spinal cord grafts and restoration of spinal cord continuity. In contrast, the control group maintained hind limb paralysis, with imaging confirming spinal cord graft necrosis and extensive defects. Electrophysiologically, the experimental group exhibited restored motor evoked potential signal conduction postoperatively, unlike the control group. Notably, PEG application during vASCT led to signal conduction recovery in intraoperative spinal cord evoked potential examinations for all dogs. CONCLUSION: In the vASCT surgical model, the combination of PEG with tacrolimus has demonstrated the ability to reconstruct spinal cord continuity and restore hind limb motor function in beagles. Notably, a low dose of tacrolimus has also exhibited an excellent anti-immune rejection effect. These findings highlight vASCT's potential promise as a therapeutic strategy for addressing irreversible SCI.

Raman microspectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the analysis of polyethylene microplastics in human soft tissues.

People are exposed to microplastics (MPs) on a large scale in everyday life. However, it is not clear whether MPs can also be distributed and retained in certain tissues. Therefore, the development of analytical methods capable of detecting MPs in specific human organs/tissues is of utmost importance. In this study, the use and combination of spectroscopic techniques, namely Raman microspectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), was tested for the detection of polyethylene (PE) MPs in human tonsils. Preliminary results showed that Raman microspectroscopy was able to detect MPs down to 1 µm in size and LIBS down to 10 µm. In the next step, human tonsils were spiked with PE MPs, and digested. The filtered particles were analyzed using Raman microspectroscopy and LIBS, and complemented by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The results showed that Raman microspectroscopy could reliably detect PE MPs in spiked human tonsils, while LIBS and XRF served as a reference analytical method to characterize particles that could not be classified by Raman microspectroscopy for their non-organic origin. The results of this study, supported by a current feasibility study conducted on clinical samples, demonstrated the reliability and feasibility of this approach for monitoring MPs in biotic samples.

Minimum 10-Year Follow-Up of Vitamin-E Diffused Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene Liners in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Comparative Evaluation from a Prospective, International, Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a proven, effective treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis. The success of THA is due in part to highly crosslinked (XL) polyethylene implants. In 2007, a new generation of polyethylene liners entered clinical use. The new liners infused polyethylene with vitamin E (EP). The EP liner was hypothesized to prevent the loss of mechanical properties caused by oxidation, extending the lifetime of the implant. This international prospective study aimed to quantify the clinical outcomes of a 977-patient cohort receiving EP and XL liners 10 years after surgery. METHODS: The prospective cohort study began in 2007, including eight countries and seventeen centers. The final cohort included 977 patients (EP liner: n = 520; XL liner: n = 457). Patients were followed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years. Each follow-up visit involved clinical evaluation, radiography, and survey collection. Demographics and revisions were also recorded. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate statistical differences. RESULTS: At ten years following surgery, 534 patients were eligible for follow-up. Of those eligible, 352 patients returned for clinical evaluation (65.9% eligible; 36.0% overall). No statistical differences were found (P > 0.05) in the demographics of the followed-up cohort. The linear wear rates were 0.00338 mm/year for XL liners and 0.0236 mm/year for EP liners using individual regression (P < 0.0001). No significant difference was observed in wear rates using cohort regression. Similarly, surveys suggested no significant outcomes between the EP and XL liner cohorts. The overall incidence of revision was 2.3% for EP and 2.0% for XL liners. CONCLUSION: The EP liner demonstrated significantly lower wear than its XL counterparts at 10-years after implantation. Results are promising, as vitamin E polyethylene may improve the lifetime performance of THA implants and ensure arthroplasty innovations reflect the changing patient population.

Effects of co-exposure of antibiotic and microplastic on the rhizosphere microenvironment of lettuce seedlings.

Antibiotics and microplastics (MPs) often coexist in facility agriculture soils due to the prevalent use of animal manure and plastic films. However, their combined impacts on the rhizosphere environment of lettuce remain unclear. This study assessed the effects of individual and combined exposure to polyethylene (PE) MPs (2 g·kg-1) and oxytetracycline (OTC) (0, 5, 50, and 150 mg·kg-1) on the growth of lettuce seedlings and enzyme activities, physicochemical properties, metabolite profiles and bacterial communities of rhizosphere soil of lettuce. Exposure to 150 mg·kg-1 OTC, either individually or combined, significantly increased lettuce seedling shoot biomass. All treatments decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Combined exposure notably increased the Simpson's index of rhizosphere bacterial communities and altered community composition. The number of differential genera of rhizosphere was less than that of non-rhizosphere. Combined exposure significantly changed both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere metabolite profiles. Soil organic matter emerged as the key environmental factor influencing bacterial community variation. Mantel tests revealed strong positive associations between total potassium and rhizosphere bacterial communities under combined exposure. The correlation network identified stearic acid and palmitic acid as the core metabolites in the rhizosphere. These findings offer valuable insights into the impact of OTC combined with PE MPs on lettuce rhizosphere environment.

Fate and effects of an environmentally relevant mixture of microplastics in simple freshwater microcosms.

Most studies assessing the effects of microplastics (MPs) on freshwater ecosystems use reference materials of a certain size, shape, and polymer type. However, in the environment, aquatic organisms are exposed to a mixture of different polymers with different sizes and shapes, resulting in different bioaccessible fractions and effects. This study assesses the fate and effects of an environmentally relevant mixture of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fragments, polypropylene (PP) fragments, and polyester (PES) fibres in indoor freshwater microcosms over 28 days. The MP mixture contained common polymers found in freshwater ecosystems, had a size range between 50 and 3887 µm, and was artificially aged using a mercury lamp. The invertebrate species included in the microcosms, Lymnea stagnalis (snail) and Lumbriculus variegatus (worm), were exposed to four MP concentrations: 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 1 % of sediment dry weight. MPs fate was assessed by performing a balance of the MPs in the surface water, water column, and sediment after a stabilization period and at the end of the experiment. Sedimentation rates per day were calculated (2.13 % for PES, 1.46 % for HDPE, 1.87 % for PP). The maximum size of MPs taken up by the two species was determined and compared to the added mixture and their mouth size. The size range taken up by L. variegatus was smaller than L. stagnalis and significantly different from the size range in the added mixture. The No Observed Effect Concentrations (NOECs) for the reproduction factor of L. variegatus and the number of egg clutches produced by L. stagnalis were 0.01 % and 0.1 % sediment dry weight, respectively. The EC10 and EC50 for the same endpoint for L. stagnalis were 0.25 % and 0.52 %, respectively. This study shows that current MP exposure levels in freshwater sediments can result in sub-lethal effects on aquatic organisms, highlighting the importance of testing MP mixtures.

Investigation of kinetics, reaction mechanisms, thermodynamics, and synergetic effects in co-pyrolysis of wood sawdust and linear low-density polyethylene using the thermogravimetric approach.

This study focused on investigating thermal degradation behaviors, kinetics, reaction mechanisms, synergistic effects, and thermodynamic parameters of wood sawdust (WSD), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and their blends (LW1:3, LW1:1, and LW3:1) during co-pyrolysis in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Thermal behavior exhibited a LW1:3 blend (25 wt.% LLDPE) showing significant mass loss at lower temperatures (150 to 300 °C) compared to the individual feedstocks, such as 150 to 400 °C and 300 to 520 °C for WSD and LLDPE, respectively. The iso-conversional methods (KAS, FWO, and FM) were used to determine the kinetic parameters (Ea and A), and the activation energy drop was highest for the LW1:3 blend. According to the master plots, the third-order reaction (O3), nucleation (P2/3), and diffusional model (D4) were the predominant reaction mechanisms for the co-pyrolysis of the LW1:3, LW1:1, and LW3:1 blend, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters demonstrate that a small amount of plastic addition into WSD can improve the reactivity of the blend, shorten the reaction time, and cause less energy-intensive reactions. The values of ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS also confirmed the co-pyrolysis process's spontaneity and endothermic nature. The Fourier transforms infrared spectrometer (FTIR) spectra of raw feedstock, blends, and their biochar revealed some of the peaks were shifted, the intensity was reduced, and disappearance can happen when the temperature was increased. Using the experimental and theoretical/predicted activation energies, the parity chart illustrates the synergistic effects of co-pyrolysis of different blends, and the LW1:3 blend has a favorable synergistic impact. These results could be helpful in process optimization and designing an effective reactor system for co-pyrolysis.

Rate of revision and wear penetration in different polyethylene liner compositions in total hip arthroplasty: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

The present Bayesian network meta-analysis compared different types of polyethylene liners in total hip arthroplasty (THA) in terms of wear penetration (mm/year) and rate of revision. The type of liners compared were the crosslinked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (CPE/UHMWPE), Vitamin E infused highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE-VEPE), modified cross-linked polyethylene (MXLPE), highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE), Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE). This study was conducted according to the PRISMA extension statement for reporting systematic reviews incorporating network meta-analyses of healthcare interventions. In June 2024, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were accessed. A time constraint was set from January 2000. All investigations which compared two or more types of polyethylene liners for THA were accessed. Only studies that clearly stated the nature of the liner were included. Data from 60 studies (37,352 THAs) were collected. 56% of patients were women. The mean age of patients was 60.0 ± 6.6 years, the mean BMI was 27.5 ± 2.0 kg/m2. The mean length of follow-up was 81.6 ± 44.4 months. Comparability was found at baseline between groups. XLPE and HXLPE liners in THA are associated with the lowest wear penetration (mm/year) and the lowest revision rate at approximately 7 years of follow-up.

Assessing anticancer properties of PEGylated platinum nanoparticles on human breast cancer cell lines usingin-vitroassays.

This study describes the in-vitro cytotoxic effects of PEG-400 (Polyethylene glycol-400)-capped platinum nanoparticles (PEGylated Pt NPs) on both normal and cancer cell lines. Structural characterization was carried out using x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy with an average crystallite size 5.7 nm, and morphological assessment using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of spherical platinum nanoparticles. The results of energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed a higher percentage fraction of platinum content by weight, along with carbon and oxygen, which are expected from the capping agent, confirming the purity of the platinum sample. The dynamic light scattering experiment revealed an average hydrodynamic diameter of 353.6 nm for the PEGylated Pt NPs. The cytotoxicity profile of PEGylated Pt NPs was assessed on a normal cell line (L929) and a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results revealed an IC50of 79.18 µg ml-1on the cancer cell line and non-toxic behaviour on the normal cell line. In the dual staining apoptosis assay, it was observed that the mortality of cells cultured in conjunction with platinum nanoparticles intensified and the proliferative activity of MCF-7 cells gradually diminished over time in correlation with the increasing concentration of the PEGylated Pt NPs sample. Thein vitroDCFH-DA assay for oxidative stress assessment in nanoparticle-treated cells unveiled the mechanistic background of the anticancer activity of PEGylated platinum nanoparticles as ROS-assisted mitochondrial dysfunction.

Investigation of the effects of polyethylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations on the plant-soil-microbiota system: A two-year field trial.

Microplastics are a potential threat to agricultural sustainability. However, the effects of microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations on the plant-soil-microbiota system in realistic field conditions are largely unknown. Herein, we conducted a two-year field trial to study the effects of polyethylene (PE) microplastics at 0, 100, and 600 mg/kg on crop growth, soil properties, and the composition and function of microbial communities in a farmland with rice-wheat rotation. PE did not affect wheat growth but it increased the rice grain weight by 42.5 % at 600 mg/kg, and enhanced rice height by 35.4 % and 30.2 % at 100 and 600 mg/kg, respectively. The presence of PE significantly decreased soil available phosphorus during the wheat season, while it reduced soil total nitrogen, NH4+-N and available phosphorus during the rice season. There were five and sixteen bacterial orders identified changed by PE in wheat and rice soils, respectively. Specifically, PE at different concentrations differentially altered the abundances of sulfate-reducing bacteria Thermodesulfovibrionia, Thermoactinomycetales and Syntrophobacterales, and further modified soil sulfate respiration in wheat soils. During the rice season, PE (100 mg/kg) increased the abundance of Xanthomonadales by 98.0 % and enriched the functional groups of intracellular parasites, while PE (600 mg/kg) inhibited twelve cluster of orthologous group function classes and disturbed bacterial metabolism. This study suggests that PE exhibits a greater impact on the plant-soil-microbiota system during the rice season compared to the previous year's wheat season, highlighting the importance of crop type and cultivation practices in determining the environmental risks of microplastics in agroecosystems.

Vitamin drinks improve palatability and reduce adverse events associated to polyethylene glycol electrolyte solutions.

Background: The unpleasant taste of polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been a hindrance to patients undergoing colonoscopy. Aim: This study aims to determine whether the addition of a vitamin drink (Mizone) to the 4L split-dose PEG regimen would be effective in improving the solution's palatability, and reducing patient discomfort during bowel preparation. Methods: The present prospective, single endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled study randomly assigned patients into two groups: PEG + Mizone group (3.6 L of PEG solution plus 0.4 L of Mizone) and PEG group (4 L of PEG solution). Palatability was assessed using a Likert scale of 1-5. The adverse events, amount of unconsumed solution, and willingness to repeat the same process were recorded through a questionnaire. The present study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000034484). Results: A total of 132 patients were included. The demographic characteristics of these patients were comparable between the two groups. The palatability score (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) was higher in the PEG + Mizone group, when compared to the control group (4.00 ± 0.859 vs. 2.95 ± 0.999, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the incidence of nausea was lower in the PEG + Mizone group (9.1 % vs. 28.8 %, p = 0.004), while the other adverse events were similar between the two groups. The percentage of the completely consumed pre-prepared solution was significantly greater in the PEG + Mizone group (95.5 % vs. 78.8 %, p = 0.004). Furthermore, the willingness to repeat the same process was higher in the PEG + Mizone group (83.3 % vs. 42.4 %, p < 0.001). However, the consumption of either of these preparations did not significantly affect the electrolyte and blood glucose levels, and renal function. Conclusion: Compared to the conventional 4L PEG bowel preparation, the use of a vitamin drink (Mizone) as an adjuvant can improve the palatability, reduce adverse events, and increase the patient's willingness to undergo bowel preparation with the same regimen.

Influence of cephalexin on cadmium adsorption onto microplastic particles in water: Human health risk evaluation.

This paper explores the impact of environmental factors on the adsorption of cadmium (Cd) and cephalexin (CEX) onto polyethylene (PE) microplastics. The study focused on Cd adsorption behavior on microplastics (MPs) of various sizes, revealing that particles sized 30-63 µm exhibited the highest adsorption capacity compared to other sizes. Cd sorption was significantly influenced by initial pH and salinity levels. Experimental data closely matched both the Langmuir (R2 > 0.91) and Freundlich (R2 > 0.92) isotherms. Cd adsorption onto PE particles was greater than CEX adsorption, with the maximum Cd uptake capacity measured at 1.8 mg/g. FTIR analysis indicated that Cd and CEX adsorption onto MPs was likely governed by physical interactions, as no new functional groups were detected post-uptake. The desorption rates of Cd and CEX from PE microplastics were evaluated in various liquids, including aqueous solution, tap water, seawater, and synthetic gastric juice. The health risks associated with Cd, in combination with MPs and CEX, for both children and adults were assessed in groundwater and aqueous solutions. This study offers scientific insights and guidelines for examining the environmental behavior, migration, and transformation of microplastics and their related ecological risks in scenarios of combined pollution.

The comparison effect on earthworms between conventional and biodegradable microplastics.

Many studies have reported the toxic effects of microplastics (MPs) on organisms, especially on how conventional plastics affect organisms after short-term exposure. The effects of biodegradable plastics on organisms are, however, largely unexplored, especially concerning their impact after long-term exposure. We perform a series of experiments to examine the effects of conventional (polyethylene (PE)) and biodegradable (polylactic acid (PLA)) microplastics on earthworms at three concentrations (0.5 %, 2 %, and 5 % (w/w)) and particle sizes (149, 28, and 13 µm) over short- (14 d) and long-term (28 d) periods of exposure. Negative effects on earthworms are more pronounced following exposure to PE than PLA, particularly over the shorter term. After longer-term exposure, earthworms may adapt to PE and PLA environments. A close relationship exists between the effects of MPs on earthworms and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde enzymes, which we use to evaluate the degree of antioxidant damage. We report both PE and PLA to negatively affect earthworms, but for the effects of PLA to be less severe after longer-term exposure. Further investigation is required to more fully assess the potential negative effects of PLA use on soil organisms in agriculture.

Odour characterisation of recycled HDPE in different washing and processing processes.

The waste of polymeric materials in our society is increasing year after year, generating a serious pollution problem. One way to deal with this waste problem is to recycle and reuse these materials. This process of recovery of used plastic materials aims to minimise their impact on the environment and reduce the energy consumption required for the generation of new consumer products. Recycling companies that recover these plastic materials must take into account some aspects such as transparency and colour, cleanliness, size, odour and sorting. One of the major disadvantages in accepting these recycled materials in the production processes is their odour, which in some cases causes the rejection of materials with comparable mechanical characteristics. High-density polyethylene, HDPE, is one of the polymeric wastes generated in the packaging industry. The aim of this work is to eliminate the bad odour of HDPE from waste collection plants for application in the recovery and reuse industry. HDPE supplied by a recycling company was washed, characterised and processed, and the odour was analysed by gas chromatography at each stage and by olfactory panel. In view of the results, it was observed that the washing processes managed to reduce the odour. Likewise, the processing of this waste by extrusion and injection managed to further reduce this effect, even eliminating some of the components responsible for odour by treating the samples with acetone and then extruding and injecting these samples. These results have a direct application in the packaging industry with significant shares of recycled material.