Biodegradation Studies in Vitro of Novel Poly(adipic anhydride-co-mannitol)-N-maleoyl Chitosan Networks

In this work, novel copolymers of poly(adipic anhydride-co-mannitol) were synthesized by melting condensation polymerization of poly(adipic anhydride) with five percentages of mannitol sugar, 1 to 5 Wt.%. These copolymers were purified and then, characterized by FT-IR, which was proved that the cross-linking reaction was caused by nucleophilic attack of mannitol hydroxyl group to acidic anhydride groups of poly(adipic anhydride) backbone and new ester groups were formed and appeared. Also, modified organic-soluble chitosan, N-maleoyl-chitosan, were synthesized by grafting reaction of chitosan with maleic anhydride in DMF as solvent, and it was also purified and characterized by FT-IR. Biodegradation in vitro of the IPNs of poly(adipic anhydride-co-mannitol)-N-maleoyl chitosan networks were evaluated by hydrolytic degradation studies at three different media (PBS, SIF and SGF) for 18 weeks with 92% as maximum degradation and it was found that minimum weight loss of IPNs was noticeably shown in SIF. In addition, hydrolytic degradation percent was decreased with increasing mannitol proportions

New Limited Molecular Weight Polymeric Dispersants Prepared by Melt Condensation Polymerization

In this work, poly(sebacic anhydride) was prepared in a new method of condensation polymerization of sebacic acid monomer and sebacoyl chloride monomer in presence of triethyl amine, this polymer was purified, characterized by infrared spectroscopy. Poly(sebacic anhydride) was used to prepare poly(ethylene glycol)-sebacic acid copolymers with carboxylic end groups and limited molecular weight using poly(ethylene glycol) having different chain length (400, 2000, 10000 and 20000 g/mole) by melt condensation polymerization. The copolymers were purified, characterized by infrared spectroscopy and end-group analysis of molecular weight determination technique. These polymers were tested as dispersants for ceramic alumina particles in ethanol as dispersion medium using centrifugation settlement method; High packing densities for alumina particles were obtained. It was found that the packing densities of alumina particles have been influenced by the polymer concentration and poly) ethylene glycol) chain length. Their adsorption isotherms were also determined, it was found that the adsorption is molecular weight dependent and linear relationship was obtained between the maximum adsorption of the polymers and their molecular weights. Keywords: melt condensation, poly(sebacic anhydride), poly(ethylene glycol)-sebacic acid, alumina, dispersants, isotherm adsorptio

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyurethane-Palm Fronds Ash Composites

The aim of the article is to study the influence of environmentally friendly palm frond ash on the mechanical and thermal properties of polyurethane used as filler. Various weight filler ratios with particle sizes around (125 μm) were examined and characterized using elongation, tensile strength, Young's modulus, compressive strength, average burning time, and infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the addition of 20 wt.% palm frond ash powder significantly improved the hardness mixture by about 2.83 MPa. In addition to that, the highest value of the compressive strength of the polymer with the additive was recorded at 10 wt.%. Also, the most excellent value of Young’s modulus was 2 MPa at a ratio of 50 wt. %, as was the average burning time of about 33 sec. The mechanical properties of polyurethane were affected by adding palm frond ash, which increases the tensile and compressive strengths, making it suitable for use in many applications. Moreover, the environmentally friendly material reflects the benefits of waste recycling. The addition of filler affects the morphology and strengthens the brittleness. Additionally, the use of fly ash from palm frond combustion in the technology of polyurethane materials complies. Partial replacement of petrochemical components with waste filler also reduces the total energy consumption in producing PU composites. &nbsp

Study the effect of adding vulcanized rubber powder on the mechanical properties and fire retardant of polyurethane Sealant.

The polyurethane Sealant (TRITOSIL H10 PU) mechanical and combustion characteristics were examined in this study as a function of the weight ratio of tire rubber powder (waste), with a particle volume of (150 μm). Elongation, tensile strength, Young's modulus, compressive strength, and rate of burning time were a few of the characteristics examined. The results showed that adding filler decreases the spaces between the chains of polymer, reflecting the polymer's high ability to withstand the stress imposed on it, that the degree of homogeneity between each of the fillers and polymers is high, and that increasing the percentage of fillers gives the prepared models a slight increase in hardness at a percentage increase (25%). Based on research into combustion resistance, The results of the experiments showed that increasing the amount of used filler has a positive impact on heat diffusion through the polymeric matrix and flame resistance. The use of filler as a filler has an impact on the properties of the polyurethane polymer, which has high mechanical properties. This increases tensile strength, which makes it appropriate to cover the flooring of indoor playgrounds, kids' playrooms, and other spaces. &nbsp

Effects of alirocumab on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes after acute coronary syndrome in patients with or without diabetes: a prespecified analysis of the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES randomised controlled trial

Background After acute coronary syndrome, diabetes conveys an excess risk of ischaemic cardiovascular events. A reduction in mean LDL cholesterol to 1.4-1.8 mmol/L with ezetimibe or statins reduces cardiovascular events in patients with an acute coronary syndrome and diabetes. However, the efficacy and safety of further reduction in LDL cholesterol with an inhibitor of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) after acute coronary syndrome is unknown. We aimed to explore this issue in a prespecified analysis of the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial of the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab, assessing its effects on cardiovascular outcomes by baseline glycaemic status, while also assessing its effects on glycaemic measures including risk of new-onset diabetes

Apolipoprotein B, Residual Cardiovascular Risk After Acute Coronary Syndrome, and Effects of Alirocumab.

Background: Apolipoprotein B (apoB) provides an integrated measure of atherogenic risk. Whether apoB levels and apoB lowering hold incremental predictive information on residual risk after acute coronary syndrome beyond that provided by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is uncertain. Methods: The ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial (Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab) compared the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor alirocumab with placebo in 18 924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome and elevated atherogenic lipoproteins despite optimized statin therapy. Primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; coronary heart disease death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal/nonfatal ischemic stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina). Associations between baseline apoB or apoB at 4 months and MACE were assessed in adjusted Cox proportional hazards and propensity score–matched models. Results: Median follow-up was 2.8 years. In proportional hazards analysis in the placebo group, MACE incidence increased across increasing baseline apoB strata (3.2 [95% CI, 2.9–3.6], 4.0 [95% CI, 3.6–4.5], and 5.5 [95% CI, 5.0–6.1] events per 100 patient-years in strata 35–<50, and ≤35 mg/dL, respectively). Compared with propensity score–matched patients from the placebo group, treatment hazard ratios for alirocumab also decreased monotonically across achieved apoB strata. Achieved apoB was predictive of MACE after adjustment for achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol but not vice versa. Conclusions: In patients with recent acute coronary syndrome and elevated atherogenic lipoproteins, MACE increased across baseline apoB strata. Alirocumab reduced MACE across all strata of baseline apoB, with larger absolute reductions in patients with higher baseline levels. Lower achieved apoB was associated with lower risk of MACE, even after accounting for achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, indicating that apoB provides incremental information. Achievement of apoB levels as low as ≤35 mg/dL may reduce lipoprotein-attributable residual risk after acute coronary syndrome. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01663402.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01663402.URL: https://www