Transesterification of PHA to Oligomers Covalently Bonded with (Bio)Active Compounds Containing Either Carboxyl or Hydroxyl Functionalities

© 2015 The Authors. Published by Public Library of Science. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0120149This manuscript presents the synthesis and structural characterisation of novel biodegradable polymeric controlled-release systems of pesticides with potentially higher resistance to weather conditions in comparison to conventional forms of pesticides. Two methods for the preparation of pesticide-oligomer conjugates using the transesterification reaction were developed. The first method of obtaining conjugates, which consist of bioactive compounds with the carboxyl group and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) oligomers, is "one-pot" transesterification. In the second method, conjugates of bioactive compounds with hydroxyl group and polyhydroxyalkanoates oligomers were obtained in two-step method, through cyclic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) oligomers. The obtained pesticide-PHA conjugates were comprehensively characterised using GPC, 1H NMR and mass spectrometry techniques. The structural characterisation of the obtained products at the molecular level with the aid of mass spectrometry confirmed that both of the synthetic strategies employed led to the formation of conjugates in which selected pesticides were covalently bonded to PHA oligomers via a hydrolysable ester bond

Physicochemical and biological characterisation of diclofenac oligomeric poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) hybrids as β-TCP ceramics modifiers for bone tissue regeneration

Nowadays, regenerative medicine faces a major challenge in providing new, functional materials that will meet the characteristics desired to replenish and grow new tissue. Therefore, this study presents new ceramic-polymer composites in which the matrix consists of tricalcium phosphates covered with blends containing a chemically bounded diclofenac with the biocompatible polymer—poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate), P(3HO). Modification of P(3HO) oligomers was confirmed by NMR, IR and XPS. Moreover, obtained oligomers and their blends were subjected to an in-depth characterisation using GPC, TGA, DSC and AFM. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the hydrophobicity and surface free energy values of blends decreased with the amount of diclofenac modified oligomers. Subsequently, the designed composites were used as a substrate for growth of the pre-osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1). An in vitro biocompatibility study showed that the composite with the lowest concentration of the proposed drug is within the range assumed to be non-toxic (viability above 70%). Cell proliferation was visualised using the SEM method, whereas the observation of cell penetration into the scaffold was carried out by confocal microscopy. Thus, it can be an ideal new functional bone tissue substitute, allowing not only the regeneration and restoration of the defect but also inhibiting the development of chronic inflammation

Theoretical formula for determining resistance to crushing cardboard edge

W artykule przedstawiono procedurę oraz wyniki poszukiwania teoretycznej formuły opisującej zależność odporności tektury falistej na zgniatanie kolumnowe. W celu wyznaczenia funkcji najlepiej dopasowanej do wartości rzeczywistych wykorzystano metodę regresji liniowej.The paper presents the results of the search procedure and formula describing the dependence of the theoretical resistance to crushing cardboard edge. To determine the function of best fit to the actual values of the linear regression method is used

Tarnów Construction Plastics. Significance of construction plastics for the Azoty Tarnów Capital Group

Przedstawiono strukturę, obszary działalności oraz ofertę tworzyw konstrukcyjnych Grupy Kapitałowej Azoty Tarnów: TarnamidŽ, alphalonŽ - poliamid 6 (PA6), TarnoformŽ - poliacetal (POM). Zaprezentowano historię rozwoju technologii TarnamiduŽ - poliamidu 6 (PA6) oraz TarnoformuŽ - poliacetalu (POM) w Zakładach Azotowych w Tarnowie, ponadto rozwój i asortyment tworzyw modyfikowanych: TarnamidŽ (PA 6) oraz Tarnamid A (PA 66), TarnoformŽ (POM), Tarnoprop (PP), Tarnodur A (PBT). Oferta modyfikowanych tworzyw, jako wynik intensywnych prac badawczo-rozwojowych realizowanych w Zakładach Azotowych przez wyspecjalizowane Laboratorium Tworzyw Sztucznych. Przedstawiono zintegrowany system zarządzania wdrożony w Zakładach Azotowych w Tarnowie zgodny z międzynarodowymi standardami ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, ISO 22000:2005, PN-N-18001:2004 i BS OHSAS 18001:2007.The organization, areas of activity was introduced as well as the offer of engineering plastics of Azoty Tarnów Capital Group: TarnamidŽ, alphalonŽ - polyamide 6 (PA6), TarnoformŽ - poliacetal (POM). The history of TarnamidŽ - polyamide 6 (PA6) technology development was presented as well as the TarnoformŽ - the poliacetalu ( the POM) in Zakłady Azotowe in Tarnów, moreover the development and the offer of modified grades: TarnamidŽ (PA 6) as well as Tarnamid A (PA 66), TarnoformŽ (POM), Tarnoprop (PP), Tarnodur and (PBT). The development modified materials as a result of intensive works realized in Azoty Tarnów through R&D - Plastics Laboratory. Quality Management System was adopted in Azoty Tarnów in compliance with international standards ISO 9001:2008,ISO 14001:2004, ISO 22000:2005, PN - N-18001:2004 and BS OHSAS 18001:2007

Effect of Zinc Level and Source (Zinc Oxide Vs. Zinc Glycine) on Bone Mechanical and Geometric Parameters, and Histomorphology in Male Ross 308 Broiler Chicken

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding zinc (Zn) mineral supplements from organic (ZnGly) and inorganic (ZnO) sources to growing male Ross 308 chickens on the mechanical, geometric, and histomorphometrical parameters of long bones. A corn-soybean meal basal diet was supplemented with Zn at 50 or 100 mg·kg-1 of a premix, except the control group (0 suppl). The serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor 1 was higher in the ZnGly50 group compared with the control group. Positive influence of Zn on the femur is highlighted when considering the significant increase in parameters such as mean relative wall thickness, and maximum elastic and ultimate strengths after Zn administration. Zinc supplementation did not affect tibial parameters. The histomorphometric analysis showed a positive impact of Zn supplementation (irrespective of source and level) on femoral trabecular thickness. Rapid loss in actual bone volume in tibial metaphyseal trabeculae was observed with ZnGly at 50 mg·kg-1. In conclusion, this study showed that dietary Zn supplementation positively influences bone mechanical properties, confirming its beneficial effect on the development of the skeletal system and bone tissue of broilers tested for a nutritional-osteoporotic factor. Adverse health effects in trabecular bone as a result of the use of Zn at 50 mg·kg-1 of the premix show that supplementing Zn at the recommended dose (100 mg·kg-1) is essential