Enzymatic degradation of biostatic materials based on polylactide

The paper presents the research results for enzymatic degradation of biodegradable materials in proteinase K. Polylactide and its composites containing a biostatic substance in the form of sulphanilic acid salt PHMG were tested as part of the research project. Three different concentrations of the biostatic substance were used: 0.2%, 0.6% and 1.0 % of the mass. The research results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the tested materials were compared both before and after the enzymatic degradation. Photographs obtained from a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the analysis of the foil physical mass loss confirmed that these materials were susceptible to enzymes

Anatomical study on branching pattern and variations of orbital segment of the oculomotor nerve

Background: This study aims to revisit the anatomy of orbital segment of the third cranial nerve (CN III). The study also involved morphometric measurements of CN III muscular branches. Detailed description of observed anatomical variations and their incidence was also included. The study supplements earlier findings with detailed observations of the neuromuscular relations. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 52 orbits taken from 26 cadaveric heads (10 males and 16 females; Central European population). Results: Anatomical variations of the orbital segment of the CN III observed on the examined material involved both the superior and inferior branch of this nerve. The muscular branch innervating the levator palpebrae superioris muscle occasionally pierces the superior rectus muscle. The nerve to the inferior oblique muscle may pierce and innervate the inferior rectus muscle. In rare instances, duplication of the parasympathetic root of the ciliary ganglion may also occur. Among the muscular branches, the smallest diameter reached the branch to the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. Among the three muscular branches derived from the inferior branch of the CN III, the nerve to the inferior oblique was the longest one. Its length varied from 28.9 mm to 37.4 mm. The shortest was the muscular branch to the inferior rectus muscle. Its length varied from 0 mm (when muscular sub-branches arose directly from the nerve to the inferior oblique muscle) to 7.58 mm. Conclusions: This study presented the characteristic of orbital segment of the CN III, including anatomical variations and morphometric measurements relevant to intraorbital procedures

An unusual insertion of an accessory band of the semitendinosus tendon: case report and review of the literature

The Pes Anserinus is characterised by high morphological variability. It consists of three tendons: the sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus. The semitendinosus and gracilis tendons are routinely harvested for reconstruction anterior cruciate ligament, and the presence of accessory bands within them can handicap the harvesting process. This report presents a case of a rare insertion of accessory band of the semitendinosus tendon (to the fascia of the soleus muscle and tibia). The current classification should be extended to accommodate such “rare cases” to facilitate more successful hamstring grafts

The plantaris muscle — rare relations to the neurovascular bundle in the popliteal fossa

The plantaris muscle is characterised by morphological variability, both for origin and insertion, and may sometimes be absent. Its strength allows the ligament to be used for reconstruction of other tendons and ligaments. This report presents the rare placements and course of the plantaris muscle in relation to the neurovascular bundle. In this case, the hypertrophy of this muscle might cause pressure on the tibial nerve and produce symptoms similar to sciatica

Growth of selected fungi on biodegradable films

This study presents the data summary on growth speed of selected species of fungi on some of biodegradable polymer materials. Growth speed was assessed on films composed of poly(lactide), poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(hydroxybutyrate) after a month of incubation in 24oC. To assess growth of fungi optical microscopy on densitometric measurements were used. Through these analyses the best growth was confirmed for fungus: Chaetomium globosum (ATTC 6205) on a film made of poly(ε -caprolactone)

The report on the co-occurrence of two different rare anatomic variations of the plantaris muscle tendon on both sides of an individual

The plantaris muscle usually begins with a short and small muscle belly on the popliteal surface of the femur and on the knee joint capsule. It continues distally to form a long and thin tendon typically fixed to the calcaneal tuberosity. However, the course and the insertion of the plantaris muscle is variable, which may influence the development of Achilles tendinopathy. The plantaris tendon may also be used for reconstruction of tendons and ligaments, such as talofibular and calcaneofibular ligament. In literature review no data concerning the co-occurrence of anatomic variations of the plantaris muscle tendon in different individuals has been found. This report presents a rare variant of the plantaris muscle insertion into the deep crural fascia on the left leg and absence of the plantaris muscle on the right leg of the same individual

Cyber-Empathic Design: A data-driven framework for product design

One of the critical tasks in product design is to map information from the consumer space to the design space. Currently, this process is largely dependent on the designer to identify and map how psychological and consumer level factors relate to engineered product attributes. In this way current methodologies lack provision to test a designer’s cognitive reasoning and could therefore introduce bias while mapping from consumer to design space. Also, current dominant frameworks do not include user-product interaction data in design decision making and neither do they assist designers in understanding why a consumer has a particular perception about a product. This paper proposes a new framework — Cyber-Empathic Design — where user-product interaction data is acquired via embedded sensors in the products. To understand the motivations behind consumer perceptions, a network of latent constructs is used which forms a causal model framework. Structural Equation Modeling is used as the parameter estimation and hypothesis testing technique making the framework falsifiable in nature. To demonstrate the framework and demonstrate its effectiveness a case study of sensor integrated shoes is presented in this work, where two models are compared — one survey based and using the Cyber-Empathic framework model. It is shown that the Cyber-Empathic framework results in improved fit. The case study also demonstrates the technique to test a designers’ cognitive hypothesis.</jats:p

Ewolucja rewizji sprawozdań finansowych

Sprawozdawczość finansowa podlega w ostatnich latach nieustającej krytyce. Uważa się, że nie jest ona w stanie sprostać rosnącym potrzebom i wymaganiom inwestorów, którzy nie zadowalają się już suchą informacją z raportów finansowych. Decyzje o lokowaniu kapitału wymagają obecnie danych o charakterze finansowym i niefinansowym, dobrowolnych ujawnień informacji niewymaganych prawem, o znacząco rozszerzonym zakresie, pozwalających na przewidywanie sytuacji finansowej i wyników jednostki w przyszłości. W erze społeczeństwa informacyjnego raport finansowy jednostki gospodarczej stopniowo ewoluuje w kierunku raportowania biznesowego. Inwestorzy potrzebują danych o znacznie większej przejrzystości, zrozumiałych i często wspomaganych informacjami opisowymi. Prezentowana publikacja stanowi głos w dyskusji nad ewolucyjnym charakterem, kształtem, kierunkami rozwoju oraz perspektywami współczesnej rachunkowości.Publikacja finansowana ze środków Rektora Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego

Types of coeliac trunk branching including accessory hepatic arteries: a new point of view based on cadaveric study

Background: The coeliac trunk (CT) is major visceral branch of the abdominal aorta. Familiarity with anatomic variations of the CT is relevant for planning radiological and surgical procedures. The aim of our research was determining variations of the CT, including the occurrence of accessory hepatic arteries (AHA). Materials and methods: Forty cadavers were studied. Six patterns of CT branching were observed in this study. AHA were observed in 7 (17.5%) specimens. The most prevalent variation was normal trifurcation, accounting for 62.5% of cases. The rarest variation was absence of the CT, with an incidence of 2.5%. In this variant the left gastric artery, the common hepatic artery, and the splenic artery branched directly off the abdominal aorta. Results: The study material allowed to distinguish two CT branching patterns which, to the best of our knowledge, have not been reported before. It was a type with four branches originating from the CT: the left gastric artery, the common hepatic artery, the splenic artery, and right AHA. The other previously unreported pattern variant was the CT which gave off three branches: the common hepatic artery, the splenic artery and right AHA. Conclusions: The average distance between the aortic hiatus and the coeliac trunk calculated for all the cadavers amounted to 54 ± 11.85 mm. The average distance between the CT and the superior mesenteric artery was 11.1 ± 7.7 mm

Polylactide-based films with the addition of poly(ethylene glycol) and extract of propolis—physico-chemical and storage properties

Polymeric films based on polylactide (PLA) with the addition of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and a chloroformic extract of propolis were obtained. In the case of the studied films, polylactide (PLA) played the role of polymeric matrix and poly(ethylene glycol) was used as a plasticizer, while the extract of propolis was incorporated as a compound that could significantly affect the properties of the obtained materials, especially the water vapour permeation rate and the stability of the food products. Moreover, changes in structure, morphology, mechanical and storage properties as well as differences in colour, thickness and transparency after introducing propolis into the PLA–PEG system were determined. Based on the obtained results, it was established that the addition of the chloroformic extract of propolis significantly influences the most important properties taken into account during food packaging. It was also noticed that films with incorporated propolis were characterised by a significant improvement in the water vapour barrier property. Moreover, the obtained results prove that packaging containing a chloroformic propolis extract allow for the maintenance of the quality of the fruit stored for an extended period of time. To summarise, the application of a chloroformic propolis extract enables the formation of packaging materials that extend the shelf life of stored food products