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

Types of inferior phrenic arteries: a new point of view based on a cadaveric study

Background: The diaphragm is supplied by the superior and inferior phrenic arteries. This present study focusses on the latter. The inferior phrenic arteries (IPA) usually originate from the abdominal aorta. The two arteries have different origins, and knowledge of these is important when performing related surgical interventions and interventional radiological procedures. The aim of this study was to identify variations in the origin of the IPA and conduct relevant morphometric analyses.Materials and methods: The anatomical variations in the origins of the left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA) and the right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA) were examined in 48 cadavers fixed in 10% formalin solution. A dissection of the abdominal region of the cadavers was performed according to a pre-established protocol using traditional techniques. Morphometric measurements were then taken twice by two of the researchers.Results: In the cadavers, six types of origin were observed. In type 1, the most common type, the RIPA and LIPA originate from the abdominal aorta (AA) (14 = 29.12%). In type 2, the RIPA and the LIPA originate from the coeliac trunk (CT) (12 = 24.96%). In type 3, the RIPA and the LIPA originate from the left gastric artery, with no CT observed (3 = 6.24%). Type 4 has two subtypes: 4A, in which the LIPA originates from the AA and the RIPA originates from the CT (9 = 18.72%) and 4B, in which the RIPA originates from the AA and the LIPA originates from the CT (6 = 12.48%). In type 5, the LIPA originates from the AA and the RIPA originates from the AA (1 = 2.08%). Type 6 is characterised by the RIPA and LIPA forming a common trunk originating from the CT (3 = 6.24%). Conclusions: Our findings suggest the presence of six different types of LIPA and RIPA origin. The most common form is type 1, characterised by an IPA originating from the abdominal aorta, while the second most common is type 2, in which the IPA originates from the AA by a common trunk. The diversity of other types of origin is associated with the occurrence of coeliac trunk variation (type 3). No significant differences in RIPA diameter could be found, whereas LIPA diameter could vary significantly. No significant differences in RIPA and the LIPA diameter could be found according to sex

Anatomic mapping of the collateral branches of the external carotid artery with regard to daily clinical practice

Background: To identify the anatomical variations of the main branches of the external carotid artery (lingual, facial, occipital, ascending pharyngeal and sternocleidomastoid), giving information about the calibers and origins with the aim of creating a new classification useful in clinical practice. Material and methods: 193 human embalmed body-donors were dissected. The data collected were analyzed using the Chi² test. The results of previous studies were reviewed. Results: The majority of the anterior arterial branches (superior thyroid, facial and lingual artery) were observed with an independent origin, respectively, classified as pattern I (80.83%, 156/193). In 17.62% (34/193) a linguofacial trunk, pattern II, has been observed, only in 1,04% (2/193) a thyrolingual trunk, pattern III, has been found and in one case (1/193, 0.52%) one thyrolinguofacial trunk, pattern IV, was found. Depending on the posterior branches (occipital and ascending pharyngeal), four different types could be determined: type a, the posterior arteries originated independently, type b, the posterior arteries originated in a common trunk, type c, the ascending pharyngeal artery was absent, type d, the occipital artery was absent. Conclusion: Anatomical variations in these arteries are relevant in daily clinical practice due to growing applications, e.g., in Interventional Radiology techniques. Knowledge of these anatomical references could help clinicians in the interpretation of the carotid system

Effect of a compatibilizong agent on thermal properties of polylactide-based composites exposed to UVC radiation

Folie zawierające polilaktyd jako osnowę polimerową, montmorylonit jako napełniacz oraz poli(ε-kaprolakton) jako kompatybilizator naświetlano promieniowaniem UV-C (max 254nm) w odstępach dwu godzinnych do 16 godzin. Wpływ napełniacza oraz obecności kompatybilizatora na proces fotodegradacji analizowano przeprowadzając badania właściwości termicznych, zarówno wyjściowych materiałów jak i po różnych czasach ekspozycji na UV. Pod uwagę brano między innymi następujące parametry: stabilność termiczną, temperaturę zeszklenia czy stopień krystaliczności. Otrzymane wartości wskazują, iż wprowadzenie poli(ε-kaprolaktonu) jak i montmorylonitu powoduje wzrost stopnia krystaliczności materiałów, co jest jednym z kluczowych czynników wpływających na proces fotodegradacji. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników stwierdzono, iż obecność napełniacza podobnie jak i kompatybilizatora poprawia odporność kompozytów polilaktydowych na działanie promieniowania UV.Films consisting of polylactide as polymer matrix, montmorillonite as filler and poly(ε-caprolactone) as compatibilizing agent were irradiated with UV (254 nm) at intervals of 2-16 hours. Effect the presence of filler and compatibilizing agent has got on photodegradation process was analyzed by examination of thermal properties of both the starting material and the material after various times of exposure to UV radiation. The following parameters were taken into account: thermal stability, temperature of glass transition as well as degree of crystallinity. Determined values indicate that the introduction of a compatibilizing agent and a nanofiller into polymer matrix increases degree of crystallinity of obtained materials. Degree of crystallinity is an important factor influencing photodegradation process. Based on obtained results it has been established that the presence of a nanofiller as well as a compatibilizing agent improves thermal stability of polylactide composites exposed to UV radiation

Effect of extrusion conditions on thermal and mechanical properties of polyethylene filled with bentonite modifiedwith N-nonylquinolinium

W celu poprawy właściwości mechanicznych i stabilności termicznej polietylenu wprowadzono do niego bentonit w ilości 5% modyfikowany N-nonylochinoliną (NCh). W celu określenia modyfikacji bentonitu (BNT) wykonano analizę XRD. Istotnym z punktu widzenie właściwości otrzymanych kompozytów okazało się ustalenie odpowiednich warunków otrzymywania nowych materiałów na bazie polietylenu. Materiały otrzymywano w warunkach różniących się temperaturami stref zasilania i mieszania oraz czasem mieszania. W celu określenia wpływu wybranych parametrów na właściwości otrzymanych kompozytów wykonano analizę termograwimetryczną oraz zbadano właściwości mechaniczne przy statycznym rozciąganiu. Pod uwagę brano między innymi następujące parametry: stabilność termiczną określaną poprzez temperaturę przy 10 i 50% ubytku masy, moduł Younga oraz wartość siły rozciągającej. Otrzymane wartości wskazują, iż warunki otrzymywania nowych materiałów na bazie polietylenu i bentonitu modyfikowanego N-nonylochinoliną mają istotny wpływ na właściwości badanych układów.In order to improve mechanical properties and thermal stability of the polyethylene, bentonite modified with N-nonylquinoline (NCh) was introduced into the polymer matrix in an amount of 5%. In aim to determine the modification of bentonite (BNT), an XRD analysis was performed. Taking into account the properties of the obtained composites it has been established that appropriate conditions for the production of new polyethylene-based materials are essential. Materials were obtained under conditions of varying temperatures of flow and mixing zones as well as in varying mixing time. In aim to determine the influence of selected parameters on thermal and mechanical properties of the newly formed materials, a thermogravimetric analysis has been conducted and mechanical properties during static tension have been investigated. The following parameters were taken into account: thermal stability determined by temperature at 10 and 50% mass loss, Young’s modulus and tensile strength. The obtained values indicate that the conditions for obtaining new materials based on polyethylene and bentonite modified with N-nonylquinoline have a significant influence on theproperties of PE-based composites