Crystallization Study and Comparative in Vitro–in Vivo Hydrolysis of PLA Reinforcement Ligament

In the present work, the crystallization behavior and in vitro–in vivo hydrolysis rates of PLA absorbable reinforcement ligaments used in orthopaedics for the repair and reinforcement of articulation instabilities were studied. Tensile strength tests showed that this reinforcement ligament has similar mechanical properties to Fascia Latta, which is an allograft sourced from the ilio-tibial band of the human body. The PLA reinforcement ligament is a semicrystalline material with a glass transition temperature around 61 °C and a melting point of ~178 °C. Dynamic crystallization revealed that, although the crystallization rates of the material are slow, they are faster than the often-reported PLA crystallization rates. Mass loss and molecular weight reduction measurements showed that in vitro hydrolysis at 50 °C initially takes place at a slow rate, which gets progressively higher after 30–40 days. As found from SEM micrographs, deterioration of the PLA fibers begins during this time. Furthermore, as found from in vivo hydrolysis in the human body, the PLA reinforcement ligament is fully biocompatible and after 6 months of implantation is completely covered with flesh. However, the observed hydrolysis rate from in vivo studies was slow due to high molecular weight and degree of crystallinity

Maximus Margunius: bishop of Cerigo: life - activity - works

The present work aims to highlight the greatness and diverse personality of the bishop of Cerigo (Kythera) Maximus Margunius, and explore the ways his work influenced Christian world. Through the exploratory approach we try to answer the question “who was finally the bishop of Cerigo Maximus Margunius”. We examine the research data and proceed to a holistic view of his life, action and writing work, through the strengthening of arguments using primary sources, but also the documented rejection of secondary sources, where is necessary, and the rendering the truth of the facts. In addition, the utilization of fragmented knowledge is treated critically and synthetically, through the parabolic study of manuscripts and printed codes in order to highlight the historical truth. In the first part, examining the life of Maximus Margunius, we analyze revealing personal situations in order to reconstruct his life. Pointing out gaps, omissions, but also inaccuracies in the Greek and international literature and escalating our priorities, we present the main periods of his turbulent life from his birth in Crete until his death in Venice. In the second part related to the action of Maximus Margunius, we present his attempt to bridge the differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Without delving into his theological positions for the convergence of opposites, we wander his reflection by presenting the legacy of Margunius. Much of the second part deals with his theological dispute with the Archbishop of Philadelphia Gabriel Severos. We highlight his activism and his general contribution to education, his timeless relations with Sinaitic monastery of St. Catherine in Chandakas (Heraklion) of Crete, but also his relations with leading figures of Reformation. Equally important today is the existence of a comprehensive presentation of the work of Maximus Margunius. That is why in the third part we present the whole of his writing activity, which covers a wide range of works, that concern not only his theological oriented works, but also those related to his philosophical and literary interests. We examine his even limited turn to the vernacular, while we also make a critical evaluation of his poetic production. Particularly important is the presentation for the first time of a catalogue of the handwritten tradition of the letters of Maximus Margunius, which includes 60 entries in various manuscripts, as well as an initial catalogue of 25 manuscripts and printed codes that incorporate epigrams of Maximus Margunius. Our dissertation ends with the presentation of the research findings around the life, the action and the wider work of Margunius, highlighting an incomplete or even distorted study of this multifarious and diverse personality.Η παρούσα εργασία σκοπό έχει να αναδείξει το μεγαλείο του επισκόπου Κυθήρων Μάξιμου Μαργούνιου, την πολυσχιδή προσωπικότητά του και να διερευνήσει τις επιδράσεις που άσκησε το έργο του στον χριστιανικό κόσμο. Μέσα από τη διερευνητική προσέγγιση προσπαθούμε να απαντήσουμε στο ερώτημα ποιος ήταν τελικά ο επίσκοπος Κυθήρων Μάξιμος Μαργούνιος. Εξετάζουμε τα μέχρι σήμερα ερευνητικά δεδομένα και προχωρούμε σε μία ολιστική θεώρηση της ζωής, της δράσης και του συγγραφικού του έργου, μέσα από την ενδυνάμωση των επιχειρημάτων με τη χρήση πρωτογενών πηγών, αλλά και της τεκμηριωμένης απόρριψης δευτερογενών πηγών, όπου χρειάζεται, και απόδοσης της αλήθειας των γεγονότων. Επιπλέον, η αξιοποίηση των κατακερματισμένων γνώσεων αντιμετωπίζεται κριτικά και συνθετικά, μέσα από την αντιπαραβολική μελέτη των χειρόγραφων και έντυπων κωδίκων προκειμένου να αναδείξουμε την ιστορική αλήθεια. Στο πρώτο μέρος εξετάζοντας τον βίο του Μάξιμου Μαργούνιου αναλύουμε αποκαλυπτικές προσωπικές καταστάσεις, ανασυνθέτοντας τη ζωή του. Επισημαίνοντας το κενό, τις παραλείψεις, αλλά και τις ανακρίβειες στην ελληνική και διεθνή βιβλιογραφία και ιεραρχώντας τις προτεραιότητές μας, παρουσιάζουμε τις κύριες περιόδους της πολυτάραχης ζωής του από τη γέννησή του στην Κρήτη μέχρι και το θάνατό του στη Βενετία. Στο δεύτερο μέρος που σχετίζεται με τη δράση του Μάξιμου Μαργούνιου παρουσιάζουμε την απόπειρα του Μαργούνιου για γεφύρωση των διαφορών Ορθοδοξίας και Ρωμαιοκαθολικισμού. Χωρίς να εμβαθύνουμε στις θεολογικές θέσεις του για σύγκλιση των αντιθέσεων, περιδιαβαίνουμε τον στοχασμό του παρουσιάζοντας την παρακαταθήκη του Μαργούνιου. Ένα μεγάλο μέρος του δεύτερου μέρους αναλώνεται στη θεολογική του έριδα με τον αρχιεπίσκοπο Φιλαδελφείας Γαβριήλ Σεβήρο. Αναδεικνύουμε τη δραστηριοποίησή του και την εν γένει προσφορά του στην παιδεία της περιόδου, τις διαχρονικές του σχέσεις με το Σιναϊτικό μετόχι της Αγίας Αικατερίνης στον Χάνδακα της Κρήτης, αλλά και τις σχέσεις του με ηγετικές μορφές της Μεταρρύθμισης. Εξίσου σημαντική παραμένει στις μέρες μας η ύπαρξη μιας ολοκληρωμένης παρουσίασης της εργογραφίας του Μάξιμου Μαργούνιου. Γι’ αυτό και στο τρίτο μέρος παρουσιάζουμε το σύνολο της συγγραφικής του δραστηριότητας, που καλύπτει ένα ευρύ φάσμα έργων, τα οποία αφορούν όχι μόνο τα θεολογικού προσανατολισμού πονήματά του, αλλά και τα σχετιζόμενα με τα φιλοσοφικά και λογοτεχνικά ενδιαφέροντά του. Εξετάζουμε την έστω και περιορισμένη στροφή του προς τη δημώδη γλώσσα, ενώ προβαίνουμε και σε κριτική αποτίμηση της ποιητικής του παραγωγής. Ιδιαίτερα σημαντική είναι η για πρώτη φορά παρουσίαση της χειρόγραφης παράδοσης των επιστολών του Μάξιμου Μαργούνιου, η οποία περιλαμβάνει 60 εγγραφές σε διάφορα χειρόγραφα, καθώς και μία αρχική καταλόγιση 25 χειρόγραφων και έντυπων κωδίκων που ενσωματώνουν επιγράμματα του Μάξιμου Μαργούνιου. Η διατριβή μας τελειώνει με την παρουσίαση των ερευνητικών πορισμάτων γύρω από το βίο, τη δράση και το ευρύτερο έργο του Μαργούνιου, αναδεικνύοντας μία ελλιπή ή και διαστρεβλωμένη κατά καιρούς μελέτη της πολύπλευρης και πολυσχιδούς αυτής προσωπικότητας

Influence of thymol and silver nanoparticles on the degradation of poly(lactic acid) based nanocomposites: thermal and morphological properties

Biopolymers, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), have been proposed as environmentally-friendly alternatives in applications such as food packaging. In this work, silver nanoparticles and thymol were used as active additives in PLA matrices, combining the antibacterial activity of silver with the antioxidant performance of thymol. The combined action of both additives influenced PLA thermal degradation in ternary systems. DSC results showed that the addition of thymol resulted in a clear decrease of the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA, suggesting its plasticizing effect in PLA matrices. Slight modifications in mechanical properties of dog-bone bars were also observed after the addition of the active components, especially in the elastic modulus. FESEM analyses showed the good distribution of active additives through the PLA matrix, obtaining homogenous surfaces and highlighting the presence of silver nanoparticles successfully embedded into the bulk matrix. Degradation of these PLA-based nanocomposites with thymol and silver nanoparticles in composting conditions indicated that the inherent biodegradable character of this biopolymer was improved after this modification. The obtained nanocomposites showed suitable properties to be used as biodegradable active-food packaging systems with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.Authors would like to thank Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for financial support (MAT-2011-28468-C02-01). Moreover, Marina Ramos would like to thank University of Alicante (Spain) for UAFPU2011-48539721S predoctoral research grant

Proteomic data of donkey's milk

Donkey's milk has been recognized as milk of high biological value and it also has the closest composition to human milk. However, the total protein content of donkey's milk has not been adequately identified. The aim of this analysis is to investigate the proteomic content of that milk. Specific commercially available only milk was analyzed by ``shotgun'' proteomic methods to identify the proteins it contained in as much detail as possible. The application of the above approach resulted in the identification of a total of 633 different proteins, which were grouped based on their molecular function and their biological process. Furthermore, the proteins visualized graphically according to the GeneOntology (GO) system. The identified proteins confirm the high nutritional value of the donkey milk, governing future steps in optimizing its characteristic and uses. © 202

Implementing a preimplantation proteomic approach to advance assisted reproduction technologies in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine

The evolution of the field of assisted reproduction technology (ART) in the last 40 years has significantly contributed to the management of global infertility. Despite the great numbers of live births that have been achieved through ART, there is still potential for increasing the success rates. As a result, there is a need to create optimum conditions in order to increase ART efficacy. The selection of the best sperm, oocyte, and embryo, as well as the achievement of optimal endometrial receptivity, through the contribution of new diagnostic and treatment methods, based on a personalized proteomic approach, may assist in the attainment of this goal. Proteomics represent a powerful new technological development, which seeks for protein biomarkers in human tissues. These biomarkers may aid to predict the outcome, prevent failure, and monitor in a personalized manner in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. In this review, we will present data from studies that have been conducted in the search for such biomarkers in order to identify proteins related to good sperm, oocyte, and embryo quality, as well as optimal endometrial receptivity, which may later lead to greater results and the desirable ART outcome. © 2022, The Author(s)