Effect of Ionizing Radiation Applied to PLA Used as Compatibilizing Agent in Reinforced eGG Shell PBAT/PLA Bio-Based Composites

Bio-filler from eggshells as reinforcement of bio-based polymers are based on their benefits as adequate strength and stiffness, besides friendly, degradable and renewable environment. Eggshell is an agricultural waste considered as garbage, contributing to pollution; nevertheless, it can be transformed into bio-calcium carbonate, acquiring new values. As biodegradable polymers, there were chosen PLA (poly-lactic-acid) and PBAT (butylene adipate co-terephthalate), thermoplastics capable to be processed via conventional methods. PLA is a linear, aliphatic thermoplastic polyester, high in strength and modulus, but brittle. PBAT is a synthetic polymer, very flexible, based on fossil resources with high elongation at break, but low strength. It will be required the use of compatibilizers, for reducing interfacial tension exhibited by PLA/PBAT immiscible blend, considering their extreme glass transition temperatures: 62 o C for PLA and – 30 o C for PBAT. Herein it was used ionizing radiation for inducing compatibilization by free radicals, improving dispersion and adhesion of blend phases, without using chemical additives, at room temperature. PLA, acting as compatibilizer, was previously e-beam and gamma radiated, at 150 kGy. PBAT/PLA 50/50 blend with 15 phr of bio-filler from avian eggs 125 µm particle size and both compatibilizers were homogeneized in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder, within a temperature profile 120 to 145 o C, from hopper to die. Characterization involved: Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Thermogravimetric Analyses, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Wide Angle X-Ray Diffraction, Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break

Study of Bio-Based Foams Prepared from PBAT/PLA Reinforced with Bio-Calcium Carbonate and Compatibilized with Gamma Radiation

Foamed polymers are future materials, considered “green materials” due to their properties with very low consumption of raw materials; they can be used to ameliorate appearance of structures besides contributing for thermal and acoustic insulation. Nevertheless, waste disposal has generated about 20–30% of total of solid volume in landfills besides prejudicing flora and fauna by uncontrolled disposal. The development of biodegradable polymers aims to solve this problem, considering that in 2012, bio-plastics market was evaluated in 1.4 million tons produced and in 2017 attained 6.2 million tons. Biodegradable polymers as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) are thermoplastics which can be processed using the most conventional polymer processing methods. PLA is high in strength and modulus but brittle, while PBAT is flexible and tough. In order to reduce interfacial tension exhibited by PLA/PBAT blends, it was used as compatibilizing agent 5 phr of PLA previously gamma-radiated at 150 kGy. Ionizing radiation induces compatibilization by free radicals, improving the dispersion and adhesion of blend phases, without using chemical additives and at room temperature. As a reinforcement agent, calcium carbonate from avian eggshell waste was used, at 10 ph of micro particles, 125 μm. Admixtures were further processed in a single-screw extruder, using CO2 as physical blowing agent (PBA). Property investigations were performed by DSC, TGA, XRD, SEM, FTIR, and mechanical essays

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial

Background: Appropriate dietary recommendations represent a key part of secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of a nutritional program on quality of diet, cardiovascular events, and death in patients with established CVD. Methods: In this open-label, multicenter trial conducted in 35 sites in Brazil, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 45 years or older to receive either the BALANCE Program (experimental group) or conventional nutrition advice (control group). The BALANCE Program included a unique nutritional education strategy to implement recommendations from guidelines, adapted to the use of affordable and regional foods. Adherence to diet was evaluated by the modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, myocardial revascularization, amputation, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Secondary end points included biochemical and anthropometric data, and blood pressure levels. Results: From March 5, 2013, to Abril 7, 2015, a total of 2534 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the BALANCE Program group (n = 1,266) or the control group (n = 1,268) and were followed up for a median of 3.5 years. In total, 235 (9.3%) participants had been lost to follow-up. After 3 years of follow-up, mean modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (scale 0-70) was only slightly higher in the BALANCE group versus the control group (26.2 ± 8.4 vs 24.7 ± 8.6, P <.01), mainly due to a 0.5-serving/d greater intake of fruits and of vegetables in the BALANCE group. Primary end point events occurred in 236 participants (18.8%) in the BALANCE group and in 207 participants (16.4%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% CI 0.95-1.38; P =.15). Secondary end points did not differ between groups after follow-up. Conclusions: The BALANCE Program only slightly improved adherence to a healthy diet in patients with established CVD and had no significant effect on the incidence of cardiovascular events or death. © 2019 The Author

Children living with HIV in Europe: do migrants have worse treatment outcomes?

International audienceTo assess the effect of migrant status on treatment outcomes among children living with HIV in Europe