Effect of chitosan film surface structure on the contact angle

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the surface microstructure of chitosan films on the contact angle. Films without plasticising additives made of chitosan or regenerated chitosan were selected for the tests. A sessile drop method based on the European Pharmacopoeia was used to determine the contact angle. Due to the method of film production, the contact angle measurements were made on both the top and bottom surfaces of the film. For chitosan or regenerated chitosan films, the method of preparation slightly affected the difference in wettability between the top and bottom of the films, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. On the other hand, the wettability of the top and bottom of cellulose films varied greatly depending on the side of the film. Both chitosan and cellulose films had a homogeneous structure. There were differences in the microstructure between the top and the bottom of the sample in the cellulose film, a factor that affected the contact angle and thus the wettability of the surface

Influence of the Structure of Low MolecularWeight Esters on Poly(lactic acid) in the Plasticization Process - part 1

Polymers derived from renewable sources which are additionally subject to degradation processes are currently an interesting alternative to conventional polymers of petrochemical origin. One of such polymers is poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which can be used in the packaging, textile and also medical industries. Its great advantage is the susceptibility to biodegradation and the nontoxicity of the degradation products. Because of high brittleness and stiffness, the modification of PLA is necessary to improve its plastic deformability, which can expand the new application possibilities. As part of the research work, the modification of PLA by plasticisation was undertaken to improve its plastic deformability properties. The low molecular mass esters from the citrate group and glycerol triacetate were used. The samples extruded from plasticised polymer were characterised using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Gel Permeation Chromatography/Size Exclusion Chromatography (GPC/SEC). The mechanical properties and melt flow rate after modification were determined. The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between the structure of a plasticiser and its ability to reduce the interactions in the polymer chain in order to develop an optimal polymerplasticiser arrangement. Based on this research, there was no relationship between the efficiency of the plasticisation process and the increasing molecular mass of the plasticiser. The additional chemical (acetyl) group in the plasticiser also does not increase the efficiency of the PLA plasticisation process. In the next steps of the research, functional forms will be produced, i.e. fibers, films, and fittings from the selected polymer-plasticiser systems

Biodegradowalna włóknina z kopoliestru alifatyczno-aromatycznego z aktywną warstwą kosmetyczną

Polymeric products enriched with natural additives e.g. hyaluronic acid, plant hydrolates or collagen may find a wide application avenue due to the ever growing demand for natural cosmetics. The ecology of cosmetics is equally important. Therefore, in the work presented a biodegradable nonwoven was prepared with natural components as an active layer for cosmetic application. Synthesied was the biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester: poly(1.4 butylene succinate-co-glutarate-co-adipate-co-terephtalate) suitable for the forming of spunbond nonwoven. The active layer was deposited by padding on basic nonwoven. Assessed were microbiological and mechanical properties as well as the in – compost decomposition of the product. Activity against S. aureus and E. coli was tested and microbiological purity estimated. The best serviceable composition of the active layer was selected based on the microbiological properties tested. It contains sodium hialuronate, plant hydrolate of the bitter orange (Neroli), and collagen. Thanks to good mechanical properties, nonwoven made of aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester may serve as a carrier of the cosmetic layer in applications like face masks.Polimerowe wyroby wzbogacone naturalnymi dodatkami np. kwasem hialuronowym, hydrolatami roślinnymi lub kolagenem mogą znaleźć szerokie zastosowanie w kosmetyce, ze względu na coraz większe zainteresowanie konsumentów naturalnymi kosmetykami. Również aspekt ekologiczny zaczyna odgrywać ważną rolę w wyrobach kosmetycznych. Dlatego też w pracy zaprojektowano biodegradowalną włókninę z naturalnymi składnikami stanowiącymi warstwę aktywną do celów kosmetycznych. Przeprowadzono syntezę biodegradowalnego kopoliestru alifatyczno-aromatycznego poli(bursztynian-co-glutaran-co-adypinian-co-tereftalan1,4-butylenu) w celu uzyskania polimeru o określonych właściwościach fizykochemicznych, zdolnego do przetwórstwa na włókniny metodą spunbonded. Następnie na włókninę bazową naniesiono warstwę aktywną metodą napawania. Produkt został poddany ocenie mikrobiologicznej, mechanicznej oraz ocenie stopnia biorozkładu w środowisku kompostowym. Przeprowadzono badania aktywności wobec S. aureus oraz E. coli oraz ocenę czystości mikrobiologicznej wytworzonych włóknin. Na podstawie badań mikrobiologicznych wytypowano najkorzystniejszy skład warstwy aktywnej. Wykonano badania właściwości mechanicznych ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem właściwości użytkowych takich jak zdolności absorpcyjne i układalność. Dzięki dobrym właściwościom mechanicznym włóknina z kopoliestru alifatyczno-aromatycznego może pełnić funkcję bazy kosmetycznej. Jest ona również biodegradowalna co obecnie jest ważną cechą ze względu na ekologię. Wytypowana warstwa aktywna zawierająca w składzie mieszaninę hialuronianów sodu, hydrolat z kwiatu gorzkiej pomarańczy (Neroli) oraz kolagen wykazuje dobre właściwości mikrobiologiczne i mechaniczne. Kolagen, kwas hialuronowy oraz hydrolat z gorzkiej pomarańczy wykazują właściwości pielęgnacyjne i są szeroko stosowane w kosmetyce a naniesione na włókninę mogą doskonale spełniać funkcję kosmetyczną np. w postaci aktywnej maseczki

Biodegradable nonwoven activated polyester with chitosan: potential application in the cosmetic industry

Textile products enriched with natural substances, e.g. hyaluronic acid, plant hydrolates, collagen and chitosan, may find wide application in cosmetics because of increasing consumer interest in natural products. Furthermore, in view of global environmental pollution, products that are produced through biochemical changes as a result of composting are sought. This makes it possible to enter such designed cosmetic products into the scheme of the currently desired circular economy. Compostable textiles are an ecological alternative to product backlogs and polluting the environment in the form of post-consumer waste. Therefore, this research work developed a technology for applying natural substances on a biodegradable polyester fibrous substrate. This study developed the optimal composition of a mixture consisting of natural substances with properties applicable to the cosmetic industry, for applications such as cosmetic masks to improve the appearance of the skin. The composition of active substances that have beneficial effects on the skin, e.g. moisturizing, regenerating, antibacterial and caring, was determined. The mixture was effectively applied on a spunbound nonwoven substrate of made from aliphatic-aromatic copolyester by impregnation. The employed polymer degraded in a compost environment and its modifiers additionally supported this process. The unique composition of the applied coating layer consisted of a mixture of sodium hyaluronate, collagen, bitter orange blossom hydrolate (Neroli) and chitosan lactate. The coated nonwoven fabric was subjected to physical, mechanical, microbiological as well as chemical purity and structural tests (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy) and degree of degradation in a compost environment was assessed on the basis of its weight loss

The Diagnostic Role of FGF 21 in Endometrial Cancer and Other Pathologies of the Uterine Corpus

Endometrial cancer is becoming an increasing problem. Taking into account its pathomechanisms, we aimed to investigate whether FGF 21, an important metabolism regulator, could be used as a biomarker for endometrial cancer. The study included 233 patients who were classified into five subgroups depending on the result of the histological examination: endometrial carcinomas, sarcomas, endometrial polyps, fibroids, and normal endometrium. Statistically significantly higher FGF 21 levels were found in patients diagnosed with malignant lesions (p p = 0.020) and the presence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.009). The diagnostic performance characteristics of FGF 21 as an EC diagnostic marker demonstrated an AUC of 0.677. Of all of the assessed biomarkers, FGF 21 had the highest specificity (90%), yet limited sensitivity (41%). Additionally, HE4 and CA 125 were confirmed to have roles as EC biomarkers, with a higher accuracy for HE4 (79% vs. 72%)

The Diagnostic Role of FGF 21 in Endometrial Cancer and Other Pathologies of the Uterine Corpus

Endometrial cancer is becoming an increasing problem. Taking into account its pathomechanisms, we aimed to investigate whether FGF 21, an important metabolism regulator, could be used as a biomarker for endometrial cancer. The study included 233 patients who were classified into five subgroups depending on the result of the histological examination: endometrial carcinomas, sarcomas, endometrial polyps, fibroids, and normal endometrium. Statistically significantly higher FGF 21 levels were found in patients diagnosed with malignant lesions (p < 0.001). FGF 21 concentration correlated with the degree of cellular differentiation (p = 0.020) and the presence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.009). The diagnostic performance characteristics of FGF 21 as an EC diagnostic marker demonstrated an AUC of 0.677. Of all of the assessed biomarkers, FGF 21 had the highest specificity (90%), yet limited sensitivity (41%). Additionally, HE4 and CA 125 were confirmed to have roles as EC biomarkers, with a higher accuracy for HE4 (79% vs. 72%)