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The feasibility to obtain highly porous collagen-based scaffolds (SCs) integrated with uniformly dispersed poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles (MPs) was evaluated. PLGA-MPs were prepared by double emulsion technique and SCs with different amounts of MPs (SC/PLGA-MPs) were produced. Results showed that SC/PLGA-MPs could be successfully manufactured, the PLGA-MPs being physically retained in the SCs, without affecting the porous structure. PLGA-MPs also increased the SC hydrophilicity, acted as a mechanical reinforcement and retarded the degradation rate. In addition, the interactions between MPs and Caco-2 cells did not interfere with the correct morphological, adhesion and proliferation pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coir fibers are lignocellulosic fibers extracted from the outer husk of a coconut, known for their versatility and low cost. This study assessed the feasibility of producing coir reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites and the use of maleic anhydride grafted PLA (PLA-g-MA) as compatibilizer. Composites were produced in a twin-screw extruder and the mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile, flexural and heat deflection temperature tests. The morphological properties were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of compatibilizer and fiber content on molar mass of the composites was assessed by means of size-exclusion chromatography. SEM images showed that addition of the compatibilizer improved interfacial adhesion. However, this finding was not reflected in the mechanical properties because the high acidity content of the compatibilizer, revealed by titration of acid groups, along with the residual moisture of the fibers, significantly decreased molar mass of the polymer, impairing the composite matrix properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles were synthetized and capped by a SiO2 shell in order to avoid oxidation and aggregation of the iron oxide nanostructures. The inorganic capping was then further decorated by folic acid molecules, by using a very simple procedure exploiting supramolecular interactions among the organic moieties and the inorganic nanoparticles. The supramolecular nanoadduct thanks to folic acid molecules could act as a “Trojan horse” for the cancer cells and due to its superparamagnetic properties could induce local heat generation upon an appropriate magnetic field application. In fact, temperature was increased up to 42 °C when a 18 mT magnetic field was applied to the nanoparticles and the hybrid nanostructures were verified to be selectively internalized by HeLa cells, a human cervical cancer line known to overexpress the folic acid receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-step investigation of polypropylene-controlled degradation was performed. First the controlled degradation of polypropylene was investigated by assessing the effects of using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy) hexane (DHBP) in different suspensions (neat, calcium carbonate, and organically modified montmorillonite). The second part of this research was performed according to a factorial design at two levels (22 experimental design) with center point, in which peroxide concentration and reaction time were studied. Polypropylene degradation was assessed by melt flow rate (MFR) and parallel plate rheometry. Results showed that DCP presented higher molar efficiency in polypropylene degradation reactions in relation to DHBP; likely due to radical recombination reactions. The results also indicate that clay may catalyze the recombination reactions of polypropylene radicals. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examined the grafting of maleic anhydride (MA) onto polypropylene (PP) in the presence of the electron-donating monomer styrene (ST). It determined the amount of reacted MA and the extent of degradation in PP using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and melt flow index (MFI). It concluded that an increase in the initial MA concentration presented distinct behavior that depended on the ST content.

. Soil analysis was carried out on samples obtained from a breeding-site of the sandflies Phlebotomus perniciosus Newstead, P. perfiliewi perfiliewi Parrot and Sergentomyia minuta (Rondani) in Sardinia. Soil texture, pH, CaCo3, organic matter and water content showed no correlation with the number of sandflies that emerged from the places where soil samples were taken. It appears that pre-imaginal stages of these phlebotomine sandflies are associated with a relatively stable, cool and humid environment protected from sunshine and rain, rich in clay and in organic nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Experientia is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Experientia is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Experientia is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Experientia is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)