Leaching and VOC Emission Tests of Polymer Composites Produced from Post-Consumer Waste in Terms of Application in the Construction Sector

One of the existing priorities of the European Union is to search for rational waste management and to keep such waste in the economic cycle, while meeting the highest safety requirements. The paper presents the results of environmental tests of composites based on the polyethylene (rPE) and polypropylene (rPP) matrix and reinforced with cellulose fibres (newsprint, NP). Raw materials were obtained by recycling post-consumer waste such as beverage bottles and newsprint. The composites were tested for their potential use as materials in cladding panels and acoustic barriers. Given that normative documents for these products do not define specific environmental requirements, the composites were tested for the release of dangerous substances, such as anions of inorganic compounds, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and their impact on the environment. A detailed in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of release of substances (diffusion, dissolution, surface leaching and depletion) from the rPP/NP composite into surface water, groundwater and soil was carried out. In turn, emission of VOCs from the rPE (low-density:high-density (LD:HD)—50:50) and rPE (LD:HD—30:70) composites into indoor air was also carried out. Raw materials in the form of granulates and loose cellulose fibres, used to produce the composites, were also tested for their environmental impact.     

Near Infrared Investigation of Polypropylene–Clay Nanocomposites for Further Quality Control Purposes—Opportunities and Limitations

Polymer nanocomposites are usually characterized using various methods, such as small angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) or transmission electron microscopy, to gain insights into the morphology of the material. The disadvantages of these common characterization methods are that they are expensive and time consuming in terms of sample preparation and testing. In this work, near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) spectroscopy is used to characterize nanocomposites produced using a unique twin-screw mini-mixer, which is able to replicate, at ~25 g scale, the same mixing quality as in larger scale twin screw extruders. We correlated the results of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, G′ and G″ from rotational rheology, Young’s modulus, and tensile strength with those of NIR spectroscopy. Our work has demonstrated that NIR-technology is suitable for quantitative characterization of such properties. Furthermore, the results are very promising regarding the fact that the NIR probe can be installed in a nanocomposite-processing twin screw extruder to measure inline and in real time, and could be used to help optimize the compounding process for increased quality, consistency, and enhanced product properties.     

聚丙烯网带经12肋悬吊术治疗肾下垂的远期疗效观察

目的：探讨聚丙烯网带经12肋悬吊术治疗肾下垂的远期疗效.方法：采用聚丙烯网带经12肋悬吊术治疗肾下垂患者32例,术后6、12、24、36、48、60个月进行随访.结果：32例患者中,获24个月以上随访者28例,随访24～48月者19例,随访48～60个月者10例.术后经站立位B超、KUB＋IVU等复查,1例由术前Ⅳ度恢复至Ⅰ度,余均恢复正常位置.2例因术前重度积水,术后出现肾萎缩、肾性高血压而行肾切除;4例术后复发,给予中药排石和（或）ESWL、输尿管镜下钬激光碎石治疗;2例经确诊合并有腺性膀胱炎,给予TURBT及羟基喜树碱灌注治愈;1例术后确诊为肾盂肿瘤而行肾输尿管全长切除术;术前合并Dietl危象者1例随访无复发.结论：聚丙烯网带经12肋悬吊术治疗肾下垂是一种操作安全、并发症少、治愈率高、远期效果好的方法.     

直立式聚丙烯输液袋质量的考察

目的 考察新型市售静脉输液包装容器直立式聚丙烯输液袋的透光率、适应性和吸附性,对直立式聚丙烯输液袋的质量进行评价.方法 检测直立式聚丙烯输液袋、多层共挤输液袋和聚丙烯输液瓶的透光率;以温度适应性试验和抗跌落试验考察3种包装容器的适应性;选取4种常见药品头孢呋辛钠、盐酸胺碘酮、硝酸甘油和紫杉醇,评价该3种包装容器对其的吸附性.结果 直立式聚丙烯输液袋的透光率平均值为（95.20±0.55）%,优于多层共挤输液袋和聚丙烯输液瓶;适应性要优于多层共挤输液袋;对4种常见药物未见明显吸附.结论 直立式聚丙烯输液袋具有透明度佳、适应性好、化学性质稳定的特点.     

纳米银-猪小肠黏膜下层与聚丙烯网片修复兔腹壁损伤对比

背景：因为自体取材修复腹壁缺损是以伤治伤,而且取材有限,限制了临床应用,因此寻找理想的腹壁替代材料至关重要。 目的：比较复合修复材料纳米银-猪小肠黏膜下层与聚丙烯网片在腹壁缺损中的应用效果。 方法：大耳兔制备兔腹壁损伤实验模型后随机数字表法分为2组,实验组应用复合材料修复腹壁缺损;对照组应用聚丙烯网片修复腹壁缺损。观察修复后动物一般恢复情况,于修复后1,2,4个月进行腹壁抗张强度测定、腹腔内粘连评分以及组织学检测。 结果与结论：相同时间点实验组粘连度显著低于对照组(P < 0.05);各组4个月腹腔粘连度均较1个月增加(P < 0.05)。两组抗拉力强度修复后4个月均高于修复后1个月(P < 0.01);实验组修复后1,2个月抗拉力强度高于对照组(P < 0.05),到第4个月时,修补处强度几乎相等(P > 0.05)。提示两种修复材料均具有良好的修复能力,修复后均能维持足够的腹壁抗张强度。但复合材料在组织相容性、抗腹腔粘连方面优于聚丙烯网片。自制的纳米银-猪小肠黏膜下层补料无细胞毒性,作为组织工程材料修复腹壁损伤具有可行性。     

单丝聚丙烯合成非吸收齿状线在美容整形应用中并发症的防治及应用改进

目的探讨单丝聚丙烯合成非吸收齿状线在美容整形中的并发症产生的原因及应用方法及技术的改进。方法对近两年的单丝聚丙烯合成非吸收齿状线在美容整形中的应用进行总结与分析。结果改进应用方法后，并发症明显减少，效果加强。结论单丝聚丙烯合成非吸收齿状线在美容整形中应用得当，可减少并发症、取得显著效果。     

Outcome of mid-urethral sling procedures in Korean women with stress urinary incontinence according to body mass index

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine whether the outcome of mid-urethral sling procedures is influenced by the body mass index of Korean women suffering from stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A total of 285 women, ranging in age from 28 to 80 years (mean 55.4), all of whom were followed up for at least 6 months, were ultimately included in this study. The patients were classified as follows: normal weight, 18.5-23 kg/m2; overweight, 23-27.5 kg/m2; obesity, 27.5 kg/m2 or higher. RESULTS: We noted bladder perforations in 11 cases (4.9%, 3.8% and 2.2% in the normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups, respectively; P = 0.449). We determined there to be no significant differences among the three groups with regard to cure rate (P = 0.173). The rates of postoperative urinary retention were 9.9% in the normal weight group, 10.1% in the overweight group, and 15.6% in the obesity group (P = 0.396). We determined there to be no significant differences among the three groups with regard to the persistence of urgency (P = 0.312). Seventy-nine patients (27.7%) exhibited symptoms indicative of voiding disorder (hesitancy, poor flow, or sensations of incomplete emptying). The postoperative development of these voiding symptoms was not significantly different among the three groups (P = 0.106). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate both the feasibility and the safety of mid-urethral sling procedures for obese Korean women who suffer from SUI. Additional studies, including prospective randomized trials with longer follow-up periods, will be required in order to confirm these findings.     

Prospective multicenter clinical trial of Uretex Sup for surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence

AIM: To evaluate in a prospective multicenter study the efficacy and safety of the suburethral support Uretex (Sofradim, Trevoux, France) delivered by a suprapubic approach in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: Between March 2002 and March 2003, 57 patients were treated for stress urinary incontinence with Uretex. Preoperative evaluation included urodynamic examination and questionnaires (symptoms and quality of life, Contilife). Forty patients had pure stress urinary incontinence and 17 mixed urinary incontinence. No associated procedure was performed. The objective cure rate was evaluated by clinical examination and pad-test, and the subjective cure rate was assessed through questionnaires at 1, 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 13 months (range 11-24 months). During follow up, chronic urinary retention requiring a tape section occurred in one patient, and in another patient a delay of vaginal healing was followed by a sling exposure and resection at 4 months. No infection or urethral erosion was reported. The objective cure rate was 96.2%, and the subjective cure rate was 79.2%; four patients reported low leakage on stress and nine patients complained of urge incontinence (four de novo and five persistent). CONCLUSION: The suprapubic Uretex Sup procedure is a safe and effective treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence.     

Compatibility and stability of bryostatin 1 in infusion devices

Bryostatin 1 is currently in phase II clinical trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute as an anticancer chemotherapeutic agent. Bryostatin 1 for injection was supplied in a dual pack containing a drug vial and a diluent vial and was manufactured by Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc (Bedford, OH). The stability and compatibility of the bryostatin 1-PET formulation, diluted to 1 and 10 ug/mL in saline and benzyl alcohol preserved saline, with polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags at room temperature (27°C) were studied. All experiments were conducted in triplicate and analyses were performed using a validated, stability-indicating, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay.Bryostatin 1 solutions were compatible with PP bags. At both concentrations and with both salines, the bryostatin content remained unchanged during the 28-day storage period, benzyl alcohol concentration in the preserved saline solutions also remained relatively constant. In PVC bags, however, a decrease in bryostatin 1 concentrations without generation of decomposition products was observed at both dilutions and with both salines during the 28-day storage. A decrease in benzyl alcohol concentration in the preserved saline was also observed. While no diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) leakage into the solution was observed in PP bags, DEHP leakage in PVC infusion bags was observed on day 2 of storage which increased with storage time and leveled off on day 6. The amount of DEHP leached into drug solution is dependent on the drug concentration. This study suggests bryostatin-PET formulation diluted with preserved saline can be used for long-term (4 week) intravenous administration using PP infusion bags, but not with PVC bags.