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International Journal of Pharmaceutical... 2022Death rattle, which could often be associated with a pulmonary fluid overload, occurs in 25% to 90% of dying patients. The co-administration of scopolamine...
Death rattle, which could often be associated with a pulmonary fluid overload, occurs in 25% to 90% of dying patients. The co-administration of scopolamine (anticholinergic drug) and bumetanide (loop diuretic) could be considered in order to avoid unnecessary fluid overload at end-stage of life. The objective of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical stabilities of the admixture bumetanide and scopolamine in order to prepare them in advance by a centralized intravenous additive service in-hospital pharmacy. The stability of the lowest (LOW) concentration was evaluated on five polypropylene syringes containing the admixture bumetanide (Burinex, 2 mg/4 mL) and scopolamine (0.25 mg/mL) at 41.67 µg/mL and 5.21 µg/mL. The highest (HIGH) concentration with 125 µg/mL of bumetanide and 31.25 µg/mL of scopolamine was evaluated on five polypropylene syringes. All syringes were stored for 18 days at 5°C ± 3°C. Periodic samples were visually and microscopically examined to observe any particle appearance or color change. The pH and absorbance at 3 wavelengths (350 nm, 410 nm, and 550 nm) were monitored. The concentrations were measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection, using a newly developed method. During the 18 days of test, there was no change in color or appearance of opacity, turbidity, or precipitation, and the pH remained stable. Mean concentrations of bumetanide and scopolamine at LOW and HIGH concentrations after 18 days remained statistically unchanged. The lower limits of the 95% confidence intervals of both molecules at LOW and HIGH concentrations remained higher than a 90% threshold of concentration, indicating the mixture was chemically stable. Degradation rates of bumetanide and scopolamine content at LOW and HIGH concentrations should not exceed a maximum of 0.70% every 10 days. This study was the first to show that the admixture of bumetanide and scopolamine is physically and chemically stable at two concentrations used in a palliative-care unit. This combination available in ready-to-use polypropylene syringes presents numerous advantages for patient's comfort and safety.
Topics: Bumetanide; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drug Stability; Drug Storage; Humans; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Polypropylenes; Scopolamine; Syringes
PubMed: 35657748
DOI: No ID Found -
Acta Biomaterialia Aug 2022Polypropylene meshes used in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair are hampered by complications. Most POP meshes are highly unstable after tensioning ex vivo, as evidenced...
Polypropylene meshes used in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair are hampered by complications. Most POP meshes are highly unstable after tensioning ex vivo, as evidenced by marked deformations (pore collapse and wrinkling) that result in altered structural properties and material burden. By intentionally introducing collapsed pores and wrinkles into a mesh that normally has open pores and remains relatively flat after implantation, we reproduce mesh complications in vivo. To do this, meshes were implanted onto the vagina of rhesus macaques in nondeformed (flat) vs deformed (pore collapse +/- wrinkles) configurations and placed on tension. Twelve weeks later, animals with deformed meshes had two complications, (1) mesh exposure through the vaginal epithelium, and (2) myofibroblast proliferation with fibrosis - a mechanism of pain. The overarching response to deformed mesh was vaginal thinning associated with accelerated apoptosis, reduced collagen content, increased proteolysis, deterioration of mechanical integrity, and loss of contractile function consistent with stress shielding - a precursor to mesh exposure. Regional differences were observed, however, with some areas demonstrating myofibroblast proliferation and matrix deposition. Variable mechanical cues imposed by deformed meshes likely induce these two disparate responses. Utilizing meshes associated with uniform stresses on the vagina by remaining flat with open pores after tensioning is critical to improving outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Pain and exposure are the two most reported complications associated with the use of polypropylene mesh in urogynecologic procedures. Most meshes have unstable geometries as evidenced by pore collapse and wrinkling after tensioning ex vivo, recapitulating what is observed in meshes excised from women with complications in vivo. We demonstrate that collapsed pores and wrinkling result in two distinct responses (1) mesh exposure associated with tissue degradation and atrophy and (2) myofibroblast proliferation and matrix deposition consistent with fibrosis, a tissue response associated with pain. In conclusion, mesh deformation leads to areas of tissue degradation and myofibroblast proliferation, the likely mechanisms of mesh exposure and pain, respectively. These data corroborate that mesh implantation in a flat configuration with open pores is a critical factor for reducing complications in mesh-augmented surgeries.
Topics: Animals; Female; Fibrosis; Humans; Macaca mulatta; Pain; Pelvic Organ Prolapse; Polypropylenes; Surgical Mesh; Vagina
PubMed: 35671876
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.05.051 -
Microbiological Research Dec 2023The urgent need for better disposal and recycling of plastics has motivated a search for microbes with the ability to degrade synthetic polymers. While microbes capable...
The urgent need for better disposal and recycling of plastics has motivated a search for microbes with the ability to degrade synthetic polymers. While microbes capable of metabolizing polyurethane and polyethylene terephthalate have been discovered and even leveraged in enzymatic recycling approaches, microbial degradation of additive-free polypropylene (PP) remains elusive. Here we report the isolation and characterization of two fungal strains with the potential to degrade pure PP. Twenty-seven fungal strains, many isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated sites, were screened for degradation of commercially used textile plastic. Of the candidate strains, two identified as Coniochaeta hoffmannii and Pleurostoma richardsiae were found to colonize the plastic fibers using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Further experiments probing degradation of pure PP films were performed using C. hoffmannii and P. richardsiae and analyzed using SEM, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR). The results showed that the selected fungi were active against pure PP, with distinct differences in the bonds targeted and the degree to which each was altered. Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing was conducted for both strains and the abundance of carbohydrate active enzymes, GC content, and codon usage bias were analyzed in predicted proteomes for each. Enzymatic assays were conducted to assess each strain's ability to degrade naturally occurring compounds as well as synthetic polymers. These investigations revealed potential adaptations to hydrocarbon-rich environments and provide a foundation for further investigation of PP degrading activity in C. hoffmannii and P. richardsiae.
Topics: Plastics; Polypropylenes; Ascomycota; Fungi; Biodegradation, Environmental
PubMed: 37793281
DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127507 -
The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2022Pyroplastic and plastiglomerate are novel plastic forms that are currently being reported from coastal beaches worldwide. Pyroplastic is burned plastic with a rock-like...
Pyroplastic and plastiglomerate are novel plastic forms that are currently being reported from coastal beaches worldwide. Pyroplastic is burned plastic with a rock-like appearance. Plastiglomerate is a solid bond consisting of either melted plastic attached to rock (in-situ plastiglomerate) or a melted plastic matrix containing (in)organic material (clastic plastiglomerate). Both plastic forms have been related to the (un)intentional burning of plastic. Yet, information on pyroplastic and plastiglomerate from estuarine habitats is limited to a pilot study (for this study) and knowledge of pyroplastic and plastiglomerate dynamics as well as the underlying drivers is missing. To address these knowledge gaps, we frequently surveyed stranded pyroplastics and plastiglomerates in the Ariho River estuary (Honshu, Japan) over seven months and studied the collected samples at the lab. In total, 37 pyroplastics (consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, alkyd resin, polyacrylate styrene and polyvinyl chloride) and seven plastiglomerates (consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene) occurred. While pyroplastics occurred frequently, plastiglomerates occurred occasionally which indicates that both forms are common. Pyroplastic (but not plastiglomerate) occurrence and density (items/m) were related to intertidal elevation. Strandline pyroplastic density, that contributed heavily to the pyroplastic and plastiglomerate entirety, increased under prevailing onshore winds which shows that such winds are environmental drivers of pyroplastic density. Floating tests revealed that clastic plastiglomerate can float. Macro-, micro- and spectroscopic examinations indicated only slight pyroplastic and plastiglomerate weathering which suggests the regional and/or recent formation of both plastic forms. Additionally, we detected the first plastiglomerate with clastic and in-situ features (a plastic matrix containing (in)organic material firmly melted to a rock) which constituted a novel plastiglomerate subtype that we termed "clastic/in-situ plastiglomerate". Overall, our study initiates the development of the fundamental understandings of pyroplastic and plastiglomerate dynamics and the underlying drivers in estuaries.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Estuaries; Japan; Pilot Projects; Plastics; Polyethylene; Polypropylenes; Polystyrenes; Polyvinyl Chloride; Rivers; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 35907528
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157638 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022Multilayered materials are widely studied due to their special structures and great properties, such as their mechanical ones. In this paper a novel and effective...
Multilayered materials are widely studied due to their special structures and great properties, such as their mechanical ones. In this paper a novel and effective technique, a quadruple-layering approach, was used to fabricate multilayered materials. This approach increases the number of layers rapidly via simple operations. Materials with 4, 16, and 64 layers with alternating layers of polypropylene and nanocomposites were fabricated using this approach, and their film morphology and mechanical properties were studied. The influence of the number of layers on the mechanical properties of the materials and the relationship between the mechanical properties of each material were investigated. The results illustrated that the tensile modulus and strength were enhanced and elongation at the break increased when the layer numbers of the multilayered materials increased. However, this approach has a defect in that as the layer number increases, the layer thickness was not uniform, thus restricting the improvement of properties. This may need to be further studied in future work.
Topics: Nanocomposites; Polypropylenes
PubMed: 35956803
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154852 -
International Urogynecology Journal Mar 2016
Topics: Animals; Carcinoma; Female; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Humans; Polypropylenes; Suburethral Slings; Surgical Mesh
PubMed: 26585967
DOI: 10.1007/s00192-015-2892-5 -
Luminescence : the Journal of... Jul 2023Polypropylene textiles have been used in the development of various industrial products, such as automotives, plastic furniture, and medical tools. However,...
Polypropylene textiles have been used in the development of various industrial products, such as automotives, plastic furniture, and medical tools. However, polypropylene resists dyeing due to a deficiency of active staining spots. Here, we developed a new strategy towards new afterglow and photochromic fibres from recycled polypropylene plastics using plasma-supported coloration with rare-earth activated aluminate nanoparticles (REANPs). Plasma curing was used to generate active dyeing sites on the polypropylene surface. A thin film of REANPs (2-10 nm) was deposited onto the plasma-pretreated polypropylene surface. Various analytical techniques were applied to inspect the morphology of the REANP-finished polypropylene fibres. The polypropylene dyeing activity was much improved after being exposed to plasma. Both photoluminescence analysis and Commission internationale de l'éclairage (CIE) laboratory coordinates proved that the polypropylene fibres exhibited a white colour in daylight and green in ultraviolet light. The thin afterglow layer immobilized onto the polypropylene surface exhibited an emission band of 524 nm upon excitation at 365 nm. The sliding angles dropped from 12° to 9°, but the contacting angles increased from 139.4° to 145.0° when the REANP ratio was raised. These findings show that REANP-finished polypropylene had good colourfastness, antimicrobial activity, and ultraviolet light blocking. Both stiffness and permeability to air of REANP-finished polypropylene were explored to designate excellent comfort characteristics.
Topics: Plastics; Polypropylenes; Ultraviolet Rays; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 36657955
DOI: 10.1002/bio.4445 -
Comparative Biochemistry and... Jul 2022Microfibers are widespread environmental pollutants introduced to the soil environment because of the increasing use of plastic polymers. However, research on the soil...
Microfibers are widespread environmental pollutants introduced to the soil environment because of the increasing use of plastic polymers. However, research on the soil ecotoxicity of microfibers is limited, especially when compared to research on their aquatic toxicity. This study investigated the effects of sub-chronic microfiber exposure on the earthworm Eisenia andrei. We compared the effects of three types of microfibers: short lyocell microfibers (231 ± 126 μm long), short polypropylene microfibers (191 ± 107 μm long), and long polypropylene microfibers (891 ± 141 μm long). After exposure for 21 days, earthworm survival, coelomocyte viability, cast microbial viability, and gut microbial viability were assessed, and a histopathological examination of the digestive tract and reproductive tissues was conducted. In addition, long polypropylene microfibers egested by the earthworms were collected to explore the possibility of earthworm-driven biofragmentation. Results indicated that high exposure concentration (1000 mg/kg dry soil) negatively affected earthworm coelomocytes and intestinal tissue, gut, and cast microbiomes. Although all three microfiber types reduced earthworm survival, the short polypropylene microfibers were more toxic to the earthworms than the long polypropylene microfibers or short lyocell microfibers, which indicated that size-dependent soil ecotoxicity was induced. PP microfibers were found to more negatively affect cast microbial activity and intestinal tissue than lyocell microfibers, indicating polymer-dependent soil ecotoxicity potential against earthworm species. This study provides evidence that synthesized microfibers cause cytotoxicity and decrease gut microbiome viability in earthworms, and that they can be biofragmented by earthworms.
Topics: Animals; Oligochaeta; Polymers; Polypropylenes; Soil; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 35460912
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109354 -
Biomaterials Advances May 2024Currently, in vitro testing examines the cytotoxicity of biomaterials but fails to consider how materials respond to mechanical forces and the immune response to them;...
Currently, in vitro testing examines the cytotoxicity of biomaterials but fails to consider how materials respond to mechanical forces and the immune response to them; both are crucial for successful long-term implantation. A notable example of this failure is polypropylene mid-urethral mesh used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The mesh was largely successful in abdominal hernia repair but produced significant complications when repurposed to treat SUI. Developing more physiologically relevant in vitro test models would allow more physiologically relevant data to be collected about how biomaterials will interact with the body. This study investigates the effects of mechanochemical distress (a combination of oxidation and mechanical distention) on polypropylene mesh surfaces and the effect this has on macrophage gene expression. Surface topology of the mesh was characterised using SEM and AFM; ATR-FTIR, EDX and Raman spectroscopy was applied to detect surface oxidation and structural molecular alterations. Uniaxial mechanical testing was performed to reveal any bulk mechanical changes. RT-qPCR of selected pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory genes was carried out on macrophages cultured on control and mechanochemically distressed PP mesh. Following exposure to mechanochemical distress the mesh surface was observed to crack and craze and helical defects were detected in the polymer backbone. Surface oxidation of the mesh was seen after macrophage attachment for 7 days. These changes in mesh surface triggered modified gene expression in macrophages. Pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory genes were upregulated after macrophages were cultured on mechanochemically distressed mesh, whereas the same genes were down-regulated in macrophages exposed to control mesh. This study highlights the relationship between macrophages and polypropylene surgical mesh, thus offering more insight into the fate of an implanted material than existing in vitro testing.
Topics: Humans; Materials Testing; Surgical Mesh; Polypropylenes; Biocompatible Materials; Macrophages; Urinary Incontinence, Stress
PubMed: 38377947
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213800 -
Journal of Cataract and Refractive... Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Polypropylenes; Prosthesis Design; Sclera; Lenses, Intraocular
PubMed: 37276264
DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001234