Films of Poly(Hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and Copper with Antibacterial Activity.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, is a hydrophobic biopolymer with good mechanical and barrier properties. However, neat PHB is a semicrystalline polymer with a relative high degree of crystallinity and poor film properties. In this work, this biopolymer was plasticized with glycerol tributyrate and functionalized with copper (II) sulfate, allowing us to obtain biodegradable antimicrobial flexible films.

Sustainable and Bio-Based Food Packaging: A Review on Past and Current Design Innovations.

Food loss and waste occur for many reasons, from crop processing to household leftovers. Even though some waste generation is unavoidable, a considerable amount is due to supply chain inefficiencies and damage during transport and handling. Packaging design and materials innovations represent real opportunities to reduce food waste within the supply chain.

Breeding system and geospatial variation shape the population genetics of .

Both intrinsic and extrinsic forces work together to shape connectivity and genetic variation in populations across the landscape. Here we explored how geography, breeding system traits, and environmental factors influence the population genetic patterns of , a widespread mix-mating annual plant in the contiguous US. By integrating population genomic data with spatial analyses and modeling the relationship between a breeding system and genetic diversity, we illustrate the complex ways in which these forces shape genetic variation.

Gels based on calcium alginate/pillared bentonite: structural characterization and their use as cadmium removal agent.

In this work, calcium alginate hydrogels with natural and pillared bentonites (0.5 and 5% w/w) were synthetized in two geometries (disks and beads) and their capacity to adsorb cadmium ion from aqueous media was evaluated. Pillarization effect on bentonite morphology was evidenced by SEM, XRD, LD and BET isotherms.

Vinasse: from a residue to a high added value biopolymer.

This work aimed to study the feasibility of using vinasse for polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by Bacillus megaterium. To optimize the culture medium, a Box-Behnken design was employed considering carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (Ph) concentrations as independent variables and PHB productivity as the response variable. The productivity decreased when C or N were increased, probably due to the presence of phenolic compounds and the limitation of N for the production of PHB by Bacillus sp.

Biobased composites from agro-industrial wastes and by-products.

The greater awareness of non-renewable natural resources preservation needs has led to the development of more ecological high-performance polymeric materials with new functionalities. In this regard, biobased composites are considered interesting options, especially those obtained from agro-industrial wastes and by-products. These are low-cost raw materials derived from renewable sources, which are mostly biodegradable and would otherwise typically be discarded.

Crystalline morphology of thermoplastic starch/talc nanocomposites induced by thermal processing.

A structural study about the changes induced by plasticization of native corn starch was carried out in this work. The influence of talc nanoparticles presence during starch thermal processing was also evaluated. Macroscopic observation of the granules appearance evolution during melt-mixing and thermo-compression was supported by a theoretical description related to these processing methods.

Enhancement of thermoplastic starch final properties by blending with poly(ɛ-caprolactone).

Final properties of two thermoplastic corn starch matrices were improved by adding poly(ɛ-caprolactone), PCL, at 2.5, 5, and 10% w/w. One of the thermoplastic starch matrices was processed using water and glycerol as plasticizers (SG) and the other one was plasticized with a mixture of glycerol and sodium alginate (SGA).

Thermoplastic starch plasticized with alginate-glycerol mixtures: Melt-processing evaluation and film properties.

Corn starch melt-processing in the presence of a commonly used plasticizer mixture (water/glycerol) and a non-conventional alternative (alginate/glycerol) was evaluated. All assayed formulations were successfully processed by melt-mixing and injected in circular probes. It was determined that all samples presented a typical viscoelastic behavior, observing a decrease in storage and loss modulus with water and alginate concentration, which facilitated samples processability.

Reduced effects of thyroid hormone on gene expression and metamorphosis in a paedomorphic plethodontid salamander.

It has been over a century since Gudernatsch (1912, Wilhelm Roux Arch Entwickl Mech Org 35:457-483) demonstrated that mammalian thyroid gland extracts can stimulate tadpole metamorphosis. Despite the tremendous developmental diversity of amphibians, mechanisms of metamorphosis have mostly been studied in a few model systems. This limits our understanding of the processes that influence the evolution of developmental aberrations.

Economic insecurity and access to the social safety net among Latino farmworker families.

Farmworkers experience pervasive economic insecurity in part because of the seasonal nature of agricultural work and limited employment protections. Yet little is known about the adequacy of the social safety net in responding to farmworker needs. Using data from the 2005-2009 National Agricultural Workers Survey (N = 10,469), the current study analyzed predictors of social welfare participation among Latinos, who represent approximately 80 percent of all farmworkers.

Potassium sorbate controlled release from corn starch films.

Active starch films with glycerol and potassium sorbate were obtained by casting. Native and acetylated corn starches, as well as the mixture of them in equal proportions were used and filmogenic suspensions with pH 4.5 were also prepared.

Thermoplastic starch films reinforced with talc nanoparticles.

Nanocomposite films of thermoplastic corn starch (TPS) with talc particles were obtained by thermo-compression in order to study the effect of filler on structure, optical, and thermal properties. Talc increased the films rigid phase, thus their cross-sections resulted more irregular. Talc preferential orientation within matrix and good compatibility between particles and TPS was observed by SEM.

Starch films from a novel (Pachyrhizus ahipa) and conventional sources: Development and characterization.

Biodegradable films from ahipa, cassava and corn native starches were developed by casting method and their physicochemical, mechanical and barrier properties were analyzed taking into account the different starch botanical sources. Filmogenic suspensions were prepared; their rheological behaviors were studied and all of them exhibited film-forming ability. However, mechanical assays demonstrated that unplasticized films were too rigid, limiting their technological applications.

Film forming capacity of chemically modified corn starches.

Native starch can be chemically modified to improve its functionality and to expand its uses. Modified starches were characterized and the rheological behavior of filmogenic suspensions was analyzed. The film forming capacity of different chemical modified corn starches was evaluated.

Lupus anticoagulant syndrome: a case report.

Thromboses of the deep veins (DVT) and potential complications are disorders with which physicians need to be well familiarized so they can be recognized and managed. Hypercoagulable states play a significant role in the development of DVT and these disorders must be suspect when thrombosis occurs, especially in the upper extremities. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is one such hypercoagulable state in which autoantibodies are formed against anionic phospholipid complexes.

A report of two deaths from massive ibuprofen ingestion.

Introduction: Ibuprofen is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. While the vast majority of exposures to the drug do not result in significant morbidity, we are reporting 2 fatalities that resulted from massive ibuprofen ingestion. CASE 1: A 17-year-old girl presented to the emergency department (ED) following an ibuprofen overdose; she was unresponsive with a metabolic acidosis and hypothermic.

Chronic meningitis presenting with acute obstructive hydrocephalus.

A previously healthy 24-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department unresponsive with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 4 and evidence of brainstem herniation. She was intubated and hyperventilated. Computed axial tomography scan of the brain demonstrated four-chamber hydrocephalus.