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Background Peritoneal dialysis is an important type of renal replacement therapy for uremic patients. In peritoneal dialysis, fluids fill in and flow out of the abdominal cavity three to five times per day. Usually, the fluid is packed in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bag. Safety concerns have arisen over di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, which is essential in the formation of PVC materials. In 2011, the National Development and Reform Commission of China released a catalog of industrial structural adjustments, mandating the elimination of PVC bags for intravenous infusion and food containers. Although bags for peritoneal dialysis fluid were not included in the elimination list, several manufacturers began to develop new materials for fluid bags. HUAREN peritoneal dialysis fluid consists of the same electrolytes and buffer agent as in Baxter fluid, but is packed in bags that do not contain PVC. This multicenter randomized controlled trial was designed to compare peritoneal dialysis fluid packed in non-PVC-containing and PVC-containing bags. Further, the study sought to determine the proper dose of peritoneal dialysis fluid and the actual survival rates of Chinese patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Methods/Design The study participants are adults undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for 30 days to 6 months. All eligible patients are randomized (1:1) to peritoneal dialysis with Baxter and HUAREN dialysis fluids (initial dose, 6 l/day), with dosages adjusted according to a unified protocol. The primary outcomes are the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year overall survival rates. Secondary outcome measures include technique survival rates, reductions in estimated glomerular filtration rate, nutritional status, quality of life, cardiovascular events, medical costs and drop-out rates. Safety outcome measures include adverse events, changes in vital signs and laboratory parameters, peritonitis, allergies, and quality of products. Discussion This study is the first to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of a non-PVC packed peritoneal dialysis fluid. The effects of plasticizer on patient long-term survival will be determined. The characteristics of Chinese patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis will be determined, including proper dose, technique survival rates, patient survival rates, and medical costs. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01779557 .

Achieving high quality of a coated food product is mostly dependent on the characteristics of the food material to be coated, the properties of the components in the coating solution, and the obtained coating material. In the present study, usability and effectiveness of various components as well as their concentrations were assessed to produce an effective coating material. For this purpose, different concentrations of gelling agent (sodium alginate 0–3.5%, w/w), plasticizers (glycerol and sorbitol (0–20%, w/w), surfactants (tween 40, tween 80, span 60, span 80, lecithin (0–5%, w/w), and vegetable oils (sunflower oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil (0–5%, w/w) were used to prepare edible coating solutions. Formulations were built gradually, and characteristics of coatings were evaluated by analyzing surface tension values and its polar and dispersive components, emulsion droplet size, and optical appearance in microscopic scale. The results obtained showed that 1.25% sodium alginate, 2% glycerol, 0.2% sunflower oil, 1% span 80, and 0.2% tween 40 or tween 80 can be used in formulation to obtain an effective coating for hydrophobic food surfaces. Three formulations were designed, and their stability (emulsion droplet size, optical characteristics, and creaming index) and wettability tests on strawberry showed that they could be successfully used in coating applications.

Babassu ( Atallea sp. ), a native palm tree from South America’s Amazon produces bio-oil and biochar with significant potential for industrial applications. Babassu oil as a bio-based plasticizer is reported here for the first time to replace petrochemical alternatives in the production of conductive filaments for additive manufacturing purposes. The newly developed filament, consisting of 30 wt.% carbon black (CB), 60 wt.% polylactic acid (PLA), and 10 wt.% Babassu oil, demonstrates enhanced thermal stability, improved printability, and superior electrochemical performance. 3D-printed electrodes made from this Babassu-CB/PLA filament outperform those made from commercial CB/PLA filaments, exhibiting better voltammetric responses (e.g., lower peak-to-peak separation and higher current intensity) for inner-sphere redox probes. As a proof-of-concept, these bio-based electrodes were successfully used to detect cocaine in real-world street samples, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.2 µmol L −1 . The Babassu-CB/PLA electrodes provided reliable cocaine quantification without interference from common adulterants such as caffeine, paracetamol, and phenacetin and showed no matrix effects, as confirmed by recovery values ranging from 88 to 102%. Notably, the use of Babassu oil eliminates the need for laborious post-treatment protocols to achieve optimal electrochemical performance. In this study, only mechanical polishing on the electrode surface is required. This study highlights the potential of Babassu oil as a sustainable alternative in the fabrication of conductive filaments for electrochemical applications, advancing the field of environmentally friendly and efficient 3D-printed sensors. Graphical Abstract

Glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), an energetic binder, is the focus of this review. We briefly introduce the key properties of this well-known polymer, the difference between energetic and non-energetic binders in propellant and explosive formulations, the fundamentals for producing GAP and its copolymers, as well as for curing GAP using different types of curing agents. We use recent works as examples to illustrate the general approaches to curing GAP and its derivatives, while indicating a number of recently investigated curing agents. Next, we demonstrate that the properties of GAP can be modified either through internal (structural) alterations or through the introduction of external (plasticizers) additives and provide a summary of recent progress in this area, tying it in with studies on the properties of such modifications of GAP. Further on, we discuss relevant works dedicated to the applications of GAP as a binder for propellants and plastic-bonded explosives. Lastly, we indicate other, emerging applications of GAP and provide a summary of its mechanical and energetic properties.

While bio-based but chemically synthesized polymers such as polylactic acid require industrial conditions for biodegradation, protein-based materials are home compostable and show high potential for disposable products that are not collected. However, so far, such materials lack in their mechanical properties to reach the requirements for, e.g., packaging applications. Relevant measures for such a modification of protein-based materials are plasticization and cross-linking; the former increasing the elasticity and the latter the tensile strength of the polymer matrix. The assessment shows that compared to other polymers, the major bottleneck of proteins is their complex structure, which can, if developed accordingly, be used to design materials with desired functional properties. Chemicals can act as cross-linkers but require controlled reaction conditions. Physical methods such as heat curing and radiation show higher effectiveness but are not easy to control and can even damage the polymer backbone. Concerning plasticization, effectiveness and compatibility follow opposite trends due to weak interactions between the plasticizer and the protein. Internal plasticization by covalent bonding surpasses these limitations but requires further research specific for each protein. In addition, synergistic approaches, where different plasticization/cross-linking methods are combined, have shown high potential and emphasize the complexity in the design of the polymer matrix.

Due to the growing environmental concerns of petroleum-based plastics, there has been a surge of interest in biodegradable alternatives. In this study, starch-based bioplastic was prepared using biopolymers extracted from corn and potato and the biopolymer was mixed with calcium carbonate (filler) and plasticizers (glycerol-sorbitol) and evaluated. For the fabricated formulation, Taguchi analysis gave an optimal formulation of 9 g corn starch, 9 mL glycerol, and 2.5 g calcium carbonate, having a well-balanced mechanical strength, flexibility, and biodegradability. The results showed a major improvement in tensile strength of 22.5% (6.08 MPa) and a 31.7% increase in Young’s modulus (0.103 GPa), compared to the least effective sample. In biodegradation tests, the degradation rate of C1 (66.68%) was the fastest, while C3 had a slower rate (29.08%). Moisture absorption varied considerably, with sample COM3 absorbing 25.92% compared to just 4.35% for P3, while P3 absorbed only 4.35%. Among compounds, the higher and lower percentage for water solubility were for P1 (20.50%) and C3 (49.04%) respectively. These results underscore the potential of starch-based bioplastics for sustainable packaging, offering an environmentally friendly option compared to traditional plastics.

The pursuit of materials, particularly plastics, with a minimal ecological footprint throughout their circular lifecycle, is crucial for advancing sustainable materials development. Living materials composed of embedded yet active organisms can leverage endogenous biotic resources to achieve functional materials that align with sustainability goals. However, current living material systems face challenges such as weak mechanical properties, limited environmental adaptability, and restricted cellular functionality. In this study, we propose an approach to sustainable living materials by incorporating active organisms into silk-based plastics through a plasticizer-assisted thermal molding process. We investigate the mechanism of structure formation in these materials, correlating manufacturing performance to the resulting secondary structure. These silk-based plastics provide a protective matrix for probiotics, ensuring their survival through the harsh gastrointestinal tract and enhancing intestinal delivery. Similarly, soil rhizobacteria encapsulated within the plastics exhibit long-term protease activity, accelerating plastic degradation upon soil exposure. This work demonstrates the potential of sustainable plastics as a form of living materials, where active organisms are processed, entrapped, retain metabolic functions, and are protected in harsh environments. Living materials align with sustainability goals, but usually face challenges such as limited environmental adaptability and restricted cellular functionality. Here, the authors report a sustainable plasticizer-assisted thermoplastic molding process to develop silk protein-based living plastics with dense structures, functioning as protective matrices for encapsulated microorganisms.

Organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers (PFRs) are a group of chemicals widely added to consumer products. PFRs are quickly metabolized in the human body into two types of metabolites, (1) dialkyl and diaryl phosphate esters (DAPs), such as diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) and bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP); and (2) hydroxylated PFRs (HO-PFRs), such as 1-hydroxy-2-propyl bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPHIPP) and 2-hydroxyethyl bis(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (BBOEHEP). Existing analytical methods usually focus on DAPs; therefore, human biomonitoring data on HO-PFRs remain scarce. In this study, an analytical procedure was developed for the simultaneous quantification of multiple PFR metabolites in human urine, covering eight DAPs and six HO-PFRs. Sample preparation was optimized to include all target compounds using Bond-Elut C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges, followed by instrumental analysis based on liquid-chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Method performance was validated according to established guidelines and satisfactory results were obtained for all metabolites in terms of recovery, linearity, limits of quantification, precision, and accuracy. Recoveries ranged from 87 to 112%. Method detection limits from 0.002 ng/mL for 2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl diphenyl phosphate (5-HO-EHDPHP) to 0.66 ng/mL for 4-hydroxyphenyl phenyl phosphate (4-HO-DPHP). Seven PFR metabolites were frequently detected in a small biomonitoring study (n = 14), among them bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DNBP), 5-HO-EHDPHP, and BBOEHEP. Highest mean concentrations were found for DPHP, 2-ethylhexyl phenyl phosphate (EHPHP), and BCIPHIPP, while 4-HO-DPHP, 5-HO-EHDPHP, and EHPHP were detected in urine for the first time. Overall, the obtained results demonstrate that the developed method can be used for the simultaneous determination of 14 urinary biomarkers of exposure to PFRs.

Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) are widely used emerging plasticizers, but their potential to induce lipid metabolism disorders remains poorly understood. In this study, we explored their toxicological mechanisms using a network toxicology framework combined with molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Potential targets of ATBC and ESBO were predicted from multiple databases and compared with genes associated with lipid metabolism disorders. Core targets were identified through protein–protein interaction network analysis. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Disease Ontology (DO) enrichment analyses were performed to infer relevant biological processes and pathways. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were further applied to evaluate the binding affinity and stability between the compounds and key targets. Five core targets—epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), JUN proto-oncogene (JUN), and androgen receptor (AR)—were identified, mainly involved in immune regulation, hormone signaling, and the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) pathway. Enrichment analyses suggested that the emerging plasticizers ATBC and ESBO may disturb lipid metabolism and contribute to diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hormone-sensitive cancers. Docking results confirmed strong and specific interactions between the compounds and core targets. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that ATBC and ESBO may disrupt hepatic lipid metabolism through HIF-1 activation and immune–endocrine pathway interference, providing insight into their potential health risks.

The synergistic effect of nucleating agents and plasticizers on the thermal and mechanical performance of PLA nanocomposites was investigated with the objective of increasing the crystallinity and balancing the stiffness and toughness of PLA mechanical properties. Calcium carbonate, halloysite nanotubes, talc and LAK (sulfates) were compared with each other as heterogeneous nucleating agents. Both the DSC isothermal and non-isothermal studies indicated that talc and LAK were the more effective nucleating agents among the selected fillers. Poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) acted also as a nucleating agent due to the formation of the PLA stereocomplex. The half crystallization time was reduced by the addition of talc to about 2 min from 37.5 min of pure PLA by the isothermal crystallization study. The dynamic mechanical thermal study (DMTA) indicated that nanofillers acted as both reinforcement fillers and nucleating agents in relation to the higher storage modulus. The plasticized PLA studied by DMTA indicated a decreasing glass transition temperature with the increasing of the PEG content. The addition of nanofiller increased the Young’s modulus. PEG had the plasticization effect of increasing the break deformation, while sharply decreasing the stiffness and strength of PLA. The synergistic effect of nanofillers and plasticizer achieved the balance between stiffness and toughness with well-controlled crystallization.