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The high global production of electric and electronic equipment increases in the same manner the amount of the waste that needs to be recycled. Special attention is given to the plastics recycling from the waste in addition to the metals recovery that brings economic advantages. Considering that the plastic amount contains about 80% polystyrene polymers, the paper presents a recycling study of this fraction as reinforcing agent for a styrene-butadiene block copolymer. In order to reduce the melt viscosity, some of the composites were extended with paraffin-naphthenic “heavy white oil”. The blends were characterized by mechanical testing, thermal and dynamo-mechanical analysis. Based on the resulted properties, it can be concluded that the extended and reinforced composites can be used as material for shoe soles.

New nanogels (NGs) with tailored properties were obtained using a mini-emulsion technique, from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) self-crosslinking macromers of various molecular weight. By modifying synthesis parameters (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, emulsifier and the ratio of organic-aqueous medium), optimum recipes of NGs were selected. Therefore, the molecular weight distribution and the functionalization degree of the PEGDA2000 macromer were assessed by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), respectively. Furthermore, the PEGDA-NGs were investigated by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for size distributions and morphology. DLS and TEM results confirm that these new PEGDA-NGs hold potential for biomedical applications.

The hypercaloric diet leads to obesity which is a risk factor for developing many systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The purpose of our study was to observe the antioxidants effects of entrapped alfa-tocopherol (vitamin E) and lutein in Poly Lactic-CO-Glycolic acid (PLGA) in Wistar rats that received 3 weeks hypercaloric diet. Hepatic and splenic lysates have been used to detect changes in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP). The AOPP liver levels were statistically decreased in the case of rats groups that received a daily dose of PLGA-lutein or PLGA-vitamin E versus the control group. The AOPP level was decreased but statistically insignificant in Wistar rats spleen who received a daily dose of PLGA-lutein. At hepatic level, TAC was statistically increased in rats groups that received a daily dose of vitamin E or lutein. An increased statistical level of TAC was observed in the spleen cell lysing in Wistar rats who received the daily dose of PLGA-vitamin E. Entrapment of vitamin E and lutein in PLGA structure has diminished the effects of hypercaloric diet and can be considered a attractive and promising approach to enhance the bioavailability and activity of poorly water soluble compounds.

The purpose of this experimental study is to present the design and biomechanical characteristics of mobile bearing postero-stabilised total knee prosthesis type MC2®- C2F® and to evaluate their use in severe primary knee osteoarthritis. The experimental part was carried out on 20 patients who benefited from mobile bearing postero-stabilised total knee prosthesis type MC2® in University Hospital Sf Spiridon Iasi, Romania. From the radiological point of view there were no mechanical complications in a 3 year follow-up. The functional recovery had a good outcome and patients currently have an active flexion between 70° and 110°, with extension between 0° and -15°. No pain was registered in full weight bearing and in active joint movement.The clinical and radiological outcome at 3 year follow-up is satisfactory and the results convinced the authors that this type of prosthesis is a good option in any primary knee osteoarthritis with no significant bone loss.

This in vitro study analyses the biochemical interaction between saliva and three types of dental composite resins (a direct resin, an indirect resin and a dual-cure resin used for cementation of indirect dental restorations). The resin samples were obtained following a specific protocol and in line with the producers’ recommendations; the resin samples were incubated with saliva samples collected from 19 healthy volunteers. The obtained results showed that the tested composite resins did not produce significant changes in oxidative stress parameters that were analysed (albumin, uric acid, GGT / gamma glutamyl transferase, OXSR-1 / oxidative stress responsive kinase 1) and do not influence the inflammatory salivary status reflected by the levels of IL-6 - an inflammatory marker.

The purpose of this study was the synthesis of two types of biodegradable materials with synthetic polymers (PLGA) or natural polymers (collagen) and hydroxyapatite, followed by determination of the encapsulation percentage of the drug in the polymer. Regardless of the chosen method, the percentage of the encapsulated drug was found to be quite high: 15.92% in the Coll-HA-Genta material and 19.59% respectively in the PLGA-Genta biocomposite. The therapeutic value of gentamicin was improved by encapsulating it in delivery systems, contributing to sustained release for a long time (about 30 days).

This paper presents an experimental study to determine the behaviour of composite panels, made of polyurea sprayed on Kevlar or Dyneema support layers, under blast and fragments produced by an improvised explosive device (IED). The fragments used for tests were steel bearing balls of 8 and 10 mm propelled by a plastic explosive charge and bullets cal. 7.62 mm, type Full Metal Jacketed Armor Piercing (FMJ AP) and Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT), with impact velocity greater than 500 m/s. To determine the fragments attenuation, their velocities before and after the impact with the composite panel were measured and compared. In order to assess the blast attenuation, the reflected pressures measured by two face-on sensors, one of which was covered by the composite panel, were compared. Also, to explain the behaviour of composite panels under blast, the shock polars of materials in the panel‘s composition were plotted. The results have shown that the composite panels have a low rate of attenuation of fragment velocities but a very good ability to attenuate the pressure and impulse associated with the shock wave.

Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUD) were developed based on copper IUD with the role to release a daily amount of hormones. From a structural point of view Levonorgestrel-IUD (L-IUD) is a small T-shaped piece of plastic, which contains levonorgestrel. When compared with the oral route of L-IUD administration, it provides some advantages because it releases levonorgestrel directly into the uterus. Our aims were: (1) to compare the thickness of uterine jonctional zone (UJZ) in two groups of patients with and without inserted L-IUD, (2) to evaluate the changes in thickness of UJZ after the insertion of L-IUD in two patients with adenomyosis, and (3) to obtain and to characterize a similar T-shaped polyurethane (PU) foam used as a levonorgestrel delivery system. On the one hand, the results confirm that L-IUD is effective in thinning the UJZ and in the treatment of adenomyosis, while on the other hand, the characterization of the PU materials (Zetasizer measurements, their thermal degradation, UV-Vis spectra and skin irritation tests) revealed that this polymer can be used as a safety and prolonged levonorgestrel carrier.

Dental caries and secondary caries are the most common problems in dentistry. Many studies provided evidence for the anticariogenic effect of fluorides. The incidence of secondary caries is decreased in teeth restored with fluoride releasing materials. The purpose of the present in vitro study is to evaluate the fluoride release and uptake capability of two glass-ionomer cements and two compomers. A total number of 60 specimens were prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions using silicone molds. The specimens were transferred in plastic containers containing artificial saliva (pH=7), incubated at 37°C for 24 h and divided in three subgroups: control group, varnish treated group and dentifrice treated group. The fluoride ion content was measured on five times during a period of 30 days using an Orion 720A fluoride meter with 9609 BN fluoride ion electrode. The self-curing glass-ionomer cement released the highest amounts of fluoride ions at the beginning and after the one month study period. The samples of the four materials tested in the varnish treated groups showed significant differences compared to their control groups on the second day. Dentifrice treated groups did not show significant differences compared to their control groups, except values measured after 30 days. Application of fluoride varnish produced an increase of fluoride release for the first 24 h in case of all materials. However, results suggest that the use of fluoridated dentifrice would be more effective in caries prevention due to their fluoride uptake capability.

\Six new products were obtained by deposition of para-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (t-Bu-C4OH), calix[4]arene (C4OH) and tetra-methoxy-calix[4]arene (C4OMe) on two types of SBA-15 mesoporous silica. All the products were characterized through thermogravimetric methods and SEM microscopy. The obtained results confirm the functionalization of the silica materials with the calixarene macrocycles. Considering all the obtained products, the thermal analysis suggests the strongest connectivity to form between the C4OMe systems and mesoporous silica substrate.