Previously, a new biodegradable poly(ester urethane urea) was synthesized based on polycaprolactone-diol and fish gelatin (PU-Gel). In this work, the potential of this new material for neural tissue engineering is evaluated. Membranes with randomly oriented fibers and with aligned fibers are produced using electrospinning and characterized regarding their mechanical behavior under both dry and wet conditions. Wet samples exhibit a lower Young's modulus than dry ones and aligned membranes are stiffer and more brittle than those randomly oriented. Cyclic tensile tests are conducted and high values for recovery ratio and resilience are obtained. Both membranes exhibited a hydrophobic surface, measured by the water contact angle (WCA). Human mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue (UC-MSCs) and human neural stem cells (NSCs) are seeded on both types of membranes, which support their adhesion and proliferation. Cells stained for the cytoskeleton and nucleus in membranes with aligned fibers display an elongated morphology following the alignment direction. As the culture time increased, higher cell viability is obtained on randomfibers for UC-MSCs while no differences are observed for NSCs. The membranes support neuronal differentiation of NSCs, as evidenced by markers for a neuronal filament protein (NF70) and for a microtubule-associated protein (MAP2).

• Klíčová slova
• electrospinning, gelatin, mesenchymal stem cells, neural stem cells, poly(ester urethane urea),
• MeSH
• biokompatibilní materiály chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• buněčná adheze účinky léků   MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace účinky léků   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezenchymální kmenové buňky * cytologie   účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• nervové kmenové buňky * cytologie   účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• pevnost v tahu MeSH
• polyestery * chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• polyurethany * chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• testování materiálů MeSH
• tkáňové inženýrství * metody   MeSH
• tkáňové podpůrné struktury chemie   MeSH
• viabilita buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• želatina * chemie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biokompatibilní materiály MeSH
• poly(ester urethane)urea MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyestery * MeSH
• polyurethany * MeSH
• želatina * MeSH

Polyurethane (PU) foams are classified as physically nonrecyclable thermosets. The current effort of sustainable and eco-friendly production makes it essential to explore methods of better waste management, for instance by modifying the structure of these frequently used polymers to enhance their microbial degradability. The presence of ester links is known to be a crucial prerequisite for the biodegradability of PU foams. However, the impact of other hydrolysable groups (urethane, urea and amide) occurred in PU materials, as well as the supramolecular structure of the PU network and the cellular morphology of PU foams, is still relatively unexplored. In this work, fully aliphatic PU foams with and without hydrolyzable amide linkages were prepared and their aerobic biodegradation was investigated using a six-month soil burial test. Besides the variable chemical composition of the PU foams, the influence of their different supramolecular arrangement and cellular morphologies on the extent of biodegradation was also evaluated. Throughout the soil burial test, the release of carbon dioxide, and enzyme activities of proteases, esterases, and ureases were measured. At the same time, phospho-lipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis was conducted together with an assessment of microbial community composition achieved by analysing the genetic information from the 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 region sequencing. The results revealed a mineralization rate of 30-50 % for the PU foams, indicating a significant level of degradation as well as indicating that PU foams can be utilized by soil microorganisms as a source of both energy and nutrients. Importantly, microbial biomass remained unaffected, suggesting that there was no toxicity associated with the degradation products of the PU foams. It was further confirmed that ester linkages in PU foam structure were easily enzymatically cleavable, while amide linkages were not prone to degradation by soil microorganisms. In addition, it was shown that the presence of amide linkages in PU foam leads to a change in the supramolecular network arrangement due to increased content of hard segments, which in turn reduces the biodegradability of PU foam. These findings show that it is important to consider both chemical composition and supramolecular/macroscopic structure when designing new PU materials in an effort to develop environmentally friendly alternatives.

• Klíčová slova
• Amide bond, Biodegradation, Enzymatic activity, Microbial composition, Polyurethane foam, Soil burial, Supramolecular structure,
• MeSH
• amidy * MeSH
• estery MeSH
• polyurethany * chemie   MeSH
• půda MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• amidy * MeSH
• estery MeSH
• polyurethane foam MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyurethany * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH

The solid-aqueous boundary formed upon biomaterial implantation provides a playground for most biochemical reactions and physiological processes involved in implant-host interactions. Therefore, for biomaterial development, optimization, and application, it is essential to understand the biomaterial-water interface in depth. In this study, oxygen plasma-functionalized polyurethane surfaces that can be successfully utilized in contact with the tissue of the respiratory system were prepared and investigated. Through experiments, the influence of plasma treatment on the physicochemical properties of polyurethane was investigated by atomic force microscopy, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and contact angle measurements, supplemented with biological tests using the A549 cell line and two bacteria strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The molecular interpretation of the experimental findings was achieved by molecular dynamics simulations employing newly developed, fully atomistic models of unmodified and plasma-functionalized polyurethane materials to characterize the polyurethane-water interfaces at the nanoscale in detail. The experimentally obtained polar and dispersive surface free energies were consistent with the calculated free energies, verifying the adequacy of the developed models. A 20% substitution of the polymeric chain termini by their oxidized variants was observed in the experimentally obtained plasma-modified polyurethane surface, indicating the surface saturation with oxygen-containing functional groups.

• Klíčová slova
• bacteria adhesion, biocompatibility, molecular dynamics, oxygen plasma, polyurethane,
• MeSH
• biokompatibilní materiály * MeSH
• kyslík MeSH
• polyurethany * chemie   MeSH
• povrchové vlastnosti MeSH
• voda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biokompatibilní materiály * MeSH
• kyslík MeSH
• polyurethany * MeSH
• voda MeSH

This work concerns the waste management method of algae biomass wastes (ABW). For this purpose, we prepared bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (bio-TPU) composites. Algae biomass wastes are derived from algal oil extraction of Chlorella vulgaris and from biomass of Enteromorpha and Zostera marina. ABWs were used in the bio-TPUs composites as a filler in the quantity of 1, 5, 10, and 15 wt.%. The bio-based composites were prepared via the in situ method. Polymer matrix was synthesized from a bio-based polyester polyol, diisocyanate mixture (composed of partially bio-based and synthetic diisocyanates), and bio-based 1,3 propanediol. In this study, the chemical structure, morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of prepared composites were investigated. Based on the conducted research, it was determined that the type and the content of algae waste influence the properties of the bio-based polyurethane matrix. In general, the addition of algae biomass wastes led to obtain materials characterized by good mechanical properties and noticeable positive ecological impact by increasing the total amount of green components in prepared bio-TPU-based composites from 68.7% to 73.54%.

• Klíčová slova
• algae biomass wastes, bio-based composites, bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers,
• MeSH
• biomasa MeSH
• Chlorella vulgaris * MeSH
• elastomery MeSH
• nakládání s odpady * MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• elastomery MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH

The utilisation of waste wood from furniture production brings new problems connected with an incomplete thermochemical decomposition of additives (chemicals for improving properties of plastics) in small heating with the addition of sources. Unique organic compounds produced by the combustion of waste wood allow the identification of the type of fuel. The organic compounds contained in the char deposits were analysed by pyrolysis gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The deposits from the combustion of briquettes from furniture production contain organic compounds originating by decomposition of phenolic resins, aminoplasts (urea-formaldehyde, resorcinol-formaldehyde and melamine), polyurethanes and wood glue. Additives contained in the deposits include plasticisers such as phthalates (DEHP, dibutyl phthalate and diisobutyl phthalate), flame retardants (2-propanol, 1-chlorophosphate (3:1) and p-terphenyl). Deposits from the combustion of briquettes from virgin wood do not contain these compounds. The total amount of compounds identified in the deposits from the boiler, which do not come from virgin wood combustion, varies in the range between 4.25 and 6.25 g/kg. Phthalates (55.5%) and PVAc adhesives (18.6%) are the main anthropogenic compounds in the deposits from domestic boilers.

• Klíčová slova
• Air emissions, Domestic heating, Furniture waste wood, Polymer wood composites, Py-GC/MS,
• MeSH
• dřevo chemie   MeSH
• formaldehyd analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
• polyurethany analýza   MeSH
• vytápění MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• formaldehyd MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH

Films are thin, flexible, and transparent wound dressings. They can be prepared from both synthetic and natural materials. In practice, synthetic polyurethane dominates, but research is mainly focused on substances of natural origin. An endogenous substance with excellent filmforming properties, which is involved in the wound healing process, is collagen. However, collagen films themselves have weak mechanical properties, which can be improved by, among other things, combining collagen with other materials. Such material could be carboxymethylcellulose, which has been shown to affect wound healing positively. Films consisting only of CMC also have weak mechanical properties, so combining both materials seems to be a suitable solution to the given problems, and a wound dressing with many beneficial properties for wound healing could be created. Therefore, our experiment aimed to prepare composite films for wound therapy consisting of a combination of collagen and CMC. The films were prepared by the solvent evaporation method, and their properties were compared with those formed only by CMC. In both cases, films with suitable organoleptic, physicochemical, and application properties for wound therapy were produced. The composite films showed lower absorption capacity and better mechanical resistance compared to those formed only by CMC. The combination of collagen and CMC in composite films intended for wound therapy has thus resulted in improved properties of the resulting dressing and holds potential for further research.

• Klíčová slova
• blend films, carboxymethylcellulose, collagen, evaluation, film wound dressing,
• MeSH
• hojení ran MeSH
• kolagen MeSH
• obvazy * MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• sodná sůl karboxymethylcelulosy * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kolagen MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• sodná sůl karboxymethylcelulosy * MeSH

CuxCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.33, 0.67, 1)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites exhibiting highly efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding were prepared by a melt-mixing approach using a microcompounder. Spinel ferrite Cu0.33Co0.67Fe2O4 (CuCoF1), Cu0.67Co0.33Fe2O4 (CuCoF2) and CuFe2O4 (CuF3) nanoparticles were synthesized using the sonochemical method. The CuCoF1 and CuCoF2 exhibited typical ferromagnetic features, whereas CuF3 displayed superparamagnetic characteristics. The maximum value of EMI total shielding effectiveness (SET) was noticed to be 42.9 dB, 46.2 dB, and 58.8 dB for CuCoF1-rGO-TPU, CuCoF2-rGO-TPU, and CuF3-rGO-TPU nanocomposites, respectively, at a thickness of 1 mm. The highly efficient EMI shielding performance was attributed to the good impedance matching, conductive, dielectric, and magnetic loss. The demonstrated nanocomposites are promising candidates for a lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient EMI shielding material.

• Klíčová slova
• electromagnetic interference shielding, magnetic nanoparticles, nanocomposites, reduced graphene oxide, spinel ferrite,
• MeSH
• grafit MeSH
• nanočástice * MeSH
• nanokompozity * MeSH
• oxid hlinitý MeSH
• oxid hořečnatý MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• železité sloučeniny MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ferrite MeSH Prohlížeč
• grafit MeSH
• graphene oxide MeSH Prohlížeč
• oxid hlinitý MeSH
• oxid hořečnatý MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• spinell MeSH Prohlížeč
• železité sloučeniny MeSH

Despite the obvious benefits of using ureteral stents to drain the ureters, there is also a risk of complications from 80-90%. The presence of a foreign body in the human body causes disturbances in its proper functioning. It can lead to biofilm formation on the stent surface, which may favor the development of urinary tract infections or the formation of encrustation, as well as stent fragmentation, complicating its subsequent removal. In this work, the effect of the polymeric coating containing the active substance-papaverine hydrochloride on the functional properties of ureteral stents significant for clinical practice were assessed. Methods: The most commonly clinically used polyurethane ureteral Double-J stent was selected for the study. Using the dip-coating method, the surface of the stent was coated with a poly(D,L-lactide-glycolide) (PLGA) coating containing the papaverine hydrochloride (PAP). In particular, strength properties, retention strength of the stent ends, dynamic frictional force, and the fluoroscopic visibility of the stent during X-ray imaging were determined. Results: The analysis of the test results indicates the usefulness of a biodegradable polymer coating containing the active substance for the modification of the surface of polyurethane ureteral stents. The stents coated with PLGA+PAP coating compared to polyurethane stents are characterized by more favorable strength properties, the smaller value of the dynamic frictional force, without reducing the fluoroscopic visibility.

• Klíčová slova
• PLGA with papaverine hydrochloride coatings, break strength, dynamic frictional force, radiopacity, retention strength, ureteral stent,
• MeSH
• biokompatibilní materiály farmakologie   MeSH
• kopolymer kyseliny glykolové a mléčné farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• obstrukce močovodu metabolismus   chirurgie   terapie   MeSH
• papaverin metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• polyurethany chemie   MeSH
• stenty uvolňující léky * MeSH
• vstřebatelné implantáty MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biokompatibilní materiály MeSH
• kopolymer kyseliny glykolové a mléčné MeSH
• papaverin MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH

The main aims of the research were to produce efficient nanofibrous filters with long-term antibacterial properties and to confirm the functionality of samples under real filtration conditions. A polyurethane solution was modified by micro- or nanoparticles of copper oxide in order to juxtapose the aggregation tendency of particles depending on their size. Modified solutions were electrospun by the Nanospider technique. The roller spinning electrode with a needle surface and static wire electrode were used for the production of functionalized nanofibers. The antibacterial properties of the modified nanofibrous layers were studied under simulated conditions of water and air filtration. Particular attention was paid to the fixation mechanism of modifiers in the structure of filters. It was determined that the rotating electrode with the needle surface is more efficient for the spinning of composite solutions due to the continuous mixing and the avoidance of particle precipitation at the bottom of the bath with modified polyurethane. Moreover, it was possible to state that microparticles of copper oxide are more appropriate antimicrobial additives due to their weaker aggregation tendency but stronger fixation in the fibrous structure than nanoparticles. From the results, it is possible to conclude that nanofibers with well-studied durable antibacterial properties may be recommended as excellent materials for water and air filtration applications.

• Klíčová slova
• antibacterial properties, copper oxide, electrospinning, filtration, microparticles, nanofibers, nanoparticles, polyurethane,
• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• bakteriální infekce farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   patologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• měď chemie   MeSH
• membrány umělé MeSH
• nanočástice chemie   MeSH
• nanovlákna chemie   MeSH
• polyurethany chemie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antibakteriální látky MeSH
• cuprous oxide MeSH Prohlížeč
• měď MeSH
• membrány umělé MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH

Increasing use of current-use pesticides (CUPs) in Africa raises environmental and public health concerns. But there is a large uncertainty about their occurrence and the composition of pesticide mixtures on this continent. This paper investigates the presence of 27 CUPs in air across 20 sampling sites in Africa. 166 passive air samples, consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF), were collected in 12 African countries between 2010 and 2018. Samples were extracted with methanol and analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The detection frequencies of CUPs per site were compared to land use patterns and sampling years, while their similarities were assessed using hierarchical cluster analysis. Overall, 24 CUPs were detected at least once. In 93% of all samples, at least one CUP was detected, while 78% of the samples had mixtures of two or more CUPs (median 3, interquartile range 5). Atrazine and chlorpyrifos were detected in 19 out of 20 sampling sites. Carbaryl, metazachlor, simazine, tebuconazole and terbuthylazine had the highest detection frequencies at sampling sites dominated by croplands. Across all the sampling years, 16 CUPs were present. Seven CUPs were newly detected from 2016 onwards (azinfos-methyl, dimetachlor, chlorsulfuron, chlortoluron, isoproturon, prochloraz and pyrazon), while metamitron was only present before 2012. Sites within a radius of about 200 km showed similarities in detected CUP mixtures across all samples. Our results show the presence of CUP mixtures across multiple agricultural and urban locations in Africa which requires further investigation of related environmental and human health risks.

• Klíčová slova
• Africa, Air, Atrazine, Chlorpyrifos, Current-use pesticides, Spatial variations,
• MeSH
• atrazin analýza   MeSH
• dursban analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
• pesticidy analýza   MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• zemědělství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Afrika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• atrazin MeSH
• dursban MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• pesticidy MeSH
• polyurethane foam MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyurethany MeSH