Epoxidized Ionic Liquids as Processing Auxiliaries of Poly(Lactic Acid) Matrix: Influence on the Manufacture, Structural and Physical Properties.

In this study, we set out to modify poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by incorporating epoxidized ionic liquids (ILs) that were specifically designed with imidazolium-NTf2 moieties. First, we synthesized di-, tri- and tetra-epoxidized ILs, which were incorporated into a PLA matrix at 3, 5, and 10 wt% through a melt extrusion process. We investigated the relationship between the structure and properties of the resulting materials in terms of thermal, mechanical, rheological, and surface properties. The results showed the potential of ILs to impact these properties. Notably, the tri- and tetra-epoxidized ILs enhanced the thermal stability of the PLA matrix as well as the crystallinity while reducing the glass transition temperature and melting point, which is promising for reactive extrusion processing. Overall, this research opens new routes for using reactive ILs to improve the processing and properties of PLA polymers.

Acute administration of the organochalcogen 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenylseleno)oct-2-en-1-one induces biochemical and hematological disorders in male rats.

Organochalcogens are extensively produced and employed by industry and agriculture, and the risk of occupational and environmental toxicity to them has been poorly understood. Here, we investigated the acute effect of a new organochalcogen 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenylseleno)oct-2-en-1-one on biochemical and hematological parameters in male Wistar rats. The animals were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of the organochalcogen at doses of 125, 250 or 500 µg·kg(-1). After 60 min, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation, and the trunk blood was collected for determination of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein, red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin and white blood cells (WBC). Our results showed a reduction in cholesterol levels in all treated groups, an increase in ALT activity at doses of 250 and 500 µg·kg(-1), a decrease of hemoglobin and an increase in WBC in animals that received 250 and 500 µg·kg(-1) of the organoselenium. In addition, we observed an increase in neutrophil counts at 125 µg·kg(-1) dose and a decrease at 500 µg·kg(-1) dose. We also verified an increase in lymphocyte counts at the dose of 500 µg·kg(-1). Thus, the present study shows that the acute treatment with this new organochalcogen causes biochemical changes and hematological disorders in male rats.