Common Plastic Research Articles

Chronic exposure to bisphenol A induces behavioural, neurochemical, histological, and ultrastructural alterations in the ganglia tissue of the date mussels Lithophaga lithophaga.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a common plastic additive, has been demonstrated mechanistically to be a potential endocrine disruptor and to affect a variety of body functions in organisms. Although previous research has shown that BPA is toxic to aquatic organisms, the mechanism of neurotoxic effects in marine bivalves remains unknown. The current study aimed to elucidate the neurotoxic effects of BPA when administered at different concentrations (0.25, 1, 2, and 5 µg/L) for twenty-eight days in the ganglia of a bivalve model, the Mediterranean mussel (Lithophaga lithophaga), which is an ecologically and economically important human food source of bivalve species in the Mediterranean Sea. Our findings revealed an increase in behavioural disturbances and malondialdehyde levels in treated mussel ganglia compared to the control group. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase activity increased in the ganglia of L. lithophaga treated with 0.25 and 2 µg/L. However, at BPA concentrations of 1 and 5 µg/L, SOD activity was significantly reduced, as was total glutathione concentration. BPA causes neurotoxicity, as evidenced by concentration-dependent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, dopamine, and serotonin. After chronic exposure to BPA, neurons showed distortion of the neuronal cell body and varying degrees of pyknosis. The ultrastructure changes in BPA-treated groups revealed the lightening of the nucleoplasm and a shrunken nuclear envelope. Overall, our findings suggest that BPA exposure altered antioxidation, neurochemical biomarkers, histopathological, and ultrastructural properties, resulting in behavioural changes. As a result, our findings provide a basis for further study into the toxicity of BPA in marine bivalves.

Leveraging deep learning for automatic recognition of microplastics (MPs) via focal plane array (FPA) micro-FT-IR imaging

The fast and accurate identification of MPs in environmental samples is essential for the understanding of the fate and transport of MPs in ecosystems. The recognition of MPs in environmental samples by spectral classification using conventional library search routines can be challenging due to the presence of additives, surface modification, and adsorbed contaminants. Further, the thickness of MPs also impacts the shape of spectra when FTIR spectra are collected in transmission mode. To overcome these challenges, PlasticNet, a deep learning convolutional neural network architecture, was developed for enhanced MP recognition. Once trained with 8000 + spectra of virgin plastic, PlasticNet successfully classified 11 types of common plastic with accuracy higher than 95%. The errors in identification as indicated by a confusion matrix were found to be caused by edge effects, molecular similarity of plastics, and the contamination of standards. When PlasticNet was trained with spectra of virgin plastic it showed good performance (92%+) in recognizing spectra that had increased complexity due to the presence of additives and weathering. The re-training of PlasticNet with more complex spectra further enhanced the model's capability to recognize complex spectra. PlasticNet was also able to successfully identify MPs despite variations in spectra caused by variations in MP thickness. When compared with the performance of the library search in identifying MPs in the same complex dataset collected from an environmental sample, PlasticNet achieved comparable performance in identifying PP MPs, but a 17.3% improvement. PlasticNet has the potential to become a standard approach for rapid and accurate automatic recognition of MPs in environmental samples analyzed by FPA FT-IR imaging.

In Silico Design and Analysis of Plastic-Binding Peptides.

Peptides that bind to inorganic materials can be used to functionalize surfaces, control crystallization, or assist in interfacial self-assembly. In the past, inorganic-binding peptides have been found predominantly through peptide library screening. While this method has successfully identified peptides that bind to a variety of materials, an alternative design approach that can intelligently search for peptides and provide physical insight for peptide affinity would be desirable. In this work, we develop a computational, physics-based approach to design inorganic-binding peptides, focusing on peptides that bind to the common plastics polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and poly(ethylene terephthalate). The PepBD algorithm, a Monte Carlo method that samples peptide sequence and conformational space, was modified to include simulated annealing, relax hydration constraints, and an ensemble of conformations to initiate design. These modifications led to the discovery of peptides with significantly better scores compared to those obtained using the original PepBD. PepBD scores were found to improve with increasing van der Waals interactions, although strengthening the intermolecular van der Waals interactions comes at the cost of introducing unfavorable electrostatic interactions. The best designs are enriched in amino acids with bulky side chains and possess hydrophobic and hydrophilic patches whose location depends on the adsorbed conformation. Future work will evaluate the top peptide designs in molecular dynamics simulations and experiment, enabling their application in microplastic pollution remediation and plastic-based biosensors.

Circular plastics technologies: depolymerization of polymers into parent monomers

Abstract While most commodity plastics were not designed to easily depolymerize, some common plastics can be broken down into their parent monomers in the presence of heat, pressure, catalysts, and/or solvent. Here, we provide a high-level overview of the depolymerization technologies that have been studied and/or scaled as promising monomer-loop recycling processes for selective plastic waste streams. Namely, commodity plastics that are considered unzippable/depolymerizable include polyethylene terephthalate, polyamides, polymethyl methacrylate, and polystyrene. Monomer-loop recycling technologies are one of several pathways toward a circular economy for plastics.

Comparative study of the aging degradation behaviors of PET under artificially accelerated and typical marine environment

The aging degradation behaviors of the most common PET plastics in the marine environment were investigated in different conditions, with the combination of "real-world sample/outdoor simulation/aging box accelerated simulation". By obtaining data on the morphology, biological and microbial distribution, mechanical properties, viscosity, color difference, thermal properties, and chemical composition of marine plastics after aging, the influence of typical environmental factors such as light, temperature, high pressure, salinity, moisture, and marine life on the aging degradation behavior of PET plastics were discussed. Among them, light, high pressure heat and humid environment have the most significant effects on degradation, while the high-salt environment has less effect on degradation. In addition, the Pressure Cooker Test (PCT) results showed that the ordinary cleaning process is not enough to remove the inorganic substances that penetrated into the interior of marine plastics, which will have a negative impact on the performance of marine plastics. Therefore, it is necessary to select appropriate recycling methods and processes. This study provides a new idea for the study of the aging degradation behavior of marine plastics, which is important for analyzing the environmental factors affecting the degradation behavior of marine plastics in the marine environment.

Biodegradation of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polylactic acid microplastics in Tenebrio molitor larvae: Physiological responses

It is widely understood that microplastics (MPs) can induce various biological stresses in macroinvertebrates that are incapable of biodegrading plastics. However, the biodegradation and physiological responses of plastic-degrading macroinvertebrates toward MPs of different degradability levels remain unexplored. In this study, Tenebrio molitor larvae (mealworms) were selected as a model of plastics-degrading macroinvertebrate, and were tested against three common plastics of different degradability rankings: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and polylactic acid (PLA) MPs (size <300 μm). These three MPs were biodegraded with the rate sequence of PLA > PS > PVC, resulting in a reversed order of negative physiological responses (body weight loss, decreased survival, and biomass depletion) of mealworms. Simultaneously, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation were uniformly increased as polymer degradability decreased and intermediate toxicity increased. PVC MPs exhibited higher toxicity than the other two polymers. The oxidative stresses were effectively alleviated by supplementing co-diet bran. The T. molitor larvae fed with PLA plus bran showed sustainable growth without an increase in oxidative stress. The results provide new insights into the biotoxicity of MPs on macroinvertebrates and offer comprehensive information on the physiological stress responses of plastic-degrading macroinvertebrates during the biodegradation of plastics with different degradability levels.

The I-STOP Program and Narcotic Prescriptions Following Facial Reconstructive Plastic Surgeries.

To explore the effect of e-prescribing requirements on narcotic dispersion in New York State. Slicer Dicer was used to identify patient records based on CPT codes. We investigated the influence of New York State e-prescribing requirements on narcotic dispersion following five common facial plastics procedures. Slicer Dicer was used to identify patient records based on CPT codes.We then looked at narcotic prescription rates following those surgeries between March 2014 and March 2018 at an academic institution. Overall, between March 2014 and March 2018, 76.1% of the sample received a narcotic prescription following a facial reconstructive plastic surgery. Patients who underwent rhinoplasty were most likely to receive a prescription for postoperative narcotics. The implementation of ISTOP, CPT code, use of non-narcotic adjuvant, and insurance type were each significantly associated with prescription of postoperative narcotics. Surgery time and age in years were significantly associated with prescription of postoperative narcotics. Ultimately, when controlling for the aforementioned clinical and sociodemographic variables included in the study, those who underwent surgery after the implementation of ISTOP were 42.8% less likely to receive a prescription for postoperative narcotics, aOR = 0.572, 95% CI 0.356, 0.919, p = 0.021. New York State's ISTOP program has succeeded in reducing the number of postoperative narcotic prescriptions following facial plastic reconstructive surgeries at this academic institution. However, opioid medications can still be utilized for postoperative analgesia when clinically appropriate. 3 Laryngoscope, 134:1208-1213, 2024.

Safety and Efficacy of Autologous Cartilage Graft in Augmentation Rhinoplasty.

Augmentation rhinoplasty or commonly known as "nose jobs" is one of the most common plastic surgical procedures aimed to improve cosmetic appearance. This procedure is considerably safer, less time consuming with faster recovery and immediate cosmetic effect. This procedure needs of highly experienced and well-trained plastic surgeon. According to facial analysis you can select the type of rhinoplasty. Open discussion with the patient to select appropriate surgical technique and its possible risks with your plastic surgeon to ensure the highest level of safety and satisfaction. Autologous grafting materials are safe, efficient and also the first choice for rhinoplasty due to it can survive without a vascular supply, the resorption rate of cartilage is much lower than that of a bone graft. Autologous grafting materials are stable and resistant to infection and extrusion over time so, they are successfully used for dorsal augmentation. To perform successful augmentation rhinoplasty, surgeons should be highly experienced and well-trained and augmentation materials that are currently available and understand their risks, benefits and uses. Autologous cartilage graft regarded as the graft of choice in augmentation rhinoplasty because of their lower rate of infection, rejection, resorption, extrusion, donor site morbidity, easy reshaping.

Turning danger into opportunity: Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-surface reconstruction effect of hydrophilic plastics and its application in plastic flotation separation

Plastic flotation shows a good application prospect in the field of waste plastic recycling. Nevertheless, surface reconstruction effect is highly likely to worsen the effect of plastic flotation separation. In order to avoid the fluctuation of plastic flotation separation process, it is urgent to explore the role of environmental factors on the reconstruction of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. Among various environmental factors, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is one of the most important environmental factors affecting surface reconstruction effect. In view of this, in this work, we first used two common plastic modification methods, Fenton aging and polyaluminum chloride (PAC) modification, to hydrophilize six common plastics, namely PS, PVC, ABS, PMMA, PC, and PET. Then we studied the UV irradiation-surface reconstruction effect of hydrophilic plastics using flotation experiments. The results showed that UV irradiation can significantly enhance the surface reconstruction effect of hydrophilic plastics. More importantly, the wettability of plastic surfaces can be regulated by changing lighting conditions. Based on this, a novel UV irradiation-flotation process to separate PVC, ABS, and polyester (PMMA, PC, and PET) was successfully developed in this study. This work not only provides ideas for the further application of plastic flotation technology, but also lays a certain foundation for the development of novel and efficient UV irradiation-flotation processes.

Abundance, Distribution, and Characterization of Microplastics on Two Recreational Beaches in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Currently, there is a lack of assessment of the level of microplastics (MPs) pollution on recreational beaches around the world. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the current state of MP pollution on two popular recreational beaches of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, namely, (1) Tanjung Aru Beach and (2) UMS ODEC (Outdoor Development Center) beach. MPs from the sediments were extracted using the density separation method and analyzed through a stereoscopic microscope. The overall MPs abundance, weight, size, colors, and polymer types were recorded. Tanjung Aru beach recovered higher numbers of MPs particles for all stations, with 857 MPs/kg dry sediment with a total mass concentration of 57.72 g/kg, while UMS ODEC recorded 160 MPs/kg particles with a total mass concentration of 17.96 g/kg. The maximum MPs abundance was observed in the size of &lt;1 mm with a high proportion of white/transparent coloring. Micro Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that polypropylene (PP:60%) and polyethylene (PE:43%) were the two most common plastic polymers found on both beaches, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the least common was polystyrene (PS). Metals (arsenic, chromium, copper, and nickel) were found within the MPs collected. The present study demonstrated an alarming quantity of MPs on two recreational beaches in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. However, information concerning the primary sources, local dynamics, and repercussions of MPs in this location is still limited; thus, further research is required.

Eco-Friendly Methods for Extraction and Modification of Cellulose: An Overview.

Cellulose is the most abundant renewable polymer on Earth and can be obtained from several different sources, such as trees, grass, or biomass residues. However, one of the issues is that not all the fractionation processes are eco-friendly and are essentially based on cooking the lignocellulose feedstock in a harsh chemical mixture, such as NaOH + Na2S, and water, to break loose fibers. In the last few years, new sustainable fractionation processes have been developed that enable the obtaining of cellulose fibers in a more eco-friendly way. As a raw material, cellulose's use is widely known and established in many areas. Additionally, its products/derivatives are recognized to have a far better environmental impact than fossil-based materials. Examples are textiles and packaging, where forest-based fibers may contribute to renewable and biodegradable substitutes for common synthetic materials and plastics. In this review, some of the main structural characteristics and properties of cellulose, recent green extraction methods/strategies, chemical modification, and applications of cellulose derivatives are discussed.

Role of soil organic matter on the retention and mobility of common plastic additives, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, bisphenol A and benzophenone, in soil

The objectives of this study were to assess the role of soil organic matter on retaining plastic additives, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Bisphenol A (BPA) and Benzophenone (BP), to postulate the retention mechanisms and mobility in soil. Batch experiments were conducted for red yellow podzolic soil (OM) and soil subjected to high temperature oxidation at 600 °C for 2 h to remove total organic matter (OMR). Pristine soil, which contains organic matter abbreviated as OM (soil with organic matter) whereas total organic matter removed soil is abbreviated as OMR (organic matter removed soil). The pH edge and kinetic experiments were conducted with 20 g/L soil suspension spiked with 10 mg/L of each additive, whereas 1–20 mg/L concentration range was used in isotherm experiments and analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. DEHP demonstrated the highest retention, 331 and 615.16 mg/kg in OM and OMR soils respectively, at pH 6.6. However, BPA and BP showed highest retentions of 132 and 128 mg/kg, respectively around pH 4.3 in pristine soil. DEHP interaction with soil OM indicated weak physical bonding whereas chemisorption to OMR soil. In the case of BPA, physisorption governed its interaction with both soil organic matter and mineral fraction. Nevertheless, BP demonstrated chemical interactions with OM and minerals. Desorption of DEHP was close to 100% however, BPA and BP were <15%. Overall, DEHP and BPA could be easily released into soil water and possibly be available for plant uptake while, BP is immobilized in soil.

Occurrence and dynamics of microplastics and emerging concern microparticles in coastal sediments: Impact of stormwater upgrade and port-associated facilities

Urban runoff is a significant source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, especially in coastal areas. Despite urban stormwater runoff being considered a major pathway of anthropogenic particles there's no studies about the impact of stormwater upgrades on microparticle transport. Moreover, due to the influence of anthropogenic activities, including maritime traffic and maintenance, on coastal environments, it is crucial to identify plastic debris from both inland and in-shore sources. This study evaluates characteristics, abundance, and distribution of microplastics in subtidal sediments from the southwestern Atlantic region, influenced by a recently upgraded stormwater outfall and port facilities. Herein, we have analyzed temporal trends, including seasonal dynamics and their relation with the pre- and post-upgrade of the stormwater outfall. Three main types of anthropogenic microparticles were observed: common plastic (MPs), paints (Pps), and tire wear particles (TWPs). Microparticle groups varied in morphology, color, and size distribution, including uncommon microparticle debris. Analysis by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies allows the identification of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, and polyacrylonitrile polymers for MPs mainly. Pigments such as Naphthol AS, phthalocyanine, and quinacridone have been identified in Pps. SEM-EDS and FTIR analysis of collected TWPs revealed similar trace metals constituents and infrared signals to those observed in tire road samples. Spatial and temporal abundances of microparticle groups were significantly different (p < 0.05), mainly related to the distance from the stormwater outfall and seasons. TWPs showed the most significant seasonal increment rate among pre and post-upgrade periods. Furthermore, the upgrades made to the stormwater system have been observed to intensify the transport and increase the presence of specific anthropogenic microparticles in subtidal sediments. Based on these findings, the occurrence of TWPs emerges as a reliable urban runoff indicator to differentiate ex and in-situ sources in multipolluted coastal environments.

Desmodesmus sp. from biowaste to produce electrospinning membranes: Effect of ultrasounds and ozone pre-treatments

Desmodesmus sp. microalgae previously employed in wastewater management was reused as a raw material for producing green nanofibrous membranes through electrospinning. The reduction of biowastes as well as the replacement of common non-degradable plastics would benefit the process sustainability. In this work, different amounts of microalgae (1.25%, 2.5% and 5% wt) were dispersed in an acetic acid/water solution (80/20) and then electrospun at 0.3 mL/h, 25 kV. The presence of acetate cellulose (17%) was required to obtain nanofibres since the microalgae solutions were not sufficiently viscous for electrospinning processing. For the first time, the effect of ultrasound (50 and 125 kWh/kg), and ozone (9 mg/kg) on microalgae before the electrospinning process was evaluated. Ultrasound prompted cell rupture, which allowed both a greater release and higher exposure of the protein, which eventually enabled the formation of nanofibers from the microalgae waste. However, when the intensity of ultrasounds increased from 50 to 125 kWh/kg, a higher presence of aggregates and defects in the fibres could be observed, probably due to protein aggregation. Thus, nanofibrous mats with c.a. 50 nm fibre diameter were obtained when ultrasound pre-treatment at 50 kWh/kg was applied. Protein unfolding was also inferred from the rheological measurements, as higher viscosity values were obtained (∼ 4.1 Vs. 2.5 Pa·s for 50 and 125 kWh/kg ultrasounds, respectively). The present work highlights the potential that Desmodesmus sp. microalgae have in the production of green electrospun mats, still quite unexplored. These bio-based mats possess great potential in different applications that can range from filtering to scaffolds.

Toxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on the development, escape locomotion, and lateral-line sensory function of zebrafish embryos

Environmental pollution by micro- and nanosized plastic particles is a potential threat to aquatic animals. Polystyrene is one of the most common plastic particles in aquatic environments. Previous studies found that polystyrene nanoparticles (PNs) can penetrate the integument and accumulate in the organs of fish embryos. However, the potential impacts of PNs on fish embryos are not fully understood. To investigate this issue, zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations (10, 25, and 50 mg/L) of PNs (25 nm) for 96 h (4–100 h post-fertilization), and various endpoints were examined, including developmental morphology (body length, sizes of the eyes, otic vesicles, otoliths, pericardial cavity, and yolk sac), locomotion (touch-evoked escape response and spinal motor neurons), and lateral-line function (hair cell number and hair bundle number). Exposure to 50 mg/L of PNs resulted in significant adverse effects across all endpoints studied, indicating that embryonic development was severely disrupted, and both locomotion and sensory function were impaired. However, at 25 mg/L of PNs, only locomotion and sensory function were significantly affected. The effects were insignificant in all examined endpoints at 10 mg/L of PNs. Transcript levels of several marker genes for neuronal function and eye development were suppressed after treatment. Exposure to fluorescent PNs showed that they accumulated in various organs including, the eyes, gills, blood vessels, gallbladder, gut, and lateral line neuromasts. Overall, this study suggests that short-term exposure to a high concentration of PNs can threaten fish survival by impairing embryonic development, locomotion performance, and mechanical sensory function.

The effects of polylactic acid bioplastic exposure on midgut microbiota and metabolite profiles in silkworm (Bombyx mori): An integrated multi-omics analysis

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a highly common biodegradable plastic and a potential threat to health and the environment. However, limited data are available on the effects of PLA exposure in the silkworm (Bombyx mori), a model organism used in toxicity studies. In this study, silkworms with or without PLA exposure (P1: 1 mg/L, P5: 5 mg/L, P25: 25 mg/L, and P0: 0 mg/L) for the entire 5th instar period were used to investigate the impact of PLA exposure on midgut morphology, larvae growth, and survival. Mitochondrial damage was observed in the P5 and P25 groups. The weights of the P25 posterior silk gland (5th day in the 5th instar), mature larvae and pupae were all significantly lower than those of the controls (P < 0.05). Dead worm cocoon rates and larva-pupa to 5th instar larvae ratios showed a positive and negative dose-dependent manner with respect to PLA concentrations, respectively. Additionally, reactive oxygen species levels and superoxide dismutase activity of the P25 midgut were significantly higher and lower when compared with controls, respectively (P < 0.05). The molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of PLA and associated physiological responses were also investigated. In the midgut metabolome, 127 significantly different metabolites (variable importance projection >1 and P < 0.05) were identified between the P0 and P25 groups and were mainly enriched for amino acid metabolism and energy supply pathways. The 16 S rDNA data showed that PLA altered microbial richness and structural composition. Microbiota, classified into 34 genera and 63 species, were significantly altered after 25 mg/L PLA exposure (P < 0.05). Spearman's correlation results showed that Bifidobacterium catenulatum and Schaalia odontolytica played potentially vital roles during exposure, as they demonstrated stronger correlations with the significantly different metabolites than other bacterial species. In sum, PLA induced toxic effects on silkworms, especially on energy- and protein-relevant metabolism, but at high concentrations (25 mg/L). This prospective mechanistic investigation on the effects of PLA on larval toxicity provides novel insight regarding the ecological risks of biodegradable plastics in the environment.

Effects of polycaprolactone degradation products on the water flea, Daphnia magna: Carbodiimide additives have acute and chronic toxicity.

Plastics have benefited our lives in many ways, but their long persistence in the environment causes serious problems. Rapid decomposition and detoxification of plastics after use are significant challenges. As a possible solution, biodegradable plastics have attracted attention, and for environmental risk assessment research on polymer toxicity, use of indicator organisms, like water fleas and fish, has increased globally. However, such research often focuses on standardized substances without considering changes in toxicity due to plastic degradation products. Additionally, tests generally focus on acute toxicity, while long-term effects on organismal reproduction and lifespan are largely unknown. Understanding the impact of degraded polymers on biological activities is crucial for accurate risk assessment. In this study, we investigated the biological toxicity of substances generated during degradation of polycaprolactone (PCL), a common biodegradable plastic, using the indicator organism, Daphnia magna. We examined PCL, oligocaprolactones (OCLs), and monomers resulting from polymer cleavage, as well as carbodiimides, added during polyester synthesis. As a result, PCL, which is insoluble in water, reduced individual survival and total number of offspring at an exposure concentration of 100 mg/L, while no toxicity was observed for water-soluble degradation products, OCLs, and monomers. Furthermore, carbodiimides, which are expected to be released during PCL degradation, showed strong toxicity, significantly reducing individual survival and total number of offspring at 0.1-10mg/L. These findings suggest that changes in physical properties due to polymer degradation and release of additives can significantly alter their toxicity.

Cost and value of office-based facial plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures.

This chapter will provide an overview of factors affecting the cost of office-based procedures in Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery (FPRS), and will discuss the value of office-based interventions. An in-depth literature review was conducted using multiple primary and secondary sources. Literature from multiple disciplines was included in the review, including otolaryngology, anesthesiology, surgery, public health, and economics. A wide variety of procedures can be performed in an FPRS office. Large upfront costs to the office include laser, electrocautery and surgical equipment. These investments will yield an initial negative cost margin until sufficient case volume is achieved. It is often in the best interest of the patient to perform a procedure in-office and avoid the facility and anesthesia fees associated with a surgical center or hospital. Costs and reimbursements vary greatly across regions and facilities. Additionally, overall cost depends on payer mix, procedures performed, and productivity of the practice. The scarcity of literature on this topic as it applies specifically to FPRS indicates that further research is needed to elucidate the value of common facial plastics procedures in an office-based setting.

Health Literacy in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery: A Literature Review.

Patient satisfaction following oculofacial cosmetic procedures depends on preoperative expectations, which may be influenced by online material. Patients with poor health literacy are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and low-quality resources. However, few studies have evaluated the quality of online information on common oculofacial plastic surgeries and procedures. This study aimed to review the literature on the readability and quality of online material related to oculofacial plastic surgery. We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE database and included 10 studies in our review. Among the readability scores reported in these studies, the lowest was 10, representing a tenth-grade reading level. Furthermore, the online materials were often rated as "poor" quality based on multiple grading scales. Our systematic review of the literature demonstrates that online materials covering common oculofacial plastic surgery procedures are consistently of poor quality and exceed the recommended readability level. Therefore, considering these online materials that influence patient expectations could enable oculofacial plastic surgeons to better tailor their preoperative counseling.

Challenges for polyhydroxyalkanoates production: extremophilic bacteria, waste streams, and optimization strategies

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) remain of high interest as a promising alternative to conventional plastics because they are biodegradable and biocompatible and have similar properties to common plastics. Despite their incredible potential, industrialization of PHA is hampered by the high production cost. To address this issue associated with PHA production cost, researchers have been exploring different approaches. In this review, we propose suggestions to overcome these challenges and highlight opportunities for future research such as producing PHA from sustainable waste streams as inexpensive renewable substrates, optimization strategies using experimental design to improve growth conditions. Furthermore, the uses of extremophilic microorganisms have gained significant attention to reduce the overall cost of PHA.