Microbes with plastic-degrading and pathogenic potentials are present on plastics in the final polishing pond of a wastewater treatment plant.

We characterised plastisphere microbial communities in the polishing pond of a municipal wastewater treatment plant, applying prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene, eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene and fungal ITS2 region sequencing to identify changes in microbial biofilm community compositions over time. Pondwater and biofilm from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), nylon-6 (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), oxo-degradable linear low-density polyethylene (OXO) and glass were sampled after 2, 6, 26 and 52 weeks of constant immersion. Microbial communities in ambient pondwater differed significantly from those forming biofilms on solid substrates.

Molecular mechanisms of plastic biodegradation by the fungus .

Unlabelled: Microbial degradation can provide an avenue for the remediation of plastic pollution, contributing to the urgent environmental problem of global plastic waste. We demonstrate the degradation of polycaprolactone (PCL) by and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. We constructed the genome of this fungal strain and monitored changes in gene expression when exposed to PCL.

An investigation into the stability and degradation of plastics in aquatic environments using a large-scale field-deployment study.

The fragmentation of plastic debris is a key pathway to the formation of microplastic pollution. These disintegration processes depend on the materials' physical and chemical characteristics, but insight into these interrelationships is still limited, especially under natural conditions. Five plastics of known polymer/additive compositions and processing histories were deployed in aquatic environments and recovered after six and twelve months.

Solving a microplastic dilemma? Evaluating additive release with a dynamic leaching method for microplastic assessment (DyLeMMA).

Microplastics and plastic additives are contaminants of emerging environmental concern. Static leaching methods are commonly applied to assess the rate and extent of additive release from microplastics. However, this approach may not be representative of environmental conditions where near infinite dilution or percolation commonly occur.

Leaching and extraction of additives from plastic pollution to inform environmental risk: A multidisciplinary review of analytical approaches.

Plastic pollution is prevalent worldwide and has been highlighted as an issue of global concern due to its harmful impacts on wildlife. The extent and mechanism by which plastic pollution effects organisms is poorly understood, especially for microplastics. One proposed mechanism by which plastics may exert a harmful effect is through the leaching of additives.

Synthesis of graft copolymers of chitosan-poly(caprolactone) by lipase catalysed reactive extrusion.

Chitin is an abundant natural polymer and its deacetylated derivative chitosan has been a focus for the development of biobased, biocompatible and antimicrobial materials. In this work, a green and scalable route to grafting polycaprolactone (PCL) to chitosan using an enzyme catalysed reactive extrusion process is described. FTIR, H and C NMR spectroscopy and HSQC analysis confirm grafting of PCL to chitosan and show differences in the grafting pattern obtained using two commercially produced lipase enzymes from Candida antarctica (CALB and NovoCor).

Green route to modification of wood waste, cellulose and hemicellulose using reactive extrusion.

A large volume of wood waste is produced in timber processing industry which traditionally used in low value applications. Here, value addition to the wood waste (Sander dust) and cellulose, hemicellulose isolated thereof by functionalisation using cyclic anhydrides in a solvent-free and green reactive extrusion process is reported. The effect of extrusion temperature, catalyst and different weight ratios of Sander dust (SD):succinic anhydride (SA) on the esterification reaction is evaluated.

The effectiveness and adverse events of morphine versus fentanyl on a physician-staffed helicopter.

Background: Morphine and fentanyl are both frequently used in prehospital trauma patients, but due to limited formulary size, we sought to study whether both drugs should be included.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fentanyl as compared to morphine for patients requiring analgesic medications for a traumatic injury during transport via a physician-staffed air medical service.

Methods: Trauma patients were grouped by even and odd days (even - morphine 4 mg, odd - fentanyl 50 μg).

'Making a difference': A new care paradigm for pregnant and parenting Aboriginal people.

Objective: To describe community-based stakeholders' views of how safe and responsive care "makes a difference" to health and well-being for pregnant and parenting Aboriginal people. Community-based stakeholders included community members, providers of health and social care, and health care and community leaders.

Methods: A postcolonial standpoint, participatory research principles and a case-study design were used to investigate two Aboriginal organizations' experiences improving care for pregnant and parenting Aboriginal people.