U.K. Prospective Diabetes Study. XV: Relationship of renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms with microalbuminuria in NIDDM

We performed a case-control study to determine whether molecular variants of genes of the renin-angiotensin system were associated with the presence of albuminuria in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). A total of 180 diabetic patients with persistent microalbuminuria [median urinary albumin (interquartile range) of 74 (54 to 126 mg/liter)] were matched with two control groups of diabetic patients without microalbuminuria [median urinary albumin 7 (5 to 10) mg/liter] for variables known to be associated with raised urinary albumin concentration including hemoglobin A1c and triglyceride. One control group was also matched for blood pressure and the other group was not, to allow assessment of interactions with hypertension. Association with the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and M235T variant of the angiotensinogen gene (AGT) with microalbuminuria and retinopathy was examined. There were no significant differences in genotype frequency between cases and controls for ACE or AGT irrespective of blood pressure matching. However, among subjects with microalbuminuria, those with the ACE DD genotype had a significantly greater urinary albumin excretion than individuals with a non-DD genotype [median 88 (68 to 170) mg/liter vs. 67 (53 to 113) mg/liter, P < 0.001]. More subjects with the DD than non-DD genotype had persistent albuminuria > 100 mg/liter, twice the upper normal range (60% vs. 38%, P = 0.006). When increased albumin excretion occurs, the presence of the ACE DD genotype appears to be associated with higher urinary albumin levels. No association with retinopathy was observed.     

The association of intra-abdominal infection and abdominal wound dehiscence

Concurrent infection is a risk factor for abdominal wound dehiscence. We reviewed our experience with fascial dehiscence to determine the incidence and to identify prognostic factors for associated intra-abdominal infection. Over a 7-year period, 107 patients with abdominal wound dehiscence were identified. Seventeen were managed nonoperatively, and 90 underwent exploratory laparotomy, 43 of whom had no intra-abdominal pathology and 47 of whom had intra-abdominal infections. Demographic factors, comorbid diseases, and potential indicators of systemic infection did not distinguish patients with intra-abdominal infection from those without. Patients with an intra-abdominal infection were more likely to have undergone an emergency operation (74% vs 48%; P < 0.02), an operation on the colon (55% vs 25%; P < 0.005), or an operation with a higher wound classification (P < 0.02). Mortality was higher in patients with intra-abdominal infection than in those without (44% vs 20%; P < 0.02). Wound dehiscence after emergent operations, and operations with a higher wound classification, especially those involving the colon, should raise concern for intra-abdominal infection. Thorough abdominal exploration should be performed at the time of dehiscence repair. Before nonoperative management is chosen, intra-abdominal infection should be excluded.     

Fast full‐color reflective display via photoluminescent enhancement

Reflective displays are advantageous in applications requiring low power or daylight readability. However, there are no low‐cost reflective technologies capable of displaying bright colors. By employing photoluminescence to more efficiently use ambient light, we created a prototype display that provides bright, full color in a simple, low‐cost architecture. This prototype includes a novel electrokinetic shutter, a layer that incorporates patterned luminescent red, green, and blue sub‐pixel elements, and a novel optical out‐coupling scheme. The luminescent elements convert otherwise‐wasted portions of the incident spectrum to light in the desired color band, resulting in improved color saturation and lightness. This prototype provides a color gamut that is superior to competing reflective display technologies that utilize color filters in single‐layer side‐by‐side sub‐pixel architectures. The current prototype is capable of switching in <0.5 s; future displays based on an alternative electro‐optic shutter technology should achieve video rate operation. A transflective version of this technology has also been prototyped. The transflective version utilizes its backlight with a power efficiency that is at least three times that of a conventional liquid crystal display. These photoluminescence‐based technologies enable a host of applications ranging from low‐power mobile products and retail pricing signage to daylight readable signage for outdoor advertising segments.     

Axial characterization of catalytic activity in close-coupled lightoff and underfloor catalytic converters

A exhaust system consisting of a close-coupled Pd technology 32 in³ lightoff converter and Pt/Rh technology 170 in³ underfloor converter was vehicle-aged for 56000 miles on a vehicle equipped with a 3.8 l engine. Following this aging, the converters were taken off the vehicle and cut into 1″ thick sections along their axis and characterized for lightoff and warmed-up activity using a laboratory reactor to simulate vehicle exhaust. Each section was also analyzed for the quantity of oil additive poisons (phosphorus and zinc) deposited. Following this initial characterization, the phosphorus and zinc deposits were removed, and the sections were characterized again for lightoff and warmed-up activity. This procedure was used to qualitatively determine the relative contribution of oil additive poisoning and thermal sintering to the total activity deterioration as a function of axial position in the catalyst monoliths.

Analysis of the lightoff converter as taken from the vehicle showed a dramatic axial gradient in the lean and stoichiometric lightoff and warmed-up (600°C) performance for HC, CO and NO_x, with most of the deterioration having taken place in the forward-most 1″ section of the converter, which was consistent with the gradient in the deposition of phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) in this converter. Comparison of these data sets with those obtained after removal of the P and Zn poisons indicates that most of the total deterioration of lean HC and CO activity can be attributed to P and Zn poisoning of the forwardmost 1″ section. When tested under stoichiometric conditions, most of the deterioration of HC activity is attributable to P and Zn poisoning, while most of the deterioration of CO and NO_x activity is attributable to thermal deterioration. A similar activity and poison deposition gradient was detected in the underfloor converter, but to a smaller extent.     

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Ohne Zusammenfassung VDI     

Synthesis and properties of a cellulose exchanger with the crown ether diaminodibenzo-17-crown-5 as anchor group

A new cellulose exchanger was synthesized from “o-aminophenolcellulose” by diazotation and coupling with diaminodibenzo-17-crown-5. The distribution coefficients for Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ were determined in water/methanol mixtures as a function of the water content. Separation of Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ and fractionation of the calcium isotopes ⁴⁸Ca and ⁴⁰Ca were investigated. The enrichment factor ε = 4.9 · 10^?3 for ⁴⁸Ca²⁺ is appreciably higher than that found for cation exchange resins with ? SO₃H groups, but lower than that reported for certain cryptands.     

From Molecular Clusters to Metal Nanoparticles

Different methods to prepare supported metal nanoparticles of uniform size are discussed. (i) Supported ruthenium particles were generated from Ru and Ru-Fe bimetallic molecular metal carbonyl cluster precursors (MCC). (ii) Gold nanoparticle formation in the supercage of Y zeolite was studied on Au/NaY, Au/HY and Au-Fe/HY system. (iii) Palladium nanoparticles were grown in liquid phase then deposited on an SiO₂ support or they were grown on the support surface in a solid-liquid interfacial layer. The particle size control was more efficient in the latter two cases than in the preparation starting from MCC.     

Reversible electrochemical insertion of anions in poly-p-phenylene from aqueous electrolytes

Poly-p-phenylene (PPP) was synthesized from benzene according to the Kovacic method. Electrodes were made from this electronic insulator by cold- or hot-pressing of the loose, brown powder, under the addition of 7.5 wt. % soot (Corax L^®, Degussa AG). The electrochemical insertion and removal of anions HSO⁻₄, ClO⁻₄ in this material in aqueous solutions of the corresponding acids was investigated by slow cyclic voltammetry.

Initially, only a surface layer of about 0.1 mm thickness takes part in the electrochemical processes, which are reversible. A maximum concentration of anions in the solid of [(−C₆H₄−)⁺₇ A⁻] is attainable. The maximum degree of insertion is equal to 0.14. The insertion potential U_I shifts strongly into the negative direction with increasing concentration c of the acid. A linear U_I/c relationship is observed as in the case of graphite, where the intercalation potential is more positive by 20–200 mV for the same electrolyte. The round trip current efficiency for the insertion/removal cycle increases with increasing acid concentration attaining 100% in 14 M H₂SO₄ or 11.3 M CHlO₄. For a given concentration, increases in the same order as with graphite (H₂SO₄ < HClO₄ < HBF₄), being somewhat lower for a given electrolyte composition. From anodic current limitation (j_lim = 5–10 mA cm⁻²), a diffusion coefficient of about D = 2 × 10⁻⁷ cm² s⁻¹ is derived for the transport of anions in the bulk of PPP. The striking similarity of our results to former findings with graphite is thoroughly discussed. Some general conclusions are derived thereof.     

Poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) block copolymer ionomers (BCPI) and BCPI/silicate nanocomposites. 2. NaBCPI sol-gel polymerization templates

Polystyrene (PS) blocks in poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (PS-PIB-PS) block copolymers were partially sulfonated and the acid groups converted to Na⁺SO₃⁻ groups to create ionomers. Then, dimethylacetamide was used to selectively swell the ionic PS domains and the swollen films were exposed to sol-gel reactive tetraethylorthosilicate solutions. (EtO)_4−xSi(OH)_x monomers then permeated films so that sol-gel reactions occurred within/around the ionic PS domains. Environmental scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy investigations showed that silicate structures can be incorporated within the interior of the ionomer films. Differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated that there is no variance in the PIB block T_g with respect to ionomer formation, or with respect to silicate loading of the ionomer at low levels, which suggests that the silicate component does not reside in the PIB phase. ²³Na solid state NMR spectroscopy detected isolated Na⁺SO₃⁻ groups as well as aggregated SO₃⁻Na⁺ ion pairs for ‘as cast’ and ‘dry’ non-silicate containing ionomer samples. In a hydrated sample, almost all Na⁺ ions were solvent-separated. AFM analysis showed that phase separation exists, but that the degree of order is significantly less than that for hybrids based on the corresponding benzyltrimethylammonium ionomer. This frustrated morphology was also seen in the results of small angle X-ray scattering experiments. Given the scale of organic/inorganic heterogeneity, these hybrids are properly classified as nanocomposites.