Synthesis and characterisation of alkyd resins with glutamic acid-based monomers

Alkyd resins are versatile polymers which have applications in inks and various coatings like decorative paints. They are mainly composed of fatty acids, polyols and aromatic diacids. In this work, glutamic acid as well as N-acylated and N-alkylated derivatives there of were evaluated as bio-based substitutes for these aromatic diacid monomers in the synthesis of alkyd resins. The resins were characterised in terms of structure, molecular weight, viscosity, oxidative thermal stability and colour. N-Palmitoylglutamic acid dimethyl ester can be successfully incorporated when the polycondensation is performed in two steps. In this approach, the bio-based diacid monomer is only supplied in the second step, because the removal of water in the first step is essential to avoid hydrolysis of the monomer amide bond and the subsequent formation of pyroglutamate groups. The molecular weight, viscosity and oxidative thermal stability are lower than for conventional alkyd resins. The mechanism of the discolouration of alkyd resins during polymerisation is mediated by free radical species, which were generated easily in the presence of free amino groups and/or unsaturated fatty acids. Light-coloured resins could be obtained by using saturated fatty acids or radical scavengers during polymerisation.

Novel alkyd polyester resins for the paint industry using biobased glutamic acid instead of petrochemicals.     

Effects of alcohol hangover on simulated highway driving performance

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of alcohol hangover on simulated highway driving performance.

Methods

Driving performance of forty-two social drinkers was tested the morning following an evening of consuming on average 10.2 (SD?=?4.2) alcoholic drinks (alcohol hangover) and on a control day (no alcohol consumed). Subjects performed a standardized 100-km highway driving test in the STISIM driving simulator. In addition to the standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP; i.e., the weaving of the car), lapses of attention were examined. Self-reported driving quality and driving style were scored, as well as mental effort to perform the test, sleepiness before and after driving, and hangover severity.

Results

Driving performance was significantly impaired during alcohol hangover as expressed by an SDLP increase of +1.9 cm (t _(1,41)?=?2.851, p?=?0.007), increased number of lapses relative to the control day (7.7 versus 5.3 lapses, t _(1,41)?=?2.125, p?=?0.019), and an increased total lapse time (182.7 versus 127.3 s, p?=?0.040). During alcohol hangover, subjects reported their driving quality to be significantly poorer (t _(1,41)?=?4.840, p?=?0.001) and less safe (t _(1,41)?=?5.078, p?=?0.001), wise (t _(1,41)?=?4.061, p?=?0.001), predictable (t _(1,41)?=?3.475, p?=?0.001), and responsible (t _(1,41)?=?4.122, p?=?0.001). Subjects further reported being significantly more tense while driving (t _(1,41)?=?3.280, p?=?0.002), and more effort was needed to perform the driving test (t _(1,41)?=?2.941, p?=?0.001). There was a significant interaction with total sleep time and hangover effects on SDLP and the number of lapses.

Conclusions

In conclusion, driving is significantly impaired during alcohol hangover, as expressed in an elevated SDLP and increased number of lapses. Total sleep time has a significant impact on the magnitude of driving impairment.     

Transferrin Polymorphism and Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Women in Rwanda

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected women according to transferrin (TF) phenotype. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 200 HIV-positive women in the Butare University Teaching Hospital in Rwanda. TF phenotypes were determined using starch gel electrophoresis. Results: Phenotype frequencies of TF CD, CB and CC were 14.5, 3 and 82.5%, respectively. The homozygous TF DD phenotype was not found. Subjects with TF CD phenotype had a significantly higher prevalence of opportunistic infections than subjects with TF CC phenotype, 76 and 52%, respectively (p = 0.026). In logistic regression, there was a significant correlation between TF phenotypes and opportunistic infections (p = 0.012). Subjects with TF CD phenotype had significantly lower values for TF (p = 0.006) than TF CC subjects. Hematological parameters (RBC, RBC indices, hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), iron, ferritin, TF saturation, C-reactive protein and CD4 count did not differ according to TF phenotype. Conclusion: Subjects with TF CC phenotype have a lower prevalence of opportunistic infections. Iron status may play a role in this association.     

Relation between abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and left ventricular hypertrophy diagnosed by electrocardiogram and magnetic resonance imaging in hypertensive patients

Obesity is related to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Whether LVH on electrocardiography (ECG-LVH) is a result of increased cardiac electrical activity or due to increased left ventricular mass (LVM) remains to be determined. The aims of the present study were to investigate the relation between obesity and ECG-LVH and LVM by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI-LVM) in patients with hypertension and to investigate the relation of insulin resistance (IR) and LVH. Patients with hypertension (n = 421) were evaluated using Sokolow-Lyon voltage, Cornell voltage, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Waist circumference was used as a measure of abdominal obesity. Linear regression analysis revealed an inverse relation (adjusted β = -0.02, 95% confidence interval -0.02 to -0.01) between waist circumference and Sokolow-Lyon voltage, indicating a decrease of 0.02 mV per 1-cm increase in waist circumference. There was a positive relation between waist circumference and MRI-LVM (β = 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.32 to 0.67). Patients in the highest quartile of LVM had a worse metabolic profile than patients with the Sokolow-Lyon voltage criterion. The relations of IR with ECG-LVH and MRI-LVM were similar to those of waist circumference in relation to ECG-LVH and MRI-LVM. In conclusion, there is an inverse relation between waist circumference and ECG-LVH and a positive relation between waist circumference and MRI-LVM. This study indicates that obesity has a different relation to voltage criteria for LVH compared to anatomic criteria for LVH, supporting the hypothesis that IR decreases electrocardiographic voltages, despite an increase in MRI-LVM. The clinical implication is that especially in patients with IR, Sokolow-Lyon voltage is low in contrast to high MRI-LVM.     

Split-hand/foot malformation with long-bone deficiency and BHLHA9 duplication: Two cases and expansion of the phenotype to radial agenesis

Split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM) with long-bone deficiency (SHFLD, MIM#119100) is a rare condition characterised by SHFM associated with long-bone malformation usually involving the tibia. Previous published data reported several unrelated patients with 17p13.3 duplication and SHFLD. Recently, BHLHA9 has been proposed to be the major candidate gene responsible for this limb malformation. Here we report two new patients affected with ectrodactyly harbouring a 17p13.3 duplication detected by array-CGH. Both duplications contain 3 genes including BHLHA9 and are inherited from an unaffected parent. One of the patients presents a complete radial agenesis, expanding the phenotype of SHFLD3.     

Genotype–phenotype analysis of 18q12.1-q12.2 copy number variation in autism

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by delays in social interactions and communication as well as displays of restrictive/repetitive interests. DNA copy number variants have been identified as a genomic susceptibility factor in ASDs and imply significant genetic heterogeneity. We report a 7-year-old female with ADOS-G and ADI-R confirmed autistic disorder harbouring a de novo 4 Mb duplication (18q12.1). Our subject displays severely deficient expressive language, stereotypic and repetitive behaviours, mild intellectual disability (ID), focal epilepsy, short stature and absence of significant dysmorphic features. Search of the PubMed literature and DECIPHER database identified 4 additional cases involving 18q12.1 associated with autism and/or ID that overlap our case: one duplication, two deletions and one balanced translocation. Notably, autism and ID are seen with genomic gain or loss at 18q12.1, plus epilepsy and short stature in duplication cases, and hypotonia and tall stature in deletion cases. No consistent dysmorphic features were noted amongst the reviewed cases. We review prospective ASD/ID candidate genes integral to 18q12.1, including those coding for the desmocollin/desmoglein cluster, ring finger proteins 125 and 138, trafficking protein particle complex 8 and dystrobrevin-alpha. The collective clinical and molecular features common to microduplication 18q12.1 suggest that dosage-sensitive, position or contiguous gene effects may be associated in the etiopathogenesis of this autism-ID-epilepsy syndrome.