Determination of Monomer Reactivity Ratios

Copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and benzyl methacrylate (BnMA) were prepared by conventional radical copolymerization in toluene at 70 °C. The 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of these copolymers were measured in various solvents at different temperatures. The signals of the methoxy protons in the MMA units and the benzyl protons in the BnMA units showed splitting mainly because of the triad monomer sequences when the temperature was increased to 150 °C in deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide. However, the splitting was not sufficient to determine the mole ratios of the triad sequences. Therefore, multivariate analysis was applied to the 1H NMR spectra of copolymers with various chemical compositions. Principal component analysis successfully extracted information on the polymer microstructures. Partial least-squares (PLS) regression successfully predicted the mole fractions of the diad monomer sequences. Then, the fractions of the diad sequences in an unknown sample prepared in benzene at 60 °C were predicted using PLS regression to determine the monomer reactivity ratios. Thus, the monomer reactivity ratios were successfully determined from a single sample using multivariate analysis of the 1H NMR spectra of copolymers of MMA and BnMA

Predictive factors of first dosage intravenous immunoglobulin-related adverse effects in children.

BACKGROUND:Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is used in the treatment of various diseases, and IVIG-related adverse effects (IVIG-AEs) vary from mild to severe. However, the mechanisms underlying IVIG-AEs and the potential predictive factors are not clear. This study investigated whether certain IVIG-AEs can be predicted before IVIG administration. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:This retrospective cohort study at the Division of Neurology, Saitama Children's Medical Center included patients enrolled from 2008 to 2018 who were < 18 years old and received IVIG for the first time. IVIG-AEs were classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. RESULTS:A total of 104 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The rate of IVIG-AEs was 37.5% (39/104). The most frequent IVIG-AEs were fever (41.0% [16/39]) and headache (38.5% [15/39]). AEs were below grade 2 in all except one patient and there were no grade 4 AEs. High serum total protein (TP) level was significantly related to the occurrence of IVIG-AEs (odds ratio, 14.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-90.5; P < 0.01). The optimal cutoff TP level was 6.7 g/dL. Although low WBC count and immunoglobulin G level may be predictive risk factors of IVIG-AEs, it was not confirmed in this study. CONCLUSION:IVIG-AEs occurred in 37.5% of cases, and most were mild. TP was the best predictive risk factor of IVIG-AEs before IVIG administration. These results may aid in elucidating the mechanism underlying IVIG-AEs

Independent risk factors of rapid glomerular filtration rate decline in patients with type 2 diabetes with preserved kidney function and normoalbuminuria: A multicenter cohort study

Abstract Aims/Introduction Research on the incidence and underlying mechanisms of rapid renal function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria is limited. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of hemoglobin level as a risk factor for rapid decliners among patients with type 2 diabetes with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective observational study of 242 patients with type 2 diabetes with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and normoalbuminuria (1 year. The annual rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline during the follow‐up period was calculated using least square regression analysis; rapid decliners defined at ≥3.3%/year. Risk factors associated with rapid decliners were identified using a logistic regression analysis of variables previously identified as risk factors of rapid decliners. Results The median follow‐up period was 6.7 years, and 34 patients showed rapid decliners. On multivariate analysis, lower baseline hemoglobin level was a risk factor of rapid decliners (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.99; P = 0.045). Furthermore, the baseline hemoglobin levels were correlated positively with iron and ferritin levels, implying that an impaired iron metabolism might cause lower hemoglobin levels in rapid decliners. Conclusions In patients with type 2 diabetes with preserved renal function and normoalbuminuria, lower hemoglobin levels were a risk factor for rapid decliners, where disturbed iron metabolism might precede the development of diabetic kidney disease