Synthesis and solution properties of a temperature-responsive PNIPAM–b-PDMS–b-PNIPAM triblock copolymer

In this paper, we report the synthesis and self-assembly of a novel thermoresponsive PNIPAM60–b-PDMS70–b-PNIPAM60 triblock copolymer in aqueous solution. The copolymer used a commercially available precursor modified with an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator to produce an ABA triblock copolymer via ATRP. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to shed light on the structures of nanoparticles formed in aqueous solutions of this copolymer at two temperatures, 25 and 40 °C. The poly(dimethylsiloxane) block is very hydrophobic and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is thermoresponsive. SANS data at 25 °C indicates that the solutions of PNIPAM–b-PDMS–b-PNIPAM copolymers form well-defined aggregates with presumably core–shell structures below cloud point temperature. The scattering curves originating from nanoparticles formed at 40 °C in 100% D2O or 100% H2O were successfully fitted with the Beaucage model describing aggregates with hierarchical structure

Dendronised Polymer Architectures for Fuel Cell Membranes

Multi-step synthetic pathways to low-ion exchange capacity (IEC) polysulfone (PSU) with sulfonic acid functionalized aliphatic dendrons and sulfonated comb-type PSU structures are developed and investigated in a comparative study as non-fluorinated proton exchange membrane (PEM) candidates. In each case the side chains are synthesized and introduced in their sulfonated form onto an azide-functionalized PSU via click chemistry. Three degrees of substitution of each architecture were prepared in order to evaluate the dependence on number of sulfonated side chains. Solution cast membranes were evaluated as PEMs for use in fuel cells by proton conductivity measurements, and in the case of dendronized architectures: thermal stability. The proposed synthetic strategy facilitates exploration of a non-fluorous system with various flexible side chains where IEC is tunable by the degree of substitution

Early Treatment with Basal Insulin Glargine in People with Type 2 Diabetes: Lessons from ORIGIN and Other Cardiovascular Trials

Dysglycemia results from a deficit in first-phase insulin secretion compounded by increased insulin insensitivity, exposing beta cells to chronic hyperglycemia and excessive glycemic variability. Initiation of intensive insulin therapy at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to achieve normoglycemia has been shown to reverse glucotoxicity, resulting in recovery of residual beta-cell function. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) 10-year post-trial follow-up reported reductions in cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality in persons with T2DM who initially received intensive glucose control compared with standard therapy. In the cardiovascular outcome trial, outcome reduction with an initial glargine intervention (ORIGIN), a neutral effect on cardiovascular disease was observed in the population comprising prediabetes and T2DM. Worsening of glycemic control was prevented over the 6.7 year treatment period, with few serious hypoglycemic episodes and only moderate weight gain, with a lesser need for dual or triple oral treatment versus standard care. Several other studies have also highlighted the benefits of early insulin initiation as first-line or add-on therapy to metformin. The decision to introduce basal insulin to metformin must, however be individualized based on a risk-benefit analysis. The landmark ORIGIN trial provides many lessons relating to the concept and application of early insulin therapy for the prevention and safe and effective induction and maintenance of glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

Modular synthesis of well-defined polymer architectures

The copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides and terminal acetylenes was utilized to modularly syntesize (biohybrid) block copolymers, cyclic polymers and to functionalize the periphery of polymersomes. Therefore, both azide and acetylene functionalized polymer building blocks were prepared by application of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in combination with functionalized initiators and/or post-polymerization end group modification of the halide termini of polymers, present after conducting ATRP. By the employment of a copper catalyst these polymer modules were coupled or cyclized via an intramolecular reaction