Colloidal polymer particles as catalyst carriers and phase transfer agents in multiphasic hydroformylation reactions

HYPOTHESIS

Colloidal particles have been used to covalently bind ligands for the heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts. The replacement of the covalent bonds by electrostatic interactions between particles and the catalyst could preserve the selectivity of a truly homogeneous catalytic process.

EXPERIMENTS

Functionalized polymer particles with trimethylammonium moieties, dispersed in water, with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell have been synthesized by emulsion polymerization and have been thoroughly characterized. The ability of the particles with different monomer compositions to act as catalyst carriers has been studied. Finally, the colloidal dispersions have been applied as phase transfer agents in the multiphasic rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-octene.

FINDINGS

The hydrodynamic radius of the particles has been shown to be around 100 nm, and a core-shell structure could be observed by atomic force microscopy. The polymer particles were proven to act as carriers for the water-soluble hydroformylation catalyst, due to electrostatic interaction between the functionalized particles bearing ammonium groups and the sulfonated ligands of the catalyst. The particles were stable under the hydroformylation conditions and the aqueous catalyst phase could be recycled three times.

Association between self-perceived psychological stress and transitory ischaemic attack and minor stroke: A case-control study

INTRODUCTION

Stroke has a complex aetiopathogenesis influenced by numerous risk factors. There is growing interest in the study of the pathophysiological changes associated with stress and their potential relationship with cerebrovascular disease. The purpose of this paper is to assess the strength of association between exposure to stress and stroke.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study (1:1) to compare exposure to stress in a group of patients with a history of a first transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke and in a control group. Participants were asked a subjective question about their perception of stress in the previous months and completed the standardised Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The study included data on 50 cases and 50 controls. There were no significant differences in demographic variables and economic, social, and employment status between cases and controls. Fifty percent of the cases reported moderate to severe stress, compared to 30% of controls (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.02-5.30; P=.041). ERI questionnaire results found that greater effort at work (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.19-1.83) and greater commitment is associated with stroke (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.17-1.54), while higher reward constitutes a protective factor against the disease (OR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.61-0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a strong association between self-perceived psychological stress and TIA. The imbalance between effort and reward at work is also clearly related to TIA.

Nefro-urological mortality causes in Jerez de los Caballeros (Badajoz) in the nineteenth century

The causes of mortality from nefro-urologic diseases in Jerez de los Caballeros (Badajoz) during the nineteenth century will be our object of study. We have analyzed the death registry books of the parishes in Jerez. The percentage of deaths from nefro-urologic diseases compared to other pathologies is 0.8%, being most affected males in age ranges from 25-34 and 65-75 years of age. The months with the highest mortality were July, December and January. Due to the deficient death registrations in the first decades of the century, the results should be taken with caution.

Atractylis gummifera and Centaurea ornata in the Province of Badajoz (Extremadura, Spain)-Ethnopharmacological importance and toxicological risk

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Atractylis gummifera L. and Centaurea ornata Willd. are locally marketed herbal remedies, even though in Spain it is forbidden to sell toxic plants like Atractylis gummifera. Intoxications in Spain are mainly due to accidental substitution of Centaurea ornata with Atractylis gummifera which may be fatal.

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of this article is to analyse the current use and marketing of Atractylis gummifera and Centaurea ornata in Badajoz and analyse the ethnopharmacological relevance of two recent cases of Atractylis gummifera poisoning.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted in the area where one of the poisoned patients lives and in Guadiana del Caudillo. The use, knowledge and naming of the species involved in the poisoning was assessed. This information was complemented with an exhaustive search in Spanish ethnobotanical works on the ethnopharmacological uses of both species.

RESULTS

Intoxications are due to species' substitutions. The two species are similar in name and use in the area, and both are locally marketed. AG is mainly used to heal wounds and calcaneal spurs, and CO to treat gastric ulcers and wounds.

CONCLUSIONS

New intoxications are likely since consumers often have limited knowledge of the plants they consume. Also, it is common to think that all medicinal plants are harmless. As the use of Atractylis gummifera seems to increase in the area, preventive measures need to be taken.

[Patient with postpartum seizures: differential diagnosis]

Pre-eclampsia is a serious obstetric complication associated with a high rate of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a woman with a medical history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and seizures possibly related to hypoglycemia who was admitted for an emergency cesarian due to severe pre-eclampsia and macrosomic fetus. In the first hour after delivery she experienced loss of consciousness and seizure, with vaginal bleeding and hypovolemic shock. Maximum vigilance is required for a patient with several concomitant diseases and a high-risk pregnancy. All prophylactic measures to lower the risk to mother and fetus should be undertaken. We analyze preanesthetic assessment, differential diagnosis, and choice of anesthesia in relation to this case.

Body mass index and some psychopathological symptoms in open community nuns

This article examines the connections between body weight and psychopathological symptoms in a religious community. The Symptom Checklist 90-Revised was administered to 34 nuns, whose body mass index (BMI) values significantly correlated with hostility (r=0.46, p<0.01). These findings support the idea that people living in open religious communities share social values regarding weight and body size, and reveal high levels of psychological discomfort when body weight increases.

[The concept of health in the General Health Law (1986)]

The 1986 "Le General de Sanidad" (Sanitary General Regulations) has been studied using the method of the "Topología del Discurso" in order to elucidate what are the thoughts of the lawmakers. The law protects not only the population of catastrophes as it happened with the choleric epidemic of the XIX century, but considers a new concept a sanitary wealth should be provided to the individuals. Together with this new concept there are new ones such as equality and universalization of the sanitary assistence that would be keys of the aim of the lawmakers: to coordinate all the State resources in the reform of the spanish sanity. This includes the integration of the Universities. This can help in the understanding of the dificulties in the development and aplication of the Law present reality.