Dimethylformamide Preserves the Integrity of Cryopreserved Goat Semen in a Soybean Lecithin-Based Extender

This study investigated the cryoprotectant effects of dimethylformamide (DMF), ethylene glycol (EG), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as substitutes for glycerol (GLY) in a soybean lecithin (SL)-based extender in the cryopreservation of buck sperm. In this study, the semen of three Saanen bucks was individually extended in SL supplemented with 5% GLY (control), DMF, EG, or DMSO. After this, the extended semen was cryopreserved and two straws from each group were thawed (37°C for 30 seconds), pooled, and analyzed for sperm motion parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosomal integrity (ACI), and high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP). Samples were analyzed after 15 minutes (T0) and after 2 hours of incubation at 37°C (T2). The results revealed higher values of motility (total and progressive) and sperm motion parameters for DMF than the other cryoprotectants (p < 0.0001). PMI and HMMP did not differ (p > 0.05) between GLY and DMF, but ACI was higher (p < 0.01) for DMF compared with GLY. Based on these results, DMF and GLY samples were used in heterologous in vitro fertilization assays by using bovine oocytes (n = 337) obtained from a slaughterhouse. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between GLY and DMF for unfertilized (GLY: 38.8%; DMF: 25.33%), pronucleus (GLY: 25.68%; DMF: 27.92%), and cleavage rates (GLY: 35.52%; DMF: 46.75%). Based on these results, it is concluded that DMF preserves sperm motion characteristics and ACI better than GLY, EG, and DMSO, and it is the penetrating cryoprotectant of choice for the cryopreservation of buck sperm in SL extender.

Design, Analysis, and Implementation of a Novel Biochemical Pathway for Ethylene Glycol Production in Clostridium autoethanogenum

The platform chemical ethylene glycol (EG) is used to manufacture various commodity chemicals of industrial importance, but largely remains synthesized from fossil fuels. Although several novel metabolic pathways have been reported for its bioproduction in model organisms, none has been reported for gas-fermenting, non-model acetogenic chassis organisms. Here, we describe a novel, synthetic biochemical pathway to convert acetate into EG in the industrially important gas-fermenting acetogen,Clostridium autoethanogenum. We not only developed a computational workflow to design and analyze hundreds of novel biochemical pathways for EG production but also demonstrated a successful pathway construction in the chosen host. The EG production was achieved using a two-plasmid system to bypass unfeasible expression levels and potential toxic enzymatic interactions. Although only a yield of 0.029 g EG/g fructose was achieved and therefore requiring further strain engineering efforts to optimize the designed strain, this work demonstrates an important proof-of-concept approach to computationally design and experimentally implement fully synthetic metabolic pathways in a metabolically highly specific, non-model host organism.

Bioconversion of Terephthalic Acid and Ethylene Glycol Into Bacterial Cellulose by Komagataeibacter xylinus DSM 2004 and DSM 46604

Komagataeibacter xylinus strains DSM 2004 and DSM 46604 were evaluated for their ability to grow and produce bacterial cellulose (BC) upon cultivation on terephthalic acid (TA) and ethylene glycol (EG), which are monomers of the petrochemical-derived plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Both strains were able to utilize TA, EG, and their mixtures for BC synthesis, with different performances. K. xylinus DSM 2004 achieved higher BC production from TA (0.81 ± 0.01 g/L), EG (0.64 ± 0.02 g/L), and TA + EG mixtures (0.6 ± 0.1 g/L) than strain DSM 46604. The latter was unable to utilize EG as the sole carbon source and reached a BC production of 0.16 ± 0.01 g/L and 0.23 ± 0.1 g/L from TA alone or TA + EG mixtures, respectively. Further supplementing the media with glucose enhanced BC production by both strains. During cultivation on media containing TA and EG, rapid pH drop due to metabolization of EG into acidic compounds led to some precipitation of TA that was impregnated into the BC pellicles. An adaptation of the downstream procedure involving BC dissolution in NaOH was used for the recovery of pure BC. The different medium composition tested, as well as the downstream procedure, impacted the BC pellicles’ physical properties. Although no variation in terms of the chemical structure were observed, differences in crystallinity degree and microstructure of the produced BC were observed. The BC produced by K. xylinus DSM 2004 had a higher crystallinity (19–64%) than that of the strain DSM 46604 (17–53%). Moreover, the scanning electron microscopy analysis showed a higher fiber diameter for K. xylinus DSM 2004 BC (46–56 nm) than for K. xylinus DSM 46604 (37–49 nm). Dissolution of BC in NaOH did not influence the chemical structure; however, it led to BC conversion from type I to type II, as well as a decrease in crystallinity. These results demonstrate that PET monomers, TA and EG, can be upcycled into a value-added product, BC, presenting an approach that will contribute to lessening the environmental burden caused by plastic disposal in the environment.

Redox-mediated C-C bond scission in alcohols adsorbed on CeO2-xthin films

The decomposition mechanisms of ethanol and ethylene glycol on well-ordered stoichiometric CeO₂(111) and partially reduced CeO_2-x(111) films were investigated by means of synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy, resonant photoemission spectroscopy, and temperature programmed desorption. Both alcohols partially deprotonate upon adsorption at 150 K and subsequent annealing yielding stable ethoxy and ethylenedioxy species. The C-C bond scission in both ethoxy and ethylenedioxy species on stoichiometric CeO₂(111) involves formation of acetaldehyde-like intermediates and yields CO and CO₂accompanied by desorption of acetaldehyde, H₂O, and H₂. This decomposition pathway leads to the formation of oxygen vacancies. In the presence of oxygen vacancies, C-O bond scission in ethoxy species yields C₂H₄. In contrast, C-C bond scission in ethylenedioxy species on the partially reduced CeO_2-x(111) is favored with respect to C-O bond scission and yields methanol, formaldehyde, and CO accompanied by the desorption of H₂O and H₂. Still, scission of C-O bonds on both sides of the ethylenedioxy species yields minor amounts of accompanying C₂H₄and C₂H₂. C-O bond scission is coupled with a partial recovery of the lattice oxygen in competition with its removal in the form of water.

Mortality and associated risk factors in patients with severe methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning treated with dialysis: a retrospective cohort study

Objective

To compare the initial clinical course and data on 90-day mortality in adults with methanol (MET) or ethylene glycol (EG) poisoning treated with dialysis.

Methods

Data on patient demographics and clinical parameters at intensive care unit (ICU) admission and for the first 24 hours after dialysis initiation were collected, and 90-day outcome data were collected for patients with MET (n = 15) or EG (n = 13) poisoning treated with dialysis in this retrospective cohort study.

Results

In univariate analysis, patients with EG poisoning were older and they had lower hourly urine output during the first 24 hours after the initiation of dialysis. Six (46%) patients with MET poisoning and three (20%) patients with EG poisoning died within 90 days of ICU admission. A larger anion gap and lower pH, bicarbonate levels, base excess, and Glasgow Coma Scale scores on admission, as well as the need for mechanical ventilation, were associated with 90-day mortality.

Conclusions

Metabolic acidosis, a large anion gap, and an altered mental status on admission appear to be associated with mortality in MET or EG poisoning, and EG poisoning may be linked to lower urine output.

Oxidative stress and biochemical indicators in blood of patients addicted to alcohol treated for acute ethylene glycol poisoning

Ethylene glycol (EG), in addition to its neurotoxic and nephrotoxic effects, evokes oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the ethylene glycol on the biochemical indicators and oxidoreductive balance of patients treated for acute poisoning. The total study group consisted of 56 persons including 26 alcoholics who took EG as a substitute for ethyl alcohol in the course of alcohol dependence syndrome and 30 controls. Severity of poisoning, results of acid-base parameters, biochemical, and toxicological tests as well as biomarkers of the oxidative stress in blood were analyzed during the patients' hospitalization. The key issue was to assess the oxidative stress and biochemical disturbances caused by EG and the type of treatment applied in the course of poisoning. Significant changes in some parameters were found both at time of diagnosis and after treatment initiation (ethanol as an antidote and hemodialysis). The most important differences included the activity of hepatic parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, AST) and oxidative stress markers like catalase (CAT); correlation of the lipid peroxidation products level (TBARS) with urea concentration has been shown. On the last day of the hospitalization, in some cases, the mutual correlation between the evaluated markers were observed, for example, between alanine transaminase (ALT) and glutathione reductase (GR), and urea concentration and glutathione level (GSH/GSSG). The concentration of ions (H⁺) had a major impact on the oxidoreductive balance, correlating with the elevated GR and GSH/GSSG levels.

The Effect of Various Grinding Aids on the Properties of Cement and Its Compatibility with Acrylate-Based Superplasticizer

The influence of grinding aids (pure triethanolamine and ethylene glycol) on the properties of cements, their compatibility with an acrylate-based superplasticizer and the rheological parameters of mortars were investigated. The presence of surfactants influences the standard properties of cements and the effectiveness of the superplasticizer. The results of the heat of hydration and setting time measurements indicate a delay in the hydration process and an increase in the induction period duration of the surfactant-doped pastes, in relation to the reference sample without grinding aids. Triethanolamine increases early-age compressive strength; the effect was observed for both standard and superplasticizer-containing mortars. The presence of grinding aids decreases the slump flow of mortars and increases rheological parameters such as yield stress (τ0) and viscosity (η).

Spectral Fingerprint Investigation in the near Infra-Red to Distinguish Harmful Ethylene Glycol from Isopropanol in a Microchannel

Ethylene glycol (EG) and isopropanol (ISO) are among the major toxic alcohols that pose a risk to human health. However, it is important to distinguish them, since EG is more prone to cause renal failure, and can thus be more dangerous when ingested than ISO. Analysis of alcohols such as isopropanol and ethylene glycol generally can be performed with a complex chromatographic method. Here, we present an optical method based on absorption spectroscopy, performed remotely on EG-ISO mixtures filling a microchannel. Mixtures of ethylene glycol in isopropanol at different volume concentrations were analyzed in a contactless manner in a rectangular-section glass micro-capillary provided with integrated reflectors. Fiber-coupled broadband light in the wavelength range 1.3–1.7 µm crossed the microchannel multiple times before being directed towards an optical spectrum analyzer. The induced zig-zag path increased the fluid–light interaction length and enhanced the effect of optical absorption. A sophisticated theoretical model was developed and the results of our simulations were in very good agreement with the results of the experimental spectral measurements. Moreover, from the acquired data, we retrieved a responsivity parameter, defined as power ratio at two wavelengths, that is linearly related to the EG concentration in the alcoholic mixtures.

Anion gap-opening metabolic acidosis and urinary findings in the early diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning: A case report

Causative agent identification is important in the treatment of poisoning. We report the case of a patient who presented with an altered level of consciousness after drinking a fluorescent pink liquid. Upon measuring the anion gap and urinary calcium oxalate level, the patient was diagnosed with early ethylene glycol poisoning.

Calcium sensitive receptor and claudin-14 expression in kidney tissues of two kidney stone models

INTODUCTION

The differences in protein expression of calcium sensitive receptor (CaSR) and claudin-14 in a kidney stone model established by nanobacteria (NB) and ethylene glycol (EG) were compared.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ninety Wistar male rats were randomly divided into the NB group, the EG group, and the blank control group (NC group), with 30 rats in each group. Three rats of each group were sacrificed every week after injection. Histopathology was used to evaluate the stone formation of each group. The expression of CaSR and claudin-14 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry every week.

RESULTS

There was formation of bright crystals in the kidneys of the EG group and the NB group, but not the NC group. At the 3rd week, the expression of CaSR and claudin-14 in the kidney tissue of the EG group began to increase while that in the NB group increased at the 4^th week. The expression of CaSR and claudin-14 protein in the EG group was stronger than that in the NB group. Meanwhile, CaSR was expressed in the NC group but did not change significantly. Claudin-14 was not expressed in the NC group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the traditional EG kidney stone modeling method is more rapid than the NB kidney stone modeling method, with a high stone formation rate, and the CaSR and claudin-14 protein expression levels are higher. Meanwhile, the NB used to establish the kidney stone model was isolated from patients with kidney stones, which may imitate the process of natural formation of kidney stones of patients. Therefore, the results of our research are more conducive to related research on the etiology of stones.

Evaluation of PET Degradation Using Artificial Microbial Consortia

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) biodegradation is regarded as an environmentally friendly degradation method. In this study, an artificial microbial consortium composed of Rhodococcus jostii, Pseudomonas putida and two metabolically engineered Bacillus subtilis was constructed to degrade PET. First, a two-species microbial consortium was constructed with two engineered B. subtilis that could secrete PET hydrolase (PETase) and monohydroxyethyl terephthalate hydrolase (MHETase), respectively; it could degrade 13.6% (weight loss) of the PET film within 7 days. A three-species microbial consortium was further obtained by adding R. jostii to reduce the inhibition caused by terephthalic acid (TPA), a breakdown product of PET. The weight of PET film was reduced by 31.2% within 3 days, achieving about 17.6% improvement compared with the two-species microbial consortium. Finally, P. putida was introduced to reduce the inhibition caused by ethylene glycol (EG), another breakdown product of PET, obtaining a four-species microbial consortium. With the four-species consortium, the weight loss of PET film reached 23.2% under ambient temperature. This study constructed and evaluated the artificial microbial consortia in PET degradation, which demonstrated the great potential of artificial microbial consortia in the utilization of complex substrates, providing new insights for biodegradation of complex polymers.

Boron Modified Bifunctional Cu/SiO2 Catalysts with Enhanced Metal Dispersion and Surface Acid Sites for Selective Hydrogenation of Dimethyl Oxalate to Ethylene Glycol and Ethanol

Boron (B) promoter modified Cu/SiO2 bifunctional catalysts were synthesized by sol-gel method and used to produce ethylene glycol (EG) and ethanol (EtOH) through efficient hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate (DMO). Experimental results showed that boron promoter could significantly improve the catalytic performance by improving the structural characteristics of the Cu/SiO2 catalysts. The optimized 2B-Cu/SiO2 catalyst exhibited excellent low temperature catalytic activity and long-term stability, maintaining the average EG selectivity (Sel.EG) of 95% at 190 °C, and maintaining the average EtOH selectivity (Sel.EtOH) of 88% at 260 °C, with no decrease even after reaction of 150 h, respectively. Characterization results revealed that doping with boron promoter could significantly increase the copper dispersion, enhance the metal-support interaction, maintain suitable Cu+/(Cu+ + Cu0) ratio, and diminish metallic copper particles during the hydrogenation of DMO. Thus, this work introduced a bifunctional boron promoter, which could not only improve the copper dispersion, reduce the formation of bulk copper oxide, but also properly enhance the acidity of the sample surface, so that the Cu/SiO2 sample could exhibit superior EG selectivity at low temperature, as well as improving the EtOH selectivity at high temperature.

Mass spectrometry of the soot left after ethylene oxide explosion answers some questions on the crash of Polish Air Force Flight 101

The Polish TU 154M plane, Polish Air Force Flight 101, had crashed near Smolensk on 10th of April 2010. The crash was investigated by The Interstate Aviation Committee, whose conclusions were questioned by a number of Polish scientists. The cause of the crash still appears to be incompletely documented and requires additional evidence. In this paper, investigations of a solid material eluted from a piece of cloth of one of the victims of the crash are described. High resolution mass spectrometry was applied to analyze the soot left after controlled ethylene oxide (EO) explosions, performed under different conditions. These included electric ignition of EO vapors in a large volume steel container, and explosions of glass tubes filled with liquid EO, stimulated by thermally initiated explosions of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). One of these explosions was conducted in the vessel used for the electric ignition of EO and the other in a hermetically locked, small volume container. It was shown that the soot comprises a set of C₂ H₄ O homopolymers and copolymers whose characteristic MS patterns are condition-dependent. The MS spectrum of the postcrash sample referred to above reveals a number of polymers that are also present in the soot obtained in PETN-initiated ethylene oxide explosions. It can be concluded that the piece of cloth was subjected to an EO explosion initiated by an explosion of energetic material, possibly PETN. Similar control experiments with ethylene glycol (EG) showed that the polymers identified in the investigated postcrash sample could not originate from exploding EG.

Lignin Biopolymer for the Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles and the Composite Applied for the Removal of Methylene Blue

In the current study, lignin, an abundant natural polymer, was dissolved in ethylene glycol and acidic H2O to form nanoscale lignin. Then, zero-valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles were synthesized in nanoscale lignin, producing a nZVI/n-lignin composite, via the borohydride reduction method. The use of nZVI/n-lignin for environmental remediation was tested by the removal of methylene blue in aqueous solutions at room temperature. The nZVI/n-lignin composite achieved a higher methylene blue removal ratio than that achieved by traditional nZVIs. Moreover, its excellent dispersibility in water and stability against oxidation in the air were observed. The functions of the nanoscale lignin in the composite material are (1) prevention of further growth and aggregation of the nZVI nanoparticles, (2) protection of nZVI from serious oxidation by H2O/O2, and (3) allowing better dispersibility of nZVI in aqueous solutions. These three functions are important for the field applications of nZVI/n-lignin, namely, to travel long distances before making contact with environmental pollutants. The present method for producing nZVI/n-lignin is straightforward, and the combination of nZVI and lignin is an efficient and environmentally friendly material for environmental applications.

Improved Sample Preparation for Untargeted Metabolomics Profiling of Escherichia coli

Metabolomics is a powerful tool that can systematically describe global changes in the metabolome of microbes, thus improving our understanding of the mechanisms of action of antibiotics and facilitating the development of next-generation antibacterial therapies. However, current sample preparation methods are not efficient or reliable for studying the effects of antibiotics on microbes. In the present study, we reported a novel sample preparation approach using cold methanol/ethylene glycol for quenching Escherichia coli, thus overcoming the loss of intracellular metabolites caused by cell membrane damage. After evaluating the extraction efficiency of several extraction methods, we employed the optimized workflow to profile the metabolome of E. coli exposed to cephalexin. In doing so, we proved the utility of the proposed approach and provided insights into the comprehensive metabolic alterations associated with antibiotic treatment.

IMPORTANCE The emergence and global spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria and genes are a global problem. It is critical to understand the interactions between antibiotics and bacteria and find alternative treatments for infections when we are moving closer to a postantibiotic era. It has been demonstrated that the bacterial metabolic environment plays an important role in the modulation of antibiotic susceptibility and efficacy. In the present study, we proposed a novel metabolomic approach for intracellular metabolite profiling of E. coli, which can be used to investigate the metabolite alterations of bacteria caused by antibiotic treatment. Further understanding of antibiotic-induced perturbations of bacterial metabolism would facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic targets and pathways.

Carbon Nanotube PtSn Nanoparticles for Enhanced Complete Biocatalytic Oxidation of Ethylene Glycol in Biofuel Cells

We report a hybrid catalytic system containing metallic PtSn nanoparticles deposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs), prepared by the microwave-assisted method, coupled to the enzyme oxalate oxidase (OxOx) for complete ethylene glycol (EG) electrooxidation. Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs, without OxOx, showed good electrochemical activity toward EG oxidation and all the byproducts. Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs cleaved the glyoxilic acid C-C bond, producing CO₂ and formic acid, which was further oxidized at the electrode. Concerning EG oxidation, the catalytic activity of the hybrid system (Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs+OxOx) was twice the catalytic activity of Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs. Long-term electrolysis revealed that Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs+OxOx was much more active for EG oxidation than Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs: the charge increased by 65%. The chromatographic results proved that Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs+OxOx collected all of the 10 electrons per molecule of the fuel and was able to catalyze EG oxidation to CO₂ due to the associative oxidation between the metallic nanoparticles and the enzymatic pathway. Overall, Pt₆₅Sn₃₅/MWCNTs+OxOx proved to be a promising system to enhance the development of enzymatic biofuel cells for further application in the bioelectrochemistry field.

Fomepizole dosing during continuous renal replacement therapy - an observational study

BACKGROUND

Fomepizole is the preferred antidote for treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning, acting by inhibiting the formation of the toxic metabolites. Although very effective, the price is high and the availability is limited. Its availability is further challenged in situations with mass poisonings. Therefore, a 50% reduced maintenance dose for fomepizole during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was suggested in 2016, based on pharmacokinetic data only. Our aim was to study whether this new dosing for fomepizole during CRRT gave plasma concentrations above the required 10 µmol/L. Secondly, we wanted to study the elimination kinetics of fomepizole during CRRT, which has never been studied before.

METHODS

Prospective observational study of adult patients treated with fomepizole and CRRT. We collected samples from arterial line (pre-filter) = plasma concentration, post-filter and dialysate for fomepizole measurements. Fomepizole was measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography with a reverse phase column.

RESULTS

Ten patients were included in the study. Seven were treated with continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) and three with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Ninety-eight percent of the plasma samples were above the minimum plasma concentration of 10 µmol/L. Fomepizole was removed during CRRT with a median saturation/sieving coefficient of 0.85 and dialysis clearance of 28 mL/min.

CONCLUSION

Fomepizole was eliminated during CCRT. The new dosing recommendations for fomepizole and CRRT appeared safe, by maintaining the plasma concentration above the minimum value of 10 µmol/L. Based on these data, the fomepizole maintenance dose during CRRT could be reduced to half as compared to intermittent hemodialysis.

Preparation of Polyurethane Adhesives from Crude and Purified Liquefied Wood Sawdust

Polyurethane (PU) adhesives were prepared with bio-polyols obtained via acid-catalyzed polyhydric alcohol liquefaction of wood sawdust and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI). Two polyols, i.e., crude and purified liquefied wood (CLW and PLW), were obtained from the liquefaction process with a high yield of 99.7%. PU adhesives, namely CLWPU and PLWPU, were then prepared by reaction of CLW or PLW with pMDI at various isocyanate to hydroxyl group (NCO:OH) molar ratios of 0.5:1, 1:1, 1.5:1, and 2:1. The chemical structure and thermal behavior of the bio-polyols and the cured PU adhesives were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Performance of the adhesives was evaluated by single-lap joint shear tests according to EN 302-1:2003, and by adhesive penetration. The highest shear strength was found at the NCO:OH molar ratio of 1.5:1 as 4.82 ± 1.01 N/mm² and 4.80 ± 0.49 N/mm² for CLWPU and PLWPU, respectively. The chemical structure and thermal properties of the cured CLWPU and PLWPU adhesives were considerably influenced by the NCO:OH molar ratio.

Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Selective Detection of Glycols and Glycerol in the Liquids and Aerosols of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products

The long-term health effects of using e-cigarette, or vaping, products (EVPs; also known as e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and vape pens) remain largely unknown. The inhalation of excipients, such as propylene glycol (PG) and glycerin (GLY), may have long-term health effects. In addition to the direct health effects of PG and GLY, glycerin-containing products can be contaminated with toxic ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG). To assess this issue, we developed a simple, versatile, high-throughput isotope dilution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying these common excipients and contaminants. The method is applicable to both the liquid contents and machine-generated aerosols of EVPs. Our rigorous method validation demonstrates that the new method is specific, precise, accurate, and rugged/robust. The calibration range is linear from 0.1–7 mg for the excipients and 2.5–1,000 µg for the contaminants. These ranges encompass expected excipients levels in EVP e-liquids and their machine-generated aerosols and the relevant maximum residue safety limit of 1 mg/g, or 0.1% (w/w), for the contaminants. The calculated limits of detection for PG, GLY, EG, and DEG were determined as 0.0109 mg, 0.0132 mg, 0.250 µg, and 0.100 µg, respectively. The method was applied to the aerosol emissions analysis of 141 EVPs associated with the 2019 lung injury outbreak, and found typical levels of PG (120.28–689.35 mg/g of aerosol) and GLY (116.83–845.96 mg/g of aerosol) in all nicotine-containing products; PG (81.58–491.92 mg/g of aerosol) and GLY (303.86–823.47 mg/g of aerosol) in 13% of cannabidiol (CBD) products; PG (74.02–220.18 mg/g of aerosol) and GLY (596.43–859.81 mg/g of aerosol) in products with neither nicotine nor CBD; and none detected in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. No products contained glycol contaminants above the recommended maximum residue safety limit.

Terephthalic Acid Copolyesters Containing Tetramethylcyclobutanediol for High-Performance Plastics

There is a need for high-performance applications for terephthalic acid (TPA) polyesters with high heat resistance, impact toughness, and optical clarity. Bisphenol A (BPA) based polycarbonates and polyarylates have such properties, but BPA is an endocrine disruptor. Therefore, new TPA polyesters that are less hazardous to health and the environment are becoming popular. Tetramethylcyclobutanediol (TMCD) is a difunctional monomer that can be polymerized with TPA and other diols to yield copolyesters with superior properties to conventional TPA polyesters. It has a cyclobutyl ring that makes it more rigid than cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) and EG. Thus, TMCD containing TPA copolyesters can have high heat resistance and impact strength. TPA can be made from abundantly available upcycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Therefore, this review discusses the synthesis of monomers and copolyesters, the impact of diol composition on material properties, molecular weight, effects of photodegradation, health safety, and substitution of cyclobutane diols for future polyesters.

Reference Correlation for the Viscosity of Ethane-1,2-diol (Ethylene Glycol) from the Triple Point to 465 K and up to 100 MPa

We present a new wide-ranging correlation for the viscosity of ethane-1,2-diol (ethylene glycol) based on critically evaluated experimental data. The correlation is designed to be used with an existing equation of state, and it is valid from the triple point to 465 K, at pressures up to 100 MPa. The estimated uncertainty is 4.9 % (at the 95 % confidence level), except in the dilute-gas region which is estimated to be 15 %, as there are no measurements in this region for comparison. The correlation behaves in a physically reasonable manner when extrapolated to 750 K and 250 MPa, however care should be taken when using the correlations outside of the validated range.

Presumed Choline Chloride Toxicosis in Cats With Positive Ethylene Glycol Tests After Consuming a Recalled Cat Food

Four previously healthy adult domestic shorthair cats (2 male, 2 female) from one household developed acute vomiting and ataxia less than 12 hours after consuming a commercial canned cat food. Blood work abnormalities included mild hyperglycemia with increased alanine aminotransferase (n = 1) and decreased blood urea nitrogen (n = 2). The veterinarian conducted whole blood ethylene glycol (EG) tests, which were positive for all cats. There were no known EG exposures. All cats were treated for suspected EG toxicosis and fully recovered after 48 hours. Separately from the cats' case, the same food was voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer 5 days later due to a higher-than-formulated amount of choline chloride added to the food. The 4 cats' canned cat food was tested for choline, choline chloride, EG, diethylene glycol, and propylene glycol to look for causes of the positive whole blood EG test. The cat food contained an average of 165,300 ppm (165,300 mg/kg) choline and 221,600 ppm (221,600 mg/kg) choline chloride on a dry matter basis, which is at least 65 times the recommended choline amount for adult cats. No glycols were detected. This case documents suspected choline toxicosis in cats after consuming a commercial canned cat food with a higher-than-formulated amount of choline chloride, and it suggests that choline toxicosis may cause a positive result on some EG whole blood tests. Choline toxicosis could be a possible differential diagnosis when a cat has a positive EG test and no known exposure to antifreeze.

Product Control and Insight into Conversion of C6 Aldose Toward C2, C4 and C6 Alditols in One-Pot Retro-Aldol Condensation and Hydrogenation Processes

Alcohols have a wide range of applicability, and their functions vary with the carbon numbers. C6 and C4 alditols are alternative of sweetener, as well as significant pharmaceutical and chemical intermediates, which are mainly obtained through the fermentation of microorganism currently. Similarly, as a bulk chemical, C2 alditol plays a decisive role in chemical synthesis. However, among them, few works have been focused on the chemical production of C4 alditol yet due to its difficult accumulation. In this paper, under a static and semi-flowing procedure, we have achieved the product control during the conversion of C6 aldose toward C6 alditol, C4 alditol and C2 alditol, respectively. About C4 alditol yield of 20 % and C4 plus C6 alditols yield of 60 % are acquired in the one-pot conversion via a cascade retro-aldol condensation and hydrogenation process. Furthermore, in the semi-flowing condition, the yield of ethylene glycol is up to 73 % thanks to its low instantaneous concentration.

Pharmacological Evaluation of Safoof-e-Pathar Phori- A Polyherbal Unani Formulation for Urolithiasis

Safoof-e-Pathar phori (SPP) is an Unani poly-herbomineral formulation, which has for a long time been used as a medicine due to its antiurolithiatic activity, as per the Unani Pharmacopoeia. This powder formulation is prepared using six different plant/mineral constituents. In this study, we explored the antiurolithiatic and antioxidant potentials of SPP (at 700 and 1,000 mg/kg) in albino Wistar rats with urolithiasis induced by 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1% ammonium chloride (AC). Long-term oral toxicity studies were performed according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines for 90 days at an oral dose of 700 mg/kg of SPP. The EG urolithiatic toxicant group had significantly higher levels of urinary calcium, serum creatinine, blood urea, and tissue lipid peroxidation and significantly (p < 0.001 vs control) lower levels of urinary sodium and potassium than the normal control group. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of refractile crystals in the tubular epithelial cell and damage to proximal tubular epithelium in the toxicant group but not in the SPP treatment groups. Treatment of SPP at 700 and 1,000 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.001 vs toxicant) lowered urinary calcium, serum creatinine, blood urea, and lipid peroxidation in urolithiatic rats, 21 days after induction of urolithiasis compared to the toxicant group. A long-term oral toxicity study revealed the normal growth of animals without any significant change in hematological, hepatic, and renal parameters; there was no evidence of abnormal histology of the heart, kidney, liver, spleen, or stomach tissues. These results suggest the usefulness of SPP as an antiurolithiatic and an antioxidant agent, and long-term daily oral consumption of SPP was found to be safe in albino Wistar rats for up to 3 months. Thus, SPP may be safe for clinical use as an antiurolithiatic formulation.

Effect of Anode Material on Electrochemical Oxidation of Low Molecular Weight Alcohols-A Review

The growing climate crisis inspires one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century-developing novel power sources. One of the concepts that offer clean, non-fossil electricity production is fuel cells, especially when the role of fuel is played by simple organic molecules, such as low molecular weight alcohols. The greatest drawback of this technology is the lack of electrocatalytic materials that would enhance reaction kinetics and good stability under process conditions. Currently, electrodes for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are mainly based on platinum, which not only provides a poor reaction rate but also readily deactivates because of poisoning by reaction products. Because of these disadvantages, many researchers have focused on developing novel electrode materials with electrocatalytic properties towards the oxidation of simple alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol or propanol. This paper presents the development of electrode materials and addresses future challenges that still need to be overcome before direct alcohol fuel cells can be commercialized.