Bhanu Kalra

HRP-mediated polymerizations of acrylamide and sodium acrylate

Previously, we reported the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) mediated free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The reaction medium was restricted to water/water-miscible co-solvent mixtures that solubilize both the monomer and enzyme. This paper describes HRP-mediated acrylamide polymerizations in aqueous medium with and without the addition of surfactants. Also, studies were conducted on polymerizations in concentrated emulsions using sorbitane monooleate as the surfactant. In aqueous medium, within 3 h, 98% yields of poly(acrylamide) were attained. By adding either anionic bis(2-ethylhexyl)sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) or cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), the polymerization proceeded more rapidly so that within 60 and 75 min, respectively, 94% polymer yields were reached. When conducted in a concentrated emulsion formed with sodium monooleate, nearly quantitative yields resulted in 1.25 h. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the products ranged from 128 to 210 K and 106 to 154 K in aqueous medium and concentrated emulsions, respectively. In both of the above reaction systems, there was no apparent effect of the enzyme on the regulation of chain stereochemistry. The HRP-mediated polymerization of sodium acrylate conducted in aqueous medium gave poly(sodium acrylate) in yields up to 88% within 24 h with Mwca. 119 K.

Increased antimüllerian hormone levels and other reproductive endocrine changes in adult male relatives of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE To investigate for differences in reproductive hormone levels in male relatives of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENT(S) Sixty-three fathers and 66 brothers of women with PCOS as well as two groups of control men of comparable age to fathers (older control, n = 30) and brothers (younger control, n = 58). INTERVENTION(S) A single early morning fasting blood sample was obtained for the measurement of reproductive hormone levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Testosterone, LH, FSH, antimüllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, estradiol (E2), and estrone (E1) levels were measured. RESULT(S) The AMH, LH, and FSH levels were significantly increased in male relatives compared with their respective control groups. The levels of E2, E1, T, and inhibin B did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION(S) The AMH, LH, and FSH levels were increased in adult male relatives of women with PCOS, suggesting that they may have altered testicular function and changes in neuroendocrine regulation of gonadotropin secretion. These changes may reflect effects of PCOS susceptibility genes such as the recently mapped chromosome 11p14.1 locus in the region of the FSH B polypeptide gene.