Thermoplastic poly(ester‐imide)s derived from anhydride‐terminated polyester prepolymer and diisocyanate

The phase‐separation behavior of thermoplastic poly(ester‐imide) [P(E‐I)] multiblock copolymers, (A‐B)_n, was investigated by a stepwise variation of the imide content. All the multiblock copolymers were synthesized by solution polycondensation with dimethylformamide as a solvent. P(E‐I)s were prepared with anhydride‐terminated polyester prepolymer and diisocyanates. Polyester prepolymers were prepared by the reaction of pyromellitic dianhydride and two different polyols [poly(tetramethylene oxide glycol) (PTMG) and polycaprolactone diol (PCL)]. Structural determination was done with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Fourier transform NMR, and the molecular weight was determined by gel permeation chromatography. The effect of the imide content on the thermal properties of the synthesized P(E‐I)s was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The polymers were also characterized for static and dynamic mechanical properties. Thermal analysis data indicated that the polymers based on PTMG were stable up to 330 °C in nitrogen atmosphere and exhibited phase‐separated morphology. Polymers based on PCL showed multistage decomposition, and the films derived from them were too fragile to be characterized for static and dynamic mechanical properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 341–350, 2004     

Controlled synthesis of amphiphilic biodegradable polylactide‐grafted dextran copolymers

The whole controlled synthesis of novel amphiphilic polylactide (PLA)‐grafted dextran copolymers was achieved. The control of the architecture of such biodegradable and potentially biocompatible copolymers has required a three‐step synthesis based on the “grafting from” concept. The first step consisted of the partial silylation of the dextran hydroxyl groups. This protection step was followed by the ring‐opening polymerization of D ,L ‐lactide initiated from the remaining OH functions of the partially silylated polysaccharide. The third step involved the silylether group deprotection under very mild conditions. Based on previous studies, in which the control of the first step was achieved, this study is focused on the last two steps. Experimental conditions were investigated to ensure a controlled polymerization of D ,L ‐lactide, in terms of grafting efficiency, graft length, and transesterification limitation. After polymerization, the final step was studied in order to avoid degradation of both polysaccharide backbone and polyester grafts. The chemical stability of dextran backbone was checked throughout each step of the synthesis. PLA‐grafted dextrans and PLA‐grafted (silylated dextrans) were proved to adopt a core‐shell conformation in various solvents. Furthermore, preliminary experiments on the potential use of these amphiphilic grafted copolymers as liquid/liquid interface stabilizers were performed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2577–2588, 2004     

Announcement of Proficiency Testing Schemes

Accreditation and Quality Assurance -     

Understanding the quality concept in health care

During the past three decades there has been an intense debate on the quality of health care. Errors in medicine, practice variations, competence of physicians, scarcity and lack of resources have all been reasons for discussing the quality of care. A clear definition of quality should explain the nature of the debate, improve uniformity of speech and facilitate meaningful actions such as quality assurance or quality improvement. However, in due course many different definitions have been proposed and principles of quality assurance in health care have been frequently questioned, because of their industrial nature. It raises questions on our understanding of quality in health care. In this paper, we (i) explore the nature of the quality concept, (ii) explain its meaning by Wittgenstein's theory on rule-following, and (iii) argue for understanding medical care as a reflexive practice, in order to integrate the meaning of quality in medical care.     

Standardization of BSE rapid test performances and experiences gathered during the implementation of large-scale testing

The accumulation of pathological prion protein is used as a diagnostic marker for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. According to European Union (EU) regulations cattle older than 30 months of age (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain by national law >24 months) and slaughtered for human consumption must be tested by using rapid tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Likewise fallen stock and clinically affected animals must be tested. This article gives a short overview of the incidence of BSE in Europe. The diagnostic hierarchy, i.e., the officially approved methodology for the confirmation of suspect rapid test cases, and the organization of the numerous laboratories involved in this large-scale testing for BSE are described. Special emphasis is given to necessary quality control measures currently in place for BSE rapid testing laboratories and to measures intended to assure a consistent performance of the commercially available rapid test kits.Presented at BERM-9—Ninth International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials, 15–19 June 2003, Berlin, Germany.     

Block copolymer nanoparticles of controlled sizes via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization

This article describes the formation and characterization of self‐assembled nanoparticles of controlled sizes based on amphiphilic block copolymers synthesized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization. We synthesized a novel hydrophobic derivative of norbornene; this monomer could be polymerized using Grubbs' catalyst [Cl₂Ru(CHPh)(PCy₃)₂] forming polymers of controlled molecular weight. We synthesized amphiphilic block copolymers of controlled composition and showed that they assemble into nanoparticles of controlled size. The nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Tuning the composition of the block copolymer enables the tuning of the diameters of the nanoparticles in the 30‐ to 80‐nm range. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3352–3359, 2004     

Novel,organosoluble, light‐colored fluorinated polyimides based on 2,2′‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)biphenyl or 2,2′‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl

Two series of fluorinated polyimides were prepared from 2,2′‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)biphenyl ( 2 ) and 2,2′‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl ( 4 ) with various aromatic dianhydrides via a conventional, two‐step procedure that included a ring‐opening polyaddition to give poly(amic acid)s, followed by chemical or thermal cyclodehydration. The inherent viscosities of the polyimides ranged from 0.54 to 0.73 and 0.19 to 0.36 dL/g, respectively. All the fluorinated polyimides were soluble in many polar organic solvents, such as N,N‐dimethylacetamide and N‐methylpyrrolidone, and afforded transparent and light‐colored films via solution‐casting. These polyimides showed glass‐transition temperatures in the ranges of 222–280 and 257–351 °C by DSC, softening temperatures in the range of 264–301 °C by thermomechanical analysis, and a decomposition temperature for 10% weight loss above 520 °C both in nitrogen and air atmospheres. The polyimides had low moisture absorptions of 0.23–0.58%, low dielectric constants of 2.84–3.61 at 10 kHz, and an ultraviolet–visible absorption cutoff wavelength at 351–434 nm. Copolyimides derived from the same dianhydrides with an equimolar mixture of 4,4′‐oxydianiline and diamine 2 or 4 were also prepared and characterized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2416–2431, 2004     

Synthesis,characterization, and curing kinetics of novel ladder‐like polysilsesquioxanes containing side‐chain maleimide groups

Two ladder‐like polysilsesquioxanes (LPS) containing side‐chain maleimide groups have been synthesized successfully by reacting N‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)maleimide (HPM) with LPS containing 100 mol % of chloropropyl groups (Ladder A ) and 50 mol % of each methyl and chloropropyl group (Ladder B ). HPM was synthesized by reacting maleic anhydride with 4‐aminophenol, and the resulting amic acid was imidized using p‐toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst (Scheme 1 ). The LPSs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), proton‐decoupled ¹³C NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Characterization indicated that these polymers had ordered ladder‐like structures with possible defects. These polymers were soluble in common solvents at ambient temperature, which suggested that they were not crosslinked. Both the polymers and the HPM were cured, and their kinetics were followed by dynamic DSC. The Ozawa and Kissinger methods were used to calculate activation energies for curing. Curing increased the temperature at which both 5% weight loss and maximum rate of weight loss were observed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4036–4046, 2004