Diabetes type 2 prevalence is rising among young residents in Malmö, Sweden.

Aim: Type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent in many parts of the world. Malmö's population has increased in recent years mainly because of migration from other parts of Sweden and the world in addition to increased birth rates. We aimed to explore diabetes prevalence in Malmö in 2011-2018 as well as the achieved treatment targets for selected diabetes-related outcomes.

Biocatalysis in the Recycling Landscape for Synthetic Polymers and Plastics towards Circular Textiles.

Although recovery of fibers from used textiles with retained material quality is desired, separation of individual components from polymer blends used in today's complex textile materials is currently not available at viable scale. Biotechnology could provide a solution to this pressing problem by enabling selective depolymerization of recyclable fibers of natural and synthetic origin, to isolate constituents or even recover monomers. We compiled experimental data for biocatalytic polymer degradation with a focus on synthetic polymers with hydrolysable links and calculated conversion rates to explore this path The analysis emphasizes that we urgently need major research efforts: beyond cellulose-based fibers, biotechnological-assisted depolymerization of plastics so far only works for polyethylene terephthalate, with degradation of a few other relevant synthetic polymer chains being reported.

Release of Side-Chain Fluorinated Polymer-Containing Microplastic Fibers from Functional Textiles During Washing and First Estimates of Perfluoroalkyl Acid Emissions.

The quantity and composition of fibers released from functional textiles during accelerated washing were investigated using the GyroWash method. Two fabrics [polyamide (PA) and polyester/cotton (PES/CO)] were selected and coated with perfluorohexane-based side-chain fluorinated polymers. Fibers released during washing ranged from ∼10 to 500 μ with a similar distribution for the two textile types.

Visual ergonomics and computer work--is it all about computer glasses?

The Swedish Provisions on Work with Display Screen Equipment and the EU Directive on the minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment cover several important visual ergonomics aspects. But a review of cases and questions to the Swedish Work Environment Authority clearly shows that most attention is given to the demands for eyesight tests and special computer glasses. Other important visual ergonomics factors are at risk of being neglected.

A multiplexed point-of-care assay for C-reactive protein and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

Several new plasma protein biomarkers have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. It would be of great value if sets of these markers could be measured in a multiplexed format at point-of-care settings. A major challenge is the extremely wide concentration range in which different plasma biomarkers are present.

Self-assembled and self-sorted array of chemically active beads for analytical and biochemical screening.

A technique for generating a general screening platform consisting of dots of immobilized beads on silicon has been developed via self-sorting and -assembly of different kinds of beads. The dots are defined by a teflon-like film, which due to its hydrophobic characteristics also prevents cross-contamination of liquid from different dots. To enable functionalization of individual dots with different target molecules simultaneously a new way of microcontact printing has been explored where different target solutions are printed in parallel using one stamp.

Polymer-supported pyridine-bis(oxazoline). Application to ytterbium-catalyzed silylcyanation of benzaldehyde.

[reaction: see text] Terminal acetylenes containing hydroxy and carboxylic acid groups were subjected to Sonogashira coupling with 4-bromo-2,6-bis[(R)-4-phenyloxazolin-2-yl]pyridine and the resulting pybox derivatives were immobilized on Tentagel resins. Ytterbium(III) chloride complexes of the polymeric ligands catalyzed the addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to benzaldehyde with 80-81% ee. The ligands were reused more than 30 times without any loss in selectivity or activity, and the metal complexes could be recovered and reused at least four times, although with slightly decreasing activity.

Immobilized oxazoline-containing ligands in asymmetric catalysis--a review.

Metal complexes of chiral oxazoline derivatives immobilized on soluble as well as insoluble supports serve as versatile asymmetric catalysts in a variety of applications. In a few cases recovery and reuse of the chiral ligands have been achieved.