bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactivities of Stable Rotamers. XXXIII. Addition of Positive Bromine Compounds to the Olefinic Moiety of 1-(9-Fluorenyl)-2-(1-methylethenyl)naphthalene Rotamers and Facile Benzene Ring Cleavage in One of the Intermediates from the sp-Form
Authors: Oki Michinori , Maeda Kiyoka , Akinaga Tadashi , Kataoka Yasukazu , Toyota Shinji
Published: August 2006

Addition of positive bromine compounds to the title olefins was carried out with use of N-bromosuccinimide–water and t-butyl hypobromite and the results are compared with the case of bromine addition. In the case of the ap-isomer, the reactions reported here all produce bromo-olefins in addition to an addition product, in contrast to the case of bromine which gives only an addition product. The sp-isomer afforded the same products as was observed for the bromine-addition but with different proportions of the products. The anionic species of more proton affinity and consequently of less affinity toward carbocations caused a decrease in formation of the addition product and an increase in formation of bromo-olefins in the case of the ap-isomer. The ratios of products, bromo-olefins to a cyclized compound, were affected by the anionic species in the case of sp-isomer: Both N-bromosuccinimide–water and t-butyl hypobromite yielded about the same amounts of the two olefins, but the yields of the cyclized compound varied significantly. The results are not explained in a straightforward manner. Probably solvent effects are important. In addition, the reaction of the sp-form with N-bromosuccinimide in tetrahydrofuran-water afforded (7R*,7aS*,12bS*)-7-bromomethyl-8-[(E)-bromomethylene]-7-methyl-7a-[(Z)-3-oxo-1-propenyl]-7,7a,8,12b-tetrahydrobenzo[5,6]pentaleno[1,2-a]naphthalene, a compound which is derived by cleavage of a benzene ring. The structural features of the last compound are also discussed.
Gas Phase Oxidation of Benzene to Phenol under the Simultaneous Feeding of Hydrogen and Oxygen. III. Catalyst Prepared from Cu(II) Phosphate
Authors: Kitano Tomoyuki , Nakai Toshihiro , Nitta Masahiro , Mori Miki , Ito Sotaro , Sasaki Kazuo
Published: August 2006

The performance of silica supported Pd–Cu composite catalyst developed previously for direct oxidation of benzene to phenol has been improved by changing the copper ion source from Cu(II) sulfate to Cu(II) phosphate and by additional impregnation of phosphoric acid. The reaction proceeds under the simultaneous feeding of benzene, hydrogen and oxygen at 200 °C with a rate of phenol production ca. 0.4 mmol h−1 (g-cat)−1, which is ten times greater than that we have reported previously with a catalyst prepared from Cu(II) sulfate. With this catalyst, complete oxidation to carbon dioxide is also retarded to increase the selectivity of phenol. The improvement of catalytic activity arises apparently from the diminution of the yield of water and is ascribed to the presence of a thin liquid film over the silica surface.
A Novel Synthesis of Alkyl Chloroformate in the Gas Phase by Palladium-Catalyzed Reaction Using XCl (X = H or NO), CO, and Alkyl Nitrite
Authors: Manada Noriaki , Murakami Masato
Published: August 2006

A novel synthesis of chloroformate was developed by palladium-catalyzed reaction of XCl (X = H or NO), CO, and alkyl nitrite in the gas phase. When PdCl2/γ-Al2O3 or PdCl2/SiO2 was used as a catalyst, chloroformate was produced in good yield and with high selectivity. The reaction temperature had a strong influence on the formation rate of chloroformate, and its selectivity drastically depended on the nitrite/chloride ratio. When the nitrite/chloride ratio was less than 2, the selectivity of chloroformate was almost 100%. Dependence of the formation rate on the concentrations of CO and methyl nitrite was also examined.
A Conductometric Glucose Sensor Based on a Twin-Microband Electrode Coated with a Polyaniline Thin Film
Authors: Miwa Yukiharu , Nishizawa Matsuhiko , Matsue Tomokazu , Uchida Isamu
Published: August 2006

A conductometric glucose sensor was fabricated by coating a twin-microband electrode with a bilayer of a membrane composed of polyaniline and glucose oxidase/gluconolactonase films. The enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of glucose induces a change in the conductivity of the pH-sensitive polyaniline film. The conductivity change was detected by the current flowing between the two-band electrode. The sensor demonstrates clear responses to glucose up to 1 mM.
Palladium-Catalyzed Double-Bond Migration in the Homoisoflavone System
Authors: Hoshino Yukio , Takeno Noboru
Published: August 2006

3-Benzylidene-4-chromanones were converted to 3-benzylchromones in HMPA at 200 °C in excellent yields. The reaction was irreversible and efficiently promoted by palladium catalysts in a remarkably shortened reaction time (3 h), compared with the existing procedure (24 h).
Positional Assignments of a Substituent Group of 3-Substituted Juglones by the Off-Resonance 13C NMR Spectra
Authors: Tanoue Yasuhiro , Terada Akira , Sakata Kazunori , Hashimoto Mamoru , Morishita Shin-ichi , Hamada Moritsugu , Kai Norihisa , Nagai Takeshi
Published: August 2006

Taking into account the fact that the long-range 13C–1H coupling constant 3JCH is greater than 2JCH, positional assignments of a substituent group of 3-substituted juglones were easily accomplished by off-resonance 13C NMR spectra using a 60-MHz instrument for 1H. This method was applicable to a structural determination of naphthazarin derivatives.
Facile Preparation of a Phenyl 1-Thioglycoside of Allopyranosylallopyranose from Allyl N,N′-Diacetylchitobioside
Authors: Takahashi Shunya , Terayama Hiroyuki , Sakairi Nobuo , Kuzuhara Hiroyoshi
Published: August 2006

An allopyranosyl analog of allyl N,N′-diacetylchitobioside was converted to the corresponding N,N′-diphthaloylated glycosyl acetate in good yield. A thioglycosidation reaction of the glycosyl acetate gave phenyl 3,6-di-O-acetyl-4-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-allopyranosyl)-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-1-thio-β-d-allopyranoside, the key intermediate employed in the total synthesis of an insect chitinase inhibitor, allosamidin.
Synthesis of 9-Oxa-5-azatricyclo[4.3.0.03,7]nonan-4-ones from 4,4,5-Trihydroxy-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-exo-6-carbonitriles by Their Ring Transformation
Authors: Shimo Tetsuro , Ohshima Kazuhiro , Somekawa Kenichi , Kawaminami Masaru
Published: August 2006

The hydrolysis of [2+2]cycloadducts 4 or their hydrates 5, which were obtained from the regioselective photoreactions of 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (1) with cyanoethylenes, afforded the tittle γ-lactams 7 via an interesting ring transformation.
Spectroscopic Properties of Several Molecular Species of [N,N′-(o-Phenylene)bis(salicylideneaminato)]cobalt(II) in N,N-Dimethylformamide and CH2Cl2 Solutions
Authors: Ohashi Yukako , Nakamura Mikio
Published: August 2006

Based on the temperature and concentration dependencies of the UV-vis and 1H NMR spectra of [N,N′-(o-phenylene)bis(salicylideneaminato)] cobalt(II) ([Co(saloph)]), the existence of several species ([Co(saloph)], [Co(saloph)(dmf)], [Co(saloph)(dmf)2], and a dimer [Co(saloph)(dmf)]2) is discussed in N,N-dimethylformamide (dmf) and CH2Cl2. The values of ΔH° and ΔS° were determined to be −3.7 kJ mol−1 and −17 J K mol−1, −30 kJ mol−1 and −145 J K mol−1, and −39 kJ mol−1 and −110 J K−1 mol−1 for the formation of [Co(saloph)(dmf)], [Co(saloph)(dmf)2] and [Co(saloph)(dmf)]2, respectively. Transient absorptions with lifetimes of 10−3 s and 4 × 10−6 s were observed in dmf solution by 337 nm irradiation.
Study of the Pyridine 1-Oxide-Catalyzed Two-Phase Reversible Exchange Reaction of Benzoyl Chloride and Butanoate Ion
Authors: Wang Maw-Ling , Ou Chin-Chou , Jwo Jing-Jer
Published: August 2006

The reaction of benzoyl chloride (PhCOCl) and butanoate ion (PrCOO−) catalyzed by pyridine 1-oxide (PNO) in the medium H2O/CH2Cl2 leads to equilibrium with butanoyl chloride (PrCOCl) and benzoate ion (PhCOO−) and vice versa. The rate-determining step takes place in the organic phase and PrCOCl is much more reactive than PhCOCl. The effects of chloride ion, hydroxide ion, pyridine 1-oxide, reactants and temperature on the reaction rate and the equilibrium conversion of acyl chloride (RCOCl) were investigated. Satisfactory detailed mechanistic interpretations of the kinetic results are given.
Application of a Steady-State Flow Analysis to a Long-Period Reaction in a Continuous-Flow System
Authors: Zhang Chong-Liang , Narusawa Yoshio
Published: August 2006

A steady-state flow analysis (SSFA) has been developed and applied to the determination of trace amounts of manganese in an unsegmented flow system. Because this method is no longer characterized by the sample zone dispersion and/or the sequentiality, sharp decreases in the analytical speed and sensitivity for long-period reactions can be avoided. This method has been demonstrated to be useful, especially for long-period reactions in continuous-flow systems. Optimizations of a steady-state flow manifold are described in detail, and determinations of sub-nanogram manganese have been carried out in a long-period reaction of manganese-catalyzed malachite green with periodate. As a result, several improvements were made in comparison with an ordinary flow-injection method: The detection limit decreased to ca. one-thirtieth, the analytical speed was ca. 2.5 times, the coil length was one-twelfth, the dispersion coefficient was ca. one-eighteenth, while the reaction time was ca. 2.3 times. Determinations of manganese in reference materials of NIES of Japan were performed, and the results were obtained as follows: Manganese in μg g−1 in sargasso, tea leaves, and rice flour (containing high cadmium content) were 22.0 ± 2.6, 686 ± 19, and 35.7 ± 1.7, respectively. These results correspond well with their reference values.
Optical Resolution, Characterization, and X-Ray Crystal Structures of Diastereomeric Salts of Chiral Amino Acids with (S)-(−)-1-Phenylethanesulfonic Acid
Authors: Yoshioka Ryuzo , Ohtsuki Osamu , Da-te Tadamasa , Okamura Kimio , Senuma Masaru
Published: August 2006

Ten Dl-Amino acids (AA), including neutral, and basic amino acids, and an imino acid, were optically resolved, without derivatization into their covalent compounds, by means of fractional crystallization of their diastereomeric salts with (−)-1-phenylethanesulfonic acid (PES) in various solvents. Several pairs of the diastereomeric crystalline salts formed during the resolutions were analyzed by DSC and spectroscopy, which showed that the successful resolutions were attributable to differences in various physicochemical properties between the more-soluble d-AA·(−)-PES and less-soluble l-AA·(−)-PES. Chiral recognition of the most successfully resolved species, Dl-p-hydroxyphenylglycine (HPG) salt, was explored by comparing the X-ray crystal structures of d- and l-HPG·(−)-PES. The two crystal structures differed obviously in their hydrogen-bonding networks: the less-soluble l-HPG·(−)-PES only had strong hydrogen-bonded infinite chains of HPG in a “head-to-tail” arrangement through the p-hydroxyl group, the structure of which was more geometrically stable than that of the more-soluble d-HPG·(−)-PES. The differences in the two crystal structures related to striking differences in their solubilities and thermal properties.
The Ene and the Diels–Alder Reactions of CF3CHO with Dienes Using ZnX2 (X: Cl, OTf)
Authors: Hayashi Eiji , Takahashi Yukio , Itoh Hironori , Yoneda Norihiko
Published: August 2006

The reaction of CF3CHO with dienes using ZnX2 (X: Cl, OTf) in organic solvents (CH2Cl2 or CH3NO2) gave fairly good results in depressing unfavorable reactions and affording the preferential formation of the ene reaction products, 1-trifluoromethyl-3-buten-1-ols, together with the Diels–Alder reaction products. Particularly, Zn(OTf)2, which is insoluble in CH2Cl2, had some predominance for the formation of ene-type products in preference to ZnCl2, and could be recycled without any deterioration in its catalytic activity.
Production and Immunochemical Feature for Syngeneic Monoclonal Anti-Idiotypic Antibodies to Morphine
Authors: Usagawa Takashi , Hifumi Emi , Uda Taizo
Published: August 2006

Three syngeneic monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies for morphine were produced by using a murine morphine-specific monoclonal antibody (MO-3) as an idiotype. The resulting anti-idiotypic antibodies and morphine were competitively reacted with MO-3 in a dose-dependent manner. The reactivity of one molecule of the anti-idiotypic antibody was found to correspond with two molecules of morphine based on a competitive idiotype–anti-idiotype immunoassay.
Hydrolysis of Acetonitrile, Catalyzed by Octaacetatotetraplatinum(II). — High Reactivity of Coordination Sites Trans to the Pt–Pt Bond —
Authors: Yamaguchi Tadashi , Adachi Hisako , Ito Tasuku , Sasaki Yoichi
Published: August 2006

The platinum(II) cluster, [Pt4(CH3COO)8], catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetonitrile to acetamide in acetonitrile–water mixtures. Typical turnover number was 104 mol h−1 at 80 °C. The catalyst was slowly deactivated by the accumulation of the less active acetamide-substituted species, as well as by its decomposition.
Chain Compound of Molybdenum(II) Pivalate Bridged by 4,4′-Bipyridine
Authors: Handa Makoto , Mikuriya Masahiro , Nukada Ryoji , Matsumoto Hiroki , Kasuga Kuninobu
Published: August 2006

A chain complex, [Mo2{O2CC(CH3)3}4 bpy]n (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), was prepared by the reaction of molybdenum(II) pivalate (Mo2{O2CC(CH3)3}4) and bpy. An X-ray crystal analysis showed that the chain structure is formed by alternating Mo2{O2CC(CH3)3}4 and bpy.
Novel Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Unsymmetrical Biphenyls
Authors: Kuroda Tooru , Yoshida Shin-ichi , Ogiku Tsuyoshi , Kondo Kazuhiko , Ohmizu Hiroshi , Iwasaki Tameo
Published: August 2006

Unsymmetrical biphenyls bearing methoxycarbonyl, formyl, and hydroxyl groups have been synthesized via aromatization of the aryltetrahydrobenzofuranone, followed by oxidative cleavage of the furan ring.
Syntheses and Electronic Properties of 6-Methylene- and 6-Iminocyclohepta[a]phenalen-12(6H)-one Derivatives
Authors: Kuroda Shigeyasu , Oda Mitsunori , Hirooka Syuzi , Takeda Hideya , Murotani Masahiro , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Izawa Mayumi , Hirano Yukimoto , Kajioka Takanori , Yamada Masaki , Shimao Ichiro
Published: August 2006

Some new polyfused nonbenzenoid quinone derivatives, 6-(disubstituted methylene)- and 6-iminocyclohepta[a]phenalen-12(6H)-ones, were synthesized. The effects of substituents on electronic states were studied.
Surface Effects in the Born Solvation Model
Authors: Kumar Anil
Published: August 2006

The Born model is frequently used for calculating the work of solvation or free energy of ion–solvent interactions. The original Born equation does not reproduce the experimental data on solvation free energy, possibly due to the fact that the model does not take in account the changes in the structure of solvent in presence of an ion. The model also fails to account certain other experimental observations. A new derivation of the model is presented assuming the changes in the structure of solvent being analogous to surface phenomena. In addition to the successful checking its validity against experimental data, the revised expression can also yield the generalized Dupre rule for surface effects. Significance of new terms and their impact in accounting observed trends are discussed.
Preparation and Characterization of Cadmium(II) Halide Complexes with N-Substituted Glycines, and the Crystal Structures of Dichloro(N-methylglycine)cadmium(II) and Diaquadichloro(N,N-dimethylglycine)cadmium(II)
Authors: Yamada Junichi , Hashimoto Haruki , Inomata Yoshie , Takeuchi Toshio
Published: August 2006

Eight cadmium(II) halide complexes with N-methylglycine (sarcosine, Hsar), N,N-dimethylglycine (Hdmgly), and N,N,N-trimethylglycine (betaine, Hbet) have been prepared and characterized by using their infrared absorption spectra and thermal analyses. In addition, the crystal and molecular structures of [CdCl2(Hsar)] (1) and [CdCl2(Hdmgly)(H2O)2] (2) were determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. The crystal data for these two complexes are as follows: Complex (1): monoclinic, space group P21/n, a = 7.960(2), b = 13.844(1), c = 6.917(1) Å, β = 92.42(2)°, Z = 4. Complex (2): monoclinic, space group P21/a, a = 7.696(2), b = 21.854(4), c = 6.253(2) Å, β = 103.69(2)°, Z = 4. These structures were solved by the heavy-atom method and refined by full-matrix least-square methods to final R values of 0.043 for 2533 reflections about 1 and 0.068 for 3615 reflections about 2, respectively. For 1 the structure consists of a one-dimensional polymer bridged by two chlorine atoms. The cadmium atom is hexa-coordinated, being ligated with two oxygen atoms of a carboxyl group and four chlorine atoms. For 2 the cadmium atom is in a distorted octahedral geometry, ligated by a carboxylato oxygen atom, two water molecules, and three chlorine atoms, in which one is terminal and the other two are bridging cadmium atoms to make a polymer.
Adsorption Equilibria of Copper(II) Ion on Octadecyl-Bonded Silica Gel in the Presence of β-Diketones
Authors: Kato Masanao , Nakano Terunori , Hattori Toshiaki
Published: August 2006

Adsorptions of twelve β-diketones and their copper(II) complexes onto an octadecyl-bonded silica gel from an aqueous solution were measured by a batch technique. Several equilibrium constants for the adsorption reaction were measured and compared with those for solvent extraction. Using these constants, the abundance of each chemical species containing copper(II) ion in the presence of 2,4-pentanedione was calculated with respect to both the aqueous and the ODS gel phase.
Voltammetric Studies of the Redox Polymer Poly[4,4′-bipyridinium-1,1′-diylcarbonyl-2,5-thiophenediyl Dichloride] in Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Authors: Prasad Bhim Bali , Singh Sandhya
Published: August 2006

The electrochemical behavior of a redox polyelectrolyte, poly[4,4′-bipyridinium-1,1′-diylcarbonyl-2,5-thiophenediyl dichloride] at mercury electrode has been examined in dimethyl sulfoxide containing different concentrations of tetrabutylammonium iodide. The techniques of sampled DC polarography, pulse polarography (normal and differential), and cyclic voltammetry have been used. All polarograms revealed three one-electron reduction waves which are found either quasi-reversible or irreversible and usually adsorption-controlled by cyclic voltammetric experiments. The results were discussed by taking into account the implications of different concentrations of supporting electrolytes and polycation conformations on the adsorption processes consisting of preceding and following chemical reactions coupled with charge transfer reactions occurring at the electrode.
X-Ray Structural Characterization of the Protonation Sites in the Dihydrogenhexaniobate Anion
Authors: Ozeki Tomoji , Yamase Toshihiro , Naruke Haruo , Sasaki Yoshinori
Published: August 2006

Direct evidence for the locations of the hydrogen atoms in the dihydrogenhexaniobate anion has been obtained by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Hexasodium dihydrogenhexaniobate icosahydrate (1), Na6[H2Nb6O19]·20H2O, crystallizes in triclinic form, space group , a = 10.364(2), b = 12.205(2), c = 9.026(2) Å, α = 103.21(2), β = 111.10(2), γ = 109.27(2)°, V = 924.0(5) Å3, Z = 1. The hexaniobate anion in 1 is protonated at two bridging oxygen atoms with the O–H distance of 0.69(6) Å. Due to the protonation and interactions with the Na+ counter-cations, the point symmetry of the hexaniobate anion is reduced to C2h from its possible highest symmetry of Oh.
Light and Shade Effect on the Synergistic Extraction of Iron(II) with 4,4,4-Trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione and Pyridine Base
Authors: Kawamoto Hiroshi , Itabashi Hideyuki , Urano Kiyomi
Published: August 2006

A synergistic extraction of iron(II) with 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione (TTA) and pyridine base was studied in order to clarify the effect of light and shade on the extraction. The extraction constant obtained at a shady place was larger than that obtained at a light place when pyridine or 4-methylpyridine was used as an additive. The stability constants for synergistic adducts at both places were almost the same, and hence it was concluded that the light and shade effect occurs in bonds between the central iron(II) and TTA anions.
Generation, ESR Spectra, and Isolation of N-(Arylthio)-2,4,6-triarylphenylaminyl Radicals. Influence of the Substituents on the 2,4,6-Triphenyl Groups on the Stabilities of Radicals
Authors: Miura Yozo , Kitagishi Yuichi , Ueno Sadaharu
Published: August 2006

Three N-(Arylthio)-2,4,6-tris(4-methylphenyl)-, three N-(arylthio)-2,4,6-tris(3-chlorophenyl)-, and five N-(arylthio)-2,4,6-tris(4-chlorophenyl)phenylaminyl radicals have been generated by PbO2 oxidation of the corresponding N-(arylthio)-2,4,6-triarylanilines and their isolation has been carried out. When electron-donating methyl groups were substituted at the p-positions of the 2,4,6-triphenyl groups, the aminyls were less stable, and only one could be isolated as radical crystals. On the other hand, when chloro atoms were substituted at the m- or p-positions of the 2,4,6-triphenyl groups, the aminyls were more stable and most were isolated. The isolated radical crystals were stable for a long period without any decomposition. The spin density distributions in the radicals are discussed on the basis of the ESR parameters.
Effects of Steric Bulkiness of Substituents on Quantum Yields of Photochromic Reactions of Furylfulgides
Authors: Yokoyama Yasushi , Inoue Tetsushi , Yokoyama Masato , Goto Takakazu , Iwai Takeshi , Kera Naohiko , Hitomi Isamu , Kurita Yukio
Published: August 2006

Furylfulgides with different sizes of alkyl substituents were synthesized and their photochromic properties were examined. While the quantum yield of coloring reaction increased and the quantum yield of the E-to-Z isomerization decreased as the steric bulkiness of the alkyl substitutent on the 2,5-dimethyl-3-furylmethylidene moiety increased, the bleaching quantum yield increased as the isopropylidene group was replaced by an adamantylidene group. Both effects worked independently, and a furylfulgide with an isopropyl group on the furylmethylidene moiety and an adamantylidene group in one molecule showed the coloring quantum yield of 0.51 (366 nm) and the bleaching quantum yield of 0.26 (492 nm) in toluene.
HLADH-Catalyzed Reduction of Cyclohexanone with NADH Regeneration by Alcohols: Effects of Reaction Conditions
Authors: Itozawa Toshiaki , Kise Hideo
Published: August 2006

The effects of alcohol structure and reaction conditions on the horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed reduction of cyclohexanone were investigated with in situ regeneration of NADH by alcohols. The rate of coupled reduction of cyclohexanone was much more strongly affected by the structure of alcohols than the reduction rate of NAD measured in the absence of cyclohexanone. Diols such as 1,4-butanediol or 1,5-pentanediol were the reductants of choice in terms of reaction rate and the yield of cyclohexanol. The effects of pH and buffer concentration on coupled reduction of cyclohexanone were parallel to the effects on NAD reduction. However, the dependency of coupled reduction of cyclohexanone on reaction temperature reflected the temperature-dependency of cyclohexanone reduction by NADH in the absence of alcohols. These results were discussed in terms of the difference of sensitivity to the reaction conditions of each oxidoreduction and of coupled oxidoreductions.
Asymmetric Reduction of 1-Acetoxy-2-alkanones with Bakers’ Yeast: Purification and Characterization of α-Acetoxy Ketone Reductase
Authors: Ishihara Kohji , Nakajima Nobuyoshi , Tsuboi Sadao , Utaka Masanori
Published: August 2006

An α-acetoxy ketone reducing enzyme has been purified and characterized from the cell-free extract of bakers’ yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Only one NADPH-dependent dehydrogenase that catalyzed the reduction of α-acetoxy ketone was found in bakers’ yeast. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 36 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was composed of a single polypeptide chain. The enzyme had reducing activity for both aliphatic and aromatic α-acetoxy ketones, although no reducing activity toward α-chloro ketones and α-hydroxy ketones was found. The enzyme catalyzed the reduction of not only α-acetoxy ketones, but also β-keto esters. Studies on the chromatographic behavior and stereospecificity indicated that the enzyme was identical with one of the β-keto ester reductases purified from bakers’ yeast.
Second-Order Optical Nonlinearities of β-Sulfonylstyrene Derivatives
Authors: Sugiyama Yoshio , Suzuki Yasushi , Mitamura Shuichi , Kawamoto Yugen , Fujita Makoto , Ogura Katsuyuki
Published: August 2006

The second-order optical nonlinearities and transparencies of eight substituted styrenes containing at least one sulfonyl group at the β-position, as the electron-withdrawing group, were examined. Oxidation at a sulfur atom (SMe → SOMe → SO2Me) brings about increases in the β and λmax values.
Magnetic Susceptibilities of Aqueous Solutions of the Copper(II) Compounds with ω-Pyridiniocarboxylate
Authors: Emori Shuji , Date Chikako
Published: August 2006

Copper(II) compounds: CuCl2[C5H5NCH2COO]·3H2O, CuCl2[C5H5N(CH2)nCOO]·2H2O (n = 2, 3), and CuCl2[C5H5N(CH2)nCOO]2 (n = 1—3) were prepared. Then they were characterized by means of magnetic susceptibility and IR spectroscopy. The equilibria between mono- and dinuclear species in their aqueous solutions were studied using magnetic susceptibility measurements. The tendency for adopting dinuclear species in water increased in the order: pyridinioacetate < 3-pyridiniopropionate < 4-pyridiniobutyrate.
Inclusion Properties of Acyclic Phenol–Formaldehyde Oligomer Analogs Containing 2,2′-Dihydroxybiphenyl or 2,2′-Dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl Unit
Authors: Sone Tyo , Kobori Yoshitomo , Ando Yuji , Ohba Yoshihiro
Published: August 2006

Acyclic phenol–formaldehyde tetramer and hexamer analogs containing 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl or 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl unit as a central building block were synthesized. The tetramer analogs preferentially formed crystalline inclusion complexes with aromatic guests as the parent p-t-butylphenol–formaldehyde tetramer; those with the binaphthol unit were superior for complexation.
Myringoplasty results in a district hospital in Botswana
Authors: Makaya I K Denge
Published: August 2006

This was a prospective study to determine the success rate of myringoplasty in a low-resource setting. Myringoplasty was performed on 85 patients and follow-up done for 6 months in order to determine the incidence of closure of the repaired tympanic membrane. The eardrum closure rate at 3 months was 88% and at 6 months 84%. There was a 62% positive change of more than 10 dB in the pure tone averages of air conduction at frequencies 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz and a 24% improvement of less than 10 dB. This compares favourably with results from other studies.
A national survey of surgical activity in hospitals in Malawi
Authors: Steinlechner Colin , Tindall Alistair , Lavy Chris , Mkandawire Nyengo , Chimangeni Sandy
Published: August 2006

Malawi is a poor country with few doctors. It has 21 district hospitals, all of which have operating theatres but none of which has a surgeon. Most district hospitals are manned by a single doctor and two or more paramedic clinical officers. In 2003, a total of 28,594 operations were performed in district hospitals. In all, 12,506 (44%) of these were obstetric or gynaecological procedures, but only 821 (3%) were general surgical cases. It appears that district clinicians are happy to attempt emergency obstetric and gynaecological cases but tend to refer emergency general surgical cases.
Prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls in the urban slums of Vellore, south India
Authors: Choudhary Abha , Moses Prabhakar D , Mony Premkumar , Mathai Mathews
Published: August 2006

A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of anaemia among unmarried, adolescent south Indian girls in an urban slum setting. A total of 100 apparently healthy girls between the ages of 11 and 18 years were recruited. Their socioeconomic, dietary and anthropometric information was collected, and blood haemoglobin (Hb) was estimated. The prevalence of anaemia (Hb<12 g%) was 29%. Most had mild anaemia; severe anaemia was not seen. Two-thirds of those with anaemia had low serum ferritin (<12 μg/L). Significant associations were observed between anaemia and low socioeconomic status, religion and reporting infrequent/non-consumption of meat (heme iron). Only meat consumption was related to haemoglobin by multiple regression analysis. Anaemia is a common problem among adolescent girls in this setting, though severe anaemia is rare. There is a need to improve their haemoglobin status through dietary modification along with preventive supplementation and nutrition education.
Mortality of very-low-birth-weight infants in Jamaica
Authors: Olugbuyi O , Samms-Vaughan M , Trotman H
Published: August 2006

A 10-year retrospective descriptive study was conducted looking at the outcome of all neonates weighing less than 1500 g admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies. Analysis of predictors of mortality using regression models revealed birth weight to be the only independent predictor of mortality. Further improvement in survival of these infants will be dependent on the availability of ventilatory and nutritional support.
Child sexual abuse and its outcomes among high school students in southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Worku Dereje , Gebremariam Abebe , Jayalakshmi S
Published: August 2006

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major contributing factor to the burden of disease among children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of CSA and its outcomes among female high school students in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Jirren high school female students in April 2005. A total of 323 female students from grade 9 were selected by systematic random sampling and they completed a self-administered questionnaire on experiences of sexual abuse. Data were cleaned and analysed by SPSS/PC statistical package. The results revealed that the prevalence of CSA was 68.7%. Among the different forms of sexual abuses, verbal harassment was the most common (51.4%) followed by sexual intercourse, 18.0% and unwelcome kissing, 17.1%. The commonly indicated abusers in this study were unknown persons (36%) followed by school-mates (31.5%). Among victims of sexual abuse, 7.2% had an unwanted pregnancy and 5.9% had sexually transmitted diseases. The rate of other psychological effects of CSA, such as suicide ideation, suicide attempt, and sexual dysfunction, was high. The overwhelming majority (86.4%) considered sexual abuse to be a major social problem. The study revealed that the prevalence of CSA is high. Reproductive health education should be provided to students. Parents, police, and the public in general should be made aware of the problem before it endangers the lives of children and adolescents.
Recruitment difficulties in a home telecare trial
Authors: Mair F S , Goldstein P , Shiels C , Roberts C , Angus R , O'connor J , Haycox A , Capewell S
Published: August 2006

We analysed the difficulties encountered in recruiting predominantly older patients, suffering from an acute exacerbation of a chronic illness, to a randomized controlled trial of home telecare. Of 653 patients approached for study participation, after full assessment, 80% (519) met the trial eligibility criteria. Of these, 104 (20%) consented to study participation and 415 (80%) refused. A logistic regression model was constructed to examine independent effects of patient factors on probability of trial participation. Only two independent variables were associated with decreased likelihood of consent: increasing age (1 year older: odds ratio [OR] = 0.96); and being on inhaled steroid medication (OR = 0.60). The most common reason for refusal to participate, accounting for almost one-third of respondents, was a stated preference for a face-to-face nurse visiting service rather than a telecare service. Perhaps home telecare services should continue to be targeted at the more stable chronically ill population and not at those suffering from acute illness.
Managing diabetes care using an integrated regional e-health approach
Authors: Harno Kari , Kauppinen-Mäkelin Ritva , Syrjäläinen Juha
Published: August 2006

A total of 175 patients with Types 1 and 2 diabetes in primary care and university hospital outpatient departments were randomized into a study group (n = 101) or usual care (n = 74). The study group used an e-health application with a diabetes management system and a home care link. Usual care did not involve e-health, i.e. the patients made regular general practitioner visits about every three months. After 12 months HbA1c decreased significantly in both groups of patients. The differences were small, but HbA1c was significantly lower in the study group than the controls. Diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, serum total cholesterol, serum LDL-cholesterol and serum triglycerides were significantly lower in the study than in the control group. This was achieved with fewer visits by study patients to doctors and nurses. Use of e-health in diabetes care for 12 months was able to provide equivalent diabetic control to usual care, and improved cardiovascular risk factors.
A qualitative study of communication during joint teleconsultations at the primary-secondary care interface
Authors: Macfarlane Anne , Harrison Robert , Murray Elizabeth , Wallace Paul
Published: August 2006

It has been suggested that joint teleconsultations can improve communication at the primary-secondary care interface. We examined data from a qualitative analysis of social interactions in teleconsultations between specialists and general practitioners. The primary interaction was between specialists and patients. The general practitioners mostly adopted a ‘back seat role’, listening and observing, but not becoming actively involved. Teleconsultations create a number of interactional difficulties, which are likely to impede implementation and sustainability.
Health and lifestyle management via interactive TV in patients with severe chronic cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Karagiannis George E , Stamatopoulos Vasileios G , Roussos George , Kotis Takis , Gatzoulis Michael A
Published: August 2006

A pilot trial of an interactive TV system took place at the Royal Brampton Hospital, involving nine hospitalized and 12 non-hospitalized patients with adult congenital heart disease. Following a short training session, patients took their measurements (blood pressure, ECG measurement, oxygen saturation, bodyweight) and submitted their data through the interactive TV system. The majority perceived the system as useful, efficient and appropriate for use with their condition (67%), and they were satisfied with the usability of the system (71%). They considered that the information provided by the system was easy to understand and they liked using the system (62%). Overall, most patients (20) were satisfied with the system. The majority of the participants did not feel that the system affected their relationship with their doctor.
Evaluating the Impact of Clinical Interventions by PharmD Students on Internal Medicine Clerkships: The Results of a 3 Year Study
Authors: Pham David Q
Published: August 2006

Background:

As the practice of pharmacy evolves, requiring more clinically oriented healthcare providers, PharmD programs expand their training to more hospital sites to expose students to management of a variety of disease states. These hospital sites often require proof of the impact of PharmD students on patient care over an extended period. This is the first long-term (3 year) study reported.

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of clinical interventions by PharmD students on internal medicine clerkships over a 3 year period at a 627 bed county hospital with 165 general medical/surgical beds and 10 internal medicine teams.

Methods:

Between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2005, all pharmacy interventions at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY, were recorded and analyzed for percentage of contribution, acceptance rate, type, frequency, and impact level.

Results:

PharmD students contributed to 28.8% of all pharmacy interventions made, with an acceptance rate for interventions of 92%. The most frequent types of interventions performed by PharmD students involved providing drug information (46.8%), recommending alternative agents (10.8%), and providing drug indications (10.6%). Overall, 49.5% of PharmD student interventions were categorized as having moderate to high level impact.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that the impact of PharmD students on clinical interventions is significant and improves overall patient care over a long-term period.
Police Practice in Hong Kong and New York: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Jiao Allan Y. , Silverman Eli B.
Published: August 2006

Despite their geographic and national differences, there are remarkable similarities between the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The purpose of this study is to compare contemporary police practices in these two police organisations and thereby to obtain a better understanding of current policing issues in general. We offer this comparative assessment within the context of our descriptions of the overall organisation and operations of the HKPF and the NYPD. While we find some differences, these differences are eclipsed by the similarities between the two police forces in their hierarchical structure and their core police activities such as crime control, emergency response, order maintenance and community relations. We end the paper with a brief discussion of the implications of these structures and operations for policing in general.
Psychological Profiling of Australian Police Officers: A Longitudinal Examination of Post-Selection Performance
Authors: Lough Jonathan , Ryan Michael
Published: August 2006

The current study expands upon the work of Lough and Ryan (2005). The performance of two groups of Tasmania Police employees (all of whom were constables or probationary constables) was evaluated after their first two years of training and on-the-job employment. Group membership was a function of initial selection process — one group undertook detailed psychological profiling as part of their pre-employment testing, and the other group did not. The non-screened group was compared with the profiled (screened) group across a range of objective performance measures. The screened group consistently outperformed the non-screened group, with four of the differences statistically significant. Additionally, the screened group had a lower drop-out rate, and were less likely to make serious on-the-job errors resulting in formal action or investigation. The results suggest that a different quality of applicant is selected by the psychological profiling system, when compared with more traditional processes such as simple selection interviews. Implications for further research and development are also discussed.
Neural Basis of Embodiment: Distinct Contributions of Temporoparietal Junction and Extrastriate Body Area
Authors: Arzy Shahar , Thut Gregor , Mohr Christine , Michel Christoph M. , Blanke Olaf
Published: August 2006

Embodiment, the sense of being localized within one's physical body, is a fundamental aspect of the self. Recently, researchers have started to show that self and body processing require distinct brain mechanisms, suggesting two posterior brain regions as key loci: the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), which is involved in self processing and multisensory integration of body-related information; and the extrastriate body area (EBA), which responds selectively to human bodies and body parts. Here we used evoked potential mapping and a distributed linear inverse solution to show that activations in EBA and TPJ code differentially for embodiment and self location, because the location and timing of brain activation depended on whether mental imagery is performed with mentally embodied (EBA) or disembodied (TPJ) self location. In a second experiment, we showed that only EBA activation, related to embodied self location, but not TPJ activation, related to disembodied self location, was modified by the subjects' body position during task performance (supine or sitting). This suggests that embodied self location and actual body location share neural mechanisms. Collectively, these data show that distributed brain activity at the EBA and TPJ as well as their timing are crucial for the coding of the self as embodied and as spatially situated within the human body.
Progression of Cellular Adaptations in Medial Prefrontal and Orbitofrontal Cortex in Response to Repeated Amphetamine
Authors: Homayoun Houman , Moghaddam Bita
Published: August 2006

Recent theories on addiction implicate adaptive changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurons in reinforcing and psychotomimetic properties of psychostimulants, yet little is known about how neuronal responses to these drugs change over time. Here we describe electrophysiological evidence for a progressive and sustained change in the response of PFC neurons to amphetamine during repeated exposure. In spontaneously behaving rats and in rats engaged in an instrumental responding task, we followed the activity of medial PFC (mPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) neurons during daily exposure to amphetamine and after a post-withdrawal challenge. Repeated amphetamine increased the number of responsive neurons and the magnitude of responses and modified spontaneous burst patterns. These changes were apparent after a few exposures to amphetamine, were amplified after withdrawal, and were region specific in that repeated amphetamine increasingly produced inhibitory responses in mPFC and excitatory responses in OFC. In behaviorally engaged animals, the gradual enhancement in mPFC inhibition and OFC overactivation correlated with a progressive impairment of instrumental responding. Furthermore, these changes were evident predominately in neurons that displayed phasic responses during task-related events. These rapid-onset and sustained cellular adaptations suggest that even limited exposure to psychostimulants may reduce the influence of mPFC neurons on behavior while at the same time exaggerating information encoded by OFC neurons.
Actin-Dependent Activation of Presynaptic Silent Synapses Contributes to Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity in Developing Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Yao Jun , Qi Jinshun , Chen Gong
Published: August 2006

Developing neurons have greater capacity in experience-dependent plasticity than adult neurons but the molecular mechanism is not well understood. Here we report a developmentally regulated long-term synaptic plasticity through actin-dependent activation of presynaptic silent synapses in cultured hippocampal neurons. Live FM 1-43 imaging and retrospective immunocytochemistry revealed that many presynaptic boutons in immature neurons are functionally silent at resting conditions, but can be converted into active ones after repetitive neuronal stimulation. The activation of presynaptic silent synapses is dependent on L-type calcium channels and protein kinase A (PKA)/PKC signaling pathways. Moreover, blocking actin polymerization with latrunculin A and cytochalasin B abolishes long-term increase of presynaptic functional boutons induced by repetitive stimulation, whereas actin polymerizer jasplakinolide increases the number of active boutons in immature neurons. In mature neurons, however, presynaptic boutons are mostly functional and repetitive stimulation did not induce additional enhancement. Quantitative immunostaining with phalloidin revealed a significant increase in axonal F-actin level after repetitive stimulation in immature but not mature neurons. These results suggest that actin-dependent activation of presynaptic silent synapses contributes significantly to the long-term synaptic plasticity during neuronal development.
Nonlinear [Ca2+] Signaling in Dendrites and Spines Caused by Activity-Dependent Depression of Ca2+Extrusion
Authors: Scheuss Volker , Yasuda Ryohei , Sobczyk Aleksander , Svoboda Karel
Published: August 2006

Spine Ca2+triggers the induction of synaptic plasticity and other adaptive neuronal responses. The amplitude and time course of Ca2+signals specify the activation of the signaling pathways that trigger different forms of plasticity such as long-term potentiation and depression. The shapes of Ca2+signals are determined by the dynamics of Ca2+sources, Ca2+buffers, and Ca2+extrusion mechanisms. Here we show in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons that plasma membrane Ca2+pumps (PMCAs) and Na+/Ca2+exchangers are the major Ca2+extrusion pathways in spines and small dendrites. Surprisingly, we found that Ca2+extrusion via PMCA and Na+/Ca2+exchangers slows in an activity-dependent manner, mediated by intracellular Na+and Ca2+accumulations. This activity-dependent depression of Ca2+extrusion is, in part, attributable to Ca2+-dependent inactivation of PMCAs. Ca2+extrusion recovers from depression with a time constant of ∼0.5 s. Depression of Ca2+extrusion provides a positive feedback loop, converting small differences in stimuli into large differences in Ca2+concentration. Depression of Ca2+extrusion produces Ca2+concentration dynamics that depend on the history of neuronal activity and therefore likely modulates the induction of synaptic plasticity.
Induction of Autophagy in Axonal Dystrophy and Degeneration
Authors: Wang Qing Jun , Ding Yaomei , Kohtz Stave , Mizushima Noboru , Cristea Ileana M. , Rout Michael P. , Chait Brian T. , Zhong Yun , Heintz Nathaniel , Yue Zhenyu
Published: August 2006

Autophagy is a highly regulated cellular mechanism for the bulk degradation of cytoplasmic contents. It has been implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions relevant to neurological diseases. However, the regulation of autophagy in neurons and its role in neuronal and axonal pathology are not yet understood. Using transgenic mice producing green fluorescent protein-tagged autophagic marker microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (GFP–LC3), we provide molecular evidence for the induction of autophagy in axonal dystrophy and degeneration in Purkinje cells of theLurchermice, a model for excitotoxic neurodegeneration. We show that the excitotoxic insult ofLurchermutation triggers an early response of Purkinje cells involving accumulation of GFP–LC3-labeled autophagosomes in axonal dystrophic swellings (a hallmark of CNS axonopathy). In brain, LC3 interacts with high affinity with the microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B). We show that MAP1B binds to LC3 of both cytosolic form (LC3I) and lipidated form (LC3II). Moreover, in cell culture, overexpression of MAP1B results in reduced LC3II levels and number of GFP–LC3-labeled autophagosomes; phosphorylated MAP1B is associated with GFP–LC3-labeled autophagosomes. Furthermore, in brain, phosphorylated MAP1B accumulates in axonal dystrophic swellings of degenerating Purkinje cells and binds to LC3 at increased level. Therefore, the MAP1B–LC3 interaction may participate in regulation of LC3-associated autophagosomes in neurons, in particular at axons, under normal and pathogenic conditions. We propose that induction of autophagy serves as an early stress response in axonal dystrophy and may participate in the remodeling of axon structures.