Mixed Tb/Dy coordination ladders based on tetra(carboxymethyl)thiacalix[4]arene: a new avenue towards luminescent molecular nanomagnets.

The macrocyclic ligand calix[4]arene (L1) and its sulphur-containing analogue thia[4]calixarene (L2) are promising precursors for functional molecular materials as they offer rational functionalization with various organic groups. Here, we present the first example of lanthanide-based coordination polymers built from the macrocyclic thiacalix[4]arene backbone bearing four carboxylic moieties, namely, ligand H4L3. The combination of H4L3 with the Tb3+ and Dy3+ cations led to the formation of 1D ladder-type coordination polymers with the formula [LnIIIHL3DMF3]·(DMF) (where DMF = dimethylformamide and Ln = Tb or Dy, denoted as HL3-Tb and HL3-Dy), which resulted from the coordination of the lanthanide cations with the partially deprotonated ligand HL33- that behaved as a T-shape connector. The coordination sphere around the metal was completed by the coordinated DMF solvent molecules. By combining both Tb3+ and Dy3+ cations, isostructural heterobimetallic solid solutions HL3-Tb1- x Dy x were also prepared. HL3-Tb and HL3-Dy showed visible light photoluminescence originating from the f-f electronic transitions of pale green emissive Tb3+ and pale yellow emissive Dy3+ with efficient sensitization by the functionalized thia[4]calixarene ligand HL3. In the HL3-Tb1- x Dy x solid solutions, the Tb/Dy ratio governed both the emission colour as well as the emission quantum yield, which reached even 28% at room temperature for HL3-Tb. Moreover, HL3-Dy exhibited a slow magnetic relaxation effect related to the magnetic anisotropy of the dodecahedral Dy3+ complexes, which were well isolated in the crystal lattice by expanded organic spacers.

Associations between breakfast frequency and adiposity indicators in children from 12 countries.

OBJECTIVES: Reports of inverse associations between breakfast frequency and indices of obesity are predominantly based on samples of children from high-income countries with limited socioeconomic diversity. Using data from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE), the present study examined associations between breakfast frequency and adiposity in a sample of 9-11-year-old children from 12 countries representing a wide range of geographic and socio-cultural variability. METHODS: Multilevel statistical models were used to examine associations between breakfast frequency (independent variable) and adiposity indicators (dependent variables: body mass index (BMI) z-score and body fat percentage (BF%)), adjusting for age, sex, and parental education in 6941 children from 12 ISCOLE study sites. Associations were also adjusted for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns and sleep time in a sub-sample (n=5710). Where interactions with site were significant, results were stratified by site. RESULTS: Adjusted mean BMI z-score and BF% for frequent breakfast consumers were 0.45 and 20.5%, respectively. Frequent breakfast consumption was associated with lower BMI z-scores compared with occasional (P<0.0001, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.10-0.29) and rare (P<0.0001, 95% CI: 0.18-0.46) consumption, as well as lower BF% compared with occasional (P<0.0001, 95% CI: 0.86-1.99) and rare (P<0.0001, 95% CI: 1.07-2.76). Associations with BMI z-score varied by site (breakfast by site interaction; P=0.033): associations were non-significant in three sites (Australia, Finland and Kenya), and occasional (not rare) consumption was associated with higher BMI z-scores compared with frequent consumption in three sites (Canada, Portugal and South Africa). Sub-sample analyses adjusting for additional covariates showed similar associations between breakfast and adiposity indicators, but lacked site interactions. CONCLUSIONS: In a multinational sample of children, more frequent breakfast consumption was associated with lower BMI z-scores and BF% compared with occasional and rare consumption. Associations were not consistent across all 12 countries. Further research is required to understand global differences in the observed associations.

Additive antileukemia effects by GFI1B- and BCR-ABL-specific siRNA in advanced phase chronic myeloid leukemic cells.

Previous studies demonstrated selective inhibition of the BCR-ABL (breakpoint cluster region-Abelson murine leukemia oncogene) tyrosine kinase by RNA interference in leukemic cells. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BCR-ABL small interfering RNA (siRNA) and GFI1B siRNA silencing on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells in myeloid blast crises. The GFI1B gene was mapped to chromosome 9 and is, therefore, located downstream of the BCR-ABL translocation in CML cells. Co-transfection of BCR-ABL siRNA and GFI1B siRNA dramatically decreased cell viability and significantly induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in K562 cells (P<0.0001) and primary advanced phase CML cells (P<0.0001) versus controls. Furthermore, combining of BCR-ABL siRNA and GFI1B siRNA significantly modified the expression of several relevant genes including Myc, MDR1, MRP1 and tyrosyl-phosphoproteins in primary CML cells. Our data suggest that silencing of both BCR-ABL siRNA and GFI1B siRNA is associated with an additive antileukemic effect against K562 cells and primary advanced CML cells, further validating these genes as attractive therapeutic targets.

The oxygen uptake kinetic response to moderate intensity exercise in overweight and non-overweight children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the phase II oxygen uptake time constant (τV'O(2)) and V'O(2) mean response time (V'O(2)MRT) in overweight (OW) and non-OW (NO) children during moderate intensity exercise. DESIGN: Between subjects where participants completed a maximal ramp exercise test on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer to determine peak V'O(2) (V'O(2peak)) and gas exchange threshold (GET). Gas exchange was measured breath-by-breath using a mass spectrometer. On subsequent visits, 6 square-wave transitions (2 per day) from 0 W to 90% GET were completed. Individual phase II τV'O(2) and V'O(2)MRTs were estimated from time aligned average V'O(2) traces. SUBJECTS: Eleven OW (11.8±0.4 years) and 12 NO (11.9±0.4 years) children were recruited to the study. The OW group was significantly heavier (62.9±9.7 vs 39.4±5.8 kg, P<0.001), taller (1.58±0.05 vs 1.47±0.07 m, P<0.001) and had a higher body mass index (25.8±3.4 vs 18.3±1.8 kg m(-2), P<0.001). RESULTS: Both τV'O(2) (30.2±9.6 vs 22.8±7.1 s, P<0.05) and V'O(2)MRT (43.5±10.7 vs 36.3±5.3 s, P<0.05) were significantly slower in OW compared with NO children; absolute V'O(2peak) was higher in the OW compared with NO group (2.23±0.04 vs 1.74±0.04 l min(-1), P<0.05); mass relative V'O(2peak) was lower in OW compared with NO children (35.9±8.3 vs 43.8±6.2 ml kg(-1) min(-1), P<0.05); allometrically scaled V'O(2peak) was similar between OW and NO groups whether relative to body mass(0.67) (139.8±29.1 vs 147.2±23.9 ml kg(-67) min(-1)) or stature(3) (576.0±87.2 vs 544.9±84.9 ml m(-3) min(-1)) (P>0.05); absolute V'O(2) at GET was similar between OW and NO groups (0.94±0.24 vs 0.78±0.27 l min(-1), P>0.05); GET expressed as percentage of V'O(2peak) was similar between the groups (42.0±0.1 vs 44.8±0.1%, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate impairment in the factors determining V'O(2) kinetics in OW children at a relatively young age. Furthermore, assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness using peak exercise values is likely to be misleading and not useful when designing exercise programmes for OW children.

Evaluation of surgical glove perforation after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Surgical gloves provide a protective barrier against blood-born pathogens. Studies reveal glove perforation rates of up to 45%, which are often unrecognized by the surgeon or nurse. The goal of this study was to evaluate how often glove perforation occurs after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. METHODS: Gloves from the operating surgeon and the first assistant were collected after operation and tested immediately using two methods : 1. Water leak test - the approved standardized method to detect holes after filling up the gloves with 1000ml of water. 2. Electrical resistance test - method to detect gloves conductivity immersed in saline bath. RESULTS: Altogether, 376 gloves were studied. The overall perforation rate was 8%. Perforations more frequently were observed after laparoscopic than open cholecystectomy. The gloves worn by the operator were more likely to be perforated than those worn by the assistant surgeon in both types of operations. The most common site of perforation was in the index finger of the non- dominant hand. Thirty percent of gloves conducted electrical current, while 22% of them had no macroscopic evidence of perforation. CONCLUSION: Many of gloves might have microperforations that can not be detected using water leak test.

Effect of breakfast glycemic index on metabolic responses during rest and exercise in overweight and non-overweight adolescent girls.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The metabolic responses to mixed breakfast meals with different glycemic indexes (GI) and their effects on substrate metabolism during exercise in adolescent girls have not been examined. The interaction with weight status also warrants investigation. This study investigated the effect of mixed breakfast meals containing high GI (HGI) or low GI (LGI) carbohydrates on metabolic responses and fat oxidation during rest and exercise in overweight (OW) and non-overweight (NO) adolescent girls. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 8 OW and 12 NO adolescent girls consumed an isoenergetic HGI (GI=73) or LGI (GI=44) breakfast 120 min before completing a 30-min treadmill walk at 50% \[Vdot]O(2peak). RESULTS: Peak blood glucose concentration was higher for HGI compared with LGI in OW (P=0.023), but not NO (P>0.05) girls. Blood glucose total area under the curve (TAUC) was 13% higher in HGI compared with LGI in OW (P=0.006), but only 4% higher in NO (P=0.072) girls. Plasma insulin data were log(e) transformed (lninsulin). Plasma lninsulin concentrations were not different between HGI and LGI (P>0.05). Peak plasma lninsulin concentration (P=0.016) and TAUC (P=0.001) were greater in OW than NO girls. Fat oxidation during postprandial rest and exercise was not different between breakfasts (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The elevated glycemic response in HGI compared with LGI was more pronounced in OW girls, suggesting a reduced ability to cope with the metabolic demands of the HGI, but not LGI, breakfast. Manipulation of breakfast GI did not alter fat oxidation during rest or subsequent moderate intensity exercise in OW and NO adolescent girls.

Adoptive precursor cell therapy to enhance immune reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Strategies to enhance post-transplant immune reconstitution without aggravating graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) can improve the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Recent preclinical studies demonstrated that the use of T cell depleted allografts supplemented with committed progenitor cells (vs stem cells only) allows enhanced immune reconstitution of specific hematopoietic lineages including myeloid, B, T, and natural killer lineages in the absence of GVHD. This novel adoptive therapy resulted in significantly improved resistance to microbial pathogens and could, in some cases, even mediate tumor immunity. Clinical protocols using adoptive transfer of committed hematopoietic progenitor cells are currently being evaluated.

Routes towards Anderson-like localization of Bose-Einstein condensates in disordered optical lattices.

We investigate, both experimentally and theoretically, possible routes towards Anderson-like localization of Bose-Einstein condensates in disordered potentials. The dependence of this quantum interference effect on the nonlinear interactions and the shape of the disorder potential is investigated. Experiments with an optical lattice and a superimposed disordered potential reveal the lack of Anderson localization. A theoretical analysis shows that this absence is due to the large length scale of the disorder potential as well as its screening by the nonlinear interactions. Further analysis shows that incommensurable superlattices should allow for the observation of the crossover from the nonlinear screening regime to the Anderson localized case within realistic experimental parameters.

Allergen skin weal/radioallergosorbent test relationship in childhood populations that differ in histamine skin reactivity: a multi-national survey.

BACKGROUND: Histamine skin reactivity (HSR, the dimension of the skin weal elicited by histamine 10 mg/mL) is a variable that differs in children from different European countries and increases over time in the same place (Italy). OBJECTIVE: In this epidemiologic study, we investigated to what extent differences in HSR influence the relationship between positive allergen skin prick tests (ASPTs) and serum-specific IgE concentrations. METHODS: Between October 2001 and February 2002, 591 unselected 9-10-year-old schoolchildren drawn from five small towns in central Poland (Starachowice), central Italy (Ronciglione, Guardea) and Libya (Al-Azyzia, near the Mediterranean sea and Samno, 900 km south of the coast) were analysed for histamine, common ASPT and for serum total and specific IgE. RESULTS: HSR differed markedly in children from the three countries (Libya>Italy>Poland) whereas serum total IgE concentrations remained the same. The prevalence of children with measurable serum specific IgE (> or = 0.35 kU) or with a positive ASPT for five common allergens was high in Italy, lower in Poland and far lower in Libya. A 3-mm ASPT weal corresponded to a serum-specific IgE concentration that was two to threefold higher in children with low HSR compared with children with high HSR (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that HSR--a variable that differs in schoolchildren populations from the three countries studied--independently influences the results of ASPT and its influence should be considered when ASPT are assessed in international studies. The HSR differences found in the populations reported here probably reflect a complex, dynamic, environmental interaction that should be monitored in the different parts of the world.

Taurolidine is effective in the treatment of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections in cancer patients.

Taurolidine is an antimicrobial agent that was originally used in the local treatment of peritonitis and was shown to be effective in the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI). In this pilot study, we used taurolidine solution as an intravenous (i.v.) lock into the totally implantable intravascular devices of 11 consecutive oncological patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections not responding to systemic antimicrobial chemotherapy. All patients recovered completely from the infection. No adverse drug effects were seen. Three patients were successfully retreated for a recurrent infection. Our data suggest a beneficial role of taurolidine i.v. lock for the therapy of catheter-related bloodstream infections in oncological patients. Taurolidine i.v. lock application is feasible and could especially be useful in infections resistant to antibiotic chemotherapy.

Atomic fermi-bose mixtures in inhomogeneous and random lattices: from fermi glass to quantum spin glass and quantum percolation.

We investigate strongly interacting atomic Fermi-Bose mixtures in inhomogeneous and random optical lattices. We derive an effective Hamiltonian for the system and discuss its low temperature physics. We demonstrate the possibility of controlling the interactions at local level in inhomogeneous but regular lattices. Such a control leads to the achievement of Fermi glass, quantum Fermi spin-glass, and quantum percolation regimes involving bare and/or composite fermions in random lattices.

Differential diagnosis of cholestasis following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children: the contribution of serum bile acid levels in relation to other liver function tests.

Hepatic complications associated with cholestasis occur frequently in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Since bile acid seems to be a sensitive indicator of beginning cholestasis, the authors monitored total serum bile acid levels in addition to the standard liver function tests in 23 recipients of allogeneic transplants between June 1999 and September 2000. The observations suggest that bile acid is an early and sensitive marker of hepatic GvHD but not as specific as bilirubin. For cholestasis in absence of hepatic GvHD bile acid seems to be more sensitive than bilirubin. Routinely monitoring of bile acid after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is not indicated.

Atomic Bose and Anderson glasses in optical lattices.

An ultracold atomic Bose gas in an optical lattice is shown to provide an ideal system for the controlled analysis of disordered Bose lattice gases. This goal may be easily achieved under the current experimental conditions by introducing a pseudorandom potential created by a second additional lattice or, alternatively, by placing a speckle pattern on the main lattice. We show that, for a noncommensurable filling factor, in the strong-interaction limit, a controlled growing of the disorder drives a dynamical transition from superfluid to Bose-glass phase. Similarly, in the weak interaction limit, a dynamical transition from superfluid to Anderson-glass phase may be observed. In both regimes, we show that even very low-intensity disorder-inducing lasers cause large modifications of the superfluid fraction of the system.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis: differential diagnosis of an epidermolytic dermopathy in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is an epidermolytic skin disorder associated with drug administration. It is associated with an erythematous rash with full thickness epidermal loss and characteristic histology. A 35-year-old woman underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for severe aplastic anemia (SAA). She developed an acute epidermolytic rash and TEN was diagnosed on the basis of skin biopsy. In the HSCT setting, TEN should be thought of as an important differential diagnosis of epidermolytic dermopathies. The most distinctive diagnostic test in the differential diagnosis of these disorders is skin biopsy

Epidermal naevus and segmental hypermelanosis associated with an intraspinal mass: overlap between different mosaic neuroectodermal syndromes.

UNLABELLED: The epidermal naevus syndrome is a neurocutaneous syndrome characterised by the association of epidermal naevi with central nervous system, skeletal, ocular or cardiovascular abnormalities. We report on a 1.75-year-old boy who presented with spastic diparesis, a partial paresis of the left forearm and macrocephaly. He had a large epidermal naevus along the cervical spine and a segmental hypermelanosis. MRI studies revealed a large intraspinal mass extending from the lower cervical to the upper thoracic spine. The condition of our patient demonstrates the overlap of the epidermal naevus syndrome with well-defined mosaic neuroectodermal phenotypes such as encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis, Feuerstein-Mims syndrome and Proteus syndrome. CONCLUSION: we recommend evaluation of all patients with large epidermal naevi, especially in the head and neck region, for the presence of central nervous system abnormalities or neoplasms.

Driven Rydberg atoms reveal quartic level repulsion.

The dynamics of Rydberg states of a hydrogen atom subjected simultaneously to uniform static electric field and two microwave fields with commensurate frequencies is considered in the range of small field amplitudes. In the certain range of the parameters of the system the classical secular motion of the electronic ellipse reveals chaotic behavior. Quantum mechanically, when the fine structure of the atom is taken into account, the energy level statistics obey predictions appropriate for the symplectic Gaussian random matrix ensemble.

Synthesis of CpFe(CO)(L) complexes of hydantoin anions (Cp = eta5-C5H5, L = CO, PPh3), and the use of the 5,5-diphenylhydantoin anion complexes as tracers in the nonisotopic immunoassay CMIA of this antiepileptic drug.

As part of our ongoing development of the CMIA nonisotopic immunoassay method, in which the tracers are metal carbonyl complexes and detection is by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, we examined the potential use as tracers of the complexes CpFe(CO)2(5,5-diphenylhydantoin) 2d and CpFe(CO)(PPh3)(5, 5-diphenylhydantoin) 3. The present study involved the synthesis of a series of hydantoin complexes (2a-2d), in particular that of the derivative of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin 2d. The structure of 2d was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The infrared analysis, establishing the position and intensity of the characteristic metal-carbonyl peaks of complexes 2d and 3 in the 1850-2200 cm-1 region, shows that measurement of the absorbance values of these characteristic peaks will permit quantitative analysis in the picomole range, the norm for routine use in immunoassay and thus suitable for use as CMIA tracers. Cross-reaction rates of these tracers with anti-DPH specific antibodies show that 2d and 3 are both recognized by anti-DPH antibodies (cross-reaction rates 43 and 20%, respectively). In developing a CMIA of DPH with these tracers, it was found that 3, with a single, intense band at 1977 cm-1, had very promising IR characteristics for use in multiassay CMIA, but probably owing to its relatively weak affinity for the antibodies, it was not possible to develop a CMIA for DPH using this tracer. Complex 2d, however, showed better recognition by the antibodies, and using this complex as a tracer, it was possible to develop a particularly sensitive monoassay of DPH by the CMIA method.

[On fronto-anterior reconstructive laryngectomy]. / W sprawie laryngektomii czolowo-przedniej rekonstruktywnej.

The paper describes improved fronto-anterior reconstructive laryngectomy using liberated specifically pediculated and lowered glottis to replace the removed anterior segment of the thyroid cartilage. The very technique as well as its advantages are discussed. The main advantage of the method is that it makes use of the pediculates, well vasculated glottal cartilage covered with cilliar epithelium preserving the physiological direction of the cilliar movement. The cartillage is significantly thicker than the free nasal septum cartilage transplant used until recently. Post-operative discomfort is manifested by temporary difficulties in swallowing connected with the covered glottis. The procedure is technically uncomplicated, the vasculated cartilage heals very well and the respiratory and phoniatric effects are satisfactory.

IgA1 protease production by bacteria colonizing the upper respiratory tract.

Thirty-eight clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and ten clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were examined for IgA1 protease production. A suspension of surface material of each individual strain was incubated with human secretory IgA; IgA1 cleavage products were detected by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. The high incidence of IgA1 protease-positive strains (68.4% of the examined H. influenzae and 100% of the examined S. pneumoniae strains) confirms that IgA1 protease activity is a frequent characteristic of these two species. Yet the presence of this enzyme is, if at all, only a minor decisive factor for the induction of symptomatic infections of the upper respiratory tract by IgA1 protease-positive bacteria.