Redetermination of 1,4-dimethoxy-benzene.

The structure of the centrosymmetric title compound, C(8)H(10)O(2), originally determined by Goodwin et al. [Acta Cryst.(1950), 3, 279-284], has been redetermined to modern standards of precision to aid in its use as a model compound for (13)C chemical-shift tensor measurements in single-crystal NMR studies.

Poly[1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium [tri-μ-chlorido-chromate(II)]].

The title compound, {(C(6)H(11)N(2))[CrCl(3)]}(n), was generated via mixing of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride with CrCl(2) in ethanol. Crystals were obtained by a diffusion method. In the crystal structure, the anion forms one-dimensional chains of chloride-bridged Jahn-Teller distorted chromium(II) centers extending along the [100] direction.

The well-being of children in food-insecure households: results from The Eastern Caribbean Child Vulnerability Study 2005.

Objective: To examine the relationship between food insecurity and child well-being indicators.

Design: Cross-sectional survey conducted in 2344 households with children. The main exposure measure was food insecurity status, which was categorized as food secure or food insecure based on two or more food insecurity questions answered in the affirmative.

Presence of asthma with night-time asthma symptoms is associated with impaired health-related quality of life in children.

Few studies have compared health-related quality of life between asthmatic and healthy children. This study used data from a cross-sectional survey of parents'/guardians of 406 children residing in rural areas. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate association between a categorical outcome variable (No asthma/No asthma symptoms; night-time asthma symptoms only; asthma diagnosis without night-time asthma symptoms; and asthma diagnosis with night-time asthma symptoms) and health-related quality of life indicators.

DAPK-ZIPK-L13a axis constitutes a negative-feedback module regulating inflammatory gene expression.

Phosphorylation of ribosomal protein L13a is essential for translational repression of inflammatory genes by the interferon (IFN)-gamma-activated inhibitor of translation (GAIT) complex. Here we show that IFN-gamma activates a kinase cascade in which death-associated protein kinase-1 (DAPK) activates zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK), culminating in L13a phosphorylation on Ser(77), L13a release from the ribosome, and translational silencing of GAIT element-bearing target mRNAs. Remarkably, both kinase mRNAs contain functional 3'UTR GAIT elements, and thus the same inhibitory pathway activated by the kinases is co-opted to suppress their expression.

A trinuclear nickel(II) enediolate complex: synthesis, characterization, and O2 reactivity.

Using a new N(4)-donor chelate ligand having a mixture of hydrophobic phenyl and hydrogen-bond-donor appendages, a trinuclear nickel(II) complex of the doubly deprotonated form of 2-hydroxy-1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione was isolated, characterized (X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, UV-vis, (1)H NMR, FTIR, and magnetic moment measurement), and evaluated for O(2) reactivity. This complex, [(6-NA-6-Ph(2)TPANi)(2)(mu-PhC(O)C(O)C(O)Ph)(2)Ni](ClO(4))(2) (4), has two terminal pseudooctahedral Ni(II) centers supported by the tetradentate chelate ligand and a central square-planar Ni(II) ion ligated by oxygen atoms of two bridging enediolate ligands. In CH(3)CN, 4 exhibits a deep orange/brown color and lambda(max) = 463 nm (epsilon = 16 000 M(-1)cm(-1)).

Occupational exposures among domestic and industrial professional cleaners.

Background: Despite being a large part of the workforce, cleaners remain a relatively understudied occupational group in the USA.

Aims: The aims of this focus group study were to identify and characterize occupational exposures, symptoms and job tasks among domestic and industrial professional cleaners.

Methods: Twelve focus group sessions were conducted in Lubbock, TX, and Houston, TX.

Giant micelles of organoplatinum(II) gemini amphiphiles.

Organoplatinum(II) gemini amphiphiles with two different chain lengths are synthesized and characterized. Self-assembly at the air-water interface is investigated as a function of chain length and reduction in surface area by using Langmuir-trough techniques. The Langmuir-trough experiments lead to a conjecture that surface aggregates may be the adsorbing units.

A dinuclear iron(II) complex, [(TPyA)FeII(THBQ(2-))FeII(TPyA)](BF4)2 [TPyA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; THBQ(2-) = 2,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinonate] exhibiting both spin crossover with hysteresis and ferromagnetic exchange.

Dinuclear [(TPyA)FeII(THBQ(2-))FeII(TPyA)](BF4)2 (1) possesses hydrogen bonding interactions that form a 1-D chain, and pi-pi interactions between the 1-D chains that give rise to a 2-D supramolecular-layered structure, inducing hysteresis in the spin crossover behavior; 1 has shown spin crossover behavior around 250 K with thermal hysteresis and ferromagnetic interactions at low temperature.

WHEP domains direct noncanonical function of glutamyl-Prolyl tRNA synthetase in translational control of gene expression.

The heterotetrameric GAIT complex suppresses translation of selected mRNAs in interferon-gamma-activated monocytic cells. Specificity is dictated by glutamyl-prolyl tRNA synthetase (EPRS) binding to a 3'UTR element in target mRNAs. EPRS consists of two synthetase cores joined by a linker containing three WHEP domains of unknown function.

Hematologic and plasma biochemical values of Spix's macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii).

The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is considered the world's most endangered parrot, with the last wild bird disappearing in 2001 and only 74 birds in captivity. To establish hematologic and plasma biochemical reference ranges and to look for differences relative to sex, age, and season, we obtained blood samples from 46 captive Spix's macaws (23 male, 23 female) housed in aviaries at the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation in the State of Qatar. No significant differences in hematologic or plasma biochemical values were found between females and males.

Regulation of hexamerin receptor phosphorylation by hemolymph protein HP19 and 20-hydroxyecdysone directs hexamerin uptake in the rice moth Corcyra cephalonica.

Hexamerins are stage specifically sequestered during the non-feeding stages mainly by the fat body cells from hemolymph through ecdysteroid regulated receptor-mediated endocytosis. 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) stimulates the tyrosine kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the 120kDa hexamerin receptor in the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica. Here, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of the hexamerin receptor by HP19-regulated-20E-dependent-tyrosine kinase is a critical regulator for its activation, and is required for hexamerin uptake.

Role of interferon anti body in predicting the response to interferon therapy in HCV patients.

Objective: To see the frequency of formation of interferon antibodies in patients receiving alpha interferon and evaluate their role in treatment response.

Methods: Patients with chronic Hepatitis C receiving alpha interferon three times a week along with daily ribavarin in two gastroeneterolgy departments of public hospitals, running hepatology clinics were studied. Blood for interferon antibodies in most (71) cases was collected around 5th month of therapy, sera were stored and analyzed in batches.

Race/ethnicity, income, chronic asthma, and mental health: a cross-sectional study using the behavioral risk factor surveillance system.

Objective: To examine the relationships among race/ethnicity, income, and asthma on mental health outcomes in individuals surveyed as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Racial and ethnic disparities in asthma prevalence exist, which may be explained in part by socioeconomic status. Individuals with asthma often have comorbid mental health conditions, the rates of which are also marked by significant racial and ethnic disparities.

Purification, identification and activity of phomodione, a furandione from an endophytic Phoma species.

Phomodione, [(4aS(*),9bR(*))-2,6-diacetyl-7-hydroxy-4a,9-dimethoxy-8,9b-dimethyl-4a.9b-dihydrodibenzo[b,d]furan-1,3(2H,4H)-dione], an usnic acid derivative, was isolated from culture broth of a Phoma species, discovered as an endophyte on a Guinea plant (Saurauia scaberrinae). It was identified using NMR, X-ray crystallography, high resolution mass spectrometry, as well as infrared and Raman spectroscopy.

Overall self-rated health as an outcome indicator in primary care.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: The ultimate goal of health care systems is to improve overall health from the patient's point of view. However, overall self-rated health is not routinely monitored as a performance indicator. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using a measure normally employed in community health surveys as a quality indicator in primary care clinics.

The association of complex liver disorders with HBV genotypes prevalent in Pakistan.

Background: Genotyping of HBV is generally used for determining the epidemiological relationship between various virus strains and origin of infection mostly in research studies. The utility of genotyping for clinical applications is only beginning to gain importance. Whether HBV genotyping will constitute part of the clinical evaluation of Hepatitis B patients depends largely on the availability of the relevance of the evidence based information.

Association between asthma, asthma symptoms and C-reactive protein in US adults: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2002.

Background And Objectives: CRP is elevated in several inflammatory diseases; however, little is known about its association with asthma.

Methods: The study evaluated the associations between CRP, asthma and asthma symptoms using data on 8020 adults >or=20 years of age from the latest US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Results: The prevalence estimates of current asthma, wheezing and nocturnal cough were 3.

Guillain Barre syndrome: the leading cause of acute flaccid paralysis in Hazara division.

Background: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) can be caused by a number of conditions. A common preventable cause is poliomyelitis which is still being reported in Pakistan, Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), also known as Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, is another common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. It is important to recognize GBS in childhood as parents consider all acute flaccid paralysis to be due to poliomyelitis.

Significance of the 19-kDa hemolymph protein HP19 for the development of the rice moth Corcyra cephalonica: morphological and biochemical effects caused by antibody application.

The hemolymph protein HP19 of the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica, mediates the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)-dependent acid phosphatase (ACP) activity at a nongenomic level. Affinity-purified polyclonal antibody against HP19 (alphaHP19-IgG) was used in the present study to understand the role of HP19 during the postembryonic development of Corcyra. In the in vitro studies, HP19 action was blocked either by immuno-precipitation using alphaHP19-IgG, prior to its addition to the fat body culture or by the addition of the antibody directly to the culture, along with 20E and hemolymph containing HP19.

Intra-cranial metastatic lacrimal gland tumour.

We report a case of an adult who presented with progressive swelling in the right eye with suggestive of intracranial lesion on imaging. Histopathological revealed a lacrimal gland malignant mixed tumour.

HCV exposure in spouses of the index cases.

Objective: To study the exposure of HCV in the spouses of patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C virus infection attending the outpatients department of medical research center running a liver clinic.

Methods: Index patients were defined as patients suffering from hepatitis C related chronic liver disease. HCV infection was confirmed by a 3rd generation kit, chronic liver disease by raised alanine amino transferase for over 6 months.

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia outbreak in captive wild ungulates at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, State of Qatar.

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae is a highly contagious and serious respiratory disease of domestic goats, characterized by coughing, severe respiratory distress, and high mortality rates. The lesions at necropsy are mainly a fibrinous pleuropneumonia with increased straw-colored pleural fluid.

Single-crystal to single-crystal phase transitions of bis(N-phenylisonicotinamide)silver(I) nitrate reveal cooperativity properties in porous molecular materials.

Two single-crystal to single-crystal phase transitions in trans-[Ag(NPI)(2)](NO(3)).2CH(3)OH (), (NPI = N-phenylisonicotinamide) were characterized with X-ray crystallography; the first transition is reversible and arises from a desolvation transition induced by vacuum and generated ; the second transition was induced by heat at 140 degrees C and generated .

Association between personal exposure to volatile organic compounds and asthma among US adult population.

Objectives: There is growing concern about adverse respiratory health effects from exposure to indoor air pollution. The purpose of this study was to analyze association between exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) and asthma in adults.

Methods: This study utilized passive personal exposure data on ten VOC collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000.