Effect of an extended midwifery postnatal support programme on the duration of breast feeding: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: to evaluate the effects of an extended midwifery support (EMS) programme on the proportion of women who breast feed fully to six months.

Design: randomised controlled trial.

Setting: large public teaching hospital in Australia.

Variants in hormone biosynthesis genes and risk of endometrial cancer.

We investigated the risk associated with variants in three genes involved in estrogen biosynthesis, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, and CYP19A1, in the population-based case-control study of Estrogen, Diet, Genetics, and Endometrial Cancer. This study was conducted in New Jersey in 2001-2006 with 417 cases and 402 controls. For CYP11A1, there was no association between the number of [TTTTA]( n ) repeats (D15S520) and risk.

Beneficial synergistic interactions of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in C2 skeletal myoblasts--potential cross-talk with IGF system.

The interaction effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) on skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation remains controversial. We therefore investigated the potential interactive effects of TNF-alpha and IL-6 on murine C2 skeletal myoblast survival, differentiation and proliferation. A novel and unexpected positive temporal interaction between TNF-alpha and IL-6 on cell growth was identified (90%), with maximal beneficial effects obtained in myoblasts treated with TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) for 24 h prior to being dosed with IL-6 (2.

Heteronuclear bipyrimidine-bridged Ru-Ln and Os-Ln dyads: low-energy 3MLCT states as energy-donors to Yb(III) and Nd(III).

The complexes [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)(bpym)X(2)] (X = Cl, NCS) and [M((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(bpym)][PF(6)](2) (M = Ru, Os) all have a low-energy LUMO arising from the presence of a 2,2'-bipyrimidine ligand, and consequently have lower-energy (1)MLCT and (3)MLCT states than analogous complexes of bipyridine. The vacant site of the bpym ligand provides a site at which [Ln(diketonate)(3)] units can bind to afford bipyrimidine-bridged dinuclear Ru-Ln and Os-Ln dyads; four such complexes have been structurally characterised. UV/Vis and luminescence spectroscopic studies show that binding of the Ln(III) fragment at the second site of the bpym ligand reduces the (3)MLCT energy of the Ru or Os fragment still further.

Ligand-field excited states of hexacyanochromate and hexacyanocobaltate as sensitisers for near-infrared luminescence from Nd(iii) and Yb(iii) in cyanide-bridged d-f assemblies.

Crystallisation of [Co(CN)(6)](3-) or [Cr(CN)(6)](3-) with Ln(iii) salts (Ln = Nd, Gd, Yb) from aqueous dmf afforded the cyanide-bridged d/f systems [Ln(dmf)(4)(H(2)O)(3)(micro-CN)Co(CN)(5)] (-, discrete dinuclear species) and {[Cr(CN)(4)(micro-CN)(2)Ln(H(2)O)(2)(dmf)(4)]}(infinity) (-, infinite cyanide-bridged chains with alternating Cr and Ln centres). With Ln = Gd the characteristic long-lived phosphorescence from d-d excited states of the [M(CN)(6)](3-) units was apparent in the red region of the spectrum, with lifetimes of the order of 1 micros, since the heavy atom effect of the Gd(iii) promotes inter-system crossing at the [M(CN)(6)](3-) units to generate the phosphorescent spin-forbidden excited states. With Ln = Yb or Nd however, the d-block luminescence was completely quenched due to fast (>10(8) s(-1)) energy-transfer to the Ln(iii) centre, resulting in the characteristic sensitised emission from Yb(iii) and Nd(iii) in the near-IR region.

Three-component coordination networks based on [Ru(phen)(CN)4(2-) anions, near-infrared luminescent lanthanide(III) cations, and ancillary oligopyridine ligands: structures and photophysical properties.

A series of cyanide-bridged coordination networks has been prepared which contain [Ru(phen)(CN)4](2-) anions, Ln(III) cations, and additional oligopyridine ligands (1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2':6',2'''-terpyridine or 2,2'-bipyrimidine) which coordinate to the Ln(III) centres. Five structural types have been identified and examples of each type of structure are described: these are hexanuclear Ru4Ln2 clusters; two-dimensional Ru-Ln sheets with a honeycomb pattern of edge-linked Ru6Ln6 hexagons; one-dimensional chains consisting of two parallel cross-linked strands in a ladder-like arrangement; simple single-stranded chains of alternating Ru/Ln components; and a one-dimensional 'chain of squares' in which Ru2Ln2 squares are linked by bipyrimidine bridging ligands which connect to the Ln(III) corners of adjacent squares in the sequence. The 3MLCT luminescence characteristic of the [Ru(phen)(CN)4](2-) units is quenched in those networks containing Ln(III) which have low-lying near-infrared luminescent f-f states [Pr(III), Nd(III), Er(III), Yb(III)], with sensitised Ln(III)-based near-IR luminescence generated by d --> f energy-transfer.

Photophysical and structural properties of cyanoruthenate complexes of hexaazatriphenylene.

The tritopic bridging ligand hexaazatriphenylene (HAT) has been used to prepare the mono-, di-, and trinuclear cyanoruthenate complexes [Ru(CN)(4)(HAT)](2-) ([1](2-)), [{Ru(CN)(4)}(2)(mu(2)-HAT)](4-) ([2](4-)), and [{Ru(CN)(4)}(3)(mu(3)-HAT)](6-) ([3](6-)). These complexes are of interest both for their photophysical properties and ability to act as sensitizers, associated with strong MLCT absorptions; and their structural properties, with up to 12 externally directed cyanide ligands at a single "node" for preparation of coordination networks. The complexes are strongly solvatochromic, with broad and intense MLCT absorption manifolds arising from the presence of low-lying pi* orbitals on the HAT ligand, as confirmed by DFT calculations; in aprotic solvents [3](6-) is a panchromatic absorber of visible light.

Effect of river sediment on phosphorus chemistry of similarly aged natural and created wetlands in the Atchafalaya Delta, Louisiana, USA.

The goal of wetland creation is to produce an artificial wetland that functions as a natural wetland. Studies comparing created wetlands to similarly aged natural wetlands provide important information about creation techniques and their improvement so as to attain that goal. We hypothesized that differences in sediment phosphorus accretion, deposition, and chemistry between created and natural wetlands in the Atchafalaya Delta, Louisiana, USA were a function of creation technique and natural river processes.

A longitudinal study of the relationship between psychological distress and recurrence of upper respiratory tract infections in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objectives: Previous research has found that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients report increased susceptibility to upper respiratory tract illnesses (URTIs) when compared with healthy volunteers. This study aimed to replicate and extend this research by investigating the role of psychological distress (stress and negative mood) in the recurrence of URTIs in CFS patients as well as its role in the recurrence of CFS symptoms.

Design: A 15-week diary study.

Sensitised near-infrared luminescence from lanthanide(III) centres using Re(I) and Pt(II) diimine complexes as energy donors in d-f dinuclear complexes based on 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine.

The luminescent transition metal complexes [Re(CO)(3)Cl(bppz)] and [Pt(CC-C(6)H(4)CF(3))(2)(bppz)] [bppz = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine], in which one of the diimine binding sites of the potentially bridging ligand bppz is vacant, have been used as 'complex ligands' to make heterodinuclear d-f complexes by attachment of a {Ln(dik)(3)} fragment (dik = a 1,3-diketonate) at the vacant site. When Ln = Pr, Nd, Er or Yb the lanthanide centre has low-energy f-f excited states capable of accepting energy from the (3)MLCT excited state of the Pt(II) or Re(I) centre, quenching the (3)MLCT luminescence and affording sensitised lanthanide(III)-based luminescence in the near-IR region. UV/Vis and luminescence spectroscopic titrations allowed measurement of (i) the association constants for binding of the {Ln(dik)(3)} fragment at the vacant diimine site of [Re(CO)(3)Cl(bppz)] or [Pt(CC-C(6)H(4)CF(3))(2)(bppz)], and (ii) the degree of quenching of the (3)MLCT luminescence according to the nature of the Ln(III) centre.

Anthracene as a sensitiser for near-infrared luminescence in complexes of Nd(III), Er(III) and Yb(III): an unexpected sensitisation mechanism based on electron transfer.

The ligand L(1), which contains a chelating 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (PB) unit with a pendant anthacenyl group An connected via a methylene spacer, (L(1) = PB-An), was used to prepare the 8-coordinate lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(hfac)(3)(L(1))] (Ln = Nd, Gd, Er, Yb) which have been structurally characterised and all have a square antiprismatic N(2)O(6) coordination geometry. Whereas free L(1) displays typical anthracene-based fluorescence, this fluorescence is completely quenched in its complexes. The An group in L(1) acts as an antenna unit: in the complexes [Ln(hfac)(3)(L(1))] (Ln = Nd, Er, Yb) selective excitation of the anthracene results in sensitised near-infrared luminescence from the lanthanide centres with concomitant quenching of An fluorescence.

Polynuclear lanthanide complexes of a series of bridging ligands containing two tridentate N,N',O-donor units: structures and luminescence properties.

A set of three potentially bridging ligands containing two tridentate chelating N,N',O-donor (pyrazole-pyridine-amide) donors separated by an o, m, or p-phenylene spacer has been prepared and their coordination chemistry with lanthanide(III) ions investigated. Ligand L(1) (p-phenylene spacer) forms complexes with a 2:3 M:L ratio according to the proportions used in the reaction mixture; the Ln(2)(L(1))(3) complexes contain two 9-coordinate Ln(III) centres with all three bridging ligands spanning both metal ions, and have a cylindrical (non-helical) 'mesocate' architecture. The 1:1 complexes display a range of structural types depending on the conditions used, including a cyclic Ln(4)(L(1))(4) tetranuclear helicate, a Ln(2)(L(1))(2) dinuclear mesocate, and an infinite one-dimensional coordination polymer in which metal ions and bridging ligands alternate along the sequence.

African trypanosomes: intracellular trafficking of host defense molecules.

Trypanosoma brucei brucei is the causative agent of Nagana in cattle and can infect a wide range of mammals but is unable to infect humans because it is susceptible to the innate cytotoxic activity of normal human serum. A minor subfraction of human high-density lipoprotein (HDL), containing apolipoprotein A-I (APOA1), apolipoprotein L-I (APOL1) and haptoglobin-related protein (HPR) provides this innate protection against T. b.

Normal nipple position in term infants measured on breastfeeding ultrasound.

Nipple position is believed to influence breastfeeding success. To investigate this belief, submental ultrasound images were obtained during breastfeeding of normal term infants. This study measured nipple to hard-soft palate distance (NHSPD) in 18 mother-infant pairs during the first and fourth weeks of life.

Sensitized near-infrared lanthanide luminescence from Nd(III)- and Yb(III)-based cyclen-ruthenium coordination conjugates.

The development of novel mixed lanthanide-transition-metal (f-d) based supramolecular self-assemblies made from neodymium- and ytterbium-based tetraamide-functionalized cyclen complexes bearing a single 1,10-phenanthroline moiety coordinating to a RuII(bipy)2 (bipy = bipyridine) unit is described. Excitation of the Ru(II) metal-to-ligand charge-transfer band in water gave rise to long-wavelength sensitized emission from the Yb(III) or Nd(III) centers, observed in the near-infrared.

Luminescent Pt(II)(bipyridyl)(diacetylide) chromophores with pendant binding sites as energy donors for sensitised near-infrared emission from lanthanides: structures and photophysics of Pt(II)/Ln(III) assemblies.

The complexes [Pt(bipy){CC-(4-pyridyl)}(2)] (1) and [Pt(tBu(2)bipy){CC-(4-pyridyl)}(2)] (2) and [Pt(tBu(2)-bipy)(CC-phen)(2)] (3) all contain a Pt(bipy)(diacetylide) core with pendant 4-pyridyl (1 and 2) or phenanthroline (3) units which can be coordinated to {Ln(diketonate)(3)} fragments (Ln = a lanthanide) to make covalently-linked Pt(II)/Ln(III) polynuclear assemblies in which the Pt(II) chromophore, absorbing in the visible region, can be used to sensitise near-infrared luminescence from the Ln(III) centres. For 1 and 2 one-dimensional coordination polymers [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) are formed, whereas 3 forms trinuclear adducts [3{Ln(hfac)(3)}(2)] (tta=anion of thenoyl-trifluoroacetone; hfac=anion of hexafluoroacetylacetone). Complexes 1-3 show typical Pt(II)-based (3)MLCT luminescence in solution at approximately 510 nm, but in the coordination polymers [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) the presence of stacked pairs of Pt(II) units with short PtPt distances means that the chromophores have (3)MMLCT character and emit at lower energy ( approximately 630 nm).

In vitro generation of human high-density-lipoprotein-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

The host range of African trypanosomes is influenced by innate protective molecules in the blood of primates. A subfraction of human high-density lipoprotein (HDL) containing apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein L-I, and haptoglobin-related protein is toxic to Trypanosoma brucei brucei but not the human sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. It is thought that T.

Aptamer:toxin conjugates that specifically target prostate tumor cells.

We have used RNA aptamer:gelonin conjugates to target and specifically destroy cells overexpressing the known cancer biomarker prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Aptamer:toxin conjugates have an IC50 of 27 nmol/L and display an increased potency of at least 600-fold relative to cells that do not express PSMA. The aptamer not only promotes uptake into target cells but also decreases the toxicity of gelonin in non-target cells.

Self-assembly of luminescent ternary complexes between seven-coordinate lanthanide(III) complexes and chromophore bearing carboxylates and phosphonates.

Luminescent lanthanide complexes have been prepared by exploiting the interaction between lanthanide DO3A complexes and chromophore bearing carboxylates or phosphonates. This interaction can be utilised to probe the choice of sensitising chromophore suited to a given lanthanide. Furthermore, ternary complexes obtained from chromophore appended carboxylates dissociate in the presence of phosphate, while those obtained from phosphonates do not.

Structural and photophysical properties of coordination networks combining [Ru(Bpym)(CN)4]2- or [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)]4- anions (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) with lanthanide(III) cations: sensitized near-infrared luminescence from Yb(III), Nd(III), and Er(III) following Ru-to-lanthanide energy transfer.

Reaction of the cyanoruthenate anions [Ru(bpym)(CN)4]2- and [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)]4- (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) with lanthanide(III) salts resulted in the crystallization of coordination networks based on Ru-CN-Ln bridges. Four types of structure were obtained: [Ru(bpym)(CN)4][Ln(NO3)(H2O)5] (Ru-Ln; Ln = Sm, Nd, and Gd) are one-dimensional helical chains; [Ru(bpym)(CN)4]2[Ln(NO3)(H2O)2][Ln(NO3)(0.5)(H2O)(5.

Polynuclear cyanoruthenate chromophores based on hexaaza-triphenylene containing up to twelve cyanides: photophysical and structural properties.

The complexes [Ru(CN)4(HAT)]2-, [{Ru(CN)4}2(mu2-HAT)]4- and [{Ru(CN)4}3(mu3-HAT)]6- (HAT = hexaaza-triphenylene) contain four, eight and twelve externally-directed cyanide ligands, respectively; they show strongly solvatochromic and intense MLCT absorptions, and [3]6- forms a high-dimensionality cyanide-bridged coordination network with Nd(III), in which Ru --> Nd energy transfer results in sensitised near-IR luminescence.