Recognition and optical sensing of amines by a quartz-bound 7-chloro-4-quinolylazopillar[5]arene monolayer

Covalent bonding of 7-chloro-4-quinolylazo-octamethoxypillar[5]arene molecules to silylated quartz substrates readily produced a new chromogenic reusable pillararene-coated quartz slide, for the direct UV detection of “transparent” analytes in solution. This device provides an analyte-selective optical response towards linear (di)amines with a highly reproducible optical read-out.

Pillar[5]arene-decorated quartz slides for the direct detection of linear amines and diamines are now available.     

Postprandial serum induces apoptosis in endothelial cells: Role of polymorphonuclear-derived myeloperoxidase and metalloproteinase-9 activity

Postprandial state is a pro-inflammatory condition associated with a transient impairment of endothelial function. Recent evidence suggests that myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. The present study was carried out to investigate whether a fat meal induces polymorphonuclear (PMN) activation and increases the plasma activity of MPO and MMP-9 and whether postprandial serum exerts pro-apoptotic effects on endothelial cells. Fifteen healthy young men underwent a high-fat challenge containing 60g butter. Blood samples were drawn before, and 1, 2, and 4h after the meal. Leukocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, plasma MPO and MMP-9 activity, endothelial-derived soluble CD146 levels, and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels were determined. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with human sera to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, annexin PI staining, and caspase-3 activity. Triglycerides, ROS production, MPO activity, AOPP levels, pro-MMP-9 zymographic activity, and soluble CD146 levels significantly increased during the 4h after the test meal. Postprandial serum significantly decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased the rate of ROS production, the percentage of annexin-positive HUVECs, and caspase-3 activity. A strong relationship was observed between postprandial increase in PMN-derived MPO and pro-MMP-9 activity, and the increased rate of apoptosis of endothelial cells exposed to postprandial serum. Data show that postprandial serum exerts pro-apoptotic effects on endothelial cells. The close relationships between markers of endothelial cell apoptosis and MPO and pro-MMP-9 activity suggest that the latter may contribute to the development of fat meal induced endothelial damage.     

Central precocious puberty in Klinefelter syndrome: A case report with longitudinal follow-up of growth pattern

We report idiopathic central precocious puberty in a boy with Klinefelter syndrome and describe the pattern of linear growth and body proportion from the onset of precocious puberty to final height. The patient was not treated for precocious puberty. He reached adequate adult height, for both general population and normative values of Klinefelter syndrome and normal body proportions. We conclude that precocious puberty in Klinefelter syndrome may result in normal body proportion by inducing a major growth spurt of the trunk rather than in the limbs, and that adult height prognosis is not altered by precocious puberty. Given the possible occurrence of precocious puberty in Klinefelter syndrome, we advise a karyotype analysis in boys with sexual precocity, mainly in those who show small rather than enlarged testes. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

New synthesis of a highly active δ-MgCl2 for MgCl2/TiCl4/AlEt3 catalytic systems

A good supporting material for Ziegler-Natta type catalysts was obtained by reaction between powdered metallic magnesium and 1-chloro-n-C_mH_2m+1 (m = 3–9). This reaction affords a highly disordered form of MgCl₂ which was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. This MgCl₂ form shows a crystallographic disorder much higher than that exhibited by the products obtained following the commercial activation procedures of α-MgCl₂, either mechanical or chemical. As shown by the XRD spectra, the synthetized MgCl₂ is characterized by the typical structure of the δ-form. Therefore, this MgCl₂ form, in view of its highly disordered structure, appears as a promising material for the preparation of active supported Ziegler-Natta type catalysts. Thus, by titanation of the obtained δ-MgCl₂ we have prepared some supported catalysts which have been tested in the slurry propene polymerizations, showing high activity (136000–138000 gPP/gTi) and good stereoselectivity (82–88% I.I.).     

Correction to: Intramuscular clodronate in erosive osteoarthritis of the hand is effective on pain and reduces serum COMP: a randomized pilot trial–The ER.O.D.E. study (ERosive Osteoarthritis and Disodium-clodronate Evaluation)

Clinical Rheumatology - One of the author names on this article was incorrectly tagged during the article mark-up; Luca Dalle Carbonare’s name has now been correctly tagged, with first name...