Genetic association of the EGR2 gene with bipolar disorder in Korea

The early growth response gene 2 (EGR2) is located at chromosome 10q21, one of the susceptibility loci in bipolar disorder (BD). EGR2 is involved in cognitive function, myelination, and signal transduction related to neuregulin-ErbB receptor, Bcl-2 family proteins, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This study investigated the genetic association of the EGR2 gene with BD and schizophrenia (SPR) in Korea. In 946 subjects (350 healthy controls, 352 patients with BD, and 244 with SPR), nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the EGR2 gene region were genotyped. Five SNPs showed nominally significant allelic associations with BD (rs2295814, rs61865882, rs10995315, rs2297488, and rs2297489), and the positive associations of all except rs2297488 remained significant after multiple testing correction. Linkage disequilibrium structure analysis revealed two haplotype blocks. Among the common identified haplotypes (frequency > 5%), 'T-G-A-C-T (block 1)' and 'A-A-G-C (block 2)' haplotypes were over-represented, while 'C-G-G-T-T (block 1)' haplotype was under-represented in BD. In contrast, no significant associations were found with SPR. Although an extended analysis with a larger sample size or independent replication is required, these findings suggest a genetic association of EGR2 with BD. Combined with a plausible biological function of EGR2, the EGR2 gene is a possible susceptibility gene in BD.     

A theoretical forecast of the hydrogen bond changes in the electronic excited state for BN and its derivatives

The relationship between electronic spectral shifts and hydrogen-bonding dynamics in electronically excited states of the hydrogen-bonded complex is put forward. Hydrogen bond strengthening will induce a redshift of the corresponding electronic spectra, while hydrogen bond weakening will cause a blueshift. Time-dependent density function theory (TDDFT) was used to study the excitation energies in both singlet and triplet electronically excited states of Benzonitrile (BN), 4-aminobenzonitrile (ABN), and 4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile (DMABN) in methanol solvents. Only the intermolecular hydrogen bond C≡N...H-O was involved in our system. A fairly accurate forecast of the hydrogen bond changes in lowlying electronically excited states were presented in light of a very thorough consideration of their related electronic spectra. The deduction we used to depict the trend of the hydrogen bond changes in excited states could help others understand hydrogen-bonding dynamics more effectively.     

A brief chronological and bibliographic guide to the history of Chinese mathematics

The history of Chinese mathematics remains largely unknown in the West. This situation is the result of several factors: geographic, political, and linguistic. Few Western scholars possess the necessary facility in the Classical Chinese language to seek information about Chinese mathematics from primary sources. Yet despite the deficiency, there does exist a rich, albeit dispersed, literature on the history of Chinese mathematics in Western languages. The purpose of this contribution in to call the reader's attention to this literature and to the history of Chinese mathematics in general.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper(I) amidinates as precursors for atomic layer deposition (ALD) of copper metal

A series of copper(I) amidinates of the general type [(R'NC(R)NR')Cu](2) (R' and R' = n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl; R = methyl, n-butyl) have been synthesized and characterized. These compounds are planar dimers, bridged by nearly linear N-Cu-N bonds. Their properties (volatility, low melting point, high thermal stability, and self-limited surface reactivity) are well-suited for atomic layer deposition (ALD) of copper metal films that are pure, highly conductive, conformal, and strongly adherent to substrates.     

Serum concentrations of soluble 4-1BB and 4-1BB ligand correlated with the disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease whose etiopathogenesis is not well understood. Although soluble (s) forms of 4-1BB (s4-1BB) and 4-1BB legand (s4-1BBL) have been detected in the sera of RA patients, their significance is not known. We compared the serum levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL in RA patients with those in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Behcet's disease (BD) patients. Serum levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL were significantly higher in RA patients compared with healthy controls, SLE or BD patients, and the abundance was correlated with disease severity in patients with RA. The serum levels of s4-1BB in RA patients were inversely corroborated with 4-1BB expression levels on activated T lymphocytes. In addition, there was a correlation between serum levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL. The augmented secretion of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL levels into the serum may reflect the clinical symptoms of RA and levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL in sera at the time of diagnosis may be indicative of the severity and outcome of RA.     

Fette und ?le

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

A family of double-bowl pseudo metallocalix[6]arene discs

We report the synthesis and magnetic characterisation of a series of planar [M?] (M= Ni(II), Zn(II)) disc complexes [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)? (1), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeOH (2), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·3MeNO? (3), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeCN (4), [Zn?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeOH·H?O (5) and [Zn?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·3MeNO? (6) (where HL? = 2-iminomethyl-6-methoxy-phenol, HL? = 2-iminomethyl-4-bromo-6-methoxy-phenol). Each member exhibits a double-bowl pseudo metallocalix[6]arene topology whereby the individual [M?] units form molecular host cavities which are able to accommodate various guest molecules (MeCN, MeNO? and MeOH). Magnetic susceptibility measurements carried out on complexes 1 and 4 indicate weak exchange between the Ni(II) centres.     

Regioselective synthesis of naphthalenes from modified Baylis-Hillman adducts via a Pd-catalyzed cyclization: 5-exo-carbopalladation, C(sp)-H activation to cyclopropane, ring-opening, and aromatization cascade

Modified Baylis-Hillman adducts having 2-bromophenyl acetonitrile moiety at the primary position underwent a Pd-catalyzed cascade reaction to provide poly-substituted naphthalene derivatives in reasonable yields. The reaction involved a sequential 5-exo-carbopalladation, C(sp³)-H activation to cyclopropane, ring-opening and concomitant aromatization processes.     

Ferrocene Containing Polyimides as a Route to Low-κ Dielectric Materials

Polyimides incorporating the ferrocene unit were prepared by in situ curing of poly (amic acid) macromolecules with ferrocene, for the molecular-level design of low dielectric constant (low-κ) materials. The effects of ferrocene on dielectric properties of polyimide are investigated in detail in this study. Ferrocene containing polyimides exhibit a number of desirable properties including low-water absorption and admirable thermal stability. Systematic studies demonstrate that proper insertion of ferrocene into a polyimide backbone can give rise to a reduction in the material's dielectric constant. All composites were subjected to DSC measurements for the purpose of examining Tg from all composition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the other conventional techniques were used for structural characterization.     

Interaction of a transition metal atom with intrinsic defects in single-walled carbon nanotubes

Interaction of a transition metal atom with defects in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were investigated through density functional theory calculations. For three kinds of intrinsic defects (single vacancies, double vacancies and Stone-Wales defects) in (5,5) armchair and (10,0) zigzag SWNTs, stable configurations were analyzed. The orientation of the specific bonds of the defects is related to the most stable configuration among several possible configurations. The stable adsorption sites and binding energies of a Ni atom on three intrinsic defects were calculated and compared to those on perfect side walls. All defects enhance Ni adsorption, and the single vacancy shows the most exothermic binding. These results shed light on the nature of the interaction of the transition metal with defects in SWNT, an important topic to the many aspects of carbon nanotubes interacting with transition metals. Particularly, this is useful for the fabrication of nanosized transition metal particles supported on carbon nanotubes.