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Abstract: Background: There is continuing interest in identifying low-penetrance genes which are associated with an increased susceptibility to common types of cancer, including malignant melanoma. Methods: We sought to examine the association between four VDR common variants (rs1544410, rs731236, rs10735810, rs4516035) and the risk of melanoma in the Polish population. We also determined the prevalence of compound carriers of VDR and known MM genetic risk factors MC1R and CDKN2A (A148T) variants. We examined 763 unselected melanoma cases, 763 healthy adults matched for sex and age with the melanoma cases and 777 newborns. Results: None of the VDR variants alone or as compound carriers of two or more of the VDR genotypes were associated with MM risk. There were no major differences between the prevalences of the examined variants among patients with MM on UV-exposed and UV-non exposed skin areas, as well as among early-onset and late-onset cases. We found no association between VDR and MC1R or between VDR and CDKN2A common variants. A statistically significant over-representation of one VDR haplotype: rs731236_A+rs1544410_T (OR=3.2, p =0.02) was detected. Linkage disequilibrium of rs1544410 and rs731236 was confirmed. Conclusion: To answer the question, whether VDR can be regarded as melanoma susceptibility gene, additional, large multi-center association studies have to be performed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the current study, we evaluated the possible associations of seven common variants of the DNA repair and cell cycle control genes BRCA2 and CHEK2 with malignant melanoma (MM). We genotyped 630 unselected MM patients and over 3700 controls (newborns, age- and sex-matched healthy adults with negative cancer family histories, and the adults selected at random by family doctors) for the prevalence of three common variants of the BRCA2 (T1915M, N991D and N372H) and four common variants of the CHEK2 (1100delC, VS2+1G→A, I157T and del5395). Our study strongly suggests that the common variant of the BRCA2 gene – the N991D variant is associated with malignant melanoma risk (OR=1.8, p =0.002 after Bonferroni correction). Patients homozygote for the N991D variant were present in 0.32% of cases and only 0.13% of controls. The other variants studied were not over-represented among MM patients when compared to the general population. In conclusion, we report an increased melanoma risk among carriers of the N991D change of the BRCA2 and no association of the CHEK2 changes with malignant melanoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The ionic liquids diisopropylimidazolium bromide (DIPI) and diisobutylimidazolium bromide (DIBU) were used both as solvents and structure-directing agents (SDAs) to obtain AlPO 4 -5 and MnAPO-5 (Mn-AFI) molecular sieves. For increasing level of manganese, DIBU always yielded pure-phase Mn-AFI whereas DIPI led to amorphous product when more than 0.13 eq of Mn was added. Varying amounts of water, HF and metal led to AFI, cristobalite or tridymite phases. We also explored the use of nickel as the metal dopant, and although AFI phase were obtained under certain conditions, no framework incorporation of the metal was observed. Because of the vanishingly low vapor pressure of the ILs, the synthesis does not carry the risk of pressure build-up. The ILs were easily and fully recyclable and used for multiple syntheses. The MnAPO-5 material was characterized with powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), multinuclear solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SS-NMR) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). These findings provide new insight into the ionothermal synthesis of metal-doped AFI frameworks with possible implications in catalytic applications. [Display omitted] • Experimental and theoretical results show DIBU is a better SDA than DIPI for AFI • EPR, SS-NMR, and EXAFS strongly suggest framework incorporation of Mn • The molar ratios of water and mineralizer are critical for a successful synthesis • The presence of transition metals dramatically influences the resulting phase [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The half-life of the super-allowed of 14O has been measured to be 70.623±0.053s. The 14O was produced via the reaction 12C(13He,n)14O, and the decay was uniquely isolated using a triple-coincidence detection system. A novel digitisation technique, where every pulse was digitally recorded, guaranteed the integrity of the analysis. The half-life value was used to test the Conserved-Vector-Current (CVC) hypothesis, and thus indirectly the Standard Model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Iron abnormalities within the brain are associated with several rare but severe neurodegenerative conditions. There is growing evidence that more common systemic iron loading disorders such as hemochromatosis can also have important effects on the brain. To identify features that are common across different forms of hemochromatosis, we used microarray and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to assess brain transcriptome profiles of transferrin receptor 2 mutant mice (Tfr2 mut), a model of a rare type of hereditary hemochromatosis, relative to wildtype control mice. The results were compared with our previous findings in dietary iron-supplemented wildtype mice and Hfe −/− mice, a model of a common type of hereditary hemochromatosis. For transcripts showing significant changes relative to controls across all three models, there was perfect (100%) directional concordance (i.e. transcripts were increased in all models or decreased in all models). Comparison of the two models of hereditary hemochromatosis, which showed more pronounced changes than the dietary iron-supplemented mice, revealed numerous common molecular effects. Pathway analyses highlighted changes for genes relating to long-term depression (6.8-fold enrichment, p =5.4×10−7) and, to a lesser extent, long-term potentiation (3.7-fold enrichment, p =0.01), with generalized reductions in transcription of key genes from these pathways, which are involved in modulating synaptic strength and efficacy and are essential for memory and learning. The agreement across the models suggests the findings are robust and strengthens previous evidence that iron loading disorders affect the brain. Perturbations of brain phenomena such as long-term depression and long-term potentiation might partly explain neurologic symptoms reported for some hemochromatosis patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A three-dimensional La(III) based metal-organic framework, La2[NC5H3(CO2)2]3·3H2O, was assembled using the aromatic linker 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate. This new compound was synthesized hydrothermally and is an unusual example of a lanthanum containing metal-organic network. The compound contains two distinct La centers, each adopting a nine-coordinate geometry. The structure is built up from zig-zag chains that link via bridging water molecules into a double chain defining edge-sharing six rings. These double chains are arranged into layers and connect through 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate ligands to give the extended 3-D coordination framework. The material is thermally stable to ca. 360°C and transforms to an unknown compound before finally decomposing to phase-pure La2O3 at 800°C. The synthesis, structure, morphology and properties of the new material are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A three-dimensional Bi(III) based metal–organic framework was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using the multidentate organic linker 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate. Bismuth oxide 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate, Bi2O2[NC5H3(CO2)2], contains embedded 1-D cationic bismuth oxide chains that propagate along the crystallographic c-axis. The oxygens of the Bi2O2 core are three-coordinate and bond strongly to the Bi atoms. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the material possesses high thermal stability up ca. 400°C before decomposing to phase-pure Bi2O3 at 800°C. The structure, crystallinity, morphology and properties of the material are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A three-dimensional strontium-based metal-organic framework was constructed using 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, [Sr3((OOC)3C6H3)2(H2O)4]·H2O. This new compound was synthesized hydrothermally and is a rare example of a strontium metal-organic network. The compound network contains three distinct Sr centers, one of which is seven-coordinate and the other two are nine-coordinate geometry. The benzene rings form a herring-bone type of arrangement down the a-axis. The material is thermally stable to ca. 230°C and transforms to an unknown material before finally decomposing to phase-pure SrCO3 at 650°C. The synthesis, structure, morphology and materials properties are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominantly inherited syndrome caused by germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. HNPCC patients have a lifetime risk of 80% of developing colorectal cancer (CRC); however the likely age of onset is difficult to predict. A single C>T polymorphism located within the promoter region of the ΔDNMT3B gene has recently been reported to be associated with a significant increase to the risk of early onset CRC. In this study we determined the ΔDNMT3B genotype in 404 confirmed HNPCC participants (total of 194 CRC cases) from Australia (203) and Poland (201). From the total number of participants there were 194 diagnosed cases of CRC and 210 healthy MMR gene mutation carriers. The study was undertaken to assess whether the reported effect observed in a previous study of 146 HNPCC patients is consistent in a larger separate and unrelated participant cohort. Through the statistical tests of Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox hazard regression models we did not observe any significant association between the ΔDNMT3B C>T SNP and early onset CRC in HNPCC patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the synthesis and characterization of a seven coordinate europium complex, [EuCl3(C10H8N2O2)· 2CH3OH]. The growing interest in developing efficient light conversion molecular devices (LCMDs) necessitates the need for new fluorescent materials. Ideal physicochemical properties of the materials include ligand absorption, efficient metal to ligand transfer, and strong luminescence with a relatively long decay time. The design of such material requires distinct absorbing (ligand) and emitting (metal ion) components. While Eu3+ cation has a non-degenerate emitting level, 2,2′-bipyridine N,N dioxide is a heterocyclic ligand known to exhibit strong luminescence. Additional characterization is also described, including single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies and elemental analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The hydrothermal inorganic reaction of cobalt chloride, tin oxalate and phosphoric acid yields a three-dimensional metal phosphate structure containing cobaltate layers. Hydrated tin phosphate chains connect the layers, defining unidimensional channels that contain occluded water molecules. Thermal and magnetic behaviour are also discussed. A cusp around 3.5K and a negative Curie temperature of −35.9K indicate antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the Co(II) centers in the solid. The magnetic behavior follows the Curie–Weiss law in the 25–300K range, with an effective magnetic moment of 3.18 μ B. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A survey of 451 Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) agreements was carried out across England in 1998–1999 to characterise the ecological quality of the land. The land within the agreements was mapped using the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Broad and Priority Habitats and the vegetation of the agreements was sampled using random quadrats. By far the most widespread Broad Habitat was Improved Grassland, accounting for around 50% of all agreement land. Of this, the majority was semi-improved. Priority Habitats accounted for 15% of all agreement land (equivalent to around 18,500 ha). In addition to the 15%, there was also land within habitat mosaics containing one or more Priority Habitat. The analysis of vegetation revealed that 53% of all randomly-placed quadrats were categorised as Infertile Grassland and 24% as Fertile Grassland. Survey data were compared with results from the Countryside Survey 2000, a national assessment of vegetation undertaken in 1998. In the lowland areas of England, CSS land had a much higher proportion of grassland habitats and was much more likely to be typical of low fertility situations than the countryside as a whole. In the marginal uplands and uplands, CSS agreement land contained a greater proportion of grassland, but with a reduced proportion of important upland Broad Habitats, such as Dwarf Shrub Heath and Bog, although these do tend to be found more in the Environmentally Sensitive Areas. The differences between the CSS and the countryside as a whole clearly reflect the priorities of the CSS, especially the high proportion of grassland. The CSS has targeted Broad and Priority Habitats and in this respect has been successful. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A series of three cationic, neodymium-based inorganic-organic hybrids are reported. • The three cationic materials are all capable of anion exchange. • These structures further the chemistry of extended cationic inorganic materials using f-block metals. We report the synthesis and characterization of three cationic two-dimensional Nd(III)-based inorganic materials. The materials consist of [Nd 2 (OH) 4 (OH 2) 2 2+ layers with interlamellar α,ω-−O 3 S(CH 2) n SO 3 − anions (n = 2–4). The materials were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. As an initial example of anion exchange, all three materials show uptake of adipate, −O 2 C(CH 2) 4 CO 2 −. These layered rare earth hydroxides show an increase in thermal stability with alkanedisulfonate chain length. The three polytypes expand the known chemistry for extended cationic inorganic materials using f-block metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]