Colorimetric Humidity and Solvent Recognition Based on a Cation-Exchange Clay Mineral Incorporating Nickel(II)-Chelate Complexes.

Solvatochromic nickel(II) complexes with diketonato and diamine ligands were incorporated into a saponite clay by ion exchange, and their colorimetric humidity- and solvent-recognition properties were investigated. These powders exhibit color change from red to blue-green depending on humidity, and the detection range can be controlled by modifying the metal complex. The humidity response takes advantage of the humidity-dependent water content in clay and the coordination of water molecules to the metal complex in equilibrium. The addition of organic solvents to the powders causes a color change to occur, varying from red to blue-green depending on the donor number of the solvent, thereby enabling solvent recognition. In the clay, the affinity of less sterically hindered complexes to water or solvent molecules is decreased compared with that in solution because the cationic complexes interact with the anionic layers in the clay. Incorporating diethylene glycol into the materials produced thermochromic powders.

Colorimetric solvent indicators based on Nafion membranes incorporating nickel(II)-chelate complexes.

To develop solvent-recognition films, Nafion membranes incorporating cationic nickel-chelate complexes, that is, [Ni(L(1))(L(2))](+) (HL(1) = acetylacetone, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione; L(2) = N,N-diethylethylenediamine, N-butyl-N,N',N'-trimethylethylenediamine), were prepared. Immersion of the films in various solvents effected the color changes varying from red to pale blue green depending on the donor number of the solvents. The color change is based on an equilibrium shift between square-planar and solvent-coordinated octahedral geometries of the cations. The degree of the color change depended on the affinity of the incorporated complex to the solvent molecules. The films were robust and exhibited a reversible solvent response. The films exhibited thermochromism when a small amount of appropriate solvents were incorporated and changed from pale blue green at low temperatures to red at high temperatures.

Ionic liquids from cationic palladium(II) chelate complexes: preparation, thermal properties, and crystal structures.

Metal-containing ionic liquids comprising cationic Pd(II) chelate complexes and the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (Tf2N) anion were prepared: [Pd(acac)(Me4en)]Tf2N (1), [Pd(acac)(BuMe3en)]Tf2N (2), and [Pd(C8-acac)(Me4en)]Tf2N (3) (acac = 2,4-pentanedionate, C8-acac = 3-octyl-2,4-pentanedionate, Me4en = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, BuMe3en = N-butyl-N,N',N'-trimethylethylenediamine). These salts were yellow solids with melting points of 85.2 °C, 71.1 °C, and 62.3 °C, respectively. During cooling from the liquid state, complex 1 exhibited crystallization, whereas 2 and 3 exhibited only glass transitions at approximately -40 °C. X-ray structure determination revealed that the cations in 1 and 3 form dimer-like arrangements and that there were no direct contacts between the charged moieties of the cations and anions in the solid state.

Novel mutations in the gene encoding acid α-1,4-glucosidase in a patient with late-onset glycogen storage disease type II (Pompe disease) with impaired intelligence.

A 17-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital because of highly elevated serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and transaminases. On admission, the proximal muscles of the lower extremities were found to be predominantly affected, and a score of 3/5 was obtained on Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. Muscular atrophy was evident and Gowers' sign was positive. His functional vital capacity (FVC) was markedly reduced. The results of the third edition of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) indicated impairment of the patient's intelligence. Muscle biopsy showed scattered intracytoplasmic vacuoles with basophilic amorphous materials inside which were strongly stained by both periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and acid phosphatase. Biochemical analysis of the muscle tissue confirmed the diagnosis of GSDII because the glucosidase activity was 1.0 nmol/4 MU/mg/30 min (control range, 7.3 ± 2.2). Genetic analysis revealed a novel compound heterozygous missense mutation in GAA--c.1814 G >A (p.Gly605Asp) and c.1846 G >A (p.Asp616Asn) both in exon 13.

A case of Dunnigan-type familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) due to lamin A/C (LMNA) mutations complicated by end-stage renal disease.

Dunnigan-type familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) is a rare monogenic adipose tissue disorder in which the affected subjects have increased predisposition to insulin resistance and related metabolic complications, such as glucose intolerance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. Our patient was a 35-year-old female who had been receiving insulin injection therapy for diabetes mellitus and was transferred to our hospital. She was diagnosed with FPLD on the basis of the following symptoms: increase in subcutaneous fat in the face, neck, and upper trunk; loss of subcutaneous fat in the lower limbs and the gluteal region. We found a heterozygous CGG to CAG transition in codon 482 of exon 8 in the gene encoding lamin A/C (LMNA), which leads to an arginine to glutamine substitution (R482Q). At the time of admission, her serum creatinine level was 8.4 mg/dl, and her blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was 81 mg/dl. Her serum creatinine level was elevated and hemodialysis was performed twice every week. However, she died of cerebral hemorrhage 9 months after hemodialysis. Although it is uncommon for patients with FPLD to exhibit renal dysfunction and require hemodialysis, this case suggests the need for careful analysis of renal function in a patient with FPLD.

Elevated interleukin-8 in cervical mucus as an indicator for treatment to prevent premature birth and preterm, pre-labor rupture of membranes: a prospective study.

PROBLEM: We investigated whether cervical shortening and high interleukin (IL)-8 in cervical mucus were valuable indications for treatment to prevent premature birth and preterm, pre-labor rupture of membranes (pPROM). METHOD OF STUDY: Pregnant women were divided into group A, in which neither cervical IL-8 nor cervical length was measured in the middle trimester; and groups B and C, in which cervical length and cervical IL-8 were measured, and bed rest or cerclage was performed when cervical shortening was detected. In group B, vaginal washing with povidone iodine and insertion of chloramphenicol vaginal tablets were carried out in women with IL-8 elevations. RESULTS: In group B, duration of pregnancy was significantly prolonged compared with group A and C, and occurrence of pPROM was significantly lower. No significant differences were found in those rates between groups A and C. CONCLUSION: Successful treatment for women with IL-8 elevations in cervical mucus decreased rates of premature birth or pPROM.