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M D Smith

Publications and source records attributed to M D Smith.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Observation of a large magnetic anisotropy in the new 2H-perovskite related oxide Ba8CoRh6O21: magnetic measurements on aligned single crystals.

Single crystals of Ba8CoRh6O21, grown out of a potassium carbonate flux, were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. X-ray data were collected in a superspace group approach and solved using the JANA2000 software package. Ba8CoRh6O21 represents the first example of a structurally characterized m = 5, n = 3 member of the A3n+3mA'nB3m+nO9m+6n family of 2H hexagonal perovskite related oxides and contains chains consisting of six consecutive RhO6 octahedra followed by one distorted CoO6 trigonal prism. Magnetic measurements were carried out on large aligned single crystals, and a very large magnetic anisotropy in the magnetic susceptibility, persisting up to room temperature, was observed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Organometallic dehydro[14] annulenes containing Vollhardt's cyclobutadiene: are CpCo-complexed cyclobutadienes more aromatic then benzene?

Pd-catalyzed coupling of 1,2-diethynyl-3,4-(bistrimethylsilyl)cyclobutadienecyclopentadienylcobalt to a series of 1-iodo-2-(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzenes and 1-chloro-4-trimethylsilylbut-1-ene-3-yne is followed by desilylation with potassium carbonate. Cu(OAc)(2)-promoted oxidative ring closure leads to dehydro[14]annulenes and dehydro[14]benzoannulenes fused to a cyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienylcobalt) complex. Five of these fused dehydroannulenes were structurally characterized. (1)H NMR spectroscopy of the organometallic dehydro[14]annulenes incorporating the (bistrimethylsilyl)cyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienylcobalt) unit suggested that the aromaticity of the fused cyclobutadiene complex might be stronger than that of benzene according to the ring-current criterion.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Control of the stereochemical impact of the lone pair in lead(II) tris(pyrazolyl)methane complexes. Improved preparation of Na[B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4].

The reaction of Pb(acac)2 with 2 equiv of [H(Et2O)2][B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4] (HBAr(f)) in CH2Cl2 followed by addition of 2 equiv of either HC(pz)3 or HC(3,5-Me2pz)3 (pz = pyrazolyl ring) leads to the formation of [Pb[HC(pz)3]2][B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4]2 (1) and [Pb[HC(3,5-Me2pz)3]2][B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4]2 (2), respectively. The cation in 1 has a distorted octahedral structure with a stereochemically active lone pair on lead(II). In contrast, the cation in 2 is trigonally distorted octahedral with the lone pair on the lead(II) clearly stereochemically inactive. The driving force for this cation to have a stereochemically inactive lone pair is that in this geometric arrangement the interligand distances between adjacent 3-position methyl groups are close to 4.0 A, the sum of the van der Waals radii of two methyl groups. To facilitate this chemistry, the synthesis of Na[B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4], needed to prepare HBAr(f), has been dramatically improved. The main change is to add NaBF4 to the reaction mixture before forming the Grignard from the reaction of magnesium and 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3Br. The Grignard reacts with the NaBF4 as it forms, reducing the danger of explosion and leading to a higher isolated yield of the product. Crystallographic information: 1 is triclinic, P1, a = 13.0133(6) A, b = 17.2210(7) A, c = 24.7634(11) A, alpha = 71.7300(10) degrees, beta = 82.3630(10) degrees, gamma = 70.5120(10) degrees, Z = 2; 2 is triclinic, P1, a = 12.756(4) A, b = 13.469(4) A, c = 17.160(5) A, alpha = 82.454(7) degrees, beta = 89.904(8) degrees, gamma = 72.995(7) degrees, Z = 1.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Two versatile N,N'-bipyridine-type ligands for preparing organic-inorganic coordination polymers: new cobalt- and nickel-containing framework materials.

The Schiff base ligands 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene (L1, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 3.856(1) A, b = 11.032(2) A, c = 12.738(3) A, beta = 92.21(3) degrees, Z = 2) and 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene (L2, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.885(2) A, b = 4.613(1) A, c = 14.978(3) A, beta = 92.827(4) degrees, Z = 2) were used in the synthesis of four new organic-inorganic coordination polymers, each of them adopting a different structural motif. Synthesis, X-ray structural determinations, and spectroscopic and thermogravimetric analyses are presented. The reaction between Co(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O and L1 afforded a two-dimensional noninterpenetrating brick-wall structure, [Co(C(12)N(4)H(10))(1.5)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(CH(2)Cl(2))(2)](n)() (1, triclinic, P1; a = 10.242(7) A, b = 10.802(7) A, c = 15.100(1) A, alpha = 70.031(1), beta = 75.168(11), gamma = 76.155(11), Z = 2), while Ni(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O combined with L1 yielded an interpenetrating three-dimensional rhombus-grid polymer, [Ni(C(12)N(4)H(10))(2)(NO(3))(2)(OC(4)H(8))(1.66)(H(2)O)(0.33)](n) (2, monoclinic, C2/c; a = 20.815(8) A, b = 23.427(8) A, c = 17.291(6) A, beta = 116.148(6), Z = 8). The reaction of Co(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O and L2 was found to be solvent-sensitive and resulted in the formation of two different noninterpenetrating compounds: [Co(C(14)N(4)H(14))(2)(NO(3))(2)(C(6)H(6))(1.5)](n)() (3, monoclinic, C2/c; a = 22.760(2) A, b = 21.010(3) A, c = 25.521(2) A, beta = 97.151(2), Z = 8), which adopts a two-dimensional square-grid motif formed by propeller-type modules, and [Co(C(14)N(4)H(14))(1.5)(NO(3))(2)(CH(2)Cl(2))(2)](n)() (4, monoclinic, P2(1)/n; a = 14.432(2) A, b = 14.543(8) A, c = 15.448(4) A, beta = 96.968(0), Z = 4), consisting of T-shaped building blocks assembled into a one-dimensional ladder-type structure. These four coordination polymers all exhibit impressive thermal stability. Thermogravimetric studies showed that after complete removal of the solvents, the frameworks are stable to temperatures between 234 degrees C and 260 degrees C.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Variation among biomes in temporal dynamics of aboveground primary production.

Interannual variability in aboveground net primary production (ANPP) was assessed with long-term (mean = 12 years) data from 11 Long Term Ecological Research sites across North America. The greatest interannual variability in ANPP occurred in grasslands and old fields, with forests the least variable. At a continental scale, ANPP was strongly correlated with annual precipitation. However, interannual variability in ANPP was not related to variability in precipitation. Instead, maximum variability in ANPP occurred in biomes where high potential growth rates of herbaceous vegetation were combined with moderate variability in precipitation. In the most dynamic biomes, ANPP responded more strongly to wet than to dry years. Recognition of the fourfold range in ANPP dynamics across biomes and of the factors that constrain this variability is critical for detecting the biotic impacts of global change phenomena.

Arctic Regions↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of differentiated dendritic cell infiltration of autoimmune and osteoarthritis synovial tissue.

OBJECTIVE: Infiltration of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial tissue (ST) by differentiated dendritic cells (DC) is a consistent feature in patients with active disease. However, mononuclear cells (MNC), including DC, may be nonspecifically chemoattracted to inflammatory sites regardless of etiology. Therefore, to evaluate the specificity of ST infiltration by differentiated DC, synovial biopsies from patients with RA, spondylarthropathy (SpA), osteoarthritis (OA), and gout were examined. METHODS: Formalin-fixed ST sections were analyzed by double immunohistochemical staining for vascularity and infiltration by differentiated DC, lymphocytes, and macrophages. RESULTS: DC containing nuclear RelB were found in perivascular MNC aggregates from patients with all arthritides studied. Infiltration by differentiated DC was similar in RA and SpA ST, but reduced in OA ST. Differentiated DC were always observed in close association with lymphocytes, and the correlation between these variables suggested that the infiltration of inflammatory sites by DC and lymphocytes was associated. CONCLUSION: Perivascular infiltration by DC, lymphocytes, and macrophages is nonspecifically related to inflammation, but signals present in RA and SpA ST lead to more intense cellular infiltration and accumulation.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Effects of intraarticular glucocorticoids on macrophage infiltration and mediators of joint damage in osteoarthritis synovial membranes: findings in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of intraarticular glucocorticoid treatment on macrophage infiltration, the expression of the chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (MIP-1alpha), and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (MMPs 1 and 3) and their inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMPs 1 and 2), in osteoarthritis (OA) synovial membranes. METHODS: Forty patients underwent arthroscopic biopsy before and 1 month after intraarticular injection of glucocorticoids. Twenty-one patients received 120 mg of methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol; Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI), and 20 patients received placebo (1 patient received placebo in 1 knee and methylprednisolone acetate in the other). Immunoperoxidase staining for the expression of CD68, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MMP-1, MMP-3, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 was performed, and the immunostaining was quantified by color video image analysis. RESULTS: CD68, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MMP-1, MMP-3, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 immunostaining was observed in all synovial membranes. Intraarticular glucocorticoid treatment was associated with a small (30%) but statistically significant (P = 0.048) reduction in CD68+ macrophage staining in the synovial lining layer, but there was no change in the CD68 expression in the synovial sublining layer. No significant differences were observed for MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MMP-1, MMP-3, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 immunostaining in the synovial lining or sublining layers. CONCLUSION: Intraarticular glucocorticoids may reduce CD68+ macrophage infiltration into the synovial lining layer, but not the expression of MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MMP-1, MMP-3, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in the synovial membrane, in patients with OA.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Brn-3a activates the expression of Bcl-x(L) and promotes neuronal survival in vivo as well as in vitro.

The determination of cell fate plays a critical role during the later stages of embryogenesis and the early postnatal period-a time during which approximately half of neurons born during neurogenesis undergo programmed cell death. It has previously been reported that the type IV POU domain transcription factor Brn-3a plays a role in the maturation and survival of sensory neuronal populations. Indeed we have shown that the long form of Brn-3a is capable of activating expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 gene and enhancing neuronal survival in cultures of sensory neurons. In this study, we report the identification of another antiapoptotic family member, Bcl-x(L), as a target gene of Brn-3a in sensory neurons, providing a further mechanism by which Brn-3a determines sensory neuronal fate during development. Bcl-x(L) gene expression is activated by Brn-3a in sensory but not in sympathetic neurons and its expression is reduced by antisense inhibition of Brn-3a expression in sensory neurons. Most importantly, both Bcl-x(L) expression and neuronal survival are enhanced by the overexpression of Brn-3a in dorsal root ganglion in vivo in a model of sciatic nerve injury in the intact animal.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Efficacy results and quality-of-life measures in men receiving sildenafil citrate for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of sildenafil citrate and its effects on quality of life (QoL) in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) using data from three multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Efficacy was evaluated using a global efficacy question (improvement of erections) and questions from the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) addressing the ability to achieve and maintain erections. QoL directly related to ED was evaluated using questions 13 and 14 of the IIEF, several psychometric instruments, and a questionnaire addressing men's concerns about their erection problems. Seventy-nine [corrected] percent of patients receiving sildenafil reported improved erections compared with 23% of patients receiving placebo (p < 0.0001); also reported were improvements in the ability to achieve and maintain erections with sildenafil but not with placebo (p < 0.0001). Improvements were also seen for other aspects of sexual function (overall satisfaction with sex life, sexual relationships with partners, concerns about erectile problems, p < 0.0001) and general mental health (well-being, self-control, satisfaction with relationship, health relative to 1 year ago, mental health; p < or = 0.05) following treatment with sildenafil. Thus, treatment of ED with sildenafil can significantly improve key QoL parameters related to sexual dysfunction and general mental health.

Adult↗