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Biomedical subjects

N Martin

Publications and source records attributed to N Martin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Genetics of cognition: outline of a collaborative twin study.

A multidisciplinary collaborative study examining cognition in a large sample of twins is outlined. A common experimental protocol and design is used in The Netherlands, Australia and Japan to measure cognitive ability using traditional IQ measures (i.e., psychometric IQ), processing speed (e.g., reaction time [RT] and inspection time [IT]), and working memory (e.g., spatial span, delayed response [DR] performance). The main aim is to investigate the genetic covariation among these cognitive phenotypes in order to use the correlated biological markers in future linkage and association analyses to detect quantitative-trait loci (QTLs). We outline the study and methodology, and report results from our preliminary analyses that examines the heritability of processing speed and working memory indices, and their phenotypic correlation with IQ. Heritability of Full Scale IQ was 87% in the Netherlands, 83% in Australia, and 71% in Japan. Heritability estimates for processing speed and working memory indices ranged from 33-64%. Associations of IQ with RT and IT (-0.28 to -0.36) replicated previous findings with those of higher cognitive ability showing faster speed of processing. Similarly, significant correlations were indicated between IQ and the spatial span working memory task (storage [0.31], executive processing [0.37]) and the DR working memory task (0.25), with those of higher cognitive ability showing better memory performance. These analyses establish the heritability of the processing speed and working memory measures to be used in our collaborative twin study of cognition, and support the findings that individual differences in processing speed and working memory may underlie individual differences in psychometric IQ.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kDa) monotherapy: a novel agent for chronic hepatitis C therapy.

Current therapy for hepatitis C remains far from optimal. The modification of IFN by the attachment of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety has produced long-lasting IFNs. A 40 kDa branched peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kDa) (PEG-IFN alfa-2a) has unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. PEG-IFN alfa-2a is absorbed in a sustained manner and its clearance is reduced substantially compared with IFN alfa-2a, resulting in sustained serum drug concentrations. These constant serum drug levels stay above the EC(50) values (effective concentration 50%) needed for antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory actions. Sustained virological responses were significantly greater in patients who received PEG-IFN alfa-2a versus IFN alfa-2a, with a similar side effect profile. Histological improvements were seen in patients who achieved sustained virological responses and were frequently observed among patients who did not achieve a virological response. The advantages of PEG-IFN alfa-2a were also seen in patients with cirrhosis or hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effect of task-relevant cues and state anxiety on motor performance.

12 experienced, female trampolinists participated in a field study designed to test the conscious processing hypothesis, which predicts that the combination of task-relevant knowledge and high state anxiety will impair motor performance. Results supported the hypothesis; however, an alternative attentional explanation of the data was also identified.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Aroma compound production in cheese curd by coculturing with selected yeast and bacteria.

The microorganisms involved in cheese ripening produce various volatile compounds and induce typical flavors that contribute to cheese variety. To investigate aroma compound generation of cheese microflora, we used a dynamic headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. To obtain good sensitivity and repeatability of quantification, dynamic headspace conditions and sample preparation were first optimized and led to an extraction set up in which samples were heated at 60 degrees C and diluted with water without pH adjustment. Then three different yeasts and three Geotrichum candidum commonly used in mold surface ripened cheeses were studied in pure culture in a cheese model medium. Thirty-nine cocultures of these three yeasts, the three G. candidum, and five bacteria were studied in the same medium to assess the interaction between microorganisms on aroma compound production. Twenty-four volatile compounds belonging to different chemical classes (alcohols, aldehydes, esters, sulfides, terpenes) were identified and quantified. Yeasts and especially Kluyveromyces lactis produced large amounts of alcohols, aldehydes, esters, and terpenes when cultured alone or in association. Geotrichum candidum and especially G. candidum strain G3 generated the largest amount of sulfides when cultured alone or in association. Finally, bacteria also produced aroma compounds but, except for Brevibacterium linens strain B5, which produced dimethyl trisulfide and ketones, no specific trend in the production of particular aroma compounds could be evidenced.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2001

Posterior restorations--a clinical view.

This paper examines the state-of-the-art in the direct restoration of posterior teeth. The existing paradigms for the management of caries are questioned and some existing methods of cavity preparation are reviewed. Dental restorations need to be durable but able to adapt to a changing environment brought about by wear of the adjacent tooth substance and by fatigue processes within the tooth itself. The wear of restorative materials needs to be matched to that of the tooth, otherwise differential loss of either the restorative material or the enamel may destabilize the occlusion. Esthetic instability due to natural darkening of the tooth with age, punctuated by clinical intervention with bleaching procedures, adds a further dimension to the concept of a permanent restoration. Clinical methods that minimize the disruptive effects of dental restorations upon the remaining tooth structure are a continuing challenge.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed2001

CEREC: science, research, and clinical application.

Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM), as embodied in the CEREC system, enables the fabrication of high-quality esthetic ceramic restorations chairside. Resin cements are used to complete the clinical process, providing a high-strength, stress-free adhesive assembly. The current generation of CEREC technology can be used to create restorations with a repeatable 50-micron adhesive interface width. Systematic analysis of the literature on clinical trials of CEREC restorations indicates a high level of clinical success. CEREC technology is compatible with contemporary, conservative cavity preparation design and limits pulpal trauma by completing complex restorations in a single visit. The occlusal form of CEREC restorations can be machined with full regard to the patient's occlusion, using functionally generated pathway recordings.

Ceramics↗
PubMed2000

Intramolecular electronic interactions in conjugated ferrocene-pi-extended-tetrathiafulvalene donor-pi-donor molecular hybrids

The synthesis of new hybrid ferrocene and pi-extended tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donor(1)-pi-donor(2) molecular assemblies 16a-c has been carried out by a Wittig-Horner reaction of the respective phosphonate esters 15a-c with 2-(2-ferrocenylvinyl)-9, 10-anthraquinone (18) prepared by olefination of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde (14) and the anthraquinone phosphonium salt 17. Electrochemical studies show that the D(1)-pi-D(2) (D = donor) molecular assemblies 16a-c essentially retain the redox characteristics of both ferrocene and the pi-extended TTF components and the effects of solvent, temperature, scan rate, and working electrode are significant. Most importantly, pronounced intramolecular electronic interactions between the two donor moieties were observed by cyclic voltammetry and Osteryoung square wave voltammetry in both the ground and charged states. Semiempirical calculations support the electrochemical observations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

A new photoactive and highly soluble C(60)-TTF-C(60) dimer: charge separation and recombination

The covalent linkage of two [60]fullerene cores to a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donor affords a soluble and photoactive C(60)-TTF-C(60) triad. Spectroscopic and photophysical characterization of the C(60)-TTF-C(60) triad are given. Although the cyclic voltammetry measurements reveal no notable interaction between the chromophores in the ground state, photophysical data show that in the excited state an intramolecular electron transfer, evolving from the TTF donor to the singlet state of C(60), prevails, yielding a long-lived charge separated radical pair.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis and characterization of novel optically active polyarylene vinylenes with controlled effective conjugation length

New chiral and soluble binaphthyl derivatives (12 and 13) endowed with carboxaldehyde or cyanomethyl functional groups have been prepared as suitable building blocks for the synthesis by Knoevenagel condensation of a series of optically active block copolymers (1-7) with controlled effective conjugation length. A variety of functionalized co-monomers (14-19) have been prepared by different synthetic procedures to be used in further polymerization reactions with binaphthyl derivatives 12 and 13. Depending upon the nature of the co-monomers, it is possible to tune the wavelength of the new polymers, which is very close to that of the respective repeating units. Fluorescence measurements on polymers 1-3 reveal a strong blue-green emission with Stokes shifts of 74-107 nm. Theoretical calculations at the semiempirical AM-1 level have been carried out on model compounds, and the calculated torsion angles are in agreement with the electronic spectra data. Finally, the redox properties of the polymers prepared (1-7) were determined by cyclic voltammetry, and an amphoteric behavior with oxidation potentials ranging from 1.1 to 1.6 V and reduction potentials close to -1.5 V was found.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

New chiral binaphthyl building blocks: synthesis of the first optically active tetrathiafulvalene and 11,11,12,12-tetracyano-9, 10-anthraquinodimethane dimers

New enantiomerically pure binaphthyl derivatives bearing triphenylphosphine or phosphonate groups have been synthesized and used as building blocks to prepare the first optically active TTF and TCAQ dimers. Due to the restricted rotation of the two naphthalene rings, binaphthyl derivatives are ideal candidates to be used as nonplanar spacers between electroactive units in the search for materials with enhanced dimensionality. The electronic absorption spectra of dimers in which the electroactive unit is in conjugation with the naphthalene fragment reveal the presence of intramolecular photoinduced electron-transfer process from the TTF to the naphthalene unit in 5 and 6 and from the naphthalene moiety to the TCAQ unit in 7. Electrochemical studies on the new dimers show the redox potentials of TTF and TCAQ units as well as the oxidation wave for the naphthalene moiety and reveal no significant electronic interaction between the two electroactive units, which is in agreement with the results obtained from theoretical calculations at the PM-3 level which indicate that the angle between rings in the binaphthyl systems ranges from 75 to 80 degrees.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

[60]Fullerene adducts with improved electron acceptor properties [In Process Citation]

The synthesis of C(60)-based dyads in which the C(60) core is covalently attached to a strong electron acceptor moiety such as quinones, TCNQ or DCNQI derivatives, has been carried out by 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition of "in situ" generated azomethyne ylides or nitrile oxides to C(60). As expected, the obtained pyrrolidino[3', 4':1,2][60]fullerenes exhibit reduction potentials of the C(60) framework which are cathodically shifted in comparison with the parent C(60). In contrast, isoxazolo[4',5':1,2][60]fullerenes show reduction waves for the fullerene core that are anodically shifted in comparison with the parent C(60), which indicates that they are remarkably stronger acceptors than C(60).The electron acceptor organic addend also undergoes an anodic shift due to the electronic interaction with the C(60) moiety. The molecular geometry of pyrrolidinofullerenes has been calculated at the semiempirical PM3 level and reveals a highly distorted geometry for the acceptor moiety in compound 13, and a most stable conformation in which both dicyanomethylene units are far away from the C(60) surface.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Donor/Acceptor fulleropyrrolidine triads

New C(60)-based triads, constituted by a fulleropyrrolidine moiety and two different electroactive units [donor 1-donor 2 (10, 15a,b), or donor 1-acceptor (17, 21)], have been synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethyne ylides to C(60) and further acylation reaction on the pyrrolidine nitrogen. The electrochemical study reveals some electronic interaction between the redox-active chromophores. Triads bearing tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and ferrocene (Fc) (10) or pi-extended TTFs and Fc (15a,b) show reduction potentials for the C(60) moiety which are cathodically shifted in comparison to the parent C(60). In contrast, triads endowed with Fc and anthraquinone (AQ) (17) or Fc and tetracyanoanthraquinodimethane (TCAQ) (21) present reduction potentials for the C(60) moiety similar to C(60). Fluorescence experiments and time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy reveal intramolecular electron transfer (ET) processes from the stronger electron donor (i.e., TTF or extended TTF) to the fullerene singlet excited state, rather than from the poorer ferrocene donor in 10, 15a,b. No evidence for a subsequent ET from ferrocene to TTF(*)(+) or pi-extended TTF(*)(+) was observed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis and properties of conjugated hybrid tetrathiafulvalene dimers

The synthesis of new hybrid tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) dimers (11a-c) has been carried out by a Wittig-Horner reaction of the respective phosphonate esters (10a-c) with 2-(tetrathiafulvalenylvinyl)-9, 10-anthraquinone (9) prepared by olefination of formyltetrathiafulvalene (7) and the phosphonium salt of anthraquinone 8. Electrochemical studies show that the dimers 11a-c mainly retain the electrochemical properties of both TTF and the pi-extended TTF components, and most importantly, intramolecular electronic interactions between the two moieties are observed by cyclic voltammetry and Osteryoung square wave voltammetry. Semiempirical PM3 calculations reveal an almost planar geometry for the TTF and the benzene ring connected through the vinyl spacer. These compounds can form stable charge-transfer complexes with 2, 3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) showing a stoichiometry of 1:3 (D:A). Attempts to electrocrystallize the dimeric donors with different counteranions are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

CYP17 promotor polymorphism and ovarian cancer risk.

The CYP17 gene encodes the cytochrome P450c17alpha enzyme, which functions at 2 different points in the steroid biosynthesis pathway, and is considered a candidate susceptibility gene for endocrine-related tumors. A T to C substitution polymorphism exists in the 5' promoter region of this gene, and creates an additional Sp1-type motif. Several studies have examined this polymorphism as a risk factor for breast cancer, but results have been conflicting. We examined 319 cases of ovarian cancer and 298 unaffected controls for the T-C polymorphism. There was no significant difference between cases and controls for the allele frequencies (p = 0.6), or for genotype distribution (p = 0.9). The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for ovarian cancer was 1.13 (0.70-1.82) for the putative "cancer susceptibility" CC genotype and 1.07 (0.77-1.48) for any C allele (CC or CT genotype). Results were little different after adjustment for age. Stratification of the ovarian cancer cases according to form (benign, low malignant potential or invasive), histology, grade or stage failed to reveal any heterogeneity with respect to CYP17 genotype. Our data provide no evidence for an association between ovarian cancer risk and the genotype defined by the CYP17 5' promoter region T-C polymorphism.

Adenocarcinoma↗