Distinguishing causality principles

We distinguish two sub-types of each of the two causality principles formulated in connection with the Common Cause Principle in Henson (2005) and raise and investigate the problem of logical relations among the resulting four causality principles. Based in part on the analysis of the status of these four principles in algebraic quantum field theory we will argue that the four causal principles are non-equivalent.     

Mutations in LMF1 cause combined lipase deficiency and severe hypertriglyceridemia

Hypertriglyceridemia is a hallmark of many disorders, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, atherosclerosis and obesity. A well-known cause is the deficiency of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a key enzyme in plasma triglyceride hydrolysis. Mice carrying the combined lipase deficiency (cld) mutation show severe hypertriglyceridemia owing to a decrease in the activity of LPL and a related enzyme, hepatic lipase (HL), caused by impaired maturation of nascent LPL and hepatic lipase polypeptides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here we identify the gene containing the cld mutation as Tmem112 and rename it Lmf1 (Lipase maturation factor 1). Lmf1 encodes a transmembrane protein with an evolutionarily conserved domain of unknown function that localizes to the ER. A human subject homozygous for a deleterious mutation in LMF1 also shows combined lipase deficiency with concomitant hypertriglyceridemia and associated disorders. Thus, through its profound effect on lipase activity, LMF1 emerges as an important candidate gene in hypertriglyceridemia.     

Chymotrypsin C (CTRC) variants that diminish activity or secretion are associated with chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a persistent inflammatory disease of the pancreas, in which the digestive protease trypsin has a fundamental pathogenetic role. Here we have analyzed the gene encoding the trypsin-degrading enzyme chymotrypsin C (CTRC) in German subjects with idiopathic or hereditary chronic pancreatitis. Two alterations in this gene, p.R254W and p.K247_R254del, were significantly overrepresented in the pancreatitis group, being present in 30 of 901 (3.3%) affected individuals but only 21 of 2,804 (0.7%) controls (odds ratio (OR) = 4.6; confidence interval (CI) = 2.6-8.0; P = 1.3 x 10(-7)). A replication study identified these two variants in 10 of 348 (2.9%) individuals with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis but only 3 of 432 (0.7%) subjects with alcoholic liver disease (OR = 4.2; CI = 1.2-15.5; P = 0.02). CTRC variants were also found in 10 of 71 (14.1%) Indian subjects with tropical pancreatitis but only 1 of 84 (1.2%) healthy controls (OR = 13.6; CI = 1.7-109.2; P = 0.0028). Functional analysis of the CTRC variants showed impaired activity and/or reduced secretion. The results indicate that loss-of-function alterations in CTRC predispose to pancreatitis by diminishing its protective trypsin-degrading activity.     

Ring-opening and Elimination Cooligomerization of Cyclic Carbonates and ε-Caprolactone

1Introduction Cyclic carbonates e.g. ethylene- and propylene carbonate undergo ring-opening polymerization (ROP) at elevated temperatures (＞ 100 ℃ ) in the presence of initiators such as Lewis acids, bases, or transesterification catalysts to yield poly(ether carbonates) as outlined below. See Fig. 1.     

Komplex-Stabilität und tuberkulostatische Aktivität einiger 8-Oxychinolinderivate

Summary Based on polarographic viz. spectrophotometric determinations of the stabilities of several Cu⁺⁺- and Co⁺⁺⁺ hydroxyquinolin complexes it has been shown that a correlation exists between the quotient of complex-stabilitiesK _Co ⁺⁺⁺ /K _Cu ⁺⁺ and antitubercular activity (cf. table and graph). This supports the hypothesis that the 8-hydroxyquinolin derivatives and analogues act by competitive antagonism; the Cu⁺⁺-hydroxy-quinolates are able to replace Co in a prosthetic group of Mycobacterium-enzyme with Cu.

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Vorgetragen an der Organisch-Chemischen Konferenz des Vereines ungarischer Chemiker, 27. September 1953.

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III. Mitteilung: Acta chim. Hungarica (im Druck).     

Synthesis of Telechelic Polyisobutylenes and Polyethers and Their Characterization

Telechelic polymers have attained great consideration as building blocks in the synthesis of block copolymers and networks. Telechelic polymers with various endgroups are also widely used materials for the preparation of polymeric prodrugs. Several methods have been reported to obtain functionalized polymers from the corresponding polyisobutylene （PIB） and polyether derivatives. In this presentation, we will demonstrate very versatile and powerful synthetic methods to obtain telechelic polymers.     

A degradation-sensitive anionic trypsinogen (PRSS2) variant protects against chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a common inflammatory disease of the pancreas. Mutations in the genes encoding cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1) and the pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (SPINK1) are associated with chronic pancreatitis. Because increased proteolytic activity owing to mutated PRSS1 enhances the risk for chronic pancreatitis, mutations in the gene encoding anionic trypsinogen (PRSS2) may also predispose to disease. Here we analyzed PRSS2 in individuals with chronic pancreatitis and controls and found, to our surprise, that a variant of codon 191 (G191R) is overrepresented in control subjects: G191R was present in 220/6,459 (3.4%) controls but in only 32/2,466 (1.3%) affected individuals (odds ratio 0.37; P = 1.1 x 10(-8)). Upon activation by enterokinase or trypsin, purified recombinant G191R protein showed a complete loss of trypsin activity owing to the introduction of a new tryptic cleavage site that renders the enzyme hypersensitive to autocatalytic proteolysis. In conclusion, the G191R variant of PRSS2 mitigates intrapancreatic trypsin activity and thereby protects against chronic pancreatitis.     

On the history of the isomorphism problem of dynamical systems with special regard to von Neumann’s contribution

This article reviews some major episodes in the history of the spatial isomorphism problem of dynamical systems theory (ergodic theory). In particular, by analysing, both systematically and in historical context, a hitherto unpublished letter written in 1941 by John von Neumann to Stanislaw Ulam, this article clarifies von Neumann’s contribution to discovering the relationship between spatial isomorphism and spectral isomorphism. The main message of the article is that von Neumann’s argument described in his letter to Ulam is the very first proof that spatial isomorphism and spectral isomorphism are not equivalent because spectral isomorphism is weaker than spatial isomorphism: von Neumann shows that spectrally isomorphic ergodic dynamical systems with mixed spectra need not be spatially isomorphic.     

New Biodegradable Thermoplastic Multiblock Copolymers from Lactic Acid, ε-Caprolactone, Poly(Ethylene Oxide) and Toluene Diisocyanate

1Introduction The interest in finding new biodegradable materials for applications in important areas has been motivated by environmental protection aspects. Foremost among the potentially biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, poly(lactic acid) and poly(ε-caprolactone) received considerable attention as their potential application in a wide range of biomedical and pharmaceutical areas was recognized.