DNA sequence variants in specific genes or regions of the human genome are responsible for a variety of phenotypes such as disease risk or variable drug response. These variants can be investigated directly, or through their non-random associations with neighbouring markers (called linkage disequilibrium (LD)). Here we report measurement of LD along the complete sequence of human chromosome 22. Duplicate genotyping and analysis of 1,504 markers in Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) reference families at a median spacing of 15 kilobases (kb) reveals a highly variable pattern of LD along the chromosome, in which extensive regions of nearly complete LD up to 804 kb in length are interspersed with regions of little or no detectable LD. The LD patterns are replicated in a panel of unrelated UK Caucasians. There is a strong correlation between high LD and low recombination frequency in the extant genetic map, suggesting that historical and contemporary recombination rates are similar. This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing genome-wide maps of LD.

Induction of mild states of hyperketonemia may improve physical and cognitive performance. In this study, we determined the kinetic parameters, safety and tolerability of (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone monoester administered in the form of a meal replacement drink to healthy human volunteers. Plasma levels of β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate were elevated following administration of a single dose of the ketone monoester, whether at 140, 357, or 714 mg/kg body weight, while the intact ester was not detected. Maximum plasma levels of ketones were attained within 1–2 h, reaching 3.30 mM and 1.19 mM for β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate, respectively, at the highest dose tested. The elimination half-life ranged from 0.8–3.1 h for β-hydroxybutyrate and 8–14 h for acetoacetate. The ketone monoester was also administered at 140, 357, and 714 mg/kg body weight, three times daily, over 5 days (equivalent to 0.42, 1.07, and 2.14 g/kg/d). The ketone ester was generally well-tolerated, although some gastrointestinal effects were reported, when large volumes of milk-based drink were consumed, at the highest ketone monoester dose. Together, these results suggest ingestion of (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate is a safe and simple method to elevate blood ketone levels, compared with the inconvenience of preparing and consuming a ketogenic diet.

The reactions of iron chlorides with mesityl Grignard reagents and tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) under catalytically relevant conditions tend to yield the homoleptic "ate" complex [Fe(mes)3 ](-) (mes=mesityl) rather than adducts of the diamine, and it is this ate complex that accounts for the catalytic activity. Both [Fe(mes)3 ](-) and the related complex [Fe(Bn)3 ](-) (Bn=benzyl) react faster with representative electrophiles than the equivalent neutral [FeR2 (TMEDA)] complexes. Fe(I) species are observed under catalytically relevant conditions with both benzyl and smaller aryl Grignard reagents. The X-ray structures of [Fe(Bn)3 ](-) and [Fe(Bn)4 ](-) were determined; [Fe(Bn)4 ](-) is the first homoleptic σ-hydrocarbyl Fe(III) complex that has been structurally characterized.

The characterization and stability of superoxide radicals (O2 -) over polycrystalline TiO2 (Degussa P25) was investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The adsorbed oxygen molecules act as efficient electron scavengers and were therefore used to indirectly probe the sites of electron transfer at the surface of the anatase component of the mixed phase P25 material. A distribution of various stabilization sites on the surface was identified by analysis of the g values and further confirmed by identification of several well-resolved 17O hyperfine patterns. For the first time, on a polycrystalline TiO2 surface evidence for stabilization of superoxide radicals specifically at anion vacancy sites is presented by EPR. These radicals, labeled [Vac...O2 -], are characterized by the spin Hamiltonian parameters of g xx = 2.005, g yy = 2.011, g zz = 2.019, and 17O A xx = 7.64 mT (A yy = A zz > 1 mT). The [Vac...O2 -] radicals exhibit pronounced reactivity under the influence of thermal, photochemical, and chemical treatment compared to the remaining surface O2 - anions bound at nonvacancy sites. The extent of site occupancy was found to be sensitive to the oxygen adsorption temperature and the extent of O2 - radical migration on the surface. Thus, the stability and lifetime of the surface O2 - anions are directly correlated to the structure of the adsorption site itself at the anatase surface of P25.

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