The simpler, the better: Phenol is synthesized by the direct oxidation of benzene under air (15 atm) and CO (10 atm) with molybdovanadophosphoric acid as the catalyst (see scheme). Activated molecular oxygen serves as the oxidant and phenol is produced in 28 % yield. The catalyst can be recovered and reused.

We review the utility of serum anticholinergic activity (SAA) as a peripheral marker of anticholinergic activity (AA) in the central nervous system (CAA). We hypothesize that the compensatory mechanisms of the cholinergic system do not contribute to SAA if their system is intact and that if central cholinergic system deteriorates alone in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or Lewy body dementia, CAA and SAA are caused by way of hyperactivity of inflammatory system and SAA is a marker of the anticholinergic burden in CNS. Taking into account the diurnal variations in the plasma levels of corticosteroids, which are thought to affect SAA, it should be measured at noon or just afterward.

The infectivity of the H9N2 virus to MDCK cells was time-dependently inhibited by Cu(2+) at concentrations of 2.5-250 microM. In 25 microM Cu(2+) solution, the virus titer decreased by approximately 3 and 4 log within 3 and 6 h, respectively. Compared to Cu(2+), Zn(2+) was much less effective in virus inactivation. The H9N2 virus hemagglutinin activity was not affected by 2.5-250 microM Cu(2+). The H9N2 virus neuraminidase (NA) activity was drastically reduced by 25 mM Cu(2+), marginally reduced by 250 microM Cu(2+), and not affected by 25 microM Cu(2+). Thus, we found that copper ions suppress the infectivity of influenza virus at lower concentrations at which neither NA nor hemagglutination inhibition occurs. Electron microscopic analysis revealed morphological abnormalities of the Cu(2+)-treated H9N2 virus. Additional studies should be undertaken to clarify the mechanism underlying the antiviral effect of copper ions on influenza virus.

The oxidative coupling reaction of benzenes with alkenes was successfully achieved by the Pd(OAc)(2)/molybdovanadophosphoric acid (HPMoV)/O(2) system. For example, the reaction of benzene with ethyl acrylate by the above catalytic system in acetic acid afforded ethyl cinnamate as a major product in satisfactory yield.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often have sensory processing abnormalities. However, limited measures that assess these problems in adults with ASD have been developed till date, particularly in Japan. Robertson and Simmons (2012) developed a self-rating scale to investigate sensory sensitivity: the Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (GSQ). In the present study, we developed a Japanese version of GSQ and investigated sensory abnormalities in adults with ASD. We compared results of the Japanese