bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of an Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitor on GTP Cyclohydrolase I Activity in the Rat Brain
Authors: Sakamoto Hideo , Fujita Ko , Kuzuya Hiroshi 
Published: March 2013

Summary Based on the hypothesis that catecholamine decreases may cause increases in biopterin, we measured the GTP cyclohydrolase I(GTPCH-I) activity and biopterin content in the cerebral cortex, midbrain/diencephalon, cerebeilum, pons/medulla oblongata, striatum , and hippocampus of brains from rats given NSDlOIS, an inhibitor for aromatic amino acid decarboxylase . The catecholamine contents decreased in all the regions tested. The changes in the GTPCH -I activity and bioptcrin content were different among the regions; they decreased in some regions contrary to expectations and increased in other regions. However, either the enzyme activity or biopterin content increased in the midbrain/ diencephalon and pons/ medulla oblongata, in which similar levels of catecholamines, GTPCH -I activity and biopterin were detected. These results suggest that for the midbrain/diencephalon and pons/medulla oblongata the surmise that a decrease in catecholamines causes an increase in the biopterin synthesis may be correct.
Auto-oxidation of 5,6,7 ,8-tetrahydroneopterin
Authors: Arai Toshiyuki , Mori Hiroko , Ishii Hisanari , Suzuki Toshinori , Kojima Shuji , Mori Kenjiro 
Published: March 2013

Summary Auto-oxidation of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroneopterin (NPH4 ) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) was examined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. In the chromatograms obtained every 30 min after NPH4 was dissolved in PBS, the peak of NPH4 gradually decreased and almost disappeared 90 min after the dissolution. In contrast, another peak of an unidentified substance (one of dihydroneopterins), appeared from the first time, gradually increased and became most dominant among various peaks 60 min after. The peak of 7,8-dihydroneopterin (7,8-NPH2) appeared 30 min after and gradually increased, but its height was less than that of the above-mentioned peak from first to last. These results indicate that NPH4 is readily oxidized by dissolved oxygen in PBS to produce 7,8-NPH2 and other dihydroneopterins before the reaction with oxygen free radicals and that the substances which actually serve as antioxidants in vivo are these dihydroneopterins.
Pteridines and Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Rudzite Vera , Jurika Edite , Baier-Bitterlich Gabriele , Widner Bernhard , Reibnegger Gilbert , Fuchs Dietmar 
Published: March 2013

Summary The effect of 9 different pteridines on fatty acid incorporation into phospholipids as well as on cholesterol and phospholipid content was compared in vitro using rat liver homogenate, Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer containing 0.3 % albumin (pH=7.4), fatty acid mixture and glycerol. D-neopterin (5-30 pmol/g) induced an increase of saturated, a decrease of unsaturated fatty acids incorporation into phospholipids and elevated the cholesterol content in samples. The phospholipid amount in samples remained unchanged. Sepiapterin, 7,8-dihydrobiopterin, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin, biopterin, monapterin and 7,8-dihydroneopterin addition to samples induced an inverse relationship: a decrease of saturated, an increase of unsaturated fatty acid, especially arachidonic acid, incorporation into phospholipids and the decrease of cholesterol content in samples. The phospholipid amount in samples remained unchanged or increased. Lipid metabolism was not altered after addition of xanthopterin and isoxanthopterin to samples. It was suggested that neopterin decreased membrane fluidity, prevented cell cycle, induced cell dystrophy and apoptosis, and promoted the cholesterol precipitation while tetrahydrobiopterin, its precursors, biopterin, monapterin and dihydroneopterin increased membrane fluidity, stimulated cell cycle, prevented cholesterol precipitation. The data point to a potential role of increased neopterin concentrations in vivo to support atherosclerosis development and progression whereas the other pteridines may have a protective effect. Moreover, these pteridines can also promote cell transformation.
Difference and Similarity of Serotonin and Pteridines to Act on Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Rudzite Vera , Jurika Edite , Jirgensons Janis , Widner Bernhard , Weiss Guenter , Fuchs Dietmar 
Published: March 2013

Summary Incorporation of fatty acids into phospholipids has been investigated using samples of rat liver homogenate, Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer (pH=7.4) containing 0.3% albumin, fatty acid mixture and glycerol. The addition of neopterin, serotonin (0.2 and 2.0 nmoljg wet weight) without iproniasid and 5- hydroxyindoleacetic acid (20.0 nmoljg wet weight) induced an increase of saturated and a decrease of unsaturated, especially arachidonic acid, incorporation into phospholipids. These changes were accompanied with elevated cholesterol content in samples. The addition of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (5 and 30 pmolj g wet weight) and serotonin (0.2 and 2.0 nmoljg wet weight) together with iproniasid (10 nmoljg wet weight) to incubation medium for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro induced a decrease of saturated and an increase of unsaturated, especially arachidonic acid, incorporation into phospholipids. These changes were accompanied with decreased cholesterol content in samples. The influence of serotonin without iproniasid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was similar to that of neopterin, kynurenine and noradrenaline observed earlier, while the influence of serotonin together with iproniasid was similar to that of 5,6,7,8- tetrahydrobiopterin and its precursors found earlier. Our results allow to suggest that in the studied concentrations serotonin increases, while 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid decreases membrane fluidity.
Serum Biopterin as a Marker of Immune Activation in the Spontaneously Diabetic BB Rat
Authors: Galloway Tamara , Braven Jim , Barley Jas , Rokos Hartmut , Wilkin Terence 
Published: March 2013

Summary Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), is a pteridine product which is released by rodent macrophages and fibroblasts upon activation by cytokines. It has previously been reported as a potentially useful marker for monitoring immune activation during the prediabetic prodrome in the spontaneously diabetic BB rat. We have used serial serum BH4 measurements, first to confirm the hypothesis that serum BH4 is elevated as a result of immunostimulation, and second to monitor more closely the serum BH4 levels during the prediabetic prodrome in a cohort of diabetes prone BB rats. A modified biopterin radioimmunoassay protocol was used to establish a reference range of 25.5-80.1 nmolll (95% confidence limits) for 70 Wistar rats of mean age six months. When eight adult Wistar rats were treated with sic BCG there was a significant increase in serum BH4 level (p<O.Ol) which returned to pre-treatment levels by day 16, coincident with the disappearance of visible signs of inflammation. A cohort of 26 diabetes prone BB rats, their diabetes resistant controls (n=20) and a cohort of Wistar controls (n=20) were then used to monitor serum BH4 levels from 30-120 days of age, at frequent intervals. The diabetes incidence in the diabetes prone animals was 100% with a mean age of onset of 80 days. The serum tetrahydrobiopterin level was significantly higher at day 30 in all three groups (p< 0.05) than at any other time point. The serum BH4 level in the diabetes prone group was significantly higher at day 30 (p<O.Ol ) and day 60 (p<0.05) than in either control group. These results show that serum BH4 is a sensitive marker for immune activation following subcubaneous injection of BCG in the rat, and is detectable using RIA. Serum BH4 was maximum in this study at day 30, but the significantly higher levels at days 30 and 60 in the diabetes prone compared with the diabetes resistant animals suggest that the immune activation characteristic of prediabetes can be detected biochemically in blood samples.
Neopterin and Cytokines in Hereditary Dystonia and Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Nagatsu T. , Ichinose H. , Mogi M. , Togari A. 
Published: March 2013

β
Both neopterin and biopterin concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with Parkinson's disease, in which the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons degenerate, were lower than those from age-matched older control subjects. However, the decrease in biopterin was more marked than that in neopterin, resulting in the increase in the neopterin/ biopterin ratio in Parkinson's disease. These results suggests that neopterin in cerebrospinal fluid in Parkinson's disease may partly be derived from immunoactivated glial cells, besides catecholamine or serotonin n eurons including nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. In accordance to this hypothesis, cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-2 , IL-6, EGF, TGF-α, TGF-β1) were found to be increased in the striatum and/or in cerebrospinal fluid. The increment of cytokines in the brain in Parkinson's disease may be related to the mechanism of neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease . In contrast to Parkinson's disease, in hereditary progressive dystonia/ dopa-responsive dystonia, which is a dopamine deficiency caused by mutations in GTP cyclohydrolase I without neuronal cell death (Segawa's disease), neopterin and biopterin in cerebrospinal fluid decreases in parallel owing to the decreased activity in GTP cyclohydrolase I .
Neopterin in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Nassonov Eugeney L. , Samsonov Mikhail Y. , Wirleitner Barbara , Tilz Gernot P. , Fuchs Dietmar 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Neopterin concentrations in body fluids allow to monitor the activation status of the cellular ( =Thl-type) llnmune system in an easy but also sensitive way. Autoimmune disease result from deterioration of almost .1,1 immune system compartments. Rheumatic disorders comprise an important group of diseases featuring several aspects of autoimmune disorders. Already several years ago increased neopterin concentrations were Jemonstrated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and later on in patients with systemic lupus erythemarosus. Neopterin concentrations were fowld to correlate with the activity of the diseases and to conveniently indicate effects of therapy. Similar data were obtained in patients with acute rheumatic fever, and more recently, the utility of neopterin determination was also demonstrated in patients with Wegeners granulomatosis and with polymytositis/dermatomyositis. In this article we intend to summarize the current knowledge about the usefulness of neopterin measurements in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Similarity Between the Action of Pteridines and Tryptophan Metabolites on Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Rudzite Vera , Jurika Edite , Widner Bernhard , Fuchs Dietmar 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Incorporation of fatty acids into phospholipids has been investigated using samples of rat liver tissue homogenate, Krebs-Ringer-phosphate buffer (pH=7.4) containing 0.3% albumin, fatty acid mixture and glycerol. The addition of anthranilic acid (2.2 and 4 nmol/g wet weight), kynurenic acid (4 and 40 nmol/ g wet weight), xanthurenic acid (4 and 40 nmol/g wet weight), picolinic acid (0.2 and 2 nmol/g wet weight) induced an increase of saturated and a decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids incorporation into phospholipids as well as an eleyation of choksterol concentration in samples used for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro. These changes were similar to those observed after addition of kynurenine and neopterin to the same test system, An inverse relationship has been observed after addition of nicotinic acid to samples used for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro. Nicrotinic acid induced .1 decrease of saturated and an increase of unsaturated fatty acids incorporation into phospholipids as well as decrease of cholesterol concentration in samples, These changes were similar to those observed after addition of 3-hydroxykynurenine, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, quinolinic, acid, 5,6],8-tetrahydrobiopterin and its precursors to the same test system used rex phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro. In parallel anthranilic acid, kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid and picolinic acid decrease while nicotinic acid increases membrane fluidity in the studied concentrations.
Natural durability of organomodified layered silicate filled wood flour reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: Kord Behzad 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe effect of organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT) loading on the natural durability properties of polypropylene/wood flour composites exposed to brown-rot fungi (Coniophora puteana) was studied. To meet this objective, the blend composites were prepared through the melt mixing of polypropylene/wood flour at 50% weight ratios, with various amounts of OMMT (0, 3 and 6 per hundred compounds [phc]) in a hake internal mixer. The samples were then made by injection molding. The amount of coupling agent was fixed at 2 phc for all formulations. After specimen and culture medium preparation, the specimens were exposed to the purified fungus at 25°C and 75% relative humidity for 14 weeks. Identical specimens of the same composite, without being exposed to the fungus, were provided as the control specimens. After the discussed periods; weight loss, flexural strength, flexural modulus, hardness, water absorption, and thickness swelling of specimens were measured. Results indicated that OMMT had significant effects on the natural durability of the studied composite formulations. All mechanical properties were affected by the fungus, to a greater extent in the case of specimens without OMMT than the specimens with OMMT. Furthermore, the flexural strength and modulus increased with an increase of OMMT up to 3 phc and then decreased. However, the impact strength, water absorption and thickness swelling was decreased with increase of OMMT loading. Also, the lowest weight loss and the highest hardness were observed in the composite containing 6 phc organoclay. The morphology of the nanocomposites was examined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Morphological findings revealed that intercalation came from the sample with 3 phc concentration of OMMT, which implies the formation of intercalation morphology and better dispersion than 6 phc.
Integrating “Back to Sleep” Recommendations Into Neonatal ICU Practice
Authors: Gelfer Polina , Cameron Ricci , Masters Kathy , Kennedy Kathleen A. 
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses that NICUs should endorse and model the sudden infant deaths syndrome risk-reduction recommendations significantly before anticipated discharge of the infant. Medical personnel are critical role models for parents, and the way they position infants in the hospital strongly influences parental practices at home. The aims of this project were to increase the percentage of infants following safe sleep practices in the NICU before discharge and to determine if improving compliance with these practices would influence parent behavior at home.

METHODS:
An algorithm detailing when to start safe sleep practices, a “Back to Sleep” crib card, educational programs for nurses and parents, a crib audit tool, and postdischarge telephone reminders were developed as quality improvement intervention strategies.

RESULTS:
NICU compliance with supine positioning increased from 39% to 83% (P &lt; .001), provision of a firm sleeping surface increased from 5% to 96% (P &lt; .001), and the removal of soft objects from the bed improved from 45% to 75% (P = .001). Through the use of a postdischarge telephone survey, parental compliance with safe sleep practices was noted to improve from 23% to 82% (P &lt; .001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Multifactorial interventions improved compliance with safe sleep practices in the NICU and at home.
Postpartum Anxiety and Maternal-Infant Health Outcomes
Authors: Paul Ian M. , Downs Danielle S. , Schaefer Eric W. , Beiler Jessica S. , Weisman Carol S. 
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE:
Postpartum anxiety screening does not typically occur, despite changes in life roles and responsibility after childbirth. We sought to determine the prevalence of postpartum anxiety during the maternity hospitalization and its associations with maternal and child outcomes. We further aimed to compare correlates of anxiety with correlates of depression.

METHODS:
For a randomized controlled trial of mothers with “well” newborns ≥34 weeks’ gestation comparing 2 post–hospital discharge care models, mothers completed baseline in-person interviews during the postpartum stay and telephone surveys at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months to assess health care use, breastfeeding duration, anxiety, and depression. All participants intended to breastfeed. State anxiety scores ≥40 on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and depression scores ≥12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Survey (EPDS) were considered positive.

RESULTS:
A total of 192 (17%) of 1123 participating mothers had a positive baseline STAI; 62 (6%) had a positive EPDS. Primiparity was associated with a positive STAI (20% vs 15%, P = .02), but not a positive EPDS (4% vs 7%, P = .05). Positive STAI scores were associated with cesarean delivery (22% vs 15%, P = .001), reduced duration of breastfeeding (P = .003), and increased maternal, but not infant total unplanned health care utilization within 2 weeks of delivery (P = .001). Positive STAI scores occurred more frequently than positive EPDS scores at each assessment through 6 months postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS:
Postpartum state anxiety is a common, acute phenomenon during the maternity hospitalization that is associated with increased maternal health care utilization after discharge and reduced breastfeeding duration. State anxiety screening during the postpartum stay could improve these outcomes.
Development of indium-rich InGaN epilayers for integrated tandem solar cells
Authors: Melton A. G. , Kucukgok B. , Wang B-Z. , Dietz N. , Lu N. , Ferguson I. T. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTInGaN epilayers have been investigated for use in photovoltaic solar cells for the past years. At present, almost all photovoltaic device structures reported have exhibited very low short circuit currents and thus very low solar conversion efficiency. This phenomenon has been attributed to point and extended defect chemistry in InGaN epilayers (e.g. vacancies, misfit dislocations, and V-defects), as well as to spinodal decomposition of the strained InGaN wurtzite lattice system. These defects become more dominant for higher indium concentration InGaN epilayers needed for multijunction photovoltaic device structures. In this work, we will report on the growth and characterization of indium-rich InGaN epilayers that have been grown by novel MOCVD growth technology, including the growth at superatmospheric reactor pressures.
The Effect of Ti Interla Yer on the Hillock Formation of Al-0.5WT%Cu Films on the Tin/Ti/SiO2/Si Multilayer Structure
Authors: Wang L. P. , Chuang A. , Huang F. S. , Hwang J. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTThe hillock formation of Al-0.5wt%Cu films on TiN/Ti/SiO2/Si and T1N/SiO2/Si multilayer structures was investigated by the observation of FESEM. Two types of hillocks, large and small, were observed in both multilayer structures with or without Ti after annealing at 400°C for 30 minutes. A wedge-like plateau appeared next to the large hillock in the multilayer structure without Ti interlayer. The small hillock also exhibited wedge-like morphology in the same multilayer structure. Both wedge-like plateau and small wedge-like hillocks oriented toward the same direction, which disappeared in the multilayer structure with Ti interlayer. The difference in hillock morphology on these two types of multilayer has been correlated to the difference in the extent of Al(111) texture, which was characterized by the off-axis angle and orientation factors in X-ray ψ scan analysis. The wedge-like hillocks in multilayer without Ti were aligned along the tilted direction with larger off-axis angle in ψ scan. The Al(111) texture was largely improved due to the insertion of Ti into multilayer structure.
Damage and Dopant Profiles Produced by Ultra-Shallow Boron And Arsenic Ion Implants into Silicon at Different Temperatures Characterised by Medium Energy Ion Scattering.
Authors: van den Berg J. A. , Armour D. G. , Zhang S. , Whelan S. , Werner M. , Collart E. H. J. , Goldberg R. D. , Bailey P. , Noakes T. C. Q. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractMedium energy ion scattering (MEIS), operated at sub-nm depth resolution in the double alignment configuration, has been used to examine implant and damage depth profiles formed in Si(100) substrates irradiated with 2.5 keV As+ and 1 keV B+ ions. Samples were implanted at temperatures varying between 150°C, and 300°C to doses ranging from 3X1014 to 2X1016 cm-2. For the As implants the MEIS studies demonstrate the occurrence of effects such as a dopant accommodation linked to the growth in depth of the damage layer, dopant clustering, as well as damage and dopant movement upon annealing. Following epitaxial regrowth at 600°C, approximately half of the As was observed to be in substitutional sites, consistent with the reported formation of AsnV complexes (n≤4), while the remainder became segregated and became trapped within a narrow, 1.1 nm wide layer at the Si/oxide interfaceMEIS measurements of the B implants indicate the formation of two distinct damage regions each with a different dependence on implant dose, the importance of dynamic annealing for implants at room temperature and above, and a competing point defect trapping effect at the Si/oxide interface. B+ implantation at low temperature resulted in the formation of an amorphous layer due to the drastic reduction of dynamic annealing processes.Notably different dopant distributions were measured by SIMS in the samples implanted with As at different temperatures following rapid thermal annealing (RTA) up to 1100°C in an oxidising environment. Implant temperature dependent interactions between defects and dopants are reflected in the transient enhanced diffusion (TED) behaviour of As.
Compliance in Early-Phase Cancer Clinical Trials Research
Authors: Kurzrock Razelle , Stewart David J. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Regulations and ethical principles require that investigators seek consent and that patients participate in experimental studies only under circumstances that minimize the possibility of undue pressure and/or enticements. In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in the monitoring requirements of early-phase trials accompanied by an increasing emphasis on assuring “investigator” compliance with the protocol. It is actually, however, the patient who must comply with the requirements of the study. If there is divergence from the protocol, investigators may be reported to regulatory bodies or agencies. Whereas the investigative community is expected to be vigilant about ensuring that patients participate in studies voluntarily and that their consent is procured without duress, it is also required to guarantee that complex protocols, which entail multiple procedures, be followed exactly by participants who suffer from the complications of advanced cancer. We explore the issue of compliance in a research environment in which investigators are subject to disciplinary action if they fail to ensure that patients adhere precisely to the intense monitoring mandates of a clinical trial.