bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Neopterin Assay to Interpret the Main Cause of Chronic Liver Damage Involved with Plural Etiological Factors
Authors: Yoshimoto Satomine , Fukuda Akira , Mazda Toshio , Osawa Nakaaki 
Published: March 2013

Summary Identification of the main cause of chronic liver damage (CLD) involved with plural etiological factors is important for the management and the treatment of patients. To evaluate its clinical usefulness in interpreting the main cause of CLD involved with hepatitis C virus, alcoholic overdrinking, or fatty steatosis, which are the most frequent and troublesome etiological facotors in the daily outclinic, serum neopterin level was measured in ten healthy subjects, ten chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) patients, nine alcohol-induced liver damge (AL) patients, eight non-alcholic fatty liver (FL) patients, eight CH-C with AL padtients, seven CH-C with FL patients and ten non-B non-C chronic hepatitis (CH-NBNC) patients by using radioimmunoaasay. There were no significant difierences in the mean serum neopterin levels among the healthy subjects, the AL patients and the FL patients. The serum neopterin level in the CH-C with AL or FL patients was significantly higher than that in the AL or the FL patients and just as high as that in the CH-C patients. Furthermore, serum neopterin level in CH-NBNC patients was as high as that in the patients with CH-C. Therefore, the serum neopterin assay can easily assume the main cause of CLD involved with plural causes, so it will be very useful in the daily clinical practice as an easyto- use auxiliary test.
Experimental Studies of the Effect of Cyclic Mitoguazone Analogues on Antineoplastic Activity of Methotrexate
Authors: Graczyk Julita , Guzowski Grzegorz , Kręźel Izabella 
Published: March 2013

Summary In the presented study we tested the effect of the bi- and monocyclic analogues of mitoguazone on neoplastic activity of methotrexate in the model of L1210 leukemia in mice. We have demonstrated that combined therapy involving administration of methotrexate with 2-oxo-propanal bis (4,5,6,7 -tetrahydroIH- l,3-diazepin-2-yl)methylhydrazone dihydroiodide (aM 7) at different doses is more effective than methotrexate monotherapy in mice inoculated with L1210 leukemia.
The Importance of Neopterin as a Laboratory Diagnostic Marker of Immune Activation
Authors: Widner Bernhard , Murr Christian , Wirleitner Barbara , Mayr Christiane , Spöttl Nathalie , Baier-Bitterlich Gabriele , Fuchs Dietmar 
Published: March 2013

Summary
Neopterin is produced and secreted in large amounts by interferon-g stimulated human monocytes/macrophages. Neopterin measurement in urine and semm provides a usefi.ll possibility to estimate the dcgree of ccllular (Thl-type) immune activation, which is directed against viral infections, intracellular bacteria, and certain parasites. Also in malignancy, autoimmw1e diseases and allograft rejection episodes neopterin sensitively reflects the extent of cellular immune activation. Determination of neoptcrin concentrations can be conveniently performed by immunoassay like ELISA or RIA, and HPLC. The major diagnostic applications of neopterin monitoring are: surveillancc of the immw1e status of organ recipients, therapy control and prognosis of diseasc progression in tumor diseascs and HIV infections and also detection of unknown infections in e.g. blood banks. High neopterin levels are strongly associated with oxidative stress, opening an additional application field of ncopterin monitoring to estimate the extent of tissue damagc in the course of immune activation.
Neopterin and Nitrite in Supernatants from Interferon-γ-treated Monocytoid Cell Lines: A Tool to Identify Bacterial Pyrogens
Authors: Peterbauer Anja , Werner Ernst R. , Werner-Felmayer Gabriele 
Published: March 2013

Summary
The rabbit pyrogen assay identifies pyrogenic contaminations in drugs i.l1tend~d for parenteral use. In order to replace this test because of ethical and economical reasons, various in vitro methods have been developed in recent years. Here, we summarize our results on optimizing a test based on using interferony- treated monocytoid cell lines from man (THP-l) and mouse (RAW264.7). The read-out of the test is neopterin or nitrite, respectively, which is released into the supernatant in response to bacterial compounds. These are costimuli of the enzymes involved in neopterin and nitrite formation, i.e. GTP cyclohydrolase I and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The test reproducibly detects cell wall components from Gram-negative as well as from Gram-positive bacteria and mycobacteria. Furthermore, DNA and cell-free supernatants containing a number of bioactive but not further characterized proteins, both from Staphylococcus aureus, can be detected. Thus, this test is superior over the only in vitro alternative accepted in certain cases, namely the limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Results obtained by measuring neopterin or nitrite correlate well with formation of the endogenous pyrogen tumor necrosis factor-a, a read-out used by some other cell-based in vitro alternatives to the rabbit pyrogen test. We therefore think that the assay presented here has the potential to reduce or even replace the animal test.
Methotrexate in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Wiewiόrowski Maciej , Graczyl Julita 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Methotrexate is a cytostatic agent used mainly in treatment of neoplasms. However, it has also been applied in treatment of diseases of autoimmune aetiology. The present paper is a review concerning the application of methotrexate in treatment of rhewnatoid arthritis. The authors are trying to determine the role of the drug in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis at present and in future.
Pteridines CX
Authors: Traub Hermann , Pfleiderer Wolfgang 
Published: March 2013

Summary
A series of new 6-substituted 2,4-diaminopteridines (3-23) and pterins (26-43) have been synthesized by nucleophilic displacement reactions at the side chain of 6-bromomethyl-2,4-diaminopteridine (2) and 6- bromomethylpterin (25) using various types of 0-, N- and S-nucleophiles. Acid and base hydrolyses allow easy conversion of the 2,4-diaminopteridines (3-5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 19-21 and 23) into the corresponding pterins (26-32, 39-42). Acylations take place at the amino as well as at the functional groups in the side chain (44-46). A versatile protection of the amino group in pterins is its transformation into the N ,N -dimethylaminomethylcnimino function by amide-acetals (47, 50) allowing subsequently selective acylations at the side chain (48, 49).
Characterization and brazing of sintered Ni-Al-Co powder mixtures containing intermetallics
Authors: Yildiz İsmail , Erol Ayhan , Yönetken Ahmet 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPowder metallurgy is a progressive branch of engineering that enables engineers to fabricate difficult-to-make parts and materials that are used in many industrial areas. Joining this class of materials is a difficult task due to their intrinsic limitations, such as porosity and thermal properties. In this study, varying ratios of Co powder additions to Nix+Aly powder mixture were made prior to sintering at 600°C. The sintered samples were brazed in both microwave and traditional tube furnaces by placing brazing filler alloy between the sintered specimens without added weight at 950°C for 15 min. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques were employed to characterize the brazed samples and the joints. Shear strength and hardness of brazed joints were also determined.
Comparison of Stresses in Al Lines Under Various Passivations
Authors: Lee S. , Bravman J. C. , Flinn P. A. , Marffib T. N. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTThermal stresses in pure Al lines passivated with a baseline 1000Å oxide and additional passivations of 0.5μm oxide, 1μm polymer, or 0.5μm, 1μm, or 2μ nitride were analyzed. Results from finite element analysis and X-ray measurements were compared, and samples were examined in a high voltage SEM for stress voids. For unvoided samples, calculated and measured results showed good correlation, while results for the voided samples showed little correlation due to stress relaxation through voiding. Initial in-situ electromigration test results showed that electromigration voids can occur at stress void sites.
Electrical Activity of B and As Segregated at the Si-SiO2 Interface
Authors: Frühauf Jens , Lindsay Richard , Bergmaier Andreas , Vandervorst Wilfried , Tempel Georg , Maex Karen , Dollinger Günther , Koch Fredericks 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDuring spike annealing of ultra-shallow junctions, large fractions of the dopants form a partially active pile-up at the interface between silicon and the screening oxide layer. In this paper, we show results of sheet resistance, SIMS and high resolution Elastic Recoil Detection measurements to investigate the physical and electrical behaviour of B and As dopant atoms at the interface.Our results show that the fraction of dopants segregated at the interface is as high as 30-50% for B, but is dependent on dose and the type of screening oxide. Concentrations of up to 3e20cm-3 and more of active dopants are found on the Si side of the interface. The presence of nitrogen in the oxide at the interface causes a higher and sharper pile-up. Results indicate that a similar peak is expected for As, with active concentrations above 6e20cm-3. In an HF dip, the pile-up is removed together with the oxide or deactivated during native oxide regrowth.Further experiments show that immediately after removing the screening oxide in an HF dip the sheet resistance for B decreases sharply due to carrier accumulation, then raises to about 6-9% above the initial level depending on the oxide and dopant species. The sharp decrease in resistance is not observed for As.
Self-Interstitials and Substitutional C in Silicon: Interstitial- Trapping and C– Clustering
Authors: Mirabella S. , Scalese S. , Terrasi A. , Priolo F. , Coati A. , Salvador D. De , Napolitani E. , Berti M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe interactions between self-interstitials (I's) produced by 20 keV silicon implantation, and substitutional carbon in silicon have been studied using a Si1-yCy layer interposed between a near surface I source and a deeper B spike used as a marker for the I concentration. The Si1-yCy layer behaves as a filtering membrane for the interstitials flowing towards the bulk. This trapping ability is related to the total C amount in the Si1-yCy membrane. Substitutional carbon atoms interacting with self-interstitials are shown to trap I's, to be removed from their substitutional sites, and to precipitate into the C-rich region. After precipitation, C atoms are not able to further trap injected self-interstitials. The atomistic mechanism leading to Si-interstitial trapping has been investigated by developing a simulation code describing the migration of injected interstitials. By a comparison with the experimental data it was possible to derive quantitative indications on the trapping mechanism. It is shown that one Si-interstitial is able to deactivate about two C traps by means of interstitial trapping and C-clustering reactions.
Modeling Dislocation Loop Nucleation and Evolution in Germanium, Arsenic and Boron Implanted Silicon
Authors: Avci Ibrahim , Law Mark E. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractA loop nucleation and evolution model in Si+ implanted Silicon was previously introduced [1]. In this study, the model is extended to predict end of range (EOR) and projected range defect nucleation and evolution created by different ion implant species such as Germanium, Arsenic and Boron. The model assumes that all the nucleated loops come from {311} unfaulting and the loop density and average loop radius follow a log normal distribution. The model is verified with the experimental data obtained from literature for Germanium [2], Arsenic [3] and Boron [4] implanted Silicon for different implant doses and energies. Modeling results are in agreement with the experimental results.
Pediatric bypasses for aneurysms and skull base tumors: short- and long-term outcomes
Authors: Kim Louis J. , Tariq Farzana , Sekhar Laligam N. 
Published: March 2013

Object
Cerebral bypass is a useful microsurgical technique for the treatment of unclippable aneurysms and invasive skull base tumors. The authors present the largest reported series of cerebrovascular bypasses in the pediatric population. They describe the short- and long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of extracranial-intracranial and local bypasses performed for complex cerebral aneurysms and recurrent, invasive, and malignant skull base tumors in pediatric patients.

Methods
A consecutive series of 17 pediatric patients who underwent revascularization were analyzed retrospectively for indications, graft patency, and neurological outcomes.

Results
The mean age was 12 years (median 11 years, range 4–17 years), and there were 7 boys (41%) and 10 girls (59%). A total of 18 bypasses were performed in 17 patients and included 10 aneurysm cases (55.5%) and 8 tumor cases (45%). Of these 18 bypasses, there were 11 (61.1%) extracranial-intracranial bypasses (10 saphenous vein grafts [90%] and 1 radial artery graft [10%]), 1 side-to-side anastomosis (5.5%), 2 intracranial reimplants (11.1%), and 4 interposition bypass grafts (22.2%; 2 radial artery grafts, 1 saphenous vein graft, and 1 lingual artery graft). The mean clinical follow-up was 40.5 months (median 24 months, range 3–197 months). The mean radiographic follow-up was 40 months (median 15 months, range 9–197 months). Eighty-two percent of patients (14 of 17) achieved a modified Rankin Scale score between 0 and 2; however, 2 patients died of disease progression during long-term follow-up. The short-term (0- to 3-month) graft patency rate was 100%. Two patients had graft stenosis (11.7%) and underwent graft revisions. Two patients (11.1%) with giant middle cerebral artery aneurysms (> 25 mm) had strokes postoperatively but recovered without a persistent neurological deficit. One patient observed for 197 months showed a stable dysplastic change at the end of the graft. The long-term graft patency was 100% with a mean follow-up of 40 months. There were 2 deaths in the cohort during follow-up; both patients died of malignant tumors (osteogenic sarcoma and chondrosarcoma).

Conclusions
The authors conclude that in properly selected cases, bypasses can be safely performed in patients with aneurysms and skull base tumors. The bypasses remained patent over long periods of time despite the growth of the patients.
New findings on the pollination biology ofMauritia flexuosa(Arecaceae) in Roraima, Brazil: Linking dioecy, wind, and habitat
Authors: Khorsand Rosa Roxaneh , Koptur Suzanne 
Published: March 2013

•Premise of the study:Despite the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of the palmMauritia flexuosain Amazonia, knowledge of its reproductive biology is scarce. Previous observations of this species suggested beetles as the probable pollinator, but experimental work to confirm this hypothesis was lacking.•Methods:We investigated the floral biology and pollination ofM. flexuosain undisturbed forest, undisturbed savanna/forest ecotone, and fragmented savanna within plantations of the exotic tree,Acacia mangium, in northern Brazilian Amazonia. In each habitat, we examined floral biology, combined floral visitor observations with laboratory analyses, and performed anemophily and exclusion experiments.•Key results:Fruit set was significantly greater in the visitor exclusion treatment than in the wind + visitor exclusion treatment and significantly lower in the wind + visitor exclusion treatment than the open control, but there was no difference in fruit set between the visitor exclusion treatment and the control. We found no significant difference in pollen dispersal among the three habitats. The presence ofA. mangiumappears to have no immediate effect on pollination ofM. flexuosa, although it may indirectly affect other aspects of this native's reproductive ecology.•Conclusions:Floral visitors ofM. flexuosaare not pollinators. This dioecious palm depends on wind as its primary pollen vector. Wind pollination is not necessarily most effective in open habitats. These findings are important because they re‐evaluate traditional assumptions of wind pollination and can improve management strategies of this natural resource in the Amazon.
Insulin Resistance as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients on peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Li Yun , Zhang Lihua , Gu Yong , Hao Chuanming , Zhu Tongying 
Published: March 2013

Background Insulin resistance is associated with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) disease in the general population. Patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) are more likely to develop insulin resistance. However, no evaluation of the impact of insulin resistance on CV disease morbidity or mortality in patients on PD has been performed. Methods Our prospective cohort study included all non-diabetic patients on PD at our center ( n = 66). Insulin resistance was evaluated at baseline by the homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA-IR) using fasting glucose and insulin levels. The cohort was followed for up to 58 months (median: 41.3 months; interquartile range: 34.3 months). A multivariate Cox model was used to analyze the impact of insulin resistance on CV disease mortality. Results Fourteen CV events occurred in the higher HOMA-IR group [IR-H (HOMA-IR values in the range 2.85 – 19.5), n = 33], but only one event occurred in the lower HOMA-IR group (IR-L (HOMA-IR values in the range 0.83 – 2.71), n = 33) during the follow-up period. Level of HOMA-IR was a significant predictor of CV events [risk ratio: 17.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.10 to 149.5; p = 0.008]. In the IR-H group, 10 patients died (8 CV events), but in the IR-L group, only 4 patients died (1 CV event). Patients in the IR-H group experienced significantly higher CV mortality (hazard ratio: 9.02; 95% CI: 1.13 to 72.2; p = 0.04). Even after adjustments for age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, resistin, and leptin, HOMA-IR remained an independent predictor of CV mortality (hazard ratio: 14.8; 95% CI: 1.22 to 179.1; p = 0.03). Conclusions Insulin resistance assessed using HOMA-IR was an independent predictor of CV morbidity and mortality in a cohort of nondiabetic patients on PD. Insulin resistance is a modifiable risk factor; the reduction of insulin resistance may reduce CV risk and improve survival in this group of patients.
Mycophenolate Mofetil Improves Lung Function in Connective Tissue Disease-associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Fischer Aryeh , Brown Kevin K. , Du Bois Roland M. , Frankel Stephen K. , Cosgrove Gregory P. , Fernandez-Perez Evans R. , Huie Tristan J. , Krishnamoorthy Mahalakshmi , Meehan Richard T. , Olson Amy L. , Solomon Joshua J. , Swigris Jeffrey J. 
Published: March 2013

Objective.Small series suggest mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is well tolerated and may be an effective therapy for connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD). We examined the tolerability and longitudinal changes in pulmonary physiology in a large and diverse cohort of patients with CTD-ILD treated with MMF.Methods.We identified consecutive patients evaluated at our center between January 2008 and January 2011 and prescribed MMF for CTD-ILD. We assessed safety and tolerability of MMF and used longitudinal data analyses to examine changes in pulmonary physiology over time, before and after initiation of MMF.Results.We identified 125 subjects treated with MMF for a median 897 days. MMF was discontinued in 13 subjects. MMF was associated with significant improvements in estimated percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) from MMF initiation to 52, 104, and 156 weeks (4.9% ± 1.9%, p = 0.01; 6.1% ± 1.8%, p = 0.0008; and 7.3% ± 2.6%, p = 0.004, respectively); and in estimated percentage predicted diffusing capacity (DLCO%) from MMF initiation to 52 and 104 weeks (6.3% ± 2.8%, p = 0.02; 7.1% ± 2.8%, p = 0.01). In the subgroup without usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)-pattern injury, MMF significantly improved FVC% and DLCO%, and in the subgroup with UIP-pattern injury, MMF was associated with stability in FVC% and DLCO%.Conclusion.In a large diverse cohort of CTD-ILD, MMF was well tolerated and had a low rate of discontinuation. Treatment with MMF was associated with either stable or improved pulmonary physiology over a median 2.5 years of followup. MMF appears to be a promising therapy for the spectrum of CTD-ILD.
Longterm Outcomes and Damage Accrual in Patients with Childhood Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Psychosis and Severe Cognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Lim Lily Siok Hoon , Lefebvre Arlette , Benseler Susanne , Silverman Earl D. 
Published: March 2013

Objective.(1) To describe the clinical course and response to treatment; and (2) to evaluate and compare damage accrual of distinct phenotypic subgroups of patients with clinically important psychiatric illness of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE).Methods.A single-center cohort study of patients with pSLE followed at a pediatric lupus clinic from 1985 to July 2009. Clinical course and response to treatment were studied. Remission was defined by absence of psychiatric/cognitive symptoms while receiving minimal doses of prednisone. Disease activity and damage were measured using SLE Disease Activity Index and SLE Damage Index.Results.Fifty-three children were included: 40 with psychosis and cognitive dysfunction (PSYC group) and 13 with isolated cognitive dysfunction (COG group). All received immunosuppressive treatment. Eighteen of 32 treated with azathioprine required a change to cyclophosphamide for poor response but none on cyclophosphamide required a change. The median times to remission were 72 weeks (PSYC) and 70 weeks (COG). Eight patients (7 PSYC, 1 COG) experienced flare following response/remission. New damage was noted in 50% of children at a median of 11 months: 57% of PSYC group, 31% of COG group. Persistent cognitive dysfunction was seen in 16% of PSYC patients and 15% of COG patients.Conclusion.Most patients responded to immunosuppressive treatment, although median time to remission was > 1 year. Roughly half the patients acquired a new damage item, most of which did not interfere with functional abilities. Fewer than 20% of patients developed neuropsychiatric damage. Both phenotypes of psychiatric pSLE responded equally well to current treatment.
Teaching ESP: A task-based framework for French graduate courses
Authors: Whyte Shona 
Published: March 2013

Dans cet article, l’auteur étudie l’enseignement de l’anglais de spécialité (ASP) dans des cours de niveau master et doctorat dans les domaines de la gestion, de l’enseignement de la physique-chimie, et de la recherche en sciences sociales. Elle part de l’hypothèse de « domaines de discours » (Selinker & Douglas 1985 ; Whyte 1995) selon laquelle les connaissances spécifiques des apprenants ainsi que leur engagement dans la discipline influent sur l’utilisation et l’évolution de la langue seconde. Elle adopte une approche d’apprentissage par tâches (Long 1989 ; Ellis 2003 ; Guichon & Nicolaev 2011) en appliquant les principes méthodologiques proposés par Doughty et Long (2003) pour l’enseignement des langues avec les technologies à la conception et à la mise en œuvre de trois types d’enseignement d’ASP. L’article démontre l’intérêt des principes d’apprentissage par tâches pour la construction de curricula et pour la mise en place d’activités d’apprentissage, puis tire des conclusions sur les retombées pratiques aussi bien que théoriques.