bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Objectively measured light-intensity lifestyle activity and sedentary time are independently associated with metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study of Japanese adults
Authors: Kim Junghoon , Tanabe Kai , Yokoyama Noriko , Zempo Hirofumi , Kuno Shinya 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Reducing sedentary time and increasing lifestyle activities, including light-intensity activity, may be an option to help prevent metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purpose of the present study was to examine whether objectively measured light-intensity lifestyle activity and sedentary time is associated with MetS, independent of moderate–vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA).

Methods
The participants in this cross-sectional study were 483 middle-aged Japanese adults, aged 30–64 years. The participants were divided into those with or without MetS according to the Japanese criteria for MetS. A triaxial accelerometer was used to measure light-intensity lifestyle activity [1.6–2.9 metabolic equivalents (METs)] and sedentary time (≤1.5 METs). Logistic regression was used to predict MetS from the levels of light-intensity lifestyle activity and sedentary time with age, sex, smoking, calorie intake, accelerometer wear time, and MVPA as covariates.

Results
The odds ratios (OR) for MetS in the highest and middle tertiles of light-intensity lifestyle activity were 0.44 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24 to 0.81] and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.29 to 0.89) relative to the lowest tertile, after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, calorie intake, accelerometer wear time and MVPA (P
trend = 0.012). Sedentary time was also associated with the risk of MetS (P
trend = 0.018). Among participants in the highest tertile of sedentary time, the risk of MetS was 2.27-times greater than that in the lowest tertile (95% CI: 1.25 to 4.11). The risk of MetS was not significantly increased in subjects in the middle tertile of sedentary time.

Conclusions
We found that light-intensity lifestyle activity and sedentary time were significantly associated with the risk of MetS, independent of MVPA. The results of our study suggest that public health messages and guidelines should be refined to include increases in light-intensity lifestyle activity and/or decreases in sedentary time, alongside promoting MVPA, to prevent MetS.
Comparative proteomic analysis of a new adaptive Pichia Stipitis strain to furfural, a lignocellulosic inhibitory compound
Authors: Hao Xue-Cai , Yang Xiu-Shan , Wan Ping , Tian Shen 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The development of inhibitor-tolerant ethanologenic yeast is one of the most significant challenges facing bio-ethanol production. Adaptation of Pichia stipitis to inhibitors is one of the most efficient ways for dealing with inhibitor problems. The molecular mechanisms involved in the tolerance and adaptation of P. stipitis are, however, still unclear. In the present study, we developed a yeast strain from P. stipitis Y7 that has improved tolerance against inhibitors. We performed comparative proteomic investigations with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. These investigations gave insights into the tolerance of yeast strains to biomass conversion inhibitors at the protein level. Many proteins involved in glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were found to be differentially expressed due to the presence of furfural. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and metabolite analysis were utilized to provide orthogonal evidence for the results obtained. Our results provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the response of P. stipitis to furfural. These findings will benefit the design and development of inhibitor-tolerant yeast.
Co-culturing a novel Bacillus strain with Clostridium tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755 to produce butyric acid from sucrose
Authors: Dwidar Mohammed , Kim Seil , Jeon Byoung Seung , Um Youngsoon , Mitchell Robert J , Sang Byoung-In 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Currently, the most promising microorganism used for the bio-production of butyric acid is Clostridium tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755T; however, it is unable to use sucrose as a sole carbon source. Consequently, a newly isolated strain, Bacillu s sp. SGP1, that was found to produce a levansucrase enzyme, which hydrolyzes sucrose into fructose and glucose, was used in a co-culture with this strain, permitting C. tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755T to ferment sucrose to butyric acid.

Results

B. sp. SGP1 alone did not show any butyric acid production and the main metabolite produced was lactic acid. This allowed C. tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755T to utilize the monosaccharides resulting from the activity of levansucrase together with the lactic acid produced by B. sp. SGP1 to generate butyric acid, which was the main fermentative product within the co-culture. Furthermore, the final acetic acid concentration in the co-culture was significantly lower when compared with pure C. tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755T cultures grown on glucose. In fed-batch fermentations, the optimum conditions for the production of butyric acid were around pH 5.50 and a temperature of 37°C. Under these conditions, the final butyrate concentration was 34.2±1.8 g/L with yields of 0.35±0.03 g butyrate/g sucrose and maximum productivity of 0.3±0.04 g/L/h.

Conclusions
Using this co-culture, sucrose can be utilized as a carbon source for butyric acid production at a relatively high yield. In addition, this co-culture offers also the benefit of a greater selectivity, with butyric acid constituting 92.8% of the acids when the fermentation was terminated.
Skills or culture? An analysis of the decision to work by immigrant women in Italy
Authors: Accetturo Antonio , Infante Luigi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractActivity and employment rates for immigrant women in many industrialised countries display a great variability across national groups. The aim of this paper is to assess whether this fact is due to a voluntary decision (i.e. large reservation wages by immigrants) or to an involuntary process (i.e. low labor market evaluation of their skills). This is done by estimating the reservation wage for each individual in a sample of immigrant women in Italy. Our results show that low activity and employment rates for certain national groups are not associated with high reservation wages. This implies that low participation should not be interpreted as a voluntary decision.JEL codesJ22, J61, J15
Seshadri constants via toric degenerations
Authors: Ito Atsushi 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

We give a method to estimate Seshadri constants
on toric varieties at any point. By using the estimations and toric degenerations,
we can obtain some new computations or estimations of Seshadri constants
on non-toric varieties. In particular,
we investigate Seshadri constants on hypersurfaces in projective spaces
and Fano 3-folds with Picard number 1 in detail.
Isolation and Sequencing of a Plant cDNA Encoding a Bifunctional Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase : Methenyltetrahydrofolate Cyclohydrolase Protein
Authors: Chen Liangfu , Nargang Frank E. , Cossin Edwin A. 
Published: March 2013

Summary
In plant cells, the interconversion of formyl- and methylene-tetrahydrofolates is catalyzed by a bifunctional protein possessing methenyltetrallydrofolate cydohydrolase (EC 3.5.4.9) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (EC 1.5.1.5) activities. The present work reports the isolation and sequencing of a cDNA that encodes this protein. Polydonal antibodies, raised against purified pea cytosolic dehydrogenase:cyclohydrolase, were used to screen a λgt 11 cDNA expression library, constructed from leaf extracts of this species. The screen identified a phage containing a cDNA insert with an open reading frame encoding a 294 amino acid protein (Mr 31,344). The deduced primary structure of this protein contained most of the conserved regions found in other dehydrogenase:cyclohydrolase proteins including the corresponding domains of the trifunctional C1-THF synthases of mammalian and yeast origins.
Level of Serum Neopterin and Interleukin-6 In Patients with Thyroid Diseases
Authors: Kondera-Anasz Zdzislawa , Mertas Anna 
Published: March 2013

Summary
The purpose of the study was to characterize the immune status in 88 patients (64 women and 24 men) with thyroid diseases and in 36 healthy blood donors as control group. The clinical material consisted of 37 patients with nontoxic nodular goitre, 10 patients with thyroiditis, 27 patients with thyroid adenoma and 14 patients with thyroid carcinoma. The studied parameters included serum neopterin,interleukin-6 (IL-6), also anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies (ATG) and anti-thyroid microsomal autoantibodies (MAB). The aim of the study was to investigate whether serum neopterin, IL-6, ATG and MAE have any value in distinction between non-toxic nodular goitre, thyroiditis, thyroid adenoma and thyroid carcinoma. 36.4% patients with thyroid carcinoma, 16.7% patients with nontoxic nodular goitre and 9.1 % patients with thyroid adenoma had neopterin levels higher than 10 nmol/1. In patients and in the control group the mean serum levels of neopterin were in normal range. The highest mean level of neopterin was found in patients with thyroid carcinoma (7.14± 5.95 nmol/1). The difference was statistically significant in comparison to the control (p < 0.001) and patients with thyroiditis and thyroid adenoma (p < 0.05). The significantly higher levels of IL-6 were in all patients in comparison to the control (p < 0.0001). Autoantibodies ATG were detected in serum of 45 patients (51.1 %) and autoantibodies MAE were in serum of 34 patients (38.6 % ). Mean levels of these autoantibodies in patients were statistically significantly higher than in the control ' p < 0.05). In patients with ATG and/or MAE mean level of neopterin was significantly higher than in patients without these autoantibodies (p < 0.05). This study has shown that neopterin represents an additional parameter with potential interest in clinical diagnosis of thyroid diseases.
Serum Neopterin Monitoring in Hepatitis B e Antigen Positive Chronic Type B Hepatitis with Recurrent Acute Exacerbation
Authors: Fukuda Akira , Tsuda Yasuhiro , Yoshimoto Satomine , Mazda Toshio 
Published: March 2013

Summary
Activation of cellular immunity, mainly cytotoxic T cells, plays an important role in the · mechanisms of cyclic acute exacerbation of hepatocellular damage (AE) in hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. Monitoring of the dynamics of immunoreactivity is clinically important to manage the patients and recognize the mechanism of liver damage. Serum neopterin has been widely- recognized as a marker of actiyation of cell-mediated immunity. We observed the clinical course of five hepatitis Be antigen I HBeAg ) positive HBV carriers with recurrent AE for mean eighteen months by monitoring of serum neopterin using a RIA kit. Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and HBeAg were also measured serially as markers for hepatocne necrosis and viral replication, respectively During follow-up period. each patient had several episodes of AE alternating with normal or nearly normal liver function. The levels of serum neopterin changed dynamically related to those of HBeAg and ALT Temporal analysis of these makers before, during and after the episodes of AE showed a close involvement of the viral replication prior to the hepatocellular injury as well as the activation of cellular immunity following the viral replication. Immunological monitoring of serum neopterin could provide useful information about the dynamic interaction between virus replication, cellular immunoreactivity and hepatocellular damage. It was thought that serum neopterin can be used as a complementary marker to follow and manage chronic hepatitis B patients.
Insulin Stimulates Tetrahydrobiopterin Synthesis in Mouse Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ishi Masakazu , Shimizu Shunichi , Nagai Tsutomu , Kiuchi Yuji , Yamamoto Toshinori 
Published: March 2013

Summary
We examined the effects of insulin on tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) synthesis in mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (MBMECs). Treatment of MBMECs with insulin increased the intracellular BH4 content in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The insulin-induced increase in BH4 content was inhibited by treatment with 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine, a selective inhibitor of GTP cyclohydrolase I, and Nacetylserotonin, a selective inhibitor of sepiapterin reductase. These findings indicate that insulin stimulates BH4 synthesis in MBMECs through a de novo synthetic pathway of BH4.
Photoinduced cleavage of plasmid DNA in the presence of pterin
Authors: Lorente Carolina , Thomas Andrés Héctor , Villata Laura Sofia , Hozbor Daniela , Lagares Antonio , Capparelli Alberto 
Published: March 2013

Summary
The photoinduced cleavage of plasmid DNA by UV -A light in the presence of pterin was investigated. Electrophoretic analysis of the irradiated plasmid pUCI8 in the presence of pterin showed that UV light of 350 nm induced the transformation of a significant proportion of the supercoiled plasmid to its relaxed form. A minor proportion of plasmid forms are also converted to the linear plasmid isomer at the longer irradiation times. All these transformations during irradiation can be observed in the absorption spectrum of DNA as function of time. Such spectral modifications correlated with the extent and the kinetics of plasmid relaxation, but not with the appearance of the linear plasmid. None of the exchanges were operative without the irradiation with UV-A light. Control experiments with pterin or plasmid DNA irradiated separately, showed no photochemical changes. Results taken together suggest that the observed changes in the supercoiled plasmid as well as the spectral modifications both derive from the generation of single-strand break in the DNA.
Determination by Site-directed Mutagenesis of Sites in Sepiapterin Reductase Phosphorylated by Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II
Authors: Fujimoto Kengo , Inaba Akemi , Tomomura Akito , Katoh Setsuko 
Published: March 2013

Summary
Phosphorylation sites of sepiapterin reductase (SPR) phosphorylated by Ca2+-dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) were studied. By immunoreaction against phosphorylated amino acids, we found that Ser residues of SPR were phosphorylated. We constructed several point mutants of SPR by site-directed mutagenesis and expressed then in E. coli. In assays with anti-phospho Ser antibody, we determined that each of the three Ser residues, S46, S 196, and S214, of SPR was phosphorylated by CaM KIl. Each of these serine residues in SPR was found in a CaM KII phosphorylation site sequelce (Arg-X-X-Ser/Thr).
Dihydroneopterin as a scavenger of nitrogen centered radicals
Authors: Oettl Karl , Greilberger Joachim , Reibnegger Gilbert 
Published: March 2013

Summary
Dihydroneopterin has recently been shown to either promote or decrease formation of free radicals or radicalmediated reactions, depending on the conditions. We report here the scavenging activity of dihydroneopterin on nitrogen centered radicals. Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and tl. e radical cation of 2,2' -azino-di-[3- ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate] (ABTS) were used. Dihydroneopterin showed scavenging properties against either compound. In the case of DPPH radical scavenging by dihydroneopterin was comparable with trolox. In the ABTS system, dihydroneopterin had an even better capacity of radical scavenging as compared to trolox .
Impairment of Lipid Metabolism Due to Deficiency of Pyridoxal-5-phosphate and/or Activated Immune system: its Interpretation
Authors: Rudzite Vera , Jurika Edite , Jäger Matthias , Fuchs Dietmar 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Impairment of lipid metabolism due to excess metabolite accumulation induced by pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)-deficiency and/or stimulated immune system has been studied and interpreted. Decreased amounts of phospholipids as well as deviations in phospholipid classes and fatty acid composition of phospholipids have been demonstrated due to kynurenine accumulation in the blood of P-5-P-deficient cardiovascular patients and white rats as well as in cardiovascular patients with activated immune system identified by an increased neopterin concentration in the blood (dilated cardiomyopathy). The addition of P-5-P to the incubation medium for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro did not change fatty acid incorporation into phospholipids, whereas it normalised fatty acid incorporation into phospholipids in liver homogenates received from P-5-P-deficient rats: The addition of kynurenine, neopterin and noradrenalin (accumulated m isolated heart tissue after addition of kynurenine and neopterin to incubation medium for isolated heart) to incubation medium for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro induced an increase of saturated and a decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acid incorporation into phospholipids. These changes in fatty acid incorporation into phospholipids were followed by increased cholesterol concentrations in samples and an increased cholesterol/phospholipid ratio. Our results suggest that these changes in lipids are characteristic for decreased membrane fluidity, depressed cell cycle and lowered possibility of phospholipids to keep cholesterol in solution. P-5-P-deficiency is also accompanied with excess accumulation of homocysteine in the blood. The addition of L-homocysteine to the incubation medium for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro was followed by inverse changes in fatty acid incorporation into phospholipids when compared with kynurenine, neopterin and noradrenalin. L-homocysteine induced a decrease of saturated and an increase of polyunsaturated fatty acid incorporation into phospholipids. The cholesterol concentration decreased in samples and the cholesterol/ phospholipid ratio decreased, too . These findings suggest that changes in lipids induced by L-homocysteine are characteristic for increased membrane fluidity and stimulated cell cycle. In this study, we have observed a similar effect to L-homocysteine effect when L-homocysteine, L-tryptophan and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin were added to the incubation medium for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro. The comparison of our results with data from the literature allows to suggest that excess metabolite accumulation due to activated formation and inactivated catabolism of it plays a significant role in quantitative and qualitative changes of lipids, especially phospholipids, and therefore participates in the regulation of membrane fluidity, cell cycle of normal and malignant cells as well as in keeping cholesterol in the state of solution.
A Case of Dihydropteridine Reductase Deficiency
Authors: Furujo Mahoko , Ichiba Yozo , Sintaku Haruo , Asada Minoru 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is the essential cofacter of phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), and tryptophan (Trp) hydroxylases . BH4 deficiency, a rare but severe type of hyperphenylalaninemia, is characterized by progressive neurologic symptoms despite early detection and treatment with a Phe-restricted formula. An expensive dose of BH4 is needed to keep with the Phe, Tyr and Trp hydroxylation reaction. Severe BH4 deficiency is a naturally occurring model of cerebral catecholamine and serotonin shortage. Here we present a patient in which the hyperpheny lalaninelTIia could be reversed with BH4 therapy, but the concentrations of homo vanillic acid (HVA ) and 5- hydroxy indole acetic acid (5HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remained low. Administration of the neurotransmitter precursors iL-DOPA/carbidopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan jappeared to be the most effective treatment and may prevent neurological damage if started early in life
Stimulation of Tetrahydrobiopterin Synthesis by 17β-Estradiol in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Shiota Kazuhiro , Ishii Masakazu , Yamamoto Toshinori , Shimizu Shunichi , Kiuchi Yuji 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine whether 17β-estradiol stimulates the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin : BH4), which is one of the cofactors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, in mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells. Addition of 17()-estradiol to endothelial cells time- and concentration-dependently increased intracellular BH4 level. 17β-Estradiol also stimulated the mRNA level of GTP-cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), which is a rate-limiting enzyme of the de novo BH4 synthetic pathway. In addition, the 17β-estradiol-induced expression of GTPCH mRNA was strongly attenuated by treatment with an inhibitor of 17β-estradiol receptor 4-hydroxy-tamoxlfen. These results suggest that 17β-estradiol stimulates BH4 synthesis through the induction of GTPCH by tamoxifensensitive receptor in vascular endothelial cells. The 17β-estradiol-induced increase in BH4 level might be implicated in not only NO production, but also protective effects of 17β-estradiol against ischemic brain damage and atherosclerosis, since BH4 is an intracellular antioxidant.
Serum Neopterin Levels in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yoshida Naomasa , Ikemoto Shinichi , Narita Keisuke , Sugimura Kazunobu , Wada Seiji , Yasumoto Ryouji , Nakatani Tatsuya 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Concentrations of neopterin, which is produced by human monocytesl macrophages when stimulated by interferon- γ, were measured in serum specimens from 109 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Results showed that neopterin levels were significantly higher in the patients with grade 3 RCC compared to the control subjects and patients with grade 1 or grade 2 RCC. When the patients were divided according to serum C-reactive protein (CRP), neopterin levels were significantly higher in the CRP-positive patients compared to the control subjects and CRP-negative patients. A significant correlation was shown between serum neopterin levels and CRP. Our study suggests that serum neopterin levels may supplement laboratory examinations for patients wilh RCC, providing useful information in evaluating the tumor stage and follow-up of the disease.
Troglitazone Stimulates the Insulin-induced Tetrahydrobiopterin Synthesis In Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ishii Masakazu , Shimizu Shunichi , Shiota Kazuhiro , Kiuchi Yuji , Yamamoto Toshinori 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
We investigated the effects of troglitazone, which is a ligand of nuclear transcription factor peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), on insulin-induced tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) synthesis in mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (MBMECs). BH4 content was determined as biopterin, by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography using fluorometric detection. Measurement of mRNA level of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), which is a rate-limiting enzyme for de novo BH4 synthesis, was performed by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT -PCR). Addition of insulin (10µg/ml) to endothelial cells increased intracellular BH4 content and GTPCH mRNA level, and the insulin-induced increase in BH4 content and GTPCH mRNA level was further stimulated by co-treatment with troglitazone (0.3-3 µM). However, the expression of PPAR-γ mRNA in untreated and insulin-treated endothelial cells was not detected. Moreover, bezafibrate (1-10 µM), a ligand of PPAR-δ, did not affect BH4 synthesis in insulin-treated endothehal cells. These findings suggest that troglitazone stimulates insulin-induced BH4 synthesis in endothelial cells with the induction of GTPCH through PPAR-γ- and PPAR-δ-independent mechanism