Effect of zinc administration on thyrotropin releasing hormone-stimulated prolactinemia in healthy men

Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated zinc (Zn++) inhibition of basal and of potassium (K+) or thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated prolactin (PRL) secretion, in a selective, reversible, and dose-dependent manner. Thus, Zn++ may regulate physiologically pituitary PRL secretion. Furthermore, studies with patients with uremia, cirrhosis or prolactinoma, have shown the coexistence of hypozincemia and hyperprolactinemia and zinc supplementation did not correct hyperprolactinemia in these patients. In normal individuals Zn++ administration produced controversial results on PRL secretion. Here, we investigated whether zinc administration affects TRH-stimulated PRL in healthy men. We found that Zn++ administration does not change the TRH-stimulated PRL. Therefore, in normal conditions, Zn++ does not inhibit TRH-stimulated prolactinemia. In addition, we found that acute increases of blood PRL and TRH do not alter blood Zn++ levels.

Crystal structures and luminescence properties of La3Zr4F25 and alpha-LaZr3F15

During a study of the LaF3-ZrF4 system, both La3Zr4F25 and alpha-LaZr3F15 compounds have been evidenced. Their crystal structures have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. La3Zr4F25 crystallises in the cubic system with a= 12.384 Angstrom and I (4) over bar 3d space group (no. 220). Its crystal structure is built up of (ZrF6)(2-) octahedra and (LaF8)(5-) dodecahedra sharing corners. The low temperature form, alpha, of LaZr3F15 is orthorhombic (space group Pmmn, no. 59) with a = 15.721 Angstrom, b = 16.299 Angstrom, c= 8.438 Angstrom. Its structure is built of corner-sharing tricaped trigonal prisms surrounding the La3+ ions and both octahedra and monocapped trigonal prisms encompassing the Zr4+ ions. This structure is characterised by dynamically disordered (ZrF6)(2-) complex anions.The Eu3+ luminescence properties of these phases have been investigated and are discussed in relationship with their crystal structures.

Upconversion luminescence in transparent glass ceramics containing beta-PbF2 nanocrystals doped with erbium

Frequency upconversion luminescence in erbium-doped PbGeO3-PbF2-CdF2-based transparent glass ceramics (TGC) under 980 nm infrared excitation is investigated. Upconversion emission signals around 410, 525, 550, 660, and 850 nm were generated and identified as due to the H-2(9/2) H-2(11/2), S-4(3/2), and F-4(9/2) transitions to the I-4(15/2) ground-state, and S-4(3/2)-I-4(13/2), respectively. The erbium ions excited-state emitting levels were populated via a combination of stepwise ground-state absorption (GSA), excited-state absorption (ESA), and cross-relaxation processes. The results also disclosed that both blue (410 nm) and red (660 nm) upconversion emission signals in the transparent glass ceramic sample presented twice as much intensity as compared to its vitreous counterpart. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The nature of the photo luminescence in amorphized PZT

The polymeric precursor method was used to synthesize lead zirconate titanate powder (PZT). The crystalline powder was then amorphized by a high-energy ball milling process during 120h. A strong photoluminescence emission was observed at room temperature for the amorphized PZT powder. The powders were characterized by XRD and the percentage of amorphous phase was calculated through Rietveld refinement. The microstructure for both phases was investigated by TEM. The optical gap was calculated through the Wood and Tauc method using the UV-Vis. data. Quantum mechanical calculations were carried out to give an interpretation of the photoluminescence in terms of electronic structure. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Luminescence and ESR properties of Brazilian feldspars

The IRSL and TL responses of three different feldspar crystals have been analysed. TL measurements were taken in the ultraviolet UV (290-370 nm) and the visible VIS (340-610 nm) regions of the spectrum. For the UV region and for a natural sample, peaks were observed at 283, 287 and 310 degrees C for grey, white and pink crystals, respectively. For samples irradiated after prior preheating, it was noted that TL peaks occurred at about 200 degrees C for all the samples; irradiation with high doses above 500 Gy induced the formation of one additional peak at 170 degrees C. The VIS region results were similar to those for the UV. ESR experiments have been developed to verify the influence of radiation and heat treatments on the centres and preliminary results showed great variation in the intensities of [TiO(4)](-), Al-O(-)-Al and Fe(3+) centres. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Energy upconversion luminescence in neodymium-doped tellurite glass

Infrared-to-visible upconversion luminescence emission in Nd3+-doped 60TeO(2)-10GeO(2)-10K(2)O-10Li(2)O-10Nb(2)O(5) tellurite glasses under cw excitation around 800 nm is investigated. Blue (430, and 475 nm), green (5 0 nm) and yellow-orange (590 nm) energy upconversion emission owing to the P-2(1/2) --> I-4(j) (j=9/2, 11/2, 13/2 and 15/2) transitions of the Nd3+ ions, respectively, was recorded. The dependence of the upconversion intensity upon the excitation wavelength and pump power is also studied. The upconversion excitation mechanism responsible for the observed emission signals is attributed to stepwise multiphoton absorption. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

CH3OH optically pumped by a (CO2)-C-13 laser: new laser lines and assignments

We report 12 new THz (far-infrared) laser lines from methanol (CH3OH), ranging from 58.1 mu m (5.2 THz) to 624.6 mu m (0.5 THz). A(13) CO2 laser of wide tunability (110 MHz) has been used for optical pumping, allowing access to previously unexplored spectral regions. Optoacoustic absorption spectra were used as a guide to search for new THz laser lines, which have been characterized in wavelength, polarization, offset, relative intensity, and optimum operation pressure. For 20 laser lines previously observed, we have measured the absorption offset with respect to the (CO2)-C-13 laser line center.

Optically pumped submillimeter laser lines from CD2Cl2 using a large tunability CW CO2 laser

Twenty-five new laser lines have been obtained is the wavelength region from 155 to 830 mu m by optically pumping the CD2Cl2 (deuterated dichloromethane) molecule with a CW CO3 laser having a tunability range of 300 MHz. The wavelength, polarization relative to that of CO2 pumping radiation, and offset relative to the CO2 center frequency were determined for all of the new lines and some other already known laser emissions. For all of them we give also the relative intensity and the optimum pressure of operation.

EXAFS, SAXS and Eu3+ luminescence spectroscopy of sol-gel derived siloxane-polyethyleneoxide hybrids

Hybrid Eu3+-doped silica-poliethyleneoxide (PEO) nanocomposites with covalent bonds between the inorganic (siloxane) and organic (PEO) phases have been obtained by sol-gel process. These materials are transparent, flexible and present high Eu3+ luminescence output. Their luminescence properties, local environment around europium ions and structure have been investigated as a function of europium content. EXAFS measurements indicate that the increase in Eu-doping induces a decrease in Eu3+ coordination number. An increase in symmetry degree around the metal ion is also observed for increasing Eu3+ concentration, while non radiative decay paths from the D-5(0) excited state become more important. SAXS results suggest the preferential interaction of europium ions with ether-type oxygens of the polymer chains. However, the existence of interactions between the cations and the carbonyl groups from urea bridges located at the siloxane-PEO interface can not be excluded.

Structure and luminescence of Eu3+-doped class I siloxane-poly(ethylene glycol) hybrids

Transparent, flexible, and luminescent EU3+-doped siloxane-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) nanocomposites have been obtained by the sol-gel process. The inorganic (siloxane) and organic PEG phases are usually linked by weak bonds (hydrogen bonds or van der Waals forces), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements suggest that the structure of these materials consists of fractal siloxane aggregates embedded in the PEG matrix. For low Eu3+ contents, n = 300 and n = 80, the aggregates are small and isolated and their fractal dimensions are 2.1 and 1.7, respectively. These values are close to those expected for gelation mechanisms consisting of reaction-limited cluster-cluster aggregation (RLCCA) and diffusion-limited cluster-cluster aggregation (DLCCA). For high Eu3+ content, SAYS results are consistent with a two-level structure: a primary level of siloxane aggregates and a second level, much larger, formed by the coalescence of the primary ones. The observed increase in the glass transition temperature for increasing Eu3+ content is consistent with the structural model derived from SAXS measurements. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and luminescence spectroscopy measurements indicate that under the experimental conditions utilized here Eu3+ ions do not strongly interact with the polymeric phase.

Zinc supplementation does not inhibit basal and metoclopramide-stimulated prolactinemia secretion in healthy men

Dopamine (DA) and zinc (Zn++) share common mechanisms in their inhibition of prolactin (PRL) secretion. Both substances are present in the same brain areas, where Zn++ is released together with DA, suggesting a modulatory effect of Zn++ on dopaminergic receptors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Zn supplementation on basal and PRL secretion stimulated by metoclopramide (MCP), a dopaminergic antagonist. Seven healthy men were evaluated in controlled study, where MCP (5 mg) was given intravenously, before and after 3 months of oral Zn++ (25 mg) administration. Our results indicate that chronic Zn++ administration does not change basal or MCP-stimulated plasma PRL secretion suggesting that, in humans, Zn++ does not interfere on PRL secretion mediated through dopaminergic receptors.

Influence of Zn2+ co-doping ion on Eu3+-O2- associate luminescence in Sr2SiO4

This work reports on the study about the luminescence behavior of Eu3+-O2- associates in Sr2SiO4 doped with Eu3+, or simultaneously doped with Eu3+ and Zn2+ ions, where the Zn2+ doping ion acts as a charge compensating agent. Both Sr2SiO4:Eu3+ and Sr2SiO4:Eu3+,Zn2+ emission spectra show two types D-5(0)-->F-7(0) type transitions, one type related to Eu3+ in the Sr2+ Site, at 577 and 580 nm and the other one related to Eu3+-O2- associates, at 574 nm. Excitation spectra present two CT bands at 275 and 324 nm related to each emission center, respectively. Comparing the relative intensities between the emission spectra, the 0-->0 transition at 574 nm assigned to Eu3+-O2- associates in the Sr2SiO4:Eu3+ emission spectrum is much more intense than the same transition in the Sr2SiO4:Eu3+,Zn2+ emission spectrum. Moreover, in the Sr2SiO4:Eu3+ excitation spectrum, the intensity ratio between the CT band related to the Eu3+-O2- emission center and Eu3+ F-7-->L-5(6) transition is also larger than in the Sr2SiO4:Eu3+,Zn2+ one. Therefore, the presence of Zn2+ species provides an extra charge compensating mechanism, which decreases the formation of Eu3+-O2- associates. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Blue cooperative luminescence properties in Yb3+ doped GeO2-PbO-Bi2O3 vitreous system for the production of thin films

Germanate glasses are of interest for optoelectronic applications because they combine high mechanical strength, high chemical durability and temperature stability with a large transmission window (400 to 4500 nm) and high refractive index (2.0). GeO2-PbO-Bi2O3 glasses doped with Y-b(3+) were fabricated by melting powders in a crucible and then pouring them in a brass mold. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy showed that the glass composition has a high spatial uniformity and that the Yb concentration in the solid sample is proportional to the Yb concentration in the melt, what was confirmed by absorption measurements. Intense blue emission at 507 nm was observed, corresponding to half of the wavelength of the near infrared region (NIR) emission; besides, a decay lifetime of 0.25 ms was measured and this corresponds to half of the decay lifetime in the infrared region; these are very strong indications of the presence of blue cooperative luminescence. Larger targets have been produced to be sputtered, resulting in thin films for three dimensional (3D) display and waveguide applications. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A CALORIMETRIC STUDY OF THE ULTRASOUND-STIMULATED HYDROLYSIS OF SOLVENTLESS TEOS-WATER MIXTURES

The kinetics of ultrasound-stimulated and HCl-catalyzed hydrolysis of solventless TEOS-water mixtures was studied as a function of temperature ranging from 10 degrees C up to 65 degrees C by means of flux calorimetry measurements. A specially designed device was utilized for this purpose. The exothermic peak arising few minutes after sonication began has been attributed mainly to the hydrolysis reaction. The overall hydrolysis process, which was measured through the irradiation time up to the hydrolysis peak, was found to be thermally activated, with an apparent activation energy Delta E = 36.4 kJ/mol. The alcohol produced at the early hydrolysis due to sonication seems to further enhance the reaction, via a parallel autocatalytic path, which is controlled by a faster pseudo second order rate constant (k'). Our modeling yielded k' = 6.3 x 10(-2) M(-1) min(-1) at 20 degrees C, which is in a reasonable agreement with the literature, and an activation energy Delta E = 40.4 kJ/mol for the specific process of hydrolysis in presence of alcohol.

Luminescence effect in amorphous PLT

Amorphous and crystalline powder of PLT phase was synthesized by using the Pechini method. Infrared (FTIR) analysis of the polymeric resin shows intense bands of organic materials from 250 to 1620 cm(-1). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra of calcined powder at different temperatures show amorphous phase at 450 degrees C/3 h, semi-crystalline phase at 550 degrees C/3 h and a crystalline phase at 800 degrees C/3 h. Luminescence effect was observed in amorphous powder calcined from 300 to 350 degrees/3 h with broad absorption peaks in 579 nm at 300 degrees C/3 h and 603 rum at 350 degrees C/3 h, respectively. The photoluminescence effect is attributed to emissions of Ti -> 0 directly from the oxygen 2p orbital (valence band) to the titanate 3d orbital (conduction bands). (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.