• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.774-778
• /
• 1998

Brazilin [7,11b-dihydrobenz[b]indeno[1,2-d]pyran-3,6a,9,10(6H)-tetrol] inhibited thrombin-, collagen- and ADP-induced aggregation of washed rat platelets. T hrombin- and collagen-induced ATP release were also inhibited by brazilin in a concentration-dependent manner. Brazilin inhibited the formation of platelet thromboxane $A_2$ caused by thrombin, whereas it had no effect on the prostaglandin $D_2$ formation. Brazilin inhibited $^3H$-arachidonic acid liberation from membrane phospholipids of thrombin-stimulated platelets. Brazilin inhibited the rise of intracellular free calcium caused by thrombin. These results indicate that the inhibition of phospholipase ($PLA_2$) activity and [$[Ca^{2+}]_1$ elevation might be at least a part of antiplatelet mechanism of brazilin.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.112-118
• /
• 1978

Xanthine oxidase from bovine thyroid glands was purified to apparent homogeneity when judged by analytical disc gel electrophoresis. The purification procedures include pancreatin digestion, butanol extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation, calcium phosphate gel adsorption, ultrafiltration, calcium phosphate gel-cellulose column chromatography, gel filtration, preparative Sephadex G-25 column electrophoresis, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was enriched 1,000-fold. However, its specific activity was markedly low as compared with highly purified milk enzyme. Thyroidal xanthine oxidase exhibited a low specificity for substrates and electron acceptors. The kinetic properties of thyroid xanthine oxidase were found to be similar to those of the milk enzyme on the basis of Michaelis constants for common substrates.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.482-487
• /
• 1999

The Pseudomonas sp. strain NGK1 (NCIM 5120) was immobilized in calcium alginate, agar, and polyacrylamide gel matrices. The salicylic acid-producing capacity of freely suspended cells was compared with immobilized cells in batches with a shake culture and continuous culture system in a packed bed reactor. Freely suspended cells ($4\times10^{10}cfu/ml$) produced 12 mM of salicylic acid, whereas cells immobilized in calcium alginate ($1.8\times10^{11}$cfu/g beads), agar ($1.8\times10^{11}$cfu/g beads), and polyacrylamide ($1.6\times10^{11}$cfu/g beads) produced 15, 11, and 16mM of salicylic acid, respectively, from naphthalene at an initial concentration of 25 mM. The continuous production of salicylic acid from naphthalene was investigated in a continuous packed bed reactor with two different cell populations. The longevity of the salicylic acid-producing activity of the immobilized cells from naphthalene was also studied in semi continuous fermentations. The immobilized cells could be reused 18, 13, and more than 20 times without losing salicylic acid-producing activity in calcium alginate-,agar-, and polyacrylamide-entrapped cells, respectively. The study reveals a more efficient utilization of naphthalene and salicylic acid production by the immobilized Pseudomonas sp. strain NGK1 as compared to the free cells.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
• /
• 2003.09a
• /
• pp.268-284
• /
• 2003

Nor-aporphine derivatives have been discovered which interfere with the flux of Calcium into and out of the cell interior. It has been shown that adrenergic antagonists that block the Calcium exchange lead to an inhibition of Protein kinase C activity, thus blocking tyrosinase activation. Di-acetyl-dimethoxy-methyl-nor-aporphine is a semi-synthetic molecule of natural origin with very high potency. On B16 melanocytes as well as in normal human melanocytes the decrease in melanin synthesis reaches -50％ at a level of 40 ppm in the culture medium. On a molar concentration basis, this is 50 to 70 times stronger than Kojic acid inhibition. Yet, the cell viability is not affected. Reversibility studies show that after washing out of the active compound, melanogenesis returns to normal levels. Possible mechanisms of the activity are discussed. Tests carried out on SkinEthic(R) three-dimensional models of the epidermis and in vivo clinical studies on Asian population confirm the strong inhibition of melanogenesis. Safety evaluation of these molecules, on the other hand, demonstrates good skin tolerance and absence of toxicity.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.898-911
• /
• 2016

Sugars play many important roles in plant metabolism and directly influence fruit quality. The effects of two edible coatings, 2% calcium chloride and 1% pullulan, on sugar metabolism in postharvest Huangguan pear fruit were investigated during cold storage. The respiration rate, sugar content and composition, sucrose metabolism enzyme activities [acid invertase (AIV), neutral invertase (NI), sucrose synthase (SS), and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS)] and expression of the AIV gene were analyzed during storage at $0^{\circ}C$ for 210 days. Coating treatments slowed the decrease of sucrose and hexose, the respiration rate, and the activities of AIV, NI, SS and SPS, thus maintaining high total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acid (TA) contents in the fruit. There were no significant differences in AIV expression or activity between the treated and control groups of fruits. Both of the coatings could inhibit the activities of sucrose-cleaving enzymes, thus slowing the decrease of sugar content and maintaining high fruit quality during cold storage.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.25-40
• /
• 1991

Four root canal sealers, Apatite Root Sealer I and II composed mainly of hydroxyapatite/tricalciumphosphate, Sealapex containing calcium hydroxide, and Roth Sealer composed of zinc oxide - eugenol were compared on the culture of L929 fibroblasts. MIT (Methyl Thiazole Tetrazolium Bromide) colorimetric technique was used to measure the mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. Results were as follows: 1. Hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate mixed sealers were significantly less toxic compared with calcium hydroxide and zinc oxide - eugenol type sealers. High pH of the calcium hydroxide sealer and release of eugenol component from the zinc oxide - eugenol type sealer were presumed to be the cause of the toxicity of these two sealers. In no cases, there were more cytoblastic effects in hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate mixed sealers compared to the control groups. 2. In all experimental groups, toxicity was decreased as dilutions were increased. However in zinc oxide-eugenol type sealer the cell activity was weakened for all dilution groups. 3. Regarding the effect of setting time, Apatite I and Sealapex were less toxic as the setting progressed. Apatite II kept constant regardless of the different time ellapsed after setting but Roth sealer revealed significantly higher toxicity for all experimental groups. 4. Comparing two different culture periods of 24 hours and 72 hours, Apatite I showed higher cell activities in longer period(72 hours) while Apatite II did not. Sealapex and Roth sealer, however, showed significantly lower cell activities in longer period.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.317-322
• /
• 2010

Prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing significantly worldwide due to energy imbalance perhaps stemming from undesirable dietary behavior and physical activity level. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of physical activity level on nutritional status in elementary school students. The subjects were comprised of 287 elementary school students between 4th and 6th grades in Seoul, Korea. The level of physical activity was scored with a modified Godin leisure-time exercise questionnaire and was categorized as active, moderately active, and sedentary. Dietary intakes were obtained using a 24-hour food recall method. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to test for global significant differences of nutrient intakes by physical activity level. Boys were more active than girls. Daily intakes of energy in moderately active boys were significantly higher than in the sedentary group, but intakes of calcium and iron in moderately active boys were lower than active boys. For girls, physical activity level did not affect nutrient density at all. Intakes of calcium, vitamin C, and folate for both boys and girls were below 50% of recommended intake. Physical activity did not affect nutrient density and our participants were exposed to nutritional imbalance. Therefore, the results suggest that nutrition education regarding balanced diet and optimum physical activity is required for children's health and growth.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 2002.06b
• /
• pp.20-21
• /
• 2002

The inflow of Ca$\^$2＋/ through voltage-activated T-type calcium channels (T-channels) regulates a variety of cellular functions including neuronal excitability, cardiac pacemaker activity, hormone secretion, smooth muscle contraction, and fertilization. Not only are T-channels enormously important for the normal operation of cells, they also playa critical role in pathophysiological conditions such as cardiac hypertrophy and absence epilepsy.(omitted)

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.217-225
• /
• 2020

Background: This study was performed to provide a long-term bacterial seal through the formation of reparative dentin bridge, calcium silicate-based pulp capping materials have been used at sites of pulpal exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mineralization-inducing potentials of calcium silicate-based pulp capping materials (ProRoot MTA [PR], Biodentine [BD], and TheraCal LC [TC]) in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). Methods: Specimens of test materials were placed in deionized water for various incubation times to measure the pH variation and the concentration of calcium released. The morphology of HDPCs cultured on the specimens was examined using a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Alizarin red S staining and alkaline phosphatase assays were used to evaluate mineralization-inducing potentials of the capping materials. Results: BD showed the highest calcium release in all test periods, followed by PR and TC. (p<0.05). All experimental groups showed high alkalinity after 1 day, except at 14 days. BD showed the highest cell viability compared with PR and TC after 1 and 3 days, while TC showed the lowest value (p<0.05). The CLSM analysis showed that cells were well adhered and expressed actin filaments for all pulp capping materials. Mineralization by PR and BD groups was higher than that by TC group based on alizarin red S staining. BD showed significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity than PR and TC, while TC showed the lowest value (p<0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the in vitro study, BD had higher mineralization-inducing potential than PR and TC.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.39-47
• /
• 1998

In the present study, We have tested the potential effects of ginseng saponin fractions on macrophage chemotaxis and intracellular calcium and F-actin mobilization. Peritoneal macrophages treated with various ginseng saponin fractions showed 28.4% to 71% of increasement of chemotaxis as compared with untreated cells. The activity of intracelluar calcium mobilization was increased up to 65% by treatment with saponins, and F-actin content also increased 10% in the cells loaded with NBD-phallacidin. When the cells were activated with calcium of PMA and treated with saponin fractions, the intracelluar F-actin content increased significantly and prolonged for 2 minutes. These results suggest that ginseng saponin fractions might be a chemoattractants.