Antioxidant protection of lipoproteins containing estrogens: in vitro evidence for low- and high-density lipoproteins as estrogen carriers. (1/38)

Some recent studies have reported that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from estrogen-treated postmenopausal women exhibited increased oxidation resistance ex vivo. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this effect are not clear. We explored the possibility that lipophilic derivatives of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) could be incorporated into LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles inhibiting lipoprotein oxidation. Introduction of small amounts of esterified E(2) into lipoproteins by means of incubation of free E(2) and E(2) 17-stearate in plasma did not result in any antioxidant effect. Using an artificial transfer system (Celite dispersion), larger amounts of E(2) esters could be incorporated into lipoproteins. Concentrations ranging between 0.27 and 1.38 molecules/LDL particle for E(2) 17-stearate and between 0.36 and 1.93 molecules/LDL particle for E(2) 17-oleate resulted in increased Cu(2+)-induced oxidation resistance of LDL as indicated by statistically significant lag time prolongations. Significant prolongations of lag times were also observed for HDL following incorporation of E(2) esters using Celite as transfer system. Our results suggest that free E(2) can be esterified and incorporated into lipoproteins during incubation in plasma. However, incorporation of supraphysiologic concentrations of E(2) esters into lipoproteins by means of the artificial transfer system was required in order to reduce their oxidation susceptibility.  (+info)

In vitro and in vivo tests for determination of the pathogenicity of quartz, diatomaceous earth, mordenite and clinoptilolite. (2/38)

The effects of samples of crystalline quartz, diatomaceous earth, mordenite and clinoptilolite were investigated in vitro (as concerns erythrocyte haemolysis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from peritoneal macrophages) and in vivo (on LDH, protein and phospholipids in rat bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and phospholipids in rat lung tissue). The respirable mineral samples were instilled intratracheally. Determinations in the BAL were carried out after 15, 60 and 180 days, and in the lung tissue after 90, 180 and 360 days. Quartz DQ and quartz FQ induced acute, subacute and chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis. However, due to the Al2O3 contamination on the surface of the particles quartz FQ caused a delayed response in vivo. Diatomaceous earth produced acute/subacute inflammation that gradually became more moderate after 60 days. Clinoptilolite was inert, whereas the other zeolite sample, mordenite, was cytotoxic in vivo. The reason for this was presumably the needle and rod-shaped particles in the mordenite samples. The investigation revealed that different in vitro and in vivo methods canprovide valuable data concerning the pulmonary toxicity of minerals.  (+info)

Isolation of repeated and self-complementary sequences from E. coli DNA. (3/38)

We have used the single-strand specific nuclease from Neurospora crassa and chromatography on methylated albumin-kieselguhr to purify and characterize repeated and self-complementary sequences from Escherichia coli DNA. Approximately 0.5% of the genome renatures spontaneously at zero time and another 2% renatures somewhat more rapidly than the total DNA. The early renaturing DNA has a base composition and a Tm similar to the total DNA and contains on the average 100 base pairs; the self-complementary DNA also has a base composition like E. coli but contains a mean of 170 base pairs. No evidence was obtained for the presence of a highly redundant sequence.  (+info)

Crystalline silica exposure and lung cancer mortality in diatomaceous earth industry workers: a quantitative risk assessment. (4/38)

OBJECTIVE: To use various exposure-response models to estimate the risk of mortality from lung cancer due to occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. METHODS: Data from a cohort mortality study of 2342 white male California diatomaceous earth mining and processing workers exposed to crystalline silica dust (mainly cristobalite) were reanalyzed with Poisson regression and Cox's proportional hazards models. Internal and external adjustments were used to control for potential confounding from the effects of time since first observation, calendar time, age, and Hispanic ethnicity. Cubic smoothing spline models were used to assess the fit of the models. Exposures were lagged by 10 years. Evaluations of the fit of the models were performed by comparing their deviances. Lifetime risks of lung cancer were estimated up to age 85 with an actuarial approach that accounted for competing causes of death. RESULTS: Exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust was a significant predictor (p<0.05) in nearly all of the models evaluated and the linear relative rate model with a 10 year exposure lag seemed to give the best fit in the Poisson regression analysis. For those who died of lung cancer the linear relative rate model predicted rate ratios for mortality from lung cancer of about 1.6 for the mean cumulative exposure to respirable silica compared with no exposure. The excess lifetime risk (to age 85) of mortality from lung cancer for white men exposed for 45 years and with a 10 year lag period at the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard of about 0.05 mg/m(3) for respirable cristobalite dust is 19/1000 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5/1000 to 46/1000). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant risk of mortality from lung cancer that increased with cumulative exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. The predicted number of deaths from lung cancer suggests that current occupational health standards may not be adequately protecting workers from the risk of lung cancer.  (+info)

The effects of aprotinin on thromboelastography with three different activators. (5/38)

BACKGROUND: Thromboelastography is used for assessment of hemostasis. Adherence to thromboelastography-guided algorithms and aprotinin administration each decrease bleeding and blood product usage after cardiac surgery. Aprotinin, through inhibition of kallikrein, causes prolongation of the celite-activated clotting time and the activated partial thromboplastin ratio. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of aprotinin on the thromboelastography trace. METHODS: Three activators were used in the thromboelastography: celite (which is widely established), kaolin, and tissue factor. Assessment was performed on blood from volunteers and from patients before and after cardiac surgery. RESULTS: The tissue factor-activated thromboelastography trace was unaffected by the addition of aprotinin. When celite and kaolin were used as activators in the presence of aprotinin, the reaction time (time to clot formation) of the thromboelastography trace was prolonged (P < 0.0001) and the maximum amplitude (clot strength) was decreased (P < 0.05). With celite as an activator, the addition of aprotinin decreased (P < 0.05) the thromboelastography alpha angle (rate of clot extension). The reaction time of the celite-activated trace correlated with the activated partial thromboplastin ratio (P < 0.01). The reaction time of the tissue factor-activated trace correlated with the international normalized ratio (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The thromboelastography trace is altered in the presence of aprotinin when celite and kaolin are used as activators but not when tissue factor is the activator.  (+info)

Rapid and simple determination of histamine-N-methyl transferase activity by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. (6/38)

A rapid, simple and low-cost assay method of histamine-N-methyltransferase activity was developed. Methylhistamine, which was separated from the enzymatic reaction system on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using an ion-paired chromatographic technique, was detected spectrophotometrically at 226 nm. The mobile phase used for the separation of methylhistamine was 0.05M NH4H2PO4 (pH 3.0) containing 2 mM of sodium octanesulfonate. The new assay technique could detect methylhistamine as an enzyme activity product of histamine-N-methyltransferase in the brain and kidney of rats. Chloropheniramine maleate, an antihistamine, activated the histamine-N-methyltransferase. Whether neurotransmitter or neuromodulator, the role of histamine in the brain has not yet been made clear. Therefore, the present method could be applicable for the enzymatic investigation of histamine metabolism in central nervous system or inflammatory reactions.  (+info)

Incorporation of horseradish peroxidase in a Kieselguhr membrane and the application to a mediator-free hydrogen peroxide sensor. (7/38)

Horseradish peroxidase was incorporated in a kieselguhr membrane. The electron-transfer process of the enzyme was examined by cyclic voltammetry. It was observed that the electron-transfer reactivity of horseradish peroxidase was greatly enhanced, and that direct electrochemistry was accordingly feasible. Using the merits of the direct electron-transfer reactivity of horseradish peroxidase and its specific enzymatic catalysis towards hydrogen peroxide, an unmediated hydrogen peroxide biosensor was constructed. The calibration plot of this hydrogen peroxide sensor was linear in the range of 2.0 x 10(-6) mol/L - 6.5 x 10(-4) mol/L. The relative standard deviation was 4.1% for 6 successive determinations at a concentration of 1.0 x 10(-4) mol/L. The detection limit was 1.0 x 10(-6) mol/L.  (+info)

Evaluation of a new point-of-care celite-activated clotting time analyzer in different clinical settings. The i-STAT celite-activated clotting time test. (8/38)

BACKGROUND: Activated clotting time (ACT) is used to monitor heparin therapy during cardiopulmonary bypass, interventional cardiology, and hemodialysis. Traditionally, ACT is performed by use of the Hemochron system. Recently, a new device, the i-STAT system, has been introduced to measure ACT. The aim of this study was to correlate the performances of these two systems and to compare ACT values with heparin levels. METHODS: One hundred sixty-five samples from 29 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass or hemodialysis were assayed in duplicate with two Hemochron and two i-STAT devices. Heparin levels were determined by anti-factor Xa assay. RESULTS: The Hemochron ACT ranged from 88 to 1,028 s, and the i-STAT ACT ranged from 80 to 786 s. Heparin plasma levels ranged from 0.01 to 10.8 U/mL. Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference between the two methods of 24 +/- 101 s. Strong relationships between anti-factor Xa activity and Hemochron ACTs (r2 = 0.69, P < 0.001) and i-STAT ACTs (r2 = 0.79, P < 0.001) were observed. During cardiac surgery, significant correlations were found: Hemochron, r2 = 0.61, P < 0.001 and i-STAT, r2 = 0.74, P < 0.001. During hemodialysis, relationships between anti-factor Xa activity and ACTs were found: Hemochron, r2 = 0.62, P < 0.001 and i-STAT, r2 = 0.55, P < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: During cardiopulmonary bypass procedure and hemodialysis, i-STAT provides measurements of clotting time quite similar to Hemochron ACT, which were significantly correlated with heparin levels.  (+info)

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