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The color change in CO2 absorbents on drying: an in vitro study using moisture analysis.

UNLABELLED: Alkali hydroxide-free absorbents change color markedly when they dry, whereas absorbents containing alkali hydroxides do not. We investigated whether this observation can be explained by the weaker hygroscopic properties of pure calcium hydroxide compared with alkali hydroxides. Samples of the alkali hydroxide-free absorbents Amsorb or Superia and samples of these two absorbents with 1% or 3% NaOH or 3% KOH added were dried in a moisture analyzer at 105 degrees C to determine their moisture content and to assess the color of the samples during drying (each group, n = 5). Additionally, we repeated the experiments with pulverized samples of Baralyme and Spherasorb, which contain approximately 4% KOH and 1% NaOH, respectively. Amsorb and Superia changed color long before they were dry. After the addition of 1% NaOH, and as with the Spherasorb samples, the drying time required for a color change was longer, and the intensity of the resulting violet was less. This effect was even stronger when 3% NaOH was added. The samples with added KOH and the Baralyme did not change color at all on drying. We conclude that the differences in color change on drying in absorbents with varying NaOH or KOH content cannot be explained by larger water retention because of the hygroscopic properties of the alkali hydroxides. IMPLICATIONS: In an in vitro study, the moisture content and color change on drying were determined in samples of Amsorb or Superia and in the same absorbents with added NaOH or KOH. With increasing concentrations of alkali hydroxide, a delay in the color change upon drying was observed. However, the moisture content did not change.

Absorption↗

Expression of cyclic ADP-ribose-synthetizing CD38 molecule on human platelet membrane.

CD38 is a cell surface molecule widely used as a marker for immature and activated lymphocytes. It has been recently shown that CD38 displays three enzymatic activities: hydrolysis of NAD+ to ADP-ribose, synthesis of cyclic ADP-ribose from NAD+, and hydrolysis of cyclic ADP-ribose to ADP-ribose. Thus, CD38 plays a key role in the synthesis of cyclic ADP-ribose, a calcium-mobilizing compound. We investigate here the expression and cellular localization of CD38 in human platelets using a specific monoclonal antibody. Results showed that CD38 is expressed by human platelet membranes. Moreover, we show that platelet CD38 possesses NAD glycohydrolase, ADP-ribose cyclase, and cyclic ADP-ribose hydrolase activities. This finding indicates that the calcium-mobilizing agent cyclic ADP-ribose can be synthetized by human platelets and raises the question about the possible role of CD38 expression and enzymatic activities in the signal transduction pathways leading to platelet activation.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Homeopathic treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: three case studies using Jan Scholten's methodology.

This paper explores the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome following a viral infection in young people. The methodology is based on that of Dr Jan Scholten, Holland, who has systematically described the homeopathic themes of all elements in the periodic table. Three case studies are presented, Cobaltum Phosphoricum, Calcium Phosphoricum and Cadmium Phosphoricum were prescribed. The common themes and the differentiating features of these Phosphate salts are described in detail to show how the homeopathic similimum is found and cure achieved.

Adult↗

Activation of a calcium-permeable cation channel by insulin-like growth factor II in BALB/c 3T3 cells.

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF II) is a member of somatomedin family and is a potent mitogen in various types of mammalian cells. We have recently reported that IGF II stimulates calcium influx in competent BALB/c 3T3 cells primed with epidermal growth factor (J. Biol. Chem. 262: 12120-12126, 1987). Using patch-clamp technique, we show here an IGF II-sensitive cation channel in BALB/c 3T3 cell plasma membrane. Calcium is permeable to this cation channel and its opening behavior is independent of membrane potential. IGF II increases the opening probability of the identical channel in cells pretreated sequentially with platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor, whereas IGF II does not affect the opening of the channel in G0-arrested cells. This cation channel activity is observed only when IGF II is included in the patch pipette, indicating direct regulation of the channel by IGF II. We suggest that IGF II stimulates calcium influx by opening this cation channel and that IGF II activates the channel in a unique cell cycle-dependent manner.

Animals↗

[Development of electrical activity of hypothalamic cells in culture].

The development of the electrical activity of hypothalamic cells was studied using intracellular and patch clamp recording technics on cultured hypothalamic neurones from 14 days mouse embryos. After 24 h of incubation, 15% of recorded cells were spontaneously active. During the first five days of culture this ratio increased exponentially to reach 95% at day 5. Between the 5th and the 9th day the spontaneous activity progressively decreased although the majority of cells remained excitable. Spontaneous activity reappeared after the 9th day and was underlain by a synaptic potential activity. During the first five days of culture, only a TTX sensitive inward current was observed in all cell tested. A calcium inward current appeared after the first week of incubation. It was recorded on 40% of cells at day 11th and in 80% of cells tested after a month of incubation. Our results show that electrical activity of cultured hypothalamic neurones develop in three stages. A first stage characterized by a spontaneous electrical activity without post synaptic potential, an intermediate stage during which a Calcium inward current appeared corresponding to synaptic contact development and a third stage during which post synaptic potential activity was observed, corresponding to synaptic contact maturation.

Animals↗

Binding of neomycin and calcium to phospholipids and other anionic compounds.

In order to assess the potential importance of different cellular binding sites for the adverse effects of aminoglycosides (i.e. oto- and nephrotoxicity) the binding of neomycin and calcium to phospholipids and other anionic cell constituents was assayed in vitro. Phospholipids demonstrated binding affinities that strongly favored neomycin (Km, 10 to 100 microM) over calcium (Km, 300 to 1,120 microM). Both neomycin and calcium showed strongest binding to lipids with monoester phosphate groups: phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. The lipids bound 0.2 to 0.4 molecules of neomycin and 0.5 to 1 molecule of calcium, respectively, per lipid. Anionic non-lipid compounds such as melanin, gangliosides or chondroitin sulfate were ineffective competitors of neomycin binding to lipids. The results emphasize the importance of phospholipids as cellular binding sites for aminoglycosides. Furthermore, if one considers extra- and intracellular calcium and neomycin concentrations, the relative affinity of lipids for these two compounds suggests an explanation for both the reversible and the essentially irreversible toxic effects of the aminoglycosides.

Aminoglycosides↗

The mechanism of honokiol-induced and magnolol-induced inhibition on muscle contraction and Ca2+ mobilization in rat uterus.

The effects of honokiol and magnolol extracted from the Magnolia officinalis on muscular contractile responses and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization were investigated in the non-pregnant rat uterus. Honokiol and magnolol (1-100 micromol/l) were observed to inhibit spontaneous and uterotonic agonists (carbachol, PGF(2alpha), and oxytocin)-, high K(+)-, and Ca(2+) channel activator (Bay K 8644)-induced uterine contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibition rate of honokiol on spontaneous contractions appeared to be slower than that of magnolol-induced response. The time periods that were required for honokiol and magnolol, at 100 micromol/l, to abolish 50% spontaneous contractions were approximately 6 min. Furthermore, honokiol and magnolol at 10 micromol/l also blocked the Ca(2+)-dependent oscillatory contractions. Consistently, the increases in intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) induced by PGF(2alpha) and high K(+) were suppressed by both honokiol and magnolol at 10 micromol/l. After washout of these treatments, the rise in [Ca(2+)](i) induced by PGF(2alpha) and high K(+) was still partially abolished. In conclusion, the inhibitory effects of honokiol and magnolol on uterine contraction may be mediated by blockade of external Ca(2+) influx, leading to a decrease in [Ca(2+)](i). Honokiol and magnolol may be considered as putative Ca(2+) channel blockers and be of potential value in the treatment of gynecological dysfunctions associated with uterine muscular spasm and dysmenorrhea.

Animals↗

Role of angiotensin II in reflex tachycardia during hypotension caused by a calcium channel blocker.

Blood pressure and heart rate were measured by telemetry in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) to investigate the contribution of angiotensin II to the reflex tachycardia resulting from exaggerated hypotension caused by a high dose of a calcium channel blocker. Pre-treatment with TCV-116, an angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist, or enalapril partially attenuated the reflex tachycardia induced by manidipine, but TCV-116 had almost no effect on the sinus tachycardia induced by isoproterenol. The suppressive effects of TCV-116 against the reflex tachycardia tended to be more obvious in WKY than in SHR, though the difference was not statistically significant. Concurrent administration of propranolol almost completely inhibited both the reflex tachycardia and the sinus tachycardia in SHR and WKY, indicating that the sympathetic nervous system contributes to both types of tachycardia. We demonstrated that angiotensin II may be involved in the reflex tachycardia induced by calcium channel blockers probably via activation of some component of the sympathetic nervous system other than postsynaptic factors at the sinus node.

Angiotensin II↗

Flexural strength and fracture toughness of Dicor glass-ceramic after embedment modification.

Previous studies on the surface properties of Dicor castable glass-ceramic have shown the formation of a specific crystalline phase at the glass-ceramic/embedment interface. If this phase is not removed by grinding, it leads to an undesirable strength decrease. The aims of this study were: (1) to determine the nature of this surface layer, (2) to promote the formation of a different crystalline phase at the surface with the intention of improving the properties of the glass-ceramic, by modification of the composition of the Dicor ceramming embedment, and (3) to evaluate the fracture toughness and flexural strength of Dicor glass-ceramic after embedment modification. Modifications were made to the embedment by incorporation of 2.5 wt% of lithium fluoride and ceramming at various temperatures. X-ray diffraction was used to determine the crystalline nature of the surface layer. Fracture toughness was investigated by the indentation technique. The maximum bi-axial stresses were calculated after the samples were fractured in water on a ball-on-ring fixture at 0.5 mm/min. With the recommended embedment and ceramming cycle, the crystalline phase constituting the ceram layer was a calcium magnesium silicate CaMg(SiO3)2 (diopside). The crystalline composition of the ceram layer was successfully modified by addition of 2.5 wt% lithium fluoride to the embedment. This promoted the crystallization of mica in the ceram layer and increased the fracture toughness of the glass-ceramic when the ceramming temperature was 950 or 975 degrees C. The flexural strength was significantly increased when the ceramming temperature was 1000 degrees C.

Aluminum↗

Model for the interaction of crotoxin, a phospholipase A2 neurotoxin, with presynaptic membranes.

Crotoxin is a phospholipase A2 neurotoxin that impairs the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions, primarily at the presynaptic level. It associates a phospholipase A2 subunit, CB, with a chaperon subunit, CA. We have shown elsewhere that the purely cholinergic synaptosomes from the Torpedo electric organ provided a convenient model to study the pharmacology of crotoxin and other related neurotoxins [Délot, E., & Bon, C. (1992) J. Neurochem. 58, 311-319]. In the present experiments, we labeled crotoxin with 125I and demonstrated saturable binding to Torpedo presynaptic membranes. In the range of concentrations that was effective on synaptosomes, crotoxin bound to a single class of sites without cooperativity. The binding was affected by divalent cations, and its kinetics was rather complex. We observed a competition between crotoxin and related neurotoxins, but not CB. Although CA could not bind, it could compete efficiently with crotoxin. We compare our results with those previously obtained by others on guinea pig brain membranes. On Torpedo membranes, as on all models tested, CB was the major species bound to the membrane, while CA remained in solution. However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon had never been clarified. The major question is the time scale of the events, i.e., does CB bind before or after dissociating from CA? Our results indicate that the predominant pathway involves the formation of a ternary complex between crotoxin's subunits and the acceptor site preceding the release of CA.

Acetylcholine↗

Reaction of sevoflurane and its degradation products with soda lime. Toxicity of the byproducts.

Sevoflurane previously has been reported to undergo extensive degradation in the presence of soda lime. To more completely characterize the extent and significnce of this reaction, we studied degradation of sevoflurane with and without soda lime, as well as the toxicity and mutagenicity of the degradation products. Two degradation products detected were CF2 = C(CF3)OCH2F (compound A) and CH3OCF2CH(CF3)OCH2F (compound B). During circulation of 1%, 2%, and 3% sevoflurance in a closed anesthesia circuit for 8 h, peak concentrations of compound A were 13.3 +/- 0.27, 30.2 +/- 0.10, and 42.1 +/- 1.07 ppm at 2 h, respectively. The concentrations of compound B did not exceed 2 ppm. The temperature of the soda lime was 43.3 +/- 2.8 degrees C at 1 h and increased gradually to 47.9 +/- 1.5 degrees C after 8 h. In closed flasks with soda lime, the magnitude of the decrease in sevoflurance concentrations (3%) and of the increase in compound A concentrations was temperature dependent. The peak concentrations of compound A at 23 degrees C, 37 degrees C, and 54 degrees C were 32.8 +/- 6.8 at 2 h, 46.6 +/- 1.0 at 0.5 h, and 78.5 +/- 2.3 ppm at 0.5 h, respectively. The LC50 (50% lethal concentration) of compound A in Wistar rats was 1,090 ppm in males and 1,050 ppm in females exposed for 1 h. The LC50 was 420 ppm in males and 400 ppm in females exposed for 3 h. The chronic toxicity of compound A in Wistar rats was studied by exposing rats 24 times, for 3 h each, to initial concentrations of 30, 60, or 120 ppm in a ventilated chamber. At all concentrations, there were no apparent effects other than a loss of body weight in females (120 ppm) on the final day (P < 0.01). Compound A did not induce mutation on the reverse (Ames) test at less than 2,500 micrograms/dish (culture medium 2.7 ml) with activation by S-9 mixture, and below 1,250 micrograms/dish (culture medium 2.7 ml) without activation, in four strains of S. typhimurium and in 1 strain of E. coli. Exposure of fibroblasts to 7,500 ppm of compound A for 1 h, compound A did not induce structural change. In a study of acute toxicity of compound B, there was no toxicity in Wistar rats after 3 h of exposure at 2,400 ppm. The reverse (Ames) test for compound B was negative at 625-1,250 micrograms/dish.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Absorption↗

Pertussis toxin effects on chemoattractant-induced response heterogeneity in human PMNs utilizing Fluo-3 and flow cytometry.

Flow cytometric methods were utilized to determine N-formylpeptide-induced cytosolic calcium levels in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) detected with the calcium indicator Fluo-3. Fluo-3 was readily loaded into PMNs as the acetoxymethyl ester. At room temperature Fluo-3 extrusion was minimal (less than 10%) over a 2 h time period. Flow cytometric histograms yielded symmetric distributions indicating homogeneous labelling of the cells. Stimulation of the cells with N-formyl-met-leu-phe (FMLP) caused homogeneous activation of all cells as indicated by a shift of the fluorescence distribution to higher fluorescence levels while still maintaining a symmetrical distribution. Resting values or FMLP-induced cytosolic calcium levels were similar in cells loaded over a 20-fold range of Fluo-3-acetoxymethyl ester. The effect of graded pertussis toxin (PT) treatment on the calcium response was determined by incubating cells with different concentrations of pertussis toxin for a time period that yielded a range of ADP ribosolation levels inside the cells. When these cells were activated with FMLP, the fluorescence histograms showed that pertussis toxin treatment resulted in a conversion of cells from responders to nonresponders. The responding cells responded with maximum calcium elevations similar to controls. This behavior may reflect heterogeneous insertion of the A-protomer of PT or a very sharp threshold of coupled G-proteins required to transduce the responses.

Aniline Compounds↗

Diamide effect on the hypertonic calcium uptake by rat red blood cells.

Red blood cells of rat exhibit an enhanced hypertonic calcium uptake after incubation with diazenedicarboxylic acids bis (N,N-dimethylamide) (diamide). Over the ranges reported in this paper the amount of membrane alteration is strongly and linearly dependent on the diamide concentration and on the osmolarity of the incubation medium. Treatment with 2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-dithiolbutane (dithioerythritol or DTE), after diamide removal, restores red blood cells calcium intake to values similar to those of the control. The results indicate that the sinergic action of diamide and hypertonicity can oxidize some thiol groups essential for the cation barrier maintenance.

Animals↗

Stoichiometries of arsenazo III-Ca complexes.

The equilibrium interactions of the metallochromic indicator arsenazo III with calcium at physiological ionic strength and pH were investigated spectrophotometrically and with the aid of a calcium electrode. Evidence suggests the formation of more than one dye-calcium complex. The analysis of data obtained over a 10,000-fold range of dye concentrations concludes that at the concentrations used for in vitro biochemical studies (10--100 microM), arsenazo III absorbance changes in response to calcium binding primarily involve the formation of a complex involving two dye molecules and two calcium ions. At millimolar dye concentrations, typical of physiological calcium transient determinations in situ, a second complex involving two arsenazo III molecules and one calcium ion is additionally formed. A third complex, involving one arsenazo III molecule and one calcium ion, is formed at very low dye concentrations. The results reported here suggest that equilibrium calibration of the dye with calcium cannot be used directly to satisfactorily relate transient absorbance changes in physiological preparations to calcium concentration changes since several stoichiometrically distinct complexes with different absorbances could be formed at different rates. The results of this study do not permit the elucidation of a unique kinetic scheme of arsenazo III complexation with calcium; for this, in vitro kinetic analysis is required. Results of similar analysis of the dye interaction with magnesium are also reported, and these appear compatible with a much simpler model of complexation.

Arsenazo III↗

Setting characteristics and mechanical behaviour of a calcium phosphate bone cement containing tetracycline.

Calcium phosphate cements are used for bone defect filling and they may also be used as delivery systems for active agents. The physicochemical behaviour of an ionic cement, with a final composition of hydroxyapatite, containing tetracycline hydrochloride was investigated. Chemical characterisation, X-ray diffraction analysis, compressive strength and tensile strength were performed. It is known that the antibiotic can be adsorbed on calcium phosphate compounds and the presence of chloride ions can strongly influence the behaviour of the cement. Adding more than 1% (w/w) of 95% pure tetracycline hydrochloride in the solid phase led to a cement with poor mechanical properties, but which, in addition to hydroxyapatite, contained residual starting reagents. For this reason, experiments were also performed with tetracycline previously treated with a calcium sulphate solution. Using a treated tetracycline, it was possible to introduce at least 7% (w/w) of active ingredient whilst still allowing the reaction to proceed to completion i.e. the formation of hydroxyapatite with good mechanical properties. Therefore, treating the tetracycline HCI with calcium sulphate solution prior to reaction conserved the activity of the antibiotic, limited the influence of the antibiotic on the cement evolution and retained the physical properties of the cement.

Bone Cements↗

Bimane- and acrylodan-labeled S100 proteins. Role of cysteines-85 alpha and -84 beta in the conformation and calcium binding properties of S100 alpha alpha and S100b (beta beta) proteins.

Bovine brain S100 alpha alpha, S100a (alpha beta), and S100b (beta beta) protein dimers were labeled with the sulfydryl-specific fluorescent probes monobromo(trimethylammonio)bimane (bimane) and 6-acryloyl-2-(dimethylamino)naphthalene (acrylodan) at cysteines-85 alpha and -84 beta. The conformation and fluorescence properties of the S100 proteins derived were studied by means of anion-exchange chromatography on a Mono Q column using a fast protein chromatography system and fluorescence intensity, maximum emission wavelength, and polarization measurements. Spectroscopic studies on the intrinsic absorption and fluorescence properties of S100 alpha alpha and S100b proteins chemically modified on cysteines-85 alpha and -84 beta with iodoacetamide completed this study. Several arguments suggest that the alkylated S100 proteins undergo conformational changes that are mainly characterized by the destabilization of the quaternary protein structure, which provokes a slow dimer-monomer equilibrium at high protein concentrations and induces total subunit dissociation at low ones. Calcium binding studies on bimane-S100 alpha alpha and -S100b proteins showed that alkylated proteins had a much higher calcium binding affinity than native protein and that the antagonistic effect of KCl on calcium binding was much less pronounced. These results confirmed our previous observations that the affinities of calcium binding sites II alpha and II beta in S100 proteins are highly dependent on protein conformation [Baudier, J., & Gerard, D. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 8204-8212].

2-Naphthylamine↗

The membrane-anchored serine protease, TMPRSS2, activates PAR-2 in prostate cancer cells.

TMPRSS2 is a type II transmembrane-bound serine protease that has gained interest owing to its highly localized expression in the prostate and its overexpression in neoplastic prostate epithelium. Once activated, the serine protease domain of TMPRSS2 is released from the cell surface into the extracellular space. PAR (protease-activated receptor)-2 belongs to a family of G-protein-coupled receptors (PAR-1-4) that are activated by specific serine proteases, which are expressed in many normal and malignant cell types. Previous in vitro studies on prostate cancer cells suggest a role for PAR-2 in prostate cancer metastasis. A polyclonal anti-human TMPRSS2 antibody was generated against the TMPRSS2 serine protease domain. The antibody showed specific reactivity with recombinant expressed TMPRSS2, and so was used to extract and purify the cleaved active TMPRSS2 protease from prostate cancer cells. Reverse transcriptase PCR and Western blot analysis were used to show the expression of both TMPRSS2 and PAR-2 in the androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. Treatment of LNCaP cells with the cellular immunopurified TMPRSS2 protease induced a transient increase in intracellular calcium, which is indicative of G-protein-coupled-receptor activation. This calcium mobilization was inhibited by cellular pre-treatment with a specific PAR-2 antagonist, but not with a PAR-1 antagonist; inhibition of the protease activity also failed to mobilize calcium, suggesting that TMPRSS2 is capable of cleaving and thereby activating the PAR-2 receptor. The calcium mobilization was also inhibited by cellular pre-treatment with suramin or 2-APB (2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate), indicating that a G-protein pathway is involved and that subsequent calcium release is mainly from intracellular stores. The present study describes how TMPRSS2 may contribute to prostate tumour metastasis via the activation of PAR-2.

Boron Compounds↗