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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Immunochemical characterization of cocos nucifera pollen.

The Cocos nucifera pollen, as one of the sources of allergen responsible for immediate hypersensitivity reaction, was confirmed by skin prick test, bronchial provocation test, and RAST. The whole pollen extract (WPE) of C. nucifera was fractionated by combination of gel filtration and ion-exchange columns with fast protein liquid chromatography (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden). Three protein peaks designated Cocos II, Cocos VI, and Cocos VII exhibited allergenic properties, as tested by skin prick test, direct IgE ELISA, bronchial provocation test, and immunoblot analysis. In RAST inhibition, Cocos IIa (a high-molecular-weight protein) obtained by fractionation of Cocos II on Mono Q column (fast protein liquid chromatography) (Pharmacia) was found to be the most potent allergen in Cocos WPE, followed by Cocos VI and Cocos VII, which are low-molecular-weight proteins. The reference patterns of Cocos WPE on crossed immunoelectrophoresis and thin-layer isoelectric focusing were established for future standardization of Cocos WPE to be used in the diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergic patients.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) and the preparation of a milk substitute].

Coconut (Cocos nucifera, L.) is an abundant product in Brazil. The authors studied the use of the protein fraction to prepare "milk-substitute" beverages. The analyses were made on albumen, copra and cake. Protein coconut extraction was tried with water; NaCl solutions in different concentrations; HCl and NaOH solutions in different concentrations; HCl and NaOH solutions at different pH values. The extracted proteins were analysed for aminoacid composition and chemical score. The best results of protein extraction were obtained with NaCl 1 M solution using the ratio 100:75 (coconut:solution). The extracted proteins were coagulated with trichloroacetic acid and separated with water and analysed for aminoacid composition and solubility.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor secretion from human monocytes by an extract of Poria cocos.

Fu-Ling, the sclederma of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, has long been used as a sedative and diuretic. However, data in this report suggest that Fu-Ling is a potential suppressor of cytokine secretion from human peripheral blood monocytes under in vitro condition. Monocyte culture medium containing 10% of Fu-Ling extract significantly inhibited secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-beta, IL-6 and GM-CSF from the monocyte monolayer. However, as Fu-Ling extract content was gradually reduced, cytokine secretion was augmented in comparison with the cytokine secretion in drug-free controls. This augmentative effect resulted from the trace amount (1.24 ng/ml in 0.62% of Fu-Ling extract) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which contaminated the Fu-Ling extract during the preparation process, since TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 secretion induced by 0.62% Fu-Ling extract could be significantly inhibited by polymyxin B, an LPS inhibitor. Furthermore, the amounts of TNF-alpha IL-1 beta and IL-6 induced by 1 ng/ml of LPS without the presence of drug were more than that induced by 0.62% of Fu-Ling extract. Thus, cytokine secretion induced by LPS contamination (1.24 ng/ml) in the Fu-Ling extract was partially suppressed by 0.62% of the Fu-Ling extract itself. GM-CSF secretion in the medium containing 0.62% of Fu-Ling extract was not induced by LPS since: a) GM-CSF induced by 0.62% Fu-Ling extract could not be inhibited by polymyxin B; b) LPS at 1 ng/ml showed no activity indicating induction of GM-CSF secretion.

Cytokines↗
PubMed1976

Allergic contact dermatitis from TEA-Coco hydrolyzed protein.

A 21-year-old woman developed a severe dermatitis of the face after using a proprietary skin cleanser. Patch testing showed delayed hypersensitivity to TEA-Coco hydrolyzed protein (the triethanolamine salt of the condensation product of coconut fatty acids with a complex of polypeptides and amino acids derived from collagen), but not to other ingredients of the cleanser. Further patch testing revealed positive results with other condensates of fatty acids and protein hydrolysates.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Studies on antinephritic effects of plant components (3): Effect of pachyman, a main component of Poria cocos Wolf on original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and its mechanisms.

The antinephritic effect of pachyman on original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats was investigated. Pachyman was given to original-type anti-GBM nephritic rats for 10 days from the day of anti-GBM serum injection. Pachyman prevented urinary protein excretion and the elevation of serum cholesterol content. Histopathological observations of the glomeruli indicated that although the number of nuclei and adhesion to capillary walls of Bowman's capsule in nephritic control rats were significantly increased, pachyman reduced the degree of histopathological changes such as hypercellularity and adhesion as compared to the control group. Although the serum complement CH50 ratio in control group was significantly lower than that in the normal group, the decrease in serum complement CH50 was inhibited by pachyman, and rat C3 deposition in the glomeruli in the pachyman-treated group was significantly reduced. These results suggest that pachyman was effective against original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and that the antinephritic mechanisms of pachyman may be partly due to the inhibitory action of this agent on C3 deposition in the glomeruli.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

The effect of potassium on the uptake of 137Cs in food crops grown on coral soils: coconut at Bikini Atoll.

The soils of Bikini Atoll (11 degrees 35'N, 165 degrees 25'E) were contaminated by fallout from a thermonuclear explosion in 1954. Today, in the absence of any treatment, intake of 137Cs via the terrestrial food chain could account for 70% of the radiological dose received by a returning population. Therefore, we examined the effectiveness of potassium applications, alone and combined with nitrogen and phosphorus, in reducing 137Cs uptake by coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), a major food crop. Mean pretreatment concentrations of 137Cs in "drinking-nut" meat of approximately 17-y palms ranged from approximately 0.5 to 7.0 kBq kg-1 (approximately 14 to 190 pCi g-1) (wet mass) in the seven primary experiments reported. These values were reduced to approximately 0.06 to approximately 1.0 kBq kg-1 (approximately 1.6 to approximately 27 pCi g-1) following soil additions of potassium-chloride at rates from 670 to 6270 kg potassium ha-1. Major reductions were complete within 9-12 mo after single large applications and persisted for at least 3 y. Proportional reductions in associated drinking-nut fluid and in mature "copra nut" meat from the same palm also occurred. Comparable but shorter-lived reductions occurred in grass and herbaceous species beneath the palms. A combined nitrogen-phosphorus treatment had no additive effect in the presence of potassium but, by itself, reduced plant uptake by about 50%. The persistence of this effect suggested that phosphorus alone was the major factor. Periodic addictions of potassium at rates of approximately 1000 kg ha-1 would provide a feasible and highly effective means of reducing 137Cs in coconut food products.

Cesium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed1992

Young coconut water for home rehydration in children with mild gastroenteritis.

Coconut water was evaluated as a home glucose electrolyte solution for well-nourished children with mild diarrhoea. We describe the chemical composition of coconut water by type and age of coconut (Cocos nucifera). Our results suggest that young coconut water can be used, together with early refeeding, as a home glucose electrolyte oral rehydration solution in the early stages of mild diarrhoeal disease, despite not having a balanced electrolyte composition. However, it should not be used in patients with severe cholera, or in patients who are dehydrated and/or in whom renal function is impaired.

Blood Urea Nitrogen↗
PubMed1992

A low cost microprocessor-controlled electrofusion and electroporation system.

An important recent development in the field of biotechnology has been the use of high electric fields to render cell membranes temporarily permeable (electroporation). Cells in this state are receptive to gene transfer or can be induced to fuse with each other (electrofusion) to form hybrid cells containing the combined characteristics of the parent cells. A major reason for fusing cells is to form hybridoma cells which secrete monoclonal antibodies. A problem for research workers has been the high price of some of the electrofusion equipment. This problem has been addressed by designing a device that is inexpensive (less than $800 Canadian) and can be assembled by an electronics technician. The system uses a Radio Shack CoCo III microcomputer which is programmed in BASIC and controls the electroporation voltage pulse amplitude (25-500 V) and duration (2-275 microseconds) to an electrofusion chamber; this yields electric field strengths of 0.25-5 kV cm-1 for a 0.1 cm electrode spacing. The system is capable of delivering pulse currents up to 3 A. This paper provides technical details on how to construct an instrument that has greater flexibility at less cost than comparable commercially available instruments.

Biotechnology↗
PubMed1975

Distributional patterns of mesophilous and thermophilous microfungi in two Bahamian soils.

This study focuses on the characteristics displayed by mesophilous and thermophilous microfungal populations occurring in two tropical monodominant plant communities, a Cocos nucifera grove and a Casuarina equisetifolia forest, that provide distinctly different edaphic conditions. The mesophilous population sampled at 25 degrees C by the dilution plate method and the thermophilous population that developed on soil plates incubated at 45 degrees C consisted of 1693 isolates representing 60 species and 29 genera and 8887 isolates representing 20 species and 10 genera, respectively. The mesophilous propagules averaged 9,990 per gram dry soil in the coconut grove that lacks a litter layer, is low in moisture and organic matter and is subjected to high solar irradiation. The population was characterized by the prevalence of aspergilli and dematiaceous-sphaeropsidaceous forms and the near absence of mucoraceous isolates. Ascomycetes were common. The only widespread taxa were the three species, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chysogenum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Species diversity was high and 73% of the isolates were cellulolytic. In the casuarina forest, adequate moisture and organic matter and a protecting litter layer provide a mesic environment. The mean number of mesophilous fungi per gram dry soil was 32,800. This figure is considerably lower than ones reported for mesic temperate communities and may be due to more rapid propagule removal through accelerated microfaunal and microbial activity. An abundance of mucoraceous and moniliaceous isolates and penicillia, and the rarity of aspergilli, dematiaceous-sphaeropsidaceous forms and ascomycetes characterize the population. The infrequency of aspergilli is thought to be due to their poor competitive ability. Eight species, Absidia cylindrospora, Penicillium notatum, Pestalotia cocculi?, Cylindrocarpon heteronema, Gliocladium roseum, Trichoderma viride, Paecilomyces marquandii, and Penicillium funiculosum were widespread in the area. Species diversity equaled that observed in mesic temperate communities. Less than one third of the isolates were cellulolytic. Phytopathogens were common, a feature characteristic of tropical populations. Thermophilous fungi averaged 33 per gram dry soil in the casuarina forest and increased to 943 per gram in the insolated soil of the coconut grove. Thermotolerant forms (94% of the isolates) were abundant and were principally species of Aspergillus and Chaetomium. Thermophilic fungi werur species, Ch. osmaniae, Ch. medusarum, Ch. sulphureum, and Thielavia arenaria, appear to be new records for western hemisphere soils.

Bahamas↗
PubMed1976

Studies on the deterioration of antigen E in extracts of Ambrosia elatior.

Five per cent (w/v) extracts of defatted Ambrosia elatior pollen were prepared in bicarbonate-buffered saline (Coca's extract) and Coca's extract with 50% glycerol (Gly-Coca's extract). Sterile extracts were stored in untreated glassware and glassware coated with silicone. Stock extracts were diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and stored at 5 +/- 3 degrees C. Extracts 1:20, 1:40, and 1:400 were assayed at approximately 6-wk intervals for antigen E. Quantitative determinations were made by modified double diffusion in agarose gels using known standards of antigen E for comparison. Results from the first year of this 3-yr study show no significant reduction in 1:20 Gly-Coca's extracts and a highly significant reduction of antigen E in 1:20 Coca's extracts. Further analysis of variance indicates significant reduction in all 1:40 and 1:400 extracts. Differences in the initial extracting solvents did not significantly affect these more dilute extracts. No significant differences were observed in the untreated and silicone-coated glassware. In terms of per cent antigen E reduction, 1:20 Gly-Coca's showed negligible reduction and Coco's at 1:20 declined nearly 50% in antigen E content. Extracts stored at 1:40 retained only 40% of the original antigen E content, while diluted extracts stored at 1:400 retained only 35% of the initial antigen E after 1 yr of storage at 5 +/- 3 degrees C.

Antigens↗
PubMed1988

The acute oral toxicity and primary ocular and dermal irritation of selected N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidones.

N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidones are a class of materials that are increasingly used in food, drug, cosmetic and industrial applications; however, toxicological data is only available for a few members of the class. The acute oral toxicity, primary dermal irritation and primary ocular irritation of N-methyl-, N-ethyl-, N-hydroxyethyl-, N-isopropyl-, N-cyclohexyl-, N-octyl-, N-dodecyl-, N-coco- and N-tallow-2-pyrrolidone are reported. Additionally, N-octyl-, N-decyl-, N-dodecyl-, N-tetradecyl-, N-hexadecyl- and N-octadecyl-2-pyrrolidone had the primary ocular and dermal irritation indices measured as a 2% aqueous suspension. These data show a wide range of toxicities dependent upon the alkyl substituent.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of a Chinese herbal medicine, keishi-bukuryo-gan, on the gonadal system of rats.

Keishi-bukuryo-gan (TJ-25) is a traditional Chinese herbal remedy containing five components: bark of Cinnamomum cassia, root of Paeonia lactiflora, seed of Prunus persica or P. persiba var. davidiana, carpophores of Poria cocos and root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa. This preparation has been used in the treatment of gynecological disorders such as hypermenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and infertility. In the present study, the effects of TJ-25 on plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2), and on uterine wet weight and thymidine kinase (TK) activity were documented in immature rats. Long-term daily oral administration of TJ-25 (300 mg/kg) for 14 days decreased plasma levels of LH, FSH and E2 by 94%, 67% and 50%, respectively, compared to controls. Uterine wet weight and TK activity were reduced to 65% and 64% that of controls, respectively. Short-term effects of TJ-25 on E2 were also examined. Thirty hours after administration of E2 (1.0 micrograms/kg) alone, uterine wet weight and TK activity were elevated 2.4- and 21-fold, respectively, over controls. However, simultaneous administration of TJ-25 (three consecutive doses, every 12 h) with E2 reduced E2-induced increases in uterine wet weight and TK activity by 29% and 39%, respectively. Treatment with TJ-25 also enhanced LH-RH-induced increases in plasma LH and FSH levels 1.2- and 2.5-fold, respectively, as compared with controls. The results obtained in the present study indicate that TJ-25 may act as a LH-RH antagonist and/or as a weak anti-estrogen.

Administration, Oral↗