Search results for "Function"

Anthropedogenesis and Land Use Change: influences on soil qualities and functions.

2014

Stimulator cell-dependent requirement for CD2- and LFA-1-mediated adhesions in T lymphocyte activation by superantigenic toxins.

1992

Abstract The staphylococcal enterotoxins and related microbial T cell mitogens stimulate T cells by cross-linking variable parts of the T cell receptor (TCR) with MHC class II molecules on accessory or target cells. We have used cloned human T cells and defined tumor cells as accessory cells (AC) to study the requirements for T cell activation by these toxins. On AC expressing high levels of CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1, ICAM-1) and CD58 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-3, LFA-3), mAb to CD2 were relatively ineffective in inhibiting the response to the toxins and antibodies to the lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) did not inhibit at all. If added together, h…

Correlation spectroscopy in molten and supercooled antimony trichloride.

1990

Correlation spectroscopy measurements performed on molten and supercooled antimony trichloride with the homodyne technique show correlation functions that have a nonexponential behavior. Two well-defined distributions of correlation times can be observed in different temporal regions. This behavior is discussed in terms of a structural relaxation of clusters dynamically formed by intermolecular and interchain bonds. The Arrhenius plot of these correlation times shows a linear behavior with the same activation energy for both. In contrast, the activation energy of shear viscosity has a different value, showing that the processes determining the temperature behavior of \ensuremath{\tau} and $…

Coffee and endothelial function: a battle between caffeine and antioxidants ?

2010

Although coffee is largely consumed by adults in Western countries, controversy exists about its impact on the cardiovascular system. We recently demonstrated that caffeinated and decaffeinated espresso coffee have different acute effects on endothelial function in healthy subjects, measured using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. In this study, we measured the anti-oxidant capacity of two coffee substances in terms of free stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl 50% inhibition (I(50) DPPH). The caffeinated coffee had a slightly higher anti-oxidant capacity than decaffeinated espresso coffee (I(50) DPPH: 1.13±0.02 vs 1.30±0.03 μl; P0.001). We suggest that the unfavo…

Functional food science and defence against reactive oxidative species

1998

This paper assesses critically the science base that underpins the argument that oxidative damage is a significant causative factor in the development of human diseases and that antioxidants are capable of preventing or ameliorating these disease processes. The assessment has been carried out under a number of headings, and some recommendations for future research are made based on the present day knowledge base. The knowledge database (1) Consideration of the basic science that underlies understanding of the role of free radicals in causing cellular pathologies, and the role of antioxidants in preventing this, shows that an imbalance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defence syste…

Molecular Strategies for Targeting Antioxidants to Mitochondria: Therapeutic Implications

2015

Mitochondrial function and specifically its implication in cellular redox/oxidative balance is fundamental in controlling the life and death of cells, and has been implicated in a wide range of human pathologies. In this context, mitochondrial therapeutics, particularly those involving mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, have attracted increasing interest as potentially effective therapies for several human diseases. For the past 10 years, great progress has been made in the development and functional testing of molecules that specifically target mitochondria, and there has been special focus on compounds with antioxidant properties. In this review, we will discuss several such strategies, …

New findings on the bioactivity of lignans

2002

Abstract This chapter reviews the lignans with biological and pharmacological activity, and includes new natural products and some synthetic or semisynthetic compounds. Lignans are widespread in plants and in many cases are their effective principles. They play an important role as phytoestrogens in preventing menopausial symptoms, osteoporosis, cancer and heart diseases. Lignans possess anticancer and antiviral properties and specifically inhibit certain enzymes and mediators involved in inflammation and immunity processes. They affect the cardiovascular system by different mechanisms including the modification of phosphodiesterase activity and platelet activating factor function. Lignans …

Use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans as model organisms to study the effect of cocoa polyphenols in the resistance to oxidative…

2011

Developing functional foods to improve the quality of life for elderly people has great economic and social impact. Searching for and validating ingredients with in vivo antioxidant effects is one of the key steps in developing this kind of food. Here we describe the combined use of simple biological models and transcriptomics to define the functional intracellular molecular targets of a polyphenol-enriched cocoa powder. Cocoa powder supplemented culture medium led to increased resistance to oxidative stress, in both the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and, in the latter, lifespan was also increased. These effects are fully dependent on the po…

Algae and Their Extracts in Medical Treatment

2018

Scientific efforts undertaken in recent decades have undoubtedly proven that algae are an inestimable and, what is more, important renewable source of hundreds of chemical compounds characterized by a wide spectrum of biological activity. Polysaccharides, phenolic compounds and their derivatives, pigments, proteins, lipids, and fatty acids are the substances that can be isolated from seaweeds, possessing antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antilipidemic, antitumor, antidiabetic, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and antiallergic properties, which can be successfully utilized for human needs. The majority of attention has been focused on marine polysaccharides and their application in medicine a…

Alteration of the Mitochondrial Effects of Ceria Nanoparticles by Gold: An Approach for the Mitochondrial Modulation of Cells Based on Nanomedicine

2020

Ceria nanoparticles are cell compatible antioxidants whose activity can be enhanced by gold deposition and by surface functionalization with positive triphenylphosphonium units to selectively target the mitochondria. The antioxidant properties of these nanoparticles can serve as the basis of a new strategy for the treatment of several disorders exhibiting oxidative stress, such as cancer, diabetes or Alzheimer&rsquo