Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (ERK)
95,504 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) microspheres containing c. 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA) were prepared by melt encapsulation and solvent evaporation techniques. PCL, because of its low Tm, enabled the melt encapsulation of BSA at 75 degrees C thereby avoiding potentially toxic organic solvents such as dichloromethane (DCM). Unlike the solvent evaporation method, melt encapsulation led to 100% incorporation efficiency which is a key factor in the microencapsulation of water-soluble drugs. Examination of the stability of the encapsulated protein by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) demonstrated that protein integrity was unaffected by both methods of encapsulation. In vitro release of the protein into phosphate buffer examined at 37 degrees C from microspheres prepared by both techniques showed that the release rate from melt-encapsulated microspheres was somewhat slower compared to the release from solvent-evaporated spheres. Both released around 20% of the incorporated protein in 2 weeks amounting to approximately 6.5 micrograms mg-1 of microspheres. Although the diffusivity of macromolecules in PCL is rather low, it is shown that PCL microspheres are capable of delivering sufficient quantity of proteins by diffusion for prolonged periods to function as a carrier for many vaccines. Unlike poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) polymers which generate extreme acid environments during their degradation, the delayed degradation characteristics of PCL do not generate an acid environment during protein release and, therefore, may be advantageous for sustained delivery of proteins and polypeptides.
...
PMID:Protein release from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microspheres prepared by melt encapsulation and solvent evaporation techniques: a comparative study. 915 Nov 93

We examined the effect of diesel exhaust particle (DEP) extracts on oral tolerance in mice. For this examination, a single DEP sample was consecutively extracted with hexane (HEX-DEP), benzene (BEN-DEP), dichloromethane (DIC-DEP), methanol (MET-DEP), and 1 M ammonia (AMM-DEP). Residues unextracted (UNE-DEP) with the last extraction solvent 1 M ammonia were also used to test their ability to induce oral tolerance. To immunize mice, hen egg lysozyme (HEL) emulsified with an equal volume of CFA was injected sc (day 0). Oral tolerance was induced by feeding 10 mg HEL on days -5, -4, -3, -2, and -1. DEP, each DEP extract, and UNE-DEP were intranasally administered immediately after each feeding of HEL. The results showed that oral administration of HEL markedly suppressed production of anti-HEL IgG antibodies as well as proliferative responses of spleen cells to HEL. The suppression of anti-HEL IgG antibody production and the cell proliferation by the oral antigen was significantly blocked by DEP, DIC-, AMM-, and UNE-DEP. Neither HEX-, BEN-, nor MET-DEP modulated the orally induced suppression of these immune responses. When the levels of anti-HEL IgG2a antibodies and IFN-gamma (Th1 responses) and anti-HEL IgG1 antibodies and IL-4 (Th2 responses) were determined, DEP and DIC-DEP diminished the suppression of both Th1 and Th2 responses observed following oral administration of HEL. In contrast, UNE- and AMM-DEP prevented the reduction of Th1 but not Th2, and Th2 but not Th1 oral tolerance, respectively. Thus, UNE-DEP appears to contain compounds that block induction of Th1 but not Th2 oral tolerance, whereas AMM-DEP have compounds that abrogate induction of Th2 but not Th1 oral tolerance. DIC-DEP, as well as DEP, appear to contain components that block induction of both Th1 and Th2 oral tolerance. As oral tolerance is thought to play a critical role in preventing Th1 as well as Th2 food allergy, the blockade of oral tolerance by these DEP extracts suggests that DEP may contain compounds different in hydrophobicity associated with the cause of such adverse immunologic responses to food proteins.
...
PMID:Effect of diesel exhaust particle extracts on induction of oral tolerance in mice. 1189 96

We investigated the effect of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) extracts on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. For this study, a single DEP sample was consecutively extracted with hexane (HEX-DEP), benzene (BEN-DEP), dichloromethane (DIC-DEP), methanol (MET-DEP), and 1 M ammonia (AMM-DEP) in that order. Residues unextracted with the last extraction solvent 1 M ammonia (UNE-DEP) were also used for experiments. To induce CIA, mice were immunized with type II collagen (CII) and 21 days later given a booster injection. DEP, each DEP extract, and UNE-DEP were intranasally administered every two days over a period of 20 days, commencing on the day of immunization. The results showed that treatment of mice with DEP, DIC-DEP, and UNE-DEP augmented both the incidence and the severity of CIA. DEP and DIC-DEP increased production of anti-CII IgG, IgG2a, and IgG1 antibodies as well as secretion of JFN-gamma and IL-4. Treatment with UNE-DEP resulted in an increase in antigen-specific IgG, IgG2a, and IFN-gamma but neither IgG1 nor IL-4. AMM-DEP failed to affect CIA as well as production of IgG2a and IFN-gamma, although significant increases in anti-CII IgGI and IL-4 were observed in the treatment group. HEX-DEP, BEN-DEP, and MET-DEP had no effects on CIA and production of antibodies and cytokines examined. Thus, DEP and DIC-DEP appear to contain compounds, which enhance both Th1 and Th2 responses, while UNE-DEP and AMM-DEP to contain chemicals, which augment Th1 and Th2 alone, respectively. Th1- but not Th2-modulating compounds from DEP, DIC-DEP, and UNE-DEP seem to influence CIA.
...
PMID:Effect of diesel exhaust particle extracts on collagen-induced arthritis in mice. 1190 8

Biocomposite films comprising a non-crosslinked, natural polymer (collagen) and a synthetic polymer, poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), have been produced by impregnation of lyophilised collagen mats with a solution of PCL in dichloromethane followed by solvent evaporation. This approach avoids the toxicity problems associated with chemical crosslinking. Distinct changes in film morphology, from continuous surface coating to open porous format, were achieved by variation of processing parameters such as collagen:PCL ratio and the weight of the starting lyophilised collagen mat. Collagenase digestion indicated that the collagen content of 1:4 and 1:8 collagen:PCL biocomposites was almost totally accessible for enzymatic digestion indicating a high degree of collagen exposure for interaction with other ECM proteins or cells contacting the biomaterial surface. Much reduced collagen exposure (around 50%) was measured for the 1:20 collagen:PCL materials. These findings were consistent with the SEM examination of collagen:PCL biocomposites which revealed a highly porous morphology for the 1:4 and 1:8 blends but virtually complete coverage of the collagen component by PCL in the 1:20 samples. Investigations of the attachment and spreading characteristics of human osteoblast (HOB) cells on PCL films and collagen:PCL materials respectively, indicated that HOB cells poorly recognised PCL but attachment and spreading were much improved on the biocomposites. The non-chemically crosslinked, collagen:PCL biocomposites described are expected to provide a useful addition to the range of biomaterials and matrix systems for tissue engineering.
...
PMID:Biocomposites of non-crosslinked natural and synthetic polymers. 1196 51

Block copolymers were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone in the presence of monohydroxyl or dihydroxyl poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), using Zn powder as catalyst. The resulting poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)-PEG diblock and PCL-PEG-PCL triblock copolymers were characterized by various analytical techniques such as NMR, size-exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. Both copolymers were semicrystalline polymers, the crystalline structure being of the PCL type. Films were prepared by casting dichloromethane solutions of the polymers on a glass plate. Square samples with dimensions of 10 x 10 mm were allowed to degrade in a pH = 7.0 phosphate buffer solution containing Pseudomonas lipase. Data showed that the introduction of PEG blocks did not decrease the degradation rate of poly(epsilon-caprolactone).
...
PMID:Enzymatic degradation of block copolymers prepared from epsilon-caprolactone and poly(ethylene glycol). 1200 24

The synthesis of a series of polymeric Eu(III) complexes with polyester ligands, along with supporting emission spectra, luminescence lifetimes, and, for a Eu block copolymer film, atomic force microscopy (AFM) data, is presented. Dibenzoylmethane was derivatized with a hydroxyl initiator site (dbmOH, 1) for tin octoate catalyzed ring opening polymerization of dl-lactide. The resulting poly(lactic acid) macroligand, dbmPLA (2), was combined with EuCl3 to generate Eu(dbmPLA)3 (3). Chelation of both dbmPLA and a polycaprolactone-functionalized bipyridine ligand (bpyPCL2) led to the Eu(III)-centered heteroarm star Eu(dbmPLA)3(bpyPCL2) (4). Unpolarized emission spectra and luminescence lifetimes were recorded for the Eu polymers in CH2Cl2 and for Eu(dbmPLA)3, as a film. Solution data for Eu(dbm)3 and Eu(dbm)3(bpy) were collected for comparison. For Eu tris(dbm) complexes, data were fit to a double exponential decay, indicating the presence of multiple species. Relative amounts of the longer lifetime component increase in the series Eu(dbm)3 solutions to Eu(dbmPLA)3 solutions to Eu(dbmPLA)3 films, perhaps suggesting benefits of the "polymer shell effect" and the diminishment of aquo adducts known to shorten lifetimes. As with the nonpolymeric analogue, data for Eu(dbmPLA)3(bpyPCL2) fit to a single-exponential decay. The sharpness of the feature at 579.7 nm, attributable to the 5D0 --> 7F0 transition in the emission spectrum of 4, lends further support for a homogeneous sample. AFM studies of "as cast" thin films of 4 reveal a lamellar structure with a 17.5 nm repeat. These microstructures, inferred to contain Eu luminophores at the glassy PLA-crystalline PCL domain interfaces, are modified by thermal treatment.
...
PMID:Site-isolated luminescent europium complexes with polyester macroligands: metal-centered heteroarm stars and nanoscale assemblies with labile block junctions. 1212 Oct 83

Triflumizole (TRI) and its metabolite [4-chloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-N-(1-amino-2-propoxythylidene)- O-toluidine] (MET) were extracted with methanol and reverse-extracted with dichloromethane. After evaporation to dryness, the residue in dichloromethane layer was dissolved in mobile phase for high performance liquid chromatographic determination with external standard method. The total residue content of TRI and MET (calculated as TRI) is reported.
...
PMID:[Determination of triflumizole and its metabolite residues in vegetables by high performance liquid chromatography]. 1254 34

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of extracts of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on Th1 and Th2 immune responses. In order to separate compounds from DEP different in hydrophobicity, a single DEP sample was consecutively extracted with hexane (HEX-DEP), benzene (BEN-DEP), dichloromethane (DIC-DEP), methanol (MET-DEP), and 1M ammonia (AMM-DEP). The last unextracted residue (UNE-DEP) was also used to test its effect on immune responses. To immunize mice, hen egg lysozyme (HEL) was injected i.p. (day 0). Varying doses of DEP, each DEP extract, and UNE-DEP were intranasally administered every 2 days from days 0 to 18. Anti-HEL IgG2a antibodies in sera and IFN-γ secreted from spleen cells were measured as an indicator of Th1 immune responses, while anti-HEL IgG1 antibodies and IL-4 as that of Th2 responses. The results showed that treatment with DEP and DIC-DEP increased both Th1 and Th2 responses to HEL. UNE-DEP facilitated Th1 but not Th2 responses, while MET- and AMM-DEP administration was followed by enhancement of Th2 but not Th1 responses. Neither HEX- nor BEN-DEP modulated Th1 as well as Th2 responses. These results suggest that DEP contain various compounds different in hydrophobicity which may affect both Th1 and Th2, Th1 but not Th2, and Th2 but not Th1 immune responses.
...
PMID:Effects of diesel exhaust particle extracts on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice. 1259 83

The aim of present work was to develop a microporous-controlled delivery system for theophylline via coating a blend of PCL and PEG on the surface of tablets, where PCL was the major component of film coating material and PEG was acted as a leachable pore-forming agent when contacting with an aqueous medium. The influences of the type of solvent, the amount of PEG, and the thickness of films on the mechanical and thermal properties of coating films and drug release performance were investigated. The DSC thermograms and FTIR spectra indicated both PCL and PEG remained independently in the blended films. The mechanical data showed a decrease tendency as increase in the amount of PEG in the blends due to highly crystalline character of PEG. Slower evaporation rate of acetone than dichloromethane enhanced phase separation between PCL and PEG during film formation, and resulted in the pore size in films prepared from acetone larger than from dichloromethane. The release rate of coated tablets were increased by increasing the amount of pore-forming agent, and the corresponding values from tablets coated in dichloromethane were less than in acetone. Much denser structure and smaller pore size of films formed from dichloromethane contributed to this result. The release of drug from tablets coated in acetone showed a profile more close to a zero-order constant release profile. The penetration of water into drug core played an important role in influencing drug release pattern.
...
PMID:Design of a microporous controlled delivery system for theophylline tablets. 1271 42

Tissue engineering of skin based on collagen:PCL biocomposites using a designed co-culture system is reported. The collagen:PCL biocomposites having collagen:PCL (w/w) ratios of 1:4, 1:8, and 1:20 have been proven to be biocompatible materials to support both adult normal human epidermal Keratinocyte (NHEK) and mouse 3T3 fibroblast growth in cell culture, respectively, by Dai, Coombes, et al. in 2004. Films of collagen:PCL biocomposites were prepared using non-crosslinking method by impregnation of lyophilized collagen mats with PCL/dichloromethane solutions followed by solvent evaporation. To mimic the dermal/epidermal structure of skin, the 1:20 collagen:PCL biocomposites were selected for a feasibility study of a designed co-culture technique that would subsequently be used for preparing fibroblast/biocomposite/keratinocyte skin models. A 55.3% increase in cell number was measured in the designed co-culture system when fibroblasts were seeded on both sides of a biocomposite film compared with cell culture on one surface of the biocomposite in the feasibility study. The co-culture of human keratinocytes and 3T3 fibroblasts on each side of the membrane was therefore studied using the same co-culture system by growing keratinocytes on the top surface of membrane for 3 days and 3T3 fibroblasts underneath the membrane for 6 days. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunohistochemistry assay revealed good cell attachment and proliferation of both human keratinocytes and 3T3 fibroblasts with these two types of cells isolated well on each side of the membrane. Using a modified co-culture technique, a co-cultured skin model presenting a confluent epidermal sheet on one side of the biocomposite film and fibroblasts populated on the other side of the film was developed successfully in co-culture system for 28 days under investigations by SEM and immunohistochemistry assay. Thus, the design of a co-culture system based on 1:20 (w/w) collagen:PCL biocomposite membranes for preparation of a bi-layered skin model with differentiated epidermal sheet was proven in principle. The approach to skin modeling reported here may find application in tissue engineering and screening of new pharmaceuticals.
...
PMID:A co-cultured skin model based on cell support membranes. 1575 41


1 2 3 4 Next >>