Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0277787 (stigma)
 13,352 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Treatment of human endothelial cells with cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) or E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the expression of several adhesion molecules and enhances leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cell surface. Interfering with this leukocyte adhesion or adhesion molecules upregulation is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of bacterial sepsis and various inflammatory diseases. In the course of screening marketed European anti-inflammatory herbal drugs for TNF antagonistic activity, a crude ethanolic extract of corn silk (stigma of Zea mays) exhibited significant activity. The extract at concentrations of 9-250 micrograms/ml effectively inhibited the TNF- and LPS-induced adhesiveness of EAhy 926 endothelial cells to monocytic U937 cells. Similar concentration ranges of corn silk extract did also block the TNF and LPS but not the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced ICAM-1 expression on EAhy 926 endothelial cell surface. The extract did not alter the production of TNF by LPS-activated macrophages and failed to inhibit the cytotoxic activity of TNF. It is concluded that corn silk possesses important therapeutic potential for TNF- and LPS-mediated leukocyte adhesion and trafficking.
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PMID:Extract of corn silk (stigma of Zea mays) inhibits the tumour necrosis factor-alpha- and bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced cell adhesion and ICAM-1 expression. 961 11

Bowel continence is one of the most difficult challenges for patients with spina bifida. Incontinence acts as a social stigma for children and a barrier for adults seeking employment. We present an algorithm for stepwise decision-making in construction of personalized continence programs for greater likelihood of success. The protocol contains 13 assessment points including; stool consistency, frequency and amount; mobility; level of paraplegia: diet; medication; anal/rectal canal tone; prior programs attempted; family routines; age; accessibility; and learning issues. Based on outcomes of these assessments, an individualized bowel program is constructed. The algorithm helps the practitioner and patient decide on components and indicators of a successful continence program. The recommended program might include timed toileting, suppository, continence enema, and ACE procedure, or a combination. Evaluation and patient education address adequate fluid/fiber, appropriate toileting equipment, and use of stool softeners/laxatives. Descriptions are available. Key elements in monitoring a continuing plan for continence include: the degree of constipation and its etiology; changing age; family availability for assistance until interdependence is optimal; wheelchair accessibility of the toilet; and ability to transfer to and from the toilet. Use of the algorithm allows for careful decision-making based on information from the patient and family. This has led to greater success in bowel continence in children with spina bifida.
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PMID:Decision-making for a successful bowel continence program. 1121 28

The North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed an administrative rule that requires people who seek HIV testing to give their names and addresses on a confidential basis. This decision ends anonymous testing in the State effective May 1, 1997. Previously, North Carolina gave people the option of either anonymous or confidential tests. In 1994, the State Commission of Health Services decided that anonymous testing was no longer necessary from a public health standpoint due to lessened stigma and laws that prohibit discrimination. Anonymous testing hampered partner notification. ACT-Up and other advocacy groups challenged the rule that was finally decided in the State Supreme Court. A study conducted at the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill indicates that people are more apt to select an anonymous HIV test when both anonymous and confidential tests are available. State health officials dispute the results of the study.
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PMID:High court affirms rule ending anonymous tests in N.C. 1136 6

A cDNA encoding a protein with 456 amino acids whose sequence shows considerable similarity to plant acyltransferases was identified among 750 Clarkia breweri flower expressed sequence tags. The cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the protein produced was shown to encode the enzyme benzoyl-coenzyme A (CoA):benzyl alcohol benzoyl transferase (BEBT). BEBT catalyzes the formation of benzylbenzoate, a minor constituent of the C. breweri floral aroma, but it also has activity with a number of other alcohols and acyl CoAs. The BEBT gene is expressed in different parts of the flowers with maximal RNA transcript levels in the stigma, and no expression was observed in the leaves under normal conditions. However, BEBT expression was induced in damaged leaves, reaching a maximum 6 h after damage occurred. We also show here that a closely related tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) gene previously shown to be induced in leaves after being challenged by phytopathogenic bacteria also has BEBT activity, whereas the most similar protein to BEBT in the Arabidopsis proteome does not use benzoyl CoA as a substrate and instead can use acetyl CoA to catalyze the formation of cis-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, a green-leaf volatile.
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PMID:Characterization of an acyltransferase capable of synthesizing benzylbenzoate and other volatile esters in flowers and damaged leaves of Clarkia breweri. 1222 25

Six compounds (two sterols, three sterol derivatives and one disaccharide) together with eight fatty acids (three saturated and five unsaturated) have been isolated from the seeds of Pongamia pinnata. Their structures were elucidated with the help of physico-chemical methods and spectroscopic techniques. The metabolities, beta-sitosteryl acetate and galactoside, stigma sterol, its galactoside and sucrose are being reported for the first time from this plant. The saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (two monoenoic, one dienoic and two trienoic) were present in exactly the same amount. Oleic acid occurred in highest amount (44.24%), stearic (29.64%) and palmitic (18.58%) acids were the next in quantity. Hiragonic and octadecatrienoic acids were present in trace amounts (0.88%).
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PMID:Chemical constituents from the seeds of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. 1641 71

In this study, the effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) stigma aqueous extract and two active constituents, crocin and safranal, were investigated on blood pressure of normotensive and desoxycorticosterone acetate-induced hypertensive rats. Three doses of crocin (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), safranal (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and the aqueous extract (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) were administered intravenously in different groups of normotensive and hypertensive animals and their effects on mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated. The aqueous extract of saffron stigma, safranal and crocin reduced the MABP in normotensive and hypertensive anaesthetized rats in a dose-dependent manner. For example, administrations of 10 mg/kg of aqueous extract, 1 mg/kg of safranal and 200 mg/kg of crocin caused 60 +/- 8.7, 50 +/- 5.2 and 51 +/- 3.8 mmHg reductions in MABP, respectively. It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of saffron stigma has hypotensive properties which appear to be attributable, in part, to the actions of two major constitutes of this plant, crocin and safranal. It seems that safranal is more important than crocin for lowering down blood pressure of rats.
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PMID:Hypotensive effect of aqueous saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) and its constituents, safranal and crocin, in normotensive and hypertensive rats. 2001 22

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder that affects more than 100 million people worldwide. South African plants namely Terminalia sericea, Euclea natalensis, Warbugia salutaris, Aloe ferox, Artemisia afra, Sclerocarya birrea, Spirostachys africana and Psidium guajava were investigated for their in vitro alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase properties, and antioxidant activities. Terminalia sericea stem bark extract showed the best results against alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes. Bioassay-guided fractionation of an acetone extract of T. sericea stem bark led to the isolation of four known compounds namely beta-sitosterol (1), beta-sitosterol-3-acetate (2), lupeol (3), and stigma-4-ene-3-one (4), in addition to two inseparable sets of mixtures of isomers [epicatechin-catechin (M1), and gallocatechin-epigallocatechin (M2). 1 and 3 showed the best inhibitory activity on alpha-glucosidase (IC50:54.5 and 66.5 microM). Bio-evaluation of the inhibitory activity of the purified compounds on alpha-amylase showed that 3 and 1 exhibited IC50 values of 140.7 and 216.02 microM, respectively against alpha-amylase. Compounds 2, M1, 3 and M2 were found to be non-toxic to Vero cells. This study is the first to report alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase activity of M1, M2, 2 and 4 isolated from T. sericea, which validated the traditional use of the bark of T. sericea for diabetes in South Africa.
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PMID:Antidiabetic activity of Terminalia sericea constituents. 2222 65

In the analysis of stigma glycoproteins by cellulose acetate electrofocusing in self-incompatible crucifers, the staining method of the glycoproteins, described in the earlier report, has been improved by using Con A - peroxidase reactions to obtain a permanent profile of band patterns which are visible under day-light conditions. Identifying S alleles by the corresponding S-glycoproteins can be facilitated by the present S-glycoprotein analysis.
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PMID:Con A - Peroxidase method: an improved procedure for staining S-glycoproteins in cellulose-acetate electrofocusing in crucifers. 2427 67

People living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa face significant challenges accessing care. Community-based peer support groups can increase linkage to treatment, though the effectiveness of structured, scalable groups has not been demonstrated. This study aimed to measure the impact of the structured Integrated Access to Care and Treatment intervention on clients' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding HIV/AIDS, including their experiences of stigma, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data collection involved pre-/post-tests and client interviews. Pre-/post-test data from 66 clients were collected. 17 participants were interviewed. Paired t-tests did not detect significant changes in the main outcomes. Qualitative results suggested a psychosocial benefit as participants connected with their peers, expressed themselves openly, and re-engaged with their communities. Unfortunately, this study did not quantitatively measure psychosocial changes, and the results have limited generalizability to men. I ACT may be an effective complement to clinic-based support services, though further study should quantify the psychosocial benefit.
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PMID:Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Novel, Structured, Community-Based Support and Education Intervention for Individuals with HIV/AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 2755 8

Little is known about the assessment and treatment of self-stigma in substance abusing populations. This article describes the development of an acceptance based treatment (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT) for self-stigma in individuals in treatment for substance use disorder. We report initial outcomes from a study with 88 participants in a residential treatment program. The treatment involves 6 h of a group workshop focused on mindfulness, acceptance, and values work in relation to self-stigma. Preliminary outcomes showed medium to large effects across a number of variables at post-treatment. Results were as expected with one potential process of change, experiential avoidance, but results with other potential mediators were mixed.
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PMID:Reducing self-stigma in substance abuse through acceptance and commitment therapy: Model, manual development, and pilot outcomes. 2774 9


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