Many factors exert an influence on enzyme activity and thus on the rate of reactions that they catalyse. The most important of these factors are pH, temperature, substrate concentration, and the concentration of some inhibitors present. A solution of the enzyme diastase, which breaks down molecules of the polysaccharide starch to the disaccharide maltose by hydrolysis, was provided. Activity of these enzyme was measured by the rate at which starch was removed from the reaction mixture. These experiments were designed to study this reaction rate under varying conditions and the following results were obtained. 1. The range of optimum pH for this enzyme at room temperature was 4.0-7.0 and the optimum pH was 5.0. 2. The range of optimum temperatures for this enzyme at pH 7.0 was 30-50 degrees C and the optimum temperature was 40 degrees C. 3. The relationship between the enzyme activity and substrate concentration could be expressed by the Michaelis-Menten equation. The limiting velocity of these enzyme at room temperature and pH 7.0 was 415 microgram starch removed/ml of reaction mixture/min and Km, Michaelis constant, was 343 microgram/ml. 4. Inhibitors NaCl and HgCl2 blocked this enzyme activity completely at 1% and 0.01% respectively.
Amylases* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydrolysis ; Maltose ; Mercuric Chloride ; Starch ; Water*

Orofacial clefts, particularly non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) are the most common craniofacial deformities, affecting one in every 700 to 1000 newborns worldwide. Numerous efforts have been made to understand the etiology of CL/P so as to predict its occurrence and to prevent it from occurring in the future. In the recent years, advances in genetics and molecular biology have begun to reveal the basis of craniofacial development. Various genetic approaches, including genome-wide and candidate gene association studies as well as linkage analysis, have been undertaken to identify aetiologic factors, but results have often been inconclusive or contradictory. These results may support the presence of aetiologic heterogeneity among populations and the presence of multiple genes involved in the aetiology of CL/P. Despite these difficulties, several different genes have been implicated in harbouring genes that contribute to the aetiology of CL/P. In conclusion, the genetic basis of CL/P is still controversial because of genetic complexity of clefting.
Chloride Ion ; upper case pea ; Genetic ; Cleft Lip ; Palate

The present study is an attempt to delineate the effect of various salt administrations on the changes of blood pH and electrolytes, especially the nature of serum calcium, total and ionic, and serum magnesium. Thirty five male rabbits weighing 1.9 to 2. 5kg were used in this experiment. At the end of the three days diet adjustment period, the animals were divided into seven groups; Group I; Control, Group II; Ammonium chloride oral administration, Group III; Oral administration of sodium bicarbonate, Group IV; Potassium chloride intraveneous injection, Group V; Sodium chloride intravenous injection, Group VI; Calcium chloride intravenous injection, and Group VII; Magnesium chloride intravenous injection. The blood pH was determined by the method by Astrup and bicarbonate in serum by the method of Van Slyke and Neill. Sodium and potassium in serum were determined with an EEL flame photometer. Chloride was determined by the method of Schales and Schales and inorganic phosphorous by the method of Fiske and Subbarrow. Serum total calcium and magnesium were determined according to the method of chelometric titration with Eriochrome blue S.E. Serum ionic calcium was determined by the method of Yanagisawa. The results of this study are as follows: 1. The oral administration of ammonium chloride produced a significant decrease in blood pH. The serum concentrations of bicarbonate, magnesium and potassium were steadily decreased, but serum chloride, serum total and ionic calcium concentrations were increased through the experiment. 2. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion increased the concentration of bicarbonate, magnesium and serum ionic calcium markedly and serum ionic calcium slightly. The blood pH was significantly increased but serum chloride concentration was markedly reduced after ingestion of sodium bicarbonate However, serum potassium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations were decreased slightly. 3. The blood pH was dropped in the first two hours of intravenous injection of potassium chloride and tended to rise again significantly. the concentration of sodium and chloride in serum was increased markedly in two hours of injection but reduced after six hours to control level. Serum phosphorus, total and ionic calcium were reduced steadily, but serum concentration of magnesium, potassium and bicarbonate concentrations were slightly increased through the experiment 4. After sodium chloride was given, intravenously, there was a sustained increase in the concentration of serum sodium, potassium, phosphorus and bicarbonate but the blood pH was decreased in the first two hours and significantly elevated through the experiment. The serum concentration of chloride, magnesium, total and ionic calcium was decreased slightly. 5. B100d pH was slightly increased and the concentration of chloride was elevated sharply after injection of calcium chloride intravenously in the first two hours and come to control level in twenty-four hours. Serum sodium concentration was elevated steadily through the experiment. The concentration of total and ionic calcium in serum was elevated after injection but come to control level in twenty four hours of injection. Serum potassium and magnesium concentrations were decreased slightly in the first two hours and increased in four hours of injection. 6. Magnesium chloride intravenous injection produced a decrease in blood pH and serum concentration of bicarbonate in the first few hours and increase after 6 hours of injection. Serum magnesium, and inorganic phosphorus levels were increased after injection but the concentration of inorganic phosphrous was decreased markedly in twenty four hours of injection. Serum concentration of chloride, ionic calcium and potassium wag markedly reduced.
Administration, Oral ; Ammonium Chloride ; Animals ; Calcium ; Calcium Chloride ; Diet ; Eating ; Eels ; Electrolytes* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Injections, Intravenous ; Magnesium ; Magnesium Chloride ; Male ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Potassium Chloride ; Rabbits ; Sodium ; Sodium Bicarbonate ; Sodium Chloride

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to compare the effect between wet gauze with cold normal saline and wet gauze with cold water on thirst, oral cavity condition, and saliva pH among postoperative patients. METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental study with 56 participants. The experimental group received wet gauze with cold normal saline, and control group received wet gauze with cold water for three times at 15 minute intervals. Data were collected using visual analog scale for thirst, oral assessment guide for oral cavity condition and acidity tape for saliva pH. Measurement were made before applying the gauze and at 15min, 30min, and 45min after applying gauze. Data were analyzed using repeated measured ANOVA. RESULTS: Thirst, oral cavity condition, and saliva pH improved in both groups with increasing number of gauze application. Thirst for the experimental group improved more than for the control group (F=4.29, p=.009), oral cavity condition except saliva, and saliva pH were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study results indicated that nurses can apply wet gauze with cold normal saline to reduce thirst and saliva acidity, and to improve the oral cavity condition for postoperative patients.
Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Mouth* ; Saliva* ; Sodium Chloride ; Thirst* ; Visual Analog Scale ; Water* ; Xerostomia

β-glucosidase has important applications in food, pharmaceutics, biomass conversion and other fields, exploring β-glucosidase with strong adaptability and excellent properties thus has received extensive interest. In this study, a novel glucosidase from the GH1 family derived from Cuniculiplasma divulgatum was cloned, expressed, and characterized, aiming to find a better β-glucosidase. The amino acid sequences of GH1 family glucosidase derived from C. divulgatum were obtained from the NCBI database, and a recombinant plasmid pET-30a(+)-CdBglA was constructed. The recombinant protein was induced to express in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The enzymatic properties of the purified CdBglA were studied. The molecular weight of the recombinant CdBglA was 56.0 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature were 5.5 and 55 ℃, respectively. The enzyme showed good pH stability, 92.33% of the initial activity could be retained when treated under pH 5.5-11.0 for 1 h. When pNPG was used as a substrate, the kinetic parameters K_m, V_max and K_cat/K_m were 0.81 mmol, 291.99 μmol/(mg·min), and 387.50 s^-1 mmol^-1, respectively. 90.33% of the initial enzyme activity could be retained when CdBglA was placed with various heavy metal ions at a final concentration of 5 mmol/L. The enzyme activity was increased by 28.67% under 15% ethanol solution, remained unchanged under 20% ethanol, and 43.68% of the enzyme activity could still be retained under 30% ethanol. The enzyme has an obvious activation effect at 0-1.5 mol/L NaCl and can tolerate 0.8 mol/L glucose. In conclusion, CdBglA is an acidic and mesophilic enzyme with broad pH stability and strong tolerance to most metal ions, organic solvents, NaCl and glucose. These characteristics may facilitate future theoretical research and industrial production.
beta-Glucosidase ; Sodium Chloride ; Temperature ; Glucose ; Ethanol/chemistry* ; Ions ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Enzyme Stability ; Substrate Specificity

BACKGROUND: Several ions, such as calcium or magnesium ions, are reported to have regulatory effects on epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis. Recently, it has been suggested that strontium ion can play a substitutive role for calcium ion in various cellular reactions. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of strontium ion, either alone or in combination with calcium or magnesium ions, on epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis. METHODS: Female hairless mice were used to study the effects of various ions on epidermal permeability barrier recovery. Calcium chloride solution, magnesium chloride solution or strontium chloride solution were topically applied to barrier-disrupted skin, either alone or simultaneously. Change of transepidermal water loss, which represents permeability barrier function, was measured by TEWameter and morphological change was also observed by light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Topical application of strontium chloride solution accelerated permeability barrier recovery rate, compared with vehicle-applied skin. Magnesium chloride solution also accelerated barrier recovery rate, as reported in previous studies. Interestingly, simultaneous application of strontium and calcium ions significantly accelerated barrier recovery rate, compared to application of strontium or calcium ion alone. Nile red staining confirmed the increased neutral lipid deposition in strontium ion applied skin. Electron microscopic observation also revealed an increased lamellar body secretion in strontium ion applied skin. CONCLUSION: Strontium ion can play a regulatory role in epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis due to, at least in part, its competitive action on calcium ion for the same ion channel.
Animals ; Calcium ; Calcium Chloride ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; Ions* ; Magnesium ; Magnesium Chloride ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Microscopy, Electron ; Permeability* ; Skin ; Strontium*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nucleotide binding to purinergic P2Y receptors contributes to the regulation of fluid and ion transport in the middle ear epithelial cells. Here, we investigated the regulatory mechanism of the P2Y2 receptor agonist, uridine-5'-triphosphate (UTP), on Cl- transport in cultured normal human middle ear epithelial (NHMEE) cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Electrophysiological measurements were performed in monolayers of cultured NHMEE cells. Short circuit currents (Isc) were measured from the cells mounted in Ussing chambers under various conditions. RESULTS: Apical addition of UTP in presence of amiloride evoked a transient rise and a sustained response in Isc due to Cl- efflux. Application of different Cl- channel blockers to the apical side of the cells significantly decreased UTP-induced Isc. Niflumic acid (NFA), a known blocker of Ca(2+)-activated chloride channels (CACC), and CFTRinh172, a selective inhibitor of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), partially inhibited the UTP-induced Cl- secretion, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cl- transport across the airway epithelia plays a predominant role in regulating airway hydration. In this study, UTP is shown to increase both CACC and CFTR-dependent Cl- secretion in NHMEE cells, suggesting their role in fluid and ion transport in the middle ear epithelium.
Amiloride ; Chloride Channels ; Cystic Fibrosis ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; Ear, Middle ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; Ion Transport ; Niflumic Acid ; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y ; Uridine Triphosphate

Effect of cadmium (Cd) intoxication on renal acid-base regulation was studied in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Cd intoxication was induced by subcutaneous injections of CdCl2 at a dose of 2 mg Cd/kg/day for 3-4 weeks. In Cd-intoxicated animals, arterial pH, PCO2 and plasma bicarbonate concentration decreased, showing a metabolic acidosis. Urine pH and urinary bicarbonate excretion increased and titratable acid excretion decreased with no change in ammonium excretion. In renal cortical brush-border membrane vesicles derived from Cd-exposed animals, the Na /H antiporter activity was significantly attenuated. These results indicate that chronic exposures to Cd impair the proximal tubular mechanism for H secretion (i.e., Na /H antiport), leading to a metabolic acidosis.
Acidosis ; Acidosis, Renal Tubular* ; Adult ; Ammonium Compounds ; Animals ; Cadmium ; Cadmium Chloride ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Ion Transport ; Kidney ; Male ; Membranes ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

An alkaline protease produced by Aspergillus niger C-15 was purified and characterized. The enzyme was purified 19.41-fold with a specific activity of 74150 U/mg and a recovery of 34.4% by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 34 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for the protease activity were pH 8.0 and 60degrees C, respectively. The enzyme activity inhibited by EDTA suggests that the preparation contains a metalloprotease. The enzyme activity of the metalloprotease was completely inhibited by 5 mM HgCl2 and FeCl3, while partially inhibited by CuSO4, and MnCl2. When polyols such as glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol, were added to the reaction medium, most polyols tested enhanced protease activity. Especially, glycerol showed the highest effect. The alkaline metalloprotease was stable at high temperature and retained more than 90% of the initial activity at 60degrees C and 86.4% under addition of glycerol.
Aspergillus niger* ; Aspergillus* ; Chromatography, Gel ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Edetic Acid ; Glycerol ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Mannitol ; Mercuric Chloride ; Molecular Weight ; Sorbitol ; Xylitol

We report a typical case of Hunters syndrr me in a 9 year old boy, who presented with firm skin colored nodules that coalesce to form a reticular pattern on a symmetrical rea between the angles of the scapulas, which is regarded as the pathognornonic cutaneous rnarker, for Hunters syndrome. He also showed growth retardation, clear corneas, hepatomegaly, attertich deficit and mild mental deterioration. The skin biopsy specimen taken frorn a typical nodule shows loosely arranged collagen fibers with massive mucinous material which stains positively with aliar blue at both pH 2.5 and 0.5, metachromatic granules within fibroblast stained with toluidine blue.
Biopsy ; Child ; Collagen ; Coloring Agents ; Cornea ; Fibroblasts ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Mucins ; Mucopolysaccharidosis II* ; Scapula ; Skin* ; Tolonium Chloride