Correlation between cardio-ankle vascular index and biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Arterial stiffness is a pathological event related to arteriosclerosis that is also closely related to oxidative stress. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel arteriosclerotic index that has been used to detect arterial stiffness. However, the association between CAVI and oxidative stress has not yet been elucidated, especially in patients with risk of metabolic disorders.

Characterization of a thiamin diphosphate-dependent phenylpyruvate decarboxylase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The product of the ARO10 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was initially identified as a thiamine diphosphate-dependent phenylpyruvate decarboxylase with a broad substrate specificity. It was suggested that the enzyme could be responsible for the catabolism of aromatic and branched-chain amino acids, as well as methionine. In the present study, we report the overexpression of the ARO10 gene product in Escherichia coli and the first detailed in vitro characterization of this enzyme.

Stability of fortified cefazolin ophthalmic solutions prepared in artificial tears containing surfactant-based versus oxidant-based preservatives.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the stability of fortified cefazolin sodium ophthalmic solutions (50 mg mL⁻¹) extemporaneously prepared in commercial artificial tears containing 2 different types of preservatives, namely the surfactants and oxidants.

Methods: Fortified cefazolin sodium solutions were prepared by reconstituting cefazolin for injection with sterile water and further diluted with Tears Naturale II or Natear, 2 commercial artificial tears containing polyquaternium-1 and sodium perborate, respectively, as preservatives. The solutions were then kept at room temperature (28°C) or in the refrigerator (4°C).

Ninhydrin reaction on thiol-reactive solid and its potential for the quantitation of D-penicillamine.

While aminothiols produce weak purple-colored reactions with ninhydrin, we demonstrate for the first time that this color could be intensely developed. Using a D-penicillamine paradigm, adsorption of this compound via a disulfide bond onto thiol-reactive solid prior to ninhydrin reaction allowed spectrophotometrical monitoring of the supernatant at 570 nm. Compared with off-solid method, this approach expanded the linear concentration range to 50-600 microg mL(-1) and enhanced the sensitivity so that D-penicillamine with the concentrations of less than 100 microg mL(-1) could be accurately quantitated by using a second-order polynomial calibration curve.

Isolation and characterization of a benzoylformate decarboxylase and a NAD+/NADP+-dependent benzaldehyde dehydrogenase involved in D-phenylglycine metabolism in Pseudomonas stutzeri ST-201.

Following induction with D-phenylglycine both d-phenylglycine aminotransferase activity and benzoylformate decarboxylase activity were observed in cultures of Pseudomonas stutzeri ST-201. Induction with benzoylformate, on the other hand, induced only benzoylformate decarboxylase activity. Purification of the benzoylformate decarboxylase, followed by N-terminal sequencing, enabled the design of probes for hybridization with P.