Lithocholate (LC) (10-300 microM) in physiological solution is sensed by vascular myocyte large conductance, calcium- and voltage-gated potassium (BK) channel beta(1) accessory subunits, leading to channel activation and arterial dilation. However, the structural features in steroid and target that determine LC action are unknown. We tested LC and close analogs on BK channel (pore-forming cbv1+...

An homogenate of rat liver which was capable of converting 2-3H-lanosta-8,24-dien-3fl-ol to 2-3H-cholest-5-en-3/3-ol failed to convert 2-3H-9, 19-cyclolanost-24-en-30-01 to 2-3Hcholest-5-en-3/3-01. However, both substrates underwent reduction at C-24,25. 2-3H-9, 19-Cyclolanost-24-en-3/?-01 was not converted to 2-3H-lanosta-8,24-dien-3P-ol. Both the presence and biosynthesis (from 2-14C-mevalona...

BACKGROUND Californian Granny Smith apples are very susceptible to bitter pit (BP) and superficial scald symptoms that develop during cold storage. The main preventive means are diphenylamine dipping and/or gaseous application of the ethylene inhibitor 1-methylcylclopropene (1-MCP), which is effective against superficial scald but not against BP. This study investigated the efficacy of a non-ch...

Sterol ratios are used to identify sources, occurrence and partitioning of faecal matter in sediments of the Tay Estuary, Scotland. The 5β/(5α+5β) ratio is used to discriminate between sewage and biogenic sterol sources by comparing the concentrations of coprostanols to cholesterol plus coprostanols. This index shows unambiguous sewage pollution in the Invergowrie Bay area (values >0.7). The co...

Terpinen-4-ol is a monoterpenoid alcohol and component of the essential oils of several aromatic plants. Similarly to terpinen-4-ol, other monoterpenoid alcohols have shown anticonvulsant activity in convulsion animal models. The present study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of terpinen-4-ol. Treatment of mice with terpinen-4-ol (200 mg/kg) caused a significant decrease in the ...

Oligodendrocyte (OL) development relies on many extracellular cues, most of which are secreted cytokines from neighboring neural cells. Although it is generally accepted that both astrocytes and microglia are beneficial for OL development, there is a lack of understanding regarding whether astrocytes and microglia play similar or distinct roles. The current study examined the effects of astrocy...

Optical absorption and fluorescence emission spectral studies of acridine in different solvents namely, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane, propan-2-ol, ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile, and N,Ndimenthyl formamide have been investigated. Oscillator strength and transition dipole moment of the acridine have been elucidated from the optical absorption measurement. The ratio of the excited state...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oral leukoplakia (OL) is a common premalignant lesion. The possible benefits of specific interventions in preventing a malignant transformation of OL are not well understood. This review assesses different invasive treatment techniques for OL and evaluate the optimal treatment possibilities.METHODS: A Medline (PubMed) search was conducted and heterogeneity between the studie...

Two new epoxy steroids, 5α,8α-epidioxy-22β,23β-epoxyergosta-6-en-3β-ol (1) and 5α,8α-epidioxy-22α,23α-epoxyergosta-6-en-3β-ol (2), and ten known steroids including (24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6-en-3β-ol (3), (22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (4), (22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3β-ol (5), β-sitosterol (6), sitost-5-en-3β-ol acetate (7), 7α-hydroxysitosterol (8), s...