Inactivation of Heparin by Cationically Modified Chitosan

This study was performed to evaluate the ability of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), the cationically modified chitosan, to form biologically inactive complexes with unfractionated heparin and thereby blocking its anticoagulant activity. Experiments were carried out in rats in vivo and in vitro using the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) tests for evaluation of heparin anticoagulant activity. For the first time we have found that HTCC effectively neutralizes anticoagulant action of heparin in rat blood in vitro as well as in rats in vivo. The effect of HTCC on suppression of heparin activity is dose-dependent and its efficacy can be comparable to that of protamine-the only agent used in clinic for heparin neutralization. HTCC administered i.v. alone had no direct effect on any of the coagulation tests used. The potential adverse effects of HTCC were further explored using rat experimental model of acute toxicity. When administered i.p. at high doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight), HTCC induced some significant dose-dependent structural abnormalities in the liver. However, when HTCC was administered at low doses, comparable to those used for neutralization of anticoagulant effect of heparin, no histopathological abnormalities in liver were observed.     

Physical Quality and Carotene Content of Solar-Dried Green Leafy and Yellow Succulent Vegetables

The effects of vegetable type, vegetable dimensions, and solar drier load on dehydration rate; and texture, color, water activity, and carotene content of solar-dried carrots, sweet potatoes, and collard greens were studied. Mean dehydration rates (moisture loss,%/hr) for solar dried loads of 430 g/m² and 715 g/m² were 3.3 ± 0.30% and 3.8 ± 0.20% for carrots and sweet potatoes, respectively. Loads of 360 g/m² and 465 g/m² of collard greens had dehydration rates of 6.3 ± 0.10% moisture loss per hr. The results showed that vegetable type accounted for significant differences (p < 0.01) in dehydration rate, and beta-carotene content. Vegetable dimensions affected (p < 0.05) water activity. Solar drier load affected water activity (p < 0.01), and hue angle (p < 0.05). Beta-carotene contents (dry basis) of dehydrated carrot, sweet potato, and collard treatments were 10.9–17.4%, 7.6–9.8%, and 11.9–21.5%, respectively. Among the carrot treatments, the 5-mm thick slices packed at a load of 715 g/m² contained the highest beta-carotene (17.4%, dry basis) and vitamin A activity (362 IU/g, dry basis), and good physical properties. For collard greens, the 2-cm and 3-cm wide strips packed at 360 g/m² loads had the best combinations of high beta-carotene (21.5% and 17.2%, dry basis, respectively), vitamin A activity (357.2 and 293.1 IU/g, dry basis, respectively), and optimal color, texture, and water activity. Beta-carotene losses due to solar dehydration were 48.9–67.5%, 4.0–5.8%, and 1.9–19.8% (dry basis) in carrots, sweet potato and collard greens, respectively.     

Biologic characterization of canine melanoma cell lines

Eight canine melanoma cell lines were established from tissues from 6 dogs with spontaneous primary or metastatic melanomas. Cell lines were characterized for morphologic features and growth patterns on plastic, pigmentation, ultrastructure, cloning efficiency in soft agar, and tumorigenicity in nude mice. Biologic properties of cell lines were distinct and preserved during 40 to 120 passages in vitro. All cell lines were clonogenic and tumorigenic.     

Influence of drought and salt stress on the growth of young Populus nigra ‘Italica’ plants and associated mycorrhizal fungi and non-mycorrhizal fungal endophytes

New Forests - Populus nigra ‘Italica’ (Lombardy poplar) is a breeding cultivar of black poplar, widely used as a street tree or windbreak, often exposed to salinity and limited water...