BACKGROUND Riboflavin status is commonly measured by the in vitro stimulation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase with flavin adenine dinucleotide and expressed as an erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRAC). However, this assay is insensitive to poor riboflavin status in subjects with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Because G6PD deficiency is commo...

The activities of four purified human growth factors: biosynthetic (recombinant) granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF); recombinant erythroid-potentiating activity (EPA); natural and recombinant pluripoietin (Ppo); and natural pluripoietin alpha (Ppo alpha), were compared on the growth of hematopoietic colonies from enriched populations of human marrow and blood progenitor c...

Two faba bean, Vicia faba L., cultivars, Gazira2 and Misr1, representing cultivars moderately resistant and susceptible to aphids, were analyzed for peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities induced by cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. infestation. Two tissue types (whole plant [WP] and detached leaf [DL]), two infestation status (infested and uninfested), and three aphid infe...

In insects, hemocytes are considered as the only source of plasma prophenoloxidase (PPO). PPO also exists in the hemocytes of the hematopoietic organ that is connected to the wing disc of Bombyx mori. It is unknown whether there are other cells or tissues that can produce PPO and release it into the hemolymph besides circulating hemocytes. In this study, we use the silkworm as a model to explor...

BACKGROUND: Ensiling forages often leads to degradation of protein to non-protein nitrogen (NPN), which is poorly utilized by ruminants. Postharvest protein degradation is especially high in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). In contrast, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) has up to 90% less protein loss during ensiling due to polyphenol oxidase (PPO) forming o-quinones from endogenous o-diphenols a...

Poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) film is a useful dosimetric tool for measuring solar UV in underwater and terrestrial environments. However, little is known about how the response of PPO changes with fluctuations in atmospheric ozone and also to seasonal variations. To resolve this issue this article presents a series of long-term in-air solar erythemal response measurements made ...

Advances in operative technique and perioperative care have reduced surgical morbidity and mortality considerably after pulmonary resections. Various single and combined parameters of functional operability have been proposed to assess the surgical risk. Patients with normal or only slightly impaired pulmonary function (FEV1 and DLCO > or = 80% predicted) and no cardiovascular risk factors can ...

The Health Care Financing Administration is sponsoring the Medicare Physician Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Demonstration to assess the feasibility and desirability of including a PPO option under Medicare. Two sites are currently operational. At one site, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona is offering a PPO linked with a medigap insurance plan. This "medigap PPO" and its initial exp...

Latex is the milky sap that is found in many different plants. It is produced by specialized cells known as laticifers and can comprise a mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, oils, secondary metabolites and rubber that may help to prevent herbivory and protect wound sites against infection. The wound-induced browning of latex suggests that it contains one or more phenoloxidizing enzymes. Here we...