scholarly journals Histidine in Health and Disease: Metabolism, Physiological Importance, and Use as a Supplement

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Holeček

L-histidine (HIS) is an essential amino acid with unique roles in proton buffering, metal ion chelation, scavenging of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, erythropoiesis, and the histaminergic system. Several HIS-rich proteins (e.g., haemoproteins, HIS-rich glycoproteins, histatins, HIS-rich calcium-binding protein, and filaggrin), HIS-containing dipeptides (particularly carnosine), and methyl- and sulphur-containing derivatives of HIS (3-methylhistidine, 1-methylhistidine, and ergothioneine) have specific functions. The unique chemical properties and physiological functions are the basis of the theoretical rationale to suggest HIS supplementation in a wide range of conditions. Several decades of experience have confirmed the effectiveness of HIS as a component of solutions used for organ preservation and myocardial protection in cardiac surgery. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of HIS supplementation on neurological disorders, atopic dermatitis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, uraemic anaemia, ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases, malignancies, and muscle performance during strenuous exercise. Signs of toxicity, mutagenic activity, and allergic reactions or peptic ulcers have not been reported, although HIS is a histamine precursor. Of concern should be findings of hepatic enlargement and increases in ammonia and glutamine and of decrease in branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine) in blood plasma indicating that HIS supplementation is inappropriate in patients with liver disease.

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11646
Author(s):  
Liubov Igorevna Trubitsina ◽  
Azat Vadimovich Abdullatypov ◽  
Anna Petrovna Larionova ◽  
Ivan Vasilyevich Trubitsin ◽  
Sergey Valerievich Alferov ◽  
...  

Background Two-domain laccases are copper-containing oxidases found in bacteria in the beginning of 2000ths. Two-domain laccases are known for their thermal stability, wide substrate specificity and, the most important of all, their resistance to so-called «strong inhibitors» of classical fungal laccases (azides, fluorides). Low redox potential was found to be specific for all the two-domain laccases, due to which these enzymes lost the researchers’ interest as potentially applicable for various biotechnological purposes, such as bioremediation. Searching, obtaining and studying the properties of novel two-domain laccases will help to obtain an enzyme with high redox-potential allowing its practical application. Methods A gene encoding two-domain laccase was identified in Catenuloplanes japonicus genome, cloned and expressed in an Echerichia coli strain. The protein was purified to homogeneity by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Its molecular properties were studied using electrophoresis in native and denaturing conditions. Physico-chemical properties, kinetic characteristics, substrate specificity and decolorization ability of laccase towards triphenylmethane dyes were measured spectrophotometrically. Results A novel two-domain recombinant laccase CjSL appeared to be a multimer with a subunit molecular mass of 37 kDa. It oxidized a wide range of phenolic substrates (ferulic acid, caffeic acid, hydroquinone, catechol, etc.) at alkaline pH, while oxidizing of non phenolic substrates (K4[Fe(CN)6], ABTS) was optimal at acidic pH. The UV-visible absorption spectrum of the purified enzyme was specific for all two-domain laccases with peak of absorption at 600 nm and shoulder at 340 nm. The pH optima of CjSL for oxidation of ABTS and 2, 6-DMP substrates were 3.6 and 9.2 respectively. The temperature optimum was 70 °C. The enzyme was most stable in neutral-alkaline conditions. CjSL retained 53% activity after pre-incubation at 90 °C for 60 min. The enzyme retained 26% activity even after 60 min of boiling. The effects of NaF, NaN3, NaCl, EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline on enzymatic activity were investigated. Only 1,10-phenanthroline reduced laccase activity under both acidic and alkaline conditions. Laccase was able to decolorize triphenylmethane dyes and azo-dyes. ABTS and syringaldehyde were effective mediators for decolorization. The efficacy of dye decolorization depended on pH of the reaction medium.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Kamilah Khairol Anuar ◽  
Huey Ling Tan ◽  
Ying Pei Lim ◽  
Mohamad Sufian So’aib ◽  
Noor Fitrah Abu Bakar

Carbon-Dots (C-Dots) have drawn much attention in recent years owing to their remarkable properties such as high biocompatibility, low toxicity, nano-scale size, and ease of modification with good tuneable photoluminescence performance. These unique properties have led C-Dots to become a promising platform for bioimaging, metal ion sensing and an antibacterial agent. C-Dots can be prepared using the top-down and bottom-up approaches, in which the latter method is commonly used for large scale and low-cost synthesis. C-Dots can be synthesized using sustainable raw materials or green biomass since it is environmentally friendly, in-expensive and most importantly, promotes the minimization of waste production. However, using biomass waste to produce high-quality C-Dots is still a matter of concern waiting for resolution, and this will be the main focus of this review. Fundamental understanding of C-Dots such as structure analysis, physical and chemical properties of C-Dots, various synthesis methodology and type of raw materials used are also discussed and correlated comprehensively. Additionally, factors affecting the bandgap of the C-Dots and the strategies to overcome these shortcomings are also covered. Moreover, formation mechanism of C-Dots focusing on the hydrothermal method, option and challenges to scale up the C-Dots production are explored. It is expected that the great potential of producing C-Dots from agricultural waste a key benefit in view of their versatility in a wide range of applications.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1786
Author(s):  
Carla Queirós ◽  
Chen Sun ◽  
Ana M. G. Silva ◽  
Baltazar de Castro ◽  
Juan Cabanillas-Gonzalez ◽  
...  

The development of straightforward reproducible methods for the preparation of new photoluminescent coordination polymers (CPs) is an important goal in luminescence and chemical sensing fields. Isophthalic acid derivatives have been reported for a wide range of applications, and in addition to their relatively low cost, have encouraged its use in the preparation of novel lanthanide-based coordination polymers (LnCPs). Considering that the photoluminescent properties of these CPs are highly dependent on the existence of water molecules in the crystal structure, our research efforts are now focused on the preparation of CP with the lowest water content possible, while considering a green chemistry approach. One- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) LnCPs were prepared from 5-aminoisophthalic acid and Sm3+/Tb3+ using hydrothermal and/or microwave-assisted synthesis. The unprecedented LnCPs were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCRXD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied in the solid state, at room temperature, using the CPs as powders and encapsulated in poly(methyl methacrylate (PMMA) films, envisaging the potential preparation of devices for sensing. The materials revealed interesting PL properties that depend on the dimensionality, metal ion, co-ligand used and water content.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1891
Author(s):  
Antonio Reina ◽  
Trung Dang-Bao ◽  
Itzel Guerrero-Ríos ◽  
Montserrat Gómez

Metal nanoparticles have been deeply studied in the last few decades due to their attractive physical and chemical properties, finding a wide range of applications in several fields. Among them, well-defined nano-structures can combine the main advantages of heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts. Especially, catalyzed multi-step processes for the production of added-value chemicals represent straightforward synthetic methodologies, including tandem and sequential reactions that avoid the purification of intermediate compounds. In particular, palladium- and copper-based nanocatalysts are often applied, becoming a current strategy in the sustainable synthesis of fine chemicals. The rational tailoring of nanosized materials involving both those immobilized on solid supports and liquid phases and their applications in organic synthesis are herein reviewed.


Radiocarbon ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (2B) ◽  
pp. 731-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lal ◽  
A J T Jull

Nuclear interactions of cosmic rays produce a number of stable and radioactive isotopes on the earth (Lai and Peters 1967). Two of these, 14C and 10Be, find applications as tracers in a wide variety of earth science problems by virtue of their special combination of attributes: 1) their source functions, 2) their half-lives, and 3) their chemical properties. The radioisotope, 14C (half-life = 5730 yr) produced in the earth's atmosphere was the first to be discovered (Anderson et al. 1947; Libby 1952). The next longer-lived isotope, also produced in the earth's atmosphere, 10Be (half-life = 1.5 myr) was discovered independently by two groups within a decade (Arnold 1956; Goel et al. 1957; Lal 1991a). Both the isotopes are produced efficiently in the earth's atmosphere, and also in solids on the earth's surface. Independently and jointly they serve as useful tracers for characterizing the evolutionary history of a wide range of materials and artifacts. Here, we specifically focus on the production of 14C in terrestrial solids, designated as in-situ-produced 14C (to differentiate it from atmospheric 14C, initially produced in the atmosphere). We also illustrate the application to several earth science problems. This is a relatively new area of investigations, using 14C as a tracer, which was made possible by the development of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The availability of the in-situ 14C variety has enormously enhanced the overall scope of 14C as a tracer (singly or together with in-situ-produced 10Be), which eminently qualifies it as a unique tracer for studying earth sciences.


1997 ◽  
Vol 496 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Derwin ◽  
Kim Kinoshita ◽  
Tri D. Tran ◽  
Peter Zaleski

AbstractSeveral types of carbonaceous materials from Superior Graphite Co. were investigated for lithium ion intercalation. These commercially available cokes, graphitized cokes and graphites have a wide range of physical and chemical properties. The coke materials were investigated in propylene carbonate based electrolytes and the graphitic materials were studied in ethylene carbonate / dimethyl solutions to prevent exfoliation. The reversible capacities of disordered cokes are below 230 mAh / g and those for many highly ordered synthetic (artificial) and natural graphites approached 372 mAh / g (LiC6). The irreversible capacity losses vary between 15 to as much as 200 % of reversible capacities for various types of carbon. Heat treated cokes with the average particle size of 10 microns showed marked improvements in reversible capacity for lithium intercalation. The electrochemical characteristics are correlated with data obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TAM), X - ray diffraction (XRD) and BET surface area analysis. The electrochemical performance, availability, cost and manufacturability of these commercial carbons will be discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1101-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Melník ◽  
Peter Mikuš ◽  
Clive Holloway

AbstractThis review classifies and analyzes heterohexanuclear platinum clusters into seven types of metal combinations:Pt5M, Pt4M2, Pt3M3, Pt2M4, PtM5, Pt2M3M′, and Pt2M2M2′. The crystals of these clusters generally belong to six crystal classes: monoclinic, triclinic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, trigonal and cubic. Among the wide range of stereochemistry adopted by these clusters, octahedral and capped square-pyramidal are the most common. Although platinum is classified as a soft metal atom, it bonds to a variety of soft, borderline and hard metals. Nineteen different heterometal ions are involved in hexanuclear platinum clusters. The shortest Pt-M bond distance in the case of M being a non-transition element is 2.395(4) Å for germanium and for M being a transition metal ion it is 2.402(2) Å for Cobalt. The shortest Pt-Pt bond distance observed in these clusters is 2.532 Å. Several relationships between the structural parameters are identified and discussed. Some clusters exist in two isomeric forms and some show crystallographically independent molecules within the same crystal. Such isomers and independent molecules are examples of distortion isomerism.


1993 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.K. Tang ◽  
T.M. Hong ◽  
C.Y. Lin ◽  
M.L. Lai ◽  
C.H. Liu ◽  
...  

Cells from three layers of the bovine esophageal epithelium, representing different stages of differentiation, were dissociated and separated by Percoll gradient centrifugation into fractions of small, medium and large sizes. A majority of the large cells possessed condensed nuclei, a characteristic feature of terminal differentiation of the superficial epithelium. The small cells resembled the proliferate cells of the basal layer. In vitro culture of the esophageal epithelial cells resulted in proliferation of the small cells, colony formation, and, in some cases, differentiation into cells with condensed nuclei. Nuclei, or nuclear subfractions derived from cells of the different layers, were used as immunogens for the generation of hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies that bound specifically to different regions of the esophageal tissue. One such antibody, designated W2, labeled the condensed nuclei from the superficial layer of stratified esophageal and corneal epithelia in situ, as well as the large cells from esophageal culture in vitro. Thus, the expression of the W2 antigen may be associated with the process of nuclear condensation during epithelial differentiation. Immunoisolation of the target antigen of W2 from extracts of large cells of the bovine esophagus yielded a band of M(r) approximately 33,000 on nonreducing polyacrylamide gels. This band dissociated into two polypeptides, of M(r) approximately 22,000 and approximately 11,000, upon treatment with dithiothreitol. Amino acid sequence analysis of the larger polypeptide showed extensive homology to a group of small calcium-binding proteins, including two helix-turn-helix motifs designated as the EF-hand, characteristic of the configuration of the metal-ion coordinating ligands of the calcium-binding site. Similarly, the sequence at the amino terminus of the polypeptide of approximately 11,000 indicated that it was the light chain counterpart of the same calcium-binding protein complex.


NANO ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 2150050
Author(s):  
Zhaoyu Han ◽  
Sen Li ◽  
Shaoxian Yin ◽  
Zhi-Qin Wang ◽  
Yanfei Cai ◽  
...  

Being the newest member of the 2D materials family, 2D-nanosheet possesses many distinctive physical and chemical properties resulting in a wide range of potential applications. Recently, it was discovered that 2D COF can adsorb single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) efficiently as well as usefully to quench fluorophores. These properties make it possible to prepare DNA-based optical biosensors using 2D COF. While practical analytical applications are being demonstrated, the fundamental understanding of binding between 2D COF and DNA in solution received relatively less attention. In this work, we carried out a systematic study to understand the adsorption and desorption kinetic, mechanism, and influencing factors of ss-DNA on the surface of 2D COF. We demonstrated that shorter DNAs are adsorbed more rapidly and bind more tightly to the surface of 2D COF. The adsorption is favored by a higher pH. The different buffer types also can affect the adsorption. In Tris-HCl solution, the adsorption reached highest efficiency. By adding the complementary DNA (cDNA), desorption of the absorbed DNA on 2D COF can be achieved. Further, desorption efficiency can also be exchanged by various surfactant in solution. These findings are important for further understanding of the interactions between DNA and COFs and for the optimization of DNA and COF-based devices and sensors.


Author(s):  
J. S. Chin ◽  
A. H. Lefebvre

The influence of fuel composition on soot emissions from continuous flow combustors is examined. A study of the combustion characteristics of a wide range of present and potential aviation fuels suggests that smoke point provides a better indication of sooting tendency than does hydrogen content. It is concluded from this study that the best empirical relationship between fuel chemical composition and soot emissions is one which combines two fuel composition parameters — smoke point and naphthalene content — into a single parameter which is shown to correlate successfully soot emissions data acquired from several different fuels burning in a variety of gas turbine and model combustors.


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