Biologically active fibers

In addition to effects on biochemical reactions, the inhibitors may influence the permeability of the various cellular membranes and through physical and chemical effects may alter the structure of other subcellular structures such as proteins, nucleic acid, and spindle fibers. Unfortunately, few definite examples can be listed. The action of colchicine and podophyllin in interfering with cell division is well known. The effect of various lactones (coumarin, parasorbic acid, and protoanemonin) on mitotic activity was discussed above. Disturbances to cytoplasmic and vacuolar structure, and the morphology of mitochondria imposed by protoanemonin, were also mentioned. Interference with protein configuration and loss of biological activity was attributed to incorporation of azetidine-2-carboxylic acid into mung bean protein in place of proline. 

The diaminobenzenes are made from benzene by a combination chlorination-nitration route although para-phenylene diamine is also made directly from aniline. orr/to-Phenylene diamine is widely used for the preparation of biologically active compounds such as fungicides and veterinarian medicines. The mera-diamine is used in fire-retardant textile fibers ( Nomex ) while the / ara-diamine finds use in high-strength textile fibers used for bullet-proof vests, sails, army helmets, and other types of fiber-reinforced plastics ( Kevlar ). 

Skin is unstable to varying environmental conditions and deteriorates readily under humid conditions or through biological activity, or both. Basically, the decay of much ancient skin and hide results from hydrolysis, that is, the reaction of the protein fibers in the skin with water in extreme cases, the hydrolysis of skin and hide may cause their total dissolution, and quite often, under humid and hot environmental conditions, nothing remains to indicate that skin or hide was once there. 

Using in vivo techniques, natural and synthetic fibrous materials have been shown to induce fibrosis and carcinogenic responses that were directly related to dose, if the materials were placed on the target tissues. Chrysotile appeared to be more biologically active than the other UICC asbestos samples or fibrous glass, with particle size and shape having some influence on the response. In vitro experiments indicate that fibers can be cytotoxic and possibly mutagenic, increase the secretory activity of fibroblasts, and possibly initiate an immune cascade. 

These results have suggested that mineral dusts that are inert in a particulate form may have biological activity when they occur in a fibrous form. Factors affecting fiber toxicity include length, diameter, respirability resistance to chemical dissolution in biological fluids, and durability. "... 

Laxative effect. Seed hull, taken orally by adults at a dose of 7 g/person, increased weekly fecal mass without influencing transit time or frequency . Seedcoat, administered orally to 80 patients at a dose of 6.4 g/person three times daily, was active in a blinded placebo controlled study of efficacy of extract in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome " . Water extract of the dried kernel, administered orally to 40-year-old adults of both sexes, was active . Seed powder, administered orally to adults of both sexes, was active. Biological activity reported has been patented ". Dried seeds, administered orally to adults at a dose of 0.5 g/person, were active. Placing the seeds in water increased their volume, 90% alcohol produced a decrease in volume to normal seed size, and linseed oil had no effect on volume. The seed mucilage remained in gel form and is considered preferable to the solid form because it is more easily digested " . Dried seed powder, administered orally to 35 patients with chronic constipation at a dose of 50 mg/person, was active in a controlled, double-blind study " . Fiber, administered orally to adults, was active. Psyllium fiber and sennosides were prepared into a wafer to be... 

Sea animals are rich in soluble dietary fibers, proteins, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with low caloric value. Polysaccharides from marine animals have been reported to possess biological activities with potential medicinal values in addition to their current status as a source of dietary fibers and prebiotics. Moreover, they have a lot of dietary fiber, which lowers blood cholesterol, and iodine, which improves metabolism, vascular and cardiac action, body temperature, and perspiration regulation, and are effective in... 

What is most remarkable is that cells can produce proteins with strikingly different properties and activities by joining the same 20 amino acids in many different combinations and sequences. From these building blocks different organisms can make such widely diverse products as enzymes, hormones, antibodies, transporters, muscle fibers, the lens protein of the eye, feathers, spider webs, rhinoceros horn, milk proteins, antibiotics, mushroom poisons, and myriad other substances having distinct biological activities (Fig. 3-1). Among these protein products, the enzymes are the most varied and specialized. Virtually all cellular reactions are catalyzed by enzymes. 

Soy protein preparations contain a variety of biologically active compounds including saponins, fibers, trypsin inhibitors, and isoflavones (Potter, 2000). Hamsters and rats fed ethanol-extracted soy protein isolates had no ability to lower plasma cholesterol compared to intact soy protein isolates (Lucas et al., 2001 Ni et al., 1999). Extraction with ethanol is a treatment that would remove saponins, isoflavones, and other phytochemicals from the protein. Although one study showed that ethanol washing did not... 

There are certain potential health hazards associated with the handling of fibrous materials. These came to prominence when the health hazards associated with asbestos fiber came to light (see Chapter 6). We provide a summary of these. The following characteristics of fibers relate to potential biological activity ... 

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