Browsing by Author "Bonaventura, Joseph"

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    Allylation of intraerythrocytic hemoglobin by raw garlic extracts.
    (J Med Food, 2010-08) Bonaventura, Joseph; Rodriguez, Eva N; Beyley, Veronica; Vega, Irving E
    Recent studies have shown that deoxygenated human red blood cells (RBCs) converted garlic-derived polysulfides into hydrogen sulfide, which in turn produced vasorelaxation in aortic ring preparations. The vasoactivity was proposed to occur via glucose- and thiol-dependent acellular reactions. In the present study, we investigated the interaction of garlic extracts with human deoxygenated RBCs and its effect on intracellular hemoglobin molecules. The results showed that garlic extract covalently modified intraerythrocytic deoxygenated hemoglobin. The modification identified consisted of an addition of 71 atomic mass units, suggesting allylation of the cysteine residues. Consistently, purified human deoxyhemoglobin reacted with chemically pure diallyl disulfide, showing the same modification as garlic extracts. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that garlic extract and diallyl disulfide modified hemoglobin's beta-chain at cysteine-93 (beta-93C) or cysteine-112 (beta-112C). These results indicate that garlic-derived organic disulfides as well as pure diallyl disulfide must permeate the RBC membrane and modified deoxyhemoglobin at beta-93C or beta-112C. Although the physiological role of the reported garlic extract-induced allyl modification on human hemoglobin warrants further study, the results indicate that constituents of natural products, such as those from garlic extract, modify intracellular proteins.
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    Offshore Wind in Coastal North Carolina: A Feasibility Study
    (2004) Regan, Jessica E.
    The objective of this study is to evaluate and analyze data related to the construction of an offshore wind facility located in coastal North Carolina in order to determine whether or not a renewable energy project of this scope and magnitude would be feasible. In order to determine how feasible such a development would be for coastal North Carolina, several different aspects of the project will be analyzed: Ecological impacts, including potential changes in coastal geology and climate patterns; regulations and legal issues; economic issues; and the public’s perception of wind energy. Based on these analyses, recommendations will be made as to whether a project of this scope would be a reasonable undertaking.