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Biomedical subjects

A Abraham

Publications and source records attributed to A Abraham.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Expression of TA1, a rat oncofetal cDNA with homology to transport-associated genes, in carbon-tetrachloride-induced liver injury.

TA1, a novel rat oncofetal cDNA, is the predicted homolog of the human lymphocyte activation gene E16. The encoded peptides share high homology with transport-associated and uncharacterized sequences in distant species, suggesting an important and conserved function in cellular homeostasis. Moderate steady-state levels of TA1 RNA were induced following acute and chronic CCl4-mediated liver injury. TA1 expression was either greatly reduced or absent in livers of animals receiving injury-protective doses of vitamin E in conjunction with CCl4. In contrast to the in vivo data, acute in vitro exposure of hepatocytes to CCl4 did not induce TA1 RNA. Our results indicate that TA1 is spatially and temporally associated with liver injury in vivo and may play an adaptive role in the hepatic response to environmental toxicants.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Anti-oxidant effects of curry leaf, Murraya koenigii and mustard seeds, Brassica juncea in rats fed with high fat diet.

Status of lipid peroxidation was studied in rats induced high fat diet and some commonly used spices, viz. Murraya koenigit and Brassica juncea. The study revealed that these species alter the peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) level to a beneficial extent. Histological studies also focus on modulation of hepatic functions to near normal level.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Murraya koenigii and Brassica juncea--alterations on lipid profile in 1-2 dimethyl hydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis.

The influence of the two commonly used spices Murraya koenigii (curry leaf) leaf and Brassica juncea (mustard) seeds on the levels of lipids, fecal bile acids and neutral sterols was studied in rats administered 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine (1,2 DMH). The levels of cholesterol and phospholipids decreased in the experimental groups when compared with the control. The cholesterol phospholipid ratio showed an elevated level in the DMH treated control compared with the species group. Bile acids and neutral sterols showed a sharp increase in the spices treated groups in liver and feces when compared with the control. Morphological and histological studies revealed that the mean number of neoplasms in the colon and intestine were significantly low in the spices fed groups.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗
PubMed1996

Biochemical response in rats to the addition of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) and mustard seeds (Brassica juncea) to the diet.

Three groups with 12 weanling male albino rats were group fed for 90 days on a standard laboratory rat diet plus 20% coconut oil either without a supplement or with the addition of 10% curry leaf or 10% mustard seeds. Feed was offered at a level of 10% body weight. At the end of the trial, measurements were made on the total serum cholesterol, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, and very low density lipoproteins fractions, release of lipoproteins into the circulation, lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity and lipoprotein lipase activity. Feed intake and mean body weight of the rats on each treatment was not significantly different. Both spices resulted in a reduction in total serum cholesterol and LDL + VLDL, an increase in the HDL, lower release of lipoproteins into the circulation and an increase in the LCAT activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Kinetic studies of purified malate dehydrogenase in liver of streptozotocin-diabetic rats and the effect of leaf extract of Aegle marmelose (L.) Correa ex Roxb.

The functional basis of diabetes-mellitus to a certain extent, can be elucidated by studying diabetes-induced changes in metabolic enzymes. Malate dehydrogenase (MDH), is an enzyme directly involved in glucose metabolism. The kinetic parameters of MDH and its purified cytosolic isozyme, S-MDH, have been studied in the liver of streptozotocin-diabetic rats; also the potential of the leaf extract of A. marmelose as an anti-diabetic agent was investigated. The Km of the liver enzyme increased significantly, in both crude and purified preparations in the diabetic state when compared to the respective controls. Insulin as well as leaf-extract treatment of the diabetic rats brought about a reversal of Km values to near normal. Vmax of purified S-MDH was significantly higher in the diabetic state when compared to the control. Insulin and leaf extract treatment did not reverse this change. Since MDH is an important enzyme in glucose metabolism, the variation in its quantitative and qualitative nature may contribute to the pathological status of diabetes. The fact that leaf extract of A. marmelose was found to be as effective as insulin in restoration of blood glucose and body weight to normal levels, the use of A. marmelose as potential hypoglycemic agent is suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Role of Murraya koenigii (curry leaf) and Brassica juncea (Mustard) in lipid peroxidation.

The status of lipid peroxidation was investigated in rats fed M. Koenigii (curry leaf) and B. juncea (Mustard). Concentration of malondialdehyde showed a significant decrease, while hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were significantly increased in liver and heart of both the experimental groups. SOD and catalase activity was found to be increased in liver and heart of both the spices administered groups. Glutathione levels in liver, heart and kidney were lowered in rats administered these spices. Glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase activity showed a sharp increase in the experimental groups compared to the controls.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Occurrence of cowpox-like lesions in cattle in Israel.

Two different clinical forms of cowpox infection, which occurred sporadically in one dairy herd and one beef herd, are described. The agent was identified by virologic test and by electron microscopy, when a characteristic orthopoxvirus was noted. No systemic illness was diagnosed with any of the two forms and recovery was observed in 3-4 weeks. The epizootiology of the infection is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Polyglutamylation of the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor gamma-methylene-10-deazaaminopterin is not essential for antitumor activity.

As part of a continuing program aimed at developing nonpolyglutamylatable inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase that are less toxic and more specific in their action, we herein report the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of gamma-methylene-10-deazaaminopterin (MDAM) in athymic nude mice bearing advanced human HCT-8 ileocecal xenografts and its antitumor activity in C57BL/6 x DBA/2 F1 (hereafter called B6D2F1) mice bearing P388 murine leukemia. For the xenograft study, MDAM was administered at the maximum tolerated dose by the following dose schedules: (a) 5-day continuous i.v. infusion at 1.0 mg/kg/day (schedule I); and (b) i.v. push, daily for 5 days at 50 mg/kg/day (schedule II). The maximum tolerated dose values for methotrexate (MTX) under these conditions were 0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg/day for schedule I and schedule II, respectively. MTX did not exhibit any significant antitumor activity in this model system by both schedules; however, MDAM induced complete responses of 13 and 25% and partial responses of 25 and 50% by schedules I and II, respectively. MDAM also exhibited antitumor activity significantly superior to that of MTX in the P388 tumor model. One of the enantiomers of MDAM, which possesses the natural configuration at the gamma-methyleneglutamate moiety (l-MDAM), has been shown to be a better inhibitor of human recombinant dihydrofolate reductase and H35 hepatoma cell growth than D,L-MDAM. L-MDAM inhibited the uptake of radiolabeled folinic acid to H35 hepatoma cells eight times more efficiently than MTX. The results indicate that the superior activity of MDAM relative to MTX may be partially due to a combination of enhanced transport to tumor cells and slower deactivation by aldehyde oxidase.

Aminopterin↗
PubMed1995

The efficacy of a live Listeria monocytogenes combined serotype 1/2a and serotype 4b vaccine.

In each of two experiments, sheep and lambs were vaccinated by a subcutaneous injection of a test vaccine (consisting of a combined serotype 1/2a and serotype 4b live Listeria monocytogenes culture) and challenged 16 days later with a mixture of the homologous wild strains. After challenge, the mortality rate of vaccinated sheep was 28.1% and that of controls 71.9%; that of lambs was 25.0%, although these had been inoculated with the LD70 dose. Furthermore, in each of two field trials in Listeria-infected flocks, primiparous pregnant ewes were vaccinated. In the first field trial, 3 or 110 lambs died of listeriosis of those born of vaccinated (n = 564) or unvaccinated (n = 3345) ewes, respectively. In the second, the perinatal mortality rate of lambs born of vaccinated or unvaccinated ewes was 7.6 or 30.3%, respectively, and the mean birth weight of lambs born of vaccinated or control ewes was 2.2 or 1.8 kg, respectively; the mean milk production of vaccinated ewes was 106 and that of controls 83 l; no Listeria was isolated from milk samples of vaccinated ewes. It is concluded that the vaccine is efficacious for the protection of sheep from listeriosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Substance P binding in normal neonatal foreskin.

The distribution of binding sites for NTE-biotinyl-[Arg3]-substance P (SPB) was demonstrated in neonatal foreskin using a conjugate of streptavidin with horseradish peroxidase. The observed binding is reversible, and may be abrogated by either the non-peptide substance P receptor antagonist, CP-96,345, or by unlabelled substance P. The generalized epidermal distribution and focal dermal localization of SPB binding suggest that although NK-1 receptors are abundant in human neonatal foreskin, neuromodulatory mechanisms may play a significant role in epidermal physiology.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1995

Nitric oxide inhibits establishment of macroschizont-infected cell lines and is produced by macrophages of calves undergoing bovine tropical theileriosis or East Coast fever.

Nitric oxide (NO) was produced when bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or purified, adherent PBMC (macrophages) were incubated in vitro with bovine recombinant interferon gamma (Bo rIFN-gamma). NO was produced by cells from naive, uninfected calves as well as by cells from cattle either infected with or recovered from infection with Theileria annulata or Theileria parva. PBMC of cattle undergoing tropical theileriosis (T. annulata infection) or East Coast fever (T. parva infection) synthesized NO spontaneously in vitro. NO was also induced when PBMC of immune, but not of naive, cattle were cultured with T. annulata macroschizont-infected cell lines. Macrophages alone were not stimulated to produce NO by such infected cells. In vitro establishment of macroschizont-infected cell lines was suppressed either by incubating sporozoites with S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP), a NO releasing molecule, prior to invasion of PBMC or by pulsing developing cultures of trophozoite-infected cells with SNAP. Proliferation of established macroschizont-infected cell lines was not affected by SNAP. Taken together with the well documented roles of NO in neutrotransmission, vasodilatation, cell and tissue damage and immunosuppression, the results presented here indicate that NO may not only protect cattle against T. annulata and T. parva but, if produced in excess, play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of tropical theileriosis and East Coast fever.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Induced cardioversion of fetal flutter by artificial rupture of membranes at term.

A term fetus with atrial flutter and no signs of cardiac decompensation is described. A trial of pharmacologic cardioversion was unsuccessful, and induction of labor was initiated. Immediately after artificial rupture of the membranes, spontaneous conversion to normal sinus rhythm occurred. The possible mechanism of the cardioverion and the optional treatments for the term fetus with atrial flutter are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Hypoglycemic action of Murraya koenigii (curry leaf) and Brassica juncea (mustard): mechanism of action.

Effect of Murraya koenigii and Brassica juncea on carbohydrate metabolism has been studied using rats as experimental animals. Both showed significant hypoglycemic action. There was increase in the concentration of hepatic glycogen and glycogenesis, as evident from the increased activity of glycogen synthetase, and decrease in glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis as evident from the decreased activity of glycogen phosphorylase and gluconeogenic enzymes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Evidence of Cryptosporidium in children with symptomatic enteritis from the Leipzig administrative area 1987-1992].

From 1987 to 1992 stool samples of 3235 diarrheic children at the age from 1 to 14 years in the Leipzig district were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. In 58 patients (= 1.8%) oocysts have been detected. Most of the positive children (= 81%) were less than 7 years old. A seasonal increasing of prevalence was observed in August and in the following months. According to anamnestic informations of treating physicians all patients were immunocompetent. The clinical symptomatology comprised diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and stomach ache. Animal contacts were known in 52% of the patients. Stool examinations for diagnosis of Cryptosporidium are recommended in unclear diarrhoeas, also in immunocompetent patients. The role of Cryptosporidium spp. as opportunists in immunodeficiency is especially commented.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Expression of SPARC in normal and fibrotic livers.

SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine)--also known as osteonectin, BM-40, and 43K glycoprotein--is secreted by endothelial cells and fibroblasts in response to culture shock. SPARC has been found in association with tissues undergoing cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling. We demonstrate that normal livers from humans, rats, and mice express substantial levels of SPARC messenger RNA (mRNA). Moreover, when compared with control specimens, significantly increased levels of SPARC mRNA were found in fibrotic livers from two animal models of liver disease: murine schistosomiasis and carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis in rats. Fibrotic human livers also had markedly increased levels of SPARC mRNA in comparison with normal livers. We also detected an increased production of SPARC protein in the liver of animals treated with carbon tetrachloride. By immunocytochemical analysis, SPARC protein was apparent in freshly isolated Ito cells. Hybridization studies showed Ito cells to be the main source of SPARC mRNA. Extracts from a Kupffer-endothelial cell fraction exhibited traces of SPARC transcript, but expression of SPARC mRNA was absent in extracts from freshly isolated hepatocytes. These studies demonstrate the increased expression of SPARC--a protein that modulates cell shape and disrupts cell-matrix interactions--during the initial stages of hepatic fibrosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Haematological & histological studies after curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) & mustard (Brassica juncea) feeding in rats.

Whole curry leaf and mustard fed to rats at doses equal to normal human intake did not cause any adverse effect on food efficiency ratio (FER), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), total count, differential counts or on the levels of blood constituents, like serum electrolytes, blood urea, haemoglobin, total serum protein, albumin-globulin ratio, fibrin level, glycosylated haemoglobin and the activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase in serum. No histopathological changes were observed in the liver of rats administered curry leaf and mustard.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Adverse reactions in cattle to a capripox vaccine.

Capripox vaccine (strain 0240) caused severe generalised skin reactions in vaccinated dairy cattle in two herds, whereas beef cattle did not develop reactions. All the reacting animals developed lumpy skin disease-like lesions. The incidence of skin lesions in first-lactation cows in herd A was 22.9 per cent and in herd B 29.3 per cent, mainly in the post-calving period. In older cows, the incidence was 10 per cent in herd A and 12.4 per cent in herd B. In herd B the high-yielding lactating cows were the most severely affected. There was a decrease of 3.5 per cent in milk production in each herd over a period of 12 days, and six first calving animals (3.5 per cent) and six cows (1.5 per cent) were slaughtered. A capripox virus was isolated from the animals with severe lesions, and was also demonstrated by electron microscopy. The histopathological lesions were similar to those of lumpy skin disease. The extent of the lesions appeared to be stress-related and, to a lesser degree, correlated with age and breed.

Animals↗