Immunochemistry of ovine and bovine submaxillary mucins.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
A Das
Publications and source records attributed to A Das.
Hexachlorocyclohexane-induced behavioural and neurochemical changes in rat.
Effect of chronic oral exposure (10 and 20 mg kg(-1) body wt. for 7, 15 and 30 days) to hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) on open-field behaviour and activities of cerebral Na+,K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of rat was evaluated. Motor and grooming activities were altered, whereas vertical exploratory activity was unaffected by HCH. Activities of Na+,K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and AChE were inhibited significantly by the pesticide. The results suggest that HCH induces impairment of the enzymes involved in synaptic activity, resulting in behavioural alterations.
Acetylcholinesterase↗
The role of fatty acids in ischemic tissue injury: difference between oleic and palmitic acid.
Guinea pig hearts were subjected to low-flow perfusion (0.3 ml/g fresh weight/min) with an oxygen depleted perfusate. Fatty acids (palmitic or oleic acid), added to the perfusate, accelerated in a dose-dependent manner the anoxic decay of creatine phosphate and ATP, impaired lactate production and augmented enzyme release (lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase). Palmitic and oleic acid, however, differed distinctly in their deleterious effect, this being greater for oleic acid. After 60 min anoxic low-flow perfusion with 11 mM glucose and 0.2 mM of either fatty acid, complexed in 5:1 molar relationship to albumin, the creatine phosphate content with palmitate is 39% greater than with oleate, the ATP content 23%, lactate production 15% greater, and release of malate dehydrogenase 24% lower, but the elevated contents of long-chain acyl CoA and acyl carnitine are not significantly different for the two fatty acids. These results accord with earlier experiences on subcellular systems showing that the physicochemical effects of the oleyl residue are more harmful than those of the palmityl residue.
Adenosine Triphosphate↗
Juvenile Justice Act--a comprehensive approach towards justice for children.
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Child↗
Molecular correlates of topographic reorganization in primary visual cortex following retinal lesions.
Adult visual cortex undergoes substantial functional change as a result of alterations in visual experience. Binocular retinal lesions lead to a reorganization of the visuotopic map in primary visual cortex. Associated with this change is a strengthening of an existing plexus of long-range horizontal connections by sprouting of axon collaterals and synaptogenesis. To explore the molecular substrate of this change, we studied the expression of potential factors involved in neural plasticity in the area of reorganization. We found elevation in a number of factors as early as 3 days following the lesion, including neurotrophins BDNF, NT3, NGF and the insulin-like growth factor IGF-1. Associated with the changes in neurotrophin levels was an elevation in their receptors. We also measured elevation of transcription factors, CaMKII, MAP2 and synapsins. These experiments provide evidence for a signal transduction cascade associated with cortical reorganization.
Animals↗
Further evidence for latitudinal inversion clines in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster from India.
Chromosomal analysis of eight Indian natural populations (six from north India and two from south India) of Drosophila melanogaster revealed the presence of 13 paracentric inversions, including one in the X chromosome. All four types of inversions--common cosmopolitan (4), rare cosmopolitan (3), recurrent endemic (2), and unique endemic (4)--were detected. The frequency of commonly occurring inversions and the level of inversion heterozygosity were found to be higher in the two southern populations. The south Indian populations are genetically more differentiated than those from the north. Also, latitudinal clines in the frequencies of the four common cosmopolitan inversions were detected. These results provide further evidence for the existence of inversion clines in Indian populations of D. melanogaster.
Animals↗
Regulation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens virulence gene expression: isolation of a mutation that restores virGD52E function.
Expression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens virulence (vir) genes is controlled by virA, virG, and a plant inducer. Isolation of two constitutive mutants of the transcriptional activator virG, virGN54D, and virGI106L, that support vir gene expression in a virA independent manner has previously been reported. Characterization of virGN54D by several groups showed considerable variation in its ability to activate vir gene transcription. In this study we demonstrate that these differences can be accounted for by plasmid copy number. We report the isolation of a third constitutive mutation, virGI77V, that partially restores transcription activation function of a nonfunctional virG mutant, virGD52E. The second regulator, VirA, in its extreme C-terminus, contains a domain that is homologous to the N-terminal domain of VirG. Deletion of this domain of VirA leads to a fully constitutive phenotype.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗
Peripherally inserted central catheters in children with cystic fibrosis. Eight cases of difficult removal.
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF) in children and adults. The authors present a collection of eight case reports of patients with CF in whom removal of PICCs was difficult, including two PICCs that required surgical removal. The cases were observed in a regional pediatric CF unit in the United Kingdom. Possible etiology and strategies that can be used to achieve catheter removal are discussed.
Adolescent↗
Fine needle aspiration cytology of metastatic scalp nodules.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze cases of palpable cutaneous/ subcutaneous scalp nodules and evaluate the clinical features and role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in their diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1,022 cases of metastatic malignancies at various sites were analyzed over a period of two years. FNAC was performed as a routine outpatient procedure for palpable lesions and under ultrasound or computed tomographic guidance for nonpalpable, internal sites. Histologic correlation was done when possible. RESULTS: Eighteen cases were found to be metastatic scalp nodules. The scalp as a metastatic site constituted 1.76% of all metastatic sites, 7.72% of extranodal sites, and 15.3% of extranodal and extrahepatic sites. Of the 18 cases, 7 (38.9%) had primaries in the head and neck region (thyroid, 3; orbit, 1; tonsil, 1; tongue, 1; and parathyroid, 1). Cutaneous/subcutaneous metastasis was encountered in 58 patients, and the 18 cases of scalp metastasis constituted 31.03% of all cutaneous sites. CONCLUSION: Careful examination of the skin on the entire body, with particular attention to the scalp, should be done when a primary internal malignancy or recurrence is suspected. FNAC is a very helpful and cost-effective modality in determining the nature of such lesions.
Adolescent↗
Aspiration cytology of renal cell carcinoma and adenoma in childhood.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the cytologic features of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and renal papillary adenoma in children. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of three cases of RCC and one of renal papillary adenoma. RESULTS: Cytologic features of pediatric RCC were essentially the same as those seen in adults and are characterized by cells with abundant, vacuolated cytoplasm with pleomorphic nuclei. RCC should be distinguished from the more common Wilms' tumor. Cells with abundant, vacuolated cytoplasm and absence of blastemal cells were two important distinguishing features. A large number of papillae, intranuclear inclusions and magenta bodies were important cytologic features of renal papillary adenoma. CONCLUSION: Cytologic features of RCC and adenoma in childhood are characteristic, and preoperative diagnosis of these cases is possible by aspiration cytology.
Adenoma↗
Cytology of primary skin tumors.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the diagnosis of primary skin and adnexal tumors and to study the cytomorphology of various primary skin and adnexal tumors. STUDY DESIGN: FNAB was routinely done in 18 cases of skin and adnexal tumors, and the cytologic diagnosis, along with detailed cytomorphology, was correlated with subsequent histology. RESULTS: FNAB was done on 15 cases of primary skin tumors and 3 cases of recurrent lesions. FNAB successfully established the benign or malignant nature of skin tumors in 16 of 18 cases (88.9%). However, subtyping was possible in only 12 of 18 cases (66.7%). CONCLUSION: Clinical history and physical findings are essential to the proper diagnosis of adnexal tumors. Knowing the cytologic features of primary skin neoplasms helps distinguish them from tumors metastatic to the skin and more commonly referred for FNAB.
Adenoma↗
Fine needle aspiration cytology of cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma. A case report.
BACKGROUND: Cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma (CPDN) is an uncommon childhood kidney tumor. CASE: For the first time, in this case report we describe the cytologic features of this entity. Predominant clusters and rows of cells with occasional discrete blastemal cells on cytologic smear along with multiple hypoechoic cystic spaces on radiology suggested CPDN. CONCLUSION: It is essential to diagnose CPDN preoperatively because the tumor needs only nephrectomy for treatment.
Biopsy, Needle↗
Endoscopic palliation for inoperable pancreatic cancer.
BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with pancreatic cancer are not candidates for surgical resection. Palliative therapy remains the cornerstone of management of this population. METHODS: We reviewed recent clinical and experimental studies on endoscopic palliative therapy of inoperable pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: Endoscopic placement of a biliary stent is the preferred mode of palliation of obstructive jaundice in patients with pancreatic cancer. The techniques of endoscopic stent insertion are briefly described. Episodic recurrence of jaundice and cholangitis due to stent occlusion is a major drawback of biliary polyethylene stents. Self-expandable metal stents with large diameters have lower rates of stent occlusion and are cost effective in patients who are expected to survive beyond 3 months. Palliation of duodenal obstruction with self-expandable enteral stents and endosonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis are emerging options for the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic therapy offers safe and effective management options for palliation of major symptoms associated with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Cholestasis↗
Free-energy analysis of enzyme-inhibitor binding: aspartic proteinase-pepstatin complexes.
Expeditious in silico determinations of the free energies of binding of a series of inhibitors to an enzyme are of immense practical value in structure-based drug design efforts. Some recent advances in the field of computational chemistry have rendered a rigorous thermodynamic treatment of biologic molecules feasible, starting from a molecular description of the biomolecule, solvent, and salt. Pursuing the goal of developing and making available a software for assessing binding affinities, we present here a computationally rapid, albeit elaborate, methodology to estimate and analyze the molecular thermodynamics of enzyme-inhibitor binding with crystal structures as the point of departure. The complexes of aspartic proteinases with seven inhibitors have been adopted for this study. The standard free energy of complexation is considered in terms of a thermodynamic cycle of six distinct steps decomposed into a total of 18 well-defined components. The model we employed involves explicit all-atom accounts of the energetics of electrostatic interactions, solvent screening effects, van der Waals components, and cavitation effects of solvation combined with a Debye-Huckel treatment of salt effects. The magnitudes and signs of the various components are estimated using the AMBER parm94 force field, generalized Born theory, and solvent accessibility measures. Estimates of translational and rotational entropy losses on complexation as well as corresponding changes in the vibrational and configurational entropy are also included. The calculated standard free energies of binding at this stage are within an order of magnitude of the observed inhibition constants and necessitate further improvements in the computational protocols to enable quantitative predictions. Some areas such as inclusion of structural adaptation effects, incorporation of site-dependent amino acid pKa shifts, consideration of the dynamics of the active site for fine-tuning the methodology are easily envisioned. The present series of studies, nonetheless, creates potentially useful qualitative information for design purposes on what factors favor protein-drug binding. The net binding free energies are a result of several competing contributions with 6 of the 18 terms favoring complexation. The nonelectrostatic contributions (i.e., the net van der Waals interactions) and the differential cavitation effects favor binding. Electrostatic contributions show considerable diversity and turn out to be favorable in a consensus view for the seven aspartic proteinase-inhibitor complexes examined here. Implications of these observations to drug design are discussed.
Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗
Dense vitreous hemorrhages predict poor visual and neurological prognosis in infants with shaken baby syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: A retrospective study was performed to examine the relationship between the severity of vitreous hemorrhages and the severity of neurological injury in infants with shaken baby syndrome, and the result of early vitrectomy in these infants. METHODS: Five infants, ages 3 to 8 months, with confirmed child abuse underwent ocular examination and neurological testing to identify varying degrees of vitreoretinal changes and neurological dysfunction. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed on one or both eyes in each infant to remove the vitreous hemorrhage. RESULTS: The three infants with bilateral dense vitreous hemorrhage and multiple subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral contusions had poor postoperative ocular and neurological outcomes including light perception (LP) or no light perception (NLP) vision, large retinal holes or tears, retinal ischemia, and severe encephalopathy. The other two infants presented with bilateral subhyaloid and retinal hemorrhages without dense vitreous involvement, along with mild subarachnoid hemorrhage and minimal neurological findings. Following vitrectomy, visual acuities in these infants improved to or remained at the fix and follow state, and both infants improved neurologically. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of dense vitreous hemorrhage in infants with shaken baby syndrome has a poor visual prognosis, due to the frequent concomitant occurrence of significant retinal and visual cortical pathology. In contrast, infants with only intraretinal or subhyaloid hemorrhage tend to have a much better prognosis, with less disruption of both intraocular and intracranial structures.
Battered Child Syndrome↗
Palmoplantar lesions in leprosy.
Palms and soles are considered immune to leprosy. A study was carried out to assess the frequency of lesions over palms and soles and to correlate their occurrence with various parameters. Two hundred eighty leprosy patients were screened for lesions over palms and soles. Palmo-plantar lesions were observed in 10% of the patients screened. Slit-skin smears and biopsies were done from routine sites and palmo-plantar lesions. Histopathology and slit-skin smear confirmed the presence of disease. Eight were in type I reaction, and 50% of patients with type I reaction screened showed lesions over palms and/or soles. The reason for this is not known; probably inapparent lesions become apparent during reactions. Lesions of various morphology were observed. Silky hand was observed in one case.
Adolescent↗
Biofeedback therapy using accelerometry for treating dysphagic patients with poor laryngeal elevation: case studies.
Dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, is a problem encountered frequently in the rehabilitation of stroke and head injury patients. In normal individuals, safe passage of a food bolus into the esophagus is ensured by laryngeal elevation and closure of the airway. Inadequate laryngeal elevation can lead to aspiration, choking, and even death. The course of recovery in the current clinical practice is rather tedious. Recently, investigators have developed and evaluated the accelerometry technique for noninvasive assessment of laryngeal elevation. The purpose of the present paper is to present case reports of patients with poor laryngeal elevation treated with computerized biofeedback therapy using dynamic acceleration measurements. Acceleration was measured from the dysphagic patient during swallowing, and was dynamically displayed on the computer screen along with an acceleration signal from a typical, normal subject. The patient was asked to elicit a swallow response such that his/her acceleration display matched the display of the normal subject. Each patient had nine therapy sessions, lasting about half an hour each. All five patients improved significantly in acceleration magnitude and in swallowing function as confirmed by the videofluorography evaluation.
Acceleration↗
A molecular dynamics study based post facto free energy analysis of the binding of bovine angiogenin with UMP and CMP ligands.
Angiogenin is a protein belonging to the superfamily of RNase A. The RNase activity of this protein is essential for its angiogenic activity. Although members of the RNase A family carry out RNase activity, they differ markedly in their strength and specificity. In this paper, we address the problem of higher specificity of angiogenin towards cytosine against uracil in the first base binding position. We have carried out extensive nano-second level molecular dynamics(MD) computer simulations on the native bovine angiogenin and on the CMP and UMP complexes of this protein in aqueous medium with explicit molecular solvent. The structures thus generated were subjected to a rigorous free energy component analysis to arrive at a plausible molecular thermodynamic explanation for the substrate specificity of angiogenin.
Animals↗