Epidemiological, clinical and haematological profile of schistosomiasis in Yemen.
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Child↗
Biomedical subjects
A Kumar
Publications and source records attributed to A Kumar.
Household characteristics and peoples' perception about filariasis in Khurda district Orissa.
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Filariasis↗
AIDS-related apprehensions among nursing students of Delhi.
Students from a nursing school of Delhi were surveyed anonymously using a self-administered questionnaire to explore various AIDS-related apprehensions and their possible reasons. The observations revealed that, majority of the students and their families/friends feared that these students were at risk of contracting HIV infection while providing routine patient care. A large number of students also opined that they would feel uncomfortable while talking, hugging, shaking hands, and sharing a room with an HIV positive person. The main reasons for their apprehensions were unsatisfactory anti-AIDS campaigning by the government, non-availability of sufficient protective measures in the health care settings, inadequate professional education related to prevention of HIV infection, and increase in HIV transmission following false sense of security due to excessive condom promotion. Findings of the study imply imparting factual knowledge addressing the concerns and removing misconceptions which influence attitudes and willingness of the nursing students to provide care to the HIV positives/AIDS patients, facts regarding efficacy of various preventive measures, and provision of counselling services in the event of exposure.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Parameningeal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult.
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Adult↗
Breastfeeding in rural northern India: levels and differentials.
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Age Factors↗
Exon-I is involved in positive as well as negative regulation of human angiotensinogen gene expression.
Angiotensinogen is the glycoprotein precursor of one of the most potent vasoactive hormones, angiotensin-II. Angiotensinogen gene is primarily expressed in the liver, and this gene locus is linked with human essential hypertension. We show here that a mutation in exon-I reduces the basal expression of the human angiotensinogen gene in liver cells. We also show that a nucleotide sequence in exon-I binds to liver-enriched transcription factor HNF-3 and a ubiquitous factor AP4. Our studies also show that transient transfection of an expression vector containing AP4 coding sequence downregulates the expression of reporter constructs containing human angiotensinogen gene promoter. By contrast, co-transfection of an expression vector containing HNF-3beta coding sequence increases the expression of these reporter constructs. The human angiotensinogen gene has a C/A polymorphism located at -20, and we have shown that estrogen receptor-alpha binds to this sequence when nucleoside A is present at this site. We show here that co-transfection of an expression vector containing AP4 coding sequence reduces estrogen-induced promoter activity of reporter constructs containing human angiotensinogen gene promoter (with nucleoside A at -20) attached to the CAT gene. These studies partly explain the molecular mechanisms involved in tissue-specific expression of the human angiotensinogen gene.
Angiotensinogen↗
Reversal of sedative and clinicophysiological effects of epidural xylazine and detomidine with atipamezole and yohimbine in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).
The sedative and clinicophysiological effects of either xylazine (0.1 mg/kg) or detomidine (50 micrograms/kg) administered epidurally to groups of five buffaloes were reversed by the intravenous administration of either yohimbine (0.125 mg/kg) or atipamezole (10 micrograms/kg). Epidural xylazine or detomidine produced bradycardia, respiratory depression, ruminal stasis and hypothermia and these effects were completely reversed within five to 15 minutes after the intravenous administration of atipamezole or yohimbine, with no signs of excitement or resedation. Atipamezole reversed the effects of xylazine or detomidine more rapidly than yohimbine.
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
The importance of pairwise interactions between peptide residues in the delineation of TCR specificity.
A minimal, nonamer epitope (TEMEKEGKI) from the reverse transcriptase protein of HIV-1, restricted by H-2Kk, was identified and the function of individual residues determined. Besides classical anchor residues at positions 2 and 9, methionine at position 3 was identified as an important MHC anchor and improved binding of a different (malarial) nonamer epitope to H-2Kk, albeit while also abolishing CTL recognition. Lysine at position 5 was replaceable by alanine for CTL raised against wild-type peptide but abolished recognition for CTL raised against the variant 5ALA peptide, indicating a unidirectional cross-reactivity. Interestingly, one CTL line raised against the 5ALA substituted peptide was permissive for a double substitution at positions 5 and 6, in which lysine was permissive at position 5 only if the adjacent glutamic acid was replaced by alanine. Extensive analysis revealed three distinct patterns of responses with peptides doubly substituted in this region: recognition of both single substitutions but not the double substitution, recognition of only one single substitution but also the double substitution, or recognition of both single substitutions and the double substitution. A second complementary substitution can therefore restore function lost through a first substitution. Thus, no residue acts independently of its neighbors, and pairs of substitutions may give results not predictable from the effects of each taken singly. This finding may have bearing on viral infections (such as HIV), in which the accumulation of two mutations in the epitope may lead to the reengagement of memory CTL previously silenced by the initial mutation.
Amino Acid Substitution↗
Identification, purification, and subcellular localization of prostate-specific membrane antigen PSM' protein in the LNCaP prostatic carcinoma cell line.
An alternatively spliced variant of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) designated PSM' was originally described following identification of its mRNA in normal prostate. We have purified the PSM' protein from LNCaP cells using two immunoaffinity columns in tandem. The first column contained a monoclonal antibody (7E11) that was reactive with the NH2 terminus of PSMA, which specifically depleted the LNCaP lysate of full-length PSMA. The nonbinding fraction was then passed over a second column composed of a monoclonal antibody (PEQ226.5), the epitope of which was located within the 134-437 domain of PSMA and shared with PSM'. The protein eluted from the second immunoaffinity column produced a Mr 95,000 band on SDS-PAGE, which was slightly lower than the full-length PSMA at Mr 100,000. The band was NH2-terminally sequenced through 15 residues, and the assigned sequence coincided with the predicted sequence for PSM' protein minus the first two NH2 terminus amino acids. The PSM' protein, therefore, began with residue 60 of PSMA (alanine). LNCaP cells were fractionated, and PSM' was localized to the cytoplasm.
Animals↗
DBP binds to the proximal promoter and regulates liver-specific expression of the human angiotensinogen gene.
Angiotensinogen is the glycoprotein precursor of one of the most potent vasoactive hormones, angiotensin-II. It has been shown recently that an ATF like element (ALE) located between bases -102 and -87 of the human angiotensinogen gene plays an important role in liver specific expression of this gene and binds to CREB/ATF family of transcription factors and a novel factor (ALF). We show here that this sequence binds to the liver enriched transcription factor DBP and cotransfection of expression vector CMV-DBP increases the expression of reporter constructs containing this sequence. In addition, we show that transcription factor C/EBP-delta binds to this sequence and an expression vector containing C/EBP-delta coding region increases the expression of reporter constructs containing this sequence. Since DBP is involved in circadian rhythm, our studies suggest that this sequence may be involved in circadian expression of the human angiotensinogen gene.
Activating Transcription Factors↗
Extended aromatic furan amidino derivatives as anti-Pneumocystis carinii agents.
The syntheses of nine new derivatives of 2, 5-bis[4-(N-alkylamidino)phenyl]furans with extended aromatic systems are reported. The interaction of these dicationic furans with poly(dA)poly(dT) and with the duplex oligomers d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 and d(GCGAATTCGC)2 was determined by Tm measurement, and the effectiveness of these compounds against the immunosuppressed rat model of Pneumocystis carinii was evaluated. At a screening dose of 10 micromol/kg, 4 of the 12 amidino furans described here are more active than the parent compound 1. In general, extension of the aromatic system in the absence of a substitution of the amidino nitrogens resulted in higher affinity for DNA than the parent compound as judged by the larger DeltaTm values and suggests enhanced van der Waals interactions in the amidino furan-DNA complex. Three of the compounds, 3, 5, and 11, yield cysts counts of less than 0.1% of control when administered at a dosage of 10 micromol/kg. Compound 3, which does not have an extended aromatic system, is the most active derivative. Although a direct correlation between anti-P. carinii activity and DNA binding affinity was not observed, all compounds which have significant activity have large DeltaTm values.
Amidines↗
Affinity precipitation of alpha-amylase inhibitor from wheat meal by metal chelate affinity binding using cu(II)-loaded copolymers of 1-vinylimidazole with N-isopropylacrylamide
A method for purifying alpha-amylase inhibitor from wheat meal based on immobilized metal affinity with a thermosensitive copolymer is developed. The studies represent the thermoprecipitation properties of the copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and 1-vinylimidazole (VI), respectively. The polymer which is obtained by the copolymerization of 1-vinylimidazole and N-isopropylacrylamide, charged with Cu(II), exhibited specific interaction of the metal ions to the protein inhibitor. The precipitation was induced by salt and the recovery of the amylase inhibitor was achieved by dissolving the inhibitor-polymer complex in imidazole buffer and subsequent precipitation of the polymer. A single family of the alpha-amylase inhibitor was recovered from the polymer with 89% yield and about fourfold purification. The SDS-PAGE pattern showed significant purification of the inhibitor. The binding of the inhibitor to the Cu(II)-polymer conjugate depends upon the Cu(II) concentration in the copolymer and also upon the concentration of the protein. The recovered polymer could be reused with reasonable efficiency. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Journal Article↗
Excitatory effects of muscarine on septohippocampal neurons: involvement of M3 receptors.
Cholinergic mechanisms in the septohippocampal pathway contribute to several cognitive functions and impaired cholinergic transmission in this pathway may be related to the memory loss and dementia that accompanies normal aging and Alzheimer's disease and behavioral studies suggest that muscarinic mechanisms in the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) may contribute to these functions. The goal of the present study was to begin a characterization of the physiological and pharmacological effects of muscarine on antidromically identified septohippocampal neurons (SHNs). Muscarinic agonists produced a concentration-dependent excitation in >90% of SHNs tested using extracellular recordings in an in vitro rat brain slice preparation. The SHNs excited by muscarine had a broad range of conduction velocities (0.2 to 3.7 m/s; mean: 1.6+/-0.06 m/s; n=110), suggesting involvement of neurons with both slow (possibly cholinergic) and fast (possibly GABAergic) conducting fibers. The muscarine-induced excitations in SHNs were found not to be mediated via M1, M2 or M4 receptors, as they were not blocked by the M1-selective antagonists, pirenzepine or telenzepine or by the M2/M4-selective antagonist, methoctramine. In contrast, the M3-selective antagonist, 4-DAMP-mustard, blocked muscarinic excitations in a majority of SHNs, indicating the presence of M3 as well as non-M3-type responses. McN-A-343, an M1 and M5-selective agonist, excited 33% of neurons tested, confirming involvement of non-M3 receptors (possibly M5) and M3 receptors. Since the cholinergic and GABAergic MSDB neurons together innervate almost every type of hippocampal neuron, the effects of muscarine on SHNs would also have a profound effect on hippocampal circuitry.
Animals↗
Potential use of a novel lipase from Aspergillus carneus in deacetylation reactions.
A novel lipase from Aspergillus carneus has been used in organic solvents for efficient regioselective and chemoselective deacetylation of the peracetates of polyphenolic aromatic ketones, esters and amides. A reversal of regioselectivity was observed as compared with the results obtained during deacetylation with porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL).
Acetates↗
Emodin (3-methyl-1,6,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone) inhibits TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation, IkappaB degradation, and expression of cell surface adhesion proteins in human vascular endothelial cells.
Most inflammatory agents activate nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) which results in expression of genes for cytokines, adhesion molecules, and enzymes involved in amplification and perpetuation of inflammation. Emodin (3-methyl-1,6,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone) is an active component from the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum that has been reported to exhibit antiinflammatory properties but the mechanism is not known. In the present study we investigated the effects of emodin on the activation of NF-kappaB in human umbelical vein endothelial cells (EC). Treatment of EC with TNF activated NF-kappaB; preincubation with emodin inhibited this activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Emodin did not chemically modify NF-kappaB subunits but rather inhibited degradation of IkappaB, an inhibitory subunit of NF-kappaB. Since the promoter regions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and ELAM-1 contain NF-kappaB binding sites and these adhesion molecules are involved in the attachment of leukocytes to EC, the effect of emodin on the adhesion of monocytes to EC and the expression of these adhesion molecules was also studied. Treatment of EC with TNF for 6 h increased the adhesion of monocytes to EC, which correlated with increases in cell surface expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and ELAM-1. Pretreatment of EC for 1 h with emodin inhibited both monocyte-EC attachment and expression of ICAM-1, ELAM-1 and VCAM-1. These results indicate that emodin is a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation and expression of adhesion molecules and thus could be useful in treating various inflammatory diseases.
Base Sequence↗
A post-recruitment function for the RNA polymerase III transcription-initiation factor IIIB.
Transcription factor (TF) IIIB, which directs RNA polymerase (pol) III to its promoters, is made up of three components: the TATA box-binding protein, the TFIIB-related Brf, and the pol III-specific B". Certain mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Brf and B" retain TFIIIB transcription factor activity with supercoiled DNA but are inactive with linear duplex DNA. Further analysis shows that these inactive TFIIIB-DNA complexes bind pol III and position it appropriately over the transcriptional start site but do not form DNA strand-separated open promoter complexes. It is proposed that the normal function of TFIIIB combines pol III recruitment with an active role in a subsequent step of transcriptional initiation leading to promoter opening.
Base Sequence↗
HIV-Tat protein activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase and activator protein-1.
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 tat (HIV-tat) protein, like other proinflammatory cytokines (such as TNF), activates a wide variety of cellular responses, some of which play a critical role in progression of HIV infection. Whether HIV-tat, like TNF, also activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the transcription factor activator protein (AP)-1 is not known. We show that treatment of human histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells with the HIV-tat protein causes activation of JNK and AP-1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Transfection of a T cell line, H9 cells with the HIV-tat gene also resulted in an activation of JNK that was not further increased by treatment of cells with exogenous HIV-tat protein. Neutralizing Ab against HIV-tat inhibited the HIV-tat-mediated JNK activation. The activation of JNK by HIV-tat appears to be mediated through generation of free radical species, since pretreatment of cells with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) abolished the effect. Overall our results demonstrate that HIV-tat activates JNK and AP-1, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of AIDS.
Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
Intracellular storage and regulated plasma membrane expression of human complement receptor type 1 in rat basophil leukemia cell transfectants.
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) contain multiple distinct secretory compartments that are sequentially mobilized during cell activation. Complement receptor type 1 (CR1) is a marker for a readily mobilizable secretory vesicle compartment, which can undergo exocytic fusion with the plasma membrane independently of secretion of traditional granule contents. The basis for the formation of these distinct compartments is incompletely understood. Primary and secondary granules are generated directly from the Golgi complex during different stages of development of the cell, obviating the need for sorting signals for proper packaging of their constituents. To determine whether the secretory vesicles are formed in a similar manner, we studied a stable rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL-CR1) transfected with a plasmid containing the cDNA of human CR1 driven by a viral promoter. The CR1 was present primarily intracellularly in small vesicles resembling the CR1 storage pools in resting PMN. Activation of RBL-CR1 resulted in translocation of intracellular CR1 to the plasma membrane, with mobilization requirements different from those of the classical RBL granules. Thus, in RBL-CR1, continuously synthesized CR1 is stored and upregulated in much the same way as in PMN. This suggests that differential timing of gene expression is not essential for proper storage of CR1 and that other sorting mechanisms are involved, which can be studied in RBL-transfectants.
Animals↗