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Biomedical subjects

B Pal

Publications and source records attributed to B Pal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Phospholipid microspheres: a novel delivery mode for targeting antileishmanial agent in experimental leishmaniasis.

Novel phospholipid microspheres were prepared from polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and phosphatidyl ethanol amine in the molar ratio 1:71, to deliver drugs to macrophages in experimental leishmaniasis. Liposomes, well known as drug carrier systems, made from phosphatidylethanolamine, cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate in the molar ratio 7:2:1, were used as control, in order to compare the efficacies of the two carriers. As such, the membrane fluidity of the two carriers was kept at comparable levels by adjusting chemical composition. Moreover, because of the presence of mannosyl fucosyl receptors on macrophages, attempts were made to target an optically active synthetic compound dihydroindolo [2,3-a] indolizine, an antileishmanial agent, intercalated in both mannose-grafted liposomes and mannose-grafted microspheres. When tested for efficacy in lowering parasite load in the spleen, as well as in reducing the hepatic and renal changes associated with infection, the drug intercalated mannose-grafted microspheres were found to be the most active in comparison to drug intercalated liposomes or to the free drug. Thus, mannose-grafted microspheres may have possible application in the clinics not only in visceral leishmaniasis, but also in other macrophage-associated disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of recombinant pteridine reductase of Trypanosoma cruzi.

The recombinant version of Trypanosoma cruzi pteridine reductase was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity from the soluble fraction of bacterial extract by metal-chelate affinity chromatography and crystallized in the presence of the cofactor (NADPH) and an inhibitor (methotrexate) at 295 K using sodium acetate as precipitant. The crystals are trigonal, belonging to space group P3(1) (or P3(2)), with unit-cell parameters a = 74.35, c = 179.96 A under cryogenic conditions. The asymmetric unit contains a tetramer, with a corresponding V(M) of 2.3 A(3) Da(-1)and a solvent content of 46%. Native data have been collected to 2.1 A resolution using Cu Kalpha X-rays.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Reactivity of some sugars and sugar phosphates towards gold(III) in sodium acetate-acetic acid buffer medium.

The kinetics of the oxidation of some aldoses and aldose phosphates have been studied spectrophotometrically in sodium acetate-acetic acid buffer medium at different temperatures. The reactions are first order with respect to [Au(III)] and [substrate]. Both H+ and Cl- ions retard the reaction. The reactions appear to involve different gold(III) species, viz. AuCl4-, AuCl3(OH2) and AuCl3(OH)- . The results are interpreted in terms of the probable intermediate formation of free radicals and Au(II). Aldoses react with gold(III) in the order: triose > tetrose > pentose > hexose. The sugar phosphates react with gold(III) at a faster rate than the parent sugars except glucose-1-phosphate, which reacts at slower rates than glucose. A tentative reaction mechanism leading to the formation of products has been suggested.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed2001

Orbital cellulitis caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum.

PURPOSE: To report the case of a previously healthy young female who developed orbital cellulitis caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. We are unaware of previous reports of this condition caused by the same anaerobic, gram-negative, nonsporeforming bacterium and could find no reference to it in a computer search using MEDLINE. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: In the case of orbital cellulitis presented here, the patient required 3 sinus debridement operations and 30 days of intravenous antibiotics. Despite this, her vision did not fully recover. CONCLUSION: F. necrophorum is capable of causing severe orbital disease that requires aggressive and prompt treatment to preserve sight.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Tele-rheumatology: telephone follow up and cyberclinic.

This paper reviews here the main practical applications of telemedicine with particular reference to telephone care by health professionals to patients. A pilot project of out-patient telephone follow-up service for continuity of ambulatory rheumatology patients is described and recommendations are provided for those keen to develop such a service. In a later section newer technologies such as the potential practical applications of the internet and e-mail are described with the setting up of a cyber project for rheumatology and osteoporosis patients. It is noted that despite enthusiasm and development of such new projects, conventional clinicians need further longer term observation to grasp the advantages and pitfalls before more widespread use of telemedicine becomes commonplace.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed2000

Binding of 5-(2'-carboxyphenyl)azoquinolin-8-ol to bovine serum albumin: a spectroscopic study.

Dye-protein interactions are of immense importance in dye-ligand chromatography of protein purification. In this type of interactions, the structure of the dye molecules has a significant role. However, studies on the structure of these ligands are scanty. Therefore, we have spectroscopically investigated interactions of three 5-(aryl)azoquinolin-8-ol derivatives, which could be used as potent chelate forming agents, with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Among these, the carboxy derivative, 5-(2'-carboxyphenyl)azoquinolin-8-ol (CPAQ) has been selected for resonance Raman study. It has been shown that BSA has six independent binding sites for CPAQ at pH 7.2, the binding constant being 6.2 x 10(3) M(-1). Assignments of Raman modes of bound CPAQ are also presented. It has also been shown that bound CPAQ exists exclusively in hydrazone form. Results further demonstrate that the azo group nitrogen adjacent to the phenyl ring probably participated in the formation of a BSA-CPAQ complex.

Absorption↗
PubMed2000

A review of accident and emergency attendances for non-traumatic musculo-skeletal complaints.

As there have been no previous studies, we undertook a systematic review to determine the number and nature of musculo-skeletal complaints presenting to casualty departments, review the appropriateness of treatment and referrals to other departments and also to identify potential problem areas so as to address these. Over the review period of 40 non-consecutive days, the total attendance was 2863 patients of which 85 (2.97%) presented with musculo-skeletal complaints. The majority (691) were in the age group of 20-59 years. Most complaints were in the back (26), neck (11), chest (10), shoulder (8), knee (8). Main complaints were pain (78), tenderness (10), swelling (9), stiffness (9), reduced movements (8) or a combination thereof; the rest were miscellaneous, e.g. pyrexia, headache and paraesthesia. The majority had a duration of symptoms from 1 to 7 days. Investigations at the casualty department were radiographs (29), full blood count (6), biochemistry (6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (1), blood culture (1), electrocardiogram (ECG) (7), and joint aspiration (2). Advice was sought from orthopaedic (2), rheumatology or general medicine (0), or other departments (2). Casualty diagnoses were mainly non-inflammatory conditions. Treatment given included analgesics/non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (44), splints and slings (5), Tubigrip (6), and collars (5). Only two patients (2.4%) were admitted. We were pleasantly surprised to note very small numbers of patients with inflammatory conditions, possibly indicating previous optimal management in our locality. A surprising finding was the lack of any attendance with gout. More direct referrals to orthopaedic or rheumatology departments would be appropriate in some instances. As a result of this review, we decided to offer short courses on musculo-skeletal medicine for new casualty officers and we have also produced guidelines/algorithm for management which would be equally useful for general practitioners.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

How is gout managed in primary care? A review of current practice and proposed guidelines.

Twelve practices with a total list of 74,111 patients were audited; 429 patients were identified with a diagnosis of gout. A wide variation in various clinical and laboratory assessments was detected. Similar variations were also noted regarding dietary advice and medical treatment. Monitoring of patients was infrequent. As a result of this audit, guidelines are proposed to improve the diagnosis and management of gout in the community.

Allopurinol↗
PubMed2000

Corticosteroids do not alter the threshold for vertebral fracture.

Corticosteroid use is one of the most important secondary causes of osteoporosis. Generally, it has been believed that in addition to its effect on bone mineral density (BMD), it also causes an alteration in bone quality that means that fractures occur at a lower BMD than might be expected. To establish if this is the case, we have compared the relationship between BMD and vertebral fracture in patients receiving corticosteroids with that in patients who had never received such therapy. Information was gathered on those patients who had been referred to the participating centers and had both BMD measurements and lateral thoracolumbar radiographs. In all, 452 patients (391 female) were identified; of these 82 (63 female) were receiving corticosteroids. There was no significant difference in BMD between the patients on corticosteroids and those with other suspected causes of osteoporosis. Vertebral fractures were present in 53% of patients on steroids compared with 35% of those who had no such treatment (p = 0.0035). The fractures were more likely to be multiple in patients on corticosteroids (p = 0.0042). However, if the relationship between bone density and fracture is investigated by plotting the cumulative prevalence of fracture against the bone density, measured by T score, the median BMD for fractures actually was marginally lower in patients on steroids, -2.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.77 to -2.70) compared with -2.65 (95% CI, -2.66 to -2.65) in those who had not received steroids. Our results fail to support the notion that the fracture threshold is altered in patients on long-term steroids and suggest that the same diagnostic criteria should be used for osteoporosis in patients whether or not they are taking corticosteroid therapy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1999

Mapping of a palmitoylatable band 3-binding domain of human erythrocyte membrane protein 4.2.

Evidence accumulated over the years suggests that human erythrocyte membrane protein 4.2 is one of the proteins involved in strengthening the cytoskeleton-membrane interactions in the red blood cell. Deficiency of protein 4.2 is linked with a variety of hereditary haemolytic anaemia. However, the interactions of protein 4.2 with other proteins of the erythrocyte membrane remain poorly understood. The major membrane-binding site for protein 4.2 resides on the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 (CDB3). In order to carry out an initial characterization of its interaction with the CDB3, protein 4. 2 was subjected to proteolytic cleavage and gel renaturation assay, and the 23-kDa N-terminal domain was found to interact with band 3. This domain contained two putative palmitoylatable cysteine residues, of which cysteine 203 was identified as the palmitoylatable cysteine. Recombinant glutathione S-transferase-fusion peptides derived from this domain were characterized with respect to their ability to interact with the CDB3. Whereas these studies do not rule out the involvement of other subsites on protein 4.2 in interaction with the CDB3, the evidence suggests that the region encompassing amino acid residues 187-211 is one of the domains critical for the protein 4.2-CDB3 interaction. This is also the first demonstration that palmitoylation serves as a positive modulator of this interaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗