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Biomedical subjects

G Majumdar

Publications and source records attributed to G Majumdar.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Differential signal requirements in T-cell activation by mitogen and superantigen.

The requirement for co-stimulatory molecules in T-cell stimulation by mitogens and superantigens in the absence of antigen-presenting cells (APC) was investigated. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) induced interleukin (IL)-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression on purified T-cells, but proliferation occurred only when exogenous IL-2 was added. In contrast, the proliferative response to a pepsin-extracted type 5 M-protein from Streptococcus pyogenes (pep M5), a recently identified superantigen, required signals provided by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), IL-1 and IL-6. pep M5 alone did not induce IL-2R expression; however, when combined with PMA, IL-1 and IL-6, IL-2R was expressed. Differences were also observed in the response of the leukemic T-cell line, Jurkat, to PHA and pep M5. Soluble PHA, but not pep M5, induced IL-2 production by these cells in the presence of PMA. Cross-linking by its specific antibody or adsorption of pep M5 to microtiter plates was required to activate Jurkat cells. Both PHA and pep M5 induced Ca2+ mobilization in Jurkat cells; however, only PHA induced a rise in intracellular Ca2+ in purified T-cells, whereas pep M5 was unable to induce this activity unless IL-1, IL-6 and PMA were added. Our data provide biochemical evidence that mitogenic and superantigenic stimulation of T-cells is different.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗
PubMed1990

Stimulation of oxidative burst in human monocytes by lipoteichoic acids.

Lipoteichoic acid isolated from Streptococcus faecalis or Streptococcus pyogenes caused direct activation of the respiratory burst in human peripheral blood monocytes. This activity appears to be related to the ability of lipoteichoic acid to bind to the monocyte membrane and trigger the polarization of receptors (capping).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Use of cytoplasmic 5'nucleotidase for differentiating malignant from benign monoclonal gammopathies.

Bone marrow smears from 15 patients with multiple myeloma, 15 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and 15 control subjects were examined for the presence of cytoplasmic 5'nucleotidase (c5NT) in plasma cells. Plasma cell positivity for c5NT (mean and 95% confidence interval) in patients with multiple myeloma numbered 46.4% (38.0-54.8%), in those with MGUS it was 15.3% (11.1-19.6%), and in control subjects it was 1.2% (0.3-2.1%). These findings indicate that c5NT can be used to differentiate benign from malignant monoclonal gammopathies.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1990

Changes in lipid profiles of brain of albino rats following envenomation.

Effect of high doses of cobra venom (150 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body weight) and viper venom (300 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body weight) on total lipid, triglyceride, phospholipid, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of brain of albino rats was studied. Total lipid (TL) triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) are decreased in both viper and cobra venom treated groups while cholesterol (C), and LDL-C are increased in both the groups in relation to controlled ones. HDL-C content was almost unaltered. Decrease in triglyceride and phospholipid may be due to effect of lipases and phospholipases whereas increased cholesterol and LDL-C may be attributed to lysis of cell membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Biochemical studies of liver & liver microsomes in envenomated rats.

Some biochemical parameters of liver and liver microsomes were studied in albino rats following administration of cobra and viper venoms at dose of 2 mg/kg body weight. The total protein content in cobra venom treated (CVT) animals and DNA and RNA contents of liver and liver microsomes were almost unaltered in both the venom treated animals while total protein content was significantly reduced in viper venom treated (VVT) animals. Alkaline and acid phosphatases activities of whole liver showed significant increase in both the venom treated animals whereas the rise in cholinesterase activity in CVT animals was not significant. Lactic acid content was significantly higher in CVT animals compared to either VVT animals or controls. The glycolytic enzymes viz., aldolase, phosphohexose isomerase and lactate dehydrogenase measured in hepatic microsomal fraction were significantly reduced while alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities of liver microsomes were significantly elevated in both the venom treated animals compared to controls.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Mechanism and pathway of glucose transportation in a digenetic trematode Ceylonocotyle scoliocoelium.

The mode of absorption, kinetics and mechanism of transportation of 14C--glucose in a digenetic trematode, Ceylonocotyle scoliocoelium were studied by culturing the trematodes under in vitro condition in Hank's saline supplemented with radioactive tracer. It was then followed separately by autoradiography and liquid scintillation. Autoradiographic study reveals that the maximum amount of glucose uptake occurs through cuticle whereas the role of intestinal canal is insignificant in this respect. Maximum cpm is recorded in the precipitate followed by TCA treatment. This is due to the presence of a protein-bound 14C-glucose which is assumed as the carrier protein. The inhibitor, phlorizin, used here presumably acts noncompetitively.

Absorption↗
PubMed1989

A monoclonal antibody which identifies the autophosphorylation domain of autophosphorylating protein kinase 500.

Autophosphorylating protein kinase 500 is a serine protein kinase expressed progressively with the steps of cellular transformation, approaching levels from 50- to 100-fold in the terminal stages of malignancy. The enzyme possesses a sharply restricted range of substrates: itself and a ribosomal protein with a molecular weight of 31,000 (S6). We report here on the characterization of a monoclonal antibody directed against the autophosphorylation domain of AUT-PK 500. The specificity of the antibody is evidenced by blockage of the enzyme phosphorylation without interfering with the native S6 or synthetic octapeptide (S6-1) serine residue phosphorylations. This represents an important step in identifying a probe that can be used to explore the structure and potential function of AUT-PK 500 in cellular transformation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of envenomation on enzymes of brain of albino rats.

Effects of high doses of cobra venom, (150 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body wt) and viper venom (300 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body wt) on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acetylcholinesterase (ACh) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of brain of albino rats were studied. While AST, LDH, ACh and ALP activities increased in both viper and cobra venom treated rats, ALT decreased in both groups compared to control.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Autoradiographic study of kinetics of spermatogenesis in Ascaris lumbricoides.

The kinetics of meiosis and spermiogenesis in Ascaris lumbricoides in vitro was studied by keeping 12 mature males in nutrient medium. The spermatocytes were made radioactive by supplementing the medium with 3H-thymidine for 2 h, following which they were transferred to fresh medium without 3H-TdR. The nematodes were then killed for preparing histological and squash preparations of the testis. An analysis of the migration of "hot" spermatocytes till the formation of mature spermatozoa, in Kodak AR-10 autoradiograms, suggested that the duration of meiosis and spermiogenesis was a little more than 5.5 and 7.6 days, respectively. The total duration of these two events was about 13.1 days when radioactive spermatozoa were detected for the first time.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Expression of autophosphorylating protein kinase 500 in normal and neoplastic rat cells.

Autophosphorylating protein kinase 500 (AUT-PK 500) is a unique serine protein kinase that was originally purified and characterized from the rat adrenocortical carcinoma. A specific RIA with an assay sensitivity of 10 ng (0.02 pmol) was developed for AUT-PK 500 and applied to normal, embryonic, fetal, neonatal, immortal, and neoplastic tissues and cultured cells. As compared to normal rat tissues, the expression of AUT-PK 500 is elevated 100-fold in spontaneously occurring adrenocortical carcinoma 494, 50- to 60-fold in four chemically induced, rapidly growing hepatomas, 30-fold in the chemically induced mammary carcinoma, 20-fold in the cultured hepatoma cell line, and 4-fold in the Rat I and Rat II established tissue culture cell lines. There was also a 5-fold increase in the enzyme when freshly cultured rat skin epithelial-like cells were established. Furthermore, in vivo studies showed that when the rat liver was chemically transformed into its premalignant altered foci, there was a 7-fold elevation of AUT-PK 500. Embryonic cells and fetal and neonatal tissues contained barely detectable (less than 0.22 micrograms/mg of protein) amounts of the protein kinase. These results suggest that AUT-PK 500 is not involved in the differentiation process during fetal development but may be elevated during early steps of carcinogenesis and is further elevated during later stages.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗
PubMed1985

Quality of oral anticoagulant therapy.

Three hundred and eighty-four patients were studied for up to 1 year while on continuous oral anticoagulant therapy and the quality of control of therapy was assessed. Two hundred and thirty-five patients were on continuous therapy throughout the year (long-term group), 73 were treated for a period between 3 and 12 months (intermediate group) and 76 were treated for less than 3 months (short-term group). The therapeutic objective was to achieve and maintain British Ratio (BR) between 2.0 and 4.0. Nineteen percent of the results in the long-term group, 26.6% in the intermediate group and 41.1% in the short-term group fell outside this range. Among the long-term group only 25.1% and in the intermediate group 12.3% had all their results within the control range. It is concluded that the quality of therapeutic control of oral anticoagulant therapy needs to be improved.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1984

Redescription of Neocamallanus singhi (Nematoda: Camallanidae) with a note on related species.

The present paper deals with the redescription of the nematode Neocamallanus singhi Ali, 1957 based on specimens collected from the fish, Channa striata from Burdwan, West Bengal, India. Comparative study of this species with other related forms described from freshwater fishes of India and Pakistan indicates that Neocamallanus bengalensis Soota et Chaturvedi, 1971 and N. ophicephali Rehana et Bilquees, 1972 are synonyms of N. singhi.

Animals↗