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Biomedical subjects

M Rawat

Publications and source records attributed to M Rawat.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Pegylated protein encapsulated multivesicular liposomes: a novel approach for sustained release of interferon alpha.

Hepatitis C viral chemotherapy suffers from a relatively short half-life of the interferon alpha-2a (IFN alpha). To address this issue, we investigated the effects of polyethylene glycol modification and their subsequent encapsulation in multivesicular liposomes (MVLs), on the release properties of IFN alpha. In the present study, interferon-alpha was conjugated with methoxy-polyethylene glycol (mPEG, MW 5000). Prepared IFN alpha-mPEG5000 conjugate (IFN alpha-mPEG5000) was purified with size exclusion chromatography. The relative in vitro anti-viral activity of pegylated interferon alpha-2a was found to 87.9% of the unmodified IFN alpha. Pegylated IFN alpha encapsulated multivesicular liposomes were prepared by double emulsification technique followed by evaporation of organic solvents from chloroform ether spherules suspended in water. Prepared MVLs were then characterized for shape, size, vesicle count, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release rate. In process stability studies of pegylated IFN alpha protein exhibited better stability when exposed to chloroform: diethyl ether (1:1 ratio) mixture as well as variable vortexing time as compared to native IFN alpha. Relatively high percentage of encapsulation of protein ( approximately 75%) was achieved. In vitro release profile of pegylated IFN alpha-mPEG5000 containing MVLs in the PBS showed lower initial burst release with sustained and incomplete release over a period of 1 week. In contrast, native IFN alpha entrapped MVLs were observed as higher initial burst release, i.e., nearly 35% followed by almost complete release. The results confirmed the possibility of multivesicular liposomes as a long-acting or sustained-release delivery system using a combination of pegylation and encapsulation technique for controlled delivery of interferon alpha.

Antiviral Agents↗

Distribution and partitioning of phosphorus in solid waste and sediments from drainage canals in the industrial belt of Delhi, India.

Phosphorus is an essential and often limiting nutrient in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, its oversupply is of great concern in many environments due to its role in eutrophication. The concentration and distribution of sediment bound phosphorus species not only record its input into the environment, but also suggest their possible sources. It is recognized that the features of phosphorus behaviour have not been extensively studied in urban environments. In this study, phosphorus in solid waste and sediments from drainage canals within the industrial belt of Delhi were fractionated into five operationally defined forms, i.e., exchangeable or loosely sorbed phosphorus (Exch-P), Fe-bound phosphorus (Fe-P), authigenic apatite, CaCO3-bound phosphorus and biogenic apatite (Acet-P), detrital apatite (Det-P) and organic-bound phosphorus (Org-P), in order to assess the potential bioavailability status in these systems.

Apatites↗

Distribution and fractionation of heavy metals in solid waste from selected sites in the industrial belt of Delhi, India.

Solid waste samples were collected from five small-scale industrial sites in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. These industrial sites represent the regional spread of the industrial belt in the NCT of Delhi. Solid waste samples were digested using aqua-regia and HF in air tight teflon bombs for the quantitative analysis of heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn) by GBC model 902 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Hg was analysed using hydrid generator attachment. Beside this sequential extraction was used to fractionate five heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cd, Cu and Zn) into six operationally defined phases, viz. water soluble, exchangeable, carbonate-bound, Fe-Mn oxides, organic-bound and residual fractions to ascertain the relative mobility of these metals. The result obtained showed metal concentration to be in the range of Hg 0.42-2.3; Pb 23-530; Cd 014-224; Mn 494-19 964; Fe 35 684-233 119; Ni 192-1534; Cu 3065-10 144 and Zn 116-23 321 (all units in mg kg(-1)) in all the industrial areas studied. The fractionated toxic metals like Pb, Ni and Cd were observed to be in the range of 25-35, 15-50 and 40-50%, respectively, in mobile or bio-available fractions of solid waste. As this waste is often disposed-off by the roadsides, low lying areas, abandoned quarries or in landfill sites which are often not properly planned, thus posing potential risk to ground and surface water quality to millions of people living downstream.

Environmental Monitoring↗

Characterization of lamprin, an unusual matrix protein from lamprey cartilage. Implications for evolution, structure, and assembly of elastin and other fibrillar proteins.

Lamprin, an insoluble non-collagen, non-elastin protein, is the major connective tissue component of the fibrillar extracellular matrix of lamprey annular cartilage. Here we demonstrate that the soluble monomer of lamprin is a family of highly hydrophobic, self-aggregating proteins with molecular masses of 12 and 10 kDa. Two mRNAs for soluble lamprin were identified (0.9 and 2 kilobases), differing principally in the length of their 3'-untranslated tails. Variants of soluble lamprin appear to arise both as the products of multiple genes and by alternate splicing. Although not generally homologous to any other protein, soluble lamprins contain a tandemly repeated peptide sequence (GGLGY) which is present in both silkmoth chorion proteins and spider dragline silk. Strong homologies to this repeat sequence are also present in several mammalian and avian elastins. Monoclonal antibodies to VGVAPG, a repeated sequence in human elastin, also cross-react with lamprin. We suggest that these proteins share a structural motif which promotes self-aggregation and fibril formation in proteins through interdigitation of hydrophobic side chains in beta-sheet/beta-turn structures, a motif that has been preserved in recognizable form over several hundred million years of evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Partial characterization of a new isoenzyme of carbonic anhydrase isolated from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

A new isoenzyme of carbonic anhydrase has been isolated and purified from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This carbonic anhydrase is composed of two nonidentical subunits with apparent molecular masses of 39 and 4.5 kDa and is located in the periplasmic space. This is the second periplasmic carbonic anhydrase found in C. reinhardtii. Two genes, CAH1 and CAH2, which code for carbonic anhydrase, have been recently described by Fujiwara et al. (Fujiwara, S., Fukuzawa, H., Tachiki, A., and Miyachi, S. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad, Sci. U.S.A. 87, 9779-9783). The CAH1 gene codes for a periplasmic carbonic anhydrase which is induced under low CO2 conditions and is well characterized. The carbonic anhydrase characterized in this report was isolated from a mutant that is unable to synthesize the CAH1 gene product. Amino acid sequencing demonstrates that this newly isolated carbonic anhydrase is the CAH2 gene product. This is the first report of another functional carbonic anhydrase in C. reinhardtii.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hyperfractionation in advanced head and neck cancer.

This preliminary study was undertaken to observe tumour response and normal tissue tolerance to hyperfractionation. This study showed encouraging locoregional control rate in advanced head and neck cancer. Responses T4 tumors are poor and are prone to recur. This indicates that probably greater dose is needed to control T4 disease. We used 7920 cGy for T4 and late T3 status tumour. This dose is well tolerated by patients. Control of T4 tumours may further be increased by increasing total dose, but in view of inadequate clear cut numerical data of tissue tolerance derived by L-Q = Linear Quadratic formula which is still under clinical trial, further increase in total dose cannot be overemphasized. Longer follow up is necessary to assess the long term control rate and late tissue reaction. There is a need of randomized controlled clinical trial to compare hyperfractionation and conventional fractionation. In next phase we are undertaking randomized study of twice daily, daily and weekly fractionation in advanced head and neck cancer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗