Posterior subgluteal approach to block the sciatic nerve: the controversy of 'which came first, the chicken or the egg' is alive.
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Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
Biomedical subjects
P Sharma
Publications and source records attributed to P Sharma.
X-linked lissencephaly in an Indian family.
Neuronal migration disorders are an important differential diagnosis to be considered in the evaluation of intractable epilepsy. Though the underlying causative factors which govern their development are many and varied, genetic factors have been found to be contributory in a few forms of these disorders. An X-linked association with lissencephaly has recently been discovered and there are a few families described till now with this entity.
Cerebral Cortex↗
Heavy metal pollution in various canals originating from river Yamuna in Haryana.
Heavy metal pollution due to Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co and Zn in the water of major canals originating from the river Yamuna in Haryana was studied. All these metals except Zn were found to be present in the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) exceeding the maximum permissible limits. In the Sunder branch (SB), the heavy metal concentration was relatively more. Concentrations of the metals were, however, relatively less in the highly eutrophicated waters of Agra canal and Gurgaon canal as compared to that in WYC but Fe concentration were much higher. Except Zn and Ni the metal concentrations exceeded the standard permissible limits in these canals also.
Environmental Monitoring↗
Transactivation of involucrin, a marker of differentiation in keratinocytes, by lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF).
Human involucrin (hINV), first appears in the cytosol of keratinocytes and ultimately cross-linked to membrane proteins via transglutaminase and forms a protective barrier as an insoluble envelope beneath the plasma membrane. Although the function and evolution of involucrin is known, the regulation of its gene expression is not well understood. An analysis of the hINV gene sequence, upstream of the transcription start site (-534 to +1 nt) revealed the presence of potential sites for binding of lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF); stress response element (STRE; A/TGGGGA/T) and heat shock element (HSE; nGAAn). We reported earlier that LEDGF activates stress-associated genes by binding to these elements and elevates cellular resistance to various stresses. Here, gel-shift and super-shift assays confirm the binding of LEDGF to the DNA fragments containing HSEs and STREs that are present in the involucrin gene promoter. Furthermore, hINV promoter linked to CAT reporter gene, cotransfected in human corneal simian virus 40-transformed keratinocytes (HCK), was transactivated by LEDGF significantly. In contrast, the activity of hINV promoter bearing mutations at the WT1 (containing HSE and STRE), WT2 (containing STRE) and WT3 (containing STRE) binding sites was diminished. In addition, in HCK cell over-expressing LEDGF, the levels of hINV mRNA and hINV protein are increased by four to five-fold. LEDGF is inducible to oxidants. Cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), known to stimulate production of H(2)O(2), showed higher levels of LEDGF mRNA. Furthermore, our immunohistochemical studies revealed that hINV protein is found in the cytoplasm of HCK cells over-expressing LEDGF, but not detectable in the normal HCK cells or HCK cells transfected with vector. This regulation appears to be physiologically important, as over-expression of HCK with LEDGF increases the expression of the endogenous hINV gene and may provide new insight to understand the molecular mechanism of transcriptional regulation of this gene. LEDGF may play an important role in establishing an important barrier in corneal keratinocytes by maintaining epidermal turn-over rate, and protecting HCKs against stress.
Animals↗
LC determination of cephalosporins in in vitro rat intestinal sac absorption model.
Cefotaxime sodium (CX) and Ceftazidime pentahydrate (CZ) are peptidomimetic cephalosporins (CPS) which exist as zwitterionic compounds at physiological pH and because of this reason they are not absorbed appreciably on peroral administration. The permeability of these compounds can be increased transiently by altering membrane characteristics of absorptive epithelium by use of sorption promoters (SPs). In present work a simple validated HPLC method utilizing isocratic mobile phase and having short retention times for CX and CZ is developed which can be used to monitor their concentrations in Kreb's Ringer Bicarbonate (KRB) solution in in vitro intestinal sac absorption model. The same was utilized to determine apparent permeability coefficients and absorption profiles of CPS by modified Wilson-Wiseman method. The CPS were analysed by the reverse phase HPLC method using Shim-pack C18 column. The mobile phase used was of isocratic composition with phosphate buffer (pH 7.0, 3.5 g/l of KH(2)PO(4) dissolved in 0.03 M Na(2)HPO(4).2H(2)O) and methanol in proportion 85:15 for CZ and 70:30 for CX. The flow rate was 1 ml/min and quantitative determinations were carried out at 254 nm at 25 degrees C. The method was found specific because none of the proposed SPs, components of KRB and intestinal sac artefacts interfered with the drug peaks. The drug concentration versus area under peak relationship was found to be linear in concentration range of 0.25-20.0 microg/ml. The recovery studies, intraday variation, interday variation and interanalyst variation were within statistical limits. The limit of detection (LOD) was 95.0 and 100.0 ng/ml for CZ and CX, respectively. The limit of Quantitation (LOQ) was 240.0 and 250.0 ng/ml for CZ and CX, respectively. The proposed method was found to be rapid and selective and hence applied for continuous monitoring of CPS in in vitro intestinal sac absorption studies.
Animals↗
Obsessive-compulsive phenomenon and Parkinson's disease.
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Basal Ganglia↗
Social phobia in spasmodic torticollis: some conceptual issues.
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Botulinum Toxins↗
Establishment of asymptomatic Leishmania donovani infection in Indian langurs (Presbytis entellus) through intradermal route.
Indian langurs, which were previously reported to be highly susceptible, were infected intradermally using variable numbers of promastigotes along with different doses, 1/2 pair, 5 pairs and 10 pairs respectively of salivary gland lysate (SGL). Although, all the monkeys developed mild infection and remained subclinically infected throughout the observation period, which later resolved, none of them could develop the classical disease. No marked antigen specific antibody or lymphoproliferative response was noticed throughout the experimental period. However, a late IFN-gamma response (by day 90 pi.) was demonstrated in monkeys infected with 2 x 10(6) promastigotes +10 pairs SGL. It seems that a single intradermal dose of promastigotes with or without SGLs had a vaccines like effect. Perhaps, multiple frequent inoculations, as happens in the natural situation, may be necessary for the development of full-blown disease.
Animals↗
Use of iodoacetylene as a dipolarphile in the synthesis of 5-iodoisoxazole derivatives.
Iodoacetylene 1 was prepared in situ from the reactions of ethynylmagnesium bromide or tributyl(ethynyl)tin with iodine. It was used as a dipolarphile in the [2 + 3] cyclization reaction with 1,3-dipolar nitrile oxide derivatives to produce 2-(5-iodoisoxazol-3-yl)pyridine 2 and 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodoisoxazole 8 in good yield (70-90%). Subsequently, several 5-substituted isoxazole derivatives 3 were obtained by Pd-catalyzed reactions. [reaction: see text]
Journal Article↗
An update on strategies for eradication of Barrett's mucosa.
Barrett's esophagus is a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and is characterized by replacement of the normal squamous mucosa in the distal esophagus with metaplastic columnar mucosa. It is the premalignant lesion for adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and the esophagogastric junction. Treatment of Barrett's esophagus includes controlling the underlying reflux with either proton pump inhibitor therapy or antireflux surgery. However, neither pharmacological nor surgical treatment has resulted in reversal of the metaplastic mucosa. Failure of conventional treatments has led to endoscopic ablation therapies-injury to the Barrett's esophagus with different forms of energy in combination with acid suppression. This article reviews the current status of different therapies for endoscopic reversal of Barrett's esophagus.
Adenocarcinoma↗
129I and 127I transport in the Mississippi River.
The watershed processes which control 129I/127I ratios, 129I and 127I concentrations, and speciation of iodine isotopes were studied through an investigation into the variability of these parameters in the Mississippi River near New Orleans, undertaken in 1996-1998. Analyses of suspended particulate matter (SPM) revealed a greater percent association of 127I than of 129I, resulting in lower 129I/127I ratios in SPM than in surrounding water. Furthermore, crossflow ultrafiltration showed that organo-iodine was the dominant form for both isotopes, with 70-85% of these isotopes found in the 0.45 microm filter-passing fraction associated with colloidal macromolecular organic matter. 129I showed a weak correlation, 127I no correlation, and 129I/127I ratios a strong inverse correlation with river flow rate. Inverse correlations between 129I/127I ratios and river flow rates can be best explained by rainwater and evapotranspiration dominated ratios at base flow and a lowering of the isotope ratios during higher flow due to extra inputs of 127I from soil weathering. We postulate that different equilibration times for 127I and 129I as well as for bomb-produced 129I and reprocessing-produced 129I are responsible for these fractionation effects and the differential mobilities of these isotopes in the Mississippi River watershed.
Colloids↗
Abnormal dicentric chromosome with co-amplification of sequences from chromosomes 11 and 19: a novel rearrangement in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome transforming to acute myeloid leukemia.
A 66-year-old man with a myelodysplastic syndrome transforming to acute myeloid leukemia showed a complex abnormal karyotype on bone marrow aspirate. An unbalanced dicentric translocation with a very long der(11) long arm-dic(11;19)(q25;p13.4)-was present. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies utilised paints for chromosomes 11 and 19 as well as the locus specific probe MLL, localised to 11q23. The abnormal chromosome 11q contained 6 copies of intact MLL and 6 copies of chromosome 19 (unidentified) sequences. To our knowledge, gene co-amplification of chromosomes 11 and 19 sequences has not been reported before.
Acute Disease↗
A PBS2 homologue from Debaryomyces hansenii shows a differential effect on calcofluor and polymyxin B sensitivity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The PBS2 gene encodes a MAP kinase kinase that plays a pivotal role in osmosensing signal-transduction pathway in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutation in the PBS2 gene has a pleotropic effect. Besides being osmosensitive, pbs2 mutants show altered sensitivity to polymyxin B and calcofluor. Recent studies revealed that Pbs2p plays a different role in osmoadaptation and calcofluor sensitivity. We have isolated a gene homologous to PBS2 from the highly salt-tolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii by phenotypic complementation. DNA sequencing of the clone revealed that the gene encoded a protein of 683 amino acid residues. Like Pbs2p, this protein also has a proline-rich motif. Further characterization revealed that this gene could complement polymyxin B sensitivity but did not affect calcofluor sensitivity. Thus, it appeared that Pbs2p also has an independent role in these two physiological processes. The GenBank Accession No. of this sequence is AF371315.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Diastematomyelia associated with ectopic dysplastic renal tissue--report of a rare case.
BACKGROUND: Presence of heterotopic dysplastic renal tissue in the lumbosacral region is an extremely uncommon condition. CASE REPORT: We report the first case of diastematomyelia associated with ectopic renal tissue. A 10-month-old male child presented with lipomeningomyelocele associated with spina bifida in the lumbosacral region, and the lipoma was excised. Imaging of the spine at 5 years of age showed spina bifida, bony diastematomyelia, lipomeningomyelocele and a small intraspinal cystic lesion. The boy was then operated upon at the age of 5 years, and histopathological examination of the cystic lesion revealed ectopic dysplastic renal tissue.
Choristoma↗
Quantum pump for spin and charge transport in a Luttinger liquid.
We study two different parametric pumps--one for pumping spin currents, the other for charge currents--in interacting quantum wires. We find that, as a function of pumping frequency, the spin or charge pumped per cycle has a nonuniversal crossover--depending on pumping details--between two universal fixed point values of 0 and twice the electronic spin or charge quantum number. The direction of flow between these two fixed points depends on whether the interactions are repulsive or attractive, while the quantization itself is a signature of interactions.
Journal Article↗
Successful vaccination against Leishmania donovani infection in Indian langur using alum-precipitated autoclaved Leishmania major with BCG.
Autoclaved Leishmania major (ALM) along with BCG, presently undergoing phase II clinical trial by WHO for its vaccine potential against cutaneous leishmaniasis, has been successfully evaluated in single and triple dose schedules against L. donovani in Indian langurs (Presbytis entellus). Encouraged with the results, another formulation alum-precipitated ALM (provided by WHO) along with BCG has been evaluated in this system. Eight monkeys were vaccinated with alum-precipitated ALM + BCG (1 mg of each per animal) while four were kept as unvaccinated controls. All were challenged with 100 x 10(6) amastigotes i.v. on day 60 post vaccination. Parasitic assessment in splenic tissue was performed on day 45, 90 and 180 p.c. Initially, seven of the eight vaccinated monkeys developed infection (two to six amastigotes per 1000 cell nuclei), which resolved by day 180 p.c., while the eighth monkey had a parasite burden of 14 amastigotes per 1000 cell nuclei on day 45 p.c. and died on day 130 p.c. On the other hand, there was progressive infection in unvaccinated control animals and three out of four died between days 110 and 120 p.c., and one monkey, which had low parasite burden, died on day 178 p.c. Prior to challenge, there was an initial rise in antileishmanaial antibodies in the vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated control group, which later came down to normal level, while it remained higher in the unvaccinated control group. An increasing pattern of antigen-specific proliferative responses and interferon-gamma level to the two antigens--autoclaved L. donovani (ALD) and ALM--was observed in vaccinated monkeys throughout the experiment. There was a good correlation between parasite burden and IFN-gamma level on days 90 and 180 p.c., indicating IFN-gamma response as a sensitive parameter of immune status. The findings suggest alum-precipitated ALM+BCG as a potential vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis and warrants clinical trials.
Alum Compounds↗
Cytoplasmic interactions between phospholamban residues 1-20 and the calcium-activated ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Phospholamban regulates the activity of the calcium-activated ATPase (CaATPase) of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. Equilibrium fluorescence studies have shown that the N-terminal cytoplasmic region of phospholamban (residues 1-20, domain 1) causes a decrease in the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of the CaATPase. The interaction of phospholamban residues 1-20 with the CaATPase also results in spectral changes for the extrinsic chromophore FITC covalently attached to the cytoplasmic region of the calcium pump. The fluorescence changes for both reporter groups correlate with a dissociation constant of approximately 40 microM for the complex between phospholamban residues 1-20 and the CaATPase. Complex formation is notably weaker when phospholamban 1-20 is titrated into the CaATPase in the presence of calcium, with altered conformational effects resulting from binding. The interaction of domain 1 of phospholamban with the CaATPase is also reduced upon phosphorylation of phospholamban 1-20 at Ser-16. This region of phospholamban 1-20 is shown by isotope-edited NMR study to be involved in interaction with the CaATPase. Binding of the phosphorylated peptide is not abolished, however, indicating that phospholamban 1-20 remains associated with the CaATPase even after phosphorylation. The data provide direct evidence for the interaction between the cytoplasmic regions of phospholamban and the pump, and are discussed in the context of the mechanism for inhibition of cardiac CaATPase activity by phospholamban.
Animals↗