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Biomedical subjects

R Ganguly

Publications and source records attributed to R Ganguly.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Influence of virus infection on the leaf protein yield.

Influence of cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) and common bean mosaic virus (CBMV) infection on the yield of extractable leaf protein of cowpea cvs. Pusa Phaguni, Pusa Barsati, and Yard Long was studied. An increase as well as decrease in the yield of leaf protein concentrate (LPC), due to virus infection, has been observed. CPMV infection increased LPC yield in all the cowpea cvs., but CBMV decreased it in cys. Pusa Phaguni and Yard Long. Variation in percentage of extractable nitrogen and protein in LPC was also notices. However, total N and protein in leaf and LPC were increased due to virus infection, but total sugar and starch decreased.

Carbohydrates↗
PubMed1979

Glucocorticoid modulation of casein gene transcription in mouse mammary gland.

The influence of cortisol and prolactin on casein gene expression in the mammary gland of lactating BALB/c mice was measured by using a specific cDNA probe to 15S casein mRNA (cDNAcsn). Casein mRNA (mRNAcsn) level in the mammary gland was decreased by 85% 5 days after adrenal ablation, but then was increased 4.4-fold 12 hr after a single injection of hydrocortisone-21-acetate. An 80% decrease in serum prolactin level, induced by the prolactin inhibitor 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptin (CB-154), did not alter the level of mRNAcsn in the gland. Specific transcription of the casein gene in nuclei isolated from lactating mammary glands was measured by cDNAcsn hybridization to the in vitro synthesized Hg-CTP-containing RNA (Hg-RNA), which was purified by SH-agarose chromatography. The level of the mRNAcsn in Hg-RNA synthesized in the isolated nuclei was 0.09% and this was decreased 85% by alpha-amanitin, indicating that the mRNAcsn sequences in the Hg-RNA were the products of RNA polymerase II-directed DNA-dependent RNA synthesis. Transcription of the mRNAcsn in isolated nuclei was decreased by 70% 5 days after adrenalectomy and a single injection of the glucocorticoid then increased the transcription level 2-fold at 6 hr. Essentially no alteration of the level of transcription was detectable in mammary nuclei isolated from lactating mice with 80% decreased serum prolactin level, induced by CB-154 treatment. The results thus demonstrate a glucocorticoid involvement on the modulation of casein gene expression at the transcriptional level of control.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1979

Lack of effect of an interferon inducer, N,N-dihexadecyl-m-xylylenediamine, on rhinovirus challenge in humans.

CP-28,888-27 and placebo nasal sprays were compared in 62 normal volunteers challenged with rhinovirus type 13 or 21 in two randomized, double-blind studies. Half of the subjects received CP-28,888-27 and half received nasal placebo administered at 24, 20, and 16 h before challenge and 4 and 8 h after challenge. In each study, the number of subjects shedding virus in nasal washes, the number developing fourfold or greater serum antibody responses, and the number developing afebrile or febrile upper respiratory tract illness were not significantly different comparing subjects given CP-28,888-27 and those given placebo. Interferon was detected in nasal washes from 5 of 15 volunteers tested in the CP-28,888-27 group compared to 2 of 15 volunteers from the placebo group.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Guinea pig lung lavage cells after intranasal BCG sensitization.

Recent studies have suggested that intranasal administration of antigen can induce local cell-mediated immunity in lung lavage cells. The present study was designed to examine the changes in composition of lung lavage cells and their capacity to produce the lymphokine migration inhibitory factor after intranasal immunization with BCG in guinea pigs. Results indicate that guinea pigs responded to respiratory tract BCG infection with an increase in immunocompetent cells in the bronchoalveolar tract and with production of migration inhibitory factor. After local pulmonary BCG administration, the total number of cells increased as compared with that of the uninfected animals, the increase being statistically significant within 2 weeks. This marked increase in the total cell population is due to a more than doubling of the number of macrophages in the lavage fluid. Animals also developed at this time positive delayed hypersensitivity to intradermally administered purified protein derivative. A significant increase in the total lymphoid cells and macrophage population was observed again at 6 weeks after sensitization, suggesting that the response is biphasic in nature. At 6 weeks, however, there was also a significant rise in total lymphocytes and T cell population in addition to macrophage numbers. This increase in T cells correlated with an increase in production of migration inhibitory factor in the presence of purified protein derivative. These data suggest that the immune response of the respiratory tract after BCG challenge involves increased recruitment of immunocompetent cells locally at the site of infection and that these cells are capable of producing effector molecules in terms of the elaboration of migration inhibitory factor.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Studies on oral adjuvants against murine salmonellosis.

1) Attempts were made to develop oral adjuvants against murine salmonellosis. 2) Streptomycin, levamisole and PHA show potential immunoenhancing properties against salmonella infection. 3) The mode of action of these agents remain to be elucidated. Observed results of PHA enhancement may be related to its blastogenic effects in the splenic T-cells. 4) Decrease in certain bacterial flora resulting in less antigenic competition may be the mode of action of streptomycin as adjuvant when added to oral salmonella vaccine.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1978

Effect of CP-20,961, an interferon inducer, on upper respiratory tract infections due to rhinovirus type 21 in volunteers.

Topically administered CP-20,961 is known to stimulate nasal interferon. Studies in volunteers given the drug prior to challenge with rhinovirus have yielded both fairly good results and only fair or poor results. This study was undertaken in an attempt to settle the differences between the results of these trials and to evaluate the possible effectiveness of CP-20, 961 when given after virus challenge. Sixty volunteers were randomly divided into four groups. One group received placebo, the second received the drug on the day before and the day of challenge, the third was given the drug for two days beginning 24 hr after challenge, and the fourth received the drug for two days beginning 48 hr after challenge. The average number and severity of symptoms in the group that received CP-20,961 prior to challenge were about half of those in the control group. There was no decrease, however, in the number and severity of symptoms in the groups that received the drug after challenge.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei of lactating mammary cells in presence of unmodified and mercury-labeled CTP.

Isolated nuclei of lactating mouse mammary gland were capable of supporting DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in vitro in presence of unmodified and mercurated CTP (Hg-CTP) at high ionic condition at 25 degrees C. In presence of unmodified CTP, [3H]UMP incorporation into RNA increased linearly upto 180 min. The kinetic pattern of the reaction and the rate of RNA synthesis were essentially similar when CTP was replaced by Hg-CTP. Both in unmodified and Hg-CTP containing reactions, 70-80% of RNA synthesis was inhibited by alpha-amanitin. Presence of poly(A) in a small portion of the in vitro synthesized messenger-like RNA was detectable by oligo(dT) cellulose chromatography. Both poly(A)+ and poly(A)- RNAs sedimented with a clear peak around 15S region in a formamide-sucrose denaturing gradient. The Hg-RNA after separation from endogenous nuclear RNA by SH-agarose affinity column chromatography also sedimented around 15S region in a formamide-sucrose gradient. The Hg-RNA synthesized in the isolated mammary cell nuclei in vitro should now permit monitoring hormonal regulation of specific gene (casein) transcription in the mammary cells by molecular hybridization of the Hg-RNA with cDNA to casein mRNA.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1977

Therapeutic efficacy of inosiplex (Isoprinosine) in rhinovirus infection.

Inosiplex (Isoprinosine), the paracetamidobenzoic acid salt of inosine dimethylaminoisopropanol, has shown antiviral activity in cell culture and in animals. Controlled challenge studies using the drug in a prophylactic fashion, however, have been disappointing. In vitro studies, as well as uncontrolled clinical trials, have suggested that the drug might be more effective when used therapeutically. We therefore undertook to test inosiplex in a controlled, double-blind, therapeutic study of volunteers challenged with rhinovirus. Thirty-nine volunteers were randomly divided into groups receiving either inosiplex or placebo tablets. Drug or placebo was started either at the time of, or 48 hours after challenge with rhinovirus Type 21. Illness was assessed in terms of the classical common cold symptoms, and infection was also determined by viral isolation from daily nasal wash specimens and by serum antibody rises. Five of 19 volunteers in the inosiplex group became ill, whereas 14 of 20 in the placebo group were sick (p less than 0.01). There was no difference between the control and inosiplex groups in the number of volunteers from whom rhinovirus was isolated. There was, however, a reduction in the duration of virus shedding in the inosiplex group. Seroconversion was also slightly less common in the inosiplex group. Immunologic studies suggest that inosiplex stimulates the lymphocyte mitogenic response. The results suggest that inosiplex exerts significant therapeutic benefits in rhinovirus infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Nonspecific protection of mice against influenza virus infection by local or systemic immunization with Bacille Calmette-Guérin.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been used effectively to protect nonspecifically against bacterial infections and neoplasms, probably by enhancement of cell-mediated immunity. It has been suggested that cell-mediated immunity plays a role in the host defense against certain viral infections. In recent in vitro studies, macrophages from animals sensitized by BCG were more effective in lowering the titer of influenza virus than were macrophages from control animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vivo effectiveness of nonspecific immune stimulation with BCG on influenza virus infection in mice. Immunization with BCG resulted in significant protection of mice. Also, the local (nasal) route of immunization was more effective than the systemic (intraperitoneal) route against the intranasal inoculum of virus, a finding which suggests that important role of local immunity, i.e., either earlier stimulation of secretory antibody or nonspecific cell-mediated immunity. The time course of the resistance ot infection suggests that interferon was not the protective mechanism.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1976

Macrophage function in vitamin C-deficient guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs were fed a vitamin C-deficient diet and at various time periods thereafter their peritoneal cells were tested for biological activity. The serum levels of vitamin C in the deficient animals indicated a progressive state of ascorbic acid deficiency with time and this correlated well with clinical signs and symptoms of scurvy. Fewer macrophages were obtained from the peritoneal cavities of deficient animals and in structural appearance under the phase contrast and light microscope they were smaller in size. They showed no significant impairment in phagocytosis of bacterial cells. The macrophages, however, exhibited significantly reduced migration on glass as compared to the normal cells. In vitro addition of vitamin C partially reversed this reduced migration.

Animals↗