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S Banerjee

Publications and source records attributed to S Banerjee.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Iodoacetylated ouabagenins: their syntheses, spectroscopic characterizations, and stability studies.

Ouabain shows high binding ability to myocardial Na+,K(+)-ATPase and, therefore, a suitably radiolabeled derivative of this compound may find use in myocardial imaging. In this pilot experiment we report the preparation of several chloroacetylated and iodoacetylated ouabagenins. These intermediates may possess the potential for conversion to 99mTc-labeled tracer by a reported procedure with which the imaging of myocardial Na+,K(+)-ATPase may be possible. Appropriate analytical and spectroscopic data for these intermediates are reported for the first time. To determine the stability of the iodoacetylated ouabagenins, corresponding 131I derivatives were synthesized which showed sufficient stability for incorporating a suitable radiometal-binding chelating moiety to these steroid molecules.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1995

Modulated expression of glycoprotein oligosaccharides identifies phenotypic differentiation in squamous carcinomas of the human cervix.

This study has examined changes in expression of complex oligosaccharides during the development of invasive squamous carcinoma of the human cervix to determine whether particular oligosaccharide structures that might influence the phenotypic behavior of individual human cervical cancers were expressed during neoplasia. An extensive panel of lectins capable of identifying all the core and antennary oligosaccharide structures commonly encountered in human epithelia was chosen to probe a range of 11 benign and 26 malignant cervical tissues, all of the latter being clinically stage I. Lectin histochemistry was performed both before and after tissue desialylation using the enzyme neuraminidase to identify masking of oligosaccharide determinants by sialic acid. Nonneoplastic cervical epithelial cells were found to express only type I antennary structures (Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc-) usually modified by sialic acid linked 2-->6 to terminal Gal- or GalNAc residues. Type II oligosaccharide structures (Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc-) were not identified in these normal tissues. No other terminal antennary modifications were detected on nonneoplastic cervical squamous epithelia. Conversely, neosynthesis of type II oligosaccharides was detected by Erythrina cristagalli (ECG) binding in 50% of the squamous carcinomas. Five terminal antennary modifications were commonly identified in the carcinomas that were not identified in normal cervical epithelia and comprised the oligosaccharides bound by lectins RCA, SBA, BS-1, LTA, and UEA-1. Synthesis of these oligosaccharides resulted in expression of structures similar to those recognized as ligands for extracellular matrix-binding proteins. We suggest that expression of such novel oligosaccharide structures may be an important promotor of local invasion and further dissemination of human cervical carcinomas through enhanced binding of malignant cells to stromal matrix proteins. This study has demonstrated that identification of expressed oligosaccharide structures is an objective method of identifying individual tumor cell phenotypes and may form the basis of a useful functional classification of human cervical squamous carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1995

Syntheses of several 99mTc and 131I labeled neoglycoalbumins and their differential uptake patterns in animal biodistribution experiments.

Several glycoconjugates, alpha-D-mannopyranosyl, beta-L-fucopyranosyl, alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl, beta-D-glucopyranosyl and beta-D-galactopyranosyl human serum albumin, were synthesized using C9-tether and radiolabeled with 99mTc and 131I. Both 99mTc and 131I radiolabeled neoglycoalbumins had considerable stability and exhibited similar biodistribution patterns within the experimental limits. The results of biodistribution studies can be explained from the in vitro observations that 99mTc-beta-D-galactopyranosyl albumin binds to hepatic binding protein in liver in a dose-dependent fashion. The radiolabeled glycoalbumins derived from D-mannopyranose and L-fucopyranose also bind in a dose-dependent fashion to the receptors present in the liver sinusoidal cells and spleen macrophages. The beta-D-glucopyranosyl and alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl neoglycoalbumins accumulate nonspecifically in liver and spleen.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Therapeutic gene delivery in human B-lymphoblastoid cells by engineered non-transforming infectious Epstein-Barr virus.

The B-lymphotrophic human herpes Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a 160-kilobase double-stranded DNA episomal virus carried in a persistent asymptomatic state by more than 90% of the worldwide adult population. We engineered a helper-dependent mini-EBV, with the minimal cis-EBV elements for episomal replication, viral amplification and packaging, for use as a gene delivery system. The therapeutic potential of this system was established by stably transducing B-lymphoblastoid cells from a Fanconi anaemia group C (FA-C) patient with a mini-EBV constitutively expressing the normal FACC cDNA and showing in vitro correction of the FA phenotype. In the absence of selective pressure, episomal expression persisted with a half-life of 30 days in actively growing transduced cells, indicating a retention rate of 98% expression per cell doubling. This work demonstrates the generation of an infectious non-transforming viral vector that can potentially deliver large therapeutic genes efficiently and selectively into human B cells.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1995

Radiological percutaneous gastrostomy placement for enteral feeding.

Many patients who are unable to swallow have normal intestinal absorption and therefore do not need expensive and potentially problematic parenteral nutrition. Long term nasogastric tubes are unpleasant and interfere with communications, thus a gastrostomy is often felt to be appropriate. Traditionally this has been inserted at laparotomy but recently, other less invasive techniques of insertion such as endoscopy have been used for placement. We describe three patients where a percutaneous gastrostomy was placed by a radiological technique that we feel deserves wider recognition. It is quicker, cheaper and more versatile than the endoscopic method and avoids the unpleasant necessity for intubation by other than a fine-bore nasogastric tube.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Epidemiology and mortality risk of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bloodstream infections.

Risk factors for vancomycin-resistant enterococcal (VRE) bloodstream infection (BSI) were studied at a tertiary-care hospital by comparing 46 patients with VRE-BSI with 46 randomly selected patients with vancomycin-susceptible enterococcal (VSE) BSI. Among patients with an enterococcal BSI, risk factors for mortality were determined. Independent risk factors for VRE-BSI were increasing APACHE II score (odds ratio [OR], 2.3/5-point increase; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.9), receipt of vancomycin (OR, 11; 95% CI, 5.5-21), or diagnosis of hematologic malignancy (OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 3.9-18). After controlling for APACHE II score and gender, patients with VRE- versus VSE-BSI did not have a significantly elevated risk of mortality (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 0.7-15). Five of 28 VRE blood isolates typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis had identical banding patterns. These data suggest that increasing severity of illness, underlying disease, and receipt of vancomycin are major risk factors for VRE-BSI.

APACHE↗
PubMed1995

The evolution of sugar isomerases.

L-Arabinose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.4) catalyzes the isomerization of L-arabinose to L-ribulose. Here we report on the purification, kinetic mechanism and chemical mechanism of L-arabinose isomerase from Escherichia coli. The enzyme catalyzes the isomerization of L-arabinose to L-ribulose by a proton transfer mechanism, in contrast to xylose isomerase which uses a hydride transfer mechanism to perform a similar isomerization. Arabinose isomerase activity is metal dependent, although the enzyme can catalyze the exchange of the proton attached to carbon 2 of arabinose with the solvent in the absence of metal ion. Manganese(II) is the only metal ion which renders the enzyme active for the isomerization reaction. Arabinose isomerase has high substrate specificity for L-arabinose. The difference in chemical mechanism between xylose isomerase and arabinose isomerase suggests that these enzymes are not related by convergent evolution. This work also suggests that unless convergent evolution has been demonstrated, the mechanism of one enzyme may not give any insight into the mechanism of a second enzyme catalyzing the same reaction.

Aldose-Ketose Isomerases↗
PubMed1995

Effect of omeprazole and feeding on plasma gastrin in patients with achlorhydria.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of hypergastrinaemia during omeprazole therapy is unclear, but is generally assumed to be entirely a consequence of acid suppression. However, direct stimulation of G cells by omeprazole could also be a factor. In order to further investigate the mechanism of omeprazole-induced hypergastrinaemia, we have studied the effects of the drug on plasma gastrin in patients with achlorhydria, in whom altered acid secretion cannot play a role. METHODS: We estimated fasting and peptone meal stimulated plasma gastrin in nine patients (seven female) with pernicious anaemia and achlorhydria, before and on the final day of 4 weeks' dosing with omeprazole 40 mg daily. RESULTS: Despite the high fasting gastrin concentrations, the peptone meal produced a further elevation in plasma gastrin concentrations, median gastrin concentrations rising from 1500 ng/L (range 225-10,875 ng/L) to 3750 ng/L (range 585-15,600 ng/L) post-prandially (P = 0.004). The median post-prandial rise in plasma gastrin at this initial visit was 44% (3-260%), and the median time interval until plasma gastrin concentrations returned to fasting levels was 120 min (range 10- > 150 min). There was a significant negative correlation between fasting plasma gastrin concentrations and the percentage increase in plasma gastrin levels in response to meal stimulation (Spearman correlation coefficient -0.79, P = 0.01). Fasting plasma gastrin concentrations were similar pre-omeprazole (median 1950 ng/L, range 240-16,500 ng/L) and post-omeprazole (median 1500 ng/L, range 315-7650 ng/L). Likewise, peak plasma gastrin concentrations were also similar pre-omeprazole (median 2700 ng/L, range 585-16,500 ng/L) and post omeprazole (median 3420 ng/L, range 720-11,250 ng/L). CONCLUSIONS: (i) The hyperplastic G cell mass in patients with pernicious anaemia can be further stimulated by a peptone meal, which causes a prolonged rise in plasma gastrin concentrations. (ii) There is a negative correlation between fasting plasma gastrin concentrations and the percentage increase in plasma gastrin levels in response to meal stimulation. (iii) Omeprazole has no effect on plasma gastrin in achlorhydric patients, which is consistent with its hypergastrinaemic effect being entirely secondary to acid inhibition.

Achlorhydria↗
PubMed1995

The Belmarsh Scheme. A prospective study of the transfer of mentally disordered remand prisoners from prison to psychiatric units.

BACKGROUND: Contracting in psychiatric services from the NHS into prisons has been advocated to improve the care of the mentally disordered in custody. The Belmarsh Scheme is such a service. METHOD: A prospective study investigating the characteristics of a six-month cohort of remand prisoners requiring transfer to hospital and evaluating the service's effectiveness. RESULTS: Fifty-three (4.3%; 95% CL 3.2% to 5.6%) of the 1229 new remands required transfer to hospital; all were accepted. The transfer group contained a higher proportion of black men (51%) than all other remands (30%) (difference 21%; 95% CL 8% to 35%, P = 0.002). Transfer times were lower than those reported for a neighbouring prison. CONCLUSIONS: The Belmarsh Scheme secured in-patient psychiatric care rapidly for all those identified as needing it.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Lobe-specific apoptotic cell death in rat prostate after androgen ablation by castration.

It is well established that androgens are central to regulation of the growth of the mammalian prostate gland. Conversely, androgen deprivation by castration induces rapid cell death in the ventral prostate via an apoptotic mechanism. To date, most studies of cell death in the rodent prostate have focused on the ventral lobe, with little attention directed to the dorsal and lateral lobes. The results presented herein demonstrate that cell death in the rat prostate gland caused by castration is lobe specific. In particular, castration caused decreases in wet weights and protein contents of all three prostatic lobes, but these events were more rapid and profound in the ventral than in the dorsal and lateral lobes. Reduced epithelial cell size was apparent in the three lobes as well. However, castration resulted in loss of DNA content in the ventral lobe only. To confirm this finding, and to examine apoptosis of individual cells, we used in situ labeling of fragmented DNA, supported by biochemical analysis of DNA integrity in agarose gels. With both approaches, significant cell death in response to castration was seen in the ventral lobe but not the dorsal and lateral lobes. Taken together, these results clearly indicate that there are lobe-specific differences in the response of the rat prostate to androgen ablation by castration, with apoptotic cell death occurring in the ventral lobe of the prostate but to a far lesser extent, if at all, in the dorsal and lateral lobes. Moreover, castration caused apoptotic death of both epithelial and stromal cells of the ventral prostate, with these cells dying throughout the ductal network of the ventral prostate rather than being restricted to a particular region. We suggest that lobe-specific differences in androgen responsiveness in the rat prostate may provide an appropriate model for the study of androgen-independent prostatic cell survival during tumor progression.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Expression of the p53 and Wilms' tumor suppressor genes in the rat ovary: gonadotropin repression in vivo and immunohistochemical localization of nuclear p53 protein to apoptotic granulosa cells of atretic follicles.

We have previously demonstrated that the gonadotropin-mediated inhibition of apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells is linked to changes in the expression of several cell death-related genes, including members of the bcl-2 gene family (bcl-2, bax, and bcl-x). Recently, the product of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, a protein reported to play a critical role in regulating cell proliferation and death, has been shown to directly modulate the transcriptional activity of the bcl-2 and bax genes. In addition, the actions of p53 may be amplified through a cooperative interaction with another tumor suppressor protein, the product of the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene (WT-1). Based on our identification of a potential role for bcl-2-related factors in regulating granulosa cell apoptosis and the reported function of p53 as a regulator of bcl-2 and bax gene transcription in extragonadal cells, the present studies were conducted to determine whether the p53 and WT-1 genes are expressed and gonadotropin regulated in the rat ovary and to investigate whether granulosa cell apoptosis is linked to elevated levels of tumor suppressor gene expression. Northern blot analysis of total RNA prepared from immature (27-day-old) rat ovaries revealed the presence of a single p53 messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript (2.0 kilobases) and multiple WT-1 messages (1.8, 3.5, and 7.5 kilobases). Subcutaneous injection of immature rats with 10 IU equine CG (eCG) reduced the levels of p53 and WT-1 mRNA to 71 +/- 9% (P < 0.05) and 46 +/- 3% (P < 0.05), respectively, of saline-treated control levels after 2 days. The inhibition of tumor suppressor gene expression by eCG treatment was associated with a marked reduction in the number of apoptotic granulosa cells and atretic follicles. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that p53 protein was localized exclusively to nuclei of apoptotic granulosa cells of atretic follicles, and that p53 immunostaining was reduced to undetectable levels after in vivo treatment with eCG. To further evaluate whether granulosa cell apoptosis is linked to increased expression of tumor suppressor genes, we analyzed levels of p53 and WT-1 mRNA in antral follicles induced to undergo atresia in vitro by serum-free culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

ATP-dependent reorganization of human sperm nuclear chromatin.

Chromosomes in terminally differentiated mammalian spermatozoa are extensively condensed by protamines but a small proportion of histones remain. We examined the primary organization of somatic-type chromatin in lysolecithin-permeabilized human sperm nuclei and report that nucleosomes are closely packed with a periodicity of approximately 150 bp. Incubation of nuclei in the presence of exogenous Mg2+ and ATP induced chromatin reorganization leading to an increase in spacing of the nucleosomes to approximately 190 bp. This ATP-dependent chromatin rearrangement involved phosphorylation of both protamine and histone H2a. Increase in linker length between nucleosomes correlated with the phosphorylation of H2aX, the major H2a variant in human spermatozoa, predominantly at the C-terminal end. Chromatin reorganization was independent of detectable nuclear dispersion, which is an early chromosomal event in male pronuclear formation during fertilization.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Restricted expression of T cell receptor V beta and lymphokine genes in arthritic joints of a TCR V beta a (H-2q) mouse strain-BUB/BnJ-with collagen-induced arthritis.

Type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is an animal model of inflammatory polyarthritis with clinical and pathological features resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We compared the expression of T cell receptor (TCR) V beta genes in T cells isolated from the inflamed joints, draining lymph nodes and the spleens of BUB/BnJ (H-2q) mice (BUB) during the early phase of CIA. We also investigated the profiles of cytokine gene expression in T cells obtained from the same tissues. We found that the expression of TCR V beta s, in arthritic joints of mice, during the early phase of the disease was limited to TCR V beta 3 and 10 gene families. In contrast, TCR V beta 4, 7, and 15 were predominant in the draining lymph nodes (LNs) and TCR V beta 2, 6, and 14 were predominant in the spleens of arthritic mice. Molecular cloning and sequence analysis revealed that the T cell populations in the arthritic joints were oligoclonal as determined by the limited N-D-N region diversity observed in the sequenced clones. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that (1) joint infiltrating T cells in TCR V beta a genotype mice use a restricted repertoire of TCR V beta genes; (2) there was oligoclonal expansion of infiltrating T cells in arthritic joints in mice with collagen-induced arthritis. Our results on cytokine gene expression in the arthritic joints of BUB mice indicate that Th-1-like T cell derived cytokines may be the predominant cytokines in the arthritic joints as illustrated by the presence of transcripts for IL-2 and IFN-gamma but not IL-4. In summary, our results provide evidence that T cells with restricted specificities, and more specificially, Th-1 type T cells, are crucial in the early phase of collagen induced arthritis in mice.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Estradiol and chlordecone (Kepone) decrease adenosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate concentrations in the ovariectomized immature rat uterus.

Adenosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) has been repeatedly shown to mimic some actions of estrogen in the rat uterus. However, the relationship between estrogens and uterine cAMP remains controversial. The effect of chronic exposure (3 days) to a biologically potent, long-acting estrogen, estradiol benzoate (EB), or the xenoestrogen chlordecone (Kepone), which has a long half-life in the circulation, was examined in ovariectomized immature rats. Both compounds, when administered in doses that provided equal increases in uterine weight, produced equivalent decreases in uterine cAMP content. Although the decrease in cAMP was apparent within 48 hr, it was more pronounced at 72 hr. There was no reduction in cAMP produced in response to direct stimulation of uterine adenylyl cyclase by forskolin, indicating that loss of the enzyme was not a factor in the lowering of cAMP content. The pure anti-estrogen ICI-182,780, in a dose-dependent fashion, prevented the action the estradiol benzoate and chlordecone, suggesting that the lowering of cAMP was dependent on an estrogen receptor. The physiological significance of reduced uterine cAMP with chronic estrogen treatment remains to be determined.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1995

Endogenous estrogens and risk of breast cancer by estrogen receptor status: a prospective study in postmenopausal women.

A positive association between postmenopausal serum levels of total estradiol, percentage of free estradiol, and percentage of estradiol not bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and breast cancer risk was recently reported by the New York University Women's Health Study (P. Toniolo et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 87: 190-197, 1995). Data from this prospective study are used to assess whether the observed associations differ according to estrogen receptor (ER) status of the tumor. Between 1985 and 1991, 7063 postmenopausal women donated blood and completed questionnaires at a large breast cancer screening clinic in New York City. Before 1991, 130 cases of first primary breast cancer were identified by active follow-up of the cohort. For each case, two controls were selected, matching the case on age at first blood donation and length of storage of specimens. Biochemical analyses were performed on sera that had been stored at -80 degrees since sampling. ER information was abstracted from pathology reports. Separate statistical analyses were conducted of ER-positive, ER-negative, and ER-unknown groups (53, 23, and 54 matched sets, respectively). In each of the 3 groups, the mean estradiol and the mean percentage of free estradiol were greater (21-28% and 6-7%, respectively) in cases than in controls. Conversely, the mean percentage of estradiol bound to SHBG was 9-12% lower in cases than in controls. The logistic regression coefficients measuring the strength of the association between estradiol and its free and SHBG-bound fractions and breast cancer risk were similar in the ER-positive, ER-negative, and ER-unknown groups. These data suggest that in postmenopausal women, the association of endogenous estrogens with breast cancer risk is independent of the ER status of the tumor. This result is more compatible with the hypothesis of a progression from ER-positive to ER negative tumors than with the hypothesis that ER status identifies two distinct types of breast cancer.

Aged↗