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Biomedical subjects

S Ghosh

Publications and source records attributed to S Ghosh.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Intraoperative angiography in the management of pediatric vascular disorders.

We reviewed our experience with intraoperative angiography in the management of 7 cerebral aneurysms and 15 arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in children over the past 5 years. The patients ranged from 4 months to 18 years of age with a mean age of 9 years. In 4 of the 22 cases, angiography provided information that led to changes during surgery. In 3 cases, the intraoperative angiogram revealed residual AVMs that were then completely resected. In 1 patient with an anterior circulation aneurysm, intraoperative studies revealed findings which resulted in clip repositioning. Intraoperative angiography added a mean of 43 (+/-19) min to the operative time, with a mode of 40 minutes. There was 1 complication, a groin hematoma that readily resolved. Intraoperative angiography prolongs to operative course; however, it is a useful adjunct to the management of vascular disorders in children. We now routinely use and recommend intraoperative angiography to assist with the surgical management of vascular malformations in children.

Adolescent↗

Molecular cloning and expression of rat lung carboxylesterase and its potential role in the detoxification of organophosphorus compounds.

The 1,839-base pair complementary DNA (cDNA) for rat lung carboxylesterase was cloned by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction from total rat lung RNA using specific primers derived from the 5' and 3' untranslated regions of rat hepatic cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH). The unique cDNA was sequenced and found to be similar to hepatic CEH, pI 6.1 esterase, and hydrolase A. In Northern blot analysis, the cDNA hybridized with a single band from lung messenger RNA (mRNA). The 1.7-kb coding sequence, predicting a 62-kD protein, was transfected into COS-7 cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Expression in COS-7 and CHO cells was accompanied by 4- and 3.2-fold increases in carboxylesterase activity (hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate), respectively. Unlike the hepatic CEH, the expressed lung carboxylesterase described here did not hydrolyze cholesterol esters. In situ hybridization experiments localized the lung carboxylesterase mRNA to the airway epithelium. The organophosphorus compound phosphoric acid diethyl 4-nitrophenyl ester, paraoxon, completely inhibited this lung carboxylesterase, placing it in the family of B esterases by this criterion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on liver and kidney toxicity in cyclophosphamide-treated female albino rats.

Effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) on liver, kidney and serum in cyclophosphamide-treated female virgin rats were investigated. Oral administration of cyclophosphamide at the dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day for 12 days resulted in a significant elevation in ACP and ALP activities in liver, kidney and serum. Ascorbic acid supplementation at the dose of 25 mg/kg body weight/day showed a significant protection in the activity of ACP in liver, kidney and serum, but only in ALP activity in kidney. ALP activities in liver and serum were not restored to control level by ascorbic acid supplementation. Activities of GOT and GPT were elevated significantly in liver, kidney and serum after cyclophosphamide treatment, and were protected and restored to control level by ascorbic acid supplementation.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Effect of sodium arsenite on plasma levels of gonadotrophins and ovarian steroidogenesis in mature albino rats: duration-dependent response.

Effect of arsenic on ovarian steroidogenesis at the dose available in drinking water at wide areas of West Bengal is reported here. Weights of ovary, uterus and vagina along with biochemical activities of ovarian delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5-3 beta-HSD) and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) and plasma levels of LH, FSH and estrogen were measured in mature rats of the Wistar strain at diestrous phase following subchronic treatment with sodium arsenite at a dose of 0.4 ppm/rat/day for 16 days (4 estrous cycles) and 28 days (7 estrous cycles). A significant reduction in plasma levels of LH, FSH and estrogen along with significant diminution in the activities of ovarian delta 5-3 beta-HSD and 17 beta-HSD were observed following sodium arsenite treatment for 28 days. This duration of treatment also resulted in a marked degree in diminution in the weights of ovary, uterus and vagina, but 16 days of treatment did not exhibit any significant effect on these above parameters. Arsenic-treated rats exhibited a prolonged diestrous phase in the estrous cycle in contrast to control rats having 4 days of a regular estrous cycle. Deposition of arsenic in ovary, uterus, vagina and plasma was also monitored in arsenic-treated rats. The results of our experiment suggest that duration of arsenic treatment is the critical factor for its adverse effect on ovarian activities at the dose within the range noted in drinking water at several areas of West Bengal in India.

Animals↗

Gentamicin induced inhibition of steroidogenic enzymes in rat testis.

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, widely used for treating many gram negative bacterial infections. Though nephrotoxicity is the most highlighted side effect, it has also been found to cause an alteration in the phosphatase activities of testes and accessory sex organs and a decline in the sperm count. This study was designed to assess the effects of gentamicin on testicular steroidogenesis and to ascertain whether such alterations are reversible. Laboratory inbred adult, male, 'Wistar' strain rats were chosen as the experimental animal. A significant dose-dependant reduction in the activities of the two steroidogenic enzymes, accompanied with a significant decrease in ascorbic acid and elevation of level of cholesterol was observed. The effects were maximum at a dose of 100 mg/kg, b.wt. After 15 days of withdrawal of the drug therapy the biochemical parameters namely ascorbic acid and cholesterol returned to normal levels whereas the activities of the two dehydrogenases showed a compensatory increase. This indicates that gentamicin affects the steroidogenic enzymes, causing an alteration in the formation of testosterone, which was manifested in the elevated cholesterol in the adult rat testes. However, these alterations were reversible.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Structure-based design of specific inhibitors of Janus kinase 3 as apoptosis-inducing antileukemic agents.

A novel homology model of the kinase domain of Janus kinase (JAK) 3 was used for the structure-based design of dimethoxyquinazoline compounds with potent and specific inhibitory activity against JAK3. The active site of JAK3 in this homology model measures roughly 8 A x 11 A x 20 A, with a volume of approximately 530 A3 available for inhibitor binding. Modeling studies indicated that 4-(phenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (parent compound WHI-258) would likely fit into the catalytic site of JAK3 and that derivatives of this compound that contain an OH group at the 4' position of the phenyl ring would more strongly bind to JAK3 because of added interactions with Asp-967, a key residue in the catalytic site of JAK3. These predictions were consistent with docking studies indicating that compounds containing a 4'-OH group, WHI-P131 [4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline], WHI-P154 [4-(3'-bromo-4'-hydroxylphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline], and WHI-P97 [4-(3',5'-dibromo-4'-hydroxylphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin e], were likely to bind favorably to JAK3, with estimated K(i)s ranging from 0.6 to 2.3 microM. These compounds inhibited JAK3 in immune complex kinase assays in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, compounds lacking the 4'-OH group, WHI-P79 [4-(3'-bromophenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline], WHI-P111 [4-(3'-bromo-4'-methylphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline], WHI-P112 [4-(2',5'-dibromophenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline], WHI-P132 [4-(2'-hydroxylphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline], and WHI-P258 [4-(phenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline], were predicted to bind less strongly, with estimated K(i)s ranging from 28 to 72 microM. These compounds did not show any significant JAK3 inhibition in kinase assays. Furthermore, the lead dimethoxyquinazoline compound, WHI-P131, which showed potent JAK3-inhibitory activity (IC50 of 78 microM), did not inhibit JAK1 and JAK2, the ZAP/SYK family tyrosine kinase SYK, the TEC family tyrosine kinase BTK, the SRC family tyrosine kinase LYN, or the receptor family tyrosine kinase insulin receptor kinase, even at concentrations as high as 350 microM. WHI-P131 induced apoptosis in JAK3-expressing human leukemia cell lines NALM-6 and LC1;19 but not in melanoma (M24-MET) or squamous carcinoma (SQ20B) cells. Leukemia cells were not killed by dimethoxyquinazoline compounds that were inactive against JAK3. WHI-P131 inhibited the clonogenic growth of JAK3-positive leukemia cell lines DAUDI, RAMOS, LC1;19, NALM-6, MOLT-3, and HL-60 (but not JAK3-negative BT-20 breast cancer, M24-MET melanoma, or SQ20B squamous carcinoma cell lines) in a concentration-dependent fashion. Potent and specific inhibitors of JAK3 such as WHI-P131 may provide the basis for the design of new treatment strategies against acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Studies on the viability of metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica.

The viability of metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica was tested by in vitro and in vivo methods. In vitro testing was based upon the motility of juvenile flukes within the inner cyst as examined under the light microscope. In vivo testing was undertaken through experimental infections of rabbits (two groups) and natural definitive hosts, lambs (one group). In the first group, out of six rabbits each given 25 metacercariae, worm establishment only took place in one rabbit with a single fluke recovery on 60 days post infection. In the second group of six rabbits each given 200 metacercariae, five were infected, with two or three flukes per host. All the lambs given 250 metacercariae became infected showing prevalences of 7.2-40% in comparison with rabbits in which low prevalences (0-4%) were recorded. The results indicated that even viable metacercariae which were already tested in vitro could not readily establish in rabbits. Such variability in worm establishment suggests that immunological and chemotherapeutic studies in rabbits infected with F. gigantica are likely to be unreliable.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide regulates interleukin-8 gene expression in activated endothelium by inhibiting NF-kappaB binding to DNA: effects on endothelial function.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binds to nucleotide sequences between -80 and -70 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site in the interleukin-8 (IL-8) promoter and is crucial for transcription of the IL-8 gene. We showed that exogenous nitric oxide in the form of a nitric oxide donor significantly reduced IL-8 mRNA in cytokine-activated ECV304. Similarly, nitric oxide significantly reduced migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils through cytokine-activated ECV304 monolayers, an IL-8-dependent process. Using a luciferase reporter construct containing the NF-kappaB site of the IL-8 gene, we showed that exposing cytokine-activated ECV304 to exogenous nitric oxide resulted in significant reduction of NF-kappaB binding. Follow-up studies using a luciferase reporter construct possessing a mutated NF-kappaB site confirmed that the luciferase activity observed in the NF-kappaB reporter resulted from NF-kappaB binding. These studies demonstrate that nitric oxide, supplied exogenously into reactions containing activated endothelium, down-regulates pro-inflammatory activity, such as the secretion of chemokines, and functional activity, such as transendothelial migration of neutrophils.

Base Sequence↗

Regulation of the rat neutral cytosolic cholesteryl ester hydrolase promoter by hormones and sterols: a role for nuclear factor-Y in the sterol-mediated response.

Expression of the rat liver neutral cytosolic cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) gene is regulated by glucocorticoids, thyroxine, and agents that perturb cholesterol metabolism. The present studies identify the putative hormone response elements in the CEH promoter. They also define the roles of two previously identified sterol regulatory elements (SRE-92 and SRE-160) and a putative nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) binding site with a consensus ATTGG (inverted CCAAT) motif (Natarajan, R., S. Ghosh, and W. M. Grogan. 1998. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 243: 349;-355). CEH promoter-reporter gene constructs were transiently transfected into HepG2 cells to evaluate promoter activity. Results indicated that the CEH gene has two complex glucocorticoid response units in distal portions of the promoter corresponding to consensus glucocorticoid regulatory sequences as well as putative thyroid hormone response elements. CEH promoter-reporter constructs with the proximal 189 bp of the wild-type or mutated sequences were also transfected into HepG2 cells. Activity of the wild-type construct increased when incubated in sterol depleted media or when co-expressed with a mature sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP-2). These responses were suppressed by mutations in SRE-92, SRE-160, or NF-Y, indicating that these cis elements are sufficient for sterol-mediated regulation of the CEH promoter. Gel mobility shift assays further demonstrated that NF-Y binds to the inverted CCAAT box motif and is required for the sterol-mediated regulation. These results indicate that multiple cis-elements regulate transcription of the cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) gene, consistent with the reported regulation of CEH expression.-Natarajan, R., S. Ghosh, and W. M. Grogan. Regulation of the rat neutral cytosolic cholesteryl ester hydrolase promoter by hormones and sterols: a role for nuclear factor-Y in the sterol-mediated response.

Animals↗

Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli from healthy cattle in a semi-urban community in Calcutta, India.

From October to December 1998, single faecal samples from 67 healthy cattle in a semi-urban community near Calcutta were examined for Shiga toxin producing Esch. coli (STEC) using a multiplex PCR primary screen followed by plating on sorbitol MacConkey agar. STEC was isolated from the faeces of 7 (10.5%) animals. The eight strains isolated belonged to eight serotypes viz, O146:H1, O149:HNT, ONT:H34, ONT:H19, O88:HN, ONT:H2, O82:H8 and O28ac:H21. Bead enzyme linked immunosorbent assay showed that three strains produced Shiga toxin 1, one produced Shiga toxin 2 and four produced both.

Animals↗

Specificity of alpha-cyano-beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-n-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phe nyl]-propenamide as an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase has an essential function for the survival of human breast cancer cells. In a systematic effort to design potent and specific inhibitors of this receptor family protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) as antibreast cancer agents, we recently reported the construction of a three-dimensional homology model of the EGFR kinase domain. In this model, the catalytic site is defined by two beta-sheets that form an interface at the cleft between the NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal lobes of the kinase domain. Our modeling studies revealed a distinct, remarkably planar triangular binding pocket within the kinase domain with approximate dimensions of 15 A x 12 A x 12 A, and the thickness of the binding pocket is approximately 7 A with an estimated volume of approximately 600 A3 available for inhibitor binding. Molecular docking studies had identified alpha-cyano-beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-p ropenamide (LFM-A12) as our lead inhibitor, with an estimated binding constant of 13 microM, which subsequently inhibited EGFR kinase in vitro with an IC50 value of 1.7 microM. LFM-A12 was also discovered to be a highly specific inhibitor of the EGFR. Even at very high concentrations ranging from 175-350 microM, this inhibitor did not affect the enzymatic activity of other PTKs, including the Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK3, the Src family kinase HCK, the Tec family member Bruton's tyrosine kinase, SYK kinase, and the receptor family PTK insulin receptor kinase. This observation is in contrast to the activity of a quinazoline inhibitor tested as a control, 4-(3-bromo, 4-hydroxyanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline, which was shown to inhibit EGFR and other tyrosine kinases such as HCK, JAK3, and SYK.

Aniline Compounds↗

Immunization of cattle against Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum using larval antigens.

Development of immunity in cross-bred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) calves against Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, vector of bovine tropical theileriosis, was studied using larval antigen (LS) in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). Calves immunized with LS + FCA showed significant rejection of larvae (57.25 +/- 6.8) and nymphs (45.75 +/- 5.16). Abnormally fed larvae (11.4 +/- 0.8) and nymphs (8.25 +/- 1.2) were also recovered from immunized calves. This abnormal feeding may possibly be attributed to their inability to gain access to the blood vessels owing to the host immunological reactions. Consequently, feeding of extravascular fluid leads to white colour of fed ticks. Sera from all immunized calves after a week of immunization were positive for anti-LS antibodies in ELISA. The investigation indicates that LS in FCA enhanced anti-tick immunity.

Animals↗

Structure-based design of potent inhibitors of EGF-receptor tyrosine kinase as anti-cancer agents.

In a systematic effort to design inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) as anti-cancer agents, we have constructed a three-dimensional homology model of the EGFR kinase domain and used molecular modeling methods for the structure-based design of analogs of the active metabolite of leflunomide (LFM) with potent and specific inhibitory activity against EGFR. These docking studies identified alpha-cyano-beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-p ropenamide (LFM-A12) as our lead compound, which was predicted to bind to the EGFR catalytic site in a planar conformation. LFM-A12 inhibited the proliferation (IC50 = 26.3 microM) and in vitro invasiveness (IC50 = 28.4 microM) of EGFR positive human breast cancer cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. Similarly, the model of the EGFR binding pocket was used in combination with docking procedures to predict the favorable placement of chemical groups with defined sizes at multiple modification sites on another class of EGFR inhibitors, the 4-anilinoquinazoline. This approach has led to the successful design of a dibromo quinazoline derivative, WHI-P97, which had an estimated Ki value of 0.09 microM from modeling studies and a measured IC50 value of 2.5 microM in EGFR kinase inhibition assays. WHI-P97 effectively inhibited the in vitro invasiveness of EGFR-positive human cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. However, unlike LFM-A12, the quinazoline compounds are not specific for EGFR.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Interfacial and Micellization Behaviors of Binary and Ternary Mixtures of Amphiphiles (Tween-20, Brij-35, and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) in Aqueous Medium.

The formation of micelles of Tween-20 and Brij-35 as well as of SDS, Tween-20, and Brij-35 mixed in different proportions in aqueous medium has been physicochemically investigated. The critical micellar concentration (CMC), micellar aggregation number, counterion binding by micelles, micellar polarity, free energies of micellization and interfacial adsorption, and entropy of micellization have been evaluated by conductometric, tensiometric, and fluorimetric measurements. The solution composition has been found to have a complex say on the measured physicochemical parameters. The enthalpies of micellization of both Tween-20 + Brij-35 and SDS + Tween-20 + Brij-35 mixed surfactant systems have been found to be negligibly small. Attempts to understand the properties of mixed micelles (composition, mutual synergism, component activity coefficients, and CMC) have been made with the help of the propositions of Clint, Rubingh, and Rubingh and Holland. The mixed binary and ternary systems can be adequately described by these theories. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Interaction between caveolin-1 and the reductase domain of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase. Consequences for catalysis.

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) is targeted to caveoli through interaction with caveolin-1 (cav-1). cav-1 binding to a consensus site in the eNOS oxygenase domain is proposed to antagonize calmodulin (CaM) binding and thereby inhibit eNOS nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. To study the mechanism, we examined how cav-1 scaffolding domain peptide (amino acids 82-101; cav-1P) would affect NO synthesis, NADPH oxidation, cytochrome c reduction, and ferricyanide reduction by full-length eNOS or its isolated oxygenase and reductase domains. Cav-1P equivalently inhibited NO synthesis and NADPH oxidation by full-length eNOS in a manner reversible by CaM but did not affect NADPH-independent NO synthesis by full-length eNOS or its oxygenase domain, indicating inhibition required the reductase domain. Similar concentrations of cav-1P inhibited cytochrome c reduction by full-length eNOS or the reductase domain (amino acids 492-1205) in a CaM-reversible manner, indicating cav-1P interaction with reductase or full-length eNOS are equivalent. Ferricyanide reduction was unaffected by cav-1P in all cases. Immunoblotting showed that full-length eNOS, eNOS oxygenase, and eNOS reductase all bound to an immobilized glutathione S-transferase-cav-1 fusion protein. Thus, cav-1 interacts independently with both oxygenase and reductase domains of eNOS. The reductase interaction occurs independent of a cav-1 binding motif, is CaM-reversible, and is of sufficient affinity to match cav-1P inhibition of NO synthesis by full-length eNOS. We propose that cav-1 binding to eNOS reductase compromises its ability to bind CaM and to donate electrons to the eNOS heme, thereby inhibiting NO synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning, chromosomal localization and promoter analysis of the human transcription factor YY1.

Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a protein that activates and represses transcription of a large number of cellular and viral genes. In addition, studies suggest that YY1 may play an important role in development and differentiation. Here, we report the isolation and analysis of a YY1 genomic clone from a lambda human liver library. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with the YY1 clone has localized the YY1 gene to chromosome 14 band q32. A major YY1 gene transcription initiation site has been mapped to 478 bp upstream of the ATG translation start site. The proximal promoter contains multiple Sp1 transcription factor binding sites but lacks a consensus TATA or CCAAT box. Transient transfections and detailed deletion analyses localized the promoter to no more than 277 bp upstream from the major transcription start site. Finally, we have found that overexpression of the adenovirus E1A protein represses expression of a reporter gene directed by the YY1 promoter.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗