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Biomedical subjects

S Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to S Gupta.

At least 1,207 records · Page 67Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Tear film profile in dry eye.

Tear film profile was studied in 100 consecutive patients with dry eye along with 100 age and sex matched controls. The frequency of abnormal tear function tests observed in patients with dry eye and controls was: marginal tear strip 93% and 11%, rose bengal staining 89% and 0%, lissamine green staining 87% and 0%, BUT 79% and 14%, Schirmer test 79% and 3% and fluorescein staining 69% and 0%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between tear pH of patients with dry eye and that of normal healthy subjects. A new, simple and effective objective criteria of confirming and grading dry eye based upon a points scoring system derived from the results of various tear film tests is suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Topical indomethacin for vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Twenty-five patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) were treated with 1% indomethacin eyedrops and were followed for 5 weeks. Apart from 4 patients all of them showed marked improvement. The possible mechanism of the role of indomethacin in VKC is discussed.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1991

Tear lysozyme levels in bacterial, fungal and viral corneal ulcers.

Low levels of tear lysozyme were observed in patients with infective corneal ulcers, when compared with controls. Lowest levels were seen in patients with bacterial corneal ulcers. The levels of tear lysozyme showed a corresponding decrease with the increase in Schirmer test values; meaning thereby, that in ocular conditions associated with increased rate of tear flow, the lysozyme content in tears tends to be low.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A new U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein-specific protein conserved between cis- and trans-splicing systems.

Spliceosomal U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) plays a central role in the pre-mRNA splicing mechanism and is highly conserved throughout evolution. Previously, a sequence element essential for both capping and cytoplasmic-nuclear transport of U6 snRNA was mapped in the 5'-terminal domain of U6 snRNA. We have identified a protein in cytoplasmic extracts of mammalian and Trypanosoma brucei cells that binds specifically to this U6 snRNA element. Competition studies with mutant and heterologous RNAs demonstrated the conserved binding specificity of the mammalian and trypanosomal proteins. The in vitro capping analysis of mutant U6 snRNAs indicated that protein binding is required but not sufficient for capping of U6 snRNA by a gamma-monomethyl phosphate. Through RNA affinity purification of mammalian small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), we detected this protein also in nuclear extract as a new specific component of the U6 snRNP but surprisingly not of the U4/U6 or the U4/U5/U6 multi-snRNP. These results suggest that the U6-specific protein is involved in U6 snRNA maturation and transport and may therefore be functionally related to the Sm proteins of the other spliceosomal snRNPs.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Clinical predictors and radiological reliability in atlantoaxial subluxation in Down's syndrome.

Clinical signs and symptoms that might predict atlantoaxial subluxation were studied prospectively in 135 of 180 children with Down's syndrome aged 6-14 years who form the Hester Adrian Research Centre cohort. Lateral radiographs of the cervical spine were taken in flexed, extended, and neutral positions, and the percentage of abnormalities in each view was 14, 10, and 10%, respectively. Gait was the only significant clinical predictor. The relative risk of having an abnormal neck radiograph with an abnormal gait was 2.91 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1 to 8). The sensitivity was 50% and the specificity 81%. Nineteen children had repeat radiographs to assess the reliability of radiological diagnosis. Six had abnormalities; five of 19 (26%) had an abnormality on the first radiograph, and four of 19 (21%) had an abnormality on a second radiograph, but only three (15%) had an abnormality on both occasions in any view (95% CI 0 to 25). We conclude that radiographs of the cervical spine are unreliable at identifying atlantoaxial subluxation in children with Down's syndrome, and we failed to identify any reliable clinical predictor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Endothelin stimulates Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity by a protein kinase C-dependent pathway in rabbit aorta.

Incubation with endothelin (Endo) caused a time- and concentration-dependent increase in both ouabain-sensitive (OS) and ouabain-insensitive (OI) 86Rb+ uptake [half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) for OS component = 11 nM] in the rabbit aorta. Increase in the OS component [Na(+)-K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity] accounted for 70% of the 110% increase in total 86Rb+ uptake at a maximally effective concentration of Endo (100 nM). Protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBU; 100 nM) increased total 86Rb+ uptake by 69%, with 42% of the increase in the OS component. Stimulation by Endo and PDBU was not additive. Staurosporine (STA; 100 nM) inhibited stimulation of total 86Rb+ uptake by Endo and PDBU by approximately 60%. With ouabain and STA added together, inhibition of Endo-stimulated total 86Rb+ uptake (90%) was greater than with either agent alone, suggesting that STA inhibits an OS as well as an OI component of 86Rb+ uptake. Stimulation of total 86Rb+ uptake by both Endo and PDBU were also inhibited by approximately 60% by the Na(+)-H+ exchange inhibitor 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA). Endo-stimulated total 86Rb+ uptake was not further inhibited when ouabain was added together with EIPA, suggesting that Na(+)-H+ exchange is primarily linked to the OS component of 86Rb+ uptake. In contrast, Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport inhibitor bumetanide inhibited increases in total 86Rb+ uptake caused by Endo (30%) and PDBU (56%) due solely to its effects on OI 86Rb+ uptake. Results suggest that Endo stimulates Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in rabbit aorta by activating PKC and Na(+)-H+ exchange.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1991

Effects of PGE2 and a thromboxane A2 analogue on uptake of IgG complexes and LDL by mesangial cells.

Vasoactive agents such as angiotensin (ANG) and eicosanoids can influence macromolecular deposition in the glomerular mesangium. We studied whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and U-46619 (a stable analogue of thromboxane A2) could directly affect the uptake of immunoglobulin G (IgG) complexes or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by cultured rat mesangial cells (MC). Preincubation of MC with PGE2 (10(-6) M) resulted in decreased uptake (in counts.min-1.well-1) of IgG complexes (PGE2, 2,589 +/- 72; control, 3,840 +/- 114; P less than 0.001) and LDL particles (PGE2, 23,176 +/- 1,145; control, 37,216 +/- 4,520; P less than 0.05). MC preincubated with forskolin (10(-5) M) also showed decreased uptake of IgG complexes (forskolin, 2,896 +/- 196; control, 3,840 +/- 114; P less than 0.005) and LDL particles (forskolin, 23,176 +/- 1,145; control, 37,216 +/- 4,520; P less than 0.05). In contrast, preincubation with ANG II (5 x 10(-7) M) showed significantly higher uptake of IgG complexes (ANG II, 4,475 +/- 282; control, 3,787 +/- 277; P less than 0.05) and LDL (ANG II, 48,573 +/- 1,079; control, 44,697 +/- 770; P less than 0.05). Similarly, preincubation with U-46619 (10(-6) M) resulted in significantly higher uptake of IgG complexes (U-46619, 5,370 +/- 300; control, 3,659 +/- 307; P less than 0.02) and LDL (U-46619, 48,298 +/- 1,418; control, 44,697 +/- 770; P less than 0.05). After preincubation with cyclooxygenase inhibitor meclofenamate (10(-6) M), ANG II (5 x 10(-7) M) resulted in a significantly higher uptake of IgG complexes compared with uptake by MC treated with ANG II alone (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1991

Utility of late N-isopropyl-p-(iodine-123)-iodoamphetamine brain distribution in predicting outcome following cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine utility of late N-isopropyl-p-(iodine-123)-iodoamphetamine distribution in predicting neurological and language outcome. METHODS: We prospectively studied 29 patients with unilateral hemispheric ischemic cerebral infarction using the neuroimaging method of single-photon emission computed tomography and the above tracer. Four different imaging measures reflecting late tracer distribution or redistribution and three measures indicative of the patients' overall neurological or language outcome at 3 months were used in the data analysis. All patients had neuroimaging within 30 days of infarction, and 14 patients were imaged within 10 days of infarction. Data analysis was performed for all patients combined and then separately on the groups imaged within 10 days of and more than 10 days after infarction. RESULTS: The volume of the late image defect significantly correlated with one measure of neurological outcome in the whole group and in those imaged more than 10 days after cerebral infarction. However, these results are difficult to explain based on the present understanding of the physiology of late N-isopropyl-p-(iodine-123)-iodoamphetamine distribution. CONCLUSIONS: We feel that the pattern of late N-isopropyl-p-(iodine-123)-iodoamphetamine distribution is probably not useful as an independent predictor of neurological and language outcome.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Reversal of daunorubicin resistance in P388/ADR cells by itraconazole.

Itraconazole is a recently developed triazole antifungal agent that inhibits cell membrane sterol biosynthesis. Itraconazole, in a dose-dependent manner, enhanced intracellular accumulation of daunorubicin and reversed the drug resistance in murine leukemia P388/ADR cells. In addition, itraconazole corrected the altered plasma membrane potentials of P388/ADR cells. The concentrations of itraconazole that reversed drug resistance are comparable to the plasma levels achieved by therapeutic dosage used in the treatment of fungal infections. Therefore, itraconazole is a potential candidate for in vivo use to reverse multidrug resistance in cancer with added benefit of its antifungal property.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Psychosis in migrants from the Indian subcontinent and English-born controls. A preliminary study on the use of psychiatric services.

A cohort of first-generation Asian immigrants who received a diagnosis of a functional psychosis at the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals were compared with an English-born control group. The Asians were found to have spent a lower total percentage of time in the two hospitals, had fewer in-patient admissions per year, and had a shorter average duration of stay in hospital than the matched controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cadmium-mediated induction of cellular defence mechanism: a novel example for the development of adaptive response against a toxicant.

Early response to the exposure of cadmium includes the enhancement in lipid peroxidation with the concomitant impairment in antioxidative defence mechanism. This investigation deals with the delayed response of cadmium induced stimulation of endogenous defence response against its oxidative damage. The administration of cadmium led to an increase in the hepatic enzymatic and nonenzymatic defence armory in a dose dependent manner 72 hrs post its administration. This includes respectively an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and in the levels of glutathione, metallothionein and zinc. Cadmium administration also stimulated serum ceruloplasmin activity in a dose dependent manner. These changes are accompanied by the concomitant decrease in the peroxidative damage to lipids. Our results suggest the development of a delayed adaptive/defence response as a result of exposure to cadmium.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Temperature induced changes in microsomal (Na+,K+)-ATPase and lipid composition of Candida kefyr.

Growth temperature affected both the membrane lipid composition and microsoma (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity of Candida kefyr. Higher growth, temperature (37 degrees C) increased the amount of total lipids, phospholipids and free sterol. Ratios of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine as well saturated to unsaturated fatty acids increased with a rise in growth temperature. Km of the ATPase isolated from the yeast grown at 27 degrees C was minimum, suggesting that the membranes of C. kefyr grown at optimal growth temperature provide the most suitable environment for the activity of ATPase.

Candida↗
PubMed1991

Myelin basic protein-messenger RNA (MBP-mRNA) expression during triethyltin-induced myelin edema.

Triethyltin (TET) is a neurotoxicant that produces severe but transient cerebral edema, characterized ultrastructurally by vacuolation of the intraperiod line of central nervous system (CNS) myelin. TET has been reported to depress levels of myelin basic protein (MBP), a protein thought to play a critical role in myelin compaction. In the present study, the genomic expression (i.e., mRNA) of MBP was monitored throughout the pathogenesis of TET-induced myelin edema and recovery in Sprague-Dawley rats given a single injection of a neuropathic (8.0 mg/kg) or non-neuropathic (0.8 mg/kg) dose of TET-bromide. Levels of MBP-mRNA from the anterior and posterior brain were collected 1 hr, 3 hr, 2d, and 7d, postexposure. The optic nerve and caudal brainstem, representing anterior and posterior brain sites, respectively, were examined at the same time-points for ultrastructural evidence of edema and recovery. Our data indicate that neuropathic doses (8.0 mg/kg) of TET significantly stimulated MBP transcript throughout the brain at all exposure time-points. The magnitude and time-course of this stimulation differed in the anterior and posterior brain, with the latter region showing higher levels of MBP-mRNA. In the posterior brain, the highest levels of mRNA correlated with the appearance of edema in the caudal brainstem. In the anterior brain, MBP-mRNA levels were only marginally increased over controls. Ultrastructural evidence of myelin edema was confined to the brainstem in rats treated with neuropathic dose of TET. Intralamellar vacuolation appeared at 3 hr and 2d postexposure and could be correlated with peak levels of MBP transcript, whereas, recompacted myelin, which appeared by 7d postexposure, was associated with declining levels of the mRNA. Ultrastructural changes in the oligodendroglia were suggestive of metabolic stimulation and correlated with high MBP-mRNA levels. In summary, these data indicate that an initial genomic event in TET-induced myelin edema is stimulation of MBP transcript.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Gene probe for P0 messenger RNA used to index acrylamide toxic neuropathy in rats.

Cumulative exposure to the neurotoxicant acrylamide produces axonal damage in the distal ends of both central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nerve fibers and subsequent hind-limb paralysis. The messenger RNA which codes for the PNS myelin glycoprotein P0 (P0-mRNA) was used to monitor this toxic neuropathy in Sprague Dawley rats prior to, concurrent with, and subsequent to, ultrastructurally and immunocytochemically defined nerve damage. Rats were dosed every other day with acrylamide (50 mg/kg, IP) and sampled intermittently throughout a 4 week exposure period. Slot blot and Northern gel analyses of the proximal and distal sciatic nerve were used to determine a quantitated measure of P0-mRNA. Twenty-four hours after the first treatment, in the absence of ultrastructural damage, P0-mRNA increased 55% over control levels in the distal sciatic nerve. After 12 treatments, and concomitant with the appearance of spinal cord and PNS neuropathic damage and hindlimb dysfunction, P0-mRNA decreased 45% below control levels. Levels of P0-mRNA from rats exposed to 12 treatments of acrylamide but allowed to recover for 40 days, returned to 79% of control values to reflect the regeneration and remyelination occurring in the distal sciatic nerve. In spite of these fluctuations in levels of P0-mRNA, immunocytochemical staining of P0 protein in plastic sections of the distal sciatic nerve was present throughout all sample times. These results suggest that changes in neural specific mRNAs are sensitive to neurotoxic damage and can be used to monitor the pathogenesis of nerve degeneration.

Acrylamide↗
PubMed1991

Purification, partial characterization of rat kidney hyaluronic acid binding protein and its localization on the cell surface.

Hyaluronic acid binding protein (HABP) has been purified to homogeneity from normal adult rat kidney by hyaluronate Sepharose affinity chromatography, and its apparent molecular mass was found to be 68 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of HABP under reducing as well as nonreducing conditions revealed a single protein band of 34 kDa, thus indicating that kidney HABP is a homodimer and lacks interchain disulfide bond. Its glycoprotein nature was demonstrated by Con-A binding analysis. The pI value of kidney HABP was 6, indicating its acidic nature. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against it, and the monospecificity of the antibodies towards HABP was confirmed by Western blot analysis of tissue extracts. Immunoblot analysis has elucidated the occurrence of this glycoprotein in various tissues. Moreover, HABP present in these tissues are shown to be structurally and immunologically identical. However, this glycoprotein is antigenically distinct from other well characterized extracellular proteins, e.g., fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV. With the help of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and iodinated [125I]HABP, it has been shown that kidney HABP binds specifically to hyaluronic acid (HA) amongst all the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), however, HABP can interact with other matrix proteins, e.g., laminin, fibronectin, and collagen type IV. The apparent dissociation constants of HABP for HA, laminin, fibronectin, and collagen type IV were approximately in the range of 10(-9) M, and kinetic analysis showed that these binding interactions were complex and of positive cooperative nature. Indirect immunofluorescence staining demonstrated its localization on human fetus lung fibroblast cell surface. Detection of 34 kDa HABP in the serum-free supernatant culture medium of fibroblasts was further evident by immunoblot analysis, thus confirming the secretory nature of HABP and its occurrence in the extracellular matrix.

Aging↗