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Biomedical subjects

S K Das

Publications and source records attributed to S K Das.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Role of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors on secretion of surfactant in guinea pig alveolar type II cells.

Granular type II cells located in the alveolar epithelium synthesize and secrete pulmonary surfactant and have specialized ion transport system. Alveolar type II cells are stimulated to secrete pulmonary surfactant by a variety of agonists. One mechanism by which extracellular signals are perceived by cells is the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are present in both peripheral tissues and central nervous system. We have previously reported the presence of high density PBRs in lung and alveolar type II cells. It is known that both PBRs and beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) play an important role in cellular Ca2+ transport. Furthermore, we have suggested earlier that PBRs are someway functionally associated with the beta-ARs. The objective of the present study was to determine whether PBRs play any role in the secretion of surfactant by alveolar type II cells. Alveolar type II cells were isolated from normal weanling guinea pigs by panning method and incubated with 3H-palmitic acid in minimum essential medium to synthesize labelled dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). After washing, the cells were treated at 37 degrees C for one hour with 10 microM isoproterenol (IP) in the presence and absence of 10 microM Ro 5-4864, an agonist for PBRs. After one hour, the release of labelled DPPC in the medium was analyzed. The control cells released DPPC without any addition of a ligand. However, the treatment of cells with IP, Ro 5-4864 and IP + Ro 5-4864 caused 24, 52 and 17]% increase in the secretion of DPPC, respectively. In another experiment, type II cells were loaded with Fura-2 dye and treated with either IP or epineprine or Ro 5-4864. Both isoproterenol and epinephrine caused a significant increase in the level of cytosolic free Ca2+. However, Ro 5-4864 caused not only a decrease in the level of cytosolic free Ca2+ but also counteracted the stimulatory effect of IP. This may suggest that while ligands for ARs stimulate Ca2+ release into cytosol, the ligand for PBRs stimulates efflux of Ca2+ in alveolar type cells. Thus, the increased secretion of surfactant by the ligand of PBRs in alveolar type II cells may be mediated through its effects on increased Ca2+ efflux.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Changes in uterine expression of leukemia inhibitory factor during pregnancy in the Western spotted skunk.

Mutation of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) gene results in reproductive failure in LIF -/- mice due to an inability to implant their blastocysts. This condition is reversed by infusion of LIF or by transferral of embryos to pseudopregnant, wild-type mice. This led us to hypothesize that embryonic diapause in the spotted skunk is due to insufficient uterine expression of LIF whereas resumption of development and implantation are associated with increased LIF expression. We also investigated the hormonal control of LIF expression. Uterine concentrations of LIF mRNA were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Changes in cell-specific localization of LIF mRNA and protein were determined by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. LIF mRNA was detected but was not abundant during embryonic diapause; it then increased when blastocysts resumed development and remained elevated prior to implantation. LIF mRNA and protein could not be localized in the uterus during embryonic diapause but were quite apparent in luminal and glandular epithelium during blastocyst activation. Prolactin, progesterone, and estradiol failed to increase uterine concentrations of LIF mRNA above those in ovariectomized controls. These data are consistent with the initial hypothesis and suggest that LIF may somehow be involved in preparing the uterus for implantation in the spotted skunk.

Animals↗

Spatiotemporal expression of cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 during delayed implantation and the periimplantation period in the Western spotted skunk.

Embryonic development in the western spotted skunk is arrested after blastocyst formation for about 200 days. This developmental arrest is believed to be due to insufficiency of uterine conditions to support continuous development. Implantation and decidualization are defective in cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox2)-, but not Cox1-, deficient mice. We therefore used Northern and in situ hybridization to investigate changes in uterine expression of Cox1 and Cox2 genes during various stages of pregnancy in the spotted skunk. Cox1 was constitutively expressed at all stages of pregnancy examined, but it did exhibit localized up-regulation in the trophoblast and necks of uterine glands at early implantation sites. Cox2 expression was highly regulated with little or no expression during delayed implantation. Cox2 expression was first detected in the uterus and trophoblast prior to blastocyst attachment and remained detectable for 5-6 days after blastocyst attachment. Cox2 expression was also localized in the luminal and glandular epithelia of uterine segments located between implantation chambers. Changes in Cox expression were not correlated with the abrupt increase in uterine weight that occurs simultaneously with renewed embryonic development but was correlated with an influx of serum proteins into the uterus observed in a previous study.

Animals↗

Fatty-acid amide hydrolase is expressed in the mouse uterus and embryo during the periimplantation period.

Arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide) is an endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors. We demonstrated previously that the periimplantation mouse uterus has high levels of anandamide and can synthesize and hydrolyse anandamide. In the present investigation, we examined the expression of the recently identified fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene, which is involved in hydrolyzing anandamide to arachidonic acid and ethanolamine, in the periimplantation mouse embryo and uterus. As previously reported, Northern blot hybridization detected a transcript of approximately 2.5 kilobases of FAAH mRNA in whole uterine poly(A)+ RNA samples. The levels of this mRNA were higher in the liver and brain than in the uterus. In the uterus, higher accumulation of FAAH mRNA occurred on Days 1-4 followed by declines on later days (Days 5-8) of pregnancy. In situ hybridization detected this mRNA primarily in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells on Days 1-4 of pregnancy. With the progression of implantation (Days 5-8), accumulation of this mRNA was retained in the luminal and glandular epithelia. In addition, implanting blastocysts showed accumulation of this mRNA. FAAH mRNA accumulation was absent or minimal in the myometrium during this period. Western blotting detected an approximately 60-kDa protein in uterine membrane preparations. In preimplantation embryos, FAAH mRNA was present in one-cell and two-cell embryos but was absent in embryos at the eight-cell/morula stage. However, this mRNA was again detected in Day 4 blastocysts. The presence of FAAH mRNA in one- and two-cell embryos reflects accumulation of maternal message, while its presence in blastocysts reflects embryonic gene activation. Collectively, our present and previous results provide evidence that FAAH is expressed in the mouse uterus and embryo during early pregnancy to modulate local levels of anandamide that could be important for embryo development and implantation.

Amidohydrolases↗

Characterization of cyclooxygenase in laryngeal papilloma by molecular techniques.

OBJECTIVES: Demonstrate the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in laryngeal papilloma Discuss the possible causal role of COX-2 in papilloma formation. Consider the potential for treatment of papilloma using selective COX-2 inhibitors. STUDY DESIGN: Molecular biological analysis of COX-1 and COX-2 in laryngeal papilloma. METHODS: Tissue samples from five patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) were analyzed by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical staining, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques. RESULTS: In situ hybridization to COX-2 mRNA showed strong autoradiographic signal surrounding fibrovascular cores. COX-1 autoradiographic signal was low intensity or nondetectable. Normal buccal mucosa biopsies showed low-density or nondetectable autoradiographic signal for both COX-1 and COX-2 mRNAs. In situ hybridization results were corroborated by RT-PCR studies. Levels of COX-2 mRNA were 13-fold more than those in normal mucosa. Immunohistochemical staining for COX-1 and COX-2 showed a similar pattern to that seen with in situ hybridization in both normal and papilloma tissues. CONCLUSIONS: There is an elevation of COX-2 expression in papilloma tissues. This may represent a causal role of COX-2 in the formation and proliferation of laryngeal papilloma. There may also be a role for selective COX-2 inhibition for the treatment of

Autoradiography↗

Profile of non-compressive myelopathy in eastern India: a 2-year study.

Eighty-two patients with non-compressive myelopathy have been studied from July 1994 to June 1996 in Bangur Institute of Neurology and S.S.K.M. Hospital, Calcutta, of which 48 patients were men and 34 patients were women. Presentation was acute in 40 patients (48.78%), subacute in 7 (8.53%), chronic in 27 (32.92%) and history of relapse and remission in 8 (9.75%) patients. Preceding as well as simultaneous fever was observed in 16 cases (19.5%); vaccination (anti-rabies) in 1 case (1.21%); drug abuse in 1 case (1.21%); arthralgia-myalgia and rash in 2 cases (2.42%) and history of electrocution in 2 cases (2.42%). Only pyramidal tract involvement was present in 24 cases (29.26%) and remaining 58 cases (70.73%) had pyramidal tract affection with other sites of involvement. CSF study carried out in 60 cases, revealed rise of protein in 31 (37.8%); oligoclonal band had been detected in 6 (7.31%), pleocytosis in 18 cases (21.95%) and increased IgG index greater than 6.66 in 2 cases (2.42%). CT myelogram done in 23 cases revealed no abnormality. MRI study carried out in 59 cases showed myelomalacia in 1 (1.21%); demyelination plaque in 14 cases (17.07%); atrophy of cord in 3 (3.65%); infarction of cord in 1 (1.21%) and in 40 cases (48.78%) no abnormality could be detected. Etiological diagnosis could be established in 59 (71.95%) cases such as transverse myelitis or myelopathy (post infectious) in 24 (29.26%); demyelination in 16 (19.51%); vascular and vasculitis in 3 (3.65%); toxic in 1 (1.21%); physical (electrocution) in 2 cases (2.42%). In the remaining 23 cases (28.04%) no aetiological factors could be found.

Adult↗

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and fractal characteristics of percolation clusters in two-dimensional tumor blood perfusion.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) of the tumor blood pool is used to study tumor tissue perfusion. The results are then analyzed using percolation models. Percolation cluster geometry is depicted using the wash-in component of MRI contrast signal intensity. Fractal characteristics are determined for each two-dimensional cluster. The invasion percolation model is used to describe the evolution of the tumor perfusion front. Although tumor perfusion can be depicted rigorously only in three dimensions, two-dimensional cases are used to validate the methodology. It is concluded that the blood perfusion in a two-dimensional tumor vessel network has a fractal structure and that the evolution of the perfusion front can be characterized using invasion percolation. For all the cases studied, the front starts to grow from the periphery of the tumor (where the feeding vessel was assumed to lie) and continues to grow toward the center of the tumor, accounting for the well-documented perfused periphery and necrotic core of the tumor tissue.

Animals↗

Computational techniques for fast hyperthermia temperature optimization.

Hyperthermia temperature optimization involves arriving at a temperature distribution which minimizes a stated goal function, the goal function having a biological basis in maximizing tumor cell kill while not exceeding normal tissue toxicity. This involves the computationally intensive process of multiple evaluations of the temperature goal function, requiring repeated evaluations of the power deposition and its corresponding temperature distribution. Two computational schemes are proposed to expedite the temperature optimization process: (1) temperature distribution evaluation by superpositioning precomputed distributions, and (2) using representative tissue groups (rather than every point in the domain) to evaluate the goal function. The application of these schemes is illustrated with a typical optimization problem, as applied to symmetric and asymmetric, heterogeneous models. Application of these schemes reduced the optimization time on a DEC Alpha 1000 4/266 (Alpha is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.) from several h to min, with little difference in results. The computational schemes, though demonstrated in the context of electromagnetic hyperthermia, are generally applicable to other forms of nonionizing radiation employed in hyperthermia therapy.

Humans↗

Two-surgeon approach to thoracic outlet syndrome: long-term outcome.

An orthopaedic surgeon and a vascular surgeon jointly conducted 30 operations for thoracic outlet syndrome in 27 patients, having done the preoperative assessments in conjunction with a neurologist. Anterior scalenectomy was performed by the supraclavicular route except in one case where the infraclavicular route was used. The further surgical procedure was tailored to the abnormalities identified--i.e. resection of cervical rib or band, or medial scalenectomy. The first rib was spared. At median follow-up of 37 months (range 3-228) results were judged excellent or good on 26/30 sides (87%); on the three occasions when scalenectomy alone was performed, the results were only fair or poor. There were no major complications and no patient required reoperation. The long-term outcome in this series suggests that, with multidisciplinary assessment and two-surgeon operative treatment, good results can be obtained by the supraclavicular route without resection of the first rib.

Adolescent↗

Differential uterine expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors correlates with uterine preparation for implantation and decidualization in the mouse.

The present investigation examined the spatiotemporal expression of estrogen receptors (ER-alpha and ER-beta) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the periimplantation mouse uterus (days 1-8). ER-alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected at much higher levels in the periimplantation uterus compared with that of ER-beta mRNA, the levels of which were very low in all uterine cells during this period. Results of in situ hybridization demonstrated expression of ER-alpha mRNA primarily in the luminal and glandular epithelia on days 1 and 2 of pregnancy. On days 3 and 4, the accumulation was localized primarily in stromal cells in addition to its presence in the epithelium. Following implantation on day 5, the accumulation of this mRNA was more condensed in the luminal and glandular epithelia, but declined in the subluminal epithelial stroma at the sites of implanting embryos. On days 6-8, the accumulation of ER-alpha mRNA was primarily localized in the secondary decidual zone (SDZ) with more intense localization in the subepithelial cells at the mesometrial pole. In contrast, signals were very low to undetectable in the primary decidual zone (PDZ), and no signals were detected in implanting embryos. The undifferentiated stroma underneath the myometrium also showed positive signals. The immunolocalization of ER-alpha protein correlated with the mRNA localization. Western blot analysis showed down-regulation of ER-alpha in day 8 decidual cell extracts consistent with the down-regulation of ER-alpha mRNA in decidual cells immediately surrounding the embryo on this day. The expression pattern of PR was also dynamic in the periimplantation uterus. On day 1, the accumulation of PR mRNA was very low to undetectable, whereas only a modest level of accumulation in the epithelium was noted on day 2. On days 3 and 4, the accumulation of this mRNA was detected in both the epithelium and stroma. In contrast, the expression was restricted only to the stroma with increased signals at the sites of implantation on day 5. On days 6-8, PR mRNA accumulation increased dramatically throughout the deciduum. The localization of immunoreactive PR correlated with the mRNA distribution in the periimplantation uterus. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the expression of ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PR is differentially regulated in the periimplantation mouse uterus. This compartmentalized expression of ER and PR provides information regarding the sites of coordinated effects ofestrogen and progesterone in the preparation of the uterus for implantation and decidualization during early pregnancy.

Animals↗

Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in the baboon endometrium during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of PGs. PGs together with ovarian steroids play important regulatory roles in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in a number of different species. In the primate, little is known about the role of PGs in these processes. In this study, the uterine expression of COX-1 and COX-2 throughout the menstrual cycle [late follicular, day 5 postovulation (PO), day 10 PO, and day 14 PO] and pregnancy (days 12-18, day 39, day 51, and near term) was analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry. During the menstrual cycle, the highest expression of COX-1 occurred in luteal phase endometrium and was localized to the surface and glandular epithelium. The stromal cells did not express detectable levels of COX-1 at any time. COX-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, as measured by RT-PCR, was evident at all stages of the menstrual cycle, and in situ hybridization showed specific localization for this mRNA in the epithelial cells during the cycle. Treatment of animals with the antiprogestin (ZK 137.316) for 9 days (beginning on the day of the LH surge) inhibited COX-1 expression in the epithelium when the tissue was analyzed on day 10 PO, whereas COX-2 expression disappeared in the epithelium and increased in the stroma. With the onset of pregnancy, COX-1 expression in epithelial cells decreased dramatically. In contrast, COX-2 continued to be detected on the surface epithelium and was also strongly expressed specifically in the stromal cells at the site of implantation. Immunocytochemical staining for COX-2 showed the same pattern of expression for the protein as the message. Finally, near-term decidua expressed very little COX-1 or COX-2 mRNA. These studies suggest that in the baboon endometrium, COX-1 expression is regulated primarily by progesterone, whereas regulation of COX-2 expression may involve additional mediators of embryonic origin at the site of implantation.

Animals↗

Uterine decidual response occurs in estrogen receptor-alpha-deficient mice.

Embryo-uterine interactions leading to the attachment reaction is followed by stromal cell proliferation and differentiation into decidual cells (decidualization) at the sites of blastocyst apposition. In rodents, decidualization is also induced by application of an artificial stimulus (intraluminal oil infusion) in a pseudopregnant uterus, or to one that has been appropriately prepared by exogenous progesterone (P4) and estrogen. The process of decidualization is under the control of these steroids in the presence of blastocysts or deciduogenic stimuli. Although it is well known that estrogen is required for the induction of progesterone receptors in the uterus, the functional importance of estrogen in the process of decidualization is poorly understood. To better understand the role of estrogenic actions in decidualization, we used wild-type and estrogen receptor-alpha knock-out (ERKO) mice for induction of decidualization employing a defined steroid hormonal treatment schedule. Our results demonstrate that P4 alone induces decidualization in ovariectomized wild-type or ERKO mice in response to intraluminal oil infusion in the absence of estrogen. A combined treatment of either estradiol-17beta (E2) or its catecholmetabolite 4-hydroxyestradiol-17beta(4-OH-E2) with P4 does not potentiate the decidual response produced by P4 treatment alone in either ovariectomized wild-type or ERKO mice. The induction of decidual response was associated with up-regulation of decidual cell marker genes, such as progesterone receptor, metallothionein-1, and cyclooxygenase-2. The results suggest that the stromal cell sensitivity to decidualization is critically dependent on P4-regulated events, and estrogenic induction of progesterone receptor via classical nuclear ER-alpha is not critical for this process.

Animals↗

Multiple roles for heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor are suggested by its cell-specific expression during the human endometrial cycle and early placentation.

Embryonic expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor as well as embryonic and steroid-dependent uterine secretion of its ligand, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), are temporally associated with the period of blastocyst implantation. We examined the temporal cell type-specific expression of HB-EGF in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Early first trimester implantation sites were also examined to determine HB-EGF protein levels in decidual and fetal tissues. In the endometrial stroma, HB-EGF protein expression increased markedly during the late proliferative phase and then decreased in the early secretory phase. By contrast, luminal and glandular epithelial cells as well as blood vessel endothelium accumulated the protein between midcycle and cycle day 20, with peak expression observed during the period of uterine receptivity for implantation. HB-EGF expression decreased dramatically at the end of the cycle, before menses. Spatiotemporal expression of HB-EGF messenger ribonucleic acid demonstrated a similar pattern. During early pregnancy, HB-EGF immunostaining was noted in the decidua and in both villous and extravillous trophoblast populations. These findings suggest that HB-EGF promotes implantation and trophoblast invasion through paracrine and autocrine signaling as cells penetrate the stroma and displace the arteriole endothelium.

Adolescent↗

Cyclin D3 in the mouse uterus is associated with the decidualization process during early pregnancy.

In the mouse, the attachment reaction between the blastocyst trophectoderm and the receptive uterine luminal epithelium occurs at 2200-2300 h on day 4 of pregnancy and is rapidly followed by transformation of stromal cells into decidual cells (decidual cell reaction). This process can also be induced experimentally (deciduoma) by intraluminal oil infusion in the uterus on day 4 of pseudopregnancy. The decidual cell reaction is associated with up- and down-regulation of many genes in a cell-specific manner. Using mRNA differential display, we identified cyclin D3 as one of the genes that is upregulated in the uterus at the sites of blastocyst apposition during the attachment reaction. The levels of expression were low in the morning of days 1-4 as determined by Northern hybridization. In situ hybridization analysis showed that on days 1 and 2, signals were primarily localized in uterine epithelial cells, while signals were detected in both the stromal and epithelial cells on days 3 and 4. In contrast, with the initiation and progression of decidualization on days 5, 6 and 7, the levels of cyclin D3 mRNA were remarkably upregulated in stromal cells both at the mesometrial and the antimesometrial poles. However, on day 8, signals were primarily localized in stromal cells at the mesometrial decidual bed. Implanting blastocysts on these days also expressed cyclin D3 mRNA. In the progesterone-treated delayed implanting mice, the uterine levels of cyclin D3 mRNA were modest at the sites of blastocyst apposition, but were upregulated with the onset of implantation by estradiol-17beta. However, the decidual expression of cyclin D3 mRNA was not dependent on the presence of blastocysts, since increased expression also occurred in experimentally induced deciduoma in the absence of blastocysts. The importance of cyclin D3 in decidualization was further examined in Hoxa-10-deficient mice which show defective decidualization. The expression of cyclin D3 mRNA in Hoxa-10(-/-) uteri on day 5 was severely compromised after application of a deciduogenic stimulus on day 4 of pseudopregnancy. Collectively, the results suggest that cyclin D3 could be important for the process of decidualization.

Animals↗

Clinical profile of multiple sclerosis in Bengal.

Forty five patients of multiple sclerosis diagnosed on the basis of Poser's criteria from West Bengal were studied. The male-female ratio was 1:1.5, mean age of onset 31.83 years in male and 29.11 years in females. The maximum cases were between the 3rd and 4th decade. Definite MS comprised of 60%, while remaining 40% were probable. Visual impairment (53.33%), weakness of limbs (31.11%) and sensory paraesthesia (20%) were the common presenting symptoms whereas pyramidal tract involvement (93.33%) with absent abdominal reflexes (90%) and optic pallor (64.44%) were common signs. Posterior column and spinothalamic sensations were involved in 55% and 51% of cases respectively. Inter-nuclear ophthalmoplegia was present in 6.66% of cases. Pattern of involvement commonly showed three or more sites of lesion. Optico-spinal affection was present in 22.2% of cases. Relapsing and remitting course was found in 48. 91%, relapsing and progressive course in 33.33% and chronic progressive in 17.8%. MRI of brain showed positive results in 16 out of 23 cases. CSF study showed increased positivity in estimation of immunoglobulin level than oligoclonal band. Findings revalidate the disease pattern as being similar to that in other parts of India as well as Asia.

Adult↗

Heterogeneity of human red blood cell membrane: co-existence of heavy and light membranes.

The exact chemical composition of the red blood cell (RBC) membrane may vary depending on the methods used to isolate the membrane. We provide evidence here that RBC membrane can be fractionated by differential centrifugation and/or density gradient centrifugation into two distinct types, designated as 'heavy membrane' (HM) and 'light membrane' (LM). The amount of LM is twice that of HM on a per cell basis. HM and LM differ in some biochemical and electrophoretic properties. The total activities of Na+, K+- and Ca2+-ATPases, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase are significantly higher in LM than HM on a per cell basis. While there is no significant difference in the specific activity of other enzymes between the two membranes, the specific activity of Ca2+-ATPase is significantly higher in HM, whereas Na+,K+-ATPase activity is higher in LM. There is a remarkable difference in the distribution of major ghost polypeptides between these two membranes. Component I of spectrin, component III and a protein with mol. wt. of 165 KDa are present in smaller amounts, whereas component II of spectrin and proteins with mol. wt. of 145, 84 and 76 KDa, respectively, are present in higher amounts in HM than LM. Some proteins such as band 4.1, 48 and 46 KDa are present only in LM, whereas some proteins with mol. wt. of 96, 78 and 43 KDa, respectively are present only in HM. It has been confirmed that these two membranes are not representatives of either (a) right side-out vs. inside out vesicles, or (b) open vs. sealed membranes. Thus HM and LM are two distinct membrane fractions. It is suggested that some part of the membrane is denser than other parts, and during hemolysis of RBCs, the rbc membrane is spliced resulting in two populations, dense and light.

Blood Proteins↗