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Biomedical subjects

M I Khan

Publications and source records attributed to M I Khan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The impact of new regulations on the incidence and severity of ocular injury sustained in hurling.

AIM: To prospectively evaluate, and compare, the incidence of hurling-related eye injuries in the South East of Ireland before and after implementation of new rules rendering the use of protective head gear and face masks compulsory for players aged 18 years or under. METHODS: Details relating to patients attending the regional ophthalmic department with injuries sustained during hurling were prospectively recorded between 1 October 2003 and 31 March 2006. RESULTS: Sixty players attended with hurling-related ocular injuries during the study period. Of these, 43 (71.6%) and 17 (28.3%) sustained the ocular injuries during the 15-month period before, and after implementation of the new rules (1 January 2005), respectively. Restricting our analysis to players aged 18 years or under, and, for statistical validity, to the 12-month period immediately before and immediately after implementation of the new rules, a statistically significant reduction in the number of hurling-related injuries was seen (1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004: 11; 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005: 2; chi(2) test P<0.05) in this age group. A permanent visual deficit was seen in 11 (18.3%) patients. Of these, one (9%) was aged 18 years or under, and this injury was sustained before the new regulations. CONCLUSION: New rules rendering the use of protective eye wear compulsory for players aged 18 years or under have resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of hurling-related eye injuries in this age group.

Adult↗

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of a lectin from Cicer arietinum (chickpea).

The lectin isolated from mature seeds of Cicer arietinum (CAL) agglutinates pronase-treated rabbit and human erythrocytes and its haemagglutination activity is inhibited by fetuin and desialated fetuin but not by simple monosaccharides or oligosaccharides. The purified lectin is a dimer of molecular weight 43,000 Da composed of two identical subunits (MW 21,500), as confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The lectin has been crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 295 K over a well solution containing 0.2 M sodium acetate, 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.5 and 14%(w/v) polyethylene glycol 8000. The triangular prism-shaped crystals belong to space group R3 and have unit-cell parameters a = b = 81.2, c = 69.4 A. The diffraction data are 93.8% complete to 2.3 A Bragg spacing with an Rmerge of 0.103.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two orthorhombic crystal structures of a galactose-specific lectin from Artocarpus hirsuta in complex with methyl-alpha-D-galactose.

Based on their carbohydrate specificity, the jacalin family of lectins can be divided into two groups: galactose-specific and mannose-specific. The former are cytoplasmic proteins, whereas the latter are localized in the storage vacuoles of cells. It has been proposed that the post-translational modification in some of the lectins that splits their polypeptide chains into two may be crucial for galactose specificity. The mannose-specific members of the family are single-chain proteins that lack the above modification. Although the galactose-specific and the mannose-specific jacalin-type lectins differ in their sequences, they share a common fold: the beta-prism I fold, which is characteristic of Moraceae plant lectins. Here, two crystal structures of a jacalin-related lectin from Artocarpus hirsuta, which is specific for galactose, in complex with methyl-alpha-D-galactose are reported. The lectin crystallized in two orthorhombic forms and one hexagonal form under similar conditions. The crystals had an unusually high solvent content. The structure was solved using the molecular-replacement method using the jacalin structure as a search model. The two orthorhombic forms were refined using data to 2.5 and 3.0 A resolution, respectively. The structures of the A. hirsuta lectin and jacalin are identical. In orthorhombic form I the crystal packing provides three different micro-environments for sugar binding in the same crystal. The observed difference in the specificity for oligosaccharides between the A. hirsuta lectin and jacalin could only be explained based on differences in the molecular associations in the packing and variation of the C-terminal length of the beta-chain. The observed insecticidal activity of A. hirsuta lectin may arise from its similar fold to domain II of the unrelated delta-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of hemagglutinins in the midgut extracts of two lines of Aedes aegypti in their susceptibility to Dengue-2 virus.

Hemagglutinin activity (HA) was studied in the midgut extracts from highly (h) and lowly susceptible strains of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to Dengue-2 virus (DEN-2). HA in the midgut extracts from these two isofemale strains of mosquitoes was high in as compared to (h) mosquitoes. HA was found to be higher with chicken red blood cells (RBCs) than with rabbit and human RBCs of O group. Larval midgut extracts showed higher activity than those from adult female mosquitoes. Exposure of midgut extracts to 100 degrees C for 10 mins destroyed the activity. The activity was observed between pH 6 and pH 10. HA in midgut extracts was also studied using twenty different carbohydrates; five of them showed an inhibition of HA. The inhibitory carbohydrates, when incorporated into DEN-2-infected bloodmeal, showed a reduction in the susceptibility of mosquitoes to the virus as compared to the control ones fed on the virus alone. Similarly, when these carbohydrates were incorporated in the DEN-2-infected inoculum, the inoculated mosquitoes showed a reduction in the susceptibility to the virus. HA in the virus-infected midgut extracts was higher than that in the uninfected controls. These results suggest that the presence of HA in the midgut may be one of the factors that affect the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to DEN-2.

Aedes↗

Structural changes enhance the activity of Chainia xylanase in low urea concentrations.

Low concentrations of urea (1.2 M) stimulated the activity of endo-xylanase from Chainia by 30%. Subtle structural changes in the monomeric protein were reflected in the secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme as monitored by fluorescence and circular dichroism. Changes in lambda(max) of emission, the fluorescence intensity and the Stern-Volmer quenching constants for acrylamide, measured in the presence of urea, indicated changes in the microenvironment of the Trp residues, suggesting alterations in tertiary structure. The ellipticity changes at 220 nm and Selcon analysis reflected changes in the content of beta-sheet while both the near- and far-UV CD spectra indicated alterations in the secondary and tertiary structure of the protein in presence of urea. The dissociation constant values (K(d)) show very little change in the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate while the k(cat) values suggest enhanced turnover of the substrate in presence of urea. We suggest that low urea concentrations perturb the conformational state of xylanase leading to an open and a more flexible structure, resulting in enhanced catalytic rates.

Acrylamide↗

Reducing colonization of Salmonella Enteritidis in chicken by targeting outer membrane proteins.

AIMS: To evaluate the ability of Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of 75.6 and 82.3 kDa to inhibit or reduce in vivo colonization of S. Enteritidis on intestinal mucosa in chickens. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine-week-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were subcutaneously immunized with 75.6 or 82.3 kDa protein, and challenged with a virulent strain of S. Enteritidis. Chickens were killed, and portions of small intestine and caecum were removed at necropsy. The population of S. Enteritidis attached to chicken intestinal mucosa was determined. The population of S. Enteritidis recovered from the small intestine and caecum of chickens immunized with 75.6 or 82.3 kDa protein was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that recovered from the control birds. CONCLUSIONS: Salmonella Enteritidis OMPs 75.6 kDa and 82.3 kDa were effective in reducing colonization of S. Enteritidis on intestinal mucosa in chickens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Salmonella Enteritidis OMPs 75.6 or 82.3 kDa could be used as potential vaccines to reduce S. Enteritidis colonization in chickens.

Animals↗

Trends and patterns of tuberculosis: interpretations and prospects of tuberculosis control in Vojvodina, Yugoslavia, 1987-2000.

AIM: To assess the trends and pattern of tuberculosis in Vojvodina, Yugoslavia. METHODS: Using a retrospective design, data on 393 diagnosed TB cases were investigated for the years 1987, 1993 and 2000. RESULTS: TB case notification has been increasing in Vojvodina. The number of reported TB cases was 146 in 1987, 101 in 1993 and 146 in 2000; cases were predominantly in the age group 20-39 years (44.5%) in 1987, compared to the 40-59 year age group in 1993 and 2000 (38.6% and 45.9%, respectively). The majority of patients belonged to lower socio-economic groups. Manifestations of TB such as cough, weight loss and exhaustion were common. With the increasing trend of alcoholism from 1987 to 2000, delays in reporting were noticed. TB-related mortality was 1.4% in 1987 and 4.1% in 2000. Resistance to TB drugs among previously treated cases was 2.7% in 1987, 0.9% in 1993 and 2.7% in 2000. With respect to the increasing resistance, the levels of detection and surveillance were poor. The implementation of the DOTS strategy remained fairly low. CONCLUSION: TB is a chronic problem in Vojvodina. Prompt community-oriented actions need to be taken to improve case detection and cure rates through DOTS.

Directly Observed Therapy↗

Identification of Salmonella enteritidis outer membrane proteins expressed during attachment to human intestinal epithelial cells.

AIMS: To express and identify the Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis outer membrane proteins that are involved in the attachment to human intestinal epithelial cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Salmonella Enteritidis attachment proteins were expressed by infection of human intestinal epithelial cells (int-407) with Salm. Enteritidis strain SE28, followed by pulse labelling with [35S]-methionine. Outer membrane proteins were separated by TritonX-114 phase partitioning, and were detected by Salm. Enteritidis-specific polyclonal antibody. Outer membrane proteins of molecular weights 82.3, 75.6, 49.3, 35.5 and 19.3 kDa were newly synthesized. Expression of 31.2 and 16 kDa proteins was up-regulated, whereas the expression of 40.7 kDa protein was down-regulated. Polyclonal antibodies against the 82.3 and 75.6 kDa proteins significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the binding of Salm. Enteritidis to int-407 cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Outer membrane proteins 82.3 and 75.6 kDa are potentially involved in the attachment of Salm. Enteritidis to the intestinal mucosa. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Outer membrane proteins 82.3 and 75.6 kDa identified in this study could be used as potential vaccines to block or reduce Salm. Enteritidis colonization in chickens.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Updating of hereditary haemoglobin disorders.

Hereditary haemoglobin disorders (E-beta Thalassaemia & Thalassaemia) are inherited as recessive disorders so that the heterozygote subjects are generally healthy. They commonly present with progressive pallor, thalassaemic facies, splenohepatomegaly & growth retardation. Diagnosis of carriers & patients are usually confirmed by haemoglobin electrophoresis. Transfusion-chelation therapy is usually employed for their treatment. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation is the only definite cure. Gene therapy remains to be the major challenging goal of future curative therapy. During the last 10 years wit medical advances, the number of pregnancies in thalassaemia is increasing. Normal pregnancy can be maintained with regular packed blood cells transfusion given carefully. In Bangladesh, HHD can be prevented by I. carrier identification and marriage counseling, II. passing and enforcing laws against marriage between two carriers, III. introducing thalassaemia in school curriculum and IV. creating public awareness.

Bangladesh↗

Inorganic-organic hybrids derived from oxovanadium sulfate motifs: synthesis and characterization of [VIVO(mu 3-SO4)(2,2'-bpy)]infinity.

The hydrothermal reaction of V2O5, V2O3, 2,2'-bpy and Na2SO4 in dilute sulfuric acid yields a novel hybrid, [VIVO(mu 3-SO4)(2,2'-bpy)]infinity, which demonstrates the potential of constructing a new class of robust composite solids composed of a (V/O/SO4)-based framework decorated with organic functionalities by combining appropriate vanadyl sulfate motifs with a variety of organic ligands.

Journal Article↗

Ribonuclease Rs from Rhizopus stolonifer: lowering of optimum temperature in the presence of urea.

RNase Rs showed an approx. 2-fold increase in its activity when incubated in the presence of 2 M urea at 37 degrees C. The increase in its activity, in the presence of urea, was comparable to the activity at its optimum temperature, i.e. 45 degrees C. Compared to the native enzyme at 37 degrees C, the K(m) and V(max) of RNase Rs at 45 degrees C and in the presence of 2 M urea at 37 degrees C showed an increase while k(cat)/K(m) decreased. Arrhenius plots in the presence and absence of urea showed a decrease in the activation energy in the presence of urea. Though there was no change in the secondary structure of the protein in the presence of urea, minor changes were observed in the tertiary structure. Hence, the increase in the activity of RNase Rs, in the presence of 2 M urea at 37 degrees C, is due to the lowering of the activation energy as a result of changes in the microenvironment of the active site.

Binding Sites↗

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Listeria monocytogenes by PR-26, a synthetic antibacterial peptide.

This study reports the antibacterial effect of PR-26, a synthetic peptide derived from the first 26 amino acid sequence of PR-39, an antimicrobial peptide isolated from porcine neutrophils. A three-strain mixture of Escherichia coli O157:H7 or Listeria monocytogenes of approximately 10(8) CFU was inoculated to a final concentration of 10(7) CFU/ml in 1% peptone water (pH 7.0), containing 50 or 75 microg/ml of PR-26, and incubated at 37 degrees C for 0, 6, 12, and 24 h; at 24 degrees C for 0, 12, 24, and 36 h; or at 10 or 4 degrees C for 0, 24, 72, and 120 h. Control samples included 1% peptone water inoculated with each pathogen mixture but containing no PR-26. The surviving population of each pathogen at each sampling time was determined by plating on tryptic soy agar with incubation at 37 degrees C for 24 h. At 37 degrees C, PR-26 decreased E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes populations by >5.0 log CFU/ml at 12 h, with complete inactivation at 24 h. At 24 degrees C, PR-26 reduced E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes by approximately 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 log CFU/ml at the end of 12-, 24-, and 36-h incubations, respectively. At 4 and 10 degrees C, the inhibitory effect of PR-26 on E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that at 37 and 24 degrees C: a 2- to 3-log CFU/ml reduction was observed at 120-h incubation. Results indicate that PR-26 could potentially be used as an antimicrobial agent, but applications in appropriate foods need to be validated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

On the stringent requirement of mannosyl substitution in mannooligosaccharides for the recognition by garlic (Allium sativum) lectin. A Surface Plasmon Resonance Study.

The kinetics of the binding of mannooligosaccharides to the heterodimeric lectin from garlic bulbs was studied using surface plasmon resonance. The interaction of the bound lectin immobilized on the sensor chip with a selected group of high mannose oligosaccharides was monitored in real time with the change in response units. This investigation corroborates our earlier study about the special preference of garlic lectin for terminal alpha-1,2-linked mannose residues. An increase in binding propensity can be directly correlated to the addition of alpha-1,2-linked mannose to the mannooligosaccharide at its nonreducing end. Mannononase glycopeptide (Man9GlcNAc2Asn), the highest oligomer studied, exhibited the greatest binding affinity (Ka = 1.2 x 10(6) m(-1) at 25 degrees C). An analysis of these data reveals that the alpha-1,2-linked terminal mannose on the alpha-1,6 arm is the critical determinant in the recognition of mannooligosaccharides by the lectin. The association (k1) and dissociation rate constants (k(-1)) for the binding of Man9GlcNAc2Asn to Allium sativum agglutinin I are 6.1 x 10(4) m(-1) s(-1) and 4.9 x 10(-2) s(-1), respectively, at 25 degrees C. Whereas k1 increases progressively from Man3 to Man7 derivatives, and more dramatically so for Man8 and Man9 derivatives, k(-1) decreases relatively much less gradually from Man3 to Man9 structures. An unprecedented increase in the association rate constant for interaction with Allium sativum agglutinin I with the structure of the oligosaccharide ligand constitutes a significant finding in protein-sugar recognition.

Agglutinins↗

A mannose-binding protein from the cell surface of flocculent Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NCIM 3528): its role in flocculation.

A cell surface lectin was isolated and purified to homogeneity from the cell walls of a highly flocculent strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NCIM 3528) by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phenyl Sepharose and Sephacryl S-300. It showed a molecular mass of 40 kDa on SDS-PAGE. It is an acidic protein with a pI of 4.0 and contains 44% hydrophobic amino acids. The N-terminal sequence up to 10 amino acid residues showed at least 70% homology with the predicted N-terminal sequence of the putative FLO1 as well as FLO5 gene products. The mannose-binding nature of the lectin was indicated by its high affinity and specificity towards the branched trisaccharide of mannose, a ligand which also inhibits the flocculation of yeast cells. Immunofluorescence studies confirmed the presence of lectin on the yeast cell surface and lectin-specific IgGs prevented flocculation of the cells. This cell surface mannose-specific lectin probably plays an important role in flocculation, with the branched trimannoside on the cell wall being the apparent carbohydrate receptor. The N-terminal sequence data gives a primary indication that the lectin could be a product of one of the FLO genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of a thermostable extracellular beta-galactosidase from a thermophilic fungus Rhizomucor sp.

An extracellular beta-galactosidase from a thermophilic fungus Rhizomucor sp. has been purified to homogeneity by successive DEAE cellulose chromatography followed by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. The native molecular mass of the enzyme is 250,000 and it is composed of two identical subunits with molecular mass of 120,000. It is an acidic protein with a pI of 4.2. Purified beta-galactosidase is a glycoprotein and contains 8% neutral sugar. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity are 4.5 and 60 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme is stable at 60 degrees C for 4 h, and has a t(1/2) of 150 min(-1) at 70 degrees C which is one of the highest reported for fungal beta-galactosidases. Substrate specificity studies indicated that the enzyme is specific for beta-linked galactose residues with a preference for p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (pNPG). The Km and Vmax values for the synthetic substrates pNPG and o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (oNPG) were 0.66 mM and 1.32 mM; and 22.4 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) and 4.45 mmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively, while that for the natural substrate, lactose, was 50.0 mM and 12 mmol min(-1) mg(-1). The end product galactose and the substrate analogue isopropyl thiogalactopyranoside (ITPG) inhibited the enzyme with Ki of 2.6 mM and 12.0 mM, respectively. The energy of activation for the enzyme using pNPG and oNPG were 27.04 kCal and 9.04 kCal, respectively. The active site characterization studies using group-specific reagents revealed that a tryptophan and lysine residue play an important role in the catalytic activity of the enzyme.

Binding Sites↗

Active site characterization of the exo-N-acetyl-beta-D- glucosaminidase from thermotolerant Bacillus sp. NCIM 5120: involvement of tryptophan, histidine and carboxylate residues in catalytic activity.

The exo-N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) from thermotolerant Bacillus sp. NCIM 5120 is a homotetramer with a molecular mass of 240000 kDa. Chemical modification studies on the purified exo-N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase revealed the involvement of a single tryptophan, histidine and carboxylate, per monomer, in the catalytic activity of the enzyme. Spectral analysis and maintenance of total enzyme activities indicated that N-acetylglucosamine (competitive inhibitor) and p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminide (substrate) prevented the modification of a single essential tryptophan, histidine and carboxylate residue. Kinetic parameters of partially inactivated enzyme (by NBS/HNBB) showed the involvement of tryptophan in substrate binding while that of histidine (by photooxidation/DEPC) and carboxylate (by EDAC/WRK) in catalysis. The Bacillus sp. NCIM 5120 exo-N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase deviates from the reported N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidases and beta-hexosaminidases that utilize anchimeric assistance in their hydrolytic mechanism.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

A multiplex PCR for Massachusetts and Arkansas serotypes of infectious bronchitis virus.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), the prototype of the coronavirus family, is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus with a genome size of approximately 27.6 kilobase. Infectious bronchitis virus causes an acute, highly contagious respiratory and urogenital disease of chickens which results in significant economic losses in commercial broilers, layers and breeders. A rapid, highly sensitive and specific method is needed in the differential diagnosis of infections of different serotypes. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed and optimized to simultaneously detect Massachusetts (Mass) and Arkansas (Ark) serotypes of IBV. One common primer and two serotype specific primers were chosen from the S1 gene sequences of IBV and used in one PCR reaction. Under optimized PCR conditions, two serotype specific PCR products, 1026 bp for Mass and 896 bp for Ark, respectively, were amplified and detected by agarose gel electrophoreses. The specificity of the technique was verified by using 20 different strains and isolates of IBV, and other avian bacterial and viral pathogens. Using a serial 10-fold dilution of the artificial mixture of both Mass and Ark samples, the detection limit was found to be 5 pg RNA after 35 cycles of PCR. The multiplex PCR was able to detect and differentiate both serotypes in embryonated eggs that were co-infected with different EID50virus titers of Mass 41 and Ark 99. The multiplex PCR developed in this study will be valuable for rapid identification, differential diagnosis, and epidemiological studies of these two serotypes of IBV infections.

Animals↗