PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Bhamarapravati

Publications and source records attributed to N Bhamarapravati.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Alterations in vascular endothelial cell-related plasma proteins in thalassaemic patients and their correlation with clinical symptoms.

An increased level of plasma thrombomodulin (TM) in alpha- and beta-thalassaemia was demonstrated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nonsplenectomized patients with beta-thalassaemia/haemoglobin E (BE) had higher levels of TM than splenectomized cases (BE-S). Patients with leg ulcers (BE-LU) were found to have the highest increase in TM level. Appearance of larger platelets in all types of thalassaemic blood was observed indicating an increase in the number of younger platelets. These data indicate that injury of vascular endothelial cells is present in thalassaemic patients.

Adolescent↗

Dengue virus-specific memory T cell responses in human volunteers receiving a live attenuated dengue virus type 2 candidate vaccine.

A live attenuated dengue virus type 2 candidate vaccine (16681-PDK53) was evaluated in a phase I trial in 10 nonimmune adult volunteers. The dengue virus-specific memory T cell responses were analyzed as part of this study. Dengue virus-specific T cell proliferative responses were observed in all subjects after stimulating their peripheral blood mononuclear cells with live viruses or noninfectious viral antigens. The highest proliferative response was against dengue virus type 2, although cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses was detected to a lesser degree in some subjects. Dengue virus type 2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes were generated in all vaccinees. This study investigated whether the candidate vaccine was efficacious in inducing dengue virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell memory after a single immunization in nonimmune recipients.

Adult↗

Infection, dissemination, transmission, and biological attributes of dengue-2 PDK53 candidate vaccine virus after oral infection in Aedes aegypti.

The capacity for oral infection, dissemination, and transmission of the dengue-2 candidate vaccine virus DEN-2 PDK53 and an isolate from a vaccinate individual, DEN-2 Ia8, were compared with the parent strain DEN-2 16681. Capacity for oral infection and dissemination to the brain and salivary gland tissues were significantly lower in the first two than in the parent strain (P < 0.001). Replication was more than 100 times higher for the parent strain when compared with the dengue-2 candidate vaccine virus. Transmission was not demonstrated in the mosquitoes orally infected with DEN-2 PDK53 and DEN-2 Ia8, whereas transmission was achieved in 57% (8 of 14) of mosquitoes infected with the parent virus strain. Using immunofluorescence, viral antigen was detected in the mosquitoes infected with DEN-2 PDK53 and DEN-2 Ia8. It was seen mainly in the form of specks scattered in some parts of the tissues, and was strikingly different from that seen in the parent strain, in which major parts of the tissues contained viral antigen in the form of rings and specks. The biological markers of DEN-2 PDK53 and DEN-2 Ia8 retained the biological characteristic of the vaccine after a mosquito passage and a human and mosquito passage, respectively.

Aedes↗

Dengue-3 (16562) PGMK 33 vaccine: neurovirulence, viremia and immune responses in Macaca fascicularis.

Investigation of monkey neurovirulence of dengue-3 viruses (DEN-3, 16562) was undertaken to provide an evaluation of the relative safety of virus strain attenuated for potential use of live virus vaccine. Ten flavivirus-negative, cynomolgus monkeys (Macacafascicularis) were used in the test. The animals were inoculated intrathalamically, intraspinally and intramuscularly with DEN-3 PGMK 33 attenuated live virus vaccine (6 monkeys): parent virus (2) and control cell culture fluid (2). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 21 for virus isolation and days 0 and 21 or 22 for serologic testing. One monkey with DEN-3 (16562) PGMK 33 candidate vaccine had detectable viremia on day 10. By day 21, all recipients of PGMK 33 and both monkeys with DEN-3 parent virus developed serum neutralizing antibodies to DEN-3 titers ranged from 56-320. The monkeys showed no evidence of illness and none died of dengue infection. Histopathological examination of tissue collected on day 21 or 22 revealed only minimal neurovirulence lesions as scored by the routine grading system. No differences were observed between the DEN-3 parent and vaccine viruses and it is concluded that neither virus is neurovirulent for cynomolgus monkeys.

Animals↗

Dengue virus and endothelial cell: a related phenomenon to thrombocytopenia and granulocytopenia in dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Adhesion to endothelial cells by blood cells was assessed by measuring the cell number of each blood cell component in the supernatant after exposing blood cells to dengue-infected endothelial cells for 0, 10, 20 and 30 minutes. White blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, and large lymphocytes or large unstained cells (LUC) preferentially bound to dengue-infected endothelial cells as compared to the control endothelial cells. P values were 0.0096 for total leukocytes and platelets, 0.006 for lymphocytes, and 0.001 for neutrophils and LUC. Monocytes basophils and eosinophils had no interaction with dengue-infected endothelial cells. The increased binding of neutrophil and platelet to endothelial cell may explain neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in DHF patients.

Agranulocytosis↗

Comparison of a dengue-2 virus and its candidate vaccine derivative: sequence relationships with the flaviviruses and other viruses.

A comparison of the sequence of the dengue-2 16681 virus with that of the candidate vaccine strain (16681-PDK53) derived from it identified 53 of the 10,723 nucleotides which differed between the strains. Nucleotide changes occurred in genes coding for all virion and nonvirion proteins, and in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions. Twenty-seven of the nucleotide changes resulted in amino acid alterations. The greatest amino acid sequence differences in the virion proteins occurred in prM (2.20%; 2/91 amino acids) followed by the M protein (1.33%; 1/75 amino acids), the C protein (0.88%; 1/114 amino acid), and the E protein (0.61%; 3/495 amino acids). Differences in the amino acid sequence of nonvirion proteins ranged from 1.51% (6/398 amino acids) in NS4 to 0.33% (3/900 amino acids) in NS5. The encoded protein sequences of 16681-PDK53 were also compared with the published sequences of other flaviviruses to obtain a detailed classification of 17 flaviviruses using the neighbor-joining tree method. The analyses of the sequence data produced dendrograms which supported the traditional groupings based on serological evidence, and they suggested that the flaviviruses have evolved by divergent mutational change and there was no evidence of genetic recombination between members of the group. Comparisons of the sequences of the flavivirus polymerase and helicase-like proteins (NS5 and NS3, respectively) with those from other viruses yielded a classification of the flaviviruses indicating that the primary division of the flaviviruses was between those transmitted by mosquitoes and those transmitted by ticks.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibodies against dengue viral proteins in primary and secondary dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Antibodies against dengue viral proteins were demonstrated in sera from dengue-infected patients by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and enzyme immunoassay. Primary dengue cases showed low titers of IgG class antibodies to envelope (E) proteins and two non-structural proteins, NS3 and NS5, in sera collected during the convalescent phase. Secondary dengue- infected patients always demonstrated IgG antibodies to E proteins in sera collected during the acute phase, and high titers of IgG antibodies to many other proteins, including NS1, NS3, NS5, and C proteins in sera collected during the convalescent phase. Appearance of antibodies to E, NS3, and NS5 could be detected within five days after the onset of fever. These three dengue viral proteins and their corresponding antibodies may be involved in the immunopathologic mechanism underlying this disease. For diagnostic purposes, identifying the non-structural proteins such as NS3 and NS5 may be the best means for early confirmation of the disease.

Acute Disease↗

A single dose-response effect of aflatoxin B1 on rapid liver cancer induction in two strains of rats.

To investigate rapid liver cancer induction in rats by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), different single oral doses of AFB1 were given to 3 groups of 1-year-old Buffalo and Wistar rats. The animals were treated once and all survivors were killed 6 weeks later. Control animals received an equal volume of solvent (DMSO), and both groups of animals were maintained under identical conditions throughout the period of experiment. The survival rates were 40% with low and medium doses in AFB1-treated Buffalo and Wistar rats, and 0% in the high-dose Buffalo rats. Slight ante-mortem elevations in serum concentrations of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGOT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGPT) were indicative of the persistent damage effect of AFB1 at week 6. Total protein and albumin concentrations were not altered. The percent incidence of altered cell foci (areas) and neoplastic nodules was higher in Wistar than in Buffalo rats given a similar low dose. Various stages of well differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (0.1-0.2 cm in diameter) developed in 3 of 8 Wistar rats. It thus appears that Wistar rats are more susceptible to hepatocarcinogenesis following a single oral dose of AFB1 than Buffalo rats.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Dengue virus serotypic identification using suckling mouse and western blot technique.

The suckling mouse which is used in the classical method to detect and propagate dengue viruses was evaluated in conjunction with the western blot and immunoenzymatic methods to detect the infecting strains of dengue viruses. After intracerebral inoculation of patients' sera into the suckling mice for 7 days, the mice were examined for the presence of dengue proteins, even though the mice did not have the neurological symptoms which usually serve as an indicator for the presence of dengue infection in the mouse brain. With a blind study of a set of 12 specimens, the suckling mice could detect the virus with the same frequency as the mosquito system but in shorter time of incubation period. The whole process to identify the type of infection takes 9 days. Another important finding is the demonstration of the virion antigen in the liver. The quantity and quality of viral proteins in liver are comparable to those in the brain suggesting that the virus may replicate in the liver as well as in the brain.

Animals↗

Immune response in rabbits to dengue viral proteins.

Antisera to all types of dengue and Japanese encephalitis (JE) viruses were raised in rabbits. The first set of rabbits was immunized with crude antigens prepared by a sucrose acetone extraction. The first generation of antisera demonstrated antibody activity towards the group specific flaviviruses, without unwanted antibody activity towards the mouse brain material. Antibody activity towards E, NS3, NS5 and NS1 could be observed by western blot/immunoenzymatic assay. Another set of rabbits was immunized with the precipitin complexes formed between antisera raised against each type of dengue, or JE viruses, and their homologous antigens. Each rabbit serum was screened again by the western blot/immunoenzymatic method, and was absorbed with other types of dengue viruses until the specific activity towards the immunized viral antigen was obtained. The last 2 bands detected on the viral antigen strip were the doublet of protein bands at Mr 67 and 71 kDa, which are the NS3 protein. The specific polyclonal antisera obtained can be used with other tests as well as the monoclonal antibody. Since absorption can lead to type specific antisera, this NS3 protein must be quite unique, it processes a type specific determinant (s) and deserves further study as a target molecule at the polypeptide level as well as at the RNA level.

Animals↗

Minimal dose and time protection by lindane (gamma-isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexachlorocyclohexane) against liver tumors induced by aflatoxin B1.

This study was carried out in order to investigate the minimal exposure to lindane (LD, 99.72% gamma isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexachlorocyclohexane), a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, required to protect against liver tumor induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Materials fed to Buffalo strain rats were as follows: LD 100 ppm; AFB1 1 ppm, LD 100 ppm plus AFB1 1 ppm; and control basal diet. The experimental animals were clinically observed and then serially killed at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 82 weeks. Concurrent administration of LD with AFB1 to rats for more than 3 weeks totally inhibited the incidence of AFB1-induced hepatocellular carcinomas by week 82. Only 1 of 20 rats (5%) fed the same regimen for 1 week developed liver tumors. Animals given 1 ppm AFB1 singly for 15 weeks had a high liver tumor incidence (31.5%). No animals developed liver tumors in LD-treated and control groups. LD may inhibit AFB1-induced liver tumors by stimulating hepatic metabolism and excretion of AFB1 so that less carcinogen is available to liver tissue.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Reducing effects of rodent malaria on hepatic carcinogenesis induced by dietary aflatoxin B1.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of Plasmodium berghei infection on the development of liver tumors induced in male Buffalo rats by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 10(6) parasitized red blood cells (pRBC) into the rat 12 days prior to administration of 2 ppm dietary AFB1 for 10 weeks diminished hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induction compared to that observed in rats given AFB1 alone at weeks 60-82. No animals in a control group developed HCC lesions, while only 1 of 22 rats treated with P. berghei alone developed a neoplastic nodule at week 82. These data suggest a reducing effect of P. berghei on the development of liver tumors induced by AFB1 in male Buffalo rats.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Dengue-4 vaccine: neurovirulence, viraemia and immune responses in rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys.

A dengue 4 (DEN-4, strain 1036-PDK 48) vaccine attenuated by passage in primary dog kidney cells was tested using rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus (M. fascicularis) monkeys to determine its safety, potency, and immunogenicity. 14 rhesus monkeys were divided into 3 groups: group 1, 2 animals given control culture fluid; group 2, 2 animals given DEN-4 parental virus; group 3, 10 animals given DEN-4 vaccine virus. 10 cynomolgus were similarly grouped, but group 3 contained 6 monkeys. No significant neurovirulence was observed with parental or with DEN-4 virus passaged in primary dog kidney (PDK) cells. Both cynomolgus monkeys inoculated with DEN-4 vaccine virus developed minimal (V-1) and mild (V-2) neurovirulence-type lesions in the central nervous system, which were nondestructive in both species. All parental and vaccine viruses produced moderate to high neutralizing antibody titres. Only parental virus produced viraemia, in 2 cynomolgus monkeys. Because of its safety and avirulence in monkeys, PDK 48 is recommended for human trial.

Animals↗

Neurovirulence detection of dengue virus using rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys.

The results of a comparative study of neurovirulence of dengue type 1 virus in two species of Old World monkeys, viz. rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are reported. In the present study, parental dengue type 1 (16007) and its vaccine viruses were tested by intrathalamic, intramuscular and intraspinal injections in these two species of monkey. Both species of monkeys inoculated with parental dengue type 1 virus developed neurovirulence-type lesions which were graded as minimal (V-1) and occasionally mild (V-2, in cynomolgus monkeys) in severity. The antibody response to either parental or vaccine virus was slightly less in rhesus monkeys than in cynomolgus inoculated with these strains. This comparative study possibly establishes the cynomolgus monkey as a suitable test model to replace the rhesus monkey for neurovirulence testing of dengue-1 vaccine intended for use in humans.

Animals↗

Application of peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining for detection and localization of dengue-2 viral antigen. II. Observations for the antibody enhancement activity in human monocytes.

Peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining was applied to measure the antibody enhancement activity in human monocytes. Increasing in number of infected cells can be seen with increasing of staining intensity of the cells by ordinary light microscope. Shifting of the optimum enhancement activity was found in previously tritiated antiserum indicated that for titration of antibody enhancement activity several dilutions of antiserum should be included in each experiment. Validity of the PAP method was made by the comparison of the results with Infectious Center Assay (ICA). With this technique, titration for antibody enhancement for dengue virus infection can be done with non-expensive equipment and can be kept for comparison for months.

Animals↗

Antibodies to dengue viral polypeptides. I. Sensitivity and specificity of the viral-antigen-strips/enzymeimmunoassay (VAS/EIA).

The authors applied polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE), western blot, and enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) for the detection of antibodies toward individual dengue viral proteins or polypeptides. SDS-PAGE procedure as described by Laemmli et al., was applied and modified. The results can be observed by visualization. The scores, from 0 to 4, can be assigned by comparing the intensity of the color development. Besides being sensitive and rapid, this technique yields information of the polypeptides or molecular level. An increasing of intensities of positive reactions indicated rising in antibodies titers and all serotypes of dengue viruses (from type 1 to type 4) can be tested together allowing reliable comparison among serotypes. With hyperimmune human sera, at least 13 polypeptides reacted with sera while negative non-immune subject showed no reaction. It is highly possible to use this technique as a rapid quantitative and for qualitative analysis of antibodies to individual viral proteins as well.

Antibodies, Viral↗