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Biomedical subjects

P Pal

Publications and source records attributed to P Pal.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Altered membrane permeability as the basis of bactericidal action of methdilazine.

The growth inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was accompanied by significant release of K+ and UV-absorbing small molecules upon exposure to methdilazine, an extensively used phenothiazine antihistamine. A severe decrease in [U-14C] glucose uptake and a rapid efflux of hexose from sugar-preloaded bacteria were also observed but without visible cellular lysis. Considerable damage to membrane permeability by methdilazine was proposed to explain the rapid loss in cfu/mL of the bacteria.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

In vitro anthelmintic activity of root-tuber extract of Flemingia vestita, an indigenous plant in Shillong, India.

The in vitro activity of root-tuber-peel extract of Flemingia vestita, an indigenous plant consumed by the natives in Northeast India, was tested against helminth parasites. Live parasites (nematode: Ascaris suum from pigs, A. lumbricoides from humans, Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum from domestic fowl; cestode: Raillietina echinobothrida from domestic fowl; trematode: Paramphistomum sp. from cattle) were collected in 0.9 % physiological buffered saline (PBS) and maintained at 37 +/- 1 degrees C. In vitro treatment of the parasites with the crude extract (50 mg/ml) in PBS revealed complete immobilization of the trematode and cestode in about 43 and 20 min, respectively. However, the cuticle-covered nematodes did not show any change in physical activity and remained viable even after a long period of exposure to the extract. Exposure of R. echinobothrida to genistein (0.5 mg/ml), an active principle isolated from the root-tuber peel, caused spontaneous loss of movement (paralysis) in 4.5 h, which was slower than the time required for praziquantel, the reference flukicide and cestodicide. The treated parasites showed structural alteration in their tegumental architecture. This study suggests the vermifugal activity of this plant extract against trematodes and cestodes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Phototoxicity of some bromine-substituted rhodamine dyes: synthesis, photophysical properties and application as photosensitizers.

The synthesis of some bromine-substituted rhodamine derivatives viz., 4,5-dibromorhodamine methyl ester (dye 2) and 4,5-dibromorhodamine n-butyl ester (dye 3) are reported. These dyes were synthesized to promote a more efficient cancer cell photosensitizer for potential use in in vitro bone marrow purging in preparation for autologous bone marrow transplantation. Spectroscopic and photophysical characterization of these dyes together with rhodamine 123 (dye 1) are reported in water, methanol, ethanol and also in a microheterogeneous system, sodium dodecyl sulfate. The possible mechanism of photosensitization is characterized in terms of singlet oxygen efficiency of these dyes. Singlet oxygen quantum yields for bromine-substituted dyes are in the range of 0.3-0.5 depending on the solvent. For dye 1 no singlet oxygen production is found. The photodynamic actions of these dyes in different cell lines are tested. It was found that dye 2 and dye 3 are efficient photosensitizers and mediate eradication of K562, EM2, myeloid cell lines (CML) and the SMF-AI rhabdomyosarcoma line.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Steady state and time-resolved fluorescence properties of metastatic and non-metastatic malignant cells from different species.

Steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy were employed to study the fluorescence from non-metastatic, metastatic and non-tumorigenic cell lines from different species. Excitations at 310 nm and 350 nm were used to monitor tryptophan and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence respectively. Subtle and consistent differences were observed between different categories of cell lines. It was found that the tryptophan to NADH fluorescence intensity ratio is higher in metastatic cell lines than in non-metastatic and normal cell lines. The fluorescence decay of the tryptophan residue in different cell lines was best described by triple exponential kinetics, whereas the NADH fluorescence decay was best described by mainly double and, in some cases, triple exponential kinetics. The average fluorescence lifetimes for tryptophan were in the range 2.5-3.7 ns. The average lifetime of NADH was lower (by a factor of approximately three) in metastatic cells than in non-metastatic cells and this finding is consistent for cell lines from different origins (rat or human). Correcting the fluorescence intensity for the average fluorescence lifetime of each species and for the volume of each cell line, it was shown that the concentrations of tryptophan and NADH are consistently higher in malignant metastatic cancer cells than in non-metastatic cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Hydroalcoholic human placental extract: skin pigmenting activity and gross chemical composition.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder of the skin of unknown etiology. It is thought to be of autoimmune origin after demonstration of antibody-mediated destruction of melanocytes. Photochemotherapeutic PUVA therapy is widely used in vitiligo with about 33% success. Aqueous or hydroalcoholic extracts of human placenta of ill-defined composition have also been used therapeutically for vitiligo. A hydroalcoholic human placental extract has been developed by us with pigmenting activity based on experimental therapies. Its chemical analysis was the primary objective of this study. METHODS: For the guinea pig experiment, 20 drops of the extract or vehicle (60% alcohol) as control was topically applied around the nipples covering the areola zones of male immature white guinea pigs (wt. 175-250 g) daily for 60 days with 15 minutes infrared (IR) exposure used for vascular dilatation and enhancement of the absorption of the extract. Standard methods have been followed for all chemical analyses. RESULTS: The guinea pig experiment showed clear pigmentation and hypertrophy of the experimental nipples to varying degrees. Chemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of small-molecular-weight proteins/peptides, lipids (including glycosphingolipids), carbohydrates, sialic acids, cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL), and others, including amino acids, nucleotides, carotenes, vitamins, etc. CONCLUSION: Glycosphingolipids, known modulators of B and T cells, were reported capable of inducing adhesion, spreading, and motility of melanoma. It is present in the extract and, therefore, may lead to skin pigmentation through induction of melanocytes. Endothelin, a 21-amino acid peptide, detected in human placenta and possibly extractable by our process, has been reported to be indispensable for melanocyte growth.

Absorption↗
PubMed1995

Early onset cerebellar ataxia with retained tendon reflexes: a clinical, electrophysiological and computed tomographic study.

Fourteen patients of Early Onset Cerebellar Ataxia with retained tendon reflexes (EOCA) were prospectively evaluated clinically, electorphysiologically and with CT scan. Their age and duration of symptoms were 18.6 +/- 8.3 years and 7.8 +/- 5.1 years respectively. High consanguinity (91.7%) and positive family history (76.9%) suggested autosomal recessive inheritance. Apart from cerebellar signs and brisk knee jerks in all, other important findings were abnormal ocular movements (mostly impaired saccades) in 92.8%, Babinski's sign (78.6%), brisk ankle jerks (64.3%), spasticity in lower limbs (50%) and impairment of proprioceptive sensations (50%). Neuropsychological tests, done in 12 patients, were abnormal in all. Abnormalities of electroneuromyographic studies were universal, motor conduction parameters (85.7%) being more affected than sensory (78.6%). One or more modalities of evoked potentials were abnormal in 71.4%, that of brainstem auditory evoked response being most frequent (50%), followed by posterior tibial somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) (46.1%) and median SSEP and visual evoked potential (30.8% each). CT scan (n = 12) showed atrophy of brainstem (91.7%), cerebellar hemisphere and/or vermis (83.3%) and cerebral cortex (33.3%). There was no correlation between the duration of disease and degree of disability or abnormalities of nerve conduction and CT parameters. The rationality of the diagnosis of this recently recognised entity of 'EOCA' in Indian context is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Biochemical characterization of a calcium ion stimulated-ATPase from goat spermatozoa.

The goat spermatozoa membranes isolated after treatment with octa (ethylene glycol) mono n-dodecyl ether (C12E8) followed by discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation have been found to contain an ATPase that is stimulated by externally added Ca2+ only. The membrane fraction has also found to contain Mg(2+)-dependent Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, however the former activity is about 2 fold higher than the latter. The molecular weight of the enzyme is found to be about 97,000 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel. The optimum concentration of Ca2+ required for maximum activity is 3 mM for both Mg(2+)-dependent and Mg(2+)-independent Ca(2+)-ATPase. Histidine and imidazole buffers are found to be the most suitable for dependent and independent enzyme activities respectively. ATP with an optimum concentration of 4 mM is observed to be the best substrate than any other nucleotides. The inhibitors like trifluoperazine and vanadate and group specific probes e.g. DTNB and TNBS inhibit these two enzymes but at different rates. Ca(2+)-uptake study shows that the uptake in the presence of Ca2+ and ATP is higher than in the presence of Mg2+, Ca2+ and ATP. The findings lead us to believe that the Mg(2+)-independent Ca(2+)-ATPase has some role in Ca2+ transport like Mg(2+)-dependent enzyme.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1989

Cardiac nociceptors and ischemia: role of sympathetic afferents in cat.

In total, 86 units were recorded from T2 and T3 left thoracic rami of cat. These receptors were located on the circumflex coronary artery, anterior descending coronary artery, and its adjacent myocardial regions. The conduction velocity of these fibres was in the range of "C" (0.5 to 1.8 m/s) and "A delta" (5.96 to 17 m/s) fibres. Out of these 86 units, only 28 units were activated by coronary occlusion. The average resting frequency of the spontaneous unit was 0.8 +/- 0.06 impulses/s which increased to 35 +/- 4.8 impulses/s on mechanical probing. In order to examine whether the units sensitive to coronary occlusion were also responsive to algesic agents, some of these units were studied applying lactic acid, bradykinin, prostaglandins, and nicotine. It was observed that these ischemia-sensitive units are also sensitive to lactic acid (10 units), bradykinin (16 units), prostaglandins (12 units), and nicotine (15 units). These ischemia-sensitive units are presumably nociceptors and activated by algestic agents that cause cardiac ischemic pain.

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1989

High threshold aortic baroreceptors afferents in the sympathetic nerve of monkey.

A total of 25 afferent units were recorded in the thoracic sympathetic rami (T3-T4) localised at the base of the bracheocephalic trunk and the descending aorta. Two types of receptors, Type I and Type II, were found. Type I receptors, localised at the base of the bracheocaphalic trunk, were fast adapting and exhibited synchronous discharge with each systolic height of blood pressure and behaved like baroreceptors. There was no discharge at the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. These receptors also gave occasional single spike at each systolic height of pressure of about 90-120 mmHg. When the systemic pressure was increased from 120 to 180 mmHg due to occlusion of the descending aorta or intravenous administration of adrenaline, the frequency of discharge of Type I receptors increased and they behaved like the typical sino-aortic baroreceptors. Type II receptors, localised over the wall of the descending aorta, fired irregularly and they did not have any relation with heart beat and did not behave like baroreceptors. On the basis of the present observation it may be suggested that Type I receptors are high threshold baroreceptors which play a role in the homeostatic control during high blood pressure and that Type II receptors do not play such a role.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

High threshold aortic baroreceptor afferents in the sympathetic nerve.

In anaesthetized cats, 40 sympathetic sensory units in the bracheocephalic artery (30 units) and the descending aorta (10 units) were recorded by means of single-unit preparation. Direct evidence is available for the mechanosensitive nature of the receptors in the sympathetic afferents at the level of T3 and T4. Two distinct types of receptors were found (Type I and Type II). Type I receptors, which were fast adapting, gave a spike discharge at each systolic height of pressure (70-110 mmHg). However, they sometimes failed to appear even at such systolic pressure. When the systemic pressure was increased by occluding the descending aorta or by infusing adrenaline solution intravenously, the frequency of discharge of Type I receptors increased and they behaved much the same as the typical sinoaortic baroreceptors. Type II receptors were activated by mechanical probing and at high systemic pressure, though they did not fire always synchronously with heart beat. On the basis of the study it may be suggested that Type I receptors are high threshold baroreceptors and like other systemic baroreceptors, play a role in homeostatic control presumably in a state of high blood pressure, but on the other hand Type II receptors do not play such a role.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Leopard syndrome.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1983

New arylsulfonylhydrazones of substituted benzaldehydes as anticancer agents.

Nineteen new arylsulfonylhydrazones of substituted benzaldehydes have been prepared. The antineoplastic activity of these compounds has been assessed against murine lymphocytic leukemia P-388 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). The compounds investigated have not reached the criteria of good antitumor activity. However, marginal activity in P-388 system has been exhibited by one of the tested derivatives, while two others have demonstrated mild anticancer activity against EAC.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Visceral receptors and their afferents in the caudal mesenteric nerve of the duck.

1. The behaviour and reactivities of visceral receptors to different mechanical and chemical stimuli in simple unit preparations from the caudal mesenteric nerve of adult ducks were studied to examine the physiological roles of such receptors. 2. In total, 83 single unit activities were recorded from the caudal mesenteric nerve. 3. Receptors were grouped according to their locations in different layers of the rectum as (i) over the branching points of the blood vessel or in the serosal layer, (ii) in the muscle layer or (iii) in the mucous membrane of the rectum. 4. All the receptors, both spontaneous and non-spontaneous, responded to mechanical probing. Receptors of the muscle layer responded to distension also and showed a slowly-adapting nature. Most of the receptors of the other two groups were of the rapidly-adapting type. 5. Conduction velocity ranged from 0.76 to 34.6 m/s. 6. Sympathetic afferent fibres from the hind gut ascend along the intestinal nerve and join the caudal mesenteric nerve via the colonic ganglion.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

A study of some genetic markers among Ramgarhias, an artisan caste of Punjab.

156 males and 63 females belonging to the Ramgarhia community, an endogamous group of Punjab, were taken for the study of genetical markers like taste ability to PTC, mid digital hair and colourblindness, whereas 75 (50 males and 25 females) were tested for serum proteins. 71.70% males and 73.85% females were found to be tasters. The mid digital hair was absent in 67.34% of females and 64.74% of males. No female was found to be colourblind, however, 4.48% males were found having defective colourvision. The phenotypic frequencies of Hp 2--2, Hp 2--1 and Hp 1--1 were found to be 64.00%, 32.00% and 4.00%, respectively. No variant of transferrins and albumin was found.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1979

Ethnic diversity in Punjab as based on finger dermatoglyphics.

Four ethnic groups of Punjab having same dialect viz. Khatris, Jats, Brahmins and Muslims were taken to see ethnic differences in regards to the distribution of whorls, loops, and arches of finger dermatoglyphics. The results show that there is a great diversity in the four groups for these parameters. These groups were compared with similar ethnic groups of other places having different dialect. The results reveal that there seems to be ethnic affinity between the group known by same name and which is true for all the four groups.

Anthropology, Physical↗