PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Sanjay Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to Sanjay Kumar.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Plant parasitic and vector nematodes associated with Asiatic and Oriental hybrid lilies.

A survey for distribution and abundance of plant parasitic nematodes in fields grown to Lilium in Himachal Pradesh, India at four study sites viz. Nagrota (at 810 m a.s.l.), Palampur (at 1270 m a.s.l.), Sunder Nagar (at 1400 m a.s.l.) and Chail (at 2250 m a.s.l.) was carried out. Moderate (101-500/200 ml soil) to high (501-1000/200 ml soil) populations of phytonematodes including the vectors for plant viruses (Aphelenchoides avenae, Criconemoides spp., Hoplolaimus spp., Longidorus spp., Paratylenchus spp., Pratylenchus spp., Rhabditis spp., Trichodorus spp., Tylenchoryhnchus spp., Tylenchulus spp. and Xiphinema diversicaudatum) were recorded. Mean population of nematodes was positively correlated with pH in all the study sites, negatively correlated with electrical conductivity (EC), percent organic matter (OM%), available potassium (K) and positively correlated with percent carbon (C%), available nitrogen (N) and available phosphorus (P) in all but one study site. The highest incidence of virus-vector nematodes viz. X. diversicaudatum, Longidorus spp. and Trichodorus spp. was recorded at Palampur. Only Strawberry latent ringspot nepovirus (SLRSV) was detected in Lilium cvs. Star Gazer Max and Galeili by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in X. diversicaudatum associated with the cultivars by RT-PCR. Cucumis sativus used as bait plants showed SLRSV symptoms after 15 days of nematode inoculation and further SLRSV was again detected by ELISA and RT-PCR in C. sativus plants confirming the transmission of SLRSV by X. diversicaudatum in Lilium.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

SB-267268, a nonpeptidic antagonist of alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5 integrins, reduces angiogenesis and VEGF expression in a mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To determine whether SB-267268, a nonpeptidic antagonist of the alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5 integrins, attenuates angiogenesis in a murine model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and alters the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its second receptor (VEGF-R2). METHODS: In receptor binding, SB-267268 exhibited nanomolar potency for human, monkey, and murine alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5. SB-267268 inhibited the attachment of alpha(v)beta3-transfected HEK293 cells to microtiter plate wells precoated with RGD-containing matrix proteins, and vitronectin-mediated human and rat aortic smooth-muscle-cell migration. At postnatal day (P)12, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 80% oxygen for 7 days followed by 7 days in room air (angiogenic period). Between P12 and P17, ROP mice were administered sterile saline (vehicle intraperitoneal [i.p.]) or SB-267268 (60 mg/kg bi-daily, i.p.). Shams were exposed to room air from P0 and administered either vehicle or SB-267268 during P12 to 17. In at least 3 randomly chosen paraffin sections from each eye, the number of blood vessel profiles in the inner retina were counted. In situ hybridization for VEGF and VEGFR-2 was performed on at least 8 randomly chosen paraffin sections from each eye. RESULTS: SB-267268 reduced pathologic angiogenesis in ROP mice by approximately 50% and had no effect on developmental retinal angiogenesis in shams. Both VEGF and VEGFR-2 mRNA were upregulated in the inner retina of ROP mice and reduced with SB-267268. CONCLUSIONS: Nonpeptidic inhibition of alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5 integrins is effective in ROP and may be a suitable anti-angiogenic therapy for other ischemic retinal pathologies.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2006

Morphometric evaluation of nucleolar organiser regions in reactive and neoplastic lymph node lesions.

Argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNORs) have widely been used for making diagnostic as well as prognostic statements in neoplastic lesions. The present study was aimed at the quantitative and morphometric analysis of AgNORs in various lesions of lymph node. Thirty cases consisting 10 cases each of reactive lymphadenitis, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and metastatic deposits from carcinoma breast were included in the present study. Out of the ten cases of NHL, there were four cases of low grade and six cases of high grade lymphoma. The quantification of AgNOR dots and their morphometric evaluation were done using a specific programme of an automatic image analyser. The results revealed that mean AgNOR count was maximum in metastatic lymph nodes (5.37 +/- 0.35) when compared with NHL (high grade 5.12 +/- 0.27; low grade 4.61 +/- 0.13) and reactive lymphadenitis (2.45 +/- 0.49). The mean area of single AgNOR dot in metastatic lymph node, high grade lymphoma, low grade lymphoma and reactive lymphadenitis were 123.3 +/- 26.1, 95.3 +/- 12.2, 99.6 +/- 6.53 and 87.4 +/- 8.45 respectively. Similarly, the mean of total AgNOR area in metastatic lymph nodes was highest (668.4 +/- 169.9) followed by NHL (high grade 496.35 +/- 53.2; low grade 459.25 +/- 37.35) and reactive lymph node (215.0 +/- 37). However, the ratio of single AgNOR area to nuclear area was maximum in reactive lymphadenitis (0.132 +/- 0.001) followed by low grade NHL (0.083 +/- 0.0096), high grade NHL (0.073 +/- 0.0098) and metastatic lymph nodes (0.064 +/- 0.001). The ratio of total AgNOR area to nuclear area was also minimum in reactive lymph node when compared with other neoplastic lesions. Statistically, the p-value revealed a highly significant difference among all these lesions. Thus, it can be concluded from the present study that AgNOR count and other morphometric parameters are significantly altered in different lesions of lymph node which may aid in differentiation of problematic cases.

Antigens, Nuclear↗
PubMed2005

Plants at high altitude exhibit higher component of alternative respiration.

Total respiration, capacities of cytochrome (CytR) and alternative respiration (AR) were studied in two varieties of barley (Horedum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) each and one variety of pea (Pisum sativum) at low (Palampur; 1300 m) and high altitudes (Kibber; 4200 m). Similar studies were carried out in naturally growing Rumex nepalensis and Trifoilum repenses at Palampur, Palchan (2250 m) and Marhi (3250 m). All the plants species exhibited lower CytR but significantly higher AR capacity at high altitude (HA) (72-1117% higher) as compared to those at low altitude (LA). Glycolytic product, pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate, citrate increased with increase in altitude. While the role of these metabolites in relation to HA biology is discussed, significantly higher AR at HA is proposed to be an adaptive mechanism against the metabolic perturbations wherein it might act to lower reactive oxygen species and also provides metabolic homeostasis to plants under the environment of HA.

Altitude↗
PubMed2005

Force-induced conformational transition in a system of interacting stiff polymers: application to unfolding.

We consider a stiff polymer chain in poor solvent and apply a force at one end of the chain. We find that by varying the stiffness parameter, the polymer undergoes a transition from the globule state to the foldedlike state. The conformation of the folded state mimics the beta sheet as seen in the titin molecule. Using the exact enumeration technique, we study the extension-force and force-temperature diagrams of such a system. The force-temperature diagram shows the re-entrance behavior for a flexible chain. However, for a stiff chain this re-entrance behavior is absent and there is an enhancement in theta temperature with the rise of stiffness. We further propose that the internal information about the frozen structure of a polymer can be read from the distribution of end-to-end distance which shows a sawtoothlike behavior.

Biopolymers↗
PubMed2005

A single catalytic domain of the junction-resolving enzyme T7 endonuclease I is a non-specific nicking endonuclease.

A stable heterodimeric protein containing a single correctly folded catalytic domain (SCD) of T7 endonuclease I was produced by means of a trans-splicing intein system. As predicted by a model presented earlier, purified SCD protein acts a non-specific nicking endonuclease on normal linear DNA. The SCD retains some ability to recognize and cleave a deviated DNA double-helix near a nick or a strand-crossing site. Thus, we infer that the non-specific and nicked-site cleavage activities observed for the native T7 endonuclease I (as distinct from the resolution activity) are due to uncoordinated actions of the catalytic domains. The positively charged C-terminus of T7 Endo I is essential for the enzymatic activity of SCD, as it is for the native enzyme. We propose that the preference of the native enzyme for the resolution reaction is achieved by cooperativity in the binding of its two catalytic domains when presented with two of the arms across a four-way junction or cruciform structure.

Bacteriophage T7↗
PubMed2005

Ascorbic acid deficiency activates cell death and disease resistance responses in Arabidopsis.

Programmed cell death, developmental senescence, and responses to pathogens are linked through complex genetic controls that are influenced by redox regulation. Here we show that the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) low vitamin C mutants, vtc1 and vtc2, which have between 10% and 25% of wild-type ascorbic acid, exhibit microlesions, express pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, and have enhanced basal resistance against infections caused by Pseudomonas syringae. The mutants have a delayed senescence phenotype with smaller leaf cells than the wild type at maturity. The vtc leaves have more glutathione than the wild type, with higher ratios of reduced glutathione to glutathione disulfide. Expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP) fused to the nonexpressor of PR protein 1 (GFP-NPR1) was used to detect the presence of NPR1 in the nuclei of transformed plants. Fluorescence was observed in the nuclei of 6- to 8-week-old GFP-NPR1 vtc1 plants, but not in the nuclei of transformed GFP-NPR1 wild-type plants at any developmental stage. The absence of senescence-associated gene 12 (SAG12) mRNA at the time when constitutive cell death and basal resistance were detected confirms that elaboration of innate immune responses in vtc plants does not result from activation of early senescence. Moreover, H2O2-sensitive genes are not induced at the time of systemic acquired resistance execution. These results demonstrate that ascorbic acid abundance modifies the threshold for activation of plant innate defense responses via redox mechanisms that are independent of the natural senescence program.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2005

Determination of osteoprogenitor-specific promoter activity in mouse mesenchymal stem cells by recombinant adeno-associated virus transduction.

Towards utilizing gene-targeted, repopulating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to increase osteogenesis, we evaluated the expression of bone-specific promoters during MSC differentiation. Multi-lineage potential of cultured MSC was confirmed by osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation under controlled conditions. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) encoding luciferase under the human cytomegalovirus (CMV), mouse alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runx-2/cbfa1 (RUNX), osteopontin (OPN), collagen type 1a (COL), and osteocalcin (OCN) promoters was used to transduce mouse MSC. Replicate cultures were maintained undifferentiated or differentiated to osteoblast lineage. Luciferase expression was determined on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, or 21 as a measure of promoter activity. Expression of osteogenic markers and mineralization was determined as correlates of osteopoiesis. Results indicated expression from CMV promoter in undifferentiated and differentiated cultures at early stage. However, expression from COL and RUNX promoters was abundant only in differentiating cultures as early as 24 h but declined gradually. Expression from OPN and ALP promoters was evident 24 h following osteogenic differentiation and peaked gradually until 2 weeks before declining. Expression from OC promoter was evident only after 7 days of differentiation but remained until final analysis on day 21. That rAAV transduction of MSC does not induce differentiation was also confirmed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). The observed stage-specific expression of analyzed promoters was not significant when the MSC were differentiated to adipocytes. Thus, the use of RUNX2 or COL promoter to stably express osteoinductive factors in MSC may allow both self-renewal of modified MSC and enrichment of osteoblast commitment.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Expression analysis of a stress-modulated transcript in drought tolerant and susceptible cultivars of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor).

The present study reports the cloning of a 581 bp sequence, designated as SbEST8, from the osmotically stressed germinated seeds of a drought tolerant cultivar of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). The SbEST8, which shows no homology with the reported gene sequences, is present in multiple copies and lacks restriction fragment length polymorphism among different sorghum cultivars. The expression of SbEST8 in the germinating seeds of sorghum was modulated by different abiotic stresses. Kinetic studies revealed that imposition of osmotic stress after 8h resulted in maximum levels of SbEST8 mRNA in the germinating seeds of cv. ICSV-272, with further stress causing a decline to undetectable levels by 16 h. However, relieving the stress after 12h resulted in an enhancement of SbEST8 mRNA levels for at least another 4h following which it declined. The decrease in SbEST8 mRNA levels in the leaves at 30 DAS in response to drought stress was observed only in the drought susceptible cultivar (CSV-216), whereas its expression was either increased substantially or remained unaffected in the tolerant cultivars, thus suggesting its role in water stress tolerance.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed2005

Selective recognition of synthetic lysine and meso-diaminopimelic acid-type peptidoglycan fragments by human peptidoglycan recognition proteins I{alpha} and S.

The interactions of a range of synthetic peptidoglycan derivatives with PGRP-Ialpha and PGRP-S have been studied in real-time using surface plasmon resonance. A dissociation constant of K(D) = 62 mum was obtained for the interaction of peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP)-Ialpha with the lysine-containing muramyl pentapeptide (compound 6). The normalized data for the lysine-containing muramyl tetra- (compound 5) and pentapeptide (compound 6) showed that these compounds have similar affinities, whereas a much lower affinity for muramyl tripeptide (compound 3) was measured. Similar affinities were obtained when the lysine moiety of the muramyl peptides was replaced by meso-diaminopimelic acid (DAP). Furthermore, the compounds that contained only a stem peptide (pentapeptide, compound 1) and (DAP-PP, compound 2) as well as muramyldipeptide (compound 3) exhibited no binding indicating that the muramyltripeptide (compound 4) is the smallest peptidoglycan fragment that can be recognized by PGRP-Ialpha. Surprisingly, PGRP-S derived significantly higher affinities for the DAP-containing fragments to similar lysine-containing derivatives, and the following dissociation constants were measured: muramylpentapeptide-DAP, K(D) = 104 nm; muramyltetrapeptide-DAP, 92.4 nm; and muramyltripeptide-DAP, 326 nm. The binding profiles were rationalized by using a recently reported x-ray crystal structure of PGRP-Ialpha with the lysine-containing muramyltripeptide (4).

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗
PubMed2005

Force-induced triple point for interacting polymers.

We show the existence of a force induced triple point in an interacting polymer problem that allows two zero-force thermal phase transitions. The phase diagrams for two different models of mutually attracting but self-avoiding polymers are presented. One of these models has an intermediate phase and it shows a triple point. A general phase diagram with multicritical points in an extended parameter space is also discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

NF-kappa B mediates the stimulation of cytokine and chemokine expression by human articular chondrocytes in response to fibronectin fragments.

Fibronectin fragments (FN-f) that bind to the alpha(5)beta(1) integrin stimulate chondrocyte-mediated cartilage destruction and could play an important role in the progression of arthritis. The objective of this study was to identify potential cytokine mediators of cartilage inflammation and destruction induced by FN-f and to investigate the mechanism of their stimulation. Human articular chondrocytes, isolated from normal ankle cartilage obtained from tissue donors, were treated with a 110-kDa FN-f in serum-free culture, and expression of various cytokine genes was analyzed by cDNA microarray and by a cytokine protein array. Compared with untreated control cultures, stimulation by FN-f resulted in a >2-fold increase in IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and growth-related oncogene beta (GRO-beta). Constitutive and FN-f-inducible expression of GRO-alpha and GRO-gamma were also noted by RT-PCR and confirmed by immunoblotting. Previous reports of IL-1beta expression induced by FN-f were also confirmed, while TNF expression was found to be very low. Inhibitor studies revealed that FN-f-induced stimulation of chondrocyte chemokine expression was dependent on NF-kappaB activity, but independent of IL-1 autocrine signaling. The ability of FN-f to stimulate chondrocyte expression of multiple proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines suggests that damage to the cartilage matrix is capable of inducing a proinflammatory state responsible for further progressive matrix destruction, which also includes the chemoattraction of inflammatory cells. Targeting the signaling pathways activated by FN-f may be an effective means of inhibiting production of multiple mediators of cartilage destruction.

Cartilage, Articular↗
PubMed2005

Purification and partial characterization of a low temperature responsive Mn-SOD from tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze).

The manganese containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) was purified from a tea clone, TEENALI, which showed the lowest period of winter dormancy. Protein was purified using leaves of tea by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by column chromatography using DEAE-cellulose, and silica-based size exclusion chromatography on HPLC system. Upto 51-fold purification and a specific activity of 56.66 U/mg of protein was achieved, which yielded a single band upon denaturing PAGE. The enzyme had a native molecular weight of about 169 kDa, whereas a monomer with molecular weight of 43 kDa was found on SDS-PAGE suggesting it to be homotetramer. The purified enzyme had pH optima of 8.0. It exhibited a wide temperature range for its activity with optima at 0 degrees C suggesting its role in low temperature tolerance. The manuscript presents purification and characterization of high molecular weight Mn-SOD from tea and discusses its implication in tolerance of low temperature stress.

Camellia sinensis↗
PubMed2005

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) clone with lower period of winter dormancy exhibits lesser cellular damage in response to low temperature.

There is no literature available on the response of tea plant to low temperature. We studied the effect of low temperature on two clones of tea with contrasting periods of winter dormancy, a phenomenon in which the growth of apical shoots of tea is diminished during winter months. Clone 'Teenali 17/154' (TNL) showed shorter periods of winter dormancy than clone 'Kangra Jat' (KNJ). Low temperature (5 degrees C) resulted in increase of metabolic superoxide (O2*-) content and cellular damage (as measured by tetrazolium chloride reduction test) in both the clones, however, the increase was lesser in the case of TNL compared to KNJ. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) increased in both the clones in response to low temperature however, GR activity exhibited significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two clones. Low temperature caused increase in the intensity of various isozymes of SOD, APX and GR. A new isozyme of SOD (Cu/Zn type) was induced in both the clones at low temperature. Significantly higher GR activity in both the clones suggested a role of this enzyme in imparting better protection to tea at low temperature. Also, clonal variation for GR isozyme was observed between the clones. Based on these results it appears that TNL, a clone with relatively lesser period of winter dormancy experiences lesser oxidative stress in response to low temperature compared to KNJ, a clone with relatively higher period of winter dormancy.

Ascorbate Peroxidases↗
PubMed2005

Free heme toxicity and its detoxification systems in human.

Severe hemolysis or myolysis occurring during pathological states, such as sickle cell disease, ischemia reperfusion, and malaria results in high levels of free heme, causing undesirable toxicity leading to organ, tissue, and cellular injury. Free heme catalyzes the oxidation, covalent cross-linking and aggregate formation of protein and its degradation to small peptides. It also catalyzes the formation of cytotoxic lipid peroxide via lipid peroxidation and damages DNA through oxidative stress. Heme being a lipophilic molecule intercalates in the membrane and impairs lipid bilayers and organelles, such as mitochondria and nuclei, and destabilizes the cytoskeleton. Heme is a potent hemolytic agent and alters the conformation of cytoskeletal protein in red cells. Free heme causes endothelial cell injury, leading to vascular inflammatory disorders and stimulates the expression of intracellular adhesion molecules. Heme acts as a pro-inflammatory molecule and heme-induced inflammation is involved in the pathology of diverse conditions; such as renal failure, arteriosclerosis, and complications after artificial blood transfusion, peritoneal endometriosis, and heart transplant failure. Heme offers severe toxic effects to kidney, liver, central nervous system and cardiac tissue. Although heme oxygenase is primarily responsible to detoxify free heme but other extra heme oxygenase systems also play a significant role to detoxify heme. A brief account of free heme toxicity and its detoxification systems along with mechanistic details are presented.

Animals↗