Effect of ischemia reperfusion on sodium-dependent phosphate transport in renal brush border membranes.

The effect of ischemia induced acute renal failure (ARF) on the transport of phosphate (Pi) after early (15-30 min) and prolonged (60 min) ischemia in the brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from rat renal cortex was studied. Sodium-dependent transport of Pi declined significantly and progressively due to ischemia. Western blot analysis of BBM from ischemic rats showed decreased expression of NaPi-2.

CD23-mediated IgE transport across human intestinal epithelium: inhibition by blocking sites of translation or binding.

Background & Aims: In previous studies in rodent models of food allergy, we identified that sensitization induces expression of CD23 on intestinal epithelial cells and results in enhanced IgE-dependent transepithelial antigen uptake; further studies in CD23-/- mice provided evidence that CD23 is involved in protected transport of antigen into the body. Little information exists in humans on receptor-mediated immunoglobulin (Ig)E transport across epithelia. The present study was designed to examine expression of CD23 by human epithelial cells, determine its isoform and regulation by interleukin (IL) 4, and identify the role of CD23 in transepithelial IgE transport.

Antidiabetic activity and toxicity of Zizyphus spina-christi leaves.

The effect of the butanol extract of Zizyphus spina-christi (L.), Willd (Rhamnaceae) leaves and its major saponin glycoside, christinin-A, on the serum glucose and insulin levels was studied in non-diabetic control, type-I (insulin-dependent) and type-II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic rats. Pretreatment either with 100 mg/kg butanol extract or christinin-A potentiated glucose-induced insulin release in non-diabetic control rats.

Anti-cytokeratin 20 staining of Merkel cells helps differentiate basaloid proliferations overlying dermatofibromas from basal cell carcinoma.

Background: Basaloid epidermal proliferations (BEP), morphologically resembling basal cell carcinoma (BCC), have been described overlying dermatofibromas. Distinguishing the two is important because of non-aggressiveness of BEP and local aggressiveness of BCC. The aim of this study is to determine whether CK20 antibody staining for Merkel cells can be used as an adjunct method to differentiate BEP from BCC.

Microleakage around glass-ceramic insert restorations luted with a high-viscous or flowable composite.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate microleakage around Class V resin restorations restored with glass-ceramic inserts luted with a high-viscous composite resin or a flowable composite resin.

Materials And Methods: Twenty extracted human premolars (patient age range 12-18 yr) were randomly assigned to four groups. Class V preparations in two groups were filled using a glass-ceramic insert (Megafiller Standardformen, Hager Werken GmbH, Duisburg, Germany) luted with either a hybrid, high-viscous composite (Tetric, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and a bonding agent (Excite, Ivoclar Vivadent) or a flowable composite (Crystal-Essence, Confi-Dental, Louisville, CO, USA) and a bonding agent (Confi-Quick, Confi-Dental).

Protective effect of Khamira Abresham Uood Mastagiwala against free radical induced damage in focal cerebral ischemia.

The effect of Khamira Abresham Uood Mastagiwala (KAUM) (a preparation of Indian System of Unani Medicine) on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and the content of glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was studied in the middle cerebral artery occluded (MCAO) rats after 15 days pretreatment (200 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.), orally) of Khamira Abresham Uood Mastagiwala.

"Molecular chameleons". Design and synthesis of a second series of flexible nucleosides.

The second series of flexible shape-modified nucleosides is introduced. The "fleximers" feature the purine ring systems split into their individual imidazole and pyrimidine components. This structural modification serves to introduce flexibility to the nucleoside while still retaining the elements essential for recognition.

Sodium selenite stimulates neurobehavior and neurochemical activities in rats.

The effect of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.

"Molecular chameleons". Design and synthesis of C-4-substituted imidazole fleximers.

The synthesis of two flexible nucleosides is presented. The "fleximers" feature the purine ring system split into its imidazole and pyrimidine components. This modification serves to introduce flexibility to the nucleoside while still retaining the elements essential for molecular recognition.

Selenium protects cerebral ischemia in rat brain mitochondria.

Normal cellular metabolism produces oxidants that are neutralized by the cells' antioxidant enzymes and antioxidants taken from outside. An imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant has been postulated to lead to the neurodegeneration in the ischemic condition. In this study, we have demonstrated the prevention or slowdown of neuronal injury in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by sodium selenite.

Analysis of the interaction between RGS2 and adenylyl cyclase.

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) are a family of highly diverse, multifunctional signaling proteins that enhance the intrinsic GTPase rate of certain heterotrimeric G-protein alpha subunits. New findings indicate that RGS proteins act not only as dedicated G-protein inhibitors, but rather as tightly regulated modulators of many aspects of G-protein signaling. Like other RGS proteins, RGS2 lacks GTPase-activating protein activity for Gsalpha; however, it directly inhibits the activity of several adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms.

Rectal tuberculosis: a rare case.

A 35-year-old emaciated woman presented with bleeding per rectum with mucoid stool due to a rectal growth which clinically mimicked carcinoma rectum. Anterior resection and biopsy of the resected specimen proved the case to be one of rectal tuberculosis.

Renal siderosis in donor allograft: pathologic and clinical sequelae.

Transplantation of a cadaver kidney with marked siderosis and its outcome has not been reported. Increasing use of marginal kidneys has become common practice to expand the donor pool to meet the growing demand and will lead to increased recognition of kidney disease in cadaver donors with an unknown effect on graft outcome. This is a case report of a recipient of a cadaver kidney with marked siderosis monitored by surveillance biopsies and evaluated by clinico-pathological correlation.

Effect of ischemia and reperfusion on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in rat kidney.

Background: Ischemia results in rapid decline in mitochondrial electron transfer, resulting in decreased ATP levels, and fall in intracellular pH. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the activities of enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in rat kidney.

Methods: Ischemia was induced by occlusion of the left renal artery for specified times.

Design and synthesis of a series of chlorinated 3-deazaadenine analogues.

A series of chlorinated adenine analogues were designed with sights set on the development of potential antitumor agents. During the synthetic efforts, two unexpected compounds were identified. Their synthesis, along with synthesis of the chlorinated targets is presented herein.

Synthesis of heterocyclic and carbocyclic fluoro-olefins by ring-closing metathesis.

[reaction: see text] Ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of vinyl fluoride-containing dienes in the presence of ruthenium alkylidene carbene complex 11 proceeded efficiently to give six- and seven-membered cyclic vinyl fluorides. The RCM reaction was used to prepare amine- and sulfamide-linked cyclo-olefins, as well as carbocyclic systems, from a simple commercial fluoro-olefin.

Expanded substrate screenings of human and Drosophila type 10 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) reveal multiple specificities in bile acid and steroid hormone metabolism: characterization of multifunctional 3alpha/7alpha/7beta/17beta/20beta/21-HSD.

17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17beta-HSDs) catalyse the conversion of 17beta-OH (-hydroxy)/17-oxo groups of steroids, and are essential in mammalian hormone physiology. At present, eleven 17beta-HSD isoforms have been defined in mammals, with different tissue-expression and substrate-conversion patterns. We analysed 17beta-HSD type 10 (17beta-HSD10) from humans and Drosophila, the latter known to be essential in development.

Unexpected inhibition of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase by a guanosine nucleoside.

A series of shape-modified flexible nucleosides ('fleximers', 1, 2, and 3) was modeled, synthesized and subsequently assayed against S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHase). No inhibitory activity was observed for the adenosine fleximer, which served as a substrate, but moderate inhibitory activity was exhibited by the guanosine fleximers. This is the first known report of a guanosine nucleoside analogue possessing activity against SAHase.

Identification of RGS2 and type V adenylyl cyclase interaction sites.

The production of cAMP is controlled on many levels, notably at the level of cAMP synthesis by the enzyme adenylyl cyclase. We have recently identified a new regulator of adenylyl cyclase activity, RGS2, which decreases cAMP accumulation when overexpressed in HEK293 cells and inhibits the in vitro activity of types III, V, and VI adenylyl cyclase. In addition, RGS2 blocking antibodies lead to elevated cAMP levels in olfactory neurons.

Dose-dependent protective effect of selenium in rat model of Parkinson's disease: neurobehavioral and neurochemical evidences.

Normal cellular metabolism produces oxidants that are neutralized within cells by antioxidant enzymes and other antioxidants. An imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant has been postulated to lead the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. In this study, we examined whether selenium, an antioxidant, can prevent or slowdown neuronal injury in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinsonism.

Protective effect of Nardostachys jatamansi in rat cerebral ischemia.

The protective effect of Nardostachys jatamansi (NJ) on neurobehavioral activities, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), thiol group, catalase and sodium-potassium ATPase activities was studied in middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion model of acute cerebral ischemia in rats. The right MCA of male Wistar rats was occluded for 2 h using intraluminal 4-0 monofilament and reperfusion was allowed for 22 h. MCA occlusion caused significant depletion in the contents of glutathione and thiol group and a significant elevation in the level of TBARS.

Bipolar depression: management options.

Bipolar depression is the predominant abnormal mood state in bipolar disorder. However, despite the key pertinence of this phase of the condition, the focus of research and indeed of clinical interest in the management of bipolar disorder has been mainly on mania. Bipolar depression has been largely neglected, and early studies often failed to distinguish depression due to major unipolar depression from that due to bipolar disorder.

Influence of surgical reduction of intraocular pressure on regions of the visual field with different levels of sensitivity.

Purpose: To determine whether the ability to document improvement in visual fields after intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction can be enhanced by focusing on regions of the field with different levels of sensitivity.

Design: Cohort study.

Methods: This is a retrospective study.

Hepatitis B vaccination among health care workers and students of a medical college.

Objective: To study the vaccination status against Hepatitis B among health care workers and students of a medical school.

Materials And Methods: It is a descriptive study done at Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. The participants comprised of 206 health care workers of various categories and 327 medical students.