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Rajendran S, Chandran D, Abraham PM, Mufsil PP. Pulsatile bleeding varicose veins due to tricuspid regurgitation successfully treated with foam sclerotherapy. J Postgrad Med 2022; 69:120-121. [PMID: 36537397 DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_433_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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2
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Lebina L, Abraham PM, Milovanovic M, Motlhaoleng K, Chaisson RE, Rakgokong M, Golub J, Variava E, Martinson NA. Latent tuberculous infection in schoolchildren and contact tracing in Matlosana, North West Province, South Africa. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2016; 19:1290-2. [PMID: 26467579 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) and the annual risk of tuberculous infection (ARTI) among a sample of children aged 5 and 7 years in Matlosana, South Africa. LTBI prevalence was significantly higher in children aged 7 years (n = 704) (19.7%, 95%CI 16.75-22.65) than in those aged 5 years (212/1401, 15.1%, 95%CI 13.23-16.97) (P = 0.0075). The ARI was 2.9% (95%CI 2.2-3.6).
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lebina
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - P M Abraham
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - M Milovanovic
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - K Motlhaoleng
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - R E Chaisson
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - M Rakgokong
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - J Golub
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - E Variava
- Department of Medicine, Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex, North West Department of Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - N A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Soweto Matlosana Collaborative Centre for HIV/AIDS & TB, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
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Quan S, Sheng JR, Abraham PM, Soliven B. Regulatory T and B lymphocytes in a spontaneous autoimmune polyneuropathy. Clin Exp Immunol 2016; 184:50-61. [PMID: 26671281 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
B7-2(-/-) non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice develop a spontaneous autoimmune polyneuropathy (SAP) that mimics the progressive form of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). In this study, we focused on the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs ) and regulatory B cells (Bregs ) in SAP. We found that deletion of B7-2 in female NOD mice led to a lower frequency and number of Tregs and Bregs in spleens and lymph nodes. Tregs but not Bregs suppressed antigen-stimulated splenocyte proliferation, whereas Bregs inhibited the T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokine response. Both Tregs and Bregs induced an increase in CD4(+) interleukin (IL)-10(+) cells, although less effectively in the absence of B7-2. Adoptive transfer studies revealed that Tregs , but not Bregs , suppressed SAP, while Bregs attenuated disease severity when given prior to symptom onset. B cell deficiency in B cell-deficient (muMT)/B7-2(-/-) NOD mice prevented the development of SAP, which would indicate that the pathogenic role of B cells predominates over its regulatory role in this model. We conclude that Bregs and Tregs control the immunopathogenesis and progression of SAP in a non-redundant fashion, and that therapies aimed at expansion of Bregs and Tregs may be an effective approach in autoimmune neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Quan
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J R Sheng
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - P M Abraham
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - B Soliven
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Weaver L, Webber JB, Hickson AC, Abraham PM, Close ME. Biofilm resilience to desiccation in groundwater aquifers: a laboratory and field study. Sci Total Environ 2015; 514:281-289. [PMID: 25668280 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is used as a precious resource for drinking water worldwide. Increasing anthropogenic activity is putting increasing pressure on groundwater resources. One impact of increased groundwater abstraction coupled with increasing dry weather events is the lowering of groundwater levels within aquifers. Biofilms within groundwater aquifers offer protection to the groundwater by removing contaminants entering the aquifer systems from land use activities. The study presented investigated the impact of desiccation events on the biofilms present in groundwater aquifers using field and laboratory experiments. In both field and laboratory experiments a reduction in enzyme activity (glucosidase, esterase and phosphatase) was seen during desiccation compared to wet controls. However, comparing all the data together no significant differences were seen between either wet or desiccated samples or between the start and end of the experiments. In both field and laboratory experiments enzyme activity recovered to start levels after return to wet conditions. The study shows that biofilms within groundwater systems are resilient and can withstand periods of desiccation (4 months).
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Affiliation(s)
- L Weaver
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - J B Webber
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - A C Hickson
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - P M Abraham
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - M E Close
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Abraham PM, Quan SH, Dukala D, Soliven B. CD19 as a therapeutic target in a spontaneous autoimmune polyneuropathy. Clin Exp Immunol 2014; 175:181-91. [PMID: 24116957 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous autoimmune polyneuropathy (SAP) in B7-2 knock-out non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice is mediated by myelin protein zero (P0)-reactive T helper type 1 (Th1) cells. In this study, we investigated the role of B cells in SAP, focusing on CD19 as a potential therapeutic target. We found that P0-specific plasmablasts and B cells were increased in spleens of SAP mice compared to wild-type NOD mice. Depletion of B cells and plasmablasts with anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) led to attenuation of disease severity when administered at 5 months of age. This was accompanied by decreased serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM levels, depletion of P0-specific plasmablasts and B cells, down-regulation/internalization of surface CD19 and increased frequency of CD4(+) regulatory T cells in spleens. We conclude that B cells are crucial to the pathogenesis of SAP, and that CD19 is a promising B cell target for the development of disease-modifying agents in autoimmune neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Abraham
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Mathew J, Balakrishnan S, Antony S, Abraham PM, Paulose CS. Decreased GABA receptor in the cerebral cortex of epileptic rats: effect of Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A. J Biomed Sci 2012; 19:25. [PMID: 22364254 PMCID: PMC3306740 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-19-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstact
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Affiliation(s)
- Jobin Mathew
- Molecular Neurobiology and Cell Biology Unit, Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin-682 022, Kerala, India
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Abraham PM, Kuruvilla KP, Mathew J, Malat A, Joy S, Paulose CS. Alterations in hippocampal serotonergic and INSR function in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats exposed to stress: neuroprotective role of pyridoxine and Aegle marmelose. J Biomed Sci 2010; 17:78. [PMID: 20868513 PMCID: PMC2955644 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-17-78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2010] [Accepted: 09/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes and stress stimulate hippocampal 5-HT synthesis, metabolism and release. The present study was carried out to find the effects of insulin, Aegle marmelose alone and in combination with pyridoxine on the hippocampal 5-HT, 5-HT2A receptor subtype, gene expression studies on 5-HT2A, 5-HTT, INSR, immunohistochemical studies and elevated plus maze in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. 5-HT content showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) and a significant increase (p < 0.001) in 5-HIAA in hippocampus of diabetic rats compared to control. 5-HT receptor binding parameters Bmax and Kd showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) whereas 5-HT2A receptor binding parameters Bmax showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Kd in hippocampus of diabetic rats compared to control. Gene expression studies of 5-HT2A, 5-HTT and INSR in hippocampus showed a significant down regulation (p < 0.001) in diabetic rats compared to control. Pyridoxine treated in combination with insulin and A. marmelose to diabetic rats reversed the 5-HT content, Bmax , Kd of 5-HT, 5-HT2A and gene expression of 5-HT2A, 5-HTT and INSR in hippocampus to near control. The gene expression of 5-HT2A and 5-HTT were confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. Behavioural studies using elevated plus maze showed that serotonin through its transporter significantly increased (p < 0.001) anxiety-related traits in diabetic rats which were corrected by combination therapy. Our results suggest that pyridoxine treated in combination with insulin and A. marmelose has a role in the regulation of insulin synthesis and release, normalising diabetic related stress and anxiety through hippocampal serotonergic function. This has clinical significance in the management of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pretty Mary Abraham
- Molecular Neurobiology and Cell Biology Unit, Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin- 682 022, Kerala, India
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Abraham PM, Anju TR, Jayanarayanan S, Paulose CS. Serotonergic receptor upregulation in cerebral cortex and down regulation in brainstem of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: antagonism by pyridoxine and insulin. Neurosci Lett 2010; 483:23-7. [PMID: 20655360 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Revised: 07/13/2010] [Accepted: 07/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis is implicated through serotonergic function. Pyridoxine is involved in decarboxylation step in synthesis of serotonin. The present study was carried out to find the role of insulin in combination with pyridoxine on the concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA, 5-HT receptor binding, 5-HTT gene expression and immunohistochemistry studies in the cerebral cortex and brainstem of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. 5-HT content showed a significant decrease with a significant increase in 5-HIAA in cerebral cortex (p<0.01) and brain stem (p<0.001) in diabetic rats. 5-HT receptor binding parameters, B(max) and K(d), showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in diabetic rats in cerebral cortex whereas in brainstem it showed a significant increase (p<0.001) compared to control. Gene expression studies of 5-HTT in cerebral cortex showed a significant down regulation (p<0.001) and in brainstem an upregulation (p<0.001) in diabetic rats compared to control. Insulin and pyridoxine treatment to diabetic rats reversed the 5-HT content, B(max), K(d) and gene expression of 5-HTT confirmed by immunohistochemistry studies in cerebral cortex and brainstem to near control. Thus our results suggest that pyridoxine along with insulin has a role in the regulation of insulin synthesis and release through serotonergic function which has clinical significance in the management of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pretty Mary Abraham
- Molecular Neurobiology and Cell Biology Unit, Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Neuroscience, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin 682 022, Kerala, India
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Anju TR, Abraham PM, Antony S, Paulose CS. Alterations in cortical GABAB receptors in neonatal rats exposed to hypoxic stress: role of glucose, oxygen, and epinephrine resuscitation. Mol Cell Biochem 2010; 343:1-11. [PMID: 20473556 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-010-0491-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia in neonates can cause permanent brain damage by gene and receptor level alterations mediated through changes in neurotransmitters. The present study evaluated GABA(B) receptor alterations, gene expression changes in glutamate decarboxylase and hypoxia-inducible factor 1A in the cerebral cortex of hypoxic neonatal rats and the resuscitation groups with glucose, oxygen, and epinephrine. Under hypoxic stress, a significant decrease in total GABA and GABA(B) receptors, GABA(B) and GAD gene expression was observed in the cerebral cortex, which accounts for the respiratory inhibition. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1A was upregulated under hypoxia to maintain body homeostasis. Hypoxic rats supplemented with glucose alone and with oxygen showed a reversal of the receptor alterations and changes in GAD and HIF-1A to near control. Being a source of immediate energy, glucose can reduce the ATP-depletion-induced changes in GABA and oxygenation, which helps in encountering hypoxia. Resuscitation with oxygen alone and epinephrine was less effective in reversing the receptor alterations. Thus, our study suggests that reduction in the GABA(B) receptors functional regulation during hypoxia plays an important role in cortical damage. Resuscitation with glucose alone and glucose and oxygen to hypoxic neonatal rats helps in protecting the brain from severe hypoxic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R Anju
- Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala, India
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Krishnakumar A, Abraham PM, Paul J, Paulose CS. Down-regulation of cerebellar 5-HT(2C) receptors in pilocarpine-induced epilepsy in rats: therapeutic role of Bacopa monnieri extract. J Neurol Sci 2009; 284:124-8. [PMID: 19439326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2009.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2008] [Revised: 03/08/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a syndrome of episodic brain dysfunction characterized by recurrent unpredictable, spontaneous seizures. Cerebellar dysfunction is a recognized complication of temporal lobe epilepsy and it is associated with seizure generation, motor deficits and memory impairment. Serotonin is known to exert a modulatory action on cerebellar function through 5HT(2C) receptors. 5-HT(2C) receptors are novel targets for developing anti-convulsant drugs. In the present study, we investigated the changes in the 5-HT(2C) receptors binding and gene expression in the cerebellum of control, epileptic and Bacopa monnieri treated epileptic rats. There was a significant down regulation of the 5-HT content (p<0.001), 5-HT(2C) gene expression (p<0.001) and 5-HT(2C) receptor binding (p<0.001) with an increased affinity (p<0.001). Carbamazepine and B. monnieri treatments to epileptic rats reversed the down regulated 5-HT content (p<0.01), 5-HT(2C) receptor binding (p<0.001) and gene expression (p<0.01) to near control level. Also, the Rotarod test confirms the motor dysfunction and recovery by B. monnieri treatment. These data suggest the neuroprotective role of B. monnieri through the upregulation of 5-HT(2C) receptor in epileptic rats. This has clinical significance in the management of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amee Krishnakumar
- Molecular Neurobiology and Cell Biology Unit, Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin-682 022, Kerala, India
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