1
|
Kothari S, Bala N, Patel AB, Donovan A, Narayanaswami V. The LDL receptor binding domain of apolipoprotein E directs the relative orientation of its C-terminal segment in reconstituted nascent HDL. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr 2021; 1863:183618. [PMID: 33831404 PMCID: PMC8211829 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (apoE) (299 residues) is a highly helical protein that plays a critical role in cholesterol homeostasis. It comprises a four-helix bundle N-terminal (NT) and a C-terminal (CT) domain that can exist in lipid-free and lipid-associated states. In humans, there are two major apoE isoforms, apoE3 and apoE4, which differ in a single residue in the NT domain, with apoE4 strongly increasing risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). It has been proposed that the CT domain initiates rapid lipid binding, followed by a slower NT domain helix bundle opening and lipid binding to yield discoidal reconstituted high density lipoprotein (rHDL). However, the contribution of the NT domain on the CT domain organization in HDL remains poorly understood. To understand this, we employed Cys-specific cross-linking and spatially-sensitive fluorophores in the NT and CT domains of apoE3 and apoE4, and in isolated CT domain. We noted that the helices in isolated CT domain are oriented parallel to those in the neighboring molecule in rHDL, whereas full length apoE3 and apoE4 adopt either an anti-parallel or hairpin-like organization. It appears that the bulky NT domain determines the spatial organization of its CT domain in rHDL, a finding that has significance for apoE4, which is more susceptible to proteolytic cleavage in AD brains, showing increased accumulation of neurotoxic NT and CT fragments. We envisage that the structural organization of HDL apoE would have profound functional consequences in its ability to regulate cholesterol homeostasis in AD and CVD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Kothari
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - N Bala
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - A B Patel
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - A Donovan
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - V Narayanaswami
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kumar P, Singh R, Singh H, Chand T, Bala N. Assessment of Soil Carbon Dioxide Efflux and its Controlling Factors in Moist Temperate Forest of West Himalayas. CURR SCI INDIA 2020. [DOI: 10.18520/cs/v119/i4/661-669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
3
|
Abstract
Aim Anxiety disorders usually remain undiagnosed in school students owing to the internalized nature of their symptoms. The present study was conducted with the primary objective of evaluating the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in school students in Mumbai. A secondary objective was to assess the impact of variables (age, gender, presence of sibling, and type of school curriculum or school) on anxiety symptoms. Materials and Methods Study cases (8-15 year olds) were recruited by nonprobability sampling from four English-medium schools. Anxiety was measured using Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS)-child self-report questionnaire. T-scores (total and subscales) were calculated and cut-off scores of> 60 were considered as significant. Results Symptoms of overall anxiety were present in 10.8% (53/493) of the students. Older students (12-15 year olds) had greater odds of having overall anxiety symptoms (crude OR = 4.36, 95% CI 2.27 to 8.39, P < 0.0001). Symptoms of all anxiety disorders were present in the 493 participants, with obsessions/compulsions and fears of physical injury being the most common (in 29.6% and 27.2%, respectively). Older students and boys had greater odds of having obsessions/compulsions (crude OR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.56 to 3.44, P < 0.0001; and crude OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.27, P= 0.035, respectively]. Students with sibling (s) had greater odds of having fears of physical injury (crude OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.78, P= 0.003). Conclusions There is an urgent need to screen school students in our city for anxiety disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Karande
- Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - N J Gogtay
- Clinical Pharmacology, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - N Bala
- Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - H Sant
- Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - A Thakkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - R Sholapurwala
- Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Death to most people is a major life event. Nothing in this world prepares us to face and manage the perioperative death although the majority of anesthesiologists will be involved in an intraoperative death during the course of their careers. Whether death on the table was expected or occurred when least expected or may be even later, the anesthesiologist is most likely to be affected emotionally, physically in his personal life, and as well as will have an influence on his professional career. Anesthesiologists as perioperative physicians are likely to experience death on the operating table at some time in their careers. In case of perioperative death, meticulous record keeping including time of occurrence of event and methods and medications used during resuscitation, nature of the problem, and all sequence of events should be adopted to breaking bad news with relatives and blame game should be avoided. The anesthesiologist and the relatives of the patient should also be given emotional support to come out of this untoward event. In this article, we have highlighted the various factors and causes leading on to perioperative death and if in case such an event occurs, what are the protocols to be followed, including medicolegal aspects, giving emotional support to the concerned anesthesiologist, dealing with the relatives of the patient sympathetically, etc. We have also enumerated the various precautions to be taken to prevent perioperative mortality in this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J P Attri
- Department of Anesthesia, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - R Makhni
- Department of Anesthesia, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - V Chatrath
- Department of Anesthesia, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - N Bala
- Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - R Kumar
- Department of Orthopedic, Lifekare Hospital, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - P Jain
- Department of Anesthesia, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Thakkar AN, Karande S, Bala N, Sant H, Gogtay NJ, Sholapurwala R. Is anxiety more common in school students with newly diagnosed specific learning disabilities? A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. J Postgrad Med 2016; 62:12-9. [PMID: 26482116 PMCID: PMC4944323 DOI: 10.4103/0022-3859.167663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: School students with specific learning disabilities (SpLDs) experience chronic academic underachievement and resultant stress. The present study aimed to determine if school students with newly diagnosed SpLD were more likely to have anxiety than their regular peers. Materials and Methods: The study cases (aged 8-15 years) were recruited from our institute's learning disability clinic. The matched controls were recruited from four schools in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Anxiety was measured using the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS)-child self-report version questionnaire. Median SCAS scores and the proportion of students with an SCAS score in the “clinical anxiety” range were compared between the groups. Results: SCAS scores were significantly higher in 8-11-year-old learning-disabled male and female students (P < 0.0001 for both groups) and 12-15-year-old female students (P = 0.004), as compared with matched controls. A significantly higher number of learning-disabled students were found to have “clinical anxiety” [24.64% vs 4.35%, crude odds ratio (OR) = 7.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.91-17.78, P = 0.0001], as compared with the controls regardless of gender, age group, presence of comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or associated medical conditions. A significantly higher proportion of 8-11-year-old learning-disabled students, especially males, were found to have “clinical anxiety” as compared with 12-15-year-old learning-disabled students (crude OR = 4.38, 95% CI 1.94-9.92, P = 0.0004). Gender, presence of comorbid ADHD or associated medical conditions, and type of school attended or curriculum did not impact the prevalence of “clinical anxiety” in learning-disabled students. Interpretation and Conclusions: Students with newly diagnosed SpLD have greater odds of being “clinically anxious” relative to their regular peers. We recommend screening for anxiety in children with SpLD immediately after diagnosis so that their optimum rehabilitation can be facilitated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - S Karande
- Department of Pediatrics, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bala N, Saha S, Maiti M, Sarkar M, Das S, Nandi P, Basu R. Riboflavin conjugated temperature variant ZnO nanoparticles with potential medicinal application in jaundice. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra15182e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant ameliorative efficiency of riboflavin conjugated ZnO nanoparticles against jaundice stress at molecular and cellular levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N. Bala
- Department of Physics
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata-32
- India
- Department of Botany
| | - S. Saha
- Department of Physics
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata-32
- India
| | - M. Maiti
- Department of Physics
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata-32
- India
| | - M. Sarkar
- Department of Physics
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata-32
- India
| | - S. Das
- Department of Physics
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata-32
- India
| | - P. Nandi
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education
- Kolkata-68
- India
| | - R. Basu
- Department of Physics
- Jogamaya Devi College
- Kolkata-26
- India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gitanjaly, Bala N, Singh H, Prakash S. High temperature corrosion behavior of superficially applied CeO2 on some Fe-, Co- and Ni-based superalloys. Surf Engin Appl Electrochem 2015. [DOI: 10.3103/s1068375515020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
8
|
Bala N, Bailey M. Canada: controversy continues over spousal abortion and support. J Fam Law 2005; 29:303-15. [PMID: 16032826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- N Bala
- Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kumar S, Heller RF, Pandey U, Tewari V, Bala N, Oanh KT. Delay in presentation of oral cancer: a multifactor analytical study. Natl Med J India 2001; 14:13-7. [PMID: 11242691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with oral cancer often present late to the doctor making treatment difficult, expensive and sometimes unsuccessful. Delay in presentation may be considered to be a health risk-taking behaviour. The present study analyses the psychosocial factors related to delay in presentation of oral cancer patients through the Triandis' model of health-seeking behaviour and also examines the relationship between delay and the stage of cancer. METHODS Seventy-nine oral cancer patients were interviewed after evolving a valid and reliable questionnaire, and determining the sample size. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied between demographic variables, psychosocial factors, primary delay (defined as delay between the first symptom and the seeking of medical advice), secondary delay (interval between the first consultation and presentation at the medical college), tertiary delay (delay in definitive treatment even after being seen at a tertiary care centre) and stage of the disease. Multiple logistic regression was also carried out. RESULTS Primary delay ranged from less than a week in 5 (6.3%) patients to more than 1 year in 8 (10%) patients. A linear relationship was found between primary and secondary delay (F-statistic p < 0.0152). A majority of patients (70.9%) had advanced oral cancer. The stage of cancer at presentation to the hospital was significantly related to primary (G-test 6.3; p < 0.0121) but not to secondary delay. Multivariate analysis revealed that five variables, 'ill fated to have cancer', 'cancer a curse', 'non-availability of transport', 'trivial ulcers in mouth are self-limiting' and 'prolonged treatment renders family stressful' were significant independent predictors of primary delay. CONCLUSION The identified independent predictors of primary delay should be used to develop the main theme of an educational intervention programme for patients with oral cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Kumar
- Department of Surgery, King George's Medical College, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Singh G, Bala N, Rathod TR, Singh B. Effect of textile industrial effluent on tree plantation and soil chemistry. J Environ Biol 2001; 22:59-66. [PMID: 11480353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A field study was conducted at Arid Forest Research Institute to study the effect of textile industrial effluent on the growth of forest trees and associated soil properties. The effluent has high pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) whereas the bivalent cations were in traces. Eight months old seedlings of Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Albizia lebbeck, Azadirachta indica, Parkinsonia aculeata and Prosopis juliflora were planted in July 1993. Various treatment regimes followed were; irrigation with effluent only (W1), effluent mixed with canal water in 1:1 ratio (W2), irrigation with gypsum treated effluent (W3), gypsum treated soil irrigated with effluent (W4) and wood ash treated soil irrigated with effluent (W5). Treatment regime W5 was found the best where plants attained (mean of six species) 173 cm height, 138 cm crown diameter and 9.2 cm collar girth at the age of 28 months. The poorest growth was observed under treatment regime of W3. The growth of the species varied significantly and the maximum growth was recorded for P. juliflora (188 cm height, 198 cm crown diameter and 10.0 cm collar girth). The minimum growth was recorded for A. lebbeck. Irrigation with effluent resulted in increase in percent organic matter as well as in EC. In most of the cases there were no changes in soil pH except in W5 where it was due to the effect of wood ash. Addition of wood ash influenced plant growth. These results suggest that tree species studied (except A. lebbeck) can be established successfully using textile industrial wastewater in arid region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Singh
- Division of Forest Ecology and Desert Development, Arid Forest Research Institute, New Pali Road, Jodhpur-342 005, India
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Cell-free translation/translocation systems are broadly applied to examine gene expression and characterize the structure-function relationship of gene products. We present the characterization of Xenopus egg extract (XEE) translocation and processing of proteins synthesized in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The XEE was prepared from eggs laid by adult female frogs that received serial injections of gonadotropins. The eggs were then dejellied in 2% L-cysteine-HCl and the cytoplasm extracted by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm for 15 min. The in vitro translocation and processing of XEE was examined with a cell-free translation system containing reticulocyte lysate, and appropriate messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) or complementary deoxyribonucleic acid plasmids with RNA polymerase. Cell-free production of the following proteins were used to assess posttranslational modifications: Escherichia coli beta-lactamase for signal sequence cleavage, Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-mating factor for translocation and N-linked glycosylation, the soluble protein luciferase for functional activity, and the membrane-bound human insulin receptor for translation efficiency. All translation products were identified by [35S]-methionine labeling, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. The results demonstrate that (1) XEE produces near-complete signal sequence and N-glycosylation processing of proteins synthesized in reticulocyte lysate, (2) XEE contains endoplasmic reticulum-equivalent microsomes, which allows for protein translocation and protease protection, (3) the addition of XEE in the translation reaction does not affect synthesis and chemiluminescence activity of luciferase, (4) XEE is efficient in processing the nascent 160-kDa human insulin receptor precursor, a transmembrane protein, and (5) as compared to canine pancreatic microsomes, XEE translocation efficiency is minimally decreased with the addition of dimethylsulfoxide. These results are the first description of the combined use of XEE with reticulocyte lysate and clearly demonstrate a higher efficiency of translocation and processing compared to canine pancreatic microsomes. This method of cell-free translation and processing allows for more extensive in vitro examination of posttranslational modifications of secretory and membrane-bound proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- X Zhou
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine and Pacific Biomedical Research Center, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Honolulu 96813, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kumar S, Misra R, Pandey U, Bala N. Components of anti-tobacco non-formal education program for India. J Clin Epidemiol 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s0895-4356(98)90114-7] [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: 11/28/2022]
|
13
|
Bala N. Children, psychiatrists and the courts: understanding the ambivalence of the legal profession. Part 1--General principles. Can J Psychiatry 1994; 39:526-30, 538. [PMID: 7874653 DOI: 10.1177/070674379403900903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are frequently involved as expert witnesses in court proceedings related to children and adolescents. Their testimony may be based on a therapeutic relationship, but frequently arises because of an assessment conducted specifically for the court process. This two part paper discusses some of the issues that arise when child psychiatrists are involved as expert witnesses in litigation, with specific focus on their role in child custody, sexual abuse and young offender cases. It also offers some practical advice for those who may be called as witnesses. There is controversy in the legal profession about the role of mental health professionals in the court process. While there is recognition of their expertise, there is also a concern about not wanting to have experts usurp the role of the courts. Legal professionals also question the "objectivity" of experts, and the reliability of their opinions. Frequently the opinions of psychiatrists about children and adolescents involved in litigation have inherently speculative and value based dimensions, and not "scientific". Participation in the court process by mental health experts is nevertheless a vitally important role, providing information, analysis and recommendations about what are often very difficult societal decisions. Part two of this paper starts on page 531.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Bala
- Faculty of Law, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bala N. Children, psychiatrists and the courts: understanding the ambivalence of the legal profession. Part II--Applied principles. Can J Psychiatry 1994; 39:531-9. [PMID: 7874654 DOI: 10.1177/070674379403900904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- N Bala
- Faculty of Law, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
| |
Collapse
|