Introduction: Asthma is characterized by inflammation and constriction of the upper airways (airway hyper-responsiveness), when exposed to ambient irritants. There is currently substantial interest in understanding asthma pathophysiology through the use of animal models [1]. In these studies, animals are typically treated with the bronchoconstrictor Methacholine (MCh), and airway hyperresponsiv...

recent studies have established that sex hormones directly or indirectly affect t and b cells and macrophages by manipulating the production of cytokines. in this study the possibility of the effect of 5a-dht on macrophage (mφ) nitric oxide (no) release via interleukin-l, 6 (ll-1β, il-6) or tumor necrosis factor-a (tnfα) was investigated. the endogenous cytokines il-1β, il-6 and tnf-α were neut...

The anti-inflammatory action of silver nanoparticles (NPs) has been reported in a murine model of asthma in a previous study. But more specific mechanisms of silver NPs in an attenuation of allergic airway inflammation have not yet been established. Vascular and mucous changes are believed to contribute largely in pathophysiology in asthma. Among various factors related to vascular changes, vas...

We reported previously that the EBV BARF1 open reading frame encodes a Mr 31,000-33,000 protein (p31) with potential transforming and oncogenic properties. This gene was found capable of transforming both: (a) the rodent fibroblast lines Balbc/3T3 and NIH3T3 into cells producing aggressive tumors in newborn rats; and (b) the human EBV-negative B-cell line Louckes into cells leading to small tum...

In macrophages, the divalent cations transporter Nramp1 is recruited from the lysosomal compartment to the membrane of phagosomes formed in these cells. Nramp1 mutations cause susceptibility to infection with intracellular pathogens such as Salmonella and Mycobacterium. Intracellular survival of Salmonella involves segregation in an endomembrane compartment (Salmonella-containing vacuole, SCV) ...

(i) Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effect of lead acetate on the serum estrogen and progesterone levels in adult mice and the role of garlic extract. (ii) Study Design: Laboratory based Randomized Control Trial. (iii) Place and duration of study: Anatomy Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of health from April-June 2013. (iv)...

Astronaut intestinal health may be impacted by microgravity, radiation, and diet. The aim of this study was to characterize how high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, microgravity, and elevated dietary iron affect colon microbiota (determined by 16S rDNA pyrosequencing) and colon function. Three independent experiments were conducted to achieve these goals: 1) fractionated low LET...

It is now possible to quantitate carcinogen adducts on DNA by highly sensitive immunoassays. These techniques are particularly useful for screening human populations for exposure to potential environmental carcinogens. We have developed a panel of monoclonal antibodies that react with benzo(a)pyrene (BP) modified DNA to be used in an enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) to quantitate adduct levels...

A lethal cardiotoxic-cytotoxic protein (mol. wt. 6.76 kDa) has been purified from the Indian monocellate cobra (Naja kaouthia) venom by ion-exchange chromatography and HPLC. CD spectra indicated the presence of 23% alpha helix, 19% beta sheets and 35% coil. Complete amino acid sequence was determined by MALDI, which showed similar homology with cardiotoxins/cytotoxins isolated from venom of oth...

introduction: recently, a novel gene was cloned and characterized named catsper, which codes for a unique ca2+ channel that is expressed excludively in the testis. it has crucial role in sperm motility, sperm penetration into the ovum and ultimately male fertility. in the present study, we have evaluated the expression of this gene at different ages of mouse by semi-quantitative rt-pcr. materia...