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Biomedical subjects

A Ahmed

Publications and source records attributed to A Ahmed.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Factors influencing the anti-inflammatory effect of dexamethasone therapy in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

Dexamethasone (DXM) interferes with the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) and can thereby diminish the secondary inflammatory response that follows initiation of antibacterial therapy. A beneficial effect on the outcome of Haemophilus meningitis in children has been proven, but until recently the effect of DXM therapy in pneumococcal meningitis was uncertain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate factors that might influence the modulatory effect of DXM on the antibiotic-induced inflammatory response in a rabbit model of pneumococcal meningitis. DXM (1 mg/kg) was given intravenously 30 min before or 1 h after administration of a pneumococcal cell wall extract, or the first dose of ampicillin. In meningitis induced by cell wall extract, DXM therapy prevented the increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leucocyte and lactate concentrations, but only if given 30 min before the cell wall extract. In meningitis caused by live organisms, initiation of ampicillin therapy resulted in an increase in CSF TNF-alpha and lactate concentrations only in animals with initial CSF bacterial concentrations > or =5.6 log10 cfu/mL. In those animals, DXM therapy prevented significant elevations in CSF TNF-alpha [median change -184 pg/mL, -114 pg/mL versus +683 pg/mL with DXM (30 min before or 1 h after ampicillin) versus controls (no DXM), respectively, P=0.02] and lactate concentrations [median change -10.6 mmol/L, -1.5 mmol/L versus +14.3 mmol/L with DXM (30 min before or 1 h after ampicillin) versus controls (no DXM), respectively, P=0.01]. These effects were independent of the timing of DXM administration. In this model of experimental pneumococcal meningitis, an antibiotic-induced secondary inflammatory response in the CSF was demonstrated only in animals with high initial CSF bacterial concentrations (> or =5.6 log10 cfu/mL). These effects were modulated by DXM therapy whether it was given 30 min before or 1 h after the first dose of ampicillin.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

New insights into the possible role of bacteriophages in transplantation.

Due to the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacterial infections in the "post-antibiotic era," bacteriophages (bacterial viruses, BP) may be useful to administer to transplant recipients without exposing them to an increased risk of rejection, which occurs consequent to some viral infections. Herein we present evidence that at least some coliphages (T4) do not pose such risk. Interestingly, they may produce immunosuppressive effects extending transplant survival. Our data suggest that BP may be used in clinical transplantation to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections and perhaps as an adjunct to immunosuppressive therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Intratumoral expression of a fusogenic membrane glycoprotein enhances the efficacy of replicating adenovirus therapy.

We describe here a novel strategy to enhance the in vivo efficacy of replicating adenovirus therapy, using coinjection of plasmid DNA encoding a fusogenic viral glycoprotein. The combination of fusogenic membrane glycoprotein (FMG)-induced tumor cell fusion and infection with replicating adenovirus effectively treats even large established tumors at doses of plasmid DNA and virus that alone are ineffective. Adenoviral infection appears to increase the transduction of the tumor cells to a modest degree thereby boosting the FMG-mediated component of the therapy. Simultaneously, syncytial formation enhances the therapeutic effects of viral infection by increasing spread of adenoviral particles through the tumor cell population and by increasing titer of virus released from the tumor cells. This effect is due probably to release of intracellular viral particles upon tumor cell death and also to increased levels of E1A protein within syncytia, whose increased metabolic rate is associated with enhanced levels of protein expression. Cotransduction of tumor cells with replicating adenovirus and FMG-expressing vectors could either be combined within single replicating vectors or could be used in strategies using separate administration of two components, both at lower doses than required for either therapy alone.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2003

Endoscopic bipolar diathermy in the management of epistaxis: an effective and cost-efficient treatment.

Epistaxis is one of the most frequently managed otorhinolaryngological emergencies. This prospective study over a 4-month period involved 38 adult patients presenting with epistaxis who underwent endoscopic bipolar diathermy under local anaesthesia. Thirty-four (89%) of the 38 adults were successfully treated and 28 (74%) of the patients did not require admission. Based on a simple cost-benefit analysis of savings made by avoiding admission, successful immediate treatment of these 28 patients led to a potential saving of at least pound 6804.00. We conclude endoscopic bipolar diathermy under local anaesthesia is an effective, safe and cost-efficient modality of treatment in the management of adult epistaxis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Cancer stem cells.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cell Division↗
PubMed2003

Delay in migration of the corneal epithelium after incorporation of [3H]-mannose in organ cultures.

PURPOSE: Corneal epithelial cell surface carbohydrate moieties influence migration during wound healing. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the incorporation of galactose and mannose sugar during corneal epithelial migration and their effect on the rate of wound healing. METHODS: Organ cultures of non-migrating (n = 6) and migrating (n = 30) corneal epithelia were prepared. The incorporation of [3H]-galactose and [3H]-mannose was followed in the migrating samples after 18, 24, 48 and 72h incubation and at 18h in the non-migrating samples. Wound size was documented at the same intervals and the rate of healing was established. RESULTS: The migrating corneal epithelium of the galactose and mannose treated samples incorporated more radioactive sugar than the non-migrating samples. Mannose incorporation decreased with time whereas the rate of healing was significantly delayed (41 +/- 0.01 microm/h) compared to galactose treated samples (63 +/- 0.01 microm/h) and controls (61 +/- 0.01 microm/h) during the active healing phase (18-48h). Galactose incorporation increased with time. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of mannose sugar has an inhibitory effect on the rate of migration during the linear healing phase of the corneal epithelium.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Role of Joshi's external stabilisation system fixator in the management of idiopathic clubfoot.

PURPOSE: To explore the role of Joshi's external stabilisation system fixator in correcting cases of clubfoot peculiar to India, we studied cases of neglected clubfoot, dropout cases of plaster-of-paris cast treatment, or failed surgical procedures that had been followed for a minimum period of 2 years. METHODS: 26 children underwent 44 Joshi's external stabilisation system procedures at the Central Institute of Orthopaedics at the Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, between January 1998 and December 1999 for the conditions of interest. Three-dimensional correction was achieved by use of the distractor device. RESULTS: Excellent results were obtained in 77% of the cases, good results in 13%, and poor results in 9% of the cases. Complications in half of the cases were pintract infections, which eventually healed on an outpatient basis without any residual sequelae. CONCLUSION: The Joshi's external stabilisation system frame is ideally suited for the child in whom clubfoot deformities remain uncorrected by plaster-of-paris casts and manipulation, as well as for recurrent clubfoot. Casting after complete correction not only protects the osteopenic bones while the pin-tracts heal, but also maintains correction and allows gradual weightbearing.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Intranasal glomangioma.

Glomangioma is a benign tumour of the glomus body. It is a relatively rare tumour in the head and neck region and even rarer in the nasal cavity. We present the 13th documented case of an intranasal glomangioma. A 56-year-old woman presented with a lesion on the nasal septum associated with intermittent nasal pain and epistaxis. Local surgical excision was not only diagnostic but therapeutic as it effected a cure. Intranasal glomangioma has no well-defined presenting features but must be borne in mind as a possible rare cause of nasal pain and epistaxis. We also briefly review the clinical presentation, histology and management of such a rare tumour.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Serum lipid profile in hypertensive and normotensive type II diabetes mellitus patients--a comparative study.

A comparative prospective study was done in 10 patients suffering from hypertension with type II diabetes mellitus and 10 patients suffering from type II diabetes without hypertension. The serum Lipid profile was studied on 10 healthy normotensive nondiabetic subject, on 10 patients suffering from hypertension with type II diabetes mellitus and on 10 patients suffering from type II diabetes mellitus without hypertension. In present study a significantly higher level of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-Cholesterol concentration were observed in hypertensive type II diabetes mellitus and normotensive type II diabetes mellitus subjects in comparison to control group and serum HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in both the groups in comparison to healthy control. There was significantly increased level of serum total cholesterol (P < 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001) in hypertensive type II diabetes mellitus in comparison to normotensive type II diabetes mellitus. Though serum triglyceride level was increased in hypertensive type II diabetes mellitus in comparison to normotensive type II diabetes mellitus, but it was not statistically significant. Serum HDL-cholesterol level was more in normotensive type II diabetes mellitus in comparison to hypertensive type II diabetes mellitus group but it was not statistically significant.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Serum calcium in normal pregnant women.

A prospective case-control study was done to determine any difference of serum calcium levels in pregnant women in third trimester and non-pregnant women. Serum calcium levels were determined in 30 normal non-gravid women and 30 women with normal pregnancies during third trimester with age range of 17-35 years. The mean serum calcium levels were found to be significantly lower in normal pregnant woman in third trimester than that of normal non-pregnant controls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Cutaneous manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in Pakistani patients.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune process in which cutaneous lesions occur in majority of patients. This study from Karachi, Pakistan was conducted to determine the pattern and prevalence of such lesions in SLE in Pakistani patients. METHODS: One hundred ninety eight patients with SLE fulfilling the clinical and laboratory criteria of the American Rheumatology Association were examined between 1986 and 2001 for the presence of cutaneous manifestations. RESULTS: Skin changes noted were: noncicatricial diffuse alopecia (22%), malar rash (31%), mucosal lesions (20%), discoid eruptions (15%), photosensitivity (33%), vascular lesions (20%), pruritus (17%), and pigmentary changes (22%). Peripheral gangrene, chronic ulcers, Raynauds phenomenon, urticaria, chilblains, thrombophlebitis, palmar erythema, and erythema multiform were rare. Anti ANA and anti dsDNA were positive in 93% and 83% patients respectively. CONCLUSION: A different clinical pattern was noted in our patients than reported previously.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Genetic diversity of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A from different geographical regions in Asia.

AIMS: Subtyping of Salmonella Paratyphi A isolates from India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia was carried out by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to assess the extent of genetic diversity of these isolates from different endemic countries. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 39 human isolates of Salmonella Paratyphi A from Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Malaysia were studied using PFGE analysis following digestion of chromosomal DNA with XbaI. Seven isolates from Pakistan were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole. It was noted that Salmonella Paratyphi A isolates obtained from outbreaks in India had limited genetic diversity and probably belonged to closely related clones. Significant genetic homogeneity was observed among antimicrobial-resistant isolates from Pakistan and antimicrobial-sensitive isolates from Pakistan and Indonesia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PFGE was a useful subtyping technique to differentiate Salmonella Paratyphi A from different endemic countries. However, it fails to differentiate the antimicrobial-resistant and -sensitive strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The findings of the present study verify the usefulness of PFGE in characterizing and comparing strains of Salmonella Paratyphi A. Our study suggests that a limited number of clones are responsible for paratyphoid fever in these countries.

Asia↗