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Biomedical subjects

A Fareed

Publications and source records attributed to A Fareed.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Cefaclor AF vs Clarithromycin in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (B3M-PK-AJBG).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of Cefaclor AF vs Clarithromycin in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis in adult subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 300 patients suffering from acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, who attended the out patient clinics of ten different hospitals throughout Pakistan. Pneumonia, bronchiectasis and tuberculosis were excluded with the help of chest radiography and sputum smear examination. Pretherapy sputum culture and sensitivity (c/s) were tested and patients were randomized and supplied with either tablet Cefaclor 375 mg or tablet Clarithromycin 250 mg to be taken twice daily. Patients were evaluated at day 0 and then at day 3-5 and day 10-11. Post therapy sputum c/s was done on day 10-11. A fourth and final visit was planned on day 20-24 which was optional. At each visit, the severity of disease and the signs and symptoms were recorded on the clinical report forms according to the preset standards. RESULTS: Of 136 patients in the Cefaclor group and 142 patients in the Clarithromycin group, cure was achieved in 44 vs 35 subjects, improvement in 78 vs 91 subjects and failure in 16 vs 18 subjects among Cefaclor vs Clarithromycin groups respectively. The overall clinical efficacy (cure and improvement combined ) was 88.4% in the Cefaclor group and 87.5% in the Clarithromycin group. Nine patients in the Cefaclor group and patients in the Clarithromycin group had one adverse event whereas twelve patients in each group had two or more adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The above results show that both Cefaclor AF and Clarithromycin are equally effective and safe in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis in adult patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Impact of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin with radiotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder.

OBJECTIVE: The primary object of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin along with radiotherapy in transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with locally advanced or metastatic TCC of urinary bladder were enrolled during the 22-months period from January, 1999 to October, 2000 and followed up till March 2002. Three patients received 4 cycles, five patients received 5 cycles and twelve patients received 6 cycles of Gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 and Cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1; administered every 3 weeks. No patient received prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. However, four patients received prior intravesical chemotherapy. All patients received radiotherapy after completion of chemotherapy regimen. RESULTS: Nineteen patients achieved complete response at the end of the treatment. The complete response rate was 95%. The confidence interval was at 95%, level of confidence ranged from 85% to 100%. Median duration of clinical benefit was 21 months. Six patients (30%) were documented neutropenia, three patients (15%) documented thrombocytopenia. No life threatening toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine and Cisplatin along with radiotherapy in locally or metastatic Transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder, exhibited pronounced response rate among all the patients. The toxicity profile remained extremely low and disease free survival enhanced. The above investigation may further be continued at a larger scale encompassing a wide band of subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Determination of antimicrobial activity of Cefaclor on common respiratory tract pathogens in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antimicrobial activity of Cefaclor against common respiratory tract pathogens isolated from patients in Pakistan. SETTING: Department of Microbiology, Liaquat National Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. METHOD: A laboratory analysis was done on 466 isolates of respiratory tract pathogens collected from 13 laboratories from all over Pakistan. Antibiotic sensitivity test was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and MIC of Cefaclor was determined by 'E' test. RESULT: Of the 163 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 87 Moraxella catarrhalis and 216 Haemophilus influenzae > 95% isolates were susceptible to Cefaclor. The MIC 90 of all these pathogens were < 2 ug. CONCLUSION: Resistance of respiratory tract pathogens to the 2nd generation Cephalosporin, Cefaclor is very low. MIC 90 of Cefaclor against all three common respiratory tract pathogens is < 2 ug, which indicates that Cefaclor would be effective in more than 90% of cases infected with these bacteria.

Cefaclor↗
PubMed2002

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus infection in major cities of Pakistan. SETTING: Various laboratories of the country with one as the central Laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven hundred and ninety two consecutive clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were collected from 8 laboratories all over Pakistan i.e. Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, Sukkhur, Islamabad, Quetta, and Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. Antibiotic sensitivity was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and MIC of Vancomycin was determined by 'E' test. RESULTS: Forty two percent of the isolates were found to be Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) while no Vancomycin resistance was encountered. CONCLUSION: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are seen in the local population with frequencies varying between 2-61% highest incidence is seen in the major cities of the country. Fortunately no Vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus has been isolated from any of the major cities.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed2001

Problem-based learning variant: transition phase for a large institution.

OBJECTIVE: To compare students' test scores and perceptions of problem-based learning (PBL) and lecture-based learning (LBL) by applying a PBL-variant. METHOD: For the transition from LBL to PBL, PBL was varied for one discipline only and for a large group of students. Two hundred forty nine second year medical students were taught a topic of Biochemistry by the LBL method and then 141 of these were taught another topic by the PBL-variant. At the conclusion of each topic an MCQ test was given. One week later a 9 item questionnaire was given to the 50 students now attending classes to assess their perceptions of the 2 teaching formats. The test scores of the two methods were compared. Students' ratings were differentiated by the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the test scores by PBL or LBL, but PBL received significantly higher student ratings (p < 0.05) than LBL in self-study time, library time, number of books and computer consulted, enthusiasm for the topic, group discussion, depth of knowledge and interest taken in the teaching format. But there was no significant difference in students' ratings of the teacher's importance in either PBL or LBL. CONCLUSION: PBL variant and LBL produced similar MCQ test scores but the former is more conducive to enthusiastic self-study. Thus in the transition phase, PBL may be applied to one discipline and a large group of students without undermining its merits.

Biochemistry↗
PubMed1998

Urothelial synthesis of prostanoids in the ovine ureter.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the site of production (urothelium/smooth muscle) and quantitative release of prostanoids in the ureter. Quantitative analysis of prostacyclin (PGI2) was by its metabolite, 6-keto PGFalpha, thromboxane (TXB2) and prostaglandin F2alpha. Synthesis by radiometry and radioimmunoassay was performed in vitro in sheep ureter specimens before and after removal of the inner epithelial layer and after addition of indomethacin. The major prostanoids present in the ureter were PGI2 and TXB2; PGI2 was quantitatively the largest component. Removal of the thin inner epithelial layer (urothelium) reduced mostly PGI2; addition of arachidonic acid significantly augmented PGI2 only in ureters with intact urothelium but did not alter TXB2 levels. The main source of prostanoid synthesis (PGI2) of the ureter is to be found in the urothelium. The functional role of the prostanoids may be related to coordination of peristalsis.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1996

The experience of reassurance: patients' perspectives.

This study sets out to examine reassurance from the perspective of patients from a medical and a surgical setting in a local general hospital unit. The rationale for studying reassurance is discussed and it is indicated that the phenomenon of reassurance as a caring construct is under-researched. The aims of the study are listed and phenomenology is used as the research method to answer the research question posed. The participants were asked to describe their experiences of being reassured by the nurses. Unstructured interviews were the main method of data collection and the sample consisted of eight patients of mixed gender. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's procedural steps and these are described. The process of research is described and ethical considerations discussed. The results are described using raw data from the subjects. The emerging themes include perception of the environment, 'being with', receiving information and knowledge of facts, interpersonal skills, 'being there', communication skills, trusting relationship, being cared for, assertion of optimism, and humanistic traits of the nurses. In the conclusion, the limitations of the study are briefly mentioned. The relevance of the findings to nursing practice are addressed and tentative recommendations for further research are made.

Communication↗
PubMed1994

A philosophical analysis of the concept of reassurance and its effect on coping.

The phenomenon of 'reassurance' is an attribute of caring that is commonly used in the delivery of nursing care. If caring is considered central to the concept of nursing, a case is made that the therapeutic value of reassurance needs to be analysed. This paper addresses this issue from a phenomenological viewpoint. Definition of the concept of reassurance is first analysed, highlighting the complexity of its meaning as it is commonly used in nursing practice, and an attempt is made at examining its effects on coping.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Modulation of bile acids induced by paraquat in rabbits.

Rabbit bile was examined for changes in composition induced by paraquat. Paraquat was administered intraperitoneally and changes in bile components were monitored by high performance liquid chromatography. Alterations in the ratios of total glycine/taurine conjugated bile acids (TGC/TTC), cholic acid/deoxycholic acid (CA/DC), cholic acid/chenodeoxycholic acid (CA/CDC) and cholic acid/cholesterol (CA/CH) were measured as an index of paraquat toxicity. A statistically significant increase in the ratio of TGC/TTC was observed, while CA/DC, CA/CDC and CA/CH showed a decrease. Phospholipids, protein, sugar, bilirubin, beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E in the bile and serum of the experimental animals were also monitored. In bile, the levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, protein, sugar, and total bile acids increased while the levels of the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E decreased. A decrease in the bilirubin content of the bile was also observed. These modifications may be useful clinically for assessment of paraquat toxicity.

Animals↗