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Biomedical subjects

A Farid

Publications and source records attributed to A Farid.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Schistosoma infection inhibits cellular immune responses to core HCV peptides.

Patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the trematode, Schistosoma mansoni, have an increased incidence of viral persistence and accelerated fibrosis. To investigate immunological mechanisms responsible for this more aggressive natural history of HCV, the core HCV-specific T-cell responses were analysed in 44 donated blood units rejected because they had antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV). Half also had anti-S. mansoni antibodies, evidence of past or active infection. HCV-specific ELISPOT responses were examined using pools of 180 overlapping 9-mer peptides with offsets of one covering the core of HCV genotype 4a. Comparison of T-cell responses in blood units positive for both anti-HCV and anti-Schistosoma antibodies with blood units positive only for anti-HCV antibodies showed a significant decrease in core-specific T-cell IFN-gamma (505+/- 46 vs. 803 +/- 66 ISC/10(6) cells, P < 0.001), IL-4 (2 +/- 108 vs. 641 +/- 131 ISC/10(6) cells, P < 0.001), and IL-10 (159 +/- 105 vs. 466 +/- 407 ISC/10(6) cells, P < 0.002) responses. In contrast, there was no significant difference in cell-mediated immune response (CMI) to PHA mitogen between these two groups. Therefore, we concluded T cells from persons with anti-Schistosoma have reduced IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 secreting HCV-specific T-cell responses. This may explain why Schistosoma coinfection increases persistence and severity of HCV infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Calf compartment pressures in the Lloyd-Davies position: a cause for concern?

Lower limb compartment syndrome is a rare consequence of surgery where the lithotomy position is maintained for several hours. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of the lithotomy position on lower limb compartment pressure and blood flow to the lower limb in surgical patients having colorectal procedures. We prospectively studied 23 patients undergoing colorectal surgery requiring the lithotomy position and recorded lower limb compartment pressure, and the blood pressure in the upper and lower limbs. The lithotomy position led to a significant (p < 0.001) fall in blood pressure to the lower limb from 87 (SD 16) mmHg to 67.9 (SD 12) mmHg and a significant (p < 0.001) rise in lower limb compartment pressure from 13 (SD 7) mmHg to 31 (SD 12) mmHg. These two effects compromise blood flow to the lower limb in long surgical procedures where the lithotomy position is required. Intermittently lowering the legs and restoring blood flow may prevent compartment syndrome developing.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Efficient secretion of biologically active recombinant OB protein (leptin) in Escherichia coli, purification from the periplasm and characterization.

The genes encoding the mature forms of mouse (mOB) and human OB (hOB) protein (also called leptin) were fused to the secretion signal coding sequence of the Escherichia coli outer membrane protein A (sOMP A). The hybrid genes were preceded by a ribosome binding site (RBS) and were expressed under transcriptional control of both the lipoprotein promoter (Plpp) and the lac promoter-operator (POlac). The recombinant fusion proteins were efficiently expressed and exported into the periplasmic compartment of E. coli cells from where they were recovered by osmotic shock as soluble mature polypeptides with the sOMP A precisely removed. Recombinant mOB and hOB proteins were also produced in Sf9 insect cells using the baculovirus expression system. Milligram quantities of both proteins were purified to homogeneity using ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration and were found to be biologically active and to have antiobesity effects upon testing in genetically obese ob/ob mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Delay in improvement of ankle-arm index and ankle waveforms after lower-extremity revascularization.

Ankle-arm index (AAI) and pulse volume recording (PVR) are commonly used in the early postoperative period to measure the outcome after lower-extremity revascularization. They are also used in addition to duplex scan for long-term follow-up of these patients. We noticed that in some patients the AAI and/or PVR after revascularization procedures did not improve immediately after surgery, but took 24 hours or longer to do so. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 47 patients who underwent various lower-extremity revascularization procedures and found that out of 20 patients who had AAI and/or PVR measured in the recovery room, 8 patients took 24 hours and 1 patient took more than 24 hours for maximal improvement of their AAI and/or PVR. This may be related to vascular spasm, and knowledge of this delayed improvement is important in preventing errors during follow-up.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Aortocaval fistula in ruptured inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. A report of two cases and literature review.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAA) occur infrequently in clinical practice. The reported incidence varies from 2.5-15% of all abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Four percent of all AAA rupture into the vena cava. IAAA rupturing into the vena cava is exceedingly rare. To date, four such cases have been reported. IAAA are associated with a thick, rigid aortic wall which may be thin posteriorly and posterolaterally, where they are likely to rupture. A dense, fibrotic, desmoplastic reaction is found in the periaortic tissues often involving the duodenum, the inferior vena cava, the left renal vein, and ureters. IAAA may present with abdominal, back, or flank pain even in the absence of rupture. The diagnosis of IAAA can be made preoperatively by CT scan and at the time of laparotomy. Aortocaval fistula (ACF) can occur as a complication of AAA. The triad of low back pain, a palpable AAA, and a machinery murmur is diagnostic. ACF in association with IAAA is even more rare. It is amenable to surgical correction using a standard technique of fistula repair from within the aneurysm and prosthetic aortic graft replacement. Two cases of AAA with aortocaval fistula (ACF) are presented. In both, the diagnosis of ACF was made preoperatively. Repair of ACF was performed from within the aneurysm, with subsequent graft replacement. Despite complicated postoperative courses, both patients survived.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Aqueous extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the ovine ureter.

The prostaglandins (PGs) synthesized from C14-arachidonic acid by the homogenized sheep ureter were identified as being prostacyclin (PGI2), PGF2 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). The radioimmunoassay (RIA) estimation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, a stable metabolite of PGI2, confirms that it was the major metabolite of arachidonic acid. Aqueous extracts of fresh garlic (5, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/ml) were shown to inhibit the synthesis of the prostanoids in a dose dependent manner. Fresh garlic extracts (1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml) also dose dependently inhibited spontaneous rhythmic contractions of the isolated ureter. Boiled garlic (5, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/ml) had no effect on either ureteral motility or the PG synthesizing capacity of the sheep ureter.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The plastic envelope method, a simplified technique for culture diagnosis of trichomoniasis.

Although culture of Trichomonas vaginalis is more sensitive than wet mounts in the diagnosis of trichomoniasis, the lack of convenience of culture prevents it from being widely used. To improve the acceptability of diagnosis by culture, a plastic envelope method (PEM) was devised. PEM permits both immediate examination and culture in one self-contained system. The medium consists of dry ingredients that are reconstituted with water before use. The effectiveness of immediate examinations by PEM was compared with that of wet mounts, and the effectiveness of culture by PEM was compared with that of culture in Trichomonas Medium No. 2 (Oxoid). Of 710 vaginal secretion specimens from symptomatic and asymptomatic women that were tested by the four methods, 62 (9%) were positive for T. vaginalis. The sensitivity was 66% by wet mount, 66% by immediate examination by PEM, 89% by cultures in Oxoid medium, and 97% by culture by PEM. The two culture methods had equivalent sensitivities but were significantly (P less than 0.0001) more sensitive than the two immediate methods. The combined immediate examination by PEM plus culture was more convenient to use than wet mounts plus culture in Oxoid medium. The long shelf-life of PEM's dry medium and its anticipated low cost are additional advantages.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Comparative study of the in vitro synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes in plants belonging to Liliaceae family.

1. Homogenates of garlic (Allium sativum), onions (Allium cepa) and Allium porum were in vitro incubated with [14C]arachidonic acid. 2. Separation of labelled prostaglandins and thromboxanes were accomplished by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and the Rf values were compared with those of authentic standards. 3. The prostaglandins identified were 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, TXB2, PGE2 and PGD2. 4. PGE2 and PGD2 were the major metabolites of arachidonic acid among all the members of the Liliaceae family studied. 5. Garlic was found to have the highest capacity to metabolize the [14C]arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and thromboxanes. 6. The synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, was inhibited by preincubation of homogenates with indomethacin or was completely destroyed by boiling the plant extract prior to incubation with arachidonic acid. This confirmed the presence of cyclooxygenase in these plants.

Allium↗
PubMed1989

Reproductive performance of three fat-tailed breeds of sheep mated to native, Corriedale and Targhee rams.

Reproduction and lamb production of three fat-tailed, carpet-wool Iranian breeds of sheep; Karakul (130 ewes), Mehraban (103) and Baluchi (119) were studied. The ewes were mated either as purebreds or with Corriedale or Targhee rams. The overall least-squares means for ewes mated (showed oestrus) or ewes exposed, ewes lambed or ewes mated, lambs born of ewes lambing (prolificacy), lambs born alive of total lambs born, lambs weaned of live lambs born, lambs weaned (75 days of age) of ewes mated, kg lamb weaned per ewe mated and kg lamb weaned per 100 kg ewe mated were 98.3%, 93.5%, 103.1%, 94.9%, 97.8%, 90.0%, 18.2 kg and 38.4 kg respectively. The native breeds were not different for any of the traits studied except for prolificacy which was higher in Mehraban than in Karakul. Purebred matings did not differ from the crossbred matings for any of the traits concerning the number of lambs but crossbreeding improved kg lamb weaned per ewe mated (9.2%, P = 0.08) and kg lamb weaned per 100 kg ewe mated (10.0%, P less than 0.05). Among the three native breeds Karakul showed the largest improvement when crossed with the exotic rams for the traits concerning kg lambs weaned. Corriedale and Targhee rams had similar effects on all the traits studied. A lower percentage of virgin ewes showed oestrus, had a lower twinning rate and productivity compared with the mature ones. Sex was not a significant source of variation in lamb livability.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Oral versus local treatment of vaginal candidosis.

A comparative study was conducted to compare the results of the use of oral and local vaginal therapy in the treatment of vaginal candidosis. Forty-five patients with clinical and mycological evidence of vaginal candidosis were recruited and were randomly allocated to one of the treatment groups. Twenty-four patients received ketoconazole orally (400 mg/day for 5 days) and 21 patients received nystatin vaginal pessaries (100,000 units twice/day for 7 days). Seven out of 20 rectal swabs (35%) were positive for Candida albicans. Both drugs were significantly effective in relieving patients symptoms and physical signs. The mycological cure rates were 87.5% and 81%, and the relapsing rates were 0% and 5.9% for the ketoconazole and nystatin groups, respectively. Ketoconazole oral therapy had generally slightly higher results than local nystatin therapy in the treatment of vaginal candidosis, yet the difference was statistically insignificant.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1981

Kidney function and histopathological changes in unilateral hydronephrosis with special reference to bilharzial ureter.

Fifty-six patients with unilateral hydronephrosis were the subject of this study. The patients were classified into 4 groups according to the stage of hydronephrosis as assessed by radiological criteria. Split kidney function, histopathological studies, and measurement of intraureteral pressure were performed. Urinary Bilharziasis was held responsible for obstructive nephropathy in 77% of cases. Complicating urinary infection was present in 66%. The study has shown that creatinine excretion was slightly decreased in early, moderate, and moderately advanced hydronephrosis. On the other hand, a marked lowering of urine osmolality was found even in the early stages of hydronephrosis. The hydronephrotic kidney was found to be a salt losing one only in early, moderate, and moderately advanced hydronephroses, but not in the very advanced cases. The histopathological changes were mainly tubular, but some cases showed proliferative changes in the glomeruli. Eradication of urinary Bilharziasis and early treatment of this disease would markedly contribute to the prevention of obstructive nephropathies in countries where this disease is endemic.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

The isolation of pathogenic fungi and actinomycetes from soil in Egypt.

140 soil samples from the Assiut governorate were examined for pathogenic fungi and actinomycetes. The paraffin-bait technique and a modified sodium citrate-utilizing procedure were used for recovery of Nocardia strains. Five isolations of N. brasiliensis were made by the sodium citrate method while 3 isolates were obtained by the other method. N. gypsoides was isolated for the first time, only the the modified method. It appears that the latter method suppresses to a great extent the growth of saprophytic fungi, hence increasing the possibility of the isolation of Nocardia spp. The effect of keratin enrichment on the isolation of dermatophytes from soil by the hair-bait technique was also investigated. Pretreatment of samples with dog hair or feathers increased the yield of isolates of Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton terrestre and to a lesser extent, T. mentagrophytes, M. canis was recovered from soil only after its enrichment with dog hair. It is suggested that enrichment with other forms of keratinous material, either separately or in combination, might increase the recovery of keratinophilic fungi from soil.

Egypt↗