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Biomedical subjects

A M Kamal

Publications and source records attributed to A M Kamal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Antibacterial activity of bee honey and its therapeutic usefulness against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium infection.

The authors studied the effect of storage period and heat on the physical and chemical properties of honey and proceeded to study the antibacterial effect of honey on Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. In samples of honey (Egyptian clover honey) that were heat-treated and stored over a long period of time, water content decreased, hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) was produced and increased in concentration, and enzyme activity decreased. Colour, measured in optical density, was markedly affected in honey samples stored over long periods of time, as was the refractive index, but electrical conductivity remained unaffected by storage or heating. Similarly, the storage period had no effect on pH value. To study the therapeutic effect of honey on E.coli and S. typhimurium, 25 isolates of E. coil O157:H7 (18.5%) and 49 isolates of S. typhimurium (36.2%) were isolated from 135 samples taken from children and calves (30 stool samples from children and 105 samples from calf organs and faecal swabs). Most E. coli O157:H7 and S. typhimurium isolates were highly resistant to most antibiotic discs. In vitro, the antibacterial effect of honey was more pronounced on E. coil O157:H7 than on S. typhimurium. Water content, pH value, HMF and the presence of H2O, all played an important role in the potency of olover honey as an antibacterial agent. In vivo, mice were used as a model for studying the parenteral usefulness of honey as an antibacterial agent against both pathogens. The antibacterial activity of honey that had been stored over a long period of time decreased and high concentrations of honey proved more effective as antibacterial agents. In this study there was lower mortality among mice treated with honey but the parenteral application of honey and its therapeutic properties require further investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Effect of fluticasone on the elastase:antielastase profile of the normal lung.

BACKGROUND: Excessive elastolytic activity contributes to the pathogenesis of several inflammatory respiratory diseases. The effect of glucocorticoids, which are potent anti-inflammatory agents, on the elastase:antielastase balance of the human respiratory tract is unclear, as studies on patients and in vitro have yielded inconsistent results. DESIGN: To clarify this, bronchoalveolar lavage and lavage fluids from the upper and central airways were collected from 10 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers before and after a 2-week course of inhaled fluticasone propionate (2 x 500 micrograms day-1). Concentrations of two neutrophil elastase inhibitors, alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (PI) and secretory leukoproteinase inhibitor (SLPI), as well as neutrophil elastase (NE) activity and NE inhibitory capacity (NEIC) were quantified in all lavage fluids. RESULTS: Concentrations of SLPI were highest in the proximal airways and decreased distally. Neutrophil elastase inhibitory capacity activity followed the same gradient and correlated positively and consistently with SLPI, suggesting that this inhibitor makes an important contribution to the regulation of elastolytic activity in the healthy human respiratory tract. Inhaled fluticasone propionate had no effect on any component of the elastase:antielastase balance at any level of the respiratory tract, even though circulating cortisol levels were reduced in all subjects, confirming subject compliance and adequate pulmonary delivery of the drug. CONCLUSION: This lack of action in the respiratory tract may contribute to the ineffectiveness of inhaled glucocorticoids in respiratory conditions characterised by excessive elastolytic activity.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2002

Accident prevention program in a glass factory in Shoubra El Khema district.

BACKGROUND: An accident can be defined as an unplanned event that results in or suggests the possibility of personal injury, property damage production interruption diminished health or environmental damage. The accidents have a cost impact on the employees and the company itself. OBJECTIVE: This intervention study was carried out to decrease the accident rate in a glass factory in Shoubra El-Khema district. METHODS: A glass factory in Shoubra El-Khema was selected to implement an intervention program. The program was done through three phases. 1. A preliminary interview questionnaire. 2. Seminars of health education were done to all workers and managers with availability of health education posters, establishment of accident committee and a new reporting system, contract with a housekeeping company was done and also training of some leaders. 3. Concurrent and final evaluation of the program was done. RESULTS: The incidence rate, frequency and severity rate of accidents were decreased at the end of the year after the intervention program. The differences were statistically significant. The opinions of the workers and managers about the different causes of accidents were changed. The belief of the workers and managers about efficiency of health educatio program was changed. Some leaders were trained on skills of health education. Modification of reporting and notification system was done. CONCLUSION: This intervention study succeeded in decreasing accidents rates and increasing the awareness of the managers to decrease accident rates. The beliefs and thoughts o both workers and managers became near to each other. The production loss due to days lost by accidents was reduced. RECOMMENDATIONS: Upgrading process in the factory are recommended to eliminate the hazards at source. Sustaining and continuation of the established preventive program should be done. Trying to apply the program in similar factories is also recommended.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2001

The influence of lifestyle and health status factors on sleep loss among the Japanese general population.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between lifestyle, health status factors and sleep loss. DESIGN: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan. SETTING: N/A. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Approximately 30,000 subjects selected from the general population in Japan. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: This study indicated that approximately 28% of the general population sleep less than 6 hours nightly and approximately 65% sleep less than 7 hours. However, approximately 80% of the population reported getting sufficient sleep. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that being females, being of younger age, living in an urban environment, being unemployed, and having an unhealthy lifestyle (i.e., lack of exercise, poor health status, and irregular eating habits) were associated with sleep loss. CONCLUSION: In this study, sleep loss was found to be associated with having an unhealthy lifestyle and being in poor general health. These findings suggest that health education and promotion of a healthy lifestyle should be advocated.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

An annexin 1 (ANXA1)-derived peptide inhibits prototype antigen-driven human T cell Th1 and Th2 responses in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Annexin-1 (ANXA1, lipocortin 1) is a pleiotrophic protein produced by many cell types including peripheral blood leucocytes. Although it has been shown to inhibit "macroscopic" inflammatory processes in animal models, its direct effects on antigen-activated human T cells have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that ANXA1-derived peptides inhibit antigen-driven prototype Th1 and Th2-type human T cell responses of clinical relevance and lectin-driven responses in vitro. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 14 atopic subjects sensitized to house dust mite allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p) and purified protein derivative (PPD) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PBMC (1 x 106/mL) were cultured with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA; 5 microg/mL; 4 days), Der p (25 microg/mL; 6 days), PPD (10 microg/mL, 6 days) or medium control. Two ANXA1-derived peptides, Ac2-26 and AF-2 (5-500 microM), were assessed for possible inhibition of PHA-and antigen-induced T cell proliferation (measured by 3H-thymidine uptake), while Ac2-26 was assessed for inhibition of Der p-induced interleukin (IL)-5 release and PPD-induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) release (measured by ELISA). Comparison was made with dexamethasone as an established inhibitory control. Endogenous production by PBMC of cell surface-associated and intracellular ANXA1 in response to PHA, Der p and PPD in the presence and absence of dexamethasone was measured by specific ELISA. RESULTS: Both PHA- and antigen-induced T cellular proliferation were inhibited by dexamethasone. Although neither ANXA1-derived peptide significantly altered PHA-induced proliferation, both effected concentration-dependent reductions in antigen-induced proliferation, Ac2-26 being the more potent. Peptides of identical amino acid composition to Ac2-26 and AF-2, but of random sequence, were ineffective at equivalent concentrations. In addition, Ac2-26 and dexamethasone inhibited Der p-induced IL-5 release and PPD-induced IFN-gamma release in a concentration-dependent fashion. Endogenous ANXA1 was detectable in PBMC, but at concentrations approximately 104-fold lower, in molar terms, than the effective concentrations of the exogenously added, ANXA1-derived inhibitory peptides. Endogenous production was not significantly altered by any of the T cell stimuli employed in this study, in the presence or absence of dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: In prototype Th1 and Th2-type human T cell responses, ANXA1-derived peptides can inhibit antigen-driven cellular proliferation and cytokine production.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Relation between smoking prevalence and various social factors in Japan.

Although the smoking prevalence among women is significantly low compared to that among men in Japan, the prevalence in young Japanese women has been steadily increasing recently. The relationship between the prevalence of smoking among the general population and various social factors was investigated with a special emphasis regarding the influence of household size on the smoking prevalence of young Japanese women. Thirty-one thousand and six hundreds twenty-seven subjects of 20 years and older were randomly selected from the general population of Japan. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan planned and conducted the survey. Subjects were divided into male and female, and smoking prevalence was investigated in terms of age, place of residence, occupation and household size factors. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. Multiple logistic regression analyses suggested that for men there was a strong relationship between becoming a smoker and living in a municipality with a smaller population, and that for women who were living in a municipality with a larger population. For women, as the size of a household increased from living alone to a two- or three-generation household, the tendency to becoming a smoker decreased, but this tendency was not observed among men. As to reasons for quitting smoking, more women than men living in two- and three-generation households gave "family's advice" as a major reason (p < 0.01). The steady replacement of the traditional three-generation household by smaller households in Japan may lead to an increase in the number of young women who smoke.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Response of Class II molecule-expressing cells and macrophages to cavity preparation and restoration with 4-META/MMA-TBB resin.

AIM: The aim was to test the hypothesis that the resin and bonding agent 4-META/MMA-TBB (4-META), has the potential to prevent transdentinal antigenic challenges. METHODOLOGY: Class I cavity preparation and immediate restoration with 4-META were made in the maxillary right first molars of 36 six-week-old Wistar rats. Contralateral teeth with an unrestored cavity served as positive control (cavity without 4-META) group. The maxillary first molars of 12 age-matched normal rats (total 24 teeth) were also examined as negative control (intact tooth group). At 3 or 28 days after cavity preparation, the teeth were subjected to immunoperoxidase staining using OX6 (anticlass II molecules) and ED1 (antimacrophages) as primary antibodies. RESULTS: A total of 10 teeth were not available for histological examination. In the teeth filled with 4-META at 3 days, the density of OX6+ and ED1+ cells in the coronal pulp was significantly higher than that in the intact tooth group. At 28 days, formation of sound reparative dentine was noted and the density of the immunocompetent cells was comparable to the intact teeth. In the teeth without 4-META at 3 days, pulpal abscess was observed in 14 out of 16 and the density of OX6+ and ED1+ cells was significantly increased (P < 0.001, paired t-test) compared with the 4-META group. Partial pulp necrosis had developed in the teeth without 4-META at 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration with 4-META significantly reduced transdentinal antigenic challenges. This property may have special implications for 4-META's capacity to protect the dentine/pulp complex.

Abscess↗
PubMed2000

Behaviors and attitudes towards smoking among the nurses in Japan.

The study was carried to investigate on the actual conditions related to smoking of the nurses working in all medical institutions under a regional medical association in Mie Prefecture (regional medical institutions). Results obtained were as follows: smoking prevalence of female nurses is considered to be equal to that of the general female population in Japan. About 35% of the nurses with the smoking habit had an opinion to quit it, and about 45% of them practiced it seriously. Nearly 80% nurses favored restriction. In the way of thinking related to smoking, more than 90% of the nurses answered that women should not smoke for the health of the fetuses and infants, while only about 30% of them agreed to stop smoking working as members of the medical staff. The survey suggests that anti-smoking program is necessary to develop for smoking nurses working at medical facilities.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Lung type II cell and macrophage annexin I release: differential effects of two glucocorticoids.

Annexin I (lipocortin 1) is abundant in lung secretions. Concentrations rise after oral glucocorticoid, but the effect of inhaled budesonide on annexin I release is unknown. Extracellular annexin I in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 11 asthmatic patients was unaffected by inhaled budesonide (800 microgramgs twice daily for 4 wk; mean after budesonide, 110 ng/mg albumin; after placebo, 107 ng/mg albumin). Rat alveolar macrophages (AMs) and alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells were cultured alone and with budesonide or dexamethasone. Mean basal concentrations of cellular (3.5 ng/10(6) AMs; 4.4 ng/10(6) ATII cells) and secreted (1. 4 ng/10(6) AMs; 1.8 ng/10(6) ATII cells) annexin I were similar in AMs and ATII cells. Although budesonide subdued annexin I secretion from both cell types, dexamethasone stimulated annexin I release. Annexin I release from ATII cells peaked at 10(-7) M dexamethasone but at 10(-3) M dexamethasone from AMs. Thus, at low concentrations of dexamethasone, ATII cells probably contribute more annexin I to respiratory tract secretions than AMs, although at high concentrations, both cells probably contribute. The study demonstrates previously undescribed differences between glucocorticoids and between AMs and ATII cells with respect to annexin I regulation.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1998

Reduction of nitric oxide release from alveolar macrophages by a lipocortin peptide.

Nitric oxide (NO), produced by alveolar macrophages (AM) is used as a marker of respiratory tract inflammation. Lipocortin 1 (Lc-1) is an anti-inflammatory, glucocorticoid-inducible protein. The current aims were to determine whether (a) an Lc-1-derived peptide, Ac2-26, inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO release by primary AM in vitro and (b) the inhibitory action of dexamethasone was Lc-1-dependent. LPS treatment stimulated NO release from rat AM. Ac2-26 had little effect on unstimulated release, but suppressed LPS-stimulated release at concentrations > or =320 nM (320 nM, 10 +/- 3%; 3.2 microM, 15 +/- 3%; 32 microM, 27 +/- 4% NO inhibited, mean +/- SEM, n = 6). Inhibition by dexamethasone of NO release was unaffected by neutralizing anti-Lc-1 indicating that this action is Lc-1-independent in primary AM. Nevertheless inhibition of NO release by Ac2-26 (80 microM) was similar to that of 1 microM dexamethasone (Ac2-26, 40 +/- 6%; dexamethasone, 48 +/- 6% NO inhibited, mean +/- SEM, n = 6).

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Defense responses of dentin/pulp complex to experimentally induced caries in rat molars: an immunohistochemical study on kinetics of pulpal Ia antigen-expressing cells and macrophages.

Experimental caries was induced in rats that were inoculated orally with Streptococcus mutants and maintained on a cariogenic diet. During the caries process, kinetics of the pulpal la antigen-expressing cells and macrophages was monitored immunohistochemically and was correlated with caries depth and the status of reparative dentin formation. Initial pulpal response was characterized by a localized accumulation of la antigen-expressing cells beneath the dentinal tubules communicating with the superficial caries. This was followed by a caries-depth related increase of la antigen-expressing cells and macrophages in the coronal pulp. The accumulation of these cells under the dentin was most apparent when the caries had progressed into the reparative dentin. These findings suggest that the response of la antigen-expressing cells to carious irritants triggers the defense reactions of the pulp. The intensity of the defense reactions may be correlated with the permeability of carious dentin.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Age-related changes in the immunoreactivity of the monocyte/macrophage system in rat molar pulp.

Defence reactions of the dental pulp potentially involve a variety of immunocompetent cells, particularly class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-expressing cells and macrophages. In order to examine how the immunodefence potential of the pulp changes as a function of age, phenotypic distribution of pulpal cells expressing immunoreactivity to monoclonal antibody ED1 (reactive with nearly all macrophages and dendritic cells) was examined immunohistochemically in the lower first molars of developing (new-born to 10-week-old), adult (14-24-week-old) and aged (1-1.5-yr-old) Wistar rats. During tooth development, increasing numbers of ED1+ cells in the pulp also expressed immunoreactivity to ED2 (reactive with a differentiation-related antigen present on resident macrophages). ED1+ and ED2+ cells were distributed throughout the pulp before the tooth formation was completed. OX6+ (class II MHC-expressing) cells started to increase in number shortly after the eruption of the tooth and the increase continued even after the tooth formation had been completed. In aged rats, the density of the pulpal ED1+ cells was maintained at a relatively high level, whereas a significant decrease in the density of OX6+ cells was observed. These results indicate that the density and composition of pulpal cells expressing macrophage-associated antigens vary with increasing age, which most probably is related to changes in the immunological defence potential of the pulp against infection.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

Prognostic implications of normal exercise tomographic thallium images in patients with angiographic evidence of significant coronary artery disease.

This study examines the prognostic implications of normal exercise tomographic thallium images in medically treated patients with angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). There were 97 patients aged 60 +/- 10 years; 52 had 1-, 30 had 2-, and 15 had 3-vessel CAD (> or = 50% diameter stenosis). The exercise test was submaximal in 51 patients (53%); ST-segment depression during exercise occurred in 20 patients (21%), and angina during exercise occurred in 23 patients (24%). Most patients (71%) were receiving antianginal therapy. During a mean follow-up of 32 months, only 3 patients had cardiac events: 2 died of cardiac causes and 1 had nonfatal myocardial infarction (event rate 1.1%/year). None of those 3 patients had positive ST response during exercise. Thus, medically treated patients with CAD (including those with multivessel CAD) have a benign prognosis in the presence of normal exercise thallium images. These results have important implications in patient management and cost of health delivery.

Coronary Angiography↗
PubMed1993

Comparative study of staphylococcal co-agglutination and latex agglutination for detection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Several biological and immunological methods have been used for detection of ETEC. In this work a comparative study was done between staph-co-agglutination and latex agglutination. From the 75 faecal samples collected from infants and children having acute diarrhea, the total number of E. Coli strains isolated were 64. Out of these 64 strains, 6 strains were found to be positive for Labile Toxin (LT) production by both latex agglutination and staphylococcal co-agglutination test. However, another 3 strains which were negative by latex agglutination were found to be positive by staph co-agglutination test. The latex agglutination test was found to be simple, easy and rapid. However this test was less sensitive in detection of ETEC. The staph-co-agglutination was also found to be simple, easy but it takes longer time (14 days). It was concluded that both tests are simple, inexpensive to perform and can be used for rapid detection of ETEC.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1991

Parasitic infections associated with mental retardation in Egypt.

Examination of 150 mentally retarded patients for parasitic infections by urine and stool analysis revealed that 115 (76.67%) were positive. The most prevalent parasites found were T. trichiura in 56%, A. lumbricoides in 40.6% and A. duodenale in 21.33%. Double infection was present in 30.67%, triple infection in 15.33% and quadriple infection in 6%. Eosinophilia was detected in 91 (64.08%) of 142 examined cases, all were suffering from intestinal parasites. S. stercoralis was present in 11.33% by stool examination and culture and in 24 (60%) out of 40 examined cases by the IFAT. Toxocara antibodies were present in 38 (56.72%) out of 67 examined cases by the IFAT. Toxoplasma antibodies were present in 106 (74.65%) out of 142 examined cases by the IFAT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Relation between bilharzial arthropathy and histocompatibility leucocytic antigen B27.

Fifty cases of active schistosomiasis divided into group I test group consists of twenty-five patients with arthropathy and group II control group consists of twenty-five patients without arthropathy, were subjected to clinical examination, indirected haemagglutination test (IHAT) for bilharziasis and plain X-ray on lumbosacral, sacroiliac and knee joints. HLA-B27 antigen typing was also done as a trial to find association between this antigen and the Egyptian cases of bilharzial arthropathy. Clinical examination of patients with arthropathy showed that the frequency of joint affection was knee joint 76%, shoulder joint 12% and hip, elbow and sacroiliac joints were equally 4% affected. Although the affected joints were tender and with limited movement, there were no hotness, deformities and morning stiffness. There was no effusion nor swelling except in one case of knee joint arthropathy. The results of the IHAT showed hundred percent positivity in all the patients without significant statistical difference between the test and the control groups (P greater than 0.05). X-ray on the sacroiliac, lumbosacral and knee joints showed no abnormalities in all the cases. The results of the HLA-B27 antigen typing showed that the frequency of this antigen in the test group was 16% and in the control group was 4%. The relation risk was 4.57 and the aetiological fraction was very small 0.12. However there was insignificant statistical difference between the test and the control groups (P greater than 0.05).

HLA-B27 Antigen↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of dot ELISA technique in the serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis in Egypt.

A simplified dot enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (dot ELISA) was evaluated as a recent diagnostic test for schistosomiasis in Egypt. 160 individuals with early intestinal, urinary and mixed schistosomiasis were subjected to this study. Another 27 sera of patients suffering from other parasitosis were included for the cross activity reaction. The test was compared with 2 common serological tests for schistosomiasis in Egypt, circumoval precipitin test (COPT) and indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT). The dot ELISA was shown to have a sensitivity of 99%, specificity of 98% and the highest diagnostic accuracy 98%. The data indicated that the dot ELISA is an accurate and rapid technique for the detection of antischistosomal antibodies.

Cross Reactions↗