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Biomedical subjects

H A Ali

Publications and source records attributed to H A Ali.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The potential role of human endogenous retrovirus K10 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether human endogenous retrovirus K10 is associated with autoimmune rheumatic disease. DESIGN: A novel multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) system was developed to investigate HERV-K10 mRNA expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 17 with osteoarthritis, and 27 healthy individuals were recruited and total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and analysed using multiplex RT-PCR for the level of HERV-K10 gag mRNA expression. Southern blot and DNA sequencing confirmed the authenticity of the PCR products. RESULTS: Using the histidyl tRNA synthetase (HtRNAS) gene as a housekeeping gene in the optimised multiplex RT-PCR, a significantly higher level of HERV-K10 gag mRNA expression was found in rheumatoid arthritis than in osteoarthritis (p = 0.01) or in the healthy controls (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: There is enhanced mRNA expression of the HERV-K10 gag region in rheumatoid arthritis compared with osteoarthritis or healthy controls. This could contribute to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in Indo-Asian patients attending a rheumatology clinic.

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (HD) and hypovitaminosis D associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism (HD-SHPT) among Indo-Asians attending rheumatology clinics in Wolverhampton. A cross-sectional survey of 98 clinic attenders and 36 normal controls subjects was undertaken. The groups were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. There was a high prevalence of vegetarianism, and milk consumption was low in both groups. Clinical scores for musculoskeletal pain, gait, and muscle strength were all significantly worse in clinic attenders (p < 0.001). Comparing clinic attenders with controls, 25-OH-vitamin D levels were 6.6 +/- 3.9 vs. 8.2 +/- 4.8 microg/L (p < 0.01) and the prevalence of HD (<8 microg/L) was 78% vs. 58% (p < 0.05), but neither parathyroid hormone levels (53 +/- 60 vs. 50 +/- 18 ng/L, n.s.) nor HD-SHPT prevalence (22% vs. 33%, n.s.) were significantly different. Routine biochemical tests were not discriminant, but none of the controls and 10 of 98 (10%) clinic attenders had elevated alkaline phosphatase levels: 6 with HD and 3 with HD-SHPT. Vitamin D deficiency has an extremely high prevalence among Indo-Asians in the U.K., particularly in those attending rheumatology clinics. Detection of HD and HD-SHPT is only possible using measurements of 25-OH-vitamin D and PTH.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

Antipyrine clearance and metabolite excretion in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our aim was to study whether chronic hepatitis C affects the three metabolic pathways of the model drug antipyrine differently. METHODS: We measured antipyrine clearance from saliva as well as urinary excretion of its main metabolites 4-hydroxy-antipyrine, 3-hydroxy-methyl-antipyrine, and nor-antipyrine in 24 patients with chronic hepatitis C and in 21 healthy control subjects. Due to incomplete urine collection, 12 liver patients and three controls were excluded. RESULTS: Antipyrine clearance (mean +/- SD) was significantly lower in patients with chronic hepatitis C, 1.2 +/- 0.7 l.h-1 (n = 12), than in controls (n = 18), 2.2 +/- 1.0 l.h-1 (p = 0.006). The urinary excretion of each of the metabolites was depressed to an equal extent in liver patients. The severity of the liver disease, as assessed by Child Pugh score, serum albumin and bilirubin, correlated significantly with antipyrine clearance and urinary excretion of the metabolite 3-hydroxy-methyl-antipyrine. The hepatitis activity index (Knodell) correlated with 3-hydroxy-methyl-antipyrine and 4-hydroxy-antipyrine, only. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-severe chronic hepatitis C does not seem to depress the three main metabolic pathways of antipyrine differently.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Elimination studies of antipyrine and its metabolites in healthy Saudi Arabians.

1. We measured the antipyrine clearance in 18 healthy Saudi subjects and determined the urinary excretion of three of its metabolites: 4-hydroxyantipyrine (4-OH AP), norantipyrine (NOR AP) and 3 hydroxymethylantipyrine (3-OHM AP) in 21 subjects. 2. The mean +/- SD of the antipyrine clearance was 2.4 +/- 1.1 h-1 (range 1.0-5.5 l h-1) and the corresponding value per kg body weight was 0.6 +/- 0.2 ml min-1 kg-1. Urinary excretion of antipyrine (AP), 4-OH AP, NOR AP and 3-OHM AP expressed as a percentage of the oral dose of antipyrine given was 2.8 +/- 2.2, 14.5 +/- 6.9, 12.3 +/- 5.6 and 7.6 +/- 3.2 respectively. 3. Compared to Africans, Saudis preferentially metabolize AP to NOR AP and compared to Caucasians to 3-OHM AP, rather than to 4-OH AP. These discrepancies may reflect age differences between the study populations rather than genetic or ethnic variations.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Dental procedures in patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy.

Over a 10-year period a uniform management plan for patients receiving long term oral anticoagulation therapy for prosthetic heart valves and needing dental procedures was instituted. Those undergoing dental extraction or gum hygiene in the presence of gross gum pathology (Group A) had their oral anticoagulation discontinued two days prior to the procedure which was carried out only if the INR was 1.5 or less on the day of the procedure. Patients who needed dental fillings or gum hygiene in the absence of gross gum pathology (Group B) continued their anticoagulation therapy and had these procedures completed provided the INR was 3.0 or less. The main outcome measured were valve thrombosis, thromboembolism and excessive bleeding requiring hospitalization and/or blood transfusion. In Group A, 240 procedures were carried out; 212 dental extractions and 28 dental hygiene in the presence of gross gum pathology. They had a brief period of under-anticoagulation (3-7 days) to an INR of 1.5 or less. In Group B, 156 procedures were performed. No patient developed valve thrombosis or thromboembolism. Two patients, both in Group A needed hospitalization for observation but no blood transfusion. This management plan was easy to implement. Patients needed one extra visit to the anticoagulation clinic within one week of the procedure. It was both safe and effective.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Histologically advanced chronic hepatitis C treated with recombinant alpha-interferon: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study.

Chronic hepatitis C is common in Saudi Arabia and most often presents in an advanced stage. To assess the response of patients to interferon, a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study was undertaken. All but 1 patient had cirrhosis or fibrosis before interferon. After a 24-week observation period patients received alpha 2a interferon, 3 mega units sc tiw or placebo for 24 weeks, then the opposite treatment for another 24 weeks followed by 24 weeks of observation. Liver biopsies were performed before and after each of the treatment phases. Twenty-two out of 24 patients completed the study. The mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels fell from 150.7 +/- 118.7 units/l to 91.0 +/- 42.6 units/l after 6 months interferon treatment (P = 0.03) but only 3 patients (14%) had complete normalization of mean ALT levels and 4 (18%) had > 50% reduction. The mean hepatitis activity index fell from 12.2 +/- 2.6 immediately before to 11.6 +/- 2.5 just after interferon (P = 0.4). After interferon there was an insignificant raise in 6-month mean ALT. Hepatitis C virus-RNA was positive in all 17 patients tested and remained so after treatment. Side-effects were mild and well tolerated. Alpha interferon 3 mega units tiw for 24 weeks is not an effective treatment of histologically advanced chronic hepatitis C.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Toxocara eggs in the soil of public places and schools in Basrah, Iraq.

One hundred and eighty soil samples were collected from public places and school yards in urban and rural areas in Basrah between October 1991 and March 1992. Each sample was examined by zinc sulphate flotation and sedimentation. Toxocara eggs were found in 22 samples (12.2%). Of the recovered positive samples 10 contained viable and fully embryonated eggs. Viable eggs were observed in higher proportions of soils collected from the surroundings of Basrah slaughter-house, where there are large numbers of dogs and cats. The observed mean number of eggs per 5 g of soil was 2.8 +/- 1.9 S.D. The contamination rate in urban areas (17.3%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in rural areas (6.1%). Thirteen of 116 samples (11.2%) collected from public places and nine of 64 samples (14.1%) from school yards contained Toxocara eggs. Urban public places and schools have higher contamination rates (18.0% and 16.2%, respectively) than those in rural areas (3.6% and 11.1%), but the differences are significant (P < 0.05) between public places only.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Atracurium after an anticholinesterase. Does prior reversal with edrophonium or neostigmine influence the response to atracurium?

This study documents the response to atracurium (75 micrograms.kg-1) administered 30 min after a pancuronium- or tubocurarine-induced neuromuscular block has been reversed with either neostigmine (50 micrograms.kg-1) or edrophonium (0.5 mg.kg-1). Twenty-one ASA 1 or 2 patients were studied, of whom 11 received neostigmine and 10 edrophonium. The degree of neuromuscular block was measured electromyographically from the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the hand using train-of-four stimulation of the ulnar nerve. When atracrium was administered, the single twitch response compared with control was 100% in all patients and the mean train-of-four ratios were 91% and 65% in the neostigmine and edrophonium groups respectively. After atracurium (75 micrograms.kg-1), minimum values for the single twitch response compared with control were 52% and 66% in the neostigmine and edrophonium groups respectively. Prior administration of atracurium appears to potentiate the neuromuscular blocking effects of atracurium administered 30 min later.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Reproductive health of adolescents in Bangladesh.

The health and social effects of pregnancy in married women 13-23 years of age were studied among a population of 175,000 in rural Bangladesh. Data collected by a structured questionnaire identified pregnant women who were followed twice during pregnancy and twice postpartum. Maternal mortality for the 13-17 age group was 5.8/1000 compared to 1.8/1000 for the 18-23 year olds. Major causes of death in the younger group were obstructed labor and toxemia. The neonatal death rate was 80/1000 for the younger group and 43/1000 for the older group. The major cause of death of infants born to the younger mothers was birth injury. In infants born to older mothers, it was tetanus. Perinatal death rate was 66.4/1000. All deliveries occurred at home, and 89% of births were attended by relatives, neighbors or an untrained birth attendant. Only 13% of the women had ever used contraceptives. Use varied from 2.9% at 16 years to 24.7% at 23 years. Suggestions are made for improving maternal and child health care in rural Bangladesh.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Variations in neuron size in the avian intestinal myenteric plexus.

The size of the neurons in the myenteric plexus of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, rectum and cecum of chick and adult domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) was estimated using a histochemical technique for NADH diaphorase activity. The mean size of the neurons varied between different regions of hte gut and increased with age. In both chicks and adults the largest neurons were observed in the distal part of the cecum. The differences between the estimated neuron sizes in the chicks and adults are discussed and the data compared with similar estimates of neuron size in mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Avian enteric nerve plexuses. A histochemical study.

The enteric nerve plexuses of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) were investigated in sections and stretch preparations by means of the cholinesterase and glyoxylic acid fluorescence histochemical techniques. Cholinesterase-positive and varicose and non-varicose fluorescent nerve fibers were distributed at all levels of the gut in myenteric, submucosal, muscle and mucosal plexuses, and in a perivascular plexus. The density of the innervation and the detailed distribution of the nerves varied in different parts of the intestinal tract. All nerve plexuses appeared to be best developed in the rectum. Whereas the circular muscle coat contained a substantial number of nerves at all levels of the gut, the longitudinal coat was well innervated only in the rectum. The major portion of the mucosal plexus appeared to be associated with the intestinal glands. The nerve cell bodies were restricted to the myenteric and submucosal plexuses and were mainly cholinesterase-positive. Fluorescent ganglion cells were not observed. Pretreatment of stretch preparations with NADH: Nitro BT to stain ganglion cells showed that the majority of the cells were surrounded by a meshwork of fluorescent varicose fibres, although none of the fibres appeared to be associated with individual cells. The perivascular plexus was mainly associated with the arteries. The functional significance of the innervation is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Some histochemical studies on the prostate, urethral and bulbourethral glands of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

The histochemical localization of carbohydrates, ribonucleoproteins (RNA), lipids, some hydrolytic enzymes, succinate and lactate dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase were investigated in the prostate, urethral and bulbourethral glands of the camel. These glands probably secrete carbohydrate-protein complexes. In the bulbourethral glands, they are sulphated mucopolysaccharides. RNA was seen in the cytoplasm of the prostate and urethral glands. Neutral lipids were cytoplasmic and present in moderate amounts in the prostate and urethral glands and in traces, in the bulbourethral gland. Acid phosphatase-containing granules were abundant in the prostate, moderate in the urethral glands and in traces in the bulbourethral glands. Alkaline phosphatase was observed in the apical cytoplasm of the prostate and bulbourethral glands and in the ducts of the urethral glands. ATPase and adenosine 5-monophosphatase were seen in the basal laminae and interstitial tissue. In the urethral glands, adenosine 5-monophosphatase was distributed diffusely in the cytoplasm. Succinate dehydrogenase was seen in the urethral and bulbourethral glands. Varying degrees of lactate dehydrogenase activity was observed in all the glands. Acetylcholinesterase was confined to neural elements. The pars disseminata and the urethral glands were considered as two distinct glandular zones along the pelvic urethra. The significance of these histochemical results is discussed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗