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Biomedical subjects

J Akhter

Publications and source records attributed to J Akhter.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis; a reversible cause of paralysis to remember.

A young Chinese American male presented with progressive proximal muscle weakness and inability to stand and walk. Investigations revealed marked hypokalemia and thyroid studies revealed hyperthyroidism consistent with Graves' disease. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare disorder in the Western hemisphere, yet needs to be considered as a cause particularly in patients of Oriental origin presenting with sudden weakness. The case history and update of current knowledge of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Dyslipidemia and its relation with body mass index versus waist hip ratio.

To study the magnitude of dyslipidemia in asymptomatic subjects and its relation to body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip-ratio (WHR), 88 subjects attending the health analysis programme were examined and their age, sex, BMI, WHR, fasting blood glucose and lipids were measured. The distribution of the lipid levels and the frequency of dyslipidemia were noted. Forty-eight percent had a total cholesterol of > 200 mg/dl and 50% had an HDL-cholesterol of < 40 mg/dl. On comparing the means of total cholesterol to BMI and WHR, it was found that total cholesterol level was statistically significant for WHR above and below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females, whereas not so for BMI above and below 27 kg/m2. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in asymptomatic people in this group emphasizes the need for routine health screening for early institution of preventive measures. The correlation with WHR rather than BMI points towards importance of measuring parameters of central obesity rather than body weight and height only.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

In vitro effect of histamine and histamine H1 and H2 receptor antagonists on cellular proliferation of human malignant melanoma cell lines.

Histamine is an established growth factor for gastric and colorectal cancer. Contradictory data for response of melanoma to histamine have been reported. Our aims were to determine the effect of histamine and H1 and H2 receptor antagonists on cell growth and cyclic AMP production. Four human melanoma cell lines were cultured with a range of concentrations of histamine, and with the H2 receptor antagonists cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine, or the H1 receptor antagonist diphenhydramine. Cellular proliferation was measured by the uptake of [3H]-thymidine. Cyclic AMP production was also measured to determine the receptor status of the cell lines. Histamine significantly stimulated growth in two of four cell lines, with maximal stimulation at 1 x 10(-8) M. This effect was inhibited by all four antagonists in a dose-dependent manner. Histamine [10(-7) to 10(-4) M] also induced a dose-dependent increase in cyclic AMP production in the two histamine-responsive cell lines, suggesting that these cell lines express H2 receptors. We conclude that there may be a role for histamine receptor antagonists in melanoma treatment and that further investigation is warranted.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1995

Gastrointestinal adenovirus infections in a tertiary referral centre in Saudi Arabia.

To determine the prevalence of adenovirus and its serotypes in diarrhoeal stools in Saudi Arabia, 3,000 stool specimens were collected prospectively from subjects of all ages over a 28-month period. A total of 220 positive isolates were obtained. Fifteen serotypes were found, serotypes 40 and 41 being the most prevalent. Underlying disorders were found in the majority of patients, leukaemia being the most common single underlying condition. This investigation represents the first detailed study of the epidemiology of gastrointestinal adenovirus infections in Saudi Arabia.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1995

Viral contamination of environmental surfaces on a general paediatric ward and playroom in a major referral centre in Riyadh.

In order to determine the incidence of viral contamination of environmental surfaces in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. A 6-month prospective study was carried out on a general paediatric ward in which both enteric and respiratory viruses were screened. Weekly samples were taken between August 1993-February 1994. A total of 155 samples were taken in which 11 (7%) tested positive for rotavirus. No other viruses were detected. Internal and external temperatures were monitored and an increase in rotavirus incidence was noted with decrease in temperature. Rotavirus was detected on surfaces involving human activity (toilet handles, televisions, toys and vital signs chart). One patient had rotavirus on his hands but no staff were found to carry rotavirus. Further contamination of environmental surfaces (9%) was detected during an increased incidence of rotavirus infection. A proper programme of disinfection and handwashing is essential in order to eliminate this mode of transmission.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Diagnosis of astrovirus by reverse transcriptase PCR in stools from patients in the UK and Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Astroviruses are becoming increasingly recognised as a cause of diarrhoea in children, and to a lesser extent, adults. Electron microscopy is the recognised standard for diagnosis but is not available in many centres. OBJECTIVES: This study set out to evaluate a RT-PCR method for the diagnosis of astrovirus in faecal specimens. STUDY DESIGN: 130 diarrhoeal stools were collected prospectively both from Saudi Arabia and Leicester, UK. The patients from each centre were age-matched. Twenty control isolates from food service staff without clinical illness were also collected. Both electron microscopy (EM) and RT-PCR (for astrovirus serotype 1) were used to diagnose astrovirus infection. RESULTS: Of 23 PCR-positive specimens, only 17 were detected by EM. The prevalence of astrovirus serotype 1 was determined by PCR as 1.5% in Saudi Arabia and 4.6% in the UK. CONCLUSION: RT-PCR is a more sensitive alternative to EM for astrovirus serotype 1.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction in Pakistan.

To characterize features of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a Pakistani population, and assess the role of thrombolysis in our country, we studied 194 consecutive admitted patients with enzyme positive AMI. Males were affected three times more frequently; women, although affected less, had a higher incidence of complications than men. Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in 50% patients presenting with AMI. An unusually high incidence of anterior wall myocardial infarction (39%) was seen. Complications were frequent with a predominance of LV failure symptoms. Cardiogenic shock was associated with a very high mortality, in excess of 93%. Streptokinase (SK) was administered in 60% patients with suspected transmural AMI. A statistically significant reduction in mortality was seen in the group that received SK (15.2%) compared to those who did not receive SK (24.7%), (p = < 0.05).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of paediatric viral gastroenteritis at large medical centres in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.

A comparison of the prevalence of viral diarrhoeas in children was made between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia over a three-year period. Laboratory data from Saudi Arabia were compared with those of a large medical centre in the UK. The prevalence ratios of virus-associated diarrhoea as a fraction of all diarrhoeal cases over three years were found to be 23% in the UK and 14% in Saudi Arabia. The relative proportion due to rotavirus and adenovirus was higher in the UK than in Saudi Arabia, but small round viruses were comparable at the two centres.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Fructosamine: an alternative assessment of past glycaemic control in developing countries.

Fructosamine assay determines glycaemic control in diabetic patients by measuring glycosylated plasma protein. This study was done to assess the value of fructosamine as an alternative test to HbA1c as a measure of glycaemia. Sixty patients (both insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) were selected from the diabetic clinic and fasting blood samples were collected for estimation of glucose, HbA1c and fructosamine levels. The results were compared by correlation analysis and major discrepancies/discordance was detected by dividing the results into 3 clinical categories and detecting the cases in which the values fell in opposite clinical categories. Fructosamine correlated well with HbA1c (r = 0.41, p < 0.01) and with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.45 p < 0.01). Major discordance was detected in the results of only 7 patients which can partly be attributed to different periods over which HbA1c and fructosamine reflect average glycaemia. Fructosamine measures glycaemia over the past 2-3 weeks and HbA1c over 8 weeks. As fructosamine assay is relatively inexpensive, reliable and simple to perform; it can be used as an alternative to HbA1c and is particularly suited for developing countries.

Blood Glucose↗