Biomedical subjects

K Sabra

Publications and source records attributed to K Sabra.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Helicobacter pylori activates the early growth response 1 protein in gastric epithelial cells.

The early growth response 1 (Egr-1) transcription factor is rapidly induced by various stimuli and is implicated in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and gene expression. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Helicobacter pylori on the expression of Egr-1 and Egr-1-regulated genes in gastric epithelial AGS cells. Egr-1 expression was assayed by immunoblotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays using H. pylori-stimulated AGS cells. Transient transfection experiments with promoter-reporter constructs of CD44, ICAM-1, and CD95L were used for expression studies. H. pylori induced the expression of Egr-1 in gastric epithelial cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with the rapid kinetics that are typical of this class of transcription factors. Immunohistochemical studies of biopsies revealed that Egr-1 expression is more abundant in H. pylori-positive patients than in uninfected individuals. Reporter-promoter transfection studies indicated that Egr-1 binding is required for the H. pylori-induced transcriptional promoter activity of the CD44, ICAM-1, and CD95L (APO-1/Fas) constructs. The blocking of egr-1 with an antisense sequence prevented H. pylori-induced Egr-1 and CD44 protein expression. The MEK1/2 signaling cascade participates in H. pylori-mediated Egr-1 expression, but the p38 pathway does not. The data indicate that H. pylori induces Egr-1 expression in AGS cells in vitro and that the Egr-1 protein is readily detectable in biopsies from H. pylori-positive subjects. These observations suggest that H. pylori-associated Egr-1 expression may play a role, in part, in H. pylori-induced pathology.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

PubMed1995

Treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma with liposomal doxorubicin.

The efficacy of liposomal doxorubicin for treating Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was studied. Eight men with HIV infection and KS were to be given liposomal doxorubicin 20 mg/sq m i.v. monthly for six months and 10 mg/sq m i.v. monthly thereafter, depending on the response. They were assessed for the onset, extent, and duration of clinical response; relapse; adverse effects; development of new opportunistic infections; quality of life; and survival. Five patients had a clinical complete response (i.e., complete resolution of the manifestations of KS, as determined by physical examination but not confirmed by biopsy) and three patients had a partial response to the induction regimen of liposomal doxorubicin. Relapse occurred in all patients in whom therapy was stopped; reinstatement of therapy elicited a partial response. Neutropenia occurred in two patients; filgrastim therapy enabled the liposomal doxorubicin therapy to continue uninterrupted. Thromboembolic events developed or were suspected in three patients, although they may not have been caused by liposomal doxorubicin. Monthly i.v. administration of liposomal doxorubicin partially or completely eliminated the clinical manifestations of Kaposi's sarcoma in eight men infected with HIV.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1989

Paracetamol suppositories: a comparative study.

Paracetamol suppositories in two different bases were given to children who had fever after operations. Plasma concentrations and the effect on temperature were compared. There was a significant correlation between peak plasma concentrations and maximum drop in temperature. A lipophilic base produced better results than a hydrophilic base.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed1983

Rheological and sedimentation studies on instant Clearjel and Primojel suspensions.

The suitability of Instant Clearjel and Primojel for use as extemporaneous suspending agents has been investigated by continuous shear and creep analysis using a specially constructed air turbine viscometer. Aqueous dispersions of both of the modified starches exhibited non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic flow with little thixotropy and some irreversible shear breakdown. Apparent viscosities, determined from the apices of flow curves obtained at constant maximum shear rate, decreased progressively with increase in temperature over the range 10-50 degrees C. An Arrhenius plot gave a low apparent activation energy of flow for Primojel. The two modified starches showed a marked rise in apparent viscosity with rise in pH from 3 to 11 of the dispersion medium. Only Instant Clearjel dispersions exhibited a linear viscoelastic region in creep testing, studies which confirmed that this system behaved as a viscoelastic liquid. Sedimentation studies on 10% w/v sulphadimidine suspensions containing varying concentrations of either suspending agent indicated that 3% w/v Primojel could form permanent suspensions even after 6 months storage at room temperature. The significance of these results in relation to the usefulness of these starch derivatives as suspending agents is discussed.

Excipients↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Poor utilisation and limited impact of formularies on quality of prescribing by hospital doctors.

We determined the utilisation and perceived value of formularies amongst 104 Non Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs). Only 58% routinely carry a formulary, largely the British, National Formulary (BNF) which is considered by 93% to be the best. The overall quality of prescribing in surgical wards was poorer compared to medical wards. However, after distribution of "free BNF's" significant improvements (p < 0.05) occurred, but only in surgical wards and only in aspects of prescribing specifically highlighted (generic prescribing and limiting the duration of intravenous medications). These improvements lasted four weeks before returning to previous levels. Our results suggest that despite recognising their value a significant proportion of Irish hospital doctors do not routinely carry a formulary. The beneficial effects of distributing free formularies was shortlived.

Chi-Square Distribution↗