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Biomedical subjects

L Ali

Publications and source records attributed to L Ali.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Effect of soluble dietary fibre fraction of Trigonella foenum graecum on glycemic, insulinemic, lipidemic and platelet aggregation status of Type 2 diabetic model rats.

The soluble dietary fibre (SDF) fraction of Trigonella foenum graecum (Tf-sdf) has previously been shown to reduce postprandial elevation in blood glucose level of Type 2 model diabetic rats by delaying the digestion of sucrose. The Tf-sdf has now been investigated for its chronic effect on serum fructosamine, insulin and lipid levels, and on platelet aggregation in Type 2 diabetic rats. Tf-sdf was administered orally twice daily at a dose of 0.5 g kg(-1) for 28 days. It lowered the serum fructosamine level (P<0.05) with no significant change in the insulin level as compared with the control. Atherogenic lipids, i.e. triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were found to decrease significantly in Tf-sdf fed rats (P<0.01). HDL-cholesterol showed an opposite trend (P=0.024), but serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) values paralleled the atherogenic lipids (P=0.001). No significant effect on platelet aggregation (%) was found although there was a tendency to lower the aggregation (P=0.069). It is concluded that Tf-sdf has a beneficial effect on dyslipidemia and has a tendency to inhibit platelet aggregation in Type 2 model diabetic rats.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Genetic susceptibility to fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes in Bangladeshi subjects: a family study.

Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is an uncommon cause of diabetes, seen mainly in developing countries. A family-based study was carried out in 67 Bangladeshi families, consisting of a proband with FCPD and both parents, to determine whether an association exists between FCPD susceptibility and either the major histocompatiblity complex (MHC) or insulin gene (INS) loci. HLA-DQB1 typing was done using allele-specific primers, and INS was typed using the restriction enzyme HphI. Three microsatellites (TNFa, TNFc and TNFd), from within and flanking the TNF-LT locus, were used for MHC Class IV typing and a PCR-RFLP assay was used to define the -308G/A TNF promoter polymorphism. The extended transmission disequilibrium test (ETDT) was used for statistical analysis. An overall association was observed between FCPD and HLA-DQB1 (P = 0.003), that was largely due to a positive association with HLA-DQB1*0302 and a negative association with HLA-DQB1*0202. Although no association was found between FCPD and TNF-LT microsatellite markers a trend was observed for TNFc (P = 0.037, Pc = 0.15). No association was found between FCPD and INS (P = 0.26). This study confirms an association between FCPD and the MHC using a family-based study design and the stringent ETDT analysis; a novel protective association was found with HLA-DQB1*0202 in Bangladeshi FCPD subjects. The genetic susceptibility to FCPD has features both similar and dissimilar to T1DM.

Bangladesh↗
PubMed2002

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus infection in major cities of Pakistan. SETTING: Various laboratories of the country with one as the central Laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven hundred and ninety two consecutive clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were collected from 8 laboratories all over Pakistan i.e. Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, Sukkhur, Islamabad, Quetta, and Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. Antibiotic sensitivity was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and MIC of Vancomycin was determined by 'E' test. RESULTS: Forty two percent of the isolates were found to be Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) while no Vancomycin resistance was encountered. CONCLUSION: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are seen in the local population with frequencies varying between 2-61% highest incidence is seen in the major cities of the country. Fortunately no Vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus has been isolated from any of the major cities.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed2001

The road to rave.

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Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

SPINK1/PSTI mutations are associated with tropical pancreatitis in Bangladesh. A preliminary report.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Tropical pancreatitis (TP) refers to a severe type of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis that develops in children in tropical regions of Africa and southern Asia. Phenotypically TP is subdivided into fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) and tropical calcific pancreatitis without diabetes mellitus (TCP). Recently an association was identified between idiopathic pancreatitis in the USA and Europe and mutations in the serine protease inhibitor, Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene (previously termed pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor, PSTI). Our aim was to determine if either form of TP has a genetic basis. METHODS: We studied 8 well-characterized patients from Bangladesh with FCPD, 4 with TCP and 4 controls without pancreatic disease. The entire SPINK1 gene was sequenced in these patients. RESULTS: We detected two disease-associated SPINK1 mutations (N34S/IVS1 - 37T > C and IVS3 + 2T > C) in 6 of 8 patients from Bangladesh with FCPD but not in 4 patients with TCP (p < 0.03) or 4 controls (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that SPINK1 mutations are associated with FCPD in Bangladesh. Since SPINK1 mutations in Europeans and North Americans are associated with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis that is phenotypically different from FCPD, we further conclude that mutated SPINK1 markedly increases the risk of developing a variety of pancreatic diseases possibly through a chronic elevation of active trypsin within the pancreas.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Structures of the intradiskal loops and amino terminus of the G-protein receptor, rhodopsin.

The intradiskal surface of the transmembrane protein, rhodopsin, consists of the amino terminal domain and three loops connecting six of the seven transmembrane helices. This surface corresponds to the extracellular surface of other G-protein receptors. Peptides that represent each of the extramembraneous domains on this surface (three loops and the amino terminus) were synthesized. These peptides also included residues which, based on a hydrophobic plot, could be expected to be part of the transmembrane helix. The structure of each of these peptides in solution was then determined using two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. All peptide domains showed ordered structures in solution. The structures of each of the peptides from intradiskal loops of rhodopsin exhibited a turn in the central region of the peptide. The ends of the peptides show an unwinding of the transmembrane helices to form this turn. The amino terminal domain peptide exhibited alpha-helical regions with breaks and bends at proline residues. This region forms a compact domain. Together, the structures for the loop and amino terminus domains indicate that the intradiskal surface of rhodopsin is ordered. These data further suggest a structural motif for short loops in transmembrane proteins. The ordered structures of these loops, in the absence of the transmembrane helices, indicate that the primary sequences of these loops are sufficient to code for the turn.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Quantitative trait loci for root-penetration ability and root thickness in rice: comparison of genetic backgrounds.

Drought is the major abiotic stress limiting rice (Oryza sativa) production and yield stability in rainfed lowland and upland ecosystems. Root systems play an important role in drought resistance. Incorporation of root selection criteria in drought resistance improvement is difficult due to lack of reliable and efficient screening techniques. Using a wax-petrolatum layer system simulated to compacted soil layers, root traits were evaluated in a doubled haploid (DH) population derived from the cross between 'IR64' and 'Azucena'. Twelve putative QTLs (quantitative trait loci) were detected by interval mapping comprising four QTLs for root-penetration ability, four QTLs for root thickness, two QTLs for penetrated root number, and two QTLs for total root number. These QTLs individually explained 8.4% to 16.4% of the phenotypic variation. No QTL was detected for maximum penetrated root length by interval mapping. One QTL located between RG104 and RG348 was found to influence both root-penetration ability and root thickness. QTLs for root-penetration ability and root thickness were compared across two populations, 'IR64'-'Azucena' and 'CO39'-'Moroberekan', and different testing conditions. The identified consistent QTLs could be used for marker-assisted selection for deep and thick roots with high root-penetration ability in rice.

Oryza↗
PubMed2000

Viral hepatitis: recent experiences from serological studies in Bangladesh.

Infections due to hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis E (HEV) viruses are the major causes of hepatitis and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Bangladesh. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HCV antibody, anti-HAV antibody and anti-HEV antibody in patients suspected of having infection by HBV, HCV, HAV and HEV, respectively. Antibody to HAV was detected in 39% of subjects investigated. HBsAg was identified in 19% of subjects. Antibody to HCV and HEV was detected in 13% and 53% subjects, respectively. Infection with HAV was very high among children < or = 6 years of age (100%). On the contrary, exposure to HEV was higher in adult persons > or => 30 years of age (52%) compared to that in children < or = 6 years of age who had 0% incidence. Our study clearly indicates a high prevalence of those viruses, particularly of enterically transmitted HAV and HEV in Bangladesh, which appeared to be a serious health problem in this developing country. Control measures should be taken on an urgent basis to prevent the spread of infections by these viruses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Home monitoring of blood glucose (HMBG) in Type-2 diabetes mellitus in a developing country.

The cost-effectiveness of home monitoring of blood glucose (HMBG) in Type-2 diabetes in a developing country was evaluated. A total of 64 uncomplicated Type-2 diabetic individuals of higher middle class to rich socio-economic status were studied. Thirty-two were allocated to conventional monthly hospital visits group-I (Gr-I) and 32 to HMBG with hospital visits at 3 monthly intervals group-II (Gr-II). In Gr-I, compared to baseline, HbA1c values decreased by 0.76% (95% CI 0.11-1.42) after 9 months and by 0.95% (95% CI 0.12-1.77) after 15 months but lost significance after 18 months follow-up. On the other hand, in Gr-II patients, HbA1c decreased significantly from baseline from 3 months and remained so at 18 months when it was decreased by 1.37% (95% CI 0.25-2.49). Hypoglycaemic episodes per patient year follow-up were significantly lower among Gr-II patients (0.172 vs. 0.354, P = 0.03). Considering the cost for conveyance, wage loss, investigation, institutional cost, glucometer and test strips, the total cost per patient was quite similar in both groups. The present study suggests that HMBG with proper diabetes education may be cost-effective at least in selected groups of individuals with Type-2 diabetes, even in a developing country such as Bangladesh.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Serum and urinary magnesium in young diabetic subjects in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium imbalance, implicated in diabetes mellitus both as a cause and a consequence, has not yet been investigated in subgroups of subjects with malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus. which is prevalent in young patients in tropical developing countries such as Bangladesh. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the serum and urinary magnesium concentrations in groups of young diabetic subjects in Bangladesh. DESIGN: Forty patients newly diagnosed with diabetes [13 with fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes (FCPD), 13 with protein-deficient diabetes (PDDM), and 14 with type 2 diabetes mellitus] were studied along with 13 healthy control and 13 malnourished control subjects [body mass index (in kg/m2) < 19]. Magnesium was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Malnutrition itself was not related to the serum glucose (fasting: 3.68+/-0.74 and 4.11+/-0.29 mmol/L; postprandial: 6.30+/-0.41 and 6.00+/-0.24 mmol/L for healthy and malnourished control subjects, respectively) or serum or urinary magnesium (serum: 0.73+/-0.03 and 0.75+/-0.05 mmol/L: urinary: 232+/-124 and 243+/-88 mmol Mg/mol creatinine for healthy and malnourished control subjects, respectively) concentration. Subjects with FCPD and PDDM had significantly lower serum magnesium concentrations (PDDM: 0.68+/-0.06 mmol/L, FCPD: 0.66+/-0.07 mmol/L) than those in both control groups. In contrast with 0% of healthy and 7.7% of malnourished control subjects, 42.85% of type 2 diabetic subjects, 61.54% of those with PDDM, and 69.23% of those with FCPD were hypomagnesemic. Subjects with FCPD and PDDM had significantly higher urinary excretion of magnesium than the healthy and malnourished control subjects and the type 2 diabetic subjects. Hypermagnesuria paralleled hypomagnesemia. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition may not itself give rise to glucose intolerance, and serum magnesium deficiency seems to be a consequence rather than a cause of diabetes mellitus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Presenting features in Pakistani patients suffering from the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody--classical subtype (c-ANCA) associated vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinicopathological features in c-ANCA positive patients suffering from vasculitis with a view to find out the most common mode of presentation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTINGS: Department of Immunology, AFIP, Rawalpindi, MH Rawalpindi, CMH Rawalpindi, Department of Rheumatology, PIMS, Islamabad, RGH Rawalpindi, FFH, Rawalpindi. SUBJECTS: Seventeen patients suffering from vasculitis and found to be positive for c-ANCA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinico-pathological features at presentation. RESULTS: There were 9 males in age range 11-60 years (mean age 32.5 years) and 8 females in age range 26-42 years (mean age 32.3 years). Common presenting features were a combination of cough, blocked nose and post nasal drip 14/17 (82%) followed by nose bleed and haematuria 11/17 (65%). Six patients were demonstrated to be suffering from Wegener's granulomatosis after biopsy. C-ANCA was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in the titre range of 8-640. The auto antibody levels related to disease activity. CONCLUSION: c-ANCA associated vasculitis is a rare (17 patients in five years) but aggressive form of vasculitis. It must be suspected in patients with persistent respiratory tract related symptoms associated with fever and joint pains which fail to respond to adequate treatment for infections. The c-ANCA estimations can be utilised as sensitive and specific diagnostic and prognostic marker in this form of vasculitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Lack of R117H mutation in the cationic trypsinogen gene in patients with tropical pancreatitis from Bangladesh.

The etiology of nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis, occurring in tropical regions, is unknown. Although environmental factors may play a role in its pathogenesis, a specific genetic predisposition may be necessary. The genetic mutation responsible for hereditary pancreatitis was described recently. Unlike in patients with hereditary pancreatitis, we found a lack of the R117H mutation in the cationic trypsinogen gene in all patients with tropical pancreatitis from Bangladesh.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The first and second cytoplasmic loops of the G-protein receptor, rhodopsin, independently form beta-turns.

The cytoplasmic face of the transmembrane protein, rhodopsin, is made up of one carboxyl terminal and three cytoplasmic loops connecting six of the seven transmembrane helices. Neither the high-resolution, three-dimensional structure of this G-protein receptor nor any other cell surface receptor is known. In this work, the structures of peptides containing the amino acid sequence of the first and second cytoplasmic loops of rhodopsin have been determined. Both loops show ordered structures in solution. In both loops, the ends of the transmembrane helices unwind and form a beta-turn. The conformations of the two loops are remarkably similar, even though their sequences are not. These data suggest a structural motif for short loops in transmembrane proteins. The well-ordered structures of these loops, in the absence of the transmembrane helices, indicate that the primary sequences of these loops stabilize the beta-turn. These data further suggest that the loops may contribute to the folding of such membrane proteins during their synthesis and insertion into membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Tropical calcific pancreatitis and fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes in Bangladesh.

The relationship between tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP) and fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is still unclear. The clinical, biochemical and radiological data of age-matched TCP and FCPD subjects have been briefly discussed in the present review. Fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes patients present with a significantly lower BMI compared with TCP patients. Analysis of the family history reveals that some kind of environmental factors seem to play a predominant role in the development of diabetes in FCPD patients, although these factors remain to be identified. Both TCP and FCPD patients predominantly come from a rural background. Fasting and 2 h blood glucose values as well as fructosamine levels in FCPD patients are approximately four-times higher than those of TCP patients. Measurements of early renal haemodynamic and microvascular changes (glomerular filtration rate, kidney size, microalbuminuria and microtransferrinuria) indicate an early renal involvement in FCPD patients. Tropical calcific pancreatitis subjects have approximately twice as high fasting C-peptide values compared with FCPD patients. Findings of single stranded DNA measurements suggest the involvement of oxidative damage in FCPD patients. Ketosis resistance is the most conspicuous clinical feature in the FCPD group and this relative absence of ketosis is probably due to a defect in the ketone body synthesis pathway and/or in the regulation of counterbalancing hormones. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography findings of TCP and FCPD patients suggest that FCPD should not be considered only as a form of secondary diabetes consequent to generalized pancreatic damage in TCP.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effect of socioeconomic risk factors on the difference in prevalence of diabetes between rural and urban populations in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of diabetes between the poor and rich of rural and urban populations in Bangladesh. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 1,052 subjects from urban and 1,319 from rural communities (age > or = 20 years) of different socioeconomic classes were investigated. Capillary blood glucose levels, fasting and 2 h after a 75-g glucose drink (2-h blood glucose [BG]), were measured. Height, weight, waist, hips, and blood pressure were also measured. RESULTS: Age-adjusted (30-64 years) prevalence of NIDDM was higher in urban (7.97% with 95% CI 6.17-9.77) than in rural subjects (3.84%, CI 2.61-5.07), whereas impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) prevalence was higher in rural subjects. In either urban or rural areas, the highest prevalence of NIDDM was observed among the rich, and the lowest prevalence was observed among the poor socioeconomic classes. The rural rich had much higher prevalence of IGT than their urban counterpart (16.5 vs. 4.4%, CI 6.8-17.4). Increased age was an important risk factor for IGT and NIDDM in both rural and urban subjects, whereas the risk related to higher BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was less significant in rural than urban subjects. Using logistic regression and adjusting for age, sex, and social class, the urban subjects had no excess risk for NIDDM. In contrast, an excess risk for glucose intolerance (2-h BG > or = 7.8 mmol/l) was observed in the rural subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Adjusting for age, sex, and social class, the prevalence of NIDDM among urban subjects did not differ significantly from that among rural subjects. Increased age, higher socioeconomic class, and higher WHR were proven to be independent risk factors for glucose intolerance in either area.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of the hypoglycemic effects of Trigonella foenum graecum seed.

The whole powder of Trigonella foenum graecum seeds and its extracts were tested for their hypoglycemic effect on normal and diabetic model rats. The powder, its methanol extract, and the residue remaining after methanol extraction had significant hypoglycemic effects when fed simultaneously with glucose. The water extract of the methanol extractive-free residue of the seed powder showed significant hypoglycemic activity at different prandial states. The Soluble Dietary Fibre (SDF) fraction showed no effect on the fasting blood glucose levels of nondiabetic or NIDDM model rats. However, when fed simultaneously with glucose, it showed a significant hypoglycemic effect (p < 0.05) in NIDDM model rats. Chemical analysis showed that the major constituent of the SDF is a galactomannan. The results confirm the involvement of SDF in the hypoglycemic effect of T. foenum graecum seeds. However, compound(s) other than SDF is (are) also involved in the hypoglycemic activity.

Animals↗