Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M A Amer

Publications and source records attributed to M A Amer.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Smectite in acute diarrhea in children: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Dioctahedral smectite (DS) a natural adsorbent clay capable of adsorbing viruses, bacteria, and other intestinal irritants in vitro, is claimed to possess beneficial "antidiarrheal" properties. This study tested the effect of DS on the duration of diarrhea and the frequency and amount of liquid stools. Ninety well-nourished boys, aged 3-24 months, with acute watery diarrhea and mild, moderate, or severe dehydration were included in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After initial rehydration, they received DS or placebo (1.5 g freshly dissolved in 50 ml of water, four times daily for 3 days) along with oral rehydration solution (ORS) and adequate feeding. The clinical characteristics of both groups were comparable on admission. Patients in the smectite group had a significantly shorter duration of diarrhea (mean +/- SD, 54 +/- 16 vs. 73 +/- 13 h) and significantly fewer stools (2.6 +/- 0.8 vs. 3 +/- 0.7 on second day; 1.9 +/- 0.7 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.7 on third day; and 11.3 +/- 3.2 vs. 13.8 +/- 3 overall). The amount of liquid stools was not significantly reduced. Weight gain at 24, 48, and 72 h and on recovery was significantly higher in the smectite group despite the comparable fluid and food intake in both groups. These results suggest a beneficial effect of DS in shortening the duration of diarrhea and reducing the frequency of liquid stools in children rehydrated with ORS.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Ultrastructure of Trichophyton violaceum.

BACKGROUND: The ultrastructure of different fungi have been described in recent literature; however, few reports have concerned dermatophytes. METHODS: Fine structure of Trichophyton violaceum was observed using electron microscopy. RESULTS: Hyphae appeared as branched segmented filaments with a cell wall consisting of two layers. Thin electron dense plasma membrane was evident continuous with the inner surface of the cell wall. Septal walls with central pores and a uniform electron opacity plugs were seen. The hyphae were multinucleated and the cytoplasm contained endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and vacuoles. CONCLUSIONS: Although these findings showed ultrastructural similarities of the cell wall with Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum audouinii, there were some points of difference in the ultrastructure of the hyphae in Epidermophyton floccosum, and in the mitochondria of Trichophyton mentagrophytes as described by other investigators.

Microscopy, Electron↗
PubMed1992

Clinical and radiologic study of the frequency and presentation of chest infection in children with severe protein energy malnutrition.

The association between P.E.M. and frequent and severe life threatening infections including lower respiratory tract infections have been always reported. Lack of the usual general and local signs of infection in P.E.M. makes the diagnosis difficult and sometimes only postmortem. This study evaluated the frequency of chest infections as well as the sensitivity, specificity and predictivity of different signs and symptoms of the disease in 100 children with severe P.E.M. (marasmus, kwashiorkor, and marasmic kwashiorkor). Sixty two percent of the studied children had chest infection (33% pneumonia, 29% bronchitis). Although most patients were symptomatic, yet, signs and symptoms were few and mostly non specific. Chest roentgenograms are thus mandatory in evaluating patients with P.E.M. whenever possible. The only valuable signs suggestive of chest infection in P.E.M. were tachypnea (> or = 40/min) and/or chest indrawing. Both were moderately sensitive, highly specific and predictive of the disease particularly pneumonia. Their presence thus, its indicative of the need for early institution of antibiotic therapy even before the results of chest roentgenograms. Total Leucocytic count was of little diagnostic value while contrary to the common belief that tuberculin test is usually negative in P.E.M., the use of double the usual dose of P.P.D. (i.e. 10 TU) yielded positive reaction in some of the studied patients and thus must not be omitted from the routine investigations of malnourished patients.

Child Nutrition Disorders↗
PubMed1989

Anticholesteremic property of Lactobacillus acidophilus yogurt fed to mature boars.

Three strains of Lactobacilus acidophilus (LA) were isolated from the feces of mature boars that were not being fed antibiotics from the Nebraska Gene Pool (NGP). All three LA isolates were screened in vitro for anticholesteremic and antimicrobial activities. One strain, LA16, caused the greatest reduction in cholesterol and inhibited both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli the most. LA16 was used to produce 16, 18.9-liter quantities of acidophilus yogurt (AY), over a period of 8 wk, for use as a feed ingredient in diets for the NGP boars. Colony forming units (cfu), pH, protein, energy, Ca and P were consistent across all 16 batches of yogurt. All of the 18 boars were fed a high-cholesterol diet for a period of 56 d at a rate of 2.268 kg/(hd.d) to furnish 6.661 g/(hd.d) of cholesterol. Nine of the boars then were fed 1.81 kg/(hd.d) of a second diet that was supplemented with .454 kg/(hd.d) of AY. The other nine boars were fed the original diet. Cholesterol intake was the same for the two dietary treatments. Blood samples were collected weekly from the brachial-jugular region and the sera were analyzed for lipids. Acidophilus yogurt reduced serum cholesterol (P less than .01) and low density lipoproteins (P less than .08), but it had no effect on serum triglycerides (P greater than .23) or on high density lipoproteins (P greater than .11).

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1987

Immunopotentiation.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1983

Clinical electrophysiologic assessment of ulnar nerve transposition in tuberculoid leprosy.

Ulnar nerve transposition was accomplished in 24 tuberculoid leprotic patients, making a total of 27 operations. Results were assessed clinically and electrophysiologically, pre- and postoperatively, and compared with a control group of 30 patients. Excellent results were obtained in early cases with minimal electromyographic changes. Late cases did not improve after surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Photochemotherapy and alopecia areata.

Four of ten patients with alopecia areata (plaque and totalis types) showed some regrowth of hair after PUVA therapy using a light box with peak emission 365 nm. Because PUVA may have long term side effects, this therapy should be reserved for patients resistant to other treatments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The effect of fermented and unfermented milks on serum cholesterol.

Groups of 10 to 13 healthy volunteers were provided with 11 supplements of 2% butterfat milk (2% milk), whole milk, skim milk, yogurt, buttermilk, and sweet acidophilus milk daily for a 3-wk period. Despite increases in caloric intakes on all supplements, no significant increases were found in total, low-density, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A significant weight gain was seen in subjects taking yogurt and acidophilus groups; these were the only two groups showing significant rises in triglyceride levels. These results in normal volunteers focus attention on the current practice of recommending only skim or 2% milk for hyperlipidemic individuals.

Adolescent↗