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Biomedical subjects

M Afzal

Publications and source records attributed to M Afzal.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Inbreeding depression and intelligence quotient among north Indian children.

This study presents the assessment of inbreeding depression on the intelligence quotient among north Indian Muslim Children of school age. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R)-74 was given to the children in both groups (50 each non-inbred and inbred of the first-cousin status), aged 6 to 11 years and from the same socio-economic status. The change of the mean follows genetic theory; however, the nature of the change in variance seems to be somewhat different.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Malignant mesenchymoma of the chest wall in an adult.

Mesenchymoma (hamartoma) of the chest wall is an extremely rare tumour presenting in early infancy or fetal life. Pleural, pulmonary, and lymph node metastases developed in a young man with malignant mesenchymoma of the chest wall. The tumour had several characteristics that differ from the mesenchymoma reported from the other parts of the body.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Modification of liver and serum enzymes by paraquat treatment in rabbits.

Paraquat (PQ) is known to cause progressive interstitial fibrosis in the lungs. Previous investigations have indicated that PQ acts by lipid peroxidation of the membrane. However, there are few reports on the action of PQ on hepatic enzymes. This work was carried out to investigate the modulation of various hepatic enzymes by PQ in rabbits. Paraquat was administered at a dose of 3, 6 or 12 mg/kg b. wt/day intraperitoneally to male rabbits for different periods of time. Administration of paraquat resulted in a significant decrease in plasma activities of transaminase enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and liver transketolase. No significant change was found in the activities of plasma and hepatic lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. A marked increase in blood glucose was noticed 48 hours after paraquat administration.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1992

Serological evaluation of Pasteurella multocida antigens associated with protection in buffalo calves.

Different antigens of Pasteurella multocida Carter's type 6:B including whole bacterium, antigen heated at 56 degrees C, antigen heated at 100 degrees C, sonicated antigen, capsular antigen, potassium thiocyanate extract, lipopolysaccharide and sodium salicylate extract were evaluated to assess protection in buffalo calves against haemorrhagic septicaemia. Sera from calves with known protection status in experimental challenge were titrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against all antigens. Capsular antigen extracted with 2.5% sodium chloride was superior to other antigens for assessing protection status of buffalo calves against P. multocida by ELISA. This capsular antigen was able to differentiate clearly between well-protected, protected and unprotected animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Unusual bilateral renal histiocytosis. Extranodal variant of Rosai-Dorfman disease.

A 37-year-old Bangladeshi presented with large bilateral masses involving the hilus of the kidneys. No lymphadenopathy was noted. Nephrectomy was performed. Histopathologically, it revealed a lymphohistiocytic and plasma cell inflammatory tumoral proliferation with characteristic lymphophagocytosis by the S100-positive-CD1-negative histiocytes. Extranodal presentation of sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman disease) should be entertained in the differential diagnosis of bilateral masses involving the kidneys.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Biochemical and electrophoretical studies of the effect of some chemosterilants on theenzymes of aedes aegypti (L.) larvae.

In vivo effect of standard and prospective chemosterilants on some enzymes is reported. Colorimetric and histochemical findings indicate that alkaline phosphatase is inhibited by shikonin, hempa, tepa and shikonin angelate. Cholinesterase is inhibited by all the compounds while diphenol oxidase is not inhibited. These findings have been discussed in the light of the earlier observations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Studies on the aetiology of hydropericardium syndrome (Angara disease) in broilers.

The study was carried out to determine the aetiological agent(s) associated with hydropericardium syndrome (Angara disease) in broilers in Pakistan. The results indicate that in addition to adenovirus some other agent is involved in causing the disease but that this agent requires co-infection by an adenovirus for the reproduction of the typical signs of the syndrome. The nature of this agent remains unknown because no discrete virus or virus-like particle could be seen by electron microscopy.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Identification of Some Prostanoids in Aloe vera Extracts.

Screening of extracts from ALOE VERA revealed the presence of endogenous arachidonic acid, a potential precursor for the prostanoids synthesis. The presence of endogenous cyclooxygenase, in the plant extracts, was established by radiometric assay. Relatively high proportions of PGE (2) and TXB (2) and low proportions of other prostaglandins were identified in the plant extract when incubated with [ (14)C]-arachidonic acid. Other lipids present in this plant were examined and a high percentage of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol was established. Possible importance of prostaglandins formed endogenously by the plant is discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Efficacy of an inactivated vaccine against hydropericardium syndrome in broilers.

Field trials were used to assess the efficacy of an inactivated vaccine against hydropericardium syndrome in broiler chickens. A single vaccination at 10 to 12 days old was effective for the control of the syndrome; mortality in the vaccinated birds was 0.52 per cent compared with 5.34 per cent in unvaccinated birds kept at the same premises. Vaccination was also effective when carried out in the face of an outbreak; mortality in the vaccinated infected birds was 2.33 per cent compared with 10.27 per cent in unvaccinated infected birds. The data indicate that a formalinised vaccine prepared from the liver of experimentally infected birds could be used for the control of hydropericardium syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Prevalence and serology of hydatidosis in large ruminants of Pakistan.

Hydatidosis was seen in 38.90% of cattle, 33.06% of buffaloes and 58.9% of camels slaughtered at a local abattoir. No statistically significant seasonal difference in prevalence was observed. Most cysts (63.14%) were infertile. Protein and carbohydrate contents of fluid from fertile and infertile cysts did not differ significantly. Sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of indirect haemagglutination test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were low.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1990

Comparative study of the in vitro synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes in plants belonging to Liliaceae family.

1. Homogenates of garlic (Allium sativum), onions (Allium cepa) and Allium porum were in vitro incubated with [14C]arachidonic acid. 2. Separation of labelled prostaglandins and thromboxanes were accomplished by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and the Rf values were compared with those of authentic standards. 3. The prostaglandins identified were 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, TXB2, PGE2 and PGD2. 4. PGE2 and PGD2 were the major metabolites of arachidonic acid among all the members of the Liliaceae family studied. 5. Garlic was found to have the highest capacity to metabolize the [14C]arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and thromboxanes. 6. The synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, was inhibited by preincubation of homogenates with indomethacin or was completely destroyed by boiling the plant extract prior to incubation with arachidonic acid. This confirmed the presence of cyclooxygenase in these plants.

Allium↗
PubMed1990

A potent thromboxane formation inhibitor in green tea leaves.

A ninhydrin positive compound (L2) now identified as 2-amino-5-(N-ethylcarboxyamido)-pentanoic acid, from unprocessed tea leaves was a potent inhibitor of thrombin-stimulated thromboxane formation in rabbit whole blood (Ali and Afzal; Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Medicine, 27: 9, 1987). In the present study, processed and unprocessed tea leaf extracts were given to rats to consume for a period of eight weeks. Cholesterol and thromboxane levels were measured in the serum obtained from clotting the blood at 37 degrees C. A significant reduction in thromboxane levels was observed in rats taking unprocessed tea extract. This reduction was equally distributed in adult as well as in juvenile rats. However no appreciable changes in the levels of thromboxane were noticed in the serum of rats taking processed tea extracts. This might be due to the presence of a labile component which is destroyed during the processing of green tea leaves. A decreased level of cholesterol was observed in rats consuming unprocessed tea extract. This decrease could be linked to the decrease in thromboxane levels as observed. Processed tea refers to commercially available tea of different brands while unprocessed tea refers to dried green tea leaves.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1990

Involvement of prostaglandins in paraquat intoxication.

Paraquat is known to cause severe lung damage through pulmonary edema as its initial feature of toxicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity of paraquat in rabbits intraperitoneally injected with 2 or 4 mg/kg/day of the herbicide for a period of 7 days. In the lung, prostaglandin levels of the intoxicated rabbits showed a significant increase in PGF2 alpha. This increase was dose dependent. However, a nonsignificant change in the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was also observed. Plasma and serum levels of thromboxane-B2 were also significantly elevated but the levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were affected nonsignificantly. The pathology of elevated levels of PGF2 alpha and TXB2 in the lung and blood, in response to paraquat toxicity, is discussed.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗