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Biomedical subjects

M Ali

Publications and source records attributed to M Ali.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Toxicity of trichloroethylene following inhalation and drinking contaminated water.

The neurobehavioural effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) were studied in rats following administration of the solvent orally (350, 700 and 1400 ppm in drinking water for 90 days) and through inhalation (376 ppm for 4 h a day, 5 days per week for 180 days). Various aspects of spontaneous locomotor activity were assessed at different periods after exposure through either of the routes. Oral exposure to TCE had no significant effect on spontaneous locomotor activity or cognitive ability, whereas inhalation to the solvent resulted in an increase in the distance travelled and horizontal activity counts at day 30 but a decrease at day 60 of exposure. The time spent in ambulatory and stereotypic movements as well as the number of stereotypic movements were enhanced significantly only at day 30. The resting time was decreased at day 30 but enhanced at day 60 of exposure. The learning ability was not affected significantly up to day 180. The results highlight the neurotoxic potential of inhalation exposure to TCE.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative angioscopy: a novel method of measurement of luminal dimensions during angioscopy with the use of a "lightwire".

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy and reproducibility of luminal dimension measurements of a newly developed method of quantitative angioscopy. METHODS: A method was developed for quantitation of luminal dimensions during angioscopy, as variation in magnification with lens-object distance and ambiguity associated with identification of corresponding points about the circumference of a given discrete cross-section render subjective estimates unreliable. A transverse ring of fiberoptically transmitted light was emitted from a guidewire or its housing at a known distance from the distal end of an angioscope and discrete cross-sections of interest were observed as the ring of light was reflected from the luminal surface. Caliper measurement of the diameter of the light ring image (< 50 mW at 488/515 nm), obtained on angioscopic video recordings of cylindrical phantom vessels of known dimensions, was performed by three observers on five occasions. RESULTS: The mean absolute difference between measured and known luminal diameter (n = 405 observations) was 65 microns +/- 35 microns and the mean coefficient of variation was 4.2%, and the mean difference between measured and known areas (n = 195 observations) was 0.4 mm2, with a mean coefficient of variation of 6.5%. CONCLUSION: By use of this new lightwire method, luminal dimensions can now be measured in vitro with a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility during angioscopy.

Angioscopes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laboratory diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia: an overview.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: To determine the diagnostic values of laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia, the authors conducted a systematic overview of the relevant literature. Computerized searches of the MEDLINE database yielded 1,179 potentially relevant citations. Fifty-five studies included the results of laboratory tests and histologic examination of the bone marrow for at least 50% of an identifiable patient group. In these 55 studies, quality was assessed and descriptive information concerning the study populations, the tests conducted, and the results was extracted, all in duplicate. RESULTS: Serum ferritin radioimmunoassay was by far the most powerful test, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.95. Test properties differed for populations of patients with inflammatory, liver, or neoplastic disease and patients without these conditions. Likelihood ratio lines, which allow precise interpretation of results across the entire range of ferritin concentration values, were constructed for the individual populations. CONCLUSION: Serum ferritin radioimmunoassay is an extremely powerful test for the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia and, appropriately interpreted, can be applied to the complete range of patients.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The mutagenic and cell transforming properties of shikimic acid and some of its bacterial and mammalian metabolites.

Known and proposed metabolites of shikimic acid were synthesised, characterised and tested for genotoxic activity using the Salmonella/mammalian microsome mutagenicity test, the bacterial fluctuation mutagenicity test and the BHK 21 cell transformation test. Under the conditions used, none of these compounds showed any activity. However, shikimic acid itself was active in the BHK 21 cell transformation assay. It therefore seems unlikely that shikimic acid is a carcinogenic initiating agent, but it may act as a carcinogen-promoting agent in the bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum).

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pupil-led sex education in England (RIPPLE study): cluster-randomised intervention trial.

BACKGROUND: Improvement of sex education in schools is a key part of the UK government's strategy to reduce teenage pregnancy in England. We examined the effectiveness of one form of peer-led sex education in a school-based randomised trial of over 8000 pupils. METHODS: 29 schools were randomised to either peer-led sex education (intervention) or to continue their usual teacher-led sex education (control). In intervention schools, peer educators aged 16-17 years delivered three sessions of sex education to 13-14 year-old pupils from the same schools. Primary outcome was unprotected (without condom) first heterosexual intercourse by age 16 years. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: By age 16 years, significantly fewer girls reported intercourse in the peer-led arm than in the control arm, but proportions were similar for boys. The proportions of pupils reporting unprotected first sex did not differ for girls (8.4% intervention vs 8.3% control) or for boys (6.2% vs 4.7%). Stratified estimates of the difference between arms were -0.4% (95% CI -3.7% to 2.8%, p=0.79) for girls and -1.4% (-4.4% to 1.6%, p=0.36) for boys. At follow-up (mean age 16.0 years [SD 0.32]), girls in the intervention arm reported fewer unintended pregnancies, although the difference was borderline (2.3% vs 3.3%, p=0.07). Girls and boys were more satisfied with peer-led than teacher-led sex education, but 57% of girls and 32% of boys wanted sex education in single-sex groups. INTERPRETATION: Peer-led sex education was effective in some ways, but broader strategies are needed to improve young people's sexual health. The role of single-sex sessions should be investigated further.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of receptors for corticotropin-releasing factor in the vasculature of pregnant rats.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and localize the receptor(s) responsible for modulating vascular effects of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) during pregnancy. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), competitive RT-PCR, and Western blot analyses were used to study the expression of CRF receptors (CRFR(1), CRFR(2alpha), and CRFR(2beta)) in the aorta and uterine vascular bed of nonpregnant and late (day 18) and term pregnant (day 22) Sprague-Dawley rats. Immunohistochemistry was done to localize the CRF receptor in the aortic wall. There were six rats in each study group. RESULTS: Only CRFR(2beta) was identified in the aorta and uterine vascular bed by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. The PCR product was sequenced to confirm its identity. Competitive RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed that expression of CRFR(2beta) is not different in late pregnancy compared with the nonpregnant but is decreased at term. Immunohistochemistry showed high expression of CRFR(2beta) on the aortic endothelial surface but low expression in the smooth-muscle layer. CONCLUSION: Only CRFR(2beta) is expressed in vasculature of nonpregnant and pregnant rats and may mediate the vasorelaxant effect of CRF. This receptor is present predominantly in the vascular endothelium and to a lesser extent in the smooth muscle. The expression of CRF receptor in pregnant rat vasculature is down-regulated at term of gestation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma acetylsalicylate and salicylate and platelet cyclooxygenase activity following plain and enteric-coated aspirin.

Compressed and enteric-coated acetylsalicylate (ASA) tablets have been compared in normal healthy subjects. Plasma ASA and salicylate (SA) were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Platelet cyclooxygenase activity in vitro was studied by a radiometric technique. Following ingestion of 650 mg of ASA in the form of compressed tablets, cyclooxygenase activity was inhibited 95% within 45 min. Enzyme activity was observed to increase within 8 h and reached 10% of control level by 24 h. The pattern suggests that only circulating platelets are affected by ASA ingestion. Following the administration of 650 mg of ASA as enteric-coated tablets comparable inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity was observed, although the effect was delayed, reflecting the delayed appearance of ASA in the plasma. Return to control levels followed a pattern similar to that observed with the compressed tablet.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An immunoperoxidase method for the demonstration of allergen-specific IgE in serum.

A solid-phase immunoenzymatic technique for the detection of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in serum is described. The binding of such antibodies to allergen insolubilized on cyanogen bromide-activated paper discs was detected by a subsequent two-step procedure involving the use of rabbit antihuman IgE and goat antirabbit IgG coupled with peroxidase. A solution of 3-3' diaminobenzidine and hydrogen peroxide, employed as the color indicator system, turned the discs dark brown in positive cases. Discs carrying 11 different inhalant allergens were tested with sera containing allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Agreement between the results of this technique and the RAST was seen in 85% of 310 tests performed. In the clinical practice of otorhinolaryngologic allergy, this test may prove to be an important laboratory adjunct ot clinical history and diagnostic skin test in the identification of the incriminated inhalant allergens.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The study of IgE in the diagnosis of allergic disorders in an otolaryngology practice.

Within months after the identification of IgE as the reaginic antibody and principal trigger of immediate hypersensitivity reactions, several radiomunnoassays were developed for its detection in serum. Observations and results obtained with the use of two commercially available in vitro assays in the screening diagnosis of inhalant allergic disease are reported. Over 80% of suspected atopic patients tested had detectable specific IgE to at least two allergens. Both total and specific IgE determinations served useful roles in the recognition of clinically significant allergic disease. Results obtained with these procedures correlate well with information previously obtained only by skin test endpoint titration.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nasal secretion analysis in allergic rhinitis, cystic fibrosis, and nonallergic fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome subjects.

Rhinitis symptoms are present in approximately 70% of subjects with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (FM/CFS). Because only 35% to 50% have positive allergy skin tests, nonallergic mechanisms may also play a role. To better understand the mechanisms of nonallergic rhinitis in FM/CFS, nasal lavages were performed, and markers of vascular permeability, glandular secretion, and neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration measured in 27 nonallergic FM/CFS, 7 allergic rhinitis, 7 cystic fibrosis, and 9 normal subjects. Allergic rhinitis subjects had significantly increased vascular permeability (IgG) and ECP levels. Cystic fibrosis subjects had significantly higher elastase and total protein levels. There were no significant differences between FM/CFS and normal lavage fluids. Analysis of the constituents of nasal mucus provides information about ongoing secretory processes in rhinitis. There were no differences in the basal secretion of these markers of vascular permeability, submucosal gland serous cell secretion, eosinophil and neutrophil degranulation in nonallergic FM/CFS subjects. This suggests that constitutively active secretory processes that regulate continuous production of nasal secretions are not altered in FM/CFS. Future studies should examine alternative mechanisms such as inducible, irritant-activated, or reflex-mediated effects.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaws as a risk factor in radiotherapy: a report of an eight-year retrospective review.

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaws is a severe complication of radiotherapy in the treatment of the head and neck neoplasms. The literature indicates a recent decline in the reported incidence of this complication. The purpose of this study was to further assess the incidence rate for osteoradionecrosis. Factors previously associated with an increased risk for osteoradionecrosis were evaluated to determine possible relationships. A retrospective chart review was conducted for 193 patients treated with radiotherapy for malignant head and neck tumors over an eight-year period. Recorded diagnoses of osteoradionecrosis were noted. Factors previously correlated with the development of osteoradionecrosis were assessed. Of the 193 charts reviewed, 9 diagnoses of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws were made representing an incidence rate of 4.7% for the period evaluated. No single factor was noted to be associated with the development of osteoradionecrosis. The results indicate a low incidence rate for osteoradionecrosis as a post-radiation treatment complication. No single causative factor could be identified suggesting a multifactorial interaction responsible for osteoradionecrosis.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Growth inhibition of Ph+ progenitor cells from CML patients using the tyrosine kinase inhibitor CGP57148B.

BACKGROUND: Different methods have been investigated for their purging capacity of contaminating CML cells in autologous stem cell products. CGP57148B, a tyrphostin, has been shown to be efficient in the reduction of cell proliferation of CML cell lines and primary CML cells, as well as in the inhibition of bcr/abl-related tumor formation in animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of CGP57148B on purified CD34+ progenitor cells from BM, PB, or leukapheresis products of 8 CML patients was studied under serum-free cytokine-supplemented ex vivo culture conditions. RESULTS: FISH as well as RT-PCR analysis showed a significant reduction of Ph+ cells after 7 days ex vivo-culture in the presence of the tyrphostin. Growth of Ph- cells was almost unaffected by treatment with CGP57148B. CONCLUSION: Our results support the observation that CGP57148B can selectively inhibit proliferation of Ph+/bcr/abl+ primary CML cells under serum-free cytokine-supplemented culture conditions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complications of thyroidectomy for benign disease.

BACKGROUND: Goitre is a common ailment seen in mountainous regions, like the periphery of Abbottabad. Thyroidectomies are very common in our center. METHODS: This study was done to find out the complication rate of thyroidectomies. RESULTS: 189 cases were operated in Ayub Hospital Complex, Abbottabad during July 96 and Dec. 99. All patients were with benign disease and any case found to have malignancy were excluded from the study. The overall complication rate for all the categories was 15%. In total 5 patients died within one month of surgery.

Female↗