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Biomedical subjects

M Ali

Publications and source records attributed to M Ali.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Anatomy and embryology of the lateral sellar compartment (cavernous sinus) medial wall.

In order to study the microanatomy of the lateral sellar compartment (cavernous sinus) medial wall, serial histological sections of human fetuses and adults, as well as dissections under operative microscope, were performed. The results were compared to high resolution Magnetic Resonance Images in human, to microdissections and to serial histological sections in adult nonhuman primates (Papio Cynocephalus anubis). We were able to show that the sellar compartment and both lateral sellar osteodural compartments are not separated from each other by a dural wall, but by a more or less dense, interrupted, fibrous tissue which derived from the mesenchyme surrounding the hypophysis, carotid artery, cranial nerves and venous channels. In the human fetus, the previous mentioned structures are located in a unique interperiosteodural space. Histoarchitecture of the superior and lateral wall dura-mater was different from the underlying mesenchyme derived connective tissue and was easily distinguished through histological examination. These findings correspond to MRI data. We conclude that there is no medial dural wall limiting the lateral sellar compartment (cavernous sinus), both parasellar and the hypophyseal compartment should be considered as a unique extradural space. The only dense connective tissue surrounding the pituitary gland is its own glandular capsule and the periosteum.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Hereditary fructose intolerance.

Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI, OMIM 22960), caused by catalytic deficiency of aldolase B (fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, EC 4.1.2.13), is a recessively inherited condition in which affected homozygotes develop hypoglycaemic and severe abdominal symptoms after taking foods containing fructose and cognate sugars. Continued ingestion of noxious sugars leads to hepatic and renal injury and growth retardation; parenteral administration of fructose or sorbitol may be fatal. Direct detection of a few mutations in the human aldolase B gene on chromosome 9q facilitates the genetic diagnosis of HFI in many symptomatic patients. The severity of the disease phenotype appears to be independent of the nature of the aldolase B gene mutations so far identified. It appears that hitherto there has been little, if any, selection against mutant aldolase B alleles in the population: in the UK, approximately 1.3% of neonates harbour one copy of the prevalent A149P disease allele. The ascendance of sugar as a major dietary nutrient, especially in western societies, may account for the increasing recognition of HFI as a nutritional disease and has shown the prevalence of mutant aldolase B genes in the general population. The severity of clinical expression correlates well with the immediate nutritional environment, age, culture, and eating habits of affected subjects. Here we review the biochemical, genetic, and molecular basis of human aldolase B deficiency in HFI, a disorder which responds to dietary therapy and in which the principal manifestations of disease are thus preventable.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Glucocorticoids decrease c-fos expression in human nasal polyps in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Activated c-fos binds to jun proteins to form the activation protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor that regulates cytokine and other proinflammatory genes. c-Fos may play a key role in nasal polyp formation. Glucocorticoids may exert their anti-inflammatory effects through an interaction of glucocorticoid receptors with AP-1 that leads to mutual inactivation of both factors, and a "default" termination of AP-1 mediated gene activation. This may explain the beneficial effects of glucocorticoids in the treatment of nasal polyps. METHODS: To test this hypothesis in humans in vivo the immunohistochemical expression of c-fos-immunoreactive material (c-fos-irm) was assessed in nasal polyps from eight steroid naive subjects, polyps from eight subjects treated with topical beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), and normal inferior turbinate nasal mucosa (n = 6). RESULTS: mRNA for c-fos was detected in all nasal polyps and normal mucosa. In contrast, c-fos-irm was present in all steroid naive subjects but in only two of the eight subjects treated with BDP (p = 0.007, two-tailed Fisher's exact test). c-Fos-irm was expressed solely in epithelial cells and glandular structures; it was expressed in normal epithelium and glands, but the staining intensity was low. CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoids appear to modulate expression of c-fos-irm and possibly AP-1 in human airway epithelial cells in vivo.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Rhinovirus infection induces mucus hypersecretion.

Rhinorrhea is a prominent symptom of the common cold. Although increases in vascular permeability and serous cell secretion have been demonstrated in human nasal mucus during active rhinovirus infections, changes in mucin constituents have not been quantified. Nonallergic (n = 48) and asymptomatic allergic rhinitis (n = 32) subjects were inoculated with rhinovirus type hanks before the spring allergy season. Nasal lavages were performed before inoculation (day 0), then daily for 5 days afterward. The subjects were divided into infected and noninfected groups on the basis of evidence of successful rhinovirus infection (nasal shedding of virus or fourfold increases in specific serum antibodies). Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8, markers of vascular leak (IgG), seromucous cells (lysozyme), and mucoglycoprotein exocytosis [7F10-immunoreactive mucin (7F10-irm) and Alcian blue staining of acidic mucoglycoproteins] were measured in lavage fluids. The infected subgroup had maximal increases in nasal lavage fluid concentrations of IL-8 (sevenfold), IgG (fourfold), total protein (twofold), and gel-phase 7F10-irm (twofold) on day 3. There were no differences between infected allergic and nonallergic subjects. IL-8 and gel-phase 7F10-irm were significantly higher in infected than in noninfected subjects. In addition to promoting plasma exudation, rhinovirus hanks infection increases IL-8 and gel-phase mucin secretion. These processes may contribute to a progression from watery rhinorrhea to mucoid discharge, with mild neutrophilic infiltration during the common cold.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Detailed genetic mapping around a putative prostate-specific membrane antigen locus on human chromosome 11p11.2.

Physical mapping of the human prostate-specific membrane antigen gene (FOLH) has not been straightforward. Previously, localisations of this gene to either 11p11.2 or 11q14 have been described. This raised the possibility of the presence of more than one related FOLH gene in man. We now present detailed characterisation of the region around a FOLH gene in a 500-kb non-chimaeric YAC clone, putatively assigned to 11p11.2. This clone contains two known microsatellites, D11S1326 and D11S1357 which have been previously mapped unequivocally to the 11p11.2 region at 62.5 cM. This data strongly supports the original 11p11.2 localisation of FOLH. The YAC clone also has a putative EST at each of its ends and these have thus been physically positioned on this chromosome. However, the two regions previously highlighted at 11p11.2 and 11q14 are apparently extensively duplicated, as evidenced by the appearance of dual FISH signals with a number of different genomic probes selected across this 500-kb 11p11.2 region.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children: reaching a diagnosis.

Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration constitutes a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric age group. Diagnosis is often delayed with symptoms and signs being attributed to other causes of respiratory distress. In this study we evaluate the importance of three criteria on which the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration may be based--a history of aspiration, physical examination and a plain chest radiograph. These parameters are correlated with findings on bronchoscopy. It is seen that a history of foreign body aspiration is notoriously unreliable in children of all age groups (p > 0.1). Similarly, presence or absence of findings on physical examination suggestive of foreign body aspiration or its sequalae are not always indicative (p > 0.1). Chest radiograph may be normal or misleading. It is therefore concluded that this is a diagnosis based on the cumulative evidence provided by all three parameters in the clinical context. The hazards of betel nut intake, the object most commonly incriminated, are emphasized.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1998

Level of health education in patients with type II diabetes mellitus in Quetta.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the level of health education in people with diabetes. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: 712 subjects, 428 male and 284 female, with type II diabetes mellitus of age between 40-70 years were assessed during March, 1995 to December, 1997 in Sandeman (Prov) Civil Hospital and private hospital and clinic in Quetta. METHODOLOGY: Patients were interviewed and questionnaire consisting of twenty items were filled. RESULTS: The level of health education in our cases was poor as only 22.89% had partial awareness about their disease. CONCLUSION: 77.11% of the study population had no knowledge of diabetes and its complications. More emphasis should be given to health education of diabetics along with pharmacological therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Rasayana therapy in classical literature of Ayurveda: a review.

Ayurveda is a science of life, therefore it is the science, by the knowledge of which life may be prolonged. It is human nature to aspire for longevity and this desire is found practically among all the peoples of the world. Accordingly if longevity is desired, there must be a system of rejuvenation for one who keeps on remaining young. Rasayana therapy has been described for this person in Ayurveda as a systematic and scientific medical discipline and great results were claimed by this therapy. Hence the Rasayana therapy has been reviewed in the various headings giving its uses, definition, types and formulations etc.

History, 20th Century↗
PubMed1998

Ayurvedic literature in Urdu.

Urdu is a distinct literary language began to develop in India during Mughal empire. Lots of people read, write and speak, this language in Indian subcontinent. This brief article will shed light on the seven rare books in Urdu compiled and published in the period from 19th century to the first half of the current century. Some books may not have high value but the struggle of the scholars, is appreciable.

History, Early Modern 1451-1600↗
PubMed1998

The human immunodeficiency virus type I Tat protein potentiates ethanol-induced neutrophil functional impairment in transgenic mice.

Neutropenia and impairment of neutrophil function are commonly observed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. The HIV regulatory protein Tat is known to exert immunosuppressive effects. Alcohol is known also to be an immunosuppressive factor, and as alcohol abuse is common among HIV infected hosts, both factors may interact in an additive or synergistic fashion to further impair the host defenses of these patients. In order to test this possibility, endotoxin-induced neutrophil beta2-integrins CD11b and CD18 expression, phagocytosis, and hydrogen peroxide generation were examined in normal and HIV-1 Tat-transgenic mice in the absence and presence of ethanol intoxication. Acute ethanol intoxication was induced in mice (body weight of 25+/-1 g) by an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of ethanol (3 g/kg, 20% in normal saline). Thirty min later, the animals were given an ip injection of endotoxin (20 microg in 0.2 ml of saline/mouse). Vehicle-treated controls received an ip injection of saline without ethanol or endotoxin. Two hr after endotoxin administration, the animals were killed to determine neutrophil functions with flow cytometry. The baseline expression of CD11b and CD18 was similar in normal nontransgenic and Tat-transgenic mice. Endotoxin administration significantly up-regulated CD11b and CD18 expression in normal mice. This up-regulation was suppressed in Tat-transgenic mice. Ethanol intoxication inhibited endotoxin-induced CD11b and CD18 expression in normal mice and totally abolished endotoxin-induced CD11b and CD18 expression in Tat-transgenic mice. Neutrophil phagocytic activity in normal and Tat-transgenic mice was similar. Ethanol intoxication produced a similar inhibition of phagocytosis in both study groups. Endotoxin suppressed phagocytosis in normal mice, and this suppression was more pronounced in Tat-transgenic mice. Spontaneous and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated hydrogen peroxide generation by circulating neutrophils (PMNs) were similar in normal and Tat-transgenic mice. Neither ethanol nor endotoxin affected hydrogen peroxide generation by PMNs. These data show that both Tat and alcohol significantly impair PMN function, and this may be a mechanism leading to the increased susceptibility of the HIV-infected host to bacterial infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Wnt signaling and an APC-related gene specify endoderm in early C. elegans embryos.

In a 4-cell stage C. elegans embryo, signaling by the P2 blastomere induces anterior-posterior polarity in the adjacent EMS blastomere, leading to endoderm formation. We have taken genetic and reverse genetic approaches toward understanding the molecular basis for this induction. These studies have identified a set of genes with sequence similarity to genes that have been shown to be, or are implicated in, Wnt/Wingless signaling pathways in other systems. The C. elegans genes described here are related to wnt/wingless, porcupine, frizzled, beta-catenin/armadillo, and the human adenomatous polyposis coli gene, APC. We present evidence that there may be partially redundant inputs into endoderm specification and that a subset of these genes appear also to function in determining cytoskeletal polarity in certain early blastomeres.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein↗
PubMed1997

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat protein potentiates zidovudine-induced cellular toxicity in transgenic mice.

3'-Azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT, zidovudine) is the principal antiretroviral agent in the treatment of AIDS. Although beneficial, AZT remains restricted for human usage because of its severe toxic effects. We examined the AZT sensitivity in transgenic mice expressing HIV-1 one-exon-encoded 72 amino acid Tat (Tat72) and full-length 86 amino acid Tat (Tat86) proteins. Administration of AZT (1 mg/ml) in drinking water for 1 week resulted in a three- to fourfold decrease in hematopoietic progenitors from bone marrow in Tat mice compared to AZT-treated nontransgenic controls as determined by erythroid and granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming unit assays. In liver and thymus, two of the tissues examined, AZT treatment of Tat mice resulted in as much as 80-90% suppression of Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity. Other parameters associated with loss of Mn-SOD such as increase in carbonyl proteins and decrease of sulfhydryl content were also significantly enhanced by AZT in Tat mice. Our in vivo study suggests that AZT therapy is associated with oxidative damage affecting cellular functions in several tissues and that Tat is one of the contributory factors in AZT-induced toxicities. The findings of AZT-induced oxidative damage may help to improve the therapeutic index of AZT and other related drugs in AIDS patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Genetic and functional complementation of the HSV1 UL27 gene and gB glycoprotein by simian alpha-herpesvirus homologs.

Utilizing co-transfection of DNA from glycoprotein gB- strain of HSV1 and cloned fragments of several simian alpha-herpesviruses containing the UL26, UL27 (gB glycoprotein), and UL28 gene homologs, replication-competent recombinant viruses were produced. Genetic analysis of one HSV1/SA8 recombinant (HSV1/SgB) demonstrated the presence of SA8 DNA comprising the entire UL27 (gB) gene and parts of the UL28 and UL26 ORFs in an otherwise HSV1 genome. The recombinant was shown to express the SA8 gB and p40 proteins (UL27 & UL26.5 gene products, respectively); all other proteins were indistinguishable from those of HSV1. The recombinant behaved like SA8 in gB-specific virus neutralization and cell surface antibody binding assays, while plaque morphology and replication kinetics were very similar to HSV1. Despite its overwhelming HSV1 genetic constitution, the recombinant displayed a pathogenic phenotype in mice very different from the parental HSV1. While HSV1 produced corneal disease in ocularly infected mice and readily spread to the nervous system. HSV1/SgB was markedly impaired in both respects. These results demonstrate the functional equivalency of the cercopithecine monkey virus gB glycoproteins and genes (including transcriptional regulatory elements) in HSV1, the functional nature of HSV1/SA8 chimeric UL28 and UL26 genes/proteins, and that UL28, gB and/or p40 proteins may effect the pathogenicity of HSV1.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1997

The distortion of cast cobalt-chromium alloy partial denture frameworks fitted to a working cast.

PURPOSE: This in vitro study examined the distortion of 10 identically designed cast cobalt-chromium alloy frameworks, individually constructed, and adjusted by 10 technicians to fit one of 10 replicated stone working casts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The distortion was measured with a specially developed strain gauge apparatus when the frameworks were seated on the maxillary metal analog, the stone working cast, or a stone duplicate cast. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference between the distortion of each of the frameworks was observed. A significant difference in the distortion was also observed for the frameworks when placed on each of the three casts. The distortion was the least when the frameworks were seated on the stone working cast and the greatest when seated on the metal analog. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the distortion of a framework is not related to its closeness of fit as observed by the presence or absence of gaps between the framework components and the teeth.

Alloys↗