Ultrasound and ultrasound biomicroscopy as a diagnostic tool.
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Computer Systems↗
Biomedical subjects
M Mansour
Publications and source records attributed to M Mansour.
Inhibition of calcium ionophore-stimulated leukotriene generation from intact human neutrophils by captopril.
Effects of captopril on the formation of leukotrienes (LTs) from stimulated intact human neutrophils were investigated. Neutrophils were stimulated with 1 microM calcium ionophore A23187 for the generation of LTs. A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography technique and UV spectroscopy were used to detect and quantitate the released LTs namely, LTB4. LTC4. delta6-trans-LTB4 and delta6-trans-12-epi-LTB4. Preincubation of neutrophils with captopril significantly reduced LTB4 formation in a concentration-dependent manner, as compared to diluent-treated control cells. Since LTA4 is the substrate for both LTB4 and LTC4, thus in presence of captopril, shunting of LTA4 from synthesis of LTB4 was not directed to LTC4 formation. This finding was evidenced by the significant decrease of LTC4 production under the influence of high concentration of the drug. Formation of LTB4 stereoisomers, delta6-trans-LTB4 and delta6-trans-12-epi-LTB4 was not markedly altered by captopril. In subsequent experiments, when neutrophils were stimulated with A23187 after preincubation with exogenous arachidonic acid (75 microM), and treatment with captopril, similar findings were obtained for LTB4 and LTC4. Meanwhile, formation of the nonenzymatic hydrolysis products of LTA4 tended to rise reaching significant level in case of delta6-trans-LTB4, at the high concentration of captopril. These results demonstrate that captopril is an inhibitor of enzymatically generated LTs produced by intact human neutrophils, being more potent against LTB4. These effects of captopril on LTs are not mediated via an inhibition of arachidonic acid formation from membrane phospholipids. It could be suggested that captopril, at doses used clinically. could inhibit the generation of LTB4 without affecting LTC4. Consequently, these findings might account for possible antiinflammatory activity for captopril, and further suggest that some of the observed side effects of captopril might not be related to an overproduction of LTC4.
Adult↗
Cloning, sequencing and characterization of the tilapia insulin gene.
Using degenerate primers based on insulin sequences from other organisms, we report the cloning of the complete tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) insulin gene. Using nested primers and a cassette ligation strategy we have also cloned 932 base pairs (bp) of 5' flanking and 1152 bp of 3' flanking sequence. The tilapia insulin gene has the similar three exon (one untranslated), two intron distribution found in all insulin genes sequenced to date. However, intron 1 is unique in having a smaller size (73 bp) than found in other organisms. 5' RNA extension revealed the presence of two potential transcriptional start sites. A perfect TATA box is located at -30 bp from the first transcriptional start site. Interestingly, the 5' upstream region contains a microsatellite close to the same position of a unique minisatellite found only in humans and primates. The upstream region also contains several potential control elements to regulate insulin expression that are found in mammalian insulin genes.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Captopril ameliorates myocardial and hematological toxicities induced by adriamycin.
Adriamycin has a wide spectrum of antitumor activity with dose related cardiotoxicity as a major side effect. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of captopril, a sulphydryl containing angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, on the cardio- and hematotoxicity of adriamycin in normal rats. A single dose of adriamycin (15 mg/kg) caused myocardial toxicity after 24 h manifested biochemically by elevation of serum enzymes:- Aspartate transaminase (AST, EC: 2.6.1.1), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC: 1.1.1.27), creatine phosphokinase (CPK, EC: 2.7.3.2) and the cardiac iso-enzymes of LDH and CPK. The hematotoxicity was characterized by severe leukopenia and anemia that appeared after 72 h of adriamycin administration. Captopril (60 mg/kg i.p.) 1 h before adriamycin injection ameliorated the biochemical toxicity induced by adriamycin. This was evidenced by a significant reduction in serum enzymes, after 24 and 48 h and a significant reduction of serum cardiac iso-enzymes after 48 h. Also restoration of the white blood cell counts as well as hemoglobin concentration occurred after 72 h of captopril administration. These results suggest that captopril may be benificial as a protective agent against cardio- and hematotoxicity induced by adriamycin.
Animals↗
Elevated concentrations of interleukins and leukotriene in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
There is significant research in the role of interleukins in lung disease, as the cytokines are important mediators in the host response to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Plasma from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and healthy controls were investigated for their content of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). LTB4 and IL-6 were measured by enzyme immunoassay after lipid extraction in the case of LTB4 while GM-CSF was measured by enzyme amplified sensitive immunoassay. Significantly elevated concentrations of IL-6 were found in far-advanced lesions of pulmonary tuberculosis patients, P < 0.05. However, nonsignificant increases of IL-6 were obtained in moderate lesions and minimal lesions compared to normal healthy subjects. Marked elevations of LTB4 were found in TB patients, the highest values being shown in patients with far-advanced lesions followed by moderately advanced and minimal lesions in relation to the mean value for normal healthy controls, P < 0.001 for all groups. 93% of the tuberculosis patients showed a higher level of LTB4 above the upper limit of the control group. In contrast there was no significant increase of GM-CSF in any of the TB subgroups. These results suggest that LTB4 and the interleukins may play a role in the pathogenesis of mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
Adolescent↗
Elevation of carcinoembryonic antigen and CA-125 in a patient with multivisceral tuberculosis.
A case of a middle-aged African-American woman with weight loss, ascites, a bilateral pleural effusion with no infiltrate, and a clinical diagnosis of a metastatic gynecological tumor is presented. Her carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA-125 levels were elevated (400 micrograms/L and 331 micrograms/L, respectively). She underwent an exploratory laparotomy and a dilation & curettage for biopsies and cultures. Pathological examination showed Langhans' type giant cells on peritoneal biopsy. An endometrial curette biopsy showed granulomatous endometritis and acid-fast bacilli. Cultures grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient presented with a fibroid tumor that could have contributed to her elevated CA-125 level, but after antituberculous treatment was started and tumor markers were repeated after 1 year, the CEA level decreased to 1.2 micrograms/L and CA-125 to 9 micrograms/L without surgical resection of the tumor. A review of the literature revealed only three cases in which patients had elevated CA-125 in multivisceral tuberculosis. No cases were reported in which both CEA and CA-125 levels were elevated in multivisceral tuberculosis. Possible causes of elevated CEA and CA-125 levels are discussed.
Antitubercular Agents↗
A population-based study of xerophthalmia in the extreme North Province of Cameroon, West Africa.
OBJECTIVE: To obtain cross-sectional data on clinical and nutritional vitamin A deficiency from which to design appropriate intervention strategies. DESIGN: A population-based survey using multistage, cluster sampling. SETTING: Extreme North Province of Cameroon, West Africa. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 0 to 5 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical signs of active xerophthalmia and dietary vitamin A intake. RESULTS: Of 5352 children examined, signs of active xerophthalmia were noted in 0.62%. Bitot's spots, corneal xerosis, and corneal ulceration were noted in 0.47%, 0.06%, and 0.12% of the subjects, respectively. Children with xerophthalmia had lower vitamin A intake scores when compared with age-matched controls and with a 20% systematic subsample of children. CONCLUSION: Xerophthalmia is a major public health problem in this region.
Cameroon↗
Alterations in circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and L-selectin: further evidence for chronic inflammation in ischemic heart disease.
Atherosclerosis is increasingly thought to be a chronic inflammatory disease. Inflammation requires transmigration of leukocytes from the circulation to the tissues. Adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial calls is the initial event in an inflammatory response and is mediated by expression of several adhesion molecules. In this study we characterize the contribution of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) and L-selectin in patients with different coronary artery disease syndromes. Serum concentrations of cICAM-1 and sL-selectin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 31 patients with stable angina, 30 patients with unstable angina, 18 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 20 healthy subjects in a control group. All patients underwent coronary angiography. Mean (+/-SE) cICAM-1 levels were higher (p < 0.05) in patients with stable angina (249 +/- 6 ng/ml), unstable angina (260 +/- 16 ng/ml), or acute myocardial infarction (261 +/- 24 ng/ml) compared with those in subjects in the control group (171 +/- 11 ng/ml). In contrast, levels of sL-selectin were lower (p < 0.01) in patients with stable angina (1.2 +/- 0.1 microg/ml), unstable angina (1.1 +/- 0.6 microg/ml), or acute myocardial infarction (1.1 +/- 0.1 microg/ml) compared with those in subjects in the control group (1.8 +/- 0.1 microg/ml). No difference was found in cICAM-1 or sL-selectin levels among patients with stable angina, unstable angina, or acute myocardial infarction. No correlation was seen between cICAM-1 or sL-selectin levels and extent (or severity) of coronary artery disease or leukocyte count. L-selectin expression was observed to be depressed in patients with severe angina compared with that in members of the control group. To examine the mechanism of reduction in sL-selectin levels and L-selectin expression on leukocytes, leukocytes from the control group were stimulated in vitro. Stimulation of leukocytes resulted in a rapid downregulation of surface L-selectin expression, measured by flowcytometry, similar to the suppressed expression of L-selectin found on leukocytes from patients with coronary artery disease. In conclusion, altered cICAM-1 and sL-selectin levels in patients with coronary artery disease reflect the presence of a chronic inflammatory process. This inflammatory process results in downregulation of leukocyte expression of L-selectin and thus lower circulating sL-selectin levels.
Angina Pectoris↗
Oral manifestations of severe short-limb dwarfism resembling Grebe chondrodysplasia: report of a case.
The oral and dental abnormalities associated with a distinct variety of severe short-limb dwarfism are described. The patient, a 9-year-old Arab boy, had delayed development and eruption of teeth, severe oligodontia of permanent dentition, hypodontia, microdontia, supplemental incisor, enamel hypoplasia of primary teeth, doubled and abnormal frenal attachments, bifid uvula, hypoplastic maxilla, and malocclusion. Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed asymmetric dysplasia and anaplasia of long bones, craniofacial dysmorphia, prominent forehead, budlike fingers and bulbous toes, dysplastic nails, severe hearing loss, and reduced joint mobility. These features resemble, in general, those characteristic of Grebe chondrodysplasia, an extremely rare ill-defined syndrome that is inherited as an autosomal-recessive disorder.
Child↗
Gamma radiation as a quarantine treatment for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera:Tephritidae).
Effects of gamma radiation on the egg and larval stages of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), were examined. Eggs and larvae were exposed at different ages to a series of gamma radiation doses ranging from 5 to 1,280 Gy. Eggs in the 1st half of their development (1 and 24 h) were very sensitive to irradiation treatment (20 Gy prevented egg hatch). However, mature eggs (48 h old) were much more tolerant. When mature eggs were irradiated, a dose of 640 Gy prevented egg hatch. Pupariation of eggs treated at 1 and 24 h was significantly affected at a dose of 20 Gy; adult emergence of eggs at 1, 14, and 48 h was prevented at this dose. The larval stage was significantly more resistant to radiation than the egg stage. Survival to the pupal stage increased with increasing age of larvae, and decreased with increasing dose. The minimum dose required to prevent pupariation ranged from over 160 Gy for the 1st instar to > 640 Gy for mature 3rd instars. In contrast, doses required to prevent adult emergence from irradiated larvae were relatively low and ranged from 10-20 to 20-40 Gy depending on the age of the insects when irradiated. Tests in which > 100,000 mature larvae were treated in air with a dose of 40 Gy resulted in no adult emergence. Similar results were obtained when 3rd instars were irradiated inside natural host fruits in a small scale laboratory experiment.
Animals↗
Production and characterization of guinea pig IL-5 in baculovirus-infected insect cells.
To study the role interleukin (IL)-5 may play in altering airway function in asthma, we have produced recombinant protein for exogenous administration to guinea pigs. The guinea pig IL-5 (gpIL-5) cDNA was cloned by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of guinea pig spleen RNA and expressed as a secretion product from recombinant baculovirus-infected Sf9 insect cell cultures. The protein was purified to homogeneity by a four-step procedure that included immunoaffinity chromatography using polyclonal antipeptide antibodies against a region of the mature secreted cytokine. The cytokine was properly processed after the signal sequence by the Sf9 cells, was glycosylated with terminal mannose-containing oligosaccharide, and had proper disulfide-linked dimer structure as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified preparation was active in vitro and in vivo as determined by its ability to prime human basophils to release leukotriene C4 in the presence of C5a and to induce airway eosinophilia in naive guinea pigs.
Animals↗
Prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness in the Extreme North Province of Cameroon, West Africa.
A survey to determine the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in the Extreme North Province of Cameroon was conducted in the Spring of 1992. A total of 10,647 people age 6 years and older was selected from a multi-stage, clustered sample stratified by ecological zone. The subjects were examined by ophthalmologist-led teams for visual acuity and ocular diseases. Approximately 1.2% of the sample was bilaterally blind by the World Health Organization classification (Category 3) of vision less than the ability to count fingers at 3 meters. Similarly to results found in other developing countries, senile cataract was the most common diagnosis encountered and the most frequent principal cause of low vision and blindness.
Adolescent↗
The effectiveness of annual versus biennial mass chemotherapy in reducing morbidity due to schistosomiasis: a prospective study in Gezira-Managil, Sudan.
The most serious complication of schistosomiasis is periportal fibrosis, which affects a large number of subjects in endemic areas. Population-based chemotherapy remains the most effective way of controlling this disease. In an attempt to find the best way to deliver chemotherapy to the endemic population, we compared the impact of repeated annual versus biennial mass chemotherapy on morbidity due to schistosomiasis in two villages in Gezira, Sudan. One village was given five rounds of mass chemotherapy annually in the years 1990-1994 while the other village was given three rounds of mass chemotherapy biennially from 1988 to 1994. Before treatment, these villages had similar intensity of infection and prevalence. One round of either annual or biennial treatment reduced the intensity of infection, but not prevalence or morbidity. After two rounds of annual chemotherapy, infection rates, bloody diarrhea, and fibrosis in those 20 years of age and less were significantly reduced. Two rounds of biennial chemotherapy had a similar effect on rates and bloody diarrhea; however, fibrosis was reduced only after the third round of biennial chemotherapy. Prevalence of hepatosplenomegaly increased after both treatment regimens. Reinfection was most prominent in those 5-14 years of age. These findings support the general notion that repeated chemotherapy may be needed in areas of high transmission of schistosomiasis. We recommend two rounds of annual mass chemotherapy to significantly reduce infection and morbidity.
Adolescent↗
A monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay for detecting parasite antigenaemia and antigenuria in Schistosomiasis mansoni.
Both specific polycolonal antibody and monoclonal antibody against the microsomal antigen of adult S. mansoni were used to detect antigenaemia and antigenuria by antigen-capture sandwich ELISA in the sera and urine of patients infected with S. mansoni and other parasites. Antigenaemia was detected in 22 sera out of 100 of patients infected with S. mansoni but no antigenuria was detected. None of the sera of S. mansoni free patients were positive for microsomal antigen. More standardization of the technique and more refining of the reagents used is required to improve the sensitivity of the test.
Adult↗
Circadian variation in coronary tone in patients with stable angina. Protective role of the endothelium.
BACKGROUND: Coronary endothelium plays a key role in the regulation of coronary tone, platelet adhesion, and aggregation, which are important factors in triggering acute cardiovascular events. However, its role in modulating the effects of circadian variations on coronary tone is not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: Responses of 72 nonstenotic coronary segments to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin were measured in 12 patients with chronic stable angina at 6 AM and 1 PM. After baseline angiography, three infusions of acetylcholine (10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) mol/L) were administered selectively into the left coronary artery, followed by nitroglycerin. Diameters (in millimeters) of proximal, middle, and distal segments were measured by quantitative techniques. Forty-seven segments showed a constrictor response to acetylcholine (group 1, dysfunctional endothelium), and 25 other segments showed a dilator response (group 2, normally functioning endothelium). In group 1, the constrictor response to acetylcholine was significantly greater in the morning than in the afternoon (23 +/- 3% and 10 +/- 1%, mean +/- SEM, respectively; P < .001), and the dilator response to nitroglycerin was also significantly greater in the morning than in the afternoon (19 +/- 2% and 11 +/- 2%; P < .01). In group 2, the dilator response to acetylcholine did not differ significantly between the morning and afternoon (22 +/- 3% and 17 +/- 2%, respectively; P = NS), and the dilator response to nitroglycerin was also similar at both times of the day (30 +/- 3% and 28 +/- 4%, respectively; P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary segments with dysfunctional endothelium exhibit an early morning exaggeration in vasomotor activity, whereas segments with normally functioning endothelium do not show circadian variations. This suggests a potential protective role for the endothelium in modulating variations in coronary tone that may contribute to increased incidence of cardiovascular events in the early morning hours.
Acetylcholine↗
[Evaluation of the ventilatory function in elderly subjects].
OBJECTIVES: Many elderly subjects are at risk of respiratory failure due to effect of age on ventilatory system and the deleterious effects of toxins and respiratory diseases. As spirometry is the main technique currently used to detect altered ventilatory function we first used this method in very elderly subjects then compared the results with clinical measurements of chest and abdominal ampliation. METHODS: Among 65 subjects over 75 years of age, with no cardiorespiratory or neuropsychologic impairment and who had undergone spirometry and chest and abdominal ampliation measurements in 1991, 24 were re-examined in 1994 using exactly the same techniques. Forced vital capacity and maximum expiratory volume/second were measured at the patient's home with a previously calibrated spirometer. All tests were run according to the recommendations of the European Respiratory Society. Variations in upper chest, lower chest and abdominal circumferences were also recorded. RESULTS: Mean age of the subjects was 84.1 +/- 3.7 years and all spirometric tests were reproductible within a given measurement session. There was no significant difference for forced vital capacity or for maximum expiratory volume/second between the 1991 and the 1994 values with variations of 2.1 +/- 0.4 and 9.4 +/- 3.4% respectively. Four of the 24 initially asymptomatic subjects had signs of obstruction which resolved in 2 with the salbutamol and/or ipratropium bromide. The correlations between spirometric data and chest and abdominal ampliations were significative. CONCLUSIONS: Spirometry can be an effective tool in elderly patients. In addition to frequent discovery of reversible bronchial obstruction (7 to 41% according to the series), it can be used to screen for reduced ventilatory "reserve". Chest ampliations measures also appear to be simple means of determining which subjects could benefit from physical therapy aimed at improving chest and abdominal musculature.
Aged↗
Colonization factors of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) from residents of northern Egypt.
Infection caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) poses a serious health problem to children in developing countries. Colonization of the small intestinal mucosa by ETEC strains is mediated by antigenically specific fimbriae, also known as colonization factor antigens (CFA). The importance of this study arises from reports that active and passive immunization with ETEC strains harboring CFAs induced protective immunity against diarrhea in animal models with preformed antibodies. In humans, ETEC containing CFA/I, II, III and IV have been identified. The aim of this study was to define CFAs of ETEC isolated in Alexandria, Egypt. One hundred and seven ETEC isolates from 132 human residents in Alexandria, Egypt were isolated during a birth cohort study. ETEC isolates were screened for heat labile (LT) and heat stable (ST) toxins using a 32P oligonucleotide hybridization probe and a GM1 ELISA. These isolates were examined using monoclonal antibodies against CFA/I, II, III, IV, and against the putative colonization antigens PCF0159 and PCF0166, CS 7 and CS 17. CFAs were found in 48% of ETEC strains. CFA/I was found in 18% of the strains, CFA/II in 10% and CFA/IV in 14%. CFA III was not found. All fifteen strains expressing CFA/IV expressed CS6 and produced ST. CFA/IV was not found in non-ST producing strains, while CFA/I was absent in ST-only producing strains.
Antigens, Bacterial↗
An unusual case of the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. A case report.
A case of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome in a woman with a history of trauma and infection is presented. In addition to the classical triad of signs, the patient also exhibited several other features of rare occurrence associated with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy, which revealed the characteristic features of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome.
Adult↗