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Biomedical subjects

M T Alam

Publications and source records attributed to M T Alam.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Comparison of urine contamination rates using three different methods of collection: clean-catch, cotton wool pad and urine bag.

Collecting uncontaminated urine specimens from infants is difficult. Commonly, an adhesive urinecollecting bag is used, which is uncomfortable. This study determined bacterial contamination rates using three methods of urine collection sequentially on the same infant (without known urinary tract infection)-clean-catch, cotton wool (sanitary) pad and urine bag. The study was undertaken in children under 3 years of age in the Institute of Maternal and Child Health of Pernambuco (IMIP), Recife, Brazil. Urine samples were analysed using phase contrast microscopy and routine culture. Culture of bacteria at any level was interpreted as a contaminated urine specimen. Cultures with > 10(5) colony-forming units/ml of one species by all three collection methods were regarded as true urinary tract infection and these children were excluded. Altogether, 534 urine samples from 191 patients were analysed. Median age was 2 months (1 day-36 months) and 124 (65%) were boys. Twelve children (6.3%) were considered to have true urinary tract infection, three were indeterminate and in 16 one or more samples were missing and all were excluded from analysis. There were more missing samples using the clean-catch method (12%) than when using the bag (4%) or pad (4%). Seventy-six of 160 (47.5%) children had evidence of bacterial contamination. Clean-catch specimens showed the least contamination (14.7%) and rates were similar between pads (29%) and bags (26.6%) (kappa = 0.40). Urine contamination rates were similar for sanitary pads and urine bags and significantly higher than for clean-catch (p<0.01). However, pads were a simple, non-invasive and comfortable alternative to bags.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2003

Nano-mechanical methods in biochemistry using atomic force microscopy.

The atomic force microscope has been extensively used not only to image nanometer-sized biological samples but also to measure their mechanical properties by using the force curve mode of the instrument. When the analysis based on the Hertz model of indentation is applied to the approach part of the force curve, one obtains information on the stiffness of the sample in terms of Young's modulus. Mapping of local stiffness over a single living cell is possible by this method. The retraction part of the force curve provides information on the adhesive interaction between the sample and the AFM tip. It is possible to functionalize the AFM tip with specific ligands so that one can target the adhesive interaction to specific pairs of ligands and receptors. The presence of specific receptors on the living cell surface has been mapped by this method. The force to break the co-operative 3D structure of globular proteins or to separate a double stranded DNA into single strands has been measured. Extension of the method for harvesting functional molecules from the cytosol or the cell surface for biochemical analysis has been reported. There is a need for the development of biochemical nano-analysis based on AFM technology.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Plasticity of fitness and diversification process during an experimental molecular evolution.

A simplified experimental evolution encompassing the essence of natural one was designed in an attempt to understand the involved mechanism. In our system, molecular evolution was observed through three serial cycles of consecutive random mutagenesis of the glutamine synthetase gene and chemostat culture of the transformed Escherichia coli cells containing the mutated genes. Selection pressure was imposed solely on the glutamine synthetase gene when varieties of mutant genes compete in an unstructured environment of the chemostat. The molecular phylogeny and population dynamics were deduced from the nucleotide sequences of the genes isolated from each of the chemostat runs. An initial mutant population in each cycle, comprised of diversified closely-related genes, ended up with several varieties of mutants in a state of coexistence. Competition between two mutant genes in the final population of the first cycle ascertained that the observed coexisting state is not an incidental event and that cellular interaction via environmental nutrients is a possible mechanism of coexistence. In addition, the mutant gene once extinct in the previous passage was found to have the capacity to reinvade and constitute the gene pool of the later cycle of molecular evolution. These results, including the kinetic characteristics of the purified wild-type and mutant glutamine synthetases in the phylogenetic tree, revealed that the enzyme activity had diverged, rather than optimized, to a fittest value during the course of evolution. Here, we proposed that the plasticity of gene fitness in consequence of cellular interaction via the environment is an essential mechanism governing molecular evolution.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed2000

Spring mechanics of alpha-helical polypeptide.

To design protein- and polymer-based micro-machineries, it is important to understand the mechanical properties of basic structural elements such as the alpha-helix of polypeptides. We employed the force measurement mode of an atomic force microscope (AFM) to investigate the spring mechanics of poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA) in its helical and randomly coiled states. After covalently anchoring the polypeptide between a silicon substrate and an AFM tip, the force required to stretch the polymer was measured. The results indicated that PGA in its helical conformation could be stretched almost fully with a continuous increase in the stretching force, suggesting that it can be used as a reliable coil-spring in the future design of spring-loaded molecular machineries.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1998

Snake bite experience at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

We reviewed 40 cases of snake bite seen from January, 1996 to December, 1996. Most of the cases survived uneventfully but many developed complications which were either haematologic, (23 patients) or neurological (5 patients). Appropriate treatment was offered in every case. Polyvalent antisnake venom was administered to 30 patients (75%). Premedication used was steroids and antihistamines to prevent anaphylactic reactions. Antifibrinolytic therapy (tranxemic acid) was given to every bleeding patient. The species of offending snake could be recognized in one patient while in all others, it was not possible due to night time incidence and poor description by the patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Therapeutics: a state of the art.

In Pakistan also there has been tremendous awareness of questions relating the safety, efficacy, quality and economic value of drugs. Professionals are equally concerned about these vital aspects, but it has been felt that there is a communication gap between regulatory authorities, institutions, doctors, pharmacists, pharmacologist and the public on various matters concerning drugs. Most potent drugs like antibiotics, psychotropic, narcotics, anticancer, hormones are being misused by un-trained doctors or by quacks or through self medication due to lack of co-ordination among the relevant professionals. It is envisaged that the term therapeutic must be adopted in its real sense and therapeutic committees should be constituted at institutional and at community levels to stop the hazards of misuse of potent drugs and medicines.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Short note : concept and scope of community pharmacy.

Recognition of the importance of a Pharmacist in the rational use of drugs has been slow but is growing Public education in drug use is needed because without its recognition and proper utilization people lack the skills and knowledge which they require to make informed decisions about how to use drug (including when they should not be used) and to understand the role of a Pharmacist and drugs in health care.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Studies on marine algae for haemagglutinic activity.

Lectins (agglutinins) are important in medical and immunological applications. Phytohaemagglutinins have been found useful in blood banking. Keeping in view of these facts, the marine algae found at Karachi coastal region have been screened for agglutinic activity by using human erythrocytes of A, B, AB and 0 group. Altogether 53 algal samples were collected and subjected to extraction, fractionation serial dilution and titre determinations. The total marine algae screened for haemagglutinic activity were 44 out of these 14, 13 and 17 belonged to Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, and Rhodophyta respectively. Among these three groups the Rhodophyta showed the highest number of lytic activity. The green marine alga Valoniopsis pachynema showed a titre value between 2(2) and 2(3), which is statistically significant. In case of brown marine algae Colpomenia sinuosa was found to be active (titre 2(3)), while Dictyota dichotoma, D. indica and Iyengaria stellata, furnished week titre value as 2(2). The red marine algae screened were 17, out of these 4 spp. showed significant activity (titre 2(3)), and these are Gelidium usmanghani, Gracilaria foliifera Hypnea pannosa and Hynea valentiae. While Scinaia fascicularis, Scinaia indica and Champia parvula were found to be weak in their onset on human erythrocytes. The results obtained were quite in agreement with those reported in the literature.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1978

Cytological effects of microwave radiation in Chinese hamster cells in vitro.

Cytological effects were investigated in the Chinese hamster cell line (CHO-K1) exposed to microwave radiation of 2450 MHz frequency and incident power of 25 to 200 W for a period of 30 min. Nuclear vacuoles, pycnotic and decondensed chromosomes were observed in cells exposed to 25 W under elevated temperature conditions (uncontrolled temp). In addition a significant increase in chromosomal breakages/cell was observed. Cells exposed to relatively higher power, 75-200 W, under hypothermic conditions (29 degrees C) revealed no significant increase in either nuclear vacuoles or other chromosomal anomalies over control cells. Radiation-induced temperature elevation appears to be an essential factor in the cytological effects of microwave.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1976

Cytological effects of an organic phosphate pesticide on human cells in vitro.

This investigation was undertaken to determine the radiomimetic effects in vitro of the insecticide guthion [azinophos-methyl; O, O-dimethyl S-(4-oxobenzotriazino-3-methyl) phosphorodithioate] on two human cell lines, diploid (WI-38) and heteroploid (HEp-2). In WI-38 cells, dosages of 120, 140 and 160 microng/ml of guthion were effective in inducing an average chromosome breakage of 0.042, 0.058 and 0.165 respectively per cell. In control cells, the mean number of breaks per cell was 0.011. Chromosome breakages were significantly higher in treated cells. Since guthion prevents cells from entering into mitosis during treatment, the number of mitiotic cells decreases rapidly following treatment with higher concentrations. Similar dosages in treated HEp-2 cells also induced a high incidence of chromosome aberrations, the most common being chromatid breaks and exchanges. Infrequently noted were mild failure of condensation, despiralization, secondary constrictions, gaps, dicentric chromosomes and pulverization. To date, this study reaffirms previous findings of the potentially hazardous, mutagenic effects of guthion.

Azinphosmethyl↗