Menetrier's disease. Report of a case with review of the literature.
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Gastritis↗
Biomedical subjects
N Ali
Publications and source records attributed to N Ali.
Normal electrocardiographic variants.
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Adult↗
Oral sodium tolbutamide tolerance test. A study of patients with reactive hypoglycemia.
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Adult↗
Prescription practices of public and private health care providers in Attock District of Pakistan.
The irrational use of drugs is a major problem of present day medical practice and its consequences include the development of resistance to antibiotics, ineffective treatment, adverse effects and an economic burden on the patient and society. A study from Attock District of Pakistan assessed this problem in the formal allopathic health sector and compared prescribing practices of health care providers in the public and private sector. WHO recommended drug use indicators were used to study prescription practices. Prescriptions were collected from 60 public and 48 private health facilities. The mean (+/- SE) number of drugs per prescription was 4.1 +/- 0.06 for private and 2.7 +/- 0.04 for public providers (p < 0.0001). General practitioners (GPs) who represent the private sector prescribed at least one antibiotic in 62% of prescriptions compared with 54% for public sector providers. Over 48% of GP prescriptions had at least one injectable drug compared with 22.0% by public providers (p < 0.0001). Thirteen percent of GP prescriptions had two or more injections. More than 11% of GP prescriptions had an intravenous infusion compared with 1% for public providers (p < 0.001). GPs prescribed three or more oral drugs in 70% of prescriptions compared with 44% for public providers (p < 0.0001). Prescription practices were analysed for four health problems, acute respiratory infection (ARI), childhood diarrhoea (CD), fever in children and fever in adults. For these disorders, both groups prescribed antibiotics generously, however, GPs prescribed them more frequently in ARI, CD and fever in children (p < 0.01). GPs prescribed steroids more frequently, however, it was significantly higher in ARI cases (p < 0.001). For all the four health problems studied, GPs prescribed injections more frequently than public providers (p < 0.001). In CD cases GPs prescribed oral rehydration salt (ORS) less frequently (33.3%) than public providers (57.7%). GPs prescribed intravenous infusion in 12.3% cases of fever in adults compared with none by public providers (p < 0.001). A combination of non-regulatory and regulatory interventions, directed at providers as well as consumers, would need to be implemented to improve prescription practices of health care providers. Regulation alone would be ineffective unless it is supported by a well-established institutional mechanism which ensures effective implementation. The Federal Ministry of Health and the Provincial Departments of Health have to play a critical role in this respect, while the role of the Pakistan Medical Association in self-regulation of prescription practices can not be overemphasized. Improper prescription practices will not improve without consumer targeted interventions that educate and empower communities regarding the hazards of inappropriate drug use.
Administration, Oral↗
G-proteins of rat liver membranes. Subcellular compartmentation and disposition in the plasma membrane.
The distribution of the alpha- and beta-subunits of G-proteins and their disposition in rat liver plasma and intracellular membranes was investigated. Western blotting, using antibodies that recognised the alpha-subunit of the inhibitory and the beta-subunits of most G-proteins, identified 41 and 36 kDa polypeptides respectively in all plasma membrane functional domains, in endosomes as well as in Golgi membranes. Lysosomes were devoid of these subunits. The highest levels of G-protein subunits were found in bile canalicular plasma membranes prepared by density gradient centrifugation followed by free-flow electrophoresis. Separation of membrane proteins into extrinsic and intrinsic components was carried out by extraction of the membranes at pH 11.0 and by partitioning the membranes in Triton X-114/aqueous phases. The results demonstrated that the alpha- and beta-subunits were tightly associated with the hepatic membranes but they could be solubilised by extraction with detergent, e.g. SDS. Prolonged incubation in the presence of GTP analogues also released up to approximately 50% of the alpha-subunit of inhibitory G-proteins from membranes. The beta-subunit was still associated with membranes after alkaline extraction. The results emphasise the strong association of G-protein subunits with liver membranes, and show that these proteins are distributed widely in the plasma membrane and along the endocytic pathways of hepatocytes.
Animals↗
Production of highly specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies using estradiol-3-O-carboxymethyl ether as hapten.
The preparation of high affinity and high specificity polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to estradiol is described. Monoclonal antibodies were derived from BALB/c mice hyperimmunized with estradiol-3-O-carboxymethyl ether conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Spleen cells were hybridized with mouse myeloma cells. Quite a few monoclonal antibodies showed very good affinity for estradiol. Extended immunization and hyperimmunization were essential for producing a greater number of positive clones secreting high affinity antibodies. Binding constants of the antisera and their cross-reactivities with related steroids were calculated. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies showed very high affinity for estradiol exhibiting little or no cross-reactivities with structurally related steroids indicating that this site of linkage is a good choice for discriminating between differences at the 16-17 position in the D-ring. This monoclonal antibody (44.28.6), having negligible cross-reactivity with estriol and estrone, can be used for diagnostic purposes.
Animals↗
Natural co-occurrence of aflatoxins and Fusarium mycotoxins (fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol and zearalenone) in corn from Indonesia.
Sixteen corn samples collected from Indonesia were analysed for aflatoxins (AF), fumonisins (FM), trichothecenes and zearalenone (ZEA) using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. AF were detected in 11 (69%) samples at a mean level of 119 ng/g (maximum 487 ng/g) and FM in all of the samples at a mean level of 895 ng/g (maximum 2970 ng/g). Deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV) and ZEA were each detected in two (12%) samples; 21 and 32 ng/g, 49 and 169 ng/g, and 11 and 12 ng/g, respectively. All of the AF-contaminated samples were co-contaminated with FM. Mycological study showed all of the AF-contaminated samples were infected with A. flavus/A. parasiticus, and the FM-contaminated samples were either infected with F. moniliforme (50%), F. proliferatum (12%), F. nygamai (6%) or F. decemcellulare (38%). Supportive mycological studies showed that Fusarium species isolated from Indonesian corn were capable of producing a mean level of 10,000 micrograms/g FM. Based on these results, the correlation between FM-producers and AF-producers on kernel infection and contamination of these mycotoxins in corn was discussed. This is the first report on the natural co-occurrence of AF and various Fusarium mycotoxins, including DON and NIV in corn from Indonesia, and also the first report on the natural occurrence of DON in corn from hot areas of Southeast Asia.
Aflatoxins↗
Surface engineering of artificial heart valve disks using nanostructured thin films deposited by chemical vapour deposition and sol-gel methods.
Pyrolytic carbon (PyC) is widely used in manufacturing commercial artificial heart valve disks (HVD). Although PyC is commonly used in HVD, it is not the best material for this application since its blood compatibility is not ideal for prolonged clinical use. As a result thrombosis often occurs and the patients are required to take anti-coagulation drugs on a regular basis in order to minimize the formation of thrombosis. However, anti-coagulation therapy gives rise to some detrimental side effects in patients. Therefore, it is extremely urgent that newer and more technically advanced materials with better surface and bulk properties are developed. In this paper, we report the mechanical properties of PyC-HVD, i.e. strength, wear resistance and coefficient of friction. The strength of the material was assessed using Brinell indentation tests. Furthermore, wear resistance and coefficient of friction values were obtained from pin-on-disk testing. The micro-structural properties of PyC were characterized using XRD, Raman spectroscopy and SEM analysis. Also in this paper we report the preparation of freestanding nanocrystalline diamond films (FSND) using the time-modulated chemical vapour deposition (TMCVD) process. Furthermore, the sol-gel technique was used to uniformly coat PyC-HVD with dense, nanocrystalline-titanium oxide (nc-TiO2) coatings. The as-grown nc-TiO2 coatings were characterized for microstructure using SEM and XRD analysis.
Biomedical Engineering↗
Cardiac troponin I in patients receiving renal replacement therapy.
Current markers of myocardial injury lack specificity in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In particular, a false positive creatine kinase-MB (CKMB) elevation occurs in 5-10% of patients with ESRD. The aim of this study was to ascertain the relationship between CKMB and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a new, highly sensitive and specific marker for myocardial injury, in the authors' dialysis population and compare their specificities. Blood samples were obtained from 112 dialysis patients (35 in peritoneal dialysis; 77 in hemodialysis). Patients were asymptomatic for cardiac ischemia and skeletal muscle injury. Mean +/- SD CKMB mass was 3.16 +/- 2.26 microg/L (range, 0.34-13.62), and cTnI was 0.025 +/- 0.061 ng/ml (range, 0.001-0.496). CKMB and cTnI levels did not correlate (r2 = 0.002; p = 0.61). CKMB mass concentration was significantly higher in men and in diabetics. No patient had a cTnI level greater than 1.5 microg/L, and eight asymptomatic patients had a CKMB mass greater than 6.7 microg/L. These data suggest a specificity of 100% for cTnI vs 94.6% for CKMB at these cutoff values. It is suggested that cTnI replace CKMB as a marker of myocardial injury in patients with ESRD.
Creatine Kinase↗
Corrosive-induced gastric outlet obstruction without oesphageal involvement: a case report.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper is to report an unusual case of isolated gastric outlet obstruction following corrosive ingestion. METHOD: A case report of a 28-year old female seen by the authors. The literature on gastric outlet obstruction following ingestion of corrosives is reviewed briefly. RESULTS: Features of worsening gastric outlet obstruction were found in this 28-year old female five months after ingestion of hydrochloric acid. There was an antecedent history of depressive illness. The upper gastrointestinal barium contrast radiographs showed a normal oesophagus and proximal stomach. The distal stomach was however scarred, contracted with severe antropyloric stenosis. She underwent nutritional rehabilitation with high protein diet and made an uneventful recovery after a gastrojejunostomy. CONCLUSION: This case suggests a relative resistance of the oesophagus to corrosive acids as reported in the literature. The stomach, however, is more susceptible to acids causing burns with subsequent cicatrisation around the antrum and pylorus.
Adult↗
Osteoporosis prevention in female adolescents: calcium intake and exercise participation.
Adolescence is a critical period for physiologic growth. Calcium consumption and exercise affect bone mass, and both may be the most significant factors in preventing osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to identify problem areas that would place adolescent females at risk for developing osteoporosis. The sample consisted of 293 adolescent females, ages 14 to 19 years. Data collected included assessment of calcium consumption, physical activities, and variables that may affect both. Results showed that participants consumed inadequate calcium but were attentive to participate in physical activities. Half of the sample reported skipping one meal per day, slightly over half were trying to lose weight, and almost three fourths were trying to keep from gaining weight. Predictors of calcium intake were skipping meals, perception of barriers to calcium intake, and trying to lose weight (beta weight: 0.29, 0.28, and 0.25, respectively). Predictors of exercise were perceptions of barriers and benefits to exercise (beta weights: 0.27 and 0.13, respectively). Nutritional education and behavior modification strategies to address the findings are presented.
Adolescent↗
PAF receptors and G-proteins in human blood eosinophils and neutrophils.
Identification of G-proteins and coupling of PAF receptors to G-proteins have been examined in the membranes of human blood eosinophils and neutrophils. Heterotrimeric G-proteins, Gi and GS, were present in both cell types, as demonstrated by immunoblotting and ADP-ribosylation with pertussis toxin. In addition, a group of low molecular mass (18-28 kDa) monomeric G-proteins was also identified. Pertussis toxin and GTP gamma S attenuated the specific binding of [3H]PAF, suggesting the occurrence of coupling between pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi protein and PAF receptors in eosinophils and neutrophils.
Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
Cancer of the gall bladder: a report of three cases and a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND: Cancer of the gall bladder is an uncommon but highly lethal disease associated with cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis in occurrence. METHODS: A report of three cases seen over six years at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) is presented together with a review of the literature. RESULTS: Three cases were seen over a period of 6 years. There were two females and one male. The patients were aged 80, 50 and 65 years respectively. The 80 year old man and 50 year old female presented with right hypochondrial mass and pain. The third presented with features of multiple metastases involving the liver and omentum. The first two cases had cholecystectomy and limited resection of adjacent liver tissue. The third case had unresectable cancer with gross involvement of the liver, peritoneum and omentum; she died three weeks after exploratory laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Cancer of the gall bladder is rare in this environment. A high index of suspicion in addition to ultrasound and computerized tomography helps in making an early diagnosis. This may improve the outcome of management.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Sarcolemma as model for testing toxicity of chemicals.
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Animals↗
Megaloblastic, dyserythropoietic anemia following arsenic ingestion.
Following acute arsenic ingestion, a 35 year old woman experienced multiple organ failure, including renal and respiratory insufficiency, toxic hepatitis, peripheral neuropathy, and encephalopathy. In addition, she developed an anemia; the bone marrow showed a striking dyserythropoiesis with megaloblastic features. Her recovery was heralded by normalization of the bone marrow morphology, followed by improvement in all other organ dysfunction except for the peripheral neuropathy. Arsenic poisoning is a cause of megaloblastic anemia; early hematologic recovery suggests favorable prognosis.
Adult↗
Nutritionally at-risk groups in the community.
A balanced and varied diet is the basis of good health. There are some groups of people, however, whose circumstances make it difficult for them to achieve this. Nurses can play a valuable role in helping these people make healthy dietary choices, although in some cases nutritional supplements may be necessary.
Deficiency Diseases↗