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Biomedical subjects

N Jamal

Publications and source records attributed to N Jamal.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The growth of large megakaryocyte colonies from human bone marrow.

The growth of large, compact megakaryocyte colonies in cultures of human bone marrow is promoted by fresh human plasma and medium conditioned by phyto-hemagglutinin stimulated leukocytes (PHA-LCM). These colonies are typically composed of large cells with translucent cytoplasma, surrounded by a highly refractile border. In addition, they may also contain smaller cells of similar morphology. Independent of their size, all cells react positively with antibodies directed against human factor VIII antigen. The frequency of megakaryocyte colonies may vary for different individuals from 1-35 colonies per 10(5) mononuclear bone marrow cells. The observed linear relationships between the number of cultured cells and the frequency of colonies suggests a single cell origin. The described culture conditions also support the development of a larger megakaryocyte component within multilineage mixed colonies, so that it will now be feasible to investigate the mechanisms involved in directing pluripotent cells towards megakaryocytopoiesis.

Cells, Cultured↗

Characteristics of erythroid colonies formed by bovine marrow progenitor cells in methyl cellulose cultures.

Bovine erythroid colonies containing eight to 100 erythroid cells were successfully cultured in methyl cellulose. The colonies required four to five days to mature and a direct linear relationship (r = 0.99) between the number of nucleated marrow cells plated and the number of colonies formed was demonstrated. Their optimum erythropoietin requirement was observed to be 1 U/ml. No second population of erythroid colonies developed either as a function of time or erythropoietin concentration. However, 1 to 5 per cent of the bovine erythroid colonies contained megakaryocytes in addition to the erythroid cells. Marrow samples from different cattle showed a wide variation in their response to erythropoietin in culture, while some produced many erythroid colonies in the absence of erythropoietin, others were observed to be entirely erythropoietin dependent. Large mixed colonies occasionally grew in methyl cellulose but their optimum culture conditions have not yet been established. Medium conditioned by phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated bovine peripheral leucocytes enhanced bovine erythroid colony growth. Bovine erythroid progenitor cells were observed to possess a sedimentation velocity of 9 +/- 1 mm per hour.

Animals↗

Identification of T lymphocytes in human mixed hemopoietic colonies.

The addition of a T-cell growth-promoting medium (PHA-TCM) to culture conditions that support growth of multi-lineage hemopoietic colonies enhances the proliferation of cells with lymphoid morphology within these colonies. These cells were identified as T lymphocytes by their ability to form rosettes with SRBC and their reaction with monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, OKT4) directed against T-cell-specific surface components. They continue to proliferate extensively under the influence of PHA-TCM after transfer of mixed colonies into liquid suspension culture. Supportive evidence for a common progenitor of myeloid and lymphoid cells within single mixed colonies is provided by Y-chromatin body analysis of E-rosette positive and negative cells in colonies grown in cocultures of male and female bone marrow cells.

Cell Division↗

Single-cell immunofluorescence assay for terminal transferase: human leukaemic and non-leukaemic cells.

The characteristics of a single-cell immunofluorescence assay for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (terminal transferase, TdT) is described. The data indicate that the single-cell immunofluorescence assay is highly efficient and specific for the detection of cells containing TdT. Using this assay, we have examined 124 marrow or peripheral-blood samples from 104 patients with or without haematological malignancies. Results indicate that TdT(+) cells from 6% to 100% were found in the following patients: 34/40 samples from patients with ALL at the time of diagnosis or during relapse; 2/3 patients with acute undifferentiated leukaemia; 2/3 patients with acute myelomonocytic leukaemia; 1/24 patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia; 1/5 patients with chronic myelocytic leukaemia (CML) in blastic crisis; and 2/2 patients with diffuse lymphoblastic lymphoma. In contrast less than 1% of TdT(+) cells were found in 20 marrow or peripheral-blood samples from ALL patients in complete remission; 8 patients with CML in chronic phase; 2 patients with myeloma; 1 sample from a patient with Hodgkin's disease, peripheral-blood samples from 7 normal donors and marrow samples from 6 patients without haematological malignancies. TdT(+) cells were also found in association with cells with lymphoblast morphology. The TdT(+) cells in marrow were shown to be directly correlated with the percentage of morphological lymphoblasts, with a Spearman rank coefficient of 0·81, significant at a 0·001 level. In 2 longitudinal studies of 2 ALL patients with TdT(+) cells at diagnosis, the percentage TdT(+) cells also changed in parallel with the proportion of lymphoblasts. However, studies of 2 other patients with morphologically diagnosed ALL with < 1% TdT(+) cells at diagnosis also showed < 1% TdT(+) cells throughout the period studied, indicating a stable phenotype of blast cells in these patients. The single-cell immunofluorescence assay for TdT, which requires < 0·1% of the cells used in a conventional biochemical assay, is highly specific, and could provide a technically more efficient alternative for use in clinics as well as in experimental investigations of subpopulations of leukaemic and normal marrow cells.

Bone Marrow↗

Diastolic mitral regurgitation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

An analysis of the left ventricular angiograms of 31 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy revealed diastolic mitral regurgitation in 4, a prevalence of 12.9%. The clinical, echocardiographic, angiographic, and hemodynamic data of these patients were reviewed. Diastolic mitral regurgitation could not be attributed to arrhythmia, PR interval prolongation, atrioventricular dissociation, aortic insufficiency, or aortic stenosis. Reduced left ventricular compliance was evidenced by elevated end-diastolic pressure following angiography and reduced diastolic E-F slope on echocardiography. It is speculated that the rapid inflow of blood into a poorly compliant ventricle established a turbulent flow pattern that resulted in the "floating" of blood back into the left atrium.

Angiocardiography↗

A simple and rapid method for the isolation of cholesterol from spinal cord of cattle.

A method is described for the large scale isolation of cholesterol from cattle spinal cord. Cholesterol is released from the lipo-protein by drying the wet tissues with calcium oxide. This treatment appears to prevent the extraction of polar lipids with acetone, which reduces the lipophylic properties of the solution and thus provides a method for almost exclusive extraction of cholesterol. The further role of calcium oxide is also discussed. The method evolved is simple, rapid and eliminates several previously required steps.

Animals↗

Survey of a Bekaa community health needs.

Rural underserved areas can benefit from private and non governmental organizations in improving health delivery. Many such organizations operate in the underserved Bekaa area in Lebanon. This study aimed to assess the nature, scope, utilization and satisfaction with health services available to the population living in the vicinity of the American University of Beirut Agricultural Research and Education Center in Bekaa. A random sample from the residents of the area (475 individuals) and all physicians and representatives of health delivery institutions serving this population were interviewed. Individuals interviewed reported 3.7 health related visits/person/year, 65% vaccination rate and 34.1% labeled available services as poor. Interviewed physicians and health institution administrators identified the study area priority needs as nurses, emergency transport units and primary care centers. Systematic evaluation and priority setting of the health needs of this population are necessary and the establishment of health centers should be strongly considered.

Adolescent↗

An unusual presentation of pulmonary echinococcosis.

A case of pulmonary hydatid disease presenting with right supraclavicular cystic swelling is being reported. Radiologically, the cyst had an extension into the chest wall with bony involvement in the form of destruction and thinning of the first and second ribs on the right side. The patient responded to albendazole therapy.

Adolescent↗