Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Mani

Publications and source records attributed to N Mani.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Not Available].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Epidemiology↗

The historical background of clinical chemistry.

The discipline of chemical pathology, earlier known as pathological chemistry, arose from the attempt to apply chemistry to medicine. Two main origins of the subject can be identified: the development of scientific research in medicine, and the emergence of organic chemistry and physiological chemistry. The development of clinical chemistry and its two historical roots in the 19th century are traced from their beginnings, together with the contributions from biology and natural philosophy. A vitalistic view of chemistry in the biosciences, the identification of natural products and the study of their metabolism all favoured the early establishment of clinical chemistry at the end of the first half of the 19th century. This was followed by a rise of fundamental research in physiological chemistry, while clinical laboratories remained as application-orientated adjuncts of clinical medicine, with the task of diagnosis.

Animals↗

Study of 90 hepatitis B surface antigen carriers in Israel.

A study of 90 asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers in Jerusalem showed a predominance of males over females (4:1) and of North African Jews over Jews of European or American Origin. The predominance of males remained apparent, but was not significant, when origin was controlled. Possible sources of infection were contact with jaundiced patients (29%), dental treatment (58%) and drug addiction (8%). Fifty-one percent had hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) of the IgM class, 2% had hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), 94% hepatitis B e-antibody (anti-HBe) and 93% had hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV). Fourty-two percent had donated blood at least once prior to the detection of the carrier state. Fifty-five percent of 128 asymptomatic family contacts had evidence of hepatitis B virus infection. Minor abnormalities in liver function tests were found in 22% of the carriers and splenomegaly in 11%. Of ten liver biopsies performed in these cases, one had chronic active hepatitis, five had minimal histological changes, and four were normal.

Adolescent↗

Developmental expression of calcium-binding protein-containing neurons in neocortical transplants.

The present study examined the development of calcium binding protein-containing neurons in a timed series of fetal neocortical transplants. The immunoexpression of parvalbumin and calbindin, which are subpopulations of GABAergic neurons, have been widely studied in normal development and in disease and injury states. Because of their purported resistance to oxidative injury by their ability to buffer Ca++ influx, these neurons have been particularly studied following ischemia. Because it is likely that oxidative stress is associated with the grafting procedure, we sought to determine if these neurons displayed enhanced survival characteristics. Normally, parvalbumin and calbindin represent about 5-10% of cortical neurons. Within 2-4 wk after grafting the expression of both proteins increased markedly in that a relatively larger number of neurons (27% for parvalbumin) were immunopositive. This increase was transitory, however, and by 4 mo and beyond, confocal microscopic data showed a reduction of over 50% of parvalbumin (+) neurons and processes. Calbindin (+) processes showed a qualitative change in that they were smaller with less terminal branching. Electron microscopy confirmed a substantial reduction in parvalbumin synaptic contacts. Interestingly, in older grafts, remaining parvalbumin neurons were those that were strongly NSE (+) suggesting a link between normal metabolism and Ca++ buffering in grafted neurons. It is possible that in early grafts certain neuronal populations transiently upregulated calcium binding proteins as a defensive mechanism against Ca++ influx associated with oxidative stress. Over time, however, following physiological normalization within grafts, the calcium binding protein (+) neurons are diminished, possibly due to lack of appropriate afferent input to the interneuronal pool.

Animals↗

Serological markers for hepatitis B and treponemal infection among HIV carriers from Ethiopia.

A group of 52 HIV carriers among immigrants who arrived in Israel from Ethiopia in Operation Solomon, 1991, is described. A control group was randomly chosen from the same population. HBV serology and treponemal antibodies were obtained from both groups. The frequency of HBV markers was similar in both groups (70% among the HIV carriers and 78.8% in the controls). HBsAg was more frequently found among HIV carriers (20%) than in the control group (8.6%). Treponemal antibodies were common among HIV carriers (31%), and infrequent in the controls (3%). These data indicate that HIV infection in this community is linked to treponemal infection and that these carriers handle HBV less efficiently then HIV-negative subjects.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗