Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Z Hussain

Publications and source records attributed to Z Hussain.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Calbindin-D28k immunoreactive neurons form two populations in the rat nucleus accumbens: a compartmental study.

This study shows localisation of a second class of calbindin-D28k containing neuron other than the medium-sized spiny neuron in the rat nucleus accumbens, using immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies. Ultrastructural characteristics were used to identify this second population of accumbens neurons within its compartments. Staining with NADPH-diaphorase and calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity revealed that some neurons contained both markers.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiology of Pseudomonas cepacia colonization among patients with cystic fibrosis.

Colonization with Pseudmonas cepacia in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been associated with increased morbidity and early death, compared with colonization by P. aeruginosa. The mode of acquisition of P. cepacia is not fully understood, although person-to-person spread appears likely. Recent epidemiologic studies support the importance of social contact in the spread of P. cepacia among patients with CF. This study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiology of P. cepacia colonization among patients with CF attending the CF clinic at our center. Isolates of P. cepacia were collected from patients at two CF treatment centers, including ours. Additional isolates were collected from patients without CF in the hospital ICU, from other teaching hospitals, and from the environment. Profiles of enzymes were obtained by ultrathin polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of P. cepacia extracts. A predominant electromorphic type (ET) was found among P. cepacia isolates from patients at both centers, suggesting a common source or person-to-person transmission. The majority of hospital isolates fell into a single, different ET. Surveillance swabs of respiratory equipment at our CF clinic did not grow P. cepacia. Attendance of patients at CF summer camp correlated strongly with P. cepacia colonization (P < 0.0001).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Input from the amygdala to the rat nucleus accumbens: its relationship with tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity and identified neurons.

Both tyrosine hydroxylase-positive fibres from the mesolimbic dopamine system and amygdala projection fibres from the basolateral nucleus are known to terminate heavily in the nucleus accumbens. Caudal amygdala fibres travelling dorsally via the stria terminalis project densely to the nucleus accumbens shell, especially in the dopamine rich septal hook. The amygdala has been associated with the recognition of emotionally relevant stimuli while the mesolimbic dopamine system is implicated with reward mechanisms. There is behavioural and electrophysiological evidence that the amygdala input to the nucleus accumbens is modulated by the mesolimbic dopamine input, but it is not known how these pathways interact anatomically within the nucleus accumbens. Using a variety of neuroanatomical techniques including anterograde and retrograde tracing, immunocytochemistry and intracellular filling, we have demonstrated convergence of these inputs on to medium-sized spiny neurons. The terminals of the basolateral amygdala projection make asymmetrical synapses predominantly on the heads of spines which also receive on their necks or adjacent dendrites, symmetrical synaptic input from the mesolimbic dopamine system. Some of these neurons have also been identified as projection neurons, possibly to the ventral pallidum. We have shown a synaptic level how dopamine is positioned to modulate excitatory limbic input in the nucleus accumbens.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1994

Gas-liquid chromatography of cellular fatty acids for identification of staphylococci.

A commercially available, computer-assisted microbial identification system (MIS) employs gas-liquid chromatographic analyses of bacterial fatty acids. The MIS was used to identify 470 isolates of Staphylococcus species. The accuracy of the MIS was compared with the accuracies of conventional methods. There was a complete agreement between the MIS and conventional methods in the identification of 413 (87.8%) strains. For 36 of 45 misidentified strains, the correct identification was listed by the MIS as a choice but not as the first choice. Twelve strains could not be matched. All strains of Staphylococcus cohnii, S. epidermidis, S. intermedius, S. lugdunensis, S. schleiferi, S. sciuri, S. simulans, and S. xylosus were correctly identified. Two species, S. hominis and S. saprophyticus, accounted for 52.6% (30 of 57) of the misidentifications. Seventy-eight organisms were retested. Identification of 73 organisms remained unchanged, and for five organisms, the second choice became first and vice versa. The overall performance of the MIS is acceptable, and the system can be used as an alternate identification method for staphylococci.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1994

The impact of formulary reservations on drug utilization: a controlled trial.

A controlled trial was conducted in two teaching hospitals (A and B), with similar case mixes to determine the impact of reservations, which were educational in nature, on the utilization of oral ciprofloxacin. Over a two-month period the health records of all the patients who received the drug were reviewed, and information on utilization and demographics of patients receiving the drug was recorded. As well, the number of admissions to the two hospitals over this period were compared. If culture and sensitivity (C & S) results were available, appropriateness was assessed in accordance with criteria for use established at site A; in the absence of C & S information, consensus by two microbiologists was used. Over the two-month period a total of 136 patients received ciprofloxacin at the two institutions. At site A, which had reservations, the number of patients who continued to receive ciprofloxacin upon admission was significantly decreased relative to site B, which did not have reservations (14% vs. 36% respectively, p = .029). As well, when assessed by total number of admissions to the institutions, the number of patients receiving ciprofloxacin at site A was less than site B (1.5% vs. 2.6% respectively, p = .003)). While the utilization was decreased at site A vs. site B, the proportion of patients with therapy deemed to be appropriate was not different between the two sites. Educationally based reservations are an effective formulary tool for optimizing drug utilization.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Beta-lactamase producing Neisseria gonorrhea strains in Karachi.

Urethral or cervical swab of 255 patients attending Skin and Social Hygiene Centre and found positive for gram negative intracellular diplococci on direct microscopy were inoculated on Modified New York City (MNYC) medium and chocolate (heated blood) agar for isolation of neisseria gonorrhea. Growth of N. gonorrhea was obtained in 134 (52.5%) cases. These strains were tested for penicillin susceptibility by disc diffusion method and for the production of beta-lactamase by rapid penicillinase paper strip test and rapid chromogenic cephalosporin method. Penicillin resistance was found in 31 (23%) strains, of which twelve (9%) were beta-lactamase producers (PPNG), the remaining 19 (14%) strains were penicillin resistant beta-lactamase negative (Pen RB Neg). We conclude that PPNG as well as other penicillin resistant strains (Pen RB Neg) of neisseria gonorrhea are prevalent in our country and appropriate changes in the conventional therapeutic regime are desirable.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1993

Comparison of the E-test and reference agar dilution method for susceptibility of gram-negative anaerobic organisms.

Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of clindamycin, cefoxitin, imipenem, and metronidazole were determined by the E-Test and a reference agar dilution method for 92 gram-negative anaerobic organisms. For 335 MIC pairs, the agreement between the two systems was 80.1%; 60 (17.9%) differed by two or more twofold dilutions. The best agreement was observed with imipenem (91.7%) and the poorest with cefoxitin (67%). With the E-Test (PDM Epsilometer for antimicrobial susceptibility testing [AB Bodisk, Solna, Sweden]), MICs for individual organisms are simple to achieve, although for certain antibiotics discrepancies with the reference method are unacceptable.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Wound isolate of Salmonella typhimurium that became chlorate resistant after exposure to Dakin's solution: concomitant loss of hydrogen sulfide production, gas production, and nitrate reduction.

A strain of Salmonella typhimurium isolated from a decubitus ulcer that was being treated topically with half-strength Dakin's solution became H2S negative, nitrate negative, and unable to produce gas from glucose. Experimental data suggested that these effects were associated with the development of chlorate resistance. Thirty-five other strains of Salmonella spp. that were made chlorate resistant also became negative for these three tests.

Chlorates↗
PubMed1993

Experience with indwelling "J.J" ureteral stents.

J.J stents provide free drainage from the kidney to the bladder, reduce or eliminate urine leakage and provide stenting of the ureter. They were used in a total of 200 cases. In 158 to prevent ureteric obstruction before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), in 25 to bypass obstruction and in 12 as an adjunct to complicated upper urinary tract surgery. Majority (97%) of the stents were placed endoscopically under local anaesthesia (71.5%). In all the cases stents were successful to provide free drainage. No mortality was attributable to the use of stents but certain complications were encountered. Encrustation of the stents occurred in 21 (10.5%) and migration in 11 (5.5%) cases. Stents were removed easily under local anaesthesia by cystoscope. "J" stents thus provide an effective means to reduce complications and enhance effectiveness specially of ESWL therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of MicroScan Rapid Pos Combo panels for identification of staphylococci.

MicroScan Rapid Pos Combo panels (Baxter Diagnostics, Inc., MicroScan, West Sacramento, Calif.) contain substrates conjugated with fluorophores and substrates with a fluorescent pH indicator. AutoSCAn W/A, an automated panel processor equipped with a fluorometer, reads the panels after 2 h of incubation and can identify staphylococci to the species level. We tested 239 strains belonging to 17 species of staphylococci. All the strains were identified by conventional methods (W.E. Kloos and K.H. Schleifer, J. Clin. Microbiol. 1:82-88, 1975) and by the MicroScan Rapid ID system. The system correctly identified 219 (91.6%) strains; nine (3.8%) identification results were probably correct, and six (2.5%) results were incorrect. The system designated five (2.1%) strains as rare biotypes. The automated MicroScan Rapid ID system is useful and reliable in identifying most human isolates of staphylococci encountered in the clinical laboratory.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗