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Biomedical subjects

A A Ali

Publications and source records attributed to A A Ali.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of human lymphoblastoid interferon prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant recipients.

We have conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of human lymphoblastoid interferon prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in 74 renal transplant recipients. Interferon (3 x 10(6) units was given thrice weekly for the first 6 weeks, then twice weekly for a further 8 weeks. During the period of interferon therapy, the incidence of CMV excretion was lower in the interferon group (28% versus 50%, P = 0.065), mainly due to a significant reduction of CMV reactivation (9% versus 56%, P = 0.02). However, for the whole study period (including the follow-up period after interferon therapy), there was no difference in the incidence of CMV excretion (44% versus 53%). The onset of CMV excretion was delayed (8.2 +/- 0.8 to 20.9 +/- 5.5 weeks, P = 0.04). The duration of CMV excretion was also reduced (11.1 +/- 3.1 to 29.4 +/- 5.7 weeks, P = 0.008). The number of positive CMV isolates from urine and saliva was significantly less in the interferon group. There was no difference in the site of CMV excretion. Of the patients in the treatment group who excreted CMV, 43% developed disease as compared to 63% in the control group (difference not significant). There was also no significant difference in the severity of the CMV infection between the two groups. Benefit appears to be restricted to seropositive recipients of seronegative kidneys. The interferon regime used in this study was well tolerated, with mild fever being the only reported side-effect. No patient had to stop therapy because of toxicity. The incidence of rejection and graft loss was not different between the two groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Phase coherence of the middle-latency response in the elderly.

We compared phase coherence of the auditory-evoked, middle-latency response (MLR) and the 40-Hz steady-state evoked potential (SSEP) in two groups of elderly listeners, matched for degree of audiometric hearing sensitivity loss. In group A, speech understanding was appropriate to the degree of audiometric sensitivity loss. In group B, speech understanding was disproportionately poor in relation to the degree of loss. In both modes of measurement (MLR and SSEP) phase coherence was significantly poorer in group B than in group A. In the case of MLR, maximum phase coherence was observed at the expected 40 Hz in group A, but at 30 Hz in group B. In the case of SSEP, maximum phase coherence was observed at 40 Hz in both groups but was poorer at almost all Fourier components in group B.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1992

On the intracranial pressure-volume curve.

The intracranial pressure-volume curve is considered and a new mathematical model proposed to describe it. Researchers and clinicians currently use an exponential curve to describe the increase in intracranial pressure following a rapid increase in the fluid volume in the cranial vault. It is argued in this paper that a form of logarithmic curve, derived from elementary physical principles, can also be used. An upper limit to the extra volume is an intrinsic feature of the model and the argument does not require a variable compliance to be associated with the system.

Intracranial Pressure↗
PubMed1992

The effect of prenatal diagnosis on the incidence of Down syndrome livebirths in the Singapore General Hospital.

During a 3-year-period between January 1988 and December 1990, there were 12 Down Syndrome (DS) livebirths out of 13,794 livebirths at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Singapore General Hospital, giving an incidence of 1 in 1,150 livebirths or 0.87 per thousand. There were 1569 mothers who were 35 years or older at the expected date of delivery (EDD) and 5 of these 12 DS livebirths were from these older mothers. Although only 11.5% of all mothers were 35 years or more, as a group, these older mothers contributed to 42% of the DS livebirths. There were 5 DS fetuses diagnosed prenatally and 4 were aborted electively. The fifth DS fetus which was diagnosed prenatally was allowed to continue to term because of the mother's religious objection to an induced abortion. The failure to offer prenatal diagnosis and selective procreation to all mothers 35 years or older had resulted in 4 unnecessary DS births, reducing our DS detection rate by a factor of 33%. All these 4 cases were booked late for antenatal care.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Studies on Balanites aegyptiaca fruits, an antidiabetic Egyptian folk medicine.

An aqueous extract of mesocarps of the fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca exhibited a prominent antidiabetic activity by oral administration in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. From one of the active fractions of this extract, two new steroidal saponins were isolated, and their structures were determined as 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3 beta,22,26-triol 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)]-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1---- 3)]-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside and its 22-methyl ether. In addition, two known saponins, 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3 beta,22,26-triol 3-O-(2,4-di-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and its methyl ether were isolated and identified. It was revealed that the individual saponins did not show antidiabetic activity, while the recombination of these saponins resulted in significant activity. From an ethanolic extract of the epicarps, two known flavonol glycosides, isorhamnetin-3-O-robinobioside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside were isolated and identified.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A study on intestinal helminths causing anaemia in man in Cairo.

Haematological and biochemical studies were done for 50 urban and rural Egyptians, from Cairo, suffering from A. duodenale, A. lumbricoides, E. vermicularis, H. nana, S. mansoni and T. saginata. Anaemia of varying degree was noticed in all cases. The lowest Hb% and hematocrit value were found in cases of ancylostomiasis. The blood films of the same patients showed severe hypochromia compared with the other parasitic infections. The highest figure for eosinophilia was found in ancylostomiasis (29%) followed by S. mansoni (14%). Total blood protein was normal in all cases, however, 2 cases of S. mansoni showed higher values (8.5 gm% and 8.9%). Generally blood cholesterol and blood urea showed no deviation from normal as regards all patients.

Anemia↗
PubMed1989

A study on intestinal helminths causing human anaemia in Cairo.

Haematological and biochemical studies were done for 50 urban and rural Egyptians, from Cairo, suffering from Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis nana, Schistoosma mansoni and Taenia saginata. Anaemia of varying degrees was noticed in all cases. The lowest Hb% and hematocrit value and highest eosinophilia were found in cases of ancylostomiasis with severe hypochromia compared with the other parasitic infections. Total blood protein was normal in all cases, except in 2 cases of S. mansoni, it was higher. Blood cholesterol and blood urea showed no deviation.

Anemia↗
PubMed1978

Solid dispersions of nitrofurantoin, ethotoin, and coumarin with polyethylene glycol 6000 and their coprecipitates with providone 25,000.

The influence of two linear polymers, polyethylene glycol 6000 and povidone 25,000, on the dissolution rate of three poorly soluble drugs, nitrofurantoin, ethotoin, and coumarin, was studied. Povidone 25,000 produced better drug solubilization than polyethylene glycol 6000 with the drug-polymer ratios studied, and an increase in the weight fraction of either polymer gave more rapid dissolution. TLC and IR studies ruled out any interaction between the drugs and polyethylene glycol 6000. IR spectrophotometry provided evidence that there was complex formation between nitrofurantoin and povidone 25,000, probably via hydrogen bonding.

Chemical Precipitation↗
PubMed1978

Formation of liquid crystal and other non-fluid phases in emulsions containing non-ionic surfactants.

The relation between the phase distribution of components and the nature and properties of dispersions formed in a four-component system containing dodecane, water and two homogeneous non-ionic surfactants has been investigated by phase-rule techniques. Phase equilibrium diagrams for the four ternary systems were investigated and the phase boundaries for the various regions formed in these systems were defined by synthetic and analytical methods. In some of the ternary diagrams a narrow three-phase region occurs where 'gel' or liquid crystal as well as two isotropic liquid phases are present. Dispersions containing the gel phase were very stable. The four-component system has not been fully investigated due to the presence of extensive liquid crystal phases and three-phase regions. However, some distribution data for the quaternary system was obtained. In the presence of sufficient amounts of the short chain non-ionic surfactant C10H21(O.CH2.CH2)3OH, a three-liquid phase region occurs where multiple drops readily form.

Crystallization↗
PubMed1977

Rectal perchlorate for unconscious patients prior to brain scintigraphy with pertechnetate: concise communication.

Patients undergoing brain scintigraphy with pertechnetate are frequently premedicated with oral perchlorate. However, the oral route is difficult to employ in unconscious or uncooperative patients or when oral intake is restricted. In such situations, rectal administration of sodium perchlorate dissolved in water is an effective alternative to oral administration.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1976

Brain scanning with the Anger multiplane tomographic scanner as a second examination evaluation by the ROC method.

One hundred and one patients (43 abnormal, 58 normal) were re-examined with a commercial prototype of the Anger multiplane tomographic scanner after brain scintigraphy. The studies were interpreted independently by four observers of varying experience. Observer performance, in terms of ROC curves, was substantially better when interpreting the tomographic brain scans and camera scintigrams together or the tomographic scans alone than when interpreting the camera images alone. Re-examination with the scanner increases the accuracy of brain scintigraphy (observer performance) in cases in which there is difficulty distinguishing intracranial lesions from superficial foci of activity by camera scintigraphy alone.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1976

Brain scanning with the Anger multiplane tomographic scanner as a primary examination. Evaluation by the ROC method.

A commercial prototype of the Anger multiplane tomographic scanner was compared with a scintillation camera, in terms of observer performance, as a primary instrument for brain scintigraphy. Observer performance (diagnostic accuracy), expressed as ROC curves, was slightly better when reading the tomographic scans than when reading the camera images. In brain scintigraphy of a general population, the scanner has a small advantage over the scintillation camera. This advantage is directly proportional to the fraction of cases in which there is difficulty differentiating intracranial lesions from superficial foci of activity on the camera image.

Brain Neoplasms↗