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Biomedical subjects

A A Hussein

Publications and source records attributed to A A Hussein.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Antiviral and antituberculous activity of Helichrysum melanacme constituents.

Bioassay guided fractionation of the acetonic extract of Helichrysum melanacme using human Influenza virus type A and a drug-sensitive strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro resulted in the isolation of 2 4',6'-trihydroxy-3'-prenylchalcone (1) and 4',6',5''-trihydroxy-6'',6''-dimethyldihydropyrano[2'',3''-2',3'] chalcone (2) as active constituents. 3-O-methylquercetin and quercetin were also isolated but were inactive against the microorganisms tested in this study.

Acetone↗
PubMed2004

Antimicrobial activity, toxicity and the isolation of a bioactive compound from plants used to treat sexually transmitted diseases.

Extracts of six ethnobotanically selected medicinal plants (Anredera cordifolia, Elaeodendron transvaalense, Elephantorrhiza burkei, Senna petersiana, Terminalia sericea and Rauvolfia caffra) used traditionally to treat sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) were investigated for antibacterial activity using the agar dilution method. Of the six collected, Terminalia sericea, Senna petersiana and Anredera cordifolia were also investigated for cytotoxicity. The phytochemical studies on Senna petersiana resulted in the isolation of luteolin, which also showed antimicrobial activity. Only the Senna petersiana extract and luteolin isolated from it were tested for antiviral activity and showed some activity at the highest non-toxic concentration of 24 and 500 microg/ml, respectively. The results of the antimicrobial screening support the ethnomedicinal uses of these plants to some extent.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Intraspinal lumbar synovial cysts: diagnosis and surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar synovial cysts are a common association of facet joint degenerative disease. However, it is relatively rare for these cysts to cause symptoms of radiculopathy and nerve root compression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report a series of eight cases which were treated over a period of 20 months. There were five female and three male patients with a mean age of 66 years, and an average follow-up of seventeen months. All patients had pre-operative flexion/extension radiographs and MRI scans. Two patients had failed non-surgical treatment, two were associated with a Grade 1 spondylolisthesis, and all were associated with facet joint arthropathy. There were five cases occurring at L4/5 and three at L5/S1. RESULTS: All patients underwent identical procedures, which involved exploration, hemi-laminotomy, flavectomy and minimal facet joint excision. No patient required posterior lumbar interbody fusion and at follow-up five patients had excellent and three had good results.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Melatonin reduces oxidative stress induced by ochratoxin A in rat liver and kidney.

Melatonin (MEL) displays antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties. In the present study, the effect of MEL on the oxidative stress induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) administration in rats was investigated. Four groups of 15 rats each were used: controls, MEL-treated rats (5 mg/kg body mass), OTA-treated rats (250 microg/kg) and MEL+OTA-treated rats. After 4 weeks of treatment, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product (LPO) were measured in serum and homogenates of liver and kidney. Also, the levels of glutathione (GSH), and activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in liver and kidney were determined. In OTA-treated rats, the levels of LPO in serum and in both liver and kidney were significantly increased compared to levels in controls. Concomitantly, the levels of GSH and enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, GSPx and GR in both liver and kidney were significantly decreased in comparison with controls. In rats received MEL+OTA, the changes in the levels of LPO in serum and in liver and kidney were not statistically significant compared to controls. Concomitantly, the levels of GSPx, GR and GST activities in both liver and kidney tissues were significantly increased in comparison with controls. Similar increases in GSPx, GR and GST activities were also observed in MEL-treated rats when compared with controls. In conclusion, the oxidative stress may be a major mechanism for the toxicity of OTA. MEL has a protective effect against OTA toxicity through an inhibition of the oxidative damage and stimulation of GST activities. Thus, clinical application of melatonin as therapy should be considered in cases of ochratoxicosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Reconstructive surgery in spinal tumours.

AIMS: This study reports 21 patients who underwent reconstructive surgery for destructive spinal tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mean age was 49 years (range: 39-71 years). Primary lesions were met in two cases. Secondary spinal tumours were diagnosed in 19 cases. Thirteen were breast carcinoma metastases (61.9%). The cervical spine was involved in four cases, thoracic spine in six cases, and the lumbar spine in 11 cases. One patient underwent decompression laminectomy and posterior pedicle screw stabilization. The others underwent tumour tissue excision, with spinal reconstruction with autogenous bone grafting, with or without vertebral body replacement prosthesis. Anterior and posterior stabilization of the vertebral column was also used. RESULTS: The objectives of surgery were achieved, in that early ambulation, easier nursing care, pain relief and neurological recovery were reported in all cases. No surgery-related complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend surgical intervention for such lesions where reasonable longevity is anticipated.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Comparative study of the venoms from three species of bees: effects on heart activity and blood.

Crude venoms from three highly evolved aculeate species: Apis mellifera (highly social bees), Bombus morrisoni (eusocial bees), and Anthophora pauperata (solitary bees), were used for conducting this study to compare the effects of honey bee, bumble bee, and solitary bee venom on toad cardiac muscle activity. In addition, these venoms were tested on rat whole blood in order to determine their ability to induce red blood cell haemolysis. The main toxic effects on isolated toad heart were monitored by ECG after perfusion with different concentrations of each bee venom, and are represented as a decrease in the heart rate (HR) accompanied by an elongation in the P-R interval. A gradual and progressive increase in R-wave amplitude was also noted. Several electrocardiographic changes were noted 5-30 min after envenomation with any of the bee venoms. The mechanism of action of the three bee venoms was determined by direct application of atropine, nicotine, or verapamil to the isolated toad hearts. Comparison of the three venoms revealed that Anthophora pauperata venom is the most effective venom in inducing bradycardia, and it has the strongest negative dromotropic effect. Apis mellifera venom demonstrates the most positive inotropic effect of the three venoms. The effects of bee venom on the blood indices of erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and plasma albumin levels were studied after incubation of rat blood with each venom. It was noticed that RBCs decreased while Hb content, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC increased, although this change did fluctuate and was not significant. A nonsignificant decrease in EOF was noted after 60 min with any of the venoms used. Incubation of rat whole blood with 1 microg/ml of any of the bee venom solutions revealed a highly significant decrease in plasma albumin levels. It can be concluded that venoms from the three species of bees we tested have negative chronotropic and dromotropic effects on isolated toad heart, with Anthophora pauperata being the most potent. In addition, the venoms have positive inotropic effects withApis mellifera being the most potent. The nonsignificant effects of venom on blood profiles and erythrocyte osmotic fragility, combined with the significant decrease in plasma albumin level suggest a protective effect of plasma albumin against bee venom induced toxicity to erythrocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Isopimarane diterpenoids from Lycopus europaeus.

A reinvestigation of the diterpene metabolites of Lycopus europaeus allowed the isolation of five new compounds, namely, four isopimarane derivatives (1-4) and 5,9-dihydroxygeranyllinalool (5). The structures of these substances were established by chemical and spectroscopic means.

Diterpenes↗
PubMed2000

[The value of selected imaging techniques in evaluation of bone regeneration during limb lengthening].

The paper presents the value of different imaging techniques, including X-rays, ultrasonography, computed tomography and densitometry in the evaluation of bone regenerates during limb lengthening. Material consisted of 60 children, age ranging from 4 to 18 years who underwent surgery using the Ilizarov technique because of limb inequality. During of limb lengthening different imaging techniques were employed for monitoring regenerate growth and remodeling. The study showed that all the employed imaging techniques play an important role in monitoring bone regenerate remodeling at different stages of limb lengthening.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Some biogenetic-type transformations of neoclerodane diterpenoids from Scutellaria species.

Treatment of scutebaicalin (1) with K-t-BuO yielded both the (13S)- and (13R)-8beta,13-epoxyclerodanes 2 and 3, respectively, by a Michael-type heterocyclization reaction. Identical treatment of scutalpin B (4) gave the corresponding (11E)-11-deacetoxy-12-dehydro derivative 5 by an elimination reaction. Side chains at C-9, such as those of compounds 1-5, are frequent among the neoclerodanes found in Scutellaria species, and these transformations suggest a plausible biogenetic pathway for these diterpenoids.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Mechanism of action of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) venom on different types of muscles.

1. The effect of crude honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom on the skeletal, smooth as well as cardiac muscles were studied in this investigation. 2. Perfusion of gastrocnemius-sciatic nerve preparation of frogs with 1 microgram/ml venom solution has weakened the mechanical contraction of the muscle without recovery. Blocking of nicotinic receptors with 3 micrograms/ml flaxedil before bee venom application sustained normal contraction of gastrocnemius muscle. 3. The electrical activity of duodenum rabbits was recorded before and after the application of 1 microgram/ml venom solution. The venom has depressed the amplitude of the muscle contraction after 15 min pretreatment with atropine nearly abolished the depressor effect of the venom on smooth muscle. 4. In concentrations from 0.5-2 micrograms/ml, bee venom caused decrease of heart rate of isolated perfused toad heart. This bradycardia was accompanied by elongation in the P-R interval. A gradual and progressive increase in the R-wave amplitude reflected a positive inotropism of the venom. Application of 5 micrograms/ml verapamil, a calcium channels blocking agent, abolished the noticed effect of the venom. 5. Marked electrocardiographic changes were produced within minutes of the venom application on the isolated perfused hearts, like marked injury current (elevation or depression of the S-T segment), atrioventricular conduction disturbances and sinus arrhythmias. Atropine and nicotine could decrease the toxic effect of the venom on the myocardium. 6. Results of the present work lead to the suggestion that bee venom is mediated through the peripheral cholinergic neurotransmitter system. General neurotoxicity of an inhibitory nature involving the autonomic as well as neuromuscular system are established as a result of the venom, meanwhile a direct effect on the myocardium membrane stabilization has been suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of seven microsatellite loci in Simmental cattle.

Seven microsatellite loci were evaluated for their suitability for parentage control. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the short tandem repeat (STR) loci in separate reactions. The microsatellite polymorphisms were visualized by radioisotopic autoradiographic detection. The microsatellite loci showed extensive polymorphism with allele numbers ranging from 4-23 and polymorphism information content (PIC) values in the range of 0.57-0.87. The analysis of these loci also revealed that they have a 99.9% combined probability of exclusion (PE) of erroneous parentage. The results of this study revealed that a very high probability of exclusion could be reached with only four microsatellite loci.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Should fusion accompany lumbar diskectomy? A medium-term answer.

The results of lumbar diskectomy for a sciatic syndrome in 90 patients were reviewed at an average of 8.5 years after operation. The best results were achieved in those patients who had their diskectomy within 12 months of the onset of their symptoms and through minimal approaches. Eighty-six percent of patients returned to gainful employment. Sixteen patients (18%) returned with low back pain attributable to the loss of intervertebral disk, of whom eight (9%) required secondary spinal fusion for control of pain. Seven of these latter patients obtained gratifying clinical and functional results. The findings suggest there is insufficient indication for routine spinal arthrodesis combined with lumbar disk excision. Those eight patients (9%) who developed a disabling postdiskectomy/postlaminectomy instability syndrome did so usually as a consequence of excessive bone and ligament excision and benefitted significantly from subsequent spinal arthrodesis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The role of parasitic infection in the aetiology of phlyctenular eye disease.

Stool and urine analysis of 150 cases of phlyctenular eye disease, revealed that 115 (76.67%) were positive for intestinal parasites. The most prevalent parasites were Hymenolepis nana (49.56%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (27.82%). Eosinophilia (5-10%) was detected in 90 phlycten cases (60%), 80 of them (88.8%) had parasitic infection. Since H. nana can produce a type of tissue hypersensitivity, phlyctenular eye disease may be partly referred to such an infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

A study of some genetic characteristics of the population of the Sudan.

300 random blood samples collected from residents of Khartoum, Sudan, were analysed for 5 blood group systems, 4 serum proteins, 9 red cell enzymes, abnormal haemoglobins and beta-thalassaemia. The results suggest varying degrees of admixture of the local tribes by migration from the surrounding regions. Two samples showed a probable new variant of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (? GdB Khartoum) with normal red cell activity. In spite of the presence of a high degree of consanguinity in the population, there was no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in any of the polymorphic systems.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed1978

[Seroepidemiological investigations in domestic ruminants from Egypt, Somalia and Jordan for the demonstration of complement fixing antibodies against Rickettsia and Chlamydia (author's transl)].

1450 random serum samples of domestic ruminants from Egypt, Somalia and Jordan were investigated for complement fixing antibodies against Rickettsia and Chlamydia. Between 1.5 and 3.4% of the samples from the animals investigated had antibodies against the RMSF-group of Rickettsia, with exception of the sera from Somalian cattle and sheep from Jordan. Antibodies against Rickettsia of the Typhus-group were found in 4 cattle and 1 goat from Jordan and 2 sheep from Egypt; by agglutination test with type-specific antigen they were identified as antibodies against R. typhi. Using 2 different antigens, antibodies against Coxiella burnetii were found in every population tested. The prevalence was 2.0 to 12.2%, with the exception of cattle in Somalia, where only 1 positive serum (0.2%) was found. 27% of the serum samples from Jordan and 22% from Egypt but none of the 802 samples from Somalia had antibodies against Chlamydia. The results are discussed under an epidemiological point of view.

Animals↗