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Biomedical subjects

A Bahar

Publications and source records attributed to A Bahar.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Prediction of recurrence of nonfunctioning pituitary tumours by loss of heterozygosity analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical regrowth or recurrence of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) is not uncommon and often requires further surgery or radiotherapy (DXT). Routine postoperative DXT increases the incidence of hypopituitarism, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Identification of genetic abnormalities in the tumour tissue, which can predict recurrence, may allow targeting DXT to the most appropriate patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: We have performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis on 96 NFAs of which 43 (45%) were recurrent and 53 (55%) were nonrecurrent tumours. Analysis of all tumours was performed on the surgical specimen obtained at the time of first surgery. All tumours underwent allelotyping across nine highly informative microsatellite markers selected on the basis of high LOH frequency in an earlier study involving genome-wide allelotyping. LOH frequency across all microsatellite markers as well as across individual markers was compared between the two cohorts of tumours. RESULTS: LOH frequency in tumours that subsequently recurred was significantly higher across all microsatellite markers as compared to tumours that did not recur (P < 0.05). Allelic loss across one or more microsatellite marker was significantly higher in recurrent tumours (30/43) as compared to their nonrecurrent counterparts (17/53) (P < 0.01). On Poisson regression analysis, the higher LOH frequency in recurrent tumours was independent of the invasiveness of tumours determined radiologically. In addition, LOH at the microsatellite markers D1S215 and D1S459 was significantly higher in tumours that recurred as compared to tumours that did not (32%vs. 3% and 27%vs. 2%, respectively; P < 0.01 for both). No significant difference in LOH frequency between the two tumour groups was evident at the other markers. No association could be demonstrated between the frequency and pattern of LOH and the time to manifest recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that it may be possible to predict recurrence of NFAs by LOH analysis of the initial tumour specimen at predefined microsatellite markers, especially on chromosome 1q. This merits further prospective study.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2001

Oral health condition and endemic goitre, in an iodine-deficient area in Bali, Indonesia.

Iodine deficiency is a major determinant of endemic goiter which affects bone growth. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between iodine deficiency and oral health. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 181 inhabitants aged 17 to 40 years in two villages in an iodine-deficient area in Bali, Indonesia. Thyroid swelling, serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, DMFT index, plaque index, gingival index, dietary habits and socioeconomic status were examined. Thirty two subjects (21%) had thyroid swelling considered to be endemic goiter, with the highest prevalence in females aged 21 to 30 years (40-41%). The DMFT, food habits, and socioeconomic status were different between both villages. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and location (village) did not detect any association between DMFT and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level or thyroid swelling. Further studies will be required to confirm these findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Sequence, structure, and evolution of a complete human olfactory receptor gene cluster.

The olfactory receptor (OR) gene cluster on human chromosome 17p13.3 was subjected to mixed shotgun automated DNA sequencing. The resulting 412 kb of genomic sequence include 17 OR coding regions, 6 of which are pseudogenes. Six of the coding regions were discovered only upon genomic sequencing, while the others were previously reported as partial sequences. A comparison of DNA sequences in the vicinity of the OR coding regions revealed a common gene structure with an intronless coding region and at least one upstream noncoding exon. Potential gene control regions including specific pyrimidine:purine tracts and Olf-1 sites have been identified. One of the pseudogenes apparently has evolved into a CpG island. Four extensive CpG islands can be discerned within the cluster, not coupled to specific OR genes. The cluster is flanked at its telomeric end by an unidentified open reading frame (C17orf2) with no significant similarity to any known protein. A high proportion of the cluster sequence (about 60%) belongs to various families of interspersed repetitive elements, with a clear predominance of LINE repeats. The OR genes in the cluster belong to two families and seven subfamilies, which show a relatively high degree of intermixing along the cluster, in seemingly random orientations. This genomic organization may be best accounted for by a complex series of evolutionary events.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

The olfactory receptor gene superfamily: data mining, classification, and nomenclature.

The vertebrate olfactory receptor (OR) subgenome harbors the largest known gene family, which has been expanded by the need to provide recognition capacity for millions of potential odorants. We implemented an automated procedure to identify all OR coding regions from published sequences. This led us to the identification of 831 OR coding regions (including pseudogenes) from 24 vertebrate species. The resulting dataset was subjected to neighbor-joining phylogenetic analysis and classified into 32 distinct families, 14 of which include only genes from tetrapodan species (Class II ORs). We also report here the first identification of OR sequences from a marsupial (koala) and a monotreme (platypus). Analysis of these OR sequences suggests that the ancestral mammal had a small OR repertoire, which expanded independently in all three mammalian subclasses. Classification of "fish-like" (Class I) ORs indicates that some of these ancient ORs were maintained and even expanded in mammals. A nomenclature system for the OR gene superfamily is proposed, based on a divergence evolutionary model. The nomenclature consists of the root symbol 'OR', followed by a family numeral, subfamily letter(s), and a numeral representing the individual gene within the subfamily. For example, OR3A1 is an OR gene of family 3, subfamily A, and OR7E12P is an OR pseudogene of family 7, subfamily E. The symbol is to be preceded by a species indicator. We have assigned the proposed nomenclature symbols for all 330 human OR genes in the database. A WWW tool for automated name assignment is provided.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Surgery for groin and lower abdominal pain in soccer players].

We treated 57 professional soccer players with groin and lower abdominal pain, 44 of them successfully, using conservative methods and 13 by surgery. Because of its anatomical site, the gracilis muscle is involved in almost all movements of the femur. It therefore is frequently involved in injury due to overuse, especially at its insertion (enthesopathy). In all 13 operated on, the gracilis was cut percutaneously, sometimes as a single procedure and sometimes with concomitant sportsmen's inguinal hernioplasty. All except 1 of those operated on returned to their professional sport activities.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1995

Marginal dietary protein restriction reduced nonprotein nitrogen, but not protein nitrogen, components of human milk.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine whether marginal dietary protein intakes of lactating women alter their milk production and composition. The study followed the observation that marginal dietary protein intakes lead to significantly negative nitrogen balances in these women. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy, mature lactating women were divided evenly into three groups on the basis of postpartum times; 1, 5, or 12 months. Each woman was given a controlled protein diet of either 1.5 (HP) or 1.0 (MP) g/kg body weight/day for 7 to 10 days. Milk production was measured for 72 hours by test weighing the infant before and after feeding. Milk samples from alternate breasts were collected for 24 hours, pooled, and analyzed for their protein nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen, free and protein-bound amino acid, and lactoferrin concentrations. RESULTS: Reduced dietary protein intakes were associated with a decrease (p < 0.05) in the nonprotein nitrogen and total free amino acid fractions of milk. Although urea was unaffected, the concentrations of milk free leucine, phenylalanine, histidine, and ornithine were lower (p < 0.05) in the MP than in the HP group, while the output of leucine and histidine tended to be lower in the MP group. The amount of milk produced, as well as the amounts of protein nitrogen, protein-bound amino acid, and lactoferrin and their concentrations were unaffected by a reduction of dietary protein. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal milk production and the protein nitrogen, but not the nonprotein nitrogen, fraction of human milk were relatively well-preserved in the presence of a short-term, marginal reduction of dietary protein.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The effect of normal pulsed Nd-YAG laser irradiation on pits and fissures in human teeth.

The effects of normal pulsed Nd-YAG laser irradiation on the acid resistance of human dental enamel of pits and fissures, the cleaning of the pit and fissure contents and fluoride uptake into deep pits and fissures were examined. The acid resistance of the pit and fissure enamel was evaluated by the amount of dissolved calcium per square millimeter of the surface area. The pit and fissure enamel treated with laser irradiation obtained an acid resistance 30% higher than that of the unlased controls. The cleaning effect of laser irradiation on the pit and fissure contents was compared with chemicomechanical and mechanical methods. The laser irradiation was found to clean the pits and fissures to a greater depth without alterating the shape of pits and fissures, compared with the other two methods. The distribution of calcium, phosphorus and fluoride in the enamel of the pits and fissures was then measured by electron probe microanalyzer. At the entrance and in the deep part of the pits and fissures, the fluoride content of the enamel treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride after laser irradiation was higher than that of the enamel treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride alone. These results thus suggest that Nd-YAG laser irradiation might be effective in increasing the acid resistance of the pit and fissure enamel, while removing the pit and fissure debris contents and increasing the fluoride uptake into the pit and fissure enamel.

Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride↗
PubMed1993

Synovial copper deposition as a possible explanation of arthropathy in Wilson's disease.

A patient with longstanding Wilson's disease and arthritis is presented. Synovial biopsy disclosed thickening of the membrane, intimal histiocytes, and lymphocyte infiltration without pigmentation. X-ray energy spectroscopy demonstrated copper and iron in high concentrations. These findings may contribute to our understanding of the development of the arthropathy in patients with Wilson's disease.

Arthritis↗
PubMed1990

Fluoride bioavailability from slow-release sodium fluoride given with calcium citrate.

Clinical pharmacology of slow-release sodium fluoride given with calcium citrate was examined in acute and long-term studies. Following a single oral administration of 50 mg slow-release sodium fluoride, a peak serum fluoride concentration (Cmax) of 184 ng/ml was reached in 2 h; thereafter, serum fluoride concentration declined with a T1/2 of 5.9 h. The concurrent administration of calcium citrate (400 mg calcium) gave an equivalent Tmax (time required to attain Cmax) and T1/2, but a lower Cmax of 135 ng/ml. The coadministration of a meal with fluoride also reduced Cmax but increased Tmax. The area under the serum concentration curve of slow-release sodium fluoride was reduced 17-27% by a meal or calcium citrate. Thus, calcium citrate reduced fluoride absorption and peak fluoride concentration in serum of slow-release sodium fluoride but did not affect the time required to reach peak concentration or the rate of subsequent decline. The effect of a meal was similar, except for a longer period required to reach peak serum concentration. During long-term administration of 25 mg slow-release sodium fluoride coadministered with 400 mg calcium as calcium citrate on a twice daily schedule, the trough level of serum fluoride could be kept between 95 and 190 ng/ml, believed to be the therapeutic window.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Humeral lengthening for septic neonatal growth arrest.

A 9-year-old girl was treated by humeral lengthening for a 8.5 cm deficit caused by a septic arthritis 2 days after birth. A Wagner distraction apparatus was used after an osteotomy was done distal to the deltoid insertion. Six centimeters of length were gained. A second lengthening of about 7.5 cm is planned at the end of the patient's growth. No complications were encountered; by dividing the lengthening into two procedures, none are anticipated. At 1-year follow-up, there was a full range of shoulder, elbow, and hand motion; the humeri were virtually the same length.

Arthritis, Infectious↗
PubMed1987

Late results after correction of hallux valgus deformity by basilar phalangeal osteotomy.

In a long-term follow-up study (average, 10.7 years) of 222 patients (351 feet), the results after proximal phalangeal osteotomy (the Akin procedure) for hallux valgus deformity were found to be unsatisfactory, both subjectively and objectively. The range of motion in the metatarsophalangeal joint was limited postoperatively in 90 per cent of the patients, and in 21 per cent there was recurrence of deformity. The appearance of the foot was poor in 75 per cent. Only 53 per cent of the patients expressed satisfaction with the result of the operation. There was a direct relationship between the development of subluxation or dislocation of the metatarsophalangeal joint and postoperative dissatisfaction of the patient. We concluded that the operation is biomechanically unsound because it does not address the principal mechanical factors that are responsible for the deformity: abnormal function of the adductor hallucis and the abnormal intermetatarsal angle. The Akin procedure is indicated only in combination with other operations that are designed to correct the two cited abnormalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Biomechanical evaluation of an adjustable patellar tendon bearing prosthesis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between geometry of the patellar tendon (PT) insertion in the socket and the dynamic load transmitted through the PT, in a patellar tendon bearing (PTB) prosthesis. The dynamic load was measured by a specially constructed two-component load cell, which was mounted on the experimental prosthesis. Geometry of the PT insertion relative to the socket was altered by adjusting the location of the mounting frame-load cell assembly. Evaluation of performance of the prosthesis in the range of geometries investigated was made objectively by gait analysis of the patients. The latter was performed on a 10 m walkpath, including at halfway two forceplates, from which the foot-ground forces were recorded. Simultaneously, the PT forces on the prosthesis, as sensed by the load cell were monitored. Computer processing of the data included full analysis of the force-trace and the determination of criteria for optimization of the PT insertion. The resulting criteria were those which expressed minimization of abnormalities in the foot-ground forces of each patient, such as vertical and braking forces and their timings. The complete optimization procedure, which was undertaken for two below-knee male amputees, indicated the correct positioning of the PT insertion, actually taken in the final fitting procedure of the socket of the prosthesis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Gangrene of the upper extremity following intra-arterial injection of drugs. A case report and review of the literature.

A case of inadvertent intra-arterial self-injection of crushed codeine tablets in an 37-year-old man, resulting in gangrene of an upper extremity, is presented. The problem studied was whether the gangrene was caused by the codeine or by one of the excipients found in the tablets. The cause of the gangrene was investigated in an experimental study. Each of the components of the tablet (codeine, lactose, gelatin, carboxymethyl cellulose, calcium stearate, talc, and microcrystalline cellulose) was injected into the femoral arteries of dogs. The results of the study clearly demonstrate that the unique component producing the gangrene was the micro-crystalline cellulose, while the injection of pure codeine was harmless. To date, the only reported deleterious effects of intravascular injection of micro-crystalline cellulose have been pulmonary embolism and granulomatosis. Some examples of drugs that include microcrystalline cellulose are methadone, methaqualone, oxcycodone, acetaminophen, aspirin with codeine, propoxyphene napsylate, meprobamate, and phenobarbital. Recently, the vulnerability of drug addicts who habitually inject drugs into veins to the accidental injection of an artery has been noted, and it seems likely that in the future the problem of intra-arterial injection will increase in severity. The literature of the last 40 years is reviewed, and a list of drugs known to have produced gangrene when injected intra-arterially is cited.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reference values of umbilical cord and third-day cystatin C levels for determining glomerular filtration rates in newborns.

The aim of this study was to determine reference values for serum cystatin C at, and 3 days after, birth, and to determine if the concentration was influenced by gender, gestational age or bilirubin level. Umbilical cord and peripheral venous blood was taken, and serum cystatin C, creatinine, and total and direct bilirubin levels were measured. The mean concentration of cystatin C was not significantly different between cord blood and blood taken on day 3 (1.36 +/- 0.35 mg/l and 1.35 +/- 0.33 mg/l, respectively). Comparison of subgroups, divided by gender, duration of gestation and bilirubin levels, using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon analysis, showed no effect of these parameters on cystatin C levels.

Bilirubin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of caudal bupivacaine versus tramadol in post-operative analgesia for paediatric patients.

In this study 20 paediatric surgical patients were randomized to two groups after induction of general anaesthesia. Group 1 received 0.25% bupivacaine (2 mg/kg) and group 2 received 5% tramadol (2 mg/kg) both as a caudal block. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and pain and sedation scores were recorded at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h post-operatively. Acetaminophen was administered rectally (20 mg/kg) if the pain score was > 3/10. The pain and sedation scores in group 2 were significantly lower compared with group 1. There were no significant differences in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, arterial oxygen saturation and respiratory rate between the two groups. In conclusion, caudal tramadol was superior to bupivacaine in analgesic efficacy and in reducing the need for additional analgesia during the post-operative period in paediatric patients.

Acetaminophen↗