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Biomedical subjects

A Haq

Publications and source records attributed to A Haq.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Surgical management of the renal manifestations of von Hippel-Lindau disease: a review of a United Kingdom case series.

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of nephron-sparing surgery in a group of patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, a rare familial cancer syndrome which is dominantly inherited and predisposes affected individuals to developing various tumours, including haemangioblastomas of the retina and central nervous system, and multicentric renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 11 patients (seven men and four women, age range 27-62 years) assessed had been referred for surveillance to the Department of Clinical Genetics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, often having presented with neurological or ocular manifestations of the disease. Their case notes were reviewed to assess the results of conservative surgery. Five patients had more than one parenchymal-sparing operation (either partial nephrectomy or enucleation, i.e. removal of a malignant lesion with a 0.5 cm rim of normal tissue) while four had bilateral procedures. At the time of surgery, co-existent cysts were aspirated to allow a more accurate definition on computed tomography during follow-up. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 60 months after surgery, eight patients were alive with good renal function. Three patients were alive with paraplegia or paraparesis from spinal cord lesions. The three patients who died (aged 50, 40 and 31 years) were diagnosed when RCC was already advanced and renal tissue-preserving surgery was not possible. CONCLUSIONS: Nephron-sparing surgery may be justified because morbidity is reduced in patients whose quality of life may already be compromised by neurological and other problems, and because the lesions of RCC are often small, enucleation may also be justifiable in the attempt to conserve renal tissue and delay disease progression.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Upregulation of HLA class-I gene transcription in K562 cells by analogs of splenopentin (SP-5)

We report here the capacity of three analogs of Splenopentin, to up regulate transcription of the HLA-B7 gene in the K562 cell line. These cells normally do not transcribe the HLA class I genes. The Splenopentin analogs used in this study are effective at very low molar concentrations and are non-toxic to cells at these levels. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift assays indicate that this transcriptional up regulation of HLA class I genes may be related to the appearance of novel class I promoter binding factors induced in the nuclei of treated cells.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1996

A review of antegrade stenting in the management of the obstructed kidney.

OBJECTIVE: To review experience in the management of the obstructed ureter using antegrade stenting in a variety of conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1984 and 1993, 41 patients (mean age 57 years, range 9-83) had antegrade stents placed by an experienced interventional radiologist. The causes of obstruction were urological in 27, gynaecological in eight, colorectal in three and miscellaneous in three. RESULTS: The overall success rate for antegrade stent insertion was 83% and the failure rate was greatest (four of six) in cases of ureteric injury following gynaecological procedures. There were no immediate complications. CONCLUSION: Antegrade stenting can be used as a temporary or permanent solution to ureteric obstruction. The technique is safe, acceptable to patients and avoids the need for a general anaesthetic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Dietary induced anorexia: a review of involvement of the histaminergic system.

This review examines possible relationships between anorexia, dietary intake and central nervous system histaminergic activity. The hypothesis being reviewed is that one component of normal or pathophysiological neuroregulation of food intake involves histaminergic activity in the central nervous system, as influenced by concentrations and bioperiodicities of histamine and/or histamine receptors. Changes in concentrations of receptors are gender specific. Low protein quality or quantity diets elevate both central histamine and histamine receptors (H1) in rats while significantly decreasing their food intake. When injected with histaminergic antagonists, rats fed low protein diets increase food intake and have improved efficiency of weight gain. This review supports a dual hypotheses: central histaminergic activity is involved in the regulation of food intake, but food intake patterns (including dietary composition or energy content) can modify central histaminergic activity. This review also suggests that modified histamine and/or H1 receptor concentrations are potential mechanisms for elevated central histaminergic activity in food intake-related pathophysiological states. Thus, dietary interventions (clinically- or self-imposed) which modify food intake or diet composition have the potential of affecting the histaminergic system. Also, drugs with antihistaminergic properties have the potential of affecting food intake/weight gain patterns by interfering with normal neurochemical signals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Immunoreactive endothelin-1, endothelin-2 and big endothelin-1 in follicular fluids of women undergoing ovulation induction for in-vitro fertilization.

Endothelin-like immunoreactivity specific for endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-2 (ET-2) or big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) was measured, using commercially available radioimmunoassay kits, in follicular fluid collected at the time of oocyte aspiration from 36 women undergoing ovulation induction by human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG). The relationship of ET concentrations to HMG dose, peak serum oestradiol concentration, the number and size of follicles (by ultrasound), the number of retrieved oocytes and the fertilization rate per retrieved oocyte were studied. Overall, 94% of follicular fluid samples were positive for ET-1, 92% were positive for ET-2, and 100% were positive for big ET-1. Mean ET-1, ET-2 and big ET-1 concentrations were 17.23 +/- 12.20, 32.42 +/- 14.32 and 34.55 +/- 16.34 pg/ml respectively. Endothelin-like immunoreactivity in follicular fluid samples was found in an order of ET-1 < ET-2 < big ET-1. There was a highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.8711,P = 0.001, n = 32) between follicular ET-1 and ET-2 concentrations. No significant correlation of follicular big ET-1 was established either with ET-1 or ET-2. However, big ET-1 was found to be negatively correlated with number of oocytes (P = 0.03) and number of follicles (P = 0.04). Control plasma ET-1 and follicular ET-1 were not significantly different. There was no significant correlation between ET concentrations and any of the other studied parameters. The results demonstrated that immunoreactive ET-1, ET-2 and big ET-1 exist in human follicular fluid collected at the time of oocytes retrieval for in-vitro fertilization and may be involved in the regulation of reproductive function. The clinical significance and physiological role of follicular fluid ET deserve further studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Evidence for endothelial cell activation/injury in heatstroke.

OBJECTIVES: We treated the hypothesis that heatstroke is associated with endothelial cell activation/injury and examined the possibility that the markers of endothelial cell activation/injury may be associated with its severity and complications such as disseminated intravascular coagulation, lung injury, and renal dysfunction. DESIGN: Prospective analyses. SETTING: Heatstroke Center in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS: Twenty-two adult patients with heatstroke. INTERVENTIONS: The plasma concentration of endothelin, circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and von Willebrand factor-antigen values were measured, respectively, by radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and rocket electroimmunoassay, in heatstroke patients on admission (precooling) and after complete cooling (postcooling), and in ten normal control patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Precooling heatstroke patients (rectal temperature 40.9 +/- 1.1 [SD] degrees C) had increased circulating concentrations of endothelin, c-ICAM-1, and von Willebrand factor-antigen in 100%, 80%, and 77% of patients to 126.4 +/- 11.2 pmol/L, 523.1 +/- 154.4 ng/mL, and 3.85 +/- 2.3 U/mL, respectively (control values: 13.7 +/- 4.2 pmol/L [p < .001]; 247.4 +/- 68.2 ng/ml [p < .001]; and < 1.5 U/mL, respectively). There was a significant (r2 = .68, p < .01) correlation between circulating ICAM-1 and endothelin concentrations. Plasma endothelin concentration correlated negatively with temperature (r2 = .35, p < .05). Mean endothelin concentration was similar in patients with or without renal dysfunction, and mean von Willebrand factor-antigen concentration was similar in patients with or without lung injury or disseminated intravascular coagulation. There were no significant correlations between circulating ICAM-1, endothelin, or von Willebrand factor-antigen concentration and the Simplified Acute Physiology core. After cooling, mean circulating ICAM-1 and endothelin concentrations decreased significantly to 400 +/- 109 ng/mL and 93 +/- 38.5 pmol/L, respectively, whereas the mean von Willebrand factor-antigen concentration increased to 5.55 +/- 2.18 U/mL (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of increased circulating concentrations of circulating ICAM-1, endothelin, and von Willebrand factor-antigen are consistent with the hypothesis that heatstroke is associated with endothelial cell activation/injury. Whether the endothelial cell activation/injury is implicated in the pathophysiology of this disorder merits further studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Nigella sativa: effect on human lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytic activity.

The effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds and their soluble fractions were studied in vitro on lymphocyte response to different mitogens and on polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytic activity. No stimulatory effect of N. sativa was detected on lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin-A or pokeweed mitogen. A stimulatory effect of N. sativa was noticed on the lymphocyte response to pooled allogeneic cells. This effect was more pronounced when the low molecular weight (< 10 kDa) fraction was used and varied from one normal individual to another (25% to 825%). N. sativa enhanced the production of interleukin-3 by human lymphocytes when cultured with pooled allogeneic cells or without any added stimulator. N. sativa did not, however, enhance or suppress interleukin-2 secretion by mitogen activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Interestingly, N. sativa increased interleukin-1 beta, suggesting therefore, that it has an effect on macrophages. It also suppressed the leukocyte chemiluminescence activity using phorbol myristate acetate and Zymosan as stimulants. No effect of N. sativa or its fractions was, however, noticed on bacterial phagocytosis or killing when Staphylococcus aureus was used, indicating that the decrease in chemiluminescence activity in the presence of N. sativa is not relevant to the bactericidal activity.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Sudden 'stroke-like' onset of hemiparesis due to herpetic encephalitis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Herpes simplex encephalitis usually has a progressive cause. Sudden neurological deficits are unusual. METHOD: Case study. RESULTS: A 17-year-old girl presented with an acute onset focal neurological deficit followed one week later by the more classical feature of altered level of consciousness, fever and focal seizures. The diagnosis of herpetic encephalitis was made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and by the significant increase in cerebrospinal fluid titres of antibodies against herpes simplex type I. CONCLUSION: Herpetic encephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute stroke in young patients even in the absence of encephalitic features, if common etiological factors such as embolization and intracerebral bleed are excluded.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Writer's cramp--analysis of 15 cases.

This study includes 15 patients of Writer's cramp. All were male and their age ranged from 21 to 57 years. They were from urban areas and of different occupation. They had obsessional pre-morbid personality. The study showed the prognosis of Writer's cramp after 12 weeks of treatment. This study showed that younger age group with early onset and less obsessional feature improved significantly by drug, psychotherapy and behaviour therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The level of endothelin-like immunoreactivity in seminal fluid correlates positively with semen volume and negatively with plasma gonadotrophin levels.

OBJECTIVE: The newly discovered vasoactive peptides, endothelin 1, 2 and 3, and their receptors are widely distributed in various non-vascular tissues. Recent studies have suggested the presence, as well as possible regulatory roles, of endothelins at several levels of the pituitary-gonadal axis. We determined the level of endothelin-like immunoreactivity in the seminal fluid and examined its possible correlation with routine semen parameters or plasma levels of FSH, LH or testosterone. DESIGN: Prospective study in a tertiary care centre. PATIENTS: Ninety-one men attending infertility clinics for male factor, female factor or both. MEASUREMENTS: Endothelin-like immunoreactivity was determined in seminal fluid using two radioimunoassays, ET1-21 that measures endothelin and ET-1,2 that measures both endothelin and big endothelin. In addition, the levels of FSH, LH and testosterone as well as routine semen parameters were determined. RESULTS: Sperm density ranged from 0 to 315 x 10(6) with a mean (+/- SD) of 28.5 x 10(6) (+/- 48 x 10(6)) sperm/ml and the percentage of motile sperm ranged from 0 to 85% with a mean of 16% (+/- 20.5%). Mean levels of FSH (n = 33), LH (n = 35) and testosterone (n = 35) were 6.4 +/- 4.9 IU/l, 3.5 +/- 2.8 IU/l and 21 +/- 9.4 nmol/l, respectively. Mean ET1-21 level (n = 91) was 81 +/- 16.5 pmol/l, and mean ET-1,2 level (n = 33) was 630.5 +/- 143 pmol/l. There were significant correlations between the levels of ET1-21 and ET-1,2 (r = 0.37, P = 0.04), ET1-21 and FSH (r = -0.5, P = 0.006), ET1-21 and LH (r = -0.46, P = 0.01), and ET1-21 level and semen volume (r = 0.23, P = 0.03). Mean level of ET1-21 or ET-1,2 was significantly lower in patients treated empirically with clomiphene citrate or gonadotrophins (n = 34) compared to untreated (n = 52) patients (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in human seminal fluid (1) endothelin-like immunoreactivity that is specific for active endothelin (ET1-21) represents about 13% of the total immunoreactivity; (2) inactive big endothelin or its N-terminal derivative(s) may account for most of the immunoreactivity; (3) the production/secretion of endothelin may be inhibited by LH and/or FSH; and (4) endothelin level correlates positively with seminal fluid volume.

Endothelins↗
PubMed1994

Graded exercise testing following thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction: the importance of timing and infarct location. TPAT Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of timing, infarct location and thrombolytic therapy on the electrocardiographic (ECG) response to exercise testing following acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Maximal treadmill exercise testing was performed on postinfarction day 8 and repeated on day 90 as part of a previously reported double-blind, placebo controlled study of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in acute myocardial infarction in which left ventricular function was the primary end-point. Patients were systematically evaluated for left ventricular function, myocardial perfusion and coronary anatomy. SETTING: Ten collaborating community and academic hospitals. PATIENTS: One hundred and fifteen patients, aged 20 to 75 years, with ischemic chest pain 30 mins or longer and ST elevation on ECG. Patients with cardiogenic shock, left bundle branch block, prior aortocoronary bypass surgery, recent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or standard contraindications to thrombolytic therapy were excluded. MAIN RESULTS: The analysis is confined to the 70 patients who underwent both exercise tests without intercurrent coronary revascularization. Peak rate-pressure product was greater on day 90 than on day 8 (mean difference +/- SE 2.2 +/- 0.6 x 10(3), P = 0.001), whereas 65% of patients had 1 mm or greater of exercise-induced ST shift on day 8 compared with 47% on day 90 (P = 0.025). Patients following anterior compared with inferior infarction were more likely to have exercise-induced ST elevation (54% versus 21%, P = 0.012) but less likely to have ST depression (29% versus 63%, P = 0.017) on day 8; results were directionally similar on day 90. Treatment with rt-PA, compared with placebo, did not influence exercise performance, the ECG response to exercise or the extent of inducible ischemia on thallium scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Timing and infarct location are important modifiers of the ECG response to exercise testing following myocardial infarction. Thrombolytic therapy in these uncomplicated patients did not influence inducible ischemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Impact of tissue plasminogen activator and heparin versus heparin alone on quantitative coronary angiographic findings in myocardial infarction. The Toronto Tissue Plasminogen Activator Trial Study Group.

The influence of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and heparin versus heparin alone on anatomic characteristics of patent infarct-related coronary arteries and the development of these angiographic descriptors in coronary arteries that remain patent during the hospital course was examined in 108 patients who participated in a placebo-controlled trial of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography was performed 18 +/- 6 hours after treatment in 47 patients (group A) and at 10 days in 61 patients (group B). Quantitative coronary angiography of the infarct-related lesion was performed, and luminal irregularity was quantitated with an ulceration index. Of the 47 patients in group A, 7 (29%) treated with placebo had Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 2 or 3 perfusion, whereas 18 (78%) treated with t-PA had grade 2 or 3 (p < 0.001); there was no difference between patients who had grade 2 or 3 perfusion in group B (placebo 59% vs t-PA 75%). In group A, at 10 days, the luminal area of the infarct artery had increased from 0.59 +/- 0.11 to 0.9 +/- 0.24 mm2 and from 0.75 +/- 0.16 to 1.31 +/- 0.39 mm2 for placebo- and t-PA-treated patients, respectively (p < 0.04). There was no change in the ulcerative index over time in either placebo- or t-PA-treated patients. It is concluded that early after infarction, t-PA produces marked and rapid improvement in overall patency as compared with heparin, although this difference was attenuated at 10 days because of spontaneous recanalization in the placebo group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets associated with marathon running.

The percentage of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes that reacted with monoclonal antibodies specific for T-lymphocytes (CD3 cells), the helper/inducer subsets (CD4 cells), and cytotoxic/suppressor subsets (CD8 cells) of T-lymphocytes, and cells with NK activity (CD16 cells) were enumerated by fluorescence-activated flow cytometry for samples obtained immediately before and after the marathon running. It was found that long-term physical exercise resulted in a significant (P < 0.04 for relative and P < 0.008 for absolute lymphocytes) reduction in CD3 cells. A significant (P < 0.009) percentage change was also observed in B lymphocytes (CD19 cells) right after the marathon. The number of NK (CD16 cells) lymphocyte subsets was significantly (P < 0.05 for relative and P < 0.03 for absolute lymphocytes) changed. No significant changes were recorded for CD4, CD8, or CD4/CD8 ratios after the marathon run. A marked leukocytosis was noticed after the endurance exercise and the mean white blood cell (WBC number was increased from 7.8 +/- 2.6 to 22.9 +/- 2.8 x 10(9) cells x 1-1) count was changed by a factor of 2.9. The mean serum cortisol was significantly (P < 0.0001) increased. No hematocrit change was recorded in subjects pre- to post-run. The results of this study demonstrated that long-term physical exercise (marathon running) influenced the T-cell subsets remarkably and produced leukocytosis that was stress dependent and correlated with the increased serum cortisol levels and not the hemoconcentration.

Adult↗