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Biomedical subjects

A M Taha

Publications and source records attributed to A M Taha.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Five-year surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE: The nation-wide surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) was implemented in Malaysia in 1995 and further intensified in 1996 as part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) certification process for polio eradication in the Western Pacific Region. Clinical data on AFP cases during a 5-year surveillance period from 1997 to 2001 were compiled and analysed. RESULTS: Based on 517 cases of AFP reported during this 5-year period, the overall rate of AFP was 1.2 per 100 000 children below 15 years old. The major clinical diagnosis associated with AFP were Guillain-Barre syndrome (30.2%), central nervous system infection (16.2%), transverse myelitis (10.6%) non-polio enterovirus infection (6.2%), and hypokalaemic paralysis (5.2%). This unusual pattern with an excess of CNS infection and non-polio enterovirus infection was attributed to the outbreak of enterovirus 71 infection nation-wide in 1997. According to the WHO virological classification, there was no case of poliomyelitis due to wild poliovirus. Three cases were 'polio compatible', there were no cases of vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP), while 62 cases (12.0%) were merely classified as 'non-polio AFP'. CONCLUSION: Overall, these data suggest the absence of circulation of wild poliovirus in Malaysia from 1997 to 2001. The pattern of AFP in this study is different from other published reports.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Detection of Vibrio cholerae 01 from aquatic environment in Sarawak.

The detection of Vibrio cholerae 01 from the aquatic environment of Daro and Bintulu in Sarawak was carried out following an outbreak of cholera. Conventional culture methods and detection of ctx gene by polymerase chain reaction technique were carried out on 80 water samples. Only one sample was positive by culture methods while 8 were positive by PCR. DNA finger printing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that the clinical isolates in Daro and Bintulu were genetically identical while the environmental isolate was closely related. Recovery of Vibrio cholerae by culture method is poor and newer methods of detection should be developed.

Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field↗
PubMed2000

The treatment of pulled elbow: a prospective randomized study.

To evaluate the effectiveness in decreasing recurrence of cast application after manual reduction of pulled elbow. Sixty-four children with pulled elbow were randomized into two treatment groups: Group A underwent manipulative reduction followed by splinting the elbow in a flexed and supinated position for 2 days; group B underwent manipulative reduction only. Both groups were examined 2, 5, and 10 days later. None of the 33 patients in group A had a pulled elbow at follow-up. Four (13%) of 31 patients in group B had a pulled elbow 2-5 days later. Immobilizing the elbow for 2 days after manipulative reduction improves the success of treatment of a pulled elbow.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Straight pin aspiration in young women.

Straight pins are used extensively for securing facial scarves in women and girls in the Middle East. Accidental aspiration often results in the pin lodging in the segmental bronchus with the sharp end pointing cephalad. Flexible bronchoscopy is superior to rigid bronchoscopy in retrieving these pins. We report on five cases successfully treated by fiberoptic bronchoscopy under general anesthesia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Successful delayed repair of a complete transection of the right mainstem bronchus in a five-year-old girl: case report.

Bronchial transection of a main bronchus is usually recognized and repaired immediately after injury. Delayed repair is uncommon, especially in pediatric patients. We report a case of delayed repair of a transected right mainstem bronchus in a 5-year-old girl, 3 years after the initial injury. The transected lung re-expanded immediately and showed continued growth 3 years later.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1995

Involvement of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent fibers in regulation of jejunal alanine absorption.

Capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent fibers (CSPA) in the small intestine regulate many functions through the release of peptides and neurotransmitters. This study was undertaken to assess the role of CSPA in the regulation of jejunal alanine absorption in the rat. In a series of in vivo experiments, the effects of the sensory neurotoxin capsaicin on small intestinal alanine absorption were evaluated. In vitro experiments were also done to study its effects on alanine uptake by isolated jejunal strips and mucosal scrapings. Jejunal alanine absorption was reduced by 27% when capsaicin (160 and 800 microM) was perfused intraluminally and by 21% when it was applied topically to the cervical vagi. On the other hand, bilateral cervical vagotomy and reversible block of vagal CSPA increased alanine absorption by 29 and 41%, respectively. In vitro, capsaicin reduced alanine uptake by intestinal strips in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition (36.5%) occurred at 400 microM with the mean ineffective concentration at 87 microM. Alanine uptake by jejunal mucosal scrapings, however, was decreased only by 6.7% when incubated with 1,600 microM capsaicin. These data suggest that vagal CSPA exerts a tonic inhibitory effect on alanine absorption and that capsaicin's inhibitory effect on alanine absorption is mediated largely by the capsaicin-sensitive afferent fibers.

Absorption↗
PubMed1995

Subcapital fracture of a congenitally dislocated hip: revival of Girdlestone resection arthroplasty.

A twenty-year-old, active male with a high congenital dislocation of the hip sustained a displaced subcapital fracture (accompanied by a comminuted transarticular fracture of the ipsilateral distal femur). Such a combination of injuries poses a challenging problem; the English literature does not cite any report describing the occurrence of subcapital fractures in congenitally dislocated hips. This article reviews the treatment options of the fractured neck of the femur, and the reasons for electing to perform a Girdlestone resection arthroplasty.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Survey of availability of iodine-enriched salt in Sarawak.

Three hundred and forty five salt samples were randomly taken from 106 sources where iodised salts were supplied or put for sale in all areas gazetted as endemic goitre areas in Sarawak. The samples were analysed for the presence of iodine. In areas in Sibu, Sarikei and Kapit Divisions, 53-70% of salt put for sale were iodised while in the other 6 Divisions, it was less than 27%. As iodisation of salt is an interventive measure in addressing the goitre problem in the State, regular monitoring of iodisation facilities and iodine content of iodised salt in the affected areas is important to ensure the effectiveness of the programme.

Health Education↗
PubMed1995

Unusual presentation of a meniscal tear: a case report.

The signs and symptoms of meniscal tears are well known and diversified. The authors describe the unusual presentation of a meniscal tear in a 45-year-old sedentary male with no history of trauma. The tear presented as a painless hard lump in the medial aspect of the knee and was diagnosed preoperatively as benign soft tissue tumor. On exploration, the patient was found to have a vertical bucket-handle tear of the medial meniscus. The fragment had detached at the posterior horn, everted, and presented as a subcutaneous lesion over the anteromedial parapatellar region of the knee. A review of the English literature failed to reveal a similar presentation of meniscal tears. The authors conclude that a meniscal tear should be included in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors in the knee region.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1992

Palmitic acid kinetics in fasting, traumatized patients.

The contribution of free fatty acid oxidation to the elevation in energy expenditure after trauma has not been well characterized. Six control subjects and six traumatized patients were fasted for 48 hours and given a primed continuous infusion of (1-14C)palmitate to measure plasma palmitate and total free fatty acid kinetics. Traumatized patients had greater urinary nitrogen losses (20.8 vs. 9.3 g N per day) and a significantly greater ratio of measured to predicted resting energy expenditure (+36% vs. -6%) compared with controls. Individual and total plasma free fatty acid concentrations were similar for the two groups. The turnover and oxidation of plasma palmitate and total free fatty acids were not changed by multiple trauma. These results demonstrated that plasma free fatty acids and palmitate do not contribute to increased energy expenditure following trauma.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Defective collagen metabolism in Saudi patients with hernia.

Fibroblastic cell cultures were derived from the hernial sac and some of the surrounding muscles (rectus sheath, internal oblique, and/or cremasteric muscle) of 130 Saudi patients with different types of herniation, and from 21 control subjects. The rates of cell proliferation were studied for 39 days. Results suggested decreased rates of proliferation of cells derived from patients compared to controls. In vitro studies of the rates of incorporation of 14C proline into the muscle biopsies revealed decreased rates of label incorporation in the samples derived from patients compared to controls. However, no differences were detected between rates of collagenase activities of the biopsies obtained from patients compared to those of controls. These findings suggest that collagen synthesis is probably defective in the studied group of Saudi patients with hernia.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Fatty acid profiles of sebaceous triglycerides by capillary gas chromatography with mass-selective detection.

Fatty acid methyl esters prepared from the triglyceride fraction of skin surface lipids from six adult human males were chromatographed on a 50-m fused-silica column coated with the highly polar cyanopropylpolysiloxane phase. This permitted the resolution of double-bond positional and geometric isomers. By means of mass-selective detection, 33 saturated and 14 unsaturated fatty acid chain types were analysed. Interpretation of the mass spectra combined with precise calculation of equivalent chain length values permitted the identification of 22 saturated and all of the unsaturated chain types. Quantification by integration of total-ion and selected-ion chromatograms revealed marked variation in the triglyceride fatty acid composition between different subjects. The greatest variation was observed in the concentrations of even-carbon-numbered iso-branched acids, which ranged from 1.5 to 11% of the saturated and from 1.9 to 12.7% of the monounsaturated acids. The anteiso chain structures constituted 4-9% of the saturated and 3-6% of the unsaturated members. Fatty acids with 4-methyl branch showed the least variation, in the range 5.7-7.4%. Other methyl-branched acids made up 4-10% of the saturated group, but were not detected in the unsaturated acids fraction. Two 18:1 fatty acids were identified (a delta 8 and a delta 9), which possibly have different anatomical origins. Similarly, two 18:2 fatty acids (linoleic and a 2,3-dimethyl derivative) were identified. A 2-methyl C17 acid, probably of bacterial origin, was detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Iliopsoas hypertrophy mimicking acute abdomen in a bodybuilder.

Marked hypertrophy of the psoas muscle in a bodybuilder produced a unilateral extrinsic mass effect upon the medial cecum and adjacent small bowel. The patient had presented with right lower quadrant pain and leukocytosis. Routine contrast studies of the abdomen were misleading, but a computed tomogram suggested the correct diagnosis.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1987

Variability in the composition of human skin surface lipids in tropical climates.

Skin surface lipid samples were collected by the hexane sponge technique from the foreheads of 180 male and 131 female Saudi subjects living in the Jeddah-Makkah area (summer temperatures up to 47 degrees C). The lipid samples were analyzed by densitometric thin layer chromatography. Seven major lipid classes were determined. The percentages for squalene, cholesterol esters, wax esters, triglycerides, free fatty acids, cholesterol and diglycerides were determined. When these parameters were compared to the corresponding values reported for subjects living in the much cooler climates of Europe and N. America, most of the values for Saudi females were found very similar to the values of these subjects, while for Saudi males squalene and wax esters were 2.8-5.1% higher and the triglycerides/free fatty acids were 3-5% lower. The possible reasons for the observed variability between both sexes, their relation to European and N. American subjects, as well as the role of hot climates in inducing these variations are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Anatomic characteristics of the pancreatic arteries. Radiologic observations and their clinical significance.

Major complications of operations that remove or transplant a portion of the pancreas appear related to the arterial blood supply. Hemorrhage is a result of inadequate control of the appropriate principal arteries, and ischemia and its consequences occur when the arterial blood supply to portions of preserved pancreas has been inadvertently interrupted. This radiographic study of the principal arteries of the pancreas demonstrates that these vessels may be visualized and their origin determined in the vast majority of cases. The application of data gained from preoperative arteriography can potentially decrease the incidence of major complications associated with removal or transplantation of portions of the pancreas.

Angiography↗