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Biomedical subjects

A Malabanan

Publications and source records attributed to A Malabanan.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Enhanced superoxide release and elevated protein kinase C activity in neutrophils from diabetic patients: association with periodontitis.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are important factors in the pathogenesis of diabetes and contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that is characterized by increased oxidative stress, and the risk for periodontitis is increased significantly in diabetic subjects. In this study, we examined the superoxide (O(2)(-))-generating reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase complex and protein kinase C (PKC) activity in neutrophils. Fifty diabetic patients were grouped according to glycemic control and the severity of periodontitis. Neutrophils from diabetic patients with moderate [amount of glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) between 7.0% and 8.0%] or poor (HbA(1c) >8.0%) glycemic control released significantly more O(2)(-) than neutrophils from diabetic patients with good glycemic control (HbA(1c) <7.0%) and neutrophils from nondiabetic, healthy individuals upon stimulation with 4beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe. Depending on glycemic status, neutrophils from these patients also exhibited increased activity of the soluble- and membrane-bound forms of PKC, elevated amounts of diglyceride, and enhanced phosphorylation of p47-phox during cell stimulation. In addition, we report a significant correlation between glycemic control (HbA(1c) levels) and the severity of periodontitis in diabetic patients, suggesting that enhanced oxidative stress and increased inflammation exacerbate both diseases. Thus, hyperglycemia can lead to a novel form of neutrophil priming, where elevated PKC activity results in increased phosphorylation of p47-phox and O(2)(-) release.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed2001

Rationale for use and clinical responsiveness of hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 for the treatment of plaque psoriasis: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D analogues are useful in topical therapy of psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (F6-1,25(OH)2D3) in treatment of psoriasis. METHODS: Fifteen patients with plaque-type psoriasis were enrolled in a single centre double-blind, right/left comparison, placebo-controlled study, and received 0.1 g of petrolatum containing 5 microg of F6-1,25(OH)2D3 or 0.1 g of petrolatum (placebo) for 3 months. After completion of this double-blind study, a subset of these patients (n = 12) applied F6-1,25(OH)2D3 ointment (50 microg g-1 of petrolatum) to all their lesions (total area, 100-5000 cm2, mean area: 3300 m2) for 2 months as a single application at night. RESULTS: The mean severity score in the right/left-sided controlled topical F6-1,25(OH)2D3 (50 microg g-1) therapy group showed a decrease of 85%. In contrast, the mean severity score for the placebo-treated areas showed a decrease of 45% (P < 0.001). In the 12 patients who subsequently applied F6-1,25(OH)2D3 (50 microg g-1) ointment to all of their lesions, 91.6% showed moderate to excellent improvement. The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score decreased by 44.9% (from 33.6 +/- 15 to 18.5 +/- 13). No effect on calcium homeostasis was noted. Adverse events included mild irritation in two patients that resolved during therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Topical F6-1,25(OH)2D3 is a safe and effective once a day treatment for psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Initial assessment of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: the yield and cost of laboratory testing.

Our objective was to determine the yield and cost of standardized laboratory testing of HIV-infected patients entering medical care after testing positive for HIV. An HIV staging and referral clinic in a municipal public hospital was our site for a cross-sectional study, and 308 patients were evaluated in the clinic between February 1, 1990 and October 1, 1991. Patients underwent standardized laboratory testing, including hematologic studies, serum chemistries, infectious disease serologies, and chest radiographs. The percentage of abnormal results for each test was determined. Abnormal results were stratified as mild or severe. They were also examined with regard to whether injection drug users or other patient subgroups had higher percentages of abnormalities. Changes and Medicare reimbursements for the tests were also determined. There were substantial numbers of abnormalities in all types of laboratory testing. Only 3% of patients had normal CD4 lymphocyte counts; 85% had counts of < 500/mm3, and 35% were < 200/mm3. Forty-four percent of patients had at least one abnormal hematologic study; 8% were severe. Nearly 75% had abnormal liver function tests; 20% of these were severe abnormalities. Fifteen percent of patients were PPD-positive, and > 50% were anergic. Fourteen percent had a positive nonspecific test for syphilis, and 7% had a positive confirmatory test. Fourteen percent of patients had an abnormal chest radiograph.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗