Pesticide residues in Rawal Lake, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Cities↗
Biomedical subjects
A Sattar
Publications and source records attributed to A Sattar.
Lipoprotein (a) and glycaemic control in Pakistani subjects with diabetes mellitus.
AIMS: To measure lipoprotein (Lp)(a) levels in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) and to see if there is any difference in Lp(a) levels between diabetics with good glycaemic control and those with poor glycaemic control. METHODS: Sixty subjects with DM and thirty healthy individuals were studied. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins and Lp(a). RESULTS: A non significant difference was found between the lipid profile of normal individuals and subjects with DM with a good glycemic control. Lp(a) levels were significantly raised in diabetics. The difference in Lp(a) levels between well controlled and poorly controlled diabetics was non significant. In the control group 23.4% of individuals had high risk levels of Lp(a) while it was 46.7 % for people with DM. CONCLUSION: Glycaemic control improves lipid profile positively in diabetics and may even lead to near normalization of lipoprotein concentrations. Diabetics have elevated levels of Lp(a) and the difference in Lp(a) levels between well controlled and poorly controlled diabeticsts is non-significant.
Adult↗
Phenolics and physico-chemical characteristics of persimmon during post-harvest storage.
Garden picked mature but unripe fresh persimmon fruits were unipackaged in different thicknesses of polyethylene (PE) and stored at room (18.5-30 degrees C) and refrigerated temperature (6 +/- 1 degrees C). Maximum mean methanol extractable sinapine (0.168%), catechin (1.51%), and leucoanthocyanidine (10.94 delta A550/g) were recorded in the unipackaged samples kept at room temperature during 6 weeks storage, whereas the minimum values for water extractable phenolics (sinapin, catechin and procyanidin) were recorded in unipackaged samples under refrigerated temperature. The mean maximum weight loss of 12.58 and 7.90% was recorded in control samples kept at room temperature and low temperature, respectively. The weight loss for unipackaged in different thicknesses of PE ranged between 0.93-0.96% and 0.43-0.45% for samples kept at room and low temperature, respectively. Changes in texture values were significantly faster in control than unipackaged samples (P < 0.05). Low temperature combined with unipackaging in PE film performed better for the maintenance of overall fruit quality during post-harvest storage.
Biflavonoids↗
Expression of growth regulatory genes in a SCID mouse-human model of intestinal epithelial regeneration.
Analysis of human intestinal epithelial regeneration has been limited. This study has used a novel SCID mouse-human model to test the hypothesis that distinct stages of human intestinal epithelial regeneration are accompanied by differential expression of growth regulatory genes. Disaggregated epithelium, which included crypt cell aggregates, was isolated from human fetal small intestine and transplanted subcutaneously in SCID mice. This method induced a coordinated regeneration response and enabled temporal separation of cell populations at different stages of histogenesis and cytodifferentiation. Graft epithelium was identified using a specific anti-human monoclonal antibody (MAb 5D3) against cytokeratins 8 and 18. Functional epithelial lineages were identified by appropriate markers. Growth regulatory genes relevant to proliferation and apoptosis, including Bcl-2, p53 and Ki67, were assayed at different stages of regeneration. During early regeneration, Bcl-2, p53, and Ki67 were expressed throughout the epithelial compartment. On completion of regeneration, these genes were expressed only in crypt epithelium and were absent from villi. This study has established a novel SCID mouse-human model of intestinal epithelial regeneration. During early regeneration, increased Bcl-2 and Ki67 expression may indicate suppression of apoptosis and enhanced proliferation respectively, consistent with expansion of the stem cell fraction. The p53 gene may influence pathways of differentiation during regeneration, analogous to its role during development.
Animals↗
Metabolic proficiency and benzo[a]pyrene DNA adduct formation in APCMin mouse adenomas and uninvolved mucosa.
Tumour formation may involve interactions between genetic factors and environmental carcinogens. Adenoma formation in APCMin/+ mice is associated homozygous adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutation, but the effects on carcinogen susceptibility are unknown. This study tests the hypothesis that APCMin/+ adenoma formation is accompanied by changes in metabolic proficiency and carcinogen susceptibility. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1/1A2, glutathione S-transferase (GST)alpha, mu and pi classes and DNA adduct formation were assayed in adenomas and uninvolved mucosa from APCMin/+ mice, before and after benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) treatment. In untreated adenomas and mucosa, CYP1A1/1A2 and B[a]P-DNA adducts were undetected but GSTalpha, mu and pi class enzymes were constitutively expressed. In adenomas, B[a]P only induced CYP1A1/1A2 to low level while GSTalpha and pi class enzymes were unaffected. A GST mu band which was absent from mucosa, was induced in adenomas. In mucosa, B[a]P induced CYP1A1/1A2 and GSTalpha and pi, to high levels. B[a]P-DNA adduct levels were 56 +/- 15/10(8) nucleotides (median +/- SE) in adenomas versus 89 +/- 19/10(8) nucleotides in mucosa (P < 0.0001). APCMin adenomas show reduced bioactivation capacity and sustain less DNA damage from B[a]P exposure, than APCMin uninvolved mucosa. These properties could influence mutagenesis and subsequent neoplastic transformation of adenomas.
Adenoma↗
Concurrent treatment of patients with depression in the community: provider practices, attitudes, and barriers to collaboration.
BACKGROUND: In randomized controlled trials, patients with major depression who receive broad-based collaborative treatment by both primary care physicians (PCPs) and mental health providers (MHPs) have better outcomes than patients who receive usual care. However, little is known about the concurrent treatment of patients with depression in the community. This study describes the perceptions of PCPs of the frequency of concurrent treatment in community settings, the degree of collaboration between co-treating providers, and factors associated with greater interaction and collaboration. METHODS: A survey was distributed to a stratified, random sample of 276 eligible family physicians in Michigan. Primary analyses were descriptive statistics (point estimation) of PCP practice patterns. Secondary analyses explored predictors of collaboration with multivariable regression. RESULTS: A total of 162 eligible PCPs (59%) returned the survey. PCPs reported that they co-treated approximately 30% of their depressed patients with MHPs. They made contact with co-treating MHPs in approximately 50% of shared cases; however, provider contact seldom included joint treatment planning. PCPs perceived collaborative treatments to be more problematic when patients were enrolled in managed care programs. In multivariable regression, co-location of MHP and PCP practices (in the same building) was strongly associated with increased interaction and collaboration (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent treatment of depressed patients is common in the community, but these treatments are less interactive and collaborative than the treatment models proven effective in randomized controlled trails. If concurrent treatments are to become more collaborative-with regular contact and effective communication-co-location of practices appears important.
Community Mental Health Services↗
An apparent effect of immunopotentiation during late gestation on the postpartum reproductive performance of Nili-Ravi buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).
Thirty-two Nili-Ravi buffaloes were used to determine the effect of prepartum immunopotentiation in late gestation with levamisole hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg), vitamin E+selenium (vitE-Se) (Etosol-SE, 10 ml intramuscularly) or Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) (0.5 ml/animal, subcutaneously) on postpartum reproductive performance. The immunopotentiating treatment was given twice, with treatments one week apart, approximately 80 days prior to the expected date of parturition. Prepartum treatment with vitE-Se or BCG significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the calving to first oestrus interval and the length of the postpartum service period compared to the control group. The uterine involution period was significantly shorter in buffaloes treated with vitE-Se compared to the control group. Levamisole hydrochloride apparently improved the reproductive performance, but this result was not statistically significant.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid in germinating rapeseed cultivars.
Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid in irradiated and unirradiated germinating rapeseed cultivars was studied at ambient room temperature (20-35 degrees C). Appreciable quantities of ascorbic acid (19.8-24.1 mg/100 g) were detected in the seeds and synthesis of this vitamin increased significantly (three fold) with increasing germination time depending upon rapeseed cultivars (p < 0.05). Soaking of seeds in tap water (1:2) for 24 hours resulted in the decrease of the vitamin in each case. Among the radiation treatments (0.05-0.20 kGy), maximum amounts of ascorbic acid were found in 0.10 kGy (342.1 mg/100 g dry weight) and 0.15 kGy (113.8 mg/100 g wet weight) samples after 96 hours of germination. An overall significant linear relation (r = 0.96) was observed between vitamin biosynthesis and germination time upto 96 hours in rapeseed.
Ascorbic Acid↗
Application of angiogenic oligosaccharides of hyaluronan increases blood vessel numbers in rat skin.
Angiogenic oligosaccharides of hyaluronan were applied to the backs of young, adult male rats and the number of blood vessels, within a depth of 136 microns beneath the base of the epidermis, were evaluated. Application of hyaluronan oligosaccharides significantly increased the mean number of blood vessels/mm skin length in six of 11 treated rats when compared with controls. Application of radiolabeled hyaluronan oligosaccharides to skin of one rat demonstrated a penetration to a depth of approximately 800 microns, suggesting that the blood vessels beneath the epidermis would be exposed to the hyaluronan. Hyaluronan has previously been shown to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation; we demonstrate here that these hyaluronan oligosaccharides also specifically stimulate endothelial cell migration. This action of hyaluronan oligosaccharides may prove useful in retarding blood vessel paucity and degeneration observed during the ageing process and following radiotherapy.
Animals↗
Potentiometric stripping analysis of selected heavy metals in biological materials.
Different biological materials such as edible oils, refined and unrefined cane and beet sugar and tea (black and green) leaves were assayed for the heavy metals cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. The results revealed significant differences in heavy metal contents within each class of the biological materials (P < 0.05). Cadmium was not detectable in sugar samples. Among the oils, highest amounts of copper (0.263 microgram/g) and lead (0.154 microgram/g) were in corn oil and zinc in olive oil (3.01 micrograms/g) whereas cadmium exhibited a narrow range (0.023-0.033 microgram/g). The samples of beet-sugar generally contained higher levels of the heavy metals than cane-sugar. Black and green tea leaves contained 0.411-0.908 microgram Cd/g, 6.500-9.220 micrograms Cu/g, 2.200-5.238 micrograms Pb/g, and 14.500-25.180 micrograms Zn/g.
Carbohydrates↗
Radiation effect on ascorbic acid and riboflavin biosynthesis in germinating soybean.
The influence of irradiation on biosynthesis of ascorbic acid and riboflavin in germinating soybean seeds in tap and distilled water at ambient (25-35 degrees C) conditions was investigated. Ascorbic acid was not detectable in the original seeds and the initial level of riboflavin was 3.3 micrograms/g. The rate of synthesis of these vitamins increased with increasing germination time up to 72-96 hr followed by a decreasing pattern depending upon the treatment. The effect of irradiation and germination on the synthesis of these vitamins was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). Maximum amounts of ascorbic acid 16.2 and 15.0 mg/100g (fresh weight basis) were found in the 0.10 kGy sample after 72 hr of germination in tap and distilled water, respectively. However, a radiation dose of 0.20 kGy resulted in the development of maximum values of riboflavin, 30.0 and 27.0 micrograms/g (dry weight basis) on germination in tap and distilled water respectively.
Ascorbic Acid↗
Does hyaluronan have a role in endothelial cell proliferation of the synovium?
Hyaluranate (HA) is a major constituent of synovial fluid, but its concentration and molecular size differ in normal and inflamed joints. HA can induce or inhibit angiogenesis depending on both its size and its concentration. Endothelial-cell endocytose-labeled macromolecular HA and HA oligosaccharides and binding studies have identified an HA-specific receptor on the endothelial cell surface (KD, 10(-10) mol/L; approximately 2,000/cell). The molecular weight of HA-binding proteins was found to be 90 to 125, 78, and 46 kd.
Animals↗
Variant choriocarcinoma (BeWo) cells that differ in adhesion and migration on fibronectin display conserved patterns of integrin expression.
Starting from the BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line, two stable variant cell lines (epi and lc) were isolated. Epi cells displayed an epithelioid colony morphology while lc were fibroblastoid. lc cells attached and spread on fibronectin-coated surfaces at significantly lower density of fibronectin than epi or the parent cell line. lc also migrated more efficiently to fibronectin in a trans-filter assay than either epi or parent cells. Integrin expression by the cell lines was investigated by flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation from surface-labelled cells with a panel of subunit-specific antibodies. Integrins alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, alpha v beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 4 were detected in each case, and levels of expression were identical in the two variant lines. Anti-functional antibodies were used to probe the role of integrins in fibronectin- and vitronectin-mediated adhesion. Complete inhibition of adhesion to fibronectin was observed with anti-beta 1 antibody, and partial inhibition with anti-alpha 5, suggesting that integrin alpha 5 beta 1 is mainly responsible for the interaction. Adhesion to vitronectin was inhibitable using anti-alpha v and anti-beta 1 antibodies, suggesting that integrin alpha v beta 1 is active in these cells as a vitronectin receptor. There was a correlation between the altered morphology of the variant cells and alterations in the distribution of integrin alpha 6 beta 4 and laminin in monolayer cultures. The results support the idea that fibronectin may mediate the migratory behaviour of extravillous trophoblast in vivo. Switch to a more migratory phenotype may be mediated by the selective activation of integrins and altered interaction with basement membrane.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid and riboflavin in radiated germinating chickpea.
Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid and riboflavin in radiated germinating chickpea seeds was studied at ambient room temperature (20-35 degrees C). Synthesis of these vitamins increased significantly with increasing germination time up to 120 hrs depending upon the treatment (P less than 0.05). Maximum amounts of ascorbic acid, 22.32 and 16.84 mg/100 g (wet weight) were found in the 0.10 kGy samples after 120 hrs of germination in tap and distilled waters respectively. Radiation dose of 0.20 kGy resulted in the development of maximum riboflavin, 11.4 and 11.0 micrograms/g (dry weight) on germination in tap and distilled waters respectively. An overall significant linear relation (r = 0.954 to 0.957) was found between vitamin biosynthesis and germination time up to 120 hrs in both the radiated and unradiated chickpea.
Ascorbic Acid↗
Irradiation and germination effects on phytate, protein and amino acids of soybean.
Influence of irradiation (0.05-0.20 kGy) and germination (24-120 hours) in distilled and tap water on phytate, protein and amino acids of soybean, was studied. Phytate values significantly decreased with increasing germination period and irradiation dose (P less than 0.01). Irradiation independently decreased the original phytate (212.0 mg/100 g) to a range value of 205.0-190.0 mg/100 g depending upon dose level. Germination of unirradiated seeds for 120 hours in distilled and tap water lowered the phytate to 55.0 and 94.9 mg/100 g (74.1 and 55.2% reduction) respectively. Maximum destruction of phytate to levels of 20.5 and 50.9 mg/100 g (90.3 and 76.0% reduction) occurred during germination of 0.20 kGy samples for 120 hours in distilled and tap water respectively. Total protein content significantly increased during germination (P less than 0.05) and the increase was more in tap than distilled water. Germination for 120 hours of untreated seeds in tap water increased the essential and decreased non-essential amino acids while in the 0.10 kGy sample, increases in both cases were observed.
Amino Acids↗
Effect of irradiation and germination on trypsin inhibitor and protein content of chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.).
Effect of irradiation (0.05-0.20 kGy) and subsequent germination on trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) and protein content of chickpea, was studied. The results revealed a significant linear relation (r = 0.981 to -0.992) between the loss of TIA and germination time, and the rate of TIA destruction increased with irradiation dose (p less than 0.05). Maximum destruction (43.8%) of the TIA occurred on germination for 120 hr of 0.20 kGy sample (from 330.0 to 185.3 TIU/g). Initially protein content was 21.7% and the value significantly increased to maximum levels of 27.5% and 27.9% in distilled and tap water respectively during germination for 120 hr of 0.10 kGy sample (p less than 0.05). Protein contents were not affected by irradiation.
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗
Effect of roasting and autoclaving on phytic acid content of chickpea.
Chickpea cultivars CM-68, C-44, Kabuli, CM-72 and 6153 were analysed for phytic acid, phytate phosphorus and total phosphorus. The effect of roasting and autoclaving on these constituents of whole seed and cotyledons was determined. The data revealed that roasting and autoclaving significantly decreased (P less than 0.05) the phytic acid of chickpea cultivars. Phytic acid of whole seed was reduced to a range value of 16-60% and 16-64% by roasting and autoclaving respectively depending upon the cultivar. In the cotyledon, the phytic acid was reduced to a range value of 32-68% and 18-68% during roasting and autoclaving respectively. Similar effect of these treatments was observed in phytate phosphorus however, total phosphorus was little affected.
Cooking↗
Concentration of selected heavy metals in spices, dry fruits and plant nuts.
Different spices, dry fruits and plant nuts commonly consumed in Pakistan were assayed for the heavy metals cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, iron and manganese by the potentiometric stripping analysis and AA spectrophotometry. The results revealed wide variation in heavy metal content among different biological materials. Mixed spices generally exhibited higher value for trace metals specially lead (6.6-9.2 micrograms/g), cadmium (0.65-1.34 micrograms/g), iron (142.3-285.0 micrograms/g) and zinc (64.2-65.8 micrograms/g). Dry fruits contained relatively lesser amounts of heavy metals than plant nuts. Almonds contained higher levels of lead (1.02 micrograms/g) and cadmium (0.24 micrograms/g) than other nuts and dry fruits.
Cadmium↗