PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Abdul Hameed

Publications and source records attributed to Abdul Hameed.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

UVB photoprotection by thiourea and (thio)semicarbazone derivatives: cellular and molecular evidence.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is a major environmental stressor that contributes to oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and ultimately an increased risk of skin carcinogenesis. The development of safer, multifaceted UV filters with improved photostability and bioprotective properties remains an important research priority. Here, alkyl chain-conjugated thiourea (I-XIX) and aryl-linked (thio)semicarbazone (XX-XXV) derivatives have been systematically assessed for their photoprotective potential against UVB-induced cellular damage. METHODS: The UV absorption properties, molar absorptivity, and photostability of the test compounds were assessed through spectroscopic studies. Cytotoxicity, effective concentrations, and bioprotective effects of the compounds were evaluated using in vitro cellular methods. RESULTS: Several compounds exhibited robust UVB absorption with high molar absorptivity, particularly semicarbazone derivatives, while displaying minimal cytotoxicity to normal human dermal fibroblasts. Among the evaluated compounds, ten compounds were found to be more photostable than benzophenone (reference compound). Selected compounds significantly reduced UVB-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production, signifying effective attenuation of oxidative and nitrosative stress. In addition, compounds IV, XXI, and XXIII alleviated UVB-induced inflammatory cascades by diminishing Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. Therefore, these compounds also protected fibroblast morphology. Moreover, the same compounds protected from DNA damage by preventing UVB-induced genomic DNA fragmentation and formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. In particular, compound XXIII displayed selective UVB absorption, better photostability, low cytotoxicity, and moderate biological photoprotection (SPF 16). CONCLUSION: Together, the results suggest that thiourea and (thio)semicarbazone derivatives, notably compound XXIII, represent promising photoprotective scaffolds requiring further formulation, in vivo, permeability, phototoxicity, and safety studies to validate their potential as UV-filtering agents.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Mental health and psychosocial response after the worst natural disaster in the history of the Maldives.

The Maldives as a geographically diverse nation had to face tsunami with a number of key issues in hand. These included large geographical spread of islands, varied levels of communication across islands and internal displacement of people. One third of the total population was directly or indirectly affected. All except nine inhabited islands were partially or totally flooded. Although the total loss of life was limited the effect on the population was tremendous. The cost to the economy was 62% of the annual GDP. The government not only assigned high priority to mental health and psychosocial support activities after the tsunami but took charge of training and support measures. The community outreach programme provided psychosocial support to every affected person. This was provided by local Maldivians, who were appropriately trained, thus making it culturally and technically appropriate. Long-term plans for mental health and psychosocial aspects of disaster preparedness have been initiated. The experiences of the tsunami disaster has provided an opportunity to review the existing state of mental health services in the Maldives and to develop a plan to meet the mental health and psychosocial needs of the community. A rapid and appropriate response to a disaster depends on an existing policy structure and system, and an ability to mobilize these plans.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed2006

Mental health and psychosocial support aspects of disaster preparedness in the Maldives.

The tsunami has been instrumental in motivating the Government of the Maldives to give high priority to mental health and psychosocial support services. Moreover such services will be delivered in a co-ordinated manner in the long-term. The Maldives had particular problems in responding to the tsunami and these were a result of large geographical spread of small islands, communication difficulties and limited work force. However, voluntary organizations became active very rapidly and also responded beyond the call of duty. This, combined with clear chain of command, helped generate proper response. As a result not only was the immediate response to the tsunami well organized, clear plans for the long-term mental healthcare and delivery of services are being developed, which includes not only mental health services, but also mental health policy and legislation. Also, a disaster preparedness plan which includes mental health and psychosocial aspects is under way, indicating that a future disaster will find the Maldives better prepared to respond to it.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed2006

Bilateral suppurative parotitis in a newborn.

Suppuration occurring in inflamed parotid glands is an uncommon observation in the neonatal age group. This case report describes a male neonate, 12 days of age, who presented with high grade fever, irritability, poor feeding and bilateral swelling in the parotid region. Workup showed bilateral suppurative parotitis. Abscess developed despite antibiotic therapy requiring surgical drainage before final recovery.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Chromium-resistant bacteria and cyanobacteria: impact on Cr(VI) reduction potential and plant growth.

Two chromium-resistant bacterial strains, Bacillus cereus S-6 and Ochrobactrum intermedium CrT-1, and two cyanobacterial strains, Oscillatoria sp. and Synechocystis sp., were used in this study. At initial chromate concentrations of 300 and 600 microg K2CrO4 mL(-1), and an inoculum size of 9.6 x 10(7) cells mL(-1), B. cereus S-6 completely reduced Cr(VI), while O. intermedium CrT-1 reduced Cr(VI) by 98% and 70%, respectively after 96 h. At 100 microg K2CrO4 mL(-1), Synechocystis sp. MK(S) and Oscillatoria sp. BJ2 reduced 62.1% and 39.9% of Cr(VI), respectively, at 30 degrees C and pH 8. Application of hexavalent chromate salts adversely affected wheat seedling growth and anatomical characters. However, bacterial inoculation alleviated the toxic effects, as reflected by significant improvements in growth as well as anatomical parameters. Cyanobacterial strains also led to some enhancement of various growth parameters in wheat seedlings.

Bacillus cereus↗
PubMed2005

Resistance pattern of antibiotics against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.

The present research was conducted to study the susceptibility and resistance pattern of Staphylococcus aureus isolates against various brands of commonly used antibiotics. A total of 50 bacterial isolates were obtained from various clinical specimens submitted to the clinical laboratory of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad (PIMS). Out of 50 isolates 30 (60%) were identified as coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus. These isolates were tested for susceptibility pattern 19 (63%), these isolates were resistant to penicillin, 17 (57%) to ampicillin, 19 (63%) to cloxacillin, 20 (67%) to streptomycin, 11 (37%) to clindamycin, 16 (53%) to lincomycin and 19 (63%) to neomycin. These isolates had MIC range of penicillin and lincomycin (<0.5 to > 512 microg/mL), ampicillin, cloxacillin and clindamycin (0.5 to 256 microg/mL), streptomycin (4 to >512 microg/mL) and neomycin (2 to 256 microg/mL). Clindamycin was found to be the most effective among these antibiotics tested in the study against these clinical isolates.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

Investigation of the Greek ancestry of populations from northern Pakistan.

Three populations from northern Pakistan, the Burusho, Kalash, and Pathan, claim descent from soldiers left behind by Alexander the Great after his invasion of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. In order to investigate their genetic relationships, we analyzed nine Alu insertion polymorphisms and 113 autosomal microsatellites in the extant Pakistani and Greek populations. Principal component, phylogenetic, and structure analyses show that the Kalash are genetically distinct, and that the Burusho and Pathan populations are genetically close to each other and the Greek population. Admixture estimates suggest a small Greek contribution to the genetic pool of the Burusho and Pathan and demonstrate that these two northern Pakistani populations share a common Indo-European gene pool that probably predates Alexander's invasion. The genetically isolated Kalash population may represent the genetic pool of ancestral Eurasian populations of Central Asia or early Indo-European nomadic pastoral tribes that became sequestered in the valleys of the Hindu Kush Mountains.

Alu Elements↗
PubMed2003

Reconstruction of human evolutionary tree using polymorphic autosomal microsatellites.

Allelic frequencies of 182 tri- and tetra-autosomal microsatellites were used to examine phylogenetic relationships among 19 extant human populations. In particular, because the languages of the Basques and Hunza Burusho have been suggested to have an ancient relationship, this study sought to explore the genetic relationship between these two major language isolate populations and to compare them with other human populations. The work presented here shows that the microsatellite allelic diversity and the number of unique alleles were highest in sub-Saharan Africans. Neighbor-joining trees based on genetic distances and principal component analyses separated populations from different continents, and are consistent with an African origin for modern humans. For the first time, with biparentally transmitted markers, the microsatellite tree also shows that the San are the first branch of the human tree before the branch leading to all other Africans. In contrast to an earlier study, these results provided no evidence of a genetic relationship among the two language isolate groups. Genetic relationships, as ascertained by these microsatellites, are dictated primarily by geographic proximity rather than by remote linguistic origin, Mantel test, R(0) = 0.484, g = 3.802 (critical g value = 1.645; P = 0.05).

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Mutation screening of Pakistani families with congenital eye disorders.

To map the disease loci several Pakistani families suffering from autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa with preserved para-arteriolar retinal pigment epithelium and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) were analyzed. Analysis revealed close genetic linkage between the disease phenotype of some of the families (3330RP, 111RP and 010LCA) and the microsatellite markers on chromosome 1q31. Mutation screening of the candidate gene CRB1 revealed a G to A transversion in exon 7 in arRP family 330RP and a T to C substitution in another arRP family, 111RP. In exon 9 of the CRB1 gene a T to C transversion was found in the family suffering from LCA (010LCA). The LCA phenotype of another family (011LCA) in which the CRB1 locus was excluded, showed linkage with microsatellite markers D17S1294 and D17S796 on chromosome 17p13.1. The association of the candidate gene GUCY2D (17p13.1) with the disease phenotype was excluded as no disease-associated mutation was found in any of its exons. Mutation screening of another candidate gene, AIPL1 located in the same region, showed a novel homozygous C to A substitution in exon 2. These sequence changes are unique for the Pakistani families and some of these have not been reported previously.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Neonatal sepsis in hospital-born babies: bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of bacterial isolates from neonatal blood cultures and their susceptibility patterns in hospital-born babies having sepsis. DESIGN: An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Obstetrics Unit and Special Care Baby Unit of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from 1st January to 31st December 2001. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on the neonates born and admitted in hospital with positive blood culture reports. Early onset neonatal sepsis (EONNS) and late onset neonatal sepsis (LONNS) were defined as illness appearing from birth to seven days and from eight to twenty-eight days postnatal age respectively. The blood culture reports were analyzed by SPSS package and cross tabulation was done. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve hospital-born babies presented with sepsis. Sixty-seven neonates had positive cultures. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the commonest organism causing EONNS (35; 77.1%) followed by Pseudomonas (4; 8.9%), Klebsiella (4; 8.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (2; 4.4%) respectively. In the LONNS E. coli (19; 77.3%) was the commonest followed by Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas (2; 9% each) and Klebsiella (1; 4.5%). The gram-negative organisms showed high degree of resistance to commonly used antibiotics, ampicillin (79.3%), amoxicillin (74.6%) and ceftazidime (71.6%), cefotaxime (55.2%) and comparatively low resistance to gentamicin (43.2%), tobramycin (34.3%), imipinem (23.6%), amikacin (22.3%), ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin (11.9%) respectively. Staphylococcus aureus showed almost the same resistance to ampicillin, 75%, and comparatively low resistance to the rest of the antibiotics as compared to the gram-negative organisms. CONCLUSION: Neonatal sepsis is mainly caused by gram-negative organisms, which are developing resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

Comparative efficacy of amoxicillin, cefuroxime and clarithromycin in the treatment of community -acquired pneumonia in children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical response to amoxicillin, cefuroxime and clarithromycin in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in children and to see the cost effectiveness of each treatment. DESIGN: Randomized clinical control trial. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Pediatrics, Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar, from October 2001 to February 2002. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients between 3 to 72 months of age, admitted in the hospital with community acquired pneumonia, were randomly divided into three groups,1,2,3. They were started on amoxicillin, cefuroxime and clarithromycin respectively. The patients were assessed daily. If there was no clinical improvement at 48 hours the antibiotic was changed. ANOVA statistical test was applied to see the clinical response to the treatment in the three groups. Cost effectiveness of the treatment was compared. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the clinical response at 48 hours of initiating treatment and at discharge (p > 0.01 each). The mean hospital stay in group 1 and 2 was 3.3 days and group 3 was 3.2 days respectively (p > 0.01). Ninety-seven percent patients in group 1 and 3, and 95% patients in group 2 showed clinical improvement. The cost of treatment of community acquired pneumonia for 8 days was Rs 496/-, 730/-, 1018/- for amoxicillin, clarithromycin and cefuroxime respectively. CONCLUSION: Amoxicillin was found the most cost effective followed by clarithromycin and cefuroxime respectively in the treatment of non-severe and severe community-acquired pneumonia.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed2002

A novel locus for autosomal dominant nuclear cataract mapped to chromosome 2p12 in a Pakistani family.

PURPOSE: To map the disease locus in a four-generation, consanguineous Pakistani family affected by autosomal dominant congenital nuclear cataract (adNCat). All affected individuals had early onset of bilateral nuclear cataract. METHODS: Genomic DNA from family members was typed for alleles at more than 300 known polymorphic genetic markers by polymerase chain reaction. The lod scores were calculated by using two-point linkage analysis of the genotyping data. RESULTS: The maximum lod score, 4.05, was obtained for the marker D2S2333. Proximal and distal crossovers were observed with markers D2S286 and D2S1790, respectively. These crossovers define the critical disease locus to an interval of approximately 9 centimorgans (cM). CONCLUSIONS: Linkage analysis identified a novel locus for adNCat on chromosome 2p12 in a Pakistani family. A genome database analysis of the target interval is being undertaken to identify candidate gene(s) for the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Fermentative production of L-lysine: fungal fermentation and mutagenesis-II: a review.

Lysine has been recognized as one of the most deficient essential amino acids. It is an economically important food and feed supplement. It has also got various pharmaceutical applications in the formulation of diets with balanced amino acid concentration and in amino acid infusions. Chemical, enzymatic and fermentation processes have been used to synthesize lysine. The objective of this review is to outline the research work of various scientists which provide important and beneficial information regarding the production of lysine through fungal fermentation and mutagenesis. Moreover, methods to improve the total yield and quality of lysine are also presented.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics, epidemiology and clinical importance of emerging strains of Gram-negative bacilli producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

Beta-lactam antimicrobial agents represent the most common treatment for bacterial infections and continue to be the leading cause of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics among Gram-negative bacteria worldwide. The persistent exposure of bacterial strains to a multitude of beta-lactams has induced dynamic and continuous production and mutation of beta-lactamases in these bacteria, expanding their activity even against the newly developed beta-lactam antibiotics. These enzymes are known as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The majority of ESBLs are derived from the widespread broad-spectrum beta-lactamases TEM-1 and SHV-1. There are also new families of ESBLs, including the CTX-M and OXA-type enzymes as well as novel unrelated beta-lactamases. In recent years, there has been an increased incidence and prevalence of ESBLs. ESBLs are mainly found in strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae but have also been reported in other Enterobacteriaceae strains and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infections with ESBL-producing bacterial strains are encountered singly or in outbreaks, especially in critical care units in hospitals, resulting in increasing cost of treatment and prolonged hospital stays. Not only may nursing home patients be an important reservoir of ESBL-containing multiple antibiotic-resistant organisms, but ambulatory patients with chronic conditions may also harbor ESBL-producing organisms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of population survey of Multan about cigarette smoking with survey of Abbottabad.

BACKGROUND: There are different pollutions in the environment e.g. Water pollution, dust pollution, pollen pollution, noise pollution and smoking pollution. As smoking from different sources is a pollution and injurious to health therefore we decided to conduct epidemiological study of smoking in Multan. METHODS: The study was carried out on 1100 subjects residing in different localities of Multan. A specifically designed questionnaire was filled and the responses computed. The results were then compared with similar survey conducted in Abbottabad and reported earlier. RESULTS: Out of the study population 40.02% were found to be smoking different kinds of tobacco. Out of 442 smoking persons 36.66% are smoking for just company while 57.01% for anxiety and remaining for other reasons. 20-40 cigarettes of different brands per day are used by different occupation persons. The expenditure for cigarette smoking is in the range of Rs:300-2000 per month. Among smoking persons 292 (66.06%) complained of Nocturnal cough, 96 (21.72%) during day and 54 (12.22%) at both time. 125 smokers (28.28%) complained of sputum, while 43 subjects (9.73%) complained of occasional or frequent blood stained sputum. 24 (5.43%) smokers reported of symptoms or diagnosis of Ischeamic heart disease. 35 smokers (7.92%) smoke during fasting of Holy Ramazan. 290 smokers (65.61%) do not hesitate to smoke at public places.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of Islam in prevention of smoking.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is common all over the world. It is a pandemic pollution. In spite of awareness about its dangerous effects on the health, tobacco companies spend million of dollars on its advertisement and sales promotion. This study tried to see the effect of Islam on prevention of smoking. METHODS: The study was carried out on 1000 subjects residing in different localities of Abbottabad. The basic method used was a questionnaire designed specifically to give an idea of the religious status of person and correlate that with their smoking habits. RESULTS: Out of the study group 325 (32.5%) were found to be indulged in different kinds of smoking and we concluded that Islam has a positive effect on smoking prevention.

Advertising↗