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Biomedical subjects

F Amin

Publications and source records attributed to F Amin.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Serotonin function in schizophrenia: effects of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine in schizophrenic patients and healthy subjects.

This study examined serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5HT) receptor responsivity in 22 chronic schizophrenic patients and 17 healthy control subjects. The 5HT agonist meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP) was used as a probe of serotonergic function. MCPP (0.35 mg/kg) or placebo was administered orally after a 3-week drug-free period in a randomized double-blind design. Hormonal (adrenocorticotropic hormone and prolactin), temperature, and behavioral responses and MCPP blood levels were assessed for 210 minutes after administration of the capsules. The schizophrenic patients had blunted temperature responses compared with those of the healthy control subjects: MCPP raised body temperature in the control subjects, but not in the patients. Behavioral responses also differed in the two groups: MCPP increased the total Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) score in the control subjects and tended to decrease it in the patients. In patients, MCPP decreased the BPRS psychosis subscore. Hormonal responses did not differ significantly in the two groups. These findings suggest that further exploration of 5HT function in schizophrenia is warranted.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1992

Homovanillic acid measurement in clinical research: a review of methodology.

Despite its serious limitations, measuring the concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA) in body fluids is perhaps the most direct method currently available to assess the changing activity of central dopamine (DA) neurons in living humans. The concentrations of HVA in body fluids are determined not only by the activity of central DA neurons but also by a number of unrelated factors such as the other sources of HVA and the elimination of HVA from the body. This article reviews many factors that help to determine the concentrations of HVA in body fluids and therefore must be considered in studies employing HVA as a possible index of central DA neuronal activity. The need for further methodological work is indicated to improve the use of body fluid HVA measurements in clinical research.

Body Fluids↗
PubMed1991

Plasma homovanillic acid in schizotypal personality disorder.

Schizotypal patients were found to have a significantly higher mean plasma HVA concentration than normal comparison subjects. Furthermore, plasma HVA concentration positively correlated with "psychotic-like" schizotypal symptoms. These results implicate dopaminergic mechanisms modulating the psychotic-like symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder.

Dopamine↗
PubMed1990

Increments in plasma homovanillic acid concentrations after neuroleptic discontinuation are associated with worsening of schizophrenic symptoms.

1. Thirty-two male schizophrenic patients participated in this study. 2. Plasma concentrations of the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid (pHVA) were assessed once on neuroleptic medication and twice a week for a maximum of six weeks after its discontinuation. 3. Psychiatric symptomatology was assessed once on neuroleptic medication and once a week for a maximum of six weeks after its discontinuation, using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS). 4. pHVA and total BPRS score increased significantly after discontinuation of neuroleptic as compared to baseline. 5. The magnitude of pHVA and BPRS increments after discontinuation of neuroleptic correlated significantly. 6. Results of this study suggest that worsening of schizophrenic symptoms after discontinuation of neuroleptic treatment is associated with increased pHVA concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Primary nephrotic syndrome in Arab children.

We studied 134 Arab children with primary nephrotic syndrome. The annual incidence was 11.6/100 000 children and the ratio of boys to girls was 1.3:1. Ninety eight per cent were responsive to steroids and the mean age of the children at diagnosis was 5.7 years. On follow up (mean 29.8 months, range 1 month to 11 years) 46% had a frequently relapsing course. Renal biopsy, done in 17 patients with frequently relapsing, steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, showed minimal changes in 15 and mesangial proliferative lesions in two. Three of the 129 patients did not respond to steroids; two had focal and segmental sclerosis and the third had mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. One patient died.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Determinants of suckling versus drinking in weanling albino rats: influence of hydrational state and maternal contact.

Preferences of weanling albino rats (15, 20, and 25 days of age) for nonnutritive suckling or drinking were determined using a Y-maze. Age, hydrational state, and the opportunity to contact the mother all influenced choice behavior. When tested in a maze that allowed continuous maternal contact in the "drinking-goal box," dehydrated rats chose to drink, while nondehydrated rats chose to suckle. Testing dehydrated rats in a maze that precluded maternal contact in the "drinking-goal box" eliminated drinking preference at all ages. These observations identify maternal presence as an important condition for the expression of drinking behavior during the weaning period and confirm our previous demonstration of dehydration's inhibition of suckling behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Prevalence and pattern of renal disease in eastern Libya.

A prospective study was conducted to identify the pattern and aetiology of kidney disease in children living in eastern Libya. A total of 343 patients was studied, representing 3% of annual admissions to the children's hospital. The major renal diseases were post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (in 116), acute renal failure (in 93), and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (in 65). Less common diseases were tubular transport defect (in 3) and end-stage renal disease (in 3). The mortality rate (excluding neonates) was below 1%. The pattern of kidney disease referred to this hospital in Libya was different from that reported in other parts of Africa.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Middle-East Academy for Medicine of Ageing.

The first session of the Middle-East Academy for Medicine of Ageing, the MEAMA, started with a focus on demographic aspects in the region and the problems the participants meet in their own countries related to the services for health related problems in older people. Also several medical topics were discussed. The MEAMA uses the methods of the EAMA, which have been proven to be attractive for participants and speakers. In the discussions the question was raised how to start the process to develop and enhance the services. It was suggested to start with the organization of national societies and interact with neighbouring countries before presenting measures needed at the national level. The MEAMA might be an excellent forum for the discussion how to stimulate the development of the services for older people in the Middle-East area.

Academies and Institutes↗