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Biomedical subjects

M K Alam

Publications and source records attributed to M K Alam.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Antimicrobial activity of clove oil and its potential in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.

In the present study, we evaluated antimicrobial activity of clove oil against a range of fungal pathogens including that responsible for urogenital infection. Clove oil was found to possess strong antifungal activity against opportunistic fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus, etc. The oil was found to be extremely successful in the treatment of experimental murine vaginitis in model animals. On evaluating various formulations, topical administration of the liposomized clove oil was found to be most effective against treatment of vaginal candidiasis.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed2005

Serum homocysteine concentration in patients with acute MI and chronic IHD.

This was an observational study carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka; with the active co-operation of Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of BSMMU & National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Dhaka. This study was carried out from March 2002 to January 2003. Total seventy (70) subjects were studied. Out of them 20 were of Acute MI, 20 were Chronic ischemic heart disease (CHD) and 30 were age and sex matched healthy controls. Hospitalized diagnosed patients were selected by taking history, clinical examination and several investigations like ECG. Echocardiogram, Angiogram and several enzymes assay. Several studies in many countries showed that serum homocysteine (Hcy) was elevated in IHD Patient. Cardiovascular disease is alarmingly increasing in Bangladesh. So our aim and objective of the study was to find out the association of serum Hcy with Acute MI and chronic ischemic heart disease (CHD) patients in our population. Mean Hcy level of Acute MI were 21.16 +/- 4.56 (micromol/l), 27.55 +/- 10.40 (micromol/l) and that of control was 13.03 +/- 10.51(micromol/l). Serum Hcy was significantly higher in both cases than control. But insignificant difference was found between AMI vs CHD (P> 0.05). Quantitative measurement of serum Hcy was measured by fluorescence polarization Immunoassay (FPIA) in IMX analyzer (Abbott-USA).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Glycemic status in hyperthyroid subjects.

This was an observational case-control study carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka jointly with the 'Thyroid and Endocrine Clinic' of the same institution during the period of January 2002 to December 2002. Sixty-five (65) newly diagnosed hyperthyroid patients between 20-60 years of age were studied, where forty-five (45) were Graves' disease and twenty (20) were TMNG (Toxic multinodular goiter) patients. Thyrotoxicosis was diagnosed by history, clinical examination and biochemical investigations- FT4, TSH, and Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test. Thirty (30) age and sex matched healthy subjects were taken as control. The mean age was 33.02+/-9.24 years in Graves' disease and 37.55+/-9.49 years in TMNG. Female predominance observed in both the diseases. Glucose intolerance was found in 72.3% of thyrotoxic patients, which is much higher than European population. Our study showed Diabetes mellitus (DM) in 11% of Graves' disease patients. The incidence of DM in Graves' disease was slightly higher in our population. Incidence of DM in TMNG in our study was much lower (5%) than that of Graves' disease (11%) but the incidence of IGT (Impaired glucose tolerance) in TMNG was more (85%) in relation to Graves' disease (54%). Percentage of RAIU was more marked in Graves' disease than TMNG. There is a significant positive correlation (p<0.05) between plasma glucose and FT4 in Graves' disease. Glucose intolerance is frequently found in Thyrotoxic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Measuring the total value of a river cleanup.

The paper estimates the total value for the community of the cleanup of the Buriganga River. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, was developed on the bank of the Buriganga River in the early 1600s. The river is now near dead mainly due to human interventions. The paper develops a hypothetical cleanup programme to improve the water quality, which will help the overall environment in and around the river. The value of this programme is estimated within the framework of total economic value; non-marketed benefits are measured through a contingent valuation survey and marketed benefits are estimated using market and shadow prices. The findings of the survey suggest that not only are a significant proportion of the residents willing to pay for the cleanup programme, but many are also willing to contribute in non-monetary ways (mainly their time). When the latter contribution is monetised, it represents 60% of the total value for the non-marketed benefits. The marketed benefits are estimated to represent 58% of the overall value of the cleanup programme (18.6 million US dollars/year). A failure to account for all benefits could lead to a gross underestimation of the desirability of providing public funding for the cleanup of dying rivers.

Bangladesh↗
PubMed2001

Use of membrane collectors in electrostatic precipitators.

Membrane collection surfaces, developed and patented by researchers at Ohio University, were used to replace steel plates in a dry electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Such replacement facilitates tension-based rapping, which shears the adhered particle layer from the collector surface more effectively than hammer-based rapping. Tests were performed to measure the collection efficiency of the membranes and to quantify the potential improvements of this novel cleaning technique with respect to re-entrainment. Results indicate that even semiconductor materials (e.g., carbon fibers) collect ash nearly as efficiently as steel plates, potentially indicating that collection surface resistivity is primarily dictated by the accumulated ash layer and not by the underlying plate conductivity. In addition, virtually all sheared particles separated from the collecting membranes fell within the boundary layer of the membrane, indicating extremely low potential for re-entrainment.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2000

Multivariate analysis and quantitation of (17)O-nuclear magnetic resonance in primary alcohol mixtures.

Multivariate techniques were used to address the quantification of (17)O-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra for a series of primary alcohol mixtures. Due to highly overlapping resonances, quantitative spectral evaluation using standard integration and deconvolution techniques proved difficult. Multivariate evaluation of the (17)O-NMR spectral data obtained for 26 mixtures of five primary alcohols demonstrated that obtaining information about spectral overlap and interferences allowed the development of more accurate models. Initial partial least squares (PLS) models developed for the (17)O-NMR data collected from the primary alcohol mixtures resulted in very poor precision, with signal overlap between the different chemical species suspected of being the primary contributor to the error. To directly evaluate the question of spectral overlap in these alcohol mixtures, net analyte signal (NAS) analyses were performed. The NAS results indicate that alcohols with similar chain lengths produced severely overlapping (17)O-NMR resonances. Grouping the alcohols based on chain length allowed more accurate and robust calibration models to be developed.

1-Butanol↗
PubMed1997

Ectopic expression of Bcl-2, but not Bcl-xL rescues Ramos B cells from Fas-mediated apoptosis.

The human Burkitt lymphoma Ramos B cell line can be induced to undergo apoptosis in response to a variety of different agents, including calcium ionophores, anti-immunoglobulin (Ig) and macromolecular synthesis inhibitors. In addition, following up-regulation of the Fas (CD95) surface receptor by CD40 ligation, these cells also become susceptible to apoptosis induction by Fas ligation. We have previously shown that protection from calcium ionophore- and macromolecular synthesis inhibitor-induced apoptosis by CD40 ligation is associated with a rapid up-regulation of Bcl-xL followed by a more moderate and delayed up-regulation of Bcl-2. We show here that overexpression of Bcl-xL, like Bcl-2, protects Ramos cells from apoptosis induction in response to calcium ionophore, anti-Ig and macromolecular synthesis inhibition. However, in contrast to Bcl-2, ectopic overexpression of Bcl-xL does not rescue from Fas-mediated apoptosis. Thus, in Ramos B cells, the Fas apoptotic pathway exhibits differential sensitivity to inhibition by Bcl-2 family members. These findings also suggest that CD40 signaling provides a switch which renders the cells susceptible to Fas-ligand mediated apoptosis through up-regulation of Fas whilst affording protection from anti-Ig-induced apoptosis through up-regulation of Bcl-xL.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1996

Effect of previous sclerotherapy on the outcome of gastro-oesophageal devascularization and oesophageal transection in bleeding oesophageal varices.

This retrospective analysis studied the effect of sclerotherapy on subsequent oesophageal transection in the management of patients with bleeding oesophageal varices and compared the result with that in those who did not receive sclerotherapy as the primary treatment. Fifty patients were treated by gastro-oesophageal devascularization and oesophageal transection for bleeding oesophageal varices over a 4-year period. Twenty-six patients did not receive sclerotherapy (group 1) and 24 received between one and four sessions of sclerotherapy (group 2) before surgery. Oedema and thickness of the lower end of the oesophagus and some adhesions were noted during surgery in patients who had had previous sclerotherapy; however, stapled oesophageal transection and anastomosis could be performed in all these patients. There was no oesophageal leak in any patient, although there was a higher rate of chest complications (nine versus six patients) in group 2. Six patients (12 per cent) died (three in each group) during the postoperative period; three had Child grade C disease. It is concluded that the decision to operate to control bleeding varices should be made early. One or two sessions of sclerotherapy before surgery does not increase intraoperative difficulty or the postoperative leak rate following oesophageal transection. The outcome of surgery is directly related to the state of liver reserve (Child grade).

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Simultaneous determinations of histamine and N tau-methylhistamine by high-performance liquid chromatography-chemiluminescence coupled with immobilized diamine oxidase.

A method for the simultaneous determinations of histamine and its metabolite N tau-methylhistamine by HPLC-chemiluminescence coupled with immobilized diamine oxidase was developed. The method was based on the determination of chemiluminescence formed by the reaction of a luminol-ferricyanide mixture in alkaline medium with hydrogen peroxide which is one of the metabolic products of histamine and N tau-methylhistamine formed by diamine oxidase. HPLC with postcolumn derivatization resulted in good separation of the two amines and gave linear relationships between the concentrations of both and their chemiluminescence intensities. The lower limits of chemiluminescent detection of histamine and N tau-methylhistamine were 5 and 10 pmol, respectively. The immobilized column showed good operational stability for more than 1 month, during which period 200 samples were analyzed. With this system, the histamine contents of the cerebral cortex, forestomach, glandular stomach, and kidney of Wistar rats were found to be 0.30, 58, 396, and 2.4 nmol/g wet wt, respectively. These values are very similar to those determined by HPLC-fluorometry. The N tau-methylhistamine contents of these tissues were 0.36, 0.40, 0.72, and 3.8 nmol/g wet wt, respectively. This method will be useful for studying the roles of histamine in both brain and peripheral tissues.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗
PubMed1995

Polyamine induced Z-conformation of native calf thymus DNA.

Conformational isomerization of native calf thymus DNA under the influence of spermine, spermidine and putrescine was monitored by UV absorption and immunospecific anti-Z-DNA antibodies. Immunological data indicated increased binding of anti-Z-DNA antibodies to polyamine-perturbed conformations of native DNA and double stranded poly(dG-dC). In the absence of polyamines, anti-Z-DNA antibodies did not bind to either polymers. Analysis of UV absorption studies indicates a left handed conformation of nDNA in the presence of polyamines. Moreover, we observed total aggregation of DNA in the presence of spermine on prolongued incubation. These perturbations in conformation were dependent on polyamine concentration. The results clearly suggest that certain regions of nDNA are sensitive to elevated levels of polyamines and are capable of undergoing B-->Z transition.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Acute toxicity of selected organophosphorus pesticides to Cyprinus carpio and Barilius vagra.

The acute toxicity of two organophosphorus (OP) pesticides, diazinon and malathion to Cyprinus carpio and Barilius vagra was determined. Mortalities and LC50-96 hr values for B. vagra and C. carpio were variable. Both juvenile common carp and B. vagra were extremely sensitive to diazinon. Adult B. vagra were more sensitive to malathion than were juvenile common carp.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

The effect of malathion, diazinon, and various concentrations of zinc, copper, nickel, lead, iron, and mercury on fish.

Acute and chronic toxicity tests for malathion, diazinon, copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe) were conducted. Mortalities of Barilius vagra and Cyprinus carpio (common carp) were variable but LC50-96 hr were similar for pesticides. Adult B. vagra seem to be more sensitive to malathion than juvenile carp. Both juvenile carp and adult B. vagra were extremely sensitive to diazinon. Long-term exposure to pesticides modified morphology and behavior. The LC50-96 values for Cu, Hg, and Pb were 0.3, 0.16, and 0.44, respectively, for smaller fish and 1.0, 0.77, and 1.33, respectively, for larger fish. Replicate LC50 values for Zn, Ni, and Fe were somewhat variable, and for these metals, the size of the fish seemed to affect response because LC50 values increased as fish size increased. Copper, Pb, Zn, and Fe residues following exposure to sublethal concentrations of these metals for 15 d were significantly greater in whole juvenile common carp than in controls.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Physicochemical characterization of industrial effluents and their effect on fish survival.

Water samples taken from selected industrial drainages and receiving streams in and around Islamabad, Pakistan, during the summers of 1987 to 1990 showed disturbances in pH and low oxygen levels. Selected metals (Fe, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Hg) were higher in all effluents than in receiving waters. Static bioassays of the undiluted industrial effluents from three sites caused 100% mortality in carp during the first 24 hrs. Fishes also suffered 30 to 60% mortality when exposed to other undiluted industrial effluents and some mortality when industrial effluents were diluted by 50%.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Immunobead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitating immunoglobulin A in human secretions and serum.

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitating human immunoglobulin A in human secretions and serum. The procedure uses Immunobeads as the solid phase, has a sensitivity of 10 ng/ml, and can be completed in 1 day. Since there is no diffusion through agar, the assay does not require a correction factor when measuring secretory immunoglobulin A. This method should be useful in studies of local mucosal immunity in humans, especially when a very sensitive assay is needed.

Cholera↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Granular cell tumour of the ampulla of Vater.

Granular cell tumour (GCT) is a rare soft tissue neoplasm commonly encountered in the head and neck region, skin and subcutaneous tissue. GCT of the biliary system is most commonly reported in African-American females and usually presents as abdominal pain and obstructive jaundice. The neoplasm constitutes less than 10% of all benign tumours of the extra-hepatic biliary tree. No case of GCT involving the ampulla of Vater has been reported in the literature to date. We report a case of benign GCT involving the ampullary region in a 44-year-old Ethiopian male. Preoperative diagnosis was available on ERCP and deep biopsy. The patient was managed by debulking resection and biliary-enteric bypass and is symptom-free with no evidence of tumour progression after a follow-up of one year.

Adult↗