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Biomedical subjects

M M Ali

Publications and source records attributed to M M Ali.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Influence of altered afferent input on the number of trochlear motor neurons during development.

A loss of about half of the trochlear motor neurons occurs during the course of normal development. The present investigation was undertaken to examine the role of afferent input in regulating the number of surviving or dying trochlear motor neurons. A majority of the afferent input to the trochlear nucleus comes from the vestibular nuclei of the hindbrain via the medial longitudinal fasciculus. Portions of the hindbrain were lesioned in duck embryos on embryonic day 3, considerably prior to the time motor neurons send their axons out and cell death begins. The effectiveness of hindbrain lesion was verified by electron microscopical examination of synapses. There was a significant decrease in the number of synapses on trochlear motor neurons following hindbrain lesion. Cell counts made after the period of cell death indicated a significant decrease in the final number of surviving trochlear motor neurons. Cell counts made prior to the onset of cell death indicated that there was a drastic reduction in the initial number of trochlear motor neurons produced in hindbrain lesion embryos. In spite of a significant reduction in the initial number of neurons, the percentage loss of neurons was about the same as during normal development. Since trochlear motor neurons are generated prior to the formation of afferent synapses on them, it is unlikely that the reduction in the number of motor neurons initially produced is due to reduced afferent synaptic input. Since the percentage of cell loss in hindbrain lesion and normal embryos is about the same, it seems that the magnitude of cell death is genetically programmed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of haematuria as an indirect screening test for schistosomiasis haematobium: a population-based study in the White Nile province, Sudan.

Haematuria elicited in the history, seen macroscopically or detected by reagent strips, was used as an indirect screening test for Schistosoma haematobium infection in Um-Hani Irrigation Scheme in the White Nile province, Sudan. These approaches were used separately or combined in different sequences. Reagent strips alone detected 81% of cases and 88% of those who excreted 50 egg/10 ml of urine or more. The sequence of observation of gross haematuria followed by screening with reagent strips and then taking history of haematuria had the highest sensitivity of all the orders, 0.87, and it saved 18% of reagent strips. If history and inspection were done first, followed by reagent strips, the sensitivity would be 0.86 and 47% of strips would be saved. The specificity of haematuria as a diagnostic index for schistosomiasis, however, was low.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Influence of zearalenone on some metabolic, physiological and pathological aspects of female rabbits at two different ages.

Thirty six female rabbits half of which at four months of age while the other half aged eight months. Each group of age was divided into three subgroups of an equal number and received 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 ppm zearalenone (F-2) in the feed of young animals and 0.0, 1.0 and 4.0 ppm in the feed of the old one for 18 days. The data showed that zearalenone administration to young rabbit diets elevated body weight gain, feed intake, water consumption, digestibility and digesta contents of dry matter and ash. Haemoglobin percent, packed cell volume, and serum calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C were also increased in response to dietary F-2. Liver dry matter, ether extract and ash contents as well as bone density, ash and silica contents were considerably elevated in the young treated animals. The opposite trend however, was seen for all studied parameters of old rabbits fed on diets supplemented with F-2. On the other hand, zearalenone application caused a noticeable histopathological changes in liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, adrenal glands, spleen and uterus. Thus, and in spite of its improving the performance of young rabbits, it would not be recommended to use F-2 as anabolic agent in rabbits diet.

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Effects of naloxone infusion in patients with septic shock and renal failure: a limited experience.

Septic shock is frequently associated with acute renal failure. Management of these patients becomes complicated if either the renal or systemic hemodynamic derangement cannot be corrected. Although previously large doses of furosemide and naloxone infusion have been used separately in managing these patients, the combination of both agents has not been employed. We therefore report our limited experience with this combined treatment in 5 patients with septic shock, of which 4 had acute renal failure.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of eosinophiluria in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis hematobium: a field-based study.

Using Hansel's stain, eosinophiluria greater than 5% of total urinary white blood cells was found in 59% of a randomly selected population sample in an area endemic for schistosomiasis hematobium. The prevalence and mean level of eosinophiluria were significantly higher in infected subjects than in noninfected subjects (P less than 0.05). The sensitivity (80%), specificity (86%), and positive predictive value (82%) of eosinophiluria as a diagnostic index for schistosomiasis hematobium were significantly higher (Youdin index 0.66; P less than 0.05) than those of proteinuria, hematuria, and leukocyturia taken singly or in combination. However, unlike the latter three measurements, this method involves microscopy. There is a great need for a chemical method for measuring eosinophiluria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Smaller health areas for a better service.

An analysis of Sudan's health system revealed a lack of sound leadership for village-level providers. The district-based peripheral health system was failing to meet an increased demand for leadership and management support. Some of the principal factors explaining this state of affairs were population growth, increased numbers of health units, long distances and transport difficulties. With a view to solving these problems, the country was divided into smaller health areas around rural hospitals and similar physician-led facilities. A decentralized system based on the principles of primary care was established in these areas under health area management teams. Setbacks encountered in giving effect to the policy have led to proposals for a new implementation strategy.

Catchment Area, Health↗
PubMed1991

Synapse formation on trochlear motor neurons under conditions of increased and decreased cell death during development.

There is a normally occurring death of about half of the trochlear motor neurons during development. Early removal of the target muscle results in death of almost all neurons whereas neuromuscular blockade prevents neuron death. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether the number of central afferent synapses on motor neurons is altered under conditions which either accentuate cell loss or rescue neurons. The sole peripheral target of innervation of the trochlear motor neurons, the superior oblique muscle, was extirpated in duck embryos before the motor axon outgrowth begins. The neuromuscular blockade was achieved by application of paralyzing dosages of alpha bungarotoxin on to the vascularized chorioallantoic membrane. This treatment began prior to the onset of cell death and embryos were treated daily throughout the period of cell death. Brains were processed for electron microscopy and quantitative observations were made on synapses at the onset, during the period of, and at the end of cell death. It was found that there was no significant difference in the number of synapses on neurons following target removal, following neuromuscular blockade, and those developing normally. This observation indicates that the number of central afferent synapses on cell soma is not altered under conditions which either decrease or increase neuron survival. These results suggest that the synapse number per se may not be directly involved in the process of naturally occurring cell death. The results also suggest that the number of synapses on trochlear motor neurons is independent of interactions with the target.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Synapse formation on trochlear motor neurons in relation to naturally occurring cell death during development.

About half of the trochlear motor neurons die during the course of normal development. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the afferent synapses form before the onset of motor neuron death and also to determine whether the number of synapses differs between the healthy and degenerating trochlear motor neurons. Brains of duck embryos from days 10 to 20 were prepared for quantitative electron microscopical observations on synaptogenesis. Results indicate that synapses form on the trochlear motor neuron soma before cell death begins suggesting that afferent input is in a position to exert an influence on survival or death of motor neurons. There were no significant differences in the number of synapses between the healthy and dying neurons during the period of cell death. This observation suggests that the mechanism by which afferent synapses could be involved in neuron survival or death is not related to the number of synapses on the cell soma. The number of synapses on the cell process, synaptic transmission and/or molecules released at the synapses are likely candidates for the mechanism of action of afferent input.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Light- and electron-microscopic studies on isolated bovine islets of Langerhans.

While several recent studies have focussed on the critical assessment of yield, purity and function of isolated islets, fine-structural investigations of isolated islets have been the subject of only a few studies. After intraductal injection of collagenase solution, the distended bovine pancreata were processed in a continuous digestion-filtration device, after which the purification of the islet suspension was accomplished by density gradient centrifugation. Purified islets were then prepared for light- and transmission electron-microscopic analysis. In semithin sections, no evidence of either connective tissue or exocrine tissue surrounding isolated islets was found. Endocrine cells exhibiting cytoplasmic granules were packed in clusters varying in size. In ultrathin sections, A-cells containing numerous secretory granules were distinctive; their cytoplasm contained conspicuous formations of rough endoplasmatic reticulum and juxtanuclear Golgi complexes. In the B-cells, the Golgi complexes were also prominent; these elements, however, were poor in endoplasmic reticulum and displayed characteristic B-cell granules surrounded by a halo. A few ultrastructurally heterogeneous cells were scattered among the identified cellular elements.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Using a pocket computer to calculate monitor units--outline of a program in BASIC.

A pocket computer was programmed in BASIC to calculate monitor units for a dual energy linear accelerator. Because of the relatively large RAM memory, it was possible to input the TMR (or the PDD) tables for both energies as DATA. The program was written with the intention of providing a back-up check of the hand calculations.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Local management of pancreatic carcinoma: iodine-125 implantation.

A retrospective review of patients with pancreatic carcinoma treated from 1983 to 1986 was performed. Group 1 comprise 11 patients judged surgically unresectable who were implanted with iodine-125 followed by external beam therapy post-operatively (Implant + XRT). Eight patients received external beam therapy alone (XRT) Group 2, and 23 patients underwent radical surgical resection (group 3). Median survival was 8 months in the implant + XRT group; 5 months in the XRT alone group and 7.5 months in the surgical group. Locoregional control was achieved in 8/11 (73%), 2/8 (25%), and 11/23 (48%) of these groups respectively. Pain was the most common presenting symptom, 38/42 (90%). Complete, lasting palliation was achieved in 8/10 (80%) of group one, 2/8 (25%) of group two, and 13/20 (65%) of group three patients. Despite surgical unresectability implant + XRT appears to offer similar results to radical surgery. The data are presented with respect to the implant technique, disappearance of the tumour on CT scan and patterns of failure.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Effectiveness and safety of captopril in Sudanese hypertensive patients.

This study reports on the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of captopril in 36 Sudanese patients, who were classified as resistant, moderate to severe and mild according to initial diastolic blood pressure and history of treatment. The patients were titrated against a six-step captopril treatment regime with or without hydrochlorothiazide and reserpine. The median follow up period was 11.6 month. The initial median pre-treatment blood pressure was 159/101, 182/120 and 217/130 and at the end of study 125/77, 120/74 and 165/95 for the mild, severe and resistant groups respectively. Tolerance was good and side effects were mild and similar to others reported in literature. The effective daily treatment was 25-50 mg captopril for mild hypertension, 50 to 100 mg captopril with 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide for severe hypertension while it was 225 mg captopril with 50 to 100 mg hydrochlorothiazide and a need for a third drug in 30% of patients in the resistant group. These results reveal normal responsiveness to captopril among black Sudanese patients with good tolerance and safety.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Hereditary alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in duodenal ulcer.

An alpha-1-antitrypsin study was carried out on 184 patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer, 66 first degree relatives of the patients and in 150 healthy controls, to establish the role of genetic factors in the etiology of duodenal ulcer. Alpha-1-antitrypsin served as a genetic marker in this study; it was estimated in terms of serum trypsin inhibitor capacity by the method of Jaccobson. Deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin level was recorded in patients as well as their family members when compared with controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of chronic cadmium exposure on locomotor behaviour of rats.

Growing male rats were exposed to cadmium (Cd, 100 micrograms/kg, ip) for 51 days and the effect on the different components of locomotor behaviour was assessed on days 38, 46 and 51 of Cd exposure. Significant decrease in distance travelled, stereotypic time and movements, ambulatory time and vertical movements were observed in Cd-exposed rats, whereas the time of rest was increased. The number of entries into the inner as well as the outer squares and the total time spent in the inner squares of the floor area were significantly reduced. Results indicate that Cd exposure results in a general depression in all aspects of motor behaviour leading to decrease in gross locomotor activity. The involvement of an exaggerated emotional reactivity in the behavioural expression of the Cd-treated animals is also emphasized.

Acetates↗