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Biomedical subjects

M Rafiq

Publications and source records attributed to M Rafiq.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Determination of antimicrobial activity of Cefaclor on common respiratory tract pathogens in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antimicrobial activity of Cefaclor against common respiratory tract pathogens isolated from patients in Pakistan. SETTING: Department of Microbiology, Liaquat National Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. METHOD: A laboratory analysis was done on 466 isolates of respiratory tract pathogens collected from 13 laboratories from all over Pakistan. Antibiotic sensitivity test was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and MIC of Cefaclor was determined by 'E' test. RESULT: Of the 163 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 87 Moraxella catarrhalis and 216 Haemophilus influenzae > 95% isolates were susceptible to Cefaclor. The MIC 90 of all these pathogens were < 2 ug. CONCLUSION: Resistance of respiratory tract pathogens to the 2nd generation Cephalosporin, Cefaclor is very low. MIC 90 of Cefaclor against all three common respiratory tract pathogens is < 2 ug, which indicates that Cefaclor would be effective in more than 90% of cases infected with these bacteria.

Cefaclor↗
PubMed2001

The beneficial effect of OST-6 (OsteoCare), a herbomineral formulation, in experimental osteoporosis.

OST-6 (OsteoCare), a herbomineral formulation, was evaluated for its inhibitory effect on the progress of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats. Ovariectomized (Ovx) rats were administered with OST-6 at 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt., orally daily for 90 days. On 91st day, ovariectomized rats showed reduced bone mineral content and increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels, excretion of urinary calcium and pyridinium cross-links levels. Histologically, bone sections revealed narrowed and disappearance of trabeculae and widened medullary spaces. The total numbers of Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive cells were significantly increased both in-vivo and in-vitro methods. OST-6, at a dose of 500 mg/kg, significantly improved bone mineral contents, serum alkaline phosphatase levels, reduced the elevated urinary calcium and pyridinium cross-links excretion, number of TRAP positive cells and reversal of the above mentioned histological features. These results indicate the usefulness of OST-6 in the management of osteoporosis in a natural way through herbal resources.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of E-721B, an indigenous herbal combination in experimental models of immediate hypersensitivity.

E-721B, an indigenous herbal combination was investigated for its usefulness in immediate hypersensitivity using different animal models. The drug inhibited the mast cell degranulation induced both by antigen and compound 48/80, the Schultz-Dale response in sensitized guinea pig ileum smooth muscle preparation and the production of precipitating antibodies in 50% of tested rats. It also inhibited the mast cell degranulation in passively sensitized rats indicating its suppressive action on production of reaginic antibody (IgE). However, the drug did not inhibit the 48 hours passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in rats, indicating that a single dose of the drug does not have cromoglycate like properties. All the above results indicate the inhibitory effect of E-721B on immediate hypersensitive reactions such as asthma.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed2000

Serological detection of Gram-positive bacterial infection around prostheses.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci produce an exocellular glycolipid antigen which has potential as a serological marker of infection in bone. The value of this newly detected antigen was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 15 patients with culture-proven infection of prostheses caused by Gram-positive bacteria. The antigen was purified by gel-permeation chromatography from the culture supernatants of coagulase-negative staphylococci grown in a chemically defined medium. There were significant differences (p < 0.0001) between the serum IgG and IgM levels in patients with infection due to Gram-positive staphylococci and those of a control group of 32 patients with no infection. The ELISA test, which has potential for the diagnosis of infection, may be valuable in distinguishing between staphylococcal infection around prostheses and aseptic loosening.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Expression of recombinant human ceruloplasmin--an absolute requirement for splicing signals in the expression cassette.

We report the successful expression of recombinant human ceruloplasmin which was made possible by inclusion of splicing signals in the expression vector. Ceruloplasmin cDNA expressed from the vector pNUT in baby hamster kidney cells gave protein yields of 0.03 mg/l which increased to 15 mg/l with splicing signals present. The defect in expression from the intronless cDNA is due to complete retention of ceruloplasmin mRNA in cell nuclei. The block to cytoplasmic export is alleviated by splicing signals, allowing full expression of the mRNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Iron release from recombinant N-lobe and mutants of human transferrin.

Mutations of kinetically active residues in the recombinant N-lobe of human transferrin may accelerate or retard release of iron from the protein to pyrophosphate, thereby providing means for exploring the individual roles of such residues in the concerted mechanisms of release. Using an established spectrofluorometric method and pyrophosphate as the required iron-sequestering agent, we have compared release from unaltered native transferrin and recombinant N-lobe half-transferrin to release from six N-lobe mutants, R124S, R124K, K206R, H207E, H249Y, and Y95H. Mutation of R124, which serves as a principal anchor for the synergistic carbonate anion ordinarily required for iron binding by transferrin, accelerates release. This effect is most marked at endosomal pH, 5.6, and is also evident at extracellular pH, 7.4, pointing to a critical and perhaps initiating role of carbonate in the release process. Mutation of K206 to arginine, or of H207 to glutamine, each lying in the interdomain cleft of the N-lobe, gives products mimicking the arrangements in lactoferrin. Release of iron from these two mutants, as from lactoferrin, is substantially slower than from unaltered recombinant N-lobe. Interdomain residues not directly involved in iron or anion binding may therefore participate in the control of iron release within the endosome. The H249Y mutant releases iron much more rapidly than its wild-type parent or any other mutant, possibly because of steric effects of the additional phenolic ring in the binding site. No simple explanation is available to account for a stabilizing effect of the Y95H mutation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Collection of a representative fraction of total spent hemodialysate.

We describe a method of obtaining a small representative fraction of spent dialysate by placing a side tube in the dialysate drainage tube. The side tube, capped with a small-gauge needle, is used to collect the specimen. Fractions obtained in this fashion are found to have a composition similar to that of the remaining spent dialysate.

Hemodialysis Solutions↗
PubMed1995

Seropositivity of toxoplasmosis among reproductive-age women in Malatya, Turkey.

A total of 996 sera from women between the ages of 17-45 years were examined for Toxoplasma gondii; IgG and IgM antibodies by solid-phase-enzyme immunoassay. The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis was found to be 39.9%. Of 996 women, 396 (39.6%) had specific IgG, 26 (2.6%) had both IgG and IgM, and 3 (0.3%) had only IgM antibodies. The results obtained in this study & other previous studies done in Turkey indicated the high prevalence of T. gondii infection in this country.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of femoral fracture above a knee prosthesis. 18 cases followed 0.5-14 years.

We reviewed 16 patients who sustained 18 fractures above a total knee prosthesis. 5 fractures were undisplaced and were treated with either skeletal traction or a plaster cylinder. 3 did well, 1 patient suffered a cerebral vascular accident while still in plaster and 1 patient died of heart failure while on skeletal traction. 7 displaced fractures were treated initially with skeletal traction. 1 patient had a nonunion of the fracture and 2 a malunion and malfunction of the knee. 4 underwent various operations later because of malalignment and nonunion of the fracture with poor functional results. 6 displaced fractures were treated with immediate internal fixation. 5 recovered well and returned to pre-fracture activities. 1 patient's plate broke and further surgery was needed. We conclude that displaced fractures above a knee prosthesis should be treated with immediate stable internal fixation and early mobilization. Nonoperative treatment was satisfactory only for minor undisplaced fractures.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacokinetic interactions of Mentat with carbamazepine and phenytoin.

In the present study, Mentat, a herbomineral psychotropic preparation, was studied for its pharmacokinetic interaction with the commonly used anti-epileptic drugs, carbamazepine and phenytoin. The interaction of carbamazepine and phenytoin with Mentat was studied in rabbits. Thirty two rabbits were divided into four groups of eight each. Animals of Group I were treated with carbamazepine (50 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.), Group II were treated with carbamazepine (50 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) + Mentat (500 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.), Group III were treated with phenytoin (50 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) and Group IV were treated with phenytoin (50 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) + Mentat (500 mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) for a period of 8 days. On day 0 and day 8, plasma carbamazepine and phenytoin levels were estimated at different time intervals. A simultaneous treatment with Mentat resulted in a significant increase in plasma AUC of carbamazepine as well as phenytoin as compared to carbamazepine or phenytoin alone. Cmax and Tmax of carbamazepine and phenytoin also were evaluated. The results suggest that co-administration of Mentat could improve the effectiveness of anti-epileptic drugs due to the increased bioavailability of the latter. However, this has to be done with critical medical supervision to avoid any toxic reactions and preferably with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) which could also help in dose optimization.

Animals↗