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Biomedical subjects

M Zaki

Publications and source records attributed to M Zaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Lack of an association between candidate gene loci and idiopathic generalized epilepsy in Kuwaiti Arab children.

Idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) are the most common types of epilepsy in childhood and adolescence. A variety of data suggest that IGEs have a predominant genetic etiology. Recently, a number of gene mutations have been found to be associated with various types of epilepsy in mainly the Caucasian populations. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of three different candidate genes with IGE in Kuwaiti Arab children. This study includes 123 Kuwaiti patients with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy. Most of the patients have had a diagnostic EEG with generalized spike-wave discharges (GSWs). All patients were evaluated by using a validated seizure questionnaire. The clinical type of epilepsy was determined by a trained neurologist/pediatrician. The study also include 100 controls, the control subjects were children which did not have any history of neurological disorders. Blood samples were collected from all patients and control subjects after taking informed consent. DNA was isolated and analyzed by molecular methods. A FokI polymorphism in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha-4 subunit (CHRNA4) gene was detected by PCR-RFLP method. A missense mutation (Ser248Phe) in CHRNA4 gene was analyzed by PCR-RFLP using HpaII. A C121W mutation in sodium-channel beta-1 subunit (SCN1B) gene was screened by a PCR-RFLP method using HinPI. A 2-bp deletion in Cystatin B gene was detected by PCR-RFLP using XcmI. The incidence of three FokI polymorphism genotypes in Kuwaiti IGE patients was 1,1 (85%), 1,2 (14%) and 2,2 (1%) respectively. The missense mutation Ser248Phe of CHRNA4 gene was not detected at all in Kuwaiti IGE patients. The C387G transversion resulting in C121W change in third exon of the SCN1B gene was detected in 3/123 patients (2%). The patients carrying this mutation also exhibited febrile seizures. The incidence of 2 bp deletion in the cystatin B gene was found to be 4% (5/123 IGE patients). The data obtained from molecular analysis show a lack of association between three candidate genes and clinical expression of IGE in Kuwaiti Arab children. This is completely different from the findings reported from Caucasian populations of France, Australia and USA in which case a strong association has been reported between IGE and these genes.

Arabs↗
PubMed2005

Plasma leptin concentration in patients with Type 2 diabetes: relationship to cardiovascular disease risk factors and insulin resistance.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of obesity, leptin, insulin resistance and C-reactive protein (CRP) with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with CHD compared with those with Type 2 DM without CHD. METHODS: Leptin, CRP (high sensitivity assay), fasting plasma insulin, glucose, HbA(1c) and full lipid profile were determined in 58 Type 2 diabetic patients with CHD and 87 Type 2 DM patients without CHD. RESULTS: were compared between those with and without CHD. Univariate correlation as well as logistic regression analyses were used to relate these markers with traditional CHD risk factors. RESULTS: Leptin showed significant correlations with BMI (r = 0.59; P < or = 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.45; P < 0.0001), CRP (r = 0.36; P < 0.0001), and fasting insulin (r = 0.53; P < 0.0001) as well as with systolic (r = 0.23; P = 0.007) and diastolic (r = 0.23; P = 0.007) blood pressure. However, when those with and without CHD were compared only age (P < 0.0001), duration of diabetes (P < 0.001) and degree of microalbuminuria (P = 0.02) were significantly higher in patients with CHD. Leptin (P = 0.49), CRP (P = 0.19) and lipid parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms a relationship between leptin and CRP with CHD risk factors. The lack of significant difference when patients with and without CHD are compared may be due to the potential confounding effects of treatment with aspirin and statins.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Lactic acidosis and developmental delay due to deficiency of E3 binding protein (protein X) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency is an important cause of primary lactic acidosis. Most cases occur as a result of mutations in the gene for the E1 alpha subunit of the complex, with a small number resulting from mutations in genes for other components, most commonly the E3 and E3-binding protein subunits. We describe pyruvate dehydrogenase E3-binding protein deficiency in two siblings in each of two unrelated families from Kuwait. The index patient in each family had reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in cultured fibroblasts and no detectable immunoreactive E3-binding protein. Both were homozygous for nonsense mutations in the E3-binding protein gene, one involving the codon for glutamine 266, the other the codon for tryptophan 5.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed2004

Medication compliance among renal transplant patients: a Hospital Kuala Lumpur experience.

This survey aims to identify prevalence, reasons and predictors of noncompliance among renal transplant patients followed up in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). All adult renal transplant patients who were at least 6 months post transplant were recruited from 10/2001 till 5/2002. Patients who consented were interviewed by a medical doctor or research assistant based on questionnaire. Noncompliers were defined as those who missed or self adjusted any dose of immunosuppressant within the preceding 4 weeks. Inter-rater agreement was assessed prior by Kappa (K) scores and they were acceptable. Out of 304 patients, 246 patients volunteered; of whom 144 (58.5%) were males. Twenty-one (9.3%) were noncompliers. Reasons for noncompliance included forgetfulness (n=8), financial constraints (n=1), fear of rejection (n=1), side effects (n=9), decision not to take (n=6), difficulty in breaking medication into correct dosages (n=1). Significant predictors of noncompliance were longer duration of transplant noncompliance to other drugs, regular use of nonprescription drugs; the lack of symptoms of fat facial cheeks and infection. Surveillance for noncompliance should not be relaxed as its predictors are diverse and persistent, especially in those who are at high risks.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Endoscopic-assisted microsurgery: microsurgery in the new millennium? A comparative experimental study.

Endoscopes are already present in almost all plastic surgery departments. The operating microscope is currently an essential piece of equipment for performing microsurgical anastomoses; however, microsurgery could be conducted using other equipment, including the endoscope. By performing 60 vessel and nerve repairs in rats under the operating microscope and the same number using the endoscope as a visual aid, we investigated the technical and clinical differences between the two instruments. We recorded significantly shorter operative, vascular preparation and anastomotic times in the endoscopically assisted group. Based on the data collected during this study, we conclude that microsurgery is possible with the aid of an endoscope. Using the endoscope may make prolonged microvascular procedures shorter and less physically demanding and may increase the comfort level of both the surgeon and the assistant.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2003

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the English version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for use in Malaysia.

We adapted the English International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) into Malay. This was difficult as many sex-related terms do not exist in colloquial Malay. In the pretest, there was no difficulty with comprehension and all subjects judged the Malay IIEF equivalent to the English IIEF. After slight modification, a final instrument was evaluated in two studies. Study A included 136 subjects. It showed that the instrument had good reliability and discriminant validity. The factor structure of the English IIEF was not reproducible. Study B included 26 ED subjects who underwent oral sildenafil therapy. The Malay IIEF was sensitive to treatment response. The area under the ROC curve of the Malay IIEF-5 was 0.86; the optimal cutoff score has a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 75%. The results suggest that the Malay IIEF requires more work, but the Malay IIEF-5 has acceptable measurement properties to recommend its use in clinical practice and research.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Membranous glomerulopathy and acute interstitial nephritis following treatment with celecoxib.

Both membranous glomerulopathy and acute interstitial nephritis have been reported to occur following treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We report the first cases of membranous glomerulopathy and acute interstitial nephritis following treatment with celecoxib (Celebrex), a selective COX-2 inhibitor. The rapid and complete resolution of both conditions following discontinuation of Celebrex strongly implicates this agent in disease pathogenesis. These cases enlarge the spectrum of potential renal toxicities of the COX-2-specific non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Tribological behavior of artificial hip joint under the effects of magnetic field in dry and lubricated sliding.

In recent years, there is an increasing utilization and demand to use magnetic fields in bioengineering applications due to its beneficial effects. Although in the last decade more attention has been given by tribologists to the electromagnetic processes taking place between sliding surfaces, which influence the tribological behaviors, but no attention has been concern with the sliding surfaces of the artificial implant joints. Therefore, the present work aims to elucidate the tribological behavior of an artificial joint implant under the effect of magnetic fields. Experimental investigation was carried out on a specially designed and constructed hip simulator on which the variations in the coefficients of friction and wear rates of the sliding surfaces were evaluated under the influence of a medium strength magnetic field suitable to apply in the human body. A realistic Ti-alloy implanted stem was used with an inserted head made from surgical grade stainless steel. This head was allowed to rub against UHMWPE sockets. The utilized type of prosthesis was "The JRI Modular Muller Standard-Total Hip Design". The performed experimental tests were conducted under both dry and lubricated sliding conditions using physiological saline solution. The designed simulator allows the coefficients of friction and the wear rates to be evaluated under realistic physiological loading and motion cycles encountered during normal walking of the human body. Comparative results are presented between the artificial joint performance in the presence and absence of the applied magnetic field. The experimental results have indicated that the presence of a medium strength magnetic field of 270 Gauss strength between rubbing surfaces resulted in high beneficial reductions in friction and wear rate of UHMWPE sliding on stainless steel either under dry or saline lubricating conditions. Therefore recommendation was forward to subject artificial implants made of stainless steel/UHMWPE combination of material to such medium strength magnetic field in animal clinical trials aiming to prolong the implant life. Scanning investigation of rubbing surfaces has revealed that the transfer of polymer to the counterface plays a dominant role in dictating the frictional and wear behaviors under dry sliding condition. Smooth molecular profile of the polymer-transferred leads to progressive reductions in friction and wear while the lumpy polymer transfer, formed at the beginning of sliding, increases both friction coefficient and wear. Two action mechanisms dominate the sliding process; adhesive and abrasive mechanisms. The presence of saline lubricant retards the formation of the beneficial polymer transfer thus leading to faster abrasion of the polymeric counterface which explains the relatively rapid and progressive increases in friction and wear.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2002

Association of C-reactive protein with coronary heart disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The assessment of markers of systemic inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL6), could be used to identify persons at high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). This study evaluates the relationship of CRP and IL6 with CHD risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with CHD and age and sex matched type 2 DM controls without CHD. CRP, IL-6, total plasma homocysteine (tHcy), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and sialic acid (SA) were determined in 55 type 2 diabetic patients with CHD and 51 age- and sex-matched type 2 diabetic controls without CHD. Multivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to relate these markers with CHD risk factors. CRP (P=0.02) and tHcy (P=0.03) were significantly higher in patients with CHD compared with the control group even after correction for age and sex. IL6, Lp(a), SA and lipid parameters were not significantly different between the two groups of patients. After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for elevated CRP was 2.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-3.58) (P=0.02) but the OR for IL6 was 3.41 95% CI, 0.70-17.17 (P=0.14). Partial correlation analyses of CRP and IL6 with other variables showed significant correlation of CRP with tHcy, and SA in patients with CHD only. Our results support the inclusion of CRP (high-sensitivity assay), in the risk assessment of diabetic subjects.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed2002

Influence of Charnley hip neck-angle inclination on the stresses at stem/cement and bone/cement interfaces.

The present work aims to elucidate the influence of neck-stem angle inclination on the principal normal and shear stress distributions and values along the interfaces of the stem/cement and bone/cement in a cemented Charnley curved back femoral component. The same stresses were also examined for the intact bone that was considered as a reference for the obtained results. The interface is considered the weakest link in the structure and its endurance limit to failure is much less than the limit of the adjacent materials. Interface loading is by far the influential aspect governing the induced interface stresses in femoral total hip replacement. Therefore, higher values and nonuniform distribution of stresses at the interface may lead to loosening and crack initiation and propagation that usually precede the stem fracture.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗
PubMed2001

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic DNA from Entamoeba histolytica.

An important gap in our understanding of the epidemiology of amebiasis is what determines the outcome of Entamoeba histolytica infections. To investigate the possible existence of invasive and noninvasive strains as one factor, the ability to differentiate individual isolates of E. histolytica is necessary. Two new loci containing internal repeats, locus 1-2 and locus 5-6, have been isolated. Each contains a single repeat block with two types of related direct repeats arranged in tandem. Southern blot analysis suggests that both loci are multicopy and may themselves be arranged in tandem arrays. Three other previously reported, internally repetitive loci containing at least two repeat blocks each with one or more related repeat units were also investigated. PCR was used to study polymorphism at each of these loci, which was detected to various degrees in each case. Variation was seen in the total number of bands obtained per isolate and their sizes. Nucleotide sequence comparison of loci 1-2 and 5-6 in five axenic isolates revealed differences in the number of repeat units, which correlated with the observed PCR product size variation, and in repeat sequence. Use of multiple loci collectively allowed differentiation of a majority of the 13 isolates studied, and we believe that these loci have the potential to be used as polymorphic molecular markers for investigating the epidemiology of E. histolytica and the potential existence of genetically distinct invasive and noninvasive strains.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase: expression in rat parietal cells.

Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) are enzymes that catalyze the generation of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine and require nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as a cofactor. At least three isoforms of NOS have been identified: neuronal NOS (nNOS or NOS I), inducible NOS (iNOS or NOS II), and endothelial NOS (eNOS or NOS II). Recent studies implicate NO in the regulation of gastric acid secretion. The aim of the present study was to localize the cellular distribution and characterize the isoform of NOS present in oxyntic mucosa. Oxyntic mucosal segments from rat stomach were stained by the NADPH-diaphorase reaction and with isoform-specific NOS antibodies. The expression of NOS in isolated, highly enriched (>98%) rat parietal cells was examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR. In oxyntic mucosa, histochemical staining revealed NADPH-diaphorase and nNOS immunoreactivity in cells in the midportion of the glands, which were identified as parietal cells in hematoxylin and eosin-stained step sections. In isolated parietal cells, decisive evidence for nNOS expression was obtained by specific immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and RT-PCR. Cloning and sequence analysis of the PCR product confirmed it to be nNOS (100% identity). Expression of nNOS in parietal cells suggests that endogenous NO, acting as an intracellular signaling molecule, may participate in the regulation of gastric acid secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Disruption of the IFN-gamma cytokine network in chronic lymphocytic leukemia contributes to resistance of leukemic B cells to apoptosis.

Recent evidence indicates that the slowly expanding population of CD5+ B cells that characterizes chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) results primarily from defects in responses to cytokines that regulate apoptosis (e.g. I1-4, TGF-beta, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma). We have now demonstrated not only that the enhanced anti-apoptotic effect of IFN-gamma on these neoplastic B cells is apparently mediated through increased levels of IFN-gamma receptors but also that there are increased numbers of IFN-gamma-expressing CD4 and CD8 T cells in these patients. This is the strongest evidence to date that multiple alterations in the IFN-gamma cytokine network contribute to the pathogenesis of CLL.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Parental competency assessment: approaches and issues.

The assessment of parental competency concerns legal hearings regarding the legal and personal status of minors. The assessments ordered by judges in courts from different professionals (social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists)--are usually characterized by methodological problems affecting reliability and predictability: lack of objectivity, variability in professional approaches, personal beliefs and values of the examiners; and other intervening obstacles, such as: the influence of the subjects' expectancies and the fidelity of the professional to the one who ordered the service. These methodological problems affect the principle of the Best Interests of the Child, as well as other ethical issues. Some of the above issues have been solved by the authorities, while others still remain unsolved and beyond the Best Interest of the Child.

Adoption↗
PubMed2000

Distribution of blood glucose in a national sample of Malaysian adults.

We describe the distribution of capillary blood glucose (BG) by age, sex and ethnicity in Malaysian adults. A national sample of 20,041 individuals aged 30 or older had usable data. They were selected by stratified 2-stage cluster sampling. BG was measured using reflectance photometer. Percentile tables and curves by age, sex and ethnicity are presented. The BG distribution was right skewed and showed the expected increase with age. Except in Indian, women had higher BG than men. There were also marked ethnic differences. Indian had the highest BG concentration, followed by Chinese, Malay and other indigenous ethnic group.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Distribution of blood total cholesterol in a national sample of Malaysian adults.

We describe the distribution of capillary blood total cholesterol (BC) by age, sex and ethnicity in Malaysian adults. A national sample of 20,041 individuals aged 30 or older had usable data. They were selected by stratified 2-stage cluster sampling. BC was measured using reflectance photometer. Percentile tables and curves by age, sex and ethnicity are presented. The BC distribution was right skewed and showed the expected increase with age. There were ethnic differences. Malay had the highest BC concentration, followed by Indian, Chinese and other indigenous ethnic group. However, for all ethnic groups, BC concentrations were low in comparison those prevailing in Western populations.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Distribution of blood pressure in a national sample of Malaysian adults.

We describe the distribution of blood pressure (BP) by age, sex and ethnicity in Malaysian adults. A national sample of 21,391 individuals aged 30 or older had usable data. They were selected by stratified 2-stage cluster sampling. BP was measured using an automated oscillometric device, Visomat. Percentile tables and curves by age, sex and ethnicity are presented. The systolic and diastolic BP distribution was right skewed and showed the expected increase with age. This was markedly so in Malay and other indigenous women; as a result they had most severe hypertension.

Adult↗