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Biomedical subjects

N Sultana

Publications and source records attributed to N Sultana.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

A role for nuclear PTEN in neuronal differentiation.

Mutations of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a protein and lipid phosphatase, have been associated with gliomas, macrocephaly, and mental deficiencies. We have assessed PTEN's role in the nervous system and find that PTEN is expressed in mouse brain late in development, starting at approximately postnatal day 0. In adult brain, PTEN is preferentially expressed in neurons and is especially evident in Purkinje neurons, olfactory mitral neurons, and large pyramidal neurons. To analyze the function of PTEN in neuronal differentiation, we used two well established model systems-pheochromocytoma cells and cultured CNS stem cells. PTEN is expressed during neurotrophin-induced differentiation and is detected in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Suppression of PTEN levels with antisense oligonucleotides does not block initiation of neuronal differentiation. Instead, PTEN antisense leads to death of the resulting, immature neurons, probably during neurite extension. In contrast, PTEN is not required for astrocytic differentiation. These observations indicate that PTEN acts at multiple sites in the cell, regulating the transition of differentiating neuroblasts to postmitotic neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

3,5-Dimethoxy-3-(1,1-dimethylprop-2-enyl)-3,4-dihydropsoralen-4-one: an unusual furanocoumarin derivative from Halfordia kendack.

The aerial parts of Halfordia kendack (Rutaceae) have yielded a new furanocoumarin derivative which has been identified as 3,5-dimethoxy-3-(1,1-dimethylprop-2-enyl)-3,4-dihydropsoralen-4-one on the basis of spectroscopic and X-ray examination. This new compound, present in high concentration, is probably formed from a 4-O-prenylated precursor furanocoumarin via a Claisen rearrangement. No trace of the putative precursor was found in this sample.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed2000

Prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia in Pakistan: experience in a Muslim country.

A service for prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia was introduced in Pakistan in May 1994. Two renowned Islamic scholars, consulted before the service was introduced, ruled that a pregnancy can be terminated if the fetus is affected by a serious genetic disorder, and if termination is before 120 days (17 weeks) of gestation. During the first 3(1/2) years of the service 300 couples requested the test. Almost all the couples had been informed by their treating doctors. Most diagnoses were made between 10 and 16 weeks of gestation, and only 15 (5%) were reached after the 16th week. DNA analysis was by the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). A multiplex ARMS was developed in which three primer combinations identified the mutations in 91.5% of the couples. In 13 couples (4. 3%) linkage analysis was required for the fetal diagnosis. In 47/53 (88.7%) women carrying an affected fetus the pregnancy was terminated. In six cases it was declined principally on religious grounds. Postnatal confirmation of the prenatal diagnosis was possible in 117 unaffected children. One year after the start of the service, interviews with 141 couples with an affected child showed that 72% knew of the availability of prenatal diagnosis. Thirty-two of the informed couples had had a pregnancy, but only 18 (56%) used prenatal diagnosis. The main reasons for non-utilization of prenatal diagnosis were the cost of the test and fear of undergoing the test, though some gave no clear explanation. This study demonstrates that prenatal diagnosis is feasible and acceptable in a Muslim country such as Pakistan.

Attitude↗
PubMed1999

Gliclazide.

The crystal structure of gliclazide, N-[(perhydrocyclopenta [c]pyrrol-2-yl)aminocarbonyl]-p-toluenesulfonamide, C15H21B3O3S, a second-generation oral hypoglycemic agent, contains discrete molecules with normal molecular dimensions. Both of the five-membered fused rings adopt envelope conformations. The molecules are linked into chains by intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving amino-H atoms, with N...O separations of 2.967 (3) and 2.949 (3) A.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed1999

Down's syndrome: prospects for prevention by antenatal diagnosis.

UNLABELLED: The results of a prospective study on cytogenetic analysis of Chorionic Villus Samples (CVS) taken in early pregnancy (after 10 weeks) from pregnant ladies aged between 22 and 50 years are being presented. OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence of chromosomal defects with advancing age of the mother. SETTING: Department of Medical Genetics, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. METHODS: A total of 48 samples have been studied. Ten patients were above the age of 35 years and 38 were below the age of 35 years. Chorionic villus samples were obtained after 10th week of pregnancy through transabdominal approach. Cytogenetic cultures were set up both by the direct and routine methods. RESULTS: Three out of the seven samples taken from expecting mothers aged above 35 and one culture from a patient aged less than 35, showed trisomy 21. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the fact that incidence of chromosomal aberrations and the Down's syndrome in particular, increases with the advancing maternal age. Prenatal studies can therefore be utilized to decrease the incidence of various chromosomal abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The role of the anti-sperm autoantibodies in the management of patients with primary infertility.

The role of antibody mediated infertility in patients with primary/secondary unexplained infertility is the subject of current interest worldwide. A prospective study was conducted to study the role of anti sperm antibodies in Pakistani patients with infertility. Patients reporting in the outpatient clinic of a local gynaecology department with problem of infertility were subjected to a detailed scrutiny by history and clinical examination including post-coital test and hysterosalpingography. Hormonal profile consisting of serum FSH, LH, Prolactin and Progesterone was assessed. Most of the ladies also underwent a pelviscopic examination. A total of 117 patients were selected where post-coital test was abnormal, semen analysis was not satisfactory or who had unexplained infertility. Tests were performed on the serum specimen from the husbands, wives and in some cases on the seminal plasma as well, for the measurement of the anti sperm agglutinating and anti-sperm immobilizing antibodies by the microagglutination technique. Fifteen of these patients were found positive for these antibodies, 7 were positive for the agglutinating antibody, 6 for the immobilizing antibody and two for both types. These results indicate that immunomodulation may be responsible for some cases of infertility in our population.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1993

Erythromycin-antacid interaction.

The in vitro release of erythromycin stearate in the presence of aluminium hydroxide, aluminium trisilicate, magnesium oxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium hydrogen carbonate and a combination of aluminium hydroxide gel, magnesium hydroxide and dimethyl polysiloxane has been studied by the USP XX dissolution method. The dissolution of erythromycin was found to be markedly retarded in the presence of all the antacids studied except sodium hydrogen carbonate. An attempt was made to elucidate the mechanism of this effect.

Antacids↗
PubMed1992

Detection of early xerophthalmia by impression cytology and rose Bengal staining--a comparative study.

Twenty two cases were studied for early detection of Xerophthalmia by impression cytology and Rose Bengal staining. Patients were below 6 years of age and admitted in the paediatric ward of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Assessment were done by conjunctival impression cytology and staining with 1% Rose Bengal dye. Estimation of serum retinol level was done by HPLC to correlate conjunctival findings with biochemical status. The mean age of the subjects were 3.15 +/- 1.75. Rose Bengal staining was positive in 40% cases and impression cytology was in 60% cases. The mean serum retinol level of the diseased children were 10.5 +/- 3. ug/dl. The sensitivity of Rose Bengal staining was 53.3% and that of impression cytology was 80% in detecting vitamin A deficiency when compared with serum retinol level. The specificity of Rose Bengal staining was 40% and that of impression cytology was 100%. Sensitivity of impression cytology was 100% in patient with retinol level 10 ug/dl.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1990

Nurses' attitudes towards computerization in clinical practice.

This descriptive research project was designed to replicate the study of Brodt & Stronge (1986) and to extend and investigate the attitudes of nurses towards computers in clinical practice. Lack of an adequate study into nurses' attitudes to computers was the motive behind this study. The research project was carried out in a district general hospital in the United Kingdom. Data was collected by means of a Likert's type closed-structure attitude-scale questionnaire. The sample consisted of 58 nurses working in a clinical setting. The overall conclusion was that nurses' attitudes to computers were more unfavourable than favourable.

Adolescent↗