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Biomedical subjects

R Begum

Publications and source records attributed to R Begum.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Comprehensive findings on clinical, bacteriological, histopathological and therapeutic aspects of cutaneous tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To define the bacteriological and histological correlates of the three predominant clinical forms of cutaneous tuberculosis and to evaluate the efficacy of a 9-month daily regimen containing rifampicin and isoniazid. METHODS: In the dermatological clinics of two major teaching hospitals in Chennai, 213 patients with suspected clinical manifestations of cutaneous tuberculosis underwent examination and a skin biopsy for bacteriological and histological tests. They were treated with a daily regimen of rifampicin and isoniazid for 9 months and follow-up for 3 years. RESULTS: Bacteriological and/or histological confirmation of tuberculosis was obtained in 88% of the cases. Lupus vulgaris lesions were seen mainly in the extremities and verrucosa cutis occurred predominantly on the sole and foot, while the cervical and axillary regions were the commonest sites for scrofuloderma. Ninety-two per cent of the patients showed resolution of the lesions within the first 6 months of chemotherapy; 1% failed to respond to this regimen. There was no relapse in any of the cases during the follow-up period of 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical findings were adequate to identify major forms of cutaneous tuberculosis as evidenced by bacteriological and histopathological examination. A daily regimen of rifampicin and isoniazid for 9 months was effective in treating cutaneous tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Radiation processed hydrogel of poly (vinyl alcohol) with biodegradable polysaccharides.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) can be modified to polymer hydrogels by radiation crosslinking and can be used in different biomedical applications. A study was done on the optimization of ingredients concentration for preparing good quality PVA hydrogels with natural polysaccharides. The synthesized hydrogels were also characterized by measuring the different physical properties e.g. gel fraction, swelling and absorption rate. Besides these, sterility test were also performed. Good quality hydrogels were obtained from PVA and natural polysaccharides solutions with 27 kGy radiation dose. There is an influence of natural polysaccharides on the gel fraction of hydrogel. The increase in the amount of polysaccharide causes a decrease in gel fraction that is decrease in the crosslinking density of PVA hydrogel network. The prepared hydrogels were found to be sterile.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2005

Diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy in a rural community of Bangladesh: a population-based study.

AIMS: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with increased infant mortality. Diabetes and infant mortality is higher in Bangladesh but the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy is not known. Thus, this study addressed the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy. METHODS: We selected 10 villages randomly in a union council of Nandail subdistrict. Following a population census (n = 14 382: male/female = 7476/6906) on demography and marital status, we interviewed 2205 married women (18-44 years) for detection of pregnancy. Of a total of 172 pregnancies, we investigated 147 with a gestational age of 24-28 weeks for obstetrical history, clinical examination and blood pressure (BP). Fasting (FBG) and 2-h blood glucose (2hBG) were assessed by Hemocue cuvette. WHO diagnostic criteria were used. RESULTS: The overall prevalence (95% CI) of diabetes was 6.8% (1.88-9.32) and 8.2% (3.74-12.64) according to FBG and 2hBG, respectively. The crude prevalence of systolic and diastolic hypertension was 6.8 and 5.4%, respectively. The median (interquartile range) values for age, BMI and FBG of the participants were 25.0 (21.0-30.0) years, 19.5 (18.2-21.2) and 3.9 (3.6-4.3), respectively. The history of abortion, neonatal death and stillbirth was found in 19.9, 11.4 and 9.6%, respectively. The prevalence of GDM was higher among those with the history of stillbirth (15.4 vs. 6.0%) and neonatal death (11.8 vs. 6.2%) than those without. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GDM in rural Bangladesh is comparable with any other population with higher prevalence of GDM. Increased morbidity and mortality among mothers and newborns in Bangladesh may, in part, be because of increased prevalence of GDM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Radial intratumoral increase and correlation of microvessels and proliferation in solid breast carcinoma.

AIMS: To compare correlations between different morphometrically assessed measurements of tumour microvasculature and to identify those which show closest correlation with Ki67 and to examine radial intratumoral distribution of microvessels and proliferation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemically defined microvessels and Ki67+ cells were quantified in sequential fields of 0.12 mm2 (x600) in four transects in each of five tumours. The total number of vessels (TNV) correlated more closely with proliferative activity than the numbers of vessels with a discernible lumen (TLV) and TNV decreased towards the centre of the tumour whereas TLV did not. A higher proliferative index (PI) was found at the periphery of the tumours. Comparison between transects through subjectively identified microvessel hot-spots and non-hot-spot transects showed similar mean, median and peak vessel counts but showed a different distribution on chi2 analysis. CONCLUSIONS: TNV correlates most closely with PI in breast carcinomas. There is marked variation in microvessel density and PI between fields of 0.12 mm2 but there is a significant radial reduction in both from the edge towards the centre of tumours.

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMed2003

Use of Wigglesworth classification for the assessment of perinatal mortality in Bangladesh--a preliminary study.

The Wigglesworth pathophysiological classification was used to analyse perinatal deaths occurring in 5 health centres in Bangladesh. The aims were to assess the feasibility of this classification, to determine the causes of perinatal deaths and thereby to identify the areas in need of intervention. A total of 8058 births were recorded at 5 centres during the period of 11 months from mid-January to mid-December 2001. There were 1069 deaths in the perinatal period. Stillbirths were slightly more frequent (53.5%) than early neonatal deaths (46.5%). Among the stillbirths, fresh stillbirths predominated over normally formed macerated ones at all centers except BIRDEM, where the majority (52.5%) was macerated. The majority (71.6%) of perinatal deaths were in the groups comprising asphyxial conditions (46.8%), conditions associated with immaturity (13.3%), and normally formed macerated stillbirths (NFMSB, 11.5%). In the group, 'other specific conditions' which was responsible for 9.3% of perinatal deaths, all but one case was attributed to sepsis. When the cases were subdivided by birth groups, asphyxia predominated in all but the <1000g group, in whom immaturity was responsible. Conditions associated with immaturity were second highest in number. The majority of the perinatal deaths (83.4%) was in babies less than 2500g. The study has shown that the Wigglesworth classification can be used in different types of health facilities in Bangladesh by doctors, nurses and midwives. The areas which need intervention are antepartum care, obstetric and newborn care practices, and environmental factors responsible for the high prevalence of prematurity and low birth weight.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed2001

Production of safe therapeutic feeds from contaminated water supplies.

We have assessed the effectiveness of using an osmotic sachet for safe rehydration of therapeutic milk from contaminated water supplies in a poor urban area of Bangladesh. 35 women were given sachets to hydrate in their homes and comparison of the hydration water and the reconstituted milk showed that the high bacterial contamination reported in the domestic water supply was removed by use of the sachet. The mean rehydration time was 4.5 h (range 3.4-5.5). This rehydration method could have a role in the preparation of therapeutic feeds where microbiological contamination of the environment is a serious problem and availability of adequate water is not a limiting factor.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Quinacrine non-surgical female sterilization in Bangladesh.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of transcervical applications of quinacrine along with other adjuvants, such as ampicillin and ibuprofen, for sterilization. The cohort consisted of 750 normal women who requested sterilization and volunteered for this method at the family planning clinic of a tertiary hospital and community clinics in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Several different protocols were followed from October 1989 to April 1999. Each woman received one or two insertions of 180 mg or 252 mg quinacrine with or without adjuvants including 55.5 mg ibuprofen or 125 mg ampicillin. Supplementary contraception was given in the form of combined oral contraceptive pills, barrier methods, or injection of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for 3 months. Details of each protocol are described in the text. The gross pregnancy failure rate for insertion of 180 mg in 590 women was 3.9% compared to 1.9% for the 160 who received 252 mg. There were no serious complications, and side effects were transient. We conclude that quinacrine non-surgical sterilization is a safe, acceptably effective method when two insertions of 252 mg quinacrine with medroxyprogesterone injection as a supplement is used.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A low dose ("Dhaka") magnesium sulphate regime for eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Eclampsia remains a common cause of maternal death in Bangladesh. Early experience of magnesium sulphate use for eclampsia in Bangladesh was based on a lower dose regime, tailored for use in the smaller woman. OBJECTIVES: a) To determine the recurrent convulsion rate with the low dose "Dhaka" magnesium sulphate regime (recognizing the limitations of sample size). b) To identify whether toxicity occurs with this regime. c) To measure serum level of magnesium with this regime. METHODS: This prospective study included 65 eclamptic patients receiving lower dose magnesium sulphate therapy at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from 25 March 1998-15 June 1998. The loading dose of magnesium sulphate was 10 gm. Following this 2.5 gm was given intramuscularly 4 hourly, for 24 hours after administration of the first dose. Four blood samples were collected for serum magnesium levels. Patients were monitored hourly by observing their respiratory rate, knee jerks and urinary output. Findings were matched with serum magnesium levels. RESULTS: The range of serum magnesium levels was 1.74 to 6 mg/dl with mean (s.d.) values of 3.87 (0.78). Only five (9%) patients had diminished knee jerks 6, 10, 12, 12 and 15 hours after administration of the loading dose. But at those times the serum magnesium levels were 3.2 mg/dl, 3.8/dl, 3.4 mg/dl and 3.3 mg/dl respectively. Of the 65 patients, only one developed recurrent convulsions. This was 3 hours after the loading dose and was controlled by diazepam treatment and maintenance magnesium sulphate. CONCLUSION: Half of the standard dose of magnesium sulphate appeared to be sufficient to control convulsions effectively and serum levels of magnesium remained lower than levels which produce toxicity.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1999

The baculovirus antiapoptotic p35 gene also functions via an oxidant-dependent pathway.

Cellular imbalance in the levels of antioxidants and reactive oxygen species resulting in apoptosis is directly associated with a number of parasitic infections, aging, and several genetic and multifactorial diseases. The baculovirus AcNPV-encoded antiapoptotic p35 gene prevents apoptosis induced by a variety of apoptotic agents in different systems. We demonstrate the ability of the p35 gene to inhibit oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. In vitro cultured Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells infected with wild-type AcNPV carrying the antiapoptotic p35 gene did not undergo apoptosis when subjected to oxidative stress generated by the exogenous application of oxidants or in vivo generation of reactive oxygen species or on direct exposure of cells to UV radiations. An AcNPV mutant carrying a deletion of the p35 gene failed to arrest cell death. Transfection of cells with a recombinant plasmid containing the p35 gene under the transcriptional control of a stress promoter (Drosophila hsp70) was also able to rescue cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death, demonstrating the direct involvement of P35. ESR spin-trapping studies conducted in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that P35 functions directly as an antioxidant by mopping out free radicals and consequently prevents cell death by acting at an upstream step in the reactive oxygen species-mediated cell death pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Patients' adherence to diabetes treatment.

OBJECTIVES: a) To evaluate the patients' adherence to the treatment prescriptions and b) to analyse the reasons for non adherence. METHODS: A random sample of 386--type 2 diabetic subjects (M:F 223:163) were studied. Each subject was personally interviewed using a computerised proforma. The mean age of the study group was 52 +/- 10 years and 53% were treated with oral hypolycenic agent (OHA) and the rest with a combination of insulin and OHA. The mean duration of diabetes was 11.0 +/- 6.9 yrs. The overall adherence to the treatment regimen, diet and drug prescriptions and also regularity of home glucose monitoring by blood or urine tests were assessed. RESULTS: It was noted that only 25% of the study group were adhering to the treatment regularly. Dietary prescriptions were followed regularly only by thirty seven percent. Home glucose monitoring was being done only by twenty three percent. Non adherence was not related either to the age or duration of diabetes. Non adherence was more in the lower socio-economic group and was inversely related to the educational status. It was noted that approximately 20% of the subjects had an indifferent attitude to the advice given. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the rate of non adherence of treatment prescriptions was high. It stresses the need for constant motivation and one to one level education at frequent intervals to ensure better compliance to the treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Pulmonary Wegener's granulomatosis: changes at follow-up CT.

The objective of this study was to assess the reversibility of pulmonary lesions in Wegener's granulomatosis using serial CT. We reviewed the follow-up CT scans of ten treated patients with confirmed Wegener's granulomatosis. The delay between the first evaluation before treatment and the second, on patients in clinical and biological remission, ranged from 6 to 54 months (mean 20.5 months). Follow-up CT showed a decrease in the extent of disease in all cases. Lesions disappeared completely, without scarring, in 4 of 4 ground-glass opacities, 25 of 36 nodules, and 4 of 9 pulmonary consolidations; they disappeared with residual scarring in 8 of 8 masses, 3 of 9 pulmonary consolidations, and 2 of 36 nodules. The majority of lesions disappear without scarring. Residual fibrosis may follow the occurence of masses and pulmonary consolidation. Computed tomography permits assessment of cicatricial lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Relationship between birth weight and biochemical measures of maternal nutritional status at delivery in Bangladeshi urban poors.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate relationship of birth weight with selected biochemical indices of nutritional status of mothers at delivery in poor urban population of Dhaka, Bangladesh. One hundred and fifty one pregnant women of known gestational length, aged 20-30 years, who attended a local maternity hospital for delivery participated in this study. All of them were free from any pregnancy complications or diseases, and delivered a singleton fullterm baby. Socio-economic and obstetric history were taken by interview. Anthropometric data and blood samples were collected on the same day. Twenty per cent of the participants were anaemic (Hb < 11.0 g dl-1), 49% had subnormal (< 4.0 g dl-1) serum albumin and 32.5% had serum vitamin A lower than adequate level (< 30.0 micrograms dl-1). Mothers who gave birth to low birth weight babies had lower levels of haemoglobin (P = 0.06), serum albumin (P = 0.02) and serum vitamin A (P = 0.05) at delivery compared with the mothers who gave birth to normal weight babies. After adjustment for various confounding factors, only serum albumin level remained significantly lower in the mothers of low birth weight babies. Using multiple regression analysis for birth weight, the overall F-ratio was calculated to be 12.5 and was highly significant (P = 0.0000). The adjusted R2 was 0.32. Gestational age, father's occupation, mother's body weight and serum albumin level were found to have significant independent effect on birth weight.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Randomized, controlled trial of antioxidant vitamins and cardioprotective diet on hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and development of experimental atherosclerosis: the diet and antioxidant trial on atherosclerosis (DATA).

The effects of administration of guava and papaya fruit (100 g/day), vegetables, and mustard oil (5 g/day) (group A); antioxidant vitamins C (50 mg/day) and E (30 mg/day), plus betacarotene (10 mg/day) (group B); a high-fat (5-10 g/day) (group C); or a low-fat (4-5 g/day) diet (group D) were compared over 24 diet weeks in a randomized fashion, while all groups of rabbits (five in each of four groups) received a hydrogenated fat diet (5-10 g/day) for a period of 36 weeks. After 12 weeks on the high-fat diet, each group of rabbits had an increase in blood lipoproteins. The fruit and vegetable-enriched prudent diet (group A) caused a significant decline in blood lipids at 24 and 36 weeks, whereas the lipid levels increased significantly in groups C and D. Group A also had a significant rise in vitamin E (2.1 Umol/l), C (10.5 Umol/l), A (0.66 Umol/l), and carotene (0.08 Umol/l) and a decrease in lipid peroxides (0.34 nmol/ml at 36 weeks, whereas the levels were unchanged in groups C and D. Group B rabbits had a significant and greater increase than group A in plasma vitamins E, C, A, and carotene; a rise in HDL cholesterol; and a greater decrease in lipid peroxides after 24 and 36 weeks of treatment. After stimulation of lipid peroxidation in all rabbits, 3 of 5 group C and 2 of 5 group D rabbits died due to coronary thrombosis, whereas in groups A and B there were no deaths, indicating that antioxidant therapy can provide protection against lipid peroxidation and free radical generation. Aortic lipids and sudanophilia, indicating atherosclerosis, were significantly higher in groups C and D than in groups A and B. Fatty streaks and atheromatous and fibrous plaques were noted in all the rabbits in groups C and D. Intimal fibrosis and medial degeneration were also present in the group C rabbits. While group A (36.4 +/- 4.4 microns) and group B (37.1 +/- 4.2 microns) rabbits had minimal coronary artery plaque sizes, group C (75.4 +/- 10.6 microns) and group D rabbits (69.5 +/- 6.2 microns) had significantly greater plaque sizes. Aortic plaque sizes were also greater in groups C and D than in groups A and B. It is possible that combined therapy with antioxidant vitamins C, E, and carotene, and a diet rich in antioxidants, could independently inhibit free radical generation and the development of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of low energy diet and weight loss on major risk factors, central obesity and associated disturbances in patients with essential hypertension.

Obesity, especially central, increases the risk of hypertension, hypertriglyceridaemia and diabetes to a significant extent. To determine whether dietary weight reduction can reduce blood pressure (BP) and other cardiovascular risk factors, 217 hypertensives were randomised to receive either 1600 Kcal/day diet (group A, n = 108) or the usual 2100 Kcal/day diet (group B, n = 109). Sodium intake and physical activity were kept similar in both groups. After 16 weeks of follow-up, patients in group A received significantly less energy leading to a 2.8 kg net reduction in mean weight in association with a significant net decrease in mean SBP and DBP (7.5/6.5 mm Hg) compared with nonsignificant changes in group B. There was a significant net decrease in mean total cholesterol (7.0%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (7.9%) and triglycerides (8.0%), with a significant net increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (4.0%) in group A compared with group B. New risk factors such as glucose intolerance (8.0%) and central obesity (waist-hip girth ratio, 0.021) showed a significant net reduction compared with group B. Patients with central obesity and other associated disturbances showed maximal reduction in BP and other cardiovascular risk factors with a significantly greater increase in HDL-cholesterol. Mean doses of drugs were similar at entry to the study as well as after 16 weeks in both groups. It is possible that weight reduction due to a low caloric diet can moderate central obesity and associated disturbances in hypertensive subjects.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1994

Diet, antioxidant vitamins, oxidative stress and risk of coronary artery disease: the Peerzada Prospective Study.

The prevalence of coronary artery (CAD) disease in the Indian urban population is comparable to British population. Dietary intakes, antioxidant vitamins, prevalence of risk factors and CAD, were studied in a random sample of 152 adult urban subjects between 26-65 years of age (80 males, 72 females) from Peerzada street, Moradabad and compared with Indian immigrants to U.K. and a British comparison group. There was no significant relation with vitamin A. Smoking and diabetes were the confounding factors. Plasma antioxidant vitamin C (21.6 +/- 3.3 vs 42.5 +/- 4.5 mumol/L), vitamin E (15.2 +/- 2.8 vs 21.4 +/- 3.2 mumol/L) and beta-carotene (0.33 +/- 0.6 vs 0.55 +/- 0.08 mumol/L) were significantly lowered and lipid peroxides higher (2.82 +/- 0.22 vs 1.3 +/- 0.20 nmol/ml) in patients with CAD compared to subjects without any risk factors. The relation between low plasma level of vitamin C and E levels and carotene remained independently and inversely related after adjustment for smoking, diabetes and other risk factors. Regression analysis showed that after adjustment. Odd's ratio for carotene (1.82, 95% C.I. 0.50 to 3.72), vitamin C (2.23, 95% C.I. 1.14 to 5.26) and vitamin E (2.35, 95% C.I. 1.29 to 5.30) were significantly related to CAD. Underlying these changes, dietary intake of vitamin A, E, C and beta-carotene was significantly less in patients with CAD. Vitamin C and beta-carotene intake were less in smokers and diabetes. Compared with British population, the Indian urbans consumed less total and saturated fat and cholesterol and more polyunsaturated fat and complex carbohydrates. The plasma total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were less in Indian urbans compared to Britons and so were mean body weight, body mass index and waist-hip ratio. Plasma insulin levels were comparable. The fatty acid composition of the diet, blood lipids, central obesity and insulin levels do not appear to account for high rates of CAD among Indians. The findings suggest that urban population in India may benefit from eating diets rich in antioxidant vitamin C, E and beta-carotene.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of homeopathic drugs plumbum and opium on experimentally induced lead toxicity in rats.

Homeopathic drugs plumbum 1M and Opium 30 were partially effective in the recovery of delta ALAD activity of the lead (150 mg% lead acetate) intoxicated rats. Plumbum 1M did not exhibit protective effect when dietary lead at high concentrations (> 25 mg% lead acetate) were given concurrently as assessed by blood delta ALAD activity and hemoglobin concentration. However it was partially effective in the recovery of delta ALAD activity and relieving anemia caused by chronic exposure of low doses of lead (below 15 mg% lead acetate).

Animals↗