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S Haq

Publications and source records attributed to S Haq.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The relationship of serum total sialic acid with serum acute phase proteins and lipoprotein (a) in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia.

Total serum sialic acid (TSA), recently shown to be a cardiovascular risk factor, was measured in 15 patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia (fasting triglyceride > 2.3 mmol l-1) and 15 age and sex matched normal control subjects. To test the hypothesis that serum TSA is related in some way to serum acute phase proteins we also measured five acute phase proteins, namely alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein (AGP), alpha-2-macroglobulin (AMG), C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (HAP) in both groups. Of note was the significantly elevated serum TSA in the severely hypertriglyceridaemic group as compared to normal subjects. Serum TSA being 71.9 +/- 11.7 mg dl-1 and 59.6 +/- 10.2 mg dl-1 respectively (P < 0.01 Mann-Whitney test). Serum CRP was significantly elevated in the type IV patients as compared to controls (6.4 +/- 4.5 mg l-1 vs. 3.3 +/- 1.9 mg l-1 P < 0.05 Mann Whitney test) as was serum AMG (2.1 +/- 0.89 g l-1 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.53 g l-1 P < 0.05 Mann Whitney test). There was no correlation between serum TSA and lipoprotein (a) in either the normal or severely hypertriglyceridaemic subjects. We suggest that serum TSA could in part be related to hypertriglyceridaemia and serum acute phase proteins but that its property as a cardiovascular risk factor is not related to serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Plasma sialic acid and acute-phase proteins in patients with myocardial infarction.

Plasma total sialic acid (TSA) and lipid-associated sialic acid (LASA) were measured in 19 patients with a myocardial infarction (MI) on days 1, 2, and 5 and in 19 normal subjects. On each day plasma TSA was elevated in the MI patients as compared with that of normal subjects, although no significant difference was seen in the plasma LASA between the two groups. The following plasma acute-phase proteins were also assayed in the MI patients and the normal subjects: C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP), alpha-1 antichymotrypsin (ACT), alpha-2 macroglobulin (AMG), and fibrinogen (FIB). Significantly elevated plasma concentrations were found in the MI patients as compared with normal subjects. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between some of these plasma acute-phase proteins (ACT, AMG, and FIB) and plasma TSA in the MI patients and also in normal subjects (ACT, AMG, CRP, and FIB). However, no significant difference was noted in any of the plasma acute-phase proteins, or plasma TSA, or plasma LASA between survivors and patients who died of their MI.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Serum sialic acid and acute-phase proteins in hypertriglyceridaemic patients showing the Frederickson's type IIB phenotype.

1. We have shown that serum total sialic acid is elevated in hypertriglyceridaemic patients showing the Frederickson's type IIB phenotype in comparison with normal subjects (2.30 +/- 0.34 versus 1.92 +/- 0.32 mmol/l, P < 0.02). Lipid-associated sialic acid was also elevated in the hypertriglyceridaemic group in comparison with the normal subjects (0.60 +/- 0.09 versus 0.35 +/- 0.04 mmol/l, P < 0.001). 2. We measured five serum acute-phase proteins in the hypertriglyceridaemic patients and the normal subjects, namely alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 2-macroglobulin, C-reactive protein and haptoglobin. Serum alpha 2-macroglobulin was significantly elevated in the hypertriglyceridaemic patients compared with the normal subjects (2.1 +/- 1.0 versus 1.5 +/- 0.55 g/l, P < 0.05) as was serum C-reactive protein (5.9 +/- 3.5 versus 3.5 +/- 1.9 mg/l, P < 0.05). There were, however, no significant differences in the serum concentrations of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein or haptoglobin between the two groups. 3. There was a significant correlation between serum total sialic acid and serum alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin (Spearman correlation coefficients 0.74, 0.50 and 0.76, respectively) in the normal subjects, and there was a significant correlation between serum total sialic acid and serum alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (Spearman correlation coefficients 0.72 and 0.84, respectively) in the hypertriglyceridaemic patients.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Heat-induced DNA relaxation in vitro by mouse DNA topoisomerase I in the presence of ethidium bromide.

In general, covalently-closed circular DNAs that are relaxed by DNA topoisomerase I at higher temperatures are more negatively (or less positively) supercoiled when analyzed at the same temperature. We found that in the presence of ethidium bromide the reaction products were less negatively supercoiled at higher temperatures. Consequently, the linking number of substrate DNA changed reversibly with temperature-shift: DNA relaxation occurred on temperature shift-up, and re-supercoiling on temperature shift-down. Analyses of the migration of covalently closed circular DNA on agarose gel electrophoresis and of the fluorescence intensity of ethidium bromide bound to DNA indicated decrease in binding of the drug to DNA at higher temperatures. Thus, the thermal effects on the topology of the reaction products of mouse DNA topoisomerase I in the presence of ethidium bromide can be explained by the temperature-sensitive interaction of the drug with DNA.

Animals↗

Serum total sialic acid and lipid-associated sialic acid in normal individuals and patients with myocardial infarction, and their relationship to acute phase proteins.

Serum total sialic acid (TSA) has gained medical interest, particularly as a cardiovascular risk factor and it has been hypothesized that serum levels relate to serum acute phase proteins, some of which are sialylated. We assayed serum TSA and also lipid associated sialic acid (LASA) in 50 normal individuals (24 male) and 15 subjects (12 male) who had experienced a myocardial infarct. The mean serum TSA in the normal individuals was 2.05 SD 0.38 mmol/L (range 1.16-2.74) and the mean serum LASA was 0.70 SD 0.19 mmol/L (range 0.23-1.03). We also measured five serum acute phase proteins and found a good correlation between these and serum TSA: C-reactive protein, r = 0.52, P < 0.001, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, r = 0.79, P < 0.0001, alpha-2-macroglobulin, r = 0.38, P < 0.01 and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, r = 0.32, P < 0.05. A significant correlation between plasma TSA and plasma C-reactive protein (r = 0.47, P < 0.04) and also fibrinogen (r = 0.53, P < 0.04) was noted on day one following the myocardial infarction, whereas a significant correlation between plasma TSA and plasma alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (r = 0.51, P < 0.03) and also plasma alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (r = 0.64, P < 0.05) was found on day two following the infarction. Thus it would seem that serum TSA is at least in part related to some of the acute phase proteins in both healthy individuals and those having had a myocardial infarction.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Availability and utility of local fishes of Shahjahanpur for mosquito control.

A survey of fishes in Shahjahanpur in different aquatic habitats revealed 35 indigenous fish species. Out of 35 fish species, 24 were found feeding on mosquito larvae of which 6 species, viz. Chela bacaila, Puntius stigma, Rasbora daniconius, Esomus danricus, Colisa fasciatus and Danio sp., had good larvivorous potential. Most of the fish species preferred to feed on III and IV instar larvae. In the presence of planktonic food, the consumption capacity of fishes for mosquito larvae was lesser on third day (D3) of observation than on first day (D1). The difference in the consumption of mosquito larvae between D1 and D3 was significant (P < 0.01). Similarly, difference in the feeding capacity of fishes in the months of September and January was highly significant (P < 0.001). But there was no seasonal variation in the preference of instar-wise consumption. Indigenous fish species such as C. fasciatus, E. danricus, P. stigma, R. daniconius and Danio sp. could therefore play a significant role in controlling mosquito breeding in this area.

Animals↗

Control of mosquito breeding through Gambusia affinis in rice fields.

Studies on mosquito breeding and its control through Gambusia affinis in nursery and paddy fields after transplantation of seedlings were carried out during June to October 1991 in about 10 ha rice field area. Six anopheline species, viz. An. culicifacies, An. annularis, An. subpictus, An. nigerrimus, An. barbirostris and An. aconitus, and four culicine species, viz. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Aedes sp. could be identified. These were found breeding in rice fields with fluctuations in their percentage composition, exhibiting species succession in different months. G. affinis survived well in submerged rice fields and provided 87.8% mosquito larval control. In rice fields which exhibited intermittent drying up leading to formation of pools, puddles etc., moderate larval control was achieved. However, in nursery rice fields, this method was not applicable. Mosquito larval control through larvivorous fish in rice fields can be achieved but the method has limitations.

Aedes↗

Gambusia affinis: dispersal due to floods and its failure to colonize new water bodies in Shahjahanpur District (U.P.).

In villages of District Shahjahanpur, 122 decentralized Gambusia multiplication ponds were established to cover the need of the entire district. Profuse breeding of Gambusia was observed in these ponds. The fishes are being successfully used in mosquito control all over the district. In July 1990 there was a widespread flood due to which 70 Gambusia multiplication ponds were affected and the fish was washed away in large numbers, leaving only a scanty population in the flood-affected ponds. We utilized this opportunity to study the natural dispersal and colonization of Gambusia in different aquatic habitats. The study revealed that Gambusia was either not found in most habitats or was present in very small numbers, and on its own Gambusia was unable to eliminate the local fauna to become a dominant species. Predatory fishes and birds played a major role in eliminating Gambusia. Gambusia is therefore unlikely to pose any ecological hazard in vector-control programmes.

Animals↗

The association of haemagglutination and adhesion with lipopolysaccharide of Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1.

In this study the ability of strains of Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 to agglutinate mammalian erythrocytes is attributed to the polysaccharide fraction of bacterial-cell lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS obtained from a rough, mutant strain of S. dysenteriae serotype 1, lacking the O-antigen polysaccharide side-chain, did not agglutinate erythrocytes, clearly demonstrating a link between O-antigen polysaccharides and haemagglutinating activity (HA). Strains of S. dysenteriae serotype 1 adhered well to cultured Henle Intestinal 407 cells, whereas rough strains adhered poorly. Pre-treatment of bacteria with LPS-specific antisera inhibited both HA and binding to cultured human-intestinal cells. The contribution of the polysaccharide side-chain and its associated HA--which appear to facilitate binding to cultured cells--to bacterial attachment to colonocytes and to the pathogenesis of shigellosis in vivo needs to be confirmed in animal studies.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Culture of Gambusia affinis with food fishes.

Culture of Gambusia affinis along with carps in fish culture practice in village ponds in Shahjahanpur distt., U.P., has revealed very little difference in fish productivity (1539 kg/ha in ponds with Gambusia, 1572 kg/ha in ponds without Gambusia). The growth and survival of Gambusia were found to be good in most of the composite fish culture ponds. Culture of Gambusia along with edible fish in village ponds is, therefore, recommended to get the dual benefit of fish production and control of mosquito proliferation in village ponds.

Animals↗

Hemagglutinating properties of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and other Shigella species.

Strains of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 cultured in Casamino Acids-yeast extract broth medium in the presence of 1 mM calcium chloride at 37 degrees C for 22 h induced hemagglutination of erythrocytes that was inhibited by N-acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetylneuramin-lactose, and alpha 1-glycoprotein. The hemagglutination was heat labile, and the absence of cell-surface appendages suggested a nonfimbrial adhesin(s). Under the same conditions, strains of Shigella flexneri (types 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b) showed N-acetylneuraminic acid-resistant hemagglutination of erythrocytes.

Animals↗

Profile of narcotic abuse in peninsula Malaysia.

Demographic and drug abuse characteristics of 3,484 new drug abuse contacts presenting to the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are reported. The large majority were heroin inhalers. They were different from the traditional Eastern opium inhalers and similar to Western heroin injectors in that they were young, male, single, and frequently unemployed. These features and the relative underrepresentation of Chinese suggest that the Chinese of this study did not learn narcotic abuse from opium-smoking relatives.

Adolescent↗