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Biomedical subjects

S Husain

Publications and source records attributed to S Husain.

120 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Cryptococcus neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients: variables influencing clinical characteristics and outcome.

Unique clinical characteristics and other variables influencing the outcome of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients have not been well defined. From a review of published reports, we found that C. neoformans infection was documented in 2.8% of organ transplant recipients (overall death rate 42%). The type of primary immunosuppressive agent used in transplantation influenced the predominant clinical manifestation of cryptococcosis. Patients receiving tacrolimus were significantly less likely to have central nervous system involvement (78% versus 11%, p =0.001) and more likely to have skin, soft-tissue, and osteoarticular involvement (66% versus 21%, p = 0.006) than patients receiving nontacrolimus- based immunosuppression. Renal failure at admission was the only independently significant predictor of death in these patients (odds ratio 16.4, 95% CI 1.9-143, p = 0.004). Hypotheses based on these data may elucidate the pathogenesis and may ultimately guide the management of C. neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inheritance pattern of mutant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coreceptor gene CCR5 in an Indian family.

The most common form of mutation found in the CCR5 gene has been the precise 32-base pair (bp) deletion in the region corresponding to second extracellular loop of the chemokine receptor CCR5. Individuals homozygous for the delta 32 allele of CCR5 usually remain uninfected despite multiple exposures to HIV, whereas heterozygous individuals support less virus replication and show slower progression of the disease. This mutant allele in either homozygous or heterozygous form is quite common in white people of European heritage. Earlier work involving large populations of Asians and Africans failed to detect the presence of this mutant allele. We screened 145 normal unrelated healthy Indians and found one person who was heterozygous for the delta 32 allele of CCR5. We studied the inheritance of this deleted allele in this person's family. One parent, one of two sons, and the only daughter possessed this mutant allele. We cloned the entire coding region of wild-type and mutant alleles of CCR5 gene from the heterozygous individual mentioned and studied its coreceptor functions. The mutant allele had only a moderate interfering effect on coreceptor activity of the wild-type CCR5 allele in a cell fusion assay. We also report an improved method of genotyping CCR5 gene in this communication.

Alleles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cholecystoduodenoplasty for high-output duodenal fistula.

External duodenal fistulae from sutured duodenal ulcer perforation sites are difficult to manage and most patients succumb to septicemia and undernutrition. This is due to failure of closure of the perforation site in the duodenum. Most techniques described in the past to facilitate closure have failed to give satisfactory results. We have devised a new procedure where the duodenal ulcer perforation is closed by mobilizing the gall bladder. A hole is made in the fundus of the gall bladder and it is anastomosed to the freshened edges of the duodenal opening. We have treated six patients by this technique. In five patients the leak was satisfactorily sealed. Three patients died - one due to persistent leak and two due to jejunostomy leak.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic method for determination of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone in tablets.

A simple, specific, and rapid 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic method for the assay of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone is described. Spectra are recorded in CDCI3 containing 1,3-dichloro-5-nitrobenzene as an internal standard. The aromatic proton resonances for the standard, at delta 7.7 and 8.2, are well separated from those of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone, which are in the region of delta 6.5-7.3 ppm. Average percent recoveries of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone were 98.9 and 98.6 with standard deviations of 0.6 and 0.7, respectively. Commercial formulations were analyzed and the results obtained by the proposed method closely agreed with those found by the British Pharmacopoeia method.

Indicators and Reagents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An update on cannabis research.

A symposium of over 125 scientists, held in August 1984 at the campus of Oxford University, considered the latest developments concerning cannabis research. Evidence on the mode of tetrahydrocannabinol action on the central nervous system indicates that acetylcholine turnover in the hippocampus through a GABA-ergic mechanism is of major importance, though the role of the dopaminergic or serotoninergic mechanism and involvement of prostaglandins and c-AMP is not ruled out. The use of cannabis causes prominent and predictable effects on the heart, including increased work-load, increased plasma volume and postural hypotension, which could impose threats to the cannabis users with hypertension, cerebrovascular disease or coronary arteriosclerosis. Cannabis or tetrahydrocannabinol has damaging effects on the endocrine functions in both male and female of all animal species tested. Among possible mechanisms of action, it is suggested that tetrahydrocannabinol disrupts gonadal functions by depriving the testicular cells of their energy reserves by inhibition of cellular energetics, and that it stimulates androgen-binding protein secretion, which may account for oligospermia seen in chronic cannabis smokers. In addition to these direct effects on gonads, tetrahydrocannabinol interferes with hormonal secretions from the pituitary, including luteinizing hormones, follicle-stimulating hormones and prolactin. Research findings indicate that maternal and paternal exposure to cannabinoids can influence developmental and reproductive functions in the offspring, but it is difficult to separate possible teratogenic effects from subsequent gametotoxic and mutagenic potentials of cannabinoids.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sensory functions in limbs of normal persons and leprosy patients with peripheral trunk damage.

The threshold to touch was tested in hands and feet of normal persons using Semmes-Weinstein graded monofilament nylons. The minimum stimulus to which response could be elicited was nylon number 3.61 in palms and 4.31 in soles. These numbers relate to the logarithm of the force applied, 3.61 corresponding to 0.217 gm force and 4.31 to 2.35 gm force respectively. The area of pain insensitivity complained by the patient more or less corresponds to that revealed by objective testing. It was interesting to observe that loss of pain sensitivity was confined to a smaller area compared to touch and thermal insensibility in the part innervated by the same nerve trunk.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ischemia during ambulatory monitoring as a prognostic indicator in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term prognostic significance of transient ischemia in patients with documented coronary artery disease and stable symptoms and to examine the relation between transient ischemia and the site of angiographic disease progression following acute cardiac events. DESIGN: Cohort study with a mean+/-SD follow-up of 51.5+/-23.8 months. SETTING: Ambulatory patients with stable coronary artery disease, assigned to medical therapy. PATIENTS: A total 221 patients (173 men; mean age, 60.8 years) were recruited. Of the 221 patients, 101 (45.7%) had single-vessel, 86 (38.9%) had 2-vessel, and 34 (15.4%) had 3-vessel disease. A total of 135 had a positive exercise test for ischemia, and mean+/-SD resting left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 49.8%+/-11.4%. Using conventional criteria, patients were prospectively stratified as low risk for continued medical therapy (single-vessel disease, 2-vessel disease with negative exercise test, or LVEF> or =40%; n=189 [85.5%]) or high risk for continued medical therapy (multivessel disease with ischemia and/or left ventricular dysfunction; n=32 [14.5%]). INTERVENTIONS: Ambulatory ST-segment monitoring, treadmill exercise testing, radionuclide ventriculography, and coronary angiography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, clinical, ambulatory monitoring, treadmill exercise, and left ventricular function variables as independent predictors of acute (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or unstable angina) or all (including revascularization) cardiac events in the overall and the low-risk population. RESULTS: None of the clinical or noninvasive measures of ischemia were of prognostic significance in the overall or the low-risk group. The only significant independent predictor of outcome in all patients for all events, including revascularization, was the number of diseased vessels (X2=13.5 [df=1]; P<.001). Exclusion of vessel disease resulted in conventional risk stratification as the most significant predictor of outcome from all events in all patients (X2= 10.3 [df= 1]; P=.001). In the low-risk group, the number of diseased vessels was the only predictor for all events (X2=4.6; P=.03). For acute cardiac events, none of the variables tested were of prognostic significance. Based on the frequency of events in the low-risk patients, a 2-fold increase in the rate of cardiac events in patients with transient ischemia compared with those without transient ischemia during ambulatory monitoring could be excluded with greater than 85% power and alpha of .05. Of 30 patients suffering acute nonfatal cardiac events during follow-up, angiography was performed in 27, revealing significant progression of coronary disease in 24 (88.8%) and the development of new significant lesions at sites remote from previously significant lesions in 20 (74%) cases. These new lesions were equally likely to occur in those with or without transient ischemia at initial assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Acute cardiac events in predominantly low-risk stable angina patients with confirmed coronary disease are unpredictable, and those more likely to suffer such an event cannot be identified by the detection of ambulatory ischemia. Acute nonfatal cardiac events result predominantly from the development of significant new coronary lesions, not initially severe enough to cause ischemia. Patients categorized as high risk for long-term medical therapy have an increased rate of cardiac events (mainly revascularization) when compared with low-risk patients.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary melanocytomas of the spinal cord: a report of seven cases.

Seven cases of primary intramedullary melanocytomas of the spinal cord are reported with clinical features, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and ploidy analysis. The patients ranged in age from 24 to 74 years. The tumors were composed predominately of spindle cells with focal aggregates of epithelioid cells. The nuclei were round to oval with variably prominent nucleoli. The tumors contained variable amounts of melanin pigment. Immunohistochemical staining with HMB 45 was positive in 5 cases and negative in 2. None of the tumors was immunoreactive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). The clinical outcome ranged from death at 9 days following surgery to 4-year survival without recurrence. The tumors were compared with 5 metastatic melanomas and were found to have a markedly different histology, S phase fractions, and proliferation indices. The categorization of the primary pigmented lesions of the CNS is further discussed in the context of dermatopathologic nomenclature. These 7 tumors appear to be a type of primary central nervous system neoplasm which lacks markedly anaplastic features and exhibits locally aggressive behavior.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Protective sensibility--its monofilament nylon threshold equivalents in leprosy patients.

An attempt has been made to definite the levels of "protective sensibility" in terms of perception thresholds to monofilament nylon induced touch/pressure stimuli. Certain problems were observed while interpreting the observations. There appears to be a range of threshold values instead of a clear cut-off point. We suggest that a monofilament nylon stimulus two times the normal threshold value for that patient be taken as cut-off point. This will make the observations of Birke and Sims (1986) and Hammond and Klenerman (1987) reasonable without having any need to exclude the cases who defy the boundaries laid by them. Since the genesis of plantar ulcer is multifactorial, it appears logical to include all patients who have a certain degree of hypoaesthesia, for special ulcer care program. The likely problems while using monofilament nylons in the field and their possible solutions have also been outlined.

Adolescent↗