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Biomedical subjects

Z Ismail

Publications and source records attributed to Z Ismail.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Characterization of collagen/chitosan films for skin regenerating scaffold.

Various proportions of chitosan/collagen films (70/30% to 95/05%) w/w were prepared and evaluated for its suitability as skin regenerating scaffold. Interactions between chitosan and collagen were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Colorimetry (DSC). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the morphology of the blend. Mechanical properties were evaluated using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The chitosan/collagen films were found to swell proportionally with time until it reaches equilibrium. FTIR spectroscopy indicated no chemical interaction between the components of the blends. DSC data indicated only one peak proving that these two materials are compatible at all proportions investigated. SEM micrographs also indicated good homogeneity between these two materials.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2004

Early results of metal on metal articulation total hip arthroplasty in young patients.

We report our early experience of 20 cases of metal on metal articulation total hip arthroplasty in 19 young patients. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (63%) was the commonest diagnosis for patients undergoing this procedure, followed by osteoarthritis (21%). In general, most of the patients were young and physically active with an average age of 43.1 years (range, 25 to 58 years). The average follow-up period was 18 months (range, 7 to 46 months). The mean total Harris Hip Score preoperatively and at final follow-up was 31 points and 89 points respectively. The mean total Pain Score improved from an average of 11.5 to 41.1 points at final follow-up. Sixteen (84%) of the patients had a good to excellent hip score. There was one dislocation, which stabilized after reduction and conservative management. One case of early infection underwent a two-staged revision.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Potential immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory activities of Malaysian medicinal plants characterized by reduced cell surface expression of cell adhesion molecules.

In the search for agents effective against immune-mediated disorders and inflammation, we have screened Malaysian medicinal plants for the ability to inhibit the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on the surface of murine endothelial cells (F-2), and mouse myeloid leukaemia cells (M1), respectively. Of 41 kinds (29 species, 24 genera, 16 families) of Malaysian plants tested, 10 and 19 plant samples significantly downregulated the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, respectively. Bioassay-directed fractionation of an extract prepared from the bark of Goniothalamus andersonii showed that its ingredients, goniothalamin (1) and goniodiol (2) inhibited the cell surface expression of both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The present results suggest that Malaysian medicinal plants may be abundant natural resources for immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory substances.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Endoscopic diagnosis of colonic tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: GI tuberculosis is a diagnostic challenge, particularly in the absence of evidence of pulmonary infection. It may mimic many other abdominal diseases such as other infectious processes, tumors, and Crohn's disease. In the absence of positive laboratory and radiologic tests, the diagnosis is often established definitively by obtaining a surgical specimen. Colonoscopy, however, has been used successfully to diagnose the disease and thus avoid the morbidity and mortality associated with exploratory laparotomy. METHODS: An evaluation was conducted of colonoscopic features in 10 patients with colonic tuberculosis. OBSERVATIONS: In all cases there was ileocecal involvement; total colonic involvement was found in only 1 case. The colonoscopic appearance included the following: ulcerated lesions, sessile firm polyps, masses, and small diverticula, ranging from 3 to 5 mm in diameter. In 5 of our patients the diagnosis was confirmed bacteriologically, in 3 with endoscopic biopsy material, and in 2 by sputum examination. In all cases antituberculous therapy produced remarkable symptom and endoscopic improvement. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the importance of colonoscopy in the diagnosis of tuberculous involvement of the GI tract.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Band 3 mutations, renal tubular acidosis and South-East Asian ovalocytosis in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea: loss of up to 95% band 3 transport in red cells.

We describe three mutations of the red-cell anion exchangerband 3 (AE1, SLC4A1) gene associated with distalrenal tubular acidosis (dRTA) in families from Malaysia and Papua NewGuinea: Gly(701)-->Asp (G701D), Ala(858)-->Asp(A858D) and deletion of Val(850) (DeltaV850). The mutationsA858D and DeltaV850 are novel; all three mutations seem to berestricted to South-East Asian populations. South-East Asianovalocytosis (SAO), resulting from the band 3 deletion of residues400-408, occurred in many of the families but did not itselfresult in dRTA. Compound heterozygotes of each of the dRTA mutationswith SAO all had dRTA, evidence of haemolytic anaemia and abnormal red-cell properties. The A858D mutation showed dominant inheritance and therecessive DeltaV850 and G701D mutations showed a pseudo-dominantphenotype when the transport-inactive SAO allele was also present. Red-cell and Xenopus oocyte expression studies showed that theDeltaV850 and A858D mutant proteins have greatly decreased aniontransport when present as compound heterozygotes (DeltaV850/A858D,DeltaV850/SAO or A858D/SAO). Red cells with A858D/SAO had only 3% ofthe SO(4)(2-) efflux of normal cells, thelowest anion transport activity so far reported for human red cells. The results suggest dRTA might arise by a different mechanism for eachmutation. We confirm that the G701D mutant protein has an absoluterequirement for glycophorin A for movement to the cell surface. Wesuggest that the dominant A858D mutant protein is possibly mis-targetedto an inappropriate plasma membrane domain in the renal tubular cell,and that the recessive DeltaV850 mutation might give dRTA because ofits decreased anion transport activity.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗
PubMed2000

Cyproterone acetate and reversal of the impaired endometrial decidualization in streptozotocin-diabetic pseudopregnant rats.

Reproductive dysfunction in the female diabetic rat is associated with impaired hypothalamic-hypophyseal system, anovulation, insufficiency of ovarian steroidogenesis and spontaneous failure of pregnancy. Formation of decidua, the highly modified endometrium of pregnancy and pseudopregnancy could only be achieved when the uterus was sensitized by a sequence of oestrogen and progesterone. In this study, we examined whether the impaired expression of endometrial decidualization in the pseudopregnant rat is linked with diabetes-associated hypersecretion of testosterone. Rats were made pseudopregnant by sterile mating. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin on day 1 p.c. Deciduogenic stimulus was given on day 5 p.c. Treatment of cyproterone acetate (10 mg kg(-1)) was scheduled from day 5 through day 9 p.c. Animals were killed on day 10 p.c, and the degree of endometrial decidual growth, plasma levels of oestradiol, progesterone, ACTH and testosterone were determined. Results showed that compared to controls there was a concomitant drop in endometrial decidual growth concurrently with impaired levels of oestradiol and progesterone in diabetic pseudopregnant rats. ACTH and testosterone levels were, however, profoundly elevated. Cyproterone acetate treatment in the diabetic pseudopregnant rat resulted in a simultaneous elevation of oestradiol and progesterone, which eventually helped the endometrial differentiation to decidua in the diabetic pseudopregnant rat parallel to controls. Present experimental data suggest that diabetes-associated impaired endometrial decidualization in the pseudopregnant rat is possibly caused by testosterone-induced oestrogen deficiency.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1998

Mediastinal teratoma in a neonate.

A neonate with severe respiratory distress due to a benign mediastinal teratoma (MT) is reported. Despite early and easy surgical excision of the tumor, the child died due to poor cardiac function. Only ten cases of MT in neonates have been reported in the literature so far. While the tumor has been known to interfere with lung development in utero, postnatal myocardial dysfunction due to poor heart development has not been previously documented.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Nicotine and endogenous opioids: toward specific pharmacotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To address the theoretical framework behind opioid receptor antagonism for the treatment of nicotine abuse. The current literature is reviewed with a focus on opioid-nicotine interactions in animals and humans. Furthermore, previous studies addressing the effect of opioid antagonism on smoking behaviour are reviewed critically with a focus on suggestions and implications for future trials. METHOD: Computerized data bases and reference lists of existing articles were searched for prior publications in 3 areas: 1) the association between nicotine and endogenous opioids, 2) nicotine and reward, and 3) opioid antagonism in the treatment of nicotine use. RESULTS: Nicotine affects the mesolimbic reward pathway postsynaptically via nicotinic cholinergic receptors and presynaptically via the central nervous system's (CNS) neurohumoral pathways. Thus nicotine results in the release of endogenous opioids that bind to mu receptors, which increases the release of dopamine along this pathway. Studies to date have shown mixed results on the effect of opioid antagonism on smoking behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: The role of opioid antagonism on smoking behaviour is unclear, despite the publication of 5 trials on the subject. Further trials of longer duration should be undertaken and use both longer-acting medications and those more specific to the mu receptor to further focus on the rewarding aspects of nicotine ingestion, thus addressing the craving for this drug. The development of adequate compounds has just begun, and psychiatrists can hope to have a more specific pharmacotherapy to address the cravings and short-term rewards of nicotine use.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Sexual behaviour and HIV knowledge among Dermatology cum Genitourinary Clinic attendees, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

A study was conducted in the Dermatology cum Genitourinary Clinic, Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru to determine a local population's knowledge of HIV and their sexual behaviour in relation to it. A total of 231 men and 217 women were interviewed. The sexual culture seen is one of relatively late age of first sexual intercourse, low level of partner change and low level of condom use. Men reported a higher involvement in risk behaviour. Nearly all the respondents (95.8%) have heard of HIV/AIDS but had incorrect perceptions of its mode of transmission and its associations with risk groups. This study enable us to gain background information about our patients sexual behaviour and HIV knowledge. There is a need to continue HIV education to improve our public's HIV knowledge and the results of this study provides a baseline against which future educational interventions can be gauged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Multiple polypoid endometriosis--a rare complication following withdrawal of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist for severe endometriosis: a case report.

A 30-year old female who initially had typical endometriosis treated according to a standard regimen later developed numerous highly vascular endometrial polyps on the vagina, cervix, ureter, serosal surfaces of the uterus, pouch of Douglas (POD) and other areas of pelvic peritoneum as well as the endometrium 8 months after withdrawal of treatment with Zoladex gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist used for treatment of this disease. We postulate that these polyps developed as a rebound phenomenon upon withdrawal of Zoladex. We believe this is the first report of this complication following use of GnRH analogue.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinical patterns of X linked agammaglobulinemia in Malaysian children.

X linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is rarely reported from developing countries especially from South East Asia. It appears that X linked agammaglobulinemia is less common in certain ethnic groups. It is very uncommon in black people in USA and South Africa. In multiracial Malaysia we have documented five XLA in Malays and Indians but not in the Chinese that constitute about 31% of the population. First degree relatives afflicted with XLA or other primary immunodeficiencies occurred more often in our study. All showed lung involvement although the etiologic organisms involved were atypical, being Gram negative.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for confirming thin layer chromatography (TLC) findings in inborn errors of metabolism children in Malaysia.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with phenylisothiocyanate (PITC) is recently used for confirming the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) especially amino acid disorders in Malaysian children. The method of HPLC used is a precolumn derivatization of amino acids with phenylisothiocyanate and is separated by reversed phase chromatography using 3.9 x 300 mm free amino acid columns and is detected by a UV/Vis detector. The samples are obtained from cases suspected of inborn errors of metabolism, especially of amino acid disorders, which are detected clinically by pediatricians. Initially, samples from patients suspected of inborn errors of metabolism, either urine or serum, are run on one-dimensional thin layer chromatography and supplementary chemical tests to detect the abnormal bands and associated abnormalities respectively. Positive samples are further run on HPLC to determine the specific amino acids abnormality. An examples of a case of maple syrup urine disease is discussed, based on the thin layer chromatography findings and HPLC findings.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗
PubMed1995

The Malaysian experience in the typing of genetic variants of alpha-1-antitrypsin.

It is known that alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency is associated with emphysema in adults and liver cirrhosis in neonates. The phenotypes PiZZ and PiSZ are considered to be high risk groups. alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency is one of the most common lethal congenital disorders in Europe and the USA, occurring in approximately 1 in 2,000 caucasians of North European descent. Studies in Malaysia have found that the phenotypes PiZ and PiS are present in our population. Out of 950 samples analyzed, it was found that 10 samples were shown to be apparently Z homozygous phenotype. The phenotype is determined by high resolution isoelectrofocusing on an ultra-thin polyacrylamide gel embedded with narrow range Pi phamarlyte. The isoelectrofocused bands are confirmed by immunofixation and the plasma alpha1-antitrypsin levels determined by electroimmunoassay. The abnormal phenotypes are further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using allele specific oligonucleotides.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Treatment with flecainide for symptomatic and refractory tachyarrhythmias in children.

Nine children, aged 2.5 months to 16 years, presenting with tachyarrhythmias were treated with intravenous (i.v.) flecainide, a type 1C antiarrhythmic drug. There were four boys and five girls; seven were supraventricular and two ventricular tachycardias and three had structural cardiac abnormalities. The i.v. dose required to terminate the arrhythmias ranged from 1.0 to 2.4 mg/kg (mean 1.55 mg/kg) although a mean of 1.94 mg/kg per dose was required to maintain sustained sinus rhythm after a single i.v. dose. Eight of the patients--six supraventricular and two ventricular tachyarrhythmias, required maintenance oral flecainide. Oral dosages of 6.7-9.5 mg/kg per day (mean of 7.97 mg/kg per day in three divided doses) were required to effectively prevent the tachyarrhythmias. Intravenous and oral flecainide are safe and effective in terminating supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. No evidence of proarrhythmia was found in the patients during follow up of between 5 and 9 months. The present limitation of performing radiofrequency ablation on infants and small children justifies the important place of medical therapy for re-entrant supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

Pharmacokinetics of interpleural bupivacaine in patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

Arterial and venous plasma concentrations of bupivacaine were measured following interpleural administration of 20 ml of 0.5% solution with adrenaline in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Mean maximum arterial and venous concentrations in eight of 11 patients were 1.90 (SD 0.36) and 1.65 (0.48) mg litre-1 and occurred at 22 (10) min and 25 (10) min, respectively. An arteriovenous difference for bupivacaine of approximately 20% was noted during the first 45-60 min after administration. Mean systemic venous plasma clearance (0.15 (0.08) litre h-1 kg-1) was less and the mean elimination half-life (6.85 (2.29) h) and mean body residence time (9.99 (3.00) h) were longer than reported previously for interpleural bupivacaine--possibly because of continued slow absorption of the drug from its absorption site.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The pharmacokinetics of amiloride-hydrochlorothiazide combination in the young and elderly.

The pharmacokinetics of amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide were studied in 12 healthy young volunteers following a single dose of a fixed combination of amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide and in 11 elderly hypertensive patients at steady-state. Following modelling of the single dose data, simulated steady-state plasma concentrations for the 2 drugs were generated to examine the effect of age and/or hypertension on pharmacokinetics. The apparent systemic plasma clearance for both amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide was significantly reduced in the elderly when compared to the young (from 753 to 325 ml.min-1, amiloride; and from 418 to 157 ml.min-1, hydrochlorothiazide). The plasma concentrations at steady state for both drugs were greatly increased in the elderly patients (Amiloride: from 7 to 25 ng.ml-1, Css,max; from 2 to 8 ng.ml-1, Css,min; and from 4 to 14 ng.ml-1, Cav; Hydrochlorothiazide: from 184 to 651 ng.ml-1, Css,max; from 31 to 121 ng.ml-1, Css,min; and from 89 to 273 ng.ml-1, Cav). The decreased clearance of the diuretics in the elderly was believed due to deterioration of renal function, and there was a significant correlation between the plasma clearance of hydrochlorothiazide and creatinine clearance in both age groups (r = 0.62, young; r = 0.72, elderly). As a result of the pharmacokinetic findings caution may be indicated in the clinical dosage of the diuretics particularly when in fixed dose combination.

Adult↗