1.Genetic analysis of maturity and flowering characteristics in maize (Zea mays L.)
Hassan SHER ; Muhammad IQBAL ; Kiramat KHAN ; Muhammad YASIR
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2012;(8):621-626
Objective: To elucidate the pattern of inheritance and determine the relative magnitude of various genetic effects for maturity and flowering attributes in subtropical maize. Methods:Four white grain maize inbred lines from flint group of corn, two with late maturity and two with early maturity, were used. These contrasting inbred lines were crossed to form four crosses. Six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2) were developed for each individual cross. These were evaluated in triplicate trial for two consecutive years. Results: Both dominance gene action and epistatic interaction played major role in governing inheritance of days to pollen shedding, 50% silking, anthesis silking interval and maturity. Conclusions: Preponderance of dominance gene action for these traits indicated their usefulness in hybrid programs of subtropical maize.
2.Role of immunohistochemical cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and osteocalcin in differentiating between osteoblastomas and osteosarcomas
Zeinab H El-badawi, Eman MS Muhammad, Hassan H Noaman
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2012;34(1):15-23
Background/Aims: Differential diagnosis between aggressive osteoblastoma and low grade osteosarcoma may be very diffi cult or even impossible on a small biopsy. This study was designed to assess the usefulness of immunoexpression of COX-2 and osteocalcin in the differential diagnosis
of the two tumour types. Methods: Immunostaining of COX 2 and osteocalcin were studied in 9 osteoblastomas and 30 osteosarcomas. Results: All osteoblastomas and 11/20 (55%) high-grade osteosarcomas showed COX-2 immunoreactivity. All low grade osteosarcomas were COX-2 negative.
COX-2 was signifi cantly higher (p<0.002) in osteoblastomas 9/9 (100%) than in osteosarcomas 13/30
(43%) and in aggressive osteoblastomas versus low grade osteosarcomas (p<0.01). Osteocalcin was found in tumour cells of all osteosarcomas and osteoblastomas and in the osteoid matrix of 84% of osteosarcomas and 78% of osteoblastomas. Strong osteocalcin was signifi cantly higher (p<0.02) in osteoblastomas (78%) than in osteosarcomas (27%). Conclusion: COX-2 is a valuable marker in distinction between osteosarcoma and osteoblastoma. Negative COX-2 could confi rm the diagnosis
of low grade osteosarcoma versus aggressive osteoblastoma. Intensity and distribution of osteocalcin
may indicate the degree of osteoblastic differentiation.
3.Identification of antiplatelet and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory constituents in betel nut.
Ghayur, Muhammad Nabeel ; Kazim, Syed Faraz ; Rasheed, Huma ; Khalid, Asaad ; Jumani, Maliha Iqbal ; Choudhary, Muhammad Iqbal ; Gilani, Anwarul Hassan
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2011;9(6):619-25
Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism and the compound(s) responsible for the antiplatelet and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effects of Areca catechu crude extract (Ac.Cr). Methods: Aqueous-methanol (70%) was used for extraction of plant material (betel nut). Antiplatelet activity was measured in human platelet-rich plasma by using a Lumi-aggregometer while anti-AChE activity was measured spectrophotometrically in vitro. In an attempt to find the responsible compound(s) in betel nut for antiplatelet and anti-AChE activities, different commercially available betel nut compounds were tested. Results: Ac.Cr inhibited platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), platelet-activating factor (PAF), epinephrine and Ca(2+)-ionophore. Ac.Cr was the most potent in inhibiting ADP- and Ca(2+)-ionophore-induced aggregation. In the AChE assay, Ac.Cr showed significant AChE inhibitory activity with almost complete inhibition of the enzyme. Out of the tested compounds, none of the compounds in betel nut showed any antiplatelet effect except for catechin that was the most potent against epinephrine-induced aggregation. Catechin was significantly less potent than Ac.Cr, indicating a presence of additional compound(s) with antiplatelet activity. For the AChE inhibitory effect, only tannic acid, gallic acid, diosgenin and isoguvacine were found to be active, whereby tannic acid was more potent than Ac.Cr. Conclusion: This study shows the possible antiplatelet and AChE inhibitory potential of betel nut while further studies are needed to confirm and identify more compounds in betel nut for these actions.
4.Crohn's Disease with Fistula: 10 Year Trends and Mortality in the United States
Hassam ALI ; Rizwan ISHTIAQ ; Muhammad WAQAR HANIF ; Rahul PAMARTHY ; Muhammad Hassan FAROOQ ; Muhammad FAHD FAROOQ
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology 2022;80(3):142-148
Background/aims:
Crohn's disease (CD) results in significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. This study evaluated the temporal trends of CD hospitalizations with a fistula over the last decade to understand the outcomes of severe CD.
Methods:
National Inpatient Sample database from 2009 to 2019 was used to identify CD hospitalizations with a fistula. The outcomes of interest included temporal trend analysis of length of stay (LOS), mean inpatient cost (MIC), and mortality.
Results:
There was an increase in the total number of fistulizing CD hospitalizations from 5,386 in 2009 to 12,900 in 2019 (p<0.01). The mean age decreased from 44.9±0.6 to 41.8±0.4 years for the study period (p<0.01). Caucasians were the predominant ethnicity, followed by Africans, Hispanics, and others (p<0.001). The mean LOS for fistulizing CD hospitalizations decreased significantly from 11.57±0.09 days in 2009 to 7.20±0.05 days in 2019 (p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in inpatient mortality from 1.72% in 2009 to 0.73% in 2019 (p<0.01). The MIC did not have a significant trend. There was a decreasing trend toward partial/total colectomies, rectosigmoid, and small bowel surgeries from 2009 to 2019 (p<0.001).
Conclusions
There has been a rise in CD hospitalizations with fistulizing disease in the last decade. Despite this, the mortality and inpatient LOS have been decreasing significantly. In addition, the increase in CD hospitalizations with fistulizing disease has had no significant effect on hospital costs.
5.Ergonomics Study Of Stretcher For Rescuer To Lift Drown Body
Muhammad Husaini Rahmat ; Ruhaizin S ; Rosalam CM ; Hassan A ; Khairul Manami K ; Indastri S
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2020;20(Special 1):94-100
Drowning is one of 10 leading causes of death in every region of the world especially in the picnic and recreation. Statistics from Fire and Rescue Department showed an average of 700 people drown each year in this country. There were also cases where casualty to rescuers during the Save and Rescue Operation (SAR). As the incidents increased, the task of rescuers and equipment used should be reviewed. Issue How to ease rescuer task and safely lift underwater drown body. Problem Statement Difficulties arise during lifting drown body from underwater to the surface due to certain circumstances. This involved safety to rescuers, process of rescuing and time consuming of the operation. Objective The objective of this study is to determine the efficient ways of lifting drown body based on rescuers preferences. From the results, new stretcher design parameters will be established. Method Thirty rescuers from two Water Rescue Teams namely PPDA Putrajaya and PPDA Shah Alam Branches participated in this study. They are 24 male and 6 female aged between 23 to 51 years with mean of age at 29.5 year and experienced in SAR. Instrument Questionnaires were used to identify factors contributed to success or failure of any SAR operation. Likert scale questions were used to measure their preferences. Data then processed using statistical software (SPSS). Results Findings shows that all respondents agreed that lifting method is the most significant factor affecting their task performance, safety and time consumes. Meanwhile 83.3% of them strongly agreed and 16.7% agreed the usage of proposed floatable stretcher to lift drown body in their future SAR Operations.
6.Detection and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of biofilm producing Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria isolated from a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan
Afreenish Hassan ; Javaid Usman ; Fatima Kaleem ; Maria Omair ; Ali Khalid ; Muhammad Iqbal
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2011;7(1):57-60
Microorganisms adhere to non-living material or living tissue, and form biofilms made up of extracellular polymers/slime.
Biofilm-associated microorganisms behave differently from free-floating bacteria with respect to growth rates and ability
to resist antimicrobial treatments and therefore pose a public health problem. The objective of this study is to detect the
prevalence of biofilm producers among Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria isolated from clinical specimens, and
to study their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. The study was carried out from October 2009 to March 2010, at the
Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College/ National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST),
Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Clinical specimens were received from various wards of a tertiary care hospital. These were dealt
by standard microbiological procedures. Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria isolated were subjected to biofilm
detection by congo red agar method (CRA). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of those isolates, which showed positive
results (slime production), was done according to the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. A total of 150 isolates were
tested for the production of biofilm/slime. Among them, 81 isolates showed positive results. From these 81, 51 were
Gram positive and 30 were Gram negative. All the 81(54%) slime producers showed reduced susceptibility to majority of
antibiotics. Bacterial biofilms are an important virulence factor associated with chronic nosocomial infection. Detection of
biofilm forming organisms can help in appropriate antibiotic choice.
7.Immunochemical Faecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review
Syful Azlie Md Fuzi ; Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan ; Junainah Sabirin ; Rugayah Bakri
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(1):1-30
A systematic review on the effectiveness and costeffectiveness
of Immunochemical faecal occult IFOBT for
CRC screening was carried out. A total of 450 relevant titles
were identified, 41 abstracts were screened and 18 articles
were included in the results. There was fair level of
retrievable evidence to suggest that the sensitivity and
specificity of IFOBT varies with the cut-off point of
haemoglobin, whereas the diagnostic accuracy performance
was influenced by high temperature and haemoglobin
stability. A screening programme using IFOBT can be
effective for prevention of advanced CRC and reduced
mortality. There was also evidence to suggest that IFOBT is
cost-effective in comparison with no screening, whereby a
two-day faecal collection method was found to be costeffective
as a means of screening for CRC. Based on the
review, quantitative IFOBT method can be used in Malaysia
as a screening test for CRC. The use of fully automated
IFOBT assay would be highly desirable.
Colorectal Neoplasms
8.Determination of malathion levels and the effect of malathion on the growth of Chrysomya megacephala (Fibricius) in malathion-exposed rat carcass.
Rashid Rumiza Abd ; Khairul Osman ; Ismail Mohd Iswadi ; Zuha Raja Muhammad ; Hassan Rogaya Abu
Tropical biomedicine 2008;25(3):184-90
This study was conducted to examine the effect of malathion on the development of Chrysomya megacephala. A total of 12 adult Sprague-Dawley rats was divided into 4 groups. Each animal in the 4 groups was given orally 0 (control), 10, 25 and 50ml/kg body weight of malathion, respectively. Chrysomya megacephala larvae were then allowed to grow on the liver of carcass. Larvae development was estimated by means of weight and length, time of adult emergence and survival rate. Results indicated that for the first 6 to 30 hours, larvae from control group developed more rapidly than larvae feeding on tissue containing malathion. However, the 3 doses of malathion did not exhibit significant impact on larvae length and weight. The time required for adult emergence was significantly greater for malathion-treated colony which was 10 days compared to 7 days in control colony. Control larvae of C. megacephala had higher survival rate compared to larvae exposed to the three different doses of malathion. Analysis of the tissues indicated that all rats and fly samples were positive for malathion. Malathion concentration was highest in liver. It was concluded that the presence of malathion altered the development rate of C. megacephala and thus disrupted normal postmortem interval estimation.
Malathion
;
Chrysomya megacephala
;
development aspects
;
Adult
;
Carbon ion
9.Homozygous mutations in NTRK1 gene underlie congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis in Pakistani families
Humaira Aziz Sawal ; Muhammad Ikram Ullah ; Arsalan Ahmad ; Abdul Nasir ; Ali Amar ; Ejaz A. Khan ; Mamoon Rashid ; Saqib Mahmood ; Peter John ; Wasim Ahmad ; Christian A. Hübner ; Muhammad Jawad Hassan
Neurology Asia 2016;21(2):129-136
Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder presenting
with loss of pain sensation, thermal sensation defects, and self-mutilating behavior. In the present
study, we recruited two consanguineous pedigree showing pain insensitivity symptoms from Pakistan
for clinical and molecular investigations. In family A, one female patient displayed classical CIPA
symptoms along with microcephaly and severe intellectual disability. During course of the disease,
her right foot was amputated and had remarkable dental degeneration and teeth shedding. In family B,
one boy presented with classical symptoms of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis. Blood
was collected from both families for molecular studies. Sequencing with the Ilumina Trusight One
Sequencing Panel covering 4813 OMIM genes revealed a known homozygous mutation c.2084C>T;
p.P695L of NTRK1 in family A and a novel truncated mutation c.2025C>G; p.Y681X in family B.
Protein modeling analysis of both mutations (p.P695L and p.Y681X) predicted loss of the rigidity in
tyrosine kinase domain of NTRK1 that led to conformational changes as well as deleterious effect on
protein function. The known mutation was reported more than a decade ago in a family from Northern
Israel and other non-sense mutation is newly identified. It is interested that most of NTRK1 mutations
are associated with this domain. This is first ever report of NTRK1 variants in congenital insensitivity
to pain with anhidrosis patients from Pakistan.
Pain Insensitivity, Congenital