Relationship of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and E-selectin) with ABO blood groups in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Adhesion molecules, sICAM-1 and sE-selectin appear to have a major role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The focus of this study was to investigate the relationship of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin with ABO blood groups in Pakistani patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: In a case-control study, 116 patients of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 116 healthy controls (age range for both: 30 years to 70 years; both males and females) were randomly selected from the Aga Khan University and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi with informed consent.

Association of the BB genotype of the ABO gene with the risk of acute myocardial infarction in hospital-based study.

Objectives: The ABO gene locus has been identified to be associated with myocardial infarction in patients with coronary heart disease. The primary focus of this hospital-based study was to explore the relationship of ABO blood groups and ABO genotypes with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional study, an equal number of adult AMI patients and healthy controls (n=275 in each group; age range 30-70 years, both males and females) were recruited from the Aga Khan University and NICVD, Karachi, with informed consent.

Higher DNA methylation of ABO gene promoter is associated with acute myocardial infarction in a hospital-based population in Karachi.

Objective: To find out if there is any relationship of methylation status of ABO gene promoter with the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a hospital-based Pakistani population in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: A case control study comprising of 39 adult AMI patients (both males and females; age range 30-70 years) and 39 normal healthy controls (both males and females and similar age range) nested in a large study (to see the relationship of ABO genotypes with AMI) was designed to investigate the methylation status of ABO gene promoter and its association with AMI. The study was carried out at the Aga Khan University, Karachi during July 2018 to June 2019.

Presence of rotavirus and free-living amoebae in the water supplies of Karachi, Pakistan.

Rotavirus and pathogenic free-living amoebae are causative agents of important health problems, especially for developing countries like Pakistan where the population has limited access to clean water supplies. Here, we evaluated the prevalence of rotavirus and free-living amoebae (Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri) in drinking water supplies of Karachi, Pakistan.

The role of genomic islands in Escherichia coli K1 interactions with intestinal and kidney epithelial cells.

The completion of Escherichia coli K1 genome has identified several genomic islands that are present in meningitis-causing E. coli RS218 but absent in the non-pathogenic E. coli MG1655.

Targeting cyst wall is an effective strategy in improving the efficacy of marketed contact lens disinfecting solutions against Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts.

Acanthamoeba cysts are highly resistant to contact lens disinfecting solutions. Acanthamoeba cyst wall is partially made of 1,4 β-glucan (i.e.

Review: Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene polymorphism and coronary heart disease in Asian populations.

Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) is a basic component of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It plays an important role in the clearance of cholesterol from circulation, and thereby slows down the process of atherosclerosis. Its 3 isoforms, E2, E3 and E4 are encoded by 3 alleles, e2, e3 and e4, respectively.

Interactions of neuropathogenic Escherichia coli K1 (RS218) and its derivatives lacking genomic islands with phagocytic Acanthamoeba castellanii and nonphagocytic brain endothelial cells.

Here we determined the role of various genomic islands in E. coli K1 interactions with phagocytic A. castellanii and nonphagocytic brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype is a potential environmental host for Enterobacter aerogenes and Aeromonas hydrophila.

Background: Acanthamoeba can interact with a wide range of microorganisms such as viruses, algae, yeasts, protists and bacteria including Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, Helicobacter pylori, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium spp., and Escherichia coli. In this capacity, Acanthamoeba has been suggested as a vector in the transmission of bacterial pathogens to the susceptible hosts.

Status of free-living amoebae (Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris) in drinking water supplies in Karachi, Pakistan.

The ability of pathogenic free-living amoebae to produce infections is a growing concern. In this study, we investigated the presence of free-living amoebae (Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris) in drinking water supplies in Karachi, Pakistan.

N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase and inflammatory response after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: To determine the changes in activity of plasma N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, a marker for inflammation as well as renal, pulmonary and cardiac damage and proinflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and find out the relationship between their plasma levels with clinical outcome of patients.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Aga Khan University, Karachi, from January to June 2003.

Lack of association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C>T mutation with coronary artery disease in a Pakistani population.

Pakistanis belong to the South Asian population which has the highest known rate of coronary artery disease. Folic acid deficiency also appears to be highly prevalent in this population. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C>T polymorphism decreases the activity of this enzyme and can be associated with mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia in homozygotes, particularly when there is folic acid deficiency, as well as with coronary artery disease.

Lead levels in primary teeth of children in Karachi.

The majority of children in Karachi have blood lead levels above 10 micrograms/dl, the upper safety limit set by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A study was undertaken to evaluate chronic lead exposure in children by measuring lead levels in shed primary teeth collected from primary school children in Karachi. A total of 309 teeth were collected from nine different schools, and analysed for lead content by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with electrothermal atomization.