Publications by authors named "Naqvi A"

Study Objectives: To evaluate an existing once-daily gentamicin dosing guideline in children with febrile neutropenia resulting from antineoplastic therapy and, if necessary, to develop a new simulated dosing guideline that would achieve pharmacokinetic targets more reliably after the first dose.

Design: Pharmacokinetic analysis of data from a retrospective medical record review.

Setting: Hematology-oncology unit of a university-affiliated pediatric hospital in Canada.

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Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease-1 (APE1) is an essential enzyme in the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Here, we show that APE1 is a target of the SIRTUIN1 (SIRT1) protein deacetylase. SIRT1 associates with APE1, and this association is increased with genotoxic stress.

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The chicken lysozyme gene encodes a hydrolase that has a key role in defence, especially in ovo. This gene was resequenced in global chicken populations [red, grey, Ceylon and green jungle fowl (JF)] and related bird species. Networks, summary statistics and tests of neutrality indicate that although there is extensive variation at the gene, little is present at coding sites, with the exception of one non-synonymous site.

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Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to calculate dose in a knee phantom from a D-D-reaction-based Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) for Boron Neutron Capture Synovectomy (BNCS). The BSA consists of a D(d,n)-reaction-based neutron source enclosed inside a polyethylene moderator and graphite reflector. The polyethylene moderator and graphite reflector sizes were optimized to deliver the highest ratio of thermal to fast neutron yield at the knee phantom.

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Pozzolanic materials are added to Portland cement concrete to increase its durability, particularly corrosion-resistance. In this study the elemental composition of a pozzolanic cement concrete was measured non-destructively utilizing an accelerator-based Prompt Gamma Ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) setup. The optimum size of the pozzolanic cement concrete specimen was obtained through Monte Carlo simulations.

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Background: The use of isoniazid (INH) as chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis (TB) in renal transplant recipients has not been widely studied or reported from a country where TB is endemic. We are reporting here the results of the largest ever-reported randomized, prospective study of the use of INH in renal transplant recipients.

Methods: Four hundred consecutive live related renal transplant recipients between April 2001 and September 2004, from this single center, were randomized to receive or not receive INH for 1 year after transplantation.

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The adaptor protein p66shc promotes cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanistic relationship between p66shc and the kruppel like factor-2 (KLF2) transcription factor and show that this relationship has biological relevance to p66shc-regulated cellular oxidant level, as well as KLF2-induced target gene expression. Genetic knockout of p66shc in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) stimulates activity of the core KLF2 promoter and increases KLF2 mRNA and protein expression.

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Objective: To determine the effects of lead and zinc administration on the quality of semen of albino rats.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 2003 to December 2005.

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Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the geometry of a mammography anti-scatter linear grid to achieve minimum scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) for different X-ray tube voltages. A single optimum design of the grid with 0.9mm septa height, 12microm septa thickness and 100microm interspace thickness was found for breast phantom thicknesses between 30 and 80mm.

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There is no consensus on the immunization guidelines for immunocompromised children. Some recommendations are, however, available for children living in developed countries. The spectrum of infectious diseases is different in resource-poor countries.

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Background: The comparative analysis of genome sequences emerging for several avian species with the fully sequenced chicken genome enables the genome-wide investigation of selective processes in functionally important chicken genes. In particular, because of pathogenic challenges it is expected that genes involved in the chicken immune system are subject to particularly strong adaptive pressure. Signatures of selection detected by inter-species comparison may then be investigated at the population level in global chicken populations to highlight potentially relevant functional polymorphisms.

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Purpose Of Review: Paid living unrelated kidney donor transplantation has flourished in Pakistan and Iran. This review discusses the dynamics and consequences of organ trade in Pakistan and of a regulated paid donor model in Iran on transplant activities in these countries.

Recent Findings: In 2007, over 2500 renal transplants were performed in Pakistan, where more than 70% were from socioeconomic disadvantaged kidney vendors.

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Preventive measures against corrosion of reinforcing steel require making the concrete dense by adding pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash, silica fume, Superpozz, blast furnace slag, etc. to Portland cement. In order to obtain the desired strength and durability of concrete, it is desirable to monitor the concentration of the pozzolan in the blended cement concrete.

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There have been significant evolutionary pressures on the chicken during both its speciation and its subsequent domestication by man. Infectious diseases are expected to have exerted strong selective pressures during these processes. Consequently, it is likely that genes associated with disease susceptibility or resistance have been subject to some form of selection.

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Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of spindle cell neoplasms that have also been reported outside of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These tumors are characterized by somatic mutations of c-KIT (CD117), a proto-oncogene that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase normally expressed in the interstitial cell of Cajal that control the GI smooth muscle peristalsis, and an exquisite sensitivity to the action of the tyrokinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate (STI571; Gleevec). We report two cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor identified on prostatic biopsies, where a primary prostatic sarcoma was considered in the differential diagnosis.

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Micro- and short-interfering RNAs represent small RNA family that are recognized as critical regulatory species across the eukaryotes. Recent high-throughput sequencing have revealed two more hidden players of the cellular small RNA pool. Reported in mammals and Caenorhabditis elegans respectively, these new small RNAs are named piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and 21U-RNAs.

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Objective: To identify prognostic determinants of survival in patients with non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), determine the effect of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on prognosis, compare hepatitis C related HCC with mixed etiologies and evaluate the prognostic value of different staging systems.

Methods: This cohort study included 129 patients (male = 97, 75%) with non-resectable HCC. Data was collected from 2002 until August 2006.

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Objectives: To determine the range for normal body temperature in the general population of Pakistan and to determine if any age, sex and ambient temperature related variations exist in body temperature. Moreover, to compare how much axillary temperature differs from oral temperature measurements.

Methods: Oral as well as left and right axillary temperature recordings were made using an ordinary mercury-in-glass thermometer in 200 healthy individuals accompanying patients at various clinics at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) between mid-May to mid-June 2006.

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The transcription factor, p53, and the adaptor protein, p66shc, both play essential roles in promoting oxidative stress in the vascular system. However, the relationship between the two in the context of endothelium-dependent vascular tone is unknown. Here, we report a novel, evolutionarily conserved, p53-mediated transcriptional mechanism that regulates p66shc expression and identify p53 as an important determinant of endothelium-dependent vasomotor function.

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Mixed micellization of dimeric cationic surfactants tetramethylene-1,4-bis(hexadecyldimethylammonium bromide)(16-4-16), hexamethylene-1,6-bis(hexadecyldimethylammonium bromide) (16-6-16) with monomeric cationic surfactants hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) have been studied by conductivity and steady-state fluorescence quenching techniques. The behavior of mixed systems, their compositions, and activities of the components have been analyzed in the light of Rubingh's regular solution theory. The results indicate synergism in the binary mixtures.

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MicroRNAs are approximately 21- 25 nt long RNA species that are critical regulators of transcriptome across the eukaryotes. Growing number of evidences clearly supports their involvement in plant leaf development. ToLCV infection severely affects the morphology of mature tomato leaves.

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The authors report a 7-day-old girl born with a hemangioma involving the right side of the scalp and neck who developed ipsilateral brachial plexus palsy at 5 days of age. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of a cavernous hemangioma in the vicinity of the brachial plexus. She was treated with intravenous corticosteroids and her palsy resolved in 5 days.

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Hard metal disease (HMD), the interstitial lung disease caused by dusts in the cemented tungsten carbide (WC) industry, has been attributed to cobalt. The rare histologic pattern of giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP) is characteristic in HMD. The authors reviewed the history of HMD and 100 cases of HMD that they have seen over 5 decades.

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Immunosuppressive drugs used post-transplantation are among the most common causes of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Diagnosis is often confounded not only by its myriad presentations, but also because these manifestations may be explained by the comorbidities or complications of transplantation. A 61-year-old female who had a single lung transplant for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease maintained on corticosteroids, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, was admitted for fever, headache with confusion and lethargy.

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Subdural fluid collections can interfere with the effective intrathecal administration of chemotherapy by lumbar puncture (LP). We detected this complication in six children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and presented with an elevated protein concentration of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during routine LP. Contrary to expectation the lumbar fluid collections persisted in two cases and in one case required the insertion of an Ommaya reservoir to continue intrathecal chemotherapy.

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