Helicobacter pylori outer membrane protein Q genotypes and their susceptibility to anti-adhesive phytotherapeutic agents.

Objective: Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative organism. Its outer membrane protein Q (HopQ) mediates host-pathogen interactions; HopQ genotypes 1 and 2 are found associating with gastroduodenal pathologies. The authors measured the anti-adhesion effects of the extracts of Abelmoschus esculentus, Zingiber officinale, Trachyspermum ammi, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma longa and Capsicum annum against HopQ genotypes and H.

Helicobacter pylori outer membrane protein Q allele distribution is associated with distinct pathologies in Pakistan.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains expressing outer membrane protein Q (HopQ) promote adherence to the gastric epithelial cell. We characterized HopQ alleles in relation to H.

Confirmation of a realistic reactor model for BNCT dosimetry at the TRIGA Mainz.

Purpose: In order to build up a reliable dose monitoring system for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) applications at the TRIGA reactor in Mainz, a computer model for the entire reactor was established, simulating the radiation field by means of the Monte Carlo method. The impact of different source definition techniques was compared and the model was validated by experimental fluence and dose determinations.

Methods: The depletion calculation code origen2 was used to compute the burn-up and relevant material composition of each burned fuel element from the day of first reactor operation to its current core.

Perception and knowledge about dietary intake in patients with liver cirrhosis and its relationship with the level of education.

Objective: To determine patients perception and knowledge regarding diet in cirrhosis and its relationship with the level of patients education.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Place And Duration Of Study: This study was conducted at Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinics at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, the Aga Khan Health Services, Malir, Karachi and Hamdard University, Karachi, from January to December 2010.

Nutritional status in patients with hepatitis C.

Objective: To assess the nutritional status via the SGA (subjective global assessment) screening tool of patients at all stages of hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver disease.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Out-patient Clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, conducted from October 2009 to January 2011.

Prevalence of non Helicobacter pylori species in patients presenting with dyspepsia.

Background: Helicobacter species associated with human infection include Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter heilmannii and Helicobacter felis among others. In this study we determined the prevalence of H. pylori and non-Helicobacter pylori organisms H.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and lactose intolerance contribute to irritable bowel syndrome symptomatology in Pakistan.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND /AIM: The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome resemble those of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of SIBO and lactose intolerance (LI) occurrence in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) according to Rome III criteria.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, patients over 18 years of age with altered bowel habit, bloating, and patients who had lactose Hydrogen breath test (H 2 BT) done were included.

Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis in patients fulfilling irritable bowel syndrome criteria.

Studies have suggested a possible role for Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis in the etiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We studied the prevalence of B. hominis and D.

Irritable bowel syndrome: is it associated with genotypes of Blastocystis hominis.

Blastocystis hominis is the most common intestinal parasite in humans. An extensive genetic variability has been described recently in B. hominis isolates.

Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score as a useful prognostic marker in cirrhotic patients with infection.

Objective: To determine the association of Model for End stage liver disease (MELD) score to the outcome of cirrhotic patients with bacterial infection and to compare it with Child-Turcott-Pugh (CTP) score.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2005 to December 2007.

Predictive factors for early aspiration in liver abscess.

Aim: To determine the predictive factors for early aspiration in liver abscess.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients with liver abscess from 1995 to 2004 was performed. Abscess was diagnosed as amebic in 661 (68%) patients, pyogenic in 200 (21%), indeterminate in 73 (8%) and mixed in 32 (3%).

Diagnostic dilemma of abdominal tuberculosis in non-HIV patients: an ongoing challenge for physicians.

Aim: To assess the clinical features, yield of the diagnostic tests and outcome of abdominal tuberculosis in non-HIV patients.

Methods: Adult patients with discharge diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis (based upon; positive microbiology, histo-pathology, imaging or response to trial of anti TB drugs) during the period 1999 to 2004 were analyzed. Patient's characteristics, laboratory investigations, radiological, endoscopic and surgical findings were evaluated.

Outcome of endoscopic therapeutic interventions: are they different among various non-malignant esophageal diseases.

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate and compare the outcome of various causes of non-malignant lesions of the esophagus after endoscopic therapeutic intervention.

Methods: A cohort of patients with non-malignant dysphagia presenting at Aga Khan University hospital, a tertiary care setting who underwent endoscopic intervention was studied. Response to treatment was evaluated by improvement in dysphagia score on a scale of 0-4 and weight gain.

Irritable bowel syndrome: in search of an etiology: role of Blastocystis hominis.

This study was designed to examine stool specimens of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients for Blastocystis hominis, a common intestinal parasite. One hundred fifty patients were enrolled, 95 IBS cases and 55 controls. These patients provided a medical history, and underwent physical and laboratory evaluations that included stool microscopy and culture for B.