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High Burden Of Subclinical Lead Toxicity After Phase Out Of Lead From Petroleum In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib, Nadeem Ullah Khan, Imran Siddiqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri Dec 2017

High Burden Of Subclinical Lead Toxicity After Phase Out Of Lead From Petroleum In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib, Nadeem Ullah Khan, Imran Siddiqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of subclinical lead toxicity.
Study design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and duration of study: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2011 to December 2014.
Methodology: Analysis of laboratory data for blood lead levels (BLL) was performed. Lead was tested by atomic absorption spectrometer. For all subjects, only initial test results were included while the results of repeated testing were excluded. Exemption was sought from institutional ethical review committee. BLL of 2-10 ug/dl and 10-70 ug/dl in children and adults, respectively were taken as subclinical lead toxicity.
Result: Amongst …


Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Efflux Pumps Genes In Extensively Drug Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates From Pakistan, Akbar Kanji, Rumina Hasan, Asho Ali, Ambreen Zaver, Ying Zhang, Kehkashan Imtiaz, Wanliang Shi, Taane G. Clark, Ruth Mcnerney, Jody Phelan Dec 2017

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Efflux Pumps Genes In Extensively Drug Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates From Pakistan, Akbar Kanji, Rumina Hasan, Asho Ali, Ambreen Zaver, Ying Zhang, Kehkashan Imtiaz, Wanliang Shi, Taane G. Clark, Ruth Mcnerney, Jody Phelan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

It is challenging to understand mechanisms of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) due to the large variability in resistance associated genes. Efflux pump genes contribute to drug resistance and thus add to this complexity. Efflux pump gene protein superfamilies have been characterized by genome analysis of drug resistant strains and through invitro transcriptional studies. However, there is limited information regarding efflux pump genes in extensively drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) isolates. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) based analysis of 37 extensively drug resistant (XDR) and five drug sensitive (DS) MTB clinical isolates was performed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in efflux …


Ventricular Depolarisation Vectors In Exercise Induced Myocardial Ischaemia, Cameruddin W. Vellani, Mohammad Yusuf, Sadia Mahmud, Satwat Hashmi Nov 2017

Ventricular Depolarisation Vectors In Exercise Induced Myocardial Ischaemia, Cameruddin W. Vellani, Mohammad Yusuf, Sadia Mahmud, Satwat Hashmi

Section of Cardiology

Ischaemia reduces membrane excitability and conduction of myocardial depolarisation. This would alter the synergy of electromotive forces that contribute to a resultant force at any instant. Changes in magnitude and direction of resultant forces are reflected in electrocardiographic signals. Here we show a method for obtaining the coordinates of resultant electrical forces during exercise derived from a bipolar orthogonal lead system for calculation of electrical vectors in three planes. In a trial, analysis of changes in vectors indicated that the extent of reduction in magnitude with exercise was significantly greater in groups of patients categorized by impaired effort tolerance and …


Flipped Classroom Instructional Approach In Undergraduate Medical Education, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Fazal Manzoor Arain, Ather Enam Nov 2017

Flipped Classroom Instructional Approach In Undergraduate Medical Education, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Fazal Manzoor Arain, Ather Enam

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: In this study we implemented the “flipped classroom” model to enhance active learning in medical students taking neurosciences module at Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Methods: Ninety eight undergraduate medical students participated in this study. The study was conducted from January till March 2017. Study material was provided to students in form of video lecture and reading material for the non-face to face sitting, while face to face time was spent on activities such as case solving, group discussions, and quizzes to consolidate learning under the supervision of faculty. To ensure deeper learning, we used pre- and post-class …


Susceptibility Pattern Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Vancomycin And Other Alternate Agents: Report From A Private Sector Hospital Laboratory, Faryal Saleem, 1 Naima Fasih, Afia Zafar Nov 2017

Susceptibility Pattern Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Vancomycin And Other Alternate Agents: Report From A Private Sector Hospital Laboratory, Faryal Saleem, 1 Naima Fasih, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

With increasing prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical settings and injudicious use of antibiotics, resistance among MRSA against commonly used antibiotics is increasing. To assess the susceptibility pattern of MRSA against vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, rifampicin, fosfomycin fusidic acid, clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and teicoplanin, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for given antimicrobials were performed on 234 MRSA clinical isolates using automated VITEK 2 system. Vancomycin, linezolid, rifampicin, clindamycin, co-trimoxazole and teicoplanin susceptibilities were interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints, while tigecycline, fosfomycin and fusidic acid were interpreted according to BSAC breakpoints. All isolates were found susceptible to vancomycin, tigecycline, teicoplanin and linezolid. …


Susceptibility Pattern Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Vancomycin And Other Alternate Agents: Report From A Private Sector Hospital Laboratory, Faryal Saleem, Naima Fasih, Afia Zafar Nov 2017

Susceptibility Pattern Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Vancomycin And Other Alternate Agents: Report From A Private Sector Hospital Laboratory, Faryal Saleem, Naima Fasih, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

With increasing prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical settings and injudicious use of antibiotics, resistance among MRSA against commonly used antibiotics is increasing. To assess the susceptibility pattern of MRSA against vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, rifampicin, fosfomycin fusidic acid, clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and teicoplanin, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for given antimicrobials were performed on 234 MRSA clinical isolates using automated VITEK 2 system. Vancomycin, linezolid, rifampicin, clindamycin, cotrimoxazole and teicoplanin susceptibilities were interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints, while tigecycline, fosfomycin and fusidic acid were interpreted according to BSAC breakpoints. All isolates were found susceptible to ancomycin, tigecycline, teicoplanin and linezolid. …


Association Of Vitamin D Binding Protein Polymorphism With Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In A Pakistani Urban Population: A Case Control Study, Khalida Iqbal, Najmul Islam, Iqbal Azam, Ali Asghar, Naseema Mehboobali, Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal Nov 2017

Association Of Vitamin D Binding Protein Polymorphism With Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In A Pakistani Urban Population: A Case Control Study, Khalida Iqbal, Najmul Islam, Iqbal Azam, Ali Asghar, Naseema Mehboobali, Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To assess if genotypes/diplotypes of vitamin D binding protein have any association with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted from January 2013 to July 2015 at the endocrinology clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised adult patients with type 2 diabetes and their age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Venous blood was obtained and assessed for serum/plasma 25 hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine. Deoxyribonucleic acid was isolated and genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphismprocedures.
Results: Of the 330 participants, there were 165(50%) …


Frequency Of G6pd Mediterranean In Individuals With And Without Malaria In Southern Pakistan, Bushra Moiz, Haroon Muhammad Arshad, Ahmed Raheem Raheem, Hasan Hayat, Najia Karim Ghanchi, M Asim Beg Oct 2017

Frequency Of G6pd Mediterranean In Individuals With And Without Malaria In Southern Pakistan, Bushra Moiz, Haroon Muhammad Arshad, Ahmed Raheem Raheem, Hasan Hayat, Najia Karim Ghanchi, M Asim Beg

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Pakistan has an estimated annual burden of 1.5 million malaria cases. The current situation calls for an efective malaria control and eradication programme in this country. Currently, primaquine is an attractive option for eliminating reservoirs of Plasmodium vivax hypnozoites and killing gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum. However, this drug causes haemolysis in individuals who are glucose-6-phosphate (G6PD) defcient. It is important to map G6PD defciency and malaria distribution in Pakistan to design an efective malaria eradication regimen. Frequency of G6PD defciency (G6PDd) in malaria patients has not been reported from Pakistan in any meaningful way. The purpose of this study …


Missed Immunization Opportunities Among Children Under 5 Years Of Age Dwelling In Karachi City, Asif Khaliq, Sayeeda Amber Sayed, Syed Abdullah Hussaini, Kiran Azam, Mehak Qamar Oct 2017

Missed Immunization Opportunities Among Children Under 5 Years Of Age Dwelling In Karachi City, Asif Khaliq, Sayeeda Amber Sayed, Syed Abdullah Hussaini, Kiran Azam, Mehak Qamar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Immunization is the safest and effective measure for preventing and eradicating various communicable diseases. A glaring immunization gap exists between developing and industrialized countries towards immunization, because the developing countries including Pakistan are still striving to provide basic immunization to their children. The purpose of this study was to access the prevalence and factors of missing immunization among under 5-year children of Karachi.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from June 2015 to October 2015 among different outpatient clinics of Karachi. Parents who had child less than 5 year of age were approached by non-probability purposive sampling. Data …


Bk Polyomavirus Virus Hemorrhagic Cystitis Following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant With Haploidentical Related Donor: Case Reports From Two Patients, Danish Shakeel, Natasha Bahadur Ali, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Salman Adil Oct 2017

Bk Polyomavirus Virus Hemorrhagic Cystitis Following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant With Haploidentical Related Donor: Case Reports From Two Patients, Danish Shakeel, Natasha Bahadur Ali, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Salman Adil

Section of Haematology/Oncology

BK virus is well known to be associated with allograft failure in renal transplant recipients due to polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN). BK viruses are increasingly recognized an important cause of hemorrhagic cystitis during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here we describe two patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who received a haplo identical match related donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant after myeloablative conditioning and post-transplant cyclophosphamide. They developed cytology proven BK Virus cystitis. Both were treated with Leflunomide. Treatment was effective in alleviating the symptoms temporarily but eventually the symptoms progressed and resulted in mortality of both patients.


Internal Mammary Artery Flow In Different Racial Groups Of Pakistan, Mudassir Iqbal Dar, Asim Hassan Dar, Mansoor Ahmed, Abdul Haseeb, Muhammad Bilal Oct 2017

Internal Mammary Artery Flow In Different Racial Groups Of Pakistan, Mudassir Iqbal Dar, Asim Hassan Dar, Mansoor Ahmed, Abdul Haseeb, Muhammad Bilal

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To find out any differences in free flow of internal mammary artery among different ethnic groups.
Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2013 to December 2015, and comprised patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The participants were divided into 5 groups, i.e. Sindhi, Muslim migrants from India, Punjabi, Pathan and Balochi patients. Free flow of internal mammary artery was measured immediately after harvesting within a syringe, and its flow was measured in 30 seconds. SPSS 18 was used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 158 patients, 44(27.8%) …


Video Microscope Robotic Arm-Assisted, Neuronavigation-Guided Glioma Resection And Regional Sampling, Muhammad Waqas, Ather Enam, Fauzan A Hashmi, Fatima Mubarak, Fazal Arain Oct 2017

Video Microscope Robotic Arm-Assisted, Neuronavigation-Guided Glioma Resection And Regional Sampling, Muhammad Waqas, Ather Enam, Fauzan A Hashmi, Fatima Mubarak, Fazal Arain

Section of Neurosurgery

High-grade gliomas possess internal pathological heterogeneity. Selective sampling of different tumor regions can help in the study of this heterogeneity. In this report, we have described the use of a novel navigation and optical system for the selective regional sampling of a high-grade glioma lesion. A 45-year-old gentleman presented to us with complaints of intermittent frontal headaches for past eight months. On examination, he had subtle pyramidal weakness in left upper and lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large contrast-enhancing, space-occupying lesion in the right frontal lobe causing perilesional edema and midline shift. We marked four different regions …


Burden Of Zinc (Zn) Deficiency: A High Volume Clinical Laboratory Data Analysis, Hafsa Majid, Shabnum Khawaja, Aysha Habib Khan, Imran Siddqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri Oct 2017

Burden Of Zinc (Zn) Deficiency: A High Volume Clinical Laboratory Data Analysis, Hafsa Majid, Shabnum Khawaja, Aysha Habib Khan, Imran Siddqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

A cross-sectional survey was done at the Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, AKUH, Karachi, to determine frequency of Zn deficiency, the second major micronutrient deficiency in developing countries, in subjects coming for investigations. Data of plasma Zn, from Jan 2013 to Dec 2014 was analyzed and deficiency was labeled at <65ug/dl. Total 469 subjects were tested for plasma Zn levels over the period of 24 months and complete information was available for 422 subjects, included in final analysis. Median age of subjects was 13 yrs (IQR 7-35) and 57% were male. Mean plasma Zn levels of the total subjects were 105±42.6ug/dl. Out of the total subjects 13.5% (n=57) had Zn deficiency (mean plasma Zn 52±11 ug/dl), and most of them were of age group 6-16yrs. These findings advocate that diet of Pakistani children should be revised in order to provide sufficient amounts of Zn.


Iron Overload Assessment In Beta Thalassemia Major - Is T2* Magnetic Resonance Imaging The Answer?, Natasha Ali Oct 2017

Iron Overload Assessment In Beta Thalassemia Major - Is T2* Magnetic Resonance Imaging The Answer?, Natasha Ali

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.


Evaluation Of Xpert Mtb/Rif Testing For Rapid Diagnosis Of Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Children By Xpert Mtb/Rif Testing Of Stool Samples In A Low Resource Setting, Zahra Hasan, Sadia Shakoor, Fehmina Arif, Aisha Mehnaz, Alnoor Akber, Marium Haider, Akber Kanji, Rumina Hasan Sep 2017

Evaluation Of Xpert Mtb/Rif Testing For Rapid Diagnosis Of Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Children By Xpert Mtb/Rif Testing Of Stool Samples In A Low Resource Setting, Zahra Hasan, Sadia Shakoor, Fehmina Arif, Aisha Mehnaz, Alnoor Akber, Marium Haider, Akber Kanji, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: Children with tuberculosis (TB) remain underdiagnosed due to difculty in testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. We evaluated the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for respiratory and stool testing in children for pulmonary TB through a cross-sectional study at tertiary care facilities in Karachi, Pakistan. Fifty children aged 0–15 years screened by a modifed Kenneth-Jones (KJ) score were included. Mycobacterial culture of respiratory samples was the microbiological standard against stool Xpert TB results. All positive TB cases were compared against a treatment response standard (TRS).
Results: Twelve study subjects were diagnosed by Xpert TB and nine by MTB culture. Compared with …


Enhanced Physical Endurance And Improved Memory Performance Following Taurine Administration In Rats, Irfan Sajid, Saara Muddasir, Shaista Emad, Zehra Batool, Saima Khaliq, Lubna Anis, Saiqa Tabassum, Syeda Madiha, Laraib Liaquat, Sadia Sadir, Tahira Perveen, Saida Haider Sep 2017

Enhanced Physical Endurance And Improved Memory Performance Following Taurine Administration In Rats, Irfan Sajid, Saara Muddasir, Shaista Emad, Zehra Batool, Saima Khaliq, Lubna Anis, Saiqa Tabassum, Syeda Madiha, Laraib Liaquat, Sadia Sadir, Tahira Perveen, Saida Haider

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Energy drinks enhance physical endurance and cognitive ability. The ingredients present in these drinks are considered as ergogenic and have memory boosting effects. In the present study effects of taurine administration for one week was monitored on physical exercise and memory performance in rats. Animals were divided into two groups namely control and test. Taurine was injected intraperitoneally to the test group at the dose of 100mg/kg. After one week of treatment rats were subjected to physical exercise and memory task. Results of this study revealed that rats injected with taurine for one week exhibited improved muscular strength as well …


Readiness For Antimicrobial Resistance (Amr) Surveillance In Pakistan; A Model For Laboratory Strengthening, Dania Khalid Saeed, Rumina Hasan, Mahwish Naim, Afia Zafar, E. Khan, Kauser Jabeen, Seema Irfan, Imran Ahmed, Mohammad Zeeshan, Zabin Wajidali, Joveria Farooqi, Sadia Shakoor, Abdul Chagla, Jason Rao Sep 2017

Readiness For Antimicrobial Resistance (Amr) Surveillance In Pakistan; A Model For Laboratory Strengthening, Dania Khalid Saeed, Rumina Hasan, Mahwish Naim, Afia Zafar, E. Khan, Kauser Jabeen, Seema Irfan, Imran Ahmed, Mohammad Zeeshan, Zabin Wajidali, Joveria Farooqi, Sadia Shakoor, Abdul Chagla, Jason Rao

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

BACKGROUND:

Limited capacity of laboratories for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) presents a critical diagnostic bottleneck in resource limited countries. This paper aims to identify such gaps and to explore whether laboratory networks could contribute towards improving AST in low resource settings.

METHODS:

A self-assessment tool to assess antimicrobial susceptibility testing capacity was administered as a pre-workshop activity to participants from 30 microbiology laboratories in 3 cities in Pakistan. Data from public and private laboratories was analyzed and capacity of each scored in percentage terms. Laboratories from Karachi were invited to join a support network. A cohort of five laboratories that …


Readiness For Antimicrobial Resistance (Amr) Surveillance In Pakistan; A Model For Laboratory Strengthening, Dania Khalid Saeed, Rumina Hasan, Mahwish Naim, Afia Zafar, E. Khan, Kauser Jabeen, Seema Irfan, Imran Ahmed, Mohammad Zeeshan, Zabin Wajidali, Joveria Farooqi, Sadia Shakoor, Abdul Chagla, Jason Rao Sep 2017

Readiness For Antimicrobial Resistance (Amr) Surveillance In Pakistan; A Model For Laboratory Strengthening, Dania Khalid Saeed, Rumina Hasan, Mahwish Naim, Afia Zafar, E. Khan, Kauser Jabeen, Seema Irfan, Imran Ahmed, Mohammad Zeeshan, Zabin Wajidali, Joveria Farooqi, Sadia Shakoor, Abdul Chagla, Jason Rao

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Limited capacity of laboratories for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) presents a critical diagnostic bottleneck in resource limited countries. This paper aims to identify such gaps and to explore whether laboratory networks could contribute towards improving AST in low resource settings. Methods: A self-assessment tool to assess antimicrobial susceptibility testing capacity was administered as a pre-workshop activity to participants from 30 microbiology laboratories in 3 cities in Pakistan. Data from public and private laboratories was analyzed and capacity of each scored in percentage terms. Laboratories from Karachi were invited to join a support network. A cohort of five laboratories that …


Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis In A Patient With Undiagnosed Factor Vii Deficiency, Hira Qadir, Anila Rashid, Salman Naseem Adil Sep 2017

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis In A Patient With Undiagnosed Factor Vii Deficiency, Hira Qadir, Anila Rashid, Salman Naseem Adil

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Factor VII (FVII) deficiency is one of the rare inherited bleeding disorders. Thrombosis has been occasionally described in inherited FVII deficiency. Here, we report a young female with undiagnosed FVII deficiency who presented with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). Oral contraceptive pill was found to be prothrombotic risk factor. The CVSToccurred in spite of the congenital FVII deficiency indicating that no definitive antithrombotic protection is assured by this defect. Low molecular weight heparin and anti-Xa assay were found to be safe choice of anticoagulation and monitoring, respectively, in this patient


Is Biological Repair Of Heart On The Horizon?, H R. Ahmad, Satwat Hashmi Jul 2017

Is Biological Repair Of Heart On The Horizon?, H R. Ahmad, Satwat Hashmi

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

The stem cells keep us young by endogenously repairing us upon need. They do so bysmartly one step forward towards differentiation while another step backward to nurturethe undifferentiated stem cells. They are building blocks for every organ witha differential rate of repair of worn out tissues. Since stem cells can be cultured with a normal karyo type, they could be the ideal source for heart repair after myocardial infarction. As opposed to lower vertebrates and neonatal mice, cardiac regeneration in adult mammalian heart seems to be difficult to assess with a solid evidence of cytokinesis. It becomes more difficult to …


Experience With The Quantitative Lyta Gene Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction For The Detection Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae From Pediatric Whole Blood In Pakistan, Furqan Kabir, Sahrish Muneer, Adil Kalam, Ana Sami, Shahida Qureshi, Aneeta Hotwani, Atif Riaz, Syed Mohiuddin, Mohammad Tahir Yousafzai, Sara Hussain, Syed Asad Ali, Sadia Shakoor Jul 2017

Experience With The Quantitative Lyta Gene Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction For The Detection Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae From Pediatric Whole Blood In Pakistan, Furqan Kabir, Sahrish Muneer, Adil Kalam, Ana Sami, Shahida Qureshi, Aneeta Hotwani, Atif Riaz, Syed Mohiuddin, Mohammad Tahir Yousafzai, Sara Hussain, Syed Asad Ali, Sadia Shakoor

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: We present our experience with optimization and diagnostic use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the lytA gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae for the detection of S. pneumoniae in whole blood of children ≥5 CFU/10 μl or 1 copy of DNA/2 μl of blood.
Methods: This assay was applied on 1912 whole blood specimens collected from children pneumonia, of which 35 specimens were lytA positive. The bacterial loads were determined through categorization of load into five different categories, i.e., very high load, high load, moderate load, low load, and very low load.
Results: Of the 35 lytA-positive …


Evaluation Of 'Ckd-Epi Pakistan' Equation For Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (Egfr): A Comparison Of Egfr Prediction Equations In Pakistani Population, Sibtain Ahmed, Lena Jafri, Ayesha Habib Khan Jul 2017

Evaluation Of 'Ckd-Epi Pakistan' Equation For Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (Egfr): A Comparison Of Egfr Prediction Equations In Pakistani Population, Sibtain Ahmed, Lena Jafri, Ayesha Habib Khan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To evaluate the results of 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance (CrCl) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), CKD-EPI Pakistan (CKD-EPI Pak), Cockcroft Gault (CG) and 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations.
Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Section of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, from June to October 2013. Methodology: Laboratory data of subjects ≥18 years ordering 24-hour urinary CrCl from June to October 2013 was retrieved. Statistical comparison of eGFR using CKD-EPI, CKD-EPI Pak, CG and …


Current Status Of Helicobacter Pylori Association With Haematological And Cardiovascular Diseases: A Mini Review, Jibran Sualeh Muhammad, Syed Faisal Zaidi, Sheikh Abdul Saeed, Muhammad Ishaq Jun 2017

Current Status Of Helicobacter Pylori Association With Haematological And Cardiovascular Diseases: A Mini Review, Jibran Sualeh Muhammad, Syed Faisal Zaidi, Sheikh Abdul Saeed, Muhammad Ishaq

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Helicobacter pylori infection is considered the most commonly prevalent gastrointestinal pathogen where it manages to survive despite the hostile environment of human stomach, leading to various gastric diseases including gastric cancer. Due to the chronic inflammatory state induced by H. pylori and its interaction with host immune system have diverted researchers to investigate its correlation with systemic diseases outside of the gastrointestinal tract. This literature review was done to explore the association of H. pylori infection with haematological and cardiovascular diseases. We used medical subject heading (MeSH) terms "Helicobacter pylori" with "inflammation," "haematological diseases," "coronary heart diseases" or "vascular diseases" …


Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease And Soluble Transferrin Receptor (Stfr), Ferritin, Ratio, Faiza Alam Faiza Alam, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Sabeela Noor Sabeela Noor, Ahmed Bilal, Rehana Rehman Jun 2017

Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease And Soluble Transferrin Receptor (Stfr), Ferritin, Ratio, Faiza Alam Faiza Alam, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Sabeela Noor Sabeela Noor, Ahmed Bilal, Rehana Rehman

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To assess the ratio of soluble transferrin receptor to ferritin in different stages of chronic kidney disease.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital and the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January to September 2014, and comprised chronic kidney disease patients and healthy controls. Group 1 comprised controls, whereas groups 2, 3 and 4 had patients based on their mean glomerular filtration rate. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 170 participants, 126(74.1%) were cases and 44(25.9%) were controls. The overall mean age was 55.87±3.48 years and the mean body …


Prioritizing Research For Integrated Implementation Of Early Childhood Development And Maternal, Newborn, Child And Adolescent Health And Nutrition Platforms, Renee Sharma, Michelle F. Gaffey, Harold Alderman, Diego G. Bassani, Kimber Bogard, Gary L. Darmstadt, Jai K. Das, Joseph E De Graft–Johnson, Jena D. Hamadani, Susan Horton Jun 2017

Prioritizing Research For Integrated Implementation Of Early Childhood Development And Maternal, Newborn, Child And Adolescent Health And Nutrition Platforms, Renee Sharma, Michelle F. Gaffey, Harold Alderman, Diego G. Bassani, Kimber Bogard, Gary L. Darmstadt, Jai K. Das, Joseph E De Graft–Johnson, Jena D. Hamadani, Susan Horton

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Existing health and nutrition services present potential platforms for scaling up delivery of early childhood development (ECD) interventions within sensitive windows across the life course, especially in the first 1000 days from conception to age 2 years. However, there is insufficient knowledge on how to optimize implementation for such strategies in an integrated manner. In light of this knowledge gap, we aimed to systematically identify a set of integrated implementation research priorities for health, nutrition and early child development within the 2015 to 2030 timeframe of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Methods: We applied the Child Health and Nutrition …


Setting Health Research Priorities Using The Chnri Method: Vii. A Review Of The First 50 Applications Of The Chnri Method, Igor Rudan, Sachiyo Yoshida, Kit Yee Chan, Devi Sridhar, Kerri Wazny, Harish Nair, Aziz Sheikh, Mark Tomlinson, Joy E. Lawn, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta Jun 2017

Setting Health Research Priorities Using The Chnri Method: Vii. A Review Of The First 50 Applications Of The Chnri Method, Igor Rudan, Sachiyo Yoshida, Kit Yee Chan, Devi Sridhar, Kerri Wazny, Harish Nair, Aziz Sheikh, Mark Tomlinson, Joy E. Lawn, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Several recent reviews of the methods used to set research priorities have identified the CHNRI method (acronym derived from the "Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative") as an approach that clearly became popular and widely used over the past decade. In this paper we review the first 50 examples of application of the CHNRI method, published between 2007 and 2016, and summarize the most important messages that emerged from those experiences.
Methods: We conducted a literature review to identify the first 50 examples of application of the CHNRI method in chronological order. We searched Google Scholar, PubMed and so-called …


Serious Fungal Infections In Pakistan, Kauser Jabeen, Joveria Farooqi, Sajjad Mirza, D Denning, Afia Zafar Jun 2017

Serious Fungal Infections In Pakistan, Kauser Jabeen, Joveria Farooqi, Sajjad Mirza, D Denning, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The true burden of fungal infection in Pakistan is unknown. High-risk populations for fungal infections [tuberculosis (TB), diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, asthma, cancer, transplant and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection] are numerous. Here, we estimate the burden of fungal infections to highlight their public health significance. Whole and at-risk population estimates were obtained from the WHO (TB), BREATHE study (COPD), UNAIDS (HIV), GLOBOCAN (cancer) and Heartfile (diabetes). Published data from Pakistan reporting fungal infections rates in general and specific populations were reviewed and used when applicable. Estimates were made for the whole population or specific populations at risk, as previously …


Hybrid Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors: Report Of Five Cases And Detailed Review Of Literature, Nasir Ud Din, Zubair Ahmad, Jamshid Abdul Ghafar, Rashida Ahmed May 2017

Hybrid Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors: Report Of Five Cases And Detailed Review Of Literature, Nasir Ud Din, Zubair Ahmad, Jamshid Abdul Ghafar, Rashida Ahmed

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

BACKGROUND: Hybrid peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) have been recognized recently and were first included in the 4th edition of World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of Soft tissue and Bone, published in 2013. These tumors show combined features of more than one type of conventional benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. The most common combinations are those of schwannoma/perineurioma followed by combinations of neurofibroma/schwannoma and neurofibroma/perineurioma. A detailed literature review of published cases is presented. We have discussed the types and etiology, epidemiology and sites of localization, gross and microscopic appearances and immunohistochemical features of hybrid PNSTs and association …


Eliminating Wrong Blood Transfusions - Recent Advances, Farheen Karim, Salman Naseem Adil May 2017

Eliminating Wrong Blood Transfusions - Recent Advances, Farheen Karim, Salman Naseem Adil

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.


Noninvasive Monitoring Intracranial Pressure - A Review Of Available Modalities, Marium Naveed Khan, Hussain Shallwani, Muhammad Ulusyar Khan, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim Apr 2017

Noninvasive Monitoring Intracranial Pressure - A Review Of Available Modalities, Marium Naveed Khan, Hussain Shallwani, Muhammad Ulusyar Khan, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is important in many neurosurgical and neurological patients. The gold standard for monitoring ICP, however, is via an invasive procedure resulting in the placement of an intraventricular catheter, which is associated with many risks. Several noninvasive ICP monitoring techniques have been examined with the hope to replace the invasive techniques. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of all modalities that have been used for noninvasive ICP monitoring to date.
Methods: A thorough literature search was conducted on PubMed, selected articles were reviewed in completion, and pertinent data was included in the …