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Biomedical subjects

A Baseer

Publications and source records attributed to A Baseer.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Milk composition changes--a simple and non-invasive method of detecting ovulation in lactating women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibility of detecting ovulation through observing changes in composition of milk and using this as a simple and non-invasive method. METHOD: Twenty five normal lactating women (menstruating and non-menstruating), varying in age from 18-35 years and taking no hormonal contraceptives were included in this study. Hormonal estimation was done by radioimmunoassay and changes in milk composition were observed by measuring the concentration of Na+, Cl-, K+ and lactose. RESULTS: Changes were observed in milk composition of four menstruating women (ovulatory), characterized by significant increase in concentration of Na+ and Cl- and decrease in concentration of lactose and K+. However, in one non-menstruating woman who was found to have ovulation, these findings could not be observed. CONCLUSION: Results show that the determination of Na+, K+, Cl- and lactose in milk of lactating women have a high value for detection of ovulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Lipoprotein(a) status in coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the magnitude of lipid, and lipoproteins, especially the lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], in controls and patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, apo A1, apo B, and Lp(a) levels were determined in 37 patients with CHD and 25 age matched control subjects. RESULTS: A significant difference (P < 0.001) in lipid and apolipoprotein ratios were found. Lp(a) and other lipid parameters were found significantly high (P < 0.001) with the exception of HDL-C and apo B which were significantly low (P < 0.001) in CHD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of Lp(a) suggest not only its role in atherogenesis, leading to CHD, but also that Lp(a) should be given due consideration while assessing CHD risk.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Increased malondialdehyde levels in coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the status of lipid peroxidation, both in control subjects and in coronary heart disease patients. METHODS: Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and malondialdehyde levels were determined in 46 patients with coronary heart disease and 50 age matched control healthy subjects. 29 male coronary heart disease patients were divided into smoker (n = 19) and nonsmoker (n = 10) groups, to observe the effect of smoking on lipid peroxidation in coronary heart disease patients. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde and lipid parameters were found significantly high (P < 0.001) with the exception of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol which was significantly low (P < 0.001) in coronary heart disease patients. Smokers with coronary heart disease showed significantly increased (P < 0.025) malondialdehyde levels as compared to nonsmokers with coronary heart disease. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum levels of malondialdehyde indicate increase in the level of production of oxygen free radicals, suggesting their possible role in atherogenesis, leading to coronary heart disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Magnitude of lipoprotein (a) in diabetes mellitus.

One hundred and three patients, 76 with diabetes mellitus alone (48- Non-Insulin dependent diabetes and 28 Insulin dependent diabetes) and 27 diabetics having coronary heart disease (CHD) and 27 normal control subjects were included in this study. All the 27 diabetics with CHD were Non-Insulin dependent. The patients and the controls were investigated for serum Lp (a), triglycerides, cholesterol, VLDL-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, apo A1 and apo B. The objective was to assess and compare the level of lipoproteins, especially the lipoprotein (a), in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and to compare the level of the aforementioned parameters in diabetics with and without CHD. The Lp (a) and other lipid parameters were significantly raised (P < 0.001) except HDL-C and apo A1 that were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) both in diabetic patients with and without CHD, as compared to the control group. The diabetics with CHD showed significantly elevated (P < 0.001) Lp (a) and lipid profile, and significantly low (P < 0.001) HDL-C and apo A1 levels as compared to the patients having diabetes alone. No significant difference was observed in the levels of the above parameters when NIDDM patients were compared with IDDM group. In both NIDDM and IDDM patients significantly low (P < 0.001) HDL-C level and significantly high (P < 0.001) Lp (a) level along with the aforementioned lipid parameters was observed as compared to control group. Elevated levels of Lp (a) and lipid profile in diabetic subjects suggest their involvement in atherogenesis and subsequent development of CHD.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Thrombocytopenia in preeclampsia: an earlier detector of HELLP syndrome.

Platelet count was determined in eighty four pregnant women by direct visual method. Among them thirty normal pregnant women were taken as control. Twenty-seven were preeclamptic and twenty seven eclamptic women. There was significant (P < 0.01) reduction in platelet count of preeclamptic and highly significant (P < 0.001) in eclamptic women as compared to controls. It is concluded that there is need to do platelet count in all pregnancy induced hypertensive women, which can be an earlier detector for HELLP syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Hematologic effect of vitamin A supplementation in anemic Pakistani children.

To assess the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in anemic Pakistani children and investigate the hematologic response to vitamin A supplementation, 4-8 year old primary school children from the slum areas of Karachi were surveyed for anemia. Of 101 anemic children selected, 16% had low level of vitamin A ( < 20 micrograms/dl) and an additional 2% had deficient level ( < 10 micrograms/dl). Serum Retinol level showed positive associated with serum iron, ferritin, hemoglobin, hematocrit and Mean cell hemoglobin concentration. A non-randomized control trial was then carried out. Oral vitamin A capsules were given to 42 children and 53 children served as controls. After 6 weeks, there were significant differences between the two groups for Retinol, Retinol-Binding-Protein and Hematocrit. However, no significant difference could be found for Hemoglobin, RBC count, Mean Corpuscular Volume, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration, Serum iron, ferritin or transferrin. A single vitamin A supplement improved the hematocrit in 6 weeks. Long-term studies are needed to find if the WHO recommended periodic massive doses of vitamin A besides improving the morbidity and mortality will also improve the overall picture of anemia in children.

Anemia↗
PubMed1995

Thyroid hormone in hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have suggested that nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy are related to the levels of thyroid hormones and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). To ascertain this relationship, we investigated 60 pregnant women (30 subjects each with morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum) and compared them with 30 control subjects (by enzyme immunoassay method). METHODS: Serum T3, T4 and TSH were determined in all the subjects while serum hCG was assayed in pregnant women only. Group comparison was done by applying Student's t-test and the relationship between various parameters was evaluated by calculating coefficient of correlation, "r". RESULTS: Serum T4 and hCG levels were significantly increased in hyperemesis gravidarum while TSH demonstrated a significant decline in the same group. Correlation analysis showed a direct relationship between serum T4 and hCG and an inverse relationship between serum TSH and hCG in pregnancy with morning sickness. CONCLUSION: Our results are suggestive of the involvement of these variables in the pathogenesis of morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum not only because their levels were significantly altered but the extent of increase or decrease in their level correlated well with the severity of symptoms in the study subjects.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1995

A study on serum triglyceride and lipoproteins cholesterol in coronary heart disease patients.

Sera obtained from 42 patients of myocardial infarction, 28 of unstable angina and 25 healthy control subjects was assayed for total triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL Cholesterol (HDL-C) and VLDL Cholesterol (VLDL-C). The level of cholesterol was also determined among the sub-fractions of HDL. The levels of total triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-C and VLDL-C were significantly raised in both groups of patients. Total high density lipoprotein cholesterol was low in patients, which was highly significant in HDL2-C and not in HDL3-C. These results suggest that serum lipids are directly correlated with the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD). Total cholesterol when measured in major lipoprotein classes and further partitioned into subfractions, increase their sensitivity, specificity and hence their predictive value as sensitive markers for the assessment of CHD risk.

Angina, Unstable↗
PubMed1991

Carbohydrate metabolism in liver cirrhosis.

Patients with cirrhosis of liver are more prone to have accompanying diabetes mellitus. The present study was conducted to investigate various biochemical parameters in patients with hepatic cirrhosis without diabetes. In these patients blood pyruvate, total bilirubin and globulin levels were elevated as compared to normal individuals. In contrast serum albumin level declined significantly whereas no significant change was observed in the concentrations of blood glucose, total proteins, total lipids, urea and serum cholesterol. These studies confirm the previous reports that carbohydrate metabolism is deranged in hepatic cirrhosis which may lead to diabetes mellitus.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Adrenocortical response during examination.

The stressful effect of a written and oral examination was studied in twenty-two doctors sitting a postgraduate examination. The rise in the plasma cortisol was not significant in the written examination and reverted to normal values after an hour. On the other hand, there was a significant rise in the plasma cortisol during the oral examination with a pre-entry rise in blood sugar and a fall in alpha-amino nitrogen. It is concluded that whereas a written examination is not a stressful situation, an oral examination is stressful enough to be comparable to rowing and flying.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concentration of heavy metals in drinking water of different localities in district east Karachi.

BACKGROUND: Several heavy metals are present in drinking water that play important roles in the body provided their level remains within the specified range recommended by WHO. But now due to the industrialization and rapid urbanization, the problems of pollution have surfaced. This study was designed to ascertain the contents of some heavy metals and then their variations if any in drinking water in different localities of district East of Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: Drinking water samples were collected from different sources and localities of district East of Karachi. The concentration of the heavy metals i.e. Lead, Arsenic, Copper, Iron, Mercury, Chromium, Manganese, Nickel, Cadmium and Zinc were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. PH was estimated by pH meter. Total dissolved solids (TDS) were calculated by formula. These concentrations of heavy metals, pH and TDS were compared with the standards set by WHO. RESULTS: Concentrations of lead and nickel were found to be significantly elevated as compared to WHO recommended levels in all the three sources of water (Piped water, Hand pump water and Tanker water supply). Chromium was found to be raised in hand pump water. Arsenic and Mercury were not detected in any source of water. Copper, iron, manganese, cadmium and zinc were found to be within the safe limits in all the three sources of water. pH was found to be within the range of WHO recommended level in all the three sources of water. TDS was found to be elevated in hand pump water and tanker water. CONCLUSION: Concentrations of lead and nickel were found to be significantly elevated as compared to WHO recommended levels in all the three sources of water in district East of Karachi.

Arsenic↗