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Biomedical subjects

F Agha

Publications and source records attributed to F Agha.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Impact of weather on presentation of kidney tumour: a thirteen years retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of kidney tumor patients in-group gave birth to the hypothesis that oncogen exposure is influenced by the weather. Frequency and spectrum of renal tumors was also studied. Incidence of the tumor cannot be evaluated as we are lacking in data collection of pediatric population, inoperable cases and patients with bilateral renal tumors, who did not under go nephrectomies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Case records of all patients who underwent nephrectomy at the Department of Urology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, between 1988 and 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. Histologically proven cases of renal cancer seen over 13 years period under review, were included in the study. RESULTS: Between 1988 to 2000, 80 histologically proven cases of renal carcinoma were seen. The ages of the patients ranged from 10 to 80 years (median 55 years) with a male to female ratio of 2:1. The frequency of kidney tumor in different months was evaluated. Spring and end of summer season showed increase number of kidney tumor patients 27.50% and 30% respectively but it is not significant. This is a small study at one center and data from other centers may be conclusive. Histology showed renal cell carcinoma in 86.2%, squamous cell carcinoma in 3.75%, transitional cell carcinoma in 3.75%, Wilms' tumor and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1.25% each and undifferentiated in 2.5% cases. Invasiveness was found in 16.25% cases, 7.5% had renal vein involvement, 6.25% lymph node and 2.5% inferior vena cava. Side of involvement was right in 51.2% and left in 48.8% cases. Of the total urological malignancies that were seen during 13 years period under review, renal carcinoma was found in 12.4% cases. Of the total nephrectomies that were carried out during this period 24.5% were the cases of renal carcinoma. Hospital frequency of renal carcinoma was 2.28/100,000/year or 6.1 tumors per year. CONCLUSION: Impact of weather could not be proved a causative factor for kidney tumor presentation. This study also indicates that although the frequency of renal carcinoma may be different from western countries but the spectrum of the disease is quite similar.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Serum IgE levels in patients with allergic problems and healthy subjects.

Total serum IgE levels were estimated in 219 patients with various allergic disorders (119 with bronchial asthma, 68 with allergic rhinitis and 32 with urticaria) and 240 healthy age matched subjects. Serum IgE levels were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in healthy males (mean 181 IU/ml) than females (mean 99 IU/ml). Higher levels were found in the age group 15 to 24 years and lowest in over 55 years. Males had higher IgE levels than females at any given age. Mean IgE levels were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in all three groups of patients than in healthy subjects. Among all age groups, the difference in mean IgE levels between allergic subjects and controls was significant. Positive skin test reactivity (to pollen and dust allergens) was found in 60% patients with asthma, 51% with allergic rhinitis, 46% with urticaria and in 4.5% healthy subjects. Patients with positive skin test had higher mean IgE levels as compared to those with negative skin test, but the difference was insignificant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Blood lead levels in young children in Chakshahzad, Islamabad.

Blood lead levels were estimated in one hundred and seventy school children, aged 13 to 19 years, residing in Chakshahzad area of Islamabad. The overall mean blood lead level was 2.38 ug/dl (range 0.2 to 8.6 ug/dl), 3.22 ug/dl in boys and 1.49 ug/dl in girls. A significant difference (p < 0.01) was found in mean blood lead concentrations between the two sexes. The highest mean levels for lead were found at the age of 13 years. Blood lead levels in adolescents reported here were relatively low. They reflect very little or no risk to the health of children in Chakshahzad and it also indicated that area of Chakshahzad is relatively free from any lead pollution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Diagnosis of pleural effusions.

Sixty patients of pleural effusion with different aetiology are described. Various microbiological and biochemical parameters were done simultaneously in blood and pleural fluid to differentiate tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis effusions. Some biochemical tests were thought to be helpful in differential diagnosis but no single parameter was found diagnostic. Routine investigations of pleural fluid, sputum and pleural biopsy still remain the best method of diagnosis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1992

Iron deficiency in adolescents.

Two hundred and seventy school children between 13 to 20 years were investigated for iron deficiency. Overall iron deficiency (assessed by serum ferritin assay) was 39% in adolescents; 30% boys and 54% girls were iron depleted, anemia was found in 17% boys (Hb 13g/dl) and in 18% girls (Hb 12g/dl). Iron deficiency was more frequent than anemia in adolescent girls than boys. Iron deficient children had significantly lower mean Hb levels (p 0.001) compared to children with adequate iron stores. A significant correlation was found between serum ferritin concentration and Hb levels in iron deficient children (r = 0.49, p 0.001). A high prevalence of iron deficiency in adolescents reported here reflects the limited availability of dietary iron in children belonging to lower socio-economic group and the importance of screening for iron deficiency and the treatment of these children with iron preparation. Iron status in this age group warrants further evaluation and research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Immunoglobulins and serum proteins in toxoplasmosis.

Immunoglobulin levels in 47 children (age 13-20 years) with toxoplasmosis were compared with 46 age and sex matched controls. No significant difference was observed in mean serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) levels between patients and controls but mean IgM levels were significantly (P) higher in children with acute toxoplasma infection. Total proteins were higher in patients while mean albumin and globulin levels were similar between the two groups. Estimation of serum immunoglobulins in young children with toxoplasmosis has no significance and should not be considered as an immunodiagnostic tool.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasma gondii infection in young school children in Islamabad.

Sera, from 270 school children (age 13 to 20 years) residing in suburbs of Islamabad, were investigated for the presence of toxoplasma gondii, IgG antibodies using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall prevalence was 17.4%. There was no significant difference between the two sexes. Since a positive test result for IgG antibodies at any level does not eliminate the possibility of a current infection, the toxoplasma IgG antibody positive children were further tested for the presence of toxoplasma IgM antibodies by the same technique. An acute infection was indicated in 12.7% (6/47) IgG positive children. This study shows that toxoplasmosis is prevalent in adolescence in Islamabad. The presence of cats and the degree of soil contact appeared compatible with hypothesis of transmission by oocysts. Poor sanitary habits and conditions and water shortage in schools may cause parasitic infection through contact between the children. An improvement in general hygienic conditions is important in reducing the rate of transmission by oocysts. Further studies are needed to assess the possible age of exposure to this parasite in the paediatric group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Protein electrophoresis in tuberculosis.

Serum electrophoresis was done in 31 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 62 age and sex matched controls. Protein values amongst controls were higher than those described by others. In tuberculosis there was significant decrease in total proteins, and albumin with corresponding increase in globulin, mainly due to an increase in gamma globulin fraction. There was no significant increase in alpha-2 levels. Decrease in albumin/alpha-2 ratio was significant in sputum positive cases, but it was due to reduction in albumin rather than increase in alpha-2 globulin. Decrease in albumin/alpha-2 ratio in this study was not diagnostic of tubercular activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Hepatotoxicity to different antituberculosis drug combinations.

Hepatotoxicity to different combinations of anti-tuberculosis drugs containing, Rifampicin (R), Streptomycin (S), Isoniazid (H), Pyrazinamide (Z) and Myambutol (E) is described in 47 patients who completed 6 to 9 months therapy. Seven cases (15%) showed signs of toxicity and in 4 patients (8.5%) the drugs had to be withdrawn. Two patients developed hepatitis, one with jaundice and the other with fever and deranged liver functions, while others 2 developed severe hypersensitivity reactions. Burning palms, difficulty in micturition, itching and giddiness were complained of by one patient each, which settled in due course without recourse to withdrawal of drugs.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1989

Ferritin levels in professional blood donors.

Iron stores were estimated in 333 professional blood donors by serum ferritin assay. Iron deficiency or depleted iron stores assessed by low serum ferritin levels (less than 12ng/ml) were found in 15% donors. In 51% donors the serum ferritin was within the normal range, while 34% donors had high serum ferritin levels (above 200 and upto 3580 ng/ml). Anaemia (Hb less than 13g/d1) was found in 284 (85%) donors, 51 (18%) of these had iron deficiency or low ferritin levels, 99 (35%) had high and 134 (47%) had normal serum ferritin levels. Iron deficiency in blood donors could be associated with repeated blood donations. High serum ferritin levels could be due to reasons like taking of medicinal iron much beyond the recommended dosage by self initiation. Therefore, estimation of serum ferritin has no value in professional blood donors.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Serum thyroid hormone levels in liver cirrhosis.

Levels of thyroid hormones, serum thyroxine, triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured in 55 patients with liver cirrhosis using radioimmunoassay techniques. Results were compared with 78 controls. The mean serum concentration of T3, FT3 and FT4 were significantly decreased in cirrhotics, while no significant change was noted in serum T4 and TSH levels. T3/T4 ratio was also lower than the normal. This indicates an impaired liver conversion of T4 to T3 in peripheral tissues. Serum T3 and FT3 showed an inverse correlation with serum bilirubin and a positive correlation with serum albumin. T3, FT3 and T3/T4 ratios were significantly low in patients who had ascites as compared to those who had no ascites. This study confirms the presence of abnormalities in serum thyroid hormone levels in cirrhosis of liver. Alteration in serum T3 and FT3 levels correlate well with the disease severity and may be useful in assessing the course and prognosis in cirrhotic patients.

Adolescent↗