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Biomedical subjects

Sultan A Meo

Publications and source records attributed to Sultan A Meo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Lung function in Pakistani wood workers.

The lung function impairment is the most common respiratory problem in industrial plants and their vicinity. Therefore, the purpose was to study the affects of wood dust and its duration of exposure on lung function. This was a matched cross-sectional study of Spirometry in 46 non-smoking wood workers with age range 20 - 60 years, who worked without the benefit of wood dust control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. Pulmonary function test was performed by using an electronic Spirometer. Significant reduction was observed in the mean values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) in wood workers relative to their matched controls. This impairment was increased with the duration of exposure to wood industries. It is concluded that lung function in wood workers is impaired and stratification of results shows a dose-response effect of years of wood dust exposure on lung function.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2006

Dose response effect of cement dust on respiratory muscles competence in cement mill workers.

Electromyography (EMG) of respiratory muscles is a reliable method of assessing the ventilatory muscle function, but still its use has not been fully utilized to determine the occupational and environmental hazards on respiratory muscles. Therefore, EMG of intercostal muscles was performed to determine the dose response effect of cement dust on respiratory muscles competence. Matched cross-sectional study of EMG in 50 non-smoking cement mill workers with an age range of 20 - 60 years, who worked without the benefit of cement dust control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. EMG was performed by using surface electrodes and chart recorder. Significant reduction was observed in number of peaks (p < 0.0005), maximum peak amplitude (p < 0.0005), peak-to-peak amplitude (p < 0.0005) and duration of response (p < 0.0005) in cement mill workers compared to their matched control. Cement dust impairs the intercostal muscle competence and stratification of results shows a dose-effect of years of exposure in cement mill.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Hazards of X-ray radiation on the quantitative and phagocytic functions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in X-ray technicians.

Over exposure to X-ray radiation is detrimental to the living cells and may lead to development of life-threatening diseases. It is intuitive to postulate that a low level exposure may lead to functional abnormalities in human immune cells. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to study the effects of X-ray radiation on the total leukocyte count (TLC) and phagocytic activity of Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). A group of 42 apparently healthy X-ray technicians were recruited with age ranging from 25-50 years. They were matched with another group of 42 control healthy volunteer subjects in terms of age, sex and ethnic variation. The mean exposure level of X-ray radiation in X-ray technicians was 72.4 mrem per calendar quarter and 289.6 mrem per year. TLC was performed by using a Beckman Coulter counter and phagocytic activity of whole blood and PMN was determined by measuring chemiluminescence (CL) response with a chemiluminescence luminometer. The mean value of CL response was significantly decreased (p<0.0005) in X-ray technicians, even though they had low levels of exposure, compared to their controls. However, no significant difference was observed in TLC between the two groups at this low level of exposure. Exposure to X-ray radiation decreases the physiological functions of PMN as measured by decreasing chemiluminescence response even at low levels of exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Assessment of respiratory muscles endurance in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory muscle endurance is of interest in pulmonary, critical care and many other areas of medicine. The maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) test is an objective dynamic method for measuring the working capacity of respiratory muscles. Therefore, we designed the present study to determine the effect imposed by diabetes mellitus on respiratory muscle endurance in Saudi diabetic patients. METHODS: We conducted this study in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital and Diabetic Centre, King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the year 2002-2004. In this study, we recruited 39 male diabetic patients and equal number of control subjects and all participants were non-smokers with age range of 23-71 years. The subjects were matched for age, height and weight. We determined the respiratory muscles endurance by a direct MVV test during inspiratory and expiratory phases of respiration by using a MP-100 student Bio Pac system and compared the results using a paired t-test. RESULTS: In inspiratory and expiratory phases of respiration, diabetic patients showed a significant reduction in the mean values of direct MVV test (p<0.001) relative to their matched controls. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in diabetic patients the respiratory muscles endurance is impaired by a decreased in MVV values. This decline in MVV further showed that the diabetic patients have a reduced inhaled and exhaled volumes during consecutive breaths.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Lung function in type 2 Saudi diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus on lung function and to determine its severity in relation to duration of disease. METHODS: We conducted this study in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital and Diabetic Centre, King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the year 2002 - 2004. A group of 32 apparently healthy volunteer male type 2 diabetic patients were randomly selected with an age range from 24-73 years. We matched the diabetic patients with another group of 40 control healthy male subjects in terms of age, height, weight, and socioeconomic status. Both groups met with exclusion criteria as per standard. Spirometry was performed on an Electronic Spirometer (Schiller AT-2 Plus, Switzerland) and results were compared using the 2-tailed student t-test. RESULTS: Diabetic patients showed a significant reduction in the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) relative to their matched controls. However, there were no significant difference in the forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC%) and middle half of the FVC (FEF 25-75%) between the groups. CONCLUSION: Lung function in type 2 diabetic patients is impaired by a decrease in FVC, FEV1 and PEF, as compared to their matched controls. Stratification of results by years of disease showed a dose-response effect on lung function.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Mobile phone related-hazards and subjective hearing and vision symptoms in the Saudi population.

OBJECTIVES: Over the past decade utilization of mobile phones has dramatically increased. They are now an essential part of business, commerce, and communication, however, their use may lead to health problems. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate a link between the use of mobile phones and hearing and vision symptoms in the Saudi population and also to contribute to the increase in social awareness of health problems associated with the use of these devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 873 (57.04% of males and 39.86% of females) subjects using mobile phones were invited to participate in the presented study. A structured questionnaire was distributed among them to collect a detailed medical history. The Chi-square test was employed to observe the relationship between duration of calls and hearing and vision complaints. RESULTS: The present study showed an association between the use of mobile phones and hearing and vision complaints. About 34.59% of problems were related with impaired hearing, ear ache and/or warmth on the ear, and 5.04% of complaints with the decreased and/or blurred vision. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the use of mobile phone is a health risk factor, and thus it is suggested that excessive use of mobile phones should be avoided and social awareness increased through health promotion activities, such as group discussions or public presentations and via electronic and printed media sources.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Lung function in type 1 Saudi diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus on lung function and its gravity in relation to the duration of disease. METHODS: We carried out this study in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Diabetic Center, King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period 2003-2004. We randomly selected a group of 27 apparently healthy volunteer Saudi male type 1 diabetic patients with age ranging from 19-70 years. We matched the diabetic patients with another group of 27 control healthy male subjects in terms of age, height, weight and socioeconomic status. Both groups met with exclusion criteria as per standard. We performed spirometry on an Electronic Spirometer (Schiller AT-2 Plus, Switzerland) and compared the results by a student t-test (2-tailed). RESULTS: Type 1 diabetic patients showed a significant reduction in the forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) relative to their matched controls. However, there was no significant difference in the forced expiratory ratio, forced expiratory flow; forced expiratory flow and peak expiratory flow (PEF) between the groups. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that lung function in type 1 diabetic patients is impaired by a decrease in FVC and FEV1 as compared to their matched controls. Additionally, the years of disease showed a dose-response effect on lung function.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Lung function among non-smoking wheat flour mill workers.

OBJECTIVES: Flour dust occurs across the range of food industries; its exposure may induce acute or chronic respiratory ailments. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of flour dust on the lung function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lung function was studied in forty-six male flour mill workers and a similar number of male control subjects; all participants were non-smokers with the age range from 18 to 65 years. The subjects were matched for age, height, weight and socioeconomic status. The pulmonary function test was performed by using an electronic spirometer (Compact Vitalograph, UK) and results were compared by a paired t-test. RESULTS: Significant reduction in the overall mean values of FVC, FEV1, PEF, and MW were observed in wheat flour mill workers relative to their matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that the flour mill workers in Pakistan, like grain workers elsewhere, are at an increased risk of developing occupationally related pulmonary function impairments. The results suggest that there is an urgent need to improve dust control measures and the health status of flour mill workers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Dose responses of years of exposure on lung functions in flour mill workers.

Flour dust is a heterogeneous substance with respiratory sensitizing properties; its long-term exposure may cause acute or chronic respiratory diseases. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the dose response effects of flour dust on lung function. An additional objective was to minimize the potential health risks in flour mill workers by providing them with information about the hazards of flour dust. Pulmonary function was studied in forty-six male flour mill workers who worked without the benefit of flour dust control ventilation or respiratory protective devices and a similar number of male control subjects. All participants were non-smokers and were matched for age, height, weight and socio-economic status. Pulmonary function tests were performed by using an electronic Spirometer and results were compared by a paired t-test. The present study results showed a significant decrease in the mean values of FVC, FEV(1), PEF and MVV and this impairment was increased with duration of exposure in the flour mills. This group of flour mill workers had occupationally related pulmonary function impairment and stratification of results showed a dose response of years of exposure in flour mills on lung function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Association of mobile phone radiation with fatigue, headache, dizziness, tension and sleep disturbance in Saudi population.

OBJECTIVE: The widespread use of mobile phones has been increased over the past decade; they are now an essential part of business, commerce and society. The use of mobile phones can cause health problems. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the association of using mobile phones with fatigue, headache, dizziness, tension and sleep disturbance in the Saudi population and provide health and social awareness in using these devices. METHODS: This study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the year 2002 to 2003. In the present study, a total of 437 subjects (55.1% male and 39.9% female) were invited, they have and had been using mobile phones. A questionnaire was distributed regarding detailed history and association of mobile phones with health hazards. RESULTS: The results of the present study showed an association between the use of mobile phones and health hazards. The overall mean percentage for these clinical findings in all groups were headache (21.6%), sleep disturbance (4.%), tension (3.9%), fatigue (3%) and dizziness (2.4%). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that the use of mobile phones is a risk factor for health hazards and suggest that long term or excessive use of mobile phones should be avoided by health promotion activities such as group discussions, public presentations and through electronic and print media sources.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Hematological findings in male x-ray technicians.

OBJECTIVE: In view of the known health hazards of x-ray radiation, this study focuses on the basic hematological parameters: red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets count in x-ray technicians. The aim was to identify the affect of x-ray radiation on blood cell counts in x-ray technicians. METHODS: The present study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the year 2002. In this study, a group of 40 apparently healthy male x-ray technicians with age ranging from 25-50-years were recruited. They were matched with another group of 40 apparently healthy control subjects in terms of age, sex and ethnic origin. Both groups met with exclusion criteria as per standard. Red blood cells, WBC and platelets count were performed by using a blood cell auto analyser (Beckman coulter counter). RESULTS: The mean value of platelet count was significantly decreased (p<0.01) in x-ray technicians when compared to controls. However, no significant difference was observed in RBC and WBC count between the groups. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that exposure to x-ray radiation causes decreased platelet count. Further, studies are needed to study the long-term effects of x-ray radiation on blood cell count in x-ray technicians.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Health hazards of cement dust.

Even in the 21st century, millions of people are working daily in a dusty environment. They are exposed to different types of health hazards such as fume, gases and dust, which are risk factors in developing occupational disease. Cement industry is involved in the development of structure of this advanced and modern world but generates dust during its production. Cement dust causes lung function impairment, chronic obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease, pneumoconiosis and carcinoma of the lungs, stomach and colon. Other studies have shown that cement dust may enter into the systemic circulation and thereby reach the essentially all the organs of body and affects the different tissues including heart, liver, spleen, bone, muscles and hairs and ultimately affecting their micro-structure and physiological performance. Most of the studies have been previously attempted to evaluate the effects of cement dust exposure on the basis of spirometry or radiology, or both. However, collective effort describing the general effects of cement dust on different organ and systems in humans or animals, or both has not been published. Therefore, the aim of this review is to gather the potential toxic effects of cement dust and to minimize the health risks in cement mill workers by providing them with information regarding the hazards of cement dust.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

Effects of duration of exposure to wood dust on peak expiratory flow rate among workers in small scale wood industries.

OBJECTIVES: Occupational and environmental lung diseases are one of major problems of clinical medicine. Several occupations are associated with adverse health effects, and the lung is one of the parts of the body most vulnerable to airborne hazards. Exposure to gas, fume, and dust can lead to occupational lung diseases. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of wood dust and the duration of exposure on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and additionally, to minimize possible health risks for wood workers by providing them with information about wood dust related hazards. METHODS: The present study was conducted under the supervision of the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the year 2002. It was designed as a matched case-control cross-sectional study of spirometry in forty six non-smoking wood workers, aged 20-60 years, who worked without the benefit of wood dust control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. PEFR measurements were performed using an electronic spirometer. RESULTS: The present study results demonstrated that in wood workers exposed for longer periods than 8 years, PEFR was significantly reduced as compared with their matched controls. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that PEFR in wood workers is impaired and the stratification of results shows a dose-response effect of years of wood dust exposure on its value.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Lung function in Pakistani welding workers.

Our objective was to study the effects of welding fumes and their duration of exposure on lung function. This was a matched case-control cross-sectional study of spirometry in 50 nonsmoking manual metal arc welders who work without the benefit of welding fume control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. Welding workers, with exposures longer than 9 years, showed a significant reduction in spirometry (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], FEV1/forced vital capacity [FVC%], and peak expiratory flow [PEF]) relative to controls. Lung function in nonsmoking welding workers is impaired and stratification of results shows a dose-effect of years of welding on lung function. This effect primarily shows an obstructive pattern of airways disease. Preventive measures in developing countries have to be adopted to avert long-term lung damage in welders.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Estrogen receptors in human thyroid gland. An immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid diseases affect women approximately 3 times more frequently than men. It has been suggested that the female sex steroids stimulate thyroid growth such as in the breast. Seventeen beta-estradiol, the major estrogen in the body acts via estrogen receptors (ER) present in the nucleus of the cell. The aim of the study is to determine the ER status in the thyroid gland tissues. METHODS: Our study was based on immunohistochemical staining for ER. Fifty previously diagnosed cases of various thyroid lesions were selected from the Surgical Pathology Records of Pathology Department, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan between March and August 2000. The staining was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues using monoclonal anti-ER antibody (clone 1D5). Out of 50 cases, 8 were nodular goiter, 9 cases of adenoma, 19 papillary carcinoma, 10 follicular and 4 cases were of medullary carcinoma. Surrounding normal tissue was available in 25 (50%) cases, 4 non-neoplastic and 21 neoplastic lesions. Out of 50 cases, 10 (20%) were males and 40 (80%) were females, the youngest patient was a 14-year-old female and the eldest patient was a 56-year-old male. RESULTS: Despite the availability of normal thyroid tissue and a wide range of lesions, none of our cases showed positive staining. CONCLUSION: In contrary to many earlier reports by immunohistochemical method using monoclonal antibody (clone 1D5) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues, the ER are not detectable. The effect of estrogen on thyroid gland may be indirect one.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Chest radiological findings in Pakistani cement mill workers.

OBJECTIVE: Even in the 21st century, in developing countries millions of people work daily in dusty environments. They are exposed to different types of health hazards namely, fumes, gases and dust, which are risk factors for developing occupational diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform chest radiology to determine the occupational hazards of cement dust on the lungs of cement mill workers. METHODS: This study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Hamdard University Karachi, Pakistan, during the period June to August 2000. In this study 50, apparently healthy volunteer male cement mill workers were randomly selected with an average of 13 years exposure with age ranging from 20-60 years. They were matched with 50, healthy male control subjects in terms of age, height, weight and socioeconomic status. Both groups met with exclusion criteria as per standard. Radiology was performed by Trophy radiology. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated 12% of cases with interstitial lung disease and 2% of cases with pleural thickening and chronic bronchitis in cement mill workers. CONCLUSION: Exposure to cement dust causes interstitial lung disease, pleural thickening and chronic bronchitis in cement mill workers.

Adult↗