scholarly journals Ring Shaped Cataract and Urinary Metabolites Among 2,4,6-trinitrotoulene Exposed Population of Pakistan

Author(s):  
Sidra Sarwat ◽  
Ambreen Akhtar ◽  
Syeda Fizza Abdud Dayan ◽  
Najma Shaheen ◽  
Humna Shahid Durrani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Safety protocols are usually neglected among most of the TNT exposed population, therefore, rendering the community prone to various occupational hazards. The current study highlights ring shaped cataract and urinary metabolites of TNT among TNT exposed population (n=26) against a control group (n=20).Methods: An observational case-control study was carried out in two groups: 300 subjects exposed to TNT in Dir and Bajour Agency, Pakistan and a control group from the base hospital. We determined the presence of ring shaped cataract and urine metabolites of TNT using slit lamp biomicroscope and gas chromatography mass spectrometric analysis respectively.Results: Results substantiate a high level of urine metabolites for exposed subjects compared to the control group (p<0.001). Age had no significant effect on (p>0.05) on presence of ring shaped cataract and the level of urinary metabolites of TNT, while duration of exposure showed significant effect (p<0.001). Females showed high incidence of ring shaped cataract and urinary metabolites of TNT than men ( p<0.001). The mean age of the exposed subjects was 51±14.38 (Mean+SD) years. The mean year of exposure was 49±5 (Mean+SD) years,Conclusion: This study showed TNT as a risk factor for the presence of ring-shaped cataract among TNT exposed group in Pakistan. It is important to screen exposed community for the presence of ring-shaped cataract, and pre-clinical identification of TNT adducts to prevent systemic complications.

Author(s):  
J. Santoantonio ◽  
L. Yazigi ◽  
E. I. Sato

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personality characteristics in adolescents with SLE. The research design is a case-control study by means of the Rorschach Method and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Study group: 30 female adolescents with lupus, 12–17 years of age. The SLE Disease Activity Index was administered during the period of psychological evaluation. Control group: 32 nonpatient adolescents were matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic level. In the Wechsler Intelligence Scale the mean IQ of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (77 and 98, respectively, p < .001). In the Rorschach, the lupus patients showed greater difficulty in interpersonal interactions, although they displayed the resources to process affect and to cope with stressful situations. A positive moderate correlation (p = .069) between the activity index of the disease and the affect constriction proportion of the Rorschach was observed: the higher the SLEDAI score, the lower the capacity to process affect. There is a negative correlation between the activity index of the disease and the IQ (p = .001): with a higher activity index of the disease, less intellectual resources are available.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-78
Author(s):  
Mohammadali Nazarinia ◽  
Asghar Zare ◽  
Mohammad javad Fallahi ◽  
Mesbah Shams

Background:Systemic sclerosis is a disorder of connective tissue with unknown cause, affecting the skin and internal organs, characterized by fibrotic changes.Objective:To determine the correlation between serum homocysteine level and interstitial lung involvement in systemic sclerosis. </P><P> Materials and Methods: In this case – control study, 59 patients who fulfilled the ACR/EULAR classification criteria for systemic sclerosis and were referred to Hafez Hospital of Shiraz, Iran, were included as the case group. Fifty nine healthy subjects were involved as the control group. Patients were divided into two groups based on interstitial lung involvement and two subtypes, diffuse and limited type. Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels compared between the controls, and cases groups.Results:Of 59 case and control group, 53 (%89.8) were female and the mean age did not differ in both groups (P=0.929). Thirty five (%59.3) patients had interstitial lung involvement and 38(%64.4) had diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. The mean serum homocysteine level was 13.9±6.3 µmol/L in the case and 13.7±9.2 µmol/L in the control group (P=0.86). The mean serum homocysteine level did not differ between the patients with and without interstitial lung involvement (P=0.52). The patients with lung involvement was older than those without lung involvement (P=0.004). Lung disease was more common in diffuse type (P=0.014).Conclusion:In our study, serum homocysteine level did not differ between the patients and healthy subjects. Also, there was no correlation between serum homocysteine level and lung involvement, but lung involvement was more common in older patients and also diffuse subtype.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair M. Sammon ◽  
Eugene J. Ndebia ◽  
Ekambaram Umapathy ◽  
Jehu E. Iputo

Background. Previous studies have established norms of 24-hour gastric pH profiles for western countries. This study was designed to establish the pattern for a rural African population with a high incidence of oesophageal cancer.Methods. After lower oesophageal manometry a probe was placed 10 cm distal to the lower oesophageal sphincter. We carried out 24-hour ambulatory monitoring of gastric pH on 59 healthy subjects. This was satisfactorily completed on 26 female and 18 male (age 21–64, median 35) subjects in the Transkei region of South Africa.Results. The mean 24 hour gastric pH was 2.84 and the mean night-time pH was 3.7. 40 volunteers recorded a night-time pH reaching over 4. 33 volunteers recorded a night-time pH over 7. Night-time alkalinisation was present for 136.4 minutes (25th centile 22.8, 75th centile 208.1) at pH4 or over, and 79.3 (2.5, 122.7) minutes at pH7 or over. Episodes of rapid alkaline rise were 17 (10, 47). 21.1% of these occurred while supine. 35 of 36 tested subjects were positive forH. pyloriIgG.Conclusion. Gastric alkalinisation is common in Transkei, at a higher pH than that reported in other studies, and is sustained longer. Nighttime alkalinisation is frequent. This suggests a high level of duodenogastric reflux.


2010 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 463-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
James McDaid ◽  
Claire Reichl ◽  
Ihsan Hamzah ◽  
Samantha Fitter ◽  
Laura Harbach ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION We observed that a number of patients presenting to our clinic with diverticular fistulation were taking nicorandil for angna. Recognised side effects of nicorandil include gastrointestinal and genital ulceration. The aim of our study was to determine whether nicorandil is an aetiological agent in diverticular fistulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a case-control study of patients with diverticular disease related enteric fistulae. Two patient groups were identified: a study group of patients with diverticular fistulae, and a control group with uncomplicated diverticular disease. The proportion of patients who had ever used nicorandil was compared between the two groups. RESULTS A total of 153 case notes were analysed, 69 patients with fistulae and 84 control patients with uncomplicated diverticular disease. Female to male ratio in both groups was 2:1. The mean age was 71 years in the fistula group and 69 years in the control diverticular disease group (P = ns). Of those with colonic fistulae, 16% were taking nicorandil compared with 2% of the control group (odds ratio 7.8; 95% confidence interval 1.5–39.1; P = 0.008). There was no significant difference in rates of ischaemic heart disease between fistula and control groups. CONCLUSIONS Nicorandil is associated with fistula formation in diverticular disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (21;1) ◽  
pp. E643-E650
Author(s):  
Dong Ah Shin

Background: The non-operative treatment of herniated intervertebral discs has long been a fundamental challenge. A novel technique of laser ablation to ablate the nucleus pulposus under a transforaminal epiduroscope (TELA system, Lutronics, Seoul, Republic of Korea) was recently developed. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transforaminal epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) for selective ablation of the nucleus pulposus in single-level disc disease. Study Design: Prospective case control study Setting: Multicenter study Methods: This study included a group of 56 patients who underwent transforaminal epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) and 56 patients who underwent selective transforaminal epidural block (STEB) for single-level disc disease. Visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and SF-12 were assessed at admission and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results: The mean VAS of back pain was lower for the TELA group than for the STEB group 12 months postoperative (P < 0.05). The mean ODI was lower in the TELA group than in the STEB group at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). There were no major complications related to the TELA and STEB procedures. Limitations: The primary limitation is a small sample size. The control group was created from a database which was prospectively collected in a different time line. Conclusions: The TELA procedure is superior to the STEB procedure in terms of patients reporting less pain and better quality of life over a year. TELA may be a reasonable alternative to conventional interventions or open surgery in single-level disc disease. Key words: Laser-assisted spinal endoscopy, disc decompression, Nd:YAG laser, laser ablation, intervertebral disc disease, lumbar spine


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Hemmati ◽  
Fatemeh Abharzanjani ◽  
Tooba Kazemi ◽  
Fateme Estanesti

Background: Apelin, an adipokine secreted from adipose tissue, plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and hypertension. Objectives: The current study aimed to compare the plasma Apelin level in hypertensive patients under treatment with amlodipine, losartan, and amlodipine + losartan. Methods: In this case-control study, the serum level of Apelin was compared in four groups of (A) Healthy subjects (n = 31); (B) Hypertensive patients, received amlodipine (n = 31); Hypertensive patients, received losartan (n = 45); and patients (n = 33) that received amlodipine and losartan. Apelin level in serum samples was measured using Human Apelin ELISA Kit according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19 (Chicago: SPSS Inc.), at the significant level of α = 0.05. Results: The mean blood level of Apelin in the control group and groups receiving amlodipine, losartan, and amlodipine + losartan was 366.16 ± 36.04, 247.19 ± 27.77, 282.93 ± 47.08, and 289.84 ± 32.20 g/dl, respectively. Losartan + amlodipine group had a higher level of Apelin compared with amlodipine alone (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that Apelin has a definite protective effect in preventing hypertension. Also, according to the results, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, such as losartan, caused a higher increase in the Apelin, resulting in better blood pressure control.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1241-1249
Author(s):  
Mostafa Ahmadi ◽  
Mahbobeh Faramarzi ◽  
Zahra Basirat ◽  
Farzan Kheirkhah ◽  
Mohammad Chehrazi ◽  
...  

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Objective: The current study investigated mental and personality disorders in infertile women with and without PCOS. Methods: This case-control study evaluated 400 infertile women who referred to the Infertility Center in Babol city (North of Iran). Participants were categorized into the case group (201 PCOS) and the control group (199 without PCOS). All of the participants completed the Millon Clinical Multi-axial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Results: The mean scores for clinical personality patterns were significantly higher for six personality disorders (schiz- oid, avoidant, antisocial, depressive, sadistic, and negativistic) and for three classes of severe personality disorder patterns (schizotypal, borderline, and paranoid) in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. The mean scores for eight clinical disorders (somatoform, manic disorder, dysthymia, alcohol-dependence, drug-dependence, post-trauma stress disorder, major depression, and delusion disorder) were also higher in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. Conclusion: The scores of many mental and personality disorders are higher in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. Thus, clinicians should prioritize recognizing and treating psychological problems of infertile women with PCOS. Keywords: Polycystic ovarian syndrome; infertility; personality disorders.


2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Manjurul Karim ◽  
Md Abdul Wahab ◽  
Lubna Khondoker ◽  
Md Shirajul Islam Khan

A case-control study conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from July 2008- December 2010. A total 60 female patients of telogen effluvium attending in outpatient department (OPD) were enrolled in the study with 30 having hair loss considered as case (Group-A) and another 30 females had no history of hair loss were considered as control (Group-B). The study included 60 patients and the mean age were 25.4±7 years ranging from 18 to 42 years in group A and 24.8±5.6 years ranging from 17 to 36 years in group B. Maximum number was found in the age group of 21- 30 years in both groups and nearly three fourth (73.4%) patients were unmarried in group A and 18(60.0%) in group B. Most of the patients were student in both groups, which were 21(70.0%) and 17(56.7%) in group A and group B respectively and majority of the the patients were HSC level in both groups, 15(50.0%) and 14(46.7%) in Group A and Group B respectively. Most of the patients came from middle class, which were 20(66.7%) and 16(53.3%) in group A and group B respectively. The mean serum ferritin were 18.8±8.1 g/L ranging from 4.5 to 36.54 g/L and 36.6±9.9 mg/L ranging from 18.46 to 56.3 mg/ L in group A and group B respectively. The mean Hb level was 11.5±1.4 gm/dl ranging from 8.5 to 14.0 gm/dl in group A and 12.8±1.1 gm/dl ranging from 10.5 to 14.5 gm/dl in group B. The mean difference of Hb level was statistically significant (p<0.05) between two groups in unpaired t-test. It can be concluded that low iron level is associated with telogen effluvium in women. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmed.v21i2.13617 Bangladesh J Medicine 2010; 21: 84-89


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Author(s):  
K Kirtania ◽  
N Sultana ◽  
S Ahmed ◽  
A Khatun

Hypertension is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for ischemic stroke. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. There is a strong relationship between hypertension and cigarette smoking with ischaemic stroke. A case control study was undertaken to see the association of hypertension and cigarette smoking with ischaemic stroke. The study was done from January to December 2009 in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. A total of 60 subjects were selected as study population. Among them 30 were diagnosed case of ischaemic stroke and 30 were age-and sex-matched control subjects. It was found that 60% patients of case group and 20% respondents of control group were hypertensive and diffrence was significant. Study showed that 56.66% of cases and 53.33% of controls were smoker and the findings were insignificant. The mean duration of smoking was 27.41 ± 2.98 years in cases and 15.63 ± 2.85 years in controls which was significant. The study suggests that hypertension is significantly associated with ischaemic stroke and longer duration of smoking also associated with ischaemic stroke. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v3i1.13802 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2010; 3(1): 16-18


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 5913
Author(s):  
Cristina Grippaudo ◽  
Patricia Valerio ◽  
Cristiana Romeo ◽  
Fabiana Fiasca ◽  
Vincenzo Quinzi

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between malocclusions and visual defects. This is a case-control study evaluating the prevalence of visual defects in patients with different types of malocclusions. Methods: One-hundred and sixty patients aged from 5 to 14 were evaluated using the ROMA index to detect malocclusion; the ones with the lowest scores were used as the control group. They were also submitted to visual-capacity inspection for motility and refractive disorders. Results: Our work showed an enhanced prevalence of refractive defects or fusional vergence defects and alteration of eye movements (especially the saccades) in almost all dental malocclusions. Statistics: The Kappa test values for ROMA index were between 0.643 and 1.00 for the intraoperator agreement (0.00 < p < 0.002) and between 0.773 and 1.00 for the agreement between operators (p = 0 < 0.001). The statistically significance level for the correlation malocclusion/visual defects was set at p < 0.05. Statistical analyses were performed with the STATA software (version 15.0, Stata Corp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Conclusion: Considering the high level of the statistical analysis and the accuracy of the methodology used, these data allows the establishment of a huge correlation between sagittal, transversal and vertical malocclusions with ocular disorders (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and ocular motility defects).


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