Displaying all 9 publications

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Zainuddin N, Nair P, Razali F
    Malays Fam Physician, 2016;11(2-3):33-34.
    PMID: 28461857
    Leech is an uncommon nasal foreign body, which can cause epistaxis. It is an aquatic segmental worm living in fresh water most commonly in tropical areas. Once it is attached in the nose, it will secrete an anticoagulant enzyme named hirudin, and that will result in continuous bleeding more than from a normal wound even after it is removed. We present a case of a live leech in the nose that caused unilateral epistaxis in a patient with a recent history of jungle trekking.
  2. Rubentheren V, Ward TA, Chee CY, Nair P, Salami E, Fearday C
    Carbohydr Polym, 2016 Apr 20;140:202-8.
    PMID: 26876845 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.12.068
    This article presents an analysis of the influence of heat treatment on chitosan nanocomposite film. A series of samples comprising: pure chitosan film, chitosan film embedded with nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), chitosan film crosslinked with tannic acid and chitosan film with a blend of NCC and tannic acid were heat treated using a convection oven. Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction test (XRD) shows the changes in chemical interaction of the heat treated films. The heat treated films show significant improvements in moisture absorption. Tensile strength and Young's Modulus were increased up to 7MPa and 259MPa, respectively when the samples were subjected to heat treatment. For the NCC particles, a transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to inspect the structural properties of cellulose particle in suspension form.
  3. Foong Ng K, Kee Tan K, Hong Ng B, Nair P, Ying Gan W
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2015 Jul;109(7):433-9.
    PMID: 26038572 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trv042
    There is scarcity of data regarding epidemiology and clinical aspects of human adenovirus acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children in developing countries.
  4. Shah KH, Anjum A, Nair P, Bhat P, Bhat RG, Bhat S
    Turk J Obstet Gynecol, 2020 Mar;17(1):40-45.
    PMID: 32341829 DOI: 10.4274/tjod.galenos.2020.05695
    Objective: First trimester aneuploidy screening (FTAS) has become an integral part of antenatal care in most of centers in India. The serum markers used for FTAS are pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and beta human chorionic gonadotropin. In the present study, we aimed to assess the role of PAPP-A in specific adverse fetal maternal events. To analyze pregnancy outcomes with low maternal PAPP-A (≤5th percentile) at the FTAS screening test in southern India, and them compared with a control group of >5th percentile value.

    Materials and Methods: A total of 1800 consecutive pregnancies in the first trimester were followed up with PAPP-A levels. The study group consisted 108 subjects, which was compared with a matched control group of 288 subjects. The outcomes considered were spontaneous abortions, fetal anomalies, preterm delivery (PTD), hypertension in pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational diabetes, mode of delivery, and birthweight.

    Results: For our grouped data, the 5th percentile value for PAPP-A was 0.49 multiple of medians, (incidence-6%). The incidence of fetal major anomalies was higher in the study group [odds ratio (OR): 1.87]. The incidence of minor anomalies, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders was higher in the study group but not statistically significant. The total rate of PTDs (OR:2.1), small-for-gestation-age fetuses (OR:2.3), and low birthweight babies (OR- 2.12) was significantly higher in the study group. We found positive likelihood ratio of 1.4 for PTD, 2 for <5th percentile birthweight, and 1.7 for <10th centile birthweight.

    Conclusion: Low PAPP-A pregnancies are at risk of various obstetric complications. Hence, such a pregnancy should have closer surveillance. Further research work on intervention strategy is needed.

  5. Gheith OA, Nagib AM, Halim MA, Mahmoud T, Nair P, Abo-Atya H, et al.
    Iran J Kidney Dis, 2023 Jan;1(1):47-53.
    PMID: 36739490
    INTRODUCTION: Data regarding contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in kidney transplant (KT) recipients are scarce despite the distinct risk factors such as the use of immunosuppressive agents, sympathetic denervation, glomerular hyperfiltration, and high prevalence of the cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CIN in KT recipients who received low-osmolality iodine-based contrast material (CM) for radiological assessment.

    METHODS: Between 2010 and 2020, 79 of the 3180 KT recipients followed at Hamed Al-Essa organ transplant center received low-osmolality iodine-based contrast for radiological assessment for various indications. Preventive measures including holding metformin, intravenous hydration, sodium bicarbonate and N-acetylcysteine were given before contrast administration. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of 25% from the baseline within 72 hours.

    RESULTS: The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: those who developed CIN (n = 7) and those with no increase in serum creatinine level (n = 72). The mean age of the patients was 52.1 ± 12.3 years; 44 of them were males, and the cause of end-stage kidney disease was mostly diabetic nephropathy. The pre-transplant demographics were comparable between the two groups. Fortyseven cases received contrast for coronary angiography, and 32 received it for a CT scan. The graft function deteriorated in group 1, but no significant difference was found between the two groups at the end of the study.

    CONCLUSION: CIN is not uncommon in KT recipients receiving CM, especially with ischemic heart disease. Risk stratification, optimizing hemodynamics, and avoiding potential nephrotoxins are essential before performing CM-enhanced studies in KT recipients.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7165.

  6. Al-Otaibi T, Abbas A, Ashry Gheith O, Nair P, Zahab MA, Hammouda MAA, et al.
    J King Saud Univ Sci, 2023 Jan;35(1):102441.
    PMID: 36405649 DOI: 10.1016/j.jksus.2022.102441
    The first defense line of the battle, healthcare workers (HCWs), faces a significant challenge in managing the current COVID-19 pandemic. An online electronic survey was sent to HCWs via email and social media networks. Socio-demographic data and work environment-related variables were assessed. Consequences of burnout (BO) were reported, e.g., elicited medical errors. Maslach burnout inventory was used to diagnose BO. Two hundred and eighty-four participants were included with a mean age of 39.83 ± 7.34 years, 70.8% worked in the COVID-19 frontline, 91.9% were followed daily updates about COVID-19, 63.7% were not satisfied with the coordination between triage and isolation, 64.4% got COVID-19 infection, 91.9% had a colleague or family member developed COVID-19 infection, and 21.5% experienced a colleague /a family member died due to COVID-19. Multivariate analysis by linear regression revealed that; working as a frontline HCW (OR 1.28, CI = 0.14-2.55) and sleep deprivation (OR 3.93, CI = 1.88-8.22) were the predictors of burnout.
  7. Haw TJ, Starkey MR, Nair PM, Pavlidis S, Liu G, Nguyen DH, et al.
    Mucosal Immunol, 2016 Jul;9(4):859-72.
    PMID: 26555706 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2015.111
    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-threatening inflammatory respiratory disorder, often induced by cigarette smoke (CS) exposure. The development of effective therapies is impaired by a lack of understanding of the underlining mechanisms. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a cytokine with inflammatory and apoptotic properties. We interrogated a mouse model of CS-induced experimental COPD and human tissues to identify a novel role for TRAIL in COPD pathogenesis. CS exposure of wild-type mice increased TRAIL and its receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and protein levels, as well as the number of TRAIL(+)CD11b(+) monocytes in the lung. TRAIL and its receptor mRNA were also increased in human COPD. CS-exposed TRAIL-deficient mice had decreased pulmonary inflammation, pro-inflammatory mediators, emphysema-like alveolar enlargement, and improved lung function. TRAIL-deficient mice also developed spontaneous small airway changes with increased epithelial cell thickness and collagen deposition, independent of CS exposure. Importantly, therapeutic neutralization of TRAIL, after the establishment of early-stage experimental COPD, reduced pulmonary inflammation, emphysema-like alveolar enlargement, and small airway changes. These data provide further evidence for TRAIL being a pivotal inflammatory factor in respiratory diseases, and the first preclinical evidence to suggest that therapeutic agents that target TRAIL may be effective in COPD therapy.
  8. AlOtaibi TM, Gheith OA, Abuelmagd MM, Adel M, Alqallaf AK, Elserwy NA, et al.
    Clin Transplant, 2021 Jun;35(6):e14297.
    PMID: 33768630 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14297
    INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic with high morbidity and mortality and with a reported high risk of severe disease in kidney transplant recipients (KTR).

    AIM: We aimed to report the largest number of COVID-19-positive cases in KTR in a single center and to discuss their demographics, management, and evolution.

    METHODS: We enrolled all the two thousand KTR followed up in our center in Kuwait and collected the data of all COVID-19-positive KTR (104) from the start of the outbreak till the end of July 2020 and have reported the clinical features, management details, and both patient and graft outcomes.

    RESULTS: Out of the one hundred and four cases reported, most of them were males aged 49.3 ± 14.7 years. Eighty-two of them needed hospitalization, of which thirty-one were managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Main comorbidities among these patients were hypertension in 64.4%, diabetes in 51%, and ischemic heart disease in 20.2%. Management strategies included anticoagulation in 56.7%, withdrawal of antimetabolites in 54.8%, calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) withdrawal in 33.7%, the addition of antibiotics in 57.7%, Tocilizumab in 8.7%, and antivirals in 16.3%. During a follow-up of 30 days, the reported number of acute kidney injury (AKI) was 28.7%, respiratory failure requiring oxygen therapy 46.2%, and overall mortality rate was 10.6% with hospital mortality of 13.4% including an ICU mortality rate of 35.5%.

    CONCLUSION: Better outcome of COVID-19-positive KTR in our cohort during this unremitting stage could be due to the younger age of patients and early optimized management of anticoagulation, modification of immunosuppression, and prompt treatment of secondary bacterial infections. Mild cases can successfully be managed at home without any change in immunosuppression.

Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator ([email protected])

External Links