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Fulltext Enhancement of mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of electrodeposited Ni-P-TiC composite coatings

Fayyaz O, Khan A, Shakoor RA, Hasan A, Yusuf MM, Montemor MF, et al.

Sci Rep, 2021 Mar 05;11(1):5327.
PMID: 33674680 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84716-6

In the present study, the effect of concentration of titanium carbide (TiC) particles on the structural, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of Ni-P composite coatings was investigated. Various amounts of TiC particles (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g L-1) were co-electrodeposited in the Ni-P matrix under optimized conditions and then characterized by employing various techniques. The structural analysis of prepared coatings indicates uniform, compact, and nodular structured coatings without any noticeable defects. Vickers microhardness and nanoindentation results demonstrate the increase in the hardness with an increasing amount of TiC particles attaining its terminal value (593HV100) at the concentration of 1.5 g L-1. Further increase in the concentration of TiC particles results in a decrease in hardness, which can be ascribed to their accumulation in the Ni-P matrix. The electrochemical results indicate the improvement in corrosion protection efficiency of coatings with an increasing amount of TiC particles reaching to ~ 92% at 2.0 g L-1, which can be ascribed to a reduction in the active area of the Ni-P matrix by the presence of inactive ceramic particles. The favorable structural, mechanical, and corrosion protection characteristics of Ni-P-TiC composite coatings suggest their potential applications in many industrial applications.
Broadband Nonlinear Photonics in Few-Layer Borophene

Ma C, Yin P, Khan K, Tareen AK, Huang R, Du J, et al.

Small, 2021 Jan 27.
PMID: 33502109 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202006891

In this paper, 2D borophene is synthesized through a liquid-phase exfoliation. The morphology and structure of as-prepared borophene are systemically analyzed, and the Z-scan is used to measure the nonlinear optical properties. It is found that the saturable absorber (SA) properties of borophene make it serve as an excellent broadband optical switch, which is strongly used for mode-locking in near- and mid-infrared laser systems. Ultrastable pulses with durations as short as 792 and 693 fs are successfully delivered at the central wavelengths of 1063 and 1560 nm, respectively. Furthermore, stable pulses at a wavelength of 1878 nm are demonstrated from a thulium mode-locked fiber laser based on the same borophene SA. This research reveals a significant potential for borophene used in lasers helping extending the frontiers of photonic technologies.
Does guideline knowledge affect treatment compliance among emergency doctors?

Aftab RA, Khan AH, Syed Sulaiman SA, Ali I, Khan K

Am J Med Sci, 2014 Nov;348(5):357-61.
PMID: 25118657 DOI: 10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000269

BACKGROUND: The insufficient adoption of internationally accepted clinical guidelines may lead to less than adequate patient care of patients with asthma.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge and treatment compliance with Global Initiative of Asthma (GINA, 2011) asthma treatment guidelines among emergency physicians (EPs) at a referral hospital in northern Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed in the territory-level referral hospital in northern Malaysia. Twenty-seven EPs were asked to complete an asthma guideline questionnaire to assess their knowledge regarding GINA 2011 asthma treatment guidelines. A total of 810 patients were enrolled, and 30 patients were selected per physician. The authors evaluated the physicians' compliance with GINA 2011 asthma treatment guidelines.
RESULTS: Of 27 EPs, 20 (74.1%) had adequate knowledge of GINA 2011 asthma treatment guidelines. A total of 615 (75.9%) patients received guideline-recommended emergency treatment. Shortness of breath (n = 436, 53.8%) was the most frequently reported chief complaint. Furthermore, there was a significant but weak association between knowledge of the guideline and treatment compliance among emergency doctors (P = 0.003, φ = 0.110). Moreover, there was no significant change in therapy for patients with comorbid conditions. The mean age of respondents was 27.3 years.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, a fair level of guideline knowledge and treatment compliance was noted among EPs. Doctors with adequate guideline knowledge were more likely to comply with GINA 2011 asthma treatment guidelines.
Fulltext The incidence of acute angle closure in Scotland: a prospective surveillance study

Chua PY, Day AC, Lai KL, Hall N, Tan LL, Khan K, et al.

Br J Ophthalmol, 2018 Apr;102(4):539-543.
PMID: 28794074 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-310725

PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence, and describe the clinical features and short-term clinical outcomes of acute angle closure (AAC).
METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed AAC were identified prospectively over a 12-month period (November 2011 to October 2012) by active surveillance through the Scottish Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit reporting system. Data were collected at case identification and at 6 months follow-up.
RESULTS: There were 114 cases (108 patients) reported, giving an annual incidence of 2.2 cases (95% CI 1.8 to 2.6) or 2 patients (95% CI 1.7 to 2.4) per 1 00 000 in the whole population in Scotland. Precipitating factors were identified in 40% of cases. Almost one in five cases was associated with topical dilating drops. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation ranged from 6/6 to perception of light. The mean presenting intraocular pressure (IOP) was 52 mm Hg (SD 11). Almost 30% cases had a delayed presentation of 3 or more days. At 6 months follow-up, 75% had BCVA of 6/12 or better and 30% were found to have glaucoma at follow-up. Delayed presentation (≥3 days) was associated with higher rate of glaucoma at follow-up (22.6% vs 60.8%, p<0.001), worse VA (0.34 vs 0.74 LogMAR, p<0.0001) and need for more topical medication (0.52 vs 1.2, p=0.003) to control IOP.
CONCLUSION: The incidence of AAC in Scotland is relatively low compared with the Far East countries, but in line with previous European data. Almost one in five cases were associated with pupil dilation for retinal examination.
Sero-epidemiology and risk factor analysis of human brucellosis in Punjab, Pakistan: a cross sectional study

Nawaz Z, Shafique M, Zahoor MA, Siddique AB, Ali S, Arshad R, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2021 Sep 01;38(3):413-419.
PMID: 34608115 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.3.084

Human brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic problem worldwide with a high degree of morbidity in humans and is mostly overlooked due to other febrile conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sero-prevalence and risk factors of human brucellosis among subjects living in Punjab, Pakistan. In this cross-sectional study, human blood samples were collected from seven districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Information regarding personal data, demographic data and potential risk factors was collected through a structured questionnaire. Detection of anti-Brucella antibodies was done through Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Descriptive analysis, Chi square test and Odds ratio was applied using STATA software version 12. The sero-prevalence of human brucellosis was 13.13% with significantly higher percentage in males 17.23% and age group 25-40 years 16.50% (P=< 0.001). The demographic factors positively associated with human brucellosis were lack of education (P = 0.003; OR = 1.85) and farming as an occupation (P =<0.001; OR = 2.50) Similarly, among the risk factors studied, keeping animals at home (P =<0.001; OR = 2.03), slaughtering of animals (P =<0.001; OR = 15.87) and consuming raw milk (P =<0.001; OR = 5.42) were the factors strongly connected with human brucellosis. A massive awareness should be given to livestock farmers and individuals directly linked to animals regarding risk factors and transmission of brucellosis. Consumption of unpasteurized milk and its products should be condemned to curtail this neglected disease.
Seroprevalence of low avidity anti-Toxoplasma IgG in pregnant women and its relationship with their age and contact with cats

Khan K, Khan W, Khan T, Naaz G, Naheda A, Aqeel S

Trop Biomed, 2020 Dec 01;37(4):1038-1049.
PMID: 33612756 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.4.1038

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can infect all mammals, serving as intermediate hosts. The cause of congenital toxoplasmosis is transplacental transmission of the parasite to the foetus, resulting in wide range of manifestations from mild chorioretinitis to miscarriage. Its frequency can be reduced by early screening of pregnant women which is based mainly on tests for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. We collected serum samples of 594 pregnant women (subjects) after taking their consent over a period of two years (2016-2018) and analyzed them for anti-Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA. The positive samples were then analyzed for IgG avidity test which could differentiate between recent and past infections. The seroprevalence was also correlated with the age of the subjects and their contact with cats. 162 subjects were found positive out of which only three showed a recent infection. After following up until delivery, one of them delivered a baby who had jaundice and was diagnosed with anti-Toxoplasma IgM at birth. The foetus of the second subject died in-utero, while the third woman delivered a normal baby after being given spiramycin when diagnosed with toxoplasmosis in the first trimester. It was found that most of the positive subjects had frequent contact with cats. Invasion of the parasite during third trimester resulted in death in-utero and jaundice. Most common cause of pregnancy wastage during our study was spontaneous abortions while pregnancy loss due to congenital anomalies was rare.
Fulltext Factors Contributing to Chronic Kidney Disease following COVID-19 Diagnosis in Pre-Vaccinated Hospitalized Patients

Ramatillah DL, Michael M, Khan K, Natasya N, Sinaga E, Hartuti S, et al.

Vaccines (Basel), 2023 Feb 13;11(2).
PMID: 36851310 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020433

In this study, we aim to evaluate the factors that may contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease following COVID-19 infection among hospitalized patients in two private hospitals in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is a retrospective cohort study between March 2020 and September 2021. Patient selection was conducted with a convenience sampling. All patients (n = 378) meeting the inclusion criteria during the study period were enrolled. Various sociodemographic, laboratory test, and diagnostic parameters were measured before the determination of their correlation with the outcome of COVID-19 infection. In this study, all pre-vaccinated patients with COVID-19 had no history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) prior to hospital admission. From this number, approximately 75.7% of the patients developed CKD following COVID-19 diagnosis. Overall, significant correlations were established between the clinical outcome and the CKD status (p = 0.001). Interestingly, there was a significant correlation between serum creatinine level, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and CKD (p < 0.0001). Oxygen saturation (p = 0.03), admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (p < 0.0001), and sepsis (p = 0.005) were factors that were significantly correlated with CKD status. Additionally, the type of antibiotic agent used was significantly correlated with CKD (p = 0.011). While 82.1% of patients with CKD survived, the survival rate worsened if the patients had complications from hyperuricemia (p = 0.010). The patients who received levofloxacin and ceftriaxone had the highest (100%) survival rate after approximately 50 days of treatment. The patients who received the antiviral agent combination isoprinosine + oseltamivir + ivermectin fared better (100%) as compared to those who received isoprinosine + favipiravir (8%). Factors, such as hyperuricemia and the antibiotic agent used, contributed to CKD following COVID-19 hospitalization. Interestingly, the patients who received levofloxacin + ceftriaxone and the patients without sepsis fared the best. Overall, patients who develop CKD following COVID-19 hospitalization have a low survival rate.
Fulltext Myths and conspiracy theories on vaccines and COVID-19: Potential effect on global vaccine refusals

Ullah I, Khan KS, Tahir MJ, Ahmed A, Harapan H

Vacunas, 2021;22(2):93-97.
PMID: 33727904 DOI: 10.1016/j.vacun.2021.01.001

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the international crises and researchers are working collaboratively to develop a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The World Health Organization recognizes vaccine hesitancy as the world's top threat to public health safety, particularly in low middle-income countries. Vaccine hesitancy can be due to a lack of knowledge, false religious beliefs, or anti-vaccine misinformation. The current situation regarding anti-vaccine beliefs is pointing towards dreadful outcomes. It raises the concern that will people believe and accept the new COVID-19 vaccines despite all anti-vaccine movements and COVID-19-related myths and conspiracy theories. This review discusses the possible detrimental impacts of myths and conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 and vaccine on COVID-19 vaccine refusals as well as other vaccine programs.
Fulltext Chronic Hepatitis C Prevalence and its Correlation with CD4 Cells and Liver Enzymes Among HIV Positive Patients: A Malaysian Scenario

Khan AH, Sulaiman SA, Soo CT, Akhtar A, Hamzah DA, Khan K

Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A803.
PMID: 27203023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.506
Fulltext Adverse Drug Reactions of Haart Therapy Among Hiv/Aids Patients Treated at Infectious Disease Clinic

Khan AH, Syed Sulaiman SA, Khan K, Aftab RA, Soo CT

Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A803.
PMID: 27203025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.504
Fulltext Impact of Cigarette and Alcohol Use on Adverse Drug Reactions of Haart Therapy Among HIV/AIDS Patients

Khan AH, Syed Sulaiman SA, Khan K, Soo CT, Akhtar A

Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A802-3.
PMID: 27203019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.503
Treatment Outcomes Among Hiv/Aids Patients Treated During Haart Therapy At Infectious Disease Clinic

Khan AH, Khan K, Sulaiman SA, Soo CT

Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A869.
PMID: 26534651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.535