Aamir Khan - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Aamir Khan

Control of Blood Pressure and Risk Attenuation: Post Trial Follow-Up of Randomized Groups

PloS one, 2015

Evidence on long term effectiveness of public health strategies for lowering blood pressure (BP) ... more Evidence on long term effectiveness of public health strategies for lowering blood pressure (BP) is scarce. In the Control of Blood Pressure and Risk Attenuation (COBRA) Trial, a 2 x 2 factorial, cluster randomized controlled trial, the combined home health education (HHE) and trained general practitioner (GP) intervention delivered over 2 years was more effective than no intervention (usual care) in lowering systolic BP among adults with hypertension in urban Pakistan. However, it was not clear whether the effect would be sustained after the cessation of intervention. We conducted 7 years follow-up inclusive of 5 years of post intervention period of COBRA trial participants to assess the effectiveness of the interventions on BP during extended follow-up. A total of 1341 individuals 40 years or older with hypertension (systolic BP 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic BP 90 mm Hg or greater, or already receiving treatment) were followed by trained research staff masked to randomization st...

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England), Jan 21, 2001

A series of pharmaceutically active compounds including diclofenac, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, napro... more A series of pharmaceutically active compounds including diclofenac, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, naproxen, 2-propylpentanoic acid, 4-biphenylacetic acid and tolfenamic acid can be reversibly intercalated into a layered double hydroxide, initial studies suggest that these materials may have application as the basis of a novel tuneable drug delivery system.

Double gallstone ileus

Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international : HBPD INT, 2008

Gallstone ileus remains a rare but important cause of intestinal obstruction. We present a unique... more Gallstone ileus remains a rare but important cause of intestinal obstruction. We present a unique case of two gallstones causing intestinal obstruction at the same time. A 90-year-old lady presented with signs and symptoms of small bowel obstruction. At operation, two gallstones stuck at different points within the bowel were causing the obstruction and were removed. When operating on patients with small bowel obstruction from gallstone ileus, examination of the entire small bowel should be considered mandatory.

BMC Medical Ethics, 2009

To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding organ donation in a selected adult ... more To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding organ donation in a selected adult population in Pakistan.

Genome-wide dissection of AP2/ERF and HSP90 gene families in five legumes and expression profiles in chickpea and pigeonpea

Plant Biotechnology Journal, 2016

APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) and heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) are two significant... more APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) and heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) are two significant classes of transcription factor and molecular chaperone proteins which are known to be implicated under abiotic and biotic stresses. Comprehensive survey identified a total of 147 AP2/ERF genes in chickpea, 176 in pigeonpea, 131 in Medicago, 179 in common bean and 140 in Lotus, whereas the number of HSP90 genes ranged from 5 to 7 in five legumes. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses distinguished AP2, ERF, DREB, RAV and soloist proteins, while HSP90 proteins segregated on the basis of their cellular localization. Deeper insights into the gene structure allowed ERF proteins to be classified into AP2s based on DNA-binding domains, intron arrangements and phylogenetic grouping. RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses in heat-stressed chickpea as well as Fusarium wilt (FW)- and sterility mosaic disease (SMD)-stressed pigeonpea provided insights into the modus operandi of AP2/ERF and HSP90 genes. This study identified potential candidate genes in response to heat stress in chickpea while for FW and SMD stresses in pigeonpea. For instance, two DREB genes (Ca_02170 and Ca_16631) and three HSP90 genes (Ca_23016, Ca_09743 and Ca_25602) in chickpea can be targeted as potential candidate genes. Similarly, in pigeonpea, a HSP90 gene, C.cajan_27949, was highly responsive to SMD in the resistant genotype ICPL 20096, can be recommended for further functional validation. Also, two DREB genes, C.cajan_41905 and C.cajan_41951, were identified as leads for further investigation in response to FW stress in pigeonpea.

Gender Differences in Factors Associated With Prehospital Delay Among Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in Pakistan

Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing Society / Transcultural Nursing Society, 2015

To identify gender differences in prehospital delay time (PDT) and its associated factors among a... more To identify gender differences in prehospital delay time (PDT) and its associated factors among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Descriptive cross-sectional comparative study. This study was conducted among 249 ACS patients at two tertiary care hospitals of a large metropolitan city of Pakistan. Data were collected through the modified Response to Symptoms Questionnaire. The median PDT of women was found to be 7 hours, compared to 3.5 hours among men (p = .001). Results of the regression analysis indicated that most women delayed because of social factors, such as attendants' responses to their symptoms (p = .002), and because they were worried about expenses required for the treatment (p = .002); yet, most men delayed owing to individual factors, such as waiting for symptoms to subside (p< .001), and not recognizing the symptoms as being cardiac related (p< .001). Having anxiety and lack of knowledge about symptoms was associated with extended PDT among both gender...

Association of Gene with Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Pigeonpea

The Plant Genome, 2015

ABSTRACT Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has been exploited in the commercial pigeonpea [Cajanus... more ABSTRACT Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has been exploited in the commercial pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] hybrid breeding system; however, the molecular mechanism behind this system is unknown. To understand the underlying molecular mechanism involved in A4 CMS system derived from C. cajanifolius (Haines) Maesen, 34 mitochondrial genes were analyzed for expression profiling and structural variation analysis between CMS line (ICRISAT Pigeonpea A line, ICPA 2039) and its cognate maintainer (ICPB 2039). Expression profiling of 34 mitochondrial genes revealed nine genes with significant fold differential gene expression at P ≤ 0.01, including one gene, nad4L, with 1366-fold higher expression in CMS line as compared with the maintainer. Structural variation analysis of these mitochondrial genes identified length variation between ICPA 2039 and ICPB 2039 for nad7a (subunit of nad7 gene). Sanger sequencing of nad4L and nad7a genes in the CMS and the maintainer lines identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in upstream region of nad4L and a deletion of 10 bp in nad7a in the CMS line. Protein structure evaluation showed conformational changes in predicted protein structures for nad7a between ICPA 2039 and ICPB 2039 lines. All above analyses indicate association of nad7a gene with the CMS for A4 cytoplasm in pigeonpea. Additionally, one polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based Indel marker (nad7a_del) has been developed and validated for testing genetic purity of A4 derived CMS lines to strengthen the commercial hybrid breeding program in pigeonpea.

Are BP Readings Taken After a Patient-Physician Encounter in a Real-World Clinic Scenario the Lowest of All the Readings in a Clinic Visit

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan: JCPSP

To determine the difference in Blood Pressure (BP) readings taken before, during and after the cl... more To determine the difference in Blood Pressure (BP) readings taken before, during and after the clinic encounter. Descriptive study. Cardiology Clinic, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January to August 2013. Hypertensive and normotensive participants aged ³ 18 years were recruited. Pre-clinic BP was measured by a nurse and in-clinic BP by a physician. After 15 minutes, two post-clinic BP readings were taken at 1 minute interval. All readings were taken using Omron HEM7221-E. Out of 180 participants, males were 57% and 130 (71%) were hypertensive. Mean SBP (Systolic BP) taken preclinic, in-clinic, post-clinic 1 and post-clinic 2 were: 126 ± 20 mmHg, 131 ± 23 mmHg, 126 ± 20 mmHg and 121 ± 21 mmHg respectively (p < 0.001). Mean DBP (Diastolic BP) taken pre-clinic, in-clinic, post-clinic 1 and post-clinic 2 were 77 ± 12 mmHg, 81 ± 13 mmHg, 79 ± 12 mmHg and 79 ± 11 mmHg respectively (p < 0.001). BP taken in the post-clinic setting may significantly be the lowest read...

Clinical colorectal cancer, 2013

The impact of adding bevacizumab to perioperative chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer... more The impact of adding bevacizumab to perioperative chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing liver resection is yet to be defined. A retrospective review of our patient records showed that the addition of bevacizumab did not increase morbidity or mortality related to liver resection. Pathologic complete response (CR) is associated with prolonged survival. Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and liver metastases benefit from perioperative chemotherapy and liver resection. The potential benefit of adding bevacizumab is yet to be defined. The impact of bevacizumab on liver resection complications has been explored in a small number of retrospective studies. The records of patients with CRC and liver metastases who underwent liver resection and had received perioperative chemotherapy were reviewed. Complications were reported separately for 2 groups (chemotherapy alone vs chemotherapy and bevacizumab). Survival outcomes (progression-free survival [PFS] and overal...

Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD, 2010

South African Gastroenterology Review, 2008

International Journal of Nursing Education, 2013

Conceptualization of a research study is the most critical phase, which includes several meticulo... more Conceptualization of a research study is the most critical phase, which includes several meticulous steps. The first step in the process is to identify the common research problems that prevail in a particular context, either through clinical observations or through literature review; each of these sources may be used to validate the problem identified through the other. The next step involves an in depth literature search to identify the work previously done in the field, determining the gap in the existing body of literature and establishing the need for the proposed study. The final step of the conceptualization phase is concerned with establishing the significance of the proposed study. This paper reports the conceptualization of a research study conducted in Karachi, to identify the gender differences among Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients, in terms of their prehospital delay times and in the associated factors of delay.

Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 2009

The differential diagnosis of wide complex tachycardia (WCT) with 1:1 atrioventricular (AV) relat... more The differential diagnosis of wide complex tachycardia (WCT) with 1:1 atrioventricular (AV) relationship is broad. Accurate identification of the tachycardia mechanism is essential for successful ablation. We suggest a simple pacing maneuver that can immediately clarify the tachycardia mechanism in the electrophysiology laboratory.

Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 2010

Background: Entrainment from the right ventricular (RV) apex and the base has been used to distin... more Background: Entrainment from the right ventricular (RV) apex and the base has been used to distinguish atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) from atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT). The difference in the entrainment response from the RV apex in comparison with the RV base has not been tested.

The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 2006

Recent Developments in the Use of Layered Double Hydroxides as Host Materials for the Storage and Triggered Release of Functional Anions

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2009

An extensive and systematic study of the intercalation of a number of commercially important anio... more An extensive and systematic study of the intercalation of a number of commercially important anions into a range of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) has been undertaken. A pseudo-combinatorial approach was employed to determine rapidly the ideal reaction conditions for the ...

BMC Research Notes, 2011

Background: Despite available guidelines on hypertension (HTN), use of antihypertensives is varia... more Background: Despite available guidelines on hypertension (HTN), use of antihypertensives is variable. This study was designed to ascertain frequency of patients on monotherapy and > 1 antihypertensive therapy and also to ascertain proportion of patients on diuretic therapy. Methods: It was a crossectional study conducted on 1191 adults(age > 18 yrs)hypertensive patients selected by computerized International Classification of Diseases -9-coordination and maintenance (ICD-9-CM) presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Data on demographics, comorbids, type of antihypertensive drug, number of antihypertensive drug and mean duration of antihypertensive drug was recorded over 1.5 year period (2008-09). Blood pressure was recorded on admission. Primary outcome was use of combination therapy and secondary outcome was use of diuretic therapy. Results: A total of 1191 participants were included. Mean age(SD) was 62.55(12.47) years, 45.3%(540) were males. Diabetes was the most common comorbid; 46.3%(551). Approximately 85% of patients had controlled hypertension. On categorization of anti hypertensive use into 3 categories;41.2%(491) were on monotherapy,32.2% (384) were on 2 drug therapy,26.5%(316) were on ≥3 drug therapy. Among those who were on monotherapy for HTN;34%(167) were on calcium channel blockers,30.10%(148) were on beta blockers, 22.80%(112) were on Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors,12%(59) were on diuretics and 2.20%(11) were on Angiotensin receptor blockers(ARB). Use of combination antihypertensive therapy was significantly high in patients with ischemic heart disease(IHD)(p < 0.001). Use of diuretics was in 31% (369) patients. Use of diuretics was significantly less in patients with comorbids of diabetes (p 0.02), Chronic kidney disease(CKD)(p 0.003), IHD (p 0.001) respectively Conclusion: Most patients presenting to our tertiary care center were on combination therapy. Calcium channel blocker is the most common anti hypertensive drug used as monotherapy and betablockers are used as the most common antihypertensive in combination. Only a third of patients were on diuretic as an antihypertensive therapy.

Arab Journal of Gastroenterology, 2010

Arab Journal of Gastroenterology, 2009

The human gut harbors dense and diverse microbial communities which have an impact on host's heal... more The human gut harbors dense and diverse microbial communities which have an impact on host's health. The symbiotic relationship between gut microbial communities and host can be optimized by pharmacological or nutritional intervention on the intestinal ecosystem using probiotics or prebiotics. Worldwide research on the use of prebiotics and probiotics in human and animal health has accelerated in recent years. However, there is lack of information about the practical use of probiotics and prebiotics in Medicine. A major area for medical applications has been the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Recently, a group of international experts appointed by the World Gastroenterology Organization prepared a practical guideline on the current indications of probiotics and prebiotics in Gastroenterology. The full text of the guideline is published in the current issue of our Journal. The document underscores strain-specificity of the clinical effects, and provides precise information on which specific probiotic strains or prebiotic compounds are useful for what particular clinical indications (see ).

To map resistance genes for Fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) in pigeonpea, s... more To map resistance genes for Fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) in pigeonpea, sequencing-based bulked segregant analysis (Seq-BSA) was used. Resistant (R) and susceptible (S) bulks from the extreme recombinant inbred lines of ICPL 20096 9 ICPL 332 were sequenced. Subsequently, SNP index was calculated between R-and S-bulks with the help of draft genome sequence and reference-guided assembly of ICPL 20096 (resistant parent). Seq-BSA has provided seven candidate SNPs for FW and SMD resistance in pigeonpea. In parallel, four additional genotypes were re-sequenced and their combined analysis with R-and S-bulks has provided a total of 8362 nonsynonymous (ns) SNPs. Of 8362 nsSNPs, 60 were found within the 2-Mb flanking regions of seven candidate SNPs identified through Seq-BSA. Haplotype analysis narrowed down to eight nsSNPs in seven genes. These eight nsSNPs were further validated by re-sequencing 11 genotypes that are resistant and susceptible to FW and SMD. This analysis revealed association of four candidate nsSNPs in four genes with FW resistance and four candidate nsSNPs in three genes with SMD resistance. Further, In silico protein analysis and expression profiling identified two most promising candidate genes namely C.cajan_01839 for SMD resistance and C.cajan_03203 for FW resistance. Identified candidate genomic regions/ SNPs will be useful for genomics-assisted breeding in pigeonpea. . (2015) Next-generation sequencing for identification of candidate genes for Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan). Plant Biotechnol. J.,