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Papers by Dr. Muhammad Aahfaq Afridi

Research paper thumbnail of Comparative Physiochemical and Microbiological Analysis of Potato Powder Produce from Two Potato Cultivar (Solanum tuberosum L.) Grown in Peshawar Valley, Pakistan

World Applied Sciences Journal

Two potato cultivar Desiree and Cardinal was procured from Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab ... more Two potato cultivar Desiree and Cardinal was procured from Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab Farm Peshawar, Pakistan to use for the preparation of potato powder. The process involves sorting, washing, peeling, slicing, blanching, sulfitation, dehydration, grinding and packing. All these parameters used in process were standardized. Physiochemical analysis of fresh potato and potato powder were carried out. Microbiological examination, functional properties and storage life studies of the potato powder were also performed. The product prepared by drying in cabinet dryer at 55°C for 7 hours was found off white colour potatoes chips which were grinded to make off white potato powder. The potato powder possessed good taste and texture.

Research paper thumbnail of Can Positive Procalcitonin Levels Diagnose Severe Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease?

Background: Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is a major cause of morbidity in hosp... more Background: Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is a major cause of morbidity in hospitalized patients whose clinical manifestations can vary in severity and there are no good biomarkers of severe disease. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an FDA-approved biomarker for bacterial infections that has good specificity and sensitivity in sepsis and pneumonia, but its utility is unknown in CDAD. Our objective was to evaluate the role of PCT levels as a diagnostic adjunct in the identification of severe CDAD as the first study of its kind. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all cases of CDAD in two urban inner city hospitals in New Jersey, in whom patients had a PCT level drawn within 24 hours of a confirmed CDAD infection, either by toxin or PCR, from January 1, 2011 to August 1, 2012. Severity of CDAD was defined as WBCs>15, 000 cells/µL or creatinine change greater than 50% from baseline. Results: 53 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study....

Research paper thumbnail of AIDS-related lymphoma: resolution with antiretroviral therapy alone

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

Patients with HIV are at increased risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoma, which is the most c... more Patients with HIV are at increased risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoma, which is the most common malignancy leading to death. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), patients live longer but have a longer duration of antigenic stimulation, increasing the prevalence of AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) in the population living with HIV. Highly active antiretroviral therapy plays a direct role in preserving the immune system, helping to decrease the incidence of ARL. We present a case of a female patient with HIV (CD4 count of 576 cells/mm3) diagnosed with a stage Ill-B non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009 while off HAART. She was subsequently started on HAART, leading to full resolution of her lymphoma without any chemotherapeutic intervention. She was last seen in the clinic in December 2013 without any evidence of recurrence of her lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a stage III-B non-Hodgkin<in lymphoma in an HIV-infected patient, which...

Research paper thumbnail of Strongyloidiasis: The Cause of Multiple Gastrointestinal Ulcers in an Immunocompetent Individual

Case Reports in Medicine, 2014

Strongyloidiasis is a common parasitic disease in tropical regions of the world. Infection withSt... more Strongyloidiasis is a common parasitic disease in tropical regions of the world. Infection withStrongyloides stercoralisusually remains asymptomatic with peripheral eosinophilia and uncontrolled growth. Consequently, immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of complications of this disease. We present a case of an immunocompetent patient whose complaint of acute abdominal pain was found to be due to gastric and duodenal ulcerations. Laboratory examination revealed significantly elevated absolute eosinophil count at 11,466/mm3(normal 0–700/mm3). The duodenal biopsy revealed parasitic ova and adult worms suggestive ofStrongyloides stercoralisnematode with increased eosinophils in the tissue. We report the first case of multiple gastric and duodenal ulcerations due toStrongyloides stercoralisin an immunocompetent patient. We suggest that the elevated eosinophil count played a central role in the pathogenesis.

Research paper thumbnail of Microhotplate-Based Sensor Platform for Standard Submicron CMOS SoC Designs

2005 International Semiconductor Device Research Symposium

Research paper thumbnail of Clostridium tetani bacteraemia

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2012

Tetanus is a life-threatening but preventable disease caused by the toxin of Clostridium tetani, ... more Tetanus is a life-threatening but preventable disease caused by the toxin of Clostridium tetani, a ubiquitous, spore-forming, gram-positive bacillus found in high concentrations in soil and animal excrement. Reported tetanus cases have declined >95%, and deaths from tetanus have declined >99% in the United States since 1947, when the disease became reportable nationally. To update a previous report (1) and to determine the populations at greatest risk for the disease, CDC analyzed cases reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) during 2001-2008. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that 233 tetanus cases were reported during 2001-2008; among the 197 cases with known outcomes, the case-fatality rate was 13.2%. Average annual incidence during that period was 0.10 per 1 million population overall and 0.23 among persons aged ≥65 years. Incidence among Hispanics was nearly twice that among non-Hispanics, a difference accounted for by 16 cases among Hispanic injection drug users (IDUs). Among the 92 patients for whom tetanus toxoid-containing (TT) vaccination status was available, 37 (40.2%) had received no doses of TT vaccine. Thirty (15.4%) of 195 patients had diabetes, and 27 (15.3%) of 176 were IDUs. Of 51 patients with an acute wound and a surveillance report complete enough to evaluate tetanus prophylaxis, 49 (96.1%) had not received appropriate prophylaxis. Tetanus remains a rare but life-threatening disease in the United States. Health-care providers should ensure up-to-date TT vaccination of all their patients, especially persons aged ≥65 years, persons with diabetes, and injection drug users. From 1947 to 2008, the number of tetanus cases reported each year, which already had decreased greatly since 1900, continued to decline (Figure), in part because of continued use of tetanus antitoxin for wound management and introduction of TT vaccines in the 1930s and 1940s, which led to universal childhood immunization and the addition of decennial TT boosters for adults (2,3). A major contributor to the decline in morbidity was the near elimination of neonatal tetanus, a result attributable to improved childbirth practices and to

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of health aid in developing countries: The public vs. the private channels

Economic Modelling, 2013

This paper examines the efficient allocation of international health aid. We built a simple macro... more This paper examines the efficient allocation of international health aid. We built a simple macroeconomic model which considers an endogenous allocation of aid mixed between the public and the private channels. We derive a non-cooperative interaction-game involving the private sector, the donor and the recipient government. We compare the equilibrium of the game to the optimal level of health aid allocation, showing a gap between both. The empirical analysis is based on the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and World Health Organization (WHO) data sets using dynamic panel data model with fixed effects (system-GMM). Our results show that health aid actually reduces adult mortality in developing countries. Furthermore, we show that the actual allocation of aid-mix between government and private channels is not health efficient and there is room for reallocation.

Research paper thumbnail of Cognition in a cognitive routing system for mobile ad-hoc network through leaning automata and neural network

Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2013

A cognitive routing system intelligently selects one protocol at a time for specific routing cond... more A cognitive routing system intelligently selects one protocol at a time for specific routing conditions and environment in MANET. Cognition or self-learning can be achieved in a cognitive routing system for mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) through a learning system like learning automata or neural networks. This article covers the application of learning automata and neural network to achieve cognition in MANET routing system. Mobile Ad-hoc networks are dynamic in nature and lack any fixed infrastructure, so the implementation of cognition enhances the performance of overall routing system in these networks. In learning automata the process of learning is different from reasoning or decision making. Learning automata require little knowledge to take decisions. Neural network can be improved by increasing the number of neurons and changing parameters. Self-training enhance neural network performance and it select suitable protocol for a given network environment. Cognition in MANET is either based upon learning automata as in some wireless sensor networks or specialized cognitive neural networks like Elman network. Learning automata do not follow predetermine rules and has the ability to learn and evolve. The interaction of learning automata with the MANET environment results in the evolution of cognition system.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparative Physiochemical and Microbiological Analysis of Potato Powder Produce from Two Potato Cultivar (Solanum tuberosum L.) Grown in Peshawar Valley, Pakistan

World Applied Sciences Journal

Two potato cultivar Desiree and Cardinal was procured from Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab ... more Two potato cultivar Desiree and Cardinal was procured from Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab Farm Peshawar, Pakistan to use for the preparation of potato powder. The process involves sorting, washing, peeling, slicing, blanching, sulfitation, dehydration, grinding and packing. All these parameters used in process were standardized. Physiochemical analysis of fresh potato and potato powder were carried out. Microbiological examination, functional properties and storage life studies of the potato powder were also performed. The product prepared by drying in cabinet dryer at 55°C for 7 hours was found off white colour potatoes chips which were grinded to make off white potato powder. The potato powder possessed good taste and texture.

Research paper thumbnail of Can Positive Procalcitonin Levels Diagnose Severe Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease?

Background: Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is a major cause of morbidity in hosp... more Background: Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is a major cause of morbidity in hospitalized patients whose clinical manifestations can vary in severity and there are no good biomarkers of severe disease. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an FDA-approved biomarker for bacterial infections that has good specificity and sensitivity in sepsis and pneumonia, but its utility is unknown in CDAD. Our objective was to evaluate the role of PCT levels as a diagnostic adjunct in the identification of severe CDAD as the first study of its kind. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all cases of CDAD in two urban inner city hospitals in New Jersey, in whom patients had a PCT level drawn within 24 hours of a confirmed CDAD infection, either by toxin or PCR, from January 1, 2011 to August 1, 2012. Severity of CDAD was defined as WBCs>15, 000 cells/µL or creatinine change greater than 50% from baseline. Results: 53 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study....

Research paper thumbnail of AIDS-related lymphoma: resolution with antiretroviral therapy alone

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

Patients with HIV are at increased risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoma, which is the most c... more Patients with HIV are at increased risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoma, which is the most common malignancy leading to death. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), patients live longer but have a longer duration of antigenic stimulation, increasing the prevalence of AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) in the population living with HIV. Highly active antiretroviral therapy plays a direct role in preserving the immune system, helping to decrease the incidence of ARL. We present a case of a female patient with HIV (CD4 count of 576 cells/mm3) diagnosed with a stage Ill-B non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009 while off HAART. She was subsequently started on HAART, leading to full resolution of her lymphoma without any chemotherapeutic intervention. She was last seen in the clinic in December 2013 without any evidence of recurrence of her lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a stage III-B non-Hodgkin<in lymphoma in an HIV-infected patient, which...

Research paper thumbnail of Strongyloidiasis: The Cause of Multiple Gastrointestinal Ulcers in an Immunocompetent Individual

Case Reports in Medicine, 2014

Strongyloidiasis is a common parasitic disease in tropical regions of the world. Infection withSt... more Strongyloidiasis is a common parasitic disease in tropical regions of the world. Infection withStrongyloides stercoralisusually remains asymptomatic with peripheral eosinophilia and uncontrolled growth. Consequently, immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of complications of this disease. We present a case of an immunocompetent patient whose complaint of acute abdominal pain was found to be due to gastric and duodenal ulcerations. Laboratory examination revealed significantly elevated absolute eosinophil count at 11,466/mm3(normal 0–700/mm3). The duodenal biopsy revealed parasitic ova and adult worms suggestive ofStrongyloides stercoralisnematode with increased eosinophils in the tissue. We report the first case of multiple gastric and duodenal ulcerations due toStrongyloides stercoralisin an immunocompetent patient. We suggest that the elevated eosinophil count played a central role in the pathogenesis.

Research paper thumbnail of Microhotplate-Based Sensor Platform for Standard Submicron CMOS SoC Designs

2005 International Semiconductor Device Research Symposium

Research paper thumbnail of Clostridium tetani bacteraemia

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2012

Tetanus is a life-threatening but preventable disease caused by the toxin of Clostridium tetani, ... more Tetanus is a life-threatening but preventable disease caused by the toxin of Clostridium tetani, a ubiquitous, spore-forming, gram-positive bacillus found in high concentrations in soil and animal excrement. Reported tetanus cases have declined >95%, and deaths from tetanus have declined >99% in the United States since 1947, when the disease became reportable nationally. To update a previous report (1) and to determine the populations at greatest risk for the disease, CDC analyzed cases reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) during 2001-2008. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that 233 tetanus cases were reported during 2001-2008; among the 197 cases with known outcomes, the case-fatality rate was 13.2%. Average annual incidence during that period was 0.10 per 1 million population overall and 0.23 among persons aged ≥65 years. Incidence among Hispanics was nearly twice that among non-Hispanics, a difference accounted for by 16 cases among Hispanic injection drug users (IDUs). Among the 92 patients for whom tetanus toxoid-containing (TT) vaccination status was available, 37 (40.2%) had received no doses of TT vaccine. Thirty (15.4%) of 195 patients had diabetes, and 27 (15.3%) of 176 were IDUs. Of 51 patients with an acute wound and a surveillance report complete enough to evaluate tetanus prophylaxis, 49 (96.1%) had not received appropriate prophylaxis. Tetanus remains a rare but life-threatening disease in the United States. Health-care providers should ensure up-to-date TT vaccination of all their patients, especially persons aged ≥65 years, persons with diabetes, and injection drug users. From 1947 to 2008, the number of tetanus cases reported each year, which already had decreased greatly since 1900, continued to decline (Figure), in part because of continued use of tetanus antitoxin for wound management and introduction of TT vaccines in the 1930s and 1940s, which led to universal childhood immunization and the addition of decennial TT boosters for adults (2,3). A major contributor to the decline in morbidity was the near elimination of neonatal tetanus, a result attributable to improved childbirth practices and to

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of health aid in developing countries: The public vs. the private channels

Economic Modelling, 2013

This paper examines the efficient allocation of international health aid. We built a simple macro... more This paper examines the efficient allocation of international health aid. We built a simple macroeconomic model which considers an endogenous allocation of aid mixed between the public and the private channels. We derive a non-cooperative interaction-game involving the private sector, the donor and the recipient government. We compare the equilibrium of the game to the optimal level of health aid allocation, showing a gap between both. The empirical analysis is based on the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and World Health Organization (WHO) data sets using dynamic panel data model with fixed effects (system-GMM). Our results show that health aid actually reduces adult mortality in developing countries. Furthermore, we show that the actual allocation of aid-mix between government and private channels is not health efficient and there is room for reallocation.

Research paper thumbnail of Cognition in a cognitive routing system for mobile ad-hoc network through leaning automata and neural network

Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2013

A cognitive routing system intelligently selects one protocol at a time for specific routing cond... more A cognitive routing system intelligently selects one protocol at a time for specific routing conditions and environment in MANET. Cognition or self-learning can be achieved in a cognitive routing system for mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) through a learning system like learning automata or neural networks. This article covers the application of learning automata and neural network to achieve cognition in MANET routing system. Mobile Ad-hoc networks are dynamic in nature and lack any fixed infrastructure, so the implementation of cognition enhances the performance of overall routing system in these networks. In learning automata the process of learning is different from reasoning or decision making. Learning automata require little knowledge to take decisions. Neural network can be improved by increasing the number of neurons and changing parameters. Self-training enhance neural network performance and it select suitable protocol for a given network environment. Cognition in MANET is either based upon learning automata as in some wireless sensor networks or specialized cognitive neural networks like Elman network. Learning automata do not follow predetermine rules and has the ability to learn and evolve. The interaction of learning automata with the MANET environment results in the evolution of cognition system.