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

Papers by Nasim Khan

South African Journal of Communication Disorders

Background: The use of face masks and/or shields can pose a challenge during communication. They ... more Background: The use of face masks and/or shields can pose a challenge during communication. They block facial expressions thus removing visual cues and affect sound transmission making it difficult to hear speech clearly. Given the widespread use of face coverings, it seems reasonable to clarify if communication in typical speakers and listeners has significantly differed. Health science students as future practitioners need to understand challenges that arise from using face coverings.Objective: This study aimed to determine health sciences students’ perception of the communicative impacts of face coverings.Method: The study employed a descriptive, self-administered online survey, obtaining information from 96 health science undergraduate students.Results: All participants changed their manner of speaking in that they spoke louder when wearing masks and focused more on eye contact when someone was wearing masks. These were statistically significant (p = 0.450 and p = 0.035 respecti...

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages throughout the world. Tea is extracted from plan... more Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages throughout the world. Tea is extracted from plant named Camellia sinesis .Among different variety of teas, green tea found to have a large number of health benefits. Green tea is prepared by special methods of preparation which greatly influences the disease treating properties of green tea. Earlier many invitro researches on animal models proves that the key component catechins , poly phenols and antioxidants present in green tea are responsible for producing beneficial affects against diseases. Being unadulterated and having very lilttle side effects the consumption of green tea is increasing worldwide. Various Epidemiological evidence shows that the components rich in antioxidants reduce the incidence of morbidities and mortalities. In ancient times Chinese used green tea to treat everything from headache to depression but the exact mode of action was not known to them. But as time passed on research revealed the exact mechanism of...

BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 2020

Conflicts of interest (COIs) in healthcare are increasingly discussed in the literature, yet thes... more Conflicts of interest (COIs) in healthcare are increasingly discussed in the literature, yet these relationships continue to influence healthcare. Research has consistently shown that financial COIs shape prescribing practices, medical education and guideline recommendations. In 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM, now the National Academy of Medicine) published Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research, Practice, and Education—one of the most comprehensive reviews of empirical research on COIs in medicine. Ten years after publication of theIOM’s report, we review the current state of COIs within medicine. We also provide specific recommendations for enhancing scientific integrity in medical research, practice, education and editorial practices.

Bangladesh Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2021

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) presenting as pathological fractures with brown tumors is very... more Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) presenting as pathological fractures with brown tumors is very rare in children. The rarity and variable presentation of PHPT can make its diagnosis a challenge – especially in the developing countries where malnutrition may mask hypercalcemia. We report a case of a 14–year-old girl who presented with muscle pain, multiple fractures and bone pain. Laboratory tests revealed normocalcemia with vitamin D insufficiency. Subsequent biochemical, radiographic and scintigraphic findings were consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma. Tumor resection was done in a local hospital and histopathology confirmed parathyroid adenoma. Following parathyroidectomy, fractures were treated conservatively with supplementation of calcium and vitamin D. We found her quite capable of self-care and walking in good health at 1 year follow up. Though rare, PHPT-causing brown tumors related skeletal fractures is an important differential diagnos...

Journal of Public Health in Africa, 2017

Self-ear cleaning is the insertion of objects into the ear canal to clean it, a widespread practi... more Self-ear cleaning is the insertion of objects into the ear canal to clean it, a widespread practice that has the potential to compromise its integrity as a natural, selfcleansing mechanism, and a risk factor for possible injuries. The practice is common among young adults and highest in university than any other graduates. This study aimed to determine the self-ear cleaning practices and associated risk of injury and related symptoms in undergraduate students at KwaZulu-Natal University. The descriptive survey utilized a self-administered questionnaire. Of the 206 participants that responded, 98% engaged in self-ear cleaning, with 75% indicating that it was beneficial. The commonest method (79.6%) being the use of cotton buds, with an associated injury rate of 2.4%. There was no statistically significant associations between those who used or did not use cotton buds and the symptoms experienced. The complications indicate that self-ear cleaning does pose a risk for injury, necessita...

Bangladesh Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2019

Brown tumor is a benign bone lesion that arises as a direct result of parathyroid hormone on bony... more Brown tumor is a benign bone lesion that arises as a direct result of parathyroid hormone on bony tissue in some patients with hyperparathyroidism. Multiple brown tumors may simulate malignant disease and it is a real challenge for the clinicians in the differential diagnoses. Brown tumor as the only and initial symptom of normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism is a rare clinical entity. Here, we present a case with multiple brown tumors in a young normocalcemic woman as a sequele of primary hyperparathyroidism mimicking bone metastases. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 22(1): 68-72, Jan 2019

Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 2019

Background: Despite policies and legislation mandating the employment of persons with disabilitie... more Background: Despite policies and legislation mandating the employment of persons with disabilities, individuals with hearing impairment continue to face barriers and challenges accessing the labour market and have typically experienced higher rates of unemployment or underemployment. In South Africa, the majority of individuals with disabilities remain dependent on social-welfare to meet basic needs and as a result, their potential remains grossly untapped. Misconceptions regarding the capabilities of hearing impaired individuals have resulted in the occupational marginalization of this population. Objective: This study aimed to investigate employers' perceptions and experiences in recruiting and retaining individuals with hearing impairment in KwaZulu-Natal Provinces' private sector. Method: A descriptive survey with quantitative methods of analysis was used to obtain information from employers, human resource personnel or management in various industries who have employed individuals with hearing loss. The Chronbach Alpha suggested that the self-administered questionnaire had good internal consistency (p = 0.858). A total of 30 responses were obtained from the 19 companies who agreed to participate. Results: Approximately 75% of participants indicated either a medium or low level of awareness regarding disability. Legislation such as the Employment Equity Act (EEA, no 55 of 1998) and the Skills Development Act (SDA, no 97 of 1998) were considered the most useful legislature, as indicated by 66.7% of participants. Those who indicated that external services or resources, such as the KZN Blind and Deaf Society and eDeaf were used during recruitment and retention were more likely to report to the benefits of employing hearing impaired individuals, this being statistically significant (p < 0.001). Less than half of the participants reported that reasonable accommodations were provided for their employees, and half indicated that they were willing to provide sign language interpreters. Most participants (70%) suggested that communication difficulties, particularly in meetings, contributed towards poor employment rates amongst individuals with hearing impairment. Communication difficulties were further endorsed by 73.3% of participants as a major challenge when recruiting and hiring persons with hearing impairment. Other concerns related to the safety of employees and attitudes of co-workers. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a lack of familiarity of disability and disability legislature can manifest in reliance on erroneous stereotypes that individuals with disabilities are poor job performers and incapable of working independently. However, with the use of reasonable accommodations which includes sign language interpreters and desensitization workshops, employers were able to successfully integrate hearing impaired employees into the workforce.

South African Journal of Communication Disorders, 2019

Background: Audiologists have a clinical and ethical responsibility to create a working environme... more Background: Audiologists have a clinical and ethical responsibility to create a working environment, designed to reduce the potential for cross-contamination or transmission of infections. Objectives: To describe the infection prevention and control (IPC) measures utilised and the opinions of audiologists and speech therapists, and audiologists (A/STAs) towards IPC in public healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Method: A quantitative, descriptive survey was utilised and entailed completing an online questionnaire. The Cronbach's alpha (0.82) indicated good internal consistency of the tool. Forty-nine A/STAs from 29 public healthcare facilities responded. Results: Most participants (82%) followed a generic Department of Health policy on IPC, while 67% alluded to a discipline-specific policy. Participants had received training in infection control but indicated that further instruction was required for audiology-specific infection control procedures. Only 57% indicated that they 'sometimes' wore gloves with every patient during direct clinical contact. An association between the healthcare facility level and the wearing of gloves was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.025). Participants at regional and tertiary levels contended that gloves should be worn during most procedures versus those at district levels of care. While 96% washed their hands after each patient, only 76% washed their hands before each patient. Twenty-nine per cent indicated that they only 'sometimes' wore masks when in contact with patients with communicable diseases. Approximately one-third disinfected touch surfaces and toys, based on the clinician's discretion. The majority (86%) of participants, however, always followed the correct protocol for medical waste disposal. Despite training and the availability of policies, some practitioners displayed poor IPC practices in terms of universal precautions, personal protective equipment, handwashing and sterilisation. Conclusion: Further education, training and awareness related to appropriate IPC measures are recommended for audiologists. It is envisaged that this will lead to more effective IPC measures in audiology practice thereby reducing the risk of infection transmission.

South African Journal of Communication Disorders, 2009

The success of Community Service programmes initiated globally to recruit health care professiona... more The success of Community Service programmes initiated globally to recruit health care professionals to provide services in under-served or rural areas depends largely on their attitudes, understanding of the programme's objectives, preparedness for working in these areas and their adaptability. This study assessed rehabilitation therapists' perception and attitude on commencement and completion of their compulsory Community Service programme in KwaZulu-Natal in 2005. Repeat observational cross sectional studies were conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by all therapists on commencement and after completion of their Community Service. The proportion of therapists who indicated that they would work in the public sector in future declined from 50% at onset to 35% by exit and fewer (24%) said they would work in a rural area. Collecting a rural allowance was not associated (p=0.78) with an expressed interest to work in a rural area or remain at the same ins...

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2004

Cerebral metabolic changes in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) infected with Plasmodium coatney... more Cerebral metabolic changes in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) infected with Plasmodium coatneyi, a primate model of severe human malaria with cerebral involvement, were directly evaluated by fluorodeoxyglucose−positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). We observed diffuse and heterogeneous reduction of metabolism in the cerebral cortex in the acute phase of malaria infection. Neuropathologic examination showed preferential sequestration of parasitized red blood cells in the cerebral microvasculature. However, hemorrhagic change or necrosis was not observed in hematoxylin and eosin-stained and Nissl-stained brain tissues. This suggests that reduction of cerebral metabolism occurs before parenchymal changes appear in the brain. This may be one reason why more than half of the patients with cerebral malaria have no neurologic sequelae after recovery. moto, Dr. Akihiro Ichikawa, Erika Misaki, and Nao Taguchi for their help with the experiments, and Dr. Noboru Oriuchi and Dr. Hiroshi Kageyama for their valuable advice.

Bangladesh Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2018

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus and is endemic in many parts of the worlds a... more Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus and is endemic in many parts of the worlds and produce cysts in almost every organs of the body, with the liver and lung being the most common sites. Here we presented a case of isolated retro-vesical hydatid cyst which is extremely rare with only a few cases reported in literature previously.Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 18(2): 186-188, July 2015

South African Journal of Communication Disorders, 2016

Audiologists managing children with auditory processing disorders (APD) encounter challenges that... more Audiologists managing children with auditory processing disorders (APD) encounter challenges that include conflicting definitions, several classification profiles, problems with differential diagnosis and a lack of standardised guidelines. The heterogeneity of the disorder and its concomitant childhood disorders makes diagnosis difficult. Linguistic and cultural issues are additional challenges faced by South African audiologists. The study aimed to describe the practices, challenges and recommendations of South African audiologists managing children with APD. A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive survey was used to obtain data from 156 audiologists registered with the Health Professions of South Africa. Findings revealed that 67% screened for APD, 42% assessed while 43% provided intervention. A variety of screening and assessment procedures were being administered, with no standard test battery identified. A range of intervention strategies being used are discussed. When the...

Bangladesh Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the additional benefit of single photon emission com... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the additional benefit of single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) over whole-body planar bone scintigraphy (planar BS) and SPECT for the detection of bone metastases in breast cancer patients. Materials & methods: Of 112 consecutively examined patients with histologically confirmed breast carcinoma who underwent bone scintigraphy, 39 required further evaluation by SPECT/CT (n= 23) and SPECT alone (n = 16) because a definite diagnosis could not be established using whole body planar BS alone. The 23 SPECT/CT studies were retrospectively evaluated by two nuclear medicine physicians for planar BS and SPECT images, and one nuclear medicine physician and one radiologist for SPECT/CT on consensus. Each focus of abnormal tracer uptake was recorded for differentiating malignant from benign bone lesions. Clinical and imaging follow-up were used as a reference standard. Results: A total of 72 lesions were evaluated in 23 patients examined by three types of imaging modalities. In 57 of the 72 evaluated lesions, the results of planar BS, SPECT and SPECT/CT were concordant; 52 of the 57 lesions were interpreted as malignant and 5 lesions as benign by all modalities. In 15 of the 72 lesions, consensus reading of fused SPECT/CT images changed the image interpretation of 15 planar BS scans and 9 of the 15 SPECT scans: 7 lesions previously interpreted as benign (on both planar BS and SPECT) were reclassified as malignant and 8 lesions (8 by planar BS and 2/8 by SPECT) previously interpreted as malignant were reevaluated as benign. The highest diagnostic gain was in the thoracolumbar spine, thoracic cage & pelvis. The overall accuracy of SPECT/CT was significantly higher on a lesion-based analysis than planar BS and SPECT (100%vs 79%, p < 0.0001 and 100% vs 83%, p = 0.003). Compared to planar BS and SPECT, the results of SPECT/CT changed diagnosis or treatment in 5/23 patients (21.7%). Conclusion: The hybrid imaging system with SPECT/CT is a feasible technique yielding coregistered dual-modality images. The addition of SPECT/CT improves the diagnostic accuracy for the correct interpretation of bony lesions in breast cancer patients undergoing bone scanning for metastases. SPECT/CT should be routinely used in the work up of postoperative breast carcinoma patients with simultaneous CT evaluation to identify metastatic lesions not detected on bone scintigraphy.

BMJ case reports, Jan 16, 2015

Rheumatology, 2014

Objective. The aim of this study was to understand practices regarding smoking cessation among rh... more Objective. The aim of this study was to understand practices regarding smoking cessation among rheumatologists for patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Methods. A survey was sent to the rheumatologists participating in the multinational Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (QUEST-RA) group. The survey inquired about the clinical practice characteristics and practices regarding smoking cessation (proportion of smokers with inflammatory rheumatic diseases given smoking cessation advice, specific protocols and written advice material, availability of dedicated smoking cessation clinic). Results. Rheumatologists from 44 departments in 25 countries (16 European) completed the survey. The survey involved 395 rheumatologists, of whom 25 (6.3%) were smokers, and 199 nurses for patient education, of whom 44 (22.1%) were smokers. Eight departments (18.1 %) had a specific protocol for smoking cessation; 255 (64.5%) rheumatologists reported giving smoking cessation advice to all or almost all smokers with inflammatory diseases. In a regression model, early arthritis clinics (P = 0.01) and high gross domestic product countries (P = 0.001) were both independently associated with advice by the rheumatologist. Nurse gives advice to most patients in 11 of the 36 (30.5%) departments with nurses for patient education. Conclusion. Advice for smoking cessation within rheumatology departments is not homogeneous. In half of the departments, most doctors give advice to quit smoking to all or almost all patients with inflammatory diseases. However, only one in five departments have a specific protocol for smoking cessation. Our data highlight the need to improve awareness of the importance of and better practice implementation of smoking cessation advice for inflammatory rheumatic disease patients.

The Journal of Rheumatology, 2009

Objective.To evaluate the utility of the duration of morning stiffness (MS), as a patient-reporte... more Objective.To evaluate the utility of the duration of morning stiffness (MS), as a patient-reported outcome (PRO), in assessing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity.Methods.We acquired information on 5439 patients in QUEST-RA, an international database of patients with RA evaluated by a standard protocol. MS duration was assessed from time of waking to time of maximal improvement. Ability of MS duration to differentiate RA activity states, based on Disease Activity Score (DAS)28, was assessed by analysis of variance; and a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for discriminating clinically active (DAS28 > 3.2) from less active (DAS28 ≤ 3.2) RA. Mixed-effect analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were used to assess the utility of adding MS duration to Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data (RAPID)3, a PRO index based on physical function, pain, and general health (GH), in predicting the 3-variable DAS28 (DAS28v3).Results.MS duration had moderate correla...

Journal of Chromatography B, 2012

Low sensitivity of current clinical markers (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN)) in earl... more Low sensitivity of current clinical markers (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN)) in early stages of the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) limits their utility. Rapid LC/MS-based metabolic profiling of serum demonstrated in a pilot study that metabolomics could provide novel indicators of AKI. Metabolic profiles of serum samples from seventeen hospitalized patients with newly diagnosed AKI were compared with the profiles of serum from age-matched subjects with normal kidney function. Increases in acylcarnitines and amino acids (methionine, homocysteine, pyroglutamate, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and phenylalanine) and a reduction in serum levels of arginine and several lysophosphatidyl cholines were observed in patients with AKI compared to healthy subjects. Increases in homocysteine, ADMA and pyroglutamate have been recognized as biomarkers of cardiovascular and renal disease, and acylcarnitines represent biomarkers of defective fatty acid oxidation. The results of this pilot study demonstrate the utility of metabolomics in the discovery of novel serum biomarkers that can facilitate the diagnosis and determine prognosis of AKI in hospitalized patients.

Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2009

Pradhan, V.D. and Ghosh, K. 2009. Development of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) an... more Pradhan, V.D. and Ghosh, K. 2009. Development of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and vasculitis in BALB/c mice: a prototype of human ANCA associated disease. J. Appl. h i m. Res., 36: 297-302. To investigate whether immunization i n BALB J c mice with ANCA will induce ANCA associated vasculitis that will serve as a n animal model for the diseased mice were immunized with myeloperoxidase (MPO), proteinase3 (PR3) and 'a granule' extract of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) using purified human whole antibody to MPO and PR3 and also the F(ab7, fractions of MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA. Control mice were immunized with normal human IgG. Mice immunized with purified MPO and PR3 as well as with human IgG-ANCA and its F(ab7, fractions, developed ANCA and AAV, while control mice did not develop these autoantibodies or the disease. This ANCA could be induced in BALB J c mice by antigen and antibody immunizations and these mice showed the possible development of ANCA related vasculitis indicating a likely pathogenic role of ANCA.

The British Journal of Radiology, 2003

Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET has become an increasingly important functional imaging ... more Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET has become an increasingly important functional imaging modality in clinical oncology. This article will focus primarily on the role of FDG PET during treatment and follow-up of thyroid cancer. The major role of FDG PET is in patients with elevated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels where thyroid cancer tissue does not concentrate radioiodine rendering false-negative results on I-131 scanning. FDG PET imaging takes advantage of the increased uptake of FDG in cancer cells and is sensitive (60-94%) to the detection of recurrent or metastatic cancer in patients who have negative radioiodine scans. The specificity (25-90%) of PET imaging is relatively less than its sensitivity because some inflammatory processes avidly accumulate FDG. PET can fail to localize the tumour sites in some patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer that retain good iodine ability. This can result the well recognized phenomenon of ''flip-flop'' depending on the differentiation of the thyroid cancer. Several studies have documented the higher accuracy of PET, compared with other imaging modalities in the evaluation of patients with recurrent or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer. The value of thyroid stimulating hormone stimulation for FDG PET has recently been reported. Therefore, if available, this method should be considered in all patients of differentiated thyroid cancer with suspected recurrence and/or metastasis.

Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2011

Total joint replacement (TJR) surgery was a milestone in rheumatology. Patients whose infl ammato... more Total joint replacement (TJR) surgery was a milestone in rheumatology. Patients whose infl ammatory joint disease once confi ned them to a wheelchair or bed received a new joint and were able to walk. But 50 years later, approaches have changed. A current trend, as reported by Hekmat and colleagues [1] in a recent issue of Arthritis Research & Th erapy, is to gather evidence that TJR is not needed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as infl ammation and consequent damage can be kept under control with improved medications. A need for a TJR of the hip or knee has been a severe long-term consequence for patients with RA. Wolfe and Zwillich [2] estimated that 25% of all RA patients who were under observation between the 1970s and 1990s needed TJR surgery over two decades. Concomitantly with an increasing use of early and active treatment strategies, the clinical status of patients with RA has improved in comparison with previous decades. Even before the era of biologic treatments, improve ments were seen in patients' clinical status as measured by disease activity, functional capacity, radiographic scores, and other clinical parameters [3].