It was investigated that carcinogenic processes are linked with the imbalances of essential trace and toxic elements in body fluid and tissues of human. In this study, the relationship between ...carcinogenic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni), and anti-carcinogenic elements, selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), in the scalp hair of different female cancer patients (breast, cervix, mouth and ovarian) was studied.
The scalp hair samples were collected from cancer patients and referent female subjects of the same age group and socioeconomic status. The scalp hair samples were oxidized by 65% nitric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide by microwave oven and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The validity and accuracy of the methodology were checked using certified reference material of human hair (BCR 397).
The mean concentrations of As, Cd, and Ni were found to be significantly higher in the scalp hair samples of cancerous patients as compared to referents, while reverse results were obtained in the case of Zn and Se (p<0.01).
The study revealed that low level of trace elements (Se, Zn) and high level of heavy elements (As, Cd, and Ni) were associated with increased risk of cancer.
•Negative correlation was obtained between essential and toxic elements in cancer patients.•The high levels of toxic metals were observed in cancer patients as compared to healthy females.•The deficiency of essential trace elements may play a role in the pathogenesis of cancer.
Development-induced displacement projects mainly involved locations with informal settlements, especially slum and squatter areas which left behind many socioeconomic impacts on displacement ...households. This forced displacement has caused breaking living patterns and social networks, destroying economic status, increasing infectious diseases, and other severe health problems. Many development projects, such as dam projects, airports, and road projects, have been implemented since 2001 in Afghanistan. The Kabul-Logar Road extension project, located on the southern side of Kabul city, has foreseen will destroy the existing socioeconomic status of Qalacha Khamdan's dwellers. Therefore, this paper examines the socioeconomic impacts of development-induced displacement on informal settlements in Qalacha Khamdan by the Kabul-Logar Road extension project. Data has been collected through site observation, questionnaires survey of heads of families affected, interviews with key informants, committees’ members, and some data from Cernea's model (IRR). The finding shows that the displaced population has lost social cohesion, social ties, close connectivity with brothers, relatives and neighbourhoods, businesses, valuable lands and well-designed homes. Finally, this study argues for more government and private sector involvement to manage the socioeconomic impacts of development-induced displacement after displacement.
Background
Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a collection of old blood in the subdural space and has a relatively high estimated incidence, especially among the elderly and men, possibly due to ...falls, anticoagulant use, or age as independent factors. The subdural evacuating port system (SEPS) offers a minimally invasive solution for cSDH treatment.
Objective
The objective of our meta-analysis is to review the literature and assess the safety and efficacy of SEPS as a first-line treatment for cSDH.
Method
We conducted an exhaustive literature search to explore outcomes resulting from the implementation of SEPS as the initial treatment for cSDH. The main focus was on treatment success, comprising both symptom improvement and the absence of additional operating room interventions. Supplementary outcomes encompassed factors such as discharge arrangements, length of hospital stay (LOS), recurrence of hematoma, and any associated complications.
Result
A total of 15 studies, involving 1146 patients who underwent SEPS placement, satisfied the inclusion criteria. The combined rate of achieving a successful outcome stood at 0.79 (95% CI 0.75–0.83). The occurrence of delayed hematoma recurrence was found to be 0.155 (95% CI 0.101–0.208). Meanwhile, the aggregated inpatient mortality rate was 0.017 (95% CI 0.007–0.031). In terms of complications, the rates were 0.02 (95% CI 0.00–0.03) for any acute hemorrhage, 0.01 (95% CI 0.00–0.01) for acute hemorrhage necessitating surgery, and 0.02 (95% CI 0.01–0.03) for seizures. Notably, SEPS placement is associated with a success rate of 79% and exceptionally low incidences of acute hemorrhage and seizure.
Conclusion
SEPS is a viable first-line treatment for cSDH, supported by its minimally invasive nature, avoidance of general anesthesia, high success rate, and favorable safety profile.
Smokeless tobacco (SLT) has been associated with oral cancer. In present study, the total and artificial saliva extracted toxic elements (TEs), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) ...were estimated in SLT products (gutkha, green and brown snuff). Dual-cloud point extraction has been used for the preconcentration of As, Cd, Ni and Pb in artificial saliva extract, using complexing reagent, ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. The dual-cloud point extraction procedure was based on forming complexes of elemental ions with complexing reagent and subsequent entrapping of the complexes in nonionic surfactant. Then the surfactant rich phase containing the complexes was treated with nitric acid, and detected ions were back extracted again into aqueous phase at the second cloud point extraction stage, and finally determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The validity of methodology was tested by simultaneously analyzing certified reference material and spike recovery test. The experimental enhancement factors of As, Cd, Ni and Pb were found to be 52, 58, 48 and 44, respectively. The concentration of As, Cd, Ni and Pb in artificial saliva extracts corresponds to 18–24, 45–75, 30–55, and 20–30%, respectively, of the total contents of TE in different types of SLT products (gutkha, brown and green snuff). It was estimated that 10g intake of SLT products (gutkha, brown and green snuff) could contribute 2.2–13, 21–69, 3.4–48 and 10–75% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of As, Cd, Ni and Pb, respectively for adults ~60kg.
•Lack of knowledge about toxic elements (TEs) in smokeless tobacco (SLT) needs to be investigated.•The total and artificial saliva extracted TEs in SLT products were accomplished.•The TEs in artificial saliva extract of SLT were immediately available to consumers.•Long-term use of SLT generates free radicals which promote oral cancer.
In South Asia the Right to Information (RTI) is recognized as a basic human right of every human being, and is incorporated in the form of fundamental right in the Constitutions of these countries. ...Free and fair access to relevant information, and participation of public in Governmental decisions making, acts as a catalyst in the transformation of the governance into the ideal governance.Therefore, Right to Information is an instrumental force to control the abuse of powers on the part of the public functionaries and make their actions accountable. In this contextual perspective the Right to Information (RTI) is perceived as a linchpin of the machinery of Good Governance, responsibility, transparency and accountability.This research paper, interalia, highlights that Right to Information has a closest nexus with Good Governance in a country and minimize the nepotism and corruptionin the society.Hence, in South Asian Countries Right to Information regime empowers the general public viz-a-viz Government actions and policies
Several studies have reported that the chewing habit of smokeless tobacco (SLT) has been associated with oral cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the trace levels of lead (Pb) in ...biological samples (blood, scalp hair) of oral cancer patients and referents of the same age group (range 30–60 years). As the concentrations of Pb are very low in biological samples, so a simple and efficient ionic liquid-based microextraction in a single syringe system has been developed, as a prior step to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. In this procedure, the hydrophobic chelates of Pb with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) were extracted into fine droplets of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate C
4
MIMPF
6
within a syringe while using Triton X-114 as a dispersant. Factors influencing the microextraction efficiency and determination, such as pH of the sample, volume of C
4
MIMPF
6
and Triton X-114, ligand concentration, and incubation time, were studied. To validate the proposed method, certified reference materials were analyzed and the results of Pb
2+
were in good agreement with certified values. At optimum experimental values of significant variables, detection limit and enhancement factor were found to be 0.412 μg/L and 80, respectively. The coexisting ions showed no obvious negative outcome on Pb preconcentration. The proposed method was applied satisfactorily for the preconcentration of Pb
2+
in acid-digested SLT and biological samples of the study population. It was observed that oral cancer patients who consumed different SLT products have 2–3-fold higher levels of Pb in scalp hair and blood samples as compared to healthy referents (
p
< 0.001). While 31.4–50.8 % higher levels of Pb were observed in referents chewing different SLT products as compared to nonconsumers (
p
< 0.01).
This paper described a new approach for the preconcentration of lead (Pb2+) by temperature controlled ionic liquid-dispersive liquid phase microextraction (TIL-DLME) prior to analyzing by flame ...atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). An ionic liquid (IL) 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate C4MIMPF6 was used as an extractant solvent. The Pb2+ was complexed with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) and then entered into the infinite IL drops at high temperature (>70°C). Important variables affecting the microextraction efficiency such as pH, ligand concentration, amount of IL, temperature and incubation time were investigated. The results showed that the coexistent ions had no obvious negative effect on the determination of Pb2+. In the optimum experimental conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and the enhancement factor (EF) were 0.13μgL−1 and 93, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of 10μgL−1 Pb2+ was 4.3%. The developed method was validated by determining Pb2+ in certified reference material (CRM) and the results showed that the determined values of Pb2+ were in good agreement with the certified value. The proposed method was applied satisfactorily for the preconcentration of Pb2+ in acid digested blood samples of children with different respiratory disorders.
► Trace Pb2+ analysis in blood samples of healthy children and with different respiratory disorders. ► Preconcentration of Pb2+ in acid digested blood samples after chelating with a complexing reagent. ► Using multivariate technique for screening the significant factors influencing TIL-DLME of Pb2+. ► The level of Pb2+ in diseased children was significantly higher than referents of same age group.
A simple and rapid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure based on ionic liquid assisted microemulsion (IL-µE-DLLME) combined with cloud point extraction has been developed for ...preconcentration copper (Cu2+) in drinking water and serum samples of adolescent female hepatitits C (HCV) patients. In this method a ternary system was developed to form microemulsion (µE) by phase inversion method (PIM), using ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C4mimPF6) and nonionic surfactant, TX-100 (as a stabilizer in aqueous media). The Ionic liquid microemulsion (IL-µE) was evaluated through visual assessment, optical light microscope and spectrophotometrically. The Cu2+ in real water and aqueous acid digested serum samples were complexed with 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) and extracted into IL-µE medium. The phase separation of stable IL-µE was carried out by the micellar cloud point extraction approach. The influence of of different parameters such as pH, oxine concentration, centrifugation time and rate were investigated. At optimized experimental conditions, the limit of detection and enhancement factor were found to be 0.132µg/L and 70 respectively, with relative standard deviation <5%. In order to validate the developed method, certified reference materials (SLRS-4 Riverine water) and human serum (Sero-M10181) were analyzed. The resulting data indicated a non-significant difference in obtained and certified values of Cu2+. The developed procedure was successfully applied for the preconcentration and determination of trace levels of Cu2+ in environmental and biological samples.
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•Innovative ionic liquid based microemulsion applied as an extractive media for metals.•The microemulsion was stabilized by Triton X100 in aqueous media for >1 week at 25 °C.•IL-µEM is a hydrophobic/ hydrophilic microdomains, enhance the extraction efficiency.•The hepatitis C patients have high levels of Cu in serum than healthy controls.
Humans are exposed to arsenic (As) through air, drinking water, and food. The arsenic (As) hazardous quotient was calculated on the basis of its concentration in drinking water of different origin ...and scalp hair of male subjects (nâ=â313), residents of different exposed and non-exposed areas of Sindh, Pakistan. The total As was determined in water and scalp hair samples, while As species were determined in water samples by advance extraction methodologies. The total As concentrations in drinking water of less-exposed (LE) and high-exposed (HE) areas was found to be 2.63 to 4.46 and 52 to 235, fold higher than the permissible limit, respectively, than recommended by World Health Organization (2004) for drinking water. While the levels of As in drinking water of non-exposed (NE) areas was within the permissible limit. The resulted data indicated that the dominant species was Asâºâµ in groundwater samples. The levels of As in scalp hair samples of male subjects of two age groups (18â30 and 31â50 years), belonging to NE, LE, and HE areas, ranged from 0.26 to 0.69, 0.58 to 1.34, and 15.6 to 60.9 μg/g, respectively. A significant correlation between As levels in drinking water and scalp hair was observed in HE area (râ=â0.86â0.90, pâ
Objectives. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening adverse reaction of antipsychotic drugs, especially of dopamine receptor antagonists (DRA’s). Excitation, exuberant behavior, ...violent behavior and lack of insight predispose the patients to the use of depot preparations and high doses of the antipsychotics. These behaviors also make the patients suffer from dehydration leading to cognitive impairment, confusion and incontinence. In addition to clinical and pharmacological risk factors, legal and ethical risk factors may be contributory towards the incidence, diagnosis and prognosis of NMS in Pakistan. Material and methods. This study was conducted as a descriptive, observational study to determine the frequency of deranged pattern of clinical and laboratory feature patients presenting with Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome at Department of Neurology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi. Data was prospectively collected from patients after taking a verbal consent. 55 patients who met the diagnostic criteria were included. Quantitative data was presented as simple descriptive statistics giving mean and standard deviation and qualitative variables was presented as frequency and percentages. Effect modifiers were controlled through stratification to see the effect of these on the outcome variable. Post stratification chi square test was applied taking p-value of ≤0.05 as significant. Outcomes. A total of 55 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study. Mean age, duration of NMS symptoms, length of hospital stay, SBP and DBP in our study was 39.41±12.67 years, 10.56±7.29 hours, 9.74±3.21 days, 135.87±10.97 mmHg and 83.21±6.42 mmHg. 24 (43.6%) and 31 (56.4%) were male and female. Out of 55 patients, 81.8%, 38.2%, 69.1%, 56.4%, 47.3%, 74.5% and 25.5% had fever, autonomic dysfunction, EPS symptoms, altered GCS, elevated CPK, elevated WBC and abnormal LFT. Conclusions. NMS is an important preventable clinical entity. Early diagnosis and judicious use of antipsychotics is warranted to prevent mortality and heightened morbidity.
