Assessment of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air of different settings and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan / Avaliação de material particulado (MP) no ar ambiente de diferentes configurações e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão

Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant causing serious health problems. The aim of the present study was to find out concentration of PM in ambient air and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan. Twenty-three samples were taken at various educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries in Haripur city. Concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) and PM10 (µg/m3) was measured with Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A portable PM counter. The results revealed that values of both PM2.5 and PM10 were above the permissible limits (35 µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 150 µg/m3 for PM10) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA) in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries investigated. Furthermore, significant (p<0.05) variation was found in the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas, and industries studied. The concentration of PM2.5 was positively correlated with the concentration of PM10 in all the sampling sites. Therefore, from 1-14 scale standard of health index, the values of PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited that the ambient air quality of Haripur city Pakistan is under high risk. If the regulatory authorities such as Environmental Protection Agency, Health Department and Local Government monitor PM pollution in different settings of Haripur city, then a decrease can be possible in the pollution level. The remedies that can be taken to overcome the problem of ambient air pollution such as PM are plantation of trees at the sites where there are higher levels of air pollutants and use of masks on personal protection basis along with implementation of pollution control system in industries of Hattar Industrial Estate Haripur city, Pakistan.

O material particulado (MP) é um importante poluente do ar que causa sérios problemas de saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descobrir a concentração de MP no ar ambiente e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão. Vinte e três amostras foram coletadas em várias instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias na cidade de Haripur. A concentração de MP2,5 (µg/m3) e MP10 (µg/m3) foi medida por meio do contador de MP portátil Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A. Os resultados revelaram que os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 estavam acima dos limites permitidos (35 µg/m3 para MP2,5 e 150 µg/m3 para MP10) estabelecidos pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental do Paquistão (Pak-EPA) em todas as instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias investigadas. Além disso, foi encontrada variação significativa (p < 0,05) na concentração de MP2,5 e MP10 em todos os locais estudados. A concentração de MP2,5 correlacionou-se positivamente com a concentração de MP10 em todos os locais de amostragem. Portanto, a partir da escala padrão 1-14 do índice de saúde, os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 mostraram que a qualidade do ar ambiente na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão, está sob alto risco. Se as autoridades reguladoras, como a Pak-EPA, o Departamento de Saúde e o governo local, monitorarem a poluição por MP em diferentes configurações da cidade de Haripur, pode ser que haja uma diminuição no nível de poluição. As medidas que podem ser tomadas para superar o problema da poluição do ar ambiente, como o MP, são o plantio de árvores nos locais onde há maiores níveis de poluentes atmosféricos, o uso de máscaras e a implantação de sistema de controle de poluição nas propriedades industriais de Hattar, na cidade Haripur, Paquistão.

Assessment of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air of different settings and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan

Abstract Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant causing serious health problems. The aim of the present study was to find out concentration of PM in ambient air and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan. Twenty-three samples were taken at various educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries in Haripur city. Concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) and PM10 (µg/m3) was measured with Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A portable PM counter. The results revealed that values of both PM2.5 and PM10 were above the permissible limits (35 µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 150 µg/m3 for PM10) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA) in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries investigated. Furthermore, significant (p 0.05) variation was found in the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas, and industries studied. The concentration of PM2.5 was positively correlated with the concentration of PM10 in all the sampling sites. Therefore, from 1-14 scale standard of health index, the values of PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited that the ambient air quality of Haripur city Pakistan is under high risk. If the regulatory authorities such as Environmental Protection Agency, Health Department and Local Government monitor PM pollution in different settings of Haripur city, then a decrease can be possible in the pollution level. The remedies that can be taken to overcome the problem of ambient air pollution such as PM are plantation of trees at the sites where there are higher levels of air pollutants and use of masks on personal protection basis along with implementation of pollution control system in industries of Hattar Industrial Estate Haripur city, Pakistan.

Resumo O material particulado (MP) é um importante poluente do ar que causa sérios problemas de saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descobrir a concentração de MP no ar ambiente e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão. Vinte e três amostras foram coletadas em várias instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias na cidade de Haripur. A concentração de MP2,5 (µg/m3) e MP10 (µg/m3) foi medida por meio do contador de MP portátil Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A. Os resultados revelaram que os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 estavam acima dos limites permitidos (35 µg/m3 para MP2,5 e 150 µg/m3 para MP10) estabelecidos pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental do Paquistão (Pak-EPA) em todas as instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias investigadas. Além disso, foi encontrada variação significativa (p 0,05) na concentração de MP2,5 e MP10 em todos os locais estudados. A concentração de MP2,5 correlacionou-se positivamente com a concentração de MP10 em todos os locais de amostragem. Portanto, a partir da escala padrão 1-14 do índice de saúde, os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 mostraram que a qualidade do ar ambiente na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão, está sob alto risco. Se as autoridades reguladoras, como a Pak-EPA, o Departamento de Saúde e o governo local, monitorarem a poluição por MP em diferentes configurações da cidade de Haripur, pode ser que haja uma diminuição no nível de poluição. As medidas que podem ser tomadas para superar o problema da poluição do ar ambiente, como o MP, são o plantio de árvores nos locais onde há maiores níveis de poluentes atmosféricos, o uso de máscaras e a implantação de sistema de controle de poluição nas propriedades industriais de Hattar, na cidade Haripur, Paquistão.

The level and distribution of selected organochlorine pesticides in water of River Satluj Pakistan.

The study was aimed to identify different environmental factors (selected organochlorine pesticides) affecting the river water of Satluj. River Sutlej is about 1400 kilometers long and its water is extensively used for irrigation in Punjab, located both in India and Pakistan, which was also a reason of dispute between both countries for its water share. The study area was divided into four zones, Sulemanki Zone, Islam Zone, Mailsi Syphone Zone and Panjnad Zone. Liquid Liquid Extraction (LLE) technique was used for the collected water samples followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) UV-Visible detector The current finding revealed that aldrin was not detected during summer period in water samples of SZ-1 (Sulemanki Barrage), SZ-2 and SZ-3 (Maisli Siphon) of the study area. Lindane and DDE were found more in the samples of sediments from the study area at SZ-4 ranging from 2.238-8.226 ppb and 4.234-6.876 ppb, respectively. Heaptachlor (in sediments) was found to be0.032-234 ppb only at SZ-4.Endosulfan concentrations in water (winter) at SZ-3 was 0.06 ppb and at SZ-4,it was 0.05 ppb; dieldrin in water (winter) at SZ-4 was 0.0314 ppb and heptachlor was detected at SZ-1 (0.0315 ppb) and SZ-2 (0.0310 ppb) in water during winter season, were reaching to the Maximum Concentrations Limits (MCL), while all other residues investigated were found below the MCLin all the compartments of the study area set by various agencies like WHO/FAO- Codex Alimenterious. Present findings revealed that although the organochlorine pesticides are banned for agricultural use in many countries, including Pakistan, their presence in various samples might be due to illegal use of these pesticides in the study area and its neighboring regions. The overall study area comprises of mainly urban, suburban and agricultural land being the largest cotton growing area of the country. There is a need to take serious steps to minimize water pollution caused by pesticides to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Presence of selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediments and biota of River Satluj, Pakistan: first report.

In the developed countries, the use of OCPs (organochlorine pesticides) has been banned. However, in South Asia several of them are still in use. In Pakistan and India a constant addition of OCPs into the atmosphere has been indicated by various researchers. In this study levels of selected organochlorine pesticide residues were assessed in sediment and biota collected from four (4) water reservoirs (3 Barrages & 1 Siphon) on the River Satluj Pakistan, along 231 miles (372 km) of River stretch which was further divided into 12 sampling sites. It was aimed to find out the levels of organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues in sediments and from selected fish species (Labeo rohita, Wallagu attu, Cyprinus carpio) of the River Satluj Pakistan. The Organochlorine residues (seven pesticides) present in samples of sediments and biota were investigated through multi residue method, using Gas Chromatograph (GC-ECD).In the current study, the concentration of DDT, was investigated in Wallago attu (0.786-3.987 ppb), Labeo rohita (0.779-4.355 ppb) and Cyprinus carpio (1.234-5.654 ppb). DDE was also found in Cyprinus carpio (1.244-6.322 ppb), Wallag attu (0.877-4.221 ppb) and Labeo rohita (2.112-5.897 ppb). Aldrin was not observed in Labeo rohita and Wallago attu. Currently, lindane and DDE was found predominately high in the sediments of study area at SZ-4 (Panjnad Barrage) ranging (2.238-8.226 ppb) and (4.234-6.876 ppb), respectively. Heaptachlor was found only at SZ-4 (Panjnad Barrage) from the sediments with concentration ranging (0.032-234 ppb). In short all other residues investigated were found below the MCL (maximum concentration level) in all the compartments of the study area set by various agencies like WHO/FAO- Codex Alimenterious.

Harmony search: Current studies and uses on healthcare systems.

One of the popular metaheuristic search algorithms is Harmony Search (HS). It has been verified that HS can find solutions to optimization problems due to its balanced exploratory and convergence behavior and its simple and flexible structure. This capability makes the algorithm preferable to be applied in several real-world applications in various fields, including healthcare systems, different engineering fields, and computer science. The popularity of HS urges us to provide a comprehensive survey of the literature on HS and its variants on health systems, analyze its strengths and weaknesses, and suggest future research directions. In this review paper, the current studies and uses of harmony search are studied in four main domains. (i) The variants of HS, including its modifications and hybridization. (ii) Summary of the previous review works. (iii) Applications of HS in healthcare systems. (iv) And finally, an operational framework is proposed for the applications of HS in healthcare systems. The main contribution of this review is intended to provide a thorough examination of HS in healthcare systems while also serving as a valuable resource for prospective scholars who want to investigate or implement this method.

Nuclear model analysis and optimization of production data of the medically interesting 66,67,68 Ga via alpha induced reactions on 63,65 Cu targets.

Evaluation of the 63Cu(α,n)66Ga, 65Cu(α,2n) 67Ga and 65Cu(α,n)68Ga reactions was done to study the production of medical radionuclides 66Ga, 67Ga and 68Ga respectively. 63Cu(α,2n)65Ga and 65Cu(α,3n)66Ga reactions were also evaluated for the estimation of radioisotopic impurities. Cross section data of each reaction were compiled and normalized to the standard values of decay data and monitor reaction. To check the consistency of the literature data, three nuclear model calculations were performed, using nuclear model codes; TAYLS 1.9, ALICE-IPPE, and EMPIRE 3.2. A well-developed evaluation methodology based on the normalized experimental data and nuclear model calculations was used to generate the statistically fitted cross sections. From the fitted cross sections, thick target yields for each reaction were calculated for the estimation of radioisotopic impurities. Finally, a suitable energy region for the production of 66Ga, 67Ga and 68Ga was suggested with a minimum level of radioisotopic impurities.

Assessment of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air of different settings and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan.

Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant causing serious health problems. The aim of the present study was to find out concentration of PM in ambient air and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan. Twenty-three samples were taken at various educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries in Haripur city. Concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) and PM10 (µg/m3) was measured with Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A portable PM counter. The results revealed that values of both PM2.5 and PM10 were above the permissible limits (35 µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 150 µg/m3 for PM10) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA) in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries investigated. Furthermore, significant (p<0.05) variation was found in the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas, and industries studied. The concentration of PM2.5 was positively correlated with the concentration of PM10 in all the sampling sites. Therefore, from 1-14 scale standard of health index, the values of PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited that the ambient air quality of Haripur city Pakistan is under high risk. If the regulatory authorities such as Environmental Protection Agency, Health Department and Local Government monitor PM pollution in different settings of Haripur city, then a decrease can be possible in the pollution level. The remedies that can be taken to overcome the problem of ambient air pollution such as PM are plantation of trees at the sites where there are higher levels of air pollutants and use of masks on personal protection basis along with implementation of pollution control system in industries of Hattar Industrial Estate Haripur city, Pakistan.

Perioperative Research into Memory (PRiMe): Cognitive impairment following a severe burn injury and critical care admission, part 1.

INTRODUCTION: An investigation into long-term cognitive impairment and Quality of Life (QoL) after severe burns. METHODS: A proof of principle, cohort design, prospective, observational clinical study. Patients with severe burns (>15% TBSA) admitted to Burns ICU for invasive ventilation were recruited for psychocognitive assessment with a convenience sample of age and sex-matched controls. Participants completed psychological and QoL questionnaires, the Cogstate® electronic battery, Hopkins Verbal Learning, Verbal Fluency and Trail making tasks. RESULTS: 15 patients (11M, 4F; 41±14 years; TBSA 38.4%±18.5) and comparators (11M, 4F; 40±13 years) were recruited. Burns patients reported worse QoL (Neuro-QoL Short Form v2, patient 30.1±8.2, control 38.7±3.2, p=0.0004) and cognitive function (patient composite z-score 0.01, IQR -0.11 to 0.33, control 0.13, IQR 0.47-0.73, p=0.02). Compared to estimated premorbid FSIQ, patients dropped an equivalent of 8 IQ points (p=0.002). Cognitive function negatively correlated with burn severity (rBaux score, p=0.04). QoL strongly correlated with depressive symptoms (Rho=-0.67, p=0.009) but not cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: Severe burns injuries are associated with a significant, global, cognitive deficit. Patients also report worse QoL, depression and post-traumatic stress. Perceived QoL from cognitive impairment was more closely associated with depression than cognitive impairment.

TLR8 gene polymorphism and association in bacterial load in southern Punjab of Pakistan: an association study with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Only 5-10% of people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis develop active tuberculosis which suggests a role of genetic variation in host immunity. Genetic variants in TLRs are potential indicator for host susceptibility and outcome of several diseases. We explored the association of nonsynonymous genetic variants (Met1Val) with Toll-like receptor 8 in Pakistani population. Genotypic and allelic distribution of TLR8 polymorphism (rs3764880) in patients with TB and healthy donors from different areas of southern Punjab, Pakistan, was determined. Results provide that our population is highly influenced by TLR8 Met1Val SNP for TB, and G allele appeared to increase TB susceptibility. Mutant genotype GG or G/- and G allele was significantly higher among all the categories of cases than in controls. Among different levels of bacillary load and genotypes, GG or G/- and G allele significantly supports the incidence of 2 + class for bacterial load.

Congenital factor XIII deficiency in Pakistan: characterization of seven families and identification of four novel mutations.

Deficiency of coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) belongs to the rare bleeding disorders and its incidence is higher in populations with consanguineous marriages. The aims of this study were to characterize patients and relatives from seven families with suspected FXIII deficiency from Pakistan and to identify the underlying mutations. As a first indicator of FXIII deficiency, a 5M urea clot solubility test was used. Plasma FXIII A- and B-subunit antigen levels were determined by ELISA. FXIII activity was measured with an incorporation assay. Sequencing of all exons and intron/exon boundaries of F13A was performed, and a novel splice site defect was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. Genetic analysis revealed six different mutations in the F13A gene. Two splice site mutations were detected, a novel c.1460+1G>A mutation in the first nucleotide of intron 11 and a previously reported c.2045G>A mutation in the last nucleotide of exon 14. Neither of them was expressed at protein level. A novel nonsense mutation in exon 4, c.567T>A, p.Cys188X, was identified, leading in homozygous form to severe FXIII deficiency. Two novel missense mutations were found in exons 8 and 9, c.1040C>A, p.Ala346Asp and c.1126T>C, p.Trp375Arg, and a previously reported missense mutation in exon 10, c.1241C>T, p.Ser413Leu. All patients homozygous for these missense mutations presented with severe FXIII deficiency. We have analysed a cohort of 27 individuals and reported four novel mutations leading to congenital FXIII deficiency.

Role of Toll-like receptor 2 (-196 to -174) polymorphism in susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in Pakistani population.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health problem and a source of preventable deaths each year, with 8.8 million new cases of TB and 1.6 million deaths worldwide. Pakistan ranks sixth on the list of 22 high-burden tuberculosis countries in the world. The transitions from infection to clinical disease are very few signifying that host-defence factors could lead to the development of active disease. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 polymorphisms have been associated with regulation of TLR expression and development of active TB. In this study, blood samples of 187 subjects including 100 healthy and 87 TB positive were collected from three districts of Pakistan. DNA was extracted from blood and TLR 2 (-196 to -174del) polymorphism was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results suggest that the frequency of -196 to -174del/del polymorphism of TLR2 was significantly higher in TB-positive patients compared with healthy. Results revealed that (-196 to -174del) polymorphism may increase the susceptibility to TB in healthy population of Pakistan. Moreover, males with heterozygous genotype (I/D) are more prone to TB than females with the same genotype. The occurrence of TB infection has been found positively associated with the age, suggesting that the population within the range of 21-45 years is more susceptible to Mycobacterium tuberculosis than other age groups studied. A significant association is also observed between smoking and the chances of developing TB, confirming that smoking strongly promotes its incidence.

Studies on the atropisomerism of Fe(II) 2,6-bis(N-arylimino)pyridine complexes.

NMR spectra of free 2,6-bis(N-arylimino)pyridine (PDI) ligands displaying different substituents at the ortho and ortho' positions of the two N-aryl rings indicate that they can exist in syn (meso) and anti (chiral) configurations. These interconvert in solution at room temperature, via rotation of the aryl group. The corresponding paramagnetic FeX(2)(PDI) complexes exhibit the same kind of isomerism, a property that is thought to be important for their activity as alpha-olefin polymerization catalysts. For the first time, this has been detected by (1)H NMR and studied in solution. Although the conformational stability of the diastereoisomeric complexes varies widely (depending on the size of the substituents at the imine and the aromatic rings), a moderate degree of steric hindrance suffices to allow their chemical separation. A simple procedure is developed for the preparation of these complexes in diastereoisomerically pure form. In addition, introduction of a prochiral substituent in the pyridine ring enables positive assignment of the stereoisomers. Isomerization rate measurements of the Fe(II) complexes in solution suggest that isomerization very likely involves the dissociation of the corresponding Fe-N(imino) bond prior to the rotation of N-aryl groups. DFT calculations provide additional support to the conformational assignment as well as the dissociative isomerization mechanism.

Separation of a diiminopyridine iron(II) complex into rac- and meso- diastereoisomers provides evidence for a dual stereoregulation mechanism in propene polymerization.

Separation of a diiminopyridine iron(II) complex into its rac- and meso- diastereoisomers provides for first time the opportunity of observing the enantiomorphic site control competing with the chain-end control mechanism in a non-metallocene catalyst system.

[An evaluation of the Spacelabs 90207 model of the ambulatory arterial pressure monitoring system]. / Validación del sistema de monitorización ambulatoria de presión arterial modelo SpaceLabs 90207.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to validate the SpaceLabs 90207 apparatus used in non-invasive outpatient monitoring of blood pressure. METHODS: The measurements of blood pressure (BP) and cardiac frequency (CF) obtained with the SpaceLabs monitor were compared with those obtained with a mercury sphygmomanometer used as the reference method in 86 patients with a wide range of ages and BP. The differences between both methods of measurement were quantified by a previously protocolized grade system from the British Hypertension Society (BHS). RESULTS: The mean of the differences between both systems of reading was 1.59 +/- 5.9 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP) 1.05 +/- 4.4 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP) and -0.64 +/- 2.55 beats per minute for the CF. The accumulated percentage of differences of BP less than or equal to 5, 10 and 15 mmHg was of 74, 89 and 96%, respectively corresponding to grade B according to the validation protocol of the BHS. Grade B was obtained in all the interval differences of BP except within the range of DBP greater than or equal to 100 mmHg which showed grade A. Grades A or B were obtained in all the age groups except for grade C in the SBP of subjects over the age of 65. CONCLUSIONS: The SpaceLabs 90207 monitor satisfies the criteria of internationally accepted validation criteria, therefore, its use can be recommended for the outpatient blood pressure measurement.