Current trends in bioremediation and bio-integrated treatment of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Petroleum hydrocarbons and their derivatives constitute the leading group of environmental pollutants worldwide. In the present global scenario, petroleum and natural gas production, exploration, petroleum refining, and other anthropogenic activities produce huge amounts of hazardous petroleum wastes that accumulate in the terrestrial and marine environment. Due to their carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and mutagenic characteristics, petroleum pollutants pose severe risks to human health and exert ecotoxicological effects on the ecosystems. To mitigate petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) contamination, implementing "green technologies" for effective cleanup and restoration of an affected environment is considered as a pragmatic approach. This review provides a comprehensive outline of newly emerging bioremediation technologies, for instance; nanobioremediation, electrokinetic bioremediation, vermiremediation, multifunctional and sustainably implemented on-site applied biotechnologies such as; natural attenuation, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, bioventing, phytoremediation and multi-process hybrid technologies. Additionally, the scope of the effectiveness and limitations of individual technologies in treating the petroleum hydrocarbon polluted sites are also evaluated.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Sources, Toxicity, and Remediation Approaches.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread across the globe mainly due to long-term anthropogenic sources of pollution. The inherent properties of PAHs such as heterocyclic aromatic ring structures, hydrophobicity, and thermostability have made them recalcitrant and highly persistent in the environment. PAH pollutants have been determined to be highly toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and immunotoxicogenic to various life forms. Therefore, this review discusses the primary sources of PAH emissions, exposure routes, and toxic effects on humans, in particular. This review briefly summarizes the physical and chemical PAH remediation approaches such as membrane filtration, soil washing, adsorption, electrokinetic, thermal, oxidation, and photocatalytic treatments. This review provides a detailed systematic compilation of the eco-friendly biological treatment solutions for remediation of PAHs such as microbial remediation approaches using bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, and co-cultures. In situ and ex situ biological treatments such as land farming, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, phytoremediation, bioreactor, and vermiremediation approaches are discussed in detail, and a summary of the factors affecting and limiting PAH bioremediation is also discussed. An overview of emerging technologies employing multi-process combinatorial treatment approaches is given, and newer concepts on generation of value-added by-products during PAH remediation are highlighted in this review.

Eco-electrogenic treatment of dyestuff wastewater using constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell system with an evaluation of electrode-enriched microbial community structures.

This work studied eco-electrogenic treatment of real dyestuff wastewater along with characterization of electrode-enriched microbial community structures in Fimbristylis dichotoma planted closed-circuit constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) system. The CW-MFC-2 (experimental system) achieved 82.2 ±â€¯1.7% ADMI removal and 70 ±â€¯2% COD reduction; that were found to be 9% and 7.4% higher than the standalone constructed wetland (CW) system (bioremediation control) respectively. Likewise, the CW-MFC-2 system achieved maximum power density of 198.8 mW/m2, which was 85.6 ±â€¯2.47% higher than the CW-MFC-1 system (eco-electricity control). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assays revealed significant down-regulation of hepatic oxidative stress response biomarker genes in Oreochromis niloticus exposed to CW-MFC-2 system treated dyestuff wastewater as compared with untreated wastewater. The biofilms associated with the anode and cathode of the CW-MFC-2 system exhibited selective enrichment of electrochemically active and dye degrading microbial communities.

Analysis of clinical characteristics, rationale, and management of critically ill obstetric patients transferred to ICU.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics, rationale for transfer of critically ill obstetric patients to intensive care unit and their management therein. METHODS: The observational retrospective case series study was conducted at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, Pakistan, and comprised critically ill female patients transferred to intensive care unit from the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology between August 2011 and June 2013. The data was collected on pre-designed proforma which included demographic characteristics of patients, their symptomatology and initial diagnosis, intervention in the department, continuing or subsequent complications/reasons for admission to intensive care unit, management and stay there and, finally, outcome. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: The mean age of 150 patients in the study was 30.3±5.047years,mean parity was 2.49±2.207.The most common condition affecting women and leading to their transfer to intensive care was eclampsia/pre-eclampsia in 80(53.33%) followed by bleeding disorders in 25(16.65%) and septic shock in 24(16%). The mean stay in intensive care was 4.47±2.53 days, and 38(25.3%) patients required ventilator support, while 112(74.7%) were managed with oxygen and inotropic support. The overall maternal mortality rate was 41(27.3%), which included 19(16.9%) patients managed without ventilator, and 22 (57.8%) managed with ventilator (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive and bleeding disorders were the main reasons for transfer of obstetric patients to intensive care unit, and maternal mortality was high among patients treated on ventilator support.

Exploring the role of curcumin containing ethanolic extract obtained from Curcuma longa (rhizomes) against retardation of wound healing process by aspirin.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the curcumin containing ethanolic extract (EtOH) obtained from Curcuma longa (Cl) against retardation of wound healing by aspirin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wound healing process was retarded by administering the dose of 150 mg/kg body weight of aspirin orally for 9 days to observe the effect of EtOH obtained from Cl using excision and incision wound model in rats. The various parameters such as % wound contraction, epithelialization period, hydroxyproline, tensile strength were observed at variant time intervals and histopathological study was also performed. RESULTS: Curcumin containing 5% and 10% ethanolic extract ointment have shown significant (P < 0.01) wound healing activity against an aspirin (administered 150 mg/kg body weight orally for 9 days) retarded wound healing process. Topical application of ointment showed significant (P < 0.01) difference as compared to the control group. Histopathological studies also showed healing of the epidermis, increased collagen, fibroblasts and blood vessels. CONCLUSION: Ethanolic extract of Cl ointment (EtOHCl) containing 10% curcumin displayed remarkable healing process against wound retardation by aspirin.

A clinical study of ectopic pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of ectopic pregnancy is increasing throughout the globe and it is the most life threatening emergency in first trimester of pregnancy. Objective of this study was to determine the frequency, risk factors, clinical presentation and management of ectopic pregnancy. METHODS: This prospective descriptive study was conducted in Gynaecology and Obstetrical Unit-II of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital Hyderabad from 1st May 2009 to 30th April 2012. All women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy were included in the study. A predesigned pro forma was used to record the details about demographic features, pre-existing risk factors, clinical features at presentation and management of ectopic pregnancy. Data was analysed using SPSS-11. RESULTS: Total numbers of admission during study period were 9600 with 60 cases of ectopic pregnancy, thus representing the frequency of 0.6% (1 in 160). Majority of women 43 (72%) were of 20-30 year age, multigravida 31 (52%) were the most sufferers. Pelvic inflammatory disease 27 (45%), previous abortion 20 (33%), previous surgery 12 (20%) were seen as common risk factors; however no risk factor was identified in 21 (35%) women. Typical history of amenorrhea and abdominal pain was found in 46 (77%) women, 23 (38%) were in a state of shock. Laparotomy was performed in 53 (88%) women. Three (5%) women were treated successfully with methotrexate. Laparoscopic surgery was done in 2 patients and 2 patients were required both Laparoscopy proceeded by laparotomy. No maternal death related to ectopic pregnancy was reported in our study. CONCLUSION: The early diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy is one of the greatest challenges for obstetricians. The importance of early diagnosis lies in the fact that the lady can be offered a conservative line of management which can definitely have beneficial on her reproductive carrier.

Outcome of primigravida with high head at term.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the progress of labour, need of medical and surgical intervention and foetal and maternal outcome in primigravida with high head at term METHODS: The prospective descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences, Nawabshah, Pakistan, from Jan 1 to June30, 2011, and comprised 100 primigravida with unengaged head at term and at onset of labour. Detailed history was taken in each case and general, systemic and obstetric examination was done. Pelvic assessment and ultrasonography was performed. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis. RESULT: Of the 100 women in the study, 70 (70%) were aged between 20-30 years.The most common identified cause of non-engaged head was deflexed head in 28 (28%), while no cause was found in 45(45%) women. Further, 45 (45%) women presented with spontaneous labour, while labour had to be induced with prostaglandin in the rest. Vaginal delivery occurred in 59 (59%) cases and caesarean section was performed in 41 (41%).The duration of labour was < 12 hours in 32 (32%) cases. Postpartum haemorrhage affected 10 (10%) patients, wound infection was seen in 7 (7%), and perineal tear in 2 (2%). Apgar score at 5 minutes was 7-10 in 75 (75%), 4-6 in (20%), 3 and below in 5 (5%) of neonates.

Morbidity and mortality associated with obstetric hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric hysterectomy still complicates a substantial number of pregnancies in third world countries and is a significant cause of obstetric morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to evaluate in our setup the frequency of obstetric hysterectomy, its indication, risk factors, complication, morbidity, mortality and avoidable factors. METHODS: A descriptive study of all patients who under went obstetric hysterectomy was conducted from 1st May, 2004 to 31st October, 2005 at Gynaecology and Obstetric Unit-II, III of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Science Hospital, Hyderabad. After collecting the data on pre-designed proforma the data was fed to SPSS in the form of frequency distribution tables and percentages were calculated. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using Chi-square test. The level of significance was taken as p<0.05. RESULTS: During the study time period there were total 6495 deliveries and 41 cases of obstetric hysterectomy were identified, giving a frequency of 0.63% or 1 in 158 deliveries. Most of patients were from rural areas (82.92%), un-booked 73.17%), uneducated (95%), lower socioeconomical class (92.69%), 25-29 years age (48.78%) multiparae (56.10%), have to travel a distance of <100 km to reach hospital and referred late (51%) by healthcare providers (doctors). Majority of hysterectomies were performed due to ruptured uteri (51.21%). There were 5 maternal and 26 perinatal deaths; all were due to severity of conditions necessitating hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Incidence of obstetric hysterectomy in our woman is very high. The reason being many avoidable factors such as high parity, inadequate maternity and family planning services, lack of proper referral system, un-booked status, mismanaged labour, illiteracy on the part of woman herself, family and health care providers are not taken care of during pregnancy, labour and puerperium.