Biosynthesis and Mathematical Interpretation of Zero-Valent Iron NPs Using Nigella sativa Seed Tincture for Indemnification of Carcinogenic Metals Present in Industrial Effluents.

Zero-valent iron nanoparticles (ZVI-NPs) are utilized for the indemnification of a wide range of environmental pollutants. Among the pollutants, heavy metal contamination is the major environmental concern due to their increasing prevalence and durability. In this study, heavy metal remediation capabilities are determined by the green synthesis of ZVI-NPs using aqueous seed extract of Nigella sativa which is a convenient, environmentally friendly, efficient, and cost-effective technique. The seed extract of Nigella sativa was utilized as a capping and reducing agent for the generation of ZVI-NPs. UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to investigate the ZVI-NP composition, shape, elemental constitution, and perspective functional groups, respectively. The biosynthesized ZVI-NPs displayed a peak of plasmon resonance spectra at 340 nm. The synthesized NPs were cylindrical in shape, with a size of 2 nm and (-OH) hydroxyl, (C-H) alkanes and alkynes N-C, N=C, C-O, =CH functional groups attached to the surface of ZVI-NPs. Heavy metals were successfully remediated from industrial wastewater collected from the various tanneries of Kasur. During the reaction duration of 24 h, different concentrations of ZVI-NPs (10 µg, 20 µg and 30 µg) per 100 mL were utilized for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. The 30 µg/100 mL of ZVI-NPs proved the pre-eminent concentration of NPs as it removed >90% of heavy metals. The synthesized ZVI-NPs were analyzed for compatibility with the biological system resulting in 87.7% free radical scavenging, 96.16% inhibition of protein denaturation, 60.29% and 46.13% anti-cancerism against U87-MG and HEK 293 cell lines, respectively. The physiochemical and exposure mathematical models of ZVI-NPs represented them as stable and ecofriendly NPs. It proved that biologically synthesized NPs from a seed tincture of Nigella sativa have a strong potential to indemnify heavy metals found in industrial effluent samples.

A mechanistic approach for toxicity and risk assessment of heavy metals, hydroquinone and microorganisms in cosmetic creams.

The demand and importance of fairness creams as a major cosmetic have increased significantly in recent years. However, some of these cosmetics contain heavy metals, hydroquinone and microorganism that can cause various health problems. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine and examine the concentration of metals (i.e. Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Hg), hydroquinone and microorganisms in nine different fairness creams produced by local and international brands. The health risk assessment of the tested substances for consumers was accessed through systemic exposure dosage (SED), margin of safety (MoS), lifetime cancer risk (LCR), hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). The concentration of Zn and Hg were found the highest and measured in the range of 17.82-138.06 mg.kg-1 and 2.3-141 mg.kg-1, respectively. The concentrations of other metals were determined as 0.06-0.67 mg.kg-1 of Cd, 0.43-1.55 mg.kg-1 of Cr, 0.14-1.43 mg.kg-1 of Ni and 0.3-1.34 mg.kg-1 of Pb. HPLC results showed a significant presence of hydroquinone in the range of 0.12-7.2%. The total viable counts of cosmetic samples showed the substantial presence of microorganisms, and 44% of the collected samples surpassed the permissible limit of 100 cfu/g recommended by European Union. Many of the collected samples exceeded the MoS, HQ and HI tolerance limits. However, the LCR value in all samples was significantly higher than the acceptable limit. Therefore, it is advised to avoid overuse of these products in order to ensure human safety and reduce the risks to skin health.

Outcome of dorsal buccal graft urethroplasty in female urethral stricture disease (FUSD); our institutional experience.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Female urethral stricture is a poorly studied disease entity. To date, its management has been poorly evaluated, with small numbers and various definitions of success. Treatment options traditionally have been urethral dilatation and/or self-catheterization with success rates ranging from only 14 to 49%. However, there has been increasing use of urethroplasty due to the improved success rate (70 to 100%). In this study we assessed the outcome of dorsal buccal mucosal grafts in female urethral stricture disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study we prospectively analyzed 25 female patients treated from 2014 to 2019 at our institute; ages ranged from 26 to 66 years. Dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty was performed in all patients. The pathology of female urethral stricture disease is unknown, and neither the pre- nor the intraoperative assessment allows determining the precise location and extent or the severity of urethral damage; therefore, we advocate extensive grafting of the entire urethra. Patients were followed every 3 months during the 1st year and then biannually with lower urinary tract symptom, uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine assessments. Stricture recurrence (failure) was defined as recurrence of symptoms, no change or reversal in Qmax and post-void residual urine values and failure of negotiation of a 17-Fr cystoscope. RESULTS: Success rate of our surgical intervention was > 90%. We observed that the mid-urethra was the most common location of the stricture. Stricture location was confined to the distal urethra in 12%, the mid-urethra in 16%, spanned the distal mid-urethra in 16%, spanned the mid-proximal urethra in 40% and spanned the pan-urethra in 16%. Mean stricture length was 1.8 (0.7-2.1) cm. Mean pre- versus postoperative Qmax was 5 ml/s versus 23.3 ml/s and mean residual urine was 178 ml versus 18.5 ml. Two patients had stricture recurrence at 3 months post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Dorsal buccal mucosal graft currently represents a prime choice for female urethral stricture reconstruction, keeping in view the advantages of the procedure such as easy availability of the graft and fewer donor site comorbidities. We emphasize upfront urethroplasty and extensive urethral grafting.

Stentless laparoscopic pyeloplasty: A single center experience.

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of laparoscopic stentless pyeloplasty for congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective comparative study conducted over a period of 5 years. The study included 35 cases of primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) with mean age of 29.5 years, divided in two groups- Group A (stent-less, 18 patients) and Group B (stented, 17 patients). Follow up ranged from one to 4years (mean 2 years). Transperitoneal laparoscopic Anderson- Hyene's pyeloplasty was standard for both the groups. Perioperative and postoperative complications were prospectively collected and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 17 version using Pearson chi square test. RESULTS: Both the groups were comparable with respect to preoperative differential renal function (DRF) and time required for maximum activity in minutes (tmax.min). Average post operative DRF was significantly higher than preoperative DRF in both the groups. Average tmax was significantly lower after pyeloplasty than pre operative tmax. Mean operative time, mean duration of urethral catheter, and mean duration of drain removal were comparable in both the groups. However bothersome irritative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and hematuria were significantly more in group B patients (P < 0.0001 and <0.013 respectively). CONCLUSION: In experienced hands, laparoscopic stentless pyeloplasty is as effective method for treating UPJO as its stented counterpart. It is cost effective, avoids stent-related morbidity, and could be performed without compromising the success rate. However, more randomized studies are needed to evaluate the safety of stentless pyeloplasty.

Postpercutaneous nephrolithotomy nephrostogram: is it mandatory? A single center experience.

Aims and Objective. "Postpercutaneous nephrolithotomy nephrostogram" (PPNN) is routinely performed in most of the centers. No published series could be found in the literature without post percutaneous nephrolithotomy nephrostogram. Hence, the aim of our study is to highlight that post percutaneous nephrolithotomy nephrostogram is not mandatory and it only adds to cost and morbidity without adding any information in the management of such patients. Methods. It was a prospective study from 2005 to 2012, conducted in our institute. It included 119 patients of renal stones who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed under the guidance of a single surgeon. Postoperative nephrostogram was not done in any of the patients. Results. Complete stone clearance was achieved in 97.5% of patients and 2.5% of patients needed two to three sessions of ESWL later on. None of the patients needed second look percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrostogram. Conclusion. Postpercutaneous nephrolithotomy nephrostogram increases chances of infection, inconvenience, contrast related complications, and cost, with no added advantage over plain X-ray KUB, and it should not be done as a routine investigation prior to the removal of PCN tube in patients with complete stone clearance.