Profile of noise pollution in Lucknow city and its impact on environment

Automobiles, construction, festivals, factories, stations, diesel shades, garages and workshops are sources of noise. Vehicles are increasing enormously beyond the carrying capacity of the road. Study was carried out at 12 locations with sound level meter to assess day time and night time noise levels of Lucknow city. In residential areas, noise ranged between 67.7 to 78.9 and 52.9 to 56.4; in commercial cum traffic areas 74.8 to 84.2 and 68.2 to 74.9 and in industrial areas 76.9-77.2 and 72.2-73.1 dB(A) during day and night time respectively. Values were higher than their prescribed standards which may pose a significant impact on quality of life.

Natural radionuclides in zircon and related radiological impacts in mineral separation plants

The activity concentration of uranium and thorium present in zircon obtained from mineral sand industries are presented. External gamma radiation levels and inhalation of airborne dust are found to be the significant routes of radiation exposure to occupational workers. The annual average dose attributed to zircon processing is estimated to be 2.3 mSv in the plants under study. This paper presents the results of external gamma measurements, estimation of airborne radioactivity in zircon process locations and radon and thoron in the occupational environment of two mineral separation plants in India. Analyses of the solid wastes and liquid effluent generated and resultant environmental impacts are indicated.

Pill-induced esophageal injury: endoscopic features and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Pill-induced esophageal injury is a common but under-reported problem. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical and endoscopic features, and the outcome of pill-related esophageal injury.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Endoscopy records for the period from January 1997 to June 2003 were searched for reports of esophageal pathology. The records of patients with pill-induced esophageal injury were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 92 patients with pill-induced esophageal injury were identified (33 men, 59 women; mean age 59, range 25-87). Common symptoms were odynophagia (n = 69, 75 %), chest pain (n = 55, 60 %), vomiting (n = 53, 58 %), dysphagia (n = 31, 33 %), and hematemesis (n = 14, 15 %). The endoscopic findings in the esophagus were: erythema in 76 patients (83 %), erosions in 53 patients (58 %), ulcers in 24 patients (26 %), seven of which were "kissing" ulcers, esophageal ulcer with bleeding in 17 patients (18 %), and esophageal strictures in seven patients (8 %). The causative pills were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 38 patients (41 %), tetracyclines in 20 patients (22 %), potassium chloride tablets in nine patients (10 %), alendronate in eight patients (9 %), and other drugs in 17 patients (18 %). Underlying diseases included diabetes in 60 patients (65 %), ischemic heart disease in 39 patients (42 %), and hypothyroidism in four patients (4 %). The mean hospital stay was 1.94 days; 14 patients (15 %) required injection of epinephrine 1 : 10,000 to control bleeding; and two patients died.

CONCLUSIONS

Pill-induced injury may present as erosions, kissing ulcers, and multiple small areas of ulceration with bleeding, mainly in the middle third of the esophagus. Advanced age, female gender, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease were common associations. The majority of patients made an uneventful recovery.

Role of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid on hyperhomocysteinemia in a Pakistani population of patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Pakistani people belong to an ethnic group which has the highest rate of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the possible correlation between deficiency of vitamins B6, B12 or folic acid and hyperhomocysteinemia in Pakistani patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A case-control study was carried out involving 224 AMI patients (age 30-70 years; 55 females and 169 males) and 126 normal healthy subjects (age 31-70 years; 35 females and 91 males).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fasting venous blood was obtained from cases and controls. Serum was analyzed for folic acid and B12 using radioassays. Plasma was analyzed for pyridoxal phosphate (PLP; coenzymic form of B6) using a radioenzymatic assay and for total homocysteine using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Mean serum B12 concentration in AMI patients was found to be significantly lower than the mean for controls (241+/-185 pg/ml vs 608+/-341 pg/ml; p < 0.001). Mean serum folate level in patients was also found to be lower than controls (3.35+/-3.78 ng/ml vs 4.93+/-2.93 ng/ml), however, the differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, mean PLP concentration in plasma of cases (19.4+/-24.4 nmol/l) was lower than the concentration in controls (23.2+/-17.6 nmol/l), but the difference was not statistically significant. Mean plasma homocysteine level in AMI cases (18+/-8.36 micromol/l) was higher than the mean level in controls (16.4+/-4.9 micromol/l), but not to a significant extent. However, this mean homocysteine concentration in normal healthy subjects was among the highest reported in the literature and was significantly more than mean values reported in most Eastern and Western studies. Compared to controls, there was significantly greater deficiency of folate (32.5% vs 67.1%), B12 (3.2% vs 63.4%) and PLP (49.2% vs 74.1%) in AMI patients. Deficiencies of folate, B12 and PLP were defined as serum folate levels less than 3.5 ng/ml, serum levels of B12 less than 200 pg/ml and plasma PLP levels less than 20 nmol/l. Mean plasma homocysteine levels in smokers were found to be significantly higher in both cases and controls. Similarly, mean serum folate levels in smokers (compared to nonsmokers) were significantly lower in both cases and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial nutritional deficiencies of these three vitamins along with mild hyperhomocysteinemia, perhaps through an interplay with the classical cardiovascular risk factors (highly prevalent in this population), could be further aggravating the risk of CAD in the Pakistani population.

A study of effects of acid activated saw dust on the removal of different dissolved tannery dyes (acid dye) from aqueous solutions

The effectiveness of acid activated sawdust in absorbing D-Brown EGP and Lurazol Brown PM dyes from aqueous solutions was studied as a function of agitation time and initial dye concentration. The experimental data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm and found that adsorption process follows both the isotherms. The values of Langmuir and Freundlich constants indicate favorable and beneficial adsorption. Saw dust is an excellent low cost adsorbent of colored organic anions and may have significant potential as a color removal from tannery wastewater.

Predicting serum gastrin levels among men during Ramadan fasting

Increased gastric acidity is common when fasting during Ramadan. Our study aimed to develop a regression equation to predict fasting serum gastrin levels using parameters commonly analysed in clinical laboratories. Fasting blood samples from six men were taken on days 1, 10, 19, 26 and 28 of Ramadan. Serum gastrin, total cholesterol, urea and uric acid were analysed. All 5 samples from each man were included in multiple regression analysis and the prediction equation obtained was: serum gastrin, pg/mL = 198.27-0.199 total cholesterol (mg/dL) + 2.525 urea (mg/dL)--103.238 uric acid (mg/dL) + 10.923 uric acid (mg/dL)2 + 3.683 body mass index, r2 = 0.75, P < 0.001. This equation might be used to estimate gastrin levels and plan dietary and medicinal measures to avoid high gastric acidity during Ramadan.

Profile of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia--a hospital study

OBJECTIVE

To collect baseline information on congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and to identify relevant issues specific to this disease in Pakistan.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of medical records of pediatric patients registered for serum 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) measurement and documented to have CAH in the period 1987 to 1998 was carried out at The Aga Khan University, Karachi (AKU). The clinical notes were reviewed for documentation of CAH as the diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of the 152 children registered for 17-OHP testing, sixty-three were diagnosed with CAH. Salt wasting, simple virilization and non-classical CAH was found in 40 (63%), 18 (29.0%) and 5 (8.0%) patients respectively. Twenty-one (33.9%) patients were incorrectly assigned sex and of these, 20 (32.2%) patients were females who were either considered males or just not assigned gender. Parental consanguinity was found in 33 (52.3%) cases. No case had a history of similar features in either parent but in 19 (30.6%) cases similar features were present in siblings. Sixteen cases (25.4%) had a history of sibling death in the neonatal period and 7 had a history of sibling death in infancy. Maternal obstetric histories identified 3 (4.8%) cases with a history of still birth(s) and 4 (6.4%) with a history of abortion(s).

CONCLUSION

Children with CAH should be diagnosed early as a rational and judicious choice of sex assignment is a critical aspect of treatment. The high rate of consanguinity emphasized the need to establish the true incidence of the defect in Pakistani population.

Interposition arthroplasty in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

We report a series of 60 cases of post- traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis that were treated at our unit from 1992 to 2002 by temporalis fascia flap interposition arthopiasty. Majority of these patients (21 patients, 35%) were in the age group of 15-20 years, with 39 males (65%) and 21 females (35%). The duration of ankylosis varied from 6 months to more than 4 years with 32 patients (54.32%) having a duration of 6 months to 2 years. 44 patients (73.33%) had unilateral white 16 patients (26.67%) had bilateral involvement of temporomandibular joint. Pedicled temporalise fascia axial flap based on superficial temporal artery was used for interpositional arthopiasty. The advantage is that it is available at the operative site, easy to raise, well vascularized, reliable and with better long term results. Adequate mouth opening was achieved in all cases and a long follow up, of up to 10 years for the earlier operated cases, showed no recurrence of ankylosis in any of the patients.

Chromosomal abnormalities as a cause of recurrent abortions: a hospital experience

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the chromosomal abnormalities in couples with history of recurrent abortions.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Cytogenetic section, Department of Pathology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

PATIENTS

Three hundred couples with history of recurrent abortions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Structural chromosomal abnormalities in carrier couples.

RESULTS

G-banded chromosomes were analyzed from both partners of 300 couples who had had two or more spontaneous abortions. Sixteen (5.3%) couples showed a chromosomal aberration in one of the partners. Seven translocations, 5 inversions, 2 deletions and 2 sex chromosomal abnormalities were identified. There was an increase in structural aberations, which was not significantly different from that reported worldwide.

CONCLUSION

Chromosomal analysis is advocated as a primary tool in the evaluation of couples with repetitive fetal wastage.

Studies on the electrical characteristics of thoron (220Rn) progeny

Electrical characteristics of thoron (220Rn) progeny under various low ampere (< 1 mA) DC voltages applied to a calibration facility (CF) has been studied. About 30 y old thorium hydroxide was used as the source for the generation of thoron and its decay products. The study has revealed that under a low ventilation rate (approximately 1 air charge per hour) and at high equilibrium equivalent concentration (EER) of thoron, above 275 Bq m(-3) (> 1 WL), a considerable fraction of 212Pb nuclides are negatively charged. It was also concluded that 212Pb has lesser charge (per ion) than 212Bi and is more susceptible to an electric field. There is a linear relationship between the activity collected and the voltage applied and the activity collected is proportional to the area of the collecting surface. Under the experimental conditions, when a voltage of +/- 2500 V is simultaneously applied, the activity concentration can be reduced by a factor of 100.

Measurement of 40k as an indicator of body potassium: implication for diabetes and other disease conditions

Potassium (K) content in 408 male workers of a rare earths processing plant was estimated using a shadow shield whole body counter. The average K content in the non-vegetarian and vegetarian group was found to be 1.5 g kg(-1) and 2.1 g kg(-1) respectively. The absorbed dose due to 40K is determined as 0.18 +/- 0.02 mGy. While the K content was found to be proportional to body build index, it is inversely proportional to slenderness. Body K was maximum in the middle aged group (35-45 y) and a minimum in younger and older persons. The correlation of potassium content with some disease patterns was also studied. Diabetes mellitus patients were observed to have low K content of 0.9 +/- 0.2 g kg(-1) and those who suffer from cardiovascular disorders were found to have high K content 2.7 +/- 0.3 g kg(-1). The studies showed that the depletion of body K content takes place a few years prior to the clinical detection of diabetes and it builds up a few years before the clinical detection of cardiovascular disorders. It is stressed that the medical information is preliminary as the number of subjects studied was not very large. Wider and in depth study by various groups can hopefully strengthen the observation.

Chemical fate of arsenic and other metals in groundwater of Bangladesh: experimental measurement and chemical equilibrium model

The presence of toxic level of inorganic arsenic in groundwater used for drinking in Bangladesh and neighboring India is unfolding as one of the worst natural disaster in the region. The purpose of this work is to ascertain the chemical fate of arsenic and other metals in groundwater of Bangladesh. A combination of techniques was used to measure 24 metals, 6 anions, Eh, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and temperature to understand the distribution of components which were then used in computational chemical equilibrium model, MINEQL+, for detailed speciation. It was found that the fate of arsenic and its speciation were inextricably linked to the formation of hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) and its kinetic. The HFO induced natural attenuation removes 50-75% of total arsenic in first 24 h through a first order kinetics. Adsorption on HFO is the predominant mode of removal of arsenic, iron, manganese, and most trace metals. The equilibrium model points to the presence of excess active sites for the removal of arsenic. MINEQL+ shows that significantly higher concentration of HFO forming iron is required to remove arsenic below maximum contamination level (MCL) of 50 microg/L than predicted by stoichiometry. The practical implication of this work is the prediction of water quality based on models.

Insulin regulation of glucose uptake: a complex interplay of intracellular signalling pathways

Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipose tissue and striated muscle is critical for reducing post-prandial blood glucose concentrations and the dysregulation of this process is one hallmark of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. It has been well established that the insulin-stimulated redistribution of the insulin responsive glucose transporter, GLUT-4, from intracellular storage sites to the plasma membrane depends on the production of phosphoinositide 3,4,5 trisphosphate by the Class IA Phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase. Recent discoveries however, have shown the presence of a second insulin signalling pathway leading to GLUT-4 translocation, a pathway dependent on insulin receptor signalling emanating from caveolae or lipid rafts at the plasma membrane. This pathway begins with the phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Cbl by the insulin receptor, and results in the activation of a small GTP binding protein, TC10, a member of the Rho family. TC10 is able to modulate actin structure in 3T3L1 adipocytes, and its overexpression inhibits insulin-stimulated GLUT-4 translocation, an inhibition completely dependent on localization of TC10 to the caveolae or lipid rafts. The spatial compartmentalization of insulin signalling from caveolae or lipid rafts provides a novel signalling pathway that functions in concert with general signalling mechanisms in the control of actin dynamics regulating insulin-dependent GLUT-4 translocation.

Solid phase microextraction: measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Dhaka City air pollution

A solid phase microextraction (SPME) technique was applied for the sampling of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air polluted by two stroke autorickshaw engines and automobile exhausts in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Analysis was carried out by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (MS). The methodology was tested by insitu sampling of an aromatic hydrocarbon mixture gas standard with a precision of +/-5% and an average accuracy of 1-20%. The accuracy for total VOCs concentration measurement was about 7%. VOC's in ambient air were collected by exposing the SPME fiber at four locations in Dhaka city. The chromatograms showed signature similar to that of unburned gasoline (petrol) and weathered diesel containing more than 200 organic compounds; some of these compounds were positively identified. These are normal hydrocarbons pentane (n-C5H2) through nonacosane (n-C29H60), aromatic hydrocarbons: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, n-butylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, xylenes, and 1-isocyanato-3-methoxybenzene. Two samples collected near an autorickshaw station contained 783000 and 1479000 microg/m3 of VOCs. In particular, the concentration of toluene was 50-100 times higher than the threshold limiting value of 2000 microg/m3. Two other samples collected on street median showed 135000 microg/m3 and 180000 microg/m3 of total VOCs. The method detection limit of the technique for most semi-volatile organic compounds was 1 microg/m3.

Characterization of pathogenic mutations in 21-hydroxylase gene of Pakistani patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and their family members--a preliminary report

OBJECTIVE

To characterize specific mutations within the 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21-B) using ARMS-PCR assay in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and to compare it with that reported in other populations.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Five families, having an index case with CAH diagnosed on the basis of clinical and biochemical findings volunteered to give blood samples for analysis. A strategy, based on ARMS-PCR (Amplified Refractory Mutation System) was employed for the detection of mutations in 21-hydroxylase gene. The products of ARMS-PCR were resolved on agarose gels and the PCR products were visualized over ultra violet illumination.

RESULTS

Twenty-six specimens were analyzed for common point mutations in the 21-hydroxlase genes at the nucleotide positions 659, 1004 and 1688. Seven samples belonged to index cases with CAH. Of these 7, the assigned sex was male in 5 and female in 2 cases. However, genotypic sex was 3 males and 4 females. The mean age was 8 months in 5 cases while the median 17-OH Progesterone levels was 273.2 ng/ml. Vomiting, precocious puberty and ambiguous genitalia were the presenting features in 2, 1 and 4 cases respectively. Analysis for mutation at 659, 100 and 1688 was performed on 7 index cases and the family members of 5 index cases. The mutation analysis for the family members of index case 6 and 7 was not performed due to non-availability of their blood specimens. Index case No. 1, 4 and 7 showed homozygosity for splice mutations at nucleotide position 659, intron 2 with a sequence change of A to G, while the index case No. 2 and 6 showed heterozygosity for the same mutation. No mutation was found at 659, 1004 or 1688 in index case No. 3 and 4 at the analyzed nucleotide position. Nineteen family members of Case Nos. 1-5 were also analyzed for the same mutations. (Family No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 included 3, 2, 7, 4 and 5 members respectively). These included 8 males and 11 females. All were asymptomatic. Both the parents of index case 1 and 4 were heterozygous at 659 while the father of index case No. 2 was heterozygous at 659 and mother was normal.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated the A to G transition at nucleotide 659 causing aberrant splicing, reported for some other populations as the most commonly identified point mutations. All cases were appropriately assigned to paternal or maternal chromosomes.

Dissolution characteristics of 226Ra from phosphogypsum

The paper presents the results of the dissolution characteristics of 226Ra from phosphogypsum, a by-product from phosphate fertilizer industries. Leachability of 226Ra in distilled water and rainwater have been examined under different leaching conditions such as contact time, solid:liquid ratio and simulating natural conditions. The concentration of 226Ra activity in the leachates ranged from 0.07 to 0.53 Bq l(-1). Study indicated that leaching of radium may be slow in field conditions near the phosphogypsum stock piles.

Insulin stimulates actin comet tails on intracellular GLUT4-containing compartments in differentiated 3T3L1 adipocytes

Incubation of isolated GLUT4-containing vesicles with Xenopus oocyte extracts resulted in a guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S) and sodium orthovanadate stimulation of actin comet tails. The in vitro actin-based GLUT4 vesicle motility was inhibited by both latrunculin B and a dominant-interfering N-WASP mutant, N-WASP/Delta VCA. Preparations of gently sheared (broken) 3T3L1 adipocytes also displayed GTP gamma S and sodium orthovanadate stimulation of actin comet tails on GLUT4 intracellular compartments. Furthermore, insulin pretreatment of intact adipocytes prior to gently shearing also resulted in a marked increase in actin polymerization and actin comet tailing on GLUT4 vesicles. In addition, the insulin stimulation of actin comet tails was completely inhibited by Clostridum difficile toxin B, demonstrating a specific role for a Rho family member small GTP-binding protein. Expression of N-WASP/Delta VCA in intact cells had little effect on adipocyte cortical actin but partially inhibited insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that insulin can induce GLUT4 vesicle actin comet tails that are necessary for the efficient translocation of GLUT4 from intracellular storage sites to the plasma membrane.

Low-level lead exposure and blood lead levels in children: a cross-sectional survey

The authors studied 53 girls (44.5%) and 66 (55.5%) boys in Karachi, Pakistan, to determine their blood lead levels. The association between blood lead levels/water lead levels and the possible risk factors and symptoms associated with lead toxicity was explored. The mean lead level for the entire group was 7.9 microg/dl (standard deviation = 4.5 microg/dl). Thirty (25.2%) of the children had lead levels that exceeded 10 microg/dl; 12 (10.0%) of these had lead levels that exceeded 15 microg/dl. Thirteen (20.9%) of the children under the age of 6 yr (n = 62) had lead levels greater than 10 microg/dl, and 6 (9.6%) had levels in excess of 15 microg/dl. The authors found no association (p > .05) between high lead levels in water and blood lead levels in children. Mean blood lead levels were highest in the group of children exposed to various risk factors for lead absorption (e.g., exposure to paint, remodeling, and renovation; use of lead utensils; pica). There was a significant association between a history of exposure to paint/renovation activities and a history of pica. High blood lead levels in the children in Karachi stress the urgency for actions that control lead pollution. Screening programs should be instituted by the state. Individuals must become aware of lead's toxicity, and they must avoid substances that contain lead.