A population assessment of mercury exposure from two cities of Pakistan with respect to freshwater and marine fish consumption.

In this study, we aimed to estimate the level of mercury (Hg) in scalp hair samples of human subjects and its association with consumption of sea- and freshwater fish species. The scalp hairs were collected from both genders (male and female) aged between 15 and 50 years (n = 200), living in coastal areas of Karachi, who mostly consumed sea fish species, referred to as exposed subjects. For comparison purposes, scalp hair samples of both genders (n = 160) were collected from the inhabitants of Karachi and Hyderabad cities who consumed freshwater fish species termed as referent subjects.

Hazardous impact of organic arsenical compounds in chicken feed on different tissues of broiler chicken and manure.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the translocation of arsenic (As) from feed to different tissues of broiler chicken (leg, breast, liver and heart) and excretory product (manure). The feed, broiler chicken and manure samples were collected from five selected poultry farms. The As concentrations in all samples were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, after microwave assisted acid digestion in closed vessels.

Evaluation of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in biological samples (scalp hair, serum, blood, and urine) of Pakistani referents and arthritis patients of different age groups.

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in joint inflammation (particularly joints of hands, wrists, feet, knees, ankles, and shoulder) that is manifested by swelling and functional impairment.

Methods: This study was designed to compare the levels of calcium (Ca), magnesium (mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) in four biological samples (scalp hair, serum, blood, and urine) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as compared to referent subjects of both genders who do have not arthritis problems. All patients and referents were divided in two age groups, (46-60) and (61-75) years.

Evaluation of arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel, and zinc in biological samples (scalp hair, blood, and urine) of tuberculosis and diarrhea male human immunodeficiency virus patients.

Background: The consequence of a deficiency in trace elements has been associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression and mortality. This study examined the association between high scalp hair and blood arsenic, cadmium, lead, and nickel concentrations and opportunistic infections in hospitalized patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Methods: The study was performed on sixty two male HIV+ patients (HIV-1) from different cities of Pakistan.

Evaluation of zinc, copper and iron in biological samples (scalp hair, blood and urine) of tuberculosis and diarrhea male human immunodeficiency virus patients.

Background: The consequence of a deficiency in trace elements has been associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression and mortality. This study examined the association between low scalp hair and blood zinc, copper, and iron concentrations and opportunistic infections in hospitalized patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Methods: The study was performed on sixty two male HIV+ patients (HIV-1) from different cities in Pakistan.

Effects of selenium supplementation on iodine and thyroid hormone status in a selected population with goitre in Pakistan.

Background: Selenium (Se) has an essential role in thyroid hormone metabolism. It has the potential to play a major part in the outcome of iodine (I) deficiency The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Se and I status of biological samples (serum and urine) of 160 goitrous male (GMPs) and 195 female patients (GFPs). The supplemental effects of Se (200 microg/day) and I (100 - 125 microg/day) were evaluated after 6 months.

Evaluation of status of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium levels in biological samples in children of different age groups with normal vision and night blindness.

Background: The most common cause of blindness in developing countries is vitamin A deficiency. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 13.8 million children have some degree of visual loss related to vitamin A deficiency.

Evaluation of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in biological samples of Pakistani viral hepatitis (A-E) patients and controls.

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the level of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) in biological samples (serum, blood, urine, and scalp hair) of patients suffering from different types of viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E; n = 521) of both genders, ages ranged between 31-45 years. For comparative study, 255 age-matched subjects of both genders, residing in the same city, were selected as controls.

Method: The elements in the biological samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion.

Case-control study of male cancer patients exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water and tobacco smoke with relation to non-exposed cancer patients.

The investigated data indicated that inorganic arsenic in drinking water is associated with increased mortality from different types of cancers. In the present study, biological samples (blood and scalp hair) of male subjects having lung and bladder cancers and non-cancerous subjects belonging to arsenic (As)-exposed area of southern parts of Pakistan were analysed for As contents. The As levels in drinking water of understudy area showed that sections of understudy population are exposed to arsenic concentrations, which was 3-15-fold higher than the permissible level (<10 μg/L).

Levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and zinc in biological samples of paralysed steel mill workers with related to controls.

The determination of essential trace and toxic elements in the biological samples of human beings is an important clinical screening procedure. This study aimed to assess the possible effects of environmental exposure on paralysed male workers (n = 75) belonging to the production and quality control departments of a steel mill. In this investigation, the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and zinc were determined in biological samples (blood, urine and scalp hair samples) of exposed paralysis and non-paralysed steel mill workers.

Correlation between arsenic concentration in fish and human scalp hair of people living in arsenic-contaminated and noncontaminated areas of Pakistan.

The effects of arsenic (As) toxicity due to frequent consumption of arsenic-contaminated fish was estimated by the analysis of scalp hair of adult males, living near arsenic-contaminated area of Pakistan. For comparison purposes, scalp hair samples were also collected from the inhabitants of Hyderabad city consuming fish species with low levels of As, collected from Indus River. Concentration of As in scalp hair samples was analyzed by using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG AAS), after microwave-assisted acid digestion.

Hazardous impact and translocation of vanadium (V) species from soil to different vegetables and grasses grown in the vicinity of thermal power plant.

The distribution of vanadium (V) species in soil (test soil), vegetables and grasses, collected from the vicinity of a thermal power plant has been studied. For comparison purpose soil (control soil), same vegetable and grass samples were collected from agricultural land devoid of any industrial area. A simple and efficient ultrasonic assisted extraction method has been developed for the extraction of V(5+) species from soil, vegetable and grass samples using Na(2)CO(3) in the range of 0.

Evaluation of zinc in scalp hair and blood samples of tuberculosis and diarrhea male human immunodeficiency virus patients.

Background: The consequence of zinc (Zn) deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression and mortality.

Methods: This study examined the association between low scalp hair and blood Zn concentrations and opportunistic infections in hospitalized patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The study was performed on sixty two male HIV+ patients (HIV-1) from different cities in Pakistan.

Comparative study of liver cancer patients in arsenic exposed and non-exposed areas of Pakistan.

The investigated data shows that arsenic (As) in drinking water is associated with increased mortality from different types of cancers including liver cancer. In this study, blood and scalp hair samples of male liver cancer patients and healthy referents belonging to As exposed areas of Sindh Pakistan were analyzed for As contents. The As levels in drinking water of understudy area showed that sections of this population was exposed to 3-15-folds higher concentrations of As than permissible limit.

Determination of arsenic in scalp hair samples from exposed subjects using microwave-assisted digestion with and without enrichment based on cloud point extraction by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

A simple and rapid cloud point extraction (CPE) procedure was applied for preconcentration of trace quantities of arsenic (As) in scalp hair samples. The samples were subjected to microwave-assisted digestion in a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide (2 + 1, v/v) prior to preconcentration by CPE. The As in digested samples was complexed with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC), and the resultant As-PDC complex was extracted by a nonionic surfactant, octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-114).

Evaluation of toxic risk assessment of arsenic in male subjects through drinking water in southern Sindh Pakistan.

The arsenic (As) hazardous quotient was estimated based on concentration of As in drinking water and scalp hair of male subjects of two age groups (n=360) consuming As contaminated water at different levels and non-contaminated drinking water. The total As concentrations in drinking water of less-exposed (LE) and high-exposed (HE) areas was found to be 3- to 30-fold higher than the permissible limit of the 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 levels of As in scalp hair samples of male subjects of two age groups belonging to NE, LE, and HE areas ranged from 0.

Potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium levels in biological samples of Pakistani myocardial infarction patients at different stages as related to controls.

Background: Many studies have examined the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and the intake of essential micronutrients (potassium (K+), calcium (Ca(2+)), magnesium (Mg(2+)), and sodium (Na+)). They may separately reduce the CVD incidence to a small degree over the short term levels. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of micronutrients in biological samples (whole blood, urine, and scalp hair) of myocardial infarction (MI) patients of both genders where ages ranged from 45 to 60 years at first, second and third heart attack (n = 232).

Status of toxic metals in biological samples of diabetic mothers and their neonates.

The mechanism of transport of trace elements from the mother to the newborn is still not well known. The aim of present study was to compare the status of trace toxic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in biological samples (whole blood, urine and scalp hair) of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers (age ranged 30-40) and their newly born infants (n = 76). An age and socioeconomics matched 68 nondiabetic mothers and their infants, residing in the same locality, who were selected as referents.

Distribution of copper, iron, and zinc in biological samples (scalp hair, serum, blood, and urine) of Pakistani viral hepatitis (A-E) patients and controls.

The aim of the present study was to compare the level of copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in biological samples (serum, blood, urine, and scalp hair) of patients suffering from different viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E; n = 521) of both gender age ranged 31-45 years. For comparative study, 255 age-matched control subjects, of both genders residing in the same city were selected as referents. The elements in the biological samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion.

Chromium and manganese levels in biological samples of normal and night blindness children of age groups (3-7) and (8-12) years.

This study was designed to compare the levels of chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) in scalp hair, blood, and urine of night blindness in children age ranged (3-7) and (8-12) years of both genders, comparing them to sex- and age-matched controls. A microwave-assisted wet acid digestion procedure, was developed as a sample pretreatment, for the determination of Cr and Mn in biological samples of night blindness children. The proposed method was validated by using conventional wet digestion and certified reference samples of hair, blood and urine.

Evaluation of essential trace and toxic elements in biological samples of normal and night blindness children of age groups 3-7 and 8-12 years.

The most common cause of blindness in developing countries is vitamin A deficiency. The World Health Organization estimates 13.8 million children to have some degree of visual loss related to vitamin A deficiency.

Environmental exposure of lead and iron deficit anemia in children age ranged 1-5 years: a cross sectional study.

Iron (Fe) deficiency is the most common nutritional problem among children and lead (Pb) toxicity is the most common environmental health threat to children all over the world. The objective of this study was to determine blood lead (BPb) levels and prevalence of Fe deficient anemia among 1 to 5year old children attending day care clinic in pediatric ward of civil hospital Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 340 children of both genders participating in this study, were screened for anemia.

Evaluation of iodine, iron, and selenium in biological samples of thyroid mother and their newly born babies.

Background: There is accumulating facts that the metabolism of essential trace elements is altered in thyroid patients.

Aim: The aim of present study was to compare the status of essential trace elements, iodine, iron (Fe), and selenium (Se) in biological samples (serum and urine) of goitrous mothers (age ranged 30-40) and their newly born infants (n=76). An age matched 68 non-goitrous mothers and their infants, residing in the same locality, were selected as referents.

Evaluation of status of cadmium, lead, and nickel levels in biological samples of normal and night blindness children of age groups 3-7 and 8-12 years.

The causes of night blindness in children are multifactorial, and particular consideration has been given to childhood trace metals toxicity, which is the most common problem found in underdeveloped countries. This study was designed to compare the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) in scalp hair, blood, and urine of night blindness children age ranged 3-7 and 8-12 years of both genders, comparing them to sex- and age-matched controls. A microwave-assisted wet acid digestion procedure was developed as a sample pretreatment, for the determination of Cd, Pb, and Ni in biological samples of night blindness children.

Evaluating the accumulation of arsenic in maize (Zea mays L.) plants from its growing media by cloud point extraction.

A cloud point extraction has been developed for the determination of As in maize (Zea mays L.) and adjoining agriculture soil. The different parts of maize (grains, shoots and roots) and soil were subjected to microwave assisted digestion in a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide (2:1 ratio).