Spatial distribution of heavy metal assessment in beach sediment due to bauxite mining in Kuantan, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.

The effect of open-pit bauxite mining on beach sediment contamination in the urban coastal environment of Kuantan City, Malaysia, was investigated. The contents of 11 heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Al, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, As, Ni, Cr, and Ag) in 30 samples from Kuantan beach sediment zones (supratidal, intertidal, and subtidal) were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry followed by contamination indexes, Pearson's correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). The results indicated that Cd, As, Ni, and Ag values in beach sediment zones were significantly higher compared to background values.

Unraveling the Genetic Basis of Congenital Limb Anomalies in Eight Families.

Limb abnormalities are the second most frequent birth defects seen in infants, after congenital heart disease. Over the past 150 years, more than 50 classifications for limb malformations based on morphology and osseous anatomy have been presented. The goal of the current study is to investigate the genetic basis of congenital limb abnormalities in the Pakistani population.

Folic acid-targeted redox responsive polylactic acid-based nanoparticles co-delivering pirarubicin and salinomycin suppress breast cancer tumor growth .

Targeted cancer therapy using nanocarriers has emerged as a promising solution to the majority of drawbacks associated with conventional chemotherapy. The present research work describes the development of folic acid (FA)-targeted redox responsive [S-(PLA--PEG-CONH)] polymeric nanoparticles for the co-delivery of pirarubicin (Pira) and salinomycin (Sal). The nanoparticles' redox responsiveness arises from embedded disulfide bonds within the polymer, which gradually break in response to high GSH levels in tumors, enabling sustained drug release.