Speciation of vanadium in coal mining, industrial, and agricultural soil samples using different extractants and heating systems.

A fast microwave-assisted extraction procedure was developed for the speciation of vanadium (V) species in soil samples collected from the vicinity of the Lakhra coal power plant (situated near a coal mining area) and industrial and agricultural areas. Soil samples were treated with two extracting reagents, (NH4)2HPO4 (0.2-1 M) and Na2CO3 (0.

Analysis of cadmium, nickel, and lead in commercial moist and dry snuff used in Pakistan.

The extent to which smokeless tobacco endangers human health is an ongoing subject of debate. In this study, concentrations of toxic metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni), were measured in different snuff products (dry brown and black and moist green and brown), available and consumed in Pakistan. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Ni were determined in 23 samples of various brands of snuff by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, after microwave-assisted acid digestion.

Effects of mineral supplementation on liver cirrhotic/cancer male patients.

The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of essential trace and toxic elements in biological samples (blood and serum) of male liver cirrhotic/cancer patients (n = 144), of age groups 30-50 years, before and after 60 days treatment with mineral supplementation. For comparison purposes, the same biological samples were also collected from healthy male subjects (n = 120) of the same age groups. The biological samples were oxidized by 65 % HNO₃/30 % H₂O₂ (2:1) in a microwave oven.

Investigation of essential trace and toxic elements in biological samples (blood, serum and scalp hair) of liver cirrhotic/cancer female patients before and after mineral supplementation.

Background & Aims: The aim of present study was to compare the levels of essential trace and toxic elements in biological samples (blood, serum and scalp hair) of female liver cirrhotic/cancer patients (n = 132), of two age groups (20-45 years) and (46-60 years), before and after sixty days treatment with mineral supplementation. For comparison purpose, same biological samples were also collected from healthy female subjects (n = 75) of same age groups.

Methods: The biological samples were oxidized by 65% HNO(3): 30% H(2)O(2) (2:1) in microwave oven.

Interaction between selenium and arsenic in biological samples of psoriasis patients.

Background: Psoriasis is a noncontagious, chronic skin disease affecting 1 in 50 people worldwide.

Methods: The aim of present study was to compare the levels of arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) in samples of whole blood, urine, and scalp hair of 418 psoriasis patients of both genders aged 25 - 55 years. All psoriatic patients lived in the vicinity of a cement factory, and were categorized as mild, moderate, and severe.

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 arsenic, cadmium, lead, and nickel in biological samples (scalp hair, serum, blood, and urine) of Pakistani viral hepatitis (A - E) patients and controls.

Background: The aim of present study was to compare the level of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) 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 genders, age range 31 - 45 years. For comparative study, 255 age-matched control subjects of both genders residing in the same city were selected as referents.

Methods: The digests of all biological samples were analysed for Cd, Pb, and Ni by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS).

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.

Separation/preconcentration methods for the determination of aluminum in dialysate solution and scalp hair samples of kidney failure patients.

A new method is reported for the separation of aluminum ions (Al(3+)) from interfering cations in pharmaceutical and biological samples through solid-phase extraction (SPE) using 2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline (8-hydroxyquinaldine) on activated silica. While separated Al(3+) was preconcentrated by cloud point extraction (CPE) using 3,5,7,2'-4'-pentahydroxyflavone (morin) as complexing reagent, the resulting complex was entrapped in nonionic surfactant (Triton X-114) as prior step to its determination by spectrofluorimetry (SPF). The validity of separation/preconcentration of Al(3+) was checked by certified reference material of human hair and standard addition method.

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.

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).

The influence of environmental exposure on lead concentrations in scalp hair of children in Pakistan.

In the present study the environmental and occupational exposure of Pb has been assessed by analyzing the scalp hair (SH) of children (both genders), residing in the vicinity of industrial area of Hyderabad, Pakistan. A total of 339 children attending primary schools situated in the industrial area, age ranged 5-10 years, while for comparative purpose children of the same age group from schools located in an area devoid of industries, were selected. The scalp hair was oxidized by acid mixture in a microwave oven prior to determination of Pb by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

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.