Search

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of heavy metal pollution in the agricultural soil of the Kubaisa district in Anbar province, Iraq. The study focused on areas affected by dust emissions from a nearby cement factory, specifically Maktom District (k1), Kubais (k2), Elkader District (k3), and Agricultural Elkader District (k4). Soil samples were collected from these locations, and a comprehensive analysis of both chemical and physical characteristics was conducted. The concentrations of heavy metals were found to range from (0 - 17.3), (39.1 - 82.6), (33.3 - 182.8), and (0 - 236.5) mg kg-1 for Cd, Ni, Co, and Pb, respectively. These concentrations indicated elevated levels compared to the (Kapata, 2011) standard levels of 0.62, 34, 12, and 34 mg kg-1 for cadmium, Ni, Co, and Pb, respectively. In terms of the Geological Accumulation Index (Igeo), the agricultural districts showed uncontaminated cadmium with accumulation values of 0. Nickel (Ni) levels varied between -0.58 and 0.53, classifying the sediment from uncontaminated to moderately contaminated. Cobalt (Co) exhibited significant contamination, with values ranging from -0.58 to 3.56. Conversely, lead (Pb) concentrations varied from uncontaminated to extremely contaminated, with values spanning from -0.58 to 5.922. The study underscored that the elevated levels of heavy metals were attributed to airborne dust emissions from the Kubais cement factory and various human activities, such as motor vehicle transportation, industrial waste discharge, and household practices. Following established quality guidelines, the pollution levels in the study area were ranked in the order of Pb > Co > Ni > Cd, with lead (Pb) exhibiting the highest degree of contamination.

The Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) extract contain a lot of constituents and elements. Ginger extract can effort as a good bio-reductant to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNPs Green synthesis was achieved by using the Ginger plant extract with AgNO3. The green synthesis of AgNPs is the best developing procedure for preparation, since this process is easier than other procedures, eco-friendly and fewer times consuming. The produced AgNPs were characterizing via UV-Vis, FTIR, AFM, SEM, Zeta potential and EDX. The optimal conditions for the synthesis AgNPs which was confirmed through UV–Vis spectrophotometer. Also, the AgNPs has been characterized by AFM with average size of 53.45 nm, SEM with average size of 21.91 to 33.79 nm. Antioxidant and free radical scavenge activity are examined through TLC and DPPH test, the results shows that the Ginger have a high activity, moreover, this activity increased with characterized AgNPs.

The Reinforced Concrete (RC) moment frame system is the most common building type in developing countries. The practice of using different types of coarse aggregates for beams and columns of the same frame is not uncommon in countries where stone aggregates are relatively expensive. This practice impacts the beam-column joint (BCJ) region where the different concrete mixes come together. These BCJ regions are the most susceptible zone under earthquakes in an RC frame structure, which warrants careful attention considering the increasing number of recent earthquake occurrences. However, there is very limited study in the literature that focuses on the seismic performance of these structures where dissimilar coarse aggregate concrete mixes are used in the same frame. The present study focuses on the structural behavior of RC joints cast with dissimilar coarse aggregate concrete mixes under the action of cyclic loading which are designed and detailed following the Codes ACI 318 and BNBC 2020. Four one-third scale exterior BCJ specimens were prepared to determine their behavior with respect to cracking and failure characteristics, hysteresis response, ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation capacity. The ductility of specimens cast with dissimilar coarse aggregate concrete mixes was 9.8–23.3 % lower compared to the specimens cast with uniform coarse aggregate concrete mixes, while the energy dissipation capacity was also 14.8–22.1 % lower. The cracks appeared earlier in lower displacements for specimens with dissimilar coarse aggregates, although the strength and elasticity of the concrete mixes were similar. Thus, the present study suggests that BCJs with dissimilar coarse aggregate concrete must be carefully analyzed and designed in terms of the seismic requirements of the structure before their use.

Association with the other studied characteristics. Conclusions :The study showed that approximately half of the studied females misperceived their body weight. Females tend to perceive their weights accurately as their ages increase. Highest percents of weight misconception are for obese females who misperceived themselves as overweight and then for underweight ones who misperceived their weights as normal. Recommendations: Comprehensive intervention programs for women could be devised to raise self-awareness of their weight status, to overcome weight misperception, and to prevent obesity and its related health risks.

Cephalexin is a first-generation β-lactam antibiotic used in adults and pediatrics to treat various streptococcal and staphylococcal infections. This review aims to summarize and evaluate all the pharmacokinetic (PK) data on cephalexin by screening out all pertinent studies in human beings following the per oral (PO) route. By employing different online search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Central, and Science Direct, 23 studies were retrieved, among which nine were in healthy subjects, five in diseased ones, and the remaining were drug–drug, drug–food, and bioequivalence-related. These studies were included only based on the presence of plasma concentration-time profiles or PK parameters, i.e., maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), half-life (t1/2) area under the curve from time 0-infinity (AUC0–∞), and clearance (CL/F). A dose-proportional increase in AUC0–∞ and Cmax can be portrayed in different studies conducted in the healthy population. In comparison to cefaclor, Cmax was recorded to be 0.5 folds higher for cephalexin in the case of renal impairment. An increase in AUC0–∞ was seen in cephalexin on administration with probenecid, i.e., 117 µg.h/mL vs. 68.1 µg.h/mL. Moreover, drug–drug interactions with omeprazole, ranitidine, zinc sulfate, and drug–food interactions for cephalexin and other cephalosporins have also been depicted in different studies with significant changes in all PK parameters. This current review has reported all accessible studies containing PK variables in healthy and diseased populations (renal, dental, and osteoarticular infections, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) that may be favorable for health practitioners in optimizing doses among the latter.

Background: The present study was designed to assess the comparative performance of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score III (SAPS III) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in predicting mortality among critically ill ICU patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2019, including 162 patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of PIMS, Islamabad. The SOFA and SAPS III scores were calculated for all patients on admission. Outcome parameters included death or discharge from the hospital and disability. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed for the studied models, and the scores were correlated with mortality. Results: The overall mortality rate in the studied population was 46.9%. The mean SAPS III and SOFA scores were 55.26±18.46 and 14.41±5.67, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (aROC) for the SAPS III was 0.71 at a cut-off value of 43.5, whereas the aROC for SOFA was 0.64 at a cut-off score of 12.5. The ROC curve for predicting hospital mortality exhibited that both SAPS III and SOFA scores were sensitive predictors of mortality, given SAPS III had relatively better prediction (85%) compared to SOFA (76%). Conclusion: It is concluded that SAPS III and SOFA scores are sensitive predictors of mortality; however, SAPs score is better at predicting mortality than SOFA score.

This study deals with the effect of Lorentz force on forced convection flow of electrically conducting magneto-hydrodynamic, (MHD) power law fluid through the annular sector duct by using finite volume method. In existence literature, hydro-thermal flow of MHD power law fluid within an annular sector duct has not been reported. The effect of Lorentz force on hydro-thermal power law fluid flow makes it very much novel in its own right. Here the main objective is to explore the effect of Lorentz force on hydro-thermal flow characteristics. The influence of uniform magnetic field is taken parallel to the radial direction. The effects of Hartman parameter, H a and power law index, n , corresponding to Lorentz force and power law fluid respectively, on the quantities of interest such as velocity and temperature profiles, friction factor and average Nusselt number N u are discussed for different geometric configuration parameters' values of the annular sector duct. Computer code is developed and validated by comparing the results of limiting cases with the available literature. It has been observed that N u increases with the increase in H a . This trend is prevalent in both pseudo-plastic and dilatant fluids. The impact of H a is pronounced in the later case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of heavy metal pollution in the agricultural soil of the Kubaisa district in Anbar province, Iraq. The study focused on the areas affected by dust emissions from a nearby cement factory, specifically Maktom District (k1), Kubais (k2), Elkader District (k3), and Agricultural Elkader District (k4). Soil samples were collected from these locations, and a comprehensive analysis of both chemical as well as physical characteristics was conducted. The concentrations of heavy metals were found to range from (0-17.3), (39.1-82.6), (33.3-182.8), and (0-236.5) mg·kg-1 for Cd, Ni, Co, and Pb, respectively. These concentrations indicated elevated levels compared to the (Kapata, 2011) standard levels of 0.62, 34, 12, and 34 mg·kg-1 for cadmium, Ni, Co, and Pb, respectively. In terms of the Geological Accumulation Index (Igeo), the agricultural districts showed uncontaminated cadmium with accumulation values of 0. Nickel (Ni) levels varied between -0.58 and 0.53, classifying the sediment from uncontaminated to moderately contaminated. Cobalt (Co) exhibited significant contamination, with values ranging from -0.58 to 3.56. Conversely, lead (Pb) concentrations varied from uncontaminated to extremely contaminated, with values spanning from -0.58 to 5.922. The study underscored that the elevated levels of heavy metals were attributed to the airborne dust emissions from the Kubais cement factory and various human activities, such as motor vehicle transportation, industrial waste discharge, and household practices. Following established quality guidelines, the pollution levels in the study area were ranked in the order of Pb > Co > Ni > Cd, with lead (Pb) exhibiting the highest degree of contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current research, the synthesis of gold nanoparticles was achieved via reducing of gold ions in aqueous solution with Garcinia mangostana (G. mangostana) peel extract. The optimum concentration of gold (Au) solution, concentration ratio of Au solution and extract, temperature, time and pH, the synthesized AuNPs (G. mangostana-gold nanoparticles) were studied by using UV-Vis, FT-IR, AAS, AFM, SEM and Zitasizer. The absorbance peak is noticed between 535-550 nm via UV-Vis spectroscopic method. The SEM, AFM analysis were proofed the particle as spherical in structure and their size between 15-100nm. Therefore, mechanism of AuNPs synthesis had been suggested. Also, the antibacterial activity was examined using different bacteria as well as free radical scavenging activity was tested using 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The AuNPs produced through biosynthesized method indicated a much elevated antioxidant activity as compared to peel extract of G. mangostana. Toxicity of the NPs and extract were tested via giving orally dose 50 mg/b.w. to mice. Diagnosis of the data (pathological changes) indicated that the AuNPs was non-toxic. The G. mangostana peel extract and AuNPs synthesized by this extract were converted to a cream and used as a wound healing cream. As a results, the AuNPs exhibited important role in wound healing progression compared to control, which may be attributed to their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Therefore, this research confirms its important use of AuNPs and can be utilized as promising agents for in the development of new drugs.

Introduction: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a coagulation disorder that is on the rise due to lifestyle changes. Patients with DVT are at risk for developing a life-threatening complication, pulmonary embolism which urges the importance of its early diagnosis. The Gold standard modality for its early diagnosis is invasive which is Venography. Other modalities like compression ultrasound and duplex imaging are noninvasive but operator-dependent and not routinely available during evening and night shift hours. D-Dimer is a simple, noninvasive, cost-effective, and easily available diagnostic test that can be helpful in diagnosis. The objective of this study is to compare the sensitivity of D-Dimers with Doppler ultrasound for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative (validation) study in which 65 admitted patients with a high risk of DVT on Well’s criteria for clinical diagnosis were enrolled by non-probability convenience sampling from March to August 2018. Both D-Dimer and Doppler ultrasounds were performed on all suspected patients of DVT. Results: Amongst 65 cases, 60 (92.3%) had positive Dimer results compared to 65 (100.0%) with the Doppler ultrasound. The difference between the two diagnostic modalities was statistically significant (p-value = 0.02). The sensitivity of D-dimers was 92.3% however specificity, PPV, and NPV were 0% as none of the cases was negative on ultrasound Doppler. Conclusion: The D-dimer test is a conveniently performed, cost-effective test with a sensitivity of more than 90% in the current study and can be useful for Emergency and critical care departments.