Assessment of anthropogenic-causing-agents act on waterbirds-diversity in the vicinity of Tarbela Dam, Indus River, Pakistan

Abstract Birds are among the best bio-indicators, which can guide us to recognize some of the main conservation concerns in ecosystems. Anthropogenic impacts such as deforestation, habitat degradation, modification of landscapes, and decreased quality of habitats are major threats to bird diversity. The present study was designed to detect anthropogenic causative agents that act on waterbird diversity in Tarbella Dam, Indus River, Pakistan. Waterbird censuses were carried out from March 2019 to February 2020 in multiple areas around the dam. A total of 2990 waterbirds representing 63 species were recorded. We detected the highest waterbird richness and diversity at Pehure whereas the highest density was recorded at Kabbal. Human activity impacts seemed to be the main factor determining the waterbird communities as waterbirds were negatively correlated with the greatest anthropogenic impacts. Waterbirds seem to respond rapidly to human disturbance.

Resumo As aves estão entre os melhores bioindicadores, o que pode nos orientar a reconhecer algumas das principais preocupações de conservação dos ecossistemas. Impactos antrópicos como desmatamento, degradação de habitat, modificação de paisagens e diminuição da qualidade dos habitats são as principais ameaças à diversidade de aves. O presente estudo foi desenhado para detectar agentes causadores antropogênicos que atuam na diversidade de aves aquáticas na Represa de Tarbella, rio Indus, Paquistão. Censos de aves aquáticas foram realizados de março de 2019 a fevereiro de 2020 em várias áreas ao redor da barragem. Um total de 2.990 aves aquáticas representando 63 espécies foi registrado. Detectamos a maior riqueza e diversidade de aves aquáticas em Pehure, enquanto a maior densidade foi registrada em Kabbal. Os impactos da atividade humana parecem ser o principal fator determinante das comunidades de aves aquáticas, uma vez que as aves aquáticas foram negativamente correlacionadas com os maiores impactos antrópicos. As aves aquáticas parecem responder rapidamente às perturbações humanas.

Assessment of anthropogenic-causing-agents act on waterbirds-diversity in the vicinity of Tarbela Dam, Indus River, Pakistan / Avaliação de agentes antropogênicos que agem na diversidade de aves aquáticas nas proximidades da Represa de Tarbela, rio Indus, Paquistão

Abstract Birds are among the best bio-indicators, which can guide us to recognize some of the main conservation concerns in ecosystems. Anthropogenic impacts such as deforestation, habitat degradation, modification of landscapes, and decreased quality of habitats are major threats to bird diversity. The present study was designed to detect anthropogenic causative agents that act on waterbird diversity in Tarbella Dam, Indus River, Pakistan. Waterbird censuses were carried out from March 2019 to February 2020 in multiple areas around the dam. A total of 2990 waterbirds representing 63 species were recorded. We detected the highest waterbird richness and diversity at Pehure whereas the highest density was recorded at Kabbal. Human activity impacts seemed to be the main factor determining the waterbird communities as waterbirds were negatively correlated with the greatest anthropogenic impacts. Waterbirds seem to respond rapidly to human disturbance.

Resumo As aves estão entre os melhores bioindicadores, o que pode nos orientar a reconhecer algumas das principais preocupações de conservação dos ecossistemas. Impactos antrópicos como desmatamento, degradação de habitat, modificação de paisagens e diminuição da qualidade dos habitats são as principais ameaças à diversidade de aves. O presente estudo foi desenhado para detectar agentes causadores antropogênicos que atuam na diversidade de aves aquáticas na Represa de Tarbella, rio Indus, Paquistão. Censos de aves aquáticas foram realizados de março de 2019 a fevereiro de 2020 em várias áreas ao redor da barragem. Um total de 2.990 aves aquáticas representando 63 espécies foi registrado. Detectamos a maior riqueza e diversidade de aves aquáticas em Pehure, enquanto a maior densidade foi registrada em Kabbal. Os impactos da atividade humana parecem ser o principal fator determinante das comunidades de aves aquáticas, uma vez que as aves aquáticas foram negativamente correlacionadas com os maiores impactos antrópicos. As aves aquáticas parecem responder rapidamente às perturbações humanas.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Concerning Cosmetic Surgery among Female Medical Students at the University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes and practices of cosmetic surgery among female medical students at King Saud University (KSU). Methods: A quantitative observational cross-sectional approach was used to carry out the study at the KSU College of Medicine. A web-based questionnaire was first developed to collect the data necessary to fulfill the objectives of the research. The population under study included a random sample in which the questionnaire was sent to all female medical students at KSU. The sample size was estimated by using a single proportion formula with an acceptable margin of error at 5%. The sample size obtained was 384. Results: A response rate of 99% was achieved. The mean age of the participants was 20.9±1.48.Out of 381 KSU female medical students in our study, almost all participants (360, 94.5%) have heard about cosmetic surgery. Television was the source of knowledge for more than one third (38%) of participants who had already heard about cosmetic surgery. Just over half (51.4%) of surveyed KSU female medical students recognized the best definition of cosmetic surgery as “a surgery that modifies or improves the appearance of a physical feature electively”. A great majority of participants (86%) reported knowing of a particular type of cosmetic surgery, namely breast augmentation. Almost all participants (92.4%) agreed that “women perform more cosmetic surgery than men”. Only 9% of participants reported undergoing cosmetic surgery, where most of them (19 out of 35) went through laser treatment for the skin and almost the same number had a cosmetic surgery for personal satisfaction. Conclusion: From this research, we recommend further studies to go beyond educational institutions to the public at large, and to study different sub-populations.

Temporomandibular joint reconstruction using costochondral graft.

Reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after release of ankylosis by condylectomy is a challenging problem in maxillo-facial surgery. A successful reconstruction implies correct restoration of form and, in children, future symmetrical growth. Bilateral bony ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in a female patient was diagnosed in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at the time when she had severe facial deformity with typical bird face appearance. The condition was treated with costochondral graft following a bilateral condylectomy. At the time of treatment, there was an expectation that further orthognathic surgery or bone grafting would be required to correct the skeletal deformity. However, with the release of the ankylosis and growth of the costochondral graft, a good functional and esthetic result can be achieved without further surgery. It is important that dentists be aware of the clinical signs and symptoms of TMJ ankylosis, to allow early diagnosis and treatment.

Recent trends in the management of proximal bile duct cancer.

A case of obstructive jaundice in a 55-year-old male patient is reported. Ultrasonography in the case showed a space occupying lesion proximal to porta. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed complete occlusion of bile duct near porta. The patient was operated upon and the growth was totally excised. The biliary tract was reconstructed by a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The anastomosis was stented in the right and left hepatic ducts and the distal ends were brought out of the abdomen and fixed to the skin. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and the tubes were clamped after 2 weeks. Regular follow-up clinically and radiologically for 3 months showed no recurrence. The tubes were removed after 3 months. The patient is well for last one and half years without any complaint.

Adolescent nutrition in a rural community in Bangladesh.

The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of adolescent boys and girls in a rural community in Bangladesh. Between December 1996 and January 1997, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in 803 households, each containing at least one adolescent, sampled consecutively from four purposely-selected villages in Rupganj Thana, Narayanganj district. Initially, the guardians of 1483 healthy and unmarried 10-17 year old adolescents (51% boys and 49% girls) were interviewed about family structure and socio-economic status. Out of these children, 906 (47% boys and 53% girls) from 597 households were weighed, had their height and MUAC measured and were clinically examined. Blood was then collected from 861 adolescents for haemoglobin estimation. The median monthly income per person in these 597 families was approximately Taka 554 (US $12). Twenty seven per cent of the household heads were labourers, 21% were solvent farmers, 14% ran small scale businesses and 6% were unemployed. Sixty seven per cent of adolescents were thin (defined as BMI < 5th centile of WHO recommended reference) with 75% boys and 59% girls being affected. The percentage of thin adolescents fell from 95% at age 10 years to 12% at age 17 years. The prevalence of stunting (height for age < 3rd centile NCHS/WHO) was 48% for both boys and girls and rose from 34% at age 10 to 65% at age 17. On clinical examination angular stomatitis was present in 46%, 27% had glossitis, 38% had pallor, 11% had dental caries, 3.2% had an conspicuously enlarged thyroid and 2.1% had eye changes of vitamin A deficiency. According to INACG (International Nutritional Anaemia Consultative Group, 1985) cut-off values, 94% of the boys and 98% of the girls were anaemic. We conclude that rural Bangladesh adolescents suffer from high rates of malnutrition and almost universal anaemia. Nutritional interventions to target this population are urgently required.