Drinking water quality of various sources in Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan

Abstract The present study involves the chemical and bacteriological analysis of water from different sources i.e., bore, wells, bottle, and tap, from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. From each district, 50 water samples (10 samples from each source), regardless of urban and rural status, were collected from these sources and analysed for sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total soluble solids and coliforms (E. coli). Results indicated that majority of the water sources had unacceptable E. coli count i.e.> 34 CFU/100mL. E. coli positive samples were high in Mardan District, followed by Kohat, Swat and Peshawar district. Besides this, the some water sources were also chemically contaminated by different inorganic fertilizers (nitrates/nitrites of sodium, potassium) but under safe levels whereas agricultural and industrial wastes (chloride and sulphate compounds) were in unsafe range. Among all districts, the water quality was found comparatively more deteriorated in Kohat and Mardan districts than Peshawar and Swat districts. Such chemically and bacteriologically unfit water sources for drinking and can cause human health problems.

Resumo O presente estudo envolve a análise química e bacteriológica de água de diferentes fontes, ou seja, furo, poços, garrafa e torneira, dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Swat e Kohat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. De cada distrito, 50 amostras de água (10 amostras de cada fonte), independentemente do status urbano e rural, foram coletadas dessas fontes e analisadas para sulfatos, nitratos, nitritos, cloretos, sólidos solúveis totais e coliformes (E. coli). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria das fontes de água tinha uma contagem inaceitável de E. coli, ou seja, > 34 UFC / 100 mL. As amostras positivas para E. coli foram elevadas no distrito de Mardan, seguido por Kohat, Swat e distrito de Peshawar. Além disso, algumas fontes de água também foram contaminadas quimicamente por diferentes fertilizantes inorgânicos (nitratos/nitritos de sódio, potássio), mas em níveis seguros, enquanto os resíduos agrícolas e industriais (compostos de cloreto e sulfato) estavam em níveis inseguros. Entre todos os distritos, a qualidade da água foi considerada comparativamente mais deteriorada nos distritos de Kohat e Mardan do que nos distritos de Peshawar e Swat. Essas fontes de água química e bacteriologicamente impróprias para beber podem causar problemas à saúde humana.

Drinking water quality of various sources in Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan / Qualidade de água potável de váris fontes dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat e Swat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão

Abstract The present study involves the chemical and bacteriological analysis of water from different sources i.e., bore, wells, bottle, and tap, from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. From each district, 50 water samples (10 samples from each source), regardless of urban and rural status, were collected from these sources and analysed for sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total soluble solids and coliforms (E. coli). Results indicated that majority of the water sources had unacceptable E. coli count i.e.> 34 CFU/100mL. E. coli positive samples were high in Mardan District, followed by Kohat, Swat and Peshawar district. Besides this, the some water sources were also chemically contaminated by different inorganic fertilizers (nitrates/nitrites of sodium, potassium) but under safe levels whereas agricultural and industrial wastes (chloride and sulphate compounds) were in unsafe range. Among all districts, the water quality was found comparatively more deteriorated in Kohat and Mardan districts than Peshawar and Swat districts. Such chemically and bacteriologically unfit water sources for drinking and can cause human health problems.

Resumo O presente estudo envolve a análise química e bacteriológica de água de diferentes fontes, ou seja, furo, poços, garrafa e torneira, dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Swat e Kohat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. De cada distrito, 50 amostras de água (10 amostras de cada fonte), independentemente do status urbano e rural, foram coletadas dessas fontes e analisadas para sulfatos, nitratos, nitritos, cloretos, sólidos solúveis totais e coliformes (E. coli). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria das fontes de água tinha uma contagem inaceitável de E. coli, ou seja, > 34 UFC / 100 mL. As amostras positivas para E. coli foram elevadas no distrito de Mardan, seguido por Kohat, Swat e distrito de Peshawar. Além disso, algumas fontes de água também foram contaminadas quimicamente por diferentes fertilizantes inorgânicos (nitratos/nitritos de sódio, potássio), mas em níveis seguros, enquanto os resíduos agrícolas e industriais (compostos de cloreto e sulfato) estavam em níveis inseguros. Entre todos os distritos, a qualidade da água foi considerada comparativamente mais deteriorada nos distritos de Kohat e Mardan do que nos distritos de Peshawar e Swat. Essas fontes de água química e bacteriologicamente impróprias para beber podem causar problemas à saúde humana.

Score Tomográfico de Severidad (TSS) como predictor de admisión a Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) en pacientes con neumonía COVID-19 en una clínica de San Juan de

Objetivo: Determinar si el Score Tomográfico de Severidad (TSS) de pacientes con neumonía COVID-19 a su ingreso, así como algunas pruebas de laboratorio o rasgos clínicos predicen el ingreso a UCI en este grupo de pacientes. Material y métodos: Estudio de casos y controles, que incluyó pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de Infección por virus SARS-CoV2, realizado mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa (RT-PCR), prueba serológica reactiva(IgM/IgG) y/o Tomografía Computarizada de tórax (TCT) sin contraste. Dos radiólogos (evaluadoresciegos) describieron los hallazgos tomográficos. Los datos fueron tomados de historias clínicas electrónicas (HCE). Se analizó las variables más importantes de predicción de ingreso a UCI: TSS, edad, IMC, obesidad, ferritina, Dímero D, saturación de O2, PO2, linfopenia, proteína C reactiva, y presencia de comorbilidades: Diabetes mellitus, HTA. La predicción de ingreso a UCI se realizó mediante regresión logística binaria para un OR ajustado, que comparaba 2 modelos de análisis con un IC 95 % y un p valor <0,05; como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 168 participantes. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la hipertensión arterial, seguidopor diabetes tipo 2; los síntomas más frecuentes en nuestra serie fueron tos, malestar general,fiebre y dificultad respiratoria, no hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos estudiados (Ingresados a UCI y No ingresados a UCI). La edad media de los pacientes No ingresados aUCI fue 44.89 ± 10.9 años y de los ingresados a UCI 43.81 ± 11 años (p: 0.669). La media del valor de Score TSS fue 14(SD 4.44) en ingresados UCI vs. 7.77(SD 4.81) en no ingresados a UCI (p<0.001), La media del Dímero D fue 0.78 (SD 2.74) en no ingresados a UCI vs. 4.72(SD 9.72) en ingresados a UCI (p<0.001). Además, la predicción para el ingreso a UCI por regresión logística binaria mostró en el modelo 2, que las siguientes variables: TSS(OR: 1.24) (IC 95 % 1.08-1.43)(p= 0.002), IMC (OR: 1.19) (IC 95 % 1.02-1.39)(p= 0.022) ,Edad (OR: 0.94)(IC 95 % 0.89-0.99) (p= 0.047) y Dímero D (OR: 1.14) (IC 95 % 1.04-1.26)(p= 0.05), fueron las variables con mejor valor predictor. Conclusiones: El Score TSS fue útil en la evaluación diagnóstica inicial de neumonía COVID-19, en conjunto a marcadores como Dímero D, IMC y edad que pueden predecir un mal resultado a corto plazo. Un Score TSS ≥ 8 en pacientes con neumonía COVID 19 en su admisión hospitalaria puede ser considerado predictor de admisión a UCI, en los pacientes estudiados.

Objective: To determine if the Tomographic Severity Score (TSS) of patients with COVID- 19 pneumonia at admission, as well as some laboratory tests or clinical features predict ICU admission in this group of patients. Material and methods: Case-control study, which included patients with a clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV2 virus infection, performed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reactive serological test (IgM / IgG) and/or Computed Tomography of the chest (CTT) without contrast. Two radiologists (blind evaluators) described the tomographic findings. The data were taken from electronic medical records (EHR). The most important variables for the prediction of ICU admission were analyzed: TSS, age, BMI, obesity, ferritin, D-Dimer, O2 saturation, PO2, lymphopenia, C-reactive protein, and presence of comorbidities: Diabetes Mellitus, HTN. The prediction of admission to the ICU was performed using binary logistic regression for an adjusted OR, which compared 2 analysis models with a 95% CI and a p value <0.05; as statistically significant Results: 168 participants were included. The most frequent comorbidity was arterial hypertension, followed by Type 2 diabetes, the most frequent symptoms in our series were cough, malaise, fever and respiratory distress, there were no significant differences between the groups studied (admitted to ICU and not admitted to ICU). The mean age of the patients not admitted to the ICU was 44.89 ± 10.9 years and of those admitted to the ICU 43.81 ± 11 years (p: 0.669). The mean value of the TSS Score was 14 (SD 4.44) in ICU patients vs. 7.77 (SD 4.81) in Not admitted to ICU (p <0.001), the mean D-Dimer was 0.78 (SD 2.74) in Not admitted to ICU vs. 4.72 (SD 9.72) in ICU admitted (p <0.001). In addition, the prediction for ICU admission by binary logistic regression was shown in Model 2; than the following variables: TSS (OR: 1.24) (95% CI 1.081.43) (p= 0.002), BMI (OR: 1.19) (95% CI 1.02-1.39) (p= 0.022), Age (OR: 0.94) (95% CI 0.89-0.99) (p= 0.047) and D-Dimer (OR: 1.14) (95% CI 1.04-1.26) (p= 0.05), were the variables with the best predictive value. Conclusions: The TSS Score was useful in the initial diagnostic evaluation of COVID-19 pneumonia, in conjunction with markers such as D-Dimer, BMI and age that can predict a poor result in the short term. A TSS Score ≥ 8 in patients with COVID 19 pneumonia at hospital admission can be considered a predictor of admission to the ICU in the patients studied.

Study of Safety and Efficacy for the Combination of Chlorpheniramine maleate and Phenylephrine in Infants suffering from Allergic Rhinitis and Associated Symptoms

Introduction: The epidemiological data suggest that thereis alarming rise in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. It oftengoes intractable in small children. A combination of nasaldecongestant and antihistaminic drug is preferred over thevarious aetiologies associated with allergic rhinitis. Studyobjective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety for thecombination of Chlorpheniramine maleate and Phenylephrinein patients of allergic rhinitis and associated symptoms.Material and Methods: Total 215 patients were enrolledout of which 177 patients completed the study and efficacyassessment was made by reduction in TSS and four pointLikert-Type scales. Safety assessment was made by analysingthe adverse events during clinical trial.Results: There was significant reduction in TSS from 5.677(baseline) to 2.711 (day 3) and 0.542 (day 5). At day 3 andday 5 there was reduction of 52.23% and 90.44% as comparedto baseline. Nearly all the patients had > 50% reduction insymptom score at all visits and majority of patients hadcomplete relief from the symptom.Conclusion: A combination of Phenylephrine andChlorpheniramine maleate was found to be efficacious as wellas safe in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Comparative Quality Analysis of Cucumber Grown Under Polyhouse and in Open Condition

Cucumber is one of the important cucurbitaceous vegetable grown in Assam and its neighbouring states. Although a large number of F1varieties are available in the market, their comparative quality assessment has not been made for their suitability to be grown under polyhouse. So, the present experiment involves cultivation of six different F1 hybrids namely Malini, Don, NS 404, Noori, Alisha and Sedona under polyhouse and in open condition having a wide variation in terms of quality characters. During the experiment, various quality parameters or characters were investigated for each of the genotypes. All the genotypes had a wide range of variation for most of the characters under investigation. The highest moisture content per fruit under polyhouse condition was observed in genotype Malini (96.75%) while in open condition Noori recorded the highest moisture content. Highly significant differences were also observed with respect to ascorbic acid, TSS, reducing sugar and non reducing sugar for the conditions of cultivation. The highest TSS content (4.06ºB), highest total sugar 3.46% and reducing sugar 0.58 % was observed in Malini under polyhouse. However, Sedona was found to have highest maximum TSS content (4.22ºB), total sugar 3.51% and reducing sugar 0.61% in open condition. The ascorbic acid content (6.38 and 6.25) and SOD activity (28.47 and 26.94) expressed as mg 100 g-1and ? mg-1protein were observed highestin Alisha under both polyhouse and in open condition, respectively. The result revealed that cucumber cultivated under polyhouse condition significantly differ in various quality aspects than the ones cultivated in open condition and are found to be superior in terms of quality. Thus we may say that growing environment is an important factor that could reflect on the quality characters of the cucumber.

Validación de la escala abreviada de síntomas en pacientes con neoplasias mieloproliferativas (MPN-SAF-TSS): evaluación en pacientes colombianos / Validation of the Abbreviated Symptom Scale for Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MPN-SAF-TSS): Evaluation for Colombian Patients / Validação da Escala Abreviada de Sintomas em Pacientes com Neoplasias Mieloproliferativas (MPN-SAF-TSS): Avaliação em Pacientes Colombianos

Resumen Objetivo: Validar en Colombia la escala abreviada de síntomas representativos de neoplasias mieloproliferativas para su posterior uso en investigación y aplicación en el ámbito clínico. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó la adaptación transcultural de la escala MPN-SAF-TSS (por sus siglas en inglés: Mieloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assesment Form-Total Sympton Score) a español y al contexto colombiano, con análisis estadísticos de validez y confiabilidad con un tamaño de muestra determinado para cada propiedad psicométrica. Resultados: Con base en las propiedades psicométricas se logró verificar la confiabilidad y la estructura interna de la escala con alfa de Cronbach de 0,8552, lo que denota una buena consistencia interna; se obtuvo un coeficiente de correlación de concordancia de Lin de 0,765 que muestra una buena confiabilidad. El análisis factorial mostró múltiples valores de coeficiente de correlación por encima de 0,3, lo que indica que las variables de la escala miden factores comunes; la validez de criterio concurrente determina que la escala mide lo que debe medir con un adecuado coeficiente de correlación de Spearman de -0,71 y -0,73 al confrontarla con las escalas FACIT-Fatigue y Fact-Lym respectivamente. Conclusión: La escala MPN-SAF-TSS adaptada a español y al contexto colombiano es un instrumento válido para la evaluación de síntomas en pacientes con neoplasias mieloproliferativas y puede ser utilizado en la práctica clínica o en estudios clínicos por sus adecuadas propiedades psicométricas.

Abstract Objective: To validate in Colombia the abbreviated scale of representative symptoms of myeloproliferative neoplasms, for further use in research and for application in the clinical setting. Materials and methods: A cross-cultural adaptation of the MPN-SAF TSS-scale (mieloproliferative neoplasm symptom assessment form total symptom score) to Colombian Spanish using statistical validity and reliability analysis with a specific sample size for each psychometric property. Results. Based on the psychometric properties, the verification of reliability and internal structure with a Cronbach's alpha scale of 0.8552 was achieved, denoting good internal consistency. A Lin's concordance correlation coefficient of 0.765 was obtained, showing good reliability; factor analysis showed multiple correlation coefficient values above 0.3, indicating that the scale variables measure common factors. Concurrent validity determines that the scale measures what it should measure with an adequate Spearman correlation coefficient of -0.71 and -0.73 when confronted with the FACIT-Fatigue and Fact-Lym scales, respectively. Conclusion: The MPN-SAF-TSS scale adapted to Colombian Spanish is a valid assessment instrument for symptoms in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms and can be used in clinical practice or trials due to its adequate psychometric properties.

Resumo Objetivo: Validar na Colômbia, a escala abreviada de sintomas representativos de neoplasias mielo-proliferativas, para u seu posterior uso em investigação e a sua aplicação no âmbito clínico. Materiais e métodos: Realizou-se a adaptação transcultural da escala MPN-SAF-TSS (pelas suas siglas em inglês mieloproliferative neoplasm symptom assesment form total sympton score) ao espanhol colombiano, com análises estadísticas de validez e confiabilidade com um tamanho de amostra determinado para cada propriedade psicométrica. Resultados: Com base nas propriedades psicomé-tricas conseguiu-se verificar a confiabilidade e a estrutura interna da escala com alfa de Cronbach de 0,8552, o que denota uma boa consistência interna; se obteve um coeficiente de correlação de concordância de Lin de 0,765 mostrando uma boa confiabilidade; a análise fatorial mostrou múltiplos valores de coeficiente de correlação por acima de 0.3 indicando que as variáveis da escala medem fatores comuns, a validez de critério concorrente determina que a escala mede o que deve medir, com um adequado coeficiente de correlação de Spearman de -0,71 e -0,73 ao confrontá-la com as escalas FACIT-Fatigue e Fact-Lym respectivamente. Conclusão: A escala MPN-SAF TSS adaptada ao espanhol colombiano, é um instrumento válido para a avaliação de sintomas em pacientes com neoplasias mieloproliferativas e pode ser utilizado na prática clínica ou em estudos clínicos pelas suas adequadas propriedades psicométricas.

Medicated Prickly Pear (Opuntia Ficus Indica)-The New Emerging Agricultural Crop in Arid and Semi Arid Regions of India.

The present investigation deals with the development of agro-techniques for Opuntia ficus indica (Prickly pear)-OFI cultivation. Standardization and development of best spacing for opuntia plantation, fertilization imposition to achieve good fruit and biomass yield and alternatively fruit quality and biomass parameters was observed and concluded as the better agro-technique among the all imposed treatments. The effect of different spacing and fertilizers composition treatment on cladode yield, fruit yield, harvesting index, stem area index (SAI), Total soluble solids (TSS), Titrable acidity and Ascorbic acid (Vit-C). Correlation studies of treatments revealed that all the six characters of cladode yield, harvest index, Stem area index, TSS, TA and Vit-C exhibited non significant, positive correlation with fruit yield.

Effects of NTI-tss splint in the treatment of myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome / 实用口腔医学杂志

20 patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome(MPDS)were were treated by NTI-tss splint only during night for 2 months.After treatment,VAS decreased(P <0.01)and active maximum mouth opening degree increased(P <0.01).NTI-tss splint is ef-fective in the treatment of MPDS.Its side effect needs to be further observed.

PromoterWizard: An Integrated Promoter Prediction Program Using Hybrid Methods

Promoter prediction is a very important problem and is closely related to the main problems of bioinformatics such as the construction of gene regulatory networks and gene function annotation. In this context, we developed an integrated promoter prediction program using hybrid methods, PromoterWizard, which can be employed to detect the core promoter region and the transcription start site (TSS) in vertebrate genomic DNA sequences, an issue of obvious importance for genome annotation efforts. PromoterWizard consists of three main modules and two auxiliary modules. The three main modules include CDRM (Composite Dependency Reflecting Model) module, SVM (Support Vector Machine) module, and ICM (Interpolated Context Model) module. The two auxiliary modules are CpG Island Detector and GCPlot that may contribute to improving the predictive accuracy of the three main modules and facilitating human curator to decide on the final annotation.

Community Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: A Rare Presentation.

Introduction Incidence of community acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is increasing. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS), Necrotizing fasciitis (NF), Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) as a manifestation of CA-MRSA are rare in pediatrics. Case Presentation We report a young boy who presented with TSS, NF and SPG by CA-MRSA following trauma. Conclusion CA-MRSA should be taken into consideration as an etiology for these type of clinical presentations. Early and aggressive surgical and medical intervention are the cornerstone for successful management.

Municipal wastewater treatment and kinetic studies using immobilized fixed bed anaerobic digester.

This study was designed to evaluate the performance of a cylindrical immobilized fixed Bed. Anaerobic digester in treating diluted municipal waste water. A series of three independent batch experiments was performed for a total operation time of 28 days. The system of anaerobic digestion showed stability conditions, with no noticeable scum or foaming problems. The anaerobic treatment of diluted municipal waste water is done using immobilized fixed bed anaerobic batch reactor. The source of waste generation is a mixed sludge collected from dock yard. The present study, thus initiated a need based experimental work on anaerobic digester incorporated with immobilized poly urethane foam system. The kinetic parameters are also estimated using experimental data. Empirical relations were developed for the characteristics like BOD, COD, SCOD, TDS and TSS using modeling equations.

Un nuevo caso de sensibilización a reveladores de fotografía / A new case of sensitization to photo developers

Las dermatosis ocupacionales en trabajadores de fotografía son poco frecuentes en la actualidad. Los alergenos habituales son los reveladores de color CD-2, CD-3 y CD-4. Dichos productos pueden producir erupciones liquenoides y eczematosas. El caso que presentamos es el de un paciente varón de 35 años, trabajador de una empresa de revelados de fotografía desde hacía dos años. En el momento de la consulta presentaba lesiones eczematosas que afectaban mano derecha y ambos miembros superiores con intenso prurito. Se realizaron pruebas epicutáneas, con batería estándar del Grupo Español Internacional de Dermatitis de Contacto (GEIDC) y específica para fotografía, observándose resultados muy positivos para los reveladores de color CD-2, CD-3, CD-4 y TSS (4-amino-N, N-dietilalinina sulfato), así como moderado para hidroxilamonio. El tratamiento consistió en corticoides por vía oral y tópica, así como el cese de la actividad laboral relacionada con el contacto con dichas sustancias, lo que permitió la resolución completa de las lesiones cutáneas sin recidiva.

Occupational dermatitis in photography workers are quite rare nowadays. Common allergens are colour developers CD-2, CD-3 and CD-4. These products can cause lichenoid and eczematous eruptions. We present the case of a 35 year old male patient, who had been working in a photography development company for two years. At the time of the consult the patient presented eczemaous lesions involving the right hand and both arms with intense itching. Epicutaneous patch tests were performed with standard battery from the Spanish Group International Contact Dermatitis (GEIDC) and specifi c battery for photography, showing intense positive results for colour developers CD-2, CD-3, CD-4 and TSS (4-amino-N, N-dietilalinina sulfate), as well as moderate positive result to hydroxyl ammonia. Treatment consisted of oral and topic corticotherapy and the cessation of any work related to the contact with these substances, which allowed complete resolution of skin lesions without recurrence.