Groundwater contamination by heavy metals (HMs) released by weathering and mineral dissolution of granite, gneisses, ultramafic, and basaltic rock composition causes human health concerns worldwide. This paper evaluated the heavy metals (HMs) concentrations and physicochemical variables of groundwater around enriched chromite mines of Malakand, Pakistan, with particular emphasis on water quality, hydro-geochemistry, spatial distribution, geochemical speciation, and human health impacts. To better understand the groundwater hydrogeochemical profile and HMs enrichment, groundwater samples were collected from the mining region (n = 35), non-mining region (n = 20), and chromite mines water (n = 5) and then analyzed using ICPMS (Agilent 7500 ICPMS). The ranges of concentrations in the mining, non-mining, and chromite mines water were 0.02–4.5, 0.02–2.3, and 5.8–6.0 mg/L for CR, 0.4–3.8, 0.05–3.6, and 3.2–5.8 mg/L for Ni, and 0.05–0.8, 0.05–0.8, and 0.6–1.2 mg/L for Mn. Geochemical speciation of groundwater variables such as OH−, H+, Cr+2, Cr+3, Cr+6, Ni+2, Mn+2, and Mn+3 was assessed by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Geochemical speciation determined the mobilization, reactivity, and toxicity of HMs in complex groundwater systems. Groundwater facies showed 45% CaHCO3, 30% NaHCO3, 23.4% NaCl, and 1.6% Ca-Mg-Cl water types. The noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk of HMs outlined via hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard indices (THI) showed the following order: Ni > Cr > Mn. Thus, the HHRA model suggested that children are more vulnerable to HMs toxicity than adults. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA) showed three distinct clusters, namely the least, moderately, and severely polluted clusters, which determined the severity of HMs contamination to be 66.67% overall. The PCAMLR and PMF receptor model suggested geogenic (minerals prospects), anthropogenic (industrial waste and chromite mining practices), and mixed (geogenic and anthropogenic) sources for groundwater contamination. The mineral phases of groundwater suggested saturation and undersaturation. Nemerow’s pollution index (NPI) values determined the unsuitability of groundwater for domestic purposes. The EC, turbidity, PO4−3, Na+, Mg+2, Ca+2, Cr, Ni, and Mn exceeded the guidelines suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). The HMs contamination and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health impacts of HMs showed that the groundwater is extremely unfit for drinking, agriculture, and domestic demands. Therefore, groundwater wells around the mining region need remedial measures. Thus, to overcome the enrichment of HMs in groundwater sources, sustainable management plans are needed to reduce health risks and ensure health safety.
Downward shortwave radiation (DSR) is a highly variable solar source on spatiotemporal basis and essential for energy and agriculture systems, while its calculations are helpful in the environment-related studies, climatology, and monitoring fire risk. Statistical methods developed to extrapolate values of climatic variables and radiation could fail to generate reliable findings of DSR over a complex terrain without considering local topographic factors. In the present study, we proposed an integrative approach of MTCLIM-XL extrapolation with remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) to estimate real-time DSR and its spatial potential over surfaces of contrasting elevated sites on a mountainous terrain of Quetta (Pakistan).Based on methodological approach, remote sensing data product of high-resolution DEM (SRTM 30m) was processed to extract topographic data, and meteorological data were obtained from a base site, Subsequently, MTCLIM-XL executed the simulation to calculate the daily-based DSR (W/m 2 ).Spatial distribution of DSR was generated by applying deterministic interpolation with complementing quantification of Hillshade analysis for spatially obstructive surfaces, and resultant spatial hotspot-based potential was assessed on basis of specified threshold level (above 250 W/ m 2 = 2 kW h/m 2 ) over the specified area. We observed usable potential of DSR at target sites and its spatial distribution during the study period of 2015 to April 2016. Using EUMETSAT CMSAF data as a standard, the validation demonstrates agreeable results of low RMSE and high correlation coefficient values for selected sites, except some sites with relatively high elevations and irregular gradients. Analysis of solar zenith angle to evaluate its inverse relation with increment in DSR values shows agreeable high inverse relation, while the negative trend for only some sites features relatively high rugged topography. In conclusion, MTCLIM-XL with RS and GIS integration manifests as a reliable approach for estimation and spatial potential assessment-based exploration of DSR over complex terrain having no ground data, while prospectively it will complement to the environment-related studies on local to mesoscale.
Aim: Maxillofacial fractures due to motorbike accidents are common in Pakistan. The aim of current study was to evaluate the pattern of fractures in motorbike accidents and the common treatment modalities used to deal these fractures. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study 274 patients with facial fractures were recruited consecutively from Maxillofacial surgery unit of Khyber College of Dentistry, from April 2021 to December 2021. Patterns were classified broadly into midface, mandible and combined fractures while treatment modalities included close reduction and ORIF at 1, 2, 3 and 4 or more points. Simple descriptive statistics were used with SPSS version 20.0. Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact tests were applied where required, with p>0.05 kept as significant. Results: Out of 274 patients, 260 were male and 110 belonged to age group 21 to 30years. Mandible fracture (n=108) was the most common pattern followed by combined fractures (n=88). Symphysis/parasymphysis was the most common site of single mandibular fractures while most common single midfacial bone to fracture was ZMC (n=56). Overall 2 points fixation (n=88) was the most common treatment modality used followed by 1 point fixation (n=72). Mandibular fractures were treated mostly by single point fixation and combined fractures by ORIF at 3 or more points (p=0.000). Conclusion: Maxillofacial fractures due to motorbike accident are common in men of 21 to 30 years age. Mandibular fractures are the most common followed by combined fractures. Mandibular fractures require 1 point, midface fractures 2 points and combined fractures 3 or more points fixation for their optimal management. Key words: motorbike accidents, patterns, treatment modalities
Objectives: Trigeminal neuralgia is an extremely painful condition of unilateral face that is very difficult to diagnose. This study was conducted to evaluate the common peripheral branches involved in trigeminal neuralgia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done at Oral and Maxillofacial surgery unit of Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, from May 2018 to December 2018. Total of 266 patients diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia were included. Pattern was identified on the basis of nerve branch involved. Chi-square test applied, where required, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Out of the 266 patients, 158 (59.4%) were male and 152 (57.1%) belonging to age group 41 to 50 years. Overall right side was involved more commonly with 166 (62.4%) cases. In females right side was commonly involved while in males left side involvement was noted more commonly. Infraorbital nerves (n=117, 44%) and inferior alveolar nerves (n=108, 40.6%) were commonly involved. Association of nerve involved with age group, gender and side of face was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Trigeminal neuralgia is common in males in age range of 41-50 years. Infraorbital nerve is commonly involved in females while in males inferior alveolar nerve is commonly affected. Keywords: pattern, trigeminal nerve, neuralgia
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to identify the most common and severe types of pathologic diseases surrounding impacted mandibular third molars using radiographic imaging. Cases and procedures: An analysis of past patients who had impacted mandibular molars extracted at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Cat D Hospital Gara Tajik Peshawar. Impacted mandibular third molar radiographic lesions, patient age and gender were used as the study's outcome measures. Caries, pericoronal radiolucent areas, periapical radiolucent areas, odontomes, and external resorption of the roots of adjacent mandibular second molars were also noted on radiographs of the impacted third molar. Histopathology confirmed the presence of bone marrow in all radiolucent regions. Results: There were 2,832 mandibular third molars that had been impacted and were studied from 1,397 individuals; 49.4 percent of the impacted teeth had associated radiographic abnormalities. Dental cavities were the most prevalent abnormality detected by panoramic radiography. Other examples of this type of radiolucency can be found at the periphery of the cortex and at the tip of the apex. Histological analysis confirmed that chronic periapical inflammation was the primary cause of most periapical radiolucent regions. Histological examination revealed that all radiolucent spots located around the corona were malignant cysts or tumours. Dentigerous cysts were the most common type of cyst, while ameloblastomas were the most common type of tumour. Conclusion: A large proportion of the patients with a third molar impaction in the mandible also had an underlying pathologic condition. Keywords: Mandibular, Radiolucent, Panoramic, Tumor
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