Determination of Aflatoxin M1 and Heavy Metals in Infant Formula Milk Brands Available in Pakistani Markets

Saeed Akhtar,Muhammad Arif Shahzad,Sang-ho Yoo,Amir Ismail,Aneela Hameed,Tariq Ismail,Muhammad Riaz 한국축산식품학회 2017 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.37 No.1

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) after its bioconversion from aflatoxin B1 in animal liver becomes the part of milk while heavy metals get entry into milk and milk products during handling in the supply chain. Aflatoxin M1 and heavy metals being toxic compounds are needed to be monitored continuously to avoid any ailments among consumers of foods contaminated with such toxicants. Thirteen commercially available infant formula milk (IFM) brands available in Pakistani markets were analyzed for the quantitative determination of AFM1 and heavy metals through ELISA and atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively. AFM1 was found positive in 53.84% samples while 30.76% samples were found exceeding the maximum EU limit i.e. 0.025 μg/kg for AFM1 in IFM. Heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were found below the detection limits in any of the sample, whereas the concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) ranged between 45.40-97.10, 29.72-113.50 and 1, Zn and Ni in some of the tested IFM brands indicated that a diet completely based on these IFM brands might pose sever health implications in the most vulnerable community i.e., infants.

Coupled transport of Tl3+ through triethanolamine–xylene–polypropylene supported liquid membranes

Saeed ur Rehman,Gul Akhtar,M. Ashraf Chaudry 한국공업화학회 2012 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.18 No.1

This study has been carried out for the uphill transport of Tl3+ across triethanolamine (TEA)–xylene based supported liquid membrane. The mechanism of transport of Tl3+ has been found to be based on the association of Tl3+ with six chloride ions to form anions, which associate with three protonated triethanolamine molecular cations (HOH4C2)3N+H at the feed side of the membrane face and form a complex. The complex is extracted into the liquid membrane organic phase, from where it diffuses towards the stripping side of membrane due to the concentration gradient and is dissociated due to alkaline conditions present in the stripping phase. It is also confirmed that proton addition to triethanolamine takes place at the N site and not at the –OH sites. 5.26 mol/dm3 of TEA in xylene in membrane phase, 1.0 mol/dm3 of HCl in feed and 1.0 mol/dm3 of NaOH in stripping phase have been found to be the optimum concentrations for the extraction of Tl3+. The method developed for transport of Tl3+ has been successfully applied to remove Tl3+ from coal ash acid leach liquors along with nickel,chromium and zinc ions.

Development of hybrid resin to reduce silica in borated water

Ramzan Akhtar,Shahid Latif,Syed Aizaz Ali Shah,Shaukat Saeed,Abdul Aziz Korean Nuclear Society 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.7

Amberlite IRN-78 resin was incorporated with iron to make a hybrid resin for the removal of silica from the borated water of nuclear power plants. The hybrid resin contained 0.84 wt % iron compounds upon pyrolysis. In batch experiments carried out at room temperature, 1 g of the hybrid resin removed ~60 ㎍ silica from 1 ppm borated water in ~120 min. The efficiency of the hybrid material increased with the resin quantity, decreased with silica concentration, and remained unchanged at different pH values. Freundlich and Temkin isothermal adsorption dominated the silica removal process and followed the pseudo-first-order and intra-particle diffusion mechanism simultaneously. The concentration of the leached iron remained appreciably under the safe limits of 200 ㎍/l during the experiments. This detailed study suggests the use of hybrid resin for the removal of silica from borated water streams and other similar systems.

Bloom to Gloom-Emotional Intelligence and Employee Silence: An Empirical Study from Pakistan

Sadia SAEED,Naveed AKHTAR,Shariq HUSSAIN 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.12

The objective of the current research study is to examine those elements/factors that can reduce silence so that organizations can become more efficient, innovative, and adaptable by sharing knowledge and work-related problems. The purpose behind conducting this research was to explore the effects of emotional intelligence on silent behavior. The study also focuses on other individual negative aspects that can increase counterproductive behavior like silence and examines the effects of emotional intelligence on silence through moral disengagement. Data was collected from 400 employees using stratified sampling to ensure adequate representation of males and females. Data was collected from nurses and young doctors using the adopted measurement scale through a self-administered questionnaire. Since the sample included nursing staff and they usually are not well versed in English, the instrument was translated into Urdu. Data were analyzed using SEM to assess the direct and indirect effects of EI on employee silence. The result indicates that emotional intelligence has a positive impact on employee silence and moral disengagement. In contradiction to theory, the findings suggest that people with high emotional intelligence tend to get morally disengaged. As a result, they will remain silent and withhold information regarding work-related issues and problems.

Update knowledge on cervical cancer incidence and prevalence in Asia

Daniyal, Muhammad,Akhtar, Naheed,Ahmad, Saeed,Fatima, Urooj,Akram, Muhammad,Asif, Hafiz Muhammad Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide, with over 500,000 new cases diagnosed annually and 50% mortality rate in Asia. In the United States, approximately 10,370 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually, and estimated 3,710 deaths occur from the disease, making it the sixth most common cause of malignancy among American women. This study aims to provide awareness about cervical cancer as well as an updated knowledge about the prevalence and incidence of cervical cancer in Asia.

Nutritional and biochemical evaluation of sorghum supplemented sourdough flat bread

Tariq Ismail,Saeed Akhtar,Muhammad Riaz,Orner Mukhtar Tarar,Amir Ismail 단국대학교 국제농업협력연구소 2012 단국대학교 국제농업협력연구소 학술대회 Vol.2012 No.1

Wheat flour supplemented with 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% sorghum flour and sourdough bread made thereof were evaluated for mineral contents, phytic acid, tannin, total phenols and in vitro protein digestibility. Effect of supplementation was assessed on nutritional quality of the sourdough flatbread. Analyses of the sorghum supplemented flours revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in crude fat(%), crude fiber(%) and NFE (%)with a decreasing pattern in crude protein and ash contents. Sourdough fermentation appeared to improve mineral contents in bread since the concentration of iron, zinc and manganese were increased from 3.07-4.41, 0.87-0.95 and 2.48-2.56 mg/100 g, respectively. Phytic acid (%) and tannin (%) were reduced from 1.14 to 0.57, and 0.40 to 0.22, respectively in flatbread. Total phenols of composite flour decreased from 342 to 104 mg/100 g in sourdough flatbread. Similarly, in vitro protein digestibility was shown to increase from 74.81 to 81.14% apparently due to reduction in concentration of chelating agents by fermentation process. Conclusively, composite flour technology in combination with lactic acid fermentation was found quite successfully exploited to reduce anti-nutritional compounds, enhance availability of minerals and improve the digestibility of non-conventional cereal grains.

Morphometric Analysis of Population Samples of Soldier Caste of Odontotermesfeae (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Termitidae = Macrotermitinae)

Farkhanda Manzoor,Muhammad Saeed Akhtar 한국응용곤충학회 2005 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2005 No.05

Chronic Infections of the Urinary Tract and Bladder Cancer Risk: a Systematic Review

Anderson-Otunu, Oghenetejiri,Akhtar, Saeed Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.8

Literature on the relationship between recurrent urinary tract infections and urinary bladder carcinoma risk has been inconsistent. Therefore, we carried out this systematic review of observational studies to ascertain if there is any association between chronic urinary tract infection and urinary bladder carcinoma. A total of 10 databases were searched using Boolean: CINAHL, PUBMED, Google Scholar, Medline, Science Direct, SCIRUS, Cochrane, UK PubMed central, NHS evidence and WHO-website. The search yielded an initial hit of 3,518 articles and after screening and critical appraisal, seven studies were included for this review. Four articles reported an association between chronic urinary tract infections and bladder cancer while three concluded a weak or no association at least in one gender. Main findings in this review were that most of the studies reported an association between chronic urinary tract infections and bladder cancer risk. However, inferences about the causal association between chronic urinary tract infections and bladder cancer risk should be drawn cautiously considering the methodological limitations of case-control studies included in this review. Therefore, more empirical evidence is needed to determine the causal nature of relationships between chronic urinary tract infections and bladder cancer risk.

Diversity in Betasatellites Associated with Cotton Leaf Curl Disease During Source-To-Sink Movement Through a Resistant Host

Khan, Iftikhar Ali,Akhtar, Khalid Pervaiz,Akbar, Fazal,Hassan, Ishtiaq,Amin, Imran,Saeed, Muhammad,Mansoor, Shahid The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2016 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.32 No.1

Cotton leaf curl is devastating disease of cotton characterized by leaf curling, vein darkening and enations. The disease symptoms are induced by DNA satellite known as Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMuB), dominant betasatellite in cotton but another betasatellite known as Chili leaf curl betasatellite (ChLCB) is also found associated with the disease. Grafting experiment was performed to determine if host plant resistance is determinant of dominant population of betasatellite in cotton (several distinct strains of CLCuMuB are associated with the disease). Infected scion of Gossypium hirsutum collected from field (the source) was grafted on G. arboreum, a diploid cotton species, resistant to the disease. A healthy scion of G. hirsutum (sink) was grafted at the top of G. arboreum to determine the movement of virus/betasatellite to upper susceptible scion of G. hirsutum. Symptoms of disease appeared in the upper scion and presence of virus/betasatellite in the upper scion was confirmed via molecular techniques, showing that virus/betasatellite was able to move to upper scion through resistant G. arboreum. However, no symptoms appeared on G. arboreum. Betasatelites were cloned and sequenced from lower scion, upper scion and G. arboreum which show that the lower scion contained both CLCuMuB and ChLCB, however only ChLCB was found in G. arboreum. The upper scion contained CLCuMuB with a deletion of 78 nucleotides (nt) in the non-coding region between Arich sequence and ${\beta}C1$ gene and insertion of 27 nt in the middle of ${\beta}C1$ ORF. This study may help in investigating molecular basis of resistance in G. arboreum.

구미국가산업단지의 아세트알데히드 악취모델링

이은주 ( Eun Ju Lee ),무하매드사이드 ( Muhammad Saeed Akhtar ),임광희 ( Kwang Hee Lim ) 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Chemical Engineering Research(HWAHAK KONGHA Vol.54 No.1

본 연구에서는 CALPUFF 모델링을 수행하여 구미국가산업단지 공단지역에 악취로 인한 주민의 민원이 빈번한 지역과 아세트알데히드 배출 주요 점오염원인 구미국가산업단지 공단지역 합성섬유제조업체 악취배출시설과의 상관관계를 정립하고자 하였다. 본 연구의 CALPUFF 모델링 결과로서 T사 배출설비 개선 후에 구미공단의 아세트알데히드 농도의 최대값이 T사 배출설비 개선 전보다 O (10-5 g/m3)에서 O (10-6 g/m3)으로 저감되고 겨울(1월)과 봄(4월)에 구미 1공단의 아세트알데히드 농도가 개선되어서 구미 3공단에서 자주 아세트알데히드 농도의 구미공단 내 최대값이 도출되었다. 또한 T사 배출설비 개선 후에 도출된 아세트알데히드 농도의 구미공단 내 최대값 예측범위는 T사 배출설비 개선 전의 구미공단 내 최대값 예측범위보다 개선되었다. 이와 같은 총괄 점오염원의 아세트알데히드 기여도 평가 예측을 위한 CALPUFF 모델링 최대값은 ‘구미대구지역 HAPs 조사연구’의 측정 최대값 결과와 비교하였을 때에 상호비교할 수 있는 비슷한 값을 보였고 민원추세와도 잘 일치하였다. 따라서 본 연구에서 총괄 점오염원의 아세트알데히드 기여도 평가 예측에 대한 유효성을 보여주었다. 한편 총괄 점오염원에서의 아세트알데히드 배출에 의하여 확산된아세트알데히드 농도에 대한 T사 점오염원의 상대적 기여도가 T사 배출설비 개선 후에 개선 전보다 대부분 배 이상낮아짐이 예측되었다. 반면에 이에 대한 W사 점오염원의 상대적 기여도는 T사 배출설비 개선 후가 T사 배출설비 개선 전보다 배 이상 증가하였다. 이것은 T사 배출설비 개선에 의하여 상대적으로 W사 점오염원의 아세트알데히드 기여도가 커졌음을 의미하였다. In this study CALPUFF modeling was performed to establish a correlation between regions of frequent civil odor complaints near Gumi national industrial complex and odor-emission facilities of synthetic fiber manufacturers in the same area as main acetaldehyde-emission point sources. As a result of the CALPUFF modeling, the maximum concentration of acetaldehyde in Gumi national industrial complex was reduced from O (10-5 g/m3) to O (10-6 g/m3) upon improving emission facilities of T company so that the maximum concentrations of acetaldehyde frequently appeared in complex 3. In addition, the predicted range of the maximum acetaldehyde concentration in Gumi national industrial complex was also improved in comparison with that prior to improving emission facilities of T company. These maximum concentrations of acetaldehyde obtained to estimate the expected contribution of total acetaldehyde point source by CALPUFF modeling showed the similar values to those measured in ‘HAPs investigation in the region of Gumi-Daegu’ and were consistent to the trend of civil odor complaints. Therefore, the expected contribution of total acetaldehyde point source was validated. The relative contribution of T company upon improving its emission facilities was predicted to be lowered by more than factor of two, compared to that prior to improving its emission facilities. To the contrary, the relative contribution of W company upon improving emission facilities of T company was predicted to be increased by more than factor of two, compared to that prior to improving emission facilities of T company. This indicates that the contribution of aldehyde point sources of W company was relatively increased upon improving emission facilities of T company.