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In arid and semi-arid regions, rainwater harvesting (RWH) system may achieve a new water source. RWH dam can be constructed, based on criteria of small earth dam, at the out let of the selected catchment area to store the harvested rainwater in its reservoir. RWH dam may suffered by seepage problem (the flow of water through dam body). Seepage problem represents a major problem that may cause dam failure if it is not controlled. Dam failure is very dangerous resulting in property destruction and loss of life. In this study, the characteristics of seepage analysis are investigated through the proposed Al-Khoser RWH dam. Seepage modelling based on finite element method and numerical analysis has carried out using SEEP/W, a sub-program of Geo Studio. The analysis is covered eight scenarios for two types of dam (homogeneous and zoned) with different filters types (toe, horizontal, chimney, and without filter) for each dam type. In order to, make suitable decision of using core and filter including specifying filter type, seepage parameters such as total head, pore water pressure, seepage discharge, velocity and the gradient are computed. The phreatic line and factor of safety against vertical and horizontal piping are also studied and presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and other climatological elements are prerequisite needs in applications to irrigation planning and crop water management. They are crucial aspects for sustainable water resources management. In this article, data from 23 weather stations for 31 years were used to estimate the monthly reference evapotranspiration using FAO Penman–Monteith procedure. Based on the average monthly ETo values, the map of Iraq was divided into three main zones: northern, intermediate, and southern zone in the order of minimum, medium, and maximum values of ETo, respectively. The estimated values of reference evapotranspiration were then generalized on the whole area of Iraq using interpolation and then a contour map of evapotranspiration was provided. This map is necessary in providing approximate values for evapotranspiration in some regions where there are no climatological stations. The interpolation was conducted via two ways. The first way was done by interpolating the factors that included in FAO Penman–Monteith procedure and then calculating the ETo from the resulted data. The second way was conducted by interpolating the ETo values of the recommended 23 available stations. It was found that the resulted values of ETo from the second way was slightly higher than those of the first way. Consequently, the second way is more reliable for design purposes. It was concluded that the maximum ETo occurred on July while minimum occurred on January. The results showed that the most affecting climatological factor on ETo in Iraq based on FAO-Penman-Monteith procedure was the air temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to identify cornulin (CRNN) protein expression associated with advancement of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). A comparison of addictive (containing potential carcinogens) versus non-addiction causative agents was expected to allow detection of differences in CRNN expression associated with TSCC. Bespoke tissue microarrays (TMAs) were prepared and immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed to determine the changes in CRNN expression in epithelial cells of node-negative (pN-), node-positive (pN+) TSCC and non-cancer patients' oral tissues. TMAs were validated by performing IHC on whole diagnostic tissues. Chi-square test or Fisher's-exact tests were used to establish significant expression differences. Analogous analyses were performed for biomarkers previously associated with TSCC, namely collagen I alpha 2 (COL1A2) and decorin (DCN) to compare the significance of CRNN. Keratinisation and its level (low, extensive) were studied in relation to CRNN so that the extent of squamous differentiation could better be assessed. IHC immunoreactive score (IRS) clustered the patients based on weak/moderate (Low (IRS ≤ +3)) or strong (High (IRS ≥ +4)) expression groups. A low expression was observed in a larger number of patients in control proteins COL1A2 (77.3%), DCN (87.5%) and target protein CRNN (52.3%), respectively. Low CRNN expression was observed in TSCC where nodes were involved (pN+: mean 1.4 ± 2.1) (p = 0.248). Keratinisation (%) was low (0% ≤ 50%) in 42.2% and extensive (1% > 50.0%) in 57.8% patients. In conclusion, our study suggested that Low CRNN expression was associated with grade and lymph node metastasis in TSCC. CRNN expression is independent of addiction, however potentially carcinogenic addictive substances might be aiding in the disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Asian developing countries share the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) with rising mortality rates. This prospective study aims to apprehend the clinical relevance of age, gender, lifestyle choices (dietary habits and addiction) and body mass index (BMI) to the occurrence and progression of colon cancer (CC)., Methods: A cohort of non-cancer (NC) and CC patients of South-Central Asian origin registered for screening colonoscopy or surgery at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH and RC), Lahore, Pakistan, from 2015 to 2020 was identified. BMI (Kg/m 2 ) was classified according to the World Health Organization criteria as underweight (<18.5 Kg/m 2 ), normal weight (18.5-24.9 Kg/m 2 ) and overweight (≥25 Kg/m 2 )., Results: Among 236 participants, 99 (41.9%) belonged to the NC group, and 137 (58.1 %) participants had CC Overall, participants included 74 women and 162 men aged 20-85 years (mean ± SD; 49.9 ± 14.9). Notably, 46.0% of cancer patients had a family history of cancer. There was a direct relationship between CC with abnormal BMI (underweight and overweight), positive smoking history and positive family history of cancer., Conclusion: Being underweight or overweight is a potential risk factor for CC patients. The overall survival in patients with CC is clinically associated with lifestyle choices before CC diagnosis. A balanced diet, walking and other forms of exercise should be strongly recommended to the community and those undergoing screening colonoscopy., Competing Interests: Nil., (Copyright: © 2022 Aleem I, et al.)

Objective: To determine the impact of Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index risk categorisation on the survival of patients with follicular lymphoma treated in one centre., Method: The retrospective study comprised follicular lymphoma patients treated from 1997 to 2010 at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore. Their baseline prognostic index score, stage, bone marrow involvement and high-grade transformation were recorded. Risk categorisation was done according to the index score. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis., Results: Median age of the 70 patients studied was 54 years (range: 23-98). There were 42 (60%) males. Overall, 58 (83%) patients presented with stage III/IV disease. Bone marrow was involved in 42 (60%) cases. High-grade transformation was reported in 12 (17.1%). According to risk categorisation, 21 (30%) were low risk, 21 (30%) intermediate and 28 (40%) were in high-risk category. Patients were treated with standard chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 3 years (range: 1-9). Median overall survival was 4.1 years (95% Cl: 4.7-6.4).The Kaplan Meier estimated overall survival at 5 years was 26 (43%). Five-year overall survival in the low, intermediate and high risk groups was 14 (66%), 10 (47%) and 7 (25%), respectively (p < 0.02)., Conclusion: The Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index showed significant prognostic value with high scores having poor overall survival compared to patients with low and intermediate scores.