Growth Responses of Fish During Chronic Exposure of Metal Mixture under Laboratory Conditions

Growth responses of five fish species viz. Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhina mrigala, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix were determined, separately, under chronic exposure of binary mixture of metals (Zn+Ni) at sub-lethal concentrations (1/3rd of LC50) for 12 weeks. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was followed to conduct this research work. The groups (10 fish each) of Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhina mrigala, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix having almost similar weights were investigated for their growth responses and metals bioaccumulation patterns in their body organs during chronic exposure of Zn+Ni mixture. The bioaccumulation of metals in the fish body organs viz. gills, liver, kidney, fins, bones, muscle and skin were also determined before and after growth trails under the stress of metals mixture. The exposure of fish to sub-lethal concentrations of mixture caused significant impacts on the average wet weight increments of five fish species. Ctenopharyngodon idella and Labeo rohita attained significantly higher weights, followed by that of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cirrhina mrigala and Catla catla. However, the growth of metals mixture exposed fish species was significantly lesser than that of control fish (un-stressed). Significantly variable condition factor values reflected the degree of fish well-beings that correlated directly with fish growth and metal exposure concentration. Any significant change in feed intake, due to stress, is reflected in terms of fish growth showing the impacts of metal mixture on fish growth were either additive or antagonist / synergistic. Accumulation of all the metals in fish body followed the general order: liver>kidney>gills> skin >muscle> fins >bones

A Study on Length-Weight Relationships (LWR) and Growth Responses of Major Carps Exposed to Lead (Pb)

A group of Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhina mrigala, was exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of lead, separately, in glass aquaria whereas other another group was kept un-stressed as a control. The duration of trail was for 30 days. Both stressed and unstressed fish species were transferred to earthen ponds to rear, separately, for six months. After this exposure period, their growth performance in terms of weight, fork and total length were investigated at final harvest. Analysis of Variance and regression were applied to find out length and weight relationship of three fish species. Among three fish species Cirrhina mrigala gained maximum weight of 53.76± 7.39 g that varied significantly (p<0.05) from that of Labeo rohita (41.7± 9.48 g) but similar to the weight gains of Catla catla (52.65± 9.40 g). Fork and total length increments were observed significantly (p<0.05) higher in Cirrhina mrigala followed by that of Catla catla and Labeo rohita. Regarding length-weight relationship, all the three lead stressed fish species showed allometric growth. It was concluded that this investigation could stoutly be supportive to the researchers and policy makers for the preparation of very effectual sustainable management plans of fishery resources for the riverine systems

In-Vitro Synergy of Aqueous Garlic Extract with Ciprofloxacin Against Clinical Isolates of Salmonella Typhi

Objective: To detemine the emerging issue of treatment failures in typhoid by evaluating the activity of a new combination of aqueous garlic extract and ciprofloxacin. Study Place and Duration: Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan from April 2013-April 2014Methodology: Synergism of garlic with ciprofloxacin against   Typhi was assessed to solve the critical issue of treatment failure with the best known anti-typhoid drugs till now i-e fluoroquinolones. Twenty five ciprofloxacin susceptible Typhi isolates were selected. Aqueous garlic extract (AGE) was prepared and was screened for antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method which exhibited an inhibition zone of 25.36±1.60 mm against 1 tested isolate.Results: Minimum Inhibitory concentration 90 (MIC90) of ciprofloxacin and AGE was > 0.25µg/ml and > 20mg/ml respectively as determined by micro broth dilution method. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) was used as a reference strain. Synergism of the combination was assessed using microdilution checkerboard titration technique. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICIs) for all the isolates were >0.5 <4.Conclusion: Thus, ciprofloxacin and Aqueous garlic extract (AGE) showed significant antibacterial activity individually against Typhi but Cipro-AGE combination did not prove to be synergistic against Typhi nor against ATCC Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853.Keywords: , ,&nbsp

Potential of Cellulosic Ethanol to Overcome Energy Crisis in Pakistan

Liquid biofuel industry in Pakistan may become a promising source for saving our foreign exchange and environment. Currently, bioethanol production is dependent on cane molasses, a product of sugar industry. Harnessing of more bioethanol from lignocellulosic waste crop residue has potential to respond to the fuel scarcity. Lignocellulose exists in nature as a polymer and serves as the largest sink for fixed global carbon and could be used both as a carbon source for microbial growth-assisted bioethanol production and for fabricating enzymes for more energetic simultaneous production to represent an important segment of the renewable energy sector. An exciting aspect of this research is the development of new biorefining techniques that facilitate the extraction of sugar-derived biofuel by processing of waste crop residues by employing novel nature inspired lignolytic enzyme. Further research will explore more avenues for stabilization of system in terms of process parameters for optimum bioethanol yield from enzymatically hydrolyzed lignin waste streams. The chapter can be considered as an anticipatory work and exploration of new dimensions for promotion of nature-inspired enzyme-assisted lignocellulose-based bioethanol production industry, which maximizes sustainable development opportunities especially in energy sector

Risk Premium, Interest Rate Differential, and Subsidized Lending in Pakistan

Episodes of monetary contraction increases the risk premium of the enterprises which results in higher effective interest rate differential between market loans and subsidized loan; making these firms more reliant on subsidized loans. Since subsidies are easier to exploit and hard to administer. This study evaluates the subsidized lending schemes of Pakistan using information on risk premium and effective interest rate differential of 174 exporting corporate firms over thirteen years (1999-2011). Our results shows that export finance schemes (EFS) helped promoting exports, while long term financing facility (LTFF) facilitated fixed capital formation of these corporate firms. Additionally, using matched sample with loan level data from eCIB, we found that during the phases of high interest rate differential enterprises substituted their short term market loans with subsidized loans (export finance); while no such substitution is observed between long term loans and LTFF

Risk Premium, Interest Rate Differential, and Subsidized Lending in Pakistan

Episodes of monetary contraction increases the risk premium of the enterprises which results in higher effective interest rate differential between market loans and subsidized loan; making these firms more reliant on subsidized loans. Since subsidies are easier to exploit and hard to administer. This study evaluates the subsidized lending schemes of Pakistan using information on risk premium and effective interest rate differential of 174 exporting corporate firms over thirteen years (1999-2011). Our results shows that export finance schemes (EFS) helped promoting exports, while long term financing facility (LTFF) facilitated fixed capital formation of these corporate firms. Additionally, using matched sample with loan level data from eCIB, we found that during the phases of high interest rate differential enterprises substituted their short term market loans with subsidized loans (export finance); while no such substitution is observed between long term loans and LTFF

Covid-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among medical students of Faisalabad

Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the Covid-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among the medical students who are more susceptible to be infected being the frontline workers. Methodology: This analytical cross sectional study was conducted in medical students of 1st to final year MBBS of various medical institutions of Faisalabad. Study duration was 3 months (August 2021 to October 2021). The sample size was 391 and divided in 2 age groups i.e. above and below 21 years and 245 (62.7%) comprised of females. The inclusion criteria were those students who gave consent and filled out the questionnaire and the exclusion criteria was who didn't concede. The data was analysed on SPSS 25. Confidence interval was set to be 95% with 5% margin of error. Results: More than half of the participants i.e. 214 (54.7) have got Sinopharm vaccine. Vaccine hesitancy was found in 28 (7.2%) students and major reason was concern about vaccine safety. Significant relationship (p = < 0.05) was found in all factors related to ‘concerns regarding Covid-19 vaccines and trust of official information’; in all except one in factors related to ‘awareness and overall attitude regarding vaccine acceptance’ and in all except one in factors related to ‘perception of vulnerability to COVID-19 and attitude regarding usefulness of vaccine for community’. Conclusion: Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy was found in one out of every 14 medical students. They were concerned about the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines. Most of the participants also showed concerns regarding severe adverse effects of these vaccine and on vaccine trials also before making it available for general public. At the same time, participants showed trust on information about Covid-19 vaccine from government and public health experts. Although vaccine hesitancy was present in only 7.2% of participants, health education programmes should be arranged to improve awareness and trust on Covid-19 vaccine. Concerns of medical students should be addressed on priority as future health care providers. Keywords: Covid-19, medical students, vaccine acceptance, hesitanc