Limnological Study of River Soan (Punjab), Pakistan

River Soan is one of the important aquatic systems of the Punjab province in Pakistan and flows into Indus River near Kalla Bagh (District Mianwali). In order to measure the quality of water and to evaluate planktonic community, an integrated monitoring system was applied from May to December 2001. During the study period total of 202 genera were observed of which 134 were of phytoplankton present in various phylums including Cyanophyta (22), Cyarophyta (7), Xanthophyta (5), Bacillariophyta (22), Euglenophyta (5), Chlorophyta (62), Chrysophyta (8), Pyrrophyta (1) and Cphryrotophyta (2). 53 genera of zooplankton were observed including Protozoa (33), Rotifera (8), Cladocera (7), Copepoda (4) and Aquatic insecta (1). In addition to phyto and zooplankton 3 genera of Charophyta and 11 genera of Macrophyta were observed. Diversity index of phytoplankton ranged from 4.6 to 13.5 and of zooplankton from 1.94 to 5.90. Water samples were collected on monthly basis for estimation of various physical and chemical water quality parameters i.e., water temperature (9-31 0C), light penetration (1.2-22.3 cm), viscosity (0.8570-1.0572 mNS m-2), conductivity (7-19 mv), surface tension (69.28-72.63 dynes cm-1), density (0.980-1.022 mg l-1), specifi c gravity (0.796-1.025), boiling point (95-98 0C), turbidity (0.02-0.48 mg l-1), pH (8-9), dissolved oxygen (4.6- 9.3 mg l-1), alkalinity (19-36 mg l-1), acidity 1.0-1.8 mg l-1), carbonates (0), bicarbonates (19-36 mg l-1), total solids (0.56-4.24 mg l-1), total dissolved solids (0.53-4.83) and total dissolved volatile solids (0.05-0.29). Among elements, sodium (22.50-168.75 ppm), potassium (3.94-12.31 ppm), calcium (2.75-34.25 ppm), strontium (0.00-0.47 ppm), magnesium (0.00 ppm) and zinc (0.00 ppm) were detected through atomic absorption while seasonal variation in planktonic diversity was analyzed by calculating the frequency of occurrence, relative abundance and diversity index of planktonic life. The overall water quality of the study site remained within safe limits throughout the study period

Effect of cadmium chloride and ascorbic acid exposure on the vital organs of freshwater Cyprinid, Labeo rohita

The present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of sub lethal concentrations of heavy metal, cadmium chloride (CdCl2.H2O), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and their combination on Labeo rohita. The effect was investigated on the basis of histopathological examinations of control and experimental groups exposed to heavy metal. The acute semi statistical toxicity test for L. rohita revealed 96 h LC50 value 22.92 mg L-1 for cadmium chloride (CdCl2.H2O). 215 fingerlings of L. rohita were exposed to three different experimental conditions for 96 h: 11.46 mg L-1 CdCl2.H2O, or 450 mg Kg-1 ascorbic acid or combination of both these doses. No alterations were observed in gill sections upon comparison between treated and untreated groups. Congestion in sinusoids, fatty change, an increase in Kupffer cells and intrahepatic lymphocytes was observed in CdCl2.H2O treated group. In kidney sections of heavy metal treated group, degeneration of the glomerular tissue, occlusion in tubular lumen and necrosis were observed. Similar changes but in less severe form, as described above, were observed in the fish exposed to combination of CdCl2.H2O and ascorbic indicating that ascorbic acid do detoxify the effect of heavy metal to some extant. Our results indicate that cadmium chloride (CdCl2.H2O), if present in fresh water bodies, may act as strong toxic agent for L. rohita.Keywords: Labeo rohita, cadmium chloride (CdCl2.H2O), ascorbic acid, histopatholog

Contamination of Kallar Kahar Lake by Inorganic Elements and Heavy Metals and their Temporal Variations

The present study was conducted to find out the contamination of Kallar Kahar Lake by inorganic elements and heavy metals and the temporal variation of these chemicals in the lake water. Water samples were collected on monthly basis during December 2001 to November 2002. Concentration of 10 inorganic elements and heavy metals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, cadmium, lead and zinc) was analyzed in the lake water by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mean monthly concentration of the inorganic elements and heavy metals in the lake water was: nickel 0.117 mg. L-1, iron 1.456 mg. L-1, cobalt 0.061 mg. L-1, copper 0.258 mg. L-1 , cadmium 0.024 mg. L-1, lead 0.118 mg. L-1 sodium 397.970 mg. L-1, magnesium 115.710 mg. L-1, potassium 28.290 mg. L-1 and zinc 1.412 mg. L-1. Analysis of variance showed temporal variations (P < 0.001) in concentration of inorganic elements and heavy metals in Kallar Kahar Lake water. The present study indicates that the concentrations of inorganic elements and heavy metals were not within the safe limit at the sampling site throughout the period of study and water of Kallar Kahar Lake is not suitable for drinking, farming and aquaculture. @JASE

Effect of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Various Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Male Albino Mice following Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia Encephalopathy

Background. Present study was designed to report the effect of 2% creatine monohydrate supplementation for 8, 12 and 15 weeks on hematology and serum biochemical profile of male albino mouse following hypoxic ischemic insult on postnatal day 10. Methods. 66 Blood samples (2% creatine monohydrate supplemented (N=34) and unsupplemented (N=32)) were analyzed for various hematological (blood glucose, packed cell volume, total WBC count, total RBC count) and serum biochemical parameters (cholesterol, AST, ALT, HDL, LDL, total protein, triglycerides). Results. ALT had higher concentrations in mice feeding on normal diet for 8 (P>0.01) and 12 weeks (P>0.01) following asphyxia and in 12 weeks treatment without asphyxia (P=0.006) when compared with the creatine supplemented mice. LDL (P=0.011) and cholesterol (P>0.01) had higher concentrations in mice on normal diet for 12 weeks following hypoxia ischemia. Cholesterol (P>0.01) in 12 and glucose (P=0.006) in 15 week treatment group had significantly lower concentrations in creatine supplemented male albino mice when compared with untreated group following hxpoic-ischemic insult. Conclusion. We concluded that creatine supplementation following hypoxic ischemic insult helps in maintain the normal blood chemistry

Effect of Feed Cycling on Specific Growth Rate, Condition Factor, Body Composition And Rna/Dna Ratio Of Cirrhinus mrigala .

A randomly selected 60 samples of Cirrhinus mrigala, fingerling sized, were collected from Qadria fish hatchery and farm, Matital road, Multan. Fish were divided into three groups namely, control, 5 and 10 days cyclic feeding group. Specific growth rate (% g day-1), condition factor (K), body composition and RNA/DNA ratio of individual specimen and of each group were calculated. It was found that there was highly significant effect of feed cycling on specific growth rate (P<0.001) and significant effect (0.01) on condition factor of Cirrhinus mrigala. There was a sharp decline in specific growth rate with increase in length of starvation but carp was able to maintain its body constituents i.e., % water, % dry body mass, % ash, % fat, % protein and % organic contents (P>0.05) suggesting a compensatory growth which was independent of length of starvation. Feed cycling had marked effect (P<0.05) on RNA/DNA ratio of this carp and a gradual decrease in RNA/DNA ratio was observed with increase in length of starvation. @JASE

Effect of GABA

The present study was designed to demonstrate the potential effect of CGP 35348 (GABAB receptor antagonist) on the learning, memory formation, and neuromuscular coordination in albino mouse. Mice were intrapertoneally injected with 1 mg CGP 35348/mL of distilled water/Kg body weight, while the control animals were injected with equal volume of saline solution. A battery of neurological tests was applied following the intrapertoneal injections. Results of rota rod indicated that CGP 35348 had no effect on neuromuscular coordination in both male (P=0.528) and female (P=0.125) albino mice. CGP 35348 treated females demonstrated poor exploratory behavior during open filed for several parameters (time mobile (P=0.04), time immobile (P=0.04), rotations (P=0.04), and anticlockwise rotations (P=0.038)). The results for Morris water maze (MWM) retention phase indicated that CGP 35348 treated male mice took shorter latency to reach the hidden platform (P=0.04) than control indicating improved memory. This observation was complemented by the swim strategies used by mice during training days in MWM as CGP 35348 treated males used more direct and focal approach to reach the platform as the training proceeded

Prevalence and risk factor analysis of haemoplasmas infection in cats from Lahore (Pakistan)

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are obligate Gram-negative bacteria that target red blood cells, and infect a wide range of hosts including cats, dogs, domestic ruminants, pigs, rodents and humans. The present study was designed for the molecular detection of Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum in feline blood samples collected from various pet clinics in Pakistan, by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), using 16S rDNA as the target sequence. Clinical and epidemiological data was collected in all animals included in the study. M. haemofelis and C. Mycoplasma haemominutum DNA was detected by PCR respectively in 6.8% (10/148) and in 18.2% (27/148) of cat blood samples. Of these, two animals were co-infected with both agents. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was performed in M. haemofelis infected samples. Analysis of risk factors revealed that risk of M. haemofelis and of C. Mycoplasma haemominutum infection was significantly higher during summer months than during the winter season (P ≤ 0.01 in both agents). Cats older than one year of age were significantly more predisposed to C. Mycoplasma haemominutum infection than younger cats (P ≤ 0.001), and fever manifestation was significantly associated with M. haemofelis infection (P ≤ 0.001) in enrolled subjects. In conclusion, this study represents the first report of molecular detection of M. haemofelis and C. Mycoplasma haemominutum in cats from Pakistan. Therefore, this agents should be considered in cats from Pakistan presented with compatible clinical signs, mainly those presented during summer season, and in adult cats and cats presented with fever.publishersversionpublishe

A novel homozygous missense variant in MATN3 causes spondylo- epimetaphyseal dysplasia Matrilin 3 type in a consanguineous family

Peer reviewe

Neuroprotective Role of Creatine in Mouse Models for Arginine: Glycine Amidinotransferase Deficiency and Guanidinoacetate-N-Methyltransferase Deficiency

Einleitung Die Häufigkeit der schweren, hypoxisch-ischämischen Enzephalopathie beträgt etwa 2-4 Fälle je 1000 reifer Neugeborener, wobei die Häufigkeit bei unreifen, frühgeborenen Kinder bis zu 60% erreichen kann. Zwischen 20 und 50% der betroffenen Kinder sterben innerhalb der ersten 4 Lebenswochen, bis zu 25% der überlebenden Kinder weisen neurologische Langzeitkomplikationen auf. Der Entwicklung und Evaluation neuroprotektiver Substanzen an verschiedenen Tiermodellen kommt vor dem Hintergrund des oben gesagten eine wesentliche Bedeutung zu. In der vorgelegten Arbeit soll deshalb die Rolle von Kreatinmonohydrat als neuroprotektive Substanz in zwei verschiedenen Mausmodellen untersucht werden. Im Einzelnen wurde der Effekt von Kreatinmonohydrat auf den kurz- und langzeitigen neurologischen Outcome, sowie auf strukturelle Veränderungen des Gehirns in keratin defizienten Mausmodellen (AGAT und GAMT knock out Mausmodellen) untersucht. Methodik Es wurden je Mausmodell 120 Mäuse (Wildtyp und knock-out) untersucht. Jede Gruppe wurde in mehrere Untergruppen unterteilt, wovon die Nahrung einer Subgruppe mit 2% Kreatin supplementiertm der andere Teil kreatinfrei ernährt wurde. In jeder Subgruppe wurden Wildtyp Tiere mit knock-out Tieren verglichen. Nach einem standardisierten hypoxisch-ischämischen Eingriff durch Ligatur der rechten Arterie Carotis Communis und Verabreichung von 8% Sauerstoff über 20 Minuten der neonatalen Maus, wurden nach 7 Tagen entweder die neonatalen Reflexe (Righting, Cliff Aversion, Negative Geotaxia) getestet oder nach 10-18 Tagen verschiedene neurologische Tests (MWM, OF and Rotarod) durchgeführt. Zusätzlich wurden an Gehirnschnitten die Größe der Infarktzonen bestimmt. Die Analyse der Metabolite des Kreatinstoffwechsel, der Aminosäuren und des Homocystein wurde bei allen Mäusen durchgeführt. Ergebnisse Die knock-out Mäuse zeigten deutlich schlechtere Ergebnisse bei sämtlichen neurologischen Testverfahren im Vergleich zu ihren Wildtyp Geschwistern. Zusätzlich zeigten sie sich anfälliger nach Hypoxie-Ischämie und hatten deutlich größere Infarktareale und einen schlechteren neurologischen Outcome. Knock-out Mäuse nach Kreatinmonohydratsupplementation hingegen zeigten deutlich geringere Infarktareale und einen wesentlich besseren neurologischen Outcome als ohne Kreatinsupplementation. Plasma und Harn Kreatin waren nach Kreatin Supplementation deutlich erhöht, wohingegen Guanidinoazetatkonzentrationen bei GAMT knockout Mäusen reduziert waren. AGAT knock-out Mäuse hatten ohne Kreatinmonohydratsupplementation eine deutlich erhöhte Mortalität (30%) und zeigten eine deutliche Gewichtsreduktion. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerungen In der vorgelegten Arbeit konnte die neuroprotektive Rolle des Kreatinmonohydrates nach einem hypoxisch-ischämischen Events eindeutig belegt werden. Es zeigten sich nach Kreatinsupplementation nicht nur ein deutlich verbessertes Outcome, sondern auch deutlich kleinere (Post-) Infarktareale im Vergleich zu nicht mit Kreatin behandelten Tieren. Der Effekt war unabhängig von Art des Mausmodelles. Der neuroprotektive Effelt von Kreatinmonohydrat sollte nun in Kombination mit anderen potentiell neuroprotektiven Substanzen bzw. Hypothermie unter anderem auch an Neugeborenen untersucht warden.Introduction. The incidence of severe hypoxia ischemia encephalopathy is 2-4:1000 full term births, approaching 60% in low birth weight premature newborns. Between 20-50% of asphyxiated newborns die within the newborn period, and up to 25% of the survivors will exhibit permanent neuropsychological handicaps, including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or learning disabilities. Because of greater clinical significance, several animal models have been developed to elucidate pathological mechanisms and to investigate the neuroprotective role of pharmacological substances. Presently the role of creatine as a neuroprotective substance is intensively under investigation both in vitro and in vivo including animal experiments following HI with varying protocols differing in dosage and duration of creatine supplementation. In general Cr supplementation was either used as preconditioning agent or applied following HIE. In this study we have used two different knockout mouse models both lacking endogenous creatine synthesis to demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of Cr following HIE. As these knockout mice present with CDS, we have conducted a similar series of experiments in parallel, without HI, in order to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of Cr supplementation following AGAT and GAMT deficiency. Materials and Methods. During short term experiments various neonatal (Righting, Cliff Aversion and Negative geotaxis) reflexes were studied to demonstrate the effect of CDS and/or HIE. Brain infarcts of wild type and knockout pups were measured following HI. During long term experiments, mice were fed on either 2% Cr supplemented or Cr free diet for 10 weeks followed by a battery of neurological tests including MWM, OF and Rota rod. Plasma and 24 h urine was collected at the end of the experiment to analyze the concentration of various amino acids and metabolites of Cr synthesis pathway. H & E, TTC and GFAP staining was done on brain slices in order to compare the differences in histology between various diet, genotypes and treatments. Results. It was observed during short term experiments that knockout pups can be differentiated from wild type on the basis of Cliff aversion and negative geotaxis reflex performance for both mouse models under study. Knockout pups were also more susceptible to HIE having increased mortality during experimental procedure and revealed bigger infarcts upon TTC staining of brain slices. During long term experiments, knockout mouse supplemented with 2% Cr, for both models, performed significantly better than their littermates knockout mouse on Cr free diet during water maze (learning and memory) and rotating rod (neuro-muscular coordination and balance) test. We also confirmed that levels of Cr in plasma and urine increases several hundred folds while levels of GAA decrease following dietary Cr supplementation. Hypoxic ischemic insult had a more negative effect on AGAT knockout mice compared to GAMT. With increasing mortality (30%) also a significant reduction in weight gain, starting from 3rd week of experiment, was observed for AGAT knockout mice on Cr free diet. Discussion. This is for the first time that the HI model has been applied to Cr deficient mouse models which describe the potential neuroprotective role of Cr. The improved neurological output and decreased brain infarcts following dietary Cr supplementation makes it a candidate to be used for the treatment of HIE in human neonates. Conclusion. In conclusion, we found creatine a sort of 'wonder drug' as Cr supplementation has improved the clinical picture not only in CDS but also under hypoxic ischemic conditions in both AGAT and GAMT deficient mouse. Cr therapy is already in practice for AGAT and GAMT deficiency but it is recommended to investigate it further for the optimal treatment of HIE.submitted by Furhan IqbalZsfassung in dt. SpracheWien, Med. Univ., Diss., 2009OeBB(VLID)171510