Determination of pesticide residues in blood samples of villagers involved in pesticide application at District Vehari (Punjab), Pakistan

Blood samples were collected from field workers involved in pesticide spraying activities at three different farms in Tahsil Mailsi, District Vehari (Punjab), Pakistan. Twenty seven villagers (including three controls), ranging from 16 to 50 years of age and one to nine years of pesticide application experience were tested. The blood samples were analyzed for 383 different pesticides using Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) multi residue analytical technique. Only chlorpyrifos (0.009 mg/l) and pyributicarb (0.001 mg/l) were detected in the blood samples.Key words: Multi-pesticide residues, blood sample, GC-MS

Preliminary analysis of the diet of wild boar (Sus scrofa L., 1758) in an agro-ecosystem of central Punjab, Pakistan

Hafeez, S., Ashfaq, M

Karo Kari : the murder of honour in Sindh Pakistan : an ethnographic study

This paper aims to discuss the wider context, in which honour murders occur, the social structures which contribute to the occurrence and perpetuation of the practice of honour murders. An ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Jacobabad Sindh, Pakistan. The study found that honour murders were not solely driven by customs and traditions, but also by a feudal culture, male-dominated social structures, the complicit role of state institutions and law enforcement agencies and a web of vested interests. Therefore, honour murders may be prevented by reducing the influence and interference of feudal lords on state institutions, in particular law enforcement agencies, and by promoting education that challenges a patriarchal and feudal mind-set in the community

Effect of Zn(II) deposition in soil on mulberry-silk worm food chain

The present study was conducted to evaluate the entrance of Zn(II) into the food chain of Bombyx mori (silk worm) from mulberry plants irrigated using Zn(II) containing synthetic effluents. The soil, plant, silkworm and their excreta were sampled to determine Zn(II) amount by using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The amount of Zn(II) deposited by synthetic effluent to soil was increased with pH of the effluent. However, the bioaccumaltion of Zn(II) in Morus alba leaves and B. mori larvae was high when the effluent pH was in the acidic range. B. mori excreted considerable amount of Zn(II) but still most of Zn(II) resided inside its body. The maximum Zn(II) amount detected in soil, leaves, larvae andfaeces were 386.51 ± 0.03, 142.85 ± 0.001, 91.375 ± 0.019 and 42.13 ± 0.69 mg/kg, respectively. Zn(II) present in B. mori body was responsible for toxic effects on its life cycle. First instar of B. mori was most affected by Zn(II) toxicity. Body length, body weight of B. mori decreased with increase in bioaccumlated Zn(II) amount in larval body. Higher Zn(II) concentration in larval body increased B. mori death rate significantly

Nitric oxide mediated effect of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors

Objectives: Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have long been used as anti-inflammatory agents, yet their mode of action is not entirely clear. The inhibitory effects of NSAIDS on prostaglandin production can only partly explain their anti-inflammatory actions. This study was aimed at defining the role of cycl-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors on nitric oxide (NO) production in murine macrophages in vitro.Methods: Murine macrophages were obtained from the peritoneum and after exposure, in vitro to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced nitrite, measured after 24 hours by Griess reaction. The macrophages were pre-incubated with aspirin or indomethacin before activation with LPS.Results: Treatment with aspirin resulted in an increase in nitric oxide production. A similar response was obtained with indomethacin treatment.Conclusion: This study shows that COX inhibitors significantly increase NO production in murine macrophages in vitro and this may be one of the mechanisms by which they exert their anti-inflammatory effects

Effects of Inhaled Brevetoxins in Allergic Airways: Toxin–Allergen Interactions and Pharmacologic Intervention

During a Florida red tide, brevetoxins produced by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis become aerosolized and cause airway symptoms in humans, especially in those with pre-existing airway disease (e.g., asthma). To understand these toxin-induced airway effects, we used sheep with airway hypersensitivity to Ascaris suum antigen as a surrogate for asthmatic patients and studied changes in pulmonary airflow resistance (R(L)) after inhalation challenge with lysed cultures of K. brevis (crude brevetoxins). Studies were done without and with clinically available drugs to determine which might prevent/reverse these effects. Crude brevetoxins (20 breaths at 100 pg/mL; n = 5) increased R (L) 128 ± 6% (mean ± SE) over baseline. This bronchoconstriction was significantly reduced (% inhibition) after pretreatment with the glucocorticosteroid budesonide (49%), the β (2) adrenergic agent albuterol (71%), the anticholinergic agent atropine (58%), and the histamine H(1)-antagonist diphenhydramine (47%). The protection afforded by atropine and diphenhydramine suggests that both cholinergic (vagal) and H(1)-mediated pathways contribute to the bronchoconstriction. The response to cutaneous toxin injection was also histamine mediated. Thus, the airway and skin data support the hypothesis that toxin activates mast cells in vivo. Albuterol given immediately after toxin challenge rapidly reversed the bronchoconstriction. Toxin inhalation increased airway kinins, and the response to inhaled toxin was enhanced after allergen challenge. Both factors could contribute to the increased sensitivity of asthmatic patients to toxin exposure. We conclude that K. brevis aerosols are potent airway constrictors. Clinically available drugs may be used to prevent or provide therapeutic relief for affected individuals

Earlier surgical intervention in congenital heart disease results in better outcome and resource utilization

Background:Congenital heart disease (CHD) accounts for a major proportion of disease in the pediatric age group. The objective of the study was to estimate the cost of illness associated with CHD pre, intra and postoperatively, among Patients referred to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. This is the first study conducted to estimate the cost of managing CHD in Pakistan. Methods: A prevalence based cost of illness Study Design was used to estimate the cost of cardiac surgery (corrective & palliative) for congenital heart defects in children Results:The mean age at the time of surgery in group A (1-12 mo age) was 6.08 +/- 2.80 months and in group B (1-5 yrs) was 37.10 +/- 19.94 months. The cost of surgical admission was found to be significantly higher in the older group, p = 0.001. The total number and cost of post-operative outPatient visits was also higher in group B, p = 0.003. Pre and post operative hospital admissions were not found to be significantly different among the two groups, p = 0.166 and 0.627, respectively. The number of complications were found to be different between the two groups (p = 0.019). Majority of these were contributed by hemorrhage and post-operative seizures. Conclusion: This study concluded that significant expenditure is incurred by people with CHD, with the implication that resources could be saved by earlier detection and awareness campaigns

Breeding potential of the basmati rice germplasm under water stress condition

Eight parents were selected on the basis of phenotypic and genotypic screening for the development of F1. All the possible combinations were made between the parents excluding reciprocals in diallel mating design. Data were analyzed by using Hayman graphical approach and Griffing’s approach to study the genetics of the parents and their F1 hybrids. Based on the genetic component analysis, both additive and non-additive components appeared which is important in the inheritance of most of the traits. Both additive and dominance type of gene action were found important in inheritance for different traits under study. Most of the traits showed constant gene action in both environments, but the gene action of some traits was affected by the environment. Morphological traits like plant height, productive tillers per plant and 1000 seed weight showed over dominance type of gene action in both environments (control and drought environments), while seeds per panicle and seed length width ratio showed this type of gene action only in drought conditions. The seeds per panicle and length width ratio showed additive type of gene action with partial dominance only in normal irrigation conditions. From Griffing analysis, genotypes CB-17, CB-32 and Basmati-198 were found to be good general combiners for productive tillers per plant, primary branches per panicle and yield per plant, especially under water stress condition. Also, maximum specific combining ability was found in Basmati-198 × CB-17 for productive tillers per plant, Basmati-198 × CB-42 for primary branches per panicle and CB-32 × CB-14 for yield per plant.Key words: Oryza sativa L., gene action, combining ability, stress, yield traits