Multi proxy approach to evaluate and delineate the potential of hot springs in the Kotli District (Kashmir, Pakistan)

Tattapani hot springs are located near the Kotli District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. This study evaluates these hot springs based on surface geological information, radon emission measurements, hydro-geochemical and isotopic signatures and potential source mechanisms. Field observations reveal that the hot springs are located at the crest of the Tattapani anticline along the faulted contact of Cambrian carbonates with Paleocene siliciclastics. In addition, remnants of igneous intrusions in the Cambrian carbonates are commonly observed. Spatial distribution of radon emissions (ranging between 2.1 and 29.5KBq m-3) indicates an anomalous zone located over the Cambrian-Paleocene faulted contact. Hydro-geochemical data show sodium-bicarbonate affinity of hot springs. The highest surface temperature of these springs is recorded at 60.8ºC. Average reservoir temperatures based on silica and cation geo-thermometers are 101ºC and 115ºC, respectively. Giggenbach ternary diagram (Na-K-Mg) suggests a non-equilibrium state between fluid and rock, whereas isotopic and chemical data indicate heat loss by conductive cooling and mixing with groundwater during the flow of thermal water up to the surface. Oxygen and deuterium isotopes indicate that thermal water is of meteoric origin, rain and/or snow in the north at higher altitudes providing the potential recharge. Furthermore, absence of tritium in the thermal water suggests a residence time of more than 50 years

In vivo evaluation of ziram induced acute toxicity on pathomorphology of broiler chicken

Fungicides are usually used in agriculture and often find their way in poultry feed. Therefore, a study was undertaken to study the in vivo effect of one such fungicide (ziram) induced intoxication on pathomorphology of broiler chicken. After 2 weeks of age the birds were given fungicide (Ziram) in feed as a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Out of 10 birds, 3 died due to ziram intoxication (30% mortality rate). Birds that died rapidly showed pronounced neurological signs like convulsions. The carcasses of ziram intoxicated birds appeared dehydrated and their mucous membrane was pale in colour. Marked vascular congestion was observed in brain on gross examination. The livers showed congestion and haemorrhages with necrotic foci. Kidneys and lungs had ecchymotic haemorrhages and heart revealed gelatinization of pericardium, distention and pericarditis. Atrophy of bursa of Fabricius and thymus; hypertrophy of thyroid was found. Histopathological examination revealed neuronal degeneration and necrosis associated with mild gliosis in brain. Lungs, pericardium and epicardium had severe congestion and there was degeneration with separation of myofibers. Glomeruli were congested and frequently revealed hypercellularity. There were sinusoidal congestion and varying degrees of hepatocellular degeneration. Bursa revealed mild depletion of lymphoid cells in few lobules while as thymus showed hypoplasia with depletion of lymphocytes. Thyroid had mild mononuclear cell infiltration and caecum showed marked necrosis and denudation of the mucosa. In conclusion, the depletion of lymphoid tissue from lymphoid organs was suggestive of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory effects of ziram toxicity in broiler chicken

Correlation of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time with serum immunoglobulin and M-band in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients

Background: Multiple myeloma is the second most frequent malignancy which constitute 13% of hematologic cancers. Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications have been frequently observed in multiple myeloma patients. Methods: The study was conducted in the department of pathology, Government medical college Srinagar. A total of fifty (50) patients were recruited for the study. The patients were advised coagulation profile and complete myeloma profile. Results: Our findings indicate that prolonged PT is associated with high serum IgG levels. A mild to moderate correlation was seen with kappa-free light chains and an inverse correlation was seen between PT and lmbda-free light chains. Conclusions: Screening of multiple myeloma for hemostatic abnormalities at the diagnosis should improve prognosis in such cases

Case Report Calciphylaxis: Temporal Artery Calcification Preceding Widespread Skin Lesions and Penile Necrosis

Temporal artery calciphylaxis has rarely been described in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. We report a case of 72-year-old Caucasian man with multiple comorbidities and end-stage renal disease on dialysis who presented with temporal artery calcification leading to bilateral loss of vision followed by extensive skin lesions including one on glans penis. While on peritoneal dialysis, he developed anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, had no improvement on high dose steroids, and temporal artery biopsy showed marked calcification without any evidence of vasculitis. Few weeks later on hemodialysis, he developed widespread cutaneous lesions on extremities and penile necrosis with skin biopsy revealing calciphylaxis. On literature review of calciphylaxis in chronic kidney disease, we found only four cases of temporal artery calciphylaxis leading to anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and blindness. We believe this is the first case in which the rare temporal artery calciphylaxis and the uncommon penile necrosis are being described together. The objective is to emphasize the need to recognize this condition early in the CKD patients on dialysis presenting with visual symptoms as the different treatment strategies may help prevent complete loss of vision and also modify or prevent a full blown calciphylaxis

Bacterial Flora of Manasbal Lake, a Freshwater Ecosystem of Kashmir Valley

Micro-organisms have been used for a long time as indicators of water quality and total coliform bacteria have been commonly used to assess potential contamination of drinking and swimming water with pathogenic bacteria of intestinal origin coming from point source discharges, such as raw sewage, storm water, combined sewer overflows, effluents from wastewater treatment plants, industrial sources and non-point source discharge s, such as agriculture, forestry, wildlife, and urban run-off. The obtained data in this study reflect the importance of microbiological monitoring and reinf orce the need to implement environment protection programs, especially related to pathogenic species. The majority of bacteria isolated were recognized as human pathogens or potential human pathogens. The data was obtained by the bacteriological analysis of water sample taken from Manasbal Lake on monthly basis from four different microhabitats by plating the different dilutions on a solidified culture medium in petri dishes. After incubation the bacterial colonies were divided into different types according to some macromorphological features like appearance, shape, size, elevation, margin, colour and some micromorphological features with the isolated strains showing marked differences in these features. On the basis of these differences they were coded with numbers ranging from MBS01 to MBS52. The different recognizable colonies were streaked and restreaked on fresh media to obtain pure cultures. The selected purified colonies of various types were identified to genus or species level using biochemical tests. Total coliforms were enumerated using multiple tube fermentation technique with lactose broth as the presumptive medium and Eosine-Methylene-Blue agar medium as the confirmatory medium and Brilliant Green Bile broth for completed test. The developed colonies on plates were enumerated by digital Qubek colony counter and the bacterial load was assessed in terms of colony forming units (cfu/ml) revealing that the total monthly bacterial population increased from March to August and then decreased from September to December with peak bacterial population in the month of August at all sites. Moreover, the density of total culturable bacteria at site II (residential hamlets around) was significantly higher in all the months compared to other sites. The overall bacterial density was maximum at site II with a cfu/ml of 203x102 in the month of August and minimum at site III (central site) with a cfu/ml of 12x102 in the month of April. The total bacterial population was higher during warm temperature months than cold temperature months for all the four sites. As far as coliform count is concerned, all the water samples collected f rom the Lake were positive with respect to the coliform occurrence, with their proportion ranging between a minimum value of 4 MPN/100ml and a maximum value of 460 MPN/100ml. The highest proportion of these indicator organis ms was observed at site II. The category wise distribution of coliform count shows that about 95% samples lie in category II and III deeming the water unfit for drinking purposes, however, fit for bathing and swimming purposes. Moreover, the quality of water in some patches of the lake was very poor and unfit for any use. The water of the lake was characterised by a medium to high alkaline pH (ranging between 7.7 to 9.6) and temperature ranging between 9°C to 33.5°C. The overall Shannon diversity index (H) was highest at site I (Laar Kul) followed by site II, site III and site IV (outlet). The bacterial isolates were then tested for Gram’s reaction and subsequentl y examined under microscope for their cell shape revealing that 88.5% of the bacterial strains were Gram negative and 11.5% were Gram positive, out of which 34 strains (59.6%) were Gram negative bacillus, 12 strains (2 8.8%) were Gram negative cocci, 4 strains (7.6%) were Gram positive bacillus and 2 strains (3.8%) were Gram positive cocci. Among Gram-negative bacteria, b acillus was the most dominant genus isolated from all sites during all mo nths. A total of 19 bacterial strains, chosen arbitrarily were subjected to biochem ical tests like Citrate utilization, Glucose, Adonitol, Arabinose, Lactose, Sorbitol, Mannitol, Rhamnose, Sucrose, Urease, Lysine utilization, Ornithine ut ilization, H2S production, Phenylalanine Deamination, Nitrate utilization, Indole, Voges Proskauer’s and Methyl red revealed that 9 species viz Proteus spp. I, Proteus spp. II, Proteus spp. III, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. II, Cedecea spp., Escherichia spp., Shigella spp. and Salmonella spp. belonged to Enterobacteriaceae family and 10 species viz Shigella spp. I, Shigella spp. II, Shigella spp. III, Enterobacter spp., Hafinia spp., Salmonella chloraesuis subspecies choleraesuis, Salmonella choleraesuis subspecies diarizonae, Vibrio sp p., Proteus spp. IV, and Klebsiella spp. I. to Gram negative rods. During the study Proteus spp. II occurred with a highest percentage occurrence of 14.67% and Shigella spp. I with a lowest percentage occurrence of 0.21%. Overall, the study allows us to conclude that the quality of lake water has deteriorated to the extent of being unfit for drinking purposes, though it is still fit for recreational and other uses. Hence, the lake calls for urgent restoration and eff ective management for its sustained existence and continued provisioning of various economic goods and ecosystem services

Incidence and frequency of desynapsis in Eremurus persicus (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss.(Asphodelaceae) – A native and important medicinal plant species of Western Himalaya

Eremurus persicus (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss. (Asphodelaceae); a little known species of genus Eremurus grows in arid and semi-arid regions, on rocky mountains in Central Asia and Middle East. The species is native and an important medicinal plant used to treat various diseases. In the current study, we examined male meiosis, karyotypic variability, pollen viability and reproductive output of three populations of the target species. All the studied populations have diploid chromosome count of 2n = 2x =14. Meiotic course in majority of the pollen mother cells (PMCs) in all the three populations is not normal due to the presence of desynapsis at diplotene and metaphase-I. Instead of 7IIs most of the PMCs examined reveal varying number of bivalents and univalents. Anaphasic segregation is also affected in few PMCs. Present study also revealed that the species has asymmetric karyotype of 10 long and 4 short chromosomes. Species exhibits fruit abortion that results in extremely low fruit/seed set. The meiotic abnormalities and low fruit/seed set may be attributed to restricted distribution of this important plant species. Present study may prove helpful in devising the conservation and management strategies for this prized plant species

Meiotic behavior and its implications on the reproductive success of Arnebia euchroma (Royle ex Benth.) I.M.Johnst. (Boraginaceae), an important medicinal plant of Trans-Himalaya

The present study reports the chromosome number, meiotic behavior and its relation with pollen fertility and seed set of Arnebia euchroma (Royle ex Benth.) I.M.Johnst. The species shows a chromosome count of 2n = 2x = 14. The meiotic abnormalities such as chromatin stickiness, cytomixis, laggard formation, chromosomal bridges, were also observed in the Pollen Mother Cells (PMCs) of the target plant species. The linear model of regression showed a significant reduction of seed set with increasing meiotic abnormality and correlation analysis highlighted positive relationship between pollen viability and seed set. Meiotic abnormalities within the species hinder its reproductive process, causing a decline in reproductive efficiency. This study highlights the importance of addressing these intrinsic factors in future conservation programs to prevent a decline in the species population in nature

Implications of risk conferred by 5p15.33 loci genetic variants; human telomerase reverse transcriptase rs2736098 and rs2736100 in predisposition of bladder cancer

Background: The polymorphic variations of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene play an important role in predisposition to carcinogenesis. The current study aimed to elucidate the genetic predisposition to bladder cancer in two important variants, rs2736098 and rs2736100 of hTERT gene. Materials and methods: Confirmed 130 patients of bladder cancer and 200 healthy controls were genotyped by PCR-RFLP to determine different variants of hTERT rs2736098 and rs2736100. Results: hTERT rs2736098 homozygous variant AA genotype frequency was observed to significantly differ 2-fold between cases and controls (26.15% vs. 13.5%) (p = 0.02). In addition, rare ‘A’ allele significantly differed among two groups (cases: 47% versus controls: 39%: p = 0.03). hTERT rs2736098 was observed to be presented significantly more in high stage tumors (p = 0.02). hTERT rs2736100 genotype AA or variant allele A showed no significant difference between cases and controls. Haplotype CA displayed significantly different pattern of frequency as 0.5 in cases as compared to 0.16 in controls (p < 0.0001). Combination of variant A/G haplotype frequency implicated more in cases than in controls (0.34 vs. 0.16, p = 0.001). Conclusions: It is concluded that hTERT rs2736098 polymorphic variant has a vital role to confer a strong risk to bladder cancer in our population. Further, hTERT haplotypes CA and AG inhTERT could prove to be a promising tool to screen the risk for bladder cancer

Nucleotide identity and variability among different Pakistani hepatitis C virus isolates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The variability within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome has formed the basis for several genotyping methods and used widely for HCV genotyping worldwide.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>The aim of the present study was to determine percent nucleotide identity and variability in HCV isolates prevalent in different geographical regions of Pakistan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sequencing analysis of the 5'noncoding region (5'-NCR) of 100 HCV RNA-positive patients representing all the four provinces of Pakistan were carried out using ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that type 3 is the predominant genotypes circulating in Pakistan, with an overall prevalence of 50%. Types 1 and 4 viruses were 9% and 6% respectively. The overall nucleotide similarity among different Pakistani isolates was 92.50% ± 0.50%. Pakistani isolates from different areas showed 7.5% ± 0.50% nucleotide variability in 5'NCR region. The percent nucleotide identity (PNI) was 98.11% ± 0.50% within Pakistani type 1 sequences, 98.10% ± 0.60% for type 3 sequences, and 99.80% ± 0.20% for type 4 sequences. The PNI between different genotypes was 93.90% ± 0.20% for type 1 and type 3, 94.80% ± 0.12% for type 1 and type 4, and 94.40% ± 0.22% for type 3 and type 4.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Genotype 3 is the most prevalent HCV genotype in Pakistan. Minimum and maximum percent nucleotide divergences were noted between genotype 1 and 4 and 1 and 3 respectively.</p

Effect of quercetin on steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis in ovary of mice with experimentally-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome

IntroductionPolycystic Ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects the health of many women around the world. Apart from fundamental metabolic problems connected to PCOS, focus of our study is on the role of quercetin on genes relevant to steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis.MethodsEighteen mature parkes strain mice (4-5 weeks old) weighing 18–21 g were randomly divided into three groups of six each as follows: Group I serves as the control and was given water and a regular chow diet ad lib for 66 days; group II was given oral gavage administration of letrozole (LETZ) (6 mg/kg bw) for 21 days to induce PCOS and was left untreated for 45 days; For three weeks, Group III received oral gavage dose of LETZ (6 mg/kg), after which it received Quercetin (QUER) (125 mg/kg bw orally daily) for 45 days.ResultsIn our study we observed that mice with PCOS had irregular estrous cycle with increased LH/FSH ratio, decreased estrogen level and decline in expression of Kitl, Bmp1, Cyp11a1, Cyp19a1, Ar, lhr, Fshr and Esr1 in ovary. Moreover, we observed increase in the expression of CYP17a1, as well as increase in cholesterol, triglycerides, testosterone, vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF and insulin levels. All these changes were reversed after the administration of quercetin in PCOS mice.DiscussionQuercetin treatment reversed the molecular, functional and morphological abnormalities brought on due to letrozole in pathological and physiological setting, particularly the issues of reproduction connected to PCOS. Quercetin doesn’t act locally only but it acts systematically as it works on Pituitary (LH/FSH)- Ovary (gonad hormones) axis. the Side effects of Quercetin have to be targeted in future researches. Quercetin may act as a promising candidate for medical management of human PCOS