Analytical investigation of selected pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables by an improved extraction method using reverse phase High Performance Liquid Chromatograph

Pesticide residues like chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and dichlorvos were monitored by an improved extraction method from apple, peach and potato using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The selected pesticides were extracted from fruits and vegetable samples using smaller volume of ethyl-acetate, anhydrous sodium sulphate, and sodium chloride. Cleanup of extract was done with activated charcoal. Final extracts of fruits and vegetable samples were analysed using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with a ultra-violet detector in an isocratic mode. Maximum residue levels (MRL), 0.924, 1.630 and 0.454 μg/g for chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and deltamethrin were found in peach respectively. The MRL 0.283 μg/g for dichlorvos was found in apple samples. All these observed results were compared with Codex maximum residue levels. It was found that cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos residual amounts were greater than MRLs, so their spray on the target crops should be limited because these are resistant to the degradation.Keywords: Pesticide residues, reverse phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dichlorvo

Camel milk as an alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy

Camel milk is a valuable source of nutrition with a wide range of therapeutic effects. Its unique composition helps to regulate the blood glucose level. The current study is aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects, as well as lipid profile restoration of camel milk in the diabetic mouse model. This innovative study evaluates the therapeutic effects of camel milk in diabetic mice by simultaneous measurement of blood glucose, HbA1c, ALT, AST, TG, cholesterol, and histopathological studies. The results showed that camel milk has significantly reduced blood glucose, HbA1c (p < .001), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p < .01), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol (p < .01), compared to that in the diabetic control group. Also, the therapeutic effects of camel milk were completely comparable with the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide. The results of this study suggest that camel milk could be used as a proper alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy

An Empirical Investigation on Perception of Organizational Politics, Job Stress & Job Satisfaction Among Academicians in Pakistan Using Second-Order Construct

Level of job satisfactions among academicians has remained enriched area of research for the academic’s institutions. Therefore, the rationale behind conducting research was to investigate the influence of Perception of Organizational Politics (POP) and Job Stress (JSt) on Job satisfaction (JS) academicians. Research framework has been formed based on Social Exchange Theory (SET) to create logical relationships among variable which explained that employees behave accordingly as per response they received from management’s behavior. For the execution of analysis data was collected from 300 teachers of public sector universities of Punjab, Pakistan through psychometric defined instruments. Software SmartPLS was used for assessment of measurement and structural model. Results from the analysis demonstrates that POP has significant and negative effect on JS and significant positive effect on JSt while significant negative effect was observed between JSt and JS. The results revealed useful information for the stakeholders and policy makers to focus and develop and organizational structure to eliminate the influence of POP in academic institutions

DISTINGUISHING TRAITS OF SATIRE AND HUMOR

Humour and satire have become a trend in every language of the world, for which humourous writers have devised new tactics and resources. Especially in Western literature, very high means and tools were used to promote humour and satire. The influence of which some excellent examples of humorous writing can be seen in Eastern languages and literature as well. There is no other opinion that the importance of these tactics and resources for the growth of humour and satire is evident in every piece of literature of the world. In the article under study, the scribe has tried to present in a critical and research-oriented way the same tactics and resources used by the humourous writers to cultivate humour and satire

Biological Activity and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds under Lead Induced Stress in Maize

Background: Lead is most commonly released environmental contaminant making its way to air, soils and water. It causes hormonal imbalance and over production of reactive oxygen in plants when absorbed through leaves and roots. It contaminates the ground water depending on the type of soils and characteristics of lead. Plants ability to tolerate lead is linked with cell wall potential, activation of antioxidants defense mechanism and synthesis of osmolytes.Methods: The study was designed to evaluate the effects of Pb(NO3)2 induced stress on biological activity and bioactive compounds in maize. The plants were subjected under two different lead concentrations (T1- 0.35mg/ml and T2- 0.45mg/ml). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, saponins, tannins and terpenoids in maize. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was increased (T1- 45%, T2- 58.42%) under lead stress when compared with control (36.29%). The cytotoxicity was checked using hemolytic activity against human red blood cells.Results: The scavenging rate was highest (T1- 33.5%, T2- 52%) when compared with control (18.6%). Zone of inhibition of Aspergillus niger was highest amongst other fungal strains. The HPLC results showed that maize has some phyto-ingredients which may be accountable for cell reinforcement and anti-microbial activity. The extracts were further analyzed for the biochemical profile like superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, amylase and protease. Escherichia colishowed maximum activity with control (25±3.46mm) and maximum under stress (T1- 17±1.633 mm, T2- 20±4.08 mm).Conclusion: Lead stress altered all the activities when compared to control plants. In conclusion, Maize can be used as a potential indicator for lead and other compounds to play a vital role in phytoremediation. The results would further lead to find the new compounds and plant mechanism to cope with stress.

Association patterns of volatile metabolites in urinary excretions among Type-2 Non-Insulin dependent diabetes patients

Background: Patterns of volatile metabolites in urine are important to detect abnormalities associated with diabetes. Present study was conducted to find out the excretion patterns of endogenously produced alcohols in urine for type 2 (Non-Insulin Dependent) diabetes mellitus. A cross sectional analytical study was conducted with duration extended from Jan to Mar 2015.Methods: The current study included 40 patients with chronic type 2 diabetes mellitus. In total, 10 sex and age matched subjects with no history of any disease were considered as controls. Blood sugar was estimated by autoanalyzer using standard kit of Merck following manufacturer`s instructions. Urine sugar was quantitatively detected by biuret reagent using titration technique. Urinary alcohol was identified and estimated by gas chromatography.  Urinary ketone bodies were estimated by urinary strip.Results: It was observed that level of fasting blood sugar was significantly increased (P<0.001) in patients as compared to their controls. The blood sugar and urinary alcohol in patients were 3.0% and 6.0% respectively. Urinary ketone bodies were found to be 2+. On the other hand urine sugar, alcohol and ketone bodies were not detected in the negative control subjects.Conclusions: It is concluded that urinary alcohol is endogenously produced in patients with type 2 diabetes due to uncontrolled hyperglycemia. However further work is needed to find out the ratio of urinary and blood alcohol which may confirm the present findings

A Mosaic of Risk Factors for Female Infertility in Pakistan

Background: To identify different risk factors for female infertility including hormonal imbalance (FSH, LH and Prolactin) Methods: Infertile women were enrolled in this prospective study. A questionnaire was designed to collect information regarding socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants. Serum FSH, LH and Prolactin levels were estimated between 1-5 days of post menstrual period. Independent sample t- test, Spearman correlation and multivariate logistic regression were performed to find the association of different risk factors with female infertility. Results: Highest percentage (57.7%) of infertile females was in the age bracket of 26 to 35 years. The prevalence of primary infertility was 60.4% . Mean levels of LH and prolactin were significantly higher in women with primary infertility compared to those with secondary infertility. No significant difference was observed in the mean level of FSH . A significant positive correlation was found between infertility and age , marital history and infertility duration. On multivariate logistic regression analysis women with secondary infertility were more likely to be hypertensive(OR=2.126,95%CI:1.020-4.474, p-value0.044), using contraceptive OR = 5.876, 95% CI: 2.491–13.86, p-value .001),have hyperprolactenemia (OR=1.289,95%CI:0.960-1.996,p-value0.001) and have marital history of more than 16 years OR=12.166,95%CI:5.048-29.322, p-value0.001). Conclusion:Highest prevalence of infertility was seen in the age group of 26-35 years. Advanced age, hypertension, hyperprolactemia, use of contraceptive and marital history of more than 16 years are significantly associated with female infertilit

Analytical investigation of chromium and zinc in sweet, sour and bitter tasting fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants

Sweet, sour and bitter tasting fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants are an important component of human diet. The role of chromium and zinc in carbohydrate metabolism for control of diabetes is highlighted in selected commodities. Average levels of chromium and zinc in sweet taste were 0.69 &plusmn; 0.48 mg kg-1 and 4.81 &plusmn; 4.31 mg kg-1 respectively with correlation of 0.545, while in sour taste the values were 22.5 &plusmn; 22.0 mg kg-1 and 24.5 &plusmn; 11.8 mg kg-1 respectively with the correlation of 0.239 and in bitter taste, 0.61 &plusmn; 0.33 mg kg-1 and 4.70 &plusmn; 3.54 mg kg-1 respectively with correlation of 0.343. Overall, sour tasting commodities were found higher in levels of chromium and zinc and are recommended as food supplement for diabeties. None of these species contain metals above the toxic level

Production of lignin peroxidase by Ganoderma leucidum using solid state fermentation

The main objectives of this study were to optimize the culture conditions for the production of lignin peroxidase by Ganoderma leucidum, economic utilization of waste corn cobs as inducers substrate by pollution free fermentation technology and to optimize the solid state fermentation (SSF) process for lignin peroxidase (LiP) production. Growth medium employed for the culture of G. leucidum for the production of LiP was supplied with fermentation conditions that were optimized before selection like incubation period, inoculum size, temperature, pH, substrate to water ratio, nitrogen source, yeast extract and cane molasses. Culture was harvested on the fourth day and diluted five times with distilled water and filtrate was stored in Eppendoff tubes for enzyme assay using 310 nm wave lengths in the spectrophotometer. Lignin peroxidase production was enhanced and maximum LiP activity (2807 U/ml) was found in the growth medium after 96 h, inoculum size 3 ml, pH 4.5 and temperature 35°C with substrate to water ratio of 20 ml/5 g, yeast extract 4%, (NH4)2SO4, 2% and cane molasses 3%. Results indicate the excellent scope of corn cobs as solid state substrate for the production of lignin peroxidase by G. leucidum.Key words: Lignin peroxidase (LiP), Ganoderma leucidum, fermentation, corn cobs, cane molasses

In vitro regeneration, detection of somaclonal variation and screening for mosaic virus in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) somaclones

Three sugarcane accessions susceptible to sugarcane mosaic virus; HSF-240, S-2000-US-359, and S-2003-US-704 were evaluated for callogenesis and regeneration ability. For callogenesis, five different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used. The best callogenesis was obtained when Murashige and Skoog (MS) was portified with 3 mg/L 2,4-D and the highest regeneration was obtained on media containing MS + kinetin 0.5 + 0.5 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). After succesful regeneration and rooting on half strength MS medium, with 1.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid supplementation, plantlets were shifted to green house. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was performed to detect the presence of sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) in the regenerated plantlets and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to evaluate the genetic variation at DNA level between the parent’s plants and regenerated somaclones of the accession HSF-240. A total of 26 parent plants and 64 somaclones, among the regenerated plants were selected for the screening of virus through double antibody sandwich (DAS-ELISA) test. Four (4) parent plants out of the 26, showed negative reaction to the virus test. Ten (10) somaclones showed positive reaction to the disease, 9 somaclones showed mild reaction to virus and 45 somaclones showed negative reaction. For the detection of somaclonal variation, 38 primers pair were used and 15 simple sequence repeats (SSR) primer pairs were found to be polymorphic with 51.61% polymorphism. The study demonstrates that SSR genetic markers are the best tool for the investigation of genetic variation in sugarcane.Keywords: Callogenesis, somaclones, simple sequence repeats (SSR), genetic marker