Assessment of phytoremediation potential of Telfaira occidentalis in the removal of Cu, Cd, and Pb in contaminated soil along River Salanta

A Field study was carried out to examine the phytoremediation potential of some plants metals (Cd, Cu and Pb) in contaminated soils along Sallanta river, Kano. A total of one hundred and eighty (100) samples comprising of 40 (soils), 20 (effluents), and 40 (plant parts) of T. 0ccidentalis were analyzed. 0.50g of the plant tissue and 1.0g of soil sample and 50mL of the effluent sample were digested using triacid digestion method and the levels of the metals were determined by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean levels of the metals in plants and soils from contaminated and control sites were found to be in the sequence of Cu (27.08±3.15)> Cd (24.57±8.25)>Pb (3.00±0.52) and Cu (10.10±2.50)> Cd (2.80±0.05)>Pb (2.00±0.63) respectively. The contamination factor (CF) of all the metals in the plants were found to be in the sequence of Cd (8.35±1.53)> Cu (2.52±1.20)>Pb (1.50±0.21). The results showed that these plants can be used for the phytoextraction of the metals from contaminated soils. The values of bioaccumulation and translocation factors were also found to be more than one in almost all cases. From these results it could be recommended that the three plants investigated would be ideal for phytoremediation in multi-metal contaminated soils

Selective amplification of bacterial 16S rDNA sequence from clinical samples

Background: Conventional blood culture method is time consuming and less sensitive; when fastidious or un-culturalable organisms are involved. The use of PCR targeting the 16S rRNA allows detection of bacteria; however, these primers have ability to co-amplify human DNA. This Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method is based on nucleic acid amplification test. Objective of the study: This study determined a method for selective amplification of bacterial DNA from clinical samples without co-amplification of human DNA. Materials and methods: Seventy one blood samples from clinically suspected cases of early onset neonatal sepsis were collected and analysed in parallel by culture and 16S rRNA amplification. DNA was extracted using commercial extraction QiAmp mini DNA kit and subjected to 16S rRNA amplification. The products were sequenced, analysed and compared with blood culture results. Positive and negative controls were used for extraction and amplification respectively. Results: Out of 71 samples analysed, 5 (7.0%) samples by blood culture were equally positive for 16S rRNA PCR; the PCR was also able to identified 16 (22.5%) more positive samples which blood culture could not identify, but only 1 (1.4%) sample was identified positive using blood culture while PCR identified it as negative. During the study, 7 (9.9%) samples were identified positive by conventional blood culture but later found to be contaminants. Conclusion: This study confirmed the presence of 16S rRNA among bacterial isolates and modification of PCR protocol with shorter denaturation temperature and time, leading to selective amplification of bacterial DNA. Therefore, there is need to carry-out this investigation on both culturable and unculturable specimens. Keywords:16SrRNA amplification; bacterial DNA; human DNA and Polymerase chai

Length-weight relationship and condition factor of green back mullet Liza subviridis fish (Valenciennes, 1836) collected from Damb Harbour, Balochistan coast, Pakistan

Total (378) Liza subviridis samples collected from Damb Fish Landing Centre Sonmiani (Miani Hor, Balochistan during the year of 2008 to 2010. The total length was measured in between 6.75cm to 14.75cm and the body weight 0.75gm to 7.52 gm. Highest condition factor (1.181) was measured in between size class 9 to 9.5 cm however lowest Kn (0.8738) were measured in between size class 10.5 to 11.0 cm. The calculated value of log a and regression coefficient b were -2.41680; 2.801 respectively during the year of 2008-2009. However the value of log a and regression co-efficient b were -2.4115; 2.8137 measured in the year of 2009-2010.Present study shows negative allometric pattern of growth because the b-values less than ideal value 3

Population dynamic and length–weight relationships (LWRS) in Fenneropenaeus merguiensis (de Man, 1888) collected from Balochistan coast, Pakistan

Total of (632) Fenneropenaeus merguiensis specimens were collected from Damb Fish Landing Centre at Sonmiani, Balochistan during 15th August 2008 to 15th April 2010. The mortality rates M, F and Z computed are 2.46, 3.27 and 5.73 respectively and during the year 2009-2010, the mortality rates M = 2.36, F = 3.17 and Z = 5.63 were measured respectively. Exploitation Rate (E) were determine in between 0.57- 0.58 during 2008-2010. The calculated value of log a -3.0551 and regression coefficient, b 3.3931 were measured in 2008-2009 and the value of log a -3.2751 and regression coefficient b 3.5689 were recorded in 2009- 2010 respectively. The mean condition factor was recorded as 1.0179 and 1.0062 in 2008-2010

Molecular studies on extra-pulmonary tuberculosis among patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria

In 2010 World Health Organization reported that, one third of the World population had tuberculosis, and it is among the infectious disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a successful pathogen that has evolved several mechanisms to manipulate the host immune response. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of extra-pulmonary TB in patient that visited DOTs clinic, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria for treatment. A prospective cross-sectional laboratory based study that involved the use of questionnaire and consent/assent form prior to sample collection. Extra pulmonary tuberculosis samples were tested by MTB/RIF assay using GeneXpert. Descriptive statistics was used to analyzed the data obtained and results were given in charts and tables. Out of 71 samples analyzed along with positive control (H37RV) and molecular grade water as a negative control, 3 (4.2 %) samples had extra-pulmonary TB, among which 2 (2.8 %) were from urine samples and 1 (1.4 %) from acetic fluid. This study shows the existence of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in the study area; and the tuberculosis was sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is therefore important to make screening of patients with sign and symptoms of extra pulmonary tuberculosis using Xpert MTB/RIF assay as regular method for extra pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis. This will be achieved through enlightenment of the clinicians in our health facilities, our States and local governments should strengthen the laboratory capacity for diagnosis and make the services available and reachable to the patients who need them

Concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in Otolithes ruber (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) from Damb Fish Landing Centre at Sonmiani, Makran coast, Pakistan

Fish samples of Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) of various lengths (cm) and weight (g) were collected from Damb Fish Landing Centre at Sonmiani, Balochistan during 15th August 2009 to 15th April 2010. Total (56) fish samples were collected during the two major seasons Northeast Monsoon and Southwest Monsoon. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were recorded in fish muscles. The mean concentration of Fe (4.23±1.38 μg/g), Mn (0.28±0.18 μg/g) and Cd (0.46±0.06 μg/g) were recorded in NE-monsoon. However Zn (3.34±1.19 μg/g), Cu (0.33±1.14 μg/g), and Pb (0.02±0.01 μg/g) showed highest concentration in SW-monsoon season. The results indicated that Fe concentrations were higher than other metals. Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) were performed in between seasons and metals, the significant difference was observed in Mn (P>0.01 at 0.05) and Pb (P>0.006 at 0.05) between seasons. The order of the metals in the fish samples based on concentrations in the tissues analyzed, as follows: Fe>Zn>Cu>Mn>Pb>Cd. Results concluded that the concentration of metals did not exceed the permissible limit of the food regulations of international standards. Hence there is no health hazards to humans consuming of O. ruber

Status of thukrinet fishery from Damb Fish Harbour, Sonmiani Balochistan coast, Pakistan

Thukri net is basically a bottom set drift net, widely operated for shrimp catching along the coastal waters of Sindh and Balochistan provinces, creeks of Indus delta, Sonmiani bay and nearby shallow coastal areas. The field investigation was done for two fishing seasons) from 15th August, 2008 to 15th April 2009, and from 15th August 2009 to 15th April 2010. The catch rate of shrimp varied from 0.50kg/net/day to 7.50kg/net/day. Maximum catch 7.50kg/net/day was recorded in September 2008 and minimum 0.50kg/net/day in April 2009. The maximum catch of fishes (by-catches) was (3700kg/net/day) in September, 2008 and minimum was (12kg/net/day) in April, 2009. The average catch was 462.2kg/month and 4159.8kg/year in 2008-2009. The Thukri net catch of shrimp were about 779.40kg/boat/year and about 830kg/boat/year during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 respectively and the finfishes were 4160kg/boat/year and 4779 kg/boat/year during the same period

Mapping of shape invariant potentials by the point canonical transformation

In this paper by using the method of point canonical transformation we find that the Coulomb and Kratzer potentials can be mapped to the Morse potential. Then we show that the P\"{o}schl-Teller potential type I belongs to the same subclass of shape invariant potentials as Hulth\'{e}n potential. Also we show that the shape-invariant algebra for Coulomb, Kratzer, and Morse potentials is SU(1,1), while the shape-invariant algebra for P\"{o}schl-Teller type I and Hulth\'{e}n is SU(2)

Seasonal variation of condition factor and weight - length relationship in Thryssa hamiltonii Gray, 1835 (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) collected from Balochistan coast in the Arabian Sea, Pakistan

Present study deals with the effects of seasonal variation on condition factor (CF) and weight - length relationships (WLRs) of Thryssa hamiltonii, sampled during pre and post- monsoon seasons in 2011 from the Balochistan coast of the Arabian Sea. The results showed that T. hamiltonii has isometric growth characteristics in pre and post-monsoon. The value of b was calculated as 3.2364 in pre-monsoon, as 3.0499 in post-monsoon season and as 3.1346 in combined data with not significantly different from 3 (Pauly’ t test, P > 0.05) Moreover, the mean CF was calculated between 0.13 - 0.60 (mean: 0.26±0.010) in pre-monsoon season and between 0.19 - 0.90 (mean: 0.39±0.017) in post-monsoon season. The calculated CF showed statistically difference among the pre-monsoon, post-monsoon and combined data (One way ANOVA, P = 5.47E-08)

Evaluation of trace metal (Hg, B, Co, and Al) levels in tissues of skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758) fish from Karachi Fish Harbour, Karachi, Pakistan

The level of four heavy metals Mercury (Hg), Boron (B), Cobalt (Co), Aluminum(Al) in muscle and liver of Katsuwonus pelamis fish. Fish sample of Katsuwonus pelamis were collected from fish harbour of Karachi during January 2007 and December 2007 for metal analysis. Samples were analyzed by AAS-700. The highest length (63cm) and weight (2700g) were recorded in this studied. The mean concentrations of Hg, B, Co and Al in muscle were recorded as 0.041, 0.069, 0.041and 0.030μg/g, respectively. However, the mean concentrations of Hg, B, Co and Al in liver tissues were found as 0.673, 0.725, 0.725 and 0.498μg/g, respectively.The highest concentration of B was found in both liver and muscle tissues in pre-monsoon and monsoon, and the lowest concentration of Al was found in liver tissues at pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The results of this study show that Hg, Co and Al accumulations of K. pelamis caught from Karachi coast were generally below the international permissible levels. Therefore, metal accumulations in K. pelamis and all other fishes have to be monitored continuously in this region for human healthy. ANOVA analysis clearly revealed that there was a significant p≤0.05 in organ of fishes. Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean metal values from different seasons and tissues (p<0.05)