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The present study was conducted in the coastal pond ecosystems of Pakistan to evaluate the optimum salinity level for the best growth performance of a commercial shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Total of 6 lac seed was randomly distributed in three ponds with an average initial body weight of 0.1±0.01 g. The shrimps were cultivated in three different ponds demarcated as pond 1, pond 2 and pond 3 with salinity levels of 8 ppt, 22 ppt and 42 ppt, respectively for 105 days. The pacific white shrimp were fed with 35.0% crude protein diet with feeding frequency of 4 and initially feeding rate of 10% biomass per day. The feeding rate adjusted according to shrimp biomass on a weekly basis. Final weight, specific growth rate, average daily weight gain, viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and survival rates were found optimum at salinity level of 22 ppt compared with salinity levels of 8 ppt and 42 ppt (p <0.05). FCR was better at 22 ppt salinity compared with two other tested salinity levels (p <0.05). The 22 ppt salinity level resulted in optimum growth of L. vannamei which might be due to improved osmoregulation. Feeding frequency of 4, protein 35% and salinity of 22 ppt were found suitable factors for the growth performance of L. vannamei reared in aquaculture system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Nile tilapia; Fish meal; Soybean meal; Growth performance; Floating net cages EN Nile tilapia Fish meal Soybean meal Growth performance Floating net cages INTRODUCTION Tilapias are the second most popular cultured fishes in the world after carps (Zhou et al., 2015) China, Egypt, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand are the major producing countries (FAO, 2009). The best FCR value (2.21 ± 0.12) was observed in the diet T1 without soybean meal inclusion followed by T2, 25% soybean meal (2.34 ± 0.3) and T3, 50% soybean meal (2.55 ± 0.3). The growth performance of Nile tilapia fed on control (fishmeal diet) and different levels of fishmeal replacement by soybean meal. Weight gain (g) of Nile Tilapia offered four test diets, where fishmeal were replaced with soybean meal (SBM) (T1, 0%, T2, 25%, T3, 50%, T4, 75%) during the experimental period. [Extracted from the article]

The present research aims to evaluate the effects of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3–) and phosphate (PO4–3) on oviposition preference, hatching rate, time to pupation, pupation rate, time to adult emergence, adult emergence rate and female to male ratio of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, under laboratory conditions. The mosquito preferred to oviposit in containers containing 5 ppm NH4+, 45 ppm NO3– or 30 ppm PO4–3 solution. No significant effect of these polutants on egg hatching rate was observed. The larvae that existed in containers containing 5 ppm NH4+, 45 ppm NO3– or 30 ppm PO4–3 solution reached earlier to pupal and adult stages. The presence of NH4+ (5 ppm), NO3– (45 ppm) or PO4-3 (30 ppm) in aqueous medium, resulted in decreased time to pupation or adult emergence and increased pupation and adult emergence rates. The adults emerged from these larvae showed significantly higher female to male ratio as compared to control adults (P<0.05). From the findings of the present research, it is concluded that the levels of NH4+, NO3– or PO4–3 set in effluents for wastewater reuse in agricultural irrigation by WHO (2006) are favorable for the survival and development of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito, however higher levels of NH4+, NO3– or PO4–3 are not favorable for the survival and development of this mosquito. These results help in identification of concentration ranges of the ammonium, nitrate and phosphate that make the larval habitat favorable for survival and reproduction of Culex mosquitoes. This could be helpful in effective control of mosquito borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the present research, the predatory efficiency of nymphs of six coexisting odonate species i.e., I. elegans, T. aurora, P. flavescens, L. fulva, S. decoloratum and C. servilia was studied by using the 3rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus as prey. Among the odonate species, there was observed variation in the daily feeding rate. The highest number of mosquito larvae was ingested by the P. flavescens nymph (47.0 ± 5.1 mosquito larvae/day). The predation performance of the odonate nymph was also compared between the day and night times. The feeding rate of nymphs of most odonate species was significantly higher during the daytime as compared to night-time (P ≤ 0.05). During the present research, feeing rates of odonate nymphs on Cx. quinquefasciatus 3rd instar larvae were also studied under varied condition of prey and predator density and water volume. Feeding rate of nymphs of each odonate species was positively correlated with increase in predator and prey density but was negatively correlated with increase in water volume. During the present research, odonate nymphs i.e., I. elegans, T. aurora and P. flavescens were exposed to various concentration of NH4+ and NO3- in the laboratory for seven days. Nymph of P. flavescens species was found least sensitive to both, NH4+ and NO3-. From the findings of the present research it was concluded that P. flavescens species is more efficient predator of Cx. quinquefasciatus 3rd instar larvae and is highly resistant to increasing water level of NH4+ and NO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paracetamol is a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic drug, but at a high dose level, it leads to deleterious side effects. The need to investigate new hepatoprotective drugs is driven by the lack of safety and efficiency of existing medications. A newly synthesized compound 2', 3'-dihydroxybenzylidene (DHB) was evaluated in the present study for its antioxidant, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potential compared to ascorbic acid in paracetamol intoxicated rats. DHB and ascorbic acid were evaluated against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) for assessment of the antioxidant potential. Male albino rats (n = 20) were categorized into 5 groups with 4 rats each and the test compounds were administered for 14 days consecutively. On day 15th, the rats were anesthetized, and blood was collected through heart puncture for the evaluation of hematological and serological parameters. Subsequently, the rats were dissected for the histopathology of liver and kidney. Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Serum Bilirubin (SBR), Cholesterol level and Renal Function Tests (RFTs) showed a substantial increase in the paracetamol treated group. Healing in liver and kidney tissues was observed in the DHB treated groups compared to paracetamol intoxicated group. The hemoglobin (HB), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), RBCs and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were found significantly elevated while the total leukocytes count (TLC), platelets (PLT) and neutrophils significantly decreased in the DHB treated group compared to the paracetamol intoxicated group. It is concluded that DHB possesses antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and anti-inflammatory potential against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Organophosphates (OPs) and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) are the most popular broad spectrum pesticides, used in agriculture as they have a strong pesticidal activity while also being biodegradable in the environment. The present study aimed to demonstrate the effects of these pesticides on the Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in brain, gills and body muscles of Oreochromis niloticus - an important enzyme for the assessment and biomonitoring pollution caused by neurotoxins in the environment. The fish were exposed for 24 and 48 h to the LC 0 concentrations of the malathion (1.425 mg/L), the chlorpyrifos (0.125 mg/L) and the λ-cyhalothrin (0.0039 mg/L), respectively. The activity of the AChE was significantly increased ( p  < 0.05) at 24 h and decreased at 48 h (except for the chlorpyrifos-treated brain and gills while tissues had shown no activity at 48 h's exposure) in all pesticides-treated tissues. The maximum increase in the activity and inhibition in the AChE activity were recorded as +92% and -52% in the chlorpyrifos and the lambda-cyhalothrin exposed brain tissues, respectively. Thus, the alterations in the AChE activities indicated that the applied pesticides are highly neurotoxic to fish and the enzyme (AChE) could be used as a useful biomarker for estimation of water pollution.

The antidiabetic and hepato-renal protective effects of Citrullus colocynthis and Momordica charantia ethanol extracts were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic male albino rats. Diabetic rats were treated with C. colocynthis, M. charantia or C. colocynthis + M. charantia mixed extract at a dose of 250 mg /kg body weight per oral per day for 21 days. The mean body weight of all the diabetic rat groups on day 1 of treatment (day 10 of diabetes) was significantly lower than the normal control rat group (P<0.05). The blood glucose level of all the diabetic rat groups on day 1 of treatment (day 10 of diabetes) was significantly (P<0.05) higher (> 200 mg/dl) than the normal control rat group (95.5 ± 2.7). At the end of treatment (day 21), the diabetic rats treated with plant extracts showed significant increase (P<0.05) in body weight and significant (P<0.05) reduction in blood glucose level when compared to diabetic control animals. Significant increase (< 0.05) was observed in the serum bilirubin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine levels of diabetic control rat group. The serum levels of these liver and kidney-related parameters of diabetic rats treated with plant extract were significantly lower when compared to diabetic control rat group (p < 0.05). Photomicrographs of liver and kidney microsections from diabetic rats treated with these plant extracts showed amelioration in the hepato-renal histoarchitectures. It was concluded that the C. colocynthis and M. charantia methanol extracts are antidiabetic and hepato-renal protective in STZ induced diabetic male rats. Treatment of the diabetic rats with C. colocynthis + M. charantia mixed extract is more effective in the amelioration of diabetes and hepato-renal injuries in STZ induced diabetic male rats.

Odonates are important biological control agents for the control of insect pests and insect disease vectors of medical and veterinary importance. The present study was conducted to evaluate the odonate fauna of Swat, Pakistan from March to October 2019. A total of 200 specimens of odonates were collected from diverse habitats. The collected specimens of the order Odonata belonged to 5 families, three families of suborder Anisoptera namely Libellulidae, Gomphidae and Aeshnidae while two families of suborder Zygoptera (Chlorocyphidae and Coenagrionidae). The specimens were categorized into 12 genera and 22 species. Libellulidae was the dominant family (n = 138) accounting for 69% of the odonate fauna. Orthetrum was the dominant genus (n = 73) of suborder Anisoptera accounting for 36.5% of the odonate fauna. The least dominant genera were Anax, Paragomphus and Rhyothemis (n = 5 each) accounting each for 2.5% of the odonate fauna. In Zygoptera, the dominant genus was Ceriagrion (12.5%) and the least dominant genus was Ischnura (6%). Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) was the most abundant odonate species in the study area recorded from all surveyed habitats. Shannon Diversity Index (H) was 2.988 and Simpson Diversity Index (D) was 0.95 for the collected odonate fauna. The highest abundance of Odonata was recorded in August, September and May while no odonate species were recorded in January, February, November and December. Lotic water bodies were the most suitable habitats with abundant odonate fauna. Anax immaculifrons (Rambur, 1842) was the largest sized odonate species having a wingspan of 53.2±1.63 mm and body length of 56.3 ± 0.4 mm. The present study shows the status of odonate fauna of Swat, Pakistan in diverse habitats and seasonsonal variation throughout the year. Further work is recommended to bridge the gaps in the existing literature.

Honey is a suitable matrix for the evaluation of environmental contaminants including organochlorine insecticides. The present study was conducted to evaluate residues of fifteen organochlorine insecticides in honey samples of unifloral and multifloral origins from Dir, Pakistan. Honey samples (5 g each) were extracted with GC grade organic solvents and then subjected to Rotary Evaporator till dryness. The extracts were then mixed with n-Hexane (5 ml) and purified through Column Chromatography. Purified extracts (1μl each) were processed through Gas Chromatograph coupled with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) for identification and quantification of the insecticides. Of the 15 insecticides tested, 46.7% were detected while 53.3% were not detected in the honey samples. Heptachlor was the most prevalent insecticide with a mean level of 0.0018 mg/kg detected in 80% of the samples followed by β-HCH with a mean level of 0.0016 mg/kg detected in 71.4% of the honey samples. Honey samples from Acacia modesta Wall. were 100% positive for Heptachlor with a mean level of 0.0048 mg/kg followed by β-HCH with a mean level of 0.003 mg/kg and frequency of 83.3%. Minimum levels of the tested insecticides were detected in the unifloral honey from Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Methoxychlor, Endosulfan, Endrin and metabolites of DDT were not detected in the studied honey samples. Some of the tested insecticides are banned in Pakistan but are still detected in honey samples indicating their use in the study area. The detected levels of all insecticides were below the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and safe for consumers. However, the levels detected can cause mortality in insect fauna. The use of banned insecticides is one of the main factors responsible for the declining populations of important insect pollinators including honeybees.

This research aimed to investigate various mosquitocidal activities of Chenopodium botrys whole- plant n-hexane extract against Culex quinquefasciatus. The extract showed remarkable larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibitory activities against Cx. quinquefasciatus. During the larvicidal and pupicidal activities, the 24-hour lethal concentration (LC50) of extract against 2nd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae and pupae were 324.6, 495.6 and 950.8 ppm, respectively. During the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) bottle bioassay for adulticidal activity, the median knockdown times (KDT50) at 1.25% concentration was 123.4 minutes. During the filter paper impregnation bioassay for adulticidal activity, the KDT50 value at 0.138 mg/cm2 concentration was 48.6 minutes. The extract was fractionated into 14 fractions through silica gel column chromatography which were then combined into six fractions on the basis of similar retention factor (Rf) value. These fractions were screened for adulticidal activity by applying CDC bottle bioassay. The fraction obtained through 60:40 to 50:50% n-hexanes-chloroform mobile phase with 0.5 Rf value showed 100% adulticidal activity at 0.2% concentration. During oviposition deterrent activity, the highest concentration (1000 ppm) showed 71.3 ± 4.4% effective repellence and 0.6 ± 0.1 oviposition activity index. During adult emergence inhibition activity, the median emergence inhibition (EI50) value was 312.3 ppm. From the outcome of the present investigation, it is concluded that the n-hexane extract of C. botrys whole- plant possesses strong larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibitory activities against Cx. quinquefasciatus.

The study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Zizyphus oxyphyla leaves methanolic (ZOX-LME), on serum liver, kidney and hematology along with other serum parameters in Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated rabbits. Experimental animals were divided into five groups, six rabbits in each. These were: group NC (normal control), group, TC (toxic control) and group ST i.e. silymarine administered group at dose rate (50) mg/kg body weight (BW). Group ET1 and group ET2 treated with (ZOX-LME) at dose 200 mg/kg BW and 400 mg/kg BW. CCl4 administration caused significant (P> 0.05) impairment in serum liver enzymes, blood factors and other serum indices. Treatment with (ZOX-LME) significantly (P<0.05) reduced and normalized the levels of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and hematological indices. Also significant (P< 0.05) reduction was observed in creatinine, urea, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and albumin and glucose concentrations. The altered levels of lipid profile and serum electrolytes (Ca, Mg, Cl, Na, K, and P) were significantly (P<0.05) change toward normal levels with (ZOX-LME) feeding. In addition (ZOX-LME) ingestion caused significant improvement in GSH, GST and CAT levels, while reducing the TBARS levels, exhibited antioxidant capacity. Also (ZOX-LME) showed increase inhibition against percent scavenging of 2, 2-diphenile-1-picrylehydrazyle (DPPH) free radical. Significant (P<0.05) normalizing effects were observed with high dose 400 mg/kg BW of (ZOX-LME and were equivalent to silymarine administered groups. The histological study of liver supported the hepatoprotective and renal curative activity of (ZOX-LME).

The present study was conducted to evaluate the diversity, distribution (C) and relative abundance (RA) of the mosquito fauna (Diptera: Culicidae) of Malakand and Dir Lower, Pakistan. Collection of specimens (n = 1087) was made during September 2018 to July 2019 at six different habitats including freshwater bodies, rice fields, animal sheds, indoors, drains and sewage waters. Specimens were collected through light traps, pyrethrum spray, aspirators and nets and subsequently killed, preserved and then arranged in entomological boxes for identification. Three genera were identified namely Culex, Anopheles and Aedes. A total of fourteen species were identified namely: Cx. quinquefasciatus (Say, 1823), An. stephensi (Liston, 1901), Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (Giles, 1901), Ae. vittatus (Bigot, 1861), An. maculatus (Theobald, 1901), An. fluviatilis (James, 1902), Cx. vishnui (Theobald, 1901), Ae. aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) An. subpictus (Grassi, 1899), An. dthali (Patton, 1905), An. culicifascies (Giles, 1901), An. pallidus (Theobald, 1901), Ae. albopictus (Skuse, 1894) and An. annularis (van der Wulp, 1884). Cx. quinquefasciatus was found constantly distributed in the study area with RA = 16.5% and C = 100%. An. annularis was found as a satellite species, sporadically distributed in the study area having RA = 0.9% and C = 17%. Diversity indices of mosquitoes in the studied habitats were found as, Shannon-Wiener Index (2.415), Simpson Index (9.919), Fisher's Index (2.269) and Margalef's Index (1.859). A statistically significant difference was recorded in mosquito diversity in the six habitats (Kruskal-Wallis, chi-squared, H = 17.5, df = 5, P = 0.003 at α = 0.05). The present study encompasses mosquito fauna of Malakand, Pakistan with respect to diversity, relative abundance and distribution in diverse habitats and all seasons of the year. This will assist scientists working in various fields related with epidemiology, medical and veterinary entomology, ecology and allied areas of biological sciences.

Present study focuses on ameliorative potential of Typha elephantina leave's aqueous (TE.AQ) extract against Paracetamol (PCM) induced toxicity in rabbits. We fed the male rabbits with 300 mg PCM in alone and in combination with TE.AQ at different doses i.e. (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight) or silymarin (100 mg/kg) daily for 21 days. PCM in alone significantly (P < 0.5) increased serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin and blood urea nitrogen. Serum sodium, potassium and magnesium level were high. The glutathione, radical scavenging activity and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were significantly reduced. Treatment with TE.AQ at dose rate 300 mg/kg body weight and Silymarin significantly ameliorated all the parameters when compared with PCM administered group. The 100 and 200 mg of TE.AQ showed no significant effects. The histopathological examination confirmed the therapeutic potential of TE.AQ. These results established the presence of natural antioxidants in Typha elephantina leaves., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 The Author(s).)

The present study was conducted for the taxonomic, morphometric and limnological assessment of the commercially important ichthyofauna of Sakhakot Stream, Malakand, Pakistan. The study area was divided into three sites along the water course namely Dargai Stream, Sakhakot Stream and Shergarh Stream. Fish samples were collected randomly during January to August 2017 with the help of fish gears. A taxonomic key was designed for the collected fish specimens. Ten fish species were identified belonging to 3 orders and 4 families. Family Cyprinidae was the dominant family with seven representative species while families Siluridae, Nemacheilidae and Mastacembelidae were represented by one species each. Lower mean total length and standard length was recorded in Puntius conchonius (Hamilton, 1822) as 9.2 ± 0.6 cm and 7.3 ± 0.6 cm respectively, while highest mean total length and standard length was recorded in Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede, 1800) as 28.1 ± 1.7 cm and 15.9 ± 2.4 cm respectively. Mean pH of the water ranged from 6.1 at Shergarh Stream in August to 8.7 at Sakhakot Stream in January. Average temperature range was recorded from 10.9 °C in January at Dargai Stream to 18.7 °C in August at Shergarh Stream. No statistically significant difference was found for temperature (p = 0.96) and pH (p = 0.14) in the three water streams. The present study will provide a baseline for the rearing and enhancement of wild stock of the commercially important ichthyofauna in the field of aquaculture and fisheries.

Organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides have been commonly used in public health and agriculture. The present study aimed to evaluate the sub-lethal effects of organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides on transaminases: glutamate oxaloacetate/aspartate transaminase (AST) and glutamate pyruvate/alanine transaminase (ALT) in Oreochromis niloticus . Fish were exposed to malathion (OP), chlorpyrifos (OP) and λ-cyhalothrin (synthetic pyrethroid) at sub-lethal concentrations of 1.425, 0.125 and 0.0039 ppm, respectively for 24 and 48 h. AST and ALT activities were shown to be remarkably ( p  < 0.05) decreased and increased, respectively in O. niloticus treated with the insecticides. The highest and lowest inhibition in AST level were noted as -12.2% and -12.2% in chlorpyrifos and λ-cyhalothrin 24 h treated fish samples, respectively. The highest and lowest elevation in ALT level were recorded as + 313% and 237% in 48 h chlorpyrifos and 24 h malathion treated fish samples, respectively. This indicates that the insecticides used in this study did not result in death but in changes in AST and ALT enzyme activities. Therefore, organophosphates (malathion, chlorpyrifos) and synthetic pyrethroid (λ-cyhalothrin) insecticides are toxic to fishes and could affects their survival in their natural habitat., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© Korean Society of Toxicology 2021.)

One of the essential factors to be addressed in the development of aquaculture is the feeding regime. This study was investigated to assess the effects of feeding rate on growth performance, feed utilization, chemical body composition survival rate, cannibalism and morphological indices of Asian Seabass, Lates calcarifer . Intended for the trial, one hundred forty sea bass individuals with an average weight 5.47 ± 0.11 g were randomly distributed in 4 concrete tanks (914 cm × 183 cm 122 cm) each; length × width × depth) and volume 18,399 L, for total 68 days. The fishes were fed with a pelleted diet containing 46% crude protein for different feeding groups designated as (T1, T2, T3 and T4). The feed was supplied with a rate of (T1) 3%, (T2) 4%, (T3) 6%, and (T4) 9% of fish biomass per day and feeding frequency were maintained three times per day to all the groups. At the end of the trial water physicochemical parameters was in acceptable range for Asian sea bass growth. The average daily weight gain (g), weight gain (g) and specific growth rate (%) was significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in T3 and T4 as compared to T1 and T2 group. The poorest feed conversion ratio was recorded in T1 group with 3% biomass per day. The cannibalism rate was significantly ( p  < 0.05) higher in T1 (3%) compared to T3 and T4 treatment. The morphological indices, condition factors (CF), viscerosomatic index and hepatosomatic index (HSI) was significantly higher in T4 group as compared to other treatments. The protein, moisture and ash contents of the whole biomass of the Asian sea bass were not significantly influenced by feeding rate. The fat levels in the fish bodies increased significantly ( p  < 0.05) with increasing feeding ratio. The phenomenal regression indicates that 6.5% feeding rate per day is optimum for best growth performance, survival and minimum cannibalism rate for Asian sea bass in captivity. The outcome of the finding will help in promotion for not only the coastal aquaculture in Pakistan abut also elsewhere., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

Current study deals with the comparative study related to immobilization of maltase using synthetic (polyacrylamide) and non-synthetic (calcium alginate, agar-agar and agarose) polymers via entrapment technique. Polyacrylamide beads were formed by cross-linking of monomers, agar-agar and agarose through solidification while alginate beads were prepared by simple gelation. Results showed that the efficiency of enzyme significantly improved after immobilization and among all tested supports agar-agar was found to be the most promising and biocompatible for maltase in terms of immobilization yield (82.77%). The catalytic behavior of maltase was slightly shifted in terms of reaction time (free enzyme, agarose and polyacrylamide: 5.0 min; agar-agar and alginate: 10.0 min), pH (free enzyme, alginate and polyacrylamide: 6.5; agar-agar, agarose: 7.0) and temperature (free enzyme: 45 °C; alginate: 50 °C; polyacrylamide: 55 °C; agarose: 60 °C; agar-agar: 65 °C). Stability profile of immobilized maltase also revealed that all the supports utilized have significantly enhanced the activity of maltase at higher temperatures then its free counterpart. However, recycling data showed that agar-agar entrapped maltase retained 20.0% of its initial activity even after 10 cycles followed by agarose (10.0%) while polyacrylamide and alginate showed no activity after 8 and 6 cycles respectively., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest This publication is approved by all authors and they do not have any conflict of interest regarding any financial, personal or other relationships with any other people or organizations., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pectinase as a biocatalyst play a significant role in food and textile industries. In this study, the pectinase was immobilized by encapsulation within polyacrylamide gel to enhance its catalytic properties and ensure the reusability for continuous industrial processes. 9.5% acrylamide and 0.5% N, N'- methylenebisacrylamide concentration gave high percentage of pectinase immobilization yield within gel. The catalytic properties of immobilized pectinase was determined with comparison of soluble pectinase. The immobilization of pectinase within polyacrylamide gel didn't effect catalytic properties of pectinase and both the free and immobilized pectinase showed maximum pectinolytic activity at 45 °C and pH 10. The Michaelis-Menten kinetic behavior of pectinase was slightly changed after immobilization and immobilized pectinase showed somewhat higher K m and lower V max value as compared to soluble pectinase. Polyacrylamide gel encapsulation enhanced the thermal stability of pectinase and encapsulated pectinase showed higher thermal stability against various temperature ranging from ranging from 30 °C to 50 °C as compared free pectinase. Furthermore, the surface topography of polyacrylamide gel was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and it was observed that the surface topography of polyacrylamide gel was changed after encapsulation. The encapsulation of pectinase within polyacrylamide gel enhanced the possibility of reutilization of pectinase in various industries and pectinase retained more than 50% of its initial activity even after seven batch of reactions., (© 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Propolis is a natural substance collected by honey bees from various plants such as, poplar, palm, pine, conifer secretions, gums, resins, mucilage and leaf buds. It is collected and brought very painstakingly by honey bees to be used for sealing cracks and crevices occurring in their hives. Originally, it as an antiseptic meant for preventing bee-hive from microbial infections along with preventing decomposition of intruders. Additionally, propolis has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The biological characteristics of propolis depend upon its chemical composition, plant sources, geographical zone and seasons. More than 300 compounds have been identified in propolis such as, phenolic compounds, aromatic acids, essential oils, waxes and amino acids. Many scientific articles are published every year in different international journals, and several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the chemical compounds and biological activity of propolis., (© 2018 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.)

Cedrus deodara (deodar) is practically used, as insect repellent, in the northern areas of Pakistan but no data available therefore this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of deodar oil as an alternate of conventional insecticides against the larval pest stage of mealworm beetle ( Tenebrio molitor ), by feeding method. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of deodar oil as an alternate of conventional insecticides against the larval pest stage of mealworm beetle ( Tenebrio molitor ), by feeding method. All tested chemicals showed efficacy against the pests. The LC 50 was determined by probit analysis and was found to be 3.41, 0.086 and 0.023% of larvae treated with deodar oil, Carbosulfan and Imidacloprid respectively The LC 50 treated larvae were subjected to the evaluation of protein activity, qualitatively and quantitatively. The protein level in tested insects was enhanced when treated with Imidacloprid, Carbosulfan and deodar oil. The electrophoretic profile of treated insects showed more bands in insects treated with Cedrus deodara oil. This electrophoretic profile appeared in 4, 5, 7 and 8 bands for tested chemicals including control. Antifeedant activity was observed for C. deodara as larvae were deterred to feed on the food found in the container.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are frequently used worldwide as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and termiticides and have been associated with a variety of cancers in animal and human studies. In the present study, we examined residues of fourteen OCPs in the serum samples of diagnosed cancer patients and healthy residents of Karachi, Pakistan. A random collection of fasting blood samples was carried out from the donors with informed consent. Serum was separated within 2 h of blood collection and was then subjected to extraction with organic solvents followed by purification with florisil column. The final organic extract of each serum sample was processed with Gas Chromatograph coupled with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). OCPs were detected in 97.59% of the cancer cases and 93.75% of the healthy subjects. Mean concentrations of total OCPs (ΣOCPs) was found elevated in the cancer group (0.606 mg/kg) compared with the control group (0.322 mg/kg). Endosulfan was the highest prevalent OCP with a mean concentration of 0.214 mg/kg in the cancer group and 0.166 mg/kg in the control group. The second most prevalent OCP was 4,4-DDE with a mean concentration of 0.131 mg/kg in the cancer group and 0.019 mg/kg in the control group. Highest level of ΣOCPs was detected in the breast cancer cases (20.411 mg/kg) with a mean level of (2.041 mg/kg). In light of the obtained results and available literature on the subject, it has been concluded that OCPs are positively associated with the risk of various cancers in humans.