Search

Epalrestat (EPL) is an aldose reductase inhibitor with poor aqueous solubility that affects its therapeutic efficacy. The research study was designed to prepare epalrestat-cyclodextrins (EPL-CDs) inclusion complexes to enhance the aqueous solubility by using beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and sulfobutyl ether₇ β-CD (SBE7 β-CD). Furthermore, polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) of EPL-CDs were developed using chitosan (CS) and sodium tripolyphosphate (sTPP). The EPL-CDs complexed formulations were then loaded into chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) and further characterized for different physico-chemical properties, thermal stability, drug-excipient compatibility and acute oral toxicity studies. In-silico molecular docking of cross-linker with SBE7 β-CD was also carried out to determine the binding site of the CDs with the cross-linker. The sizes of the prepared NPs were laid in the range of 241.5–348.4 nm, with polydispersity index (PDI) ranging from 0.302–0.578. The surface morphology of the NPs was found to be non-porous, smooth, and spherical. The cumulative percentage of drug release from EPL-CDs loaded CS NPs was found to be higher (75–88%) than that of the pure drug (25%). Acute oral toxicity on animal models showed a biochemical, histological profile with no harmful impact at the cellular level. It is concluded that epalrestat-cyclodextrin chitosan nanoparticles (EPL-CDs-CS NPs) with improved solubility are safe for oral administration since no toxicity was reported on vital organs in rabbits.

Pakistan is endowed with abundant fisheries resources that have significant economic potential. Capture fisheries contribute a comparatively vital role to the national economy. However, poverty, environmental degradation and political instability are major problems for the Pakistani people, and no effective steps have been taken to handle this socio- economically important sector efficiently in the past. Furthermore, the fisheries sector faced its own set of challenges, including the emergence of small-scale artisanal fisheries, the nonexistence of technologies, deficiency of institutional development, an absence of infrastructure, insufficient human resource skill, and a lack of responsiveness among fishing societies, all of which contributed to the sector's demise. The National Fisheries Policy (NFP) was formulated to address these problems in the fisheries sector. Potential efforts have been made by the Government of Pakistan to solve these constraints under various plans of objectives and strategy axes of the policy. Our findings indicate that despite these efforts, the fisheries sector does not show significant growth to achieve the policy goals. So, it is necessary to re-evaluate and re-orient this policy for further development of this sector. It is also essential to achieve the aim of Government of Pakistan Vision 2025 to become one of the 25th largest economies in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barramundi, (Lates calcarifer) is one of the most commercially important fish species. In Pakistan, farming of this species is relatively new. Article delivers the economic analysis of Barramundi and its fishery resources in Pakistan. The analysis includes the capture production, aquaculture production and market price. The Capture production of Barramundi in Pakistan has shown a declining trend by average at 18 t y-1 from 605 t in 1986 to 121.2 t in 2018. Similarly, wholesale and retail market prices witnessed an increase from 2003 to 2018. During this period, the wholesale price rose to 384.3 PKR/kg from 69 PKR/kg, while the retail price surged to 395.2 PKR/kg from 97 PKR/kg. On the other hand, the increasing operational fishing fleets from 15513 (1990) to 30000 (2018) has reduced Fishery resources of barramundi i.e. from 312 ton to 130 and its body weight from 13.42 kg to 3.5 kg during the period from 1990 to 2018. On the contrary, aquaculture production registered a rising trend by average of 0.5 t y-1 from 05 t in 2009 to 8.2 t in 2018. The rise in aquaculture production of Barramundi is not satisfactory when compared to its growth rate in other countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, Australia, China, India etc. In this study, we find out the major causes of non-satisfactory rise in aquaculture production by the using AGR model. Results show that the main reasons beyond decline in the growth included inaccessibility of Barramundi Seed, unavailability of Barramundi Hatcheries and lack of government Support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, catch statistics of mullets are first time evaluated to know their exploitation status and ongoing economic implications. Catch and effort (CE) figures of mullets acquired from Sindh, Pakistan was statistically evaluated by employing surplus production models (SPMs), non-equilibrium versions, through two famous fishery related software, viz., catch and effort data analysis (CEDA) and a stock production model incorporating covariates (ASPIC). In total three SPMs, i.e., Fox, Schaefer and Pella-Tomlinson were used to investigate CE statistics, 1995 to 2012. Obtained results reveal that catch per unit effort (CPUE) has considerably dropped from 0.206 (1995) to 0.055 (2012). CEDA estimates of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) remained conservative as they were calculated between 5100 to 6500 t against ASPIC for which estimates of this parameter remained between 5800 and 7600 t. Considering the results, it can be concluded that mullet fishery is experiencing overexploitation (OE). This OE is an indicator of economic losses by increasing costs and decreasing profits. Thus, mullet resource conservation is necessary for its long-term economic utilization. Therefore, it is suggested that the target reference point (TRP) with respect to harvest should be between 5100 to 5500 t. However, this study is a preliminary study, hence; further in-depth studies are suggested before making and implementing any management plan for mullet fishery in Sindh, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is vital in oxidative stress. Keeping in view the importance of this enzyme, present study was conducted for partial characterization of GST from hepatocytes of Cyprinus carpio. The inferences showed higher (GST) activity in liver of C. carpio collected from Chashma Barrage (144.33±1.15) as compared to Trimmu Head works (128.66.3±0.577) and Rasul Barrage (111.66±0.577) sampling sites. The highest GST activity was 128±0.333 U mL-1 from the crude extract fraction of liver as compared to other fractions of appraisal fish liver. Whereas the lowest activity (109±0.666 U mL-1) was from desalted fraction. Optical density was recorded by spectrophotometer at 280 nm, the fractions that showed high optical density were subjected to enzyme assay. Highest specific activity was 183.63, 153.84 and 162.50 U mg-1 for purified liver GST of C. carpio captured from Trimmu Head works, Rasul Barrage and Chashma Barrage, respectively. Whereas, fold purification was 2.86, 2.69 and 2.10 while, percent recovery was 78.90, 72.07 and 63.19 %, respectively for purified liver GST. The optimum pH was 6.5, 6.0 and 6.8 whereas, temperature was 30.5 °C, 31 °C and 30 °C followed by substrate concentration 40.3 mM, 40 mM and 41 mM, for purified liver GST of C. carpio captured from Trimmu Head works, Rasul Barrage and Chashma Barrage, respectively. It should be noted that detailed studies can be beneficial in the fields of physiology, biochemistry and toxicology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum biochemical assessment is an important tool to provide information about the internal organs, metabolic and nutritional parameters and electrolytes. Present study was conducted to determine the serum biochemistry of Channa marulius in hatchery and riverine populations. For this purpose blood samples were collected by caudal vein puncture. Inferences of the study showed non-significantly (p ≥ 0.05) higher values of calcium 10.24 mmol/L as compared to lower 9.66 mmol/L whereas, significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher values of serum globulin 21.06 g/L, total protein 53.0 g/L, albumin 14.87 g/L, cholesterol 6.116 mmol/L, alanine transaminase 530 U/L and alkaline phosphatase 398 µ/L were observed in cultured populations as compared to lower 20.40 g/L, 44.84 g/L, 12.30 g/L, 5.084 mmol/L, 453 U/L and 255 µ/L in riverine populations. On the other side, non-significantly (p ≥ 0.05) higher values of serum triglyceride 0.674 mmol/L as compared to lower 0.604 mmol/L, while significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher values of glucose 28.43 g/L, urea 2.541 mmol/L, bilirubin 28.20 µmol/L, chlorine 70.3 mmol/L, potassium 13.43 mmol/L, sodium 126.5 mmol/L and aspartate transaminase 1169 U/L in riverine populations as compared to lower 23.89 g/L, 2.17 mmol/L, 26.23 µmol/L, 61.9 mmol/L, 12.08 mmol/L, 111.2 mmol/L and 1029 U/L were recorded in cultured populations, respectively. Findings of the study will be helpful in the field of biochemistry, physiology and toxicology as well as to enhance the management and rearing potential of the Chnanna marulius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

USA is the major export market destination for Indian fish and fishery products especially for crustaceans. The present study analyzed the status, export performance and competitiveness of Indian fish export to USA based on data (2000-2017) collected from UNCOMTRADE statistical database of United Nations. Trade balance revealed that the net trade for Indian fish export to USA was positive and the export has always been far greater than the imports. Compound Growth Rate (CGR) revealed that the seafood export grew at 18.22 % in terms of value with instability of 0.1 from 2000-2017. The average Unit Value Realization (UVR) was found highest in live fishes (15.62) followed by crustaceans (6.89) and others. Commodity wise Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) revealed that it is highly positive for crustaceans (7.87) followed by molluscs (2.74) and frozen fish (2.12) indicating that India has a strong comparative advantage in exporting these commodities to USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn this instigation, the heat and mass transfer pattern on Eyring-Powell nanofluid with suspension of dust particles is focused. For heat transfer phenomenon, the Eyring-Powell nanofluid capturing the variable thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the variable and mass diffusivity assumptions are entertained for summarizing the observations chemical reaction phenomenon. The flow is endorsed to magnetic force impact. The additional impact of Brownian motion and thermophoresis consequences have been adopted. The numerical computations with shooting technique are performed. The physical aspects of parameters have been observed graphically. Based on depicted observations, it is examined that the fluid velocity reduces due to interaction velocity parameter which reverse trend is noted for dust particles velocity. The temperature profile for dusty fluid particles enhanced due to interaction parameter for temperature. Furthermore, the concentration profile reduces due to concentration interaction parameter. Current results present applications in solar energy, thermal processes, heat transform devices cooling systems, plasma, manufacturing processes, energy systems, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective A recent evolution in fluid dynamics has been the consideration of nanoliquids which retains exceptional thermal conductivity characteristics and upsurge heat transportation in fluids. Inspired by this, the current attempt develops a nonlinear mathematical model (Williamson fluid) towards moving surface heated convectively. Formulated problem further encompasses thermophoresis, magnetic dipole, heat source, Brownian diffusion, thermal radiation and thermo-solutal convective conditions. Upshots are simulated and unveiled graphically. Drag force along with heat/mass transportation rates is addressed numerically. Method The dimensionless expressions are highly non-linear and exact/analytic computations for such expressions are not possible. Thus we employed numeric (bvp4c) scheme for solution development. Conclusions Temperature of Williamson nanofluid intesifies through larger N b (Brownian movement) factor and N t (thermophoretic variable). Moreover, Buongiorno relation has reverse behavior for concentration ϕ(η) of Williamson nanofluid regarding N t and N t . Transportation rate of heat dwindles against both N t and N b ., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest It is declared that we have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)