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This study examined the concentrations of seven heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni, and Mn) in the muscle tissue of six commonly consumed fish species (Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, Wallagu attu, Hypophthalmicthys molitrix, Channa punctuate, and Puntius sophore) from the River Indus in the Mianwali district Pakistan. Samples were collected during both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons to assess the potential human health risks associated with these heavy metals. The levels of metals were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis. The results showed varying concentrations of heavy metals in the fish samples (mg/kg), ranging from 10.17-2.06 for Pb, 41.83-12.54 for Cu, 417.04-41.93 for Zn, 2.06-0.46 for Cr, 0.86-0.08 for Cd, 4.33-1.43 for Ni, and 50.16-8.74 for Mn. Notably, metal concentrations were generally higher during the pre-monsoon season, with Pb consistently exceeding standard limits in the muscle tissue of all fish species. ANOVA analysis revealed significant variations in heavy metal concentrations among different fish species. While the current consumption rate poses no significant health risks, ongoing monitoring of heavy metal concentrations in fish and their environmental sources is crucial to ensure consumer safety and sustainable aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The use of plant‐derived products in aquaculture has garnered considerable attention due to their potential benefits. This study investigated the impact of supplementing Withania coagulans root powder (WCRP) in the diet of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio on various parameters, including growth performance, digestive enzymes, hematology, antioxidant activity, and immunological aspects. Methods: Common Carp (mean weight ± standard deviation = 11.69 ± 0.48 g) were divided into four groups in triplicate, receiving different WCRP concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%; labeled as WCRP0, WCRP1.0, WCRP1.5, and WCRP2.0, respectively) over a 60‐day period, followed by an experimental challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila to assess the relative percentage survival (RPS) over 14 days. Result: Results showed that Common Carp receiving WCRP1.5 and WCRP2.0 demonstrated significantly improved growth performance, with reduced feed conversion ratios (FCRs) being particularly evident in WCRP1.5. Polynomial contrasts indicated significant linear and quadratic effects on weight gain and FCR. Additionally, WCRP1.5 and WCRP2.0 supplementation led to significantly higher activity of digestive enzymes (lipase and protease). Hematological parameters, including white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, were significantly elevated in fish that were fed WCRP1.5 and WCRP2.0 compared to the control group. Moreover, serum parameters, such as total protein, albumin, globulin, lysozyme, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total immunoglobulins, were significantly enhanced in WCRP1.5‐ and WCRP2.0‐treated fish. Notably, the WCRP1.5 group showed the lowest serum cortisol levels. The RPS was highest in WCRP1.5 (73.77%), followed by WCRP2.0 (70.43%), compared to the other groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, supplementation with WCRP1.5 and WCRP2.0 effectively improved both growth and health parameters in Common Carp. Impact StatementThe addition of Withania coagulans root powder (WCRP) to Common Carp diets significantly boosted growth, health, and disease resistance. Fish that were fed medium and high doses of WCRP showed better growth, improved blood health, and enhanced immune responses, leading to higher survival rates after a bacterial challenge. This natural supplement offers a cost‐effective way for farmers to improve fish productivity and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmid borne antibiotics resistance is the global threat to healthcare facilities. Such antibiotics resistance is inherited stably within the same bacterial generations and transmitted horizontally to other species of bacteria. The elimination of such resistance plasmid is of great importance to contain dispersal of antibiotics resistance. E. coli strains were identified, screened for the presence of antibiotics resistance by disc diffusion method, and cured by sub-lethal concentrations of Ethidium bromide and Acridine orange. After curing, again antibiotic resistance was determined. Before and after curing, plasmids were extracted by column spin Kit and subjected to 1% agarose gel electrophoresis and antibiotic resistance genes were identified by PCR. The Ethidium bromide was more effective than Acridine orange in eliminating antibiotics resistance and resistance genes bearing plasmids (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and >10kb). The most frequently eliminated antibiotic resistance was against Imipenem and Meropenem followed by Cefoperazone-sulbactam, Amikacin and cephalosporins in sequence. The loss of antibiotic resistance was associated with the elimination of plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance genes; bla-TEM, bla-SHV, bla-CTX-M, qnrA, qnrB, qnrC and qnrD. Some E. coli strains did not show the removal of antibiotics resistance and plasmids, suggesting the presence of resistance genes on main chromosome and or non-curable plasmids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive leaves have been used traditionally to improve the immunity against several infections. Current study aimed to examine the effect of fortified feed with olive leaves extract on haematological and biochemical parameters of Oreochromis niloticus. Total 400 healthy fish were divided randomly into four groups and were cultured for two months in glass tanks of 250 L water capacity in triplicate. Fortified feed was prepared with various extract, 1%, 1.5% and 2% concentration in diet, while, control-group diet was without extraction. Results showed that all the haematological parameters including WBC, RBC, Hb, PCV and plasma protein were significantly increased while the biochemical parameters such as globulin albumen ratio increased in fish which fed on 1% of extract, but the level of cholesterol and triglycerides was decreasing by increasing the concentration of extract. It was concluded that olive leaves extract can be used to enhance the immunity, growth and health of fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the research work was to observe the rarely seen behavior in morphological domestic Goat (Capra aegagrushircus) have hermaphroditic condition. This case has been reported in a domestic goat (Capra aegagrushircus) having age of 3.5 years from Sunigram valley district Buner KP. The reported species having both male and female characters. The pictures have been taken from the reported species and shows clearly both male and female organs. This type of case has been reported for the first time from Pakistan. The male characters observed are having testes and scrotum. The neck morphology shows male character. The body is stout. Snout shape shows male character. Eyes show male character. The tail is erect above this also shows male character. Having a long beard. The hairs on front legs show male character. Hairs on the neck show male character. The male goat teasing the female goat but cannot mate. The female characters observed having Ears are elongated and suspended. Having two teats (mammary glands) and vegina. The belly has slope shape. Nose shows female character. Breast shows female character. Mouth is broad and shows female character. It is useful information for the Geneticists in future study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most dangerous pollution in the environment are the unwanted hydrocarbon in form of oil and petroleum which is the result of leak from the coastal oil refiners and to overcomes these situations use of microbes are the only ecofriendly method and they are the main contributor to maintain a safer environment. Current study aimed to evaluate the fungi and bacteria as a bio-degrader of hydrocarbon, for his bacteria and fungi were first isolate and identify from the oil contaminated soil collected from the different workshops of Sargodha city. Result reveled that upper layer (0-2m) contain diverse and large number of bacteria and fungi specie (bacteria 50%; fungi 50%), while lowest layer (3-4m) contain less diverse and low number of bacterial and fungi species (bacteria 6.66%; fungi 13.6%). After identification it was found that total 4 strains of fungi were isolate in which Aspergillustubingensis and Alternariatenuissima were dominantIn case of bacteria 7 strains were identified. Among which E. coli were dominant. Followed by the Pseudomonas spp. after biodegradation test it was found that fungal strain Aspergillustubingensis was the excellent bio-degrader (1.69x109) followed by the Aspergillums niger (1.40x108). On the other hands among the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus utilizes high amount of the hydrocarbon as energy source (1.76x107) followed by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.67x109). in conclusion Introducing these microbes to the oil contaminated environment can solve the problems of hydrocarbon pollution. But future research should be conducted to better understand the molecular mechanism of hydrocarbon degradation in order to better utilize these microorganisms for the welfare of human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aptopus opata (Johnson. Pj, 2018) is a native to Mexico that was first time reported from village Gadeji, district Khairpur Sindh Province of Pakistan during 2018-19. The instant species causes significant damage to crops, feeding on different weeds including; Gnaphalium, Convolvulus arvensis, Amaranthus and Cortaderia sellona, while the crops include; maize, potatoes, tomatoes, sugar cane. Its larva is known as wireworm that is yellowish to brown in color. The members of this genus badly affect the economy of the growers in the affected areas. Aptopus opata is a differ from the closely related species on the taxonomical basis including male genitalia and external morphology represented as its body is lengthened, brown to blackish in body coloration, with densely coarse punctures on whole body, frons depressed, prontal angles tapered, lengthened, scutellum shield shaped trigonal spots, 1st to 3rd antennomers quadrates, clypeus bigonal, legs lengthened, tarsi denticated, 5 claws on tarsi, meta tarsi slightly smooth. Male genitalia (aedeagus) is wider than longer, base broader, lateral lobe of parameres slightly bigonal, lateral margins with golden hairs, median lobe of parameres broad at base, rapidly narrowing apically, hairs like structure view from the ventral aspects. The instant discovery will help the growers and technical personals to identify the instant species easily and its identification will help in these control of the referred species. Further studies are suggested to explore its nature of damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the rapid growth of the population over the past century has put enormous pressure on freshwater resources. Pakistan, as a developing country, also faces a freshwater crisis. Rawal Lake, an essential freshwater reservoir near Pakistan's capital, has been showing signs of deterioration for the past few years. Therefore, a brief study was planned to analyze the water quality of the lake and the associated recharge streams. Twelve physical and chemical parameters were selected along with the total bacterial and Escherichia coli count. Five sampling points were selected for water sampling. Results showed that the Mallpur stream significantly has higher pH, total suspended solids, and total dissolved solids values than the other sampling points and was not within the permissible limits of the World Health Organization. In the case of total bacterial count and Escherichia coli count, except Spillway, water samples showed higher concentrations than the permissible limits of world health organization. However, the mineral content such as Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrogen, Potassium, Chloride, and sulphate concentration at all sampling points are within the permissible limits of the world health organization's drinking water standard. Results also showed that the water sampled from the Korang River tributary has more deterioration in physicochemical properties as well as in total bacterial count than the Mallpur tributary. Due to the deterioration of the water quality parameter, it is suggested that Rawal Lake water is not suitable for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]