Search

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]

Objective: This study investigated the effects of supplementing Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus diets with wild olive Olea europaea leaf extract (WLE) on growth performance, digestive enzymes, and antioxidant and immunological parameters. Methods: Wild olive leaf extract was added at different concentrations (WLE 0.0 [control], 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%) and fed to triplicate fish groups for 12 weeks. At the end of the trial period, growth performance, body composition, digestive enzyme activities, and hematological, biochemical, antioxidant, and immunological parameters were evaluated. Result: According to the results, fish that were fed with WLE 1.5% and WLE 2.0% exhibited significantly improved weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed intake. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly reduced in fish supplied with WLE 1.5% and WLE 2.0%. Additionally, weight gain and FCR showed significance at both the linear and quadratic levels, as indicated by polynomial contrasts. However, the experimental diets did not impact fish body composition, digestive enzyme activity, or survival rate. Fish that received WLE 1.5% and WLE 2.0% showed significantly higher levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared with the WLE 1.0% and control groups. Moreover, significant enhancements were observed in serum parameters, including total protein, albumin, globulin, lysozyme, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total immunoglobulins, for the WLE 1.5% and WLE 2.0% groups compared with the control. Fish that were fed WLE 1.5% exhibited the lowest serum cortisol level. Conclusion: In conclusion, experimental diets with WLE levels of 1.5% and 2.0% effectively enhanced both the growth and immunological parameters of Nile Tilapia. Impact statementSupplementing Nile Tilapia diets with wild olive leaf extract enhances growth, feed efficiency, and immune function. This eco‐friendly method boosts aquaculture productivity and fish health, offering healthier food sources and promoting sustainable practices for both people and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the presence of eight pesticide residues in the Indus River, Mianwali, Pakistan, focusing on three sampling sites (S1, S2, and S3) in water, sediment, and the fish species Cyprinus carpio during both dry and wet seasons. Analysis was conducted using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Results indicated elevated pesticide concentrations in both seasons, with levels of 0.84 and 0.62 μg/L in water, 12.47 and 9.21 μg/g/dw in sediment, and 17.33 and 12.17 μg/g/ww in fish, with higher concentrations observed during the dry season. Cypermethrin and carbofuran were the primary pesticides detected in water, while endosulfan and cypermethrin were dominant in sediment and fish tissue, often exceeding standard safety thresholds. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis revealed stronger correlations between sediment and fish muscle, with varying associations among pesticides across seasons. The Hazard Index (HI) surpassed 1 in both seasons, signaling potential health risks to humans. These findings underscore the substantial risk agricultural pesticides pose to the aquatic ecosystem and food chain, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices and stricter regulations to minimize pesticide use and encourage eco-friendly pest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

This study investigates the influence of Withania somnifera root powder (WSRP) on different aspects of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), including growth, hematobiochemical parameters, antioxidant status, nonspecific immune response, and resilience to bacterial infections. Over a 60‐day period, 180 common carp fingerlings (11.73 ± 0.52 g) were subjected to diets supplemented with increasing WSRP levels (0 (control), 1% (WSRP1), 2.5% (WSRP2.5), and 4% (WSRP4)). Nonspecific immune parameters were evaluated using serum samples collected at intervals of 0, 20, 40, and 60 days. After the feeding trial, the fish underwent experimental challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila, and relative percentage survival (RPS) was monitored for 14 days. The findings revealed a considerable (p < 0.05) enhancement in growth performance and a decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) with increasing WSRP supplementation. Additionally, hematological and biochemical profiles exhibited improvements in groups receiving WSRP‐enriched diets. Fish serum antioxidant status showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase, as indicated by increased activities of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in WSRP4. WSRP‐supplemented diets led to remarkable enhancements in lysozyme activity (p = 0.001), phagocytic activity (p = 0.002), and RPS (p = 0.003), peaking in WSRP4 at day 60. Furthermore, WSRP2.5 and WSRP4 demonstrated a substantial decrease (p > 0.05) in serum glucose and cortisol levels compared to other groups. In conclusion, WSRP proves valuable for enhancing growth, blood parameters, antioxidant balance, immune response, and infection resistance in common carp, especially at 2.5%–4% dietary supplementation levels. In the future, it will be crucial to study the long‐term effects of WSRP supplementation on fish health, as well as its potential for large‐scale aquaculture and economic viability in the aquafeed industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the different body organ measurements and multiple phenotypic traits of Desi and Fayoumi chicken breeds under free range and intensive management conditions during 2021. The average values of phenotypic traits like neck length, body height, shank length, beak length, and wing span of Desi and Fayoumi males were measured as(20.4±1.9), (16.5±1.4), (43.4±3.2), (33.7±3.2), (12.5±0.82), (8.3±0.72),(3.6±0.21),(2.7±0.16) and wings span(23.7±1.6), (18.3±1.5) in intensive conditions respectively. While in the free range conditions, the neck length, body height, Shank length, beak length and wing span were recorded as (18.7±1.6), (16.4±1.3), (38.7±3.2), (34.6±3.1), (10.3±0.97), (9.4±0.94), (3.3±0.24), (2.7±0.18), (20.4±1.5), (18.5±1.4) in both chicken breeds. The different phenotype traits of chicken breeds as eye color, comb, plumage, feather, barbell and mumps, body height, Shank length, beak length, and wing span in intensive and free range conditions. It is concluded that Desi chickens were found with larger body parts and varied color. The present study suggests that further research should be carried on other characteristics to improve poultry quality and higher quantities in future endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low survival rate of Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patients is largely attributed to cisplatin resistance. Rather than focusing solely on individual proteins, exploring protein-protein interactions could offer greater insight into drug resistance. To this end, a series of in silico and in vitro experiments were conducted to identify hub genes in the intricate network of cisplatin resistance-related genes in KIRC chemotherapy. The genes involved in cisplatin resistance across KIRC were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database using search terms as "Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma" and "Cisplatin resistance". The genes retrieved were analyzed for hub gene identification using the STRING database and Cytoscape tool. Expression and promoter methylation profiling of the hub genes was done using UALCAN, GEPIA, OncoDB, and HPA databases. Mutational, survival, functional enrichment, immune cell infiltration, and drug prediction analyses of the hub genes were performed using the cBioPortal, GEPIA, GSEA, TIMER, and DrugBank databases. Lastly, expression and methylation levels of the hub genes were validated on two cisplatin-resistant RCC cell lines (786-O and A-498) and a normal renal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2) using two high throughput techniques, including targeted bisulfite sequencing (bisulfite-seq) and RT-qPCR. A total of 124 genes were identified as being associated with cisplatin resistance in KIRC. Out of these genes, MCL1, IGF1R, CCND1, and PTEN were identified as hub genes and were found to have significant (p < 0.05) variations in their mRNA and protein expressions and effects on the overall survival (OS) of the KIRC patients. Moreover, an aberrant promoter methylation pattern was found to be associated with the dysregulation of the hub genes. In addition to this, hub genes were also linked with different cisplatin resistance-causing pathways. Thus, hub genes can be targeted with Alvocidib, Estradiol, Tretinoin, Capsaicin, Dronabinol, Metribolone, Calcitriol, Acetaminophen, Acitretin, Cyclosporine, Azacitidine, Genistein, and Resveratrol drugs. As the pathogenesis of KIRC is complex, targeting hub genes and associated pathways involved in cisplatin resistance could bring a milestone change in the drug discovery and management of drug resistance, which might uplift overall survival among KIRC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan is populated to approximately 225,633,392 people (225 million). Pakistan's healthcare delivery system is complex due to the presence of both federal and provincial healthcare subsystems. Iron deficiency anemia and co-pathological diseases like - or -thalassemia (Alpha thalassemia, Beta thalassemia characteristics) are the most frequent disorders among microcytic hypochromic anemias. More than 10 million people in Pakistan are carriers of the beta-thalassemia trait; every year, around 5,000 children in Pakistan are identified as being carriers of beta-thalassemia major. Despite the widespread use of blood transfusions, there are no established guidelines for patient care. Families tend to be big, and the majority of the population lives in poverty, thus they cannot afford the high costs associated with caring for a kid with thalassemic disorders. This prospective observational research of thalassemia was carried out in a blood bank in the city of Sukkur in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. The purpose of this research was to determine how common thalassemia is in the sukkur area of Sindh, Pakistan. Blood Bank Sukkur was the site of the whole research, which was led by Sajida Mahmood Gopang and included the efforts of Mazhar Hussain kharal, farhan Ali, Ahsan, Sajjad Hussain, and Zain-ul-Abdin. The research concluded that in order to eradicate thalassemia in Pakistan, health care practitioners should be incentivized to raise awareness of the disease among the general population and treat it as a public health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of water in dental units is of substantial importance since patients and dental staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated during dental procedures. The aim of this study was to detect the bacterial contamination of dental unit water and investigate the effectiveness of the disinfectant. The biofilm of bacterial contaminant in dental unit waterlines was detected using bacterial culturing of heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, presence of biofilm in dental unit waterlines was visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, dental unit water lines were treated with disinfectant to eradicate bacterial contaminants from dental unit water lines and its effectiveness was tested after three months. This study showed that the bacterial contamination of the water samples ranged from not detected to 2.38 x 106 CFU/mL. Out of 34 DUWLs water samples tested the 30 (88.24%) samples exceeded the CDC/EPA recommended threshold of £500 CFU/mL, whereas only 4 (11.76%) samples were able to meet the standards. Contamination by total coliforms and P. aeruginosa was detected in 52.94% and 64.7% of samples respectively. SEM displayed a dense biofilm on the lumen of tubing confirming the bacterial contamination. The intervention for disinfection of DUWLs resulted in more than 50% samples with acceptable bacterial count in follow up test performed after three months. The high rate of bacterial contamination of dental unit water highlights the need to disinfect and monitor the quality of DUWLs periodically and use a cleaner source of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera) are present in almost all ecosystems, except the ocean and polar regions. They are most important biologically controlling agents into agro-ecosystems. Long horned beetles were gathered from different sites (agricultural fields and their surrounding vegetation) of Sindh Province with insect net (7.79 cm in diameter and 49.9 cm in length) and hand picking. A total of 234 specimens were captured from October 2018 to July 2019. The material was identified to seven species and six genera. The species Batocera rubus (Linnaeus, 1758), Batocera rufomaculata (De Geer, 1775), Apriona cinerea (Chevrolat, 1852), Prionus corpulantus (Bates, 1878) and Macrotoma crenata (Fabricius, 1801), were recorded as new record from Sindh Province. While Archopalus exoticus (Sharp, 1905), Dorysthenes hugelii (Redtenbacher, 1848) were reported first time from Pakistan. Additionally, the association of various plants with the species is provided for the first time. This study will be a baseline for the future research associated with longhorn beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]