Muhammad Khalid Mukhtar

A study on the transfer of iron in soil-plant-animal continuum under semi-arid environmental conditions in Sargodha, Pakistan.

The present investigation on the iron (Fe) transfer from soil to plant and in turn to animal (cows), as a function of sampling periods was conducted at the Livestock Experimental Station Sargodha, Pakistan which falls under semi-arid conditions. Although the iron transfer from soil to forage increased consistently, the forage Fe content decreased progressively with increase in sampling period. Highest Fe transfer from forage to cow blood plasma was observed during October and lowest during January. The transfer of Fe from forage to animal milk was maximum during the months of October and January and minimum during December. The transfer of Fe to plasma and milk was found to be dependent variably on the growth stage of forage in this investigation. Based on the findings of the present study, it is evident that mineral supplementation with higher Fe availability is urgently warranted to the animals particularly during the months of December and January to enhance plasma Fe in the cows being reared at that livestock farm during the entire grazing period. Thus, obligatory supplementation of Fe to the ruminants is highly recommended. Since the processes involved in iron management system in humans, animals, and plants are basically similar, appropriate elemental management must be provided to the living organisms, otherwise deficient or excessive levels of iron may deteriorate the developing cells of the organisms.

Irrational use of antimalarial drugs in rural areas of eastern Pakistan: a random field study

BackgroundPrescription of antimalarial drugs in the absence of malarial disease is a common practice in countries where malaria is endemic. However, unwarranted use of such drugs can cause side effects in some people and is a financial drain on local economies. In this study, we surveyed the prevalence of malaria parasites in humans, and the prevalence of the malaria transmitting mosquito vectors in the study area. We also investigated the use of antimalarial drugs in the local people. We focused on randomly selected rural areas of eastern Pakistan where no malaria cases had been reported since May 2004.MethodsMass blood surveys, active case detection, passive case detection, and vector density surveys were carried out in selected areas of Sargodha district from September 2008 to August 2009. Data pertaining to the quantities and types of antimalarial drugs used in these areas were collected from health centers, pharmacies, and the district CDC program of the Health Department of the Government of the Punjab.ResultsSeven hundred and forty four blood samples were examined, resulting in a Blood Examination Rate (BER) of 3.18; microscopic analysis of blood smears showed that none of the samples were positive for malaria parasites. Investigation of the mosquito vector density in 43 living rooms (bedrooms or rooms used for sleeping), 23 stores, and 32 animal sheds, revealed no vectors capable of transmitting malaria in these locations. In contrast, the density of Culex mosquitoes was high. Substantial consumption of a variety of antimalarial tablets, syrups, capsules and injections costing around 1000 US

A comparative study on the status of Zn and Cu in diabetic and non diabetic males in Punjab, Pakistan

, was documented for the region.ConclusionUse of antimalarial drugs in the absence of malarial infection or the vectors that transmit the disease was common in the study area. Continuous use of such drugs, not only in Pakistan, but in other parts of the world, may lead to drug-induced side effects amongst users. Better training of health care professionals is needed to ensure accurate diagnoses of malaria and appropriate prescription of antimalarial drugs delivered to communities.

Periodic variation in soil, forage and serum minerals of dry cattle in Punjab, Pakistan

Minerals play a considerable role in the prolongation of all biological and psychological processes in the body. The present study was aimed to determine and to compare the concentration of zinc and copper in the serum samples of diabetic and non diabetic males of different age groups, that is, between one to seventy five years. Fasting blood samples of diabetic males as well as of non diabetics of selected age groups were collected for the study. Blood serum was obtained after centrifugation of blood samples. Level of zinc and copper in blood serum samples were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data obtained was processed statistically by using student’s t- test. A highly, significant (p<0.01) lower levels of zinc and highly, significant (p<0.01) higher levels of copper were found in blood serum of diabetic males when they were compared with non diabetic ones. The results reflect that the diabetic patients had a higher mean concentration of Zn (0.577 ppm), lower mean concentration of Zn (0.467 ppm), higher mean concentration of Cu (2.713 ppm) and lower mean concentration of Cu (2.207 ppm). It has also been represented by our results that the non diabetic males had higher mean concentration of Zn (1.94 ppm), lower mean concentration of Zn (0.937 ppm), higher mean concentration of Cu (1.31 ppm) and lower mean concentration of Cu (1.077 ppm). It has been concluded that the diabetic males of all age groups are deficient of zinc and they contain a higher level of copper in their blood serum.

Toxic and some essential metals in medicinal plants used in herbal medicines: A case study in Pakistan

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the nutrient level of grazing livestock as influenced by the sampling periods in Punjab state district Sargodha, Pakistan. Twenty composite soil and pasture and twenty five blood samples were collected at two different sampling periods during December 2010 to March, 2011, respectively. Higher soil content of all elements except iron was observed during December than those found in Mach at the 2 harvest during this period but all mean values were above the critical levels investigated for soil for the requirements of forage crops. Forage, potassium, magnesium and copper levels did not differ between samplings. Calcium, sodium, zinc, manganese, cobalt and selenium were higher during December, while reverse was true for forage iron reflecting the soil iron contents. The sodium, manganese, iron and selenium in forage were found to be deficient than the requirements of livestock during both sampling times in this investigation. From the four minerals assessed in the serum calcium, magnesium and zinc levels were high after the December in March. The macro mineral which were found to be moderately deficient at this animal farm are sodium and magnesium. Micro elements most likely to limit livestock production efficiency are copper, zinc, manganese and cobalt. Specific mineral supplementation should be supplied containing copper and zinc, as both pasture and blood plasma samples exhibited their deficiency. The present investigation suggests the requirement and provision of an appropriate specificity tailored mineral mixture to ruminants in this specific studied area. The objective of this study was to determine deficiency or excess of various minerals to have the knowledge of the status of different minerl elements for supplementation if necessary.

Fetal neurohistopathology of chloropyrifos in mice

The levels of some heavy metals in eight different medicinal plant samples along with soils were collected from two different locations from salt range of Punjab, Pakistan in order to evaluate those vital metals involved in human health implications. These plant species were: Dodonaea viscosa, Withania somnifera, Solanum nigrum, Calotropis gigantea, Mentha spicata, Paganum hermala, Cannabis sativa, Adhatoda vasica, especially those used in the treatment of diseases and their long term usage. The evaluated metals were cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb). Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (wet digestion) was used for the analyses, and content of metals per sample was expressed as mg/kg. The analysis of variance revealed that there were significant effects of site variation on medicinal species in Ni and Cr contents while the opposite were observed in case of Pb and Cd at location I. The Ni concentrations found in medicinal plants varied significantly while Pb, Cd and Cr were evident as non significant at location II. There was positive non significant correlation of Pb and Cr among soil and plant while negative non significant for Ni and Cd at both locations. The findings suggest that the use of these plant species for the management of diseases will not cause heavy metal toxicity and may be beneficial to the users in cases of micronutrient deficiency, as these metals were found to be present in readily bioavailable form.

Lethal effects of λ-cyhalothrin and Emamectin benzoate in Plexippus paykulli (Araneae: Salticidae)

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) was tested for feto-neuro-histopathological manifestations on fetal central nervous system (CNS) in mice at 3 maternally sub-toxic oral doses - 0, 9 and 18 mg/kg. Each dose group was further categorized as: single (gestation day (GD) 6) and triple exposures (9, and 12 respectively). Fetuses were exteriorized on GD18. No obvious signs of toxicity were seen in the dams at these exposures. Mean fetal weight showed a dose (9 and 18 mg/kg) and exposure (single and triple) dependent decrease compared to that of the 0 mg/kg group while the litter size remained unaffected. The neurohistopathological abnormalities include vacuolations of the medullary region along with cortical lesions in CNS in 9 and 18 mg/kg groups on triple exposure only. These neurohistopathological manifestations were considered as the indicatives of neuroglial cells necrosis apoptosis. Our findings suggest that gestational exposure of CPF at motherly safe dose levels in mice induce neuroglial cells apoptosis in fetal CNS.

GENUS Aleurocanthus (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) WITH TWO NEW RECORDS FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract In the present study, effects of λ-cyhalothrin and emamectin benzoate on survival, locomotion, avoidance behaviour and growth of Plexippus paykulli Savigny Et Audouin, 1827 were studied. P. paykulli was found highly susceptible against the recommended field rate concentration of λ-cyhalothrin. The pesticide affected survival, locomotion and growth of the spiders. On the other hand, emamectin benzoate showed a negligible effect on spiders survival. However, emamectin benzoate significantly affected the locomotion and growth of P. paykulli. It is concluded that although emamectin benzoate is less toxic than λ-cyhalothrin for P. paykulli, it cannot be recommended for IPM programme.

Histological and micrometric effects of diazinon exposure on adrenal medulla and cortex in mice

The present research was conducted to collect and identify genus Aleurocanthus from Punjab, province of Pakistan, which is situated between 29.24 N to 33.56 N latitude, 70.25E to 74.31 E and 125 to 2291 meter in altitude. It has very broad host range for this genus. Four species viz., A. davidi, A. russellae, A. spiniferus and A. woglumi were identified from the pupal cases mounted on slides. Of these, four species A. davidi, and A. spiniferus are new records for Pakistan. The species are illustrated and described. A key for the identification of species of this genus is also given. These species are severely infesting Acacia nilotica, Mangifera indica, Citrus sp, Eucalyptus citriodora, Morus alba, Jatropha multifida, Terminalia catappa, Putranjiva roxburghii and Syzygium cumini. These species were collected from Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Sialkot. Collection was done randomly throughout the Punjab.

Spiders of the genus Neoscona (Araneae: Araneidae) from Punjab, Pakistan.

Histopathological effects of Diazinon (DZ) were studied on adrenal gland in virgin young female mice divided into five groups (10 animals each): (1) Control (untreated); (2) and (3) 9 and 18 mg kg−1 single exposure groups (given distilled water on day 1 and 2 and DZ on day 3); (4) and (5) 9 and 18 mg kg−1 multiple exposure groups (given respective DZ doses on days 1–3). All doses were applied by gavage. Animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation on day 6. Adrenals were removed surgically for histological and micrometric assessments of medulla and cortex. Histological examination of adrenal medulla revealed apoptotic changes and granular depletion in chromaffin cells while cortex gave impression of increased thickness of Zona Fasciculata following multiple DZ exposures. Mean cell sizes in cortical and medullary regions showed dose and exposure dependent significant decline. In conclusion, DZ exposure caused granular depletion in chromaffin cells indicating a rapid release of adrenaline and increased fascicular thickness indicating an anticipated shift from adrenal sex steroids to glucocorticoids biosynthesis and release. Apoptotic changes and significant decline in mean cell sizes of cortical and medullary regions were considered as the outcomes of oxidative and biosynthetic stresses of DZ exposure.